Linzé's Mischief: 16 October 2016

I am bone tired. What a weekend! As mentioned last week Francois had photographs selected for an international photographic exhibition that opened this afternoon. It was one amazing experience.
You might have heard about the concept of storytelling in photography, and this exhibition was the definition of that. It is also known as street photography, or photojournalism. That means the photos are not posed. It happens in a moment, and if you didn't capture it right then, the opportunity is gone.

Here are some of the pictures I took at the exhibition. You can see more on Instagram.

Histories of Shanghai and Beijing on a pillar at the exhibition

Francois next to one of his photos (bottom right)

History of Johannesburg in the 3Cities+1 exhibition, Rosebank, Johannesburg

I also finished a course on Business English (www.shawacademy.com) and managed to score 97% in my final assignment. Quite relieved that I did it today since my next course (also with Shaw) starts tomorrow. It runs into November, yeah, NaNoWriMo is going to be a challenge this year.
I decided to switch to editing. I cannot seem to get my tush in gear and finish Waiting for Adrian. So NaNoWriMo it will be. I have never not made the target, and I am not planning to do so this time.

And that is about all I have energy for tonight. I have to finish reading a book for review that is due on Tuesday. Since I take notes while reading, the review will be easy to write, but only if I finish reading it!
Look out for my interview with the sixth Journey author, René van Dalen, also coming this Tuesday, and the last chapter of The Billionaire Baritone will be coming your way on Thursday.

Until next time!
Linzé

Cover Reveal: UNSURPASSED by Charity Parkerson

Book 1 in the No Rival series

For months, Aubree has been obsessed with two men—best friends, Max and Ryan. She’s resigned herself to having her desires be nothing more than a late night fantasy. When the pair invites her to a weekend party hosted by a famous MMA champion, Drew Alexander, she accepts without a qualm. She never expects the two men plan to make her secret longings into reality. Unfortunately, that’s only half their agenda. When Aubree learns the men’s true intentions, she turns to Drew for help.

Drew is unlike anyone she’s ever met. He’s fun and playful. Dark and brooding. He’s everything she’s been searching for rolled up in a delicious package. Unfortunately, Max and Ryan aren’t finished with her yet. Aubree has to choose—does she cling to the friendship she’s had with Max and Ryan, or risk everything on one man who could make all her dreams come true?

Amazon universal buy link: http://mybook.to/Unsurpassed

Author Bio

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters. 

*2015 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*Winner of 2, 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist 
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath

Connect with her online:

--Website: charityparkerson.com
--Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
--facebook.com/TheMenofSin
--Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso

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THE BILLIONAIRE BARITONE

Amethyst loves music and enjoys hip-hop dancing to spice up her dull and dreary life. But one evening on her way home from dance class, she hears a voice that drew her away from her route.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, her life is about to change in a way she has never foreseen.

David didn't quite know what to do with the beautiful trespasser, but when he learned that she was injured, taking care of her was the only solution.

Little did he suspect that she was about to take care of his lonely heart in return.

CHAPTER 18

I counted on my fingers. “I am not smart, or beautiful like your other girlfriends. Hell, I fall over my own feet for no reason. I swear. I am penniless. I didn't finish high school...do you want more?”
Then David sat down next to me and muddled my reasoning again when he kissed my hand before holding it between his. “You're beautiful, more so than those empty headed women, I used to hang out with. And no one blames you for your circumstances; you did the best you could. You can finish high school and study anything you want, which I know you can do. If you insist, you can work. And," he mock-glared at me when I opened my mouth, "I think it's cute when you say 'hell'.”
I groaned his name. “Aren't you listening?! I don't fit in your world. People will say I am a gold digger and laugh at you behind your back. Maybe I am a gold digger out to catch a rich husband.”
The next moment I find myself on his lap. "What are you doing?"
He chose to ignore me. “I am listening much better than you think. I know you are not a gold digger. You are too independent for me to believe that for one moment, your financial status notwithstanding. Secondly, your concern for your colleagues and the people at my factory told me more about the kind of woman you are than any private investigator could.”
My heart sank. “I suppose I cannot blame you for getting a PI to investigate me. I would have done the same to protect my family against someone like me.”
I wanted to leave, but he held on tight. “Someone like you? Explain.”
I shrugged. “You know. Poor. Unsophisticated. Born on the wrong side of the tracks.”
It was his turn to frown, and yet he didn't let go of me. Didn't he hear anything I said?
“You like my mother don't you?”
I nodded. “Sure, I think she's great. What does she have to do with anything?”
“A lot more than you think. She came from nothing too. She married my dad for love, and they made the rest work. Did people gossip and say all kinds of terrible things? Yes, they did, but they didn't let that stop them from being together. In fact, they chose to befriend people who didn't care about those things either and were the better for it.”
I sighed. What was there left to say? He had answers for everything it seemed.
“You're sure you don't mind?”
He lifted his hand, palm towards me. “I solemnly promise that I love you and that I don't care about all the other things. We can make it work if you want. Do you want to marry me?”
I swallowed hard. Could this be happening? I put my trembling hand against his. “I solemnly promise that I love you and that I will marry you and will try my best to be a good wife.”
His laughter made me smile until he pulled me tightly against him. I forgot everything when he kissed me.
“Excellent!”
David pulled back and sighed aloud. “Can't we get a little privacy in this house?”
It was my turn to laugh. Who cared about the intrusion when I held the heart of the man whom I loved with the whole of mine? I lost my breath when he kissed me again.

You can also follow along on Wattpad

Author Interview: Charmain Lines

I welcome the first JOURNEY author to my blog today, Charmain Lines. She is a return visitor and I am happy to have her back.

1. What made you decide to take part in the JOURNEY project?

I needed motivation to focus on my writing and from previous experience with a writing project run by Linzé, I knew the project was just what I needed. Furthermore, I had recently read a book that had left me with story ideas that were a perfect fit for the “Journey” theme.

2. How did you come up with the title of your story?

It is called “The wars of men” and I only came up with it after, during my final edit, the main character uttered these words.

3. What inspired your story?

A book I read about Eugene de Kock, a security police operative during South Africa’s apartheid years.

4. Please tell us about the journey of your character(s)

The main characters are a woman and her two sons who move from South Africa to Ireland to start a new life. The story is set some 20 years after their physical move and plays out on the day they are confronted with the past.

5. What other things, besides writing, do you like to do?

At the moment I travel! My husband and I are on a 3-month European adventure that is taking us from Spain to France to Ireland to Italy. My day job is freelance writing and editing for mainly corporate clients.

6. If the end of the world is about to happen, which person would you want to be with for those last minutes?

My husband. We’d be able to talk about what is happening, remind each other of the great memories we have made together, and comfort each other.

7. What did you learn about yourself or your journey as a writer during this project?

I was reminded, again, to trust the process and be ok with not knowing exactly where the story will go.

8. What do you see as your biggest challenge as a writer?

Spending more hours at the keyboard than what I already do as a professional writer.

9. What tool/software/technique/process do you find the most valuable to you as a writer? 

I don’t use any writing tools, but the most useful and valuable technique is to never start editing before the first draft is done.

10. Do you have another project in the pipeline that you would like to share with my readers?

I’m working on a full-length novel, this one in Afrikaans, which is my home language.

Thank you, Charmain. Enjoy your travels!

Linzé's Mischief: 9 October 2016

Thursday, 6 October
With the ebook version of JOURNEY now available for pre-order (hint, hint!) I am focussing on helping the typesetter to format the book for printing. Since the ebook and print book look quite different in terms of layout and front matter (the stuff that goes between the cover and the story), it is taking me a while to get my head around to that.
I thought to add the author photographs to the book, but unfortunately, only two of us have photographs that are suitable for printing; resolution of photographs for printing have to be at least 300 dpi. So I guess that idea is a no-no.

Friday, 7 October
Updates have been sent to the typesetter, and now we are getting closer to printing. Now I have to do the cover of the whole book. Fortunately, the text of the back cover is already done, I just have to add it to the graphic. A task for the weekend :)

I often tell people that I don't brag about Francois' photographs because he is my husband. I brag because the medals hanging on my living room wall are the evidence of my enthusiasm. Then, we found out today that three of his photographs are going to be part of an international photographic exhibition that opens next Sunday in Rosebank, Johannesburg. I went, wow!
Guess where I will be next Sunday? Will make sure to get some pictures to share with you. I am so proud of him.

Saturday, 8 October
The second part of the Indie Author course was postponed - people getting sick - so I convinced Francois to go to the Belgian Market, which seems to be an annual event. I am a huge fan of Belgian chocolate, so it was a must for me to go.
It was a bit disappointing that my favourite Belgian chocolate brand did not feature at the market. But, the waffles were great. And Francois bought a gift pack of beer that he likes. (Check him out here)

Earlier in the week
After doing the Tai Chi course, I wrote a review for the website selling the course, practically begging them for the 42 form Yang style course. I have a book, but videos are so much better, don't you think?
It became available last month. I almost fell off my chair with excitement. Within two ticks it was on my wishlist, waiting for the invariable discount vouchers to come. Having an exchange rate where $1 costs me almost R14, can be stressful on the wallet.
That meant that I had to be patient, despite my overwhelming need to click that 'buy' button. Then my self-control and patience were rewarded. Within four hours after putting the course on my wishlist, the 20% discount offer popped into my mailbox.
Of course, five minutes later, the invoice and payment confirmation also appeared. Now I just need to find the time to start the new course in earnest. In the meantime, I am still practicing the 24 forms.

The course on Business English I am taking will finish this coming week, then I will have a little more time on my hands. That is after reading three books for review, completing the editing on Waiting for Adrian, organising and hosting the book launch of JOURNEY, and doing NaNoWriMo at the same time?
Yeah, December sounds about right. Damn!

Lots to do this week, so I better get cracking on planning everything.
Until next time!