Author Cindy M. Hogan: February 2012

Retirement Quest by John Hauserman, CFP

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift card right here, right now in under one minute.

The book I finished last night will hopefully make me rich one day...or at least I hope I'm thinking more clearly about my future because of it. Requirement Quest made me think about the money I'd like to have at retirement in a different way-a good way, a proactive way.

And guess what? When I was asked to review this book, I thought it would be boring, but it totally wasn't and I understood it all. What is so cool about this book is that it has an interactive planning map and other resources you can use on the web for free. You know how I love free.

Everyone should pick up this book, because everyone plans to retire and everyone wants to retire with enough money to live well. Why not learn how to make the best decisions for your financial future! Go out there and make it the best it can be. Start with this book.
NOW...
Enter to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

How to enter- (Get six chances to win in under a minute)
**Please leave one comment telling me which things you did.And leave me your email so I can email you if you win!
1. Mandatory follow this blog +1
2. Like Protected's Amazon page +2
3. Like Watched's Amazon page +1
4. Like my Facebook page+1
5. Like Watched's other Amazon page +1
Don't forget to leave one comment telling me what you did.

Are you planning now to retire rich? What are you doing to accomplish your goal?

Huge Changes

Today was my last day of a long-term sub job I did for a good friend who had a baby. A super cute baby at that. I was both excited and sad.

Excited, because I will have more time to devote to writing, and sad, because I will miss the awesome kids in my classes-about 150 of them, all unique, fun, and sometimes very irritating.

Seventh graders are an interesting breed of kids. Many are lost, wondering how they fit into this big bad world, while others reach out and find their place without much effort.

These kids are a big reason I write YA novels. I don't only want to entertain them, but I also want to show them how powerful they can be if they choose to be. These kids are our future and I don't think they realize the impact they can have on that future now.

One thing's for certain, if these kids are our future, I do not need to fear.

What do you think about the kids today? Is our future bright?

It's a Little Haywire by Elle Strauss

Do you like it when things get a little HAYWIRE?

You are going to love this book! And it's free for two days only-today and tomorrow (Feb 22-23) here

What's it about?

Owen True is eleven and eleven twelfths and has been "exiled" to the small crazy town of Hayward, WA, aka, Haywire, while his mother is on her honeymoon. All he has to whittle away the time is the company of Gramps, his black lab Daisy, and his Haywire friends, Mason and Mikala Sweet. They don't look so hot this year, in fact, the whole town has gone to pot since the mill shut down.

Owen has his first encounter with a real life homeless man who ends up needing Owen's help in more ways than one. But how does a rich city kid help the small town's suffering citizens?

And what is Owen to make of the fog train and its scary, otherworldy occupants that appears out of thin air on the old tracks behind Gramps' house? Do they have the answer Owen is looking for?

Not convinced yet? I think you're nuts, but read this!

Praise for IT'S A LITTLE HAYWIRE

"Strauss' characters are absolutely precious, especially Mikala. Your heart just breaks for her and her family. And Owen was a funny little toot, with a heart of gold. Just because you are young doesn't mean you can't help a community in need!Such a wonderful little read, that brought a tear to my eye at the end." - Mandy at twimom101 book blog- book reviewer

"IT'S A LITTLE HAYWIRE reminds me of Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. It's that good....I loved the magic in this story. I mean the magic of story, a great story, the kind that pulls you in and makes you care about the characters. Elle Strauss does a wonderful job of pulling everything together at the end in a moving way." - Laura Pauling - book blogger, book reviewer

Elle Strauss

The sterile bio...don't worry, the fun bio is coming...
Elle Strauss writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. She's a married mom of four, and lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, famous for beaches and vineyards. She's fond of Lindt's sea salt dark chocolate and hiking in good weather. Her Young Adult rom/com time-travel CLOCKWISE and contemporary/otherworldly Middle Grade IT'S A LITTLE HAYWIRE are now available on Amazon.

Here are the questions we all really want answered and I wasn't afraid to ask them!

Do you wear socks to bed?

Wow, no one has asked me that one before. And the answer is YES. At least for half the night and when my feet go from freezing cold to hot, I slip them off.

What are 5 things most people wouldn't know about you?

1. That I wear socks to bed

2. I'm an only child

3. I'm afraid of heights

4. But I'm not a fearful person, generally speaking

5. I had all my four kids before I turned 30

Why did you write It's a little Haywire and what's it all about?

This book is more personal than anything else I've written. It's inspired by letters my oldest son wrote to my parents when he was ten (it's how I captured Owen True's voice), by my father who likes to break into song, by my childhood memories visiting the small town my grandparents lived in during the summer holidays. And by my concern for the poor and disenfranchised.

Here's a list of her favorites. Can you guess what the questions were?

Here are the answers, can you guess the questions?

Dark Chocolate, Red wine, 70's rock and contemporary folk, lakes, palm trees, Europe, Thai food, bike rides, Pride and Prejudice, Bible

I know, you want more of Elle- go get it!

www.ellestraussbookscom
Twitter: @elle_strauss
Facebook : Elle Strauss - Author
Goodreads: Elle Strauss Goodreads Author
Google+: Elle Strauss
Wattpad: Elle Strauss

What do you think of this book? Are you going to go get your free copy now?

Aren't you Dying to Know?

Lucky you...you get to enter to win a ton of books and bookish things here and learn quirky things about me below.
Go win!

Tagged again...This time new questions. Did you know these things about me?
Thanks Chandra/Elizabeth !

1. Are you a dog or cat person?
We just got a puppy. Boy are they work! We've had a cat for years. So easy! Both are fun to watch, though.

By the way, these are not pictures of my animals, but mine look just like them. Do you know what breeds they are?

2. What is your favorite color?
WHITE. I know, some will argue that isn't even a color...but it rocks, whatever it is.

3. What is your favorite book?
Can't think of an all time favorite, but, aside from "Watched", I'd have to say my 2011 pick is Divergent by Veronica Roth. Love! Love! Love!

4. What do you prefer: pencil or keyboard?
Keyboard for sure. I tried the whole write your story on paper thing and it took forever to edit once I got it in the computer. However, my thoughts are clearer when I use a pencil

5. If you could have powers, what would it be?
Fly, fly, fly

6. Who is your favorite villain? Why?
OOh....How can you love a villain?

7. What drove you to write?
The voices in my head...did I just admit to being a schizo?

8. If you were forced to change your name, what would it be?

Madelyn..and I've have long, luscious hair

9. What is your favorite place?
My house. I love it.

10. What was your favorite year? Why?
2011. The year I published my first book. Wahoo!

11. What is your favorite song?
Sk8er boi by Avril Lavigne. It's so awesome to show up the doubters. Love almost all of Avril Lavigne's songs.

Now I get to tag 11 people and give them 11 questions...

Creative therapy
my personal fairy tale
Rhiannon Morgan
unsettled
kate coursey
Rod tyson blog
Elizabeth creith's scriptorium
Carolin Seidenkranz
The Oracle and the Muse
Jolene Stockman
Here are your questions:
What is your favorite read from 2011?
Why do you write YA?
Are you a swimmer?
When was the last time you went on a hike?
Do you read books electronically? Which device do you have?
Do you work?
Do you have children?
What is your favorite holiday?
What was the best gift you ever gave?
Have you served anyone lately? What did you do?
What high school did you go to?

If you could ask an author any question, what would it be?

Do you Know Me?

There's still time to win all kinds of free books and swag. Get to it!
Just Click here. Good Luck!

Look at the side of my blog. Sign up for my newsletter. You'll get all the good news as Protected is released.

So, I was tagged two more times, so here are the answers to those burning questions you've had about me.

Thanks Amber Clites for the tag.

1. Pantser or Planner?
Total pantser. It gets me into some trouble here and there...

2. Favorite book, movie, and TV show?
Alias Rocks

3. Would you rather have free Starbucks for five years or free itunes for life?
Free itunes! Long live audio books.

4. What inspires you more, music or visual (ie: photography, scenery, etc)?
Music. Go Avril!

?
5. Do you pinterest?

No...Sorry, never been there

6. The question for the ages, Edward or Jacob?
Jacob is too hot to pass up.

7. Would you rather be able to talk to animals or to be able to speak and understand any language?

Hmm...right now we are in puppyland and if only I could understand what in the heck he wants and thinks, life would be so much easier.

8. Would you rather be kidnapped by terrorists or abducted by aliens?
At least with Aliens we could work out a love story.

9. What is the genre(s) that you write for?
Young Adult contemporary romantic suspense
Exiled (Immortal Essence, #1)

10. *Warning stolen question* If money were no object, where would your dream vacation take place?

I said Swiss Alps last time...I'll stick with that.

11. Did you cry in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part two? Was one of the times when Dumbledore asked Severus, "After all this time?" and Severus responded, "Always. " And if not, are you sure you have a soul?
I did not. I am a calloused soul. I'm actually watching this at home, right now. No joke.

Tagged again How fun. Bet you didn't know the answers to these questions about me.
1. What was the greatest live music experience you've ever had?
When I was teenager, I went to see Billy Idol with my fabulous sister, Tracie. Saw Kelly Clarkson a few years ago. Awesome.

2. What was your worst date ever?
Honestly, I don't think I've had a worst date...

3. If money is no object, what would your dream vacation be?

Swiss Alps skiing trip
4. Would you rather live in a crowded city or small town?
Definitely a small town.

5. Would you be willing to murder one innocent person if you knew it would guarantee an end to all world hunger?
Not fair, but still, no way.

6. When did you last cry in front of somebody (who is not your partner)?

When I had to leave a service position that I truly loved.

7. Would you be willing to endure night terrors- every night- for the rest of your life if you were given vast personal wealth to use however you wish in exchange?
Nothing is worth giving up peace of mind.

8. If you could choose the manner of your death- but not the timing- what would you choose?
I would definitely choose to die in my sleep.

9. Would you rather switch back to black and white TV with only five channels, or no internet?
Back to Black and White TV

10. If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt somebody, would you do it?
No. Keep that crap away from me.
11. What if the voodoo doll was only able to annoy them tremendously would you do it?
ditto #10

What Random Act of Kindness have you been a part of lately?

Do a Grump a Favor?

Did you know that today, February 16th, is
"Do a grump a favor day?"
I think that is so funny. It is a nice way to kick off a fun giveaway hop. I hope you all get lots of cool prizes from hopping around.

I know, I love winning!

While you're at it, go do a grump a favor and see how it makes you feel. I'll wager you will get more out of it than he/she will.

Did anyone do anything great for you on Valentine's Day? Better yet, did you do something amazing for someone else?

So, what can you win here? How about a subway gift card? Sound yummy? That's right! I know how to spread the love.

How to win: (takes 30 secs. tops)
Mandatory- sign up for my newsletter-look to the right of this blog to sign up. Easy.
Optional entry- like my Amazon page here.
It's not a requirement, but I'd love you to follow this blog, too. I love followers!

Leave me one comment about what you did and voila! you're entered.

Have you seen the cover for Protected? Click here to see it.
What do you think?

Protected-Cover Reveal

So! It's final! The release date for Protected is March 24th!

Wahoo!

In celebration, I thought I'd share the cover with you. Are you ready? Here it is.

What do you think?
Check it out on Goodreads

Valentines Day Gifts Galore

GUYS -- here's a Valentine's Day trivia question for you. What's
more romantic than a sizzling love story?

NOTHING!!

That's right. If you're in search of the perfect Valentine's Day gift, look no further,
because I'm about to point you in the direction of some dreamy
books. Whether you gift her a collection of e-books or wrap one
special paperback up in pretty paper with a single red rose on top,
you're bound to score BIG POINTS on Valentine's Day with these
novels.