The Messenger's Handbookis my new Young Adult time travel romantic thriller novel currently available as an E-book; paper copy coming soon!
Description:
What if you
discovered that your soul mate lived three centuries before you were even born?
Sixteen-year-old Madeline
learns that falling in love, and falling through time doesn't have to be
accidental, could be deadly, but is worth the fight of her life.
I created a Facebook page for the book. It has music suggestions... (Avril LaVigne - I'm With You)
There are insights into the characters and the story. Photos of people and places that could be in this novel.
Samuel
Even a dream casting list of who could be in The Messenger's Handbook - the movie.
One of the fun parts about being a relatively new author is recommending other relatively new authors. S.R. Johannes has a hit with her YA novel, Untraceable. (Dear God I love this cover!)
Shelli's just released SUFFOCATE - the first novelette in a YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian series. And it is smoking!
SUFFOCATE by S.R. Johannes
Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.
For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes.
If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.
The 2nd novelette in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013
When Shelli was younger, she spent all her time outdoors, hiking, camping and living the Girl Scout Way.
Somewhere along the way, she got away from nature and earned an MBA in Marketing, kicking off an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America.
Eventually, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, where she worked with Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.
In addition to juggling nap schedules and client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent speaker on marketing and book publicity at SCBWI conferences across the U.S, and runs a popular book marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com).
In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), and still dreams of sleeping in on the weekends. But most importantly, she is finally getting back to her roots by running her own Girl Scout Troop in Atlanta, helping girls get back to nature.She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog (Charley), British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.
Welcome to another Sweet Tooth Tuesday. During research for my first novel, Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys I attended Cupcake Camp L.A. It was A Gigantic Party - a grueling experience.
I met the most amazing people. I'd like to introduce you to another awesome baker. Take it away...
"My name is Naz, owner of Temptations Cupcakes™ (An ALL-NATURAL Cupcake Experience!)
I am a young disabled female & would like the chance to spread hope one indulgence at a time. My disability is generally not a sensitive subject however, I have never been a fan of talking about it because I do not like the sympathy & I would like for people to look beyond it nonetheless, I cannot deny that it is a big part of who & what I am. In addition, it has been one of the greatest blessings in my life…
I have learned to be independent, innovative, all because of the daily challenges. These challenges combined with my diligence led me to start my own cupcake business, Temptations Cupcakes™ … Cupcakes, Cakes, & So Much More!
Temptations Cupcakes(TM) bouquet
I had the opportunity to visit Dr. Drew Pinsky & decided to take cupcakes with myself. I realized I thoroughly enjoyed the therapeutic process of baking. Once the flame in me ignited to commence baking, there was no stopping me & I decided to take things up a notch by coming up with my own cupcake concoctions.
Naz and Dr. Drew Pinsky
To my surprise, the recipes were turning out well & I was receiving great feedback. I always wanted to start my own business but did not know what. It became clear upon the unearthing of my cupcake baking talents that this was my calling. I received a degree in business/accounting from UCSB so as many would understand… you do not always picture accounting & cupcakes going hand-in-hand… well in any case, I am ecstatic that they did.
Temptations Cupcakes (TM)
A healthy lifestyle & well-balanced diet is imperative in our hectic L.A. lifestyle & that is why it is our mission to deliver a mouthwatering, ALL-NATURAL Cupcake Experience!
Temptations Cupcakes™ Persian Rice Pudding: Ingredients:
1. Ground Persian saffron (Must be Persian) a. ½ teaspoon 2. Pure Cane Sugar a. 2 cups 3. Basmati Rice a. 1 cup 4. Vegetable oil a. 1 cup 5. Orange water a. ¼ cup 6. Blanched Almonds a. ¼ cup 7. Pistachio and cinnamon to garnish
Directions: • Rinse rice 3 times o Leave in 7 cups of water (more or less rice depending on quality of rice) medium o Add sugar when rice has become soft o Stir to avoid rice from sticking to pot • Separately, Mix the saffron with very hot water o Then add saffron to rice mixture o Put lid on pot & lower temperature (medium to low)…about 40 minutes • Then place in a desired dish and decorate while still hot
You can follow Naz for updates on her cupcake information on Twitter:
Naz and Temptation Cupcakes can be found at the following days and locations in the Los Angeles area.
* Sundays- Brentwood Farmers Market: 741 S Gretna Green Way Los Angeles, CA 90046, 8:00am-2:00pm *Thursdays- Lancaster Farmers Market: W Lancaster Blvd & Date Ave Lancaster, CA 93534, 2:00pm-7:00pm
Delivery 7 days a week! Greater LA area generally with 48 hour notice required (subject to availability & minimum order of $50-$75)
213.255.KISS (5477)info@temptationscupcakes.com
Thanks for the awesome cupcake recipe and for sharing your story, Naz!
I love romantic thrillers. I'm a sucker for an epic love story that makes me root for the hero/heroine but also has a heavy thrill factor. Born Free was probably the first rom-thrill I fell in love with. (Don't laugh - I was but a small child.)
The movie was about Elsa the young lioness and the struggles her human caretakers endured to ensure she could 'live free'. (To this day I know the words to this sappy song.)
Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe is burned into my heart. Oh good God the romance - epic!
The Bourne Identity movie just about killed me with all its twists and turns. It was so flippin good - and the romance? Sigh.
Twilight - Say what you will but author Stephenie Meyers tapped into this rom-thrill genre in a big way.
Ditto Suzanne Collins with her fabulous The Hunger Games trilogy.
I finally fell for the muse and write my own romantic thriller. It's called The Messenger's Handbook.
"What
if you discovered that your soul mate lived three centuries before you were
even born? Sixteen-year-old Madeline
learns that falling in love, and falling through time doesn't have to be
accidental, could be deadly, but is worth the fight of her life."
It has twists and turns, deception, revenge, action-adventure. It's a Rom-Thrill.
It's a FREE Kindle download this Friday-Sat. 5/18/12 to 5/19/12!
Welcome to another Sweet Tooth Tuesday. As part of my extensive author indulging,decadence, oopsies - research - for my book Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys, I sucked it up and went to Cupcake Camp L.A. in 2010. This is where I met Miss Ronda from Rockin' Rolling Pin.
Ck out this short clip and see why Ronda is the Best Sport, EVER.
Hey Miss Ronda - Glad you're here and still speaking to me. Take it away...
MISS RONDA (Rockin’ Rolling Pin):
I consider myself to be a unique cupcake designer with a rockin’ style and passion for baking.
Some say my cupcakes are too cute to eat, but that doesn’t stop them from sinking their teeth into one of my darling and delicious cupcakes.
Rockin' Rolling Pin Cupcakes
I personally bake & decorate each cupcake and every design is custom made by me.
I work out of my home in Lakewood Ca, I live with my husband Andrew & son Bolan. They are my taste testers and biggest supporters.
I LOVE being a part of your blog and have included a cupcake recipe. Pink Bubble Gum Cupcakes Recipe: Ingredients: 2 cups of cake flour ¼ lb of butter, softened 2 eggs beaten, slightly 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup milk 1 .125 oz bottle LorAnne Gourmet bubble gum flavoring Frosting: ½ cup of butter, softened 4 ½ cups of powdered sugar, sifted 1 ½ tsp of vanilla extract 5 to 6 tbls of milk or water 5 drops of LorAnne Gourmet bubble gum flavoring
Rockin' Rolling Pin Pink Bubblegum Cupcakes
Directions for Cake: In a standing bowl, whisk flour and sugar, slowly add eggs, butter, milk and flavoring. Don’t over mix the batter. Bake for 18 minutes at 350* let cool for 15 minutes before frosting and decorating. Directions for Frosting: In a standing bowl, whisk together sugar & butter for 3 minutes. Add vanilla, liquid and flavoring, whisk until desired consistency. Place frosting in a piping bag, use a fancy tip and frost your cupcakes. Add a gumball for an even cuter looking cupcake. Enjoy!
Thanks Miss Ronda! You are awesome! Hope all you readers enjoy Rockin' Rolling Pin's recipe.
What if you discovered that your soul mate lived three centuries before you were even born? Sixteen year old Madeline learns that falling in love, and falling through time doesn’t have to be accidental, could be deadly, but is worth the fight of her life. The Messenger's Handbook.
'Madeline' in The Messenger's Handbook
A couple of years ago I wrote my first novel. It was a snarky mystery called Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. It's funny and silly it makes people laugh. Or swear. Sometimes both. Mission accomplished. (There are more Cupcakes books in the works.)
Then I read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers. (Epic romance.)
Devoured The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. (Action/adventure thriller!)
I was bitten, I was smitten, I fell in love with YA Novels - aka Young Adult. And decided to write my own: The Messenger's Handbook. I named my heroine, Madeline. (Don't laugh, I named her after Madeleine Stowe the actress who played Cora in Last of the Mohicans - the movie. An epic flippin' romantic thriller that you must watch!)
I knew Madeline could not be as passive as Bella. Also knew she couldn't be as strong as Katniss at the beginning of the story. I needed her character to arc in a big way. She could be haunted by her past, scared of life. But falling through time and into a forbidden love with Samuel changes her. Discovering her dangerous destiny is to become a Messenger either makes her step up to the plate, or could kill her.
I hope you enjoy this excerpt written in Madeline's POV from The Messenger's Handbook.
xo,
Pamela DuMond
The Messenger's Handbook - Excerpt #1
Before
A low-pitched droning penetrated
my ears and rattled my bones. Being a city girl, I usually didn’t care about a
little noise. Could be an el train whistling nearby outside my bedroom window,
a bus chugging down the street, or a garbage truck picking up trash on any
normal day. But it wasn’t any of those, ’cause this day definitely wasn’t
normal.
I tore through a
thick wood, my breath ragged, as skinny tree branches whipped across my face
and body. One slapped my forehead and something warm trickled into my eye. I
wiped it away and saw that my hand was bloody. I should be used to that by now.
But I flinched,
and tried not to cry out in pain because he
was hunting me. If he heard he would calculate how far away from him I was. Then
he would know how quickly and easily he could catch me. And if he caught me, he
would kill me.
But I didn’t
want to die, yet. Not here, not now. I had to find a way to be with my Samuel.
I started
running again but this time shielded my face with my arms. My feet kicked up
some dirt as well as a few yellow and orange leaves blanketing the ground.
I fled past
ancient pine trees with thick round trunks and branches covered with needles
that towered over me like a canopy when I tripped on the hem of my skirt. I
heard a loud rip as I fell toward the forest floor. My arms pinwheeled and
momentum, possibly the only thing on my side right now, jerked me upright.
I stopped for a
few seconds to catch my breath. The droning had grown louder. Good. I was closer
to that place where desire, action, a little bit of luck and magic would join
forces. I’d find that moment to slip through time’s fabric, travel hundreds of
years back to present day and warn or even save people. Especially my Samuel.
Then I heard his voice, muffled, but close by. And his words chilled
my soul. “Stop running, Messenger,” he said. “You cannot save him or yourself.
You cannot save anybody.”
I’m sixteen
years old and cop to the fact that in terms of life wisdom, people think
teenagers have been through next to nothing. But I’ve recently learned the hard
way that I’m not your average teenager,
and wisdom cannot be measured in birthdays.
I'm happy to introduce Sweet Tooth Tuesdays on my blog. For the most part I'll be featuring cupcake bakers and pals and some recipes.
Cupcakes-A-Go-Go, Madison Wisconsin
Introducing Laura DeVries, co-owner of Cupcakes-A-Go-Go in Madison, Wisconsin. Take it, Laura:
"Cupcakes-A-Go-Go came to be after a trip to New York City in 2005. I happened to already be taking cake decorating classes at the time and upon returning decided to try my hand at cupcakes after a visit to Magnolia Bakery. Having a full-time graphic design business made opening a bakery an impossibility at the time, so I started baking for friends and family, developing recipes along the way. An order for 1325 for a local company was the push I needed to officially create the business and I needed a space to work out of. I found a local bakery owner who was willing to share their space with us and Cupcakes-A-Go-Go was born! The name originally came from the idea that we would be a cupcake delivery service, and we do still deliver to this day.
Cupcakes-A-Go-Go delivers!
We baked in the other bakery for 2 solid years in about 200 square feet of space - it was like working out of an efficiency apartment, LOL!! But in spite of the lack of size we managed to bake 6,000 mini cupcakes for one order, and 13,500 for another, along with many other, "smaller" orders. Weddings were also a big part of our business and continue to be important.
We opened the bakery because we had tested the market for 2 years , selling out of the bakery we worked in, wholesaling to local upscale grocery stores and selling at farmers markets and other events. We knew that we had a solid product and the business developed a life of its own. We had to decide whether to make it official and open a store or give up and let the dream go.
Wade, Laura, and friend.
Being an entrepreneur is no easy task, and anyone who opens a cupcake shop doesn't do it for the money, I can say that with certainty. The real satisfaction comes from the smiles on customers' faces when they exclaim how much they love your product, or when brides and grooms (now husband and wife) stop by to tell you how much everyone at their reception enjoyed the cupcakes, and how people are still talking about them, or when you get to bake a cake for a 5-year old with allergies who, until you came along, had never been able to enjoy cake before. THOSE are the real moments that make it all worthwhile.
There have been lots of people who have believed in us and helped us to get to where we are. We worked with many SBA groups like the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corporation and UW Small Business Development Center - the people there have been a huge resource to us. And then there are all of our great FB friends and the awesome Twitter followers and other awesome bakery owners out there from whom we learn so much and who keep us going when the going gets tough!
We contribute to many charities including: *Anita Kaufmann Foundation (Epilepsy awareness) *Rainbow Project (Child Abuse Prevention) *Dane County Rape Crisis Center *Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County *AIDS Network *Pancreatic Cancer Action Network *Junior League *Komen Foundation *Wisconsin Book Festival *Myriad local schools and PTO groups *Angel's Wish (Cat Shelter) *Children's Hospital of WI *Madison Opera *Wisconsin Public Television *Madison Childrens' Museum *Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission *NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness *March of Dimes *CASA - Court appointed special advocates (for abused & neglected children
