From Mia's Desk…

Feb 2014

A Few Changes at From Mia’s Desk

With spring on the horizon and for a variety of reasons I won’t bore you with, I’m doing a little rearranging here at From Mia’s Desk.

My sister site, Boom Baby Reviews, is somewhere I’m focusing more time and attention on, posting not only reviews but hosting blog tour stops. As such, I’ve decided to suspend author and character interviews here on From Mia’s Desk and move them there. Character interviews will remain the same, but the author interviews will change.

I will still be posting guest posts here on From Mia’s Desk, as well as whatever else I feel like regarding my fellow authors and my writing community. Otherwise, posts here will focus on the craft of writing and on my own writing, like new releases and news about the various series and books that I have.

Any authors who are interested in having an author or character interview are still welcome and encouraged to contact me, either here or via the Boom Baby Review site, which can be located in the links on the right hand side of the page.

And…that’s it. I’ll leave up the pages with links to old interviews, however, so people can still read them. As my life outside of authoring and inside of authoring is in a constant state of flux, other tweaks may come along but that’s it for now.

Happy Reading!
Mia

Category: Just Because Comments off

Feb 2014

One Question: A Multi-Author Post

Mia

A few weeks ago, I was sitting at my computer when my husband walked past me and said, apropos of nothing really, what two books he would leave behind to describe himself to others. I sat back and thought for a moment and two books instantly leaped to mind for myself, and then came an idea to torture my fellow authors. Or so they told me after I asked them… ;D

I asked several of them to name the two books they’d leave behind (written by themselves or others) to tell other people about who they were. Here is the list of what they said. Because it would be a mystery to come across these books, I’ve chosen not to include any explanations for why they chose these books. Their answers are listed below in no particular order.

The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
–Chris Galford (http://cianphelan.wordpress.com/)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Liber Null & Psychnaut by Peter J. Carroll
– Suzi M. (http://amzn.com/e/B003TTLGP2)

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
– Lisa Eugene (https://www.facebook.com/LisaEugeneTheSweetSpot)

The Scar by Sergey & Marina Dyachenko
The Ridge by Michael Kortya
– Mia Darien (http://www.miadarien.com)

The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self Discovery by David G. Benner
My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
– Dariel Raye (http://pendarielraye.blogspot.com/)

Absolutely Done by Dominae Primus
Daily Doses & Vital Verses by Dominae Primus
– Dominae Primus (http://dominaeprimus.blogspot.com)

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Swept Away by Crystal Smith
– Crystal Smith (http:/crystalr022.wix.com/sisterauthors)

The Dreamweaver’s Journey by Diana Wicker
The Story of Religion by Betsy & Giulio Maestro
– Diana Wicker (https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/welcome)

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
– Evan Torelli (http://evantorelli.blogspot.com)

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
– Steve Thomas (http://kalhariaonline.com/)

Milk in my Coffee by Eric Jerome Dickey
Ebony Magazine by Various
–Diantha Jones (http://www.diantha-jones.com/)

Category: Author Interviews, Just Because 5 Comments

Jan 2014

A Chat with A. L. Butcher & Dii’Athella from ‘The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles’

Mia

Today, we welcome back A. L. Butcher, who joins us with Dii’Athella, from The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles. Hello to you both!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?
Dii’Athella: The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles. It is what you would call a fantasy adventure, with magic, romance, strange creatures and heroes.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?
Dii’Athella: I am an elven sorceress. I used to be a ‘Kept’ – which is a slave. No elf is free, that is the law of the land but a mage or sorcerer is even more forbidden. Magic is illegal. I escaped from the house of the man who owned me, he was very unkind and cruel. As I said elves are not free, so I was quickly captured. I had very little money and no papers, so it was very difficult to move around. Luckily I was rescued by a wonderful man, Archos, Lord of Tremellic, he treats me very well and is very kind. I love to read, I was fortunate that my foster mother taught me. Most elves cannot read, in fact literacy is not encourage by the ruling Order of Witch-Hunters. I suppose they think the populace might start asking awkward questions. Most of the common folk are too busy surviving to learn.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.
Dii’Athella: At first I thought she was very mean, giving me such a terrible life but then I suppose my life does get a lot better. Things are certainly exciting when she is around.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?
Dii’Athella: The first story is my escape and rescue and then finding the wicked slavers who have taken the elves from one of the nearby villages. There is a lot of hatred, and a lot of revenge. The second story is a journey, but not a simple quest of travelling from one place to another. It is a journey of people too; my own discoveries about my history, and the journey of another character Marden who finds his beliefs turned about. Of course there is the journey to find the Shining Citadel, the elven city of Lor’Arthinis, lost for centuries. We have many adventures and encounters on the way.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?
Dii’Athella: It is what I am, I know nothing else.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.
Dii’Athella: I think things may become very difficult for us. The Witch-Hunters are unlikely to relinquish power easily or willingly. Yet we have a tight bond, and a goodly set of friends and allies.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?
Dii’Athella: Oh yes, there is another book in planning in which I appear briefly, although it mostly features my husband’s daughter, Mirandra, and the trolls who helped us in our journey to the Citadel. There will be other adventures, I am certain, before the final curtain as they say. There are many allies to find and we must ensure the safety of our people.

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?
Dii’Athella: I actually have no idea.

* * *

Author Bio: Alexandra Butcher is a British author, who lives in the South West UK. When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading, history, nature, watching movies and going to the theatre. She has a background in sociology, politics and history which have been useful in her writing career. She has a variety of pets, who eat a lot and don’t pay the rent.

Author Site: http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/

Buy Link: Amazon (Book I and Book II)
Buy Link: Smashwords (Book I and Book II)
Buy Link: Barnes & Noble (Book I and Book II)
Buy Link: iTunes (Book I and Book II).

Category: Character Interviews One Comment

Jan 2014

Ten Questions with…A. L. Butcher

Mia

Today, we are joined by A. L. Butcher, who is the author of The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, as well as various short stories. Welcome!

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Author Site: http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/

You can find her books on Amazon (Book I and Book II), Smashwords (Book I and Book II), Barnes & Noble (Book I and Book II), and iTunes (Book I and Book II).

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?
Creative, rebellious, loyal, weird, forgetful

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?
Oh gosh, I have no idea. I have written stories and poems for as long as I can remember. If you mean other than at school – let me see. I have some fan-fic around Phantom of the Opera if that counts. I was trying to write a novel as well using an adaptation of the character. Fortunately it is stuffed under the bed in a notebook.

3. What inspires you?
Nature, other people, history, dreams, things I think of in the bath.

4. What distracts you?
Pretty much everything. I have a terrible concentration span. Facebook and the internet are the worst. I am actually pretty good at multitasking as my brain seems inclined to be able to focus on several things at once more than one thing. I was always terrible in exams – 3 hours of trying to concentrate on one thing was really hard for me. Even if I knew the information it was getting it out of my head and onto paper without my bra.in wandering off which I struggled with

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”
I don’t have one particular book or story above all the others but I do like anti-heroes or heroic type fantasy. I like a troubled character. One of my favourite books is The Count of Monte Cristo, which is the ultimate revenge novel. I like a book which hooks me in early, it needs to be exciting and plausible. I hate silly and implausible plots and weak characters.

* * *

About the Writing

A. L. Butcher Cover 1

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I
The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II
I also have short fantasy stories in the following anthologies:
A Splendid Salmagundi
Wyrd Worlds
No Sleeves and Short Dresses

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?
I love the journey of the story. I usually know the beginning and the end but how I get there is up to the characters. I like the research too. There isn’t a huge amount but I have studied herblore, geography, historical weaponry and other useful subjects.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!
I hate to think! Why are you so mean? Stop getting distracted and write our stories.

A. L. Butcher Cover 2

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?
Oh gosh. For Archos someone older – maybe Ian McKellan; for Dii, I actually have no idea; Olek perhaps Zachary Quinto or Alexander Siddiq; for Ozena Jennifer Lawrence or Zoe Saladana.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?
I am working on Book III of the series. I am also working on a number of anthology pieces, both for my own collection, the Indie Collaboration and a couple of fantasy ones.
Hopefully at some point there will be a book of erotic short stories.

* * *

Thanks for joining us today, Alexandra, and good luck with your stories!

Category: Author Interviews Comments off

Jan 2014

A Chat with Barbara Devlin & Rebecca/L’araignee from ‘My Lady, The Spy’

Mia

This past Monday, Barbara Devlin joined us to answer Ten Questions and now she is joining us again, and this time she’s not alone! Rebecca/L’araignee from My Lady, The Spy is with her. And the .99 deal for this book is still taking place until the 25th!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?
Rebecca/L’araignee: My story is featured in the novel My Lady, The Spy. It is a historical romance, with a tad mystery and suspense, as I danced a perilous waltz through society’s ballrooms to lure a traitor to the Crown. You see, my previous partner was murdered on the Continent, because he stole something of importance from one of General Bonaparte’s couriers. The turncoat believed I possessed the item and therein lies the heart of the tale. To protect me, Sir Ross Logan, the head of the Counterintelligence Corps, assigned Nautionnier Knight Dirk Randolph as my new partner in espionage, and we fell in love.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?
Rebecca/L’araignee: I am the youngest child and only daughter of Dawson Wentworth, fifth Earl of Calvert, and my mother was French. My parents were killed in France, in the riots of revolution. I joined the Counterintelligence Corps and became a spy as a means to avenge the deaths of my parents. As you can imagine, female spies were something of a novelty, which created all manner of difficulty in my personal relationships, because I am intensely dedicated to duty.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.
Rebecca/L’araignee: Oh, she is quite the taskmaster. And we live in fear of writer’s block, as she infects her characters with the plague and kills the lot in a single blow. Of course, she resurrects us, but it is awfully tragic. Still, she draws on her experience as a law enforcement officer to portray the realities of such work, as well as the stress it can have on personal relationships. Men are threatened by women who wear weapons.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?
Rebecca/L’araignee: Well, if truth be told, I would rather forgo the more brutal parts, but I suppose it was necessary, in the end, to tell the whole of it. War is a nasty business. And Dirk and I endured numerous trials, which made the finale all the more sweet, so I dearly love our tale.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?
Rebecca/L’araignee: Actually, I am terribly proud of my role in the book, as I concur with the author that it is important to convey the contributions women made to the war effort. Not much is known of the women who spied for Wellington, except for the Spanish ladies he employed to seduce French generals. Even then, little is written about female spies. When the author first conceived the story, back in 2004, we were a rarity in our genre.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.
Rebecca/L’araignee: I should like, very much, to enjoy a long, uneventful life. And I would dearly love to start a family with Dirk. My only impediment is my ability to break free of the underworld of espionage.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?
Rebecca/L’araignee: Oh, you will see all of the Brethren and their ladies in subsequent novels, as our world evolves with each successive tale. But I believe Dirk and I play a prominent role in Dalton’s story, though I am not at liberty to say more.

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?
Rebecca/L’araignee: Dearest, that is one rule I will not break, as my author feels it an unforgivable breach of the imagination to propose a model or actor for my part in a movie. You see, her readership is a diverse group of individuals with all manner of predilections, which they bring to her world. To put a face to a character would grossly impinge on the personal experience she attempts to create, but I thank you for the inquiry.

* * *

Author Bio: Barbara Devlin is a retired cop turned exceedingly eccentric English professor—now successful independent author.

Author Site: http://www.barbaradevlin.com

Buy Link: Amazon

Barbara Devlin Cover Art

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Jan 2014

Ten Questions with… Barbara Devlin

Mia

Last month, I had the pleasure of reading, enjoying, and reviewing Barbara Devlin’s Enter the Brethren, and now she’s joining me today to answer Ten Questions with Mia! The second book, My Lady, The Spy, is also available and part of a Kindle Countdown promotion from January 19 until January 25, selling for .99!

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Barbara Devlin Author Photo

Author Bio: Barbara Devlin is a retired cop turned exceedingly eccentric English professor—now successful independent author.

Author Site: http://www.barbaradevlin.com

You can find her Brethren series exclusively on Amazon!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?
Bold, rebellious, stubborn, forgetful, humorous.

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?
A horrid little mystery featuring an old-world sleuth named Herschel Biltmore. But I was so damn proud of that goofy story. I think the murder weapon was a fingernail file. Seriously.

3. What inspires you?
Life, in general. Everyday people surviving extraordinary circumstances. Really interesting seemingly inconsequential moments in history.

4. What distracts you?
Life, in general. My husband. Rufus, our very co-dependent Brittany. Any song by Pink—I have to dance.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”
The 19th Century American Gothic Hope Leslie, by Catharine Maria Sedgwick. On the surface, it is an unapologetic examination of 17th Century New England and the dispossession and extermination of American Indians. But at its core is a beautifully composed historical romance between the Indian Oneco and his “white bird” Faith, and their subsequent inter-racial marriage, which was quite controversial given the that the book was first published in 1827.

* * *

About the Writing

Barbara Devlin Cover Art

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.
My current titles are the first three books in the Brethren of the Coast series, which focuses on the descendants of five Templar mariners. Enter the Brethren, My Lady, The Spy, and The Most Unlikely Lady are just the beginning. Book 4, One-Knight Stand will be available in February 2014. Each book is a meticulously researched and detailed construct of early 19th Century England during the Peninsular Wars. For the sea battle in My Lady, The Spy, I consulted an expert in 19th Century tall ships for the appropriate vernacular and strategy.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?
What I love most about fiction is that it enables the author to share intimate aspects of their life with a multitude of readers, yet the reader has no idea what’s real and what’s make-believe. Also, these stories, in particular, give me the opportunity to draw from my experiences living in London, as an undergraduate. The first time I toured the Naval Academy in Greenwich, I fell in love with the splendor and elegance, so my work merges two of my great loves: history and writing.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!
My characters would describe me as a ruthless perfectionist and bemoan the fact that every time I lose my way, they all contract the plague and die.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?
Eek! I purposely avoid putting models on my covers because that ruins my ability to relate on a personal level with the characters. I want to think of them as I imagine them in my head, and that changes over time. And call me shallow, but if I don’t find the cover models attractive, I won’t buy the book. So I prefer to leave it to the reader to envision the characters as they see fit. In a sense, it allows the reader to form an existential bond, of sorts. As it is, I wish I could omit any description of the physical traits of my characters, but that isn’t very realistic. And I highly doubt anyone would ever consider a screen adaptation of my books, because it would cost a fortune. In short, it would never happen.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?
Well, Book 5, The Captain of Her Heart, is in the polishing stage. It’s the story of Alex and Captain Jason Collingwood, and I had so much fun creating their happily ever after. The remaining Brethren books are fully plotted, by chapter. And due to reader requests, I am going to write the stories of the five Templar Mariners, whose vignettes set the stage for each BOC novel. As it is, I’ve really come to love those Medieval guys. Also, I will include a short story detailing the courtship of then Lieutenant Mark Douglas and Lady Amanda Gascoigne-Lake in an upcoming anthology.

* * *

Thank you for joining us today, Barbara, and good luck with your stories!

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Jan 2014

Available Now: “The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929-The Story of the Greatest Bahamian Hurricane of the 20th Century” by Wayne Neely

Mia

Having previously joined us to answer Ten Questions, Wayne Neely is back to tell us a little about his latest release!

* * *

For the last two years I had the opportunity to write and compile a comprehensive book called The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929-The Story of the Greatest Bahamian Hurricane of the 20th Century. This book is based on the great impact of this storm on the Bahamas in 1929. The storm killed 134 persons in the Bahamas, mostly mariners and sponge fishermen, as it directly hit the islands of New Providence and Andros.

This hurricane devastated the northwest Bahamas and impacted the economy of the Bahamas for years to follow. This storm occurred during the peak of the sponging era. Many boats were out at sea on sponging trips and were caught at sea during this storm not knowing a massive storm was approaching the Bahamas and many persons perished on-board these ships. For example, a large American freighter Wisconsin Bridge was lost in the hurricane with 34 persons on-board perishing. A bride and her family of 18 persons were heading to Mangrove Cay Andros to attend her wedding and sadly all persons on board the schooner they were traveling in drowned during the peak of the storm. A dog called ‘Speak Your Mind’ rescued a sponge fisherman out at sea. This book is filled with many similar stories of this nature. This book is a must read.

This book is now available locally at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Center, Cole Thompson Pharmacy Downtown, Chapter One Bookstore opposite the College of the Bahamas, Bahama Divers East Bay Street and other local bookstores. For those not in the Bahamas it is available from the publisher www.iuniverse.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com and many other online and local bookstores throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Seven highlights of this massive storm:

1) This storm killed 134 persons and well over 5,000 were left homeless in New Providence (The population of New Providence in 1929 was approximately 13,000 persons). On this island 456 houses were destroyed and 640 were badly damaged. Approximately 73% of all the homes and businesses in Nassau were destroyed.

2) This storm lasted for three consecutive days.

3) 95% of all of the churches in Nassau and all of the churches in Andros were destroyed. Approximately 77% of the Government’s Annual Budgets in 1930 and 1931 were devoted to the rebuilding efforts from this hurricane.

4) 70% of all of the sponge vessels throughout the Bahamas were destroyed in this storm (Sponging Industry was the number one industry of the Bahamas at the time).

5) This storm was one of the main reasons why the government of the Bahamas switched from Sponging to Tourism as the number one industry of the Bahamas (It must be noted that the major reason for the decline was the sponge disease which decimated the sponge beds in 1938). This hurricane destroyed almost all of the sponge warehouses and 336 sponge vessels and twice that amount being badly damaged.

6) This hurricane was the main reason why building codes were implemented shortly after this storm because of the great damage done in this storm. The Bahamas Government realized that these powerful storms in the late 1920s were no match for the buildings being constructed at the time.

7) The song “Run Come See Jerusalem” by Blind Blake was based of the destruction caused by this storm. Three boats bound for Andros, the Ethel, Myrtle, and Pretoria, were caught in the storm. The Pretoria sunk, and 27 lives were lost when it sunk at the entrance of Fresh Creek Harbour Channel. Unfortunately, only three lives were saved from this ship, and they were Yorick Newton of Blanket Sound, Victor Spence of Small Hope Bay and Henley Brown of Blanket Sound. These ‘lucky three’, as they were referred to at the time, were able to swim ashore after the Pretoria capsized.

* * *

Wayne Neely Cover Art

You can find the book’s page at iUniverse, and the author on Facebook and Twitter!

About the Author: Wayne Neely is an international speaker, best-selling author, lecturer on hurricanes, and a Meteorologist. Travelling extensively, Wayne addresses critical issues affecting all aspects of hurricanes, especially Bahamian hurricanes which are one of his central areas of expertise. Wayne Neely is a certified Bahamian Meteorologist working at the Department of Meteorology in Nassau, Bahamas for the last 22 years. He has written seven books on hurricanes.

Category: Guest Post Comments off

Jan 2014

Ten Questions with…Salone Jones

Mia

Last week, I hosted Salone Jones for a promotional post on her book’s release day, and now she’s back to answer Ten Questions with Mia!

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Salone Jones Author Photo

Author Bio: Salone Jones is a total wellness coach that offers programs for spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing. Savannah, GA. native, and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate; Ms. Jones is an entrepreneur and founder of Live Out Loud World, Inc. and SalFit & Associates. Ms. Jones gave her life to Christ as a youth, and has been working in the creative arts ministry for the past twelve years.

“I am not an expert on the Bible, or a theologian. I am just a believer writing for the unlearned about things in which I am unlearned, yet have insight on because of my experiences. My hope is that the insights, stories, and prayers will better equip our youth as they embark upon their adventure into adulthood; making them aware of some of the pitfalls, so they can choose to go around them, jump over them, or find away to go underneath them!”

Author Site: http://www.SaloneJones.com

You can find her book Live Out Loud Youth Devotional at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords & Amazon in Print!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?
Optimistic
Innovative
Inspiring
Entrepreneurial
Spiritual

2. What drew you to start writing?
Various ideas for books have come to me over the past 10-years. I thought it was about time I bring some of those ideas to life, so I decided to start with the youth devotional, which is the first volume of 3.

3. What inspires you?
Being able to be an entrepreneur and innovator; seeing the manifestation of visions and dreams I’ve had come to past, and it be an inspiration to others inspire me.

4. What distracts you?
I am often distracted by new fresh ideas, which cause me to lose focus on current projects. This ultimately slows down my progress. It’s something I have to work on not allowing to happen daily!

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”
I don’t have a favorite story, but I have a favorite quote, which always inspires me when I read it, to rise to the opportunity to shine bright so others may gain the courage to do the same:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

* * *

About the Writing

Salone Jones Cover Art

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.
Live Out Loud Youth Devotional

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these books?
My favorite part about writing this book was sharing my personal stories. I truly believe that my experiences were not that different from the experiences youth are facing today. Sharing my stories make me relatable. In most devotionals, you receive a scripture or two and some insight on the scripture, but the author rarely share how the scriptures and insights relate to their personal life. I believe youth need to know that you don’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary, brilliant, talented, and fabulous. My hope is that all who read the 30-day devotional, young and old, are inspired, motivated, and enlightened to believe in themselves, their infinite creator, a their extraordinary brilliance!

3. What do you hope readers gain most from your work?
A boldness and confidence to Be Different, Be Bold, and Be Courageous in their spiritual lifestyle. Knowing that no one is perfect, and no one expects them to be perfect, yet having a desire to cultivate deep integrity and a rich character.

4. What have you gotten out of your writing?
That I am just as flawed as the individual that doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ, yet not having a consistent spiritual lifestyle is NOT an option!

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?
Live Out Loud World, Inc. host a monthly Jamboree, which gives individuals that have made a decision to live an LOL Lifestyle (Live Out Loud Lifestyle) an opportunity to share our gifts and abilities with each other and our community. We do not exclude anyone due to difference in believe or lifestyle, however the event and our messages are rooted in Biblical principles. It’s a place of freedom and expression.

Live Out Loud World, Inc. is currently seeking funding for our 1st summer program entitled Live Out Loud Summer Explosion – an initiative dedicated to inspiring youth ages 8-18 to live with deep integrity and a rich character. Encouraging leadership within their community, school, and neighborhoods. Motivating the youth to live a healthy lifestyle.

I am looking to release the second volume of the youth devotional January 2015.

* * *

Thank you for joining us today, Salone, and good luck with your book!

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Jan 2014

Available Now: “Live Out Loud Youth Devotional” by Salone Jones

Mia

Today, we are joined by Salone Jones to talk about her new release–available today!–Live Out Loud Youth Devotional!

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Live Out Loud Youth Devotional is a 30-day adventure! Designed to inspire, motivate, and encourage youth to Live Out Loud (LOL) in Christ! We are all created to be different, yet we often settle for being the same. I hope the readers will allow themselves to tap into their unique differences, and allow the beauty that lives within them to shine bright for the world to see. For we all were created for extraordinary greatness!

When I write, I write from a place of journey, testimony, and personal growth. Quite often negative thoughts come to mind to make you feel like you are unqualified to do what God has entrusted you to do. Thoughts like, “You’re not knowledgeable enough, not educated enough, not likable enough, popular enough, recognized enough to publish a youth devotional,” creeps into your psyche, then the temptation to give up the idea all together presents itself. But I am confident in knowing my experiences as a youth are no different from what others are experiencing. Therefore, to not share how God brought me through, would be selfish and unthoughtful (1 Cr. 10:13). For the Bible says we overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony (Ex. 1:12). Therefore, I hold back nothing, but share everything with total honesty, in the hopes that it may help at least one individual overcome.

The author C.S. Lewis puts it this way: “I write for the unlearned about things in which I am unlearned myself… A fellow pupil can help more than the master because he knows less… This is not what is called an apologetic work. For I do not apologize for my belief system, and for who I consider to be my master and ruler of the universe. When I write according to the spirit, I am no way trying to convince unbelievers that Christianity is true. I address those who already believe it, or those who are ready, while reading, to “suspend their belief.”

Daniel, our featured Bible character, was a master in tapping into his infinite creativity on a daily basis. Daniel embodies a person that was different from most around him. He was bold and always courageous to live out loud. There will be a lot of Daniels and Danielle’s that will read this devotion and be inspired by his adventure. May you always live boldly, courageously, and set apart from the crowd; may who you are, and how you live always bring glory to your Infinite Creator – God!

* * *

Live Out Loud Youth Devotional is a 30-day exploration of God’s Word filled with personal testimonials. Addressing the feelings of loneliness confusion, and challenges youth face. Helping them to understand the questions, sense of exploration, need to feel connected, loved, and understood are all natural developmental phases of life. Encouraging youth to be courageous, and live boldly for Christ!

Live Out Loud Youth Devotional Will Share Daily:
• Scriptures
• Insights
• Personal Stories
• Prayers
• Declarations

http://www.SaloneJones.com
Facebook: Live United Alliance
Twitter: Salone Jones

Salone Jones Cover Art

You can find the book at Amazon, CreateSpace and Smashwords.

About the Author: Salone Jones is a total wellness coach that offers programs for spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing. Savannah, GA. native, and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate; Ms. Jones is an entrepreneur and founder of Live Out Loud World, Inc. and SalFit & Associates. Ms. Jones gave her life to Christ as a youth, and has been working in the creative arts ministry for the past twelve years.

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Category: Guest Post Comments off

Jan 2014

Welcome to 2014!

Mia

Well, it’s a new year. I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday season, and you’re looking forward to great things in the year to come! And maybe if I’m lucky, some of those things you’ll be looking forward to are books from me. This post is actually going to discuss some of the things to expect from Mia Darien in 2014–at least those that are planned!

Things to Come in 2014: The Adelheid Facelift

I know, Adelheid seems a little young for major overhaul or plastic surgery, but I’m impatient. No, seriously. It’s been just over two years since Cameron’s Law was released and while I think I did okay with it, I’ve learned a lot in that time. As such, I’ve prettied the series up. I’ll stress now that there have been no substantive changes to any story. I’ve just done fresh edits on stories that needed it, and tweaked or redone covers.

As I write this, I’m in the process of uploading these new pretty versions.

Things to Come in 2014: New Books

Plans, plans, plans… I has them! Barring the unforeseen mental explosions that would otherwise prevent them, I have four stories planned to be released in the coming year. All of them will be attached to present series:

Sheltered, the next Adelheid Between the Tales Short. This story will follow Edward.

Disposable People, the next Adelheid novel. This story will follow Detective Vance Johnston and will show us some of Adelheid’s seedy underbelly, because every place (and every person?) has one.

Bellflower, the next Turnabout Tale. This story will be a F/F take on the story of Rapunzel, following Hanne Prinz, an FBI Agent who gets more than she bargains for when she is part of a raid on a human trafficking ring’s location.

Haven, the next piece in the Stories from Sanctuary City series. This story will once again visit Lydia and Flynn and might actually make for a concluding chapter in this series, rather than the open-ended, multi-character plan I originally had. I’m still working on it.

Things to Come in 2014: Boom Baby Reviews & From Mia’s Desk

I’ll continue posting guest posts, author interviews, character interviews, and reviews! I’ll also be participating in blog tours, and looking to otherwise expand the base for both of my sites. If you’re an author and interested in being featured, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Category: Adelheid Series, Just Because Comments off