Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel

Interview with Kelly Risser - YA Author

November 24, 2014

I’m so happy to feature fellow YA Author Kelly Risser in my blog today. (I knew I found a kindred spirit when I realized we both incorporate Celtic myths and legends into our novels.)

Kelly, tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I live in Muskego, Wisconsin with my two kids, my husband, and our dog, Clyde. While I work full time as an Instructional Designer, creating eLearning courses for a bank, writing is my passion and my biggest hobby. Coming in a close second would be reading. I prefer books to TV, and yes, I prefer the book to the movie, too. I’m the type of reader who vividly pictures the story in my head. Since it already plays out like a personal movie for me, I often find myself disappointed at either the casting choices or the actors’... Continue Reading

Review of "One Wish Away"

November 19, 2014

Super-smart characters combined with fast-paced action make Kelley Lynn’s latest novel One Wish Away a winner.  The teaser drew me in from the beginning—“Be careful what you wish for. . .”

High school student Lyra (great name!) is a budding astronomer who hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps and work at Space Exploration and Discover. Abandoned by her mom years before and neglected by an incredibly distracted dad, Lyra spends most of her time with her best friend Darren.

Gazing through the telescope one evening Lyra notices that a star is missing. Her search to find out what happened uncovers a top-secret government experiment masterminded by her dad. When Lyra (and Darren) question the experiment’s goal to build a perfect world, they know they’re putting... Continue Reading

Join Me for NaNoWriMo

October 29, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Let me just say the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Fall Conference was weekend of awesomeness. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this conference, it’s a combination of great camaraderie with other Wisconsin writers (and illustrators), super smart national-level faculty, and break-out sessions that allow us to fine-tune our writing craft.

At the beginning of the conference we always have some kind of mixer. (Thank you MJ... Continue Reading

But I just want to READ!

October 22, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Catching up in the land of book promotions.

With the release of my book this Friday – October 24 – (YES, that’s THIS Friday!) I have been deeply immersed in book promotion for weeks. If you have liked my author Facebook page or you follow me on Twitter, you are keenly aware of this fact. I hope that you’ve had some fun with the Facebook contests and enjoyed my Teaser Tuesdays where I share a bit... Continue Reading

Secrets of Runes

October 14, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Mysterious Runes - What are they? What do they mean?

I’ve included an “Uncover the Secrets of Runes” kit in my SWAG BOX prize package (which you can win by subscribing to my blog before midnight on 10/23). To subscribe – look in the right hand column of this page. (That’s it, to the right, yup, and down a little bit.) Do you see it?  Click on subscribe by email – Enter your email address in the pop up screen – An email verification will go to your inbox. (Don’t forget to verify at this step... Continue Reading

SWAG BOX - CONTENTS REVEALED

October 14, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

TEN DAYS TO GO TO WIN THIS AWESOME PRIZE!

I still think swag bag sounds so much better than swag box – but let me remind you that this box is so much cooler than a bag.

If you are just catching up with my blog and posts about this contest now, I’ll explain the reason for the box instead of the bag.  You need to know that pivotal to the storyline of Circle of Nine: Beltany is a book of family history that is stored in an antique wooden box.  When I was shopping for goodies and... Continue Reading

Teaser Tuesday - Chapter One of Circle of Nine: Beltany

October 7, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

How did it get to be Teaser Tuesday AGAIN!! Time is a-flyin' here in book world. The official launch date - October 24 - is coming up quickly.

I wanted to share the first chapter of Circle of Nine: Beltany with you.  Please don't hesitate to share this with others if you like. 

 

MORE ABOUT THE BIG DEAL BOOK GIVEAWAY

October 7, 2014

I LIED! IT’S NOT A SWAG BAG – IT’S A SWAG BOX!!

Okay, I have to admit it took me a little while to get used to the idea of saying swag box.  Many of you know how much I love rhyming, and, well, swag box just doesn’t sound cool when you say it.

BUT – let me tell you this is the coolest thing ever. A book of family history stored in an antique wooden box plays a pivotal role in my story. And when I was shopping for goodies for this contest and saw this lovely carved box, I knew this was THE way to deliver the contents to the lucky winner. Now -- if you missed it in the last post, I'm running a contest from now until midnight on October 23 -- the day before my official book launch. You have the chance to win a swag BOX which includes a signed paperback and a... Continue Reading

BOOK GIVEAWAY - ENTER NOW

September 29, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

WIN THE BIG DEAL BOOK SWAG BAG

Little did I know that when I began researching Book Giveaway Contests how easy it would be to get sucked into a vortex of choices. Who knew there were so many types of contests – just for books??  It took a while, but I’ve successfully pulled myself out of the whirlwind and made some decisions!

I’ve designed a series of giveaways that include four separate three-day contests starting October 1 and one Big Deal Swag Bag contest that starts now and... Continue Reading

Release Date - Circle of Nine: Beltany

September 24, 2014
  (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

It’s Writer Wednesday and today it’s all about MY BOOK!!!

Announcing the official release day – ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!! FRIDAY  - OCTOBER 24 CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY will be available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.

It’s been a long road to publication. Many of you have followed the progress of this book for years – yes, YEARS!  Thank you for sticking with me.

The past six months have been a whirl of final edits, final-final edits, final-final-final edits (I mean it this time... Continue Reading

Pages