Saturday, March 31, 2012

Loving Angels - Being Sure of You

When I was little, my mom used to say that she had eyes in the back of her head. It kept me from doing rotten-kid things behind her back that she would somehow find out about anyway, eyes or not. As a mother myself I understand more about that expression now. It wasn't meant merely to keep us in line. It was more of a wish. Moms want to know, we need to know that our babies are safe and sound, especially when they are out of our sights. We just like to be sure. We want our children to go and experience the great big world. And by all means, conquer! But we're well aware. We watch the news. Read the headlines. It's a scary place, this world we live in. Yet we have to set our kids free. Hope for the best. Pray. Ask the powers that be to lend a hand, or a set of eyes when our offspring are just too far for us to pretend we can keep them from harm's way. I think that's what angels do. They are the overseers. Mother's little heavenly helpers.
This post is dedicated to all those moms, all those angels and all those invisible eyes. They recently kept someone very dear to me from suffering a tragic fate.

On behalf of mothers everywhere, I am grateful.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Winner Wonderland

So another contest has come and gone. Congrats to Juana and Kristi. They have been named the winners as per that randy rascal, Mr. Rafflecopter. Thanks to each one of you who entered. I wish I could send you all a book. Really I do! Always remember that we run a new contest nearly every month so please check back and enter again and again. The odds are one day YOUR name will be chosen too.

We've had some crazy warm weather here the past couple months- until today. It feels like winter again, or winter in the first place since things were so unseasonably mild for so long. For five odd minutes my thoughts turned to decking the halls and trimming the tree. And then, those crazy moments passed. I'm more than ready to get outdoors under a warm baby blue sky. More than ready to trade the Isotoners for the gardening gloves.

How about you guys? Which season is your personal fave?

Thanks again for being such happy little Hooksters (note the carefully placed ST ;) Till next time, stay cozy and close, gang!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop


There's something about spring that brings out the best in everyone and everything. The birds are singing a joyful tune, the trees are sprouting brand new buds and I'm happily packing away the (mostly unused) ice melt. It's good stuff all around! It's also time to do a little spring cleaning - a la our fave Hop Host Kathy here:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-cleaning-giveaway-hop.html
This is very cool! You guys have a chance to win so many great reads! My bookshelf is overflowing and I'm all about recycling. My winner will have his or her choice of any TWO books from the following list:
What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Love at First Bark by Julie Klam

Decisions, decisions! Please click "read more" to go to Rafflecopter and enter. Thanks for visiting! Always keep in mind that our WISHLESS Facebook page runs a giveaway nearly every month so don't go too far:)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

You've Got Mail



Am I the only one here who remembers that voice, the man from the computer who informed us that someone, somewhere wrote us a letter? It was always nice to know that we had mail, wasn't it? Something inside said, "Yup, you matter" and that was pretty cool. Since the release of WISHLESS last August, I've received only a handful of what you might call "fan" mail. Yet each note was special to me, if for no other reason than those kind strangers were good enough to say they don't think I suck. Well, that's a relief :)

One person said she'd never heard of me, thought she'd take a shot on a new author and that she was "so, so glad" she had.

Another reader wrote, "I read your book and was delighted. I wanted to tell you that I got it - all the messages between the lines. I got it. My favorite reads are those that are more than meets the eye."

I'm constantly pleased to hear that my target audience is broader than I'd imagined it would be. That not only teens and young adults are trying it on for size, that its more like a one size fits most. That really puts the miles in my smiles.

I urge you to take a moment and drop a line to that author whose book you may have just finished and loved. We appreciate reviews and feedback of all kinds. (Well, not ALL kinds, but you get the point ;)

Which brings to mind my favorite piece of mail to date. Sent from a male reader who wrote: "I am reading your book at the end of each day and it's really good. I finally have something interesting to do in bed."

I quickly replied, "thank you and...well, I'm sorry."

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Green Eggs and Spam (where are the winners??)

I'm searching high. I'm searching low. Where did all the winners go? Looking left and looking right. Looking long into the night. Oh, what's a blogging girl to do? Kick a rock and break my shoe? There's no sense in being blue. Winners, winners we have two!


Congrats to Jeanette and Linda! They've each been sent their WISHLESS e-Book. 

Okay, obviously I'm no Dr. S.This month we celebrated the 108th birthday of dear Mr. Geisel. If you struggle to appreciate the genius behind "one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish" perhaps this quote is more to your liking:
I'm told that Dr. Seuss's first manuscript was rejected by publishers 27 times before being picked up by Van Guard Press. Rejection is something every writer is intimately acquainted with - as much an unavoidable part of our lives as taxes and death. And it never gets any easier, really. The only good thing about hearing NO is that it makes the YES that much sweeter.

I'm waiting for my next yes. And you lovely folks will be the first to know about it when it happens. Until then, please stay close. Our next contest is only a stone's throw from now. Until then I'll do my best to entertain you. And I promise, no more horrible rhymes, k?