Friday Finds #writetip #fiction

August 2, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

Though Staci has changed the name of her Friday Round-up Posts to #FridayFinds, it’s still the same wonderful mix of inspiration and fantastic links. Head on over and check out what she’s offering today, and don’t forget to spread the word far and wide, too, thanks. And thanks to Staci for such a lovely post, featuring a quote from one of my all-time favorite writers, the incomparable Erma Bombeck. 🙂

Staci Troilo

Ciao, amici! First, let me start by saying yes, the title is different but no, the content hasn’t changed. I’m adjusting my blog calendar a bit and thought I’d change the title of Friday’s links posts to something a bit more manageable. But I’ll still have the quote of the week, a brief rundown of why that quote spoke to me, and all the wonderful links I found around the web.

So, let’s get started.

I’ve been thinking about Erma Bombeck a lot lately. I know, it makes absolutely no sense for an author of dark sci-fi to be dwelling on housewife humor.

Can’t help it. I’m a huge fan of hers and she’s been on my mind.

When I first found her work, I was young. I wasn’t working, keeping a house, or raising kids. Yet I found her hilarious. Now that I’m a working wife and mother? I…

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#FirstLineFriday – And We Have Our FIVE Winners!

August 2, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 24 Comments

I knew this week would be much easier, and you guys proved me right. We have our five winners, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the contest! Next week, we’ll aim for harder than this one, but easier than the last one! “Just Right” will be the goal! 😀

Our winners this week: Darlene Foster, Mae Clair, Joan Hall, Jeanne Owens, and Alex Craigie (alias Trishthetrout). Congratulations to all!

Also, as a bit of a tease, we WILL have books by other authors to offer as prize choices in the weeks ahead. So even if you’ve read all of my books, you’ll have additional books to choose from.

And the answer to this week’s puzzle is:

“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” is the first line of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

Voted America’s Best-Loved Novel in PBS’s The Great American Read:
Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred.

Buy To Kill a Mockingbird HERE

Thank you ALL for playing, and I’m so happy to have winners this week!

#FirstLineFriday #Giveaway – #FreeDownloads

August 2, 2019August 1, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 11 Comments

It’s time for our 3rd #FirstLineFriday Trivia Quiz, and I’m going to try to do this as simply and neatly as possible. You may refer to the Rules in the Black header bar at the top of the page if you have questions on how this works. The most important thing is please do NOT post your answer on this blog where others can see. Email me instead. marciameara16@gmail.com

The first five emails I receive giving me the correrct title and author of the book quoted below will win! Easy as pie! Winners will receive a free download of one of my books for themselves or someone of their choice. (If they prefer, I’ll add them to a list to receive a free download of the next book I publish, instead.)

I know last week’s first line turned out to be even harder than I expected, so I’m going easier on you guys today. MUCH easier. 🙂 No more clues, though. Those resulted in too much cross-posting. If you don’t know this week’s answer, just try again next week. I plan to be doing this for a long time, and you’re sure to win now and then. 😀

Remember, honor system applies. No Googling, please. THANKS!

Now, are you ready for what will surely be much more familiar to many of you? Well, here you go then, and good luck!

“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”

July Book Reviews, Part Two @bakeandwrite @meg82159 @harmony_kent @MarciaMeara @BetteAStevens #BookishTuesday

August 1, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 10 Comments

A great mix of reviews from Mae Clair–one of which just happens to be for my little book of poetry, Summer Magic, which, like much poetry, is often overlooked these days. It was great to find it in this post, along with all these other super books. There’s something for everyone included. Check it out and then pass it along, if you would. Thanks! And thanks to Mae Clair for her wonderful comments on Summer Magic. 🙂

From the Pen of Mae Clair

Hello, and welcome to the second half of my book reviews for the month of July. If you missed, part one, you can find it here. Summer heat was nearly unbearable for several days this month, but I did manage to devour a number of novels and novellas poolside. To read the blurbs for each, click the Amazon link. My thoughts on each are below . . .

Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories
by multiple authors including Stephen Bentley, Greg Alldredge, Robbie Cheadle, and seven others

I’m a mystery/suspense fan so these stories hit all the right notes for me. The collection is varied with several authors contributing multiple tales to the collection. Read one or two at a time or gobble several back to back. The authors are great at transporting you into twisted worlds of murder most foul. You’re bound to find your…

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#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – Finding Hunter by Marcia Meara

July 30, 2019August 6, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

I hope you’ll indulge me this afternoon, folks. I decided I was overdue in sharing one of my own reviews, so I’ve chosen a great one for my 2nd Riverbend novel, Finding Hunter. Hunter, the youngest of the Painter brothers, has a very special place in my heart. Hope you enjoy reading this one, and will pass it along where you can. Thanks!

REVIEW:

writester

Gut-Wrenching, Heartbreaking, and Soul-Warming

Format: Kindle Edition

I was looking forward to this book because I enjoyed the first one in the series so much. And now I’m eager to read book three. Marcia Meara has found her groove in the complex-character/Florida-fiction niche.

I love character-driven fiction, and this is the epitome of a character-driven piece. Hunter Painter puts a smile on your face and a tear in your eye from the first page. His story arc had me an emotional wreck, so you can imagine what he and Willow went through. And Willow… so strong, so understanding, so amazing. She is a force to be reckoned with.

These characters and the supporting cast kept me on the edge of my seat. This book depicts the horrors of PTSD from not just the person plagued by it, but also from the POV of the family and friends who so often feel helpless and are relegated to watching their loved one suffer. Meara explored this condition thoroughly and without restraint. It was an eye-opening and heart-wrenching take on the topic.

As I said, I really enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read the next installment.

Continue reading →

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – The Gate by D. L. Cross

July 30, 2019August 6, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 67 Comments

So happy to have D. L. Cross joining us this morning with a review of her book The Gate. Folks, I’ve read this one, and trust me, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, I’m sure! Thanks for sharing this review far and wide, as well.

REVIEW:

D. L. Finn 5.0 out of 5 stars
May 9, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition (Verified Purchase)
I highly recommend!

I’ve been looking forward to this release and was impressed from the first page. “The Gate” is the beginning of the Astral Conspiracy Series, and I found it was like reading a movie it was so vivid. The characters felt very real including my favorite, Landon Thorne. He had theories others made fun of until they realized he was right. I connected with him staying true to himself and not allowing others to force change. With so much action and urgency in the story, it was hard to put down. I found myself saying more than once: “They don’t have time for this!” There was plenty of history and research mixed into the story that added another level of intrigue. Ancient Alien Theories fascinate me, so I was thrilled to find an exciting story with that woven into it. I highly recommend this well-written book, especially if you love aliens, the what-if scenario, action, history, theories, and characters you can grow to love–and hate! Continue reading →

#GuestBlogger Harmony Kent on Her New Release #Fallout

July 29, 2019July 25, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 41 Comments

This morning, it is my great pleasure to welcome author Harmony Kent to the Write Stuff. Harmony is going to tell us about her latest book, and I know you guys will be as eager to read this one as I am. (Already pre-ordered my copy!) Without further ado, I will hand the imaginary microphone over. Harmony, take it away!

***

Hi, everyone. Harmony here. Many thanks to Marcia for hosting me today. I have a new book on pre-order called FALLOUT, which is a post-apocalyptic dystopia. This novel started out life by playing a little game. I sat and closed my eyes and imagined an empty room … in that room, a vial appeared. A dull orange plastic thing covered in scratches. It sloshed when I shook it. From that tiny beginning, the world of Exxon 1 and its deadly virus was born.

Who dropped the vial?
Who found the vial?

BLURB:

WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The year is 3040.

The location is Exxon 1, part of a six-planet system in settled space.

Determined to avoid the mistakes of old Earth, the surviving humans avoided democracy and opted, instead, for a non-elective totalitarian system.

The new way worked well, until now.

A crazy, despotic president releases a nano-virus on the population.

No one was ready for the fallout. It came anyway.

In this post-apocalyptic world, can you stay safe?

EXCERPT:

Back in the bedroom, he stared at the copious blood smearing the window ledge through which he and Priya had made their escape. Panic seized him, and he dashed from the room, down the stairs, and to the woods.

Priya tried to pull away when he grabbed her and aimed the bright torch beam her way. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Keep still. I need to see.’

Kaleb yanked down the zip on her bloodied jumpsuit.

Priya slapped him.

He pulled back. ‘Sorry. I thought it was your blood.’

She glanced down at herself and gasped, hands going to her mouth. Then she scrabbled and clawed at her clothing. ‘Get it off. Get it off. Get it—’

Kaleb shook her, not wanting to hurt her to bring her out of her shock. Thankfully, she calmed. Pale and too thin, she wore an appalled expression on her grim face. Then she whispered one word, ‘Please.’

Pre-Order Fallout HERE

Author Harmony Kent

After spending around thirteen years as an ordained Buddhist monk, living in a Zen Buddhist temple, and six years after a life-changing injury following a surgical error, Harmony Kent returned to the world at the tender age of forty.

Now, she is famous for her laughter, and has made quite the name for herself … she’s also, um, a writer … and fairly well known for that too. She’s even won a few awards. Harmony lives in rural Cornwall with her ever-present sense of humour, adorable husband, and quirky neighbours.

Harmony is passionate about supporting her fellow authors.

Connect with Harmony on Social Media Here:

Website
Story Empire (co-authored)
Amazon Author Page
Twitter: @harmony_kent
LinkedIn: Harmony
Goodreads

My Schedule for the Rest of This Year

July 28, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 4 Comments

For you guys in this area, I still have four more presentations to give at my two public venues, Enterprise Museum and DeBary Hall. Here’s the schedule in case some of you would like to attend. (I highly encourage it. I hear these programs are GREAT. 😀 😀 😀 )

Enterprise Museum: Sat, 8/3, 1:00-3:00, FREE, No Reservations Required
“For Goodness Snakes!”

Enterprise Museum: Sat, 8/24, 1:00-3:00, FREE, No Reservations Required
“Wood Storks and Sandhill Cranes”

DeBary Hall: Sat, August 10, 1:00pm-3:00pm, FREE, No Reservation Required
“Backyard Birds Pt. 2 – The Tricky Guys”

DeBary Hall: Sat, Sept 14, 1:00pm-3:00pm, FREE, No Reservations Required
“Backyard Birds Pt 3 – Attracting Birds to Your Backyard”

I will also be doing an Autumn Tea at Enterprise Museum on September 28, at 11:00am. Cost $15, to include a yummy luncheon, my custom teas, and ME. 😀 I’ll do a reading from one of my books, take some Q&A and have a great time visiting with everyone. These are so much fun! I hope some of you will try to come. Reservations are required for sure, so they’ll have plenty of tea sandwiches and desserts for you all. 🙂

Enterprise Museum: 60 Main St, Enterprise, FL 32725, (386) 259-5900
DeBary Hall: 198 Sunrise Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713 (386) 668-3840

#FirstLineFriday Trivia Quiz is Now Closed to Submissions, and the #Winners Are …

July 26, 2019 / Marcia Meara / 19 Comments

Okay, folks. It’s all over but the accolades! This one turned out to be even harder than I expected, but we had two winners: Mae Clair and Robbie Cheadle. Congratulations to them on winning a download of one of my books for themselves or someone else of their choice, or a credit for a free download of my next book.

For future contests, I need to remind you folks NOT TO RESPOND IN THE COMMENTS OF ANY POST ON THE BLOG. Please email me only! (If you respond publicly, others see the answer and the contest is spoiled.) Thanks so much for adhering to that rule.

I promise to go easy on you next Friday with an opening line that won’t be quite as much of a challenge, but for this week, here’s your answer.

“The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting.”

Answer: This is the first line of Stephen Crane’s classic American Civil War novel, The Red Badge of Courage. Lest you think I was giving those in the U.S. an edge, it was also made into an internationally acclaimed film in 1951, starring Audie Murphy, and remade as a successful TV movie in 1974, starring Richard Thomas of The Waltons.

Because it was an older book than even Fahrenheit 451, I knew it would be a bit more difficult, but I didn’t expect it to be quite as hard as it was. It is, after all, still being sold in bookstores and on Amazon, and I believe there are audio books out as well. It’s also still being studied in some college courses. See? Classic. 🙂

I DO promise to make next week’s quiz a bit easier on your gray cells, honest. And thanks for playing today. Hopefully #FirstLineFriday 3 just might be the one that makes you smile.

BLURB:

Amid the nightmarish chaos of a Civil War battle, a young soldier discovers courage, humility, and, perhaps, wisdom. Uncanny re-creation of actual combat. Enduring landmark of American fiction.

BUY THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE HERE