Posted in Contests, Writing, tagged Contests, Creating Fate, Rachel Firasek, SHIFTING PRIDE, Writing, YA paranormal romance on July 25, 2012 | 8 Comments »
With great excitement, I’d like to announce the WINNERS from my Announcement post and from my Author Shout Out post.
*drum roll please*
Winners of a book of your choice PLUS a three chapter critique:
Winner of CREATING FATE by Rachel Firasek:
**********
CONGRATS!!!!!
To claim your prize, please email me at: laurabdiamond@yahoo.com
Posted in Flake-out Friday, humor, Writing, tagged Creating Fate, Flake-out Friday, giveaway, Rachel Firasek, SHIFTING PRIDE, Writing, YA paranormal romance on July 20, 2012 | 7 Comments »
Trolling the interwebz last weekend, I spied a website whitetrashrepairs.com. Not the most PC term, but the site catalogues pics of cob-job masters that’d put MacGyver to shame. Here are a few of my fav pics!
EDIT: PICTURES REMOVED TO AVOID COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. CLICK ON LINK ABOVE TO SEARCH SITE FOR PICS.
Anything catch your eye?
…
Posted in Writing, tagged anthology, apocalypse, BEGGING DEATH, Carnage: After the End, Creating Fate, giveaway, Rachel Firasek, SHIFTING PRIDE, short story, Sirens Call Publications, Writing, YA paranormal romance on July 18, 2012 | 8 Comments »
I’m so happy that my short story, BEGGING DEATH, was accepted in the Carnage: After the End anthology by Sirens Call Publications!
Here’s a mini-blurb of what the anthology entails:
It’s the beginning of the end. The Apocalypse has come; and left in its wake no more than small pockets of survivors battling to stay alive.
I’m so excited to work with the Sirens Call team–what a talented group of peeps! Click HERE for more info about the WHO behind Sirens Call Publications.
Here’s a blurb of my story:
Peter Mack experiences The Disappearing first hand–in an instant, most of the world’s population disappears and with it, Death abandons humankind. Illness and suffering remain, leaving Peter to protect and provide for the only person he knows that’s still alive, Lucas. It starts with Peter accepting The Mark of Triple Six, the militia promising safety and rations in exchange for allegiance.
Despite the illusion of security, survival is not guaranteed. A rival faction, Serpentine, invades Triple Six and kidnaps Peter and Lucas. They are separated. Unable to shelter Lucas, Peter confronts his promise to protect Lucas no matter what. Turns out, Peter must consider sacrificing everything, even eternity, for Lucas’ freedom.
Right now, I’m reading another short story anthology of theirs titled Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity. It’s FAB!!!!! Scary, spine-tingling, and creepy, each author’s story creates a taunting tale of horror and myth turned reality. Check it out!
Posted in Contests, humor, Mental Health Monday, psychiatry, Writing, tagged Contests, Creating Fate, giveaway, humor, meme, Mental Health Monday, mythology, novella, pain chart, Rachel Firasek, SHIFTING PRIDE, YA paranormal romance on July 16, 2012 | 12 Comments »
When patients are admitted to the hospital, their vital signs are checked at regular intervals. Vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and percent oxygenation of the blood. A fifth vital sign includes rating pain on a scale of 0-10. Since pain is such a subjective thing, the scale includes pictures to help the rater identify where they lie on the scale.
Pain Measurement Scale (CLICK THE LINK TO SEE PIC)
A better pain chart has been made and it’s circling around the interwebz like crazy. So I thought I’d share it with all y’all.
A Better Pain Chart (CLICK LINK TO SEE PIC)
I deleted the pic to avoid copyright infringement, so I’ll paraphrase the scale…
0: No pain
1: Not sure if I’m in pain
2: Just need a band-aid
3: Distressed; don’t like what’s happening
4: Pain is not effing around
5: Why is this happening to me???
6: Ow. Pain is super legit right now
7: I see Jesus coming for me and I’m scared
8: Pain is disturbing. I may be dying
9: I am almost definitely dying
10: I am actually being mauled by a bear
11: Blood will explode out my face any moment
Too Serious for Numbers: You probably have ebola. It appears you may also be suffering from stigmata and/or pinkeye
Quite useful, isn’t it?
Posted in Contests, Flake-out Friday, Writing, tagged Amazon, author, Creating Fate, fates, Flake-out Friday, Greek mythology, novella, paranormal romance, Rachel Firasek, Unspun Series, Writing on July 13, 2012 | 7 Comments »
A dear friend, Author Rachel Firasek, has a NEW NOVELLA out and I wanted to give her a shout out in celebration!! It’s titled, CREATING FATE, and is part of the UNSPUN SERIES of 3 novellas by 3 authors.
It’s a super fun read, filled with action, lively characters, and LOVE.
Here’s the blurb (from Amazon):
She gave away her heart…
Giving her heart to a mortal wasn’t something the First Fate planned. Losing him nearly shattered her soul. Upon his death, Clotho swore never to love—or weave life—again. Hoping she’ll change her mind before it’s too late, Zeus commands the spinner of life to take a much needed vacation from her immortal responsibilities.He had to hide his…
Dane is close to cracking the drug ring he’s spent the last two years infiltrating, but needs to perform one last heist to meet the head man and prevent an impending war. An undercover agent, he’s now on the run from drug lords, thieves and with the very woman whose tears make him forget his purpose.Together they’ll find a way back from the dark.
Chloe will have to put her trust a man she believes is like the ones that killed her fiance, or face an eternity on Earth. Without the desire for life, hope could slip through the cracks of time if he doesn’t love away her sorrow.
I’d like to give away a copy of CREATING FATE to one lucky commenter. 
Considering I’m also hosting a giveaway to celebrate my second novel getting published, let’s close both contests at the same time so I can announce winners for both on the same day.
SO, that means you have until 11:59 EST, Tuesday, July 24, friends.
Spread the word, please, and do give Rachel a congrats! 
You can visit her Amazon Author Page to see her other novels–she’s on FIRE!
Posted in Flake-out Friday, Writing, tagged City of Hell, Colin Barnes, Flake-out Friday, horror, Open Minds, paranormal romance, Piper's Fury, Rachel Firasek, reading, Susan Kaye Quinn, Writing, young adult dystopian on December 9, 2011 | 16 Comments »
So. Nano is over. You’ve put your manuscript in a drawer to simmer, right? Right?!
What do you do now?
Well, you could jump into another project, but dang, aren’t you tired? (Yes you are. Just nod “yes” and keep reading.)
I’ve got an idea for you.
Take the month and READ. (Hey, it’s part of the job too.)
Here are some books I’ve read recently and they’re still on my mind. Particularly so because they are small press pubbed and self-pubbed…and they’re FABU!!!!
For a horror enthusiast, you MUST check out this anthology by Colin Barnes:
City of Hell Chronicles Volume I
Yes, that’s me. Hehe.
If you like YA dystopian, hop onto Amazon and order this book by Susan Kaye Quinn NOW:
It’ll jack your mind!
Is paranormal romance more your thing? Check out this:
Piper’s Fury by Rachel Firasek
Piper’s love interest is super steamy. * swoons *
Last, but certainly not least, Author Emily Ann Benedict has a FREE ebook just in time for Christmas!!! SO if you’re looking for a great holiday read, check out this link: The Father Christmas Confessions
What if Santa Claus wasn’t one man?
What if he was a secret organization?Jeremy Ogden has 25 days to accomplish his mission. Just like every man in his family, he has a list of people whose lives can be changed forever if he makes it to them in time. But he has one big problem…And her name is Virginia.
The Ogdens might be old family friends, but that doesn’t mean Virginia Kipyard is willing to consider their son, Jeremy, as a potential love interest, no matter what her parents are suggesting. Jeremy is as stuffy and stuck up as any man she’s ever met. But her perception of everything she’s ever known changes when she stumbbles onto Ogden’s greatest secrets.
Jeremy would love nothing better than to make Virginia forget everything she’s seen and go on with his work, until it becomes apparent that she might be the key to handling the hardest assignment he’s ever faced. He just has to keep her out of trouble in the meantime.
Funny, charming, and heartwarming, The Father Christmas Confessions is a new twist on classic Christmas traditions.
This novel is the property of the author. I encourage you to share, but do not alter or claim ownership of anything on this site. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Winter photos provided by Katherine Alison Photography.
Happy reading!
