The Mimsey Blog: September 2013

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A Mimsical Interview with DONNA MILWARD!

Hello Gentle Readers,

As I'm sure you know, there's a blog tour going on:

I've already let Dan Landis take over for the first book, and now we're back again! But, before we begin, I wanted to get something off my chest. There was a book blast:

And I'd like to point out two things:

1) There's only four authors on this tour, and three of them are in this book blast. That means when The Gray Ghost Inn hits October 15th, it's going to be ALL MIMSEY ALL THE TIME!

I already got my copy!

2) It's the Ladies of Staccato, except it's 'Ladies' using the same kind of quotes I use when I'm 'being nice'. Like when I'm at a book signing and some pretty young thing thinks I'm actually Dan Landis in real life, and asks what I'm doing afterwards. And I tell 'em, I'm off to see my 'fiance'.

That's her shoulder on my left!

And now I'd like to introduce you to a very special lady! There's a song I always think of, when I reflect on all the wonderful people I've 'met' through my online work: There's not a word yet. For old friends who just met.

This is what I picture.

Gentle Readers, please give a warm Mimsey-welcome to DONNA MILWARD! She's got a new book out Aphrodite's War!

This is what I picture.

I decided to interview the one and only DONNA MILWARD:

Mimsey: Tell us a bit more about yourself?

DONNA MILWARD!: I’m a wife and cat mommy. I’m a typical Canadian in that I like hockey and beer, but if it’s weird, I’m probably into it. I don’t want to grow up.

M: How did you get into the writing business?

DM!: I had several false starts. I actually gave up on ever getting published when I shacked up with my troll. I thought I was wasting my time because I wasn’t talented enough, so I concentrated on learning a trade. I didn’t try again until I went to an RWA conference in Washington with a friend who was already published. It inspired me to take another run at it.

M: You’ve tackled Angels and Demons with Thoeba and are now jumping to the God’s themselves with Aphrodite’s War. What draws you to the spiritual side of the tracks? And will Cthulhu be next?

DM!: I think maybe my spiritual side came from being raised on the ideals of reincarnation and living in a haunted home. I spent many sleepless nights questioning life, death, God and everything that came with it while listening to the ghost pacing the hall. As for Cthulu, wouldn’t that be so cool? Big ole’ Daddy Demon, Father of all Hellspawn. I can smell my brain trying to find a way to use that.

M: Who would you consider your favorite character?

DM!: Definitely Strife. She was supposed to have a small role but she exceeded my expectations and tried to take over the novel. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her.

M: What’s the easiest part of writing? The most difficult?

DM!: The easiest part is the ending! It’s so satisfying and it always feels so good. Like crossing the finish line in a marathon on a downhill slope. Coincidentally, the worst part is the editing that follows. Editing never ceases to be an exercise in brutality. It crushes my confidence and makes me feel like a hack. It never seems to end, and no matter how many times I go over my ms I always find something else that needs fixing. I never feel finished. Also requesting a synopsis is a vicious thing to do to a writer.

M: What should the reader know going into Aphrodite’s War?

DM!: Parts of this book had me walking around with a dirty smirk on my face. I don’t know where my head was at, but there’s a lot of sex and a lot of violence. I think it’s going to be a bestseller!

M: What has been your favorite moment so far as a writer?

DM!: I don’t think being published hit me until I opened a box and saw MY Thoeba copies with MY name on them. My troll took a picture of me holding one and I ‘m red-eyed with all my makeup cried off but I’m damned happy!

M: As a writer myself, my favorite review ever was “You will love Dan Landis. He's smart, funny, compassionate and has a dash of Indiana Jones in his blood. Even the voice in his head has sass. Abbey has a naive bubble-puppy attitude, but she's no bimbo. She grows on you quickly.” Have you ever had a special moment with a review for one of the books? If so, what was it and why? (FULL DISCLOSURE: DM! wrote that! IT WAS HOW WE MET!)

DM!: Wow, whoever wrote that review has a BRILLIANT way with words! She must have adored that book. For myself, I squee everytime I see the words “unique” or “original” used to describe my work. I have a ferocious need to be distinctive in everything I do, especially when it comes to writing. I live in fear of regurgitating someone else’s ideas.

M: When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

DM!: Besides reading, I love gardening. It’s a therapeutic hobby that pays for itself in produce. And I plan and shop for Christmas all year long. The earliest I’ve purchased a Christmas present is New Year’s Eve of the previous year. It was a Christmas Musicbox House and it was 40% off. My mother loved it.

M: What’s next on your slate?

DM!: My next novel is about a paranormal investigator and a demon with a soul. There’s also a plot bunny running around in my head that came from a nightmare about demons under my bed.

Kind of hoping the plot bunny wears a hat!

LIGHTING ROUND!

Peanut Butter or Nutella Crunchy peanut butter

Hot Tea or Iced Tea Earl Grey—Hot.

Frankenstein or Dracula Dracula! (Bram Stoker)

Wine or Chocolate Chocolate Wine!

Picard or Kirk Picard.

Astronaut or Caveman Astronaut. The caveman would either crap and run at the sight of an astronaut, or worship it.

Country or Rock ‘n Roll NO COUNTRY!! EVER!! ONLY ROCK AND ROLL!!

Beatles or Rolling Stones Beatles

Coke or Pepsi Coke

Zombies: Fast or Slow Fast. Scarier that way.

Just want to say thank you so much to DONNA MILWARD! for stopping by today! For more info, check out the book here:

Aphrodite’s War by Donna Milward

Book Blurb:
Aphrodite despises Aries and when Zeus proposes a contest, the prize being expulsion of her enemy from Olympus, Aphrodite cannot resist. The catch: should Aries prevail it is Aphrodite who must leave her home. Risks aside, she cannot refuse the possibility of a future without her former lover.

The challenge: two mortals must fall in love. It is simple. However, the players could not be more ill-suited. Poetry, a free spirited artist and Adrian, a defense attorney would not normally choose one another. But when gods interfere anything is possible.

Where can you find the first book? Amazon / Kobo / B&N

Goodreads

Author Bio:

Donna Milward lives in Edmonton, Alberta in a tiny house with a huge yard. She’s been writing all her life, but decided to put writing on hold to get ‘a real job’ as a meatcutter and build a future with her beloved troll, Dan and her cats Freya, Sully, and Spartacus Jones.

Twelve years later, an invitation to a Romance Writer’s Conference in Washington D.C. led not only to new friends and new knowledge, but to the inspiration to write again. Thoeba was completed the following year.

Donna likes to mix her fascination with reincarnation and all things paranormal with her love of mythology in her work, and has even written her own myth ‘The Sacred Truth” (on earthtothoeba.blogspot.com) as the lore behind Thoeba and future novels to come.

Donna enjoys fishing, gardening and canning. Despite these hobbies, she much prefers city life.

Author links:

Pub site: http://www.staccatopublishing.com/Staccato_Publishing/Donna_Milward.html
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5065526.Donna_Milward
Website: http://earthtothoeba.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Schedule for the entire tour of Staccato Publishing Family Autumn tour:

Sept.18 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
Please don't feed the Mimsey ~Mimsey-style post

Sept. 19 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle ~Review & Spotlight
Sinful Review ~Review

Sept. 20 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
BookEnd 2 BookEnd ~Review & Guest Post
Oh My Shelves ~Spotlight

Sept. 21 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
World's of Wonderment ~Spotlight & Review

Sept. 22' THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
Random Musesomy ~Spotlight
Becca Anne's Book Reviews ~Review & Character bio

Sept. 23 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
Our New Generation for Reading ~Spotlight & Review

Sept. 24 'THE REAPER'S' by Jacinta Maree
Tam's Two Cents ~Review & author top 10 scarey movies
E.C. Hibbs ~Spotlight & Review

Sept. 25 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
Please don't feed the Mimsey~Spotlight & Author interview
Oh My Shelves ~Spotlight

Sept. 26 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
BookEnd 2 BookEnd ~Review & Playlist
Becca Anne's Book Reviews ~Review & Character bio

Sept. 27 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
Jacinta Maree ~Spotlight
Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle ~Review & Spotlight

Sept. 28 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
The O'Raven Chronicles ~Spotlight and excerpt

Sept. 29 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
Random Musesomy ~Spotlight
Sinful Review ~Review

Sept. 30 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
Our New Generation for Reading ~Spotlight & Review

Oct. 1 'APHRODITE'S WAR' by Donna Milward
Tam's Two Cents ~Review & Authors top 10 Greek Gods
E.C. Hibbs ~Spotlight & Author Interview

Oct. 2 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Please don't feed the Mimsey~Spotlight & Guest Post

Oct. 3 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
BookEnd 2 BookEnd ~Spotlight
Crystal & Sara ~Review & Spotlight

Oct. 4 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle ~Review & Spotlight

Oct. 5 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Random Musesomy ~Spotlight

Oct. 6 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Our New Generation for Reading ~Spotlight & Review
Sinful Review ~Review

Oct. 7 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Jacinta Maree ~Spotlight

Oct. 8 'AN UNDYING OATH' by HK Savage
Tam's Two Cents ~Review & Authors top 10
Oh My Shelves ~Spotlight

Oct.9 Pre-release tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle ~Review & Spotlight

Oct.10 Prerelease tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
Jacinta Maree ~Spotlight
Becca Anne's Book Reviews ~Review & Character bio

Oct.11 Prerelease tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
BookEnd 2 BookEnd ~Spotlight & Top 10
Sinful Review ~Review

Oct.12 Prerelease tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
Random Musesomy ~Spotlight
Oh My Shelves ~Spotlight

Oct.13 Prerelease tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
Our New Generation for Reading ~Spotlight & Review

Oct.14 Prerelease tour 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' by Jay Mims
Tam's Two Cents ~Review & quirky mimsey post

Oct.15 'THE GRAY GHOST INN' BOOK BLAST RELEASE DAY
Bookend 2 BookEnd
Tam's Two Cents
Jacinta Maree
Please don't feed the Mimsey
The O'Raven Chronicles
Oh My Shelves
Romance Bookworm's Reviews
Random Musesomy
Our New Generation For Reading
Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle
Becca Anne's Book Reviews
Sinful Review

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Dan Landis' Top Ten Tips For Being A Better You: Brought to you by The Reapers blog tour

He’s given you tips on making Mom’s day super-special, given you tips on dealing with werewolves and even talked to you about Singles Awareness Day! He’s back baby! The one and only DAN LANDIS!

This is not Dan Landis. This is Justin Tully.

Hello Ladies,

Ever since these books were introduced, it seems like everyone wants to be Dan Landis. Whether it’s my electric wit, smooth charm or mastery of the hidden art of love…everybody wants a piece of the Landis.

This is Chris Winters. Everyone wants a piece of him too.

Sure, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but let’s get serious for a minute.

This is my serious bear.

Are you happy? Right now, at this minute, are you happy with who you are? If not, then just like laundry day, it’s time for some change!

Step 1) Buy a box...

Dan Landis’ Top Ten Tips For Being A Better You

1) Your Shoes: Now ladies, I realize it’s going to be a challenge, but I want you to go shoe shopping. Guys, make a date of it. See, folks say “Clothes make the man”, but I say it begins and ends with your shoes.

Guys, shoes are like a never-ending box of fruit loops for women.

And now I want some fruit loops.

Not only can a great pair of shoes take any outfit from mediocre to outstanding, but it can make you feel amazing.

Trust me, this woman has self-esteem down to a SCIENCE!

Thanks to those boots.

Now, here’s the thing boys and girls. Your shoes can’t just look good, they have to feel good, too. I have three types of shoes: Work, Gym, Play. I’m a runner, so my shoes tend toward something I can feel comfortable running in, whether it’s running down a perp, doing a 5K or hoofing it out the window before the husband comes home, I need a good pair of shoes. And so do you!

2) Finding Friends: Now, I’m sure you got plenty of friends. But, let’s be honest here. Yeah, I’m sure you have thousands of friends on Facebook, thanks for the add by the way, but how many of them would you want to have dinner with?

This is not Dan Landis. This is Kendal Tuttle. He loves dinner!!

I’m not suggesting you register for “Bang With Friends” or anything, but maybe it’s time to have a cup of coffee. Maybe reconnect with an old friend. Or an old flame. Or reconnect with one of my old flames. There’s plenty of them.

She goes by Stanley now.

If you want to be a better person, you need to start being around more people. Humans are social animals, and just as man cannot live off of Ramen noodles and Mr. Pibb, you can’t live off of your Twitter feed and brief conversations with Larry the Copy Guy. It’s time to take a step back, unplug, and meet some great people. Or at least some mediocre people. Or, worst comes to worst, people who aren’t Larry the Copy Guy.

3) Accentuate the Positive: You might find this hard to believe, but I’m a cynic at heart. I know, it’s probably unfair to look this good and be anything less than a glass half full guy. Well, I’m also not the one getting life advice from a fictional character.

With that in mind, it’s time to focus on the positive. I know this is going to be difficult, and you may have to do some serious soul-searching, so go ahead and make an appointment. Maybe mark it in your Google calendar or something.

I got this calendar for Chanukah.(Ed: This is a real calendar)

I want you to find one thing that you are really good at. You don’t have to be better at it than someone else, because no one else is important in this conversation. Make a list, find what works for you, and most importantly stop selling yourself short.

You got this.

4) Get Out: If you really want to start meeting people, maybe find something that you are good at, or if you just want to get some fun and sun, you need to leave the Batcave.

I'M SOAKING MY CARES AWAY!

Now, the key here is to combine meeting friends with going out. Whether its movie night, bowling, laser tag or putt-putt, there’s always something you can do.

Now when you go out, try to find something you will enjoy and maybe succeed at, or at least hold your own. It’s fun to win, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just as fun to lose. I am a world class putt-putter, but my partner Abbey just KILLS IT! She can sink a fifteen footer past the clown, around the Wind Mill and off the astronaut’s foot. And nothing’s better than losing to a beautiful woman.

And if she shows up dressed like this "IT'S A TRAP!"

5) Do Good Works: If you want to feel good about yourself, you need to start by doing good for others. Work at a charity, volunteer at your local church/synagogue/mosque/temple/house of the flying spaghetti monster, or wash dishes at a soup kitchen.

Everyone loves "Secret Santa Llama-Claus"

Trust me, the more good you do, the better you will feel better about yourself.

What’s even better is that you’ll be doing something good for someone else. And believe you me, nothing is sexier than charity.

Except Eartha Kitt. Nothing is sexier than Eartha Kitt.

6) Get a Hobby: Hey, if you’re really serious about becoming a better you, maybe you can start by bettering yourself. Get a hobby, and the world is your oyster.

Or if you don't like oysters, chocolate cake.

I play the guitar in my spare time. It took a lot of years and bleeding fingers to get decent enough to play “Dust in the Wind”. Though if you’re going to woo a gal, I recommend selections of Bryan Adams more than Kansas. Or Dave Matthews Band if you’re really desperate.

I'm going to get so many letters.

It doesn’t have to be a guitar. It can be fantasy football, darts, hockey, or even kickball. I met one of the nicest guys playing kickball. Even if he does keep calling me “Not Dave”.

Point of fact: Daleks are terrible at kickball.

7) Find Your Style: Yeah, I realize I’ve already talked about shoes, but there’s definitely something about finding your own style.

For instance: Try facial hair!

I wear all black, because it looks cool, it’s comfortable, and it goes with anything. Even my neon green socks.

Or slippers. Whatever floats your boat.

But you need to find your own style. You need to decide what colors make you look good, what clothes you feel comfortable in, and what clothes do you look good in.

Chris Winters always looks good.

8) Don’t Stop Learning: I’m up to my ears in really smart people. My extended family includes an MD, a Ph.D. and a soon-to-be Ph.D. It’s really easy to feel like the Dunce in the corner.

So, I counter this by continuing to learn whatever I can. Granted, being an insomniac helps, and I’ve been down the Wikipedia rabbit hole many times.

Don't even get me started on the musical stylings of JEM!

By pushing yourself, by continuing to never stop learning, you would be amazed at how good you feel. Self-improvement leads to strong self-esteem. Because trust me, if there’s one thing I know it’s self-esteem.

And David Tennant. I got those two down pat.

9) Exercise: Alright, this isn’t one of those crazy “Run until you puke” kind of things. You don’t have to have a gym membership to improve yourself. You can walk around the neighborhood. Or ride a stationary bike.

I love running, though I’ll be the first to say it’s not for everyone. But if you want to get those old endorphins running, exercise is the best thing.

Ok, second best thing. But that’s a whole other post.

10) Think Positive: Life can be terrible. Bad things can happen. I acknowledge that, and would never encourage anyone to live in a giant cloud of fluffiness. But, if you’re serious about being a better you, then you got to start thinking POSITIVE.

You need to develop a healthy attitude, and one of the key’s to that attitude is focusing your thoughts more on the positive and less on the negative. Try smiling every now and then.

Remember, no one else can make you be a better person. It begins and ends with you. And if all else fails, fake it till you make it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I got a surprise birthday party to attend, and it takes a while to get into the cake.

Step One: Remove pants

And speaking of awesome!

Hello Everyone and welcome to the start of the 'Staccato Publishing Autumn Family' book tour! Our first week we get to meet the lovely author Jacinta Maree and a look into her series 'My Demonic Ghost: The Reapers' book 2!! Check it out and make sure to enter the giveaway below!

The Reapers by Jacinta Maree

Book Blurb:
The day you die is meant to be the end, but for 18 year old Jordon Hastings, his death was only the beginning.

In a dark and twisted world, lost spirits known as Reapers remain behind after death to help collect the spirits from the realm of the living. A new Reaper, Jordon struggles to accept his fate and lingers in the shadows of his mortal life. But when a demon wolf starts to live through his shadow, hunting his family and friends Jordon has no choice but to leave. As soon as he accepts his new role the truth behind the relationship between Reapers and Angelic Hunters is revealed. His loyalty is tested, making him choose between a corrupted God and a single Banished Spirit.

Where can you find the first book 'My Demonic Ghost'?
Amazon / Smashwords / Kobo / B&N/ Goodreads

Author bio:

Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne Australia with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.

Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.

For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of stories she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

Author links:

Pub site: http://www.staccatopublishing.com/Staccato_Publishing/Jacinta_Maree.html
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448929.Jacinta_Maree
Website: http://jacintamareeauthor.blogspot.com.au/

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Schedule for the entire tour of Staccato Publishing Family Autumn tour: