Fairy Tale Fun Blog Hop Stop

Welcome to the Fairy Tale Fun Blog Hop. In these posts we will demonstrate how the Main Characters of our books share similarities with Princesses (the good, the bad, and the funny).
By reading these posts and answering a question in the comments section, you will have a chance to win a delicious Valentine's Prize: Congratulations Sprite 36 Gift Box from Fairytale Brownies!
 
Want to win? Read this post and answer my question at the bottom of the post in the comments section. Note: You MUST comment (and leave an email address) in order to enter. There are other blog stops (listed below) that you can also enter to improve your odds of winning (and find fun new books).

In my post, I will demonstrate 6 ways that Maggie Maddock in The Witches of Dark Root shares similarities with Brave's Merida.



1. Both Maggie from and Merida have wild, untamed red hair! (and untamed hearts as well)


 
2. Both young women are at home in the woods. In fact, Maggie's home town of Dark Root is a 'magical' forest.



3. Both women want to forsake tradition and choose their own path. Merida wants to choose whom she will marry while Maggie wants to find her way in the world and not take over her mother's coven business.

4. Both Maggie and Merida discover that their mother is under a witch's spell!

5. Both women also have limited time to save their mother!

And finally...





6. In the end, both women discover that anything can be accomplished through the right combinations of family, love, and magic.


That's all for this stop. If you would like to read more about Maggie Maddock, you can download The Witches of Dark Root and The Magick of Dark Root on Amazon.

Now, here's your chance to win those 36 brownies! All you have to do is answer the following question in the comments section and leave your email address. Good luck!

Question: If you had one Valentine's Day wish this year, what would it be?


Visit the sites below for more chances to win us!

Blog Stops:

Sheryl http://sebabin.blogspot.com/

Biel, Kathryn http://kathrynbiel.blogspot.com/

Brown, Brea http://www.breabrown.com/thereluctantblogger/2015/2/10/nurse-nates-princess-persona.html

Corcillo, Geralyn http://thingsthatmakemegommmrrh.blogspot.com

Eddy, Patricia http://www.pdeddy.com/blog

Emerson, Erin (Hosted by Hello Precious Bliss.) http://hellopreciousbliss.com/?p=2743

Farrell, Jamie http://wp.me/p3Beox-Wb

Grossman, Hilary http://www.feelingbeachie.com/?p=5434

Hamm, Rachel Lynn http://www.rachelhamm.wordpress.com

Henning, Gina http://www.ginahenning.com/blog/

Kennedy, Celia http://www.womanreinventsself.blogspot.com

Krimmer, Tracy http://www.tracykrimmer.com/2015/02/09/fairytale/

Monson, Becky http://www.beckymonson.com/#!blog/c1vi7

Munroe, Theresa http://tamunroe.com/2015/02/02/fairy-tale-fun-blog-hop/

Rinella, Diane http://dianerinellaauthor.com/fairy-tale-fun-blog-hop/

Williams, Samantha K. http://skwills.com/blog/

Psychic Storm Available Now

Psychic Storm is now available to read. Just 99 cents on Amazon.
You can also find this at B&N and Kobo (and many other places).
Paranormal Suspense, Sexiness, and Fun.

My Crazy (and Good) Life

   What a crazy weekend.
   The Witches of Dark Root hit #1 in a lot of categories on Amazon, and at one point had a rank of #86 in all of Amazon.
   I just cant believe that and I'm still in shock. Sometimes life surprises you and I feel like I was hit over the head with a happy hammer.
   The Magick of Dark Root is also doing well, currently #1 in Women's Fiction: Fantasy.
   This has really given me the inspiration needed to plow through this first draft of The Curse of Dark Root and get it out there. I'm writing my little fingers to the bone but its a happy sort of work, the kind of work that makes me feel alive (even when I'm hermiting up)

   I feel blessed and numb and full of gratitude at the moment.
   I know that nothing is permanent and tomorrow I may fall off all the charts, but today was a really good day.

The Lines of Time

   Not sure whether to be excited or depressed.
   Maybe both.
   I woke up today with a new line on my face.
   Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
   Now, I'm not saying I didn't already have a few lines, but I saw them brewing, chipping away at my once smooth skin day after day, year after year, until they were finally like "bitch, Im here for good, what are you going to do about it?"
   But this new line...it just snuck in, completely unannounced, and planted itself right there on a conspicuous part of my face, and it was like, "Boo-yah! See if that Strivictens gonna fix this, bitch!"
   Now those of you who read me know I'm normally not a curser and rarely use the B word, but when I'm speaking from the wrinkles point of view, I have to use a stronger word. Wrinkles aren't sweet. They aren't demure. They, along with double-chins, are the thugs of the Selfie world.
   So anyway, I have a new line, and yes I slathered on some cream, and no it didn't help.
   I'm starting to get sick of this 'aging' thing. Can I stop now? Waking up everyday to see what new fun new joke Mother Nature and Father Time are going to play on me is getting old, so to speak.
   First the boobs, then the face, what are you coming for next Time?
   I swallow, realizing the temperature in the room has dropped ten degrees.
   A cold hand rests on my shoulder and I hear the wind in my ear, or maybe its a whisper...
"You. I'm coming for you."
   Umm, was hoping for something more comforting. Maybe I'll go have a drink, and take my wrinkle and like it.

Newsletter Signups

Starting a newsletter. Will feature new releases, FAQs on characters and stories, and fun facts.
If you'd like to sign up (and I promise not to spam you!) please visit my website at www.aprilaasheimwriter.com, scroll to the bottom, and fill in your name and email address.
I won't give it out to anyone :)

Family Matters

Conversation with my husband after watching Season seven (episode six) of Mad Men last night.

Husband: So, um...what did you think of that scene?
Me: What scene?
Husband: You know, that scene. Did you think it was sexy?
Me: I am not having a threesome with you and another woman.
Husband: Oh. Good night.

Clean Out My Email Box or Move

Just deleted 2000 emails from my Yahoo account. And those were only emails that have accumulated since Nov 1, 2014. Most of them are from stores.
I really need to start saying "No, Thank you," when the sales people at stores ask for an email address. Of course, many of them don't even ask. As you are handing them money they simply say "email address," and I blindly give it to them.
Why? I have no idea. Maybe I'm a rules follower and I think giving people information on me just because they ask is a 'rule'. Or maybe its because I don't want to hurt their feelings. Or maybe I just don't have a very good reason for saying no without looking like a jerk.
At any rate, I've learned that just because someone wants something from me, doesn't mean I have to provide it.
The next time a sales girl asks for my email address I'm simply going to tell them I'm a Doomsday Prepper who isn't on the grid and I'm simply buying that really cute skirt just in case I need to barter with something after the apocalypse.
That should stop them.
I hope.

Get Your Mind-Meld On!

Psychic Storm goes live Feb 3rd!

Ten books by ten bestselling authors. Psychics, Seers, Witches, Warlocks and Empaths find love, craft magic,
and fight to save the world.

Just 99 cents.

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

Pre-Order The Council of Dark Root: Armand

The Council of Dark Root: Armand.
A bad moon rises.
This 30k word novella is a great companion piece to The Daughters of Dark Root.
Out Friday, February 13th.
Available for pre-order now!

Armand: Coming Soon.

Coming February, 2015! The story of how Sasha met the nefarious warlock that would one day break up The Council. Stay tuned!

My Existential Cat

I think my cat has a serious case of existential dread. He just lies on his bench all day, staring out the window, meowing occasionally and passionlessly from time to time.

Once in a while he'll wander over to his Meow Mix, stare at me for a long accusing minute, then flop himself down on the floor as if he better get started, the Meow Mix isn't going to eat itself.

And he hardly looked at the Christmas decorations at all this year. Not even a passing paw swipe at the ornament hanging just within his reach.

Do you think cats ask themselves: What is the meaning of all of this? If I cease to exist will the Meow Mix still flow without me? And what happens when I get through my 9th life?

Me and my cat curl up for a Gilmore Girls binge, me nibbling on Dark Hershey's Kisses, and him with some left over string cheese, to contemplate our co-existence.

"Is this as good as it gets?" he seems to ask with his large, sad eyes.

"Yep buddy. We all want a bowl full of food, a quiet place to nap, and a clean litter box. But once we get those, we aren't sure what we want."

Such is life, little kitty. Such is life.

Into the Good Night

Well, I decided to quit my writing/critique group. Not because they aren't wonderful people and awesome at helping me, but because it was just time. I'm so busy now I barely have time to cut my toenails let alone give anyone constructive feedback on their novels.

Its always hard to say goodnight, but goodnights come. And those are the things that dreams are made of. Or something metaphorically brilliant like that.

At any rate, I have one more meeting in December. These people are my friends and good friends are hard to leave behind. But new things are on the horizon and I'm ready to embrace them.

Ringing In the Holiday Season

The holiday season is officially upon us. I know because I saw Kohl's all decorated up and that's my cue to go!

We put up our lights outside already. Yes. We are those people. The first on the block to put them up. And most likely the last to take them down. Shawn put up the Christmas tree, and a few strands of lights with hardly any twinklings missing. What he missed in lights he made up for in tinsel so all is well.

Our cat has been eyeing the tree, nibbling on the ends to get a taste. The bottom branches aren't really to his liking so he has his eyes set on the top. That's where all the really good branches are, even if the tree is fake.

Aside from all the decorating hullabaloo I'm a little down this year. I have some family stuff that isn't quite what it should be. But the holidays are a time of magic and if anything can heal wounds its Santa Claus.

Now to cozy in and eat cookies and gain ten pounds that I'm sure I'll regret come January.

WDR

Can Maggie and Her Witchy Sisters Save Dark Root?

The Witches of Dark Root

It's the story of Maggie and her sisters who return to their hometown of Dark Root in order to save their ill mother, rediscover old rivalries, and revive a town that has lost its literal magic. 

And there's a Halloween Festival ;)


Books 1 and 2 available now. Book 3 available late spring 2015.

Fall into Fantasy Collection Giveaway! Begins Oct 17.

Check out these great books and enter to win. Begins Oct 17! Good luck!

Rafflecopter: Adult

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FREE OCT 16! - The Magick of Dark Root

Four witchy sisters. Great magical fun. The Magick of Dark Root. 

Craigslist Ad: Single Sock Seeks Sole-Mate

I'm a single, white sock who recently lost his mate in a lint fire accident. I'm relatively young (only two years since I was purchased from Target) and in good shape (although I am starting to thin a little in the thread department).

Seeking mate with similar ideals. Must enjoy long walks, cuddling in balls, and Dr. Scholls. Bonus points for those who've performed in puppet shows.

Pattern, fabric, length unimportant so long as you can comfortably accommodate a size 11 foot.

I'm okay with holes, we all have a past, just as long as you've left that drama in the drawer.

I am Athlete's Foot free. You should be too.

Let's meet at the gym for a workout and see where that takes us. If all goes well after a few dates, I will introduce you to my shoes.

I await your response,

A lonely sock.

*
April Aasheim is the author of The Universe is a Very Big Place, a quirky, romantic comedy.

Goodbye Professor Keating

Robin Williams passed. Its a sad day. We all look inside ourselves and wonder why its a sad day. He was just a celebrity. Aren't there people dying every day? Why aren't we more concerned with that?


In order for something to have meaning you have to make it personal. Its easy to distance ourselves from the horrors of war until we see the faces of the victims on the news. Its easy to walk by a homeless person without giving them a quarter until someone you know becomes homeless. Robin Williams made it personal.


From the beginning as Mork, he showed us not only his comedic genius but his humility. That's why the show worked. He tried to understand what it was like to be human and he made us wonder too. It wasn't his jokes that I remember from that show, it was the way he slumped his shoulders and asked questions and really marveled at the world.


Perhaps the biggest impact any entertainer had on me is when he played Professor Keating on  Dead Poet's Society. I was a teenager then and battling with my parents about what I wanted to do with my life. They had their ideas. I had mine. I wanted to be a writer, but all I heard was that it was a fool's choice. At the time they didn't believe in me. So I didn't believe in myself.


I went with a friend that night to see Dead Poet's Society. It resonated with me in a way nothing ever had until that moment. For the first time in my life I felt...free.


Parents and world be damned. I could be what I wanted to be. Life was about living and taking advantage of EVERY SINGLE DAY. There wasn't enough time to be complacent.


At the end of the movie a handful of people stood up in their theater chairs. I was one of them. I stood there for a long, long time, even as people filed out of the theater past me and my friend got embarrassed. That one movie put everything in perspective for me.


Thank you Robin Williams for such a splendid performance. You changed my life. And I owe you.


This is a real journal entry from that night after the movie. I can truly say you helped me to become who I needed to become.

Safety Dance

   I have a newfound fear. It's called The Water Police.
   According to my husband they patrol the neighborhood just looking for folks like me who have watered the lawn mid-day.
   "You'd be arrested in California," he informs me.
   "First of all," I tell him. "We live in Oregon. Second of all..."
   "Secondly," he corrects me.
   "Second of all...I've only done it once. And thirdly..."I glance at him to see if he is going to correct me. He stops himself. "How do you know so much about California water laws?"
   "I read."
   I consider this. "Well, I've seen you water the lawn in the middle of the day multiple times. You haven't gone to jail yet."
   My husband scratches his chin and says thoughtfully, "True. But I did it in the back yard, where no one can see. I can't get arrested for that.
   My husband, who is not a rules follower by any means, loves to get me to follow whatever rules he deems currently necessary by using my neurosis against me. The other day he informed me that walking with traffic was not safe.
   "Do you know how many people are hit by walking with traffic?" he asks.
   "No, do you?"
   "At any given time thousands of people are hit by cars because they are walking with traffic."
   "I didn't know this. Did you read that on the back of a cereal box?"
   "I just know these things."
   He sites the poster in our kitchen. He has been named a Safety Hero at his job site and there's a photo of him in a hardhat lecturing others on job safety.
   "But I'm not your employee," I remind him.
   "If you were you'd be far more cooperative."

   Maybe his plan is working and if he can't make me do what he wants by telling me to, he can scare me into it. I'm now having nightmares about getting hit by cars while watering my front lawn at noon.

   As if I didn't have enough to worry about.

Mythical Books: Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway: The Magick of Da...

Mythical Books: Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway: The Magick of Da...: Date of Publication: June 3rd, 2014 Cover Artist: AnneMarie Buhl and Greg Jensen Description: “There are rules that must be fo...