A Few Random Thoughts

Some times in life things happen that you can't control. Now don't misunderstand. These things aren't all necessarily bad. Sometimes they are wonderful carmic events that change your life for the good.

When times get tough and the road long, always remember you have to reach your destination eventually. It might seem endless and fully of bumps and pot-holes, but it's there nevertheless.

Lately, I've been questing what's important in life. I've been pondering the way I think about things. It's possible that my thoughts hold the power to either encourage or discourage my health, happiness and general well-being.

Isn't it interesting that our own mind, just ours and ours alone, has such amazing power? If we can know that, why is it so difficult to reverse any negative thoughts and flood our brains with only goodness and light?

The answer is simple...

Because we're human! Unfortunately, it is in our nature to be skeptical. It is also normal to live occasionally by the "glass is half empty" way of thinking.

The problem comes from letting ourselves drown in the sorrow and self-ptty that attempts to take us over. It's easy to give up and crawl into the hole and hide forever. It's much harder to stand up, dust ourselves off and keep going.

The second example is worth it however. The rewards for sticking to the positive are endless. People who don't let themselves get caught up in the everyday drama that insists upon dragging us down.

So my call to action is this...

Try this for one week. Force your brain to eliminate the negative and embrace the positive. When you feel yourself getting sucked into the darkness, pull yourself out and run away as fast as you can. Keep telling yourself that you are worth it and you can do it.

If this doesn't help after a week, you haven't lost anything. That's the beauty of it. You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. So try it, and let me know in the comment section or personal message how it works for you.

Clandestin In Audio Update!

Hey guys, this is just a quick note to let you know that I have just finished reviewing the audio book for Clandestine!!

Thanks to my crazy life, it has taken long than expected, but it is done... done... DONE! I am very excited about it. I know you guys are going to love love love it.

Clandestine is narrated and produced by the lovely and talented Melissa Strom. She brings real life and demnsion and depth to the main character Emily Jameson as well as to the supporting cast of characters. The slayers are strong lively beings with amazing personalities and hillarious sarcastic charm.

By contrast, the vampires are creepy savage creatures that will leave your blood running cold. They give new meaning to the word... RUN!

Melissa Strom portrays and delivers a flwless performance in her rendition of this heart poundingly enthralling books. Between the story itself, and the way she captures it and makes it her own, you will be left begging to listen and read Divinity.

The next step in the production process is for Melissa to make a few minor changes. After that I will review those sections, pay her for her hard work and then... wait for it... wait for it... the book will be ready for your listening pleasure!!!!

Once on sale, Clandestine will be available for purchaase and download at Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.

I will let you know as things continue to progress. If you haven't done it yet, please sign up to be a follower of this site and also visit http://www.facebook.com/authornicolerae and press the like button.

My Crazy Life

I would just like to take a moment to say I am terribly sorry. I haven't been active on this blog and am behind on deadlines. I am still here and devoted to my work. Unfortunately, as some of you know life as a single mommy sometimes takes over and things get jumbled.

It seems like lately, if it's not one thing it's the other. Have you ever stepped back and took an outside look at your life? That's what I've been doing lately. Things have gotten very distorted and out of focus. Seeings how I'm blind, that's a pretty big improvement.

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things and promise to be full fledge normal very soon. I've been working on the review process for Clandestine in audio practically none stop. I have also gotten several chapters of Sightless Spirits and the yet untitled book three of Bound In Blood. Divinity is still in the editing stages.

I've also been trying to plan a fun give-a-away for the near future as well as planning some future signings to get out in public.

It's difficult to get the word out and with lack of funds for advertising and travel, the job can be that much more combersome. This is a huge pitfall of self-publishing that I plan to adress more fully in a future post.

My goal is to start posting more here so that the blog reader base will increase. I want to talk about things you want to read about. If there is ever anything you want to hear about no matter what the topic is, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

I am also very open to guest posts on this blog. Are you an author? Maybe you are a reader who loves books and wants to talk about them. Or maybe you are a reviewer or someone else with a love and passion for the literary world. Either way, if you want to do a guest post, I want to work with you.

Do you have any ideas for posts? Let me know what you're thinking and I'll try to make it happen.

I will tell you that I am really loving the Bound In Blood series and think you will all enjoy where it's heading in the future. There are more tweists turns magic and mayham then the first installment of Clandestine. There are new love issues and jam packed action to keep you craving more.

The audio book for Clandestine is going to be marvelous. The narrator Melissa Strom is amazing and I love love love the music by Toby Semane.

As always keep checking back for more updates. You can also visit me on Facebook by clicking the link on this site. Remember, every like the page gets, helps get the word out for free. Please help by pressing the like button for the FB page. I'm active on there and always respond to questions, comments and or messages.

I have been having Twitter issues so I admit I haven't been as active there. You can also find me on Good Reads where I host a group and am a member to several groups.

I also have my blog Playing The Blind Card where you can get more info as well. Oh and side not, I have been contemplating combining the two blogs. What do you think? I will keep you posted on that front as well. I hope that if this happens all followers will consider traveling to that blog.

Thanks for listening to my rambling and I will be back soon more:)

HAPPY NEW YEARS

I would like to send a shout out to all my readers! It's 2013! It's time for new beginnings.

I hope that this year is a wonderful and amazing one for all of you. Have fun, make waves and don't forget to splash a little. Don't be afraid to travel to the deep end, sink to the bottom and rocket back to the surface unscathed.

This year will be a busy one for me. Divinity will be coming out soon and I have three other projects in the works for 2013 as well.

I'm hoping to widen my fan base and get the word out about my books and blogs. I'm hoping all of you will help spread the word in any way you can.

I'm thinking of running a contest this month and next to get more followers for the blog as well as Facebook likes. What would you guys like to see as the prizes??? Any ideas??? Light it up readers, tell me your thoughts in the comment section and I'll try to make it happen.

I will keep you all posted on what I decide on. Hope to hear from all of you soon:)

As always, thanks for reading
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Review of This Is Forty

I went with a friend to see the movie This Is Forty. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The film was a laugh riot from start to finish.

It goes along with the equally funny Knocked Up. That one was a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, the all-star cast pulled it off in spades.

Find a sitter for the kiddos, tuck them into bed and settle in for a night of good writing and hilarity. Although this one isn’t a wise choice for your children, it isn’t one you’ll one to miss.

I give this movie a definite five stars! I recommend it for the adult crowd and for anyone who loves a good belly laugh. Warning! The muscles in your abdomen may experience soreness after viewing this movie. Watch at your own risk.

Clandestine in Audio Update

First off, I would like to say I'm sorry for neglecting this blog lately. Things have been very busy and honestly, a bit crazy around here. I will try to keep up in the future.

Now, I'd like to let you know that the production of Clandestine is well under way. Things are going great! Melissa Strom is a fantastic narrator and I think you will all love her work.

The past few day she and I have been discussing the music for the book that will play during the opening and closing credits. There is a lot of talent out there, but I think we've found the artist that will best match the Bound In Blood series. When I've nailed down the details and make it all official, I will post a sample of the music for all of you to check out!

Melissa says that she is down to the editing process of her recording. That's right... that means we are almost there folks! Are you seriously as excited as I am??? I can hardly stand it.

The series will be available for your download on Audible, Amazon and iTunes! When things are closer to being finalized, I will let you know more about price and what not.

Stay tuned for my next post. I am going to give you a Divinity update. I will tell you that you will be able to buy it in January! I will also be revealing the cover in the next post as well. If you can't wait that long you can find the cover as well as book description on Good Reads. Hope on over and add it to your "To Read" shelves:)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Down On My Hands And Knees Beggin For Help:)

I know that donating to a project or cause that you have no guarantee will be a success can be intimidating. Maybe you think your pledge won’t make a difference. Maybe you are leery of giving money to a stranger. No matter what the reason, I hope you will reconsider.

I assure you that every dollar earned will be going to this book project. My fans want it so much that it is crucial for me to get it done. That being said, there is no way I would ever back out of my end of the deal.

Kick Starter is a crowd funding website that aims to help connect people with creative projects with possible investors. A person has a limited amount of time to reach their goal. If their goal is not met, no money exchanges hands. That’s right, your money never leaves your wallet.

Second, if you decide to pledge, you will receive prizes for your generosity. Therefore, it’s kind of like purchasing something. Once the goal date has passed, all the people who supported the project will receive their items.

I plan to send people who pledge emails updating them on the progress on the production of the audio book. I am producing my books through a company called ACX. The narrator I have chosen is Melissa Strom. She is a well respected and very talented actress. She has agreed to stay on for the entire series which is anticipated to be four novels.

Again, I know it seems risky. Just know that I will never receive any of your financial banking information. All transactions are completed through Amazon Payments. This is a secure way to ensure your financial protection.

The reason it is so important to me to have my books done in audio is because… well, I myself am blind. I know what it’s like to look for a novel on Audible and have it not be there. That is one of the most frustrating things a book lover can go through. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, fans have written to me wanting to know when the series will be available in audio.

The only reason I haven’t done it by myself is because I haven’t had the money. My first book only just came out in August and the second will be out in December. Therefore, right now my funds are limited. I would never ask strangers for funds if it wasn’t completely necessary. This is the only way I can carry out this portion of my dream in a somewhat timely fashion.

I am a single mommy to two great little girls. I want them to be proud of their mom. Most of all, I want to build a career that will give them a better life. Yes, money can’t by happiness, but it is a big part of life.

I don’t want to depend on Disability income anymore. I want the pride of standing on my own two feet knowing that I’ve worked my buns off to get there. When I received my first royalty check of fifty dollars, you would have thought that I had been given a mountain of diamonds and gold ripe for the picking. I cried, knowing that this was my first real pay check. I earned it all by myself and not because of something that was beyond my control.

The town I live in is a difficult one for finding regular employment, especially when you have a disability. I have tried on numerous occasions to get a job. On all of those occasions I was turned down. They of course couldn’t tell me the real reason, but I knew what it was. They were intimidated by my blindness. They didn’t think I could handle the job, though I was more than qualified. I was never given the proper chance that I deserved and wanted so desperately.

You see, I have never been someone that enjoys getting something for nothing. That’s why it took me so long to decide on creating a Kick Starter project. I finally decided that it wouldn’t hurt to try. If someone didn’t want to pledge, they didn’t have to. If they did, then awesome.

I didn’t want to wonder for the rest of my life if it would have worked. It’s the what if’s that keep you up at night and kicking yourself in the end.

The great thing about a Kick Starter project is that you can back out at any time if you change your mind. The minimum pledge is one dollar, so breaking the bank is not a problem. You will have comfort in knowing that you helped in making someone’s dream come true. Someday when I’m as famous as James Patterson or any of the other great authors out there, you can say you helped me get to where I am.

I don’t plan to take your money and run. As I’ve said, you will get some really cool prizes for each of your donations. I will send you update emails and I’d like to keep in touch with you long after the project is completed. I want you to know that your contribution means a lot to me and I will never forget it or you. I will also be happy to respond to emails anytime, even if the project is done and the productions complete. After all, if it wasn’t for all of you, it wouldn’t be possible.

I only have until November first to reach my goal. That is less than two weeks away. So I am before you on my hands and knees begging for your support. Pretty please consider helping me achieve my dream. It would mean a lot and I’d be eternally grateful.