Category Archives: Guest Blogging

Spotlight on Lori Spangler

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome author Lori Spangler. Today, Lori shares her amazing journey and her memoir, Miles of Memories.

Here’s Lori!

lorispangler1I did not grow up planning to be an author. I was in my 50’s when I decided to write a book. Throughout my life, I set goals, meet them, and then move on to the next. About 20 years ago when I finished graduate school, I was ready for another challenge and decided to visit all 50 states.

What a beautiful country we have, filled with talented, friendly people. I finished my 50th state, Hawaii, on my 53rd birthday. A few weeks later my friend Shelley and I were out to lunch and she said, “Now you are going to write a book.” She said it as a statement, not a question. So I set another goal.

Off and on over 5 years I worked on my book and remembered my travels. It would have been much easier if I had kept a journal but thanks to a good memory, souvenirs and travel brochures I had kept, I was able to write about my experiences. There were a lot of decisions. Should my book be organized alphabetically by state? Or in the order I traveled them? Did I need to include maps? How do I include my humor?

As most writers know, the writing process is not always an easy road. I had my ups and downs. During my writing process, Shelley sent me the postcard I had sent her when I was in Hawaii. It provided motivation for me to finish AND included it in my book: “Shelley, I have not officially visited all 50 states!! In Hawaii for my birthday—53 was never this good! Love, Lori.”

Someone told me to be sure you are proud of a book that has your name on the front. I am proud of my book and am glad others are enjoying reading it.

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Excerpt

Several years before I turned eighteen, the voting age changed from 21 to 18. After a lot of debate at my high school, the policy for absence notes changed. Once a student turned 18 she could write her own excuse for being absent from school. Since I turned 18 at beginning of the school year, I was one of the lucky few. I felt grown-up to not need a parent’s signature. Since I never cut classes, and had to be seriously ill for my parents to allow me stay home from school, there was little chance I would abuse my excuse-writing responsibilities.

I wrote my first absence note because I planned to miss school for a college visit. I wanted to go to a college that offered a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement. As a freshman, for a social studies assignment I wrote a paper about a career that interested me. All the other girls wrote about being a nurse, secretary or teacher, except one girl who wrote about being a dog groomer. I wanted to do something different, so I decided on a policewoman. My paper focused on a career in law enforcement, and being a detective on a police force. In essence I probably wanted to be Nancy Drew and solve mysteries, but get paid for it.

My goal of being in law enforcement stayed with me as I shopped for a college. I looked for schools with degrees in Criminal Justice. The University of North Dakota (UND) in Fargo offered this curriculum. Fargo is across the border from Moorhead, a city in northwestern Minnesota.

I arranged with Mom and Dad to miss two days of school, take the Greyhound bus to Moorhead, stay overnight with my sister in her dorm room at Moorhead State University, tour UND, and later get a ride home with her.

When I wrote the absence note, I gave it to the school secretary the day before I planned to be gone. Classes ended at 3:32 p.m. each day, but about 3:20 the principal came to my classroom and asked to speak to me. It was a big deal to get called out of class by the principal. The other kids said “Oh. Oh. What did Lori do now?” and “Busted!” as I walked out of the room. The principal asked me about my note, wanted to ensure my parents knew about my trip, confirmed I had notified my teachers, and that I was considering UND. Yes, yes and yes.

During high school I tried not to have much contact with the principal because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself, but he inadvertently became a part of my senior goal. I don’t know how or why, but I decided I wanted to pull a fire alarm. Early in the school year I told my goal to the principal, and asked if I could pull it sometime when we had a practice drill. I mentioned it to him once. By the last week of school, since nothing happened, I assumed he had forgotten about it, but I was happily wrong. With two days of school left, he pulled me out of class. And like earlier in the year, everyone in the classroom said, “Oh. Oh. What did Lori do now?” and “Busted!” But this time he walked me to the other side of the school, without talking. I thought I was in trouble too, until he stopped outside his office and pointed to the red fire alarm. I got to pull the lever setting off the alarm. What a feeling of power to make such a loud noise and be able to stop it again. It felt great to meet a goal. Mission accomplished.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Bio

Lori Spangler is a native Minnesotan with a zest for living. Kids and dogs appreciate her infectious laugh, witty sense of humor, and positive outlook. When not indulging in her passion for travel, Lori can be found reading, eating ice cream, or teaching others the finer points of public speaking. She lives in Minnesota with her plants.

Where to find Lori…

Website | Facebook


10 Interesting Facts about Landra Andrews, Heroine of A Woman So Bold

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome Soul Mate author L.S. Young to the Power of 10 series. Today, Ms. Young shares ten interesting facts about Landra Andrews, the heroine of her debut novel, A Woman So Bold.

Here’s L.S.!

laurisellersphoto1. Landra is from a small farming town called Willowbend located in rural 1890s north Florida. The town is fictional but several of the nearby landmarks mentioned, such as the Withlacoochee River and Monticello Opera House, are real.

2. Her first name is a feminized version of her grandfather’s name (Landry) and her middle name is Elizabeth after her mother.

3. She speaks French because she had a governess but she doesn’t find much use for it in backwoods Florida.

4. At the age of seven she refused to cry in front of everyone at her mother’s funeral. Her reasoning: “It’s never been in me to give something to folks just because they expect it.”

5. Her favorite season is autumn and the cooler weather often distracts her from her chores.

6. When a rattlesnake threatens her brother and sister she attacks it with a garden hoe! (This scene was inspired by my grandmother.)

7. The day she meets her hero she is wearing her favorite white dress and he is riding his dapple gray mare.

8. She loves poetry and Mark Twain, but admits she hates the prim and dull heroine Elsie Dinsmore.

9. There is a hint of the witch about her, as evidenced by her superstitious grandmother’s proclamations, her connection to the earth, and her discerning dreams.

10. She has a secret she keeps from almost everyone, even some of her siblings.

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Blurb

Twenty year old Landra Andrews is as brazen and unique as her first name. Although educated and well-connected, she is trapped by a dark secret from her past. She fears the rest of her life will be decidedly prosaic, until a dashing young man inherits a neighboring farm and sweeps her off her feet.

William Cavendish is a second son from an old Southern family. A gentleman in conduct and an artist at heart, he sowed his wild-oats in the years he spent abroad and is ready to settle down. He is taken with well-spoken, headstrong Landra from their first meeting, and his heart for her only grows.

William seems to be everything Landra has dreamed of but never dared to believe she could have–handsome, kind, and well-bred–but when they are wed, she soon finds herself in all too familiar surroundings, toiling once more against land that won’t yield. Her restless spirit and iron will rebel against her discontent, and when a lover from her misspent youth returns, she finds herself torn between two very different men. Will the mistakes of her past destroy the hope of her future?

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Bio

L.S. Young resides in Florida with her husband and daughter. She received her BA in English with a minor in Religion from Southeastern University. After spending several years as a childcare worker and secondary English teacher, she turned to writing full-time.

She enjoys exploring the Suwannee River State Park, hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, swimming, and writing nature poetry. She’s an enthusiastic reader of fantasy, horror, Victorian literature, and historical fiction and has a large collection of coffee mugs and bookmarks. Like Lizzie Bennet, she is fond of a walk and dearly loves a laugh.

Young is a member of the Historical Novel Society. A Woman so Bold is her debut novel.

Where to find L.S. Young…

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Amazon


Dealing with Dialogue Tags

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

saidbookismGlancing back at some of my earlier work, I cringe at my use of “said bookisms” such as roared, admonished, exclaimed, queried, and hissed. I was trying to avoid overusing the word “said” and searched for suitable alternatives. I realize now that substituting those words made it sound like I enjoyed using my thesaurus. Instead, I was annoying the reader and drawing attention away from the dialogue.

From different workshop facilitators, I’ve learned that I don’t have to interpret the dialogue, or worse, tell the reader how the words are said. If the dialogue is strong enough, “he said” and “she said” will do. Like other parts of speech—the, is, and, but—that are used several times on each page, “said” is invisible and allows the reader to concentrate on the action and dialogue.

Continue reading on Carly Jordynn’s blog.


Cover Reveal: Eye of the Pharaoh

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of Nancy Fraser’s next novel…

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Blurb

Publicist Teri Hunter has her hands full promoting Professor Joshua Cain and his new non-fiction book, The Pharaoh’s Mummy. She’s not convinced it’s even possible to turn this absent-minded, modern-day, Indiana Jones into a best-selling author.

Dr. Cain’s PhDs in archaeology and art history have prepared him for almost anything on the lecture circuit and among ancient ruins. He’s just not sure about a book tour…or the sexy publicist sent to monitor his every professional move.

When an odd request falls in their laps while in New Orleans, Josh and Teri find themselves transported to 1920’s Egypt where they must resolve an ancient curse in order to be sent home. Will the dangers facing them hinder their success and threaten their very lives? Or will help from an ancient guardian keep them on-track and safe?

Excerpt

Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.

Teri Hunter mouthed the motivational phrase she’d chosen for her personal mantra as she stepped across the threshold into the dark and musty storeroom.

A dim light shone from a glass-enclosed workroom in the far corner. Taking a tentative step forward, she faltered when the floorboards creaked beneath her feet. Something fast and furry brushed against her ankle. A shiver ran down her back, yet she fought the urge to retreat.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

This was obviously today’s obstacle. Were it not for her professional commitments and intricately organized schedule, she’d have no doubt bolted for the door and returned to the safety and illumination of the main building.

‘Sorry, but the storage area doesn’t have overhead lighting. Preservation of the antiquities. You understand.’ The dean’s words echoed in her head. To make matters worse, what little outside light there was had become nearly non-existent due to an impending thunderstorm.

Drawing a deep breath, she took a second step and then a third, winding her way past a half-dozen crates, some open, some not. To her left she heard a rustling of paper; to her right the distinct sound of footsteps.

Her apprehension grew, the hair on her forearms stood at attention. She’d barely made it halfway across the room before bumping into something large and solid. Reaching out, she laid her hand against the oversized object. Slowly, she raised her head and came face to face with the painted mask of an Egyptian noble. The chipped finish gave the death mask a deranged look.

“You come here often, big boy?”

Fun Fact

The idea for Eye of the Pharaoh came about following a trip to the Field Museum in Chicago. For the longest time afterward, I couldn’t get the images of ancient Egypt out of my head. Then, out of the blue, I received a gift from a relative who had passed…a gorgeous necklace fashioned like an Egyptian collar. The late relative had no way of knowing about my recent fascination with Egypt so I took it as a sign. There was obviously a story inside me begging to come out.

Bio

nancyfraserLike most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in early 2017. She is currently working on her next Rock and Roll novella and two other equally exciting projects.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

First prize: $10 gift card to book retailer of their choice
Second prize: (3) Digital copies of Time and Again, my futuristic time travel.

Enter here.

Where to find Nancy…

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon


Three Steps, No Failure

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

successjustaheadWhen asked about her extraordinary success, recording artist and motivational performer Jana Stanfield said, “I believe in the power of small steps to create great changes.”

Jana left a lucrative career as a broadcast journalist and moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of securing a recording contract. While waiting for her breakthrough, she signed up for voice lessons and took classes in song-writing, stand-up comedy and dance. She took advantage of Open-Mic nights and sang for free in the evenings. With the help of a small producer, she made a few recordings.

None of the record companies were interested.

Continue reading on the Sisterhood of Suspense blog.


A Writer’s Ah-Ha Moment

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome The Wild Rose Press author Brenda Moguez. Today, Brenda shares her passion for writing and her latest release, Nothing is Lost in Loving.

Here’s Brenda!

brendamoguezahahWhat I know about writing is elusive.

It’s as fleeting as the sunrise over the Rockies but can linger as long as some Ah-Haenchanted evening sort of love, which is sometimes a lifetime or the length of a night. I didn’t know this when I took up this hobby come all-consuming passion. I was arrogant enough to believe I welded the power and could control the ebb and flow of my creativity on the blank page. As easy, as it is for me to flutter my eyelashes towards a lanky Gemini so would be filing three-hundred double-spaced pages. In retrospect, I envy this innocence because it was, and to some extent, is true. Back then, I didn’t understand enough about anything to take it as it came when it came. I had expectations.

In my passionate ignorance, I believed all that was required of me was to turn up each day and for an extended period of time—that can be as magical as an enchanted evening—and write. What I hadn’t anticipated were the nights I turned up at the appointed hour, flipped the switch, waited and waited, and sometimes waiting until blaze of the morning sunrise burned off the bitter loneliness of an unproductive night. It seemed silly almost laughable at first because I had lived several decades without writing so how could the random night without words affect me so profoundly. It wasn’t just that sleep that I lost, but my perspective. My mind convinced me there were answers in books, a cure for the lonely ache growing deep in my belly, which felt strangely similar to the absence of a lover who comes in and out of your life on his schedule.

Since red wine and songs of love were not the cure, I convinced myself writing was scientific. It can’t be magical. It’s not chance or random. Writing creatively is manageable. It’s a mechanical process thereby controllable by a force. All I had to do was learn. I started searching the aisles of bookstores, the periodicals, the vast and overwhelming virtual world, for content on writing. Sometimes a writer writing about writing made sense, and I connected, but the meaning of the words fizzled when I closed the book or browser. I’d see the meaning clearly as I read the words but then the edges blurred, and everything evaporated as it does when you’re walking through a cloud of déjà vu after I finished reading. I sought other writers thinking they would know what I didn’t. I enrolled classes and workshops for the same reason. Knowledge is never wasted but sometimes, as in the case of writing, too much of something isn’t always a good thing.

A writing lesson I learned rather painfully is that I am sometimes at the wheels of control, while other times writing controls me. I somewhat arrogantly assumed with some knowledge I would master my productivity and know everything there was to know about writing. What I ended up learning without a book, or a class, or another writer, was that I knew more when I didn’t know anything. When I wrote without the details, without listening to others more seasoned on the craft, when I didn’t lose sleep over tense, or being something other than what I was meant to be, which as it turns out, is raw and authentic. Now I know more than I ever needed to know, which is not always helpful at 3 AM or when the story is stuck.

Writing is such a personal experience, unique to the consciousness on the other side of the page. How can the reader possibly understand what the writer went through to put words on the page? Or the years it took to find the courage to take a stand, to declare to the void, I am a writer! Hear me! Listen to me, read my words for they are from me, part of me, all of me. And if it sounds like I am saying I am celestial it’s because a writer sometimes feels that they are ethereal, part of a secret society they never thought of joining.

What I know about writing isn’t for me to share with you because I’m not like you or you like me. Each of us hears different notes in the keys on our respective keyboards.

What was your ah-ha moment on your writing journey?

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Blurb

There is a saying in Spanish that goes something like this, “No hay mal que por bien no venga.” (Roughly translated) “There is no bad thing that is not followed by a good thing.”

When Stella Delray unexpectedly loses her job a week before Christmas, which happens to be the anniversary of her husband’s death, she is forced to come to terms with her loss, stop talking to his ashes, which she carries around in a sports bottle, and get her life back on track for her son’s sake as well as her own. She never expected posting an ad on Craigslist would send her into the arms of not one but two men, one of which is her former boss, Jack Francis. It’s because of him she’s working as an admin for a retired Broadway star, bookkeeping for an erotic video production company, and writing love letters for the mysterious Oaklander. Adding to the craziness of her new life, her monster-in-law resurfaces and the father-in-law Stella’s never met shows up on her doorstep.

With her best friend, Bono, to guide her, Stella will learn to redefine the rules she’s always lived by. Her new extended family comes with plenty of drama, and the ghosts of her dead husband’s past are knocking down her door. Will Stella be able to find her footing in her eccentric life, discover nothing is lost in loving, and have the family she’s always dreamed of? One thing is certain: Stella will learn that happily ever after doesn’t come in one size fits all.

Find out how Stella manages her monster-in-law and takes on romance again. You can find her story on Amazon.

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Where to find Brenda…

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+

Spotlight on Highland Hope

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio


I’m happy to feature Madelyn’s Hill’s new release…

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Blurb

“Remember, lasses. Through Hope, Faith and Honor, ye can rule,” were the last words Lady Hope MacAlister’s father spoke before dying. Those very words direct her every action and thought. Sword fighting and leading the men of her clan was second nature to Hope and she has little time for herself or any thoughts of love. Until Aidan MacKerry is captured spying on the clan.

She is beautiful, strong, and quick to pull a sword. But when he kisses her, all thoughts of the lairdship Aidan MacKerry seeks flee his mind. When the enemy continues to undermine Hope, Aidan is determined to aid her—only he didn’t think he’d lose his heart to the Laird of Wild Thistle Keep. When the enemy reveals Aidan’s secret, he must fight for his right to be laird and prove, despite their differences, he loves Hope.

The enemy refuses to back down and continues to threaten not only Hope, but the security of the entire clan. Only together will they be able to save the clan and save their love.

Excerpt

She sighed and set her free hand at her waist. “We need to find my sister, not stand her havering.”

Sadness and worry flitted in her gaze. Heartache over her mother he assumed and mayhap a wayward sister. The grief seemed to consume her as they walked and Aidan loathed to see a sad woman—even if it was Laird Hope MacAlister. If she started crying he’d certain flee, for nothing was worse than consoling a woman in tears. But he doubted she’d show such vulnerability to him.

She glanced toward the other caves and then back toward the keep. She gave a frustrated sigh. Her face soft with desperation to find her sister.

She was worried and inside she was fretting and he knew only one way to take a woman’s mind off her troubles.

He stepped toward her and swept her in his arms. Her eyes widened as he descended, slowly so not to make her skittish, but with enough purpose she knew his desire. Her lips parted and her tongue darted out quickly to wet the plump surface. His lips brushed against hers with a soft caress. She gripped his arms and pushed. He kissed her again, slanting his mouth over hers. She stiffened, then her fingers dug into his biceps as her lips relented, accepted his kiss. As a moan escaped her lips, masculine triumph flared and he delved deeper. A sizzling leap of lust cursed through him. God, she felt good in his arms. Aidan ripped his mouth from hers and narrowed his gaze. His chest heaved. His blood sang. Through hooded eyes, he watched her and inhaled the womanly scent about her. Hope’s face was flushed, her eyes glazed. Aidan reached for her again.

With a flick of her wrist, a dirk appeared from its sheath and pressed against his ribs. “You touch me again, and you’re a dead man.”

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Bio

Madelyn Promo-Photo (2)Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading.

To celebrate the release of Highland Hope, Madelyn is offering two $10 Amazon gift cards. Enter the giveaway here.

Where to find Madelyn…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

In Love With My Characters

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Soul Mate author Belle Ami. Today, Belle reminisces about the characters in her novels and shares her latest release, One More Time is Not Enough.

Here’s Belle!

bellamiLet it be known, I do not like saying farewell to the characters in my novels. After all, I’ve slept with them, dreamt with them, fought with them, empathized with them, hated them, and, of course, loved them. They are like my children, oft times difficult, doing things I don’t approve of and a real pain in the ass, but when all is said and done, they are mine, and just like my children, I will defend them with my last breath. However, there does come a time when, as Kahlil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, you have to let them fly on their own. I quote, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”, which can easily be applied to your characters. Even though you’ve created them and breathed life into them, there comes a time when you have to let them go. Mr. Gibran also wisely wrote: “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.” If that’s not true of your characters, I don’t know what is.

My new book published on July 13th by Soul Mate Publishing is actually the third book in my The Only One series. It is a stand-alone romance/suspense/sexy novel that is the last in this three book series. I love my characters for their optimism, their cynicism, their idiosyncrasies, and their flaws. I like to think that they are fully developed people who reflect not only what life has dealt them in the past, but people who wish to change and improve who they are in the present. That’s what brings them to life and that’s what places them with their feet firmly on the ground as living, breathing beings.

Miles Bremen is a billionaire who has fought his way to the top. Everything he has gained in this life he has earned. Perhaps that accounts for his possessive nature, his inability to trust, and his desire to keep what he considers his. His flaws are many, but he attacks life with an unbridled passion. His failed marriage to Adelia Lindstrom is a stain on his otherwise perfect world, a world in which he is usually in control. Adelia is the one woman he ever loved and he lost her. He is determined to do whatever it takes to win her back.

Adelia Lindstrom seemingly has everything, wealth, beauty, perfect twin children, and a career she loves. But, beneath the veneer of success and prosperity lies disappointment, tragedy, and unending lies. Her parents were murdered, her marriage ended in a custody battle, and she is confused by the feelings she has for the two men in her life. Her ex-husband who betrayed her in an unforgivable manner is back on the scene determined to win her back. Her best friend and lover, FBI agent David Weiss, has always been there for her, but his new career with the bureau has made him unavailable and removed. What’s a girl to do? In the beginning of the series, she was a young, trusting, vulnerable woman, but her trials and tribulations have matured and wizened her. She is no longer a girl, but a woman who knows who she is, and isn’t afraid to risk everything for what she wants. But, what does she want?

Throw in an added obstacle for good measure, she’s about to become the target of a serial killer. Can David protect her? Can Miles win her back? Can she have her cake and eat it too? Is there a happily-ever-after for these three. You bet there is, but not without pain, discovery, and overcoming obstacles. There is a Zen saying that I like to apply to my characters: Leap and the net will appear.

I digress, getting back to letting go of your characters. It turns out I’m not very good at it. In my new series that I am writing, in the second book which I’m writing now, I’ve decided to bring back FBI Agent David Weiss. He with his firecracker partner, Cassandra Saladino, are investigating a terrorist attack on the United States. I’m very excited about bringing back one of my favorite guys.

Oh, the joy of not having to say goodbye to a character, to allow them to live and love again.

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Excerpt

Northern California

Route One

The sports car hugged the road as David down-shifted into a hairpin curve on Route One. Adelia brushed the wind-blown wisps of hair that had escaped her braid from her eyes. She leaned her head against the headrest and absorbed the late Summer sunshine. The radio station The Highway blared over the radio, competing with the engine’s roar. At the academy, David had fallen in love with country music thanks to Preston. A song came on the radio next, and he turned up the volume.

“Listen to the words, I believe this is our song.”

She turned to look at him but his dark aviator sunglasses hid his eyes. With her curiosity piqued, she listened. A sexy baritone voice filled the air.

When you walked through the door
I knew…you were the one
My heart said hello, but my head said run
Before I knew it I’d asked you to dance
Time stands still in the arms of romance
Pulled you close, kissed your lips, felt your fingers
in my hair;
Turning slowly, falling fast, trying hard not to care;
You’re like whiskey and music
With your hands all over me
Turnin’ me on, like a sexy song
Making it hard for me to breathe
I should have seen the writing on the wall
One more time is not enough
When there’s nowhere left to fall

Adelia switched off the radio and turned away from him as she fought back her tears. “Are you trying to hurt me? I don’t remember you ever being cruel.”

“No, I’m trying to be honest with you. We both know this magical escape is an illusion. A week from now I’ll go to Washington and you’ll go back to your kids, and Miles will convince you to remarry him. Just like the song says, One more time is not enough, when there’s nowhere left to fall. We were never meant to be.”

“You don’t know a thing, David Weiss.” Frustration simmered inside of her. “Can’t you for once just live in the moment?”

“One of us has to try and keep the moment real.”

“I still don’t understand why you had to joined the FBI? You’ve made it impossible for us to be together. It’s as if you’re doing everything in your power to put obstacles in our way. All your professed love for me, was it all a lie?”

He reached over and took her hand, raising it to his lips, then kissed her knuckles. “I’d take a bullet for you, and you know it.”

“Then show me what you feel, show me you love me.”

“I’m here, aren’t I? Isn’t that enough.”

She turned away from him. “No, it’s not. Like the song says, it will never be enough.”

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Where to find Belle…

The One | The One and More | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website


10 Mistakes All College Students Can Avoid

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome English professor and author B.K. Stevens to the Power of 10 series. Today, B.K. provides valuable advice for all college students and introduces her latest release, Fighting Chance.

Here’s BK!

Picture BKS (2)If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re not starting college this fall. If you know someone who is, please pass on this list. I was a college English professor for over thirty years. Every fall, I greeted many bright, likable new students. By the end of the semester, some of them had failed my class; by the end of the year, some had flunked out of college. At least ninety percent failed not because they couldn’t do the work but because they made one or more of the mistakes on this list. Others passed but didn’t get the grades they could have gotten, didn’t learn as much as they could have learned. It’s a heartbreaking waste of money, time, and opportunity. And it doesn’t have to happen, not if students avoid a few basic mistakes.

1. Don’t cut class.
Many students come to college thinking attendance is optional now: As long as they do the work, they don’t have to come to class. Not true. Many professors have firm attendance policies. If you miss X number of classes, your semester grade starts plummeting. If you miss Y number of classes, you fail. Even if there’s no explicit policy, few students are knowledgeable and self-disciplined enough to learn all they need to learn independently. Besides, college classes can be interesting, even fun. You’ll meet new people, encounter new ideas, develop new interests. Valuable things happen in class. Go.

2. Don’t try to multi-task in class.
Some students show up for class but don’t give it their full attention. They hold their phones in their laps and send text messages; they pretend to take notes on their laptops while really shopping for shoes. But the verdict is still out on multi-tasking: If you try to do many things at once, can you really do anything well? Probably not. Probably, if you do other things during class, you won’t learn much. And especially in smaller classes, your professors can see the phone in your lap, can tell you aren’t actually taking notes. They’ll feel insulted, and they won’t like you much. That has consequences.

3. Don’t slack off in “easy” classes.
I taught many composition classes, many advanced literature classes. I almost never failed students in advanced classes, even though we studied difficult texts. I failed many composition students. Most of these students saw composition as “easy” and didn’t take it seriously. They didn’t pay attention in class, figuring they already knew enough to get by; they didn’t do assignments, figuring they’d catch up later. But in college, you really can reach a point of no return. Many professors don’t give make-up tests, and most don’t accept extra-credit assignments. Too often, I had to tell a student who could have gotten an A that there’s no point in coming to class anymore, that an F is now inevitable. It’s a shame.

4. Don’t use your computer as an excuse.
When I started teaching, the joke was that students who hadn’t done assignments would say, “The dog ate my homework.” Today, the standard excuse is some version of “The computer ate my homework”—I lost my flashdrive, the library printer was out of paper, and so on. If you blame a missing assignment on a computer, your professor probably won’t believe you, even if you’re telling the truth. We’ve heard that excuse too often. Besides, if you plan ahead, you won’t find yourself at the mercy of a computer. If your essay is due Tuesday morning, don’t go to bed Monday until it’s printed. Then it won’t matter if the library’s out of paper, and your professor won’t think you’re a liar.

5. Don’t be too proud to use academic support services.
Almost all colleges offer academic support—writing centers, tutoring centers, counselors who help students develop stronger study skills. People often describe such services as “free.” In fact, you’ve already paid for them, when you paid your tuition. Why not take advantage of something you’ve paid good money for? Sometimes, students worry their professors will think less of them if they get help. Just the opposite. Whenever I got a notice saying a student had gone to the writing center, my opinion of that student shot up. Here’s someone with initiative, I thought, someone who’s willing to put in extra effort. That put me in a positive frame of mind when I graded the student’s essay. That doesn’t hurt.

6. Don’t blame your problems on your professor—especially when you’re talking to your professor.
Sometimes, when students messed up, they tried to convince me it was my fault. “You never said the essay was due Wednesday!” they said, or “I didn’t do the assignment because your directions weren’t clear.” Such complaints are seldom valid. Usually, the professor provided all necessary information—usually, it’s printed on the assignment sheet. And professors expect college students to take responsibility for their own success. If they don’t understand something, it’s up to them to raise their hands and ask for clarification.

7. Don’t get so caught up in sports that you neglect your classes.
College sports can create intense pressure. Your coach expects you to devote many hours to practice, you want to excel, and you don’t want to let your teammates down. And sports are fun and offer more immediate rewards than classes do—that’s why we talk about “playing” sports and “working” in class. Also, many students cherish dreams of winning fame and fortune in professional sports. The odds against that are staggering, even for athletes at Division 1 schools. Enjoy sports, but focus on academic work. In the long run, things you learn in class will mean more to your future than points you score in games.

8. If you fall behind in a class, don’t go dark.
Too often, when students start messing up in a class, they disappear. They stop coming to class, stop handing in assignments. When I tried to get in touch with such students, some wouldn’t take my phone calls, didn’t respond to voice-mail or e-mail messages. If I finally tracked them down, they often admitted they’d been too embarrassed to face me. They didn’t want me to lecture them, so they decided to wait until they’d finished all missing assignments. But once you fall behind in college classes, catching up on your own is hard. As soon as you realize you’re in trouble, go to your professor and endure the lecture. Your professor will almost certainly try to help. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

9. Don’t plagiarize.
The Internet makes plagiarism seem easy–students figure they can copy and paste something, neaten it up, and turn it in. Sometimes, they get away with it. But many professors use software that detects plagiarism, and others get good at spotting it. When students who plagiarize get caught, consequences can be severe—failure, suspension, expulsion. The academic community regards plagiarism as a serious sin. It’s a betrayal of trust, a perversion of everything education should be. Even if they never get caught, plagiarists damage their intellectual and moral character. If it’s 3:00 in the morning and you’re too exhausted to go on, you still have options. You can ask for an extension—you may not get one, but you can ask. Or you can hand the essay in late and take the reduction in grade. Those are honest, respectable choices. They won’t keep you from passing the class, and they’ll leave your soul intact. Just don’t plagiarize.

10. If you don’t really want to be in college, don’t stay in college.
After a semester or so, some students feel frustrated and restless. The whole thing seems pointless, and their motivation is sagging. If you find yourself in this situation, you could force down your doubts and push ahead. Or you could leave. College isn’t right for everyone. It definitely isn’t right for everyone at eighteen. Lots of people drop out and do fine. Others leave, work for two years or ten or twenty, and go back when they’re ready. Think carefully about what you really want. Don’t stay in college just for parties, for sports, or because of social pressure. Don’t stay and make a half-hearted effort. Stay only if you’re truly committed to succeeding in college, and you’re willing to give it everything you’ve got.

Blurb

Fighting Chance Cover (2)When seventeen-year-old Matt Foley’s coach and mentor is killed in a sparring match at a tae kwon do tournament, the police decide it was a tragic accident. Matt’s not so sure. With help from a few friends, including the attractive but puzzling Graciana Cortez, Matt learns the coach’s opponent, Bobby Davis, is a brutal, highly skilled martial artist, the central attraction at an illegal fight club. Now, Matt’s convinced someone hired Davis to murder the coach. But who would want to harm the coach, and why do it at a tournament? Matt’s efforts to find the truth pull him into some dangerous conflicts. To improve his self-defense skills, he joins a krav maga class taught by a man who becomes his new mentor. Matt suspects that he’s going to need those skills, that some day he’ll have to face Bobby Davis himself. (Poisoned Pen Press)

Read the first chapter here.

Awards and Reviews

Anthony and Agatha Award Finalist

Best Young Adult Mystery

“A smartly crafted mystery filled with suspense and intrigue.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Stevens’ portrait of Matt, Graciana, and their town is a compelling one, full of convincingly real dangers.”–Booklist

Buy Links

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

Bio

B.K. (Bonnie) Stevens has published over fifty short stories, most of them in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Her stories have won a Derringer and have been nominated for Agatha and Macavity awards. She is also the author of Interpretation of Murder, a traditional whodunit that offers readers insights into Deaf culture, and Her Infinite Variety: Tales of Women and Crime, a short story collection. An English professor for many years, B.K. lives in a central Virginia town similar to the one in Fighting Chance. Her husband, a fifth-degree black belt, choreographed all the martial arts scenes in the novel.

Where to find B.K.

Website | Amazon | Facebook