Stopping on Her Blog Tour, Julie Wise

Julie Wise is a professional life and relationship coach who works with people around the world to manifest their dreams. As a motivational speaker and freelance writer, she draws on her innate wisdom and personal life experiences to inspire others. Wise currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

"Take a moment to remember daydreaming as a child.  Recall the joy, freedom, and sense of possibility you felt.  Imagine being able to experience that every day. You can with Dream BIGGER, Julie Wise’s heartfelt and inspiring guide to realizing your deepest desires.  Using her experience as a life and relationship coach, Wise provides personal anecdotes and numerous client examples to create a living, breathing roadmap for those seeking insight and wisdom on their daily path.

 The workbook format deftly illustrates Wise’s motivational message, giving you the chance to work through past doubts, disappointments and fears using simple yet effective techniques.  She shows you how to stay focused and achieve your dreams by creating a workable action plan.  Divided into easy-to-read chapters, Wise offers inspiring stories from those successfully living their dreams and covers topics such as revealing the dream; befriending the gremlins; reawakening your potential; seeing the signs; and much, much more!

     When your children are born, you imagine a wonderful future for them.  Perhaps they’ll be the next Einstein or Michelangelo, or the scientist who finds a cure for cancer.  You encourage your children to explore the world, develop their imaginations, and dream big dreams.  And you do whatever you can to help them reach those dreams.

     What happens to your dreams along the way?  If you’re like most parents, you probably set them aside a long time ago, dismissing them as impractical or unrealistic.  Perhaps you tried to reach your dream once, only to hit a roadblock and you gave up.  Maybe you figure it’s more important to focus on your children now, and you’ll go back to your dream later, once the kids are older, or when you retire.

     Children learn from watching and listening to us.  If we really want to encourage our children to be all they can be, then we need to walk our talk. 

     Yes, it is possible to enjoy some of your dreams, raise your children and pay your bills all at the same time.  In fact, it’s not as hard as you might think.  That’s why I wrote Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease - to give you the skills and tools you need to make your dreams a reality.

     Look at all the skills you’ve already developed to support your children in exploring their dreams:   

·        patience with the process;

·        absolute faith that everything is possible; 

·        encouragement during the moments of doubt and fear;

·        a helping hand;

·        a listening ear;

·        words of wisdom. 

     How can you apply some of these strengths to your own dreams?

     Give yourself permission to do a little daydreaming this week.  Let your imagination run wild.  Imagining is easy for children them, so spend time with them.  Let them show you how to dream again.

     While you’re at it, why not work on some family dreams too?  Dreams don’t have to cost a lot of money or be complex and difficult.  In fact, they’re about bringing more joy and ease into our lives.  And we can all use more of that, can’t we?

     To boost your motivation, check out the “Dream Bigger Reinvention Challenge” at http://www.dreambiggercontest.com and find out how people across North America are reinventing themselves and their lives.  Join the movement to dream bigger and win prizes to help you make your dream a reality.

Your dream is within reach.  Let Dream BIGGER show you how to make it a reality!"

Here's Julie's next blog tour stop:   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bkwalker

Welcome Debra Dunlap

 Today, I'm pleased to host Debra Dunlap, a fellow Muse It Up Publishing author as she nears completion of her blog tour.  Debra is the author of Fallon O'Reilly &; the Ice Queen's Lair and I'm happy to help her launch the first book in her series, Magic in the Americas.  She's been kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Please tell us about your book.





Fallon O’Reilly & the Ice Queen’s Lair is the first book in the series, Magic in the Americas.  In this book, twelve-year old Fallon leaves her home in the Alaskan wilderness to attend her first year of school at the Borealis Academy of Magical Arts.  She and her wheelchair-bound cousin, Ardis, befriend Eddie, a student from Wyoming whose parents both teach physics.  Fallon’s curiosity leads her into a dark mystery, wherein she and her friends band together to save themselves and their school from a great evil.
Are you a full-time writer or a part-time writer, and how do you organize your writing time?
I work full-time in the legal system, so am constrained to writing part-time.  My alarm is set for 5 a.m. to give me writing time before work.  For me, it’s much harder to stop writing than it is to start.  Thus, I frequently dash to work with hair wet from the shower and the words for magic spells still reverberating in my mind!



What made you decide to sign with a new publisher, Muse It Up Publishing, rather than an established company?


Lea Schizas!  I met Lea several years ago at the Muse Online Writer’s Conference, which she founded and I discovered accidentally while searching the net for something or other.  I loved and admired her dedication to helping authors achieve their goals.  When I read that she had opened a publishing house, I submitted my manuscript the same day.

Describe your writing space.





My writing space tends to change day to day and sometimes several times within a day.  I have a huge desk, given to me by a niece, where I like to write.  There’s plenty of space for my coffee cup, globe, printer and Droid.  Sometimes I sit on a couch with my laptop propped on my knees or a t.v. tray.  If the day isn’t too hot, I might haul my laptop to the park and sit at a picnic table.


What types of books do you read and who are your favorite authors?




I read everything I can find from Shakespeare to Chilton manuals.  Nearly everything interests me, although some of the ancient writers can be difficult to read.  I particularly love science fiction and fantasy.  Isaac Asimov is a favorite.  He’s written so many wonderful books on so many subjects.  I kept one of his non-fiction books on my desk while I earned my physics degree because he had a knack for explaining complex subjects.  I also love Anne McCaffrey’s books.  If I could choose to live on another world, I would live on Pern and ride dragons!

Now, as an extra treat, let's hear from Debra's Character, Fallon:

My name is Fallon O’Reilly and if you like rugged, unspoiled wilderness, you will love my home.  Fireweed Village lays hidden deep in Alaska.  It remains hidden, like other wizarding towns, because kippups would find it upsetting.  Kippup?  Oh, sorry.  That means a person who doesn’t use or believe in magic.  Can you believe some people don’t believe in magic?  Crazy!

I turned 12 years old this summer so I’m ready for school.  I can hardly wait for my first year at the Borealis Academy of Magical Arts.  Dad says Borealis has a stupendous library.  Yes, I admit I’m a bookworm, a dork, a nerd.  Choose a name that pleases you because it doesn’t bother me.  Even though my nose is always in a book, as my Mother likes to tell me, either the book or my nose frequently leads me into trouble.  I have a feeling this year will be no different.

There are rumors of strange events at the school and in surrounding villages.  My intrepid cousin, Ardis, will be at my side as I delve into what I’m betting will be a dark mystery.  Join us as we sojourn through our first year of wizarding school and across some of Alaska’s magnificent terrain.  You’ll be surprised at some of the people, living and dead, you meet!

If you'd like to find out more about Debra and Fallon, here's the link:

http://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=82

You can also find Debra at the following addresses:

http://debrakdunlap.com

http://debrakdunlap.blogspot.com/

http://www.manicreaders.com/DebraKDunlap/

Stopping by on her tour...Welcome, Kristin Roisin

“One day, you’ll see. My name will be up in lights.”

I remember these words as if I’d spoken them just yesterday. I was 15, and once again, being reminded that my particular path was not a “stable” path. I needed something to “fall back on”, just in case. Of course, the over-emotional artist in me only heard, “You’ll never succeed in this far-fetched dream of yours. Do something else. Something more responsible.”

Everything came full circle for me though, when on Oct. 29th, I looked up at the digital marquee, outside of the banquet hall we were going to be entering soon, and saw my  name up there. In sparkling white digital lights. My fifteen year old counterpart would have been so proud. But she also would have exclaimed a few dozen, “I told you so!’s” I still relate to that fifteen year old. On an artist’s level, at least. Allowing myself to get lost in my work, or the world I’m creating on paper. Getting annoyed when there is an incessant, constant barrage of “Mama...mama....mama...” or “Honey.... Honey.... Honey....” Or even allowing uncontrollable fits of laughter to consume me, when the next chapter has been completed.

It is that fifteen year old, and her undeniable drive, and passion to create beautiful works of art, whether it be a painting, or a song or even a short story, that pushes me through the frustration, the writer’s block, and even the times when motivation has run screaming from the house, leaving me high and dry. I remember her goal, and there is just no way I can let her down.

Of course, the years have sharpened a few edges, and smoothed a few others. In my passionate desire to finish “the next chapter”, there is a patience that has developed. “It will happen.” In my need to hold a finished book in my hand, a calm has developed. “No need to jump on the roof, and wake the neighbors.” And in my unbridled infatuation, with seeing my name in lights, a graciousness has developed. (I pointed the sign out to my mother, and had no urge to yell, “I told you!”)

Throughout this journey, and all of the ripped and torn out pages, that were promptly crumbled and tossed into the waste can, every year that passed, ensured that the woman who published these books, would be capable of handling the pressure, the success, and even the failures, that would accompany them. And though it seemed to take forever, it was definitely worth it. And each job that I took, prepared me for something that I would have to face in this journey. And so, to the fifteen year old, I only have one thing to say to her. “I suppose it was a good thing, that we learned a few things.... to fall back on.”

About Kristin:

 A very happily married, stay at home mother, raising two little boys. Kristin has been writing since junior high, loving all forms of the written word, including poetry, short stories, scripts and even music, but only in the last 6 or 7 years, has had the inspiration, and support, to actually have her works published. 

And now, that dream is coming true! With a wonderful team at PublishAmerica, to help Kristin realize this dream, and with the love and support of friends and family, she knows that this book can only do great things.  

About Nyte Beauti:

The epic journey of one woman's search for identity, belonging, and love.

When Desta awakens each evening, all she knows is that unquenchable hunger, and a familiar pair of gray eyes. Aside from that, she doesn't remember anything... yet.

 It doesn't take long, before she finds herself thrust into the adventure of a lifetime (or several, as the case may be) as she dodges danger, experiences heartbreak, and ultimately, discovers herself, and true love. 

Follow, Kristin on her tour:  November 10 - Author Interviewed at http://margaret-paranormalromanceauthor.blogspot.com

You can find out more about Kristin on her website. 

Welcome, Krista D. Ball on her Blog Tour

As I sat on the bank of the swallow river, the drums pounding in the distance, I asked myself why the ancestors abandoned me. I had always behaved the way my elders taught me. I worked hard, shared with those around me, and never took more from the Earth than what I needed. I listened to my chief and my elders and respected the wisdom that the Spirits offered them. Why, then, would I be called “Cursed One”, never to be a person again?

The crowd in the distance sang and whooped in excitement, rhythmic drums echoing back to my isolated patch of ground. My job during the Gathering consisted of fetching water from the cold stream. Fearful of my presence polluting the festivities and angering the ancestors, several small children were designated to collect the bladders of water from me and run them back to the celebrating people. I could not even bring the water itself.

I was no longer Dancing Cat, messenger of my people. I was Cursed One. I would not experience the opening of the Sacred Bundle and receive guidance.

I looked out and over the endless field of grass opposite of the river and sighed. Someday, I will find a way to deliver myself. Even if I have to call upon death to rescue me.

****

I’m a partial outliner. I like to write a quick blurb about the main purpose of the book and the outcome. Then, I ask, “What is the risk?” That answer allows for the overall direction of the story. For Harvest Moon, I wrote “discovery” as the risk. In reading Harvest Moon, you’ll find several instances of Dancing Cat’s fear of discovery.

As I knew some basic information about First Nations people in Alberta, Canada, I did my research after writing my first draft. If I do it before hand, I find that I include way too much back story and historical information that distracts from the main character’s path. I tweaked their wardrobe, their diet, and the passing months to better match the moon phases.

After that stage, it went to a few of my beta readers in my critique group. I made some changes based on the feedback. The largest feedback was the assumption of this being set in the United States and the confusion over a six month winter! Inserting geographical references was the hardest part of writing the story, since Dancing Cat’s world is pre-contact.

After it was all tidied up, Harvest Moon entered the world of submissions and, happily, found a home at MuseItUp Publishing.

You can learn more about Krista on her Muse It Up author's page.  You can also watch the video by clicking here.

Follow Krista as she continues her tour:

Nov 3

 http://katiehines.blogspot.com

Nov 4

 http://rhobinsrambles.blogspot.com/

Nov 5

http://www.pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/

David Fingerman - Stopping by on his blog tour...

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

I've very pleased to welcome author, David Fingerman to my blog today.  He's nearing the end of a whirlwind blog tour, and I'm happy to help him promote his new book.  I'll let him tell you a little about himself and his book, Silent Kill.  So without further ado, meet David Fingerman:

As a very young boy, I remember watching an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” on TV. If memory serves correctly, the name of the episode was “An Unlocked Window.” It’s the one where the guy was going around killing nurses. It was the first and only time (that I can recall) that a piece of fiction on television scared the hell out of me. So much so that it stayed with me for all of these years…and started my love affair with the horror genre.

After more than twenty years working as a Court Clerk in the Hennepin County Court System, I am fascinated by all sides of the human condition. I have seen the best and worst people can bring out. I try to incorporate all of these traits into my writing. Whether I’m writing a thriller, horror, mainstream, or humor, my goal is to tell an entertaining story with characters that will stay with you long after you put the book or magazine down.

Eons ago, as a wee nip of a lad,  I saved breakfast cereal boxtops until I had enough to send away for something cool.  Poor memory doesn’t allow me to remember what those cool toys were, but I do remember waiting patiently each day (at least the first week, waiting quite impatiently the next 4 to 6 weeks) for the mailman to drop off a small package with my name on it.  Those memories came flooding back a few weeks ago when my publisher, L&L Dreamspell, emailed me what the cover to “Silent Kill” would look like.  The first thing that hit me was what a great cover.  The second was my understanding that the cover would be the last step before the book being sent off to the printer.  That meant the book would soon be released. 

 I ordered some extra copies to send out for reviews, etc., and the wait began.  The first week passed by with no trauma.  I wasn’t really expecting anything.  In the back of my mind there was a faint glimmer of hope that maybe by Friday or Saturday ~ but no.  By Wednesday of the next week I kept thinking any day now.

 When just the typical mail showed up on Saturday I could feel the little kid in me getting a bit flustered.  As the next week wore on it was a chore not to sit out on the front step and wait for the postal carrier. (A lot has changed since I was young – they’re called postal carriers now.  One other thing has changed since I was a kid waiting for the mailman.  Back then one could pretty much count on the mail arriving at the same time everyday.

 Today it seems as though I have a different carrier each day.  I can get my mail as early as 9am or as late as 6:30pm.  It varies day-to-day which could make sitting on the front step an exercise in futility – and a very sore butt.)  By Thursday the stress was getting to me.  I dreamt that night that my books arrived but the print was so small, the entire book was no bigger than a pamphlet – complete with staple in the middle.  I thought that was a sign.  I was going to get my books on Friday.  Nope.  Saturday morning I slept until 9:30.  Not ten minutes after getting up, the doorbell rang.  I peeked out the window and saw the postal carrier walking back to his truck.  My heart raced faster than my feet as I dashed to the front door.  There, next to the welcome mat (well, mat anyway.  I admit I’m not the most social of creatures) were boxes of my book.  And nope – they ain’t pamphlet size.  I gotta say ~ it’s a damn handsome book.  Buy one and see for yourself (hey, if I’m not going to pimp myself ~ who will?).

You can find out where David's book is available on his site.   Also, continue to follow David on his next stop, October 22.  I'll be drawing from those who leave a comment, and one lucky winner will receive a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

Welcome, Kim Upstone - Stopping by on her Blog Tour

 

Kim Upstone

All I Want is Everything

Genre: Self-Help/Women’s Issues
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN:0741458195

I am one of 9 children born to a business entrepreneur father (still living) and a housewife (deceased). I’ve been married 32 years to my husband Doug who is a sports writer. I have 2 children Melissa who lives in Hawaii and Brent, who is married and lives in Tempe, AZ. He and his wife  are expecting their first child, Grace, in August. My husband and I care for my sister Debbie(who is 5 years older than I) who has special needs, and of course we have Frank our 4 year old cocker spaniel!  (he’s in one of the pics I attached for your amusement) We moved to AZ 7 years ago to get away from the cold. 

How often do we notice butterflies soaring in the beautiful sky, observe their gorgeous colors against the backdrop of the blue sky and envy the way they can easily glide on the gentlest of breezes and think to ourselves, how wonderful it must be to be a butterfly. The freedom and happiness that they must feel, no worries no cares. We may forget they were once a caterpillar, grounded with a limited view of the opportunities available, opportunities that can only be seen from the vast freedom the sky provides. It took courage to leap from the branch and leave the safety the earth provided them. They had to leave behind all their caterpillar friends, climb to the top of the tree and believe that the wings that they have been working hard to strength will serve them when they need it most.

Of course the butterfly is an analogy for us. How often do we allow ourselves to remain grounded when we want to fly? We can come up with so many reasons not to risk flying. I hear every excuse in the book from; I don't have time, or the energy, I work too many hours, I have children, family, friends that need me, on and on it goes. Oh you think it would be nice to fly but you're not all that fond of heights and besides all your caterpillar friends can't fly so you may be up there all alone and why take the risk?

Let's be honest if you can come up with all those reasons why you cannot fly, can't you come up with one, yes just one compelling reason you should try. All it takes is one real reason. That one reason combined with a change in your thinking can motivate you to begin and then continue climbing higher and higher on those branches. The higher you push yourself up that tree, the easier it is to start thinking about the benefit of soaring above the crowd of caterpillars remaining safely on the ground.

You might be able to serve as a role model for the grounded caterpillars, showing everyone that they have nothing to fear. Being an example of what you can do by just trying. Showing them all that there is no limit to what you can do, maybe you will now be in a position to help all your caterpillar friends out. But you need to realize that if you return to the safety and remain grounded with your old friends, you will surely lose your interest in flying. There is nothing wrong with visiting but don't get comfortable or it will be harder and harder to leave.

You need to leave the caterpillars and work to meet other butterflies to share with and learn from.

Butterflies that have ventured where you haven't, tried things you have yet to try and have taken even bigger risks than you could have imagined.

Decide today, take the risk. Become a butterfly. There is no reason to remain grounded when you were born to fly! Show our colors off against the backdrop of the blue sky and soar with the wind!

Kim Upstone is the owner of A New Day A New Vision which is not only the name of her company, but her life philosophy. As an author, motivational speaker and intuitive designer and interest into the effects of environment upon individuals. Her book Feng Shui for Special Needs is given out as a free eBook for people with life and learning challenges.

Kim Upstone is the owner of A New Day A New Vision which is not only the name of her company, but her life philosophy. Kim believes that each new day we can create a new vision for ourselves, home and environment. As an author, motivational speaker and intuitive designer she resides with her family in Scottsdale, Arizona. With a background in interior design and interest into the effects of environment upon individuals. Accreditation in staging and feng shui soon followed, in addition to study in the field of neuro- architecture. Her first book Step by Step To Sold and Feng Shui to Sell are reflections of those principals. Created as guide for home sellers looking to prepare their home by combining Feng Shui and Staging techniques

Feng Shui for Special Needs, her second book, is given out as a free ebook for people with life and learning challenges. Based on her own personal experience, and working with special needs children and adults to make enhancements to their environments all in an effort to allow them to flourish.

Her new book All I Want Is Everything released in December 2009 is drawn from her life’s journey of searching how to find her everything and learning to dance in the storm. All I Want Is Everything is a guide to help women reclaim happiness and peace in the search for their everything.

Website:  http://www.anewdayanewvision.com

Here's Kim's Lineup:

Purchase book on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/All-Want-Everything-Guide-Happiness/dp/0984077227/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277916440&sr=8-1-catcorr

July 27 - Author Interviewed at http://bkwalkerbooksetc.blogspot.com 

July 28 - Guest Blogging at http://mizging.blogspot.com

July 29 - Author Interviewed at http://deannajewel.blogspot.com     

July 31 - Author Interviewed at http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com     

August 3 - Guest Blogging at http://mzging.blogspot.com   

August 5 - Guest Blogging at http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com    

August 10 - SpotLighted at www.trishsilver.com  

August 12 - Guest Blogging at http://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.com     

August 16 - Author Interviewed at www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com  

August 18 - Author Interviewed at http://margaret-paranormalromanceauthor.blogspot.com    

August 20 - Guest Blogging at http://hotgossiphotreviews.blogspot.com      

August 23 - Author Interviewed at http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com    

August 25 - Guest Blogging at http://authorsbyauthors.blogspot.com  

August 27 - Guest Blogging at http://walkermuse.blogspot.com   Me

August 30 - Guest Blogging at http://www.mommyreadstoomuch.blogspot.com  

September 1- Guest Blogging at http://kippoe.blogspot.com  

September 7 - Guest Blogging at http://cindy-vine.blogpspot.com  

September 8 - Author Interviewed at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bkwalker     

September 10 - Guest Blogging at http://azpublishingservices.blogspot.com    

September 13 - LIVE CHAT  http://virtualbooktourcafe.weebly.com  7:30pm EST

September 19 - Author Interviewed at http://consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com 

Join the Blog Tour for Katie Hines

I’d like to thank Ginger for giving me the opportunity to share with you about my book, “Guardian” today on her blog. My 10 day blog tour continues tomorrow on Marvin Wilson’s blog with an interview with me.



Here’s a brief synopsis of “Guardian”:


Imagine you have made a secret promise that can lead you to the discovery of an incredible treasure and an ancient power. But in order to fulfill that promise, you must defeat an age-old sect that is determined to claim the treasure and power themselves.

Drew Newman is ready to tell his friends a secret, but two strangers burst on the scene, demanding an ancient, magical book. He plummets into a world of uncertainty and fear as his home is invaded and he desperately tries to find the book.

Aided by the mysterious Jean-Paul, Drew’s search takes him and friends to Oak Island, Nova Scotia, where he continues his search. Joined with his Grandpa Ian and cousin, Zea, the tension ratchets up when Drew is kidnapped and he encounters the head of a sect that wants the book, a magical talisman and a treasure for themselves.

Sprinkled with magic, “Guardian” explores the commitment of a boy determined to fulfill his promise to his mother and claim an uncertain destiny.

# # #

It actually took me three years to write this book, which some long periods of time (like 3-4 months) in between edits. I began with three months of research, and I will say that the research added depth to my story, and a mostly historical accuracy. Some fictional liberties were taken.

This story came about when my husband and I discovered a true-to-life treasure story about Oak Island, Nova Scotia. There is a pit where, due to a lot of circumstantial evidence, led people to believe there was treasure located. Because of all the money thrown into excavation attempts, it is called “The Money Pit.”

Although literally millions of dollars have been spent trying to excavate this pit and reach what is believed to be a fabulous treasure, fortune hunters have come up empty. The pit has flooded numerous times due to an ingenious tunnel from Smith’s Cove all the way to the treasure shaft where the excavations have taken place. People have died while trying to reach this mythical treasure.

Well known individuals, such as John Wayne and Franklin Roosevelt, have been a part of the Oak Island treasure story excavation attempts.

Excavation attempts began as early as the late 1700s, and continued throughout the 20th century. Today, the island is privately owned, and any treasure hunting has been stopped and cannot continue without the permission of the person who owns the land where the Money Pit is located. Read more about the Oak Island treasure story here: http://forum.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/

“Guardian” can be ordered through http://4rvpublishingllc.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and through your local bookseller.

You can find out more about Katie at her own website or join in the fun at her blog.

New Contest - September 1

In honor of Red Rose Publishing and my World War II Historical Romance available there, I'm participating in the Blog Tour starting September 1. I've already posted my story in the side-bar, complete with a link to the Red Rose Page that will provide more information on the starting day. I will also be adding the url of the next blog to visit when I receive it. So, get ready to win a great prize (TBA)

You can see the video for Tender Return in the sidebar above my First Love story for the contest. Tell you friends to come and play. It should be fun.