Friday, January 29, 2016

Celebrate: 45 Degrees & Giveaways



This week I'm celebrating:
1) A friend got back from a month's vacation and we went out for a great dinner together.  Chatting with her lets me unload and regain perspective. I always come home smiling!
2) It's 45F/7C degrees here. Yikes! It may not seem very low to you, but Egyptian homes have no heat. (Since antiquity, they have no trees to burn so no heating.) We have an air-conditioner that heats and I used it this week, but -- Brrrrr!
3) I submitted my Thriller/Mystery BLOODWALKER to Booktrope!  I'm so excited!  They can distribute to Amazon, but still let authors have 95% control of cover/price/etc., they don't take out taxes, and the buzz is their authors are very successful! (Definitely better than Smashwords.)  Of course, now comes the 6-12 week waiting-for-response time. *twiddles thumbs, stares at clock, eats chocolate*

Do you like going out with friends to unwind? Does it improve your attitude?

UPDATE YOUR CELEBRATE BLOG ROLL:
Julie Flanders  http://julieflanders.blogspot.com
Welcome Julie!

Yolanda Renee's book has a new cover!


Blurb:
      As wedding bells echo like the ring of toasting champagne glasses in the ice carved mountains of Anchorage Alaska, detective Steven Quaid rehabs his grandfather’s cabin into a honeymoon cottage for his new bride. 
      When he returns from a hunting trip, Steven’s faced with five police officers, who “Want to talk.” Plagued by two unsolved murders, the Department is searching for answers.
      The conversation comes to a deafening halt as the team finds a bloody crime scene in the bridal suite. "Where's her body?" is a question Steven cannot fathom.  
      Steven’s jaw clenches and his heart races. Images of Sarah streak through his mind. 
      The silence breaks as an explosion of accusations vibrate through every fiber of his being. 
      Steven bolts…
      Although running is never the smart thing to do, Steven’s not thinking clearly and his escape into the wilderness of the Brooks Range proves almost fatal.
Find Yolanda Here:  Defending the Pen Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
Murder & Obsession will release on  March 10.


My kind and wonderful co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are:
L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog

Celebrate The Small Things Linky:



Grab the Linky html-code here:


** To see who’s posted for the hop look at my Celebrate The Small Things Blog Roll, left sidebar bottom **


 Celebrate the Small ThingsTo be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)



Foxy's Friday Freebies!

Foxy has been nosing around the net
When she finds great FREE STUFF, she'll feature it on Friday Freebies posts -
  • Free short stories, novellas, and novels
  • Giveaways for books and swag
  • Free services for authors


Here are Foxy's suggestions for Jan 29, 2016:


Free Harlequin Romance Novel – Celebrate’s own Lara Lacombe is giving away 5 copies of Colton Baby Homecoming, the third book of her Coltons of Texas series, a suspense romance about a baby showing up on the porch of search and rescue expert's log cabin and the ex-girlfriend who helps him deal with it, reminding him of everything that's missing in his life. Enter via Goodreads here. (Must be a Goodreads member; ends Feb 20)

Free $10 Amazon or Kobo Gift Card – To celebrate the release of Bound to Fate (Contemp Romance), author Kiru Taye is giving away a $10 card to Amazon or Kobo via rafflecopter on Mythical Books blog. (ends Feb 5)

Free $10 Amazon Gift Card – To celebrate the release of Clean (Edgy YA GLTB), a look at the raw and real world of teen substance abuse through the eyes of gay high school athlete Lanny, author Mia Kerick is giving away a $10 card to Amazon via rafflecopter on Mythical Books blog. (ends Feb 22)

Free $20 Amazon Gift Card and Horror ebook – Win Redeeming Rhys by Mary E. Palmerin, a horror novel that explores whether people are born pure or born bad with no hope of redemption, and a $20 Amazon card via rafflecopter on the Mythical Books blog. (ends Feb 15)

For Foxy's other Freebies, go to the Freebie page.

If anyone has a FREE short story (for download or online at a free ezine), novella, novel, special giveaway, or author service, please let Foxy know so she can plug you here!  Write to: laura.6eg(at)gmail.com

42 comments:

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Lexa,

Sorry you are soooo cold.... No heat is aweful when the temps dip that low! Stay warm!

Yes! I LOVE going out with friend and it DEFINITELY changes my mood to a much better place!

Had a museum date with a friend today. it was GREAT. Feel alive again. Chicago is ALWAYS cold and windy, but at least we have heat! Almost too much. I have the windows open a crack. LOL

That cartoon is TOOOO funny...

CONGRATS to YOLANDA! LOVE the new cover! ALL THE BEST!!!

L.G. Keltner said...

That temperature with no indoor heating is cold. Good luck staying warm! Love that cartoon! Good luck with your book too!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks for hosting the cover reveal, damn it looks good! :)

That cartoon is too funny - but I couldn't imagine living in a home with no heat. Amazing! Just layer up and sip some hot cocoa and brandy!

Kate Larkindale said...

Sounds like us in winter. We get down to 1C and most houses only have heating in one room. It's bloody freezing! Not now though, because it's summer... So excited that you have submitted your book! I have every body part crossed for you. Hopefully they will get back to you sooner than later because it's damned uncomfortable!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Glad you spent time with your friends. Good luck with your submission.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Lexa. It's hard for me to feel sorry for people who're feeling cold...sorry...I am just so hot!! No relief in sight. It's the old air-con cranking away 24/7 here.

I'm so excited for you re your manuscript. I hope the twiddling of thumbs won't go on too long.

I'm promo-ing for Yolanda too. Aren't those covers great!?

Thanks for the freebies too!

Denise :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hope your story is accepted.
That is cold when there's no heat. Hope you have a space heater or something.
Congratulations to Yolanda!

JeffO said...

The perspective on temperature is funny--we're supposed to hit 45 on Monday and everyone will be out in light jackets (if any jackets at all). It's a heat wave for us! It's also funny that you can be perfectly comfortable OUTside in 45 degree weather with a jacket, but if that were the temperature IN the house, we'd be bundled up and absolutely freezing. Congrats on your book, and enjoy the weekend!

Annalisa Crawford said...

I hope you stay warm. The UK is actually warmer than you - it's 10c here, and I'm shivering.

Booktrope sounds great - hope you're accepted.

Jackie said...

So happy you had friend time. :) It's one of the best ways to recharge! Fingers crossed for your submission! *hugs*

Linda Kay said...

Was out to lunch with 11 other ladies on Wednesday, and meeting a friend for lunch today as well. Totally enjoy that.

Luanne G. Smith said...

I freeze no matter the temperature. Cold in the winter because the heater isn't warm enough, and cold in the summer because I hate air conditioning (and have no say whatsoever about turning it off. Hmph). Anyway, I love nothing better than complaining that I'm cold. Aside from writing and having lunch with friends, it's my favorite pastime. :)

Anonymous said...

Going out with friends is always an instant pick-me-up. Our temps are in the 30s F. right now, which is warm for this time of the year, but at least we have heat. Hope you have lots of hot chocolate!
Congrats to Yolanda! That's a creepy cover.
Good luck with Bloodwalker! And stay warm!

Julia Thorley said...

Hurray for friends that make us feel good. As for the temperature, here in the English Midlands it's a balmy 8C today and we're all moaning that we've had no proper winter yet!

Julie Flanders said...

Good luck with Booktrope! I feel sure you will get an acceptance soon. Fingers crossed! And thanks for the welcome to the Celebrate Hop.
I've been seeing Yolanda everywhere and am so happy for her. Congrats, Yolanda!!

stephen Hayes said...

I don't think of Egypt being that cold. I hope it warms up for you. Take care.

Laura Clipson said...

I hope it warms up for you! We're in double figures (celsius) and I'm still cold! Have a great weekend :)

Unknown said...

Oh, Lexa, I thought 7oC is like impossible for Egypt. Goes to show how easy it is to assume things for situations we know nothing about. 7 degrees is low if you have no heating. Congratulations on your submission, I hope you receive a response soon. I'm skipping my post this week but I have a confirmed new job so I'm celebrating that. :D

Have a beautiful weekend and week ahead, less cold than it is now.

Leandra Wallace said...

Good luck on your submission! I just heard of Booktrope recently, and really liked some of their covers. Fingers crossed for you! And stay warm. =)

messymimi said...

It's always great to have a friend who "gets" you, and you get her/him. Good luck with the submission!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congratulations on getting your book with booktrope!
And although I'm a family-centered hermit on some days, I do like to hang out with friends to unwind. The words and wonderful welcome of good friends are wonderful!

Congrats to Yolanda!

And happy life and writing and celebrations!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Lexa, I think everyone is feeling the effects of winter, even those in places you don't expect. Unfortunately, we aren't in such a place and have to bear the cold. Thank God for polar fleece! Congrats on the new book publishing outlet! Have a good week and hopefully things will warm up soon in Egypt! :D

Cathy Kennedy said...

Lexa, one more thing...let me know how I can help promote your newest book (or any of your book titles). I'm happy to do whatever I can for a friend! :)

Anonymous said...

LOL - love the comic. Stay warm - a neat trick we learned here is to close all of the doors and just heat one room, it's much more effective.
Good luck with Booktrope.

Tonja Drecker said...

Here's sending tons of warm wishes! Can't wait to hear how Booktrope answers. I've worked with some of their authors, and they seemed pretty satisfied. *crossing my fingers*

DMS said...

Murder and Obsession sounds riveting! I hadn't heard of it before, so thanks for sharing. I am definitely curious about what happens.

So sorry things are so chilly in Egypt! I hope things get back to normal for you soon.

I love getting together with friends to chat an unwind. :)
~Jess

T.F. Walsh said...

Best of luck with your submission:) Right now it's steaming hot over here in Australia... want to swap??

Sue Bursztynski said...

Where are you, T.F? Here in Melbourne today, it's around 23-24'C - pleasantly warm, but not steaming hot. Of course, you might be in Darwin, Perth or Brisbane... :-) But we have certainly had steamy - it was 44 on New Year's Day. We have a temperate climate in Victoria, Lexa, and it rarely gets down to 7'C here, so it must have been a shock in Egypt! Mind you, we have had a bit of snow, maybe twice in my memory, but only a bit. I have only *seen* it snow twice, neither time in Melbourne.

Recently, I caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in months and probably won't see again for months, and it was as if we had last spoken the day before. Same with my friend Natalie from Brisbane, who drops in once in a blue moon when visiting her publishers and immediately makes me feel as if we didn't live on opposite sides of the country. It's always a pleasure to go out with friends - Natalie and I have had the famous Windsor Hotel afternoon tea together and my other friend, Mirna, took me to a favourite Italian restaurant where they make REAL pizza the way you'll get it in Naples. Catching up over a meal is a delight!

cheerfuloptimistic said...

I love that cartoon.

It's good to hear you had fun with your friend. Hope you find ways to stay warm and that the submission goes well.

SENCO Cat Herder said...

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on the book front, Lexa :) Had no idea that temperatures could get that low in Egypt during the daytime - only thought the nights were cool! Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

Cathrina Constantine said...

Good Luck with Booktrope Lexa. I've been seeing them around and I'd been wondering how they work!!! No furnace in Egypt? Yes you must be cold. And I love going out with friends, really helps me to unwind!!! Have a nice weekend and stay warm...

Anonymous said...

Yolanda has a great cover. Good luck with Booktrope. Keep busy as you wait, because I know waiting isn't easy. That is cold. I turn on the heat when we're in the 40's and 50's.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Good luck with your submission. Hope to hear good news for you.
That is chilly. I'd be wearing warm jackets and sweats. Wish I could send you some of our spring like weather.

kimlajevardi.com said...

That is cold without heat at night. Lots of layers, my friend.

Yay for Booktrope! My thumbs are nervously twiddling on your behalf.

I love going out with friends. My weekly weekend run is with a good friend, and we both consider it a form of therapy. Doesn't hurt that either follow it up with coffee or food. Have a great weekend, Lex!

Suzanne Furness said...

I hate feeling cold, hope it gets warmer for you soon. It's nice to have friends who make you feel like that. A good chat is great medicine.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

It's only 13 C here at night and I'm freezing, so I do understand. The body just isn't happy with those huge drops in temperature. Keep warm, Lexa! Great post.

TBM said...

If you don't have heat, that can get really cold inside. Not fun. Not fun at all.

Fingers crossed for your book submission!

Unknown said...

ooh keeping everything crossed for your submission! <3 and I hate being cold. After Hurricane Sandy I was frozen solid for 8 days. When the storm hit it was still fairly warm, and then we lost power and it goes down to the 30s! Hope you warm up. And I love going out with friends, it always rejuvenates me :)

cleemckenzie said...

An air conditioner that heats? Well, I suppose you can condition air to be hot as well as cold. I'd just never thought of that appliance having that capacity. Learned something.

Good luck with Bloodwalker! Fingers crossed.

Saw Julie's post today and so glad she's back and that she's on your blog roll! Hurray.

I have to get Yolanda's book. I've seen it just about everywhere I've visited. Congrats to her.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Good luck with your submission. February Grace publishes with Booktrope and has been very happy with them!

Michelle Wallace said...

Lexa, that cartoon is toooo funny! Thanks for the smiles.
Going out with buddies is a great way to de-stress!
It's so cold there? Unbelievable! Aren't we on the same continent? We are boiling hot this end of Africa!!
Good luck with the Booktrope submission.

Annie Neugebauer said...

Ooooo, good luck!! And stay warm. :)

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