The Author Encounter Scavenger Hunt INFO!

 The Author Encounter is doing a Blog Hop / Scavenger Hunt! The information is all available right here:

 Military appreciation month officially recognized by Congress in May 1999, incorporates many holidays celebrating our women and men in the Armed Forces. Join us for a literary approach to celebrating the soldiers and families that proudly serve and protect our country.

Crafting military fiction whether it’s romance, fantasy, mystery, or any other genre mix isn’t easy. Each story has unique challenges. However, creating believable, relatable characters, scenes and plot lines is a goal all authors aspire to no matter how they write. That is why so many authors use tropes to get their creative juices flowing in familiar ways to encourage their readers to fall in love with their stories. What is a trope? Or more specifically what is a military trope? A military trope is a commonplace, recognizable plot element, theme, or visual cue that conveys something about the military.

Tropes can help make an alien situation or fictional scene feel familiar especially for those of us with no military experiences. So, using tropes in the right way can make your reader love your story that much more. Many readers across genres love military elements added to story lines. A great place to find ideas for military tropes is from other authors. Get inspired by other authors' use of tropes readers love, such as the veteran finding new adventures, the special forces soldier, the unknowing hero, or teaching kids about the American Flag. Whether you use tropes in a Tom Clancy style or old school like our favorite WWII vets: this blog hop will be an advantage. Click the links and match the authors to the tropes to win!

 

 

Deb Ewing	https://www.debnation.com/2020/11/the-bronze-star-posthumous-award-to.html
Doc Sheldon	https://docsheldon.com/
Stacy Juba	https://stacyjuba.com/blog/book/teddy-bear-town-childrens-bundle/
D.C. Gomez	https://www.amazon.com/D-C-Gomez/e/B078T2RBN8?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1621826453&sr=8-1
Christina Francine	https://www.christinafrancine.org/
Bethany Averie	https://writebybethany.blogspot.com/2021/05/remembering-grandpa.html

Remembering Grandpa...

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Near the end of this month is Memorial Day, and in honor of it The Author Encounter is having a May We Remember Blog/Website scavenger hunt. In talking with my business partner (we're Co-Founders/Co-Owners of The Author Encounter) I got to talking about my grandfather who served in World War II.

He was my dad's father, and he was a tall man who went by the nickname "Mickey" (no, I didn't call him that, I just called him Grandpa). My dad doesn't even know why his nickname was Mickey, nothing in his name suggested it (does the name Owen sound like Mickey?) But that's what he was called (apparently, my Grandmother even called him that--but I didn't know her, she died a year before I was born). Anyway, he was an MP (among many other jobs while in the army) and he went all over the place, including Italy. I've often wanted to go to Italy (not during a war, obviously, but on a visit--who knows when or if that will ever happen, but hey it seems like a beautiful country).

Grandpa died in 2013, not during the war and not from any pandemic--just other health issues. At his internment (he was cremated) a couple of those in the military (who I think had known him) came out to pay respects in uniform. They were delighted when my younger brother was there with his bagpipes (in a kilt when it was September and chilly up in Michigan!) and played Amazing Grace.

Grandpa was a man of few words. He called me "Bethie" because that's what my dad called me (or maybe my dad called me that because he did? I don't remember) and when I was studying World War II in high school, he answered all my questions. He didn't volunteer information about serving in the war, but he answered the questions I asked--I guess enough time had passed that he could talk about it. I know it was hard on him to do so when he first got back.

He was a blue-collared worker, who never shied away from hard work or from family. He built a house out on a lake (that's STILL owned by family members to this day). He was a lifetime Master of the card game, Bridge. I never learned, but my dad knows how to play. We had a computer game of it years ago, and when he came to visit he learned how to bring it up on the computer and would play it. I didn't know he had been a Lifetime Master until recently.

Anyway, I believe a lot of those who have died who served our country were hard workers like my grandfather. Men and women who wanted to serve their country in the military and some who laid down their lives for it. I hope this Memorial Day family of military both living and passed on will remember the sacrifices and be grateful, just as I was to my grandfather for his sense of service, family, and country. Not everyone is cut out for that kind of service, but I salute those who have and are and say 'thank you' to them. God bless you.

Hope everyone has a Totally Terrific Tuesday!

Weekend, Fun Books, New Releases, & Such...

Happy Tuesday All,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and

found something fun to do. My husband, parents, and I went to an Italian restaurant to hear author, Raymond Benson, play the piano. Not only is the man a multi-published author, but he's a very accomplished pianist. We had a great time hearing him play, and I got to visit with him, his wife, and a few of my chapter mates afterwards. My family and I also had a nice dinner at the restaurant. I got to introduce my chapter mates to my family, which was fun, too.

Next week is super-duper busy for me, so I'll probably won't be posting any blog posts. I'm working on revisions for my YA novel, and working on the companion/sequel for All's Fair In Love & Lion, on top of everything else going on. I expect the 2nd round of edits for AFIL&L soon, too. (After all, July 10th is getting closer!)

While I'm busy with all these many things, here's some books to keep you happily occupied:

Recently I discovered author Lisa Scott. I've been reading her contemporary short story romances. They're cute and a lot of fun. She has several available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. I've read a compilation set, as well as My Fake Fiance, and Second Chance. They're fun, quick reads.

Today also marks the release of Katie McGarry's newest full-length contemporary YA, Dare You To. I've read her other full-length YA, Pushing The Limits, and her novella, Crossing The Line. I think she's a very talented author. It's available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Also available is Josephine Angelini's 3rd Starcrossed novel, Goddess. I've really enjoyed how she's used the Helen of Troy story and made it her own. You can find Goddess at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Shauna Allen's next book, The Halo Effect will be out very soon!

For a list of upcoming novels, check out this post.

I'll try to have more blog posts this week, but I do have several things going on, so please be patient.

What novels are you looking forward to being released?

Have A Tremendously Terrific Tuesday!

MIA? Nah, Just BUSY!

Happy Memorial Day / Monday Everybody,

Again I find myself apologizing for the silence on this blog. I really have been super busy.

This past week was the last week of school for offspring, so I had that going on, as well as getting back to full speed after having a virus AND infection the week before.

Now of course, you'll have to pardon more silence on my part as I prep this week for some family events I have coming up next week! I'm hoping after June 9th to be able to keep up better with the blog and every other "every day" thing I do. Life has been incredibly busy (some good ways, and some ways I could do without; i.e. virus/infection), but I have not forgotten my loyal readers! Not at all.

The Lone Star Contest is coming to the deadline for entries (deadline is June 9, 2012). Please check it out and get your entry in. The prizes are really great, and an opportunity to come out to our annual conference is NOT to be missed (believe me, this is my 4th year going to the Conference and I can attest that the other 3 years were AWESOME!)

I've been working on one of my WIP manuscripts (Work In Progress) and there's some tweaking and stuff to do, of course, as well as finishing the manuscript. I like the story; although, Surreal still occupies a particularly special place in my heart. I'm going to have to learn some Blogger stuff so I can create an area for my characters so you can get to know them better--that's one of my goals is to have that up at some point (don't know when, though).

I'm also going to be working on setting up more author interviews. I haven't been doing that because there's been so many other things demanding my attention, but I have a few ideas of people I'd like to ask.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini comes out tomorrow and I've already ordered my copy which is supposed to ship tomorrow YAY!

I hope all is well on your end and you're having a happy and safe holiday.

I will try to post again before June 9th, but if I don't get to, look for me the Monday after!

Have A Marvelous Monday!