All posts by tricia kristufek

New Release: Pimp ur Blog Episode Two

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I’m pleased to announce the release of Pimp ur Blog Episode Two: Increase Search Results with Articles and Feeds by Paul Rice and Messie Jessie!

Paul had recently asked me to review Episode One, but then emailed me to be his editor! While maintaining the overall “voice” of the piece, we worked together to make both Episode One and Two a little more concise for readers, and I think it’s turned out well.

If you’re looking for ways to get better search results or just need an intro into SEO for bloggers, check out this series. Paul and Messie Jessie do a good job of showing (with pictures!) what they are doing with the programs they use to increase exposure.

You can get Episode One and Episode Two on Amazon.

Here’s the press release: Continue reading New Release: Pimp ur Blog Episode Two →

Review: Charade

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Charade
Charade by Cambria Hebert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you cannot breathe, I will breathe for you. If your heart will not beat, mine will beat harder. If you do not live, neither will I.

Heven and Sam have been through so much in their struggles against evil, but they aren’t done yet. Being tasked to return a treasure to its rightful spot in Italy, Heven and Sam struggle with family, friends, secrets, and deceptions on top of everything else. Change is coming everywhere they look and everyone’s mask is cracking. Can Heven and Sam hold it together – themselves as well as their family and friends – and save the world in the process?

Charade continues to follow Heven and Sam, yet expands the cast of characters a bit and reworks a few of the old ones. While Heven grows into her powers, she also learns that she is stronger than she thinks – something she shows Sam time and again, as she is willing to literally go to hell to protect him. The characters continue to grow before the reader’s eyes, sometimes with shining moments and sometimes with bitter ones, making them very believable. Cole plays a bigger part in this book, as does Kimber, and the new additions fall into place logically as well.

While some points slow and predictable, Charades is full of twists and turns that keep Heven’s (and the reader’s) head spinning. Fast-paced and engaging, Charade picks up right where Masquerade left off and runs full-tilt until the end, leaving Heven, Sam, and the reader asking – “What will happen next?”

View all my reviews

Happy Mother’s Day

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To all you mother’s out there, have a very special day. Becoming a mother has changed my life so much, and I can’t even imagine what it would be without my beautiful daughter.

So thank you for all your kindness,

Thank you for all your care,

Thanks for all the love you’ve shown,

And thanks for always being there.

Guest Post: Anne Tibbets

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Today I have with me Anne Tibbets talking about an issue close to her heart. You see, Anne just published a new book, Shut Up, about childhood abuse, bullying, and depression. If you haven’t checked out her book yet, there will be more details after her post. Even if contemporary fiction isn’t your “thing,” this is a great, quick read about a topic that doesn’t see enough of the light of day, especially lately. But more of that to follow.

Now, here’s Anne!

If She Were Here

By Anne Tibbets

A few years back, after I had just started shopping Shut Up to publishers and literary agencies, I attended an SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference, and listened to a bunch of speeches, took a few seminars, and even took one writing class. It was a great conference, and I highly recommend it, if you’re a children’s author or illustrator – but that’s not the point I’m trying to make.

Continue reading Guest Post: Anne Tibbets →

Review: Shut Up

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Shut Up
Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This isn’t about her! It’s about me! I’m doing this because I want to! I’m doing this. Me!

Twelve year old Mary can’t do anything right, even when she’s not doing anything at all. Mary’s sister, Gwen, finds any excuse at all to yell at Mary, belittling her and making her feel worthless. What’s worse, Gwen’s gotten pregnant and decided to marry The Creep, causing her family a massive amount of stress – which leads to more yelling at Mary. After enduring for as long as she could, Mary finally plans to escape – which may be the true undoing of the entire family.

Written in mostly Mary’s perspective, Shut Up gives its readers a first-hand look at bullying and abuse. Mary gets teased at school, picked on at home by her sister, practically felt up by The Creep, screamed at and beat by her mother, and yet endures all of these things while her father and brother seemingly sit by and watch. The true strength of Mary’s character is remarkable.

A captivating page-turner, Shut Up brings to light all those little family intricacies that can plague even the most well-intentioned or perfect-seeming households. Readers ride the waves of emotions along with Mary – cheering for her when she does stand up for herself, saddened by her failed attempts to fit in or be nice to Gwen, angry with her at her entire family for the abuse she takes for unknown reasons, enjoying those quiet moments without Gwen – empathizing with Mary’s choice of escape, even if it’s not the best course of action. But Mary endures and overcomes, showing that even in the darkest storms, there is light ahead.

View all my reviews

Excerpt: Deadly Addiction

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Today, as part of the Making Connections Book Tour, I have an excerpt from Kristine Cayne’s new book, “Deadly Addiction.” Enjoy!

Synopsis of Deadly Addiction

 A proud people. A nation divided.

Rémi Whitedeer, police officer turned substance-abuse counselor, dreams of restoring order to his tribe. Violence and crime are rampant throughout the unpoliced Iroquois reserve, and a civil war is brewing between the Guardians, a militant traditionalist group, and other tribal factions. As the mixed-race cousin of the Guardians’ leader, Rémi is caught in a no-man’s land—several groups lay claim to him, but all want him to deny his white blood.

Continue reading Excerpt: Deadly Addiction →

Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout

Giveaway, ,

Announcing Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout!

May 10th – 12th!

Mother’s Day Bonus Day May 13!

Love GREAT books At AMAZING prices? Dozens of GREAT books?

Each ONLY 99 Cents

Romances from sweet to HOT, Thrillers, Mysteries, Zombies and more! All just 99 Cents at Amazon.com

Fantastic ebooks, many by award-winning and best-selling authors.

Welcome to Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout – A book lovers Dream!

Go to our website to see all the great books and sign up to win a FREE Kindle!

http://www.indiebookblowout.com

Spring Fling Free Par-Tay

Giveaway, ,

Announcing Spring Fling Free Par-Tay!

May 7th – 9th!

Celebrate the coming of Spring!!!

What can be better than great books at a great price?

How about Dozens of Great books that are FREE!

THREE DAYS ONLY

May 7th – 9th

Romances from sweet to HOT, Thrillers, Mysteries, Zombies and more! All FREE at Amazon.com

Fantastic ebooks, many by award-winning and best-selling authors.

Let’s Par-Tay!

Welcome to Spring Fling Free Par-Tay, A party for readers!

Go to our website to see all the great books and sign up to win a FREE Kindle!

http://www.freepartay.com

New Novels for Seniors Venture

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Just a quick note today to let everyone know about this great new venture from IBC. This sounds like a great idea to get books into the hands of seniors! Here’s a little more info and some links. Please share with all your book-loving seniors!

The IBC has started a new venture – Novels for Seniors.  I’m including a graphic and some links so that you can blog about it if you want.

The principle behind this site is that any senior who signs up on the site will be given one free kindle book each month (from Amazon).  This is a book that they can keep, not a loaner.  This website has a Facebook page and a Goodreads group that you can check out also!