Welcome to the one-day, first annual “All Authors Blog Blitz”

I would like to welcome author, Dianne Gardner, to the first annual “All Authors Blog Blitz” AND author Megan S. Johnston’s blog page!

Thank you Dianne, and I appreciate you taking time out to be here today. We all look forward to hearing more about you and your novels.

Dianne Lynn Gardner

 Author-Illustrator 

 Young Adult Fantasy-Adventure Fiction

Dianne Gardner is both an author and illustrator living in the Pacific Northwest, Olalla Washington. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American Pen Women. She has written Young Adult Fantasy novels as well as articles for national magazines and newspapers and she is an award-winning artist.

 

Dianne spent many years living out in the desert wilderness of the American Southwest, lived in a hogan made from adobe and cedar for thirteen years, co-owned 25 horses both pure bred and Native American ponies, traveled horseback and by wagon throughout the Navajo reservation, herded sheep and goat, worked in the forest planting trees and piling, farmed on barren soil and even lived in a teepee for a short while. She spent many long years using survival skills as a way of life.

Later she studied pastoral counseling and was a Pastor’s appren­tice at a mainline church. She and her husband have been feeding the homeless for over twelve years. Today she shares both her survival experiences and her love for people, especially young people, into her writing as a way to not only to give her readers a firm understanding of her stories’ characters, but a rich appreciation of nature.

 

Ian’s Realm Trilogy is a best selling YA adventure fantasy saga that follows the adventure of a teen age boy as he travels into an alternate realm with is father. Filled with dragons and dragon worshippers, pirates and computer characters this saga is apt to win the hearts of young and old alike.

As said by one reviewer

Dianne Gardner takes a simple premise – that of a young boy and his father whisked away into a magical land, and transforms it into something that is a true work of art. Young Ian and his dad discover that the computer program they had worked so hard to bring to life has begun to take on a life of its own.

While it is classified under Young Adult, this book transcends all such boundaries. Sure, the characters are highly relatable to teens and middle-grade readers, but the struggles of the characters, paired with her singularly masterful writing transports the young and old to an ancient land ruled by a vengeful draconic lord. I’m astounded at how the author uses her experiences to add a realism to the work which makes you believe that, lurking behind every screen, Ian’s Realm might just wait… living, and breathing under a dragon’s eye. With wonder and enchantment worthy of Narnia, this series will not disappoint.

 Book I Ian’s Realm: Deception Peak

http://amzn.com/B0090888WU

Teenage Ian Wilson follows his father through a portal into a deceptively beautiful Realm, where horses run free, the wind sings prophetic melodies, and their computer avatars come to life. But separation from his dad puts Ian in peril as he’s abducted by a tribe of dragon worshipers and forced to find his courage.  As he struggles for his freedom and embarks on a perilous search for his father he meets the true peacekeepers of the Realm, and learns of a greater purpose for his being there.

Book II Ian’s Realm: The Dragon Shield

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Shield-Dianne-Lynn-Gardner/dp/0615760457

As a young man, Ian returns to the Realm to search for his father, and to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaermperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity.

Ian’s Realm: Rubies and Robbers

http://www.amazon.com/Rubies-Robbers-Ians-Realm-ebook/dp/B00CJ0BBIY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

 Ian has proven his abilities as a warrior and now the most dangerous battle begins, the battle against the power of evil. Ian must unravel the secrets of the mountain and discern who his real enemy is, the enemy both without and within. He tackles with the twelve year old boy who seems to hold the fate of the entire Realm in his hands, and yet the pressing Songs of Wisdom call for compassion in his dealings. Ian leads his men in the fight against the powers of darkness. But he must also be willing to sacrifice everything he ever hoped to have in order to save those he loves.

There are four short stories The Tale of the Four Wizards that intertwine with the series, telling the myth and legends of the patriarchs of the Realm

    Silvio

http://amzn.com/B00A3WAA9G

 Kaempie

 http://amzn.com/B00AYZKIDK

 Meneka

http://amzn.com/B00AHG460C

 Reuben

 http://amzn.com/B00B7RG72U       

SOCIAL LINKS FOR DIANNE GARDNER

Official book blog: http://dragontargeseries.blogspot.com/

Dragon Shield Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2rm6mGBrM

website http://gardnersart.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/TheIansRealmSaga?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter https://twitter.com/DianneGardner

Thank you Dianne for all your valuable information. We look forward to reading more of your awesome fantasy novels!

All Authors Blog Blitz: Coming June 15th 2013

All Authors Blog Blitz: Coming June 15th 2013.

All Authors Blog Blitz: Coming June 15th 2013

 

The “All Authors Blog Blitz” is intended to unite Self-Published/Indie Authors in a 1 day event in which we will come together and (for a lack of a better term, lol), blow up the blog world. The idea is for all of us to work together, and blog about one another, and in the process create a virtual-web, and in so doing make our selves searchable on the web.

Participating in this event will be an incredible team of Authors and Bloggers, all of them talented and creative individuals, gifted at their craft.

More Info

BLOGGER BOOK FAIR

Check in to the Blogger Book Fair,
and book your trip to far away places!

July 22-26, 2013

Authors and Book Bloggers,

Sign ups for the July 2013 Blogger Book Fair will close on June 15 at midnight central time, so get your registrations in to participate!

As of 5/31/2013, we have:

Authors: 89
Books: 233
Bloggers: 14

If you haven’t yet registered, you can find all of the information on the Blogger Book Fair page.

1. Check out the Code of Conduct
2. Fill out either the Author Sign Up form or the Blogger Sign Up form (Deadline June 15)
3. Kayla will match everyone with hosts and send out this information to you after sign-ups close
4. Check out the events–all authors are eligible to participate in the events, and if you have an event you’d like to host, just fill out the simple Event Sign Up Form–all of this information can be found on the Events! page (Deadline July 8).
5. If you’re interested in hosting a giveaway to drive traffic to your site, sign up via the Giveaway Sign Up form (Deadline July 15).
6. And if your book will be FREE or $0.99 for the duration of the Fair, you can sign up on the Free and $.99 Book Sign Up Forms (Deadline July 15).

Events:

as of 5/31/2013

Art Fiction Gala hosted by Lucie Smoker

Does your fiction promote the visual arts–through featuring an artist, painting, sculpture, performance art, etc? Then, consider entering Lucie’s Art Fiction Gala.
The Art Fiction Gala is a virtual celebration of fiction that highlights the visual arts. Dress up in your finest, pick up some friends–a bottle of wine–and sample mind-blowing fiction that crosses the line between literary and visual art. Plus a gallery of art featuring reading.
More information & entry instructions

Three Wishes hosted by Kirstin Pulioff

Introduce your characters to the world.
Kirstin Pulioff invites you to ask your main character, “If you found a magic genie lamp, what would be your three choices?“
More information & entry instructions

Flash Fiction Challenge II hosted by Thomas Winship

Get ready to exercise your flash fiction muscles.
For the Flash Fiction Challenge II, Thomas Winship will provide an opening line.
From there, entrants will craft a flash fiction piece of approx 500 words. Entries will be displayed on Thomas’ blog Vaempires during the BBF, spread out evenly across the five days, in order of receipt.
More information & entry instructions

Snapshot Synopsis Contest hosted by Fel at The Peasants Revolt

Challenge: chisel your synopsis down to 50 words or less.
Voting will be open throughout the fair for visitors to vote on their favorite Snapshot Synopsis.
More information & entry instructions

Reader’s Choice Awards hosted by Sherri at Shut Up & Read

All books registered for the Blogger Book Fair are automatically entered into the running for the Reader’s Choice Awards. Voting will be open from July 22 to July 25.
More information

Indie Soap Box Files hosted by Shah Wharton

Take a turn on the Soap Box.
Shah invites speculative fiction writers to write a guest post about being an indie (or hybrid) writer.
More information & entry instructions
Restrictions: Speculative fiction writers only

Monster Menagerie hosted by Noree at Trip the Eclipse

What’s your favorite monster or supernatural creature?
Feature your creature in a flash fiction piece (500-800) words to be featured on Trip the Eclipse. Visitors will vote on their favorite piece.
More information & entry instructions

Ways to Help:

Donate to the Blogger Book Fair via the BBF Donation Fund. To help get the word out about BBF, we would like to place ads on Facebook, Goodreads and other places, but to do, so we need a little help. We’d also like to have some BBF sponsored giveaways, so money donated would also go toward prizes. NO MONEY WILL BE KEPT BY ANY ORGANIZER OR PARTICIPANT.

Spread the word! Share the Fair on your social media accounts and show off the Blogger Book Fair logo in your blog’s sidebar.

Join us on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Google +

REVIEW ~ Dream Weaver, by Su Williams

Congratulations to Ms. Williams on her debut novel. This is definitely an Author to watch, she truly has a different way with words.
In my opinion, I do not feel this is for the the young adult reader, but more in the eighteen and over realm. I believe her eloquent way with words would leave a much younger person to wonder.
The story line is fascinating, taking you into a different dimension of paranormal, so glad it wasn’t vampires.

There could have been more dialog and less surmising, to much internal rambling.

I however found myself submersed in the story line as it carried me away. And yes, I shed a few tears when she encountered her deceased parents for the first time in her dreams. All the dream scenes felt as though you were there, experiencing Emari’s turmoil with her, and she definitely has a few…

All Ms. Williams characters were wonderfully written, each having their own unique voice. I found Edyyson to be one of my favorite characters, and I hope he stays around for a while. Sorry, you will have to read the novel to find out exactly who he is… no spoiler here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Weaver-Novels/
http://www.dreamweavernovels.com
http://dreamweavernovels.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Interview With Author, Su Williams

May 18 Megan Johnston

I want to thank Su Williams for being here with us today and sharing a few things about herself

and her new debut novel, Dream Weaver.

To Read an excerpt from her new novel, please click below

 PDF DW excerpt

I have a few questions that I would like to ask you Su and I am sure the readers would love to know.

1.      What inspired you to write this novel?

I finished the Twilight Saga right before I started writing. I hadn’t written anything of consequence in many years. I loved her stories and her characters.

I loved Stephanie Myers Twilight series myself, she is a wonderful inspiration to other authors.

2.      What sparked the idea for Dream Weaver?

Dream Weaver didn’t have a title at the beginning and started out as another vampire story. My daughter, Sarah protested. So I started thinking about what other kind of immortal I could create. I wanted something that hadn’t been done to death.

3.      What was the hardest part to write in the book?

I would definitely say the assault scene. This is a YA book and I knew I had to handle the scene and aftermath very carefully. I researched other YA books with rape fiction and went to a rape crisis website called RAINN. It’s not a subject I take lightly, so it was very important to me how I handled it. So far, reviewers have commented that I handled the sensitive subjects in my book very well.

4.      If you could change one thing since your novel was written, what would it be?

Ugh. I cringe at the thought. I spent five years on Dream Weaver and the journey was a learning journey-info I can use and already have on hand for the next book. I’m not sure I would change anything unless a publisher told me to.

5.      Which comes first? The character’s story or the idea for the novel?

Wow. I’m going to have to think on that one….I believe the chicken came first. Oh, sorry that wasn’t the question. I think Nickolas was the first thing that captured me. He led me into the story and guided my way.

6.      Do you outline?

No, though I’m sure it would help. I tell people my writing style is a ‘puker’ because I get random scenes at random times and throw them up on whatever random piece of paper I can get my hands on and tie them all together later. I did what I call a skeleton with Dream Weaver. I tracked the action and sequence of events in the story. It helped me to see if I was getting my story arc complete and maintaining action within each chapter.

7.      Do you write from personal experiences?

Yes. I’ve used several experiences and manipulated them a bit. The memories from Emari’s father came from my Dad’s journal. Some of the family traditions are traditions of my own family.

8.      What part of your novel was the most fun to write?

I did say that the story was originally going to be a vampire story but that got nixed. But I did get to one vampire scene. I think it’s my favorite scene.

9.      Were you aware of how the novel would end when you started it?

Yes. As a matter of fact, the end was first thing I wrote. I just had to figure out how to get there.

10.  What author would you compare yourself to?

Yikes. I’d love to compare myself to greats like Maggie Stiefvater or Lisa McMann but I can only say that these authors were some of my greatest inspiration. I’ll leave to the fans to make any comparisons.

Megan, thank you so much for hosting me on your site. I enjoyed your questions. Some of them have been enlightening even to me. I’ve made Dream Weaver available for ONLY .99 on Amazon Kindle and B&N,  so I hope readers will make the tiny investment for it. So far, Dream Weaver has gotten very good ratings. It holds a 4.2 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, and a 4.42 stars on GoodReads.

My only question to your readers now is…Do You DARE TO DREAM!?

Many thanks,

Su

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Weaver-Novels/
http://www.dreamweavernovels.com
http://dreamweavernovels.blogspot.com/

Your so very welcome Su, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us here today. If you would like to purchase Dream Weaver, you can go here to purchase.

Book Review ~ Is This All There Is

REVIEW   

It’s hard to believe this is Patricia Mann’s debut novel, she did an excellent job executing this novel from beginning to end. It reminds us that as humans, we are vulnerable to outside stimuli. As a wife and mother of four children and seven grandchildren, I know how difficult it can be to juggle life’s challenges. I found myself sympathizing with Beth’s daily struggles. What maybe happy for one, does not necessarily mean happy for another. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a great read.

Click Here for more information on - is this all there is

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17190494-is-this-all-there-is

Megan S. Johnston hosts a Question & Answers.

 

Welcome to my first Question and Answer forum.

Please join me over the next two weeks on Goodreads, where you can ask me, or other authors and aspiring authors questions on what it is like to be a new author, or anything about the writing process.

Click on the link below to join the discussion:

Q & A with Author Megan S. Johnston

 

IXEOS REVIEW

Review on Ixeos ~ by Megan S. Johnston :  A Wonderful New Trilogy 

Tour Schedule

Ixeos

The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose:  to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren’t the only problem on Ixeos — the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There’s no way home.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Jennings Wright

Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn’t spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Amazon * Goodreads

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/12/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

I received a pdf copy of this novel for my honest opinion and review.

One of my biggest pet peeves when I’m reading is grammatical errors, and this novel has a few. I wanted to give it the highest rating I could because it’s a wonderful story, but for this reason I’m giving it a four star.

It took me a bit to get into it, but once the story started flowing and the McClellands  are thrown into an alternate earth, traversing underground tunnels to different cities around the world, I was hooked. The author, Jennings Wright, did a wonderful job character building and gave each a unique voice. The switch from one character to another is done exceptionally well.  She also did a great job world building, which I have a hard time with myself.

The story is about three curious teenagers who are enticed to follow some  ducks, which disappear into a water pipe. When they emerge on the other side, they find there is no way back to their homes. Their lives as they knew it is over and they find themselves in Ixeos, a futuristic, alternate earth where aliens have taken over. The aliens used EMP blasts which destroyed the way modern people live, taking out not only lives, but all electronics. It left the Earth destroyed and in some places uninhabitable. Most who survived, which were few, were enslaved. The ones who got away are either in gangs doing drugs, or hiding underground, in fear of being caught for slavery or being killed.

Ixeos takes you from three terrified teens that can “never go home”, to an acceptance of a new and different way of life in a very short span of time. Each of the McClellands find their own purpose in this strange new world they find themselves in, their jobs and the ones who came before, is to find a way to help save humanity.

The ending leaves you hanging just enough for you to want the next book in the series. I would recommend this novel to anyone seeking something a little bit different and out of this world.

 

IXEOS BLOG TOUR

 

Tour Schedule

Ixeos

The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose:  to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren’t the only problem on Ixeos — the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There’s no way home.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Author Jennings Wright
Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn’t spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Amazon * Goodreads

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/12/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway