The Grand Tour Grand Finale and Encore! Being Thankful

Happy Halloween! 

What a great day to end this tour which has been all about a ghost story! And what better place to end it than with a woman I've never met, but whom I consider a friend.

31st - Lee McKenzie, The Write Game - The Mysterious Moving Grave (The Real Story)

Last chance to win a copy! The contest closes at midnight. (Mailing only within the USA)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the winners are: Jess Haight and Shannon Lemoine O'Donnell! I'll be contacting you.

Being Thankful

Today I am ever so thankful to everyone who hosted me, who visited and commented and, who in a myriad of different ways, made this tour a most wonderful experience.

The Grand Tour Continues - Week Four of The Bowl and the Stone

We're rounding the turn and coming into the home stretch! What a great tour it's been so far. Join me for more interesting moments on St. John, a very small island.

24th - Meradeth Houston, Write Stuff - A brief history of slavery

24th - Natalie Aguirre, Literary Rambles - Follower News

26th - Shannon Lawrence, The Warrior Muse - More interesting *facts* about jumbies

27th - Jessica Height, The Secret Files of Fairday Marrow - Annaberg, a sugar plantation

28th - Karen Walker, Following the Whispers - The St. John slave revolt of 1733



PLUS, you still have a chance to win a copy of my book! (Mailing only within the USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND, look for my article "Myths and Folklore: Finding Old Stories to Make New" in the next IWSG Newsletter. If you haven't signed up for the newsletter, go HERE. You'll get a free gift if you do.

The Grand Tour Continues - Week Three of The Bowl and the Stone

Here's where I'll be this week. Do stop by and say hello. I promise you'll probably learn something you didn't know before.

17th - Diane Wolfe, Spunk on a Stick - Manchineel - A deadly tree

18th - Clara Gillow Clark - Earliest known ghost stories (win a print copy!)

19th - Crystal Collier - 2 Truths and a Lie (win an ebook!)

19th - Nicola Burggraf, Burggraf's Blog - Interview with Sam and her best friend Nick

20th - Erik, This Kid Reviews Books - Review
        - Diane Burton - The Long Road to Freedom

21st - Yolanda Renee, Defending the Pen - Interview with moi



Have you signed up my giveaway? (Mailing only within the USA)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Grand Tour Continues - Week Two of THE BOWL AND THE STONE

This week you can find me hanging out with these wonderful people.

11th - Barbara Fisher, March of Time Books - Yard Culture (and we're not talking plants)

12th - Juneta Key, Writer's Gambit - Jumbies (or things that go bump in the nigh)

  14th - Chrys Fey, Write With Fey - Lignum vitae - The hardest tree in the world





If you haven't done so yet, sign up for my giveaway! (Mailing only within the U.S.A.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Grand Tour Begins for The Bowl and the Stone

I'm so excited!

THE BOWL AND THE STONE: 

A HAUNTING TALE 

FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

is finally here.

Below is the list of the wonderful, fabulous people who will be hosting me on their blogs during the month of October. I hope you'll stop by and visit with me as I share the history and mystery, the stories and insights, that went to into the writing of The Bowl and the Stone.

Although some posts are about the same subject (particularly those mischievous jumbies) each post is different, many with an excerpt from the book. Hope that piques your interest.

Also, for your reading enjoyment, I'm offering up my first Rafflecopter giveaway and crossing my fingers that I did it right! Plus, during week three, there will two other chances to win a copy.

Thanks EVERYONE for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you.

To kick off the tour, today I'm visiting with Carol Kilgore, Under the Tiki Hut, in which you will be introduced to Jumbies, those mischievous spirits that have nothing better to do than cause problems.

October:
4th - Robyn Campbell - Interview with moi
5th - Alex Cavanaugh - The Dungeon at Annaberg
      - Joylene Butler - St. John in 1962
7th - Roland Yeomans, Writing in the Crosshairs - Moko Jumbies (protective spirits)

10th - Jacqui Murray, Word Dreams - Interview with Sam (Samantha, who tells the story)
11th - Barbara Fisher, March of Time Books - Yard Culture (and we're not talking plants)
12th - Juneta Key, Writer's Gambit - Jumbies
14th - Chrys Fey, Write With Fey - Lignum vitae - The hardest tree in the world

17th - Diane Wolfe, Spunk on a Stick - Manchineel - A deadly tree
18th - Clara Gillow Clark - Earliest known ghost stories (I'll be giving away a print copy)
19th - Crystal Collier - 2 Truths and a Lie (I'll be giving away an ebook)
        - Nicola Burggraf, Burggraf's Blog - Interview with Sam and her best friend Nick
20th - Erik, This Kid Reviews Books - Review
        - Diane Burton - The Long Road to Freedom
21st - Yolanda Renee, Defending the Pen - Interview with moi

24th - Meradeth Houston, Write Stuff - A brief history of slavery
        - Natalie Aguirre, Literary Rambles - Follower News
26th - Shannon Lawrence, The Warrior Muse - Jumbies
27th - Jessica Height, The Secret Files of Fairday Marrow - Annaberg, a sugar plantation
28th - Karen Walker, Following the Whispers - The St. John slave revolt of 1733

31st - Lee McKenzie, The Write Game - The Mysterious Moving Grave

***

Pirates. Explorers. And spooky ghost hunters.

It’s 1962. Sam and her best friend, Nick, have the whole island of St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, as their playground. They’ve got 240 year-old sugar plantation ruins to explore, beaches to swim, and trails to hike.

But when a man disappears like a vapor right in front of them, they must confront a scary new reality. They’re being haunted. By whom? And why? He’s even creeping into Nick’s dreams.

They need help, but the one who might be able to give it is Trumps, a reclusive hunchback who doesn’t like people, especially kids. Are Sam and Nick brave enough to face him? And if they do, will he listen to them? 

As carefree summer games turn into eerie hauntings, Sam and Nick learn more about themselves and life than they could ever have imagined.

Available now at:

Amazon

Createspace 

Smashwords

LOOK! A chance to win a signed copy! (Mailing only within the USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

I've joined this monthly bloghop because answering thoughtful/challenging questions is one way to expand one's mind. It's osted by Michael D'Agostino at A Life Examined .

This could be the last Question of the Month as Michael will be retiring from blogging. He's asked if someone will take over the bloghop and I rather hope someone does. 

 The question this month is: 

“What’s a decision you’ve made in the past that you know, logically, was the right decision to make, but which you still feel guilty or regretful about?”

In my youth I made some rather rash decisions that turned out to be for the best. There may have been a point where I regretted what I did, but days of regret are long gone. Every step I took led me to where I am now, which is a very good place indeed. So there's nothing to regret. Some decisions I made unintentionally and temporarily hurt people, but I made amends and have a clear conscience. 

IWSG, Sign of the Green Dragon

Posting the first Wednesday of every month, The Insecure Writer's Support Group, is  the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. YOU can sign up HERE to participate.

Let's give our co-hosts  a warm welcome! Tamara Narayan,Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, andJulie Flanders! 

We’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. 

This month's question is: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published? 

I've been writing so long it's hard to answer these questions specifically. The very first thing I ever wrote, when I was eight, was a three page "essay" about my family. Even though I had terrible handwriting and spelling (dyslexia will do that) my mother saw something in that treatise and from that day onward encourage my every effort.

The first thing ever published was this poem, which appears at the front of my high school yearbook, a tribute to the journey the juniors and seniors are about to make.

The tangled vines of confusion
Suddenly being to separate
And grow straight up.
Suddenly there is a path before you
where there was nothing.
Suddenly there is something from inside you
Encouraging you on - telling you
To take that hesitating step forward.

I have many stories in my file cabinet that I wrote in high school and in the following years that will never see the light of day. So why do I keep them? Because they're a record of my writing journey, a record of my mind's workings, rather like a diary or journal.

I've come a long way, baby. But that doesn't mean I'm not insecure. Trust me, I am. Particularly now, as I struggle to make corrections in my new book... which is full of small mistakes. Oh GAK!

***

The Bowl and the Stone: 

A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands.

Pirates. Explorers. And spooky ghost hunters.

It’s 1962. Sam and her best friend, Nick, have the whole island of St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, as their playground. They’ve got 240 year-old sugar plantation ruins to explore, beaches to swim, and trails to hike.

But when a man disappears like a vapor right in front of them, they must confront a scary new reality. They’re being haunted. By whom? And why? He’s even creeping into Nick’s dreams.

They need help, but the one who might be able to give it is Trumps, a reclusive hunchback who doesn’t like people, especially kids. Are Sam and Nick brave enough to face him? And if they do, will he listen to them? 

As carefree summer games turn into eerie hauntings, Sam and Nick learn more about themselves and life than they could ever have imagined.

Pre-order HERE today and enter the ghostly tale as soon as it releases.

***

THE SIGN OF THE GREEN DRAGON

C. Lee McKenzie's latest middle grade novel, is being released into the world TODAY! You can read my review HERE. 

Book Blurb: A crumbling map from 1859, found clutched in the bony grip of the long dead, sends three young boys on a dangerous adventure where an unsolved murder, a modern crime, some lost ancestors and ancient Chinese dragons reveal the true meaning of treasure.

Author bio: I love to write for young readers. Sign of the Green Dragon is my third Middle Grade novel.Alligators Overhead and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster were my first two. I’m proud to be a hybrid author with three Indie books out along with four traditionally published young adult novels:Sliding on the Edge, The Princess of Las Pulgas, Double Negative and Sudden Secrets. It’s fun to know both sides of this writing business. 

When I’m not writing I’m thinking about it or scratching my head over how all of this started. 

Media Links:

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

Buy Links: 
Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble
Kobo

***

When did you start writing? Have you hung on to your earliest attempts? Have you read Lee's book yet?

THE GREAT UNVEILING, Question of the Month, Being Thankful

Here it is folks! The cover for my newest book.

The Bowl and the Stone: 

A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands.

Pirates. Explorers. And spooky ghost hunters.

It’s 1962. Sam and her best friend, Nick, have the whole island of St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, as their playground. They’ve got 240 year-old sugar plantation ruins to explore, beaches to swim, and trails to hike.

But when a man disappears like a vapor right in front of them, they must confront a scary new reality. They’re being haunted. By whom? And why? He’s even creeping into Nick’s dreams.

They need help, but the one who might be able to give it is Trumps, a reclusive hunchback who doesn’t like people, especially kids. Are Sam and Nick brave enough to face him? And if they do, will he listen to them? 

As carefree summer games turn into eerie hauntings, Sam and Nick learn more about themselves and life than they could ever have imagined.

Pre-order HERE today and enter the ghostly tale as soon as it releases.

***

This monthly bloghop, hosted by Michael D'Agostino at A Life Examined ,

asks a question. Sometimes it's one to ponder, others times entertaining.

This month's question is:

What's your favorite beach?

Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, a more applicable question might be, "What beach is your least favorite?" But I'm not going to do that. I'm going to show you some pictures of some of my favorite beaches. There are too many to list/show them all. 

Hawksnest, St. John, which plays a part in my book, The Bowl and the Stone.

Lameshure, St. John (pronounce lam-a-sure) with approaching storm.

Lilli Maho, St. John, where we once had a guest house. A beach I often walked at night.

Trunk Bay, St. John is also featured in my newest book. My grandmother owned and operated a guesthouse here. It was the first place I lived when my family moved to the islands in 1955, and where I learned to swim. It is considered one of the most beautiful and most photographed beaches in the world.

Brewers Bay, St. Thomas. A large, wide beach where they hold the annual sanctioned Texas Chili Cook-off. The winner goes to Terlingua, TX.

 Magens Bay, St. Thomas, a near mile long beach
where locals go in the early morning to walk, jog, and swim.

Linsqvist Beach, St. Thomas, a sweet peace (err piece) of paradise.

Being Thankful

Today I am thankful for those who are helping out with my cover reveal.

I'm also thankful for beaches.

What are you thankful for? Got a favorite beach? Does The Bowl and the Stone pique your interest? I'm in need of reviewers. If you'd like to read The Bowl and the Stone, let me know!

Update on The Bowl and the Stone: A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands

Next Monday is the cover reveal for The Bowl and the Stone: A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands.

I'm sending out a BIG THANKS to all those who are participating!

Come October I have quite a line-up of people who will be participating in my book tour. I don't know how I've managed it, but I'm ever so grateful. And nervous. Every post will be different, so I'll be busy writing them up through August and September and sending them off.

Work still to be done

I have received a proof copy of the book from Create Space. I'm delighted with the overall look. However, as I've been reading through it, I'm finding way more mistakes than I'm comfortable with. I can accept one or two mistakes, but I'm finding one or two mistakes in just about every chapter. It means the ebooks have these mistakes as well. This will never do. Corrections will have to be made.

Question

For those of you with more experience doing tours and such, I have a question about email etiquette. When I send out an email with attachments and information, should I expect an acknowledgement that the information was received? Or, should I assume that the email was never received? If I assume the latter, is it appropriate for me to email and ask if the information/attachments were received? What should I do if I don't hear back from that email? I sure don't want to be pushy, but knowing who's going to do what when, is kind of important.

Giveaway

I'm also planning a giveaway via Rafflecopter and Goodreads. I've never done either of these things before... (gulp)

Being Thankful

Today I'm thankful for

HUGS

What are you thankful for? Got any advice for me on email etiquette? If you've published a book, have you been disappointed by the number of mistakes in your print proof copy? Do you get nervous/anxious before a cover reveal and/or book tour?