Saturday, April 26, 2014

Reasons to Dance in the Rain



It's raining.

Again.

Another dull and dreary wet wet day. Another chance for the grass and trees to take another step closer to green and further from white (remember all of that snow!?) So what is it about rainy days that makes them feel so blah sometimes? Maybe its perspective. I find that if I let my mood be swayed by the passing clouds and color of the sky, its easy to fall into a state of ennui... feeling melancholic or even lethargic. Which is fine some of the time... I'm all in favour of chill-days. But in spring when we have more rainy days than sunny ones, well there has to be an out or I'd never get anything accomplished. My solution; I've decided to look for all of the wonderful things about rain, and then look for all of the wonderful things about what I do, and then all of the things I love about my life, and before long I'm on a whole different path and feeling a sense of gratitude for the fresh April showers. That was exactly what I did this morning as I drew the curtains to greet a pale grey sky. And low and behold, as I sipped my latte and counted my blessings, the skies began to clear.... coincidence?? ;).



Then I clicked open my email to discover more to brighten my day. My novel Fire & Ice has been nominated for a RONE Award by InD'Tale Magazine!!! It made it to the final voting round to be presented during the RNC in Las Vegas this summer!


So exciting! Any excuse to get dolled up and attend a formal awards banquet... I'm so there! And of course I'm super grateful to everyone who votes and who loves Fire & Ice!




I wonder what other surprises today has in store. Have you looked for them yet? I highly recommend it.

The rain has stopped. The skies are clearing. The trees look happier and so am I. And now, I can share their enthusiasm and let it inspire me back into productivity with the final round of edits for BITTERSWEET, book 2 of Fire & Ice. I just added a scene where Adrius and Lorelei dance in the rain... super romantic.



And while I'm not the most patient person in the world, I've been holding on to some extra exciting news... have to hold it for a little while longer I'm afraid, but I promise to reveal jut as soon as I get the green light!

Have an inspired day today and if you get the chance, remember to dance in the rain! Or at least find reasons to! ;)


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Fabulous Author Spotlight- SPARK OF A FEUDLING by Wendy Knight

Whoot whoot, its finally here! The fabulous Wendy Knight's new release in her FEUDLING Saga.... Spark of a Feudling!! I got to meet Wendy at in person at RNC (Romance Novel Convention) last year and she is as wonderful as her books!

Keep reading to learn more about Wendy Knight and her latest release SPARK OF A FEUDLING series and then click the BUY link  (or the book cover) because you are definitely going to want to read this one!!!

Enjoy the teaser excerpt!


Hate can start a war, but a shattered heart can fuel it for centuries. 

Everything Ada does is wrong. She’s the daughter of a Duke but she isn’t proper or formal. She prefers the company of her servants—particularly Christian, the boy she’s loved since she was six years old, and his sister, Charity, Ada’s very best friend in the entire world.
Ada isn’t just the daughter of a Duke. No, she’s the daughter of one of the most powerful Edren sorcerers alive, and no matter how strong she is, it isn’t strong enough. Ada will give up almost everything to earn her father’s pride.
Christian has loved Ada since the day his mother became her governess. But two societies are determined to keep them apart—the aristocracy who say a groom will never be good enough for a Duke’s beautiful daughter, and the sorcerers who say a Carules and an Edren can never be together. Christian will do anything to make Ada his—even drive himself to madness.
When Ada suspects her father of hurting Charity and Christian in his quest for knowledge, she is torn between loyalty to him, and a fierce determination to protect them. The division tears her soul and breaks her heart.
The pieces of her broken heart will start a war that can only be stopped by the death of the most powerful warrior alive by the hand of the boy who loves her.

****

**Bonus Story –Feudlings in Peace**Join  Ari, Shane, Ada, Christian and everyone they love as they chase their happily ever after.


Excerpt:


He sprinted down the path, into the forest, leaping over huge rocks and tree roots and through streams he couldn’t see but his magic told him were there. He had no idea where he was going, but there seemed to be a tether from his heart to hers — he always knew where Ada was. He ran straight to them, nearly colliding with her father’s guards as he raced through the thick trees.
“What happened to her?” he bellowed, jerking Ada out of Davis’s bloodstained arms.
“She was hit, saving me,” Harrison answered. “Can you help her?”
If there had been time, any time at all, Christian would have paused at that. How exactly had his tiny little Ada saved the giant Harrison? But there wasn’t time. He laid her on the thick grass, searching for the wound. But there was so much blood.
“There!” Davis snapped, jabbing the air above her stomach.
Flames roiled across Christian’s hands and he held them above her, letting the flames soothe the skin before he tried to touch it. They swirled through the air, seeping and mending the broken, charred skin.
“Does she breathe?” Harrison asked, crouching close to put his face next to her mouth.
Christian ignored him. He didn’t care if she breathed or not.
She would breathe, or he would die with her.
“She does.” Harrison sat back, relieved.
“Can you not heal at all? Stop the blood flow from her shoulder!” Christian snapped.
Harrison gaped at him. “We’re Edren. We don’t heal.”
“I’m Carules and I can throw a lirik if need be,” Christian muttered under his breath, but he couldn’t argue with them now.
She moaned.
They all froze in shock, and then redoubled their efforts. Davis jerked his shirt off and held it to her shoulder while Christian’s blue flames leaped and danced from his hands, fighting the poison eating through her body.
“Christian. I knew—” she whispered as her skin healed, leaving only pink burns behind.
“Shhh. Don’t speak. You’re still very weak.” He moved from her stomach to her shoulder, pushing Davis’ shirt out of the way. It was stiff with dried blood and she shrieked when he ripped it from the wound. “Forgive me, dear one,” he whispered, his mouth near her temple, kissing the pain away. “Forgive me.”
“I knew… you would come. I knew you… could heal me.” Her eyes fluttered open, dazed with pain, dark orbs barely reflecting the moonlight.
“Always, Ada. Forever.”

*****


All about Wendy Knight and where to Buy her Books:



Author BIO

Wendy Knight is the bestselling author of the young adult series Fate on Fire and Riders of Paradesos. She was born and raised in Utah by a wonderful family who spoiled her rotten because she was the baby. Now she spends her time driving her husband crazy with her many eccentricities (no water after five, terror when faced with a live phone call, no touching the knives…you get the idea). She also enjoys chasing her three adorable kids, playing tennis, watching football, reading, and hiking. Camping is also big—her family is slowly working toward a goal of seeing all the National Parks in the U.S.
You can usually find her with at least one Pepsi nearby, wearing ridiculously high heels for whatever the occasion. And if everything works out just right, she will also be writing.


Get Connected, you'll be so glad you did!


Monday, February 17, 2014

Pampering Yourself


I admit this post may seem a little off topic.... if there even is a topic for my blog, but bear with me here. Now that January is behind me, I've been feeling a little more excited about the arrival of spring. Okay, so it's still a coupe of months a way in my area of the world, but it seems like a good time for self care. Perhaps its the after effects of Valentine's Day and showing those you love a ton of extra love.... but something got me thinking...how much extra love do we show ourselves?

We've made a commitment to do some self-loving things in our family, like eating healthier whole foods, exercising more, juicing and making smoothies, eliminating GMO's and choosing organic food when possible. So this long weekend found me wanting to take things a little further. With the amount of typing and sculpting I do in a week, my hands, as you can imagine can take quite a beating. Plus I naturally have really dry skin. So off I went to Pinterest (my guilty pleasure addiction, second only to chocolate) to find some really cool ideas. What did I find... recipes for luscious body butters, and nourishing solid cream bars and fantastic lips balms. Which did I decide to make... well true Libran that I am, I eliminated the need to make a choice and made all three. After reading several blends I came up with my own recipes and they all turned out wonderfully. YAY! In case you want to pamper your hands, feet, body and soul a this February, I'm sharing my recipes below.

Now back to work, but with softer, smoother, happier hands!

Have a great February! <3

P.S. Did I mention exciting news regarding my Fire & Ice book series is coming? Im terrible at keeping secrets, but it will be just a little longer (I hope) before I can spill the beans!1 ;D

*************

DECADENT BODY BUTTER



1/2 cup shea butter
1/2 cup coconut oil (organic unrefined)
1/4 cup almond oil or olive oil
2 tsp grated beeswax or beeswax pastilles
Optional: add mixed tocopherol Vitamin E oil and organic essential oils for fragrance and to preserve. (I used a teaspoon of Borage oil for my dry sensitive skin and added several drops of Rosemary essential oil)

Stir over low heat (or in a glass bowl in the microwave) until melted. Remove from heat and add essential oils if desired. Let it cool completely and harden.Then using a hand mixer, whip the mixture, but be careful not to let it get too warm. Then scoop it into jars. (I used cute little glass jars from the dollar store) You could also add herbs or essential oils if you want, choosing whichever scent you like.

Voila, it's ready to use and super healthy for your skin!



*********

BLISSFUL BODY LOTION BARS

(similar to the ones they sell at LUSH)

If you've never tried these then you simply must, especially if you have dry skin or wash your hands frequently. They're amazing. It looks like soap, but its actually a solid lotion bar. You just rub it on your hands or anywhere you want a little extra moisture... heels, elbows, you name it. Wonderful stuff & here' how I made mine!

1 cup coconut oil
1 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three equal to 1 part)
1 cup beeswax (can add a little extra if you want a harder bar that leaves less lotion on your skin when used)
Optional: Vitamin E oil or Rosemary oil to preserve. And any essential oil fragrance you'd like to add. I added 1 tsp of Borage oil for several drops of Rosemary oil which I really love as you can tell by now) The next batch I'm making with citrus oils.

Combine all ingredients (except essential oils) in a glass microwavable bowl (or use a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan with 1 inch of water in it.)

Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth. Remove from heat, add the essential oils and stir.

Carefully pour into molds (you can use silicone molds, muffin tins, small plastic bowls, pretty much anything will work) I used silicone baking mold.

Allow the lotion bars to cool fully before you pop them out of the molds. Put them into a large glass jar or individual containers or even little bags. They last for ages and feel really great on the skin.



***************

LUSCIOUS LIP BALM

(very similar to Burt's Bees)

I made a small batch, but I think I'm going to make this in huge quantities as giveaways for my next book signing event!! ;D


1 part beeswax (1 tablespoon)
2 parts shea, cocoa or mango butter OR 2 parts olive oil, almond oil or vitamin E oil (2 tablespoons)
2 parts coconut oil (example-2 tablespoons)
20 drops of essential oil of choice (or more or less to your preference) I use 15 drops of Wintermint essential oil and 5 drops of Rosemary oil (give or take)
(You could also add colour or flavour for something really fun)
Again, in a glass bowl, melt and stir everything together except essential oils. One melted, add essential and pour into containers. I used both lip balm tubes and little round containers both plastic and metal ones. Use whatever you'd like. Let it harden fully before using.

Soft kissable lips in flash! How does it get better than that!?


**************

Have fun pampering your body this winter! I'm heading back to my writing cave.... umm... probably to write the next kissing scene! ;)

Oh, and here's a link to a couple of suppliers for ingredients and containers: (though check your local health food stores first)
https://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com
https://www.thesage.com/index.html

If you make these wonderful body creams, or anything like them, let me know how they turn out. What ingredients & oils did you use?

Monday, January 27, 2014

Shaking the January Blues

Christmas is wonderful.

January... not so much.

For me it's typically a time to get cozy and hibernate, doing lots of writing and sculpting and whatever other creative pursuits catch my attention. While finished off the edits for Bittersweet (I know, I've been promising its release for ages it seems, and it it is coming soon, honest) and revising an New Adult series called Daring Magic, I've been looking and watching for little things that come along to brighten the winter blahs. Tons of snow and super cold, that's been our winter so far. Short of a trip south, I've had to get creative with the things that bring me joy and add a little sunshine. Here are a few things I've stumbled upon along the way:

Receiving a shipment of my book in paperback: Very exciting!



The first person I've seen holding a paperback version of my book Fire & Ice. Sooo exciting to get that photo!

An awesome fan video for Fire & Ice made by the incredible Natasha Vahora who also helps manage my Facebook fan page! :)




Okay, what else... well there's the collaboration with a company exploring the possibility of producing a toy line with my doll sculptures.... very exciting!

And some other potentially SUPER-exciting news, that I can't share with the world just yet. ;)

Winning a contest to submit my latest manuscript to Entangled Publishing! Whoot whoot!



Rocking a new hair style that everyone compliments me on. :) Love that!

Hiring a personal assistant to help take care of some of the social media tasks for me. Someone to manage my Facebook street team... Golden! Thanks so much Sheri Vidal from Author Accomplice!


Somedays its as simple as having my hubby or son surprise me with a latte in the mornings.

Or receiving a lovely note or positive review from a satisfied reader.

I guess the point is that there are little gifts to make us smile all around if we're willing to look for them. So now it's your turn... tell me, what are you looking for to brighten your day or that makes you smile? No winter blues to deal with, all the better... you get to find things just for the sheer delight of it! 

I guarantee that by the mere act of looking, you're sure to find!

Here's to shaking the January blues.

Happy hunting everyone!
xo




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!



Wishing you all many joys of the season! 

It was been a fabulous year for me, for which I am extremely grateful, and I hope it has for you as well. I wish you all a magical holiday season, and a very Happy Christmas and all of the joy, love, blessing & abundance for the coming new year!!!

Exciting news is coming in 2014, so stay tuned. New novels, new sculpting projects, new tutorials, new collaborations, and many more fun and exciting things to share with you. (shhhh... they're all still top secret for now, promise I'll fill you in as soon as I can! ;) ) 

Thank you all so much for all that you do!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!


love,
Michele

Friday, December 13, 2013

HO! HO! HO! Holiday Books & Prizes from Astraea Press!!!



"Warm Your Heart" Christmas Blog Tour from Astraea Press :)




Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Astraea Press! We have lots of Christmas/holiday/winter books we'd love for you guys to check out. It is one of our favorite times of the year!



Is it the cooler weather? The fires in the fireplace? Family gatherings? Or our sweethearts under the mistletoe... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....



Whatever the cause, we want to celebrate Christmas and this holiday season with you. This is the fifth stop on a two week tour. Check out the rafflecopter for a chance to win a free Astraea Press Christmas book of YOUR choice (eep!). There is also a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!



I want to thank Michele and all the other blogs who have offered to help. All of their facebook pages and/or twitter are on the rafflecopter. I hope you get a chance to visit them all.



So... MERRY CHRISTMAS from Astraea Press and our authors. We love our readers! Thanks for a great year.



~Kelly from AP



Here's a sample of our Christmas books. We have two books for you guys today. You'll love them both.



From Liz Botts
Believe by Liz Botts
Eighteen year old Virginia didn't ask to be the oldest daughter of the current Santa Claus, nor did she ask to be betrothed to a complete stranger. When the elf elders turn her world upside down by announcing that she must convince her fiance, Nick, not only to marry her but also to become the next Santa Claus, Virginia has no desire to have any part of the craziness.
From the beginning Virginia's interactions with Nick are filled with awkwardness, tension and disbelief. Despite Nick's love of the holiday, he has no openness to the magical or the mythical. Still, somehow the two forge their way toward one another. Meeting a special little girl named Merry helps Nick and Virginia bond and focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season. Virgnia quickly grows to love and trust Nick, with the only dark spot being his disbelief in all the things she tells him. Nick for his part must come to grips with meeting his real father, the King of Winter, and the fact that he does indeed possess magic.
Will the Nick and Virginia be able to overcome all of the exterior forces seeming to control their lives and fall in love with one another in time to save the future of Christmas?  
BUY LINKS
~*~*~
From award winning author, Elaine Cantrell
A Promise For Her Love by Elaina Lee

Christmas is supposed to be the most joyful time of year.  Instead, Caylie Abrahams finds herself consumed by doubts and misgivings as her wedding date to Rick Marshall approaches.  From two different walks of life, Caylie fears Rick's family, and his money, will be too much to handle. Matters don’t improve much when Rick is forced to give her a prenuptial agreement.
Knowing the marriage contract may be the last straw for Caylie, Rick has to find a way to show his bride-to-be the agreement doesn’t mean their marriage is doomed.  Not only does he need to make sure her worries are addressed, but the pressure of keeping his hands to himself until their wedding night is proving more difficult than he anticipated. 

BUY LINKS
ENTER TO WIN A $50 Amazon gift card or a free AP Christmas book of your choice!

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Welcome to our 18th Keep Calm and Read On via Spreecast.

Live Video Author Interviews and Reading

Don't miss this video interview and book reading with four wonderful authors, myself included!! 

Saturday November 23rd 4pm eastern

#ReadOn 11/23 4pm EST @Tina_Moss @Yelena_Casale @RhiannonPaille @Michelebelisle @Romilybernard

Click here to join the party!  http://www.spreecast.com/events/readon18-5-authors
























@Tina_Moss 

                                                Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

@Yelena_Casale

                                                 Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
Tina  Moss
Tina Moss is an author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and New Adult novels. She lives in NYC with a supportive husband and alpha corgi, though both males hog the bed and refuse to share the covers. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching cheesy horror flicks, traveling, and karate. As a 5'1" Shotokan black belt, she firmly believes that fierce things come in small packages.

Repped by Frances Black &amp; Jennifer Mishler at Literary Counsel.   Yelena Casale writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She was born in Kiev, Ukraine and came to New York at the age of 13, which gave her a great perspective into two very different cultures.

Yelena CasaleYelena believes that the world of vampires, shifters, angels and demons is a wonderful way to escape and let her imagination run wild. In Yelena’s ideal world, she would be a full time writer and travel as much as possible, experience various cultures. She’s also a second degree black belt and an instructor of Shotokan karate. She is represented by Literary Counsel.








A Touch of Darkness (Key, #1)
Cassie’s working for a tightwad boss at a pretentious NYC diner, dealing with paralyzing pain that doctors can’t diagnose, and trying to hide her hands that glow purple whenever she ...well, whenever. 

So, when a mysterious stranger walks out of her dreams and into her life to spout some nonsense about her being a mythical creature, she chalks it up to one more crazy thing to add to her it’s-a-crappy-life list. Yet, when the stranger’s predictions start to come true, she discovers a world that could shake up her humdrum existence.






4 Stars
Great Characters, Great Story, Interesting Plot and more awaits the reader of A Touch of Darkness!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."



@RhiannonPaille

Rhiannon Paille
Rhiannon is a Booksmith from the North, telling her fantastical tales to unsuspecting folk on mountains, in valleys and mostly in cities around the world. She holds a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology, which is to say she happens to know a lot about what goes bump in the night. When she's not writing she's singing karaoke, burning dinner, and hiding her superhero identity. She'd like to own a unicorn one day, as long as it doesn't eat her. 
VultureHow far would you go to betray everything you've ever known?

Kaliel didn't think second chances came with this much turmoil. Exiled from her home, surrounded by strangers and in love with a boy she barely recognizes, she can't take it. She has her best friend, a new mentor, and a chance to win the war against the Valtanyana, but it's all wrong. Desperate to salvage some semblance of her former life, she makes a deal that shatters everything.


@MicheleBelisle

                                                  Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
Michele Barrow-Belisle
Michele Barrow-Belisle is chocoholic author and artist living in southern Ontario, Canada with her super-sweet husband, brilliant son and a ridiculously affectionate cat. Often told by teachers to stop dreaming and get her head out of the clouds, Michele still spends much of her time lost in make-believe worlds, populated with fascinating and occasionally terrifying characters. Her passion for fantasy extends beyond her writing into her clay figure sculpt-ing, creating miniaturized replicas of the paranormal beings she writes about. Michele is as passionate about reading as she is about writing. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found sculpting tiny fairy desserts in polymer clay. She also loves mocha lattes and watching fireflies at twilight. Did we mention she loves chocolate?


Fire And Ice
Adventure wasn’t something Lorelei Alundra was interested in. Gifted with two otherworldly talents for singing and healing, she’s always shied away from her gifts and the spotlight, preferring quiet anonymity, over attention and fame. But when she meets the enigmatic Adrius, with his dark and dangerous mystique and eyes that peer into her soul, her uneventful life becomes irrevocably altered.

Adrius turns up in every one of her classes and knows more about her than any newcomer should. Including the condition of her mother who is suffering from a mysterious illness. Accepting his offer to help leads her into a terrifying and thrilling world, where Elves are even hotter than Legolas, and Faeries.... are nothing like Tinkerbell. Lose the butterfly wings and add a tattoo. The two magical beings are fire and ice opposites. One Lorelei can’t help falling for, and the other she's compelled to be with.

Now she’s trapped in their world, expected to prevent a war between witches and faeries, or forfeit her mother’s life. Nothing is what it seems. Not her family. Not the Fey. Not even Adrius, whose feelings for her balance precariously between danger and desire. 

As secrets unravel and unsettling truths are revealed, Lorelei must fight to save much more than her mother’s life. One mistake could put the fate of his world— and her soul, in jeopardy. 

But hey, no pressure… right.


5 Stars
Magic, Fairies, and more await you in this epic fantasy when Lorelei finds out that she has more to fear than school issues! Its a gripping tale of a girl who finds herself and learns what she is made of!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."


@RomilyBernard

                                                 Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
Romily BernardI graduated from Georgia State University with a Literature Degree. Since then, I worked as a riding instructor, cell phone salesgirl, personal assistant, groom, exercise rider, accounting assistant, and, during a very dark time, customer service rep. So don't let anyone tell you a BA Degree will keep you unemployed. 
13645069
“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.




4Stars
Find me is a gripping wonderful story!  It is slow at times but don't let that scare you!  Also don't let those pesky 1 star reviews on Goodreads scare you either! This book was a great read!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."



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