Weekend Read Giveaway-Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster

by Jamie McGuire

Abby Abernathy is a good girl looking to make a new start at Eastern University.  She came to this school with her best friend to get distance from the darkness in her past.  This is soon challenged when she captures the attention of the resident bad boy, Travis Maddox.  He is exactly what she's running from.

 Travis Maddox is the campus charmer who is covered in tattoos and earns his money with his fists in a secret floating fight ring.  The campus girls fall at his feet, but all he's looking for is one-night stands.  He's intrigued by Abbey's ability to resist his charm.  One night, a simple bet between them shows that Travis may have finally met his match.

Everything I discuss on Weekend Reads is a book I've read and liked.  I enjoyed this one so much, I read it four times.  BEAUTIFUL DISASTER has been getting a lot of buzz the past few weeks, so take this opportunity to post a comment for a chance to see what the chatter is all about.  That's right, just a simple comment will earn you a chance to win this book.  I would also appreciate it if you followed this blog and a follow on twitter @reneedeangelo4 would be awesome, but it's not necessary to win.

GOOD LUCK!

Free Kindle Fiction: Third Batch of Wednesday Free Books 8-22-2012

I love a great deal and am always looking for something to read.  Check out this link to see if any of these free kindle books interest you.


Free Kindle Fiction: Third Batch of Wednesday Free Books 8-22-2012: Are you ready to win $50.00? Enter the August contest! These books are free at the time of posting. Amazon.com changes their prices all th...

Writing Workout

Distractions, Distractions, Distractions

I finally gave in and bought a new iPhone yesterday.  Yes, I was living in the technological dark ages where my phone only did calling and texting.  Last night, at 11:30 pm (I'm usually asleep by 10), I was reminded of why I put off this purchase.  I spent my entire day exploring on my phone.  It's just one more distraction in the already too long list that keeps me from doing what I truly love, writing.    

Writing Workout

I decided today that I need to approach this realistically.  There's no way I'm giving up the distractions.  It's fun and important for a writer to participate in social networking.  But just like you need to do a variety of exercises for different parts of your body, you need to find a balance for your writing.  

Now it's important to remember that we're not all the same in our goals.  A personal trainer would design a specific plan for you.  That is how you should approach your writing workout.  Follow the steps below to help you achieve this:

1. Make a list of your goals and prioritize them by importance.  For example, finishing a chapter a day is the most important thing for me on my list. This is where I will devote the most time.  Maybe social networking or editing are most important on your list.  There is no wrong way to do this, it's all about what's best for you.
2. Design your workout plan by assigning a specific amount of time for each activity or an end result you want to achieve each day.  I will be writing first everyday.  After finishing one chapter, I've allowed myself 30 minutes for social networking and then 30 minutes of editing.  
3. Be flexible, but don't stray too far from your plan.  Let's face it, the best laid plans get trashed when life happens.  There will be times when you have to roll with the punches.  The kids get out of school early, your friend stops by for some coffee and a chat, the hermit crabs escape from their cage.  What are you going to do then?  These things and many more pop up at the most inconvenient times, like when you're on a writing roll and in the middle of a great scene.  Have a contingency plan for your schedule.  These things are important, but so is your writing. 
4.  Last, but most importantly (in my opinion), allow yourself a cheat day.  Now don't get carried away here.  I said day, not week or month.  How hard is it to stick to a diet and exercise plan when you don't allow yourself a little reward for all your hard work?  Take this approach with your writing.  It doesn't have to be a day every week, that's just an example.  But, give yourself a break and a pat on the back without feeling guilty for it.  I still haven't decided how I'll handle this one.  It may be a day off from writing or buying a book I've been wanting.  Decide on something that will motivate you to keep going.

There are a few things to that may help you succeed in your plan.

• Find a buddy to help you stay on track.  A fellow writer or someone who will hold you accountable will help you stick to your plan and motivate you along the way.  I have a great editing group that I know will help me with this.
• If you stray, don't wait too long to get back on track.  I know my plan is going to be hard to follow some days.  There will be weeks I'm sure where it will all fall apart.  These are the times I will count on myself and my group to motivate me to get back to my plan.
• Don't be afraid to adjust your workout.  After you begin, you may find your plan doesn't work for you.  Go back to the drawing board and develop something more manageable for success.
• Pick a start day and do it!  I always start new things on a Monday, so tomorrow's GO DAY for me.
•  Have fun and take time to appreciate the results of your labor.  An exercise program tones your body and makes you feel great (hopefully).  Bask in the glory of your completed manuscript knowing that you stuck to a plan and it worked!
• Don't forget the small successes.  Every day you stick to your plan is a good day.  Feel good about it!   

I'm really excited about the workout I've designed for myself and hope it will help in keeping my writing on track.  If you try this plan, I would love to hear about it or any other ideas you may have.  Happy Writing!

Weekend Read

Congratulations to Maribeth on winning HUSH HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick and the $15 Barnes and Noble gift card in the recent Weekend Read Giveaway.  Look for more giveaways in the near future.

Now for this weekend's read.

The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window

By:  KirstyMoseley

Amber and her older brother Jake have an abusive father.  When Jake's best friend Liam from next door sees Amber crying one night, he climbs in her bedroom window to comfort her.  He's done this for the past eight years.

Amber and Liam developed a love/hate relationship over this time.  Liam is now a confident high school boy who' never had a girlfriend, but loves to flirt.  Amber is emotionally scarred from the abuse she had to endure growing up.  Jake is the overprotective brother who has no idea these two spend their nights together.

Read to see what happens when Amber starts to look at Liam differently and how her brother reacts when he finds out his best friend has been spending his nights in his little sister's bed.

Hope you pick up this book this weekend and enjoy it as much as I did....twice.  Have a great weekend and some awesome reads.  Let me know if you've found a great read you would like to share. I'm always looking for a good book! :)

Sand, Surf, and Kindle

Well I'm off to the beach for a little R&R before the back to school rush.  Looking forward to some sun, sand, and great reads.
I hope you will take the time to enter the HUSH HUSH giveaway and come back to visit for more weekend read giveaways in the coming weeks.

Weekend Read Giveaway

This book was not originally my weekend read for this week, but an opportunity presented itself that I couldn't resist.  I was at Wal-Mart this morning and saw a great deal on one of my favorite reads, HUSH HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick. 

Nora is forced to be lab partners with the elusive, teasing, but infuriatingly handsome Patch.  He always seems to be two steps ahead of her.  Soon Nora's curiosity about Patch heats up and their connection grows stronger.  But Patch has a secret and now Nora needs to decide if Patch is worth the risks she must take.

This is the first book of four in this saga.  The following books in the saga are CRESCENDO and SILENCE.  The final book, FINALE, is due out in October 2012.  To help you fall in love with this saga, I am giving away the first book, HUSH HUSH, and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card towards the other books in the saga (or use it to purchase whatever you want, I'll never know;).

Please be aware that I got an excellent deal on this first book.  There is a red triangle tag in the corner of this paperback book listing the price.  It does not look exactly like the cover above.  I know this won't matter because it is a great read just the same.

Enter to win below and GOOD LUCK!  I hope your weekend is filled with great reads!

a Rafflecopter giveaway a

Pinterest Opens Registration to Everyone

Pinterest Opens Registration to Everyone

Dreamweaver: Let The Sunshine In

Dreamweaver: Let The Sunshine In: My smile was as bright as the sun when I received a message from fellow blogger at http://ninidee.wordpress.com/  Writing Like Crazy ye...

Let The Sunshine In

My smile was as bright as the sun when I received a message from fellow blogger at
http://ninidee.wordpress.com/ Writing Like Crazy yesterday presenting me with the Sunshine Blogger Award.  In accepting this award, I am required to answer a series of questions and then pay it forward to other awesome bloggers who I feel deserve the award too. Then, I link my nominees to this post and comment on their blog letting them know of their nomination. Below are my answers and the blogs I have nominated.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Well I must say I love to watch all the classic animated Christmas specials with my children.  They bring back warm, fuzzy memories of my childhood.  But my all time favorite has to be "It's A Wonderful Life".  Who doesn't love George and his journey in this great film.  It has some sad memories connected to it for me (I found out my grandfather died when I was watching it one Christmas Eve), but it still holds a special place in my heart.

What is your favorite flower?
I have a few favorite flowers for different reasons.  My favorite flower scent is lilacs.  The flower I love the look of is gerber daisies.  My favorite summer blooms are honeysuckle and black-eyed Susan's (they remind me of my father-in-law). 

What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?
I absolutely love fresh squeezed lemonade.  My mother-in-law makes the best!

What is your passion?
If I was asked this ten years ago, my answer would have been diferent.  A few months ago I went to a medium just for fun with a group of friends.  I asked if my hobby was something I should persue.  She said, "It isn't a hobby for you, it's your passion".  She hit the nail right on the head.  Writing is a passion for me.  It's something I've been doing as a hobby most of my life, but now it's so much more.  A writer is who I truly am.

What is your favorite time of year?
The spring, it's such a beautiful time of year where I live.  The flowers start blooming, the weather gets warmer, and summer is right around the corner.

What is your favorite time of day?
I used to be a morning person, but now I find myself enjoying the evenings more.  I love it when all teh work for the day is done and i can relax and curl up with a good book.

What is your favorite physical activity?
I love to walk.  It's a great workout and relaxes my mind. 

What is your favorite vacation?
Anywhere I can go with my family (immediate and extended) and create special memories is where I want to be.


My nominees are:
1. Jenny Bent
2. Suzette Saxton
3. Kathleen Duey
4. Nathan Bransford
5. Kristen Nelson
6. Janet Reid
7. Kristen Van Dolzer
8. Sarah's Book Reviews
9. Brenda Drake
10. Kristy Wang

These bloggers I have nominated have shined a light on inspiration for me in some way.  I always look forward to reading their insights and information.

If your blog has been given an award, make sure you post your button award on your blog, answer the eight questions and then nominate ten others. Let the sunshine into your day!

Dreamweaver: Writing Inspiration

Dreamweaver: Writing Inspiration: Many things  can provide inspiration for a writer.  It could be a picture, a person they meet, something a friend or acquaintance says, or ...

Writing Inspiration

Many things  can provide inspiration for a writer.  It could be a picture, a person they meet, something a friend or acquaintance says, or even a song they hear.  These things can be tucked away in a journal or story file for later use.  Each Monday, I will post a picture with some questions to get those creative juices flowing.  Who knows, maybe one of these pictures will inspire your next story...I hope so! 

Who is this child?

Why is the baby tied to a tree branch?

Where are the baby's parents?

Who will find this baby?

What type of person will this baby grow up to be?

I hope these questions spark a flicker of inspiration for you.  I know my mind already has a story outlined for this child.  Have fun writing!

Nathan Bransford, Author: We're Moving From a World of Gatekeepers to a Worl...

Nathan Bransford, Author: We're Moving From a World of Gatekeepers to a Worl...: The barbarians have already demolished the gates. Anyone who wants to make a movie can upload it to YouTube. You don't need a movie stu...

Upcoming Giveaway

I had the pleasure of meeting Jozef Rothstein, the author of "As The Matzo Ball Turns" today at a Barnes and Nobel book signing.  Talking to him was not only informative, but entertaining.  He has some great stories and helpful information he was kind enough to share with me.  I will feature an interview on this blog with Jozef Rothstein next month and give away a signed copy of his book "As The Matzo Ball Turns".  Please come back to visit and learn more about this interesting author and enter to win his book.

Weekend Read

Welcome to my first weekeend read.  Here I will talk about books I've read that you might want to checkout on the weekend while you're relaxing at the beach, sitting by the pool, or just snuggled up on the couch.
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay is a story about the tragic couple Romeo and Juliet who meet again as enemies.  Romeo sacrificed Juliet for immortality and Juliet was granted this "gift" as well for the forces of good.  For years, Juliet has fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers.  But now Juliet has met someone she is forbidden to love and Romeo will do anything to destroy this.
This book spins an interesting tale of two classic characters.  If you enjoy paranormal love stories, check this one out and let me know what you think.

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
-Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
From the hardcover edition Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay