Wednesday, April 4, 2018

The Countdown Begins

Thought for the day:  Good things come to (s)he who waits.



I sure hope that thought for the day is correct, because I'm currently waiting (and waiting...!) for the AWOL AOL to come back up so I can access my email. ARRRRRGH! Talk about frustrating.

Oh well. It's April, people! Glory be, it's time for me to consider donning snow shoes to make it easier to plow through pollen as high as an elephant's eye so I can pull weeds, dig holes, plant plants and admire the profusion of beautiful flowers on every side. Woo-HOO! It's time to breathe in deeply (while wearing a mask, of course...) and enjoy the gorgeous springtime temperatures while they last. Here in Georgia, sweltering weather is always lurking in the shadows and could mug(gy) us at any minute.

It's also time for the monthly IWSG post, which is the only reason I'm here. April is typically my month to unplug from blogging so I can concentrate on writing, do some yard work, and give the dustballs around the house a good cleaning, but I decided to hang around long enough to participate with fellow IWSG-ers first. (It wasn't terribly difficult to tear myself away from the riveting job of scrubbing and treating our kitchen cabinets...) As always, thanks to our fearless leader, Alex Cavanaugh, for founding this fine group, and thanks to all the other nurturing guys and gals who've helped turn it into the thriving community it is today. To join this super supportive group of writers and to see links to other participating blogs, please go HERE

GUESS WHAT???

Book One of the Blast Rites trilogy is almost ready to launch!

 Just LOOK at that cover! Isn't it gorgeous?

Valerie-Jael Tups took that breathtaking sunrise photo, and Anne Gallagher added the swallow silhouette and lettering  to turn it into the perfect cover to capture the essence of my story. It makes my heart sing every time I look at it. So, bottom line, in this long journey to publication, we're finally nearing the finish line.

Wanta see the back-cover blurb? (As if you  had a choice... here it comes, ready or not!)

Maybe this time will be different.

Terrible things happen to the people he cares about the most, so it’s safer for Archie Jaworski to simply stop caring. He doesn’t give a flying fandango what anybody says about him, keeps every relationship shallow, and does unto others before they can do unto him.

And then, shortly before he leaves the Army, he spots a pretty widow and her two kids, and all bets are off.

His war hero uncle says he’s not good enough for that perfect little lady, but Archie’s determined to prove him wrong. No matter how many threats his uncle and his fellow officers make to scare him away from their buddy’s widow, and no matter what it takes, he’s determined to meet that family and to seduce that skirt.

What’s more, if she’s a decent cook, he might even marry her.

Archie plans his courtship to the smallest detail, but the one thing he forgets to do is keep his feelings under wraps. He doesn’t mean to care about them, but the allure of finally being part of something normal, something good, is more than he can resist. 

Maybe this time, no one has to die.
                                                                                      

Explosive Beginnings is a thrilling roller coaster ride through the 1950s, featuring surprising twists and a shocking finish I didn't see coming. Gripping!!!    Robynne Rand, author of THE MECHANIC NEXT DOOR

***************
Once a date is set, Explosive Beginnings will be available for pre-order through Amazon, and a bunch of e-version copies will also be up for grabs through a Goodreads giveaway. (Feeling lucky?) As soon as those two things are revved up and set to launch, I'll let ya know. NOTE: Some people may be offended by the language and content of this book, but like Truman Capote said, You can't blame a writer for what the characters say.


            Good luck to everyone participating in the A-Z Challenge. 
                                      See y'all next month. 

                Until then, take care of yourselves. And each other.                  



                                              Not YET... but SOON!                          





77 comments:

  1. Ooooh. Your book cover, and blurb both have me itching to get into it.
    Enjoy your April - and counting down the days till lift-off.

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    1. I'm so glad the cover and blurb piqued your interest. That's exactly what I hoped to hear. :)

      You have a lovely April, too.

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  2. I love the book cover! Explosive Beginnings is a grabber title, Susan. And the rocket photo up top could have been taken of my mother when us kids acted out --she called it "blowing her stack" (but I think that's an old railroad expression, or might hearken back to steamboats on the Mississippi from her childhood a century ago). I look forward to reading your book. I'm already grabbed by the time-frame and title.

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    1. Thanks. (Me, too! The cover turned out every bit as beautiful as I'd imagined, but with Val's gorgeous photo, it was hard to go wrong.)

      Ah, yes. "Blowing one's stack." That expression would fit right into the '50s time frame. It's been a few years since I last heard anyone say that.

      Woo HOO! I'm looking forward to you reading it, too!

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  3. The cover is stunning! I'm very curious now about Archie and why people keep dying around him. I'll get the e-version when it is available.

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    1. Thanks. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'm totally smitten with that cover. The sunrise alone is stirring, but the swallow makes it perfect for my story.

      Great! I was hoping the blurb would stir some curiosity...

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  4. The book cover looks great, I am happy to see it! Congratulations on getting so far! Love the Baden-Powell cartoon, too! Have a great month, don't scrub too many cupboards! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Isn't it AWESOME??? Again, thank you soooo much. I told you your picture would make the perfect cover. :)

      You have a fabulous month, too. Hugs back atcha.

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  5. Awesome book cover indeed. Congrats on being almost there. Very true, can't blame the writer for what the characters say. At least I hope or I'm screwed lol

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you like the cover.

      HA! Yeah, those characters have a mind of their own. (I would NEVER say those words...!) (Okay, hardly ever...)

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  6. The cover image is awesome. Congratulations!
    Yes, everything here is covered in yellow-green pollen. Let the sneezing begin.

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    1. Thanks! :)

      LOTS of sneezing around here, and lots of people wearing face masks. (Doesn't help much!)

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  7. I can't wait to read your book! The blurb and cover are great :-)

    Cheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks. I can't wait for you to read it, either. :)

      Cheers back atcha.

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  8. As everyone is stating, the cover is marvelous and I am sure the pages in between will be the same. This must be such an exciting time for you and I wish you much success.

    See you in May when we in the north hope that spring will finally come our way. It has been (and still is) a rough few months.

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    1. Thank you, dear lady. So far, I'm keeping the excitement level under control. Until I look at that cover. THAT makes me excited. As for the content, I won't relax until I get a good review or two. :)

      Man, this is the winter that just won't go away, isn't it? I hope springtime shows its shiny face up there real soon. Take care. Seeya next month.

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  9. Congratulations on being ALMOST there. It must be a great feeling. Sounds like a book I'd read for sure ! And I do love the cover. That alone would make me want to read it. Here we still have a chance of snow so no pollen going on although a couple of my children said their allergy's were bothering them just the other day. Glad you took time out from your busyness to keep us updated. April does sound like a month you are going to get a lot done!

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    1. Thank you. ALMOST is a lovely word...

      Snow is a beautiful thing to see, but wow! Enough's enough, already! But don't worry. Springtime weather is ALMOST there. :)

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  10. Love, love, love the cover. You've done an absolutely beautiful job! Congratulations!

    I've been cleaning cupboards and reorganizing too. A good sign that spring is here and a new chapter is starting!

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    1. Isn't it GORGEOUS??? Thanks, but I can't take too much credit for the cover. I just had the concept... Val and Anne made it a reality.

      Don't work too hard, kiddo! You need to spend plenty of time outside looking at that ocean... but YES, you should get started on a new CHAPTER, too!

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  11. Beautiful cover. Swallows are such a symbol of hope for me. When they appear, summer's here. Intriguing premise for your new book. I look forward to reading it.

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    1. Thanks. I love swallows, too, and one of them plays a role in my book, so it HAD to be on the cover, too. :)

      And I look forward to you reading it, too.

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  12. I love the blurb. It sounds like an excellent story and I'm looking forward to it. Cheese to you!

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  13. Love the cover of the new book! It looks great! Hope you get lots of stuff done this month. Enjoy your break.

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    1. Thanks. I just hope everybody likes what's inside as much as they like the cover. :)

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  14. Love your cover ♥
    Also love the sound of the story.
    Congratulations!

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  15. OMG, Susan - the book cover is absolutely magnificent!!!! I've fallen in love with it - and I have no doubt that your wonderful writing will exceed it. The back cover blurb is definitely intriguing. Your hard work has paid off and you deserve to celebrate.

    BTW - AOL has been working fine for me and I'm receiving my email (knock wood...).

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    1. Thanks. Every time I look at that cover, I have to pinch myself. It's EXACTLY what I hoped it would be.

      Since AOL came back, no more problems, knock on wood. But it was out for a lot of people all over the country on Monday when I wrote this post.

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  16. Wow, I love the book cover, and the blurb is very intriguing. Looking forward to your new book! Enjoy your time away from the blog. :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm gonna do my best. :)

      Take care, Connie. Seeya next month.

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  17. Yes! I'm so happy for you! My index finger' itching to hit that BUY button. Your cover is magnificent, yes, but what's piqued my interest is it being set in the 50's ... MY time. :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm pretty darned happy about it myself. :)

      Yep, it was OUR time, and I sure had a lot of fun revisiting those days. I hope you will, too.

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  18. cover and blurb are bang-up fantastic - need I say it - explosive. Very cool. I know you've worked SO hard and no doubt, your book will be grand. Exciting times, young lady! No dark clouds here...enjoy spring - sneezes and all.

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    1. HA! Yep... explosive!

      You enjoy spring, too. My guess is you have almost as much pollen as we do.

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  19. Cover is very eye-catching! Awesome!

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  20. What a reward to see that book and cover right there in front of you! Loved that last line, a real catcher.

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    1. After how long it's taken me and how many rewrites I slogged through, it does feel pretty darned good. :) Thanks.

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  21. You have a new book coming out? Woo hoo, hurrah yippee!!! I'll keep checking back so I can order when it's published. No way I'm missing out on it. And yep, your cover is fantastic!

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    1. YES! I'm saying woo-hoo, hurrah yippee, too. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm. :)

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  22. My dog farted as I was reading this - I don't know why you need to know that but her timing was really comedic. We won't invite her to any book launches!
    Very much looking forward to your next book xxx

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    1. HA! So your dog's making a social comment, is she? Well, you can tell her for me that if she doesn't want to read the book, she doesn't have to. :)

      Thanks.

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    2. Sort of have to apologise to my dog now - she had an upset stomach! So her literary tastes are ok but she needs to stop finding old bones in the garden.

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    3. HA! No need to apologize for your pup's tummy distress. She probably wouldn't like my book, anyway. The dog in it is an overweight boxer who farts and slobbers all over the place. :)

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  23. hi Susan - love the cartoon ... it's so rare it's not even published ... well done: and excellent news it's nearly finished ... love the cover - and that blurb ... could only be you! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. I'm glad you liked the cartoon. It just seemed to fit the situation to a T.

      Yes, ma'am... 'tis me! Take care of yourself.

      Cheers!

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  24. Congratulations on the book! Explosive Beginnings is such a great title...hooking the reader me in!

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad the title is a hook for you. Now I have to reel in verrrry slowly... :)

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  25. Congratulations - can't wait for the book. Fabulous cartoons - both.

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  26. Sorry so late !
    Susan.... Congratulations !
    Sometime you will have to tell me how you came to writing this story in the 1950 time frame.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. You aren't late! Whenever you get here is the perfect time.

      Thanks for the congratulations. Choosing the fifties was a natural setting for this story. I wanted Archie, who believed a man's character was best forged in battle, joined the Army on his seventeenth birthday... just days before WWII ended. He got out of the military for a while and went back in shortly before the Korean War came to an end. He was a warrior... who never made it to war. :)

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  27. I agree with everyone - the cover is beautiful! And the back cover blurb is very intriguing. I better finish my current book so I can get started on yours as soon as it comes out.

    We're supposed to scrub kitchen cabinets???

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    1. Thanks. ")

      HA! Yeah, 'fraid so, Our kind, anyway. They're natural wood circa 1967, so to look halfway good, I have to wash them with Murphy's Oil and treat them with Liquid Gold. It's a pain in the patootie, but totally worth the effort.

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  28. It looks gorgeous! I'll give it a shout out on Friday, The world needs to know what a great read it is!

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  29. Found no link to order but sooner or later I will find you, friend Sue ... Congratulations and much love, cat.

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    1. It's in the side bar now. Just click on the book cover, and it'll whisk you to Amazon like a magic carpet. (Only the e-book is available for pre-order. The paperback version will be up shortly.)

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  30. Congratulations on the upcoming book release! I liked the blurb and the story premise sounds wonderful!

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    1. Thanks! It's now out for pre-order, so the cat's outta the bag. No putting it back now. :)

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  31. Actually, these days, Scouting for Boys' is an unfortunate title!
    I hope the book does tremendously well for you.
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s barmecidal Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  32. Huge Congratulations that Explosive Beginnings is so very nearly ready to erupt.

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  33. I am very intrigued by your book's blurb!

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  34. I tried to pre-order, but was told I had to buy via amazon in Australia and it doesn't seem to be there.

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    1. Hi-ya. I just checked the Amazon site for Australia, and the book is there and available for pre-order. All I did was go to books and enter "Explosive Beginnings," and it popped right up. (Did you maybe leave the S off of "beginnings?")

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  35. Many congratulations on the upcoming book release.

    All the best Jan

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  36. Congratulations on your book! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  37. Congratulations on the new book Susan, that is wonderful... I do love the cover and wow, I like the sound of the story, it sounds like it has a great twist... I have missed you, I went into myself for a while, wondering if I would ever write again... it came back so much easier than I thought, I really missed it and the blog world... now I am working myself around the blog world trying to get caught up slowly... xox

    Have a great week and good luck with the book xox

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    1. Hey, kiddo! It's good to hear from you again. I've missed you, too. Welcome back to the blogosphere!

      Thanks for the congrats. :)

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  38. Congratulations, Susan!! I tried to comment here earlier but I think something got screwed up so I'm trying again. If this is a duplicate just ignore me though LOL. I pre-ordered and can't wait to get the book on Monday and start reading! So exciting that the release is now just a few days away. Best wishes for a fantastic release day!! :)

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    1. Thanks!! I'm kinda excited... and a wee bit nervous. This book is reeeeeally different from my first. :) (Vive la difference!)

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