Cherie Reich - Author: giveaway

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. January's co-hosts are Eva @ Lilicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner. For a list of other IWSG bloggers, click here.

January's question: What writing rule do you wish you'd never heard?

A couple years ago, I would say "Write every day," but I must admit I've found it helpful to write every day. So I guess I would go with "Show, not tell." Yes, it's a good rule. It is better to show when writing, but there are times when telling is not only good but necessary. The rule should be show and tell with examples of when which is better. Of course, some days I still am trying to figure out if I'm showing enough. *laughs*

So. Wow. We've made it to 2017.

My writing goal this year is to finish writing the Soul Reaper series. I'm currently writing book two, A Soul to Keep, and have three more books to go.

My editing goal this year is to edit The Fate Challenges and start to publish them. Reborn was published way back in 2014. I have a bonus woodwose section titled Determined, which is set between Chapters 24 and 25 in Reborn, that I plan to publish on my website. I also need to edit and publish Marked (#1.5, a novella told from Liam's POV), Forged (#2), and Destined (#3). Destined will need the most work, so I might not have the time to publish it before the end of this year, but I'm hoping to get Determined, Marked, and Forged out. *crosses fingers*

Speaking of edits, I plan to count the words I edit this year instead of by the page. My hope is this will give me a clearer sense of how many words I edit as words per page varies so much.

My reading goal continues to be 24 books a year. I read 35 books last year.

My January goals include:

- Write for an hour a day in A Soul to Keep.

- Edit for 30 minutes a day in The Fate Challenges. This goal will likely revolve around the polish/read-through notes/creating a glossary of Reborn and editing Determined.

- Continue helping my friend with her nine-part novella series.

What are your goals for 2017?

2016 Stats: 348,203 words written and 2,213 pages edited

SPECULATIVE FICTION
BOOKS READ

Shattered Spirit by Christine Rains

The Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye Quinn

Stargate SG-1: Trial by Fire by Sabine C. Bauer

Ghost Cat by Christine Rains
Raven by Rachel Morgan

SPECULATIVE FICTION
BOOK REVIEWS

Shattered Spirit by Christine Rains

Ametta Dorn’s dream job of remodeling a Cremaschi comes with a ghost of a problem in Christine Rains’ Shattered Spirit. The fourth novella in the Totem series follows the youngest Dorn sister, a polar bear shifter. What I loved best was Ametta’s emotional growth and how she becomes closer to the handsome Kodiak shifter Lucky Osberg. Rains continues to expand the paranormal world she’s created and introduces readers to unusual mythological creatures such as the domovoi. Shattered Spirit by Christine Rains delves deeper into the characters’ lives while keeping the tension high as they continue their quest for the seven totem tokens.

The Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye Quinn

Elijah “Eli” Brighton needs to understand his powers before his next vision comes true in Susan Kaye Quinn’s The Illusory Prophet. As Eli falls deeper in love with Kamali, he can’t hide from the world falling apart around him and what that world expects of him. What I loved most about this book was Eli’s growth in his powers concerning the fugue. He is finally stepping up to his destiny, whether he wants to accept that destiny or not. I love how Quinn infuses science fiction with philosophical musings of the soul and reality. The twists at the end have left me craving the next book. A fast-paced story, The Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye Quinn is a fantastic intellectual installment in her Singularity series that will excite science fiction fans.

Stargate SG-1: Trial by Fire by Sabine C. Bauer

An archaeological discovery on Earth leads the SG-1 team to a new planet in Sabine C. Bauer’s Trial by Fire. This novel is set in the Stargate universe. Colonel Jack O’Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, and Teal’c become drawn into a conflict between the Tyreans and the Phrygians, especially when O’Neill and their archaeologist guest are kidnapped. The sarcasm found throughout the novel was entertaining. As someone who has studied ancient cultures, I loved seeing the rites of Mithras as well as all the Latin. O’Neill’s growth is particularly poignant, especially as he confronts what happened to him by the Goa’uld Ba’al. The downside to this novel was the rapidly changing point of views, which sometimes left me confused by who was telling the story at any particular moment. That said, I did enjoy Trial by Fire by Sabine C. Bauer and feel that Stargate SG-1 fans will enjoy reading about some of our favorite characters.

Ghost Cat by Christine Rains

Kinley Dorn, a polar bear shifter, must heed the silent whispers if she’s going to find him in Christine Rains’ Ghost Cat. This fifth novella in the Totem series follows the middle Dorn sister. Kinley faces her growing insecurity over her relationship with Ransom Averill and the legacy her mother left behind. Several parts of the story tugged on my heart. Rains does an excellent job continuing the totem quest as well as introducing readers to Inuit legends such as about the ghost cat (a lynx) and the Urayuli (a bit similar to Bigfoot). I’m thoroughly enjoying Christine Rains’ Totem series, and Ghost Cat is a great continuation.

Raven by Rachel Morgan

Raven Rosewood can’t wait to graduate as a clothes caster, but graduation day might be killer in Rachel Morgan’s Raven. This standalone novella takes place within Morgan’s fantastic Creepy Hollow series. Raven has grown up in high fae society, but as she is falling for her guard Flint, she questions the wealth around her and what type of person she wants to be. The mystery of who placed an explosion at school and tried to kill Raven amped up the tension. Raven by Rachel Morgan is a fast-paced, sometimes intense, and sweet coming-of-age tale.

SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKS

RELEASING IN JANUARY

The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Heart of What Was Lost by Tad Williams

Deadlight Jack by Mark Onspaugh

Shattered Spirit by Christine Rains

Ghost Cat by Christine Rains

Fangs and Fennel by Shannon Mayer

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter

When Ash Rains Down by Cecelia Earl

Freeks by Amanda Hocking

Freefall by M. Pax

Pressure Point by Adam Quinn

Fate of Perfection by K.F. Breene

Diffraction by Jess Anastasi

Girl of Fire by Norma Hinkens

Lock and Key by Clara Coulson

From the Ashes by Xen Sanders

Death’s Mistress by Terry Goodkind

Frost Blood by Elly Blake
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston

There are a few more days left to have a chance to win one of two paperback copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here on Goodreads.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Parallels

by L.G. Keltner

Giveaway ends January 07, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Parallel Universes and a Goodreads Giveaway

I hope everyone is having a good holiday. Today I'm over at the Parallels' blog talking about multiple worlds. I'm also hosting a Goodreads giveaway for a paperback copy of Parallels: Felix Was Here. Happy New Year!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Parallels

by L.G. Keltner

Giveaway ends January 07, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Comments are turned off here since this is just an announcement post. I'll be back on this blog on January 4, 2017 for IWSG.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Writing Update | Fall 99c Ebook Sale | Mayhem in the Air | Awesome Giveaway

Happy Wednesday! I can't believe we only have two months and a few days left of 2015.

On September 29, I finished the first draft of my short story "Folds in Life and Death," which came in at 6,360 words. I've since edited it to under the 6,000 word count limit and have one last proofread before submitting it later this week. On September 30, I completed the first draft of The Mission (The Gaia Project #1.1), which came in at 21,530 words. On October 24, I finished writing the first draft to the short story "On Day 168," which came in at 7,899 words.

I have continued writing every single day since July 1. This month, I've been working on Forged (The Fate Challenges #2) and the short story "On Day 168." Since I finished "On Day 168," I'm now writing the bonus woodwose section. I finished editing my friend's novel, published Mayhem in the Air, and will start working on the edits for Marked (The Fate Challenges #1.5) soon.

I have figured out my secondary project after I finish the bonus woodwose section for The Fate Challenges boxed set. The next series I plan to write is Soul Reaper (Urban Fantasy). The series will include a prequel novella and at least three novels.

Here are my November goals:
Write 30 minutes a day on a primary project - This goal still relates to Forged. Just 20 chapters to go!
Write 15 minutes a day on a secondary project. - I plan to continue writing the bonus woodwose section for the boxed set of The Fate Challenges.
Finish editing Marked and send it to my first critique partner.
Outline Soul Reaper series.
Read through The Mission (The Gaia Project #1.1) and take notes.

What are your goals for this coming month?

2015 Stats (1/1/15-10/27/15): 108,813 words written and 1,608 pages edited

I'm having a sale on Reborn, Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection, and People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors until November 16. Click here for purchase links.

Mayhem in the Air by Cathrina Constantine, River Fairchild, Julie Flanders, Gwen Gardner, Misha Gerrick, Graeme Ing, M. Pax, Christine Rains, Cherie Reich (me!), and Catherine Stine is now available for purchase.

From Amazon bestselling and popular science fiction and fantasy authors comes Mayhem in the Air, a supernatural anthology of ten thrilling tales. Meet hot robots, hungry winds and the goddess of chaos. Explore alien planets, purgatorial realms, and a shocking place where people bury the living with their dead. Mayhem in the Air is the second, long-awaited story collection from the dynamic and inventive Untethered Realms group.

Here is what my story "Paper Lanterns" is about: In order to keep his promise to his daughter, Mayor Alfred Merry must betray the woman he loves.

To buy: Kindle | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords
Add to your Goodreads list here.

Here's the deal, all you need to do is visit the Rafflecopter page and enter. It's as simple as that. At the end of the month one winner will be randomly selected to win an e-book copy of all five books.

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Falling for #SpecFic: 3 Ebooks = 99c a piece | Wattpad Wednesdays | Awesome Giveaway

I'm running a sale on three of my ebooks: Reborn, Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection, and People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors. You can purchase all three for less than $3 or one for 99 cents. Here are ten facts about the books:

1. Reborn and Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection had different original titles. Reborn used to be known as The Phoenix Prophetess and Once upon a Nightmare was The Nightmare Collection.
2. Reborn is my longest work to date. The first draft came in a little over 96,000 words, and the final draft is around 95,000 words.
3. The first Foxwick short story written was "Lady Death." Umbria showed me the magic of her world, and I'm still learning more about it.
4. Once upon a Nightmare is a second edition, and I wrote over 8000 new words in it. The collection's word count is around 46,000 words.
5. People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors is nearly 80,000 words long and has seventeen short stories within the collection.
6. "Lady Death" is published in three different places: A to Z Flashes of Foxwick, People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors, and Twisted Earths. "Lady Bard" is published in two places: People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors and Spells: Ten Tales of Magic.
7. Once upon a Nightmare is available through Kindle Unlimited (KU) and Kindle's Owners Lending Library (KOLL).
8. A to Z Flashes of Foxwick is free to newsletter subscribers.
9. Reborn is the first book of The Fate Challenges series. The next books in the series are Marked, Forged, and Destined.
10. I make no promises and have no current plans to write one, but I do have an idea for another book featuring the monster within Once upon a Nightmare.

To purchase Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection: Amazon.com | Other Amazon Sites

By the way, this is the last Falling for #SpecFic post of its kind. The third Wednesday in November will be a Bookworm News and Writing Update post, and I'll be taking a blogging break after the second Wednesday in December. Falling for #SpecFic will be revamped in 2016.

Read Reborn from the beginning or Chapter Thirty-Five.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

IWSG: To Write or Rewrite | Fall 99c Sale | Wattpad Wednesdays | Awesome Giveaway

IWSG was created by the Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh. To visit the IWSG participants, please click here. The IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1st. Click here for details. You must post either September or October to be considered for the anthology. Our co-hosts are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Shannon Lawrence, and Stephanie Faris.

The writing is still going well. I've been writing every single day since July 1, mainly between two projects, although I had three in September. But within the next few months, I will have my secondary project slot empty. Here is where my insecurity lies.

Once I finished the first draft of The Mission (The Gaia Project 1.1), the short story "On Day 168" slipped into the second spot. As soon as I complete that first draft, I've recently decided to write the bonus woodwose section that will appear in The Fate Challenges boxed set. I figure those chapters will take me through November and maybe even into December. But what should I write after that?

I have several projects I could rewrite, including The Cassandra Project series (3 books, NA Paranormal Suspense), Fall of Gravity series (3 books, YA Sci-fi), or a horror short story collection. All except the last book in The Cassandra Project series have been written, but ALL need major rewrites, which would involve rereading through the stories, writing new outlines, and writing the books.

But do I want to rewrite old work? I just don't know. There is a thrill in exploring something new. I have so many series I want to write one of these days, including To the Future series (4 books, YA Urban Fantasy), Tides of Fortune series (9 books, Epic Fantasy), Paranormal Freaks series (2 books, YA Horror), Less Than Princess Perfect (4 books, Epic Fantasy), etc. Of course, any new series I write will need planning before writing, especially anything within a different world.

Do I even want to work on a series? I know series sell better than standalone novels, but I'd love to write the standalone book No More Than Shadows (YA Alt. World Fantasy) one of these days. I'm sure there is something quite pleasurable in writing a novel to completion and knowing that's it, that I don't have to stress over the next book and the next within the series.

So that's where I am at with my insecurities this month. Too many choices. All requiring a lot of work and dedication and pre-planning that I need to work on now before I end up with no second project and nothing planned. Of course, it's not a terrible thing to have too many ideas, but they can end up very overwhelming. (Not that I have to have a second project of course, but I like the feeling of accomplishment of working on more than one story at a time. I've stood still for far too long.)

What are your insecurities?

From now until 11/16, you can purchase Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection (paranormal horror), Reborn (YA Epic Fantasy), and People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors (Epic Fantasy short stories) for 99 cents a piece.

Click here for purchase links.

Read Reborn from the beginning or Chapter Thirty-Four.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Writing Update: October Goals | Awesome Giveaway

Happy Wednesday! Since there is a fifth Wednesday this month, there will be no new blog post until October 7's IWSG post.

My goals from last month are going pretty well. I'm still writing every day, which surprises me. Using a timer has really helped my productivity. Like Pavlov's dog salivating at a bell's ring, as soon as I press "start" on the timer, I'm ready to write. I've been averaging 980 words in forty minutes between three projects: Forged (novel, The Fate Challenges), The Mission (novella, The Gaia Project #1.1), and the short story "Folds in Life and Death." Yesterday, I finished the final proofread and formatted Mayhem in the Air, which will be out this October. The UR anthology is up on Goodreads now.

I still have a friend's novel to edit as soon as she gets the manuscript to me.

Here are my October goals:

Primary Goal = Write 25-30 minutes a day. Forged is in this spot.

Secondary Goal = Write 12-15 minutes a day. The Mission will be my secondary project until I finish this novella, but I will slide "On Day 168" into this spot afterwards.

Finish writing, edit, and submit "Folds in Life and Death."

Edit Marked (The Fate Challenges #1.5).

Publish Mayhem in the Air.

I need to do some outlining soon. When I finish "On Day 168," I'll have the secondary goal ready for a new project, and right now I'm considering putting into that slot the rewrite of Virtuoso (The Cassandra Project #1), which is about a college student/violin virtuoso who develops telekinetic abilities after a car accident and the government man who's after her. But in order to be ready to rewrite Virtuoso, then I need to read through the very crappy first draft and make a new outline. But that'll be on the side and is not important yet to add to my goals.

2015 Stats (1/1/15-9/22/15): 77,241 words written and 1295 pages edited

Welcome to the kickoff for September's giveaway. All of the books are fab and the authors are amazing. Seriously you don't want to miss out. Here's the link to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway. And here are the books.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Falling for #SpecFic: Cover of Cathrina Constantine's Snow on Cinders | Wattpad Wednesdays | Awesome Giveaway

How far would you go to protect your family?

A peculiar metamorphosis has taken shape since the final days. And the planet is in the throes of healing.

Fulvio McTullan leads his family and a band of misfits to form a new settlement, far from Tallas and it’s nefarious Elites. Their journey takes them into uncharted territories where strange creatures are lurking. It’s a battle of survival, not only from the creatures, but the mutated earth as well.

Meanwhile, Pomfrey Addler, an oppressive Elite squashes the insurrection in Tallas. Suddenly, citizens begin to vanish in the middle of the night and his daughter, Paniess is hell bent on revenge.

Fraught with mishaps, Fulvio finally locates the perfect place to settle. They begin to rebuild until they receive a call. A call which will lure them back into the clutches of Tallas.

Snow on Cinders by Cathrina Constantine

Publisher: CHBB

Cover Design: Melissa Stevens of The Illustrated Author

Release Date: October 24, 2015

Genre: Dystopian/Family Saga/Paranormal Thriller

SNOW ON CINDERS is a TALLAS sequel.

Read Reborn from the beginning or Chapter Thirty-Three.

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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Bookworm News: Reviews and New Releases | Awesome Giveaway

BOOK READ

The Body Institute by Carol Riggs

BOOK REVIEW

The Body Institute by Carol Riggs

Morgan Dey pays a high price to help out the ones she loves in Carol Riggs's The Body Institute. Riggs has created a complex futuristic world. With the government's need to have healthy citizens, the Body Institute was formed to help teens lose the extra pounds by implanting mind-maps of Reducers into the Loaners' bodies. The Reducers work out and lose the pounds and then return to their own bodies while the Loaner returns to his/her original body and works to keep the newly lost weight off. As someone who has been on the Loaner end in the weight battle, too many times I've wished I could wake up a new thinner me. As Morgan tries to lose a hundred pounds for her newest Loaner body, I felt a true connection with her and shared in Morgan's joys and sorrows. I love how the novel revolves around the philosophy of whether or not we are our minds or our bodies or some combination of the two. The romance between Morgan and a fellow Reducer was super sweet and adorable. They had a wonderful soul connection with each other. The action in this science fiction story brought me to the edge of my seat, and I shed so many tears with Morgan at what happens to her. The end of the story was satisfying and a complete standalone tale, but I'd love to read more in this world Riggs has created in the future. The Body Institute by Carol Riggs has become one of my favorite reads this year.

BOOK RELEASES FOR SEPTEMBER

The Body Institute by Carol Riggs

Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart

Simulation by Tara Tyler

Doing It For Love by Cassie Mae

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell

The Child Garden by Catriona McPherson

Strength to Stand by Sheyna Galyan

The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs by Matthew Dicks

Dragon Heart by Cecelia Holland

Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart

Hunter by Mercedes Lackey

Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt

Last Night at the Circle Cinema by Emily Franklin

Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my… by Adam Mansbach and Alan Zweibel

Bleedovers by William Todd Rose

Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni

Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights by Salman Rushdie

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

Ophelia’s Muse by Rita Cameron

Injustice by Lee Goodman

A Song of Shadows by John Connolly

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

The Foxglove Killings by Tara Kelly

Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

Minotaur by Phillip W. Simpson

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

The Lost Girl by R.L. Stine

Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman

The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

His Lover to Protect by Katee Robert

Wilde at Heart by Tonya Burrows

The Summer Marked by Rebekah L. Purdy

I Crawl Through It by A.S. King

Gold Coast Blues by Marc Krulewitch

The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson

Deadly Lullaby by Robert McClure

The Earl’s New Bride by Frances Fowlkes

Head Over Heels for the Boss by Susan Meier

One Night with the Billionaire by Sarah Balance

Beyond What Is Given by Rebecca Yarros

The Finn Factor by Rachel Bailey

The Greek Tycoon’s Tarnished Bride by Rachel Lyndhurst

Duchess Decadence by Wendy LaCapra

True Deceptions by Veronica Forand

The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

The Madness of Lord Westfall by Mia Marlowe

Under His Skin by Stacey O’Neale

Ghost of You by Kelly Moran

Delicious Complication by Sabrina Sol

This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver

One Forbidden Knight by Nicola Davidson

Ungodly by Kendare Blake

About That Fling by Tawna Fenske

Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

Chapelwood by Cherie Priest

The Dark Moth Society by RaShelle Workman

Mockingbird by Chelsea Cain

Project Hyperion by Jeremy Robinson

Patriot by Jeremy Robinson

Salem’s Legacy by Aaron Galvin

Lucky in Love by RaShelle Workman

Ghost for Sale by Sandra Cox

Lightless by C.A. Higgins

The Icarus Prediction by RD Gupta

Pretend It's Love by Stefanie London

Tempted by Mr. Write by Sara Hantz

Pale Moon Walking by Paula Altenburg

If you're looking for some new spec fic books, then you're in luck. Graeme Ing has collected 35 free speculative fiction reads. Some are free on Amazon and others are free by signing up for the author's newsletter. It's a great list, so check them out.

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Pages

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Goodreads Book Giveaway

by L.G. Keltner

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Goodreads Book Giveaway

by L.G. Keltner

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wednesday, September 9, 2015