Next Issue: Mother's Day Newsletter

Next month is Mother's Day and the newsletter issue will be devoted to that. I'm mentioning it now because I'd like to add a little something from my readers to their mothers. If you'd like a special message for the women in your life, email me at argrosjean@hotmail.com and I'll include it in the issue. Please send it to me by the 20th so I have time to place it in there.

On another note, Easter is coming soon! I hope everyone has a great day celebrating the holiday. Jesus has risen! We should be thankful for that! I know I am!


____________________________________________



I'm working on a new book called Between Life and Death. I'm thinking its a good title. I'm stuck on it though because its nearly not long enough, even though the story is pretty much finished. Of course, I think I need to do something with the ending so its not just any ending lol. Through editing, I need to work on it so there's more obstacles for the main character. She's stuck in a town that appears abandoned and everything is pointing to a special day that happened five years earlier. But what does she have to do with what happened on that day? And why are her friends disappearing? That's all I can really say lol. Of course, some things may change in the story since I know how its going to end now. Sometimes, knowing is good, sometimes I don't like knowing lol. I think that's what keeps me going. The surprise at the end is always worth waiting for, for me. I can't wait to share it with the all of you! But you'll have to wait!!!


Amber Rigby Grosjean

April's Author Choice: TL Cooper

T L Cooper is the author of All She Ever Wanted; and 4 books of poetry Strength in Silhouette, Love in Silhouette, Reflections in Silhouette, Memory in Silhouette. Her books are available through Amazon among other places.

You can check out her full website at

 http://tlcreviews.tlcooper.com/

T L Cooper began telling stories when she was just on her grandfather’s knee. Her father had been complaining about a groundhog in his barn and her grandfather offered to kill it. She made up a story about why he couldn’t. Her grandfather asked questions to encourage her to turn it into a story rather than just a statement. He would get her to tell the stories of the groundhog to their family and friends to entertain them.

She is motivated to write by the need to use words to influence the world for the better. She prefers to write fiction because she believes a good story is more motivating in most instances than the dry facts. Her goal is to reach a wider audience by writing fiction than she could through nonfiction.

Her most recent book is called Red. It has been pushed to be released until later this year! More about this book……. In Cooper’s own words….

Police suspect Marissa Sterling killed her husband and her young children in a fictional small Kentucky town south of Louisville. Marissa suffers a mental breakdown in which an entity “red” blocks her memories and keeps her silent. Rookie Detective Azalea Kavanaugh refuses to accept the case as “open and shut” and teams up with Bryce Thorne, a reporter, to find the truth. The investigation is complicated as the secrets Marissa has spent her life protecting are revealed and Detective Kavanaugh must face her own past when mysterious packages about her own parents’ deaths start showing up.

T L. Cooper’s advice to new writers?  Read, talk to other writers, and trust your instincts.  Listen to what others have to say, but always stay true to your vision.

Cooper grew up on a farm in Tollesboro, Kentucky. She began writing when she was around 8.

She attended Eastern Kentucky University where she studied Corrections and Juvenile Services and earned a Bachelor of Science. She traveled the world to study cultures.

Other books by this author include It’ll Never Happen Again, and Connection which are both electronic books. You can download them on Amazon.

One review of many from her books ( this one is for Connection)…….

“What I like about this neatly written story of Tl's is her attention to detail. She has a way of putting you in the same room with the characters, almost as if you are a character yourself witnessing what is going on. This story is about connecting. Another thing that Tl does well is put vague, hard-to-define emotions into words.”  This review came from Tammy Ruggles in 2012. 

Besides Red coming out this year sometime, TL Cooper also has two other books coming out soon. One book is untitled at the moment and is a book of short stories. The other one is Vulnerability in Silhouette: Poems.

 

 Thank you!!!

Almost There--April Fools Day

One more day left of this month and then.......you guessed it, April Fools Day! Are you ready? One thing I've learned over the years, you almost have to expect something to happen and then don't fall for it. Easier said than done. It truly is. Especially when someone wakes you up right at midnight telling you something is wrong somewhere; the house, the neighbor's house, something on the news, what ever. You're not quite awake so you pretty much fall for it most of the time. At least I do anyway lol.

Its a fun time, don't get me wrong. I love seeing everyone else fall for the innocent pranks. As long as they stay innocent. You never want to see someone getting hurt. That's when the fun dies. So I'd like to wish everyone a safe and fun fools day!

There's always ideas running around. Buying a fake winning lottery ticket could work. Just don't do it if you're seriously needing the money though lol. You fell down and hurt something important. Usually people run up to you to make sure you're okay before calling 911 lol. Don't let it get to that point. I remember one year I told my little sister her butt was on fire. She was sitting on a heater vent because it was cold in the room. She jumped up and hit herself in the butt as she ran all around the room trying to put the fire out. If its cold where you're at, that could work for you. The list can go on forever, quite literally. And you want it to fit the circumstances in your life, something that relates to you. It makes it more precious seeing someone fall for it. When my husband and I worked together in a restaurant, our boss took some chocolate pudding and corn, spread it all over the bathroom and asking one of the guys to go clean it up before the place opened. It was gross but it worked. The guy thought it was real. It was rather mean but it was funny seeing the guy's face when he came out of the bathroom. Another idea? If you're good at cooking. Bake a cake (this would be for a guy) shaped as a bikini with balloons under the icing. When he cuts the cake, it pops. Someone did that for my hubby's birthday at the same restaurant. Everyone expect my husband jumped when the balloons popped lol. It was fun though.

Okay, that's enough ideas for you. Go have some fun. Just remember, keep it safe and everyone should have a good day. Don't be pranking the same person all day though, cause payback is never as much fun. Okay, you know the true saying, I hope lol.

Happy Fool's Day!!!!!!


Amber Rigby Grosjean

New Issue, Coming in April

In the next issue, I'm going to be introducing the author T. L. Cooper, author of many books with some new releases coming out this year. Those titles are included in the issue.

In the "On Writing" section of my newsletter, I've shared a little of what I know about the difference between dialogue and monologue. Some writers in the beginning can get the two confused which can cause problems in writing. It doesn't make a person dumb in anyway, by the way. Writing a book can be easy, writing a good book is difficult and requires time and a lot of patience. Toning one's talents makes it easier but its still hard work.

You'll have to read the issue to see what topic I've chosen for "Something to think about". I'd love to hear from you on the topics I've chosen to share.

And to end the issue, I've shared a little about me.

That's for April. Of course, the theme for the design is Easter! So let's get those baskets ready and start painting those eggs. But its not all bunnies and eggs. Remember it is the day the Lord has risen!

Thank you!!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Newsletters

   Today 3/4/14

A few more people have subscribed to my newsletters and to those people (and who are already there) I say thank you! This month is my birthday month! In this issue for March, I went with a St. Patrick's Day theme so you'll see some green and some flowers lol. I've already posted this month's Author which I hope you enjoyed. Check out her books!

Next month is April first, and no its not a Fool's Day issue. Easter is the theme, as you may have guessed. Its not too early to sign up for it, or for any issues for that matter. If you sign up this month, I'll send you March's issue right away! And if you'd like to check out any earlier issues, just let me know. I can go back as far as Jan 2013. I try to keep a copy of all my issues for that reason lol. Thank you very much everyone!!!!

 ______________________________________________________________________
 Posted on 10-13-13
My newsletters are still going strong. This month, I went with a scary theme for Halloween. Ghosts and bats lol. Okay, so its not so scary but the information is still interesting. Its not too late to subscribe. Even if its the last day of the month, if you want the current issue and get the next issue on the first, let me know.

November 1 is scheduled to be my next issue. I can hardly wait to share it with you. Thanksgiving is a factor of the theme with this one. I think that's one thing you can expect from me. When the holidays come up, they are featured lol. But I've done something new for this issue, something you can have some fun with. Its not all about writing in November. I don't think December will be either which is why a special issue will be coming out on the first of the year! So if you haven't subscribed yet, please please do so now so you won't miss that issue. Thank you!!!!!



_____________________________________________________________________
Posted on 6/14/13

Since I've went back to making my newsletters, I've been trying some new things. I'm hoping to get people to participate with me on them. I've added a whole section called, "Something to Think About". Each month I'll come up with something to make you think, maybe even react. I hope some of my topics aren't too controversial but then again if it makes you think then maybe I've done my job. I know its not related to writing in any way but these are things I've pondered at one time or another so it is related to me I guess lol.

And of course, I've added a section here to my blog that gives you a sneak peak of my newsletters. You get two whole pages to check out. I have a total of 9 pages in my newsletter. Of course, some months I may include extra pages. Those are the special editions lol.



Every month I will be including an interview with another writer. That is something I've done since day one and I've enjoyed it fully. It is a hard job to get noticed with everything us writers have to compete with. Besides competing with each other, we have to fight other things to get your attention. There's the computer with all the bells and whistles it has to offer. By the way, you can download books and read them on your computer too. There's television and all our favorite shows and movies. And even the radio can steal you away from our books. Shopping, working, parties, school, and so much more take your attention from our books. I take pleasure out of introducing new writers to you. People, otherwise you'd never know about and hopefully you'll be turned towards one of their books as well.

Also in each newsletter I throw in a book that I've actually read! Yes, I read now. Not as often as I'd like but I have read a few books here and there. I actually sat down and read all of the Twilight Saga books. It took me a little time but I did read those big books. I don't think I'll read anything that's longer though lol. It does reveal a little more about me, the things I like or don't like.

And as always (since day one) I include a section on writing because its who I am. I do have a lot of writers who subscribe to my newsletters but that's not why I added that section. I wanted to open the world of writing to those who don't write so they can see writing isn't as easy as putting a pen to paper. Okay, sometimes it can be easy but its not as easy as you may think lol. There's more to it than just writing something on paper, or typing.

And of course, I throw in some extra things into each issue to make each month different. The layout is always different and I try to change up the theme of my issues as well. If you would like to subscribe, I've added a little section on here to do that. If you're a writer and have a book published (even if its self-published), I'd love to include you in one of my newsletters. Send me an email and I'll get back with you with a full set of questions for one of my issues. Please include your name, or pen name if its different, your website or blog, and the title(s) of the book(s) you have published and I'll send you questions that relate to you.


Thank you!!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

This Month's Author- Saundra Crum Akers

Saundra is a mystery/suspense author with books titled; Fear Treads the Mountains, Ghost Hunter, Joe White and the Seven Ghosts, The Wannabe Witch, The Tempest Rider, Bite of the Serpent, The Smelly Man, Whispers on The Wind, Spooked, Manifesting Destiny, The Abandoned Ghost, My Fractured Mind, Sins of The Mother, Guilty!, Dream Buster, and a series titled Questing Hart (Shattered Hart, Hopeful Hart, and Spirited Hart).

Check out her website to learn more about these books or even order them saundracrumakers.com

Bite of the Serpent was her most difficult book to write because it was her first real “who dunnit” book. The easiest book to write was Abandoned Ghost because it didn’t require much research except for the location of the story.

She began writing in 2005. She retired from working with the state of Ohio in order to write. Of course with all her research and writing, she doesn’t feel so retired anymore. She always intended to write when she was younger. At 7, she told her mother and her mother told her to stick with short stories because she didn’t have the patience to write long ones. Her inner drive and having a lot to say motives her to write. Saundra has an active mind that’s always bouncing all over the place. She sets all her stories in Ohio where she grew up.

Saundra enjoys books written by James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Heather Graham, Robert Tanenbaum, John Lescroart, Lisa Jackson, and Tess Geritson. She enjoys movies and TV shows like The Mentalist, CSI, Lie to Me, Castle, and Medium.

Her latest books published at Sins of The Mother which is a historical suspense, Joe White and the Seven Ghosts, and the Wannabe Witch. Right now she is working on a comic adventure similar to Janet Evanavich’s Stephanie Plum series.

A Little Look Inside Me

I'm not all writer. I wear many different hats. I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter, dreamer, crocheter, music lover,  friend, and so much more. One of the things I do on my spare time, when I'm not writing, is making clothes. And with summer almost here (finally!), I wanted to share some of the things I have made recently. I'm not done with one of the outfits. I'm also going to make a wrap using the same colorful yarn as the top set. So here they are including some of the other things I've made in the past. First, the most recent ones...........

This one is the last thing I've made so far. It has a "bathing suit" top to go under and a headband to complete it. A wrap will finish this set.

This is my first halter top. I've attempted it before and screwed up miserably. This time I put a little elastic on the back so it wouldn't be too loose lol. And of course, got to have something for the hair. I'm ready for summer now!

 I had originally made another top using the same yarn with a long skirt. It was suppose to be for Easter. I didn't like the skirt. It had too much "square dance" appeal to it lol. Well, I had enough yarn left over that I felt I wanted another shirt so made it a little more springy. Put a tank top under and its complete!



And now some older pieces..........

Amber Rigby Grosjean

This Month's Author, Doctor Rosaleen O'Brien

Doctor Rosaleen O’Brian is the author of “A Tribute to Trooper Patrick Rogers; A collection of prose and poetry”, “A collection of poetry books, and “Rosaleen’s Diary”, Church Abuse, Drugs and Ect” plus many more.

  Her website…..

www.doctorrosaleenobrien.webs.com

  The most difficult book she wrote was “Rosaleen’s Diary” in which she didn’t say why. The easiest book she wrote was “Marilyn Munroe and her Growler Bear” because it told the story through her teddy bear’s eyes. She was less than 14 years old when she began writing.

  She inspired herself to write. They couldn’t afford ink when she was younger to do her homework so she climbed a tree to pick elderberries and crushed them to make ink.

  Writing for her is therepy and stops the flashbacks from the drug trials. This is her motivation.

  At the time of this interview, she was working on a new book.  It was a romantic book about a Catholic Priest torn between the vows he made and the love of Lynda.

  One of her challenges as a person involved a homeless gentleman who was turned away by his family doctor and local hospital who wanted to amputate. He was advised that he would not survive and he resisted amputation. She treated this man.

  “The Royal Jewels” is Rosaleen's favorite book. She said, “Such a vast amount of Diamonds and the history behind them is awesome.”

What would you [Rosaleen] like to tell other writers new to this business? “My books are written with a deep insight and are fun to read although Some readers may laugh and at times shed a tear and at times feel a little scared..My trip in my books takes you places that you probably have never been…”

A New Year, A New Look, A New........

In my next newsletter I will be starting something new. For those who already subscribed to my newsletter, already see that each month I pick a new writer to "showcase", spreading information about them so you as readers may get to know him/her and the books he/she writes. Well, starting in Feb, I will be adding that information here giving that writer even more attention.

I'm always looking for new looks for my newsletters. I hate doing two issues in the same way. I don't want my readers expecting anything, except something fresh and creative. The last thing I want is to be predictable. I think that is one of the reasons why I write in different genres. Most writers will write in one or two, maybe three at the most but nothing like me. I don't like restrictions and putting a leash on my mind isn't good to say the least. I've never been the type to follow the crowd. When I was little, I didn't care what was "in" or out of fashion. I liked what I liked, did what I wanted and that was that. I am who I am.

And just like everyone else in the world, I am who I am because of things I've done, things I've seen and experienced, and because of the people in my life. Some people touched me in a good way, some bad. So with a new year coming and going, I've decided to have a new me. I've already made the decision to cut out soda (not all intake just slowed way down). That's just the beginning. Who knows what else I'm going to be doing with my life. All I know is, I need to write more books lol. And in my newsletters I'll share those books with you so you can follow my career. And hopefully, you'll get to read those books when they get published. So if you haven't subscribed to my newsletter yet, you can do that here. Or you can send me an email to argrosjean@hotmail.com

And I'm still looking for new writers to share. If you're one of them please send me an email and let me know who you are. I will gladly send you a list of questions about your books. I'll also check out your website to add more if needed. That way you can find more readers. We all know marketing isn't easy and I enjoy helping others. My daughter is working at joining us and I'm very happy about that although she has to make the decisions on her own. I just hope I can be there along the way to help her with each step toward whatever goals she makes.

Thank you very much!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Baby its Cold Outside

Just like the song says, its cold outside. And I hope it doesn't last long. Records were made all over the place with the temps dropping below 0. More than half of the country was covered in white. I know it looks pretty but cold is bad.

They are closing schools, shutting the doors to other places just to keep people in doors where they can stay warm. Heating bills are going up too. I can't wait until winter is over so we can enjoy the comforts of the warmth. And then we can complain its too hot outside. With a winter this bad, I can imagine how summer is going to be--hot, hot, hot. Will they close things down cause its too hot? We'll have to wait and see. That would be different.

I heard even Niagara Falls even froze in some areas! Wow, that's cold!


Amber Rigby Grosjean

Something New

Well we finally made it the new year. And since new years promise a new beginning, I've decided to make a few changes around here. Just something new for you. I hope you like this look.

At the top you will see the normal list of pages I have on my site/blog. On the far left, you can change the appearance which is totally awesome if you ask me. Go ahead and take a look. I'll wait lol.

Anyway, I figured if the whole world could get a new outlook than so could I. Its like starting all over again. Making a fresh start. So with each new day passing me by, I will give myself that fresh start. I will write more, learn more, try to read more, lose some weight lol, and hopefully find that agent I wanted to find in 2013. Yes, these things take time and I'm not rushing myself, just taking things one day at a time. Its the only way we can do this. You know that thing called living life. We only have one and I'm not wasting it. I'll even write in my blog more. I've kind of lagged a little on that area. Okay so I've lagged a lot there. I really am sorry.

I would love to hear from you. Tell me what you'd like to see in 2014. I'm all ears!

Thank you!!!

A. R. Grosjean

Just saying Hello

 

We're already 9 days into the month. Here's a little something to help you get ready for the holidays. Its not a little ornament, just something you can hang from a tree. A giant tree that is lol. Looks like it got stuck in the ground, don't it? Well maybe it did, maybe it didn't lol. Use your imagination. It would have to have come from a really big tree. This thing was bigger than my whole body lol. 

Maybe it came from a tree in Gulliver's Travels. That would have been a sight to see. I finally saw the movie and it was really cool. Its one of those movies I'd see again. I remember the story from when I was a kid so seeing the movie in today's time was really cool. 

So have you been decorating your tree yet? I hope you're enjoying the season so far! See you again soon!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Count Down to Christmas

Well its officially Christmas Season so with that being said, Merry Christmas!!!!

Now its time to rush and get our gifts for the people we love or like a whole lot, even like just a little lol. This is the time of year where people tend to smile a little more and care more. I wish it was a year around thing but for some its not. Its also a time of year where we spend a lot of money, whether we want to or not. For those who do watch their spending, keep your eyes out for the big sales. They'll be here and there and I'm sure you'll get that one gift you're wanting for the right price. Just hang in there.

I really enjoy this time of the month because its gives me an excuse to get things for people. When I have the money that is lol. I love watching movies because they're great for putting me in the mood. Singing songs does it too. There are so many of either to choose from. I don't like snow all that much anyway but I still like seeing it in pictures or on TV. Don't like the cold lol. If I could have my way, it would snow and still be warm but that wouldn't work so well, would it? So I guess I just have to take the cold like everyone else. Or move to the warmer states lol.

We have 24 more days left to the big Day. The most important day of the year. Well, one of two. This is the day when a very important Man was born. Everyone turned His mother down while she was in labor, telling her there was no room for her. So Jesus was born in a manger, a barn with all the animals. On this day, a star shined so bright that it led three men to the special birthplace of our Savior. They worshiped Him with the finest gifts they knew. That's how the giving of gifts on Christmas began. So while you're wrapping gifts to give to your loved ones, remember someone else and wrap your heart so He has a gift to open as well.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Getting Ready for the Holidays?

Yep, its that time again! Snow will be coming soon, for some its already here! But that's not what I wanted to talk about this time around. Nope. Its holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving. For those who already received my newsletter know that lol. If you want this month's copy please let me know. I have plenty to go around, for free. No need to link back or anything. Just enjoy!

This is the time of year where people begin to feel a little more generous. A little more caring, thoughtful of others. Its really sad because we should be like that all year around, not just during November and December. Give a little love everyday because you never know, it could be the last. You want to be remembered as a good person, right? I'm not telling you how to live your life, you're going to do what you want no matter what I say. Its just an idea, something to think about.

Anyway, the stores are all packed with goodies, something new for the holidays. I remember growing up, every Christmas we'd get a new ornament for the tree. Traditions are great for this time of the year. Some are passed down from generation to generation. Its not much but it means a lot to each person in the family. Memories made and cherished from years to pass.

Gathering around the table one or two times a year to hold hands during that special prayer. Talking to one another during the hot meal, complimenting each other on the great recipes made to share. Opening our minds to each other, sharing our new year's resolutions. And then we forget them when the new year comes around lol. Sometimes, we don't forget and push ourselves to commit to them because of that special promise like to lose that weight, or clean out the garage, or finish that written book.

Yep, its that time of year again. If its not too early, I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! May you enjoy your time with your family and friends, make new memories with them and cherish the old.


Amber Rigby Grosjean

Started New Book plus New Updates

Well I've started yet another book. This one is called "The Death Retreat". Its a retreat for adults on an island that isn't owned by anyone. Each couple answered an ad with a RSVP. No phones allowed nor will they work. One by one (well two by two), people are murdered. No one seems to notice until..........

I haven't gotten that far. Some of the characters seem to want this book erotica but I don't know if I want it in that genre so I figured I'd finish writing the rough draft and then read it over to see if it should go either way. I've got a long way to go at the moment so we'll just have to see. I do know one thing, someone's gotta survive but I don't know who or why. And I'm not even sure the motive just yet. In time, it will be revealed to me, when the motive is ready to come to me, that is. But anyway, I just wanted to share this so far.

Another thing. My oldest daughter has decided to write a book too. I think that is just sooooo cool. I can't wait to read what she's created. Maybe I could help her out and make it the best she can make it so it can be published. That would be so awesome. I'm talking about editing, of course. I don't want her to change her ideas, just make them better. That's what writers do. They absorb people's opinions about their works and then make changing on how they choose will work. If she doesn't want my opinion, I'll be happy too. Just knowing she wants to be like me, make me feel so good. I'm a very happy Mom right now!!!!! My youngest wants to be a teacher when she grows up which is also very very cool. I'm proud of all my babies!!

I'm working on another issue for my newsletter. The next one coming out will be on November 1, 2013. If you haven't signed up yet, its not too late. I'd love to have you. You can never have too many friends or fans!



Another book that's in the process of going through my mind is a battle between aliens and one young lady. A magical septor has landed on Earth. Who ever possesses this object with life in itself inherits the power it holds within. She must protect it at all costs, even if it means becoming the septor itself. Can she withstand the power or will it consume her? That's all I got so far. It came from a dream and I think it was very interesting to say the least.


A. R. Grosjean