Monday, July 23, 2012

Nuture Virtual Book Tourz - Peristent Illusions by Joseph Devon - Post and Giveaway




Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Joseph Devon and his new novel Persistent Illusions!


Author, Joseph Devon


Joseph Devon was born in New Jersey and currently lives in New York. He’s been a student, a nanny, worked at the Ground Zero recovery project after 9/11, and of all the things he’s created he is probably most proud of the character Kyo. He writes a blog, enjoys photography and he’s also at flickr, and tumblr, and twitter — sometimes he thinks that he might have one too many social networking outlets. Joseph’s Annual Fan Art Contest has a lot of great prizes to choose from for simply submitting art based on his books — check it out at: http://josephdevon.com/contest/the-third-annual-joseph-devon-art-contest/.


Hello Joseph! Welcome to my blog! :)

What would you like readers to take away from your novel?

Every now and then I find that it helps to remember the underlying reasons for doing something. One can get so caught up in the minutiae of a process, that they lose track of why that process is being done in the first place. So as a writer I occasionally take a step back and try to figure out what it’s all about. Why do I spend my time writing books? What is it, in the end, that I’d like my readers to take away from my words?

It’s a difficult question. I put a lot into my books. The worldviews of my characters, the knowledge I’ve picked up during research, my own hopes and fears and loves and hurts. But really none of that is ever my main goal while writing. In a wonderfully enigmatic realization, I have found that when I look at the bigger picture of what I want my readers to take way, I prefer to focus on the smallest of details. I drill down into the individual scenes and interactions and settings. I’ve found that focusing on these details makes the bigger picture that much more beautiful.

I love the debates and conversations I’ve seen amongst my readers about philosophy and the various character arcs, what I really focus on, what I really try to impart to my readers, is a sense of immediacy while reading. I try, as hard as possible, to place my readers right there in the room with my characters through the use of perfect details. I want them to feel if the room is too hot, I want them squinting if the lighting is too low. If my characters are fighting I want my reader’s heart to start racing as they get drawn in. If there’s coffee being made I want them to smell it, maybe even debate having a cup.

 Those little moments are what get put together, bit by bit, to create the larger work as a whole. And if I can get those little moments to pop in my readers’ heads, then the big picture will take care of itself.

 So that’s what I aim for when I’m writing, for the reader to take all the details effortlessly to heart as if they were right there in my world. Ideally, when they’re done reading, they’ll even get a few scenes mixed up in their heads as to whether they actually happened or whether they read them. Or years later they might remember how a sandwich tasted to a character of mine. If I can do that, then I know the larger picture will be right too.

To put it simply, if someone sneezes in one of my books, I want my readers to reach for a tissue.

Thank you, Joseph! Well, I hope to read your book and share your world soon! And now...YOU readers will also get a chance to win an eBook of Persistent Illusions! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!!!

Find and follow Joseph Devon on:

Buy the book at:





Follow the rest of the tour!

Persistent Illusions by Joseph Devon – NURTURE Book Tour Schedule:

xoxo,

Friday, July 20, 2012

Macedonia Films

Today, I have the absolute pleasure of having Macedonia Films 
on my blog!!! 

Whoop~Whoop!!!

Okay, okay... I know you're probably wondering... What is Macedonia Films?
Well, you're in luck! I'm about to tell you!


MACEDONIA FILMS

What is it?

Macedonia Films is a Memphis based film collaborative. They've made short films such as John Gray (Which has won multiple awards, and is soon to be a feature length film), Avarice, and some fun shorts that you can watch on their site.

But wait... don't go yet! I have a treat for you... I have trailers!!!

So, grab some snacks and enjoy! 

First two minutes of John Gray:
Life is more than a bowl of oatmeal…

      John Gray labors over his Almanac of Life, Love and the Tending of Oats, a pursuit his wife Susie Slumber finds a bit too…scientific. He learns to move on when a young girl turns up on his doorstep, turning his perfectly predictable world upside down.
      Originally filmed in 2009 for the Doorpost Film Project, John Gray has been screened to thousands internationally and won numerous awards. But, the story continues! Late 2011 the decision was made to develop John Gray into a feature-length film.



AVARICE:

What you see isn’t always what you get…

      Avarice is about a little girl who is awakened one morning by a mysterious Light. She pursues the Light until something darker and more mysterious catches her attention in an ominous forest. Faced with the decision between the Light and the darkness, she discovers the consequences of her choices while journeying through a strange and fantastical world.
      Avarice was written by Rachel Taylor in March 2010, born out of an aspiring filmmaker’s desire to tell a story about the journey of a loss of innocence. What started as a small idea grew into an extremely ambitious project, and after adding Dan Baker on as producer, we embarked on our own journey to complete this film.




So...what did you think? Pretty dang awesome, huh!!!
Well, now a real treat...
If you head to their site:

http://macedoniafilms.com/

You can sign up to get a FREE "Full Copy" of the award winning short film
JOHN GRAY!!!

I'm sure this won't be the last time you hear the name
MACEDONIA FILMS!!

Don't miss out!!! Follow them:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

AND...Don't forget to read their blog posts!!! Some of them are hilarious MUST reads...LIKE:

5 Simple Rules of Movie Theater Etiquette
or
The Zombie Apocalypse and Why I Would Totally Survive

The author of these two blog masterpieces is Katie Gecan. A cute red-headed girl, born and raised in the Hawaii. She thinks all dogs are boys, all cats are girls, and all giraffes are French. 
And...She just happens to be my cousin. ;) 
She will soon be getting married to Dan Baker, who is a filmmaker with Macedonia. He's made a couple of films and has taught media production internationally.

Meet the rest of the crew:

 Sarah Hascher: Sarah Hascher is a native yankee, but wears her southern charm like a necklace. She designs, creates and moves like the waves in the ocean–yellows, greens and blues being the colors of her energy.

Rachel M Taylor: Rachel is a writer/director with Macedonia Films. Inclined towards fantasy films, she is currently finishing her short film, Avarice.

Friends:

Jessica Powers: Jessica is a freelance writer/director currently living and working in Orlando, FL. She’s a sci-fi/fantasy geek, archery champ, and big kid.

Jim Allman: Jim is a co-founder of the artist community, Continuum, in Memphis, TN. He’s a dabbler with an expensive photography-habit and a poetry-dependency. He has a tremendously impressive and growing list of publication credits, including this one.

If you enjoyed this post... please leave a comment below and let us know! We appreciate all comments!

xoxo,




Thursday, July 19, 2012

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!

I know you probably won't read this because you'll probably want to scroll down to see who won...but, I'd like to thank EVERYONE who came and entered, shared, and pimped my Giveaway! You made this In My Dreams ~ Christmas in July / 1st Birthday Celebration so special, and I am completely BLOWN AWAY by the wonderful responses for everyone. You all are AMAZING!!!

Okay...now that I'm through gushing...

THE WINNERS ARE:


Da~Da~Da~Duh!

Signed Paperback: Claw Pepper
eBook: Felicia Sparkles
Swag: Jannah Findley
Swag: Leslie Paige Dover
Swag: Joella Elbert
Swag: Brandy Schaefer Dull
Swag: Susan M Dusterhoft

CONGRATS to the WINNERS!!!
(All winners have been notified by email or FaceBook.)

BUT WAIT!!!!!
For all of you that didn't win... Guess what!?!
Because you were all so awesome...my Author Page on FB has just made 400 Followers!!!

Whoooo-Hoooooo!



SO, you will have ANOTHER chance to win some awesome
In My Dreams stuff!!!

So visit my:

Give me some time...
I live in Alaska, so the time difference is off for those on the east coast.  
But, I'll let everyone know when the contest starts! Let's set it for Saturday! I'll be having contests throughout the day for you to win... I have more swag, and maybe even throw in a book or two... ;)
Hopefully, I'll see you there!!!
Remember...
Saturday (7/21)...be there or be square!

OH...AND PLEASE COME BACK HERE TOMORROW!!! (Friday, 7/20)

MORE AWESOMENESS AWAITS!!!

xoxo,




Thursday, July 12, 2012

IN MY DREAMS ~ SWAG GIVEAWAY!!!

It's July already!?! I can't believe how fast time flies these days!

In My Dreams is now just over a year-old, and beginning to pick-up speed! I can remember the day I held it in my hands and cried.
It was a day of pure joy and bliss. Now, my baby is making many readers cry...literally. LOL And that's a great feeling! 
So, since Christmas is my favorite holiday, it IS July, and the fact that I ordered all this AMAZING SWAG...I've decided to have a giveaway!

Let's call this the: 
In My Dreams
CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY!!!
Why not?

Ooooo....AND... WE CAN'T FORGET!!!

YEP...HAPPY (BELATED) FIRST BIRTHDAY
IN MY DREAMS!
(I'm so proud of you, and what you're becoming! *sniff~sniff*)



So...just enter below.
It's fairly easy. Just a few clicks of the button, and voilà...you're entered.
RUNS 7/12 -7/19!!! 
Winners will be announced on July 19th!!! YAY!!!

*This is an international giveaway! ;)*

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!



Saturday, July 7, 2012

Liebster Blog Award



AWESOME!!! I have been awarded with the Liebster Blog Award...for the 2nd time!!! Thank you so much Marissa, for giving me this award! :)

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers and Liebster is a German word which means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome. Awww....that's so adorable.


Here are the rules:
1) Each person must post 11 facts about themselves.
2) Answer 11 questions the awarder has given you, and give 11 questions for the people you've awarded.
3) Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Tell them you've awarded them.
5. Remember, no tag backs.


11 Facts About Me:
1. I am married with children, who I like most of the time.
2. I started writing short stories about 6 years ago.
3. In My Dreams is my first novel.
4. I was an All-Star soccer player in high-school.
5. I'm highly allergic to cats. Oh sheeze. My nose is itchy just thinking about it.
6. I am addicted to caffeine. Coffee, that is...with LOTS of cream.
7. My next novel, HIDDEN WINGS, a YA Paranormal Romance/Thriller has been picked up by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. It will be released January 31, 2013.
8. I have lots of ideas for future novels. :)
9. Some of my favorite movies are the Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Neverending Story, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Harry Potter movies...
10. I like bacon.
11. My favorite colors are turquoise, purple, pink and brown.



11 people I have given the Liebster Blog Award to: <3

Here the questions Marissa wanted me to answer... :)

1. Are you a new blogger or have you been doing this for a while?
I've been blogging for almost a year now, but haven't been doing it as much as I'd like.

2. Where are you from?
I was born in SanFrancisco, CA. At the age of 3, my family moved to Maui, Hawaii, and that is where I was raised. Six months ago we moved to Alaska. 

3. What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading Vaempires Revolution by Thomas Winship.

4. What are your favorite genres to blog about?
I love reading YA Paranormal, so that's my favorite genre to blog about.

5. What book are you just waiting to come out?
Hidden Wings, written by...ME!!! LOL It will be released on January 31, 2013 by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing!!! YAY!!!

6. Who are your favorite author(s)?
OMG...SO MANY!!! I don't think I could choose. But the one who inspired me to write was C.S. Lewis.

7. What book can you not stop talking about because it was so good.
I've read a lot of books recently that are really good. I'm not sure if I can choose just one.

8. Are you interested in writing yourself?
Yes! Writing is my life. Writing is my passion, and I hope that people will enjoy my stories as much as I love writing them.

9. What film is your absolute favorite, and what are you eagerly waiting to come out in theaters?
Okay, don't get upset, but I'm really excited to watch the last part of Breaking Dawn.

10. What music do you like to listen to?
I listen to ALL kinds of music... Maroon 5, Coldplay, Linkin Park, Train, Pink, Katie Perry, Demi Lavato, Sia...the list goes on.

11. Do you receive ARC's? And if so, what are you waiting for?
Actually, I don't receive ARC's. My Kindle is FILLED with hundreds of books waiting to be read. So many books, so little time to read. :'(
 

My questions for the 11 that I chose for the award: (Yes, they are a bit random. Lol)
1) What's your favorite color?
2) Do you have pets?
3) What's your astrological sign?
4) What is your favorite genre to read?
5) How many books do you read a month?
6) Are you a writer? If yes, what genre do you write?
7) Who's your favorite author(s)?
8) What's your favorite movie?
9) If you could be in any movie, which one would you choose?
10) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
11) What is your favorite movie snack?