My good friend and fellow F2K Mentor, Joyce Hertzoff aka mum, interviewed me for her blog.
Here's the link. I hope you'll stop by.
http://hertzoffjo.blogspot.com/
Thank you,
Leona
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Free Kindle Books and Tips
Today marks the ending of another F2K session. I'm proud of my nine students who have earned a Certificate of Completion.
I have started an MFA course in Writer's Village University. Currently, we're on Week Two of a sixteen-week class in Narrative Design. Talk about brain exercise. Yikes! I'm going to do my best to hang in and finish up with a well-polished short story.
I'm doing a bit of Hemphill Towers promo. Today, my book will be listed on the Free Kindle Books and Tips blog for .99, and on Amazon. Here's a link Amazon
Here is a link to FKBT for you to check out their other books or how to get on their blog list for your own book. www.fkbt.com
Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 am.
I have started an MFA course in Writer's Village University. Currently, we're on Week Two of a sixteen-week class in Narrative Design. Talk about brain exercise. Yikes! I'm going to do my best to hang in and finish up with a well-polished short story.
I'm doing a bit of Hemphill Towers promo. Today, my book will be listed on the Free Kindle Books and Tips blog for .99, and on Amazon. Here's a link Amazon
Here is a link to FKBT for you to check out their other books or how to get on their blog list for your own book. www.fkbt.com
Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 am.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Chris Weigand ~ Sanctuary of Nine Dragons
Hi Chris, Welcome to
Leona’s Chatter. I hear you’re celebrating the one year anniversary of
Sanctuary of Nine Dragons, the third book in your Palace of Twelve Pillars
series. May I ask you a few questions?
How long did it take you
to write all three, from rough draft to publication?
About ten years.
Do you have a favorite
from among the three?
It depends on the day.
Sometimes its Palace of the Three
Crosses: Book Two and other days it is Sanctuary
of Nine Dragons: Book Three
How did you choose your
characters?
It was more like they
chose me. They just kind of evolved from
the young, inexperienced twins in book one to the adults they became by the end
of book three. I never really sat down and said I want this guy for Joachim or
I think he would make a good Brandan. They just showed up and grew as the books
progressed.
Is it hard to juggle a
writing time with family time?
Yes and no. At times I
tend to make it more difficult than it needs to be, because I don’t prioritize
my time accordingly. Three of my children are grown and the fourth is well on
her way at thirteen so it is not as hard to juggle things as it once was, but
there are times when because of my scheduling deficiency that my thirteen year
old doesn’t get enough of my attention. I try and make up for it when I can.
Do
you have a fourth book planned or is this the last one in the series?
Originally
there was not even a plan for three books. The series started out as a stand
alone book.
After it was written I realized that I wanted more and one by one
the books in the Brandan and Joachim trilogy came to be. But there are still a
few teens that were in the first standalone book that kind of got pushed aside
by Brandan and Joachim. They still want to have their story told. So the
possibility of another book in the series certainly exists in the future.
Before
we do the blurb and excerpt, I want to say it’s been a pleasure to meet you,
not only as a fellow MuseItUp author,
but also in Writer’s Village University and F2K. How cool is it that you landed
in my classroom for this session of F2K?
Leona, I think it is totally cool. We have talked before and gotten to know each
other, but to be in the same classroom is pretty exciting. Learning and sharing
with a fellow author is always a good thing.
Book Blurb ~ Joachim banishes Brandan to prison island of Hyogo. His infant son, Prince Airyn disappears from his cradle. A chain of events is set in motion that will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parents against children as Brandan and Joachim struggle for control of their sanity and their very lives.
With Brandan declared dead and his son missing Joachim sinks into despair and anger, where those close to him fear he may never return.
Is Brandan really dead and if he is, who is manipulating the
Mantion and enemies of Crato?
Can Maeve save her country and her husband from the
tentacles of evil pervading the land?
Excerpt:
Links: Blog: www.weigandchris.com
Excerpt:
Joachim cringed as he thought about what he had to do. The
council had decided. He didn’t agree completely, but in the end, Joachim knew
it was the only way; something had to be done. Maybe Brandan would give him a
reason not to send him away.
King Brandan stomped into the room. “Why, Brother, have you
no throne prepared for your poor, missing brother? I’m hurt. I expected more
from you and my sister-in-law. Maeve, dear, couldn’t you have helped him
prepare better?” He stepped toward her, quickly grabbed her hand, and kissed
it.
Joachim lunged at him, pushing him from the dais. Brandan
staggered then regained his balance and gazed at his brother. “Why such
violence, especially when I am so recently injured?”
Stepping off the dais, Joachim stood eye-to-eye with his
brother. “Enough! You’re no more hurt than I am. And you have no business
touching my wife, or sitting on Crato’s throne.”
Brandan laughed, pushed him aside, and stepped up to claim
his throne. Joachim grabbed his twin's shoulder, spun him around, and punched
him in the mouth.
Rubbing where Joa’s fist had landed, Brandan smirked. “Well,
my brother has finally developed some stones.” He raised his other hand to hit
Joachim.
Matthias stepped forward, sword in hand and grabbed his arm
before he could hit Crato's king. He pulled the king’s brother away, so Joachim
could reclaim his throne.
Jerking himself free, Brandan straightened his tunic. “This
has been fun; but as you seem to be in no mood to visit, I shall take my leave.
Come to me when you’re in a better frame of mind.”
“Stop! You are going nowhere until I say you can.”
Brandan stopped and looked at his brother. “What did you say
to me? Is that how you talk to a fellow king and brother?”
“Yes, it is. As of this morning, you are no longer a king,
and I’m not sure I should even call you brother.”
“Why dearest brother, whatever do you mean?” Brandan asked.
“Ever since we were boys, you have done everything you could
to make trouble. I was always willing to forgive you and hoped you would change
your evil ways. But no more! You have pushed me—pushed this country—too far
this time,” Joa thundered at him.
“What are you
rambling on about?” Brandan sneered and bit a fingernail.
“Brandan, I should sentence you to execution, but there are
two things keeping me from that. First: you are my brother, and I hold onto a
hope, however faint, you can be reformed…”
Brandan chortled. “Not a good bet, brother.”
“Second, I strongly suspect you of making two attempts on my
life. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough
evidence to prove it was you. I punished one innocent man because of the little
evidence we do have. I do not wish to make that mistake a second time.”
Brandan laughed again. “So, if we’re finished here, I’ll be
leaving.”
As I said before, you won’t be going anywhere until I say
so. I may not have what I need to sentence you to death, but after your actions
toward the queen this morning, I have some recourse.”
“What are you talking about? I did nothing she didn't ask
for.”
Maeve rose from her throne. Joa put his hand on her arm to
stop her.
“Brandan, I suggest you remain quiet until I finish.”
“Brother, you do not have the authority to do this. We are
equals.”
“Do you not see the Adept Council before you? We met and
discussed this matter at length... They have given me the authority.”
“This tiresome group of old men?” Brandan laughed. “They
have even less power over me than you do.”
Ignoring Brandan’s comments, the king continued. “First, I
strip you of your title. You are no longer King Brandan but will henceforth be
known simply as Prince Brandan.” He paused and swallowed. He didn’t know if he
could continue. The lump in his throat felt as big as a koali fruit. He
swallowed again. Maeve grasped his hand. Warmth and reassurance enveloped him.
He knew what he had to do.
“When we have finished here, Rupert, Salochin, and Master
Frederick will take you to Rupert’s tower. There, they will strip you of your
magical powers. When they are finished, Matthias and Wilhelm will escort you to
the Port of Wyrzburg, where you will be put on a ship bound for Hyogo, the
prison island. There you will remain for the rest of your life. You are never
to return to Crato or Mahorg. You will live in the mountain abbey with the
monks and work side-by-side with them.”
“You’re a misguided fool.” Brandan sneered. “If you believe
that by exiling me, you are saving yourself from evil—think again. You may have
peace and rest comfortably for a short while, but don’t assume I won’t find a
way to come back and destroy you.” He stepped up to the thrones and leaned
forward, placing a hand on each. The guards on either side of the king stepped
forward to stop him. Joachim raised his hand signaling them to stop.
Brandan glared at the guard and muttered, “Freisen!” The man
froze where he stood.
Brandan turned back to his brother and sister-in-law. “No,
Joa. This is not over and what I did to your guard is nothing compared to the
evils you will suffer by my hand.”
While he was speaking, Rupert chanted a binding spell.
Matthias came forward and placed his sword tip to Brandan’s back.
The king put his good hand on his brother’s shoulders and
pushed him upright as he stood. “You have done enough! Matthias, escort him to
Master Rupert’s tower.”
As the prince was escorted from the room, Joa slumped back
into his throne. It was done, he thought as remorse washed over him. A tear
crawled down his cheek as Maeve squeezed his hand.
Bio:Christina
Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle
school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her
husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania, returning there after a short
sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and
inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of
God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for
everyone.
When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as
a lector, Bible Study, or with the church theater group, volunteering at her
daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing.
Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.
Twitter: @CAWeigand
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caweigand
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/chris_weigand
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
F2K Calendar
Add caption |
Time is running out. Register now for F2K 3 Seven-Week Creative Writing Course. F2K Lifetime Memberships are only $10. The course is free to members.
https://www.f2k3.com
I'm a Mentor in one of eight classrooms. We welcome both beginning writers or any who need a jump start to get their creative juices flowing. I've been an F2K member since February 2009 and have made writing friends from all over the world. I hope you'll join us.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Roche Hotel Season One by Mysti Parker
The Roche Hotel
A serial romantic
comedy by Mysti Parker
After
her husband ditches her for a blonde actress wannabe, Jane Seymour needs a job
that pays the rent. The struggling Roche Hotel needs a miracle. With the former
owner’s wife butting her nose into the renovations and new owners who are in
way over their heads, Jane may be the answer to their prayers. Sure, she can
handle The Roche Hotel’s quirky staff. But, can this skittish divorcee keep it
all together when handsome Henry the Donut Guy makes his first delivery? This
collection of serial fiction stories is a Tudorific romantic comedy that will
leave you laughing out loud and hungry for more.
****
THEY say a lot of things, don’t they? Like don’t
wear white after Labor Day or don’t fry bacon with your shirt off (that’s
probably good advice, come to think of it). Most of what THEY say goes right in
one ear and out the other. But, in terms of writing, when THEY say “write what
you know”, it makes a lot of sense. So, that’s where The Roche Hotel got its
start—from my own experience working in a hotel way back in the ‘90s.
Many of these first 10 episodes are based on some
very real incidents that happened during my days as a front desk clerk in a
little mid-priced hotel. Sure, a lot of stuff’s made up purely from my crazy
imagination, but there were 5:00 AM
donuts—delicious being fresh from the bakery. Henry the Donut Guy—not real, but
I wouldn’t have argued one bit if he had been! Among the many other
true-to-life items that appear at the Roche Hotel are a popcorn machine, a
Muzak (think elevator music) that never played at the right volume, at least
one “lady of the night”, and a dead body.
To discover all those things for yourself, from now
until release day on October 15, you can pre-order your copy of The Roche
Hotel, Season One for just $0.99 on Amazon Kindle! After that, the price goes
up to $1.99, so make your reservation now and save a buck!
Because I like parties, I’m also inviting all of you
to the release day party on Facebook, October 15 from 6-9 PM EST.
You’ll get a chance to win a hotel-themed gift
basket which includes:
· Robe
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· Lotion
· Tiny
soap bars (so cute!)
· Ghirardelli
chocolates
· Signed
postcards
We’ll also have some fun and games, so I hope you’ll
join me. And please bring a friend!
Thanks so much for your support! Happy reading!
~Mysti Parker
****
Mysti
Parker (pseudonym) is a wife, mom, author, and shameless chocoholic. She is the
author of the Tallenmere standalone fantasy romance series. Her other writings
have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, Christmas
Lites II, The Darwin Murders, Tasteful Murders and EveryDayFiction.
Other writing pursuits include serving as a class
mentor in Writers Village University's seven week online course, F2K. She finished
her first historical romance this spring and has one children’s book (Quentin’s
Problem) soon to be published, with one more waiting for illustrations, and
many more stewing in her head.
When she's not writing fiction, Mysti works as a freelance editor and copywriter. She also reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
When she's not writing fiction, Mysti works as a freelance editor and copywriter. She also reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
Visit my webpage: www.mystiparker.com (in construction)
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Imaginarium Bound
This
past week has been an exciting one for me. Not only did I get a huge box of
print copies of Hemphill Towers, but the long-awaited Imaginarium Convention
was at hand. Both my daughters, Barbara Bray and Rhonda Inman, and my
son-in-law, Christopher Inman, made the trip to Louisville, KY with me.
We (they) packed up the rented wheelchair van Thursday night in order to get an
early start on Friday. Of course, I didn't sleep much in anticipation of our six-hour trip. But dozing, as we sped along, did make the trip go faster. After arriving at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and convention center, the first person we met was my online friend, Mysti Parker. They say online friends are so different when you meet them in person--not true with Mysti or Veronica Jorden--they were exactly how I expected them to be. (Well, Mysti was a little thinner than I expected.) And my fear of not being able to read their lips flew out the window.
Mysti and I shared a vendor table which soon held our books and goodies. No sooner had we settled in than a fire alarm went off. We spent about twenty minutes outside before we were cleared to go back in. Barb was up on the 4th floor and had just stepped out of the shower when someone yelled for people to leave via the stairs. She missed being in the photo below.
Rhonda made up a fantastic basket with chocolates, crackers, cookies, a bottle of wine from my character's FMartinique winery, and more. People added their names to a bowl and we drew a winner Saturday evening. Congratulations went to Jennifer Laslie. She also won a copy of Hemphill Towers.
I'm sorry to say that I let my deafness keep me from signing up for workshops and panel discussions. This convention was a learning experience for me. Stephen Zimmer did an amazing job putting it all together. The highlight for me was meeting Mysti and Veronica--and seeing our picture splashed across Facebook, thanks to Mysti's camera phone.
I also met Amy McCorkle who talked me in to leaving my comfort zone and traveling to the convention. She and I exchanged a book which I look forward to reading. I made many new Facebook friends from those I met at the convention. Mysti's family and Veronica joined us for dinner at the Hotel's Blue Horse restaurant. The picture is a bit dark, and Rhonda is missing because she's taking the picture.
The last event we attended was the Masquerade party. Don't you just love Mysti's ears?
I enjoyed watching people on the dance floor. I don't know the name of the guy in the kilt, but boy could he dance.
All in all, I had a great time. I'd like to say I'll return next year, but...unless I can magically replace my 1995 wheelchair van, it won't be possible.
Rhonda started a gofundme without my knowledge. I was a bit peeved at her and wouldn't let her post it on my Facebook wall. I didn't feel right asking others for money. But, I was amazed at how generous my family and friends were, even complete strangers. When Thomas Bruch wrote an in depth article about me, it generated a lot of donations. A special thanks goes out to Thomas and all those who gave to the fund, and those who cheered me on.
Thanks to Lea Shizas, my publisher at MuseItUp, for working hard to get my print books to me.
Mysti and I shared a vendor table which soon held our books and goodies. No sooner had we settled in than a fire alarm went off. We spent about twenty minutes outside before we were cleared to go back in. Barb was up on the 4th floor and had just stepped out of the shower when someone yelled for people to leave via the stairs. She missed being in the photo below.
Leona & Rhonda |
Mysti Parker, Veronica Jorden, Leona Pence |
I also met Amy McCorkle who talked me in to leaving my comfort zone and traveling to the convention. She and I exchanged a book which I look forward to reading. I made many new Facebook friends from those I met at the convention. Mysti's family and Veronica joined us for dinner at the Hotel's Blue Horse restaurant. The picture is a bit dark, and Rhonda is missing because she's taking the picture.
The last event we attended was the Masquerade party. Don't you just love Mysti's ears?
Mysti & me |
I enjoyed watching people on the dance floor. I don't know the name of the guy in the kilt, but boy could he dance.
All in all, I had a great time. I'd like to say I'll return next year, but...unless I can magically replace my 1995 wheelchair van, it won't be possible.
Rhonda started a gofundme without my knowledge. I was a bit peeved at her and wouldn't let her post it on my Facebook wall. I didn't feel right asking others for money. But, I was amazed at how generous my family and friends were, even complete strangers. When Thomas Bruch wrote an in depth article about me, it generated a lot of donations. A special thanks goes out to Thomas and all those who gave to the fund, and those who cheered me on.
Thanks to Lea Shizas, my publisher at MuseItUp, for working hard to get my print books to me.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Katie Carroll's Elixir Bound Blitz
ELIXIR BOUND
YA fantasy
by Katie L. Carroll
Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a
secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of
Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though
she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a
mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.
It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to
the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest
hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain
power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her
heart to love.
Elixir Bound excerpt:
Ebook on sale for $.99 until September 27:
“Let me start with what I can tell you,” Pop explained. “The
Elixir…well, it’s not just any healing Elixir. It’s the greatest healing Elixir
ever available to humans.”
Katora remained perfectly still; her father’s words deflated the
balloon of anger building inside her and filled the hole with cold shock.
Pop stood and began to pace while he explained. “Deep in Faway
grows the plant that gives the Elixir its potency. The Kase family and our
ancestors have harvested this plant and acted as guardians of the Elixir for
hundreds of years. We developed methods for increasing its potency and have
passed these secrets down for generations. I am the current guardian.”
Pop? The guardian of the greatest healing Elixir ever available to
humans? Could it be true? As he stood in front of Katora, his eyes betrayed no
hint of a lie. How did she fail to notice this all her life? And what did it
mean for her?
Pop’s words came in a hurry. “Even though the Elixir has largely
remained a secret, there are several very important beings and others close to
this family who know of it. Some are human, but others are greater than human,
like Mother Nature and her offspring. These beings use the weather to
communicate. Sometimes it’s not very clear what they mean, but I believe the
snowstorm arriving as the supply of Elixir dwindles is a message from the Great
Mother that we need to stock up.”
Katora put her hands on her hips as if she didn’t care, but subtly
leaned against the bookcase at the same time. She doubted if her legs would
support her. Not only was Pop the guardian of the Elixir, but Mother Nature
herself knew. She sent Pop messages through the weather. If Katora took over
the farm, she must take over everything to do with the farm.
Katora’s breaths came in shallow puffs. She realized Pop stared at
her with concerned eyes. She silently cursed herself for making such a
spectacle.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” he said. “I have a little more
to tell you right now. My business partners outside of Tussar have reported
unrest throughout the Great Peninsula. There are things stirring in this world,
things that I have no control over, and I believe they are going to spin out of
control sometime in the near future. When that happens, there will be a dire
need for the Elixir. There’s so much I can’t control, but the future of the
Elixir is in my power right now.”
Pop stopped in front of Katora, placed his hands on her shoulders,
and looked her straight in the eyes for the second time that night. Katora knew
what was coming, but she held her breath, hoping maybe she was wrong, maybe she
had more time before this responsibility fell on her shoulders.
“Katora, you are next in line to be guardian of the Elixir. Its
future is in your control.”
MuseItUp bookstore: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/elixir-bound-432-detail
Signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads until September 28: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15821579-elixir-bound
About the Author:
Katie L. Carroll began writing at a very sad time in her
life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then
writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote
ELIXIR BOUND and the forthcoming ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the
pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT
and an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. She lives not too far from the beach in
a small Connecticut city with her husband and son. For more about Katie, visit
her website at www.katielcarroll.com
and follow her on Twitter
(@KatieLCarroll) or Tumblr.
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