It's December, Plus Updates...

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's post with the guest authors. It was fun to talk about the TV show Once Upon A Time like that. Maybe I'll do something similar with another subject some other time.

It's now December! Can you believe it? Despite what I said on
Facebook about getting the tree up on Sunday it didn't happen. I was distracted by all the edits I had to do and Husband got wrapped

One of my favorite ornaments
It represents Monroe, from my novel,
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & LION

up in some activities he and the offspring got into. However, I hope we'll be able to follow through on what Husband said about getting it up this evening. It just doesn't feel Christmassy without the decorations out.


I'm still working on my personal edits of Book Three of the Immortal Dreams Trilogy.

I've finished the initial read-through and am doing some other edits before it goes to critiques. Then I'll go through the editing process with my publisher before it gets released to Amazon Kindle. Currently I'm set for a March 2015 release date. Unfortunately, I'm definitely behind where I wanted to be. But my pregnancy caused a few issues. I didn't feel well and I was very tired. I'm still tired most days, but working hard to not let that get in the way, because I want to get this book done.

Either tomorrow or Friday I'll be doing a cover reveal for Book Three of the Trilogy. I've been sitting on this cover reveal for a very long time and it's been hard not to just show you all the final installment of this series, but I wanted to wait until it was a little closer to the release date. But I can't wait much longer! So you won't have to, either.

Stay tuned and I hope you're enjoying the beginning of December!

What's your favorite getting-ready-for-Christmas tradition? 

Have A Tinsel-Filled Tuesday!

Authors Being "Oncers"...

Happy Monday Everybody!

Hello! For those of you who don't know me, I'm author Bethany Averie. I'm also owner of this blog, and author of 4 published novels.

I’m so excited about today’s blog post. I’m doing something I’ve never done; although, I have talked about my love of the TV show, Once Upon A Time, I've never invited other authors who are fans to weigh in on what they love about the show. Well, all that changes today! Today you'll get to hear what myself, and other authors have to say about the show. Maybe they're authors you've heard of, maybe not. Perhaps there's a book they've written that intrigues you. You get the chance not only to find out more about Once Upon A Time (if you're a fan either agree or disagree with what we say) and maybe pick up new favorite author.

Once Upon A Time airs on ABC at 7 p.m. Central / 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday nights. Sunday (November 30th) episode was really good. A show is really a hit when it can elicit a wide range of emotions from you, and draw you in. For all of us, OUAT has done just that. (P.S. A "Oncer" is a nickname for a fan of the show).

If you're interested in the show, it's highly recommend you start from the beginning. There's several ways to catch up on  all the episodes. You can try Hulu. It's possible they're available from NetFlix. And of course, Amazon, too.

All of us answered 5 questions having to do with the show. Information about each author can be found at the end of this post.

**SPECIAL NOTE FROM AUTHOR Bethany Averie, owner of this blog:  ALL COMMENTS LEFT COME THROUGH ME FIRST. IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR COMMENT SHOW UP BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL PUT IT IN MANUALLY. THANK YOU!***

QUESTION:  Who is your favorite character on the ONCE UPON A TIME show and why?

CHRISTINA KIRBY: For me, it’s a toss up between Emma and Christophe – Emma because I like her character and Christophe because I like the actor playing him. (Cappy anyone?)

JOVEE WINTERS:  HOOK! Okay, now that I got that out of the way, yeah, it’s definitely Hook. Love him! For various reasons, but I always felt that poor guy got the shaft in the stories.

MAGGIE MUNDY:  Regina. I love her because she is so complex. Every time you think you have her figured out, she twists things. She has done awful things that you think you could never forgive her for, but then has done wonderful things to help people. She truly loves her son and would do anything for him.

LUCY GAGE: Emma Swan, because I love that her story is being written as we watch. We're witnessing the creation of a wholly new fairy tale, and that's exciting!

ELIZABETH JOHN:  My favorite character has to be Mr. Gold.  Although he’s a villain, we’ve seen how he came to be that way and we can sympathize.  He’s complex and has lots of secrets.  Just when we think he’s changed and really is good, he does something twisted.  He’s entertaining!

BETHANY AVERIE: Probably Rumpelstiltskin, for a lot of the reasons. He’s a complex character who can make you root for him one minute, wonder what the heck he’s thinking, and be afraid all in one episode. The actor who plays him, Robert Carlyle, does a superb job at showing each side in-depth. There are moments where he’s such a sympathetic character and other moments where you just want him gone. I believe he’s redeemable and I’m all for redeemable characters.

QUESTION:  As Romance authors, we like seeing couples come together, which 2 couples are you MOST rooting for on ONCE UPON A TIME and why?

CHRISTINA KIRBY: Emma and Hook. He truly loves her and is willing to do whatever it takes to help her. Also, and this may not be a popular answer, but I’d like to see Regina and Robin end up together. She deserves to find happiness, too.

JOVEE WINTERS:  I’m rooting for Emma and Hook, because I feel like the 2 of them are really just fated to be. I’m also, surprisingly, rooting for the Evil Queen (Regina) and Robin Hood. I was always curious who Regina’s true love was and once I found out it was Robin Hood, I thought, well, if there’s any chance of redemption for her, this could really be it.

MAGGIE MUNDY:  I love Belle and Rumpelstiltskin. He believes he is so bad and yet she sees the goodness in him. I really what them to get their HEA. Snow and Prince Charming have been through so much they deserve a break.

LUCY GAGE: If I have to pick one, I say Robin and Regina, because I really want Regina to get her happy ending. She has been through so much, and she's earned it after how she changed from the first season.

ELIZABETH JOHN:  I’d like to see Regina get some happiness with Robin Hood.  She has a soft side, and has had love stolen from her. Even villains deserve to be happy! Now that Snow and Charming are happily together, Emma and Hook would be my next pick.  I think they are evenly matched and their relationship would always be a challenge for them both.  Things would never get boring with those two.

BETHANY AVERIE:  I’m a huge Belle and Rumpelstiltskin fan. Belle has an ability to see past Rumpel’s crap and see the goodness in his heart. Something that’s not always easy to do. My second choice is hard because there’s two couples vying for that space, but I guess I’ll say Emma and Hook. What can I say? Colin O’Donoghue makes an awesome Hook and Emma is an incredible character, Jennifer Morrison does a fantastic job playing her. (If I was given another choice it would be Regina and Robin).

QUESTION:  If you could be any of the characters on ONCE UPON A TIME, who would you be and why?

CHRISTINA KIRBY: Emma because she’s independent, always tries to do the right thing and she’s a little bit of a badass. She also has a fashion sense I can get behind.

JOVEE WINTERS:  I would be Regina. I love her dual nature. She’s bad, but she wants to be good she’s just not really sure how. Of course, it’s not so bad getting to be Emma cause her love match is Hook and yeah, that comes with its own set of perks. ;)

MAGGIE MUNDY: Rumpelstiltskin. I love the idea of having so much power and wondering if it would corrupt me. Would I use it for good or just to satisfy myself? If people wronged me would I hurt them?

LUCY GAGE: Emma! She got to kiss Graham, Neal AND Hook. Plus, she has magic, she's the savior, and she knows how to kick some butt.

ELIZABETH JOHN:  Now that’s a tough question.  I guess I’d wish to be Snow White.  No matter what happens, she tries to find the good in people, but she’s a fighter too and doesn’t appreciate people taking advantage of her or her family. Kind of like me, ha ha!

BETHANY AVERIE:  Emma…if I was thinking fantastical. She’s so strong and brave and has so much potential. But my friends would probably say I’d make a better Snow White or Belle. Belle is my realistic and “obvious” choice—hey what author doesn’t appreciate an avid reader? Plus she has her own bravery and awesomeness.

QUESTION:  Which character and/or couple would you like to see on ONCE UPON A TIME—that they haven’t had (yet)?

CHRISTINA KIRBY: I’m curious if Romeo and Juliet would ever be touched on. They are one of the original couples and it might be interesting to see how their demise would shake up Storybrook.

JOVEE WINTERS:  Flynn Rider. I bet he’d be awesome!

MAGGIE MUNDY: I loved the character of Maggie in Hercules. She is tough and no nonsense and has to make some difficult decisions. Hercules could be played as a more complex strongman who does not understand what he is. You could also involve other gods as well then.

LUCY GAGE: This one is hard! I'd like to see some more modern tales brought to life, along the lines of The Wizard of Oz characters and Peter Pan. Maybe CS Lewis' Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – I'm interested in seeing how they'd work with anthropomorphizing and maybe even some more shape-shifting the way they did with Red.

ELIZABETH JOHN:  Hmm, another interesting question.  How about the characters from Puss ‘n Boots or Hansel and Gretel?

BETHANY AVERIE:  Toughie question. I’ve been thinking that Jasmine and Aladdin would be fun to see.

QUESTION:  Do you have a favorite episode from ONCE UPON A TIME, and if so, which episode is it? (Which season, and either brief description of what it’s about or the title of the episode).

CHRISTINA KIRBY: I liked the early episode when we found out Graham was the huntsman. He was one of my favorite characters. Try Season 1 Episode 7 Here’s the synopsis: One of the town's residents begins to remember their fairytale past, and Storybrooke mourns the loss of one of their own. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen attempts to find a heartless assassin to murder Snow White

(Looking forward to 50 Shades of Grey)

JOVEE WINTERS:  My favorite episode is the one where Hook and Emma finally had their first date. Yeah, I ship them hard!

MAGGIE MUNDY:  I love the episode in season three when they go to Neverland and Regina helps win because she doesn’t have goodness in her and is prepared to do anything. It’s that whole antihero thing and I love it. I thought the whole concept of Pan being Gold’s father was very clever and cried when he stabbed them both. I know I’m soppy.

LUCY GAGE: I don't have a singular favorite, but I loved the Snow Drifts/There's No Place Like Home double episode at the end of season 3. Not only did some of my favorite couples get together, but we saw some major character growth and potential for the next season's storylines.

ELIZABETH JOHN:  I’m really enjoying this season’s “Frozen” episodes.  What’s up with the ice cream lady?  Love her costume too!  It’s also fun to watch the Queen work together with her son Henry to find the author of the book, and I want to see her with Robin Hood.  Can’t wait to find out more!

BETHANY AVERIE: I always say I’m hopelessly romantic, so I’d have to say the episode SKIN DEEP from Season One is my favorite episode. I love the nod to Disney’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST, but I also really like how OUAT put its own spin on it. I think it was cleverly and very sweetly executed. I’ve loved that episode ever since. Sure, there’s other episodes I’ve really enjoyed, but that one has stayed with me through every single episode and season (and yes, I’ve seen them all).

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Christina Kirby, debuted her short story in Frozen: A Romance Winter Anthology, which is available in E-book and paperback. You can learn more on her website.

Jovee Winters writes fractured fairy-tales. Her newest release, The Ice Queen, will be available in the Spring of 2015. You can find more about Jovee here.

Maggie Mundy writes Speculative Fiction and her newest release, Unknown Protector is available on Amazon Kindle. You can find more about Maggie here.

Lucy Gage is a Contemporary/Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements author of Ward Sisters Series (1-4) Box Set (coming soon). Her new website is currently under construction, but should be available soon.

Elizabeth John writes Sweet Contemporary Romance and will be releasing Judging Joey February 2015 through Soul Mate Publishing. You can find out more about Elizabeth on her website.

Bethany Averie is the author of the Immortal Dreams Trilogy, a “coming of age” (straddles Young Adult & New Adult) Paranormal Romance. She also write Romantic Fantasy (with Paranormal Elements) all of which you can check out in depth on her website.

Have A Marvelously Magical Monday!

What's On The Horizon...

Happy Tuesday All,

I know these posts have been so sporadic lately and I apologize. Still pretty busy. Here's what's up:

Book Three is coming along. I'm nearing the end and a part of me is going "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" and another part is going "Wait, I'm REALLY not finished writing that novel? HOW is that possible?" It feels like I've been working on it for longer than I have been. But yes, this will mark the last chapter (or rather, novel) of Laney and Jason's story. Hopefully you all will enjoy it. Book Three certainly doesn't cease with exciting battles, and brand new characters. Yes, I made a point of introducing new characters in each novel on purpose. Which, has been a lot of fun.

What else is up with Book Three? Well, I've got an impending cover reveal in store for you all. Yes, that's coming up in early December. And oh my gosh this cover is beautiful. Okay, ALL the book covers I've gotten for my novels are beautiful. Fiona Jayde does incredible work. You can check out her website here.

Another really cool thing that is coming up is a very special blogpost I have planned. I'll reveal the subject of the blogpost on the day I post it.


So okay, darling readers, you tell me:  What's your favorite Thanksgiving food BESIDES Turkey? I like whole berry cranberry sauce, but I'm not really fond of having orange in it. I also like Sweet Potatoes the way one of my sisters makes them. I don't know what she does--maybe brown sugar and candied walnuts or something, but YUM! So what's your favorite Thanksgiving food that isn't turkey?

Have A Tremendously Terrific Tuesday!

I'm A Guest...

Happy Thursday All,

I'm a guest on author Erin Bevan's blog today talking about my

Grandfather's stories, specifically an extremely popular one. To check out the post click here.

Have A Thrillingly Terrific Day!

Updates, TV, Movies, Writing, & Give Me A Recommendation...

Happy Wednesday Everybody,

Tomorrow the post I mentioned yesterday I'd be guest posting on Erin Bevan's blog will go "live".  I'm looking forward to sharing about my Grandfather's storytelling.

There's a lot going on in my life. As some of my readers know, I'm pregnant with the newest character which will be joining the Averie  Household sometime in 2015. So, there's been a bunch of pregnancy stuff. Luckily so far (please God, let it stay this way) I haven't vomited. I've been extremely grateful for that, especially how bad I felt in the beginning, and how I've had indigestion/acid reflux issues (yes, I do take something for it, no, it hasn't gone all the way away). Sleeping has been up and down--some nights okay, some nights not okay. (And people wonder why I stay up so dang late, well...now I have a good reason, other than the fact I write, and do blogging, and watch TV movies LOL).

I'm still trying to finish Book Three. There's about 20-30 or so pages left. So I'm closing in on the end, but there's still a ways to go. I'm hoping to finish soon. I also hope to do a Book Three cover reveal (with an official title reveal on the same day) in the early part of December--that's my nifty-gifty to you, my darling readers!

Several other authors will be joining me for a special blog post the first week in December. I can't tell you the topic, but I can tell you I'm excited and it's been a lot of fun!

Currently I'm reading an ARC for an official blog book review to also be posted probably in December. Pretty good so far.

I haven't been to the movie theater in so long but there are some movies I want to see. I plan to watch X-Men: Days Of Future Past. I'm thinking about Maleficent. I haven't completely decided on that one. I haven't seen or read The Fault In Our Stars. That's another one I debate about seeing--I hear it's sad, and I'm not sure if I want to watch something sad (especially while pregnant--I cry more easily! I mean, I saw a picture of one of my cousin's babies and totally teared up...do I really want to watch something that's said to be sad?) I'm not into erotica, so I'm not following all the news about Fifty Shades Of Grey; however, I am curious about the new/upcoming Star Wars Episode VII movie. I'm not sure whether or not Big Hero 6 strikes my fancy, but I might see it at some point.

What movies are you looking forward to seeing and have you seen any of the ones I haven't seen and have any recommendations for me? I love movies, but I don't get to the theater much, but I do watch them on DVD/Blu-Ray.

As for TV, I'm faithfully following Season 4 of Once Upon A Time. I'm looking forward to Melissa & Joey being back and I want to watch Young & Hungry when it returns. I've been enjoying some of the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel (yes, I know, it's early, but I love Christmas stuff, so I'm cool with it).

Anyway, be sure to let me know what shows you're enjoying and give me some good movie recommendations! I love fairy-tales, romance, and comedy.

And yes, I've seen Nine Months, and What To Expect When You're Expecting and Father of The Bride II (to cover pregnancy movies). I've enjoyed all of them. I happen to own Nine Months; a friend had me watch it on DVD when I was pregnant with my eldest offspring.

So, darling readers, weigh in! Don't be shy. I'm watching a lot of TV movies and movies on TV that I've seen before, but I'm open to some new ones. Based on what I've told you I like, what do you recommend?

**PLEASE NOTE:  ALL COMMENTS GO TO ME TO BE POSTED BEFORE THEY SHOW UP IN THE COMMENT SECTION. IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT SHOW UP ON HERE BY THE END OF THE WEEK, SEND ME AN EMAIL. Thank you!

Have A Wondrously Whimsical Wednesday!

The Importance Of Stories...

Happy Tuesday All,

Storytellers. That's another name for novelists. But some storytellers are not novelists. My grandfather was one of those. He wasn't a novelist, but he did tell stories. And later this month you'll get to know one of his more popular stories when I guest post on Erin Bevan's blog. I'm excited about that blog post because I don't think I've ever posted any of my grandfather's stories anywhere. (At least, not that I can remember).

Verbal storytelling is so important. Some of the stories we have nowadays started off as verbal storytelling before they were written down or they were in a rough format before they were properly put together (like the Bible).

Just one of my bookshelves.
I'm not just a writer, but I love to read, too!

And stories play such an important role in our lives. Some of them teach us something (like Aesop's Fables) entertain us (like my Grandfather's stories) or provide an escape from every day life (like what I write, for example).

The most recent "escape" from every day life I have available for you, my darling readers, is as you know, Immortal Dreams Book Two: Astral Love.

I love both Astral Love and its predecessor, Book One, Divine Love. It's been a lot of fun to incorporate my love of Greek mythology, with adventure and romance. And Greek mythology is rich with all kinds of stories--from tragedies, to adventures, to morals, to romance. In my opinion, there's something for everybody in Greek mythology. And that's what I've tried to do with these books (and it's upcoming third and final novel, Book Three, whose title and cover I'll reveal probably in December)--put a little something for everyone in each installment.

If you haven't checked out Astral Love (but have read Book One, Divine Love) then here's the blurb from the book and a link to where you can get it:

Laney Alberts and Jason Magnus eagerly proceed with their prom plans, determined to have a normal night in spite of their Immortal destiny. However, when a mysterious visitor appears claiming the Astra Queen desires the pair’s presence, everything changes. 

Despite his skepticism, Jason finally agrees to visit the queen so Laney can learn about her Astra background. 

Too late they discover an enemy has set a trap for Laney. In his attempts to free her, Jason’s powers are tested. But, when faced with shocking details of his past, Laney must decide whether or not she’ll continue the mission. 
With their futures and the fates of both worlds at stake, everything depends on Laney’s choice. And their survival. 

The adventure continues in Immortal Dreams Book Two: Astral Love.

You can pick up a copy of Astral Love on Amazon Kindle.

Is there a story that is important to you? Share in the comment

Another one of my bookshelves.
If you can believe it, they WERE
clean once. Then got messy again.
These pictures are several months old.

section.

*PLEASE NOTE:  ALL COMMENTS COME TO ME FOR APPROVAL FIRST. IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT POSTED BY THE END OF THE WEEK, SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Have A Terrifically Tip-Top Tuesday!

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Happy Wednesday All,

For those of you who haven't "liked" my Facebook Author page, here's what you're missing:

I'm giving away a Kindle copy of Astral Love. The giveaway ends

tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 30th). You still have time to head over to my Facebook Author Page to check out the details of the giveaway and enter!

Have A Wonderfully Whimsical Wednesday!