#IndiePrideDay 2018

Hello, fellow readers!
Today we celebrate Indie Pride Day, a movement that supports independent authors around the world. Every year on July 1st, authors take selfies of themselves with their books and take to social media using the #IndiePrideDay and #IndieBooksBeSeen hashtags.

Why should readers care?
Ah, dear readers, but don't you see, independent authors are only the BEST for so many reasons!

The indie community is one of the friendliest, most helpful places to be when you are a newbie writer just getting started. There are various groups on Facebook, (My favorite being Authors-Professional Co-op) that are there to support each other by answering questions and giving feedback. We don't see other writers as competition; we recognize that we are all in this together.

Indie authors are also some of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (Online. I wish I knew these people in real life!). Many avid readers are under the impression that indies, specifically self-published authors, "couldn't hack it" with big name publishers and were forced to publish their books themselves. This is not the case. Many authors choose to self-publish or go through a small publishing company because of the freedom they have when it comes to their story and the final product. Talent has nothing to do with it.
In fact, I have a few indies that I immediately purchase whenever they put out a new release because they are just that good. Seriously, their books are magic.

So, what can you do, dear reader, to help this wonderful movement? Share any of the posts you see with those special hashtags. Show indies love by buying their books, telling your friends, and leaving reviews. In return, we'll keep putting our hearts and souls into the stories that you love.
Happy Indie Pride Day, everyone!
All my love to you, fellow indies!

Exciting Things are Coming!

That's right, my friends! Now that Hollow Hills is up and running, I have gotten back to writing again and I am bringing the goods. Next month, I have a collection of short stories coming out that is sure to please. Let me give you the low-down on Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. 

I'm pretty pumped about my first book to be published through Hollows Hills. So what is it about? Horror, fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, and more come together in a mesmerizing collection hitting your favorite online book sellers on July 27th, 2018. 

Here is the synopsis:

Sink your teeth into this book of fantastical short stories that will leave you wanting more. This collection mixes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and more into one big boiling pot of tastiness. Stories may include princesses, talking birds, alien species, magical items, terrifying creatures, cyborgs, or assassins. You’ll get your fill of thrills and chills.

As if that isn't exciting enough, you are all invited to a party. That's right, you! Come join us on release day for our Facebook event Madness, Magic, and Mayhem. Games, teasers, and giveaways galore! Whew, I haven't done a FB event in quite some time and I fully intend to let loose and have a blast. I hope you stop by for some fun.

Meanwhile, drop by your favorite store and pre-order Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. It has a bit of something for everyone. The universal link is here. Have a great weekend, readers.

Stay tuned for news on another upcoming release from Hollow Hills that features another brand new short story from yours truly.

March - April Reads & Reviews

Hello, my fellow book enthusiasts.
I haven't posted reviews in a while so I thought I'd show you what I have been reading lately. Discover some new-to-you indie authors!

Miranda's Rights
by Lily Luchesi

Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
Though I knew exactly how this book was going to go when Miranda came back as a vampire, it was still an entertaining ride. We find out more about Angelica herself through flashbacks and it made her more real to me as a character. Danny begins honing his own special gifts, though I would have liked to see him struggle more with it as opposed to us being told that he struggled.
I wasn't feeling Miranda as a character, though. There was nothing likable about her, so I find it hard to believe that Danny was ever engaged to her. Also, if he has always known she was selfish and Angelica never trusted her, why would they trust her to help them with a case now?
The only plot twist I didn't see coming was the very end, and that was a nice way to set up the next book in the series.

Jill
by Rose Montague

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
A nice end to a trilogy!
The three J'Amigos are back with non-stop action from page one. These females are not only badass, but totally confident and eager to help each other fight the forces of evil. We follow our heroines as they traverse new worlds, encounter new dangers, and basically get splattered with gore on multiple occasions. A perfect ending, and a perfect intro to the Norma Jean's School of Witchery series.  

Sunlight Girl
by K.L. Cottrell

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
This is a new favorite. Spencer and Emerson's story was equal parts dark and enlightening. I honestly can't think of enough words to express what a beautiful and touching story this was. It is certainly inspiring for victims of abuse, whether it's the physical, mental, or emotional kind. And though I can't agree completely with her view of suicide victims, the story does an excellent job of revealing the other side of that coin by showing the world through the eyes of a loved one.
Overall, amazing story that I could not put down.

The Truth Will Out
by Karen J Mossman

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This was an interesting, fast-paced read. I could tell from the start that Sarah was Kelly, so no twist there, but I certainly didn't see the main protagonist coming. The action scenes were done quite well. I wouldn't have minded a slightly more fleshed out romance, but overall, this was a good read. 


Overall, lots of goodies by female authors. (I didn't plan it that way, I swear!) I hope you check them out and find some you enjoy.
Happy reading!

Is Suicide Selfish?

Today I want to address a topic that will make many people uncomfortable. Good. That's half the point. After the world lost Chester Bennington last year, I have often thought about how people view suicide. It's one of those subjects no one wants to bring up but everyone suddenly has an opinion on if you do. I'm here to give everyone a few pointers from the ugly side of it.
I am in no way condoning suicide, here. The point of this post is to show others what sort of thoughts might run through the mind of a suicidal person.

Is Suicide Selfish?
I often hear the opinion that people who commit suicide are selfish because they left their loved ones behind to suffer. I can see how people might feel that way. The person's suffering is over but their family and friends' suffering has just begun. I mean, we aren't stupid, we know people will mourn us. Here's the thing though: we think you are better off without us here. 
Seriously. People suffering from suicidal thoughts often feel like a burden to those around them. Not only do we hate ourselves and wish we weren't here, we wish you didn't have to put up with us. People like myself who suffer from anxiety and depression will often stop talking to friends and family because we a) Can't handle seeing people on the regular, b) Are embarrassed about how we act when we are with you, and/or c) Honestly think you don't need to waste your time on us. Sometimes we can't deal with everyday stuff like getting a shower. Answering the phone. Washing a load of clothes. Because of this, we feel like we are an embarrassment to some people. Hell, maybe we are to some. 
When thoughts turn to suicide, often we figure everyone will cry a bit but get over it because, hello, aren't we just a waste of space anyway? Isn't everyone around us better off if we aren't bringing them down? Does that make us selfish? Here's a question: are you being selfish for wanting us to stay? Why would you want us to keep suffering?
Again, I'm not condoning suicide. These are just thoughts I have had before. So please don't tell a suicidal person that they are being selfish. We already hate ourselves, that is in no way helping. You don't call an ambulance for the injured guy on the sidewalk while you're still kicking him in the ribs.

Find Things to Live For!
Oh, I can't tell you how many times I have heard this phrase. I need to stay around for my kids. (See above for my answer to that one.) I need to stay around for my writing. For my family. I need to find a new hobby that makes me happy. I need to search my soul or something and find a reason to stick around.
First of all, if it was that simple, I'm pretty sure it would be all rainbows and sunshine up in here. I honestly don't know how to just "be happy." I have moments of happiness here and there, but I'm not a genuinely happy person. So focusing on one thing to keep me happy is a ridiculous notion. Happiness by itself is not the issue. Finding love or loving someone else is not the issue. Outside things don't make you happy. You make you happy. Until I can love myself, it doesn't matter if I am loved or love someone else. A person, an object, a career, or a hobby are not going to change how I feel about myself. They may provide some insight and guide me on my journey, true, but throwing that in my face when I venture to speak to you about suicide does not provide some immediate "cure" to my problems. There is no cure. There is only learning how to deal with my inner demons and hopefully learning to like myself as I am.

Attention Seekers
This one isn't used as often these days, but I still hear it sometimes. They cut themselves for attention. She just hated that she wasn't getting the attention that her sibling was. Blah, blah, blah. If you think someone is hurting themselves for attention, then it would be pretty obvious. They would plan it so they would get caught before anything fatal happened. This does not mean that their cry for help is not unwarranted. This is no reason to be an asshole and talk down to them. For all you know, this was a warning shot. Next time could be the last.
If someone is trying to give you a heads up in any way, however subtle, about wanting to take their life, listen. For the love of nature, listen. Unfortunately, people tend to think suicidal people are over-dramatic so they don't take our words seriously. Actually, we are kind of over-dramatic. We tend to feel things deeper. Our emotions rule us. Small incidents can become huge ordeals in our minds. One tiny thing can have us sobbing or freaking out. Our mental illnesses can make us into "drama queens."
Take us seriously. 
If we reach out, please let us talk and don't try to downplay our problem. You should feel honored that we trust you enough to reach out in the first place. It's when we are shrugged off that someone finds us covered in blood in a bathroom tub. It's when we are talked down to that our body hurtles to the ground from the top of a building. It's when we have no one to turn to at all that we are found hanging from a fan. 


Again, the purpose of this post is to make others aware of some of the hard truths about how suicidal people tend to think. If you are suicidal, please try to talk to someone. I know how hard it is, trust me. Reaching out is one of the hardest things you can do at a low point in your life. Do it anyway. Talking does help.
If you know someone who may be suicidal, please offer an ear to them. Keep yourself in their life. If they try to push you away, don't let them. Call them, even if they never call you. Visit them randomly. Remind them that they are important.
Good luck in this crazy life, everyone.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-8255