Follow on Bloglovin

Welcome to my place in the blogosphere!
feel free to explore the Flight Deck and check out my books and website.
Then fasten your seatbelts, sip a glass of something sparkling and let's chat awhile!
I hope you'll stop by again for guest authors and spotlights from time to time.

Beloved Enemy joined Starquest and Children of the Mist to continue the Destiny Trilogy and I'm thrilled to announce was shortlisted for the R.N.A. RoNA Awards 2017, awarded 2nd Runner up in the RONE Awards 2017 and was the winner in the SF/Fantasy category of the 'Best Banter Contest'.

Tuesday 2 October 2018

Goddess Fish Anniversary Party and #Giveaways


Welcome to the Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary Month Long Celebration!

Who is Goddess Fish Promotions? And what do we do? We're glad you asked!

We didn't want your visit here to be dry and boring, so we decided to have a poetry competition and put what we do into verse. Here are the initial entries:

Marianne:

Roses are Red.
Violets are Blue.
I'm awful at poetry.
Coffee.

Judy:

We can edit your book
find things you didn't see
It will be fun to look
at the changes from me.

Yeah, for some reason, Judy won!

Even better, her poem is correct. We DO offer editing as one of our options. Here are a couple of testimonials from clients:

I worked with Marianne on a complete edit and was very happy with the results. Her feedback was clear, easy to follow, and she probed on things I hadn’t thought of. She was also responsive whenever I had questions and helped me work through a few issues. Her feedback and guidance improved the quality of my manuscript, all at a very fair price. I’m working on my next book and plan to use their services again.


-J B Glazer, author, In Search of Mr. Anonymous


*

Choosing the right editor for a project is incredibly important to an author. Let’s face it, we want the best for our books. When I was considering editors for my first indie-published book, Regenerate, I naturally thought of Goddess Fish Promotions–and I’m so glad I did.

Marianne Arkins and Judy Thomas are incredibly attentive and professional during the entire editing process. Their input was invaluable and the story is much stronger because they cared enough to help unsnarl plot points and find order in the chaos..


I can’t wait to work with them again. Truly, a top-notch editorial team! – Sarita Leone, award-winning author of Regenerate


We also offer Virtual Book Tours, Graphic Design, Social Media Promotion and more. You can see more testimonials here.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little (more information is below) and we'd like to do the same. We'd LOVE to see a little poem that tells us a bit about you in the comments. We'll be awarding random book giveaways and $5 Amazon GCs to some of the best poetry we find. It might not be at every stop, but when something really makes us smile, we'll reward it! Come on, be daring...

And now, more about us:

About Goddess Fish Promotions

Goddess Fish Promotions was established October 14, 2008. Why? Well, when Marianne became a published author and got her the first taste of trying to promote a book on a budget, there was only one other virtual book tour company in place at the time, and their fees were simply too high for a small press author. After coordinating and running her own tour, she knew other authors could use the same service for a reasonable price. Thus, Goddess Fish Promotions was born.

Because both Judy and Marianne were authors and editors prior to running Goddess Fish Promotions, they approach the business with a unique point of view, and treat their clients how they would expect to be treated.

The people behind the fish

Judy Thomas


Judy has a college degree in English and she’s worked in retail, education, at her local library as well as an editor for a small press and for the now defunct ShadowKeep Ezine. She’s also a published author so can see things from both sides of the fence. In 2013, she “retired” and now spends her days helping authors make their dream come true—as well as working as much as she can with her local theater group.

Marianne Arkins

Grammar freak and coffee lover, Marianne wrote her first novel at ten years old, built her first commercial website in 2000, and published for the first time in 2006. She worked as a professional editor for just over a year, and knows what it’s like to write, edit and promote a book on a budget.

http://www.goddessfish.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GoddessFishPromotions
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GoddessFish
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/goddessfish/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannejudy/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Goddessfish


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marianne’s five favorite books on writing

On Writing by Stephen King

Okay, there isn’t a TON about actually writing (i.e. the nuts and bolts), but it was an easy to read, very inspiring book and it's on my keeper shelf to re-read every now and then when I need a boost to keep going.

Fiction: The Art and Craft of Writing and Getting Published by Michael Seidman

A good novel on the craft of writing. Some of the information about the actual publishing is out of date (because of the self-published craze), but the rest is really valid and good info.

GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by by Debra Dixon 

Should be mandatory reading for all new authors. Seriously. Put this on your list.

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass 

I'll be honest -- I found the book itself a little dry and difficult to get through, but I use the workbook every time I write a book or short story. The things he challenges you to do are amazing and really make you dig down to create a story with as much depth and interest as possible.  I'd suggest borrowing the book and reading it, but buying the workbook.  Seriously, if you only buy one book on this list, make it the workbook. You won't regret it.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Just good reading. Really puts things into perspective.  I forever keep my daughter from falling to pieces when she feels like she has too much on her plate by saying, “Take it bird by bird.” Another one to read when you need the motivation to move forward.

What books on the writing craft do YOU recommend?

Giveways:

For Everyone: One $50 Amazon/BN GC, two $25 Amazon/BN GCs, Two $10 Amazon/BN GCs
a Rafflecopter giveaway


For Authors: 2 $10 GC for any Goddess Fish Promotions service, Winner’s choice of either a free blurb blitz (2 wk) or book blast (5 day), 50% off any tour (excludes Review tour or Full Service Tour), 4 free 25 page complete book edit, 2 Winner’s choice of teaser or social media cover graphic design
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Follow the tour HERE








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 29 September 2018

#SundaySnippets, #WeekendWarriors, 'Dancing With Fate' "Goodbye Sal, I wish we could have been together longer."

Hello fellow Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing  with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far, and been kind enough to comment. 
                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group
Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

BACKGROUND:
Having fulfilled the mission set by Apollo, Terpsichore the muse of dance is preparing to return to Olympus when she meets the mysterious Myrddin.  She is lured into a bog by the evil Ellilldan, the fire demons, without her powers, and has no means of resisting them. Myrddin rescues her and although there is a mutual attraction between the, Myrddin is betrothed to another. She goes off to wash away the smelly mud from the bog.  

Last week's snippet ...


SNIPPET  (As always, please forgive the creative punctuation to comply with the ten sentence rule. Very slightly changed from the pulblished version.)


On the pretext of removing a clean set of clothing from her saddlebags, Terpsichore walked over to where the horses grazed on the rich grass. 


"Goodbye Sal, I wish we could have been together longer."

 She rubbed the mare's head and planted a soft kiss on her muzzle, then walked toward the falls without looking back. 

A magnificent goshawk circled gracefully above her...a hawk, Apollo's messenger. As she watched, it swooped earthward to land on an old tree stump a short distance away.

"Terpsichore, do not return home yet; go with Myrddin, he is in great danger, although he does not know it."

"What sort of danger—and how can I help, I inspire men to dance, not to fight."

"I cannot tell you more, you will know soon enough, when the time comes. There is more at stake than one man's life, be watchful and above all, make sure he stays in this land, he must not cross the sea." The bird flapped its great wings and took to the skies. 




I'm not sure if I'm going to post any  more snippets from this story, it's been going a while now. What do you think?

BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE




When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and
Buy Now from Amazon
 her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.  

Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part  them  forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 


The real Sal (not the best picture of her,
she was an old lady when this was taken,
but it does show off her lovely golden colour.)















For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Wednesday 26 September 2018

Cover Reveal - The Emissary 2: To Love Somebody by Marcia Meara

I'm thrilled to be able to help reveal the stunning cover of Marcia Meara' s forthcoming novel The Emissary 2: To Love Somebody


I'll let Marcia tell you all about it herself:


COMING SOON!
They're back!
Jake and Dodger are at it again,
accompanied by their
boss, the archangel Azrael.
I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. Once again, Nicki Forde Graphics Design has come up with a cover that does exactly what I wanted it to do. It provides a great-looking image that clearly links the second novella in my Emissary series with the first one. And it does this by putting Jake's big, red-and-white semi front and center, angel wings and all, but with a completely different background.

In The Emissary 2: To Love Somebody, Jake and Dodger travel both coasts of Florida, day and night, working their emissarial magic wherever they find souls in trouble. For me, the palm fronds over the truck, the ocean in the background, and the moon shining down are perfect.

I can't give you an exact release date for The Emissary 2: To Love Sombody yet, as I still have a few more tiny odds and ends to finish up, including the blurb. But I'm 99.9% sure it will be available within a week or two, and I'll have more to share with you then. In the meantime, what do you think?

My heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful bloggers who have helped me share my new cover with the Immediate World! It's lovely to be part of such a supportive online community, and every single one of you is special to me. Thank you!

NOTE: This is not a stand-alone novella, so now's a good time to grab the first one. You can read it in an evening and be all set for The Emissary 2. You'll find The Emissary 1 on Amazon HERE.



Author Marcia Meara

Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years, four big cats, and two small dachshunds. When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. At the age of five, Marcia declared she wanted to be an author, and is ecstatic that at age 69, she finally began pursuing that dream. Her belief in the redemptive power of love is a unifying factor in both of her popular series and her poetry. Today, she’s still going strong, and plans to keep on writing until she falls face down on the keyboard, which she figures would be a pretty good way to go!

Marcia has published six novels, one novella, and one book of poetry to date, all of which are available on Amazon:
Wake-Robin Ridge
A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2
Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3

Swamp Ghosts: A Riverbend Novel
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2
That Darkest Place: Riverbend Book 3

The Emissary: A Riverbend Spinoff Novella

Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love

Marcia’s Amazon Author Page

You can reach Marcia via email at marciameara16@gmail.com or on the following social media sites:

The Write Stuff: http://marciamearawrites.com/
Twitter: @marciameara
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcia.meara.writer
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marciameara/








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Friday 21 September 2018

#SundaySnippets, #WeekendWarriors, 'Dancing With Fate' - "An evil older than time itself"

Hello fellow Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing  with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far, and been kind enough to comment.

                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group
Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

BACKGROUND:
Having fulfilled the mission set by Apollo, Terpsichore the muse of dance is preparing to return to Olympus when she meets the mysterious Myrddin.  She is lured towards a host of glimmering, evil red lights, and although she senses the danger, she is now without her powers and has no means of resisting them. Myrddin rescues her and holds her in his arms. They kiss and he releases her swiftly, for he is betrothed to another This leads directly on from last week's snippet ..."Forgive me. It was just...I was so relieved the Ellylldan didn't take you."

SNIPPET  (As always, please forgive the creative punctuation to comply with the ten sentence rule.)

"Take me where - and who are the Ellylldan?"

"Goblin fire," he dropped her hands, put an arm lightly around her shoulder, and led her back to the campfire. He poked it with a stick until it flared up and she drew closer to the heat, "the Ellylldan lure the unwary into the bog land, those who follow them are never seen again." He paused,"of course, you are not from these parts, so you would not have heard of them."

"I had the sense of evil...an evil older than time itself."

Myrddin nodded, "they are certainly an ancient evil...and not confined to Cymru either. They appear in different guises in all four corners of the world."

Terpsichore wondered how he knew so much, it seemed, however, there was a lot about Myrddin she did not know. She wrinkled her nose as the heat from the fire dried the mud on her clothes, producing a putrid smell. 

"I think I should bathe and get rid of this mud."

Buy Now from Amazon
BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE


When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 





For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Wednesday 19 September 2018

Remeon's Destiny - Blog Tour and #Giveaway


Remeon's Destiny
Realms of Chaos Book 1
by J.W. Garrett

Genre: YA SF Fantasy

A boy seeking adventure… A world that's dying… A war that may have no winners…

Thomas longs to escape the drudgery of farm life, dreaming of adventure and
running away from his demanding parents.


Planet Remeon is on the brink of destruction, fighting a crippling disease that threatens to wipe out their civilization.

Thrust into their world, Thomas is caught in the middle of telepathic mind games between the Day Watchers and the Night Dwellers.

Alliances will be broken. Thoughts will be controlled. Will anyone survive?

**On Sale from 8/27 – 9/20!**
* Apple *
B&N
* Kobo

I've been writing in one form or another since I was a teenager. My love of the Fantasy genre goes all the way back to elementary school when I read The Hobbit for the first time - I've been hooked ever since. I currently live in Florida with my family, but love the state of Virginia where I was born. My works include poetry, short stories, and book two in my YA Fantasy series, Realms of Chaos, is now in process.


You can visit my website at www.jwgarrett.com to subscribe to my
newsletter and find out the latest updates regarding new releases and
works in progress.

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!




For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

The Expanding Universe - Volume 4 Spotlight

        Bringer of Chaos saga
Including Lights Out - A short story by Kayelle Allen from The Expanding Universe Vol 4 Edited by Craig Martelle

The newest The Expanding Universe anthology, number 4, is now available. Twenty great writers, twenty great stories, at a bargain price on Amazon.

Lights Out

He can save mankind.
After he does this one important thing.
Die.

Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die.

When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six.

He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.

Tornahdo must take out the one man responsible for every war between humans and Ultras since the origin of the Ultra bloodline: the immortal king, Pietas.

If he succeeds, the war is over.

If he doesn't, the Ultras will rule mankind for another thousand years.

Either way, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...

Lights Out

A short story in the Bringer of Chaos universe

Available within The Expanding Universe Vol 4, edited by Craig Martelle

READ AN EXCERPT

Hear the Voice of Pietas
Read My Story, Human
Pietas voiced by Zack Black


ABOUT KAYELLE ALLEN

Kayelle Allen writes Science Fiction with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She's a US Navy veteran who's been married so long she's tenured.


Author of the Bringer of Chaos series
Find a new book every day www.rlfblog.com






















For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join