FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, everyone. 

I thought we'd find our own hide away to work on our novels.

courtesy of pixabay - Felix Mittermeier

All my best

~Angela

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Biron The Bee Who Couldn't

 Good morning, everyone!

I haven't done an actual review in awhile and this book is not a romance. It's so much more! 

BIRON THE BEE Webpage

Before I get into the review, I want you to notice the beautiful cover done by artist Anaïs Chartschenko . Anais will be a guest on my KellysCreativeDream blog soon.

So what incredible story inspired her artwork?

Biron the bee isn’t sure he wants to be like the rest of the bees in his hive. But he doesn’t know what he would be good at besides making honey. Thus begins the delightful adventures of a sprightly little bee with a big imagination. When all of Biron’s exciting ideas are discouraged, he wonders if any of his dreams “as big as the sky” can come true. His amusing exploits take him from honey homes to spaceships with wings, until he’s finally reminded of the importance of believing in himself – “there’s no one but you who can get in your way.”

Artist AnaisChartschenko has done a beautiful job of bring Biron, his exploits and friends he meets along the way, to life. 

I love the fact that while this book is written for children, any age can identify with the premise. Even adults struggle with being able to attain their dreams or what they want to be 'when they grow up'. The rest of the blurb for this book says:

Written in an easy -to-understand, rhythmic and whimsical style that’s accompanied by bright, colorful illustrations, this collectible children’s book’s gentle reminder to never set limits on yourself makes it a wonderful gift for children of all ages (including adults who might also need a little reminding that they’re never too old to dream big and reach for the stars).

That's why Sarra Cannon's HB90 course as well as her Publish & Thrive are great tools. Her process in each course, whether you want to be an author or boost your productivity, she helps guide you to finding out who you are and how to get where you want to be.

You met the author, Gregg McBride yesterday, but if you missed that introduction, you can see it HERE.

Known for his Hallmark Movie, A Heavenly Christmas as well as columns in Psychology Today and The Huffington Post, Gregg shows his diversity as a writer... a path we can all walk if we want to and set out on the adventure to achieve our dreams.

Here is a short video from Anais' YouTube Channel

You can pick up your copy in either Hardcover, Paperback or eBook by clicking on the following links:

AMAZON   B & N   APPLE   WALMART

All my best

~Angela

CURRENT PROJECT - Update

As readers we think (or at least I've heard) that writing a book is easy. For those authors who are pumping out 4-6 books a year I just can't imagine. Do they not do anything but write? No other interests?

I have to be honest with you, dear readers. I am really struggling with Book 2. I have always had some experience, feeling, something to draw from and to add a dimension to my stories. With Book 2, I am starting with a clean slate. The closest I have to experience with this book is 1) my passion for all things Eureka Springs and 2) my desire to in some way, pay my respects to Corporal Donald Matney, the Korean War Veteran who inspired the secondary story line.

For those of you who are authors, you'll understand what I'm about to say next. The Hero, Marc, informed me last night that his last name can NOT be the same as the Veteran, because his mother (the daughter of the late Cpl. Sterling) married. Marc's name would be that of his parents... not his mother's maiden name.

So here I sit... twenty-two days from my self-imposed deadline to have the rough draft finished and I'm needing to fix this. I'm just glad Marc caught it and not one of you after the fact.

My strongest desires for Book 2 are to do justice to Cpl, Matney and his family and to put out the very best book I can.

I'm looking ahead now at two potential new release dates. Either around Memorial Day (buying me 2 extra weeks) or around the time that Cpl. Matney would have shipped out,being mid-June

To add to the timeline, we will have our granddaughters the last full week of March while they're on spring break then again from the end of May to mid-August for the summer. Their mom works from home and is pretty sure she won't be able to work with them home, so grandma gets to multi-task. Granted, my job does not have the stress level or the importance of hers. Besides, after missing out so much of their growing up in the past five years, I wouldn't miss this time with them for anything.

Summer will be a bit easier as Bob will be home for part of their visit, giving me a break to hide in the evenings and write. However, the way his schedule is in motion right now, he's probably going to be going back out about the time I drive down to pick them up

In the mean time, I'm still trying to line up guests. There doesn't seem to be a lot of releasing but tons of writing.

So tell me, are you are writer? a reader? both?

WRITERS' TIP plus review - Kristin Wallace

This week's tip comes from USA Today Best Selling Author, Kristin Wallace.

Well, the advice I usually give is two-fold. 

1. Finish the book. - You’d be surprised how many people start out wanting to write a book, but never finish it. I always say just power through to the end. Even if it’s awful, at least you’ve proven that you CAN finish. It’s a bit psychological I guess. 

2. Do something with the book. - Now this is after it’s ready, of course. it’s the flip side of people who don’t complete the first draft. It's the people who "fix and fix and fix", but never get to the point where they are “done” with the book. It’s the other psychological point perhaps. Whether you self-publish or query editors/agents to go the traditional route, at some point you have to send "your baby" out to be judged by others. No one wants to hear that they’re baby is ugly, so they never send it at all. 

REMEMBER - I'll draw for the Amazon Gift Card at 8 p.m. CST. For your chance to win, make sure you've left your answer in the comments on TUESDAY'S Post.

I apologize for the late review. My husband is my #1 focus so when he got called back out to work on Wednesday, spending the last few moments with him was my only focus. He left at 5:30 last night and I curled up with the book.

LEAST LIKELY HEIRESS is a mix of everything you want in a great romance - even a romantic comedy as this story gives you points that make you laugh, scenes that make you cheer for the heroine and feel sorry for the hero.

Eve Bennett may be from the 'wrong side of the tracks' but that makes her the perfect heroine to go up against two other ladies - all vying for the right to the Armington fortune and caregiver to the priced pig, Matilda.

Yes, you heard me, a pig. But I'll leave you to read and find out all the details on that note.

What I can tell you is that Kristin Wallace has crafted some great characters and has shown her ability at revealing who they are inside by peeling back the layers a little at a time as the situation calls. She doesn't dump everything on you at once.

Cameron Reed reminds me of Rock Hudson... especially in an early scene at the Armington Estate pool. He has fallen hard for Eve and each step in the Heiress Games gives him one more reason to cheer for her.

I'm making this review short because I want to finish the book. I'm pretty sure how it ends but I don't want to give my suspicions away. What I do hope is that you'll discover the fun of the Heiress Games and this LEAST LIKELY HEIRESS for yourself. Leave a comment for your chance to win an Amazon Gift Card. I'll be doing the drawing on Saturday morning!

You may purchase your copy at any of the following links

AMAZON USA        AMAZON UK       AMAZON CANADA

To connect with Kristin, you'll find her on these Social Media locations:

WEBSITE         BLOG       TWITTER        FB        PINTEREST      GOODREADS   

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

WRITER'S TIP THURSDAY - Caroline Clemmons

Caroline Clemmons offers up stellar advice this week:
Don’t let negative people discourage you. Hone your craft and write what you enjoy reading.

WRITERS' TIP THURSDAY - Kryssie Fortune

Kryssie Fortune's  best advice:

Get the first draft on paper then polish it until it shines. You can always improve your writing, but you need something to work with.