Mama moves to Assisted Living

There comes a time when we've had enough rules, regulations and the should haves of life and love and parents and children and restrictions and society and rules and dogma and religion and politics. 

Mama's 86th Birthday

Somewhere in this heart-stopping moment we decide (or don't decide when life interrupts with the unexpected death or huge life-transition of a parent, spouse, a sibling because life decides it for us,) to take a deep breath and...

break FREE, make a run for it and leave home, safety, all that is known, and race toward...

...the fearful, the unthinkable, the unknowable, the hasn't-even-been-imagined yet.

and HOLY CRAP it's so FREAKING SCARY that

our breath catches. Our hearts race. Our brains spin. But maybe, just maybe it will be okay...

Because maybe we will find peace, happiness. We'll discover that 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' was always, really, right here here in the homes we grew up in. In our back yards. On our front lawns.

Mama around three-years-old outside parsonage.

And most likely our journey ends where it began. No matter our circumstances, I'll venture that most of us were born into love. I'm thinking that when we take our last breath -- to love we shall return. Or -- at least that's the way I hope it works.

For me? "Kindness is my religion... " (I think the Dalai Lama said that, and yes, I'm stealing it...)

Acknowledge the could-of and should-ofs. Pray for all those who did you wrong as well as those who did you right.

Kiss someone.

Mama kissing mystery man...

And live life with abandon.

'I'm running free now -- and no one can stop me....'

I love you, Mama. I hope Assisted Living is excellent living. 

Beautiful Boys and Beautify-ing the Blog.

I spent Sunday afternoon updating my blog and it's getting much closer to looking less befuddled.

Oh wait, that's me.

I have a new Links section, which I'll be updating regularly.

I've got all my books on this site.

I finally figured out what HTML means. (Well, not really, but I did figure out how to add the Twitter button dealie.)

So now, before I go work out to avoid my head flying off my tight neck like the top of a Pez Dispenser, I thought I'd give you something fun to look at. Just a little eye candy.

My New Adult / Mature YA romance, The Story of You and Me, is set in Southern California. There are four young guys who are 'Drivers'. They help out when USCLA students or friends can't drive because they've partied a little too hard. And...  sometimes they help out with other problems for other reasons. (Which you could read about in the book.)

Meet Alejandro Maxwell Levine - our main squeeze in this book.

Alejandro

And then there's Nathan. He helps Sophie, the heroine, out during a difficult time.

Nathan

Nick's seen his share of trouble but has fought his demons - so far.

Nick

Tyler's a bit of a bad boy. He's constantly flirting with Sophie.

Tyler

So you see, sometimes spending hours beautify-ing one's blog can be a good thing - yes? Now that my blog is prettier, (cough-cough) I plan on posting more often. Thanks for visiting! (Feel free to share.)

I'd love to write another romantic story with one of these Driver boys. Feel free to comment and tell me which one you'd like to read about next. Thanks!

Go read a good book and tell someone you love about it!

Xo,

Pam DuMond

New Adult Book Launch Party on 10/1/13 for The Story of You and Me

The Story of You and Me - a love story

New Adult Book Launch - The Story of You and Me

9/30/13

Hi there:

Fasten your seatbelts. Place your tray tables in the upright position but DO NOT turn off your electronic devices!

I'm officially launching/announcing my new book, The Story of You and Me.

You're more than welcome to join our FB launch party tom./Tuesday 10/1/13 late afternoon - early evening PST. There will be author/reader chats, book excerpts, recipes shared, hot guys commented on and snarkiness will most likely ensue!

https://www.facebook.com/events/17495...

The Story of You and Me is a New Adult, Mature-Young Adult, Coming-of-Age romance with plenty of twists and turns. Yes, it has some swearing, intense situations and some tears. It also has a lot of giggles and plenty of romance...

It's NOT erotica.

There is a HEA for Sophie and Alejandro.

The Story of You and Me is about falling in love for the first time -- which can be magical, scary and exciting. Nineteen-year-old Sophie and twenty-year-old Alejandro aren't sure if they deserve love. Through the highs and lows of their shared journey they discover that they really do.

Description of The Story of You and Me:

Recommended for New Adult and Mature Young Adult Readers

She's driven to save her life. He's haunted by breaking one. Some secrets are risky to share. But nothing's more powerful than falling in love...

Nineteen-year-old Sophie has the kind of hope that makes her do weird things--like leave her family and friends behind in her small hometown and travel thousands of miles to a strange city--Los Angeles.

She didn't plan on getting into the middle of a bar fight on the USCLA campus her first night in town. She didn't want to be rescued by twenty-one-year-old Alejandro, the hottest guy she's ever met. She has no time to fall for a guy because her stakes are high--life and death.

Sophie's starting a promising, experimental USCLA Medical study that could heal her debilitating disease. But California's filled with all kinds of alternative healers offering medical miracles. When she ventures on her own to find them, she quickly discovers that L.A.'s a tough city, with bad guys more than happy to take advantage of her.

She hires Alejandro to be her driver and her bodyguard. Their journeys take them to sunny beaches, dicey ghettos, campus hang-outs, gang-infested hoods and celebrity parties. And she learns that healing doesn't always come the way you think you need it.

Sophie's healing is six-foot-two-inches tall, has stunning hazel eyes, black, shiny hair and a rock solid chest that shelters her. Her healing is a smart, gorgeous Alpha Boy with a killer sense of humor--Alejandro.

As they fall in love, she realizes Alejandro isn't your typical college party boy--he has a dangerous past. And Sophie isn't the only one who keeps secrets.

A Story of Hope. A Story of Love. A Story of Redemption.

Check out The Story of You and Me on

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9UOO2Q

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-s...

Paperback: Coming soon.

Pop in for a minute and join us!

xo

Pamela DuMond

The Story of You and Me - a love story

9/22/13

Hi there:

When last you heard from me I decided to write a short little New Adult novel and publish it in three months.

Do you hear the peals of laughter??? I do!

That was five months ago. The "short" novel is now a full-length novel complete at nearly 80,000 words.

The Story of You and Me is a New Adult, Mature-Young Adult, Coming-of-Age romance with plenty of twists and turns. Yes, it has some swearing, some intense situations and some tears. Sorry, it's NOT erotica.

It does however have a lot of giggles and plenty of romantic moments.

The Story of You and Me is about falling in love for the first time.

The first time you fall in love can be magical, scary, exciting and filled with tension.

The Story of You and Me is  about two young people -- Sophie and Alejandro -- who aren't sure if they deserve love. They discover, through the ups and downs of their shared journey, that they really do.

Their story has a Happily Ever After ending. Wouldn't it be great if all of ours did?

***

Description of The Story of You and Me:

She's driven to save a life.

He's haunted by breaking one.

Some secrets are too risky to share.

But nothing's more dangerous than falling in love...

Nineteen-year-old Sophie doesn’t listen to the naysayers because she has hope. The kind of hope that makes you do weird things—like travel two thousand miles away from everyone she knows and loves to a strange city.

So what if her first night in Los Angeles starts with a small misstep—a brief trip to the ER after twenty-one-year-old Alejandro, the hottest guy she’s ever met, saves her during a bar fight on the USCLA campus.

The stakes are high for Sophie—life and death—as she seeks answers to dark questions in a city that can be a slice of heaven, or a piece of hell. She’s running out of time on her journey to find healing. Falling for a guy isn’t part of her plan. But healing doesn’t always come the way you think you need it.

Sophie’s healing is six-foot-two-inches tall, has stunning hazel eyes, black, shiny hair and a rock solid chest that shelters her. Her healing is Alejandro.

But he’s not your typical college party boy—he has a dangerous past. Sophie isn’t the only one who keeps secrets. As they fall in love, he fears his truth might hurt her. And Sophie doesn’t know if she has the courage to tell him:

He can’t break her—because she’s already broken.

A Story of Hope.  A Story of Love.  A Story of Redemption.

***

Check out The Story of You and Me on

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9UOO2Q

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-story-of-you-and-me

Nook: Coming soon.

Paperback: Coming soon.

I hope you enjoy reading this book, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy fall!

And btw? Expect a MAJOR revision to this blog -- coming soon. Not in five months. Soon.

xo

Pamela DuMond

Boston Charity Book Giveaway Event

I'm helping to spread the word about a book giveaway event to help the victims of the attacks that occurred in Boston last week.

Many authors are offering autographed books and there are links for your donations as well. Please spread the word through your own blog or FB site.

Thanks to the authors as well as AToMR blog tours for helping organize this event.

And thanks to you all for reading, helping and sharing.

xo

Pamela DuMond

http://www.bostoncharitybookgiveaway.blogspot.com/

"We are helping to spread the word about  this amazing book giveaway that was created to aid the victims and families of the 2013 Boston Marathon Attack. Many best-selling authors have donated books  in response to this cause. The books are grouped into bundle packs and a winner will be selected randomly through Rafflecopter for each bundle. Visit http://www.bostoncharitybookgiveaway.blogspot.com/ for more details and how to enter.

This giveaway was created to aid the victims and families of the 2013 Boston Marathon Attack.  Many best-selling authors have donated books. We will be grouping the books into bundles and a winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. You must make a donation to onefundboston.org in order to enter. See How to Enter for details. The giveaway will run from April 21 - April 30th.

Book Bundle #1

In the Name of Love

SIGNED copies of:

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Easy by Tammara Webber

Fallen Too Far & Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

FATE by Elizabeth Reyes

CRUSH by Nicole Williams

Disastrous by EL Montes

Book Bundle #2

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

SIGNED copies of:

Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

What a Boy Wants, What a Boy Needs and Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn

Sleep My Child by Eyvonna Rains
ebooks: Shark Bait & The Other Fish in the Sea by Jenn Cooksey

Book Bundle #3

Just the Way You Are

SIGNED copies of:

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

Inhale Exhale by Sarah Ross

Destined to Change by Lisa Harley

Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley

Wide Awake by Shelly Crane

Book Bundle #4

I Walk the Line

SIGNED copies of:

The Thoughtless Series by SC Stephens

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Until I Break by M. Leighton-ARC

Collide by Gail McHugh

Book Bundle #5

Stand By Me

SIGNED copies of:

Love Unscripted & Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber

Collide by Gail McHugh

Love Em’ or Leave Em’ by Angie Stanton

On The Island byTracey Garvis-Graves

Book Bundle #6

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

SIGNED Copies of:

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Naked, All In by Raine Miller

Collide by Gail McHugh

Signed Wreck Me, ebook Restore Me by JL Mac

Book Bundle #7

Superstition

SIGNED copies of:

Awaken and Avenged by Sarah Ross

Darkride and Crossfire by Laura Bradley Rede

Book Bundle #8

Whole Lotta Love

SIGNED copies of:

Fall Guy & Perfectly Unmatched by Liz Reinhardt

Lengths & Depths by Steph Campbell

Charade & Freeing Carter by Nyrae Dawn

Destined to Change by Lisa Harley

A Prior Engagement by SL Scott

Book Bundle #9

Maybe I'm Amazed

SIGNED copies of:

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

Inescapable, Intuition, Indebted and Incendiary by Amy Bartol

Book Bundle #10

Ain't Too Proud to Beg

SIGNED copies of:

The Proposition and The Proposal by Katie Ashley

Chocolate Lovers Series by Tara Sivec

His Perfect Passion and The Undoing of a Libertine by Raine Miller

Sponsors

The Autumn Review

All the amazing authors who donated their books"

If I should die before I wake? What memories of me will persons take?

Her name was Paveena and she was in charge of the newly expanded beauty department at the renovated CVS pharmacy in Marina Del Rey, California. 

I met her about three years ago when I was sinking under the weight of two mortgages, the second which I acquired after I shattered my arm, had no health insurance, had to pay medical bills and stay afloat.

I asked this short energetic Filippina woman what she'd recommend for an eye creme that wouldn't break the bank.

"No worries. I'll take care of you." Paveena grabbed some creme, patted it around my eyes, pulled out a hand mirror and held it in front of my face. "See? This one fills in lines AND gets rid of dark circles. If you don't like, bring it back. I will exchange it for you. I'll even give you a coupon. In fact, I'll give you two. Wait..." She dug around under the counter. "I can give you three. That means it's half price today. And I'll give you samples: the refreshing toner, the facial peeler, three kinds of moisturizer." She thrust about 50 vials and packets at me. "You will be so happy."

I'd stop in every couple of months, she'd give me a hundred samples, too many coupons and we'd talk. About life and love and work and family. Paveena went home to visit her mom who had ovarian cancer. Then she went home for her mom's funeral. She was stressed, had back pain and asked me how much I'd charge her for chiropractic treatment. I told her she could pay me in samples. But she was too busy to make it over.

I brought my stepmom to see Paveena, who was so thrilled she gave her a free facial on the spot. "I take care of your step-mommy," she said. "Mommies are important."

I was in the midst of selling my house but needed to see Paveena at CVS. This time, she wore a scarf wrapped around her head. She didn't have any hair. Her eyebrows were penciled in. "I have the cancer," she said. "The same kind as my mommy and my grand mother." I asked how I could help. I offered to give her free chiropractic. I went back, again and again, but her friend said she kept calling in sick.

I stopped by CVS today on my way to work. I didn't see Paveena or any other beauty clerk. I walked behind the counter and saw something else: yards and yards of prayers

 and condolences, tributes and shout-outs for Paveena, who passed away on Easter, 2013 from ovarian cancer. 

She was in her forties.

So this one's for Paveena - a woman with a big heart, the sweetest soul who made the world a much kinder, more beautiful and gentle place for so many people. 

You were an angel on earth, Paveena. I hope you're happy with the angels in heaven. May your beautiful soul Rest in Peace. I will always love you.

ABNA 2013 Quarterfinalist - Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys

Squee! My book Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys (Annie Graceland Mystery #3) made the Quarterfinal cut of the ABNA competition. This is very sweet! (Kind of feels like this.)

 About the ABNA Contest:

"The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest is an opportunity to win a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing. One Grand Prize winner will receive a publishing contract with an advance of $50,000, and four First Prize winners will each receive a publishing contract with an advance of $15,000. Visit the prizes page for the full list of prizes and details."

Amazon's upping the ante this year with their contest because they are not only a book distributor, but quickly becoming a publisher, as well. And knowing Amazon, they do NOT want to be a small publisher. They want to be BIG. 

Two Reviewers judged each contest submission based on the "pitch" and the 3000 to 5000 word excerpt. (I'm sure a lot of great novels didn't make it through to the Quarterfinals. Judging can be a little random.)

Amazon then published ALL the Quarterfinalist pitches and excerpts.

Here is mine. It's FREE. It includes the pitch, the excerpt, and the reviews. You might want to read it to see an example of the type of story that made the cut from 10,000 contest entries down to 500. Or you might want to sample a funny, sexy mystery.

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Pies-Hot-Guys-ebook/dp/B00B9N8158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363116915&sr=1-1&keywords=Abna+2013+Cupcakes%2C+Pies%2C+and+Hot+Guys

And hey, if you enjoy it? Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys is already indie published and available as an e-book for only $2.99 with a spiffy brand new cover, designed by the talented Michael James Canales. (We're working on updating the paper book covers as well.)

Thank you and enjoy!

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupcakes-pies-and-hot-guys-pamela-dumond/1112779845

KOBO: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Cupcakes-Pies-and-Hot-Guys/book-p9DVil5jNEi2OZaI5xQH-g/page1.html

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Pitching your Novel for TV and Movies

I met with an Entertainment Manager this week. He wants to pitch my novel The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book 1) for either a TV series or Movie Franchise. Color me happy! And now I'm delving into learning how to create a PITCH PACKAGE for TV and Movie folks.

Let me share a brief history of how this came about before I'm buried in this new writing process.

The Messenger is a passion project for me. I wanted to write an epic love story about two people who would go to the ends of the earth, even travel hundreds of years through time and risk everything to be together. 

But getting this book off the ground hasn't been the easiest. I researched the time period - 1675 during King Philip's War (the bloodiest war in American History) in which book one was set.

I wrote the book. (Hahhah, so easy! The words just flew onto the page! Not.)

Here's the rest of my process which might sound familiar to you: Beta Readers' Notes. I edited ms. Professional Editor's Notes. I edited ms. Queried Agents. Rejected. Entered ABNA. Passed 1 round, cut in second. Self-published. Picked wrong book cover. Re-did book cover. Most readers loved the book. A few haters. Did KDP giveaway - over 15,000 downloads. It hit: 

#1 Bestseller - Children's eBooks - People & Places - Girls and Women
#1 Bestseller - Children's Fiction - Literature - Love and Romance
#1 Bestseller - Children's eBooks - People & Places

Friends and readers believed in me and the book. Even better, a friend's teenage daughter read the book and LOVED IT. They started chatting with friends and acquaintances in the Entertainment Industry. And the daughter pitched The Messenger to the Entertainment Manager while they were playing tennis.  

And now he wants to shop it as a movie franchise and hand it to a TV Showrunner. So I am in new territory learning things like putting together a pitch package that has a short overview of the story, a longer synopsis, a page about me that includes info on the book, distinctions, background on my other books, including artwork, as well as a synopsis for Book #2 and Book #3. (We need 5 books to shop the Movie franchise.)

I'm swimming around in unfamiliar waters but I'm going to do learn how to do this, because every new world comes complete with its own learning curve. And remember, there are no guarantees this pitch will go anywhere, but I have to try.

If you want to read The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) to see the kind of book that would get the attention of a Hollywood Entertainment Manager for TV or Film Adaptation - well heck, it's only $2.99.

Psst - here's the link!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

My advice? Dream big. Work hard. Persevere. And don't take no for an answer.

xo,

Pam DuMond

Radio chat with Carlette Norwood Ritter on 1/9/13

Happy 2013!

Hey there Readers!

I'm pleased to announce I'm chatting with the fab and fun Carlette Norwood Ritter on her radio show LettesChat this coming Wednesday, January 9th at 8 p.m. EST, aka -- 5 p.m. PST and corresponding time zones I can never remember.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letteschat/2013/01/10/lettes-chat-with-author-and-funny-lady-pam-dumond

Feel free to call in (347/215-7302) ask questions, hang out or have a cocktail and listen.

I don't know for sure what we're talking about but possible subjects include:

*Discovering and pitching the Erin Brockovich story that became Erin Brockovich the movie.

*Co-creating the internationally acclaimed and hated Celebrity Jar of Air with Joe Wilson, writer/director/creator of vampiremob.com - fab Indie TV show. (All Celebrity Jar photos are Joe's, and for the record - he did 99 % of the work.)

*My sexy comedic Cupcake mystery novel series featuring heroine Annie Graceland, a baker with a pinch of psychic ability who is blackmailed by ghosts into solving their murders.

Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PIDYJI

Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails - A Novella http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Cocktails-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B006PU7RU0

Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys  http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

My young adult romantic time travel thriller - The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

There might even be a sneak peak of my NEW BOOK that's hitting virtual bookshelves very soon...

Hope to chat with you at Carlette's place on Wednesday!

xo,

Pamela DuMond