CONGRATULATIONS!

THE YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL GIVEAWAY BLOG HOP WINNERS ARE:

     Entrant: 44    Meghan Gale

     Entrant: 87    Atheena Chiu

     Entrant: 54    Stacey Brucale

     Entrant: 60    Kimberly Costa


     Entrant: 156  Denise Zaky


These 5 lucky winners have received emails containing the details on how to collect their free ebook!

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the Young Adult Pranormal Activity Hop!

I would also like to thank and welcome all the new followers to my site. I hope you make return visits frequently in the future!

A special thankyou to

  vvb32 reads

http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com.au/

&

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/young-adult-paranormal-activity.html

Co-hosts of the Hop!

TO EVERYONE WHO MISSED OUT

I HAVE AN OFFER WHICH MIGHT INTEREST YOU!

I have submitted

"He Came For Me, Book One in 'The Protector Series'"

in

During the week from March 4 to 10

you will be able to purchase

an eBook version of

He Came For Me, Book One in The Protector Series

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/82996

at 50% off the regular price!

 SIMPLY VISIT SMASHWORDS 

http://www.smashwords.com/ 

 

AND USE THE CODE


REW50

Helping a Fellow Author - Alex J. Cavanaugh's New Book - Cassa Fire

BLOG PARTY - February 28

Cassa Fire by Alex J. Cavanaugh is released

today!

I am helping my blogger friend to help

CassaFire

to

"Catch Fire"!
on the Best sell charts!

CassaFire is the second book in the series!

Book one CassaStar is a great read and was an
Amaxzon Top 10 Best Seller!

Alex, who I have found to be a great blogger friend, has helped me to learn how to be a better blogger with gentle little tips for which I am grateful. With this post, I am thanking him for his support! I wish him great success with Catch Fire!

Carolyn

Alex is giving away a special package of prizes to celebrate the launch of Cassa Fire so check out his site for details:

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

  

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. 

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library JournalYou can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ Book trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassafire-alex-j-cavanaugh/1034742568Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0982713940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329417150&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-ebook/dp/B007A2TSNG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329663355&sr=1-1

Alex has also recently been awarded a third place in YGR Best Video Comp

Here is his awarded video:

Alex will be on a Blog Tour from February 27 through March 9 – and anyone who comments on his blog posts during that time can win a special package from his publisher: a copy of CassaFire and CassaStar, a large tote bag, and a mug.

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

You can also follow Alex on Twitter:



The Twitter hashtag for the party is #CatchFire

All the best Alex!

Carolyn

A SHORT POST TO SAY THANKYOU!



Overnight my site reached one of it's first milestones and I am taking this opportunity to say welcome to my older followers and to the others who have recently joined.

My 100th visitor - Laurie Dennison has received a free eBook copy of  "He Came For Me" with my best wishes! I hope she enjoys the read!  Laurie is a new follower from the Fourth Platform Building Campaign!

The Fourth Platform Building Campaign is hosted by Rachel Harrie and it is definately keeping me and the other campaigner's very busy, but I am enjoying meeting the new contacts and reading all the 200 word flash/fiction challenges which have been posted at her site. 

 http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com.au/

Follow the link to visit Rachel's site to read the many entries!

I have only read around 50 and there is over 200, but I am slowly making my way through the list to vist all the campaigner's! There are some excellent entries!

I have also taken up Ozlem Yikici's challenge (she is also participating in the Rachel's Fourth Platform Building Campaign and is a co-host, helping Rachel)! Ozlem is asking for writers to join together for charity to write 250 words each for a progressive story which will be available as an eBook once completed!

So writer's participating in the Fourth Platform Building Campaign need to vist Ozlem and continue the story on!!!

With so much talent out there it should be easy to complete!

Read my entry which is the beginning to one of the stories here:

Paper Canvas Tapestries Collaborat​ions

http://cmbrown-books.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/challenge-issued-paper-canvas.html

Read the second stage of this story at Lara Schiffbauer 's Blog site:

http://motivationforcreation.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/yikicis-paper-anniversary-challenge.html

So now you need to visit Ozlem Yikick's site to continue the story or start one of the others!

During the campaign I have also been involved in the Paranormal Giveaway Blog Hop!

This hop is co-hosted by

vvb32 reads

http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com.au/

&

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/young-adult-paranormal-activity.html

As part of this Blog Hop I will be gifting
5 lucky entrants with an eBook copy of :

He Came For Me

Enter for your chance in the draw using the Rafflecopter running in the Young Adult Paranormal Giveaway Blog Hop Post!

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind blogger's of the launch date for the release of:

CassaFire!

Alex has been a supportive blogger buddy and I thank him for helping me

along with hints and continuous comments on my posts!

Good Luck Alex with the Launch of CassaFire!

 I would also like to thank Komal Lewis

and Kimberly Krey

who were my first contacts

in this Blogging World!

Thanks!

Carolyn

TAGGED AGAIN!

I have just been tagged by Ozlem Yikici, who is one of the very busy
co-hosts of Rachel Harrie's Fourth Platform Building  Campaign! 

Ozlem has another challenge running, called -

 Collaborat​ions Paper Canvas Tapestries

Visit

Become a part of this collection of various writer's work!

Visit Yikici and enter to continue the story!

I was the first to take up this challenge, you can read my entry which will become the beginning of a an eBook, which Ozlem is going to collate and sell to raise funds for Charity, just click on the link below!

http://cmbrown-books.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-issued-paper-canvas.html

Now thanks to Ozlem, I am to having to answer more questions as part of the

Fourth Platform Building Campaign!

Only joking, I really don't mind!

1. Where did the inspiration for writing your WIP come from?

Now, I am possibly going to sound like a really techno-illiterate, but I presume WIP is short for 'Work In Progress' - hope I'm right! 

At the moment I am working on the Second Book in "The Protector Series," which is a Paranormal Fantasy novel suited to Young Adults!

2. Any interesting tales about your muse?
Actually, yes I do! You can read and understand, how I was inspired
by reading the first few pages of my first  novel "He Came For Me!"
A very hot guy, driving past me, in a very hot car!

3. Your muse; fab/frustrating/inbetweener?
Wouldn't have a clue!

4. Why do you write?
I have always had an active imagination,
and have nothing really to do at night, when everyone in my house is sleeping!
I  just don't sleep much.

5. If you could enhance one of your senses, which would it be?
Honestly? My sixth sense, is there really another answer!

6. When you are not creating what do you do?
Work in educating high school students with Learning Difficulties.

7. Ask yourself a question –now answer it.
Unfortunately, I am greedy and I want more to life than one thing:
Love
Health
Happinesss
Acknowledgement
Achievement
&
Riches

8. How long is a piece of string?
Is this a trick question? As long as you want it to be!

9. What was the last dream you saw?
Ah! Now, being honest I don't really dream much, or I just don't remember them,
 but when  I do actually recall any details, it seems to be
close to morning when I am beginning to wake.

10. In a film about your life, which actor would play you?
Wouldn't have a clue!

11. What’s your motto in life and also your work ethics?
Diligence, Honesty and Hard Work!
Really boring stuff!

First Challenge from Rachel for The Fourth Platform Building Campaign

Rach asks for Campaigner's to " write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count."

For more of a challenge, you can do one or more of these:

·         end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

·         include the word "orange" in the story

·         write in the same genre you normally  

        write

·         make your story 200 words exactly!

Here is my short Fantasy story inspired by this
artwork (unknown artist):

SLATER

by C.M. Brown

Shadows crept across the wall as the room swam and the figures in front of me merged and swirled into one.   I felt as if I would not be able to stand up straight for long. The orange tablet they had made me swallow was taking effect and my mind was beginning to become foggy and unfocused.  I knew I was in trouble when I felt my heart beat faster and droplets of sweat formed upon my skin!

Slater walked into the room, I knew it was him even though my senses had begun to wane.  The others in the room parted as he strode in, giving him a wide berth to move towards me.  I did not expect him to hit me, but he did, with the full force of his giant fist smashing into my cheek bone, sending me down towards the floor.

Droplets of blood escaped from my mouth, dripping down my chin, but I was unable to wipe them off as my hands were bound behind my back.  I tried to gain some composure as I struggled to stand again, defiantly looking my once vampire lover in the eyes.  He hit me again and everything faded……..

(200 Words)

Challenge Issued: Paper Canvas Tapestries Collaborat​ions

I have been the first to take up Yikici's challenge, a co-host of The Fourth Platform Building Campaign, helping Racheal Harrie. She has challenged authors involved in the campain to join together to write a story, which she will publish as an eBook to raise money for charity! (She states that she will give all participating authors full credit for their work)!

Being the first to take up the challenge, I have written the first 250 words of a story
where the second displayed artwork on Yikici's blog inspired me!
  
As the artwork is protected by copyright, I cannot display them on my post, you will need to head over to Yikici's blog to take a look! Maybe you would like to accept the challenge too!

Yikici

http://www2012/02/16/challenge-issued-paper-canvas-tapestries-collaborations/#more-3709.yikici.co.uk/

The last thing I remember, I was sitting with my sister, competing against her in a game of Final Fantasy, when somehow quite inexplicably we had found ourselves in a hallway of a mysterious house. At first we looked at one another in astonishment, before accepting our situation. We seemed to be stuck. We had no idea how we had arrived or how we were going to get out and if we would be able to return back to our home.  Being only children, we were both feeling frightened and confused.

Cautiously, my sister stepped on the thick, red carpet which ran the length of the long, dark hall ahead of us. The hallway was lined with many closed doors and I wondered what could be lurking behind each one. Linking hands, we slowly made our way along, until we saw just ahead of us a large, winding staircase leading to a lower level of the house. We stopped and l looked across at my sister as if to ask, should we go down there? She shook her head and pointed to a door at the far end of the hall, where a sliver of bright light was escaping from beneath it.

One step at a time we continued along the hall towards the door, my sister never letting go of my hand for a moment. Just as we neared the staircase I had pointed to, we heard a loud noise from behind the door we had been heading towards.

Karina Lawrence – Silver Linings Tag Questions

Here are my answers Karina, but repeating my last statement when I posted my last group of answers , I am not tagging anyone else. If anyone out there would like to answer my original questions you are welcome to do so, I will include them at the end of this blog!

1. Favourite all-time top five movies?
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, (I loved the book too!), Startrek, Startrek, Startrek, Twilight (Yeah, I know, but I have the courage at least to admit it), Final Fantasy.

2. Best music to write to?
Muse

3. Mornings or nights?
Night person here, I like the quiet of the house when everyone is sleeping!

4. What made you want to write in the first place?
One day I woke up from a restless night’s sleep and had a story in my head that I just had to put down on paper!

5. Do you have regrets or do you not believe in them?
No, I don’t think I have any regrets, I just take life as it comes, the good with the bad. But I must admit, my life hasn’t been too bad so far, fingers crossed.

6. Where's your favourite place in the whole world (real or fictional)?
The beach, I just love the feel of the sand between my toes, the sound of the waves, the wind and the salty, smell of the sea.

7. What song(s) make you sing along or get up and dance, no matter where you are?

This question is similar to one I asked, so I better make the answer a good one I

suppose. Hysteria by Muse.

   8. Cats or dogs?
Dogs it is, unfortunately I am allergic to cats. Living with a red face the size of a balloon and puffy, watery eyes is not pleasant, so cats are out! But that doesn’t stop any cats from rubbing their sleek, little bodies against mine, they are such evil creatures, it seems that take pleasure causing me discomfort!

9. One thing you can't write without (favourite pen, picture of your family, lucky smurf figurine? the weirder the better)?
This might turn a few of my followers off, but I like to sit on the toilet and draft my stories in peace and quiet. Sorry for my truthfulness, if it offends!

10. What's your proudest moment?

There have been many! But if your question focuses on writing, I would have to say

the day the first copy of my paperback arrived in the post!       
 

11. One day of true love or all the riches in the world?

I’m a romantic, it has to be true love!

Here are my original 11 questions:

1. How do the stories you write about come into fruition?
2. Do you think you are the type of person who plans for every eventuality, or do you prefer to
live life how it comes, without any organisation?
3. What is your favourite song?
4. Do you sing it loudly to yourself?
5. Are you still friends with anyone you went to secondary school with?
6. What would be your dream job?
7. How often do you speak with your sibblings?
8. If you were an animal what creature would you like to be? Use your imagination.
9. I love eating boiled eggs for breakfast, what is your favourite food?
10. What piece of technology could you not live without?
11. Do you have a favourite piece of furniture? 1. How do the stories you write about come into fruition?

You are welcome to join in amongst the fun! Although this Campaign is keeping me busy, I would only be playing 'The Sims' or Diablo if I wasn't participating. Yeah, I'm a geek, I admit it!

Sherri's Graphomania - Tag Questions

I just visited Sherri's Graphomania where she had posted eleven questions to any of the campaigner's who wished to answer them.  As they are my type of questions I have decided to indulge, but I am not going to ask another group to answer another lot of questions as I think this game has run its course! 

Cheers Carol!

Are you addicted to memes, Laura David's Shopper's Voice, or any other surveys?

No ??

If aliens were invading earth, where would you hide?

Underground, unless thats where they hang out!

If the aliens gave you a choice to either work for them or be imprisoned, would you work for them? Be imprisoned? Or just pretend to work for them and be a double agent?

I would be a double agent sending information I gather back to the Alien Take Down Task Force run by humans and intelligent mamals!

If you were a character on Lost, who would you be? Bonus: If you were a writer for Lost could you have come up with an ending for the show that at least tied up all the loose ends and made sense?

I would be Jack. No probably not, the story was far too lost before it ever ended.

SUV or sports car? Make and model?

SUV – YOU CAN SMASH ZOMBIES WITH IT!!

You need a new pair of jeans: WalMart or JCPenney?

Jay Jay’s, hey I’m Australian!!

You are starving: Applebees or Chilis?

Applebees?? Not sure!

If zombies were beating down your door, do you run or stand your ground? 

Run, but make sure the surrounding doors are secured, before attempting my escape.

Whether you stand your ground or run from the zombies, do you have a baseball bat or a shotgun? Or are you competent enough in martial arts so that you can fight hand-to-hand without getting bit? 

I’d have both the bat and the shotgun, which are already part of my zombie escape kit packed under my bead. Ha ha!

If a vampire is knocking at your door, do you invite him in? If so, WHY??? 

No, you would have to live in a fantasy world to think they were all friendly like the Cullen’s or the Salvatore’s!

If there was an alternate universe where steampunk was really real, would you step through a portal and go there - even if you knew the portal was closing as soon as you stepped through? 

I’d venture through any open portal to see what was on the other side!!  You’ve got to live a little.