Uncategorized – Cindy Young-Turner

15 years…

This was my post on the 10-year anniversary of September 11:

https://cindyyoungturner.com/2011/09/11/10-years/

Lots of things have changed over the past five years, but my feelings about that day are still the same. 2016 has been a rough year so far. Friends and loved ones are going through hard times. It’s a very ugly election year. If we can take one thing away from the events of 15 years ago, maybe it should be that during that horrible tragedy, we came together and supported one another. We need that more than ever these days. Never forget it.

New mystery series from M.L. Doyle

I’m excited to announce the publication of the Master Sergeant Lauren Harper Mystery series by M.L. Doyle. Full disclosure, Ms. Doyle is a member of my critique group and I’ve had the pleasure of reading and critiquing her books over the past few years. She recently released the first two books in the series, The Peacekeeper’s Photograph and The Sapper’s Plot. I’m not a mystery reader and have no military background, but these books hooked me because the protagonist is such a unique and strong character. Not to mention the edge of your seat action!

The Peacekeeper’s Photograph

The NATO mission in Bosnia is to broker peace between warring factions and help restore a devastated county.

It’s a mission the world is watching.

But when Master Sergeant Lauren Harper makes a gruesome discovery, she has a new mission. Saving herself.

Harper, a career soldier, is innocent of the crime, but she’s guilty of a lot of other things, like inappropriate feelings for her commanding officer, Colonel Neil McCallen and failing to lead a soldier who needed her help.

To get out of the mess she’s in, Harper must employ all of her wits and the help of an unexpected friend from across the pond, Sergeant Major Harry Fogg.

Her mistakes land Harper in the worst trouble she’s ever faced. She is forced to choose. Save herself and risk the lives of others, or stay, and face a life of degradation and slavery.

Get The Peacekeeper’s Photograph on Amazon

The Sapper’s Plot

The last thing Master Sergeant Lauren Harper needs is another difficult mission. Her ordeal in Bosnia left her traumatized and worn out. But a soldier doesn’t get to say no to official orders.

At least this time she’s embarking on a humanitarian mission. What could go wrong? Turns out, just about everything.

Harper travels with a group of Combat Engineers–also known as Sappers, to the tropical jungles of a Honduran village, only to find a gruesome murder. Cut off from the main base because of the hostile weather, Harper and a man she hoped she’d never see again, CW4 Fletcher Mayes, are forced to take charge of the investigation. Lurking in the shadows are sketchy-looking locals, insolent Sappers and an aggressive TV news team looking for a steamy scandal.

In the midst of it all, the arrival of Sergeant Major Harry Fogg provides some much-needed solace but also muddles her concentration.

Harper begins to think danger will find her wherever she goes, even in the deepest jungles of Honduras. At times, she feels her slightest movement will send her tumbling over a cliff–and heights are about the only thing Harper fears.

Get The Sapper’s Plot on Amazon

M. L. Doyle has served in the U.S. Army at home and abroad for more than two decades as both a soldier and civilian. A Minneapolis native, Mary currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland where she is busy writing mysteries and working as a civil servant. She is the winner of the Carey McCray Memorial Literary Award and her work was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award. For more information, check out her website at http://mldoyleauthor.com.

A Stiff Kiss 1st anniversary contest

Today Avery Olive, author of A Stiff Kiss, stops by to chat about her fun book anniversary contest!

The Super Awesome A Stiff Kiss 1st Anniversary Contest

Welcome… Welcome! Please stick around and read today’s post ‘cause it’s a Winner! Hehe. Okay, so I thought about trying something a little different for this next contest.

My goal is to try and get everyone involved more, while spreading the word about A Stiff Kiss. I know many of you might prefer the simple enter your email Rafflecopter, or leave a comment on a post… but I think, if people get involved, this will be a huge hit!

As an A Stiff Kiss Anniversary Participant, your goal is to get as many points as possible so that you can win the massive prize package I’ll be giving away.

But wait, I’m all about a pat on the back for participation, so I will be giving two smaller prize packages away to two random entrants, and… And… for everyone else, you’ll get a little something something too. So, if this works, everyone has the potential to receive some kind of goodie!!

Grand Prize includes:

1 signed and personalized paper copy of A Stiff Kiss (with a special note to the winner)

1 ASK Canvas Tote Bag

1 ASK T-Shirt

1 ASK Coffee Mug and set of coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

2 Participation Prizes include:

1 ASK Coffee Mug filled with Hersey’s Kisses

1 Set of ASK Coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

To see a picture of the prizes being offered, click HERE

Alright, let’s get to the fun stuff. I’ve created a list of activities, given each of them a point value and tried to come up with simple, easy to do and like I said, most importantly, fun things for you to accomplish. You will need to copy and paste this form, and fill it out in order to entered. All forms must be sent to averyolive1@gmail.com no later than February 28^th!

1. Tweet about A Stiff Kiss. I’ve created a few tweets that you can copy and paste, or create your own.

Tweet 1: Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything? #AStiffKiss out now! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

Tweet 2: Have you checked out @AveryOlive #AstiffKiss ?Happy one year book anniversary! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

Remember to use @averyolive or the hashtag #AStiffKiss so that I can track your tweets! International readers may tweet in their own language, so don’t worry J

1 Point per Tweet and no more than 2 Tweets per day! Enter how many tweets you did here…

Number of Tweets:

2. Post to your blog or other social media (Website, Tumblr and Facebook)

You’re goal is to share something about A Stiff Kiss. It can be posting a review, doing a simple cover and blurb spotlight, it can be asking me to do an interview (send an email to averyolive1@gmail.com if you’d like my help) You can re-use an old review, post or interview, however it must be imbedded into a NEW POST. You’re imagination should be put at use here, being extra creative is awesome!) Can be posted in your language of choice.

5 Points per Post. You can post a maximum of 3 times, at least one week apart but each post must be different. One post review, one post cover and blurb, one post something random like sharing with me your personal favourite cemetery…

Please include links to your post!

3. Spread the love by sharing your A Stiff Kiss Review. Most people forget that there are dozens of places to share reviews. Posting one in a new place can help spread the word. Find a new place (like Goodreads, Barnes & Nobel, Librarything.com, YaCentral) and post your review!

5 Points for each new location you post your review! Please include links to your reviews J

Enter Links Here:

4. Candid Camera! Take a photo of you (and others if possible) holding a copy of A Stiff Kiss, your e-reader with the cover (or opening page). If you see A Stiff Kiss in your bookstore, library, or own a copy, get as many people as you can into a picture!

Don’t have a copy or ebook of A Stiff Kiss? That’s Okay! If you’ve been lucky enough to receive ASK Swag in the past, take a photo with that or print out this handy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and use that for your picture!

10 Points for each photo, plus 5 points for each additional person within the photo! Follow me on Instagram—tag me in your photo—post it on Facebook, post it to my wall, share it on twitter with @AveryOlive or #AStiffKiss or send me links.

5 Poster, poster, read all about! Print out this handy dandy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and post it all around your town. Tape it up anywhere you are allowed to—libraries, school bulletin boards, telephone poles, get creative!

10 Points for each poster you put up (with photo proof, see activity 5 guidelines on how to make sure your photo is seen if you are not sending me links)

6 Get your Library to get in on the fun! Many library websites have a “request a book form” so, fill it out and request to have them purchase a copy of A Stiff Kiss for their shelves or go directly into the library and fill out a form or talk to your librarian!

10 Points for each request (take a screen shot of your screen when making the request (screen shot how to info HERE)

7 Stage a spooky photo! Since A Stiff Kiss’ main character is all about cemeteries, I want you to go out and stage a photo next to a tombstone. I know, it’s a little morbid, but Xylia will love it. Use your book, ereader, poster or swag and capture it along with a tombstone, creepy statue—anything you can find at your local cemetery!

15 Points for each spooky photo (with photo proof)

8 Buy a Copy today! Don’t own A Stiff Kiss? Buy a copy (print or ebook) today for yourself, your friends, to donate to your library or giveaway as a gift. I recommend BookDepository.com. Take a screen shot of your order confirmation or a picture of your receipt.

25 Points for each book (or ebook) purchased—don’t forget that photo proof.

9 Write an article! This is a big one, it might be nearly impossible to accomplish, but I have faith in you! Write an article about A Stiff Kiss (or me, Avery Olive) and have it printed in your school or local newspaper. The article can be a review, an interview, whatever you can come up with!

30 Points for each article printed. Send me links or get photo proof!

The Wild Card! This is for you wild ones out there. Show me what you’ve got! This is activity is strictly for you to think outside the box! If you can come up with a fun, creative way to spread the word about A Stiff Kiss, show it to me!

50 Points I’ll need photo proof, links—anything you can throw me!

Just a little extra.

Can I personally use your pictures and post them on the internet? Yes or No

Can I include your name when announcing prizes or thank you’s? Yes or No

Don’t forget to include your full name and mailing address because in my eyes, everyone is a winner!

Name:

Address:

Send completed form to averyolive1@gmail.com

That’s it, that’s all. I know, some are easier than others, but I think with a little planning and a little motivation, anyone out there can rack up the points!

Remember, for the ones that require proof, I need links provided or to be tagged on Facebook or Instagram, it posted on my wall or use @averyolive or #AStiffKiss so that I can see all your hard work!

For full contest details, rules and regulations, please visit HERE otherwise, get to work and spread the love of A Stiff Kiss!

Avery Olive’s Blog : Facebook: A Stiff Kiss Facebook Fan Page: Twitter: Instagram: Goodreads: Amazon: Barnes & Noble: The Book Depository:

Twists and turns of the writing process

Well, here we are in deepest winter and this snow lover is disappointed yet again in the lack of Maryland snowfall. There’s still hope, though. Sometimes February can be our lucky month. The good news is that after a Nov/Dec writing slump/holiday frenzy, I am back to writing and once again excited about working on Thief of Destiny. I’ve had ideas for future scenes flitting through my head, which is exciting and energizing. I hope this will give me the boost to finally finish the book because I really want to find out what’s going to happen. I envy those people who say that when they start writing a book they know how it’s going to end or even the exact last line. I have a general idea of how I think the book should end, but it’s not exact. Right now I’m giving Sydney and Willem a 50-50 chance and I’m not sure what they are going to do when I get to where I think I’m eventually going to end up. All the more reason to hurry up and get there, right?

The interesting thing is that I just wrote one of the few scenes that had been in my head when I began the book. And it turns out this scene was influenced by Journey to Hope, the prequel I wrote that came out last month. It’s nice that Crescent Moon Press has given their authors the opportunity to write short spin-off stories of their novels. At first I wasn’t sure what story I might want to write. I even polled my critique groups to see, as readers, whose story they might like to read about and got some varied answers. The story I ended up writing about Edgar’s past was not what I first had in mind. I wanted to be sure I didn’t have too many spoilers in case someone read the prequel before reading Thief of Hope. I think I mostly succeeded in that, although there are a couple spoilers but I don’t think they would detract from someone’s enjoyment of the novel. But writing this piece about Edgar fleshed out some important bits that show up in book 2 (how’s that for a vague teaser?) and I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t written the prequel. Would book 2 have taken a different course? I’m quite happy with the way things are going, so I think it all happened for a reason. It’s funny how writing works out that way.

I’m hoping to do more reading in 2013 also. I just finished Clash of Kings (thoughts to come soon) and have book 3 of the Dark Tower series waiting on my shelf. I’m currently reading War of the Seasons: The Human, a young adult fantasy by Janine Spendlove, who I met at Balticon last year. What are you all reading so far this year?