Love Follower Hop Winner & Cool Stuff

Congrats to Noely J. for winning the Follower Love Giveaway Hop. As mentioned, the winner will be allowed to choose one of the following killer books: Clockwork Prince, Bloodrose or Hallowed. The winner will be notified via email and will have no more than 72 hours to respond before another winner is drawn. The contest winner was selected by the reputable Random.org.  And now for some other cool stuff.

For readers...

I thought I'd mention a few of my fellow author friends that have either recently released their novels or are about to.  If you're looking for something new, unique and paranormal to read, you may want to give these a try:

- Cherie Colyer recently released Embrace which is a teen paranormal thriller / romance. Check out the book description via Goodreads and visit Cherie's blog for more information.

- Jessica Redmerski also recently released her debut novel, The Mayfair Moon. I reviewed the thrilling YA crossover tale last month (my review) plus I did an author interview which has some interesting tidbits about the series.

- Jessica Therrien is set to release her debut novel, Oppression, at the end of the month. I'm in the middle of reading this YA paranormal romance/adventure series, so check back soon for my review. Visit her blog for more info or check out the book description via Goodreads.

- Donna Galanti's Paranormal Suspense, A Human Element, is set to release March 2012. That's the next one on my list. If you get a chance, visit her website for book details. 

For writers...

- If you missed NiNoCon earlier this month, check out this post with a breakdown of the presenters and excellent takeaways and intel for writers.  

- Also, the today is the last day to sign up for Writer's Platform Building Campaign #4.  Visit Rachel Harrie's blog to connect with some fab authors!
- Last but not least, Alex Cavanaugh is co-hosting the A-Z Blogging Challenge this April.  The challenge is pretty intense, but its a great way to connect with other bloggers and authors.  Right now there are over 600 people signed up.  That's flipp'n amazing.  Visit here to learn more and sign up today.

Whew!  That's it.  I'm tired.  Back to work now...

Mina B.

Origins Blogfest: Where it all began!

Welcome to the Origins Blogfest!  The Origins Blogfest is the killer idea of DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, and is co-sponsored by Alex J. Cavanaugh , Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl and Matthew MacNish at The QQQE.  Thanks for creating such a cool blogfest, guys!

Like most writers, I have a wicked imagination which began as a child and blossomed as the years passed.  Here’s my Origins post of for me…where it all began.

When I was four, I lived in an old house filled with antiques.  I was the youngest of five and luckily had my own room.  I still remember that room to this day.  Aside from it's old furnishings, it had roses on the vine wallpaper and a gray Oriental rug clad with mystical etchings and a green border.  As the odd kid out, I spent much of my time trying to play with my older siblings, which sadly wanted nothing to do with me.  That left me with significant time on my own.  

With my turn of the century home constantly creaking with strange noises and the period furniture having a presence rivaling the house, it didn't take long for my imagination to fester.   When I wasn't outside, I spent countless hours in my room, staring at that damn rug, especially at night.  When I think about my origins, I'd have to say it started with that thing.  There was nothing too exceptional about this piece, except for one thing.  In one of the four corners, near the border was a monster-like figure.  It was a cross between a stick-like dragon and a gangly beast.  At night, I used to think the creature would come alive and terrorize me.  It’s completely ridiculous, I know, but back then, good lord, I was petrified of it.  Unfortunately, for me that rug followed me around for years in my room (*shivers*) until one day my Mother gave it a new home.  Thank god!  Years later, I had to write a short story for school.  The first thought that came to mind was that monster in the rug.  I wrote about it, of course, using the monster as my muse.  

Maybe one of these days I'll find that story and post it.  What about you?  Did you have any spooky beginnings as a kid?

Want to read the origins of others?  Check out these list of participants!

Mina B.

Writer Platform-Building Campaign #4

Rachael Harrie is hosting Writer Platform-Building Campaign #4. This is my second time participating so I'm super excited about it. She's help writers to help build their online platform. I love this concept but not just for the platform-building, but for the networking with other writers.

Most of the people that signed up are writers/bloggers looking for a way to connect and support each other in their endeavors. Rachel references this campaign as a “pay it forward” concept which is awesome. It’s not easy coordinating these types of online efforts so she needs an award or something. Bless her. While I muddle my way through this campaign, I wanted to take a brief moment to inform my followers, in case they want to join in on the fun. It’s pretty simple, but so if you' re interested, read Rachel’s post on how to get started. Click here for more details. Sign up deadline is 2/15/2012. 

There’s lots of planned activities, and I hope to have the time to join in on all the fun. Either way, I’m sure I’ll learn a thing or two. Questions? Comment below and I’ll see if I can help or find the answers on Rachel’s blog.

Happy Campaigning!

Mina B.

Fridays with Fred: The Raven

The Raven, starring John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe, is set to release in April 2012.  According to IMDb, the story is "A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet pursues a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories."  Not sure what to think about this, but if you haven't read any of Poe's tales, now would be a good time.  If you need inspiration, check out my Creepy Classic reviews of Poe's collection of poems and tales and The Fall of the House of Usher.  I wanted to post the The Raven movie trailer to get your thoughts and this shot of Fred channeling Poe.

A haunting stare that even Poe would appreciate.

Where's my two dollars?

Looking for another classic pix of Fred? Check out Marley Fred. Remember to stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.


Have a great weekend!


Mina B.

Book Obsession: Sookie Stackhouse Series

Okay, I was waaaay late coming to the Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse rave.  Being a vamp lover and having a penchant for all things creepy, I should have read these books sooner.  I have no excuse. None.  I knew for a few years I wanted to read them, but I just  didn't have the time until I made some - which meant no sleep.  I believe as a writer, you must read anything and everything that’s out there in your genre, in order to hone your craft.  And so I did.  Today, I thought I’d share some brief thoughts about the series to date and then in another post, I'll share my opinion of the HBO's TrueBlood series.

About the Sookie Stackhouse series:

In a nutshell the Sookie Stackhouse series are a never-ending dish of southern creepy comfort.  These are books I could read for an eternity and never get bored.  Sookie feels so familiar; a woman who thinks she’s a freak in so many ways, yet she’s still human (mostly).  I think we all can relate - at least the human side.  Her Deep South roots keep her unique and alluring to the core.  The way Harris infused Sookie’s Gram's influence is something that speaks to my very marrow.  My Grandma (while alive) used to have these old southern/nearly forgotten adages she’d say to us (the grand kids.) Back then, I laughed and ignored them. Now those memory clips – when I recall them - are like pure poetry to me.  Sookie rattles off these southern sayings that make me yearn for my long-gone grandmother. As you can see, from the beginning, I was smitten. Sookie is smart, fun, positive, a go-getter and never dull.  And above all, she has manners sprinkled with a “do unto others” mentality.  What a concept!  Don’t get me wrong, I love the snarky, tough chick heroine in books, but they are nearly everywhere in stories nowadays and I believe a bit overdone.

Creating solid likable characters comes naturally to Harris. There’s probably not one character I don’t admire in some way.  And the town Bon Temps resembles–"sups" aside– the mess of Podunk towns that I lived around as a kid.  All the creepy creatures, vampires, fairies, elves, shifters, werewolves, witches, etc.… are awesome to say the least. The  story lines are incredible too.  Sookie finds love a few times, so there are always delicious love triangles that will satiate those who need romance in their fiction.  Whether it’s Sookie's first love, Bill, or the forbidden love of Eric, it’s all goooood!  Charlaine Harris knows how to write a series damn it!  There’s a reason why these are so loved.  If you haven’t had a chance to read the series, you really should. They are positively addicting!

Book 12, Deadlocked in the Sookie Stackhouse series comes out in May 2012.  Oh jeez, I can’t believe I have to wait that long.  She released chapter 2 recently for those who haven’t seen it.  Can't wait!

Mina B.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

The Love Hop is back!  Time to show some love to my minion followers with the Follower Love Giveaway Hop!   This hop is hosted by I’m a reader not a writer and Rachael Renee Anderson.  Special thanks to my Free Sh** Fairy for play-acting cupid for my love fest.

Lately, I've been searching for a bunch of fun loving YA books to giveaway and I've decided to let the winner of my Love Hop choose their prize.  One (1) lovely winner may pick from one of the three titles below as their prize.

               

                 

And of course with every contest there are rules. My blog, my rules.

To enter
You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form.

Extra entries
+2 Subscribing via email to my blog
+2 For Becoming my Fan/Like on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway starts at 12:01 AM EST on Tuesday, February 7th and runs through February 14th midnight. Contest is open to International participants. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out who else is participating.  Visit http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/


Thanks for participating!


Mina B.

Fridays with Fred: Lego Fred

Happy Friday, minions!  Lately, my son (Hellion #1) has been playing with his legos, creating all sorts of imaginative flying objects, cars, trucks etc...  Legos are such timeless toys, aren't they?  And because legos are on the brain, I created this cool image of Fred.  My son  wants to go to Lego Land bad.  A few friends of ours went recently, and boy it look like fun.  Anyway, here's a recent picture of Fred snuggling with me.

Looking for more pix of Fred?  Check out the one where Fred was almost attacked by a zombie!  Remember to stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

And before I forget, tomorrow is NiNoCon. The fun starts at 11 a.m. at www.ninjaswrite.com.  Visit the site to see the awesome lineup of presenters!.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.