Bri Clark the "belle" of Boise

Traces of ....

2012-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since I did a review or an interview. And the review isn't per my usual as I'm talking about two novellas. A book one and book two of a series. I apologize for my lack of reviewyness but hey I'm bringing something sweet and emotional. Lets get to the books shall we.

Title: A Trace of Love (Book 1)

Author: Danielle Ravencraft

Genre: Contemporary Romance Erotica

Blurb: Ophelia Martinez has a chance encounter withinternationally famous rock-star, Trace Curtis. To Ophelia, Trace will alwaysbe the charming boy she met in high school. They share one night together inwhich Trace falls in love with Ophelia. But Ophelia knows she can’t continue tolive in the past, at least not with the secret that haunts her present.

Buy Links:

· Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HSCV9I

· Barnes&Noble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-trace-of-love-danielle-ravencraft/1105098324

· SmashWords.com: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/82286

· GoodReads.com: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12515190-a-trace-of-love

· MuseItHOTPublishing.com: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=192&category_id=60&keyword=a+trace+of+love&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Title: A Trace of Passion (Book 2)

Author: Danielle Ravencraft

Genre: Contemporary Romance Erotica

Blurb: Ophelia’s in for a birthday surprisethat turns out to be a birthday nightmare as she’s reunited with hunky rockstar, Trace Curtis. The pain of her defiance runs deep and he won’t leaveOphelia alone without an explanation. The more time they spend together, themore their passion grows. Ophelia knows in her heart she should tell Trace thetruth, but will her secret drive him away?

Buy Link

Bri~Trace of Passion is the second in a trilogy of novellas. What made you decide to go this route?

DR~What made me go with a trilogy? In all honesty, it's just how things turned out lol. My publisher wasn't happy with the ending of "A Trace of Love". They wanted me to flesh it out and give it a happier ending, but first of all, Ophelia wouldn't have it, and second I wanted to keep the story short. At the time I had been mulling around the idea to continue to story in my head, so I talked to my editor about it and she loved the idea of bringing the characters back, so it evolved into two books. But as soon as I finished writing Book 2, I knew there would have to be one more because there are some surprises at the end of Book 2 that Trace and Ophelia need to address before they can truly have their happy ending.

Bri~Boy I can relate to that. Characters that demand things their own way are impossible to ignore. The heros name is actually Trace in your trilogy, as in each of your titles the same word is used. Was that planned? How did it come about?

DR~Heehee. Yes I did that on purpose. I like to have titles that mean something or are a play on words. It's just something I like to do...Like a signature mark or something. I spend weeks with a dictionary and thesaurus open until I find the right combination of words. Sweet, simple, catchy, and will make the reader giggle once they figure it out. :)
Bri~ I'm the same way. Little techniques or patterns that are distinctly me. Even if I'm the only one to now it's still important. Tell us about the third installment? Is this the end? There were two surprises at the end of Passion will those two be resolved?

DR~ Yes the third book, A Trace of Hope, will be the final installment. This might end up being a little longer than the fist two books, but the story will finally end. Makes me sad just thinking about it, but I also feel like I owe Trace and Ophelia their happy ending after everything I put them through.....

Bri~ Darn straight you do. They have been through a lot you spiteful woman. LOL

Review

So I'm not one to summarize an already great blurb so I tend to leave those out of my reviews. In short I almost ripped Danielle a new laptop hole after I read Trace of Love because I wanted the sequel immediately. Trace and Ophelia are amazing characters. The way that Danielle can create characters of that kind of depth and a plot with such intensity in so few words is a testament to her craft and talent.

Buy it Now!

Pampered Chef is Indestructable

2012-02-20T21:42:00.000-08:00

Apparently Pampered Chef is forever. Why do I say that?

Because my granny gave me a round stone she said she'd had for like twenty years. And this thing was black! I mean dark as night, no amount of scraping or scrubbing would change it black.

So I've had said stone for about ten years. And it is still black.

That is until recently.

So I keep this stone in the oven for easy access. Well I hadn't cleaned my oven, or my house for that matter, in a long time.

I have a self cleaning oven...I figure WTH.

I'll set it and then at least that will be clean. So I do all the button pushing, the oven door locks, I go upstairs to take a shower.

Well an hour later the house is all smoking, the detectors are silent (at least we learned that) and the oven is locked. I open up the windows and start the fans. Hours later we find out that the oven wasn't that dirty. The Pampered Chef Stone was!

And now my stone is as good as new looking. Crazy huh!

My Blog 2 Questions + 1 Lit Agent + A Sassy Southern Belle=

The Inverted C and the L desk

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

So if you follow the blog you know that I openedmy own consulting business called Belle Consulting. If you didn't tada! I did. Wellit kind of took off at a pace no one really expected...especially the haters.(Booya how you like the apples!)

With that said there are a couple of new developmentsthat have physically happened.

· My butt is much flatter because Iliterally spend about 10 hours a day on it at the computer.

· I actually weigh less than I did inhigh school now, because I don't eat for 10-12 hours a day. And when I docriteria like it has to be quick, loaded with protein, and not leave anyresidue on a touch screen, key board, or mouse. So no more Cheetos ;(

· I actually have a waist. No really!there are these little things on my sides, above my hips, that are like inwardcurves. It seems this is a side effect of my morning yoga sessions to deal with thestress of success.

· I'm actually making some money for allthis work!

· And finally sitting at the computer inthe incorrect position for so long actually has caused the top of my spine togo into an inverted C.

To elaborate, according to my chiropractor, thetop of the spine should look like a C with the top of your head bouncing aroundfluidly on top.

Mine is backwards. Which made my spine go into aflipping zig zag.

Can you say painful?!

Well apparently my desk set up was wrong. I hadall my papers in front of me and kept leaning forward toward the screen. Mydoctor suggested I try attaching an L to the side I could turn toward in orderto correct the issue.I would then move the computer screen closer and keep my papers etc on the L desk.

Well after 5 thrift shops I gave up and cried tothe hubby. (I may be making money but I'm still frugal.) And then said I'm taking your desk.

Well apparently he must have wanted to keep his(really his office furniture was mine for years)because he came home from workone night and started up the saws. He's an amazing carpenter.

So I thought "Hey, he'll rip down two boardsthrow some screws together and it'll all be good." (We'd just be out timecause we had some spare wood in the garage.)

I should have known. The man is so not capable ofsimple. And don't get me wrong I love him for it like nothing else. But I hateto take any of his precious relaxing time. He works as hard as I do, goes toschool full time, and did I ever mention we have a herd of kids?

So here it is people...my simple L shaped desk.

Oh yes those sides are routed! Yes those arecustom columned looking legs. Yes it's was lovingly hand stained with threecoats of polly added.

So what chya'll think?

My Blog 2 Questions + 1 Lit Agent + A Sassy Southern Belle=

Romancing the Valentine Giveaway Blog Hop

2012-02-06T06:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome Hoppers,

The Romancing Valenties Giveaway Hop is being hosted by Reading Romances!

Enter your text here

What you can win here: eBook copy of 1 of 3 books mentioned below

Number of winners:10

Open to: 18 and up

How to enter: Follow blog, leave a comment with email

Hop and enter the other giveaways!

If this isn't the time of year for romance I don't know when is. Often times as romance authors or readers we are considered to have fanciful, unrealistic ideas about romance and love in general. And sadly some people have those issues.

On the other hand some readers of romance simply enjoy it for what it is...a good book...a good story. A happily ever after for now or a guy gets his girl or vice versa.

I am of the latter.

However, I also have fanciful ideas that's my relatioship with my husband can be deeply intimate and very fanciful indeed. Nevertheless, that requires work and a willingness to try on both parts. Which brings me to the choice of my prizes.

The best book I could have ever read for my marriage was And They Were Not Ashamed:Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment. As a religious woman it can be hard to find books that are respectful yet useful and honest. Boy was this one my Godsent. I've included the cover art and blurb below.

Finally! a book about physical intimacy and marital ONEness that is comprehensive, in-depth and frank, yet respectfully reverent—written to address the unique perspective and concerns of women, while shining a light into the mysteries of the female heart and mind. And They Were Not Ashamed--Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, by Laura M. Brotherson, is the ultimate how-to handbook—power-packed with hope and help for creating a mutually fulfilling intimate relationship.

As three books in one, this "marriage book," "sex book" and "parenting book":

* Shines light and truth on the intimate marital relationship, restoring sex to its proper position as ordained of God
* Effectively addresses, with self-help solutions, the emotional, spiritual and physical intimacy issues that plague so many marriages
* Provides principles and practices to help parents teach and better prepare their children for intimacy and lasting fulfillment in marriage.

And finally there is just that time where you want an escape. A way to engage your mind so that it is unable to think about the to do lists, the financial problems, the burdens of your job, the stress of family and friends, feelings of guilt and inadequately we as humans in general are prone to without provocation.

Which is why I love ready and writing as well. Below are a couple of my books that are part of the prizes.

Product Description

Maeve da Paer has lived her life free from the restrictions of the world of sorcery and the Board of Witchery hidden behind the combined protection of her grandparents powerful clan magic—and a lie. Although her life has not been worry free, it is when all that desperation and grief cause her to cast her most powerful spell ever…a spell that will end the pain before it begins on the powerful All Hallows Eve.

Fionn Hughes, an immortal tracker, former heir to a powerful clan of time warlocks is on a mission to restore his honor—instead he finds Maeve da Paer. Following the scent of Gardenias and Honey Suckle, he discovers the last Scent Witch. It’s only after she almost takes off his ear that something more stirs, eventually changing his mission from one of duty to one of need.

What will Fionn do when he finds out Maeve plans to cancel out her own existence? Will he be strong enough to stop her?

Product Description

After losing her entire coven at the hands of the Eternals, Aisleen is the last of her kind. She retreats from the world to Trinity Forest where she is giving the opportunity of a lifetime, or perhaps a test of principles. It’s there she discovers the man she heals is the Eternal that wiped out her people. Although she is bound as a healer, she could be creative in her revenge. Aisleen knows who and what Lucien his…but does not speak of it. There can be no future with Lucien for she can only be with a mortal man. Even if she wanted to be with him, can she forgive the man that caused the genocide of her people?

Lucien must act quickly for the survival of his clan is at stake. However, Aisleen’s ethereal beauty and emerald eyes keep pushing those thoughts far from his mind. Determined to find out what secret she hides, he prolongs his time with her. When his people need him most what will he choose…duty, desire, or will he make his own fate?

To be perfectly clear...I will pick 10 winners who will receive an eBook copy of one of these three books. All they have to do is follow the blog and leave a comment with their email. That's it.

Don't forget to keep hopping for my prizes and great blogs.

Sports Moms

2012-02-02T01:53:00.000-08:00

Thisweekend my daughter who is 10 had her first basketball game. And it was at this game I found out I'm oneof "those" moms.

You knowthe ones who are louder than the coach...that know more than the coach. Add my smarmy, sarcastic, witty and biting sense of humor if I don't get this under control I could end up in jail.

Itreally hit when I saw her pat the girl on the back ,she was supposed to beguarding, for sinking a goal.

I wasmortified! I want to scream at the top of my lungs. "You should have packed that ball right in her face!" Instead I smiled and waved at the girls parents across the gym. The girls are good friends.

Thenthere was the first practice in Argyle socks no less. I promptly went out andbought all Nike sports clothing.

Here'sthe problem this daughter is the sweet one. One of those people who lives toplease others. She's so not competitive and that's OK.

I'lleither have to read during her games or super glue my lips shut.

And thereis always the young one who at 7 has a play ground rep as the"enforcer." She's expressing an interest in mom's fave sport.

So howbout it are you one if "those" moms?

Business and Pleasure

2012-01-25T05:50:00.000-08:00

Today I will spend about 4-5 hours on the road. And for me someone who works from home, that is A LOT. While I'm gone I'll be at an all day meeting with a great client Kristi Fowler. I love my clients and do enjoy when I get to meet with them in person. Most live very far.

I'll also get to attend the temple. The Twin Fall's Idaho Temple to be exact. I have never attended and since the Boise Temple went under reconstruction I've not been in almost a year. While this is a religious thing I do I feel everyone should have a relaxing harbor. The best way I can describe it is it's like my own personal relaxing recharge multiplied by 100.

Whatever it is you do we all need relaxing and recharging. But I know that I would not be able to even attempt this without the wonderful support of an amazing husband. Who will tend to all the kids activites, wants, and needs while I'm away for the day.

I appreciate him so much and hope when I come back I will be a saner more emotionally stable wife.

Wait maybe that's why he's insisting I go. LOL

What do you do to recharge?

2012-01-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

While I cant black out my blog like Wikipedia or Google. I will support by not posting any new content on this day as I usually do. And I signed the petition. If you want to as well hit the Say no to SOPA below.

SAY NO TO SOPA

My Blog The Belle Gets Local a vlog

Friday The 13th Blog Hop

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Friday the 13th Blog Hop eBook and Kindle Giveaway starts here....

Welcome hoppers to the "National Blame Bad Stuff on the Date."

Technically that's not official but just listen to those around you as the day goes by. I'll throw out a few examples.

If someone stubs a toe "It's Friday the 13th."

Forgot anything a purse, wallet, keys, you name it "It's Friday the 13th."

Car, watch, parking space, anything stolen will be "Friday the 13th." fault.

I say lets lighten up on Friday the 13th. She didn't start this stigma. In fact according to the research I've done nobody really knows who started it. If you want to continue it on your own check in out on Wikipedia here

So how about we check out the hop contest details.

To Enter to Win the Kindle

To qualify for the Kindle is actually quite easy. Just hop from one blog to the other. At the very last stop you will see an entry form to fill out for the Kindle. That's it. This is a special gift that hosts in the hop pitched in and paid for. We all love our readers and are very happy to host giveaways and hops to get to know new people as well as show our love for our already friends.

To Win ebooks from The Belle of Boise

The Prizes

Glazier

Marie Kincaid is devastated after losing her family in a violent crash…so she runs. One morning, she awakes in an infirmary with total memory loss and a new power: Glazier. The cold frozen mists of Glazier’s instincts enable Marie to embark on a new life free of pain but most importantly free of the past. Heightened senses, accelerated strength,speed, and learning abilities make Marie a perfect candidate to be a spy…also a perfect companion for Henry Tenison, the only other known Glazier.

Henry, a loner and proud rogue finds his world upended when his connection to Marie is forged. Unsure of how to progress, he endeavors to keep it strictly professional. As far away missions and romantic surroundings entice him into pursuing his deeper desires, he caves. However, Marie’s love changes everything.

Determined to free them both of the spy world and the hold Glazier has over their lives, Henry implements a plot to disappear. However, when things become dangerous in their latest mission and memories of Marie’s past surface suggesting another man…will Henry’s efforts come too late? If Marie remembers her past, will she still want their future?

Familial Witch

Lucien Lemione the clan leader of the feared and revered Eternals is faced with the ultimate betrayal. His second in command for two centuries has not only created the most grievous of offenses but also commissioned the creation of liquid silver. When poisoned by this toxin, an immortal suffers a fate much worse than death, frozen in an internal prison. After being wounded when found spying, he hides deep within the eerie woods that encircle the Triad Mountains. Desperate and in pain, he prays to an offended mother goddess for help. Her answer: a woman, but not just any woman. A witch.

After losing her entire coven at the hands of the Eternals, Aisleen is the last of her kind. She retreats from the world to Trinity Forest where she is giving the opportunity of a lifetime, or perhaps a test of principles. It’s there she discovers the man she heals is the Eternal that wiped out her people. Although she is bound as a healer, she could be creative in her revenge. Aisleen knows who and what Lucien his…but does not speak of it. There can be no future with Lucien for she can only be with a mortal man. Even if she wanted to be with him, can she forgive the man that caused the genocide of her people?

Lucien must act quickly for the survival of his clan is at stake. However, Aisleen’s ethereal beauty and emerald eyes keep pushing those thoughts far from his mind. Determined to find out what secret she hides, he prolongs his time with her. When his people need him most what will he choose…duty, desire, or will he make his own fate?

You can choose love but you can’t choose destiny.

Scent of a Witch
Maeve da Paer has lived her life free from the restrictions of the world of sorcery and the Board of Witchery hidden behind the combined protection of her grandparents powerful clan magic—and a lie. Although her life has not been worry free, it is when all that desperation and grief cause her to cast her most powerful spell ever…a spell that will end the pain before it begins on the powerful All Hallows Eve.

Fionn Hughes, an immortal tracker, former heir to a powerful clan of time warlocks is on a mission to restore his honor—instead he finds Maeve da Paer. Following the scent of Gardenias and Honey Suckle, he discovers the last Scent Witch. It’s only after she almost takes off his ear that something more stirs, eventually changing his mission from one of duty to one of need.

What will Fionn do when he finds out Maeve plans to cancel out her own existence? Will he be strong enough to stop her?

I'll give away one eBook copy of each of my novels listed above. Each entry on Raffelcoptor below will get you more chances. Good luck and don't forget in order to qualify for the Kindle you have to hop from each blog until the end. So hit the next hop but don't do it until after you enter to win my books. Thanks for coming and I hope your day is bad luck free.

My Blog Belle’s Tips and Tricks: Dealing with the emotions of marketing, writing, and editors.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you get lost along the way...or a link doesn't work. Because frankly nothing is full proof. Here is a master list of all the hops. Please make sure you have visited each one for your chance to win the Kindle because we will be checking. Muhahaha

Please excuse the different coloring on each link. Blogger is being a bugger this morning.

Buttcrack of Dawn

2012-01-12T05:07:00.000-08:00

Crap there are even t-shirts. Maybe there is a club too!

Now some of you may not know what the buttcrack of dawn is. It's that time just before dawn when it's still really dark and then you are in full view of the sun. I know...I know it's a bad metaphor since a full butt is a moon. But I'm southern do we ever make sense.

Anyways, I digress why am I up at this dark hour?

I'm working.

My friend who quotes his poppa oh so much, Vincent Zandri, did a post recently about how Hemmingway, (that's poppa) would wake everyday at dawn and work. He'd make sure to always stop at a point in his MS so he would have a starting point the next day. But if you want to read more about Hemmingway and his advice click Vince's name.

I'm not up writing...well since I'm writing this post I guess I am. The point is I'm up before dawn because in the West the sun doesn't rise early enough for me to begin my day. And the reverse of that is in the summer it won't become dark until like 11:00 pm. Boy does my schedule get off in the summer.

The point is I'm an entrepreneur as an author and as a literary strategist. In the first five years of any start up you are going work your butt crack off if you are successful. Even then you might not succeed. It really depends on what your definition of success is. Initially I've had amazing success in both just in my first year. When I look back I'm going to be able to say that I gave it my all. Including making time for my family and friends. Because in that potential fail/win situation they were there before and they will be in the end.

Let the light in

2012-01-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I have recently noticed a big difference in my productivity.
Unsure of how that actually came to pass. I've been thinking about it. And the main difference I can find is that I have switched from a very dark office to one with so much light I look like a shadow person on Skype.

It's a proven fact that sunlight produces a vitamin that gives you more energy and that entail produces a chemical in your mind that puts you in a better mood. I have no idea what the vitamin or chemical is called and frankly don't care.

I've tested it...it works.I've also read that's why people are more depressed in winter...less sunlight.

Anyhow...I'm thrilled with this new development. What about you...do you have any tricks on productivity or thoughts on sunlight?

The Expert Gift Giver

2011-12-24T00:45:00.000-08:00

It's midnight on Christmas Eve and I'm wide awake. It's not because I have something left that has to be done. It's not because I am excited by some huge degree and therefore have just been up this late. Actually I've been asleep for a three or four hours. Either way I'm up and I've got something on my mind.

And that is the bane of being a writer.

When you have something on your mind you will either write down a note roll over and go back to blissful sleep. Then in the morning see the note remember and act upon the midnight genius. Or you'll get up and write letting it flow and act upon the genius then. Or you shall fall back asleep only to wake up remember it was something amazing...then never remember it again.

So let's talk about the expert gift giver.

I recently listened to a talk my Bishop gave to the women of our church. It was based upon how at this time of year women often tend to get overwhelmed. Where he got that idea I have no clue?! But to set the mood he started by having his wife read this poem.

See Mother, Funny Funny Mother

See Mother. See Mother laugh. Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans. Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother smile. Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch, children watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask for different toys.
Look, look, Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.

See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the material away until January.
Look. Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, and dates, and pecans, and brown sugar, and bananas, and spices, and vanilla.
Look. Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See mother pull her hair.
See mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose. (I've done this.)
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents. See Mother look for the end on the scotch tape roll. See Mother bite her finger nails.See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store 12 times in one hour.
Go Mother go. See Mother go faster. Run Mother run.
See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go Mother go. See the far away look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized. Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother.

It is finally Christmas morning. See the happy family.
See Father smile. Father is happy.
Smile Father smile.
Father loves fruit cake.
Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all the new neckties.
Look, look. See the happy children. See the children's toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christmas.

See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her blood shot eyes.
Everyone helps mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother.

Hmmmm....Perhaps that's isn't too wrong of an idea about women and the holidays. Nonetheless on to the attributes of an expert gift giver.

1. When evaluating what to give the recipient the expert gift giver looks at not just the temporal but the spiritual needs.

2. The gift is given freely...without expectation of reaction, expectation of use, or even acknowledgement of receipt. The expert gift giver's joy comes in simply giving and walking away.

3. Even if the gift is given as a sacrifice to the expert gift giver they know that the return is greater as it has been investigated, prayed about, and freely given. The joy or ease of burdens the expert gift giver knows is the greater than the sacrifice made.

So how about fair reader? Are you an expert gift giver...do you try at least? Where have you hit it on the head? When have you fell short? And finally Merry Christmas.

The road to....

2011-12-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Today I learned the road to hell is not paved with good intentions.

Good intentions are a characteristic of the heart and only Jesus Christ and God can know your heart besides yourself.

Everyday of my life is a battle against negativity, the world's influence, and the adversary. In no particular order but each in equal and constant attack on my home, my marriage, my kids and my family.

Today I was wounded.

But most days I win.

So I'll lick my wounds...say my prayers...cry my tears and draft my battle plan for the coming week.

I will never stop serving or be weary in well doing. I will endure to the end and the end is not here.

Dear Glamour Magazine...Is that it?

2011-12-09T19:30:00.001-08:00

Dear Glamour Magazine,

First I want to introduce myself. I'm Bri Clark the Belle of Boise. That is what my whole online presence/author platform is based around. I'm a successful romance author and I am the CEO and owner of Belle Consulting. As a literary strategist and consultant I advise authors on how to present themselves and build a platform or a plan to sell themselves and their product.

In addition to that I am a woman, mother, wife, sister. Active in the community and church I'm very popular and well liked. However, I am 5'10, very busty and a size 12/14. I'm distinctly southern in mannerism and accent.In fact I'm a smidge cocky.

In 2004 with the birth of my second daughter I canceled your magazine as well as several others. In addition I disconnected all cable and satellite TV. I control what is brought in my home before my children. I have done everything in my power to cultivate daughters that are 10 and 7 who have amazing self esteem and correct body image expectations.

Guess what. I did it. I did a damn good job.

While I loved your articles I couldn't get past the airbrushed, immodest and Photo shopped photos. As a woman I am more than capable of creating enough guilt by myself. It's a talent that comes along with the double X chromosome.

As a writer I don't even want to submit an article to your magazine or any other for that matter that has the same standards. If I won't let my kids see your articles why would I share it with my peers?

I do want to say good job. Lizzie Miller is a beautiful woman. And you did a great job really capturing a healthy realistic image of her.

Nonetheless, you can do better.

You posted one picture of a woman on your website. Now, you are getting all the PR. You've been on the Today show and over 700 people have commented. But really what is that?

I'm still not going to buy your magazine. Nor will I support it.

But I'll tell you what. Give Lizzie a full page spread and the cover and another model of similar proportions as well in the following month. I'll pay for a one year issue and I'll support you for that year as well.

Regards

Moma's Christmas Ninjas

2011-12-08T20:18:00.001-08:00

Time Well Spent

2011-11-27T09:42:00.001-08:00

Today is the last day with Granny. I love my granny and so does my family. She hasn't been out to see us in four years. It's been that long since we celebrated a holiday with her either.

In the seven days she's been with us we had Thanksgiving dinner, went to lunch for her birthday (its in Dec) and had Christmas morning with her. It's been kind of busy since she's been here doing all the shopping and stuff. Then yesterday she had a bad night and was tired and lethargic all day.

Because of that we didn't go to church. Our family is very active in our religion and though granny doesn't attend our church she is supportive. However, I felt like it was important to just simply be with her today. She feels better, Sundays are always laid back, and it is her last day as she leaves first thing in the morning. There is a small twinge of guilt that I didn't attend but I love my Savior and he loves my granny. I can tell she's really happy we stayed and are just hanging out for the day.

What about you? Have you ever felt slightly guilty but then decided not to regret it?

Farsighted: This review is more than about a book

2011-11-25T08:38:00.001-08:00

In this post I decided to go a step beyond. With my business where I help authors as a consultant, Belle Consulting, I have learned a lot about the dynamics of what compels a reader to buy a book. What makes this book climb the Amazon charts vs this one. A common denominator in this study is the social media platform an author has. Or author platform as it is often called now. People will buy a book if they like the author initially, then if the cover art, blurb, and price all come together. If the book was enjoyable they will buy others. Nevertheless the key ingredient, where it all begins, is liking the author. With that said in this review you will get a book review and an author review. We will start with the book first.

Book Review

Product Description

Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival--an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Review

Alex is a character I enjoyed tremendously. But didn't expect to. While I am predominantly a romance reader I do have an eclectic taste. So when I was offered the opportunity to read farsighted I was very interested. Anytime an author tries to write about a handicap they themselves don't have it is a challenge. But for this novel to be a debut I was especially tempted to see if Chand could pull it off. She did.

While the beginning did a drag just a tad when it picked up it didn't stop with twits and turns that were not all true to the genre but to the characters. And I finally got to my favorite part...the characters. Chand didn't skimp on development. I bet she can tell you the brand of underwear the bully Brady wears. While the protagonist Alex is obviously thoroughly researched and expressed the secondaries are as well. From the intriguing sweet smelling Indian girl Simmi to the quirky psychic neighbor.

This is a read I highly suggest from not just the young adult crowd it was meant for to anyone of any age who likes true characters, unexpected twists and a all around fun read.

Author Review

Emlyn Chand....Her bio says she was born with a fountain pen in hand and she runs a book club in Ann Arbor and that she also is the president of an author PR firm called Novel Publicity. What it doesn't say is that Emlyn works sometimes 100 hours a week. That her efforts to educate, support and lead authors she often isn't paid for. If my assumptions are true I'd say about half of the time she spends on Novel Publicity she isn't paid for. But that's the way of most startups. Thus we come to another part of Emlyn. Her pr firm is less than a year old. It's success stems from Emlyn's willingness to share information and experience with an eagerness that is signature to her friendly nature. Always one quick to interact with those around her from G+ hangouts to creating forums for authors to have support and sounding boards we all go through.

How do I know all this? Is Emlyn my FB Bff?

No. However, we are Facebook friends and that's where I met her. All these are the observations of seeing her posts and my interactions with her as a colleague as well as friend online. If you never buy Farsighted...which is currently 99 cents...you need to know Emlyn Chand. You won't be sorry.

To know Emlyn better click here.

To buy Farsighted click here.

Lepoard Print, The Trojan and Service

2011-11-23T05:48:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my laptop, the cornerstone to my consulting firm where I am publicist to several clients got a Trojan. At the time I didn't know what had happened but essentially it was all so sudden I almost had a nervous breakdown. I was uploading an eBook for a client and then all hell broke loose. All my windows shut down and this alarm sounded then it was trying to prompt me to download something and a scan started on my computer I had not prompted. Then when I shut the laptop, because I had enough sense not to accept or download anything, the sound of a pig squealing sounded scaring the day lights out of me and a box popped up saying some one was hacking my computer enable this. When in reality as soon as I disconnected from the Internet their efforts were all but cut off.

After several deep breaths I called my computer guy. You know that friend you have that knows about computers that you call when you feel like vomiting your stomachs in so many knots at 7PM on a holiday week. Yeah I got one of those. The main reason being he is my best friends husband. Before he has come to our aide. However, this is where he differs from others I have known. His charity is amazing. When we were really down and out he let me pay him in brownies...plain brownies. No embellishments like nuts or marshmallow but simply requests plain brownies. After leaving my laptop with him one night I now have my computer back, my husband downloaded even more intense protection, and when I ask how much I can pay him he doesn't respond. Because his wife forbid me from bringing brownies, they are trying to lose weight, I'm kind of stuck.

Which brings me to the leopard print in the title. While out with the visiting granny my daughters had a Claire's gift card to cash in, plus the granny that lives far away and was with us is always a gold mine. While at Claire's I found a leopard print phone cover for the wife of computer guy, aka bff. She's been wanting one, I bought the wrong size for her birthday....simple right? I bought it for her.

When arriving to pick up the fixed laptop I showed it to her and she literally squealed with delight. That in itself was a payment I never expected she's of the most refined lady's with genteel and polite behavior and she was on her best because she was meeting my granny for the first time. Which brings me full circle. I know her husband is thrilled she's thrilled I made her happy and to him that's payment enough. But I love her and would have done it anyway...computer fix or not. I also know he believes in the blessings of heaven coming to those who serve quietly. So I have purposely left out their names.

So how do I show my appreciation to the literal knight who saved me from the Trojan menace?

Hanging pictures on the wall

2011-11-19T14:23:00.001-08:00

This week I did something I haven't done in 3 years. Not since we lost the house we owned. Not after we moved 2,000 miles away from family....not even in 1 of our 4 moves in 3 years. I dug out family photos and hung them on the wall. You know those newborn, soccer, school play pictures of your kids you will love forever. Yeah those.

In my superstitious mind I thought by putting them up it was like inviting yet another move. But my granny is coming I have a beautiful home, it's the holidays and I want it to be a home with my mark. So the hell with it.

I'm living for the moment.

I also decided to do a different Christmas color scheme. For 6 years it's been purple and gold not this year! It's traditional green, red and gold. I may even do 3 trees!

So what about y'all? Any superstitions?

Psyched Out - M.A. MacAfee

2011-11-18T11:12:00.001-08:00

Can a human pacemaker implanted in a dog cause the animal to take on human traits? Absolutely! Ollie Kline would answer, and he ought to know. An aspiring psychic detective with a cardiac pacemaker, Ollie is killed in a drive-by shooting outside the Pastime where he tends bar. He awakes inside Mugsy, a pug dog, who also has a heart problem and who receives Ollie’s recycled pacemaker. Aware his cardiac device was stolen from his corpse, Ollie wonders what other body parts were taken. Ollie uses his telepathic powers to enlist the help of Nora Cole, the sister of Mugsy’s owner. On receiving Ollie’s thoughts from the dog, Nora fears she’s lost her mind. To verify her sanity, she agrees to help Ollie find his killers. Ollie, Nora, and Mugsy, the pug dog, conduct an investigation which leads them on a merry romp into the illegal side of the human body-parts trade, as well as the dark underbelly of the funeral business. They encounter creepy mortuary workers, graveyard ghosts, and a few brushes with the law—antics which underscore a common truism: adversity is the wellspring of humor. It’s all in the delivery.

Psyched Out – M.A. MacAfee

Goodreads

Score: 40

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

What Worked: For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It was cleverly written, and the premise is definitely something I wouldn't normally pick up on my own. It's unique, witty, and clever. It takes on a new kind of underground world. Through the help of Nora, dear Ollie is able to accomplish quite a bit, and there are some nice twists and turns. The novel is well written, quirky, and the characters are diverse and each have a personality of their own. I especially like how the author combines the canine world with the human one. There are animal instincts mixed with the human ones, and how to find that balance. Oh, and crazy pet outfits are a wonderful humorous touch.

What Didn't Work: Some of the background information was just kind of thrown in there. It would have been nice to see a bit more build up, or more narrative explaining things. All of a sudden I find out our hero is doing something with another character that I hadn't expected. It's hard to describe without giving away spoilers, but just know some of the events come out of the blue. I also didn't like our hero too much, but I didn't take points or penalize the author for that personal preference. I would love to see more sensory development too with his canine body. The world looks and smells different as a dog. For the most part the emotions are touched on well, but I'd have loved to “see” more through his eyes.

Overall: I was entertained. I generally don't pick up books like this on my own, but I'm glad I decided to give this one a review because it was fun. If you're in the mood for something light, funny, quirky, and unique, then I would pick this up. It's a fun mystery with a lot of good wit.

***I got this book for free from the author for the purpose of review***

Peace, love, and bulletproof pugs - J

In 6 months I'll be 30

2011-11-16T08:33:00.001-08:00

How did this happen?

I just got done nailing down my 20s!

I'm really good at being in my 20's!

Do you know how obnoxious I've been to my older friends?

These are some of the things that's race through my mind as April approaches. I may be 29 but truly if you've read my bio, know me in person or online you know I've lived the life of a 40+ woman.

What I know so far....

I'm done having kids. 2 teen boys. 2 girls in school full time I'm done.

I've been married for 12 years and I don't just love my husband I NEED him and it feels good.

I'm friends with my granny and my moma. We listen to each other and it's fun.

I love my life, my jobs, colleagues, church, home, car, family friends. I'm truly content.

I can live like a king on $3000 a month. For a family of 6 that's showing some mad skill. Not to mention at one time I made $12,000 a month and it still wasn't enough.

What I don't know...

What is going on with my skin?

Will I always have this much energy?

Will I get to travel like I want to?

Am I going to get lung cancer from those 2 packs a day for six years?

Why are all the girls my sons date scared of me?

How is it possible I can look at a tiny newborn baby and not go awe? Instead I look at the mom, say a prayer and Thank God I'm done.

That's my 30 rant. What age did you freak out over?

What's the proper way to grieve?

2011-11-13T08:30:00.001-08:00

Death surrounds me a lot this weekend. Has forced me to consider mourning. How each person mourns in a different way. Caused me to consider how I mourn.

One friend, a long dear friend, lost her 1 day old son. She's reached out to friends on Facebook sharing her grief and thanking those for support. A normally very private person she's reached out in this way. As if to gather strength from the numerous comments that reach across oceans and miles. And for her maybe that is how she will heal by drawing on that strength found in reaching out.

Another, special woman to me, her friend died. While she told me she also expressed her desire not to talk. She then texted she'd wrote 3k for Nano and cleaned her garage. Later her husband took her shopping. All this to keep her busy. To allow herself distraction until the time was right and she could process her grief.

Once again this caused me to consider. "How do I mourn?" Mourning is not limited to death. It can be financial loss, a contrite spirit for mistakes made, generally any disappointment.

I think I use a combination of my two friends. Depending on what specifically happened would determine my course. However, a key element, the cornerstone for me and my two friends as well is our faith...a faith we all share.

So dear reader how do you grieve?

Paw paw was a vet

2011-11-11T19:09:00.001-08:00

This is terribly late but very heart felt. My paw paw or grandfather for anyone unsoutherner was my dad in every way that counted. He taught me about honor, patience, bird houses, how to drive, how to change oil, sharpen a blade, listen for bobcats while hiking and to be quiet when granny look like that. Now after merchant marines, 101st Airborne, 3 wars and countless jumps his body is failing and sadly some days his mind. But I love and appreciate him. And when he calls me 2,000 miles away and needs me to fix the tv, cell phone, or call Tricare I'm grateful to be needed.

Whose your Vet?

School Book Fairs Are My Kryptonite

2011-11-09T18:52:00.001-08:00

I tried! I really did but the whole PTA, crafts, and fundraisers thing make me react like a heroine addict day two of detox.

Paranoia, shakes, darting eyes, itching...you get it.

I'm not one of those cookie cutter moms. But that's ok. When I saw books I knew I'd last at least 30 minutes.

It was more like 20. But we gave money to the school. The girls got great books and I was a great mom for at least 15 minutes.

Monthly quota filled!

And the little vampire and I are starting Bunnicula. A vampire rabbit!

Wait is a four letter word

2011-11-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

If you've followed the Belle you know that waiting and anything vaguely resembling patience is not my virtue.

I'm a woman of action and persistence comes more naturally than waiting.

However, there are times in your life where you really do have to sit still. Where you have to literally wait for the things around you to align so that you can proceed. That scripture , Be still and know that I am God, really comes into play here.

The cause for the waiting can be many things. Perhaps you can't go forward in a plan you have thought out, or you are ready to go but life has to catch up with you in order for it to be a wise decision. No matter the reason the waiting still hurts just the same. Well it does for someone like me with a warp 9, lets get it done, rock and roll personality.

If you have been reading the blog lately you probably came across, "I'm living life's country song." To sum it up, my husband suffered a back injury and has a very physical job, my van I had for 6-7 months engine blew up, and a host of other little everyday problems have happened the last month.

But don't the problems seem so much larger when there are so many?

Anyways the point of the post is that after thinking out together as husband and wife plans of action and seeking guidance through prayer. (You may prefer meditation If so rock on. Everyone knows I am a lover of all religions, creeds, and people in general except when your stupid then that sinner in me occurs) the prompting was to wait.

WAIT! It's true four letters words are curse words. Because waiting is a curse to someone like me!

Nevertheless we did, and guess what happened.

My husband is getting the treatment he needs to relieve his back pain. My business Belle Consulting is doing well, and therefore eases the burdens of providing for our family. Not to mention I love my clients and really believe in them and their books. I know it's crazy but the greatest joy I'm having in the success of my business is relieving my husbands burdens and delighting in my clients success. The money is just a necessity. I'd do it for free if it was just happiness I needed.

And we got a vehicle. Not to mention after a careful inspection and cafax report there is no indication that it will blow up in a church parking love anytime soon. There is a seat for every family member, it has AC and heat, the seat belts works, and it has 4WD. Which is great in this state.
And better yet there is not loan with any bank.

Ain't she a bute?

So dear readers have you ever had to wait? How well did you do?

Pxyis: YA With Color

2011-11-05T01:31:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been posting as normally as I'd like in the review categories. But I have some new gals coming on and I can't wait until they get started. Until then there are those special people that I just have to make time for. One of them is K.C. Neal and her debut YA novel Pyxis.

This is a story that breaks ideas that people have about YA by leaps and bounds. But wait...it's not time for the review. First I'll let you know that the benevolent KC has offered up a Kindle to win and all you have to do is follow The Belle of Boise. Like KC's Facebook page. All the links and stuff are at the bottom through rafflecopter. Now for more about KC, her book and my review.

Bio
Most of K.C. Neal's days are filled with some combination of writing, reading, gardening, working, and watching stuff on Netflix with her husband and their maltipoo, Oscar. She has an irrational fixation with L.A., and during occasional trips there she pretends her life is more glamorous than it really is ("Entourage" is her guilty pleasure). She likes to surf and hang out on sandy beaches, where drinks are served adorned with tiny umbrellas.

Connect with KC!
My blog
Twitter (@KCNealTweets)
Facebook
Google+
Goodreads

Book Blurb

Two worlds.... One 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both.

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her how is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?

Review

True Young Adult lit stay's true to the age of it's characters but respects the intelligence of the youth today. Pyxis is one of those books that are so popular in YA right now crossing genre's so subtlety at times you can't tell and at others jumping up and demanding you recognize if for the tone it's set. Elements like emotion manipulating liquids in the form of food coloring used at a bake sale, dreams and nightmares of prophesy and warnings, and magical lands make it clear this is paranormal. Paranormal at it's finest I might add. But then there are the other subtle genre's thrown in. You'll have to read it and look to find out what I mean.

Neal's ability to stay true to the characters created, like how Corinne is indeed loving but also young making sometimes irrational decisions, is solid through out the novel. The alternate world for me was an amazing piece, reminding me of The Neverending Story in it's vivid descriptions and conflict for the protagonist.

Pyxis is a definite 5 star read and I was glad to recieve it from the author and participate in this blog tour.

Side note: Phatpuppy art created the cover. The same amazing artist who works for Amanda Hocking and impresses her fans daily on Facebook.

So how about you dear readers...what do you think of the coverart? The premise?

Attitude of Gratitude

2011-11-01T05:01:00.001-07:00

I woke up at odark thirty aka butt crack of dawn on this Nov 1 not with thoughts of holiday shopping or Nano but with grateful joy.

I walked down my steps to my office and it only grew.

I sat down at the computer and began printing off coupons and organizing my lists with happiness waking me up more than any caffeine.

For you see last Nov due to financial stress I shared a tiny apartment with my family of six. And one of those six was away for over a year.

So now that this holiday season we are in a large, beautiful home I have to get up early and clip coupons and work long hours to afford.

I can't help but be thankful.

Because I get to work those hours from this home and all my family is here with me. And thousandaire or not I know I'd still be clipping coupons.

What were your thoughts this morning?

Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I’m a professional.

2011-10-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I’m a professional.: ***Welcome author, Bri Clark, with us today. Grab your coffee, sit back, read, relax and enjoy a few great chuckles.*** Have you ever writ...

Silent Service

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you have followed the blog then you know I've recently had a car die. A car I bought in March with all my savings. I did talk to the dealer whose response was "You buy as is." In his think foreign accent.

However, I will not dog him online or reveal his dealer name. Because, his employees were deeply embarrassed that he treated me so and most apologetic. Guess what? They have families and need those jobs.

I know the power of word of mouth.

But my cause has not been ignored. Many have offered prayers, love and kind words. Through a pooling of our personal resources we are slowly getting funds together for another car.

However, two families that are friends of ours have graciously offered the temporary use of their extra cars. It is my belief that amazing blessings come through selfless service. However, if they are made public then sometimes the acknowledgement becomes the blessing. Because I am so deeply touched but truly want the most for them I'll not say their names.

But will say here this....you can't imagine the way in which you've eased my burdens.

Thank you.

Why must you provoke me?

2011-10-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Add caption

Really? You really wanted to mess with my child?

Have you not heard of me at all? Not heard of the jail time served? The brass knuckles or the butterfly knife?

These are the thoughts that run through my head when anyone messes with my child. And let me tell you there is no prejudice based upon age, sex, religion, creed or color. The mom instinct crazies all equally in defense of her young. I'm like a lioness at the gate.

Most recently my easy going, laid back, does not have any enemies son (14) has had friends texting him and trying to get him in trouble because they know I read his text.

Example:

"Hey Evan it's gabby I'm using dillon's phone. Can we meet up again soon behind that shed. ;)"

Mom's Response

"Hey Dillon, this is Evan's mom could you be a doll and give this message to gabby. I'm Evan's mom and gabby I'm going to be looking for ya today."

Shortly after I got a text back, on son's phone fully confessing it was a joke and that Evan had never done that. Then later Evan said the Dillon boy was afraid....very afraid.

I believe this because. A. My son rarely leaves the house. B. Where he goes have no flipping sheds. C. He doesn't brush his teeth enough to encourage kissing much less anything else.

Now this is the 3rd incident with them trying to get him in trouble and I gave my son the option of handling it himself. However, it hasn't stopped so I stepped in. He was appreciative and not upset. I told them I'm a 4 minute walk to their school and they should in all fairness warn their friends. I am not afraid to cause a scene in the lunch room and their little friends will be the ones to walk away humiliated.

My sons know this and share it proudly.

As a parent I want to help my children all I can. I realize they will be bullied and they need to learn to fight their own battles. However, they learned two things from this incident.

1. Mom is always there.
2.Direct assault is not the only tactic out there. (although it is mom's preference)

So what have you guys done for your kids?

Moolight Rises...Vincent Zandri Drowns

2011-10-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Product Description

“Life sucks. Then you die. Or, if you’re Dick Moonlight, first you die and then you live.”

Dick Moonlight is dead.

Really dead this time, now that three President Obama-masked thugs dressed all in black and communicating only with hand-held voice synthesizers pressed up against their voice boxes have beat the life right out of him inside a dark, downtown Albany alley. What are the thugs after? A box. Size, weight, description unknown. They also want him to stay away from his newest and only client: a handicapped nuclear engineer of dubious Russian heritage by the same of Peter Czech.

But then, now that they’ve killed him, Moonlight’s problems seem to be over. In fact, as he undergoes an out of body experience, his soul floating above his train-wreck of a corpse inside the Albany Medical Center I.C.U., he feels pretty damned good. Great in fact. To make death all the more sweeter, his one true love, Lola, is standing by his bedside. With her long dark hair draping her chiseled face and big round Jackie O sunglasses hiding tear-filled eyes, she appears every bit the grieving sig other. Nothing could make the dead-and-gone Moonlight prouder.

But then something happens. Something bad. A man enters into the I.C.U. Some young guy. He takes hold of Lola’s hand, and pulls her into him. Together, the two share a loving embrace over Moonlight’s dead body. Now, what seemed like a peaceful death is anything but. Moonlight wants back inside his body so he can face-off Some Young Guy and find out if his true love has in fact been cheating on him. At the same time, he wants to find out the true identity of those thugs who killed him so he can exact his revenge. No doubt about it, Moonlight needs to live if he’s going to uncover some pretty painful answers and take care of business.

Like a little kid dropping down a playground slide, Moonlight slides right back inside his bruised and broken body. Opening his eyes the white light blinds him. He feels the pain of his wounds and the pain of his breaking heart.

Life sucks, then you die.

But Moonlight rises.

Review

Dick Moonlight is one of my favorite characters. Perhaps it's because he reminds me of so many ex boyfriends who were damaged beyond all hope, were sexy as all get out, and a bit of an alpha male. Or maybe it's because as much as I want there to be the happily ever after for him it will not happen. That's just not Moonlights destiny. But he still tries to give it to others...and that dear reader is the endearing trait that makes me love Dick Moonlight so much.

You can tell from the amazing blurb the essentials of what happens. And everyone knows that the Belle does not give spoilers. It's all about my opinion. I bet by now you are wondering when I'm going to start bashing Moonlight Rises because of that title. Well welcome to disappointment because that's not going to happen.

Moonlight Rises is tearing up the Amazon ranking system as we speak. Which is not surprising it's a Zandri. What do you expect. His writing is versatile, signature, and classic noir with a modern edge. If you like dark plots, real characters with flaws and honor, then you'll love Moonlight Rises.

As for Vincent Zandri drowning...and this isn't about that rumor circulating involving a hot tub in Cairo. He hasn't even been there in a while. It's about drowning in success. Vincent has landed a contract with a traditional publisher while he is still creating with is local indie pub Stone House Ink. Congrats are due all around to Vincent.

Moonlight Rises is a book to read especially on a dark storming night all alone.

Belle Overwhelmed

2011-10-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

So if you follow the Belle you know she runs at warp 9 most days and only slows down due to illness, injury, or incarceration. Well I've recently opened Belle Consulting. Something I am immensely proud of and requires more time. While I still read like a demon possessed I don't always have the time to review like I used too. It is heart breaking to turn down reviews or not even have time to respond. So I'm going to do something I hardly ever do. I'm asking for help. The Belle of Boise is inviting those who are interested to apply to be a reviewer for The Belle of Boise.

What you'll get

You'll have your own reviewer page where we will list your bio, picture, contact info, genres preferred and forms that you read. ie. eBook print

You'll be added as an admin to post your reviews.

All your social media contacts will be added

Your own signature

Your posts will be shared on all my outlets

What is Expected

Reviews should be honest, concise, include buy links, cover art and product description.

Posted in a timely manner.

If I see you posting a book I have a problem with I will not let you review it here. I don't have a list of what's ok because I'm pretty easy going. So it's shouldn't be a big deal

How it will work

A Google Calendar will be created. I would like for reviews to be posted on Fridays. Post the book you want to review on what day. This will help us stay organized. If you find a blank Friday and want to post something go ahead. You will have requests come in over time. I get them myself and will forward any I can't do and you can choose from them.

Or if you got a book from a blog tour you signed up for, one you bought, or one you borrowed from the library those are great too.

You can do your own interviews or giveaways with authors as well.

If interested please go here and fill out the questionnaire and good luck.

Romantic Thriller Review Wired

2011-10-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

Blurb

Mary Elizabeth and Charlie’s marriage is fading away as Charlie tries to just get along and Mary Elizabeth struggles not to disappear completely. A murdered teenager is discovered at the local teenage hangout on a bluff high above main street bringing back memories to Mary Elizabeth that she would rather forget but may hold the key to saving an entire town. But when the bodies keep popping up everyone must struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and redemption.

Review

Now those that read this blog know that I am a sucker for romance and thrillers. Well in Wired I got both. Martha Carr's writing is an interesting blend of characterization, plot, and dialogue that is so real and dynamic you think you are reading a movie. Only the screen is in your head. I'll also mention movie rights are being discussed. I'm not surprised.

It is expected in any novel that the reader identify with the main protagonist. That the readers feels what they feel, cries with them, roots for them and just all around connects with them. While you will feel, cry and even root for Mary Elizabeth it is hard to like her...until the end. From the first paragraph I didn't hate her but I didn't like her. Charlie, her husband, was typical yet layered. It's obvious he has a much better relationship with their adorable son. It takes talent to make a reader to feel so strongly about the characters as I did in Wired.

Martha has a craft similar to thriller authors like Vincent Zandri where they reveal a little here and there. And then at some point you start having these moments where things begin to click but still leave you surprised with the ending.

However, her writing of the sexual scenes and thoughts were tasteful yet emotional and poignant like the romance authors I adore some much.

I highly recommend Wired. It's a great read especially for right before Halloween.

Tour Notes:Enter to win 1 of 3 free paperback copies of this novel on the official Wired blog tour page. The winner of the give-away will be announced on Wednesday, October 26 – be sure to enter before then! Just can't wait to read Wired? Pick up your copy in the Kindle, Nook, or iTunes stores or visit Smashwords with the coupon code AK95A to receive a discounted price (just $2)!Don't forget to vote for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll for this tour. The blogger with the most votes wins an Amazon gift card and a special winner’s badge. I want that to be me! You can vote in the poll by visiting the official Wired blog tour page and scrolling all the way to the bottom.Learn more about this author by visiting her website, Facebook or GoodReads pages or by connecting with her on Twitter. You'll definitely want to check out Martha's Mystery Blog--each week a new short thriller is serialized Monday through Friday. The entries are nice and short, easy to read via smart phone or tablet. It's all at www.MarthaCarr.com.

Living Life's Country Song

2011-10-19T19:44:00.001-07:00

So I've cracked the joke lately that my life became a country song. You know the cliche... Your car breaks down, spouse cheats/leaves, dog dies, BFF sleeps with your sister, your trailers repoed and you don't realized it until your flying in it in a wrecker down the interstate.

You get it.

Well it's not that bad. Truly. But my van I bought in March's engine seized and I have no funds to purchase a new car or fix it. And my husband was in a car wreck in Feb and is in a law suit and turns out slipped 5 disks from said wreck. Not to mention he's in construction and we are hitting the slow time.

But that's not what this post is about. It's about what I do have. Health, love, shelter, food, food storage, the bills are currently current (my editor will love that.) and a host of amazing friends. Online, close by, and faraway. They support me with honest guidance, kind words, well couched and placed reminders of my blessings. Not to mention two are willing to share the use of some spare wheels.

So let's talley

Blessing:10
Trials: 3

I'll remember that when it's hard and smile.

So dear reader how's your trials vs. blessings lately?

Where I'm at....

2011-10-19T09:23:00.001-07:00

So just in case ya'll were wondering where I've been. I'm at Raven Craft's Romance Realm today discussing one long standing and one unusual way to reach readers.

And then....

I was at the Vincent Zandri Vox discussing author platform and SEO optimization.

Life and It's Lemons

2011-10-16T17:32:00.001-07:00

Today in the church parking lot my van crapped the bed. By the time we got it home it had a rainbow trail free flowing and the engine was smoking more than an ashqueen.

I bought this van in cash I had saved for a while. It was from a dealership. A small one. Bought as is in February! A 2001 Ford Windstar it only had 93k and was one of the nicer cars I've owned in 3 years. Haggled a little paid cash and here I am 6 months later.

Do they owe me anything?Legally, they don't. Lemon Law says 90 days.
Honorably....

What can I do? A lot. I've took a video of my van. I'm going to show it to them and see if they feel bad or if they try to help. If I walk away unsatisfied. I'll make sure to tell everyone I know to avoid them.

Have you seen my FB friends or my twitter following?

But seriously I wouldn't want anyone else to have this experience. But I'm also not out to smear a name. So I'll give them a chance first.

Tell me what would you do?

Ravencraft's Romance Realm: What would you do with your own publicist?

2011-10-13T04:58:00.000-07:00

Ravencraft's Romance Realm: What would you do with your own publicist?: Ravencrafts Romance Realm has it's own Literary Strategist and Consultant in Bri Clark. She owns the consulting firm Belle Consulting. ...

My Moms Gotta Knife In Her Purse

2011-10-12T08:03:00.001-07:00

Yes dear readers. Those were the words my little girl bellowed in public.

Out of the mouths of babes.

It's not like I keep it a secret or anything. It's more like a reminder. I've carried the 14inch sliver butterfly knife with the dragon inlay on the hilt since I was a teenager. It was gifted to me by a male friend for safety.

Where I lived it was necessary. I've since found it's a great tool as well for everyday things as a mom.

Such as getting the tags off shoes or sunglasses. Or cutting those wrists bands off you get from an amusement park or pumpkin patch.

Well and there is always the wide eyes I get flipping it open without looking while my daughter holds her hand out all trusting for me to cut off the band.

Yes I am an attention lover.

But really it reminds me of how truly far I've come from the streets and couch hopping as a youth. I feel grateful for the stability my kids have. And how crazy I love my husband.

Nevertheless, if a threat does occur I'm completely capable and willing to use my little reminder. And it's truly the only thing I could reach into my bottomless pit of a purse and find without looking.

What about you? Carry anything sentimental?

My bank account had 77 cents

2011-10-07T17:14:00.001-07:00

I'm known to say " I'm good at poor. It's prosperity that got me." That statement could encompass my life. I gave a talk on at last Aprils Ignite Boise.

In fact I'm damn good at poor. I know it. It's steady. I mean the only thing you can get from nothing is up.

I remember one time at the end of a week we had 77 cents in our bank account. My husband wasn't hysterical but wasn't happy either. I on the other hand was fine. All the bills were current. We had plenty of food and he had work next week.

We have always been at the mercy of the building industry. Still are until he finishes that criminal justice degree. Another one of my mantras about our money situation was " chickens one day, feathers the next."

And that's the truth.

I can remember one month when we made $60,000. Of course we had $12,000 a month in bills too. And I was not happy. I had nothing to focus my drive, something to engaged my energy.

I am someone who must be anxiously engaged in a good cause.

So as I'm forced to bed because of sickness and it's cold and rainy indicating winter (our slow time) and fear whispers about the future.

I say I have crap to do hurry up antibiotics and heal me. And I'm going to let the hubster worry about the checking account since I'm on loratab.

So what about you...what engages you...holds your energy and focuses you senses through the bad time?

Some Days I Don't Want To Be Me

2011-10-05T08:03:00.001-07:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again I'm many things. I'm always busy, a person who thrives in the chaos. But you can't go at warp 9 all the time.

Today I just want to sit in a quiet, dark room with a single lamp on my kindle fully charged and my phone on airplane mode.

Perhaps, it's because I'm sick, or I'm pmsing, or I'm just wrung out, but the point is I'll do it. And I'll enjoy it. You know why...cause I need it. My mind, my body, my spirit.

Then I'll be back to normal, perhaps even better and cruising at warp 9 for a few weeks before I'll need to recharge again.

What's your warp? Do you ever withdraw? How?

I'm Enough: The Battle of Desire and Guilt

2011-10-04T06:22:00.001-07:00

I'm many things. Some good, some bad, all sassy. One of my greatest faults is I don't know how go half way or to do a decent enough job. When it comes to friends, family, & commitments I'm loyal to a fault.

However, in my age (I'll be 30 this year) and experience (I've lived 60 years worth of life) I'm learning that "it's enough for now and it is well." to be distinctly different than a half way job or just enough.

Everyday, every week is different. For most of this week I've been doing domestic things and that is well. My kids need to eat, my husband needs a clean house, & I'm taking the time to be frugal.

I'm still working everyday. That the beauty of home office and Internet. Although I always have a desire to do more I find it's that desire that drives my success. Nevertheless, I'm even more determined to be happy with myself and my efforts. Guilt is useless in this instance and I won't let it hold me back.

What's your greatest desire or what do you find yourself feeling guilty about most often?

I'm sorry there is no Santa Claus

2011-10-03T19:22:00.001-07:00

Today as I rubbed primer on my face and filled in the potholes with concealer my mind wasn't thinking of my todo list but what I would do at the end of the day.

For Family Home Evening ( a weekly family meeting where we spend time together) we are going to discuss Christmas.

Why in October? I'm a planner. But it's more than that. As much as I'd like to say it's purely the spiritual aspect that motivates me. Its not. It's the frugality. But it's the spiritual that will make me follow through.

Starting this year Christmas will be less about gifts and more about service, Christ and family.

Each member will only receive 3 gifts. As Jesus Christ did. One gift will be spiritually related, one to magnify a talent, and the last with no restrictions.

In order to achieve this I feel the need to explain that Santa Claus is not who I've led them to believe he is. He's more of the spirit of giving that got put of hand.

My hope is that once done a new loving spiritual tradition will emerge. But I'm deadset on at least trying even if my hopes are an epic fail.

What about you? What's your thoughts on Christmas, holidays and gifts?

I Grew Up In The Bible Belt

2011-10-02T10:51:00.001-07:00

I'm a southern belle to the core. I'm from TN and I adore my beloved south. But my joy in my new home, Boise ID is great.

You see I'm a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I chose to join with my husband and family in 2002. We didn't ask anyone else to join, didn't even shout it from the rooftops. It was a soul deep, quiet, and beautiful change we as a familial unit implemented.We believe in Jesus Christ, the Bible, The Book of Mormon and morals

However, over the years people began to find fault with us. Nothing we ourselves did but because we were different.

I'm LDS, I have coworkers, friends and family who are not. They are Agnostic, Wiccan, Pagan, Buddhist, LDS, Baptist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ etc and I love and accept them. I wrote each religion with a capitol letter because I respect them as well. This is a nonnegotiable concept for me.

They know what I believe and I know what they. With mutual respect we learn from another even though we have different ideas. For it is in our differences we are unique.

Today I Was A Mom

2011-10-01T18:54:00.001-07:00

This has been a crazy week. Two bdays my girls are just days apart. And on both of their days I had work commitments. While they seemed happy with the family parties and everything came together...that ugly, nasty, useless guilt nagged me all week.

I was just so rushed during both parties that today when they had the friend party I wanted to nail it. But guess what today I also had a work commitment. However it was before and not after. So that helped.

The cakes were perfect, we kept the games easy, only one girl got hurt, & no blood was involved, the gifts were amazing, & we had one little girl who we met at the park who crashed the party but I had extra goody bags.

I have MANY jobs. But this is the most important, the one I fall short at the most, the one that is the eternal investment, and today I rocked it!

(and dad helped)

Make Time For Twirps

2011-09-30T13:19:00.001-07:00

KC Neal is a local YA author releasing Pyisis soon, I follow on Twitter. Which makes her a Twirp but she's also my friend. The last time I saw her was in April and even though she ragged me for having a minivan, when we parted we made plans for lunch again soon.

Well now 6 months later we finally got together. After an hour and a half where we talked on varying subjects from husbands, sleep, YA platform and how it crosses over to Romance, pit stains & tongue rings I've vowed not to wait that long again!

KC is a breath of fresh air. After hanging I feel creatively renewed. I think that has a lot to do with the physical presence of being with another author.

There is a whole world of support for us online. However, we still need that human connection at times. Thanks KC.

I'm Here Today...

2011-09-30T08:17:00.001-07:00

Today I am guest posting over at Four Strong Women. I know I would wouldn't I. This is an amazing blog but they do discuss some very intimate things, there is an 18 and up post for a reason. There is no cussing or anything offensive in my post it's just not something not around my normal lines. Proceed if you like.

http://fourstrongwomen.blogspot.com/2011/09/these-girls-are-connected.html

Imagination Has It's Drawbacks

2011-09-29T06:13:00.001-07:00

Often times authors receive ideas for books through dreams. It could be one event or even a person that spawns the creation of an epic series.

Take Twilight for instance, Stephanie Meyer simply had a dream of a beautiful boy with sparkling skin and classic features sitting in a meadow with an average girl. See what happened!!

Epic Series...

Then there is the down side. There are times where you have a dream and go WTH. These dreams should not be developed or thought too much into.

For example, last night I dreamed I was hanging with the Golden girls on their lanai. I was like "Are you guys really canceling the show? Do you know how many generations need you? And who put this hole in the drywall?" They looked on at me guiltily.

See what I mean. Crazy! LOL. Don't get me wrong I love the Golden Girls and watched them with my granny. But I'm not feeling any epic series developing from that.

So any crazy dreams for you lately?

Abduction Review

2011-09-28T18:04:00.001-07:00

Today I caught the matinee with the hubster. Another one of our date days. I had high hopes for it but was let down. The script was meant to make Taylor Lautner an action hero and while he could easily be. The plot was so lacking. He has the capacity to play a character with much deeper dimensions as he's shone in the Twilight role.

I'd give it 2.5 stars.

Scales how we measure

2011-09-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

Tap the green circle, wait for 0, then step on. I do that 3xs then take the lowest number. It's not exactly scientific but it's mentally positive.

The same thing can be applied to our weight as authors. I'm often asked "How's it going?" referring to my career. I always answer "Great!" then share recent accomplishments, goals, & responsibilities related to my job.

Because I know my worth. We set our own value. Frankly I'm priceless and so are you. Now say that three times and believe it.

Bri

Date Night on Tuesday

2011-09-27T16:30:00.001-07:00

For 5 years Friday night has been our date night. However, as our kids Have become increasingly busy we've adapted. So now on Tuesday while one has a commitment for 90 minutes we have our dates.

Romance doesn't happen it's made. Woo your mate. Desire their time. It's truly amazing.

Bri

I"M Sorry I'm Late...The Winners Are

2011-09-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Grand Prize Winner: DANIELLE OF ROMANCING THE BOOK JUNKIES gets an eBook of each of my books including an ARC of my upcoming Halloween Novella Scent of a Witch. Those books included are Glazier, Cafe' Seduzione, Familial Witch and Scent of a Witch.

First Place Winner: LAURIE LU A print or eBook copy of Glazier Additionally for authors a first three chapter critique.

Second Place Winner: KIM C eBook of Familial Witch and if an author a review of their choice of book to be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of book.

Third Place Winner: BLUESHEDEVIL eBook of Caffe' Seduzione and a shout out on all my social media encouraging friendship and following.

Congrats to all the Winners and thanks for all your support.

Jiminey Crickets

2011-09-27T08:33:00.001-07:00

So I've been walking with two friends at odarkthirty for 2 years. Now we are bootcamp bouncers bouncing around from each one that's cheap for their trial period. While I'm pleased to report I've lost over 20lbs and in the lady 2 weeks 6 combined inches.4 was in my chest. That is terrible! Criminey I need a snickers

Blog Hop Ends

2011-09-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for commenting, following, friending and liking. I'm so stoked to get to know you all better. The Hop is now closed. Winners will be announced Wednesday on the blog September 28th, 2011. Stay tuned for those winners and for more contests.

Bootcamp

2011-09-26T07:39:00.001-07:00

Just to check in about my bootcamps. It's been many months. I will have my hour glass figure by the end of Oct. I will look like Jessica Rabbit only with cropped blonde hair. And I still have dimples in my belly but they are deeper so progress is being made that is all.

Fall Between The Pages Blog Hop Tour: Autumn Magic

2011-09-19T04:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome welcome huns! I love fall like a hound loves a hunt. But what I like better is giving away prizes. But first for the legalities.

Tour Rules

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, Sept 19, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, Sept 26, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

Winners will be drawn and posted Sept 27! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS AND BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!!

***Hosts have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

Image courtesy of Devian art

For me as an author and reader autumn is a magical time of year for a couple of reason. One is Halloween tends to bring out those releases that are more horror or paranormal which I adore. Second in my recent studies surrounding the research I have sought out for Scent of a Witch and Familial Witch there is a certain power to the change of the season in pagan beliefs that add to the wonder.

Belle of Boise Contest Rules
1) Follow my blog leave me a question or a comment here below. Please also leave your email address so I can notify you in case you are a winner!
2) Go to my fan page at:http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Bri-Clark-Author/150106235050819 and say hello. If you like what you see, become a fan by "Liking" my page and adding me to your favorites. If you would like to also add me as a personal friend, feel free to send your friend request to http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/TBriClark.

4) If you Tweet, click on my Twitter link and follow me at: http://twitter.com/#!/Bri_Clark

5) If you like what you see from me then check out my publisher's pages too. Stone House Ink and Astraea Press. Right now Stone House had a Kindle and Nook contest going.

PRIZES FOR THIS CONTEST:

Product Description
Antony is an Italian business man with conflicting upbringings...a child of a mafia don killed when he was an adolescent then the adopted child of hardworking Italian restaurant owners. When things don't go as easy as he likes he reverts back to family contacts to get what he wants and Antony wants Colleen.

Colleen is an average mother and wife living in Treasure Valley Idaho. Upon meeting a charming Antony Deluca in a coffee shop an emotional digital affair begins. However, Colleen's conscience intercedes and she ends communication with Antony. Then Colleen's husband produces a trip to Italy, Rome Italy. The very city Antony resides in.

Is it fate... or something more sinister bringing them together?

Product Description

Product Description

Lucien Lemione the clan leader of the feared and revered Eternals
After losing her entire coven at the hands of the Eternals, Aisleen is the last of her kind. She retreats from the world to Trinity Forest where she is giving the opportunity of a lifetime, or perhaps a test of principles. It’s there she discovers the man she heals is the Eternal that wiped out her people. Although she is bound as a healer, she could be creative in her revenge. Aisleen knows who and what Lucien his…but does not speak of it. There can be no future with Lucien for she can only be with a mortal man. Even if she wanted to be with him, can she forgive the man that caused the genocide of her people?

Lucien must act quickly for the survival of his clan is at stake. However, Aisleen’s ethereal beauty and emerald eyes keep pushing those thoughts far from his mind. Determined to find out what secret she hides, he prolongs his time with her. When his people need him most what will he choose…duty, desire, or will he make his own fate?

You can choose love but you can’t choose destiny.

Grand Prize Winner: An eBook of each of my books including an ARC of my upcoming Halloween Novella Scent of a Witch. Those books included are Glazier, Cafe' Seduzione, Familial Witch and Scent of a Witch.

First Place Winner: A print or eBook copy of Glazier Additionally for authors a first three chapter critique.

Second Place Winner: eBook of Familial Witch and if an author a review of their choice of book to be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of book.

Third Place Winner: eBook of Caffe' Seduzione and a shout out on all my social media encouraging friendship and following.

Don't forget to go back to the linky list Here and check out the rest of the hop for more prize chances and amazing content.

Sweet Saturday Samples: If you can tie shoes you can tie a corset.

2011-09-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

This is from my next release Scent of Witch with Astraea Press. This is an interaction between Mauve de Paer and Fionn Sweeney. The last Scent Witch and an Immortal Tracker who hunts them.
The sample and the release are both PG. Enjoy.

Even if he was toying with her she would give him a show, but fear would not be part of this production. With an eye only on the mission in front of her, she squared her shoulders.
“Can you tie shoes ?” She asked the man who accelerated her pulse. He pulled his eyebrows together but nodded.
“Well then you can tie a corset, can you help me?” She nodded at her back. A look passed through his eyes before his face became emotionless again. But he moved behind her.

Like my facebook page or follow me on Twitter to see the cover art release and attend all the prerelease festivities in the next few weeks.

And don't forget to head back to Sweet Saturday Sample to check out more great snippets.

Quiet I'm Creating a Masterpiece

2011-09-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

There comes a time my fair readers where I am busy. I know there was a collective gasp through cybersphere. But alas I am. In Sept. I have a blog tour going on for Glazier with Pump It Up Books. I'll be posting a tab for that later. I'm doing work for my publishers Astraea Press and Stone House Ink. I've got to finish Eternal Witch by the end of September as well. In addition to my new release Scent of a Witch releasing around Halloween. So that's September for ya.

With that said. I am going to be taking a break from the blogging schedule. No blogging but the schedule. So September will be a hit and miss month for the posts. Sorry huns.

Additionally I will also announce I'm in the throws of a secret masterpiece project I'll be revealing in Oct. Squee I'm excited. Yes I squeed. God Help Us All.

Sweet Saturday Samples: Can't have sweet without a little action

2011-09-10T00:19:00.000-07:00

While being sweet is all well and good it's not my first instinct. With that being said. I'm going to pull from my latest release Glazier. Right now the eBook is 99 cents and the print came out. Just for clarification Berg is a horse Marie is riding.

In the same instant, I saw the guard with the machine gun turn and the one with the dirt bike edge closer, his own gun drawn. Henry turned to defend himself. I urged Berg up beside the dirt bike. Berg was so fast the man on the bike didn’t suspect a thing. I had to keep my promise to Berg. So I did what I do best, I climbed.
I maneuvered both my legs to the opposite side of Berg’s back. He maintained speed with the bike. I gripped his neck and twirled around him like a trapeze artist kicking the guard off the bike sending him sailing to the ground. I landed gracefully back in place. Henry jumped on behind me. Berg didn’t even flinch with the added weight.

Don't forget to continue on for more Sweet Sample. My teeth already hurt. And if you want to find out what happened next or before even in Glazier. Click the little link at the bottom.

Grazi~

Hey You! Want To Get Published? Here's a Contest

2011-09-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

One of my publishers Stone House Ink is holding a contest. Where anyone can apply to add a chapter to an ongoing collaborative eBook.

Entries are emailed in, 5 finalists will be picked, then uploaded to the blog to be voted on by the public.

Each month's winner will be awarded a prize. In addition to a grand prize winner at the end who will receive an agent package.

You can keep entering each month there is no limit.

Just go here and check out the details.

Writer Wednesday: Print Isn't It....But It's Still Special

2011-08-31T01:48:00.000-07:00

I've technically been an author since Feb of 2011. At a conference I learned there is a distinct difference between writers and authors. That difference is authors are published and writers aren't yet. While my first books released were Familial Witch, then Caffe' Seduzione and I was thrilled. Both were limited to eBooks for reasons that my publishers and I both agreed upon.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE eBooks. As a reader and an author I'm thrilled with the invention. They are by far simply positive. As an author I make more money. As a reader I don't have to wait as long for releases or to purchase the book, and they are cheaper.

But recently I recognized that the print version is still special. Glazier released this week in print. There were several friends and family waiting to buy it so I was making the rounds of phone calls. When Gretchen posed this question.

"Do you feel like a real author now?"

(That's Gretchen for ya you call her to share amazing news and a simple question from her provokes hours of soul searching, deep thought, and reflection)

I immediately said I've always felt like a real author. Nevertheless, there is a sense of triumph when you hold the print version of your novel in your hands. As you turn the pages with your thumb, see your name and the title running down the spine, rub your cheek along....Oh sorry. (blushes) Anyways it was amazing in a word. So without further ado I present Glazier in print form. Now buy away and then review.

What say you other authors is print still special to you?

Sweet Sample Sunday: Caffe' Seduzione is Italian for Cafe Seduction

2011-08-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome Welcome Sweet Saturday Samplers....Sorry if I missed you last week were were having techincal difficulties and the restraining order withmy internet provider prevents me from saying anything further. Here's a sample of my short Caffe' Seduzione. The sequel come out this year with Stone House Ink entitled Mafia Seduzione.

Rating: These novels are PG

"Antony had rushed down the roads leading from his estate back to the cobblestoned streets of Rome when he got the phone call. His contact in the Carabiniere called about an American woman using his name. On the drive back to the city, time crawled like the rotation of the earth for him.
When he came into the police station, he didn‘t see her immediately, and his heart sank. But then she appeared—eyes reddened. She was actually here, in Rome! He stroked her hair as she sobbed, cooing reassurances to his Grazioso bellezza, his graceful beauty. It had been a joke between them after she spilt her drink on him, what felt like an eternity"

Make sure you got back and check out the rest of Sweet Saturday Samples.

I"m a Campaigner

2011-08-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited to join the Third Annual Writer's Platform Building Campaign. (Formally called Crusaders.) It's an amazing opportunity to build online support, true friendships, and a following. Rachel Thank you so much for providing this opportunity. I can't wait for the challenges. That Gold Fish one last time is Internet History now.

To still join the campaign go here or to follow along go there too.

Feature Friday: Of Light And Darkness YA Vamp Read Decidedly Different

2011-08-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

Product Description

When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

Review

Of Light and Darkness is a paranormal YA that holds it own among the saturated genre. Original beasts, well known magical creatures like Fae and Witches, and of course vampire add to a world to get lost in. With the blend of contemporary with it’s own world building characteristic of Paranormal YA readers will still fall in love with Eastern Europe, specifically Prague.

The truly original but intriguing premise of the book is the relationship between Valek and Charlotte and how it evolves. When I first saw where it was going I was on alert. I just couldn’t see how it work out without be creepy. Nevertheless, the rhythm of writing is so amazing I read on. Pleasantly surprised Shayne Lieghton not only delivered but secured a loyal reader by bringing it together and icing it up.

Writer Wednesday:Lesson Learned Check Those Attachments.

2011-08-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

In July I had a lot going on! I was in Tennessee visiting family and taking care of responsibilities that require my attention there every summer. It truly wasn't like I was lounging or vacationing in the least. I had my two high maintenance daughters the diva and the victim with me. To top it all off my Internet ability was like when the cell phones first came out and people walked around holding out there phone. Like I said not a vacation.

However, within the mist of that trip I released Glazier in eBook form. I was beyond ecstatic. There were a couple of reviewers I have relationships with who I immediately sent a pdf to. For a split second I stopped and thought did I send the right copy? Then frankly forgot about it.

Fast forward three weeks later. After the return home and the sudden move where I had a pack unpack 48 hour turn around. I get my first review. She mentions errors. Ding Ding Ding. Yep you bet ya. I sent the wrong copy. And now my second review where I sent the wrong copy. Apologies ladies. I'll be sure to check those attachments from now on.

Here's the latest review for Glazier from Paranormal Opinion

"This book has a lot of writing errors, but the story is incredible. It's wonderfully unique and intriguing. It's a paranormal story – but it's not your usual vampires or shape-shifters. There is plenty of sexual tension, even though the relationship doesn't get very heated."

A Belle's Sultry Summer Nights Ignite Your Passions Blog Hop Post (8/22-8/29)

2011-08-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

SULTRY SUMMER NIGHTS: IGNITE YOUR PASSIONS BLOG HOP TOUR
(AUGUST 22-29)

When I think of Sultry Summer Nights I think of air forces bases, muscle cars, baby tees and short shorts. My summers as a teen went from the back roads of humid middle Tennessee to the cool nights of North Carolina mountains. There was always somewhere to be and a cute guy to pick from. In my youth I lived for the moment and have the scars to prove it.

My favorite summer was the summer of my senior year where days were spent cruising, swimming or shooting pool and nights at the local club. On Friday nights eighteen and up got in and the dance floor opened at 10 PM. The bar tender was super cute and a little cleavage got you a couple of mixed drinks. To his respect it was never more than a couple.

However the club was also up the street from an air force base. Note (this was before 9/11) Often times it would be too late for me to get home and back in time for work much less get any sleep. So a couple of good friends who were Airman would always let me crash in their barracks. Now as I'm older I realize they really put themselves out there for me doing that. But I also know they knew I just wanted to sleep and I wasn't the sort to cause trouble. They were good friends.

So whose up for some prizes?

TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, August 22, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, August 29, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

Winners will be drawn and posted August 30th! ***

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR AND BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERYONE SOME LOVE!

6) Please have the courtesy if you enjoy the books you receive as a gift to review on Amazon and whatever sites you prefer.

DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN?

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

Belle of Boise Contest Rules
1) Click "Follow" on the upper left side of this blog! (I follow back!)

2) Leave me a question or a comment here at my blog below. Please also leave your email address so I can notify you in case you are a winner!

3) Go to my fan page at:http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Bri-Clark-Author/150106235050819 and say hello. If you like what you see, become a fan by "Liking" my page and adding me to your favorites. If you would like to also add me as a personal friend, feel free to send your friend request to http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/TBriClark.

4) If you Tweet, click on my Twitter link and follow me at: http://twitter.com/#!/Bri_Clark

5) If you like what you see from me then check out my publisher's pages too. Stone House Ink and Astraea Press.

PRIZES FOR THIS CONTEST:

Product Description

Product Description

First Place Winner: A print or eBook copy of Glazier Additionally for authors a first three chapter critique.

Second Place Winner: eBook of Familial Witch and if an author a review of their choice of book to be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of book.

Third Place Winner: eBook of Caffe' Seduzione and a shout out on all my social media encouraging friendship and following.

IN CASE YOU'RE LOST
AND NEED TO GET BACK
TO THE BLOG HOP LINKY LIST,
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

BLOG HOP LINKY LIST

Feature Friday: Fallen Idols...Paranormal Novella to read

2011-08-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

Product Description

Falling: A paranormal contemporary romance novella with a feisty heroine, an immortal hero, and their wee trip to hell and back The trouble with falling in love is the long drop down… Alexis isn’t afraid of much. She’s never met a cliff she didn’t want to climb or a waterfall she wouldn’t plunge over. Yet when her fiancé leaves and takes her daring edge with him, she swears off love…. Until one wild night out at San Francisco’s latest hard-to-find, impossible-to-get-into new club where she discovers more than just a stiff drink awaits her inside, because the owner of this club is the sexiest man she’s ever met—and the most dangerous. A few hundred years ago, Jason made a very bad bargain with a very vengeful goddess. Now it’s time for him to pay up, either with his soul… or his heart. And when one long look at Alexis makes him understand just how hellish a life of unrequited love could be, suddenly the alternative doesn’t sound so bad. Only it turns out, the alternative isn’t just hellish—it is hell… and Alexis is the only one who can spring him loose. If, that is, she’s brave enough to try…

Review

I really like this novella because the protagonist was not your normal voluptuous or petite lovely heroine. In fact she's described as brown and 6'3...a professional thrill seeker. Amazing premise to say the least. The twin that is far from identical only added to the chemistry of all the characters. I really didn't like the villainous goddess. Of course she is the villain so that actually really great. My only sour note is I wanted MORE. Luckily there is a sequel.

Writer Wednesday: Google + Lets hang out. I'll bring the Sass.

2011-08-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

So I've been hanging around Google+ a little. Let me tell ya...I love it. I'm still learning and can't do everything yet. But what I have learned I got from Novel Publicity. In fact since I totally jacked this idea from Emlyn Chand Novel's creator. I am going to share the link to check out Google+ basics etc.

Google+ a comparison to other networks

Google+ an introduction

Google+ Let's Hangout

And now for the blatant copy cat I have pulled. Google+ has this amazing feature where you up to 10 people can literally hangout. It's similar to a Skype Chat room experience. Emlyn has what she call's Office Hours every Wednesday from 12-3 where she will talk writing, marketing, blog tour, blogs, book trailers, etc in her hang out. You can catch her here.

So I shall do the same thing only it's going to be on Thursday from 11-1 MST. I'll call it Let's Sassafras where I'll talk writing, editing, marketing, finding time to write, publishing etc.

If you aren't in Google+ yet. Leave your email in the comments and I'll send you an invite. Hope to see you guys tomorrow for my first Hangout. Click here to participate.

Note: Em's office hours are closed this week. But will start back next week as usual.

Sweet Saturdays: Glazier Chills

2011-08-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

This sample is from my Romantic Fantasy novel Glazier. Here is a touch of the fantasy part.

As the overwhelming force of being cornered enveloped me, that all too familiar cold crept inside and the chilling fear dissipated. All I knew was survival. A pulsing, hidden strength coursed through me, and just before I thought I would come undone, an officer came, wrapped his sausage-like fingers under my arm and pulled me up. He led me down a secluded hallway. At the end to the right was a door. Within it was a man I could only describe as a living serpent…and I loathed snakes.

Check at the rest of my samplenistas here. And if you want more Glazier click the Amazon link below.

BLB: Pepper Oneal "I've written under a barstool."

2011-08-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome my fair readers. If you remember last week I reviewed Blood Fest by Pepper Oneal. Oh you missed it...well click here and then come back. I had a few questions for Pepper about writing in general and Blood Fest. Her answers were entertaining and surprising. Go check her out.

http://www.myballard.com/2010/03/08/dont-miss-the-poem-store-at-the-farmers-market/

1. Do you specifically write paranormal?

No, not specifically. But so far that’s the only fiction genre I’ve been published in. I’ve written an action/adventure novel about a girl on the run from a murderer (based on a true story, by the way) that I haven’t found a home for yet. But I’m confident I will. Eventually. (I feel ya here. I write paranormal, fantasy and romantic suspense. I right what come in my mind.)

2. What fights with your attention in finding time to write?

If you had asked me that question before I spent several years working as a writer in third world countries, I would have told that I could write only under optimum conditions—when I had at least a couple of hours free to write, supper was over with, the dishes done, the neighbors quiet, But after writing in adverse conditions—such as sitting on a fallen log in the pouring rain; perched on a rock beside the campfire, fending off mosquitoes the size of small dogs with one hand while scribbling furiously with the other; having to fight cockroaches for a square foot of writing space; or hiding under a stool during a bar fight—I’d have to say I can write just about anywhere, under any conditions.

(Okay I'm feeling a little self conscious.)

3. How do you overcome those distractions and write?

While working in the conditions I mentioned above, I had deadlines to meet, and if I had failed to meet them, I would have most likely been fired. Since I loved the job and the people I worked with, I was highly motivated to ignore the adverse conditions and write. Consequently, writing out of my home office with air conditioning in the summer, central heating in the winter—sans cockroaches and bar fights—is a breeze. Rather like combat soldiers that train themselves to sleep whenever and wherever they can, because if they don’t, they may not have another chance, I’ve trained myself to ignore all distractions and write.

(And now I'm thoroughly humbled...and now I'm not. A child just launched a box of cereal at another one.)

4. I love the half/ware ideas. How did you come up with the premise for this novel?

I really wish I knew. My storylines usually come to me in my dreams, or else they pop into my head in the shower or when I’m driving, but when they come, they come complete with basic character sketches. In this case, I knew Roman was a vampire, but he didn’t feel complete until I combined him with a sweet, shy, wild wolf I met in a remote area in Southern Mexico. (He used to sneak into our camp and steal tuna fish sandwiches.) So it seemed only right to make Roman half vampire, half werewolf. (Same way...in the shower, at a basketball game, in a meeting with a teacher while I'm half listening.)

5. Your characters were amazing and connectible...do you have a process?

I don’t know that I would call it a process, but I try to model my characters after real people—and animals—I know. This makes it easier for me to connect with them and to imagine how they would react in any given situation. It also makes my characters more real to me, so they are naturally going to be more real to my readers.

Thanks a lot Pepper. Great book and thanks for sharing your experiences and process with you.
So fair readers where is the craziest place you've written?

PS...You can find out more about Pepper Oneal

Writer Wednesday: Writing it's the B word.

2011-08-10T01:02:00.000-07:00

No not that b word! But to some authors it's just as offensive. Business Yes my fair reader it is and today I will address it. Well not so much I will address rather I'll quote and link to a couple of very successful people in the industry who put it out there clear and concise.

Often I'm asked How are your books doing? or Are you doing well? Which are just cloaked questions that really are saying Are you making any money?

I'm great at deflection so I usually do that and leave the conversation without really answering but the asker thinking I'm doing great. Because really I am!

I'm still in my first year since I landed my first contract as a published author. By the end of 2011 I'll have nine publications to add to my platform, as well as a successful blog, four professional websites I review four, I contribute at Ravencraft's Romance Realm twice a month (that's a very new one), as well as being regularly sought after for a guest poster on other blogs. And that's just what I do other than writing. To top it all off in less than a year after attending the Idaho Book Extravaganza (a conference I highly recommend) I will be participating now as a featured speaker.

But that's the business of writing right now. You are everywhere all the time. Marketing, networking, and writing those are the expectations set for authors.

To Quote Aaron Patterson Amazon best selling author and owner of Stone House/Stone Gate Ink from his Business of Writing blog post.

"As I look around the book world I see a business. The authors who sell a ton of books are themselves marketing crazy people or have someone who is being crazy on their behalf."

And Literary Agent Jessica Faust, of BookEnds, LLC said it stone cold clear in her Building a Career post.

"As an entrepreneur I'm frequently asked for advice about starting a new business, and there's one thing I always say, "Give it five years." A new business is a tough thing to start. It takes time, commitment, energy, and frequently lots of work for little to no pay. Guess what? Starting up a writing career is no different. In fact, starting a writing career is the same thing. It's starting a new business, and to truly succeed you need to give it time."

So what are your thoughts on your writing career

Six Sentence Sunday:Halloween Novella Scent of a Witch

2011-08-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Unable to look away he watched as she moved her feet in and out of the water allowing him a generous view of long shapely calves that flowed seamlessly into milky white thighs. His throat tightened as desire burned in him. She leaned forward reaching out with her right arm bending her right knee in. So enchanted by the movement of the graceful beauty he didn’t see the dagger that appeared in her left hand until it took off a lock of his hair before firmly ending in the tree behind him.

The realization that he almost died startled Fionn out of his daze. The wild haired woman let out a

particularly unladylike old Gaelic curse as her eyes looked all around as if seeking escape.

That's from my current WIP hopefully releasing with Astraea Press around Halloween. It's a cross genre paranormal/historical romance entitled Scent of a Woman. And true to form I can see a series spurring from the one novella like my Familial Witch novella.

Don't forget to head back to Six Sentence Sunday for even more appetizers.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Familial-Witch-ebook/dp/B004LROQG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312725541&sr=8-1

Saturday Sweets: Sezuzione is Italian for Seduction

2011-08-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Image cutesy of http://www.lifeinitaly.com/fashion/man-suits-2.asp

"She knew that their first meeting was by chance. It had been at her favorite coffee shop. She’d spilled hers on his expensive Italian shoes in her hurry to get lost in the latest romantic thriller. When she apologized, his smile was lopsided, like her brother’s. The rest of Antony, though, was sublime…the epitome of Italian masculinity. A professionally tailored suit fitted around his broad chest left little to the imagination.

She melted under the heat of his well-traveled brogue. Her blush enticed the Italian businessman because it made the cream of her skin fairer, bringing out auburn highlights in her hair. Before he could speak further, she excused herself. Not much later, he found her in her corner and ever so gently pushed her book down, his eyes meeting hers. He asked to join her."

My Saturday Sweet come from my digital short Caffe' Seduzione. The sequel a full length novel comes out this year entitled Mafia Seduzione. Make sure to check back to Saturday Sweets for more delicacies.

Product Description

Antony is an Italian business man with conflicting upbringings...a child of a mafia don killed when he was an adolescent then the adopted child of hardworking Italian restaurant owners. When things don't go as easy as he likes he reverts back to family contacts to get what he wants and Antony wants Colleen.

Colleen is an average mother and wife living in Treasure Valley Idaho. Upon meeting a charming Antony Deluca in a coffee shop an emotional digital affair begins. However, Colleen's conscience intercedes and she ends communication with Antony. Then Colleen's husband produces a trip to Italy, Rome Italy. The very city Antony resides in.

Is it fate... or something more sinister bringing them together?