With Gratitude

This holiday weekend kicks off summer here in the U.S. People all over go camping or to the beach, or hang out with friends at backyard barbecues. Hamburgers and hot dogs sizzle on the grills. Children's laughter rings in the air, followed by a big splash in the pool. Adults sit back in their lawn chairs, shooting the breeze, often complaining or joking about the state of our government and nation.

Of course, none of this would be possible without all of those men and women who gave their lives, protecting our freedom and liberty. I grew up in the Air Force. My father is a retired vet. My grandfathers served our country in war. My brother-in-law just got out and I have two nephews who are about to finish basic training.

Yet, even I am guilty of taking my lifestyle for granted, with the gall to complain about lines at the grocery store or when my internet goes out. I meet my neighbor's Navy SEALS son at a party and have to remind myself to thank him when it should be automatic.

Although it shouldn't be reserved for a holiday, today I thank all of those who have given themselves so that we may enjoy our burgers and laughter with friends and family. I hope you will join me. Let's take a moment to remember the real heroes who have given their lives for us, our children and their children.

Peace.

Mega Author Blog Hop Tour WINNERS

We have winners! First, thank you to everyone who joined the Trip Around the World Mega Author Blog Hop. I hope you discovered some new authors, founds some new books to read and enjoyed all the stops around the globe. We'll be doing another one next month, so stay tuned!

Now for the winners...

2nd Prize - ebooks of Promise and Purpose goes to...


drum roll...

Katrina W

(email starts with kittee_cat)

Congratulations, Kat!!!

And the Grand Prize - a beach bag full of Soul Savers Series swag, beach goodies and signed copies of Promise and Purpose goes to...


drum roll...


throw confetti...

Mindy Fangedmom

Congratulations, Mindy!!!!!

You can contact me at kristie (at) kristiecook (dot) com if you don't want to wait for my email. :-)

Congrats to the winners and thanks again, everyone, for playing!

Midnight Is Not Just for Cinderella - Giveaway Ends Tonight

Just a quick reminder to enter the Mega Author Blog Hop and take your Trip Around the World. All of the giveaways end tonight at midnight. Start Here and follow the Next links. Good luck!

Trip Around the World Mega Author Blog Hop: Ticket to Paradise

Welcome to Southwest Florida! AKA PARADISE!

Thanks for stopping by and spending a little time during your Trip Around the World Mega Author Blog Hop: Ticket to Paradise! Thirty-four (34!!!!) authors are participating in this hop Monday, 5/16 through Monday, 5/23. AND WE'RE ALL GIVING AWAY PRIZES!!! Sorry for the yelling and the !!!s, but it's really exciting! And so much fun.

Before I let you go off on your tour of paradise, we need to cover a few rules.

TOUR RULES:

1)  Have fun!!!

2)  Invite all of your friends! Spread the word!

3)  This tour starts:  Monday, May 16, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

     This tour ends: Monday, May 23, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

4)  Meet and mingle with all the authors. Experience a new destination at every stop. Participate in every blog contest and be entered for chances to win multiple prizes! Every blog visited is another opportunity to win!! You must leave a comment to be entered in contests. Please include an email address or check back May 24 to see if you were a winner.

5) Participation at every blog is recommended. But remember: the more you hop, the more chances you have to win. Every author is waiting to meet and interact with you, so please be sure to show every author some love.

6) Did I mention to have fun?  WHOO! HOO!! 

My contest and prize are down below and so is the link to the next stop on your tour. First...what you'll find here in Paradise.

Beaches waiting for you to relax, soak up some Vitamin D, hunt for some of the world's best seashells and swim with the dolphins.

If you like to fish, you'll find plenty of opportunity to catch just about anything you can imagine, from freshwater to saltwater. And you might just hook a cute guy, too! :)

Or maybe a boat ride at sunset is more up your alley. Cruise the harbors, the thousands of barrier islands or the Gulf of Mexico.

As you're driving around, don't miss the beautiful flora the area has to offer. Among my favorites: the many legged banyan trees. That's just one tree! Isn't it cool?!

 I call Southwest Florida home, but so do...

Alexis

and

Tristan...YUM!!!

Meet them and immerse yourself in paradise in the first book of the Soul Savers Series, Promise, then follow their story in the second book, Purpose. The third book releases early 2012 and a related novella comes out this fall.

Check out the trailer!

And now the details of my giveaway... Entry is simple. Just make sure you're a follower and leave a comment about your favorite sliver of paradise, wherever it is to you. That's it. Easy-peasy. Well, be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win. Comment by 11:59 p.m., Monday, 5/23.

What do you win? Well, to remember your stop in Southwest Florida, a beach bag, of course! Full of everything you need for the beach - towel, sunglasses, flip-flops and water bottle, etc.; Soul Savers Series swag; PLUS a signed copy of Promise AND Purpose! (U.S. winner only) 2nd place will win e-copies of both Promise and Purpose (open to international winner).

After you comment and enter, go on to the next tour stop:

Tonto National Park, Arizona, with Author Allure Van Sanz

Teaser Tuesday

If you missed it, I announced the title to the third book in the Soul Savers Series. But it's not the only upcoming release. Ang'dora Productions will be releasing - this year!!! - the first Soul Savers novella. I'll announce the title soon. Very soon. Since it's Tuesday, I'm just here to tease today. :-)

It takes place in this general area:

Before this:

And there are

and

in it.

And some people are in it, too.

Curious? Check back for the title and maybe even a description.

Finally - a Title!

What do you think? Never mind, don't tell me because it took way too long and too many brain cells to finally agree on the one defining word for this book. After all, do you know how many words are in the English language? I'm sure there are a "few" we didn't even consider. If you don't like it and I know you don't like it, I'll have serious sanity issues. I mean...more than I already do.

So, there you go. Book 3 has a real title. Now it needs a blurb. Ugh. Do you know how hard it is to condense 100,000 words into a few snappy sentences that draw you in without giving anything away? If not, well...it's hard. Takes a lot of talent. Luckily I know some people who have a bit of that.

For now, I'll let you and your imaginations run away with what you think Devotion might be about. Would love to hear your thoughts and predictions.

Teaser Tuesday

Just a quick note to let you know that...




After much brainstorming...




And months of bouncing around ideas...




And a poll here on the blog...




And more weeks of deliberation...




We have a title for book 3!




But I can't tell you quite yet. How's that for a tease? ;-)



Stay tuned. It'll go up this week. I promise. Want a hint? It ends with "n." Hehe


P.S. I wrote about my experience as a journalist over on my writer's blog...if you're interested.