L. Blankenship At The Blogger Book Fair Today...

First off, I'd like to welcome you all to the Opening Day of the Blogger Book Fair.

Business first: We're having a reader's choice contest during this Fair, so be sure to place your votes here: http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.com/2013/07/readers-choice-awards.html

My book, The Spi-Corp Series, Book 1 - A First Love Never Dies is in the Science Fiction - Mature Category down toward the bottom of the page and it would sure appreciate some love!

Now, to the fun stuff...

I decided that I would give each of my Author's a chance to do a CNN type interview with a character for this event and they all loved it.

So, to get us going, allow me to set the scene for you....

The camera opens on a newsroom and sitting behind a desk is Laytak Draza, a very handsome Borgla from the planet Yerod. He is tall, with broad shoulders, a barrel of a chest and his long arms are folded on the desk. His face is a muted grey with high cheekbones and a strong, defined chin. He has no hair but the ridges that begin at his hairline, could almost be braids. His brilliant red eyes glow with underlying knowledge and his full lips split into a grin as he speaks...

Good Morning and welcome to the Galactic News Network. I'm Laytak Draza. On today's show we're speaking with Prince Kiefan Weissberg of Wodenberg.

Welcome your Highness. Why don't we start by with who you are, tell my audience a little about yourself...

I am Kiefan Weissberg, prince and heir to the crown of Wodenberg. As such, I'm a disciple of Saint Woden and... (shrugs) I earned rank as one of the best knights in the kingdom, at this autumn's joust.

Interesting. And what's your current mission...

I am currently charged with overseeing the defense of our capital and its evacuation while my father engages the enemy at our southern border. It's all but certain that the Empire will press to lay siege as soon after the spring equinox as they may. We hope to hold them off until our allies bring reinforcements. All summer, if need be.

*Laytak looks at the camera.* How quaint. So, I understand your betrothal didn't quite go as intended. Tell us more...

(A slight frown) My betrothal will proceed, so long as our allies come to our aid as promised. Whatever state our land is in, if our saints still live I will be married before Winter Solstice. They have given their word, and I will do as they ask. (His voice lowers) I hope we may have a peaceful marriage, despite all of this.

Very Interesting. So, you are now in love with Kate? Am I hearing that correctly?

(His uncertainty drops into a hard stare. Laytek smiles blandly, waiting for a response through several seconds of silence.) Kate is my physician and a dear friend. And married to another man.

I see. So, now you are waiting on a massive army to invade?

(His stare eases. He shifts in his chair, uncomfortable.) Arcea is gathering twice the army we have, yes.

And how does Wodenberg plan to defend itself. From my information, you are severely lacking in resources, am I right?

True, we have only one Elect, where Arcea has dozens, and ours is a healer. Perhaps our army is small, but our men are fierce in the field and loyal to our saints. There is hope that the hardships of war will create new Elect in Wodenberg. We have stripped the southern kingdom of supplies and people, so that the enemy will find no easy pickings and no innocents to kill. This will be a hard spring, but... (nods to himself)

Well then, what are your plans?

I will defend my people and my saints... (pauses a moment) all that I love, to my last breath.

Well, thank you for your time your Highness. I am quite sure we will be hearing more of your adventures soon enough. 
 
*Laytak turns back to the camera.* If you would like to know more about the good Prince, you can find him here

     

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Thank you for joining us on this first day. If you want to visit another Author participating in the fair, click the Book Blogger Fair button over there on the right. Go on, click it! You know you want too.

And since L. Blakenship totally rocks, she's giving away a eBook copies of her first two books, Disciple I and Disciple II. Just enter via the Rafflecopter below and you're good to go.

Until next time,

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Margaret Taylor

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Welcome to the Hot Summer Romance Blog Hop...

Hello to those stopping by my little corner of the Universe...

I thought for this hop, I'd do a little bit of a sneak peek into Book 2 - Saving His Love of the Spi-Corp Series.

This book has been delayed for several weeks and when you read the scene below, I think you'll be able to figure out why. It seems we've had some technical issues, some health issues and maybe my Muse decided it was time for a vacation, I don't know. I'm hoping he gets back soon though, I'd really like to get this into the hands of my readers, don't cha know!

Anywho, I'm not going to set this up, but I do hope you enjoy it.

----------------

Two days later and the first real sign that anything was wrong on the station came in the form of MACC’s inability to operate the lifts. He was one of the first stranded between decks four and five and he looked up at the ceiling the moment it jerked to an unexpected halt. He was on his way to medical, intent on resuming his vigil at Janel’s side. “MACC? What’s wrong?”

The computer’s throat cleared. “Nothing. Why?”

Jake couldn’t quite wrap his mind around the fact that he was talking to a machine but did his best. “I’m stuck. The lift just stopped.”

“Oh, I apologize.”

The small cube started up again without further comment but it was strange enough to detour from medical and seek out EJ. He found the Princess on the bridge and firmly in the middle of a very real crisis.

“Are you serious?” she bellowed at no one in particular. She strode to a console red hair flying behind her and punched angrily at the keys. “What in the all fires of Mutar Prime is happening to my station?!”

“We have fires on decks 12, 15, 22 and 25. Crew trapped in lifts everywhere, and deck eight just had a blow out,” someone replied.

“Are you serious!”

He stood in the back of the room and eyed Cresta as the Prince appeared in a puff of sulfur smoke much as EJ had a couple of days ago. It surprised him and he wanted to know how they could travel like that, but kept his questions for later.

“What is wrong?” Cresta inquired.

“I think the station may have gone insane,” Jake said, providing the best guess he had.

“Starra?”

“Yes, starra,” EJ shouted over her shoulder. “It’s spreading through MACC’s systems like wildfire!”

“How is that possible? It’s a machine, isn’t it?”

EJ snorted. “Multi-Accentuated Conscious Components,” she explained on a snarl. “MACC.”

He cut a look up at the Prince, who shrugged and pointed at his sister. “She likes to meddle.”

“So, he’s sentient?”

Cresta laughed. “More or less. His components are biologically enhanced.” He waved a hand to encompass the bridge. “I do not understand it myself, but the station is more or less metal wrapped around an organic brain.”

EJ’s hands flew over one of the consoles. “And right now that brain is going psycho on us! Where is this counter-agent?”

Cresta’s lips hardened into a line. “How should I know?”

“Well, find out dammit! Before this place implodes and kills us all…”

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So, as you can see, it's not my fault. I blame starra and MACC and EJ's propensity to meddle!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it, *nods*!

But, with that said, in all seriousness, I'm hoping to get this out by the weekend. I do hope you enjoyed your stop here and will continue along the hop to all the other wonderful Authors and Bloggers that are participating.

Oh, and for my contest, hit up the Rafflecopter below. I promise, it's nothing too strenuous...:D

 

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And the Winners Are...

I just want to say thanks to everyone who dropped by during my participation of Lady Ambers Blog Hop! You guys are absolutely amazing...I'm just saying.

Anyway, the likes, the follows, and the comments have been counted...(Ok, ok, I cheated and hit a button...)

The envelopes have been randomly tossed about the hat...(Ok, ok, again, I just hit a button over on Random.org to decide who got what...)

The winners have been emailed...

And they are:

The $5 Amazon GC went to: Jill P - for her winning comment and wish to visit the Rings of Saturn up close and personal! I hope someday you can my friend!

The lovely Swag Pack went to: Tamera R - for her following me around over there in the Twitterverse! I just know you and I will have lots and lots of fun together...*dangles cookies to entice Ms. Tamera along down the path...*

The eBook copy of A First Love Never Dies went to: Denise Z. - for her taking the crazy chance and liking me over on Facebook. *tears up...* She likes me, she really likes me! *fangirl squee*

And finally...

The eBook copy of Wolf's Paradox went to: Hanyewi T. - for her obsessively weird following of me in the Twitterverse. *looks over her shoulder...whispers...* No Hanyewi! For the last time, you can NOT have Ronon. He belongs to Kathy! *looks back at the camera.* Sheesh, some people!

Anyway, for the multitudes of you that came by, I truly hope you enjoyed yourself. Not only here, but all along the hop as well.

I hope Lady Amber does this again because it truly was a lot of fun!

So, until Sunday and the next installment of Sunday Shenanigans!

Thanks ever so much for stopping by.

Margaret Taylor

Exploring The Universe, One Book At A Time...

First off, if you've made it this far down the list of wonderful Independent Authors from the Lady Amber Reviews Blog Hop, thank you for coming!

I hope you've enjoyed yourself thus far and I hope you'll stay for a moment and visit with me too.

So, I kind of came into this Hop late and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but it came to me that maybe you might like to know just how this whole adventure that is the Spi-Corp Series got started...

Well, I'll tell you...

Back in 2007 I was on my typical two week Christmas Vacation and I had CNN going in the background. My ear happened to catch this line during the opening of a special report they were doing.

The reporter said: Do you know how many women between the ages of 18 and 30 go missing every year in the U.S. and are never heard from again?

Well, of course I didn’t, but it did catch my interest and caused the following “What If” to pop into my brain.

Well, what if they are never heard from again because they’ve been kidnapped by Aliens and sold into the Flesh Markets of Outer Space?

AH HA! The next thing I know, its three days later and the first draft of A First Love Never Dies has been completed…

 

 

Buy Book 1 Today On Amazon

Sadly, though, this was only the beginning and it was very rough because I had nothing else to work with. Meaning that while the story itself came out wonderfully, there were a TON and I mean a T-O-N of planet sized holes in it because I didn’t have the foundation of the Universe in place. Fast forward to 2013 and I’ve spent the last 6 years creating that universe – in the background – along with the 17 books in the series. Now, not all of them are complete, but most of them are and those that aren’t are plotted and just waiting for me to get to them. (I'm lookin' at you Book 15, 16 & 17...*grins*)

Anyway, I finally decided this year that it was time to share my Universe with the Blue Marble we call home. Since then I've released Book 1 - A First Love Never Dies and Book 2 - Saving His Love is slated for release July 8.

 

 

I have had a blast writing this series and I hope you'll come along for the ride. If you do, you'll meet all sorts of fun, fascinating Characters, Aliens and Bad Guys, Oh My!

 

So, jump in the co-pilot's seat over there, grab onto something and let's explore, shall we?

 

Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below and then click along to the next Author in the Hop!

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Until next time.

Margaret Taylor

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So pleased to host today...

A very good friend of mine, Destiny Ford!

I must say, I've read The Devil Drinks Coffee and it's absolutely awesome! It's also on sale, July 1-3 for .99 so grab up your copy today. It's well worth the ninety-nine pennies, trust me!

 

Synopsis 

A cow suicide, a revolving door rescue, and the birth of a bright purple pig are starting to make Kate Saxee wonder if taking a job in her small hometown of Branson Falls, Utah, was such a great idea. As The Branson Tribune editor, Kate covers local news, which, more often than not, involves her accident-prone mom. Nothing truly newsworthy has ever happened in the quiet town until local teen Chelsea Bradford turns up dead in a Branson Falls lake.

The police rule Chelsea’s death an accident, but Kate suspects there’s more to the story—and she’s not the only one. Two of Branson’s most eligible bachelors are determined to help her solve the crime—among other things. But the small town social network is faster than Twitter, and gossip about Kate’s love-life is quickly branding her the Branson Falls hussy.

As Kate learns more about Chelsea, she discovers that plenty of people are trying to cover up the real story behind the girl’s death—including Chelsea’s parents. Now Kate has to juggle work, men, her mom’s most recent disaster involving a low-speed John Deere Combine chase on the freeway, and fend off the Mormons heaven-bent on saving her soul—all while solving Chelsea’s murder. Dealing with this is going to require a lot of coffee, chocolate frosted donuts, Neil Diamond’s greatest hits, and a slew of words not on the town approved imitation swear list.

 

As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber’s.

Eternal Starling is her debut novel and the first book in the Emblem of Eternity trilogy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The Devil Drinks Coffee by Destiny Ford is on SALE for 0.99 on Amazon from July 1-3.

Sunday Shenanigans...

When I first decided to have a blog, I wasn't sure what - exactly - I wanted it to be. And to be honest, I'm still not. I've tried a couple of different things though, over the months I've had this up and running and so far, nothing has really "taken off".

But, I've said it before about my writing, I realistically didn't expect it to. I thought - read: hoped - I'd get a modicum of steady followers/commenters that might come to enjoy the occasional peek into the weirdness that is me and my Universe.

And, so far, I have. I check this place at least once a day and do see a steady influx of page views. So, thank you! But, as I said in Changing Things Up A Bit earlier this week, this place needs some livening up.

So, being the different, weird person that I am, I now present you with the first installment of Sunday Shenanigans.

On today's episode let's talk about men, shall we?

Now, I know you ladies out there love the hot man. You see one on a cover and go absolutely ga-ga over it! I don't blame you, I do the exact same! I'm the first to admit to those little flutters in the belly, the little pitter pat of my heart when I see the hard cut of a defined chest, or the rippling wave of a set of six-pack abs!

Yes, yes, I'm a chest girl. I always have been and I always will be! Don't judge!

But, I know it's not just the picture on the cover that brings you back to a particular Author again and again. It helps, don't get me wrong, I know, but it's the inside, the meat of the man - HA! See what I did there...*giggles* - that will keep you turning the pages.

Am I right?

Come on, you know I am...

So, with this in mind, let's talk about it a bit more in depth.

What makes for the perfect man!

Ok, ok, I know they don't exist in real life. They don't all have hot bods, winning smiles, sparkling eyes and the soul of a poet. In real life, they watch too much sports, hog the covers, snore unbearably (before you even have a chance to fall asleep!), forget to take out the trash, get caulk up their nose attempting to replace faucets (I'm lookin' at you Angela! *grins*) and generally have one track minds.

And before you jump down my throat, there are exceptions! I know there are. Many of you mention how wonderful your significant other is almost daily on FB and Twitter. And I applaud you - read: am jealous of you *chuckles* - for having the patience to find such a man! I hope that you never take him for granted. (I know you don't, I'm just sayin'...)

But what makes him perfect in your eyes.

Is it his looks alone? Most likely not, just about everyone I know isn't that shallow. I'm sure the looks play a part, don't get me wrong, but it's the whole package.

So, what's in that package ladies? Dish for me. Tell me what makes your man perfect for you.

Now, I have an ulterior motive in this, I really do. As I've mentioned, I have a lot of books coming out over the next two years. I did a rough count not too long ago and if I stick to my plan - yes, I have a spreadsheet - I'll release somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-30 books between now and the end of 2015.

Is that overwhelming? Sometimes. I'll admit there are moments when I look at my virtual shelves and go, "Holy Fudge on a Stick! I've got a lot of work to do."

Is it daunting? Not really. Most of those books are already written or well on their way, so it's just a matter of taking them one or two at a time and shining them up to make them all pretty.

But, what I'm finding as I sort through them all, is that I'm writing the same overall "type" of leading man again and again. Yes, yes, I know we all have our favored types - Some of us go for nothing but Cowboys and those are the leading males of our works, for others it's Firefighters or Law Enforcement types or Military Types.

So, I'm not talking about the job of your lead characters.

I'm talking about the overall package.

Do you like the broken bad-boy who needs to be fixed? Or do you go for the soft-at-heart when it comes to his girl, but willing to kick the a$$ of anyone who looks at her funny sort? Or is it the tortured hero with commitment phobia that draws you in...

Beyond that, do you like tall, short, built, not-so-built, unusual colored eyes or just plain colored eyes? Or, is it the fact that hero is appropriate to the heroine kind that trips your trigger...

Tell me, I really want to know. With so many hero's in the wings of my world, it's becoming increasingly harder to make them different.

So, ladies, I leave this to you. Tell me, what makes a man, or your own Alpha Man, the perfect Hero!

Thanks, as always for stopping by.

Until next time.

Margaret Taylor

Changing things up a bit...

So my poor little blog has been neglected of late, as has my writing. I don't have any excuse other than to add in the factor of loss and feeling a bit out of sorts with missing Eric. I know that may seem strange to anyone who hasn't had a long-time pet-friend, but I've had animals in my life, all my life, so...yeah.

Anyhoo...

In an effort to get myself back on track, I decided to change things up a bit around here.

First off, I'm going to post to the blog more frequently. At least once a week, sometimes twice. *gasp, shock, horror.* Yeah, yeah I know.

Don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate all you faithful followers and clickers who come and visit me daily, so I'd like to give you something more to look at than the same post over and over for more than a week! Yay me right?

It'll be easier, especially now that I have two books out with many more to come. But, I'll get that here shortly, I promise.

For now, though I'm going to give you a taste of what I have planned for the old blog-space in the coming weeks and months.

I'm part of several events in July. I'll have two blog hops running through here along with a couple of guests and such like that.

Beyond that, I've got two new releases coming July 8th. Book 2 of the Spi-Corp Series, Saving His Love is on the way.

And Book 1 of my new Santa Series (which is 8 books in the coming months and gives you my take on the Mythos of Old Saint Nick himself) Chris St. Nick will also be out. (My lovely cover designer, Carey Abbott is putting the finishing touches on the cover as we speak and I'll get it up and posted ASAP!)

As for the rest of it. Well, I'm going to post to the blog - in some form - weekly going forward - maybe twice if I can manage it between everything else.

But, to start, it's going to be on Sundays and while everyone else does a "Sunday Sneak Peek", I'm going to be different - HA! Who'd have seen that one coming right? - and call it "Sunday Shenanigans"!

So, that's it from my side of the Universe!

Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

Until next time.

Margaret Taylor

PS: I almost forgot! Both my books, A First Love Never Dies and Wolf's Paradox are on sale this week. Get them for just .99 pennies before their respective book 2's hit the shelves!