Dec 31, 2011

A New Review!

I popped by Amazon and spotted a new review for I Wish...

Helen M.
I loved this book. It was so hard to put down when I started reading it, so I didn't until I finished. What a wonderful imagination Tia Harrington has. I will be looking for the next in the series. This is a fresh new story that teens and adults should treat themselves to.

Chapter Quote of the Day

The weekend seemed like such a waste to Kira. She wanted to get this quest over with, and having to wait two days to deal with The Wall of Jack (that was how she referred to Jack now) was just such… a waste. ~Chapter 23~

Happy New Years Eve!!

What Are You Doing New Years Eve? by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Dec 30, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Jack’s head popped up, and he started scanning the room. He knew she was here… he could feel her. His heart was beating wildly, and he had a feeling… something deep within him that he couldn’t explain. It left him feeling exposed… and vulnerable. ~Chapter 22~

Dec 29, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day



Kira focused her powers on this one human boy and reached out with her heart as well. She felt her soul open up and connect, for one brief moment, with Jack’s. It shook her to her core… the feeling of rightness. She gave in to the gravitational pull she felt toward her human and stepped ever closer… ~Chapter 21~

Dec 28, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Jack tried to shake off the feeling that his life was being led down a path that was out of his control. His mind ached with the need to find some sense of normalcy. Jack wound his way through the crowd to where half of the bleachers had been pulled out from the wall. He found a dark corner, empty of kids, in the back row and firmly planted himself for the duration. Something had to give soon, and, for his sanity’s sake, Jack deeply needed it not to be him. ~Chapter 20~

Dec 27, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Jack’s arms had come around her of their own volition, and Kira flashed back to the handsome stranger from her dreams. Eyes locking, yearning to lean into his embrace, feeling hearts connecting… Kira blinked back the feelings as Jack’s scowl came into focus. ~Chapter 19~

Dec 26, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Kira stopped halfway up the steps and glanced over her shoulder. Jack’s eyes locked with hers, and he felt the weak feeling start up in his stomach again. The feeling spread and started to send sparks up his back before Lily skipped ahead of him and blocked her from his view. ~Chapter 18~

After Christmas Gifts To Yourself

Looking for a book to put on your new Kindle or Nook?

Dec 25, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day


She lowered herself to a sitting position before opening her eyes to view her work. Kira gasped at the vision before her. Her subconscious was obviously working against her. The wall held a stormy swirl of colors with two piercing eyes peering back at her. Jack's eyes. ~Chapter 17~

Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2011

Winners of the Giveaway!!

Thanks Everyone!!! for all of the support and participation in our first set of I Wish... giveaways.

And the winners are...
Samantha L.
Frankie H.
Smiley
Bobbi D.
and... RuthEllen B.

To claim your e-copies of I Wish... please facebook message me or contact me through my contact page with the email of the recipient you want the book to go to (also if you want it in Nook or Kindle form). I will send it ASAP.

Chapter Quote of the Day

With a last glare at Kira, Jack rotated in his seat, trying his best to ignore the little surges of electricity traveling up and down his neck just from being close to her again. He didn’t even want to know why. He just wanted it to stop. On the exhale of a breath, Jack muttered almost silently, "I wish this day was over.” ~Chapter 16~

Dec 23, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day



The door opened and Kira felt the energy in the room multiply and then focus to one point. Jack. ~Chapter 15~

One Day Left To Win!!!

Hurry and enter to win a free e-copy of I Wish... for yourself or for a friend. (**Contest Ends Saturday at Noon, and the book will be delivered by Sunday.)

A few easy ways to enter:

1) Click HERE and 'like' or leave a comment on my Kindle page

2) Double entries if you click HERE and leave a comment for Nook (You can do this even if you have already commented on Amazon)

3) Add I Wish... to your Shelfari or Goodreads bookshelf

4) Follow I Wish... on Facebook

5) Share this link or any of my other links to I Wish... on Facebook

6) Leave a comment or 'like' one of my Book Trailers HERE or HERE

!!!Most important of all!!!! Leave a comment here or on Facebook to let me know when you have made your entries!

Dec 22, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Jack leaned forward and propped his elbows on his desk shaking his head. He spread his fingers across his forehead and tried to massage away the headache that was beginning to pound in his temples.

Jack had felt that burst of energy reach deep inside and knock at some hidden part of him. The part that he didn’t want opened. ~Chapter 14~

Dec 21, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Looking now, Kira saw that her human's hair was brown, but not just brown. It held slivers of gold and rich chocolate mixed into a short, cropped style. And those eyes... Those eyes should have been listed as piercing… or at the very least disturbing.

Her heart thudded with recognition. "It feels like he can see my very soul!”

Jack’s eyes didn’t hold the same dispassionate look that the other quests seemed to contain. His eyes held a spark deep inside them… a flame waiting to get out.

Her heart thudded again as if searching for his. Kira felt a wild moment of panic and tried to swallow the fear of finding this human’s… this boy’s… one true wish. ~Chapter 13~

Dec 20, 2011

400 Views!

The original I Wish... Book Trailer just passed 400 views! If you haven't checked it out yet please do! And leave our first comment to share your thoughts about the book.

Chapter Quote of the Day

Jack couldn’t take his eyes off the vision in front of him. From the moment she had stepped inside the room his entire body felt like he had been struck by lightning! He could hardly breathe; much less think enough to remind his body to breathe. His only thought was, “You belong to me.” ~Chapter 12~

One Month Anniversary!!!!

Today is the 1 month Anniversary for I Wish...'s publication! A lot has happened in that time in getting the word out about I Wish... And it is all thanks to you!!!

So in appreciation I am giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner. All you have to do to enter is share this post... and then let me know (by posting in the comment section, posting on the I Wish... facebook wall or messaging me.).

Dec 19, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Sam asked, “Hey Ernie. Where did Jack go?”

"Jack? Her Jack? Had he been here?" Kira's thoughts were running wild, but deep down she knew it was him... her human. ~Chapter 11~

Dec 18, 2011

Don't Miss Your Chance To Win

The I Wish... book giveaway started this last Friday, and I have seen quite a bit of activity toward winning one of the 5 e-copies available.

Click HERE for the giveaway guidelines... and don't forget to leave a comment here, or on facebook, to ensure your entries are being counted.

Also, a new chance to enter!!!! Just 'like' anything I Wish... (1 or both Book Trailers, Amazon/ Kindle page, Nook page, Facebook Page, or Rate us on Goodreads or Shelfari)

*** Entries End December 23rd at Midnight ***

Chapter Quote of the Day

Walking up the front steps, Jack entered through the looming iron gates and into the breezeway dividing the locker bay from the main building. He paused to take a deep breath before turning right towards the lockers. Jostled by the bustle of the crowd, Jack felt a tingle of electricity run the length of his spine. He rubbed an absent hand on the back of his neck to rid himself of the lingering goose bumps. ~Chapter 10~

Pictures From A Book

Do you ever read a book and visualize scenes in your mind... and then you see a picture that captures that image that has imprinted itself in your mind? This picture reminded me of the journey into the City of Fen.

Sunday Ponderings



Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Dec 17, 2011

5 Christmas Stories

It would be near impossible to list all of the great Christmas stories ever created. There are several that I have not mentioned, but I believe that all of these stories belong on a list of top Christmas tales. (I should say that there is an honorable mention for The Night Before Christmas, Elf, and, of course, The Polar Express.)

Jean Shepherd's A Christmas Story
This story is a timeless classic that I can't help but watch at least once a year.


O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi
It is a family tradition for our family to read this story each year on Christmas Eve. This tradition has been handed down from my parents and warms my soul each time I read it to my children.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss
I curl up at least twice a season with my little ones to read this classic. It makes me smile and makes me cry.


Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
This story was originally written as a novella in the '40s and gained instant success. Today it still has the power to move people.


The Bible The Nativity
The reason for the season. Christmas is never complete with out reading from Luke on Christmas morning.

Christmas Crazy


The Christmas countdown can make us do crazy things... Why don't you finish up your Christmas shopping this year by sending a book to each of your loved ones? Curl up in your pjs with a hot cup of cocoa and shop online.

I Wish... on Kindle and Nook

Chapter Quote of the Day

A tear rolled down Nala's face, and she looked up at Reme saying, “How can we let our children out into this world?”
Reme held her tightly and tucked her head into his shoulder before saying, “If we don’t… there will be no more world left for them. We just need to have faith that all of their efforts will make the difference.” ~Chapter Nine~

Dec 16, 2011

The I Wish... Groove

My daughter and I were caught rocking out to Colbie Caillat's Brighter Than the Sun in the car today. That song reminds me so much of Kira's feelings for Jack.

I Wish... Giveaway!!!


I am super excited to announce our first giveaway: FIVE (5) lucky readers will win a free Kindle or Nook copy of I Wish... You have several entry opportunities! To enter, simply do any, or all, of the following... (The More you do, the More chances you have of winning!)

1) Leave a review on Kindle or Nook.
2) Share any I Wish... link on Facebook.
3) Become a blog follower here.
4) Just spread the word somehow... If you have a blog or follow a book review blog or just tell your friends.
5) And when you have completed your entries... Leave a comment below.


This giveaway is open to anybody, and ends December 23rd. The winning copies of I Wish... can be given to anyone one with a valid email address. It would be a perfect gift for friends, daughters, granddaughters and more.
*Facebook or Tweet this giveaway for an additional entry.

100 Hits!!!!


The I Wish... Short Book Trailer just ticked over 100 views! Each Mile Marker Makes A Difference!

Chapter Quote of the Day

She focused on the image forming before her. Kira almost fell over again.

The connection with her human was instant and powerful. Her fingers tingled with a need to reach out to the boy... to see if he was real. ~ Chapter 8~

Dec 15, 2011

Last minute Teacher Gift!

It's hard at Christmas time to cover all of your bases. You have Christmas cards to get out and gifts for family and friends... parties to attend and the house to decorate... and don't forget the gifts for the teachers that so patiently put up with your munchkins!!!

Are you out of time, energy and money? Why not give the gift of a vacation to that teacher who has put in so many hours?.. That is, a vacation for the mind... A Book! I Wish... is super easy to give to people with a few simple clicks of the mouse. And at $2.99 you can get one for each of your children's teachers. All you need is an email address and a couple minutes in front of the computer, and you will have given a thoughtful, inexpensive gift to your child's teacher.

Click HERE to give I Wish... as a gift today.

Have you checked out the I Wish... book trailers?

Which one is your favorite? Please stop by the link of the one you like most and leave a comment or 'like'... Thanks All!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogB1eArEgDg&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfCXHnVe8wQ&feature=related

Chapter Quote of the Day

Kira jerked instantly awake with a frustrated exhale of breath. She never saw an entire dream. Never! After two weeks of waking to snatches of dreams, she was done fantasizing about a hazy human boy, or waking up panicked from menacing fairies. ~ Chapter 7~

Dec 14, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Kira clung to the closest unspinning object before being dropped from the sky into a field of tall waving grasses. She landed with a thud, and couldn’t quite catch her breath. Lying flat on her back, she still had one hand clinging her companion’s tunic tightly to her.
Kira hesitated before turning her head in the direction of the boy sprawled on the ground beside her. Her soul felt linked to his.
~ Chapter 6~

Dec 13, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day


Kira didn’t understand how, but her parents had a special bond… a connection that only Nala and Reme felt when they were near each other. It wasn’t that way with all Jinn, only with those who were joined on some kind of level unique to each other. Kira wasn’t sure she really understood it; she just knew that she wanted the same someday. ~Chapter 5~

Dec 12, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day


This was where Kira felt in her element. Her body hummed with the excitement of battle hanging in the air as she looked over the field. ~Chapter 4~

Top 5 Inspiration Authors' Stories

I know that you all expect the story of JK Rowling here, but you all know that story. Instead I will give you one of her most motivating quotes for me:

I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I still had a daughter who I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
J. K. Rowling

The following authors' stories have all impacted the way that I view myself and my writing. I hope you feel inspired by them... not necessarily to write, but to achieve your dreams.


_______________________________________


When I first started writing I Wish... Christopher Paolini's book Brisingr had just come out. My son is a huge fan and so we ended up watching an interview he did about the book. He told about his parents' belief in him and that belief being the catalyst to self-publishing his first book Eragon. Here is a snippet from his website about it.

Christopher was homeschooled by his parents and often wrote short stories and poems, made frequent trips to the library, and read widely. He was fifteen when he wrote the first draft of Eragon and his family self-published the book in 2001.

In August 2003, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers published Eragon and it was an instant success, reaching a worldwide audience. Christopher's second novel Eldest was published in 2005, followed by Brisingr in 2008. To date, there are 49 foreign-language licenses for Eragon alone, and together the first three books in the series have sold 25 million copies worldwide. Inheritance, the fourth and final book in the cycle will be published on November 8, 2011 with a first printing of 2.5 million copies.

What this little note doesn't say is that his mom would transcribe his books when he got the notion to write out parts of his books in quill and ink. That is love!
(For more information on Christopher Paolini please click HERE.)




___________________________________


I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber. I have enjoyed many of her books, but mostly I appreciate her story. I appreciate her challenges and determination and her willingness to never give up. Here is a shortened version for you.

Debbie loves to tell the story of her struggle to get published, and the five-year search to find a publisher who would buy one of her manuscripts. Dyslexic and the mother of four young children, she wrote those early books in her kitchen on a rented typewriter. But her hard work and determination paid off. Her first manuscript, HEARTSONG, acquired by Silhouette Books in 1982, became the first category romance ever to be reviewed by the Publishers Weekly. She was soon featured in Newsweek—and demand for her books quickly exceeded her wildest dreams.
(For More Background on Debbie Macomber please click HERE.)


______________________________________


I have to say that Colleen Houck's story did the most for me in terms of motivating me to self-publish. Her Tiger Series are riveting and leave you always wanting more. Here is a snippet from a Q & A she had after she was published.

I really did everything kind of backwards! After finishing the first two novels, I sent query letters to agents for a while, but didn’t get any hits. So I thought, ‘OK, writing will be just a hobby for me.’ But as people read my novels and began talking to others about them, it seemed that more and more people wanted to read them. So my husband and I decided to self-publish Tiger’s Curse and Tiger’s Quest as e-books, and we put them up on Kindle. A couple of months went by, and in January 2010, Tiger’s Curse soared to the top 20 list of Kindle bestsellers, and I went from selling 300 books a month to 300 books an hour.
(For more of this Q & A visit HERE.)


_________________________________________


Nicholas Sparks has always been an inspiration to me. He was just your average sort of guy with a big dream. Here is part of his story as told by him.

In May 1994 Cheers, the television show, broadcast its final episode. I remember lying awake most of the night after it aired. Cheers had been on for eleven years -- an entire era of my life -- and yet I realized that for the first time, I wasn't chasing my dreams anymore. My life was good, but I didn't want to look back from my deathbed and know I'd given that up trying to make my mark in the world. I decided I had to do something? My wife wasn't about to let me quit my job, but I'd give writing another shot. A real shot though, not a half-effort like before. I decided I could live with failure, but I didn't want to live the rest of my life knowing that I hadn't really tried. So, I decided to give myself three chances -- three more novels -- and if none of those was published, I'd be able to accept that I wasn't meant to be a writer.

Then, of course, I had to decide on the story, and sure enough, I did.
I wrote The Notebook over a six-month period, from June of 1994 until January of 1995, writing in the evenings from nine until midnight, and working one day on the weekends. In January 1995, I got transferred to South Carolina and continued editing the book. In July, I started soliciting agents, I found one, and the book was presented to publishers in October 1995. At the time, I was earning about $40,000 a year.

Warner Books bought the rights for $1,000,000.

If you think I was excited about that, you're severely underestimating my response. I jumped up and down so long I got a cramp in my calf. I was hoarse for two days from screaming. I could barely sleep. It didn't seem real, but it was. And it was absolutely wonderful.
(For more background on Nicholas Sparks please click HERE.)
____________________________


I love to hear this story of Charles Dickens. His family struggled financially when he was young, but he had a dream and worked hard until that dream came true.

When Charles Dickens was a little boy he used to take walks with his father. They would stop and from a distance admire one particularly impressive house. Dickens recalled in The Uncommercial Traveller meeting a vision of his former self on the Canterbury road, and, “the very queer, small boy “saying, " I can recollect, my father, seeing me so fond of it, often said to me, if you were to be very persevering, and were to work hard, you may someday come to live in it. Though that's impossible!"

As a successful novelist, Dickens in 1856 had the opportunity to purchase Gad's Hill Place. Dickens finally purchased the house of his childhood dreams in 1857 for the sum of £1,770. In fact it was the only house that Charles Dickens actually owned.
(For more information on the life of Charles Dickens please click HERE.)

Dec 11, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day

Kira raised her face, out of habit, to feel the wind breathe through her hair. She frowned. It was a hopeless endeavor. The city was fantastical enough, but locked under the Atlantic Ocean it stole away some of Kira’s favorite things… the warmth of the sun, the rush of the wind, the feel of rain on her face. ~Chapter 3~

Sunday Ponderings

Inspiration comes from many places... This is but one.

Dec 10, 2011

Chapter Quote of the Day


Kira heard a tinkling voice say, “Don’t you just hate when they do that!” Amirah, the owner of said voice, hopped lightly over the rail before continuing, “I mean, what if you were some awful girl with bad breath or had a weird obsession with fairies?” She paused and tipped her head toward Kira, “You don’t do you? Because those would be deal breakers for me.” ~Chapter 2~

Dec 9, 2011

Two Weeks To Christmas

With just 14 days until Christmas, I received this email today. What a great gift for friends and family! With Nooks starting at only $99 and so many e-books selling for ridiculously low prices, how can you pass up this money saver? And don't forget to add I Wish... to the book list for only $2.99.



Chapter Quote of the Day

Goosebumps tingled their way down her arms. Kira rubbed at them with a feeling of unease building inside her. She gazed into the yawning darkness of twilight around the cabin and discovered herself to not be alone. ~Chapter 1~

Dec 6, 2011

Mile Marker!

On this very momentous day we have hit 1000 page visits from fans and friends! The I Wish... blog has only been up for a month and 2 days and it has been such a success because of all of you! Thank you for all of your support and comments.
Please continue to spread the word and leave comments and 'like's wherever you see I Wish... Thank you Everyone!

Dec 5, 2011

5 Best Romance Movies... In My Estimation

I wanted to share my 5 most favored romantic movies with you, to show you the flavor of what I like. These movies all influenced my style of writing and my style of romance. If you look closely, all of the relationships start out extremely rocky and they truly have to work for love.

Stardust (Starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and many more.) This movie is beyond AMAZING with action, adventure, comedy, and love. I missed it in theaters and ending up finding it through my sister, who couldn't stop raving about it, after she found it in a bargain bin at target. Definitely a top pick!



You've Got Mail (Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.) This is one of those movies that I own, but I also can't pass by when I am flipping channels. It makes me shout at the tv and cry and smile. I will never get enough of this choice.



Pride and Prejudice (Starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.) There really is no need to defend this movie. It is worth every second of the 5 hours. I think that this is, by far, the best version of P&P out there. I picked this scene (instead of the trailer) because I could just watch this for 5 hours straight :D.



The Princess Bride (Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, André the Giant, Fred Savage, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, and many more.) This is one of those movies that I have quoted since I was 9 and saw it in the theaters. It is timeless in every way!



North & South (Starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe.) I had no idea that this movie even existed until about a year and a half ago. It is just shy of 4 hrs long, and opened up my eyes to what a true romantic movie is for me. It is like Pride and Prejudice... with an edge. This is my #1 choice to watch every time.



Although there are many more books that I would put before some of these movies, I don't think that they translated as well to the big screen... Just like, I would not pick many of the books that go along with these movies.

Dec 4, 2011

I Wish... Short Book Trailer

When I made the original I Wish... book trailer my friend Tasha Flynn offered up two options for the music. One was a little over 2 min and the other was about 1.5 min in length. They were both beautifully done, and so, I asked if I could use each one for a different book trailer for I Wish... She was thrilled at the option.

For the first trailer I put a short synopsis to the music and beautiful pictures (supplied by Vince James Photography). It led you down a path, giving you the feel of I Wish...

I wanted the second book trailer to be completely different, while still offering up the feel of I Wish... I came up with a short scene from the book, a pivotal point for Kira. I stripped the pictures from the background and left the words and the music to do all of the work.

I hope you like it.

Sunday Ponderings

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
- C.S. Lewis quotes -

Dec 3, 2011

It's What's On The Inside That Counts

Here is an amuse bouche of I Wish... before you sit down and dig into it.

We throw coins in a fountain, we blow out candles, we close our eyes against a falling star... all for the chance at a single wish. But what would happen if a wish was forced on you?
Kira is one of the newest batch of Jinn sent to mend the paths of those humans who have lost their destinies. She has been assigned to discover Jack Morgan's one true wish by whatever means are necessary, with only three stipulations: 1) no one is to discover she is a Jinni, 2) she is never to lose control of her powers, and 3) she is never, ever to grow attached to her human.
The stubborn Wall of Jack, as Kira thinks of him, has worked hard to create a life that is normal in a home that was anything but. He wants nothing more than to follow his meticulously laid out plan for his future. So, when Kira arrives in his English class with a rush of wind and spark of energy that knocks him off balance, he never would have guessed that she was a Jinni sent for him.
Kira and Jack battle wills, battle their own failings, and battle the impossible feelings that are growing between them; until a battle of another kind pulls them eternally together.
Even with mystery, magic and a timeless romance, nothing could prepare the reader for the consequences of two little words... I wish.

Did You Know...

I Wish... is now on Nook! Yea!!! Making it easier than ever to read I Wish... wherever you go. Nook has free applications for your Androids, iPad, iPhones, PC, and your Mac, not to mention their amazing deals on Nook Readers.

Click HERE for the link to add Nook to your Smart device.

Dec 2, 2011

At last! At LAST!

As most of you know, I posted with Kindle first. I have had a lot of experience working with Amazon and their many sub-companies... and I like them! They seem to be extremely on the ball and easy to contact with any glitches... However, I don't discriminate, and so without further ado...(cue the trumpets!)... I give you

I Wish... on Nook

Dec 1, 2011

Who Stars In I Wish... For You?

As I wrote I Wish... I had a very vivid picture of what my characters looked like. My imaginary friends came to life... And then my editors read I Wish... and they came up with their own versions of Kira and Jack.

One particular friend of mine chose the following two actors to represent Jack and Kira.

For Jack she chose Alex Pettyfer (I am Number Four). She liked the seriousness and strength of his characters along with his shy romantic side.



For Kira she chose this particular picture of Emily Browning (Series of Unfortunate Events and Sucker Punch). She liked Emily's impish look and exotic eyes along with the methodical way she seems to solve problems she faces.