Saturday, December 29, 2018

End of the Year News

As 2018 comes to a close, it's a time to wind down and get ready for a new year... and some new reads!

Free & Discounted Books

This holiday season, I wanted to gift readers with some FREE READS and I'm doing just that on Smashwords. Almost all of my books are either FREE or 50% off. I've highlighted a few important ones below, but you can find them all HERE. If you've already read them, feel free to share with someone who hasn't.





Sale ends on New Year's Day! 


New Release 

On New Year's Day, Leave Them Be (book 2) will be available! You can pre-order it now on all platforms.
Daisy Jones knows two things about her biological mother, Ivy Jordan:
1. She signed her rights away as soon as Daisy was born.
2. She has 'issues'.
After sixteen years of wondering how bad Ivy's issues really were, since her dad never talked about her, Daisy' curiosity became nothing more than a passing though. However, her curiosity becomes a harsh reality the day before her sixteenth birthday--the day Ivy abducts her.


Happy reading!

Monday, November 12, 2018

Book News & Amazon Giveaway

First things first... the giveaway!

As a thank you to my Amazon followers, I'm hosting a giveaway. All you have to do is click HERE or on the cover to the left to see if you're an immediate winner. No purchase necessary, no videos to watch, and no posts to share. 


Good luck!






Book News!

I've got a new release coming out on New Years Day & it's available for pre-order NOW! 




For more information about this series, click on the
 "Leaves of Three" tab at the top of this blog.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Ghost Story Contest Winner

My 1st annual Halloween Ghost Story Contest winner is NDA Grant with her suspenseful paranormal story, Snatched. As soon as I started reading this story, it pulled me right in. Aside from piquing my curiosity as to what may possibly happen, I really enjoyed her writing style. Even though it's a short story, there are still some twists I didn't see coming, which is why I chose this story as the winner. I hope you enjoy it! If you do, make sure to comment on it and let her know.

NDA Grant is an Urban Fantasy writer who leans toward the dark side of things, which is evident in this story. Some writers who influence her are Stephen King, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, and Edgar Allan Poe, with special guest appearances by Emily Dickenson and Mary Shelley. She loves a good Mystery Thriller, but Paranormal and Horror are the foundations of her youth.

To learn more about NDA Grant, visit or follow her here:

Website

Twitter

Instagram


To read NDA Grant's creepy ghost story, SNATCHED, click below.
(And when you do, make sure to press that little star & vote!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Monday, October 29, 2018

Ghost Story Contest Runner-Up

My 1st annual Halloween Ghost Story Contest runner-up is Wayne Sharpe with his hauntingly creative Origin story, The Crying Heart. I didn't realize I was even a fan of this type of story until I read this one. It truly evokes the spirit of Halloween, so I had to share it with all of you.

After many years of reading and continuously trying to figure out the plotline ahead of time, Wayne realized he had cultivated an extremely active imagination and needed a way to use it in a constructive way. Wanting to write a more traditional horror story that was plot-driven and not just gore, he came to the idea of writing a sequence of Origin stories, starting with this one.

Follow Wayne's Facebook page HERE


To read Wayne's original short story, click below.
If you enjoy it, leave a comment on it and let him know.
(And when you do, make sure to tap the star & vote!)

Check back on Halloween Day
to read the winning story!

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Creepy Halloween Reads Under $1

Even though I'm not a fan of fall *gasp*, I love the creepiness of it as Halloween approaches. October is the month to bring on the creepy and ghostly reads!
For the entire month, you can read all of my paranormal/horror stories for either .99 or free. They're all listed below and to the right, if you look on the web version.

I hope you enjoy them... and feel the need to sleep with a light on.

"I don't think I've ever read a book that spooked me as much as this one." ~YA Book Divas

 
"...going to give Stephen King a run for his money!" -  Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Blog

Wattpad short stories that are FREE to read...

Happy Reading!


Thursday, September 27, 2018

FOR ALWAYS Anniversary Celebration & Giveaway

I can't believe it's been five years!


I remember crying when I got my first 'fans' on Goodreads. It was surreal, yet scary, realizing a long-time dream was coming true. Five years later, readers still talk about how "For Always" is one of their favorite stories and I get the warm fuzzies all over again.

To celebrate five years of officially being a published author, 
I wanted to host a little giveaway! 

This post will contain ALL the giveaways, so check back often to see what has been added, as well as the winners, who will be announced on October 5th.

You ready???

Pre-Event Giveaway
Winner: Candy C.

Giveaway #1
Winner: Robin H.

Giveaway #2
Winner: Amanda P.

Giveaway #3
Winner: Jamie R. & Shelly T.

Signed Copy Giveaway
*** STILL OPEN ***


Not read the FOR ALWAYS SERIES?
You can find it here:

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Halloween Writing Contest

If you love a good ghost story that gives you the chills and makes you want to sleep with the lights on, then this contest is for you! Whether you're a writer and want to enter or a reader who wants to read the entries, this contest is the perfect way to get your haunt on and see who the ghost with the most is.


The contest is on Wattpad!
Not on Wattpad? No problem! It's easy and free to use. 


Whether you're a writer or reader, Wattpad is a free platform that is full of stories... such as the recent Netflix hit The Kissing Booth and the best-selling book series, After, by Anna Todd. Yes, they all got their start on Wattpad! I have a couple of stories on there that are exclusive to Wattpad, as well, so you won't see them anywhere else.

Now, back to the contest...


Good old-fashioned ghost stories are sometimes hard to find, so I thought I'd go looking for some. What better way to do that than to host a contest?



To enter the contest, all you have to do is click on the story above and follow the rules and guidelines.  
To read the stories, all you have to do is search for #GhostWithTheMost on Wattpad OR go to the Comment/Questions or Story Links pages and look for the story links in the comments.

The contest ends on October 20th and the winner(s) will be posted right here on Halloween.


Friday, August 31, 2018

Bloggers & Bookstagrammers Wanted!

The For Always Series is five years old!


I can't believe it's been five years since my very first book was picked up by a publisher and put out there for all to read! With the For Always Series being five years old, I want to celebrate and have an anniversary event. There will be a lot of giveaways, including signed paperbacks of all my books. (Some of those books are limited editions and one-of-a-kind proofs that will never be printed again.) The date for this event is October 1st.

Aside from adding these giveaways to my giveaway page on my website, I plan on making a special ongoing blog post where all of them will be added, as well as an event page on Facebook.


I need your help!

To make this event reach more readers and to include more of the book world, I'm looking for book bloggers and bookstagrammers to participate. For those who do, I'll be sharing and reposting your posts, as well as including your social media account in the giveaway where people can get an extra entry for liking/following your page.

If you would like to be a part of this event, all you have to do is fill out the form below:

You can find a mobile-friendly form HERE.

Thanks to everyone who has followed along with this series, left reviews, and shared it. Also, thanks in advance to those who want to participate in the upcoming celebration event. I think it's going to be awesome! 
😃 

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Curly Girl Method (Isn't Just For Curly Girls)

Being a hairstylist for almost twenty years before giving it up to write (somewhat) full-time, this is a best-of-both-worlds post for me because it involves a book written about hair. How I've never heard of this book until recently is beyond me, but it was my curly-haired mom who introduced me to the method it gave birth to. After complimenting her on her suddenly tame hair, she said she was waiting to see if I'd notice, that she'd been using the curly girl method. When I asked her what that was, she went on to explain that she used conditioner to wash, then another conditioner to condition, no towels, heat, or brushes, then started talking about making a cast with gel. I was like... "What? A cast? You use conditioner to wash your hair?"
Once she translated it all and pointed me in the right direction, I quickly tried it and fell in love with this method, so I thought I'd share it and recommend the book, since it seems practical for everyone, not just curly girls. 

What is the curly girl method?


The curly girl method is a way to take care of curly/wavy hair so that it looks and feels the best it possibly can. This method is explained in detail in Lorraine Massey's book, Curly Girl: The Handbook. What I've found while researching this method is that it can be a bit overwhelming at first because of all the information, however, it shouldn't be. I've easily incorporated it into my haircare routine, since I have wavy hair, and my teenage daughter has, as well, even though her hair is fairly straight. In my opinion, all types of hair can benefit from this method, especially if you're having any type of issues, such as dry hair/scalp, frizzing, or simply lackluster, dull hair.   

If you want to know everything there is to know about this method and the techniques recommended, I highly suggest you buy the book and/or join the group on Facebook, which has a lot of informative files to go through that list a lot of important things, including 'CG' (Curly Girl) approved products. If you just want to know the basics, right now, then continue reading what I do. 

The Basics

  • Step 1: Deep Cleanse (only done once)
Before you begin this method, you must use a clarifying shampoo, dish liquid, or an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse to strip your hair of waxes, silicones, and buildup. Silicones are in a lot of the products and conditioners we use, especially if they're supposed to help smooth the hair. Dimethicone is a popular one, but any products with words ending in 'cone' on the ingredients list should be avoided. Also, avoid petrolatum, mineral & castor oils, and waxes. If it is preceded by 'PEG-(and a number)', that means it's water-soluble and usually okay to use, but if you have doubts, just don't use it. If you do accidentally use something with these things in it, don't panic! Just do this step again to remove them. 
  • Step 2: Use either a Cowash or 'Low Poo' (Sulfate-free) Shampoo
What is a cowash, you might ask? Cowashing is using a conditioner to wash your hair. It sounds weird, and even a bit gross (or it did to me), but it works. Personally, I only use a conditioner made for cleansing hair (As I Am Coconut CoWash), which I get from Walmart, while some use any type of silicone-free conditioners, like Suave Naturals. I prefer something that's specifically made for cleansing because it has ingredients for this purpose. I didn't think I could do it, the whole no-suds thing, but the cowash I use really cleans my hair and scalp, almost making it squeaky clean, yet it's super conditioning, so my natural oils aren't stripped ~ it's simply clean. I hate using shampoo, now, even though it's sulfate-free, and only do it about once a week, if that, and mainly only if I'm running short on time. Even if I have to cowash every day, due to working out or whatever, my hair still feels and looks great. 
A lot of people already use sulfate free shampoos, yet these shampoos don't remove silicones well, so they build up on the hair, preventing conditioners from being able to penetrate the hair strand, making the hair actually dryer, starving it of moisture. Then we use smoothing products, which usually contain more silicones, to smooth the hair, since dry hair is usually frizzy, so it becomes a vicious cycle. 
  • Step 3: Scrub, scrub, scrub, rinse well, condition, comb, & rinse again
Cowashing isn't like shampooing because there are no sulfates or harsh cleansers to depend on to get your hair and scalp clean. Because of this, manually scrubbing your scalp/hair is a must, but don't use your nails. Rinsing well is also a must, since you don't want to leave all the gunk you just loosened in your hair. Once your hair is rinsed, use a silicone-free conditioner on your hair, not your scalp, and comb if necessary. Yes, if you're wearing your hair curly, comb it now, not later. This will keep your curl pattern intact and help it to 'clump', which is a good thing. After letting the conditioner sit for a few, rinse it out. This entire process can be time-consuming, yes, but so worth it. 
  • Step 4: Don't use a towel
Towels can be damaging, roughing up your cuticle, so use something more gentle, like a t-shirt (what I use) or microfiber towel. This is also a step where people kind of do their own thing as far as adding product (leave-in conditioner, mousse, gel) to the hair while it's still soppy wet, but I don't. If you have really curly hair, though, you may want to follow the book more closely at this point in regard to products and when/how to use them. 
  • Step 5: Add product & (if your hair is curly/wavy) scrunch
I always add a silicone-free leave-in conditioner before using any styling products. Two of my faves are the As I Am Leave-In and the Cantu Oil Shine & Hold Mist, which I get from Walmart. My daughter also loves the Shine & Hold Mist to help keep her hair straight, since flat-irons are a no-no *gasp*. The two go-to styling products (aside from curl activators) used most for curly/wavy hair are either mousse or gel. From what I've read, most curlies like gel, while wavies, like myself, like mousse. Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch them in, but try not to touch your hair too much after that so curls stay defined. You'll want your hair to form a crunchy cast (unless it's straight), that you can scrunch out later, leaving behind soft, bouncy curls/waves. 
  • Step 6: Dry using low/no heat
If your hair is curly/wavy, you may want to 'plop' before you dry, which I sometimes do if I have time, but not too long (maybe twenty minutes), since it can lead to frizz for me. If you want to know what plopping is and how to do it, buy the book or Google 'hair plopping', which will pull up a lot of how-to videos. It'll be easier than having me try to explain it here. If you're not plopping, though, simply let hair air dry or diffuse, depending on the look you want. If I wear mine straight, I dry with a flat brush to smooth it out, making sure not to use high heat, ending with cool. If I'm wearing it wavy, I use a diffuser, which is a must for curly hair unless air drying. There is even a method for diffusing that you can look up, but the main thing is to, once again, don't over style or touch the hair, which can disrupt the curl/wave patterns.  
  • Step 7: Style using NO or LOW heat
Once your hair is dry, either by diffusing or air drying, scrunch the cast (hardness from styling products) away. Some people who go to bed, at this point, leave the cast in, since sleeping will naturally remove it. A lot of curlies/wavies also wrap or pineapple their hair to sleep (Google it), but I simply use a satin pillowcase, even when I wear mine wavy. I simply rewet it the next day with my magic Witch I Love Your Hair! spray, which I use a lot, actually, as both a leave-in and styling product to help smooth and either let it air dry or diffuse it for a few minutes to wake my waves up. (I even use it on my face as a toner!)
Whatever you do, don't use harsh heat (irons) to style your hair. Using this method, you shouldn't need it. The most damage and hair breakage I've ever seen in all my years of doing hair almost always come from flat irons.

CG Tips


Like I said before, there's a lot more info in the book, but this is what I do and it has made a HUGE difference in my hair and scalp, which used to be really dry. My hair has gone from being messy frizz to defined waves and is softer than I ever remember it being. With that being said, I've heard of some people having trouble starting out, so here's a few tips I've come across or simply know from doing hair so long.
  1. Don't over think it. Follow the basic CG rules, avoiding the ingredients that suffocate your hair and the heat that cooks it, and go from there with the other stuff.
  2. Don't get overwhelmed. Yes, there's a lot of info that goes along with this method, however, you don't have to incorporate everything all at once. I don't do some of it at all. I think that's why people freak out... they don't follow tip #1. 
  3. Don't go crazy. The main products you need to purchase/replace are your shampoo, conditioner, and styling product (if they're not CG friendly). Add on after that, depending on what your hair needs. 
  4. It may get worse before it gets better. It didn't for me, but for some this has been called a 'transition period' and will most likely pass. If it happens to you, either more flaky or oily, give it some time. If you've been using harsh shampoos, your scalp has been producing oil to compensate that. It may take it a few days to adjust.
  5. Stiff, brittle, or coated-feeling hair. A lot of the CG friendly products contain coconut, which can mimic protein. Not everyone needs it, so if you use something that has more than your hair needs, it can make it feel rough and brittle. Simply try something without coconut, wheat protein, or keratin and see if that helps.
  6. Stringy, limp, cotton candy-like hair. Unlike a protein overload, if your hair is over-processed, it usually needs protein. If your hair needs more than the products you're using can provide, you can purchase protein/keratin treatments at the local beauty supply store.
  7. Google, Google, Google! I learned so much by doing this! From cowashing, drying, and styling videos to CG approved products, there's a lot of info out there. But again, refer to tips #1 and #2. 

I wish you all many happy hair days!

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Valentine's Day Sale!

To me, Valentine's Day isn't just for couples, but for all of those who have loved ones in their lives. Whether it's a friend, sibling, spouse, neighbor, or co-worker, this is a day set aside to let them know you care about them, since we often don't express it. Yes, they probably know it, but it's nice to show it. This Valentine's Day, I'd like to help you do just that... at least for those loved ones who like to read.

You can get all my books for just .99 each through Valentine's Day!













You can even get my newest release, Leaves of Three, for just $1. So, if you've not gotten it yet, now's the time to download it!

The only exception is my the For Always series, which has a price that's controlled by my publisher. However, they have the entire set listed for just $5.99. That's still cheaper than most fast-food meals and will last a whole lot longer... and not make you or the recipient gain a single pound.

Gifting an eBook is super fast & easy!
All you have to do is:

1. Go to my Amazon page & click on the book you want to gift
2. Click on 'Give as a Gift' on the right
3. Insert recipient's email & a note from you
4. Send it right to them
(Or you can skip #2-4 & just 1-click it for yourself.)


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!