NaNoWriMo - Halfway There

Today is the midway point for those of us trudging along in the trenches of NaNoWriMo. I've finally crossed over 22K words and have set my goal today for 25K. Oh, dear. Did I just write that goal down?! ack!

You'd think reaching 1,667 words a day would be easy. When nothing else is going on, I have to admit the writing does come pretty easy. I just write. I don't have to worry about the editing because that will come later. But let's face it. How often in life is there ever a time when nothing else is going on?

We 've had Birthday celebrations, Golf dinners, tennis lessons to get to, Drama tournaments, groceries to buy, dinners to prepare, laundry to wash and fold, etc. And no matter how early I start getting things organized and letting friends and family know my plans each year, this is about the point where I'm ready to throw in the towel.

I can see my family standing in the background with their hands folded across their chests as they secretly pray I'll do just that. They're supportive and happy I'm doing something I love to do. But, they're also a bit tired of warming dinner in the microwave and searching those blasted laundry baskets to find the clothes they want to wear and then having to iron it themselves. The horror! I believe I may have spoiled them a bit. :)

Well, I do hate to disappoint them. But I'm not giving up. Instead, I'm digging my heels in, determined to hit that 50K mark before November 30 is over. Or else!

They'll be so proud of me. And well, let's face it, I'll be a lot easier to deal with and live with as well.



I'm claiming one of those Big Ones for myself! :)

Keep those fingers going fellow NaNoers. Dont' give up! We can do this!
Too bad I can't count the words in this blog post! LOL
Now Back to Work!

Win a FREE Ebook Copy - Betrayals of the Heart Give Away

To celebrate my release, I'm giving away a FREE E-book copy of "Betrayals of the Heart" to anyone who stops by Everybody Needs A Little Romance and leaves a comment on my post telling me one thing you are thankful for this year. :)

Rules:

Vist the blog by Friday, November 9.
Comment on My New Release post.
Leave your email with the comment, or email me at melissa@melissaohnoutka.com, so I can send you the book. (I will not use your email for anything else. Promise!)

It's that easy!





Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 

2nd Day of National Novel Writing Month

 

November is here and it's time to get back to business! 

 

What I'm working on for NaNoWriMo:

 

Murder on Hall D

 

A light mystery/suspense/comedy

 

 

 

 

Can't wait to see where this story takes me. LOL I think my brain is on overload from all the new adventures on the horizon. A senior getting ready to head off to college next year. Another getting ready to take her driver's test. And my son, who has always kept me on my toes, will be entering high school next year. Whew... Throw in the new puppy we got in August and top it off with the writing and I'm lucky I make it back home with a small bit of my sanity each morning after running errands. :)

 

NaNoWriMo is the perfect escape!  Ahhhh.....

 

 

Word Count so far:  3002



 

 



"Betrayals of the Heart" Goes LIVE!

I'm thrilled to announce the release of "Betrayals of the Heart" available today at Amazon  and hopefully Barnes & Noble soon. The print version is due out later in November for those who like to hold a book with pages. :) I do hope you will enjoy this one. It's a litte more thriller, a little less romance. And I must tell you that the villain in this book kept me up at night. He's bad to the bone and had me wondering just where the heck he came from. LOL

 

Makayla thought she'd fallen in love with the man of her dreams. But after the honeymoon, a horrifying reality sets in. She is a prisoner, a slave, a pawn for a malicious man's games. When her precious son is born, the need to escape intensifies. Little does she know that the man who helps her escape is working undercover with orders from the FBI to bring her in--a sure method to end not only her life, but her young son's as well.

Ryan Carter (AKA Robert Shaw from Target of Betrayal) knows way too much about lies
and betrayal. His entire life is now a lie. The minute he discovers his target is a victim and not the cruel criminal the FBI's profiler has made her out to be, his agenda changes. Against the wishes of the FBI, he disappears with their star witness, vowing to keep her and her young son safe from the satanic monster she calls her husband. What he doesn't plan on is falling in love--or having a son of his own.

Fate deals them a cruel hand in the form of a simple high school history project. The madman has found them and he's taken Ryan's son in exchange for Makayla. Can Ryan save them both? Or will history repeat itself and once again steal all he holds dear?

Show More

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Click links below to get your copy!  :)

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka

Just in case you wanted to read more about my publishing journey. :)


Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka: Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Target of Betrayal : Kathleen Landon thought her life would finally get b...

Lots of Great Links to Share

Websites for Independent Authors

• A Newbie's Guide to Publishing (Joseph A. Konrath)
• Dean Wesley Smith
• Publetariat
• Kindle Nation Daily
• Self-Publishing Review
• WG2E (The Writer's Guide to E-publishing)

• Createspace
• Pubit
• Kindle Direct
• Smashwords
• XinXii
• Infinity Publishing
• New Book Publishing 

• Dan Poynter’s Para Publishing
• Publish Your Own E-Books
• ISelfPub.com
• Books Just Books
• David Gaughran Digital

• Amanda Kelsey of Razzle Dazzle Designs 

•  Hot Damn Desings by Kim Killion  

•  Book Cover Café  

This is just a list I've made for myself and wanted to share. Check them out and use what you like. :)
Good Luck!!

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Love is Murder - It's Here!

Highly recommend this one! Seems like we've been waiting forever. LOL This is an amzaing book filled with stories from some of the best thriller/suspense author's out there today. One of which is my very good friend, William Simon. It's time to celebrate!

Lori Armstrong * Jeff Ayers & Jon Land * Beverly Barton * William Bernhardt * Allison Brennan * Robert Browne * Pamela Callow * Lee Child * J.T. Ellison * Bill Floyd * Cindy Gerard * Heather Graham * Laura Griffin * Vicki Hinze * Andrea Kane *Julie Kenner * Sherrilyn Kenyon * Dianna Love * D.P. Lyle * James Macomber * Toni McGee Causey * Carla Neggers * Brenda Novak * Patricia Rosemoor * William Simon * Alexandra Sokoloff * Roxanne St. Claire * Mariah Stewart * Debra Webb

Blurb

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romance suspense today.

Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"—bodyguard Donovan Rush—who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Bodyguards, vigilantes, stalkers, serial killers, women (and men!) in jeopardy, cops, thieves, P.I.s, killers—these all-new stories will keep you thrilled and chilled late into the night.

ALERT! DNS Changer Malware - Is Your Computer at Risk?

I heard some disturbing news a few weeks back about a computer threat and wanted to spread the word. This is another reason it is a "Must" to backup our computers. Even if we're careful, we just never know when a click on the wrong link will infect our computer with some type of virus, leaving us at the mercy of someone who understands this stuff. I learned the hard way a few years back. Had to have my laptop completely rebooted. Thankfully, I have an awesome computer repair guy, who just happens to be my baby brother. Now, I save everything. Everyday.

I'll start with the good news.  The FBI shut down an operation, called Rove Digital, last November and arrested six Estonian nationals behind it as well as shut down their malicious servers. The trojan virus, called DNS Changer, redirects your computer’s DNS queries from your ISP’s server to one created by the trojan’s creators — this essentially hijacks all Internet traffic from your comupter. The FBI set up its own DNS servers to ensure computers already infected wouldn’t be cut off from the Internet. Thank goodness.
But now the bad news. The FBI will be turning off their servers on July 9, 2012. If your computer is infected with this trojan it won't be able to access the web on or after July 9. With your Internet access cut off, installing anti-virus software to remove the virus will be a bit more difficult.

For more information about this and how to check your computer, click here:  FBI-International Cyber Ring

Memorial Day - A Day to Remember

This is a day for Americans to attend one of the thousands of parades held in large and small cities alike all over the country. We watch as marching bands march by, the overall military theme, the National Guard and other servicemen participating along with veterans and military vehicles from various wars, helping us remember the cost of our freedom.

Flags are flown at half-staff to honor the more than one million men and women who gave their lives serving this great country. It's mind boggling when you think about it. Their courage and sacrafice for others.  For us. Strangers they've never met.

So as we enjoy our day and the traditions listed below, let us remember why we are able to do so.


Indianapolis 500 - an auto race held on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day since 1911.

Coca-Cola 600 - stock car race held later the same day since 1961.

Memorial Tournament - golf event on or close to the Memorial Day weekend since 1976.

End of School Year and Beginning of Summer - usually resulting in lots of barbecue, deserts and family fun for us.

A Very Happy Memorial Day to you and yours. Don't forget to pray for our brave men and women, past and present, and thank them for giving us this opportunity to live free and proud.