Friday, 30 August 2013

Kerry's Chitter Chatter #20

Happy Friday! This photo probably sums up how I am feeling ha ha ha its been a long summer term but ONE more week and they finally return although the eldest goes back this Wednesday as so do so many other schools. The eldest is actually looking forward to returning but after the first week of being back he will wish it was still the summer. He is going into year 10 so it's an important year for him and he will be starting his 'options'. He has chosen double B tech PE which means he will be doing six PE lessons a week. Rather him then me. He certainly doesn't get his sportyness from me. This week I have washed and ironed all their school uniform. I only have 30 shirts a week to do :/ That will teach me for having a big family :D

So, other then counting down the days until the kids return to school, I have also been busy writing. Birthday Cake & Sandy Beaches has kind of been put on the back burner for a bit while I try something new. It is totally out of my comfort zone but I am loving it. I plan on bringing it out before Birthday Cake & Sandy Beaches as something to wet your whistle while you wait patiently. 

Handbags at Dawn now has a whopping 7 5* reviews on Amazon.co.uk and 1 5* star on Amazon.com. Here is the review from .com. It has to be the best review EVER. I thank the reviewer with all my heart for taking the time to write it. It means so much and the fact that she absolutely loved it and it made her laugh means my job is accomplished. It made me smile from ear to ear. If you haven't read it yet and would like to, then you should! Here are the links ~






AUTHOR OF THE WEEK


Kat Yares 


Kat Yares has been writing fiction her entire adult life. She is an author, screenwriter, indie movie maker and amateur photographer. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous print publications and online. She was first accepted into the Horror Writers Association in 2001 and is a member today. Her fiction is primarily in the horror/thriller genres. If you would like to know more about Kat's books and links of contact then check out my author of the week post on my Facebook page ~  https://www.facebook.com/notes/kerry-frith-author/author-of-the-week-20-kat-yares/556324784429461

This weekend I have a joint hen and stag do. I have never been on a stag do before so this should be interesting. I am looking forward to it. We are going for an Indian then to get pissed so you probably won't hear much from me because I will be in recovery. Have a great weekend everyone :D

Until next time ~ Kerry

Random fact #20 ~ Miley Cyrus' performance at 2013 MTV Video Music Awards has generated 306,000 tweets per minute. That's pretty amazing eh? It's a shame it's for that and not for something more positive.


Book Blast Giveaway 26th- 31st August




Today's book blast tour stop is an interview with Janna Yeshanova, originally from the former Soviet Union, she escaped to the United States when persecution became violent during the crumbling of the Soviet state. Arriving in the United States with her mother and daughter in tow, $126 in her pocket, and knowing not a 
soul, Janna’s talent and experiences have helped her become a high-end organizational training and development professional. Her exodus story is included in the book. Founder and principal of Life-Spark, LLC, Janna is a dynamic and powerful life coach, premier trainer and motivational speaker. She leverages her passion and engaging style to help others overcome adversity and spark the possibilities of their lives.


Love is Never Past Tense


A couple's quick romance and hasty marriage is torn apart by family and fate, leaving them to face the collapse of the Soviet Union separately. Years later, old memories are stirred to give their love a second chance.

Serge and Janna's chance meeting at a Black Sea beach sparks a passionate romance and a quick marriage. Serge's parents, suspicious of Janna's motives and heritage, force him to break up with her. As the Soviet Union collapses, revealing ethnic and social pressures, each faces danger separately. Serge drowns in self doubt, his life spiraling down and in. Janna plots a dangerous exodus to America with her mother and daughter. Years pass, stirring old emotions, and changing circumstances give their love a second chance. Janna Yeshanova tells a life story, providing a very personal view of political and social change.

A remarkable second chance romance told with amazing realism in the style of a classic Russian novel.


Blurb Love is Never Past Tense

The events described in the book occur amidst complicated changes in the political and economic system of the former Soviet Union. In this period of great turmoil, for the country and the people, a period of many broken destinies, the book weaves its story within the discord of the country. Fear is growing, an animal fear. There remains only one way, emigration. This is the same thing as evacuation without bombing and without the ability to come back, the author writes. You cannot give a better definition. The rest you need to read. Because of this, the book delivers multifaceted, versatile content in huge volume to the reader’s range of vision. In some special moments, the author makes us breathless, frantic with worry, and hoping to relax if a satisfactory solution of the situation arrives. Love Is Never Past Tense... was published first in Russia and Ukraine in 2009, and is now available in English. It is a fascinating, adventurous, historical romance based on a true story.

Interview 


Okay, in another interview you’ve said you like the Mediterranean. Can you give us a top ten list of places you don’t ever want to go? And why?


Places I don’t want to go?  This is something new!  I can’t come with any... Let me think.... Here they might be:


1.  Divorce court. - Ouch!  Are you ready to face someone’s elses smile in your house?  Are you?  Are you ready to remove from the walls the precious pictures with the dearest moments of your life?  Are you?  Ouch!!!


2.  Jail - Not enough room, can’t wear Abercrombie clothes...I think... I do not feel like verifying it! :)
3.  Saks on Fifth without credit card :)  -  What should I do now?  


4.  McDonalds - I do not eat burgers!


5.  Russian public bathrooms - First, you need to find them!


6.  Airport in Bucharest - They kept me there two hours after I landed, before the American Embassy called... Apologies followed, but aftertaste remained...


7.  The train to Austria - Read Love Is Never Past Tense...


8.  Russian highways - policemen stop you accusing you of imaginary violations, demanding cash to let you go..
See # 2.


9.  Any place with a red light :  Come on guys, just switch it!

10. To be in Hell!  Hell knows what Hell is!




Buy Links for Love Is Never Past Tense

Autographed copies at Love Is Never Past Tense Website http://www.loveisneverpasttense.com/order

Amazon (paperback, hardcover, or Kindle) http://www.amazon.com/Love-Never-Past-Tense-ebook/dp/B00CIF3KT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374610100&sr=8-1&keywords=love+is+never+past+tense

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-is-never-past-tense-janna-yeshanova/1105141989?ean=9780983746218

Ebook formats available at:

Ebookit http://www.ebookit.com/books/0000002009/Love-Is-Never-Past-Tense.html

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/love-is-never-past-tense

Google https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Janna_Yeshanova_Love_Is_Never_Past_Tense?id=bfaXthm0aMgC

Ingram (Diesel)
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/9780983746232/Yeshanova-Janna-Love-Is-Never-Past-Tense.../1.html

For your chance to enter ~ http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2988d447/


Friday, 23 August 2013

Kerry's Chitter Chatter #19

So what has been happening in your world? For me, the weather is picking up again, I have ordered the kids school uniform and I am counting down the days until they return to school (still 18 days to go ~ fuck!) I have also two birthdays on the same day in 17 days! My daughter will be 11 and my son 2. We are off to Cadbury World. I am really looking forward to that but I bet I will be sick of chocolate by the time I get round it. I still have their presents to buy but what do you buy a 2 year old who already has most things? Blurgh!

I did a Q&A over on our Book Chat Group. Why not join us? We have a chat, share and recommend books and there's more author interviews coming up. Here's the link ~
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookchat13/

I am over the moon with the sales of Handbags at Dawn and I now have 6 shiny 5 star reviews - woohoo! I can never get bored of reading those. Remember if you have read it and loved it, please pop over on Amazon and leave a review. And if you haven't read it, well why not? Here's the links you need to have ~

Amazon UK ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbags-at-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00EDX06QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377255649&sr=8-1&keywords=handbags+at+dawn

Amazon US ~ http://www.amazon.com/Handbags-at-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00EDX06QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377255698&sr=8-1&keywords=handbags+at+dawn

Smashwords ~ https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/345335


I also had this fantastic review for Swollen Bellies & Tiny Feet. I love this. It's such a great feeling when a review pops up on an old book and it doesn't get much better then this, does it? I thank everyone for taking the time to leave a review. It means so much.

Remember, the Cocktails & Tattoos series can still be purchased on Amazon and the first and second book can be also found on Smashwords. Here's the links ~

Amazon ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A266239%2Cn%3A88%2Ck%3ACocktails+%26+Tattoos&keywords=Cocktails+%26+Tattoos&ie=UTF8&qid=1377253823&rnid=1025612

Smashwords ~ https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=cocktails+%26+tattoos

Writing this week has certainly been flowing. I am impressed with how much I have got done. I am now on chapter 7 in Birthday Cake & Sandy Beaches (Cocktails & Tattoos #5). Who checked out the snippet over on my FB page? If you haven't you should... I have also started another project. I am not willing to reveal anything just yet because I really do not know where it's going to lead but it has been fun and exciting and you never know, you might just get something different out of me very soon ;)

I have not read a thing! I have been far too busy writing. I am still on the begining of book 3 in the Stark Trilogy. I will get round to reading it. I have so many books on my Kindle I need to start. What are you reading at the moment? Is it good? Would you recommend it?

We did go cinema this week. We saw Disney Pixar's Planes. It is a MUST see. Take the kids along this weekend. They will love it. So will you! It's very similar to Cars. It's about a plane called Dusty, who is a crop chopper so he flies low but he is scared of the heights. He wants to take part in the big world race and with coaching from a veteran plane, he manages to qualify. He makes new friends, finds enemies and has to face his biggest fear. This film is such a good feel happy film but I am a sucker for a kids film. It will make you smile and laugh.

AUTHOR OF THE WEEK


Nina D’Angelo

Nina D'Angelo is a freelance writer and photographer. Her first novel, Nowhere to Run was released February 2013 and her second novel, Nowhere to Hide, was released in August 2013. To learn more about Nina, for teasers of her work and links for social media and where to purchase her books, check out the Author of the Week post pined to the top of my FB page on the following link ~ https://www.facebook.com/notes/kerry-frith-author/author-of-the-week-19-nina-dangelo/552370964824843

Until next time ~ Kerry

Random fact #19 ~ At the YouTube HQ staff can either take the elevator, stairs or slide. I so need to get a job there! 

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Friday, 16 August 2013

Kerry's Chitter Chatter #18

Another Friday, means another week down, which means another week closer to the kids returning to school. Not that I am counting OR anything. It is draining having them home all day every day and trying to entertain them. Last week we went to an adventure playground in a country park but we spent more time in traffic then we did there and the minute we arrived, my daughter hurt her ankle and my son incurred two injuries so that marked time to come home. This week we went to a different country park and had a good day with friends but now the weather has gone bad so it looks like we are stuck inside. If the weather brightens up after lunch then we might venture out.

Because the kids are off, writing has been hard. Trying to concentrate with kids fighting, constantly asking can I and generally running riot is a nightmare plus I've kinda hit a brick wall. I will be fine once I am able to concentrate and get my flow back. I made a balls up too. I am working on Birthday Cake & Sandy Beaches and lucky enough only reached chapter 5 before I noticed. I had to go back and make amends. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and to be honest, I think it's now better. Each character have their own problems, issues etc and by amending it, instead of just the one story for that character, it's now created two, which means twice the fun to write and twice the fun to read. I am probably not making any sense right now but all will become apparent. I am enjoying being back with Harley and Spike and Bora Bora is beautiful. Now the amendments have been made, hopefully I can crack on. I know I have impatient fans but I love you all :)

Handbags at Dawn. Well I cannot thank my readers enough for purchasing it and leaving a review. I have been over-whelmed with the love and wonderful comments. I was really nervous. It doesn't matter how many books you publish, each time is as nerve wracking as the previous, if not more so. I am so happy you have loved it. Remember, if you have read it and enjoyed it, please leave a review. I love reading those. If you haven't read it yet, then here are the links to purchase your ecopy ~

Amazon UK ~ 
 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbags-at-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00EDX06QI/ref=pd_sim_kinc_4

Amazon US ~
http://www.amazon.com/Handbags-at-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00EDX06QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376646623&sr=8-1&keywords=handbags+at+dawn

Smashwords ~
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/345335


I finished reading Starr Fated by G. E. Griffin. I did enjoy it but it was very predictable and I wouldn't say in a good way and I was disappointed with the ending. It was just typical. It was nice to read about places where I am from and I did like the characters. I will read the next in the series. I have started Complete Me, the third in the Stark trilogy but it hasn't gripped me so far so I have been happy to put it down and pick it up at a later time. I have been busy too but I am looking forward to seeing how it ends. I love Nikki and Damien.

AUTHOR OF THE WEEK

This week's author is GAIL WINFREE.

Gail spenT the first half of his life thinking about writing, talking about writing and wanting to be a writer. Now he is going to spend the second half of his life actually writing. In 2010, Gail published his first book of poems and short stores, Things I Remember, which is available on Amazon and other online bookstores. His first novel, Finding What's Lost was published in October 2012. To find out more about this fascinating author, check out my author of the week post on my Facebook page by clicking the following link ~


https://www.facebook.com/notes/kerry-frith-author/author-of-the-week-blog-post-18-gail-winfree/548968625165077


Until next time ~ Kerry.

Random facts #18 ~ Daniel Radcliff who played Harry Potter has more money then Prince Harry. Umm, still I know which one I'd prefer. 

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Friday, 9 August 2013

Kerry's Chitter Chatter #17

Guess who is back… did you miss me? I hope so! How is everyone’s summer going? Our holiday was nice. It was good to get away although it wasn’t nice coming home to all that washing especially when the tumble dryer decided to give up the ghost the day after we got back. Very frustrating. Just as well, the weather has been nice to hang it out.

On our first day of holiday, well I say first day but really it was mere minutes after arriving, we lost two of the kids. Completely my husband’s fault. At least I only lose items and not humans. We pulled up outside the reception and the kids wanted to go to the toilet so they got out of the car and my husband told me to drive around to the accommodation and he will wait for the kids and walk around. Well he only came back with three of the five kids that went to the toilet and it was another ten minutes before anyone realised two were actually missing. I kept asking where they were and they kept telling me in the car, so after the third time of asking and being told the same thing I went out to the car. Of course they were not there then it dawned on my husband that he had forgotten them and everyone went into panic and rushed off to search for them. Don’t worry, they were found safe and sound and in the same place, they were left. On the same day, we decided to walk to the site next door to the chip shop but we had to walk along the beach to get to it… and it would be thunder and lightning that night. We got absolutely soaked. On a happy note, we won the family quiz and two of my kids entered the talent show. Unfortunately they didn’t win for the simple fact that when siblings enter they don’t like to play them off against each other in case one gets upset but they both did brilliantly and for them to have the balls to get up there in the first place and sing in front of strangers just makes them winners anyway.  

One night I went to bed at midnight, leaving my husband, fourteen-year-old son and his friend playing cards. At two am, they thought it would be funny to wake me up. They opened the bedroom door, chucked stuffed birds at me, and legged it. I was not amused but it was OK. Revenge was going to be sweet and it was. Just six hours later, I woke them up with water over their heads; I nicked their bedcovers and hid their underwear. Oh, I had the last laugh all right and come that night, they were shattered. Mission accomplished. I don’t think they will be in a hurry to try anything like that again.  Over all we had a nice holiday, the accommodation was spacious and the kids loved the freedom. There was a good park and nice swimming pool. They made loads of friends. The week went quick but it felt like we had been away for ages. I was pleased to come home.

So while I was away I didn’t get much reading done like I had planned but I did start reading Starr Fated by G. E. Griffin. I am currently on 50% and I am enjoying it. Whilst it has your typical rich businessman and poor little virgin it is nothing like all the books that have tried to follow Mr Grey and Gideon Cross, which is a good thing. I mean there is only so much of that, I can read, and to be honest I haven’t really enjoyed them. This is a bit different. It has been a bit predictable on my part but I like it and now the editing of Handbags at Dawn is finished, I look forward to finishing it. I need to finish it so I can start the third book in the Stark series.

I took the kids to see Monsters University on Wednesday. From what I saw, I enjoyed it.  This film takes us back to before Mike and Sully met. Mike’s lifelong ambition is to become a scarier and while he works extremely hard to make it, the privileged Sulley just breezes in and steals the limelight until he begins to falter. At the final exam, Mike and Sulley's rivalry causes them both to fail and they are dropped from the program. Mike decides to prove himself by entering the Scare Games. Seeing the competition as his ticket back into the scare program Sulley also joins and Mike reluctantly accepts. Mike also makes a deal with Dean Hardscrabble, who remains sceptical, to re-admit their entire team to the scaring program if they win, whereas if they lose, Mike must leave Monsters University for good. The film is fun, funny, and entertaining but unfortunately, I missed the last half an hour due to a certain three year old playing up. I cannot wait to see Disney’s new film Planes. That looks really good and I can never resist a good Disney film.

Handbags at Dawn ~ who has downloaded their copy?  Due to a planned power cut in my area today, I decided to bring the release a day forward because let’s face it; we would rather have it early then late wouldn’t we? It has been a long old progress and so much has gone into this book. I just hope everyone likes it and I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on it. Remember, the best way to reward an author is to write a review. I am nervous as hell as you guys only know me for my Cocktails & Tattoos series. This is my first book since them and to be fair I have learnt a lot in a short space of time. I was perhaps a bit naïve in the beginning and went in with my eyes closed but now my eyes are fully open and I hope I have blossomed. I think I have. A bit, maybe.   

You can find Handbags at Dawn on Amazon for Kindle and Kindle app by clicking on the following links. Also, thanks to a very helpful author who kindly formatted my document, you can purchase it from Smashwords too so those with Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions & other ereader devices, just click the link to purchase your copy.



This week’s author of the week is…. ME! Well why not take advantage of my own services and what better way to plug my new book. Click the following link for my bio, some random facts, a teaser of Handbags at Dawn, and what is next for this author. https://www.facebook.com/notes/kerry-frith-author/author-of-the-week-blog-post-17-kerry-frith/545805892148017

Author of the week slots are now full until February/March. The response has been amazing and the slots filled up quick. If you are interested in a slot, then you can still reserve one but it will not be until next year.

Until next time ~ Kerry.

Random fact #17 ~ Our fingers get wrinkly in water because wrinkled fingers would give us stronger grip on slippery objects underwater. How many people will be trying this later?