Blog Tour: Slopjar by Ingrid Jennings (Giveaway)

This blog tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the schedule.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

It is my pleasure to feature:

Ingrid Jennings and Slopjar.

About the Author:

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Ingrid Jennings is what one would call a true Lioness. As a wife and a mother, she is loyal and a protector. As a publishing guru, she is a team player and works with her clients toward their success. As a teacher, she is passionate about education, and as a business woman, she is always on the hunt for new opportunities to learn and grow. She wears many hats and handles each situation in stride and with ease.

       With a B.S. in biology and chemistry from Palm Beach Atlantic Christian University, Ingrid decided to go a step further, to get a step closer to her true passion by excelling with her masters degree in reading education from Nova Southeastern University.

       Ingrid spent three years working as a public school teacher in Palm Beach County, teaching integrated science to ninth graders. While teaching, Ingrid self-published her poetry into her first book titled Slopjar. Slopjar recieved rave reviews not only for its creativity, excellent writing, and self expression but also for the excellence of its publishing and marketing. Through the experience and knowledge gained while publishing and marketing her own book, Ingrid gained an appreciation for the inner workings of the publishing world and ultimately birthed her own publishing company Lioness Publishing House.

Website: www.ingridjennings.com

Twitter @ingridmjennings

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ingrid-Jennings/362113930525719

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468845.Ingrid_Jennings

Slopjar
Ingrid Jennings

Genre: Poetry

Publisher: Lioness Publishing House

ISBN: 978-0985696047

ASIN: B008Q3DHLM

Number of pages: 138

Word Count: 9,122

Cover Artist: Gaelyn Larrick

Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

This is a book of poetry that will truly touch your soul.

Indulge in the words of a lonely lunatic full of laughter, love, lust, Lucifer, and the Lord.

Escape into a world of profound, seductive words that will melt your soul like butter.

Escape into an insane mind and learn the trials of a battered soul.

Fall into the trap of this astonishing book that will pull at the strings of your heart.

Immerse yourself in the pure pleasure of this dazzling work of art.

Open up the Slopjar.

Excerpt:

NIGHTMARES

Too many nightmares live in my mind,

too many nightmares leave me in a bind,

too many nightmares surround my soul,

they leave me in fear,

when no one is near.

Too many nightmares,

oh, why are you here?

Leave me in peace

so I may sleep.

And here I go

down to dream.

Sleep be sweet and lay me in rest.

CANDLELIGHT

And as I lay down to sleep,

I felt that dream that burdens my soul,

so softly it tiptoed in,

I could see its apparition whisk by my body

-in my long-lost dream.

The dream once lost came back to haunt.

For days I never knew what peace was like.

So here I slumber,

I slumber in light

because I’m scared with fright

of this mysterious ghost haunting my dreams.

Dreams of flowers,

dreams of bliss,

dreams of this thing

coming out at night.

So I slumber in light.

The light of a candle burning on my chest,

please put me to rest

and rid me of this pest.

And here I slumber,

in the light of the fire,

undisturbed by all spirits’ desires.

And the apparition of smoke so softly whisks by my bed,

the flames of the candle dance in its presence.

I have been frightened, so I burn my candle at night.

And my candle burns each night and blazes so high.

And me—

I lie,

seeking a restful night,

undisturbed by any little fright.

Until I awaken in a hospital bed,

Thank God for men of fire.

They came in the night and rescued my soul,

they saved my flesh from the flames of the night.

THE DREAM

It has already been determined how much I burned my candle because of a

haunting in a dream.

A dream so extreme,

it felt so supreme,

call it blasphemy,

because this dream made me scream.

A dream where I dreamt of cedar and oak romancing my figure

and caressing my body under a starry sky.

A sky so intensifying,

it bewildered my mind.

Under the starry sky

I didn’t feel any lack,

any lack of love,

for I knew it was all there.

And in this dream the woods

capture my soul.

The cedar and oak entangle me so.

Why do they do so,

seduce me each night?

They entangle me in their bewildering webs.

I just float through the night

in the midst of the shadows.

I dance with the branches,

I play with the leaves

until the dawn begins to rise.

And just as it rises,

it sets just as well,

and when it does my friends and I

begin to dance.

In a trance

we move about.

The glowing moon watches from above.

We twirl and we run.

We enjoy the sounds of a sleepless night.

Why do these woods entangle me so,

wrapping me in their bewildering webs?

When the fall comes they shelter my body

from cold frost bites, and as the winter tiptoes in

I run about,

there’s no doubt.

Trotting on the leaves,

scouting through the forest.

Pecan, cedar, oak, or maple,

I love my trees.

They are my friends,

they entice me

to the end.

Tour Wide Giveaway 

1 $10 Amazon Gift card

6 print copies of Slopjar

7 ebook copies of Slopjar

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Author: Maimah Karmo

Welcome to The Wormhole.

It is my pleasure to feature a guest author:

Maimah Karmo.

 About Maimah Karmo, author of Fearless

On February 28, 2006, at 4:45 p.m., Maimah Karmo was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.

She was 32 years old.

She had a 3-year-old at the time, and a fiancé, who wound up leaving her weeks before the wedding.

While undergoing chemotherapy, she made a promise to God that if she survived, she would create an organization that would educate, empower, advocate for and support young women affected by breast cancer. After the second round of chemotherapy, Tigerlily Foundation was born, and since then, has sought to provide programs to young women of diverse backgrounds, including those at heightened risk and those with less access to care and to improve the quality of life for young adult breast cancer survivors by creating vigilant self-advocates.

Since starting Tigerlily, Maimah has dedicated her life to helping young women around the world. A sought-after speaker, she has appeared in numerous national print outlets, including O, the Oprah Magazine, Essence, Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Redbook. She has also been featured on national television, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Good Morning America," FOX, ABC, and CBS.

In 2009, Maimah was awarded a L’Oreal Paris’ Woman of Worth award for her achievements in making a difference in the lives of others, and in 2011, received the Congressional Black Caucus Leadership in Advocacy Award for her work with young women and breast cancer. Later that year, Maimah was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, established by the Affordable Care Act in an effort to increase knowledge of breast health and breast cancer, particularly among women under 40 and those at heightened risk for the disease.

While breast cancer was an unwelcome experience, Maimah would not give back the experience: “I’ve lived more in the past four years than I did the years before," says Maimah. "I'm dedicated to changing the breast cancer landscape and creating a legacy of a world free of breast cancer."

Maimah shares her inspiring story in her upcoming memoir, Fearless: Awakening to My Life's Purpose Through Breast Cancer (Brown Books, October 2012), which she was prompted to write by Oprah Winfrey herself during an appearance on her show in May, 2009.  In it, she shares her struggle and the importance of breast cancer advocacy.

Born in Liberia, Maimah fled to the United States as a refugee with her family at the age of 16. Today,, she resides with her daughter near Washington, D.C., in Reston. Virginia. Learn more at MaimahKarmo.com.

She has joined us today for an interview:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was a child. I loved to read and I had so much to say. I would write poems and short stories all the time.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

OMG. How many jobs did I not have? I have done everything from working in retail to being an administrative assistant, doing various consulting jobs, doing Government contracting, writing resumes, you name it!

? How long does it take you to write a book?

I believe it is different for each writer.  My book began as my journal 6 years ago, but I stopped writing to focus on building my non-profit organization, Tigerlily Foundation, whose mission is to educate, advocate for, empower and support young women – before, during and after breast cancer.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I always have a song in my head, so all of my writing is infused with music or poetry of some kind.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I would say that I need to just get “that feeling”. Sometimes, I am unable to write for months and then there is that time when I’m just ready and I can just start writing and hammer out chapter after chapter and just get it done.

? Where do you write and how do you write ~ on paper, typewriter or computer?

I write on computer. I take a lot of notes on paper, though and I’m always having thoughts as I’m in the car or doing something and I’ll make notes on sticky paper, or on my phone, then sit down, sort them out and get it all done.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

My book is non-fiction, so it is based on my personal story.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

Right now, it felt like it was time to share my journey, about coming to America as a refugee, losing everything, building my life, getting breast cancer, watching it all fall apart, then finding my true passion.  My next books will be non-fiction as well, but I’d like to highlight some of the challenges women faced and share other stories of inspiration and hope.

? Where does a book start for you ~ characters, plot, ending?

For me, it starts with the plot – even with my own personal story, I had to consider what I would share and how I would share it; then who were the important people in my life that had been a part of my journey, who I want to highlight. The ending for me was the hardest part, but I did not pressure myself, I felt that I had to let it arrive on its own – organically and it did.

? What books have most influenced your life?

The diary of Anne Frank, Annie Proulx, Wayne Dyer, Neale Donald Walsh, and Don Miguel Ruiz.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

My parents used to order us Childcraft books. They came in sets and would teach everything from geography to what people wore in other cultures. I loved them!

? What are you reading right now?

LOL! Well, I am reading four books at a time.  Three of my good friends, Mali Phonpadith, Misti Burmeister and KK Anadu, all published books this year, so I’m reading them as well as a book on gratitude.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to enjoy my life. I have a full life with events, friends, my daughter, my work and so many people I love. I’m never bored! 

? What is your favorite comfort food? Oreos or Cheetos!

? What do you think makes a good story? Having rich characters with depth to them, is very important.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

I don’t know that I have a favorite author per se, but I would say that The Diary of Anne Frank had a huge impact on me, because, as a refugee, I identified with losing the things that were “important”, but being able to find joy in where I was and create adventure in a time and place where I was still finding myself.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again? That’s a tough question.  There are so many books that make up the mosaic of my life. I would say books by the authors I listed above.

? Are you a “plotter” or a “pantser”?  If pantser means, by the seat of my pants, then I’m that! J

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Neither.

·        Coffee or tea? Tea.

·        Dark or milk chocolate? Dark.

·        Rocks or flowers? Flowers.

·        Night or day? Both – I know, I’m cheating!

·        Favorite color? Brown/beige/red… I know, I’m making up my own rules again!

·        Crayons or markers? Markers.

·        Pens or pencils? Pens.

  

To receive a review copy or to set up an interview, contact Megan Renart:

meganr@prbythebook.com or 512-501-4399 x709.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway! Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton

Today The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Mod Podge Blog Tours are hosting Kelsey Sutton's Some Quiet Place cover reveal!

Summary:

Elizabeth Caldwell has perfected the art of pretending to feel emotion, but it’s always a lie. After a near-fatal car accident when she was a small child, Elizabeth lost the ability to feel any emotion, but along with that loss she gained bizarre abilities: she can see the personified Emotions she cannot feel.  Fury, Resentment, Longing—they’ve all given up on her, because she doesn't succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one. Fear. He’s consumed by the mystery of Elizabeth’s past, consumed by her.

And then there are Elizabeth's cryptic, recurring dreams, in which there’s always love, and there’s always death. Haunted by these dreams, Elizabeth paints them, knowing that they somehow hold the key to the mystery of her past. 

But a shadowy menace is stalking Elizabeth.  Her survival depends on uncovering the truth about herself.  And when it matters most, she won’t be able to rely on Fear to save her.

Kelsey is very enthusiastic about her debut novel's cover; here is what she has to say about the design:

"It is gorgeous, eerie, and maybe a little strange. I love how much relevance it has to the story, as well. The farmland in the background, the town, the stormy sky, the leaves, the way the girl is vanishing. The point is, I am in love. Hope you adore it as much as I do."

 What relevance is she talking about? 

Enter to win a Pre-Order of Some Quiet Place below to find out!!!

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Curiosity Killed the Kat by Elizabeth Nelson

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

It is my pleasure to feature: 

Elizabeth Nelson and Curiosity Killed the Kat.

This blog tour is presented by Teddy Rose at Virtual Authors Book Tours.

Elizabeth Nelson has joined us here for an interview:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I think I was 12 or 13 and my first crush broke up with me. I didn’t know what to do! I thought my life would be over. I remember crying over my diary as I wrote about how much my heart ached.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

I’ve worked many jobs. Writing isn’t a job to me. I love it. Writing is like a 6^th sense to me. It’s instinctual.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

On average, I can write a short book in 1-3 months. Is that quick?

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I like to write in only my underwear. Is that weird? haha

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

A good cup of coffee and a morning workout usually gets me fired up to write.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

I like to draw from personal experience and intertwine it with raw imagination.

  

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I write what I would want to read. Simple as that.

 ? What books have most influenced your life?

Nicholas Kristof’s Half The Sky

  

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

It was probably something along the lines of Green Eggs And Ham by Dr. Suess.

  

? What are you reading right now?

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

  

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love live music and watching reality TV.

  

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food.

  

? What do you think makes a good story?

Having it be believable and having the reader not being able to predict what will come next.

  

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats?

Dogs. I have two of them!

·        Coffee or tea?

Both.

·        Dark or milk chocolate?

Dark.

·        Rocks or flowers?

Rocks.

·        Night or day?

Day

·        Favorite color?

Purple

·        Crayons or markers?

Crayons. Oh yeah!

·        Pens or pencils?

Pens.

More About Elizabeth Nelson:

Elizabeth wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills and relationship techniques have helped hundreds of others find their mojo. After earning a master's degree in secondary education from UNC, she worked abroad teaching English, bar-tended at late night clubs in Chicago, and continues various philanthropy projects that focus on empowering women. But she always returned to writing.

Though she'll forever be a free-spirit at heart, she now lives in Los Angeles with her two dogs. If she's not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rock concerts.

Elizabeth's Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.nelson.180625 

Curiosity Killed the Kat by Elizabeth Nelson

Katherine ("Kat") thought she had the perfect marriage to International Lawyer Steven Flynn. Until he tried to kill her.

Katherine was the perfect obedient wife. She would do anything for her husband. That is, until she discovers he's the ring leader of a human trafficking organization. The action is fast and furious, the dialogue smart and the sex scenes hot. Meet Katherine in Curiosity Killed The Kat as she goes farther and farther down the rabbit hole of political intrigue, sex, and revenge. Will she let herself be saved by love or will curiosity and a thirst for killer justice kill the Kat?

Gratitude Giveaway Hop!

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

You can get to the entire giveaway linky by clicking HERE.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my Gratitude Giveaway!

I am stop #184 - my giveaway is US only this time - sorry, I have two international giveaways coming up in December!

The rules:  Must be 13+ and a follower of The Wormhole.

The prize:  T is for Turkey 

Review: Curiosity Killed the Kat by Elizabeth Nelson

Curiosity Killed the Kat by Elizabeth Nelson

Amazon Product Description:
Katherine (“Kat”) thought she had the perfect marriage to International Lawyer Steven Flynn. Until he tried to kill her. Katherine was the perfect obedient wife. She would do anything for her husband. That is, until she discovers he’s the ring leader of a human trafficking organization. The action is fast and furious, the dialogue smart and the sex scenes hot. Meet Katherine in Curiosity Killed The Kat as she goes farther and farther down the rabbit hole of political intrigue, sex, and revenge. Will she let herself be saved by love or will curiosity and a thirst for killer justice kill the Kat?


My thoughts:
This is a fast read.  The writing is descriptive and the character building is top notch.  It was almost as if I could feel how slimy Kat thought her husband's boss was.  I know I disliked her husband from the go, and he never redeemed himself (obviously).  The plot was intriguing, but the story could have been fleshed out a bit more.  It was almost as if we were running through the story, it's fast paced, only to end up dangling at the edge of the cliff that becomes the ending.  I am not saying that it's bad, just that I wanted more story.  It is well written and entertaining.  Worth the read for certain.  Will be looking forward to reading both book 2 and book 3 which are already out.   


*I received this book in exchange for participation in the blog tour and an honest review.

You can buy this as an ebook by clicking HERE or as a paperback by clicking HERE.

You can get book 2 - HERE in paperback or HERE as an ebook.

You can get book 3 (final installment of the series) HERE or HERE.