Shadow Shifts Blog Tour Wrap-Up

Blog tours are tricky little things. There's so much organization that goes into them before and during the event, and that's not including interviews and guest posts that need to be written up. Scheduling posts, creating new content, keeping things consistent, and promoting the tour make for a full-time job. Luckily, I had Priya from Writerly Yours PR to help keep things under control.

I've had a lot of fun travelling the virtual globe and sharing tidbits about writing and Shadow Shifts (Liminal Series, Book Two). Meeting new bloggers and reconnecting with familiar friends makes the tour that much better. On Chantel DaCosta's blog, I  talked about the importance of community, and blog tours help to create that in the virtual writing world.

If I had to choose a favourite post, I'd be stumped. The interview questions from both Jorie Loves a Story and the Bemused Bookworm really made me think about my craft, the Liminal Series, and the message I send to readers. Talking about creating Urban Fantasy on L. Lombard's blog and writing for young adults on Chantel DaCosta's blog had me considering what readers need in comparison to what I want to write. Stepping outside of my comfort zone, I did a little research on fairies around the world for The Big To Do List and was surprised by both the similarities and differences to be found. The Crafty Angels showcased the adorable fairy lanterns I created for the Shadow Shifts launch in April, and even Tissa, a Liminal creature, had a chance to have her say on the Late Night Reveries blog. The posts were rounded off by a stunning review from MADD World that reminded me of why I write.

All in all, I'd say it was a successful tour that reached around the world from Canada to the US to Jamaica to India... maybe someday, I'll get to do a real tour of the world and meet these fabulous bloggers in person!

In case you missed it, here is the blog tour schedule. The giveaway has ended, but the books are always in stock via Amazon and Kobo. If you're looking for print books, Liminal Lights and Shadow Shifts are available through Amazon and various other online outlets.

May 15: Official Tour Launch—Writerly Yours: http://writerlyyoursauthorpr.blogspot.ca

May 16: Writing Urban Fantasy—Lisette Lombard: http://llombard.weebly.com

May 17: Interview/Excerpt—Jorie Loves a Story: https://jorielovesastory.com

May 18: The Difference Between Writing for Middle Grade and Adults—Chantel DaCosta: http://chanteldacosta1987.tumblr.com

May 19: Interview—Bemused Bookworm—http://www.bemusedbookworm.com

May 21: Book Review—MADD World—https://maddworld.ca

May 22: Fairies around the world—The Big To Do List: http://thebigtodolist.com

May 23: Community is vital for writing—Chantel DaCosta: http://chanteldacosta1987.tumblr.com

May 24: Fairy Lantern Tutorial—The Crafty Angels: www.thecraftyangels.com

May 25: Tissa Has Her Say—Amrita—https://latenightreveries.wordpress.com

May 26: Closing blog—Jennifer Bogart: http://jenniferbogart-author.blogspot.ca

Thanks for stopping by... and remember... beware of things that go bump in the night... 

Playing with videos, Powtoon, and Liminal Lights

So... I made this little video using Powtoon. I'm on the hunt for the best book trailer making software and resources. This was fun and free.

Liminal Lights, Kobo, and Reviews...

I'm pretty sure Kobo has set up its online store with the intent to drive writers to insanity and back. While enjoying an end-of-year dinner for one of the school committees I sit on, I was made aware that there was a review of "Liminal Lights" on Kobo. I was so excited (there aren't many reviews of this book yet), that the first thing I did when I got home was search for the review. 

I searched, and I searched, and I googled, and I yahooed, and I came up blank every time. Deflated, I messaged the person who had reviewed the book - someone whose opinion I value greatly - and asked if she could send me a link. She did - but there was no review visible... just the book cover, synopsis, and the "order now" button. 

She did email the review to me - and with her permission, I'm posting it here. When I asked if she would mind her response was, "Hells yeah! If I cared enough to write it, I care enough for it to be public, too!"

So - here it is... I won't lie; it made me smile, laugh, and cry all at the same time. I loved this review.

Here's what I thought of Liminal Lights by Jennifer Bogart:

I gave it 5/5 stars.

Liminal Lights

J.M.Bogart has found her magic in this novel! Written with a better than average range of vocabulary ( for this genre) it at times is almost lyrical. A carefully crafted storyline with plenty more to be explored, this story leaves you wanting more.

A delightful twist on our perception of faeries and things that go bump in the night; the story is told in the voice of Bean, a Liminal designated to protect her human charge and harvest her magic for the benefit of her own race. We could call this a coming of age book, but it is the Liminal who is facing life choices and decisions that will have far reaching effects.

Liminal Lights on Kobo

The Liminals are here!

Finally! The Liminals have arrived at the Morning Rain Publishing website. They're also on Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, and Goodreads.

I started writing this book three years ago for my boys. The plan was to give them something to think about, along with a bit of action, and a whole lot of fantasy in a world they can relate to. Sometimes I think we let our children grow up far too quickly. This book slows down the pace and lets them be kids for just a bit longer.

Anyway - it's really for the reader to decide if I have achieved this goal. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Liminals Are Coming! The Liminals Are Coming!

It's true... Thanks to the team at Morning Rain Publishing, Liminal Lights is polished, formatted, and ready to be shared with the world on Thursday, May 15, 2014.

And thanks to the combined efforts of Liette Chamberland Photography and Jo Clendening from Morning Rain Publishing, it has a shiny new cover.

If you want to read more about the book - check out my author page on the publisher's website (Yes - I'm going to make you click on over there, because you just might find other books you'd also enjoy).

In the meantime... here's the gorgeous cover... I can't stop staring it!

Liminal Legend... NaPoWriMo, Day 20

My book, Liminal Lights, will be released May 15th by Morning Rain Publishing. The poem below is a teaser for the book... sort of. 

Liminal Legend

In the days before the Liminals came,

The world was dark and dreary.

Man had no creative flame:

His life was dull and weary.

Then came a spark, a tiny light,

A magic so pure and untainted. 

It smoldered into something bright:

Never to be captured or painted. 

This energy surged deep within,

The power too vast to be harboured.

Man needed help from another kin:

Who came from the cosmos and laboured. 

Their essence thrived in ethereal light,

Their outlook bright and lively.

With skill and care they brightened the night:

Weaving their craft so wisely.  

Another creature discovered their blessing,

Its spirit was dark and murky.

With a hunger that was all encompassing:

It drank in the precious energy.

Man did not know who to trust,

His power was sacred - unstable.

Liminal secrets were scattered to dust,

Reduced to nothing but fable. 

Come with me... NaPoWriMo Day 9

While the rest of my world is settling into sleep, I'm writing about it. Thanks to my writer-friend Lockie for giving me the suggestion. He has a bit of poetry of his own on his website - so when you're done reading mine, you should definitely take a look at his.

Come with me

Come with me to the fairy land
So we can dance under the stars
While listening to the pixie band
As they strum on their guitars.

Come with me to the land of dreams
So we can skip with abandon
Through the forest and in the streams
You'll be my constant companion.

Come with me to find the night
So we can play together
Within the shelter of moonlight
Please stay with me forever.

Come with me to the place called sleep
So we can drift with freedom
Letting our minds sink down deep
Into ethereal wisdom.

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