Monday, October 29, 2007

Cami Checkett's Halloween Challenge



Happy Halloween! In honor of the holiday of mini candy
bars and donuts, I decided to do a contest to
celebrate the release of "The Broken Path" and to try
to curb my chocolate addiction. It works like this.

Everyday you exercise - at least an hour of intense
exercise is my goal, but you can set your own goals -
you get a point.
Every treat you eat you lose a point - a serving will
basically be what you could fit in your hand - a
handful of candy, one slice of cake or pie, a few
cookies, a bowl of ice cream - lucky me, I've got
really big bowls!

The contest will start November 1st. At the end of the
month you will total your points. Hopefully, they'll
be positive. Then you'll e-mail me -
camichecketts@yahoo.com. If you get a higher score
than me, you get your choice of an electronic download
of either "The Broken Path" or "The Fourth of July".
Whoever gets the highest points wins a free print copy
of either book.

So, I'm hoping you'll all help me out and try the
contest. You could win a free book and improve your
health.

Let me know if you're in. I'll give you updates on my
blog - fitmomma.blogstream.com - about how I'm doing
pointwise. That way you'll know how far ahead of me
you are and the certainty of winning a free book.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Cami Checketts
http://www.camichecketts.com
http://fitmomma.blogstream.com

"The Fourth of July" and "The Broken Path"
Available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Wild Rose Press and Amazon.com

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Caring for your Physical Body



As a wife, mom, author and exercise scientist I have a
lot of things pulling me in different directions. I'm
sure all of you can relate. I'm often asked how I fit
in exercise. The truth - I get up at 5:30 a.m. Not
fun, but well worth it.

I promise if you make time for exercise, you will reap
the benefits: lose weight, increase tone and strength,
decrease the risk of contracting various illnesses and
improve your brain power. People who are fit not only
enjoy higher quality of life, they also have a higher
income.

Have I convinced you to try some exercise yet? Great.
Here are a few ways to get started.

#1 – Find out what you love and do it. Join a tennis
league, go on a walk, join a gym, run, bike, dance,
crawl. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you
get off that couch and move.

#2 – Wear a pedometer. It's a great motivator. When I
wear mine I actually run down the stairs to talk to my
boys instead of yelling over the railing! Make sure
you’re doing more than 10,000 steps a day and you will
reap the benefits.

#3 – Eat in moderation. The best diets include all the
good things nature has to offer: whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, lean meats, dairy, etc. Throw in a little
chocolate or Diet Coke for sanity’s sake and you’ve
got yourself a winner.

#4 – Portion control. You can eat almost anything you
want if you’ll eat small servings and keep track of
what you eat during the day.

#5 – Turn off the television. Whenever clients tell me
they can’t fit in exercise I ask them how much t.v.
they watch a day. I’ve never had someone say zero. If
you really must see American Idol, please dance with
them, run the stairs during commercials or stash your
hand weights next to the couch so you can reach for
them during the show.

#6 – Lift weights. Many women are afraid of weights.
Don’t be. Weight training is fun and easy to learn.
Buy a book on weight-lifting, look online for advice,
hire a personal trainer, find a friend who knows what
she’s doing and trade a favor, or read my blog:
fitmomma.blogstream.com.
Lifting weights will increase your metabolism
significantly, decrease your risk of osteoporosis,
make you look and feel better, and is the best way to
stay fit for life.

#7 – Try to move as much as possible. Pace or do
squats while you talk on the phone. Run the diaper to
the trash instead of practicing your pitch. Dance
around the kitchen while you cook. Roll a tennis ball
under your foot while you work – it’ll keep you moving
and it’s a great foot massage. Replace your office
chair with an exercise ball and squeeze your abs and
glutes while you sit.

#8 – Give yourself a free day. One day a week don’t
write down what you eat, don’t exercise and let
yourself eat dessert, nachos or whatever you desire.
If I have that free day to look forward to I can
handle depriving myself during the week. Also, it’s
almost impossible to undo the good of six days in one
bad day.

#9 – Remember to take baby steps. Start by taking a
short walk or bike ride with your kids or buying some
exercise bands and playing around with them while you
watch t.v. Every year I try to change one bad habit.
It’s a gradual process. If you take it slowly you
won’t feel frustrated or deprived. The important thing
is to keep improving and realize these are life-long
changes, not a crash diet or quick fix.

Improving your health will affect every aspect of your
life. Give it a try and see how much better you think
and feel.


Cami Checketts' blog - fitmomma.blogstream.com offers
daily fitness advice and strength training routines.
Visit her website – www.camichecketts.com to read
excerpts of her novels or print out healthy recipes
and strength training guides.


Cami Checketts
http://www.camichecketts.com
http://fitmomma.blogstream.com

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Question from Rose Ross Zediker


Does The "Teaser Page" Entice?

On today's blog, I'm going to post what I call the teaser page of a novel. The front page matter that covers one short portion of a scene that shows the hero/heriones attraction for one another.

I'd like your opinions-does this leaves you wanting to know the "rest of the story"?

Enjoy!
Rose
*************************************************************
"It's okay. You can touch my hair, if you want to." Mike brought Audra's hand to his cheek.

Audra slid her hand up his face until she locked some strands between her two fingers. She smoothed down and out until the breeze caught it. She duplicated the movement on the other side.

Mike had to close his eyes and focus on keeping his emotions in check. His heart drummed in his chest, causing his breath to be rapid and unevenly paced.

Audra tucked hair behind his left ear. Her fingers traced the outside of his ear resting on his earring. She lingered there rolling the hoop betwwen her thumb and forefinger. Her fingers left his earlobe and trailed down his strong jaw line to his goatee.

Mike opened his eyes. Audra had leaned in close. Her concentration showed on her face. Did she know her light touch caused intense vibrations through his body?

Her eyes searched his eyes. They were filled with emotion. She stroked the hair on his chin with the back of her fingers. "All this shocked me a little, at first." Her voice was gentle.

"But I like it. I really do."

Mike reached up and moved her hand to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand, then moved it to his cheek and held it there. "Thank you." His voice husky. His breathing erratic.

He slanted his body toward her. Kissing her hand wasn't enough. He wanted to feel the warmth of her body in his arms, the softness of her lips on his.

The blast of a car horn cause both of them to jump. Audra squeezed Mike's hand.


Rose Ross Zediker
Through the Eyes of Love-Coming soon from The Wild Rose Press!
www.thewildrosepress.com
www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/roserosszediker
www.shoutlife.com/roserosszediker

Monday, October 15, 2007

Alverado Gold will be Available Soon


With my release date for Alvarado Gold quickly approaching, I've been attempting to do all the right things to boost my sales. My journey from contract to release date has kept me busy doing bookmarks, business cards, web sites and video trailers; but I'm not complaining!

I finished my the video trailer Sunday afternoon and then decided I wasn't going to move until I wrote the final chapter in my WIP, Cairo. I shut down the computer about five hours later with such a feeling of accomplishment. I still have a lot of work to do with rewrites and polishing. I didn't even know how I'd end the book when I started the last chapter. It all just fell together. I read it to my critique group and they loved it which added to my elation.

The final line of Cairo is: Seek and ye shall find, ask and it will be given. I feel truly blessed to have been given the talent to weave a story with my writing and I'll continue to use it to glorify God.

Victoria Pitts-Caine
Alvarado Gold
release dates:
November 11, 2008 digital
May 16, 2008 print

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Introducing Kim Watters


Hi. My name is Kim Watters and I write sweet and inspirational stories for both Avalon Books and the Wild Rose Press. I was called to write years ago, but until I had moved from Chicago to Phoenix, I never seemed to have the time. And boy I’ve sure made up for it. With two books from Avalon, another one in the works, a full novel at the Wild Rose Press, and three short stories later, I’m at it as full time as I can get. During the day, I work as an administrative assistant for a local golf resort, which I find amusing because I don’t play golf. My writing time is during that precious hour in the morning before the kids poke their heads into the office and start asking for breakfast.

I’ve received many blessings and a true understanding of God through the birth of my children. They truly have the understanding of God with a child’s innocence lost upon many adults, myself included sometimes. I love creating stories for others to enjoy and hope the message of unconditional love, acceptance and the belief in a happily ever after is my gift to the world that God has chosen me to share.

Blessings.

Kim Watters

Monday, October 8, 2007

Meet Cindy K. Green



Hello, Readers, I’m Cindy K. Green, one of the White Rose authors. I am a California native who now resides in North Carolina with my husband and two young sons. Growing up, I loved reading and writing, but my heart always lay in teaching. After graduating from college with a degree in history, I taught Jr. High in just about every subject. I currently stay home and write as well as homeschool my children. In my spare time, I love reading, photography, scrapbooking, Period Dramas, and spending time with family. I enjoy writing Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense, Young Adult and Historical.


I have two titles with the Wild Rose Press. It is a wonderful company to be a part of. I encourage you to take a peak at the books listed there and read some excerpts. You will no doubt find something to inspire or entertain you every time.



Here are the places you can keep up on all I am involved in:


My Website: www.cindykgreen.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/cindykgreen

ShoutLife: http://www.shoutlife.com/cindykgreen

Bebo: http://www.bebo.com/CindyG52

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Kimberlee Mendoza wins Writer of the Year


This weekend I attended the San Diego Christian Writer's Conference. It is one of the largest countrywide Christian conferences in the nation. Friday night they handed out awards for best fiction, best non-fiction, best poetry AND writer of the year. When they called my name as the recipient of the "Sherwood Eliot Wirt Writer of the Year" Award. I was amazed, to say the least. It has been a really good year, and it is only getting better.

At the beginning of 2007, I published a romance about a young woman's journey into the Army called, "Reveille of the Heart." I also had two e-books accepted: "Uncharted Waters" and "A Girl Named Christmas." But the thing I'm most excited about is the young adult, "Russell Family Series." The first book comes out November 9, which just happens to be my birthday. I'm celebrating with a release Open House on Friday, November 16 at The Chapel Cafe in Spring Valley, CA. If you're around, come celebrate with me!

The first book is called, "Love Thy Sister, Guard Thy Man." A book about a Christian teenager finding her way in the world. "Oh Brother, You're Not My Keeper" and "Seek Ye First My Heart" will be out sometime in 2008. If you're young or young at heart, I hope you'll pick them up.

Now, I'm just going to hang around up here on Cloud-9 for a while, and hope you have a blessed day!

Monday, October 1, 2007

New Release for Kim Watters


Author Kim Watters has a new release at The Wild Rose Press. "Discovering Jenna" is in the sweetheart rose category.

Reclusive children’s author Jenna Winslow hides behind her books to keep life from disappointing her. She’d rather spend her time in museums with the dinosaurs she writes about…until she meets a man who makes her want to live again.

Matt McCutcheon is confined to a wheelchair but doesn’t let life confine him. He’s determined to unearth the mysteries of a woman whose physical scars camouflage wounds that go far deeper.

But are his efforts to unlock the warmth and beauty inside Jenna enough to draw her into the land of the living?