Bartlesville Author Showcase

BOOK RELEASE: A Weekend with Effie

My collaborative novel featuring award winning authors Marilyn Boone, Heather Davis, Christine Jarmola is LIVE!!

A Weekend with Effie

by Marilyn Boone, Heather Davis, Christine Jarmola and Jennifer McMurrain

A high school student staying true to herself.
Four cousins hoping to find reconciliation.
A couple seeking to rekindle their fire.
A group searching for the truth.

Effie helps them all when they converge upon the historic Skirvin Hotel one beautiful October weekend.

In fact, Effie has always been in the business of helping people since she was hired as a housekeeper in the 1930s. And not even her tragic death has made her stop.
From young adult, to new adult, to adult romance, with a touch of paranormal, Effie links four individual stories from four different authors.

Effie and her unofficial sightings are the inspiration for this collaborative novel by Oklahoma authors Marilyn Boone, Heather Davis, Christine Jarmola and Jennifer McMurrain. Each award winning author spins her own unique yet interwoven tale that will not only raise the tiny hairs on the back of your neck but will warm your heart as well.

Thursday Spotlight ~ TMI Mom Getting Lucky (after kids)

This hilarious second book from Heather Davis had me laughing out loud (as all her other books have done to me as well) and giving my husband just cause to kick me out of the bedroom for waking him up, which is ironic given the topic of "Getting Lucky". Keeping the romance alive isn't easy after kids, but you can't help but laugh WITH Heather as she and her hubby attempt to keep their romantic life sparky. I highly recommend it if you're looking for good snort laugh fun.

Hangin' with Minivan Momma

Today I'm hangin' at the minivan with Minivan Momma talking about my favorite things. Come on by!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy ...

I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by my friend, Heather Davis. I’m fairly certain I’ve been nominated (and accepted) this award before, but since Heather and I came to conclusion Sunday evening, that I was put on this planet to make her life easier, I should do it again. You know, because she nominated me. Yeeah… that makes sense. That and I don’t have anything for Wee Wednesday yet.

So, to accept the Liebster Award, I’m supposed to:

1. Write 11 random things about myself.
2. Answer the questions I was asked. 3. Nominate and notify 11 bloggers of their notifications. 4. Ask 11 questions of my nominees. 5. Link back to the person who nominated me.

The real point is to find new blogs and follow new people, but I’m sure there’s some way it makes Heather’s life easier.

Here are my eleven random things:

• 1.     I hate sticky things. Seriously, it could be the best tasting thing ever, but if I’m going to get sticky,
  I’m not eating it. But I will let my toddler eat sticky things as long as she doesn’t touch me.
• 2.     Other than NFL football, I rarely watch sports on T.V., until the Olympics then I’m a sports fanatic. GO U.S.A!!
• 3.     I can’t write in just one genre, my muse doesn’t fit into one box. I have 2 novels out, both different genres (historical fiction and romance). I am currently working on a sequel to my historical fiction, while at the same time working on a paranormal young adult series. My muse is all over the place, she has multiple personalities.
• 4.     I would love to have a nicely decorated home, but don’t have the know-how or the desire to do it myself. I kind of want someone to just come in and take over. I believe those people are called interior designers, but I can’t afford them.
• 5.     I am a certified snake wrangler, been trained in no harm alligator trapping, have humanely trapped a black bear by my little lonesome for relocation, and am certified in First Aid and CPR (that may or may not be a coincidence).

 

• 6.     I am training to climb Heart Mountain in Wyoming next summer, during this training I have told my husband I’ll “run” the Warrior Dash and my BF that I’ll participate in the ColorRun. Out of those 3 things, the Warrior Dash scares me the most.
• 7.     I am a total bird nerd. I have driven hundreds of miles to bird watch. Well, I did before I had the child. I hope to get back to it when she’s older and share the love of bird nerding with her. I have a reoccurring dream where I find the “extinct” Ivory Billed Woodpecker in Arkansas. A few years ago (like 8 or 9, that’s a few right?) someone thought they found one and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.
• 8.     I love cryptozoology. It drove me crazy to be so close to Loch Ness and not go Nessie hunting last February. I also totally believe in ghosts and am sensitive to their energy. That is not to be mistaken for being able to see or talk to them, I just know when they’re around and I ignore them the best I can.
• 9.     I really dislike Dora the Explorer, I feel like she’s always yelling at me. Simmer down, Dora!
• 10. Every time I plan a gathering/party I am terrified no one will show up.
• 11. I’m scared of chickens. This is not an illogical fear if you’ve ever been pecked by a chicken, which I have. I will look at them in cages or at a distance, but please don’t ask me to walk among them without some kind of armor.

And now Heather’s questions for me.

With what celebrity would you want to be BFFs? – I have always thought that Julia Roberts and I could be besties, but she’s been in my town and I’ve been her town and we haven’t met, so maybe it’s just not meant to be. But I’d really like to hang out with Josh Gates from Destination Truth, he’s hilarious.

What style of underwear do you prefer? – Comfortable, next question.

What candy is hidden in your house right now? – None, but hypothetically if there were any candy in my house it would be sitting right beside my chair, in plain sight of any adult, but out of sight of the toddler, hypothetically. And it would be either Hershey Kisses or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, hypothetically.

Karaoke nights – you and me – what do we sing together? – Easy, Gangsta’s Paradise. Next question.

Celebrity Wife Swap: Which celebrity would you swap with? – Angelina Jolie, no wait, she has like 600 kids, but a week with Brad might be worth it. She’s got a nanny right?

What was the last thing you bought at Goodwill or a second-hand store? – Clothes, but it was a long time ago.

Have you ever broken the law? – Yes, I jumped off a cliff into a river at Yellowstone National Park, right in front of the sign that said, “No Cliff Jumping: Law ##### prohibits the climbing on and jumping off rocks into the water.” I also stole some gum in grade school. I didn’t mean to. I tried to pay for it, but the cashier just ignored me, so the friend’s mom I was with said, “Let’s go.”

When was the last time you vacuumed your home? – Friday, so 2 days ago.

What’s your go-to meal to cook when you just can’t think of anything creative to cook? – The Type A personality inside of me creates a menu every week. I have a menu rotation list and everything, yes I know, I’m sick. But to answer the question, lemon pepper chicken or Wendy’s.

In what ways have you turned into your mother? – I grew up watching my mother write and now I’m an author. I also hear her when I’m getting onto my daughter, a lot.

What things did you forsake in order to complete this blog post? – Well, I gave up accepting the Noble Prize in literature, an Oscar for best book adapted into a screenplay, and a Grammy (just cause) in order to complete this blog post.

 

Questions for my nominees



1. What is your biggest pet peeve?
2. What was your first car?
3. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
4. What is your favorite clean word, that you make sound like a swear word? (Mine is jackwagon)
5. What movie deserves a sequel?
6. Who would you hate to see naked? (DO NOT say yourself)
7. Where do you not mind waiting?
8. You can be on the cover of any magazine, which one do you choose?
9. Where do you like to relax?
10. If you had to dispose of a body, how would you do it? (I’m asking for a friend, really.)
11. If you were a member of any sitcom T.V. show family, which family would it be?

And now my nominees for the Leibster Award and I can already hear some of them, “Do I have to?”, “I don’t know 11 bloggers?”, “I don’t want to make up 11 questions.”, “I’m in the middle of NaNoWriMo, crazy lady!”.

Hey! Just be happy I thought of you and get to typing (I kid, but seriously, get to typing).

Cindy Molder
C.L. Collar
C. D. Jarmola
Darlene Shortridge
Linda Boulanger
Tawyna York
Dawn Allen
Natasha Hanova
Saralyn Miller
Karen Welch
Sara Marion 

A Craamazing Weekend

Last week was crazy... but crazy in a good way. In fact one might say it was Craamazing (Crazy Amazing, thanks Sonia Gensler for the word).

Thursday morning we and my wonderful WordWeaver friends left for the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. conference. This is my 4th year attending the conference and I will be the first to admit I go for the people, more so than the workshops. I am not exaggerating when I say the people who attend the OWFI conference are some of the nicest, most talented, generous people you will every meet. And going to OWFI every year is like a big reunion of friends.

My reading of Quail Crossings at OWFI.

This year was a bit different for me, this year, on Friday, I was featured in the Famous Author's banquet for having published Quail Crossings. And then we had the opportunity to listen to the uber funny Patrick Rothfuss.

My sister, Brandy Walker and I at the Famous Authors Banquet

Saturday was the awards banquet and I was elated to find out I had won 2 awards. Second Place in Young Adult Short Story and 2nd Place in Prose Humor. Not only did I win, but my wonderful, wonderful writing group, the Bartlesville WordWeavers, took home a total of 17 awards!!

With the uber talented, Peggy Chambers.

Yay!!

And as if that wasn't enough to have me walking on cloud nine, I still had Listen to Your Mother on Sunday. I am a writer, it is my job to put emotions into words, but I cannot do that with my Listen to Your Mother experience. It was an unbelievable journey from start to finish and each and every one of the cast members had an amazing story. And each and every one of us told our stories in front of a SOLD OUT house of 400!

Our wonderful Listen to Your Mother producers, Julie Bohannon, Misti Pryor and Heather Davis.

 

The Listen to Your Mother - Oklahoma City cast

 

I wish I had pictures, but I don't yet. When I do I will share them. Today, on this Monday, I feel so very blessed to be living this life.... so very blessed indeed.

AND if you missed anything from last week, here ya go!

You still have time to win!! Moms Who Rock Giveaway!

Listen to Your Mother is in the books, but don't miss the read-thru pics.

I posted a BRAND NEW short story on Clever Fiction, A New Dream.

And if you're craving a sweet, healthy treat, try my Chocolate Strawberry Banana Muffins.

Moms Who Rock Giveaway!!

On Friday I stated as FACT that ALL Mommies are super stars, cause you are. And because you all rock, here's a giveaway for you (and everyone else, mommies or not) that focuses on some serious rockin' Moms.

Get the kids out of the house, turn up the music and have fun cleaning! -- Jill Martin

It’s spring! The weather is beautiful, the kids are in the middle of their golf and softball seasons, and the dog is finally staying in the back yard as opposed to breaking in through the garage. It’s hard to find the motivation to clean when Mother Nature is begging you to come outside and play with her. But you look around and your house is a pit. What can you do to motivate yourself to clean? Not much. So, my advice to you—and it’s advice I follow for myself as well—is don’t clean. As soon as you get the living room floor visible again, you’ll find it cluttered with cleats and socks and cheese stick wrappers and crumpled up papers announcing PTA meetings. So, as long as it’s spring time and as long as your kids still live anywhere within a ten-mile radius of you, don’t clean. It’s just not worth the time and effort. -- Heather Davis

I move piles around until I finally succumb to cleaning and then get obsessed with the details. Like instead of just cleaning out the closet I'll want to take it apart, repaint it and and then give it a new style. -- Malena Lott

About the books:

Two dance moms. One crazy dance world. DANCE MOM SURVIVAL GUIDE is a humorous and helpful guidebook for parents of dancers, written by two dance moms who have not only “been there,” but “are there!” Lott and Martin talked to dance moms across the country, dance professors, a psychologist, and instructors, to bring the stage lights directly on the difficulties and joys of raising a dancer and helping them be successful. Is it anything like reality TV? —the role of a dance mom —the healthy dancer —the leap from dancer to team or company dancer —time and financial investment —improving communication—dance manners —camps, conventions and competitions —dance statistics —dealing with mistakes —how to make dance fun for moms Dance moms with dancers of all ages and stages will find useful information to help on the journey from dance class to stage star.

 

 

“TMI Mom is LOLZOMG.
 From scorching her hoo-hah with jalapeños to attempting Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease in torn sweats and tube socks to her frustrated desire to pour tequila on her cereal when her kids say, ‘I’m booooooooored!,’ Heather Davis serves up hilarious tales of family-life insanity that are never mean (except when skewering herself) and never leave the reader screaming, ‘I’m boooooooored!’ TMI Mom FTW!” — Linda Erin Keenan, author of Suburgatory Ever wished you could say what you were really thinking? TMI Mom Heather Davis does just that. With her trademark dry wit and knack for storytelling, TMI Mom goes where no mom has been (at least in the pages of a book), with stories about the crazy things that can happen — in the minivan, the bedroom, and out in the big, bad world.

 

 

Find out more at www.buzzbooksusa.com

Moms Rock Prize package!

Comment for a chance to win the Moms Rock package: a $20 gift card to your book retailer of choice; a TMI Mom t-shirt, a Dance Mom Survival Guide tote bag, bubble path and spa slippers! $75 value. Winner picked from all entries in the Moms Rock Blog tour. Winner announced Friday, May 10th. Follow this link to find out how to gain points to win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTkxZTgwMTE5ZDg3YTZkOTI1ZGUxYjJiZjA2ZjBiOjE=/

TMI Mom Book Review and Giveaway

If I had to describe Heather Davis in one word it would be... well... I guess I would have to say.... nope, I can't do it. There's no way to describe someone as fantastic as Heather in one word. But if I had to describe Heather's new book, TMI Mom Oversharing My Life, in one word, it would be HILARIOUS!

Author C.D. Jarmola and I giddy with excitement over getting our copies of TMI Mom!

 

TMI Mom Oversharing My Life takes you on a journey through motherhood, a journey that will leave childless couples all over the world running for the birth control. She leave out no detail when it comes the comedy that is her life and family and will have you rolling in the aisle, or bed, or couch, or waiting room, wherever it is that you're reading her book. CAUTION: Snort laughs and crying from laughter will happen, so choose where you read carefully. At church, when you're supposed to be listening to the pastor would not be ideal.

Seriously, as a first time mom, it was good to read Heather's stories of family hilarity, because no matter how crazy things get in my own house, I know I'm not alone.

And because I love this book (and Heather) so much, I'm giving away a signed copy!! Y'all know the drill, just follow the Rafflecopter's directions below and Monday, April 15th I'll announce the winner. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sleigh Ride Tour 2012 and BOGO!!

Today is my turn on the Buzz Books USA Sleigh Ride Tour, so bundle up in your blankie and grab your hot chocolate, because I have not one... not two... but three book reviews for you from Buzz Books USA.

And I'm not the only one in a generous mood, Buzz Books USA is currently having a BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!! Here's how it works:

1. Buy a book on the poster below from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 

 

2. Send Buzz Books USA a copy or picture of your receipt to buzzbooksusa (at) me (dot) com.

3. In the email let them know WHICH TITLE you’d like for FREE, the email address where they should send it (to you or a friend), and if it’s for KINDLE or NOOK.

They are gifting them from the actual stores and will come with a holiday greeting. Your email and those they send books to is safe and will not be stored or shared after the book is sent.

Of course, you need to know what to buy right? Here are my suggestions.

I'm not going to lie, my favorite has to go to a hilarious blogger I introduced a lot of you to, Heather Davis aka Minivan Mom aka TMI Mom aka my friend. Am I a bit bias? Of course, but honestly when it comes to her writing I don't have to be. She leaves me snort laughing with everything of hers I read and TMI Mom Bites the Big Apple: Oversharing inNYC is no exception.

 

 

When a tired, small-town mom from the Midwest is offered the chance to fly away to The Big Apple for just 24 hours - if only for a chance to sleep without being touched, breathed on or poked by her husband or her children - she dashes away and lets the city enter her soul. Spending a night in Times Square prior to her nationally televised talk show debut, Heather Davis takes her readers along with her as she experiences New York City for the first time. Hilarity will ensue. Oh, will it ensue.

I started reading this book while standing in line at the post office, it wasn't long before she had me snort laughing and the other people in line looking at me as if I'd lost my mind. You can't help but relate and secretly be glad you're not alone. I can't imagine anyone not getting a kick out of this book.

Second on my Sleigh Ride Tour favorites - Dani Stone's Next Left.

 

 

Fans of chick lit and romantic comedies will enjoy Dani Stone’s debut novelette, Next Left, about a New York City woman who comes home to be a bridesmaid in her former BFF’s wedding in Kansas. Newly dumped and barely making it in the Big Apple after she lost her job, Amanda is both heartsick and homesick. Stopping in at Jitters, a coffee shop/bar, to ask for directions, she meets barista/bartender and Harry Connick Jr. look-alike, Luke, who reminds her what she misses about the Midwest - cowboys. The New Year's Eve nuptials provide plenty of drama, humor and the perfect time to reflect on her journey. Could all the wrong turns her life – and her GPS she calls Jill – lead her to the right place after all?

I don't know what it is about these Buzz Books USA authors, but they are all so witty... laugh out loud witty. Dani tells a story of true friendship, home and my favorite a romance that leaves you rooting for the couple and wanting to know the rest of their story. It's nice story that will warm your heart during these cold winter nights. I highly recommend it.

Last, but certainly not least is Bra Wars: AShort Story (The Apocalypse Sucks Series) by Peggy Chambers.

 

 

      A dystopian dark comedy about life after the virus.

Two single co-workers, Molly and Sandra, are left behind after a mysterious virus kills everyone but them and the strange file clerk in the basement, Anne, in the old high-rise corporate office. Things are tough - Spam, the lack of men, Anne's gossip about mutants living outside the building, but after a year, it's Sandra's bra that gives out, forcing she and Molly to Molly's former favorite place ever, the Mall. Sandra's looking for support while Molly can't wait to get her hands on some lip gloss. But is Anne crazy or are there really mutants, like the strange creature they saw peeking into their window just nights before?

Can they get back before sundown? Is the Mall a dangerous place, even without a credit card limit? If men couldn’t be trusted before the virus, can they really be trusted now?

This humorous look at two women who didn't get along in real life, but become family after the virus, showcases the nuances of humanity and relationships.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if I'd like this story, but I found myself intrigued. Watching Revolution they never talk about where the ladies get their "unmentionables". But even in a mutant ridden world you've got to take care of the girls, right? I was pleasantly surprised and found myself on the edge of my seat watching Molly and Sandra navigate this super scary world. I mean come on, the mall is scary enough without mutants trying to kill you... I can barely handle the tweens and teens, more or less mutants. I really enjoyed this story and believe you will too. Admit it, you're curious and you won't be disappointed.

I really hope y'all enjoy these three wonderful Buzz Books USA stories from the Sleigh Ride tour and you'll be hearing more from me on the other titles in this tour. I believe I own most, if not all, of them. Buzz Books USA knows their funny ladies. Again you won't be disappointed.

And don't forget it's BOGO, so buy one today and get one FREE!!