Meet Mystee from A Moment with Mystee in our Host Appreciation Feature

Please welcome Mystee in our Host Appreciation.  Mystee has been with us for a few months now and she has been a real lifesaver many times.  She does reviews,  as well as guest posts.  Please stop in and see what Mystee has going on at A Moment With Mystee.



1.  What do you love most about blogging?

I love getting to work with so many different authors, publishers and various representatives as well as getting to know so many of those that come by to read my blog.

2.  Do you have a most memorable post?

I'd have to say my posts about ADHD and ADHD/ODD. There are so many assumptions about those disorders and as a mom with 2 ADHD and 1 ADHD/ODD, I've been on all the sides of the fence as to if those even exist.

3.  What is the funniest thing you have ever blogged about?

I'd say it's my day to day ramblings that pop up here and there about my kids, pets and friends.

4.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog?

I hope they find somethng they decide they want to read, or something they can laugh about because it's not just happening to them in their lives.

5.  Where do you hope to take your blog in the future?

I'd love to have more of a set schedule with more regular readers and authors. I'm working on setting up 24 hours of giveaways for January 1st with an author interview each day for January and guest post each day for February. A Twitter party is in the works as well. Anything and everything to make my blog better for my readers and the authors that contribute to it.

6.  Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog?

Yes, currently I have 10 going.

7.  In your opinion,  how would readers,  old and new,  benefit from your blog?

I think of they're old readers, they'll find books and authors they've never heard of and find a good book that they may have passed up due to a not so great cover. New readers will be able to spend hours and hours there reading interviews and guest posts from authors and so many reviews.

8.  Anything you would like to share,  thoughts,  events,  etc?

2011 is going to be huge {at least that's the plan for it}. Check my blog for all the upcoming giveaways to wrap up the year and all the upcoming events for 2011


Thank you so much for stopping in Mystee and letting us get to know you better.  I appreciate all you do and keep up the great work :).

VBT Pit Stop & Giveaway with Joseph Sivak - When Can I Go Home

Book website: www.niagarapress.net

Blog: http://alzheimmers.blogpsot.com

Joseph J. Sivak MD is a board certified adult psychiatrist with twenty years of experience in direct patient care. He has taught and lectured in the United States and internationally in the areas of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood disorders, and chronic suicidal ideation. He completed medical school at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia,  and Residency Training at the University of Rochester. Dr. Sivak has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Alzheimer's Association and the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross and hosted a weekly mental health Radio Program for eight years on KUWS- Wisconsin Public Radio. Currently Dr. Sivak serves on the legislative committee of the Minnesota Medical Association, is a assistant professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth College of Pharmacy and is in full time private psychiatric in Duluth.

BK:  Welcome Joe.  Thank you so much for chatting with me today.  What inspired you to pen your first title?

JS:  It was a story that was within my psyche and my soul that was just dying to burst out onto paper. We all have a story inside of us. In the end we all have our own personal hell, our own struggles, that are no more or less exceptional than anybody else's. But I wanted my future generations to understand where they came from. Most off all, Alzheimer's disease is such a lousy process, it affects 5 million, and one of the worst parts about it, is the isolation is causes in families. I thought the book might actually help somebody and cut down on that isolation. It's hard for me to really imagine any huge endeavor without maybe benefiting someone, and that pushed me to finally get it done.

BK:  How long have you been writing?

JS:  I started the book back in 1989 so on and off for 20 years.

BK:  What was the hardest part about writing this particular book?

JS:  Finding the ending. Alzheimer's disease is so life changing for the victim and the family, long after the physical death the strange poignancy of the pain does not end.

BK:  Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?

JS:  Yes, I got a book out with a real ISBN. I guess that was a dream.

BK:  Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

JS:  Yes start treating the elderly with honor and respect they deserve. Start talking about Alzheimer's for real even if it does not affect your family, you can't catch it by understanding it, and for those affected you are not alone.

BK:  Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

JS:  A work of fiction about psychiatric residency.

BK:  What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?

JS:  Write because you love to write, because you need to write. Your writing be it fiction or memoir or whatever is a deeply personal and intimate look into your heart and psyche. Don't expect anybody else to see it that way. Selling books and giving a part of yourself and your toil and effort and creativity etc are two disconnected things. Don't give up if you truly need to have a published work, there are many ways to do that now more than ever. Most importantly, keep perfecting your craft of writing.

BK:  Anything else you would like to share with us today?......

Thanks for letting me stop by.
Joseph J. Sivak MD

If you know of or maybe someone in your family has Alzheimer's,  We can all help by giving to the research.  If you would like to donate or find out more information,  please visit The Alzheimer's Association.

There are so many ways to get involved for such a great cause. Thank you so much for stopping in Joe and sharing your story.  I am also giving away 2 copies of Joe's book.  Simply leave Joe a comment with your email address and you will be entered to win.  Drawing will be December 6,  using Random.org Number Generator. 

It is not necessary to become a follower of my blog but would be greatly appreciated.

The true life account of a young man living with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a parent. The
disease was diagnosed in his mother when the author was seventeen years old in 1979, long before
Alzheimer's disease was a household term.

The book candidly traces with graphic detailed description and dialogue the course of the fatal illness.
The emotional issues of such pivotal events as the loss of autonomy of driving a car and entry into a
nursing home are experienced through the eyes of a young son. From a concurrent viewpoint
Alzheimer's is explained with the wisdom of a 21st century physician who has personally experienced
the emotional anguish, and thus the fact-based journey is a truly unique dual-perspective Alzheimer's
memoir. The story juxtaposes the active uphill battle to become a doctor set against the backdrop of
the passive helpless struggle of losing a parent to the disease     

The narrative provides explicit commentary on the modern plight of the physician and  the global
connection family members of an Alzheimer's victim painstakingly share. The unusual, seldom before
elicited insights of the dual-perspective vigorously address universal issues such as coping, hope,
futility, humiliation and societal bias toward the disease throughout the text.

 

 

Author Spotlight - Julie Wise

Happy Turkey Day

Title: Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease
Publisher: iUniverse

Bio:
I believe life is meant to be enjoyed. I love to work with people, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.

My training is in Organizational and Relationship Systems Coaching through the Centre for Right Relationship. I am currently completing a Certificate in Conflict Management and Mediation from Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Ontario, and I have also completed a one-year healership mentoring program in Advanced Energy Healing and Awareness. I am a Celtic Reiki Master as well.

In addition to managing my practice as a life consultant and relationship coach, I volunteer as a mediator at Community Justice Initiatives.

When I'm not busy with clients, you might find me dancing flamenco… or wandering a beach somewhere in the world, with the wind in my face and the sun on my back!

Synopsis: When life's challenges get you down, and you feel like giving up on your heartfelt desires, it's not time to quit. It's time to dream even bigger! This book is filled with inspiring true stories, simple tools and exercises, and plenty of motivation. Learn how to re-chart your course and bring more joy and ease into your life as you pursue your dreams.

Blurb:
Most people have a dream. For some, it’s something they’ve wanted since childhood but have never told a soul. For others, it may be something they tried once, and it didn’t work out so they gave up on it. Perhaps you have a dream that you keep dismissing because it seems risky or impractical. Our dreams make difficult times more bearable. They also bring joy into our lives, and inspire those around us. However, it takes more than a good imagination to make those dreams come true. It’s also about taking action and staying motivated. First, you need a clear idea of what you want. If you’re not sure, spend some time remembering your childhood and what you imagined you’d do with your life. The seeds to your dream are often found there. Once you know what your dream is, get to know it in detail. What does it feel like to be there? Who are you with, how are you dressed, what’s happening around you? Get familiar with it so that it’s easy to connect to that feeling whenever you need motivation. What’s stopping you from having that in your life right now? Make a list of any challenges or obstacles. The list is intended to give you ideas for actions, not to discourage you from moving forward, so don’t get too bogged down by it. Now take a look at the items on your list. What skills and resources do you have to meet those challenges? Who else can you call on for additional assistance? Talk to supportive friends and family members about your dream and see what ideas they have to help you move forward.

Take all of these ideas and resources and put them together into an action plan. This is a list of the steps you can take to make your dream a reality. Every day, check your list and pick one action you can take. Each time you take a step, celebrate, knowing that you’re that much closer to the life of your dreams.

Five Steps to Your Dream

1. Identify your dream
2. Make a list of your challenges
3. Develop a list of skills and resources
to meet those challenges
4. Create an action plan
5. Take one action each day toward
the life of your dreams

Wise's goal is to help 100,000 people dream bigger. To do this, and to celebrate the release of Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease, she invites the public to share their life dream in an online challenge. The 60-day "Dream BIGGER Reinvention Challenge" runs from October 1 to November 29, 2010 and offers contestants the chance to post a video about their dream, get votes and become eligible for an amazing grand prize. "By sharing our dreams, we'll inspire each other to ever greater heights," she explains. Go to http://www.dreambiggercontest.com and enter today!


Amazon Link:http://www.amazon.com/Dream-BIGGER-Reclaiming-Life-Ease/dp/1450253180/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285424479&sr=1-1

Websites: http://www.juliewiseconsulting.com
(Book Blog) http://www.wise1coaching.wordpress.com 

Join me November 29 at 11am EST at BK Media Entertainment as I chat with Julie on Blog Talk Radio. Live chat will be open for you to ask Julie questions. 

Contest Link Exchange

Are you hosting a contest on your blog?  If so,  would you be interested in doing a contest link exchange?  I will post a link to your contest and giveaway in exchange for you doing the same for mine.  I run several blogs and would be happy to place your link in the Contests section in my sidebar.

If you would be interested,  please send email to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with "Link Exchange" in the subject line.

Meet Lori Gondelman in our Host Appreciation Feature

Please welcome Lori to our Host Appreciatin.  Lori,  as you can see runs Lori's Reading Corner.  She reviews for us as well as does guest posts.  Welcome Lori.

1.  What do you love most about blogging?

Sharing my love of books with others.

2.  Do you have a most memorable post? 

Hhmm…My first one probably. I was so scared to post it. I thought no one would have any interest in what I had to say.

3.  What is the funniest thing you have ever blogged about?

Probably my dissection of the great Amazon fraud Harriet Klausner (sorry)

4.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog?  I hope they find at least one book that they read that they enjoyed as much as I did.

5.  Where do you hope to take your blog in the future? 

World domination??  Just kidding.  I’d like to see it continue growing and hopefully find at least one new follower a day. Someone I can then turn around and follow myself.

6.  Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog? 

ALL the time.. I love giving books away.

7.  In your opinion,  how would readers,  old and new,  benefit from your blog?

By finding books to read they may have not picked up on their own.

8.  Anything you would like to share,  thoughts,  events,  etc?

I just love to read. I am always holding contests, doing reviews and hosting authors for guest posts and virtual tours.

Thank you so much for stopping in Lori and letting us get to know you better.  I appreciate all you do and keep up the great work.  Stop in and see what Lori's up to today.

Meet Denise Verrico in our Host Apprciation Feature

Please say hello to Denise.  She runs Immortyl Revolution and has been a host with us since the beginning.  Denise is a big fan of paranormal/fantasy and sci-fi.  She is also the author of Cara Mia and Twilight of the Gods.  Stop into her blog and see her latest interviews,  contests and upcoming news as well.

1.  What do you love most about blogging? 

It’s given me the chance to meet so many fellow authors and to give them the opportunity to share information about their books.

2.  Do you have a most memorable post? 

My first.  I really enjoyed hosting my friend, Linda Robertson, author of the Persephone Alcemedi series.  We talked about her second novel Hallowed Circle.  She’s a great gal and lots of fun.

3.  What is the funniest thing you have ever blogged about? 

A new writer in my critique group read a passage from my third novel in which the POV character is a male vampire courtesan.  Without meeting me, he thought that a gay man wrote the chapter.  I had to laugh that since I’m a heterosexual woman.  Actually, I took the comment as high praise.  When I told the anecdote to a good friend of mine he said, “Well, almost.”  I just had to share all of that.

4.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog?

The blog is evolving.  I recently took some time off to get ready to launch my second book, but will be back in full swing come January.  My mission is to help other authors to promote their books and share information with fans and aspiring authors.

5.Where do you hope to take your blog in the future?

I plan to start posting more about the craft of writing, more humorous stuff and offer links to helpful sites.


6. Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog?

Yes, when authors do interviews on my site, I offer them the opportunity to sponsor a giveaway. From September 28th through November 2nd, I’m holding a giveaway contest to celebrate the launch of my novel. Twilight of the Gods, Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution.  I’ll be giving away copies of both of the novels in the series and other merchandise.

7.  In your opinion, how would readers,  old and new,  benefit from your blog? 

They will have a chance to hear about new authors and books.

8. Anything you would like to share, thoughts, events, etc?

I’m going to be on a Twilight of the Gods blog tour September 21st through mid December.  I’ll be doing some bookstore and library signings and appearing in October at A Mystical Day of Bloodlust in Lexington, Kentucky and The World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, OH.


Thank you for stopping in Denise and letting us get to know you better :).  I appreciate all you do and keep up the great work.

Win a copy of Death Upon Me

This is going to be a simple contest,  you just have to answer these questions:

What do you like about romance novels?

What would you like to see in a romance novel?

To enter,  just become a follower of the blog,  answer the questions in a comment,  and include your email address.  Contest will end November 24.  Winner will be drawn November 26 - Open to US and Canada only for hard copy,  PDF open to anyone with an email address.

Read the latest 5 star review for Death Upon Me at Night Owl Reviews.

Author Betty Collier Stops In - Book Review & Giveaway

Today I chat with author Betty Collier.  Betty wrote Living Inside the Testimony,  a testimony of her journey through life so far.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Betty,  plus I reviewed her book.  My review will be after the interview,  and you get a chance to win yourself a copy of this wonderful book.  Actually,  Betty is offering 2 copies of her book and I am offering a copy of her book.  So there will be 3 lucky winners.  *Rules below.*

BK: Thank you so much for being with us today Betty.  I am so happy you took time to stop in and chat with us today.  Please tell us a little about yourself......

BC: On the back of the book, I wrote that I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, nurse, author, and child of the King. That summarizes my life and everything else that I am involved in. My number one priority is to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And as the bible instructs us, everything else comes after that. Of course my family is my number one priority on this earth. I have been married to the absolute love of my life for 24 years, and we have 2 boys, ages 16 and 11. That in itself is a full-time job, just keeping up with the 3 of them. I am also a full-time RN; I work as a nurse case manager during the day, and share the journey inside my testimony as an author whenever I can - morning, noon, and night.

BK: What inspired you to pen your first title?

BC: I wrote the book after being divinely inspired by the Lord to share my testimony with others. The book is obviously based on my faith, and I wrote it well aware that not everyone would share my faith, but I am sharing my faith with anyone who chooses to believe. I never wanted to be an author, and if you had asked me prior to January 2009 if I would ever write a book, my answer would have immediately been "absolutely not." I never had a desire to write a book, so you're likely wondering why I wrote it and why I am trying to share it with others now. Perhaps my honesty will make you wonder if the book is even worth purchasing. However, this one thing I do know...I am an author. I became one overnight, and in fact, I know the exact night it happened. It was after midnight when January 9, 2009 turned into January 10th, the night I dreamed about this book.  I am confident that if you allow me to share my journey with you, you will understand perfectly, but only if you have the faith to believe.

BK: How long have you been writing?

BC: I think I was an undercover author for many years prior to realizing my gift as an author. I have always been a writer, but never formally confessed it until this book which I wrote in 2009.

BK: What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?

BC: The hardest part was actually finding the time to write. Writing was easy and came very naturally. The ideas and thoughts flooded my mind, and I had to find time to keep up with what I was thinking and get everything down on paper.

BK: Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?

BC: Absolutely. As I share my journey, I get feedback from readers that they too have been living inside testimonies, and they are encouraged and inspired after realizing their journeys have been prepared uniquely for them by the ultimate MASTER PLANNER.  Believers as well as non-believers enjoy the book because it offers hope in the future, and forces you to take a look at your past and realize that it really wasn’t you that was in control of it anyway. It is a dream come true for readers to not only enjoy the book, but to really understand my message.

BK: Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

BC: My purpose in writing was to simply encourage and inspire readers to discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others, but I have been just as encouraged and inspired by readers comments. It confirms my original belief that the Lord wanted me to share my journey of faith. I hope to help readers discover the inspiration that lies within each of us because we can all help inspire and encourage others.

BK: Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

BC: My plans are simply to share my journey with others, and I will go wherever this book takes me in order to do that. This is only the beginning. Although I had no prior plans to write a book, after literally becoming an author overnight, I know that this is something that I will never give up now. I am passionate about my story, and it’s my desire to reach as many people as I can to inspire and encourage them. There is more to come, but I will have to wait on divine inspiration to figure out what that is.

BK: What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?

BC: All of us have something to share with others, and if we would simply take the time to begin the writing process and stay committed to it, we could all write something to share. Don’t give up on your ideas and your dreams. Just keep writing.

BK: Anything else you would like to share with us today?

BC: As a result of writing this book and sharing my journey with others, I have been given a fabulous opportunity to host an internet radio talk show based on the message in my book. Beginning November 15, 2010, I will host Living Inside The Testimony on webtalkradio.net. Here’s a sneak peak at the show’s description: Get ready to remember this name: LIVING INSIDE THE TESTIMONY. Your life is never going to be the same.  Host Betty Collier and her guests live each and every day inside the testimony.  They will help you discover the inspiration that lies within all of us and prepare you to share it with others.  Hear incredible stories of faith, hope, humor, romance and love, offering a source of inspiration and encouragement.  Join Betty on this truly incredible journey of faith as if you, too, have been touched by an angel.

*Rule Number 1 to win a copy of Betty's Book,  Living Inside The Testimony*

Readers can visit my website, www.livinginsidethetestimony.com or www.webtalkradio.net for more info.
Also, I’m having a contest during this interview. For the first 2 people who go to my facebook page at www.facebook.com/livinginsidethetestimony, click , and then post a comment that they read this interview on your page, I will send them a complimentary copy of my book.

BC: Thank you so much for this interview. I have truly enjoyed it, and I appreciate you taking the time to be part of my virtual book tour.

BK: You are so welcome Betty.  Thanks again for stopping in.  You are quite the amazing lady.  So now for my review of Betty's book.  YAY!

About Living Inside The Testimony:

It's like watching a Lifetime Movie...You'll go to bed and dream about the real-life characters in the book...

It's a beautiful, heartfelt love story...

It's funny, amusing, and entertaining...

It's very emotional and inspirational...

You'll laugh on one page and cry on the next...

It's all about God's amazing love and abundant blessings...

And it's all true, straight from the heart of the author who has been on an incredible journey!

Living Inside The Testimony (the book) is a collection of anecdotes compiled by author Betty Collier. In reading these stories, you will share in her journey and experience the inspiration, faith, hope, humor, romance, and love she experienced. The stories in Living Inside The Testimony revolve around Betty’s experiences with her family, friends, and other individuals who have contributed, often unknowingly, to the path God has chosen for her. You will hear the story of how Betty fell in love at age fourteen (with her future husband), about her husband’s near-death experience with emergency brain surgery a week before high school graduation, their experiences in New York a week prior to 9/11, and the frustrating ordeal she and her husband overcame when trying to build their dream home. Betty attributes her success and her great love to God, and she shares with readers how God has orchestrated her life’s path every step of the way. Betty’s prayer is that you will see and feel Proverbs 3:5-6 come alive and speak to your heart as you take a walk with her, inside her testimony. She hopes you enjoy the journey and discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others.

My Thoughts: 

First of all I just love this cover.  It's a beautiful portrayal of what is between the pages.  The book itself,  I loved too.  Betty wrote as if she was actually sitting at a kitchen table chatting over coffee,  telling you the story of her life,  and all the blessings that come with it.  From finding her true love in high school,  the ups and downs that were presented to marrying him when they both thought they would never be together again,  to the birth of her children,  getting her dream home,  and ending with the question,  "What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

There was humor where at times I found myself laughing with Betty and times that she truly moved me and I found myself feeling so proud of her.  This wasn't a book of preaching the gospel,  but of pure inspiration.  Betty has made herself available at the end of her book should anyone have any questions,  or feel led to accept Jesus into their lives.  I love how Living Inside The Testimony was written and I think Betty has accomplished what she has set out to do....simply to share and inspire.  Well done Betty! 

*Now for my rules and your chance to win yet another copy of Living Inside The Testimony :).:*

First,  stop into to Betty's facebook and friend her,  like her,  and leave her a comment that you were here.

Then -

Say hello to Betty and tell us where you draw daily inspiration in a comment,  and leave your email with it.

No need to follow my blog,   though it would be greatly appreciated (please,please,please).  Share this great interview with others for an extra entry,  leave me the link where you shared it with your comment.

Thank you all for stopping in and meeting Betty Collier.  I am planning a new weekly giveaway so stay tuned for that too :).  Have a happy week everyone.

Guest Author Betty Collier & Giveaway Tomorrow, Nov. 10

Tomorrow stop in to meet my guest Betty Collier.  I had an excellent interview with her and we are giving away 3 copies of her book!  I also had the pleasure of reviewing her book and you will love it!

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Bookshelf Cleaning Party Winner!

Thank you all for stopping in over the weekend.  Welcome to new followers.

Winnner for the books,  whom was chosen using Random.org Number Generator is Linda Henderson.  Congratulations Linda I will be sending you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond.


Thanks again to everyone :).  Have a great week and don't forget to check out my interview with Cate Masters below :).

Meet Cate Masters on Our Host Appreciation Features

Cate is another host that's been with me since the beginning.  She is an author,  and a wonderful blog host.  Please give her a warm welcome as we get to know her better.

1.  What do you love most about blogging? 

The interactivity. Connecting with readers and other authors has proven a great learning experience as well as a wonderful way to virtually meet others. My blog’s very active, usually with a new post every day.

2.  Do you have a most memorable post?

Not the post itself, but a comment made me do a happy dance. I’d posted video clips of writing tips from my literary hero, TC Boyle. One of his assistants commented, thanking me. Of course, I responded I’d be thrilled to have him as a guest. :)  No one responded to that, unfortunately. But it shows that some big names are Googling themselves, and might someday find your blog – another reason to keep it professional.

3.  What is the funniest thing you have ever blogged about?

Hm, I can’t recall anything humorous, though there’ve been many fun posts. I celebrate each blog birthday (my blog was 2 in June), and include interesting and entertaining news about the industry and other authors. For instance, I recently posted several book trailers by Meg Cabot that made me, and hopefully readers, laugh.

4.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog? 

Mostly I hope it entertains readers, though I aim to make it informative as well as interesting. My posts range from news about my own books, to featuring a wide range of authors, to writing tips, to videos of my favorite musicians. There’s something for everyone!

5.  Where do you hope to take your blog in the future? 

Bigger and better’s always my motto, in every aspect of writing. As new features become available, I’ll include them if they’re a good fit. For instance, the “Search” box has been a handy tool. I’ve also started two new series called Story Elements and Casting Call, in which I provide background information on my stories. I always love learning about other authors’ or artists’ creative processes, so hopefully readers will find it interesting too.

6.  Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog?

Yes, many times, and if not on my own blog, then I’ll post a link to whatever blog is hosting me with a giveaway.

7.  In your opinion,  how would readers,  old and new,  benefit from your blog? 

Readers will hopefully take away a sense of my serious commitment and approach to writing, and can keep up to date with the latest news, or learn about the works of other authors. And to have fun. When there are lots of comments, it’s like a virtual party.

8.  Anything you would like to share,  thoughts,  events,  etc?

I’m participating in Ramsey’s Reviews Halloween Bash on Sept. 28-30, and in three giveaways sponsored by Night Owl Reviews for Halloween, Autumn and Winter, and my books and I will be at a local event called Celebrate the Book in Carlisle, Pa., on Oct. 23  Being part of the Virtual Book Tour has been a great experience. I’m so grateful for all your hard work, Brandi.

Well Thank You Cate.  It has been such a pleasure getting to know you and I do appreciate all of your hard work.  Halloween Bash sounds very exciting I can't wait. 

Please be sure to leave Cate a comment letting her know you stopped in to get to know her better and hop on over to her blog and see all she has going on.  :).  http://catemasters.blogspot.com

Blog Hop Party Starts Today!

Today is the day :).  From Nov. 5 - 7 you can hop through the participating blogs for your chance to win some great books.  Today up for grabs is :

To enter to win just become a follower,  old or new,  and leave me a comment with your email address.  It's that simple.  When you are finished,  just hop on over to the next blog by clicking one of the links below.  Thanks for stopping in and Happy Hopping.  Open to the US and Canada Only.

Please help me welcome Deanna Jewel,  from Deanna's Tidbits.  Deanna is a multi-genre romance author and her NEW book, No Turning Back, was released April 5th! Her eBooks, iBooks or print copies are available direct from her website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes Book Store!


1.  What do you love most about blogging?
    Blogging keeps me in touch with my readers and followers, letting them stay abreast on what’s happening with me and my books. I love reading the comments left by readers so please comment!

2.  Do you have a most memorable post?
    My favorite post on my blog has to be the interview with Nathan, my main character from NO TURNING BACK. Depending on a reader’s take on heroes, in my humble opinion, he is gorgeous! Mmmm  mmm mmm!

3.  What is the funniest thing you have ever blogged about?
    Nothing comes to mind at the moment. Perhaps I need to make some of my posts a bit lighter for my readers. I’ll definitely take that into consideration. I don’t write comedy so it doesn’t come easy to me.

4.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog?
    I want my readers to know they can stay in touch with me and that I will get back to them should they leave me a comment or question. I have several interactive sites on the net for that as well as a FB Fan Page – Deanna Jewels Fan Page.

5.  Where do you hope to take your blog in the future?
    My blog is heading in the direction I want right now. I opened it up to author interviews back in July so that I could help other authors who, in turn, end up helping each other get noticed by the public as most of us are not known to the public just by seeing our name out there. Being a part of Virtual Book Tours helps me introduce even more new authors!

6.  Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog?
    My contests are run off my main website (www.deannajewel.com) and I pull a winner each month. I also have a link to my main site. One large internet event is Blogmania and I was a part of that.

7.  In your opinion, how would readers, old and new, benefit from your blog?
    Readers will find new authors on my site that they can add to their TBR lists. So far, the readers, as well as the authors, have enjoyed the interviews posted and I archive them so they can be seen by all visitors.

8.  Anything you would like to share, thoughts, events, etc?
    I hope more readers will discover me as they visit my blog to read the interviews of the guest authors. I have links to my other sites, my newsletters (which are also archived), a blog hop that readers can click on and visit participating blogs, a link to BookBuzzr so two chapters of each of my books can be read for a taste of my writing which I hope entices them to want their own copy of my novels.

Thank you so much for sharing Deanna and for all you do.  I greatly appreciate it.  Please be sure to leave Deanna a comment letting her know you stopped in to get to know her better.  And don't forget to stop into her blog for the latest in author news.

Creepy Crawl Blog Hop - October 29 - 31

Grab the Button!


<a border="0" href="http://chickenista-reviews.blogspot.com/search/label/All%20Hallows%20Eve%20Creepy%20Crawl " target="_blank"><img src="http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2206/bloghopthunderposter2.gif " /> </a>

Hosted by:

Just Married with Coupon

Shibley Smiles

Family Friendly Frugality

The Chickenista

Mother of Pearl It Is

It's My Life

To Participate: 

 

-Creep to each of your host's haunted blogs & follow them.

-Leave a creepy comment & we will follow you back.

-Crawl to as many blogs as you like, follow & comment

-Follow back anyone that follows you!

-Run if you see dark shadows lurking about

Meet Lillian Brummet on Our Host Appreciation Features

Lillian has been with me from the beginning.  We first met when I started my site for BK Walker Books.  I started out just doing book features and she submitted her books to me for a feature.  She is a wonderful person and another that loves to pay it forward.  Please give her a warm welcome as we get to know her better.

1.  What do you love most about blogging?

There are several things that blogging offers me... Originally I started blogging after we spent some time building name recognition in the initial stages of our writing career. What I mean by this is we didn't start blogging right away as a means to promote our writing career. Instead we developed name recognition prior to starting a blog or a newsletter. Blogs and newsletters require a lot of time to manage, building a list of readers and so on, and this means that a writer has to balance these things as part of their time management.

The first blog I had was over at MySpace.com, which I still maintain (http://blog.myspace.com/canadianauthor) - this blog, Canadian Authors,  is now used to list media appearances and radio or blog guests for the week... so it is kind of like a week-at-a-glance into the events happening in our lives.

 

I started using Blogger.com back in Oct 2008 due to the ease of setting it up and the excellent upgrades the owners continue to have done. This is known as the Brummet's Conscious Blog (http://consciusdiscussions.blogspot.com) and is where I have the opportunity to reach a blog-friendly audience, one that my radio show or newsletter or website might not otherwise reach. This audience receives blog posts every single day - offering positive, motivational information, inspiring news clips, thought-provoking interviews and quotes and more. This also offers me a chance to share my own media appearances, public events, and so on.

 

However what I "love most about blogging" is that I can share things that really  mean a lot to me, personally. I personally find it exciting, thrilling even, when I learn about someone who's found a fantastic new use for used tires, or has learned a new technology that turns plastic diapers into reusable pallets - or a young teenager who's changed their community for the better. I love celebrating these kinds of things on the blog.

2.  Do you have a most memorable post?

The most memorable posts I've done involve an event I participated in back in July - for Buy a Poetry Book for Someone Special month. ...I think that is what it was called... Anyway, the whole month long we had poets come in to share their work and that was a real special time for me. I love poetry and the comments we had from readers was really nice too - the readers are articulate, thoughtful and often offer resources or tips. Sometimes readers will make their comments public, while other times they will respond privately to topics I've addressed in a blog post.

3.  What do you hope your readers will take away from your blog?

It is my hope that readers will be inspired to make a small change in their life that results in a more conscious, sustainable community. Each small action, from picking up a bottle in the alley and putting it in our recycling bin to donating used items, can make a huge impact on the world as a whole. The ripple affect from each of these small contributions will accelerate this global movement towards sustainable and conscious living. People often discount their own small contributions and feel they are not making a difference. Dave and I hope to change their mindset to a more positive, proactive one by offering the information, quotes, interviews and resources that we do through the various mediums in which we work (music, teaching, writing, radio interviews, blogs, etc). In exchange we hope that readers support us, and our fundraising efforts, by purchasing a copy of one of our products.

4.  Where do you hope to take your blog in the future?

Right now I am reaching slightly over 2000 unique hits per month - I'd like to see this doubled by the end of the year. Consistent posting, writing in a friendly style, and promoting - promoting - promoting will make this happen. This is often the balancing act of the blog-manager... One must promote the blog and keep posts happening, along with interesting links in the sidebars on a regular basis.

But how does one do this when they have a life, and a business to run? It isn't easy to find the time to run a blog sometimes... Have you noticed that a lot of new blogs phase out quickly? This is because time management and finding substantial content can be a challenge. So what I like to do is to post early every morning and get the promotions for the blog done as early as possible. Being one of the first chores in my office every day, the blogging becomes routine and I actually miss it when I take days off from the office.

That is another thing new blog owners will notice - after taking a few days off from the office the reader numbers can sometimes trickle down to a small number - which can be hurtful. But it might be encouraging to know that if the blog manager is consistent and persistent, they will develop a large enough audience to carry them through these slow times. Not all readers will visit every day, some will visit once a month, or only once, or twice a week... etc. So getting lots of readers is the key to having consistent numbers as far as unique hits go. Don't be afraid to say you are taking a weekend away from the office - let your readers know and then encourage them to scroll through the archived posts and your links, etc. People respond positively to this. If you don't let them know you won't be posting for a few days, and they come to check out the blog... they'll be confused and possibly think that the blog is no longer active. 

5.  Do you ever have contests and/or giveaways on your blog?

Oh, sure - we've given away lots of things on the Brummet's Conscious Blog  - from environmentally conscious products to books and services, such as coaching. We don't usually do these types of giveaways though, since it is not the focus of the blog. However occasionally someone will ask us if we'd consider giving away this or that, and we do consider each request.

6.  In your opinion, how would readers, old and new, benefit from your blog?

I think that readers who are about to make a change in their life - be it gardening or composting, recycling or reusing, donating or volunteering, writing, or greening their business or their home... - they will find resources, tips, advice, and interviews with experts who can help them in their journey. Having people share what they have done, what worked for them and what didn't work for them can really save people a lot of time, hassle, disappointments and money. So that is why I am so big on networking  and hearing from my readers. I love to share their thoughts, comments or questions by working them into an upcoming blog post, and offering the resources they send me on the blog as well.

7.  Anything you would like to share, thoughts, events, etc?

 

Yes! I'd love to have your readers drop by my site: www.brummet.ca - where they can find information about everything that we do, including our blogs, radio show, newsletter, books and products, and our fundraising efforts too. 

 

Thank you for sharing with us Lillian and for all you do.  I greatly appreciate it.  Please be sure to leave Lillian a comment letting her know you stopped in to get to know her :).

---

~ ~ ~ ~

- Dave & Lillian Brummet -

Authors of:

- Purple Snowflake Marketing - How to Make Your Book Stand Out In A Crowd 

- Trash Talk - Learn how you can impact the planet 

-Towards Understanding - a collection of 120 poems on society, the environment & overcoming trauma.  

Hosts of:

Conscious Discussions talk radio show:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

Authors Read radio program: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsread

Blog: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com

Websites: 

http://www.myspace.com/canadianauthor

http://www.brummet.ca