Showing posts with label Charlotte Blackwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlotte Blackwell. Show all posts

Thursday, October 4, 2018

The Climb, Cover Reveal

I know I said I was going to focus on Mental Health for my next few posts, but in all honesty I need a break from that... for my mental health. So I decided what better way then to reveal to you my new book. The climb has been my romance project for about 7 years. It started as erotic, but I took all that out. Don't get me wrong, I love reading a hot and steamy book, I just can't write it. So The climb has become an amazing love story. I love this novel and hope you will too.


The Climb

Sometimes fate brings two people together to create a perfect love, but then life has different plans, so we must decide to trust that fate will prevail and our lives could be better than ever imagined.
Trista Smith is from San Francisco, she struggles with her self-worth. Deciding it’s time to take her life back, she makes the trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, hoping that climbing Africa’s tallest mountain will give her a new outlook on life and the courage to live it to the fullest.
Wealthy New Yorker, Phil McKay lost his wife to brain cancer. He’s finally fulfilling her dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. With her ashes in his pack, he is ready to close this painful chapter and move on with his life.
Both Trista and Phil hoped to ‘find themselves’ on the mountain; they never expected their lives to change forever. Unfortunately, they live on opposite ends of the country. It’s hard to be drawn together and then torn apart in such a short time. However, life throws even more curve balls at them and the risk of tragedy brings them together again.

 
Cover Art by CJ Strange




The Climb releases on November 1, 2018 on Amazon world wide. I am having a face book release party, so make sure you join and try to win various prizes from myself and other amazing authors. Don't forget to like my face book page for up dates and other fun stuff.  

XOXO
Charlotte




Thursday, June 28, 2018

Immortal Embrace (revised edition)

Just a short post tonight. It's almost time, Immortal embrace will be re-released on July 2, 2018. This comes 7 years and 1 day after the original release. There are some minor changes, and some big fixes. I'm so excited to share it with you.


Currently you can pre-order the kindle edition. Now for the big moment, the amazing new cover!



I hope you all love it as much as I do. Who's ready to get Embraced for the first time or all over again?


All my love,
Charlotte

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Interview with Margaret Millmore

Thank you for joining us today, I’m so excited to have you hear and know my readers will enjoy it as well.

About you:
Can you tell us a little about you? I’m a native Californian and have lived in San Francisco for the last twenty years. I’m married to a wonderful man (19 years now) and enjoy reading and writing fiction.
What quality do you most value in yourself? The world is a brutal place and at every turn in life, there is something or even someone that wants to knock you down, but I won’t let it happen, my glass is eternally full and I thrive on optimism. In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about? Reading, creating art via painting (canvas and furniture and anything else that will stand still long enough to be painted) and my family and friends, they are my lifeblood.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? My marriage and my relationships with my family, and of course completing and publishing my first book.
Why do you write? Fictional thrillers, with a touch of the paranormal What is your greatest strength as a writer? I’m not sure yet, but I hope it’s the ability to entertain the reader and keep them turning page after page.
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work? My cousin, Sharon Owens, she is an Irish author of 7 books (2 of which are best sellers), they’re wonderful journeys of life and love. Although she’s quite popular ‘across the pond’, American readers are missing out on her wonderful works. What book(s) / author(s) have influenced your life and writing? Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and Dean Koontz, there are others but those are the top three.  

About Writing:
Do you follow a regular routine? I try to write in the mornings and do any promotional work in the afternoons, for the most part that is my routine, but life often throws me a curve ball and it only works about 2/3rds of the time.
What motivates you to write? I’ve been making up stories in my head since childhood, when the opportunity to write came about, I jumped at it, and I love it. The very act of getting these pesky stories out is my motivation and of course I have an enormous support structure in my family and friends and they are amazing in their encouragement to me.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? Yes, when I get stuck, I stop and re-read what I’ve written, then I ponder it for a day or two, more often than not, the block disappears and I can continue.
Do you have any advice for other writers? Don’t give up! Its hard work, but anything worth doing always is.
What are your current / future projects? I’m currently working on my next book, a fictional thriller based in San Francisco, but it’s too new to discuss at this point, so stay tuned...   About your book: Can you tell us a bit about your book? It’s a thriller based in San Francisco about a woman who wakes from a coma to discover her life is not what she remembers. As she tries to put the pieces back together she discovers clues to horrible experiments that had been and could still be taking place. Murder, distrust and a husband she doesn’t know drive her to discover and stop the horrible things that are happening.
What is the message in your book? What are your readers’ reactions to it? Aside from the good versus evil aspect, there really isn’t a specific message. The reader’s reactions have been positive so far, many have enjoyed the fast pace and unpredictable ending. 
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book? I hope it’s the entertainment factor that the story provides, that was my goal. I didn’t want to bog down the reader with deep thoughts and complicated jargon, I just wanted to take them away for a while, make them care about the characters and what happens to them.
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book? Naturally I’d like them say they loved it! But I’d also like them to say they couldn’t put it down, that it entertained them and that they would recommend it to others.
How can readers help you promote this book? By spreading the word of course, currently the e-book is on sale at Amazon for $2.99 through the holidays, if that’s a success I would consider extending the sale.  
Where can readers find you and more about your book(s)? Where can they purchase your book(s)? www.margaretmillmore.com, FB: Margaret Millmore, Twitter: mmillmore My book is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, World Castle Publishing and just about all other online retailers.

Thank you again for joining us today, I've been looking forward to reading your work. I wish you much success and happiness. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and I think your books will be a great addition to any book lovers shelf. I hope you will come visit us again.


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Bad Reviews - How to deal

If you are in the entertainment industry in any way, shape, or form, you know about bad reviews. We all get them, writers, musicians, film makers. The thing is no matter how many great, good or even okay reviews you get, it's the bad ones that stick with you. Sometimes it's just someone who didn't like your work. That we can handle, because not everyone is going to love or even like what we put out. We pour heart and souls into our work and when someone doesn't "get it", or love it like we do, well lets face it, it hurts! 

Now comes the question, how do we respond to bad reviews? Easy answer is we don't, we call our friends and complain to them, or even better just let it roll off our back. It's not always that easy though, because some are really mean and nasty and will do evyerything to make you fail. The good news is, sometime bad reviews are the best kind. Why you may ask. Again a simple answer is, because any publicity is good publicity. Take Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. one of the hottest book franchises out right now. She has gotten tons of bad reviews, and some nasty one from high profile people too. Take Stephen King for instance. He tore her apart and continues to do so. One comment he made, (and for give me as i am paraphrasing here) along the line of Harry Potter is about overcoming challenges, growing and discovering ones self, Twilight is about boyfriends. Now I do completely agree with this statement, but I don't take it as bad, because sometime readers want something easy, lighthearted and just fun to read and yes about boyfriends. How do bad reviews work for us, well when some one sees a bad review, sometimes it drives them to want to see what was so bad about the book, movie, album ect. It also lowers their expectations and more times than not they will enjoy it even more and wonder what the reviewers problem was. 

Does any of this help us to deal with bad reviews? Probably not. Would we love to tell the bad reviewers where to shove their review? Most defiantly. Can we? Not a chance, responding to a bad review can be suicide in the industry. Even more so if you respond poorly. Credibility can be lost very fast and is difficult to get back. Now my question is, what do you do when a reviewer takes things to far? When they begin verbally attacking the artist and or their fans. To me that is uncalled for. If you don't like an artists contribution to society, so be it, but why attack those that do enjoy it? 

Another good example is the Canadian band Nickelback. I love this band, not only for their music, but because they are home grown. I don't understand why so many people are hating on them and anyone involved with them. They have been boycotted and petitions signed to prevent them from playing certain venues. What the heck is up with that? I follow a friend and co-worker of the lead signer and he fights back some of these comments. I love it. He stands up for himself and the band. After all why should he be trashed just because he is friends with the band? He shouldn't. Another example of this is the Dixie Chicks, they received death threats because of one comment made by Natalie the lead singer. What ever happened to freedom of speech?  

Freedom of speech allows someone to give us artists a bad review, and we have to take it. It also allows us to write and publish our stories and tales. It also allows our fans to enjoy our work and stand up for it. I just don't agree with being attacked for that. Now after all this you most likely didn't learn anything new, we still can't respond to bad reviews. BUT reviews please don't attack us or our fans because you are allowed to voice your opinion, does't mean everyone is going to agree with you. The same goes for us artists, as I said before, not everyone is going to like our work. So I guess the moral of this post is, don't fret a bad review...we all get them and they can't stop us.  

Monday, November 21, 2011

Author Interview with Stacey Rourke

CB:Thank you for joining us today, I'm so excited to have you here, and know my
readers will enjoy it as well. 

About You:

CB:Can you tell us a little about yourself?
SR:Well, I’m a mom, wife, and self-proclaimed shoe addict.  I graduated from college with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a marketing focus.  Yet despite my excessive student loan debts I decided to pursue my true passion of writing.  And I couldn’t be happier with that decision.

CB:What quality do you most value in yourself? 
SR:My sense of humor.  My parents instilled it in me never to take myself too seriously and to find the humor in any situation.  Life is just generally more fun if you take time to laugh.

CB:In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about? 
SR:My children.  They’re my life.  My everything.  Everything I do, I do for them.
CB:I understand that, us mother's do everything with our children in mind.

CB:What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? 
SR:In my private life; raising two healthy and happy kids. In my professional life; seeing The Conduit finally make it to publication.
CB:You should be proud, they are all major accomplishment's.

CB:Why do you write? 
SR:Because it’s my passion.  It’s what I was meant to do.  If I go too long without writing I go through withdrawals like an addict. It just makes me who I am.
CB:I thinbk you describes exactly how most writers feel. It's not what we do, it's who we are.

CB:What is your greatest strength as a writer? 
SR:Again I say my humor.  There aren’t many situations where being a chronic smarta*# is considered a positive attribute, thankfully in writing it is!

CB:Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work? 
SR:Christopher Moore.  His twisted and demented humor is unparalleled and all kinds of wicked fun! 

About Writing:

CB:What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine? 
SR:Before I start a new book I outline the story and plot for the entire novel.  From there I storyboard it like a movie or play.  I break it up into individual scenes to help me visualize it.  Then I can begin my first draft going scene by scene.  I have found that keeps me more focused.
CB:I think that is a whole talent on it's own, I can't story board, I just take off in a different direction anyway.
 
CB:Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it? 
SR:I think all writers’ heads occasionally get in the way of their work.  We expect every word, every sentence to be utter perfection.  That pressure stifles the creative process and just isn’t realistic.  Sometimes we just have to let go and WRITE! Let the ideas flow, knowing they may take you somewhere better than you could’ve possibly imagined. Or not. It could be utter crap, but that’s okay!  That’s why we edit! Either way, forcing yourself to push through and click away on those keys will unblock your creative constipation.

CB:What are your current / future projects? 
SR:I am currently working on the continuations of The Gryphon series and a few other literary projects that are still in development.

About your book:

SR:The Conduit tells the story of three siblings that move in with their Grandmother in Tennessee after a rash of break-ins in their hometown spooks their mother. A series of unexplainable events later and Celeste, the middle child, learns that because of an ancient pact her ancestor made in the 17th century she has been chosen to protect the Gryphon, the Protector of the Divine, from evil forces determined to possess him and harness his powers.  With her brother and sister by her side, and all of them sporting spankin’ new mystical powers, they set off to save the world.

CB:Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one? 
SR:The first draft of The Conduit was 110,000 words.  The published version is around 62,000 words.  I learned I can be way overly descriptive at times! There was a spaghetti making scene that read like I was writing a cookbook.  It, and a lot of details that didn’t pertain to the story at all, got cut. For very good reason.

CB:What would you most like readers to tell others about this book? 
SR:That it’s a fun, exciting, can’t miss read!

CB:How can readers help you promote this book? 
SR:Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, shout your love of this book from the rooftops and help spread the word that The Conduit is a MUST READ!
CB:I have confidence that they will.

CB:Where can readers find you and more about your book(s)? Where can they purchase your book(s)? 
SR:Find out more about my books at www.staceyrourke.com, follow me on Twitter @Rourkewrites, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Rourke/112390402191876.  The Conduit is available for purchase for Amazon Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or at Smashwords.com

CB:Thanks again for joining us today Stacey. I can tell everyone that i have been totally wrapped up in your story and they should watch for my review on the 26th. And don't forget to leave some words of encouragement for this wonderful new author.

SR:Thanks so much for having me on your blog! It’s been a pleasure!


Friday, November 4, 2011

November's Spotlight on Upcoming Releases!




Read About Each Upcoming Release



Right Here!!

During the month of November!!

 



Mystic Embrace (teaser)
Book three of the Embrace Series
By Charlotte Blackwell

Ebony Triggs and her sister have accepted their birthright to be the magnificent ones, protectors of the innocent. They have been working on improving their magickal powers with the help of close friends the Pierce family. Ebony and Eliza have been working hard, with one common goal in mind, destroying the demon that killed their parents sixteen years ago. Will they ever find him and succeed at destroying him or will fighting evil become a daily occurrence for the sisters?

Entering her senior year of high school, Ebony already has more than most teens on her plate, but when things continue to change in her life she must rely on her immortal friends, the Pierce’s to help get her through. Ebony and her boyfriend Matt like most teens are looking at the future and what will happen after life in high school. But when plans change will they be faced with even bigger issues?

Ebony soon realizes that the Pierce’s and her close friends will need her as much as she needs them. She thought learning of her mystical powers was the greatest test of her life, but it was only just the beginning. 




The Embrace Series



WEREParanormal
Warrior's Heart Novels


To be released during November!!





Released during November!




Released in November!



Released in November!



To Be Released in January!





To Be Released January!






To Be Released in February!





To Be Released in May!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Big Announcements

Well a few big announcements today. So this post will be on the main blog and under news. So are you ready for it? 


Okay Forbidden Embrace has been pre-released today on e-book through smashwords. That's right you can get it now and continue on the Embraced journey.



Forbidden Embrace
Book two of the Embrace Series

Just when Sophia Pierce thinks her eternal life will be happy and peaceful, something else happens to turn it upside down. With rogue vampire approaching the town she has learned to call home, the Pierce family must prepare for battle. With some magickal help will they be able to save Wenham?
Even more trouble arises when Danika, the newest vampire of the family decides this might not be the right place for her. The Pierce family has already lost one love, Caspian, when he felt he was no longer worthy of their family name. Will Danika follow his footsteps and will he be able to save her from a fate far worse than his own? 

Now the other big news is I am going on blog tour with the Experience. So keep your eyes out for me, there will be interviews, giveaways and so much more. For other authors, you can get your own experience tour by clicking on the Embrace Experience button to the right, it will take you right there. I would like to give a huge shout out to Jen from A Book and A Latte for introducing me to the experience. Thanks Jen.



Friday, August 5, 2011

Sweet Saturday Samples 08/06/2011

Sweet Sample, I decided to go with the football game from Immortal Embrace, I hope you all enjoy and don't forget Sunday is VOTING day for Immortal Embrace, just follow the big, red poster/button to the right. It will take you right to the sight for voting. Thanks for your support, can't wait to read all your comments.

***

At the game, we score some great seats in the first few rows at centerfield, right behind the home team bench. We all enjoy football; it is a great contact sport. The excitement of attending my first high school game is building up in me, or maybe it’s just the excitement of seeing Nathanial again. We join the crowd as they jump to their feet and cheer while the team runs on the field, ripping through a big paper banner the cheerleaders have made for them with markers and poster paints. The entire team is hungry for the first win of the season, and the excited and screaming crowd is pumping the energy they need right their way. Nathanial leads the team to centerfield, and once again, he astounds me.
Feeling a dull poke in my side, I turn to find Danika elbowing me. “What?”
“He’s looking through the crowd for you. God I wish it were me he was looking for.”
Ignoring her later statement I look up at him, and then, out of nowhere, he stops and drops his helmet right in front of me. His mouth is hanging open like a Saint Bernard staring at a steak. I don’t know how else to react so I just smile and wave, as my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
He smiles back and mouths, “This one is for you, gorgeous!”
I can hear him breathing the words ever so softly above the crowd’s cheers. Keeping him at a distance is going to be harder than I ever expected. I am experiencing feelings I have never had before. I feel giddy about Nathanial’s reaction to me tonight and excited to watch him do what he is so passionate about, what he loves. I have such a feeling of confidence and pride, and it seems Wenham is giving me a sense of security that I haven’t felt in decades.  I even feel like it may be okay to let Nathanial in, at least a little. That way, I can keep an eye on him and make sure he remains safe. I am overly protective of him, even though I cannot explain it. Can it be true? Could he be the one? We only met last month. Is that what they mean about love at first sight? About finding your soul mate? No, it couldn’t be. I do not want him to be a part of this. I want nothing more for him than a long and happy life, free from danger, secrets, and drama. Why does he confuse me so much? I have never experienced such conflict within myself before.
Constance whispers, “It’s meant to be, my dear. If you fight it, things will just be worse. This is what he wants as well.”
Once again, Alexander shares my thoughts with the others. “How can he want this? He does not even know what this is!” I reply.
“He will,” she confirms.
“I see it, too, Sophia. Your souls match perfectly, like no match I have ever seen before” Matilda adds.
I sigh and turn to watch the game, but in spite of all the action on the field, the sidelines and in the stands, I mostly watch Nathanial. I can’t help wondering if my family could be right, if Nathanial really is my soul mate. Are we meant to be together? I just can’t understand how he could ever want this. I would not wish this kind of existence on anyone–and that’s all it is...an existence and not any kind of life.
“The game is going great,” Isaac observes.
Everyone is excited as the halftime whistle blows. The halftime show begins, and in the backdrop behind the band and the cheerleaders, the bright orange numbers on the scoreboard shows that our team is up by fourteen points.
“Wow! Those cheerleaders are really good,” Alexander says with a sadistic smile.
“Are you kidding me?” Matilda smacks him upside the head.
We all chuckle and Alexander jokes, “Come on, darling. We have been together over a hundred years, and you still get jealous. How cute.”
“My love, there is a difference between jealous and annoyed,” she smirks. “It is a thin line of course, but it may be a line you want to avoid walking on.”
Florence shakes her head. “I don’t know about you two, but can we please just enjoy the rest of the game?”
In less than an hour, the game ends, and our team is victorious by thirty points. This is just what Wenham High needs for its morale.
“I can’t believe Nathanial made five touchdowns! He was on fire tonight!” I exclaim, bursting with unbridled excitement and pride.
The entire crowd starts chanting his name, “Nate! Nate! Nate is great!” as the other players parade him around on their shoulders. The local newspapers are snapping pictures and preparing for interviews.
I am so happy for him and the team. He looks even better than he usually does, if that is even possible. Nathanial is so happy and excited, and his eyes are sparkling with joy. I never imagined they could shine so brightly, but as he looks at me, his eyes light up like bright blue shooting stars dancing across the sky. I stand next to my family as we all watch this magnificent man who is hailed a hero by his teammates and the onlookers. But I can’t let him in, and this is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever faced.
“And we will all be here with you, sis.” Alexander wraps his arm around my shoulder. 
The team parades in front of us. Nathanial pats the shoulders of his teammates to put him down. I watch as he pushes his way through the crowd and runs up to me. He wraps his arms around my waist and swings me around. I melt into his strong sweaty arms.
When he finally places my feet ever so gently back on the ground he kisses my forehead and with his index finger lifts my chin up ever so slightly so I am looking right at him, right into him, and he into me.  “You are my lucky charm, you know. Now I can never let you go.” He smiles.
“I doubt that,” I reply.
“I gotta hit the showers. Will you wait for me?”
“I wish I could but I have plans with my family tonight, and they’re kinda important. I’m so sorry, Nathanial. I wish I could help celebrate your victory.” I pout, knowing once again I am not being fully honest. We need to be clear headed for tomorrow, so I do not want to cloud myself with Nathanial.
“No worries gorgeous. It won’t be the same without you there, but maybe we can catch up on Monday,” he suggests.
“Until Monday then...and congrats. You were amazing out there tonight.”
“Aw, it was nothing. I was just showing off for a pretty girl.” We both chuckle, and he gives me another hug and runs off to the dressing room to take of his pads.
This is it. Every time I see him, I let him in a little more. I can’t fight it much longer. 


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Excerpt Blog Hop

Well here it is another blog hop. Come see all the great blogs involves and don't for get to like mine :) Just another way to find some great info and writers. hope you all enjoy the variety of blogs involved. From my understanding this is a excerpt hop, so here we go a small teaser from Immortal Embrace.


Her scream rips through the entire house, as the family runs to the horrific source, the wailing cuts right through to my very core. The memories flood me of the day I used to bellow the same cry so many years earlier. But I can’t think about my own terror anymore, I have a new life now. I can’t allow her to go through what I did. What has he done? I know her terror, her fear, the panic that is starting to set in for a girl who has become like a sister to me.
“She’s in Caspian’s room!” I shout.
Within moments of the painful cry, my entire family reaches the door.  Elijah grabs for the brass doorknob, only to find it locked. He pounds at the solid oak door, his demands for it to open becoming more and more desperate as her cries fall silent. I take notice as Elijah and Florence share a glance and then, with his unnatural strength, he throws his shoulder into the door with all his might. The door splinters into pieces as what is left of it crashes to the ground.

August’s Blowout Summer Blog Hop

Over 50 GIVEAWAYS+ 7 AWESOME Author's+ Challenging CONTESTS+ The Title of BEST BOOK at STAKE= THE BEST SUMMER EVER!

Hello Bloggers. There has been a lot of BUZZ around SeeitORreadit about:

August's Blowout Summer Blog Hop

But what is that? And why is it such a big deal?

The August Blow out Summer Blog Hop is when we are going to be voting for the BEST BOOK. Our nominees are:
















Now here is how the event works. These books will be competing against each other. The book that wins the most rounds wins the title of BEST BOOK! So you guys need to vote for your book so it wins.

Along the way there will be lot's of contests, guest posts, and giveaways! So stay tuned all month long.

New Blog

Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness. -Steve Maraboli Come join my new blog on...