Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Mechanized Masterpieces 2 Anthology: Invested Charm by M. Irish Gardner




AUTHOR BIO
A day-dreamer at heart, M. Irish Gardner has dabbled in imaginary worlds from Day One and developed an incurable addiction when she finally began recording her ideas. Her bachelor’s degree in recreation management does nothing for her writing, but she sure knows how to play. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two daughters, and all the characters in her head. Gardner’s first published work, “Reformation,” appeared in A Dash of Madness: A Thriller Anthology.





Q/A for M. Irish Gardner


Please share how you came up with the concept for your story? 

This is actually the first time I've started a story without a full concept in mind. I found Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Charm Invests a Face", and decided to create a story around that. Cyborgs are popular in steampunk. And everyone loves a good gypsy character, so I rolled with it.

Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924.

Part Three: Love

XXVIII 

A CHARM invests a face 

Imperfectly beheld,— 
The lady dare not lift her veil 
For fear it be dispelled. 
But peers beyond her mesh, 
And wishes, and denies,— 
Lest interview annul a want 
That image satisfies.


Please name some of your other published works? 

My only other work is "Reformation" in A Dash of Madness, released June 2013.

What is your preferred writing genre?

I have found that every story I write must have some element of romance in it! 

And preferred reading genre?

I love stories that incorporate romance, adventure, suspense, and fantasy, all in one neat little (or big) bundle!

What are your top 3 favorite books?

The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter series


 Do you have any particular writing habits?

I like to use alliteration, if that's what you mean. I also tend to mix up idioms...


Do you have a playlist that you created while writing your story?

Nope. I've learned that my words sound much better than they actually are when music is playing. I have to work in silence so I really "hear" the words.

Panster or plotter?

Short stories - pantser. Full-novels - plotter.

Advice for writers?

Read, then practice. Read, then practice. And don't give up.

What's up next for you?

I have a non-fiction piece I'm just wrapping up. It's about a woman who became very ill while pregnant with her second child and spent three months in the hospital. When she left, she was a triple amputee and blind. She's been wanting to write her story for six long years, so I was really happy that she asked me to help her. I'm hoping her book will be released in 2015, but we still haven't finalized a publisher.



MAIN CHARACTER CASTING!!!
When I asked who Gardner would want to play the main character parts, should her short story be made into a movie, this is what she responded!



"I actually don't have a solid image in my head for my heroine, but my hero is totally Romain Duris. I was searching online for "French actors" to get an idea of what my character would look like, and as soon as I saw him, I said, "YEP! That's him!" :D I've attached the picture I used for inspiration while writing. I think it would inspire anyone…"


Sadly, I couldn't get her picture to show up. I'm hoping this one is pretty close. What do you think? Inspiring?


Oh. My. Gosh. This story is over the tops amazing. Not only is it written in an fabulously detailed steampunk world, but it's got a touch of the paranormal. From the beginning you are intrigued by the mysterious Mauve, and I totally understand why McKenna struggled to find an actress perfect for the part. It would take a truly talented lady to step into those shoes. The tiny bit of romance that this incredibly rich short story has at the very end, is incredibly heart wrenching. I highly recommend you read this story, if not the entire anthology! So BEAUTIFUL!!!





Pre-Order Links:
FACEBOOK BOOK TOUR LINK:


About Xchyler Publishing

And their books:


Tour Schedule:

February 22: 
Book 1: 
A Princess of Jasoom by J. Aurel Guay

February 23: 
Book 2: 
Winged Hope by Megan Oliphant

February 23: 
Book 3: 
The Van Tassel Legacy by Jay Barnson

February 24: 
Book 4: 
Invested Charm M. Irish Gardner

February 25: 
Book 5: 
Payoff for Air Pirate Pete by D. Lee Jortner

February 26: 
Book 6: 
Rise of the House of Usher by J.R. Potter

February 26: 
Book 7: 
The Silver Scams by M. K. Wiseman

February 27: 
Book 8: 
Nautilus Redux by Scott E. Tarbet

February 27: 
Book 9: 
Mr. Thornton by Scott William Taylor

February 28: 
Book 10: 
West End Neve Talbot


Friday, February 13, 2015

Count Down to Valentine's Day: Day 13: Big in Japan by Jennifer Griffith


Day 13
Big in Japan 
by Jennifer Griffith

Today I not only finish bringing you fabulous clean romance books to celebrate Valentine's Day, but I get to reveal the brand new cover for this book which doubles as a great read for the man in your life too!

This book won the Best Books of 2014 Award on Amazon and there is a rumor going around that it is in the process of being made into a movie! 
Author Jennifer Griffith herself did write a screen play.
First, for those of you who haven't heard about this fantastic read,

the book blurb:

Buck Cooper can’t remember when he became socially invisible—probably when he hit 300 pounds. Now he’s working a dead end job, getting no notice from his boss and no love from the cute secretary he pines for.

But when he gets shanghaied to Tokyo, all of that changes for the mild-mannered Buck—because this blond Texan is about to go sumo!

Peek inside the secret world of sumo, and cheer for Buck as he fights his way through the ranks— against bullies of incredible size—to win the heart of the girl he loves.

Now to introduce you to the amazing author behind this book:

Author bio:

Jennifer Griffith is a wife and a mother of five, and although she’s never seen a Jennifer Griffith is a wife and a mother of five, and writes all manner of romantic comedy--her husband supplies the romance, and the kids supply the comedy. She lives in Arizona now, but in college she lived in Japan for almost two years. At 5'1" tall, she never once sumo wrestled.

Author Social Media links:


Buy Links:

Amazon: 
Barnes and Noble: 
Signed Copies from the Author: 




This is the original cover, which isn't at all what Jennifer had envisioned for her book, but is pretty elegant don't you think?

Now for the BRAND NEW COVER!


Are you ready? Prepare yourself for something completely different from the original!


HERE IT IS!!!


Please leave a comment and let Author Jennifer Griffith know what you think of her new cover!

And now for a snippet from this fabulous book:

“It’s me? What’s me?” A rush of hot fear sloshed up from his gut and colored his neck and head red.
            “You’re on the TV screen up there—quick, smile!”
            Buck squinted, smiling in confusion, but then he realized almost 15,000 people were staring at him and screaming. Horror. He strained out his best grin, looking back and forth to no avail. The spotlight blinded him. What was going on? How long would they torture him with this fierce glare? Move it along, already. Yeah, fat guy in the audience here—fat enough to be a blond sumo wrestler. Fine. Pick on someone else now.
            But the light didn’t dissipate, and the audience started chanting and clapping. Then the clapping got rhythmical, and soon Hiro joined it, too. All the air sucked out of Buck’s lungs, like someone just opened an airplane door. Where was that dangly air mask when he needed it?
            “You need to stand up, Buck. Go toward the ring.”
Go toward the light was more like it. Death had hit him swiftly and much more painfully than he’d ever imagined.

Don't forget to get your name into the giveaway!


Be sure to check out the other blogs revealing this fabulous cover today for snippets, and fun facts about this amazing author!


http://thequeekiegirl.blogspot.sg/
www.LilacReviews.com
http://thewritersrevolution13.blogspot.com
sharonlandis.com
http://lizjosette.blogspot.com
http://www.katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com
http://booksshelly27.blogspot.com/
Bookbeauty411.blogspot.com
http://beautifulblessings86.wordpress.com/
http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/
julkbearreads.wordpress.com
mybookshelfbookreviews.blogspot.com
http://www.bound2escape.com
http://thenaughtlibrarianplayground.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://www.melsshelves.blogspot.com
http://www.aclosetfullofbooks.com/
http://littleshopofreaders.com/
http://roomwithbooks.com
http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
http://sweet-n-sassy-book-a-holics.blogspot.com/
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1554130711466153
rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com