Category: Michael Young

New Project Coming This Father’s Day

Posted on by writermike in Father's Day, Fatherhood, fatherhood humor, Michael Young, quotes about fatherhood, Year of the Dad

As for this Wednesday, I have a post about writing unique fantasy stories in the Author’s Think Tank.

http://www.foreverwriters.com/2013/06/05/writing-fresh-fantasy/

I’d also like to tell you all about a new initiative I’m spearheading. It is called “Year of the Dad”, and the goal is write a blog post every day for a year about fatherhood. Each day of the week has a different category such as “fatherhood humor” or “especially for new dads”.

I am writing most of the posts myself, but I would love some outside submissions from other fathers. Take a look at the submission guidelines at the link below:

http://yearofthedad.wordpress.com

The year starts on Father’s Day 2013 and ends on Father’s Day 2014, which means the first post goes up a week from Sunday.  Please help spread the word!

Until next time, live bravely and write well!

Advent Anthologies Book II is here!

Posted on by writermike in Advent Anthology, Book II, Carol of the Tales, Christmas, fiction anthologies, inspiration, Michael Young

I am please to announce that this year’s Christmas anthology is already available. I wanted to get a jump on it, so that I could get it out to distributors and reviewers early.  Everyone should be able to get this one early enough to read as an “Advent Anthology” by December 1st.

All proceeds go to Autism Speaks, in honor of my autistic son, Jarem.

You can find the book in paperback or Kindle formats here:

http://amzn.com/1484145526

If any of you are interested in reviewing this book, or hosting a stop on a blog tour later in the year, please let me know at thecanticlekingdom (at) gmail (dot) com.


Many Winners!

Posted on by writermike in Contest, Fairy Tales, Fantasy Books, higher education, Michael Young, surveys, The Canticle Kingdom, winners

Congrats to Cynthia Borgmeyer Clubbs! You are the winner of a signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom”.

The author survey contest has also ended. I have emailed the winner of the $10 Amazon gift card (Karlene Browning) and three other author services. When I have compiled a report, I will send all those who participated a copy. Thank you all for helping me further my education. Now to go write the paper!

Come back on Friday for the cover reveal of my next anthology: Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels. Everything is coming together nicely.

Have a great week!

The Grimm Chronicles Blog Tour

Posted on by writermike in Fantasy, grimm brothers, Kim Broskin, Michael Young, The Grimm Chornicles, Young adult books
Tour Schedule

The Grimm Chronicles Volume 2

200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm changed everything.

With the help of a little magic, fairy tales were made real, manifesting all over the world. Charming princes. Gold-hunting dwarfs. Terrible step-mothers. Heroic animals.

Then, slowly, they began to change. Everyone—from Prince Charming to the old miller—grew more evil. Corrupted. A hero was chosen to stop them, hunting them down one by one and destroying them with the help of a magic pen and a special rabbit assistant.

For 200 years, the hero’s magic pen has been passed on from generation to generation. The newest hero is Alice Goodenough, an 18-year-old junior from Washington High School. While her friends spent their summer working and having fun, Alice found herself doing battle with creatures most human beings don’t even realize exist. A giant snake. A blood-sucking prince. A terrifying half-man, half-hedgehog. Dastardly dwarfs intent on mind-controlling everyone who uses a cell phone.

Now, senior year has begun. With it comes a new challenge at school, where bullies have grown bolder and classes more challenging. As if that’s not enough, Alice must face off against a collection of Corrupted who all share a terrible secret, one that might awaken a creature capable of doing untold damage. To uncover the secret, Alice will have to face off against a man-eating lizard, a bloodthirsty sea captain, and a mysterious wizard who can see into the future …

This book contains:

Episode four: The Orphanage of Doom
Episode five: Blood and Thunder
Episode six: The Order of the Golden Dragon

Bonus material:
The Lost Journal of Eugene Washington
Assorted fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm
A Legacy of Red

The Grimm Chronicles Volume 1

This book contains the first 3 episodes of the critically acclaimed series:
Episode 1: Prince Charming Must Die!
Episode 2: Happily Never After
Episode 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats

The Grimm Chronicles is intended for Young Adults aged 13 and up. The goal is to provide Young Adult readers with a strong, charismatic young woman in the role of the hero and provide readers with a positive protagonist who uses her brain to overcome obstacles life throws in her way.





Praise

“5 stars!” ~ Bookies Book Blog

“Highly recommended for all who love fairy tales and the YA genre.” ~ My Cozie Corner

“All in all the books were excellent.” ~ LilyElement

“If you love fairy tales and them being turned into modern day stories you will love these short stories.” ~ Mom With a Kindle

5 stars (out of 5) ~ I Am, Indeed

“Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky’s incredible talent for storytelling takes the reader on an amazing action-packed ride fueled by endless creativity and limitless imagination. TGC is like a high-stakes version of Harold and the Purple Crayon meets a contemporary, above ground Alice in Wonderland. “ ~ Bookfetish

“I absolutely loved this book! No, let me rephrase that, I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK! Nope, that doesn’t even do it justice. Vol. 1 has the first three stories from the 12 that will ultimately make up the chronicles.” ~ Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

Purchase:
The Grimm Chronicles: Volume 1
Book 1: Prince Charming Must Die!
Book 2: Happily Never After
Book 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats

The Grimm Chronicles: Volume 2

Book 4: The Orphanage of Doom
Book 5: Blood and Thunder
Book 6: The Order of the Golden Dragon

About the Authors
Ken Brosky received his MFA in fiction writing from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He also teaches English at Madison College. This is his first Young Adult series.

Isabella Fontaine owns a farm in Wisconsin and enjoys reading weird books like House of Leaves. This is her first Young Adult series.

Tour Giveaway
5 Kindle ebook copies of The Grimm Chronicles Volume 2
Ends 4/11/13

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Blue Hearts of Mars Book Blast

Posted on by writermike in Blue Hearts of Mars, Book Blast, Michael Young, Nicole Grotepas

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas


Retta Heikkinen knows the unspoken rule of society: love between androids and humans is forbidden. A simple enough edict until Hemingway Koskinen spends an evening charming her with his intense gaze, bewitching smile, and sparkling conversation that hints at so much more than the usual obsessions of high school boys. Rules were meant to be cast aside, especially when love beckons.

If only it were as simple as being in love.

Trouble is brewing, not just for Hemingway–for all androids. Secrets have been kept, lies propagated, and Retta soon discovers that a frightening future awaits thousands of androids if she doesn’t do something to stop it. Worse yet, she will lose the one love she’s ever endangered herself for: Hemingway.

Praise

“Nothing like I’ve read before. A true original story! Everything is so well described. Now if they could make a follow up book and movie, that would be great!” ~Mrs. Z (Amazon)

“I was addicted to this book from the beginning. Life on Mars was very real and not at all a sci fi world I didn’t understand . . . I found myself rooting for Retta and Hemingway from the very beginning. Easy reading, couldn’t put it down and had it read in a weekend. Waiting for a sequel!” ~TNielsen (Amazon)

“The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful . . . I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!” ~Kat Meyer, (Goodreads)

“I love how the author populated Mars . . . so descriptive and comprehensive . . . I could clearly picture everything as if I was seeing the movie &/or was along for the ride. . . . Retta, the main character, is strong, opinionated, and a great champion for her cause.” ~Megan (Amazon)

“I had been in the worst reading slump ever and came across this on Goodreads and thought I’d give it a try. Well, I was pleasantly surprised on how funny and exciting and mysterious it was . . . Mei, Retta’s bff, had me laughing out loud quite a bit as well as Retta herself. I’d definitely hang out with those two.” ~Deanneluvbooks (Goodreads)

Blue Hearts of Mars has made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!

Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

Author Nicole Grotepas

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother’s old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she’s forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan–the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/14/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop

Posted on by writermike in Blog Hop, Fairy Tales, Michael Young, The Canticle Kingdom, The Canticle Prelude

View fairy tale hop final.jpg in slide show

Another great blog hop where all the prizes having something to do with fairy tales. I’m giving away a copy of my fairy-tale based book “The Canticle Kingdom.” It is part of a series that includes the prequel “The Canticle Prelude” and will include two sequels coming out soon.

Speaking of fairy tales, I’m collecting fairy tale stories for a new anthology with Grimm-style stories. Take a look at that project and more under “Current Projects” on this site.

Enjoy!

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"Poison Me" by Cami Checketts Blog Tour

Posted on by writermike in Blog Tour, Cami Checketts, Michael Young, Mystery books, new releases, Poison Me, Suspense

Poison Me by Cami Checketts

Jake Merrill was raised by his grandmother, Ruby, and her hilarious friends. After a suspicious death at the retirement home where Ruby lives, she enlists Jake and Chanel, the beautiful activities director, to help her find the killer.


But secrets Ruby has kept for decades threaten her family and the man she’s always loved but could never have. Chanel’s unstable ex-boyfriend, a presumably dead relative, and vicious criminals add to the confusion. Time is running out as Jake, Chanel, and Ruby desperately search for clues to solve the murders and fight to save those they love.

Praise for Poisen Me

Poison Me made me laugh out loud and thoroughly enjoy myself. I wish I had a friend like Ruby! Snappy dialogue, romance, and a strong sense of family made this book well worth reading.


Rachel Ann Nunes, bestselling author of Line of Fire and Before I Say Goodbye
Author Cami Checketts

Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.

A portion of the proceeds from Cami’s books will be donated to The Child & Family Support Center. For more information on this worthy cause, please go to www.cachecfsc.org

Book Blog
Fitness Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway
$50 doTERRA Oil basket and $35 wholesale membership, $50 Kate Ryan Skincare GC, $50 Amazon GC.  Ends 3/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners for the Canticle of Night Contest!

Posted on by writermike in BigWorldNetwork, books about music, Canticle Prelude, Contest, Fantasy Books, Michael Young, winners

The contest held by BigWorldNetwork.com for The Canticle Prelude is over. But don’t let that scare you away from their contest page: http://bigworldnetwork.com/site/contests/. There will surely be more.

To see if you are a winner, come check out their blog post: http://bigworldnetwork.com/site/blog/2013/03/18/win-a-free-book-or-year-subscription-in-the-canticle-of-night-contest/

For those of you who didn’t win, you can still pick up The Canticle Prelude here.

Maybe we’ll do it again sometime. Thanks to all who entered!