Saturday, April 1, 2023

A is for Astrology #giveaway #AtoZChallenge 2023 Proof of Existence #UrbanFantasy #Book

Theme:
A behind-the-scenes look at and inside scoop on PROOF OF EXISTENCE, Book Two of the Existence series.
๐Ÿ“š Proof of Existence - Publication April 4, 2023

Excerpt from Proof of Existence by @JLenniDorner
Excerpt from Proof of Existence by @JLenniDorner


Astrology plays a hidden role in the Existence series. In this scene, Heath uses it as part of an icebreaker as he introduces himself. Both Heath and Xavier have birthdays in book two, neither of which are ideal celebrations. Xavier, Jez, Heath, and Wend all have birthdays on the 20th of their birth month. 
 
QUESTION — What's your zodiac sign? zodiacsign.com
Enter the GIVEAWAY http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4fa90ac752

#AtoZChallenge 2023 badge A ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ›’๐Ÿ“ฆ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ“–#AtoZChallenge 2023

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

Ready for a review? ronelthemythmaker.com

Please also visit ronelthemythmaker.com again tomorrow. There will be a special recipe from Proof of Existence!

lots of great setting, description, and awesome...... review gif

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Proof of Existence #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal 2023 #Book #UrbanFantasy #PNR #BookRelease #Fiction #Myth #Legend #NewRelease

AtoZChallenge theme reveal 2023 #atozchallenge


Theme Reveal:
A behind-the-scenes look at and inside scoop on PROOF OF EXISTENCE, Book Two of the Existence series.
๐Ÿ“š Proof of Existence - Expected publication April 4, 2023
Proof of Existence by @JLenniDorner

Haven't read book one yet?
Pick it up today. Ready to order book 2?


Proof of Existence Table of Contents
  • A is for — Astrology
  • B is for — Bikini
  • C is for — Catasauqua
  • D is for — Dance [IWSG]
  • E is for — Elisabetta
  • F is for — Five
  • G is for — Gwendolyn
  • H is for — Helicopter
  • I is for — Inconvenience
  • J is for — Janice
  • K is for — Keypad
  • L is for — Lenox Hill
  • M is for — Menarche blood
  • N is for — Nevada
  • O is for — Older
  • P is for — Pearl Jam
  • Q is for — Dr. Quedlin [WEP]
  • R is for — Rajan
  • S is for — Song for birthday
  • T is for — Twelve
  • U is for — Ulu
  • V is for — Virgin
  • W is for — What Are They
  • X is for — Xavier
  • Y is for — Yetta Piagesi
  • Z is for — Zeehan library


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Author Envy #IWSG


Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Diedre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim, and JQ Rose!




March 1 question -


Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

At the moment, I envy all authors with two working arms and hands. ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ’ช
I'm trying to finish the last fixes and the formatting on my book. Of course, this means that I injured my arm. 
( ๐Ÿ˜˜ This blog isn't rated for the explanation of how my injury occurred. "Worth it." ๐Ÿ˜† )
It will get done. But I am now a week behind schedule, which means a lot of other activities I love doing are on the back burner or shoved in the pantry.


That being said, yes, there have been scenes and lines and twists that I absolutely loved. A big twist that comes to mind is from Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, a book where every time you think you know the setting, you learn something else, and every time you are sure you know who the villain is, you get slammed by another shocker. 



Link for the book, and for the series. Honestly, if you like fantasy, go all in. This starts as high fantasy, but turns out to be future fantasy. The theme is a social commentary on people thinking their blood makes them better than everyone else, and the strong heroine proving that wrong. A big romance also works into the series, and a lot about family (not all great) loyalty. 


I hope my Existence series causes some author envy one day. Especially for being different:

"This book is a bit difficult to shelve in a specific genre" - Ronel
"From a story standpoint, this was modern mythology meets the MCU. " - Alex
"this one truly stood out for me" - Kindle Customer
"still leaving such a big mystery for further books" - Lyle Wilson
"one exceptional book. A Sci-fi fantasy with superhumans from the Existence hiding in clear view. " - YR Reads
"I have never read something like this before and it truly fascinated me." - Christine Rains
"I liked how the author subtly worked in information. " - N. Ivey

Just a few quotes from some of the reviews.



Book 2, Proof of Existence, comes out on April 4, 2023.



Please also visit: The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club on Goodreads.


Operation Awesome Happening at OperationAwesome6.blogspot.com
We're gearing up for the A to Z Challenge!

A to Z Challenge Happening at the A to Z Challenge

#AtoZChallenge 2023 badge The 2023 calendar has posted. The theme reveal is this month!

Monday, February 13, 2023

WEP #flashfiction Sneak Preview #Excerpt from Proof of Existence #wepff

The current WEP prompt is inspired by

“Manuscript of the Old South”

with main character, Pansy.
๐Ÿคจ
No? Oh right, that's because both of those were *changed in the publication process.

(*Something which could happen with my entry later. Just saying.)


Main character Katie Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler in:
WEP Feb 2023 movie flash fiction challenge image
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/01/wep-february-challenge-gone-with-wind.html

GONE WITH THE WIND



Quick background information for my take on the prompt:
Proof of Existence is set in 2006. These scenes occur near the end of Act 2. It takes place on May 19 &  29, 2006.

SPOILER ALERT!!

If you haven't read Fractions of Existence (book one), you won't know:
highlight to read
  • Xavier controls liquid. He is making it rain. ๐Ÿ’ง
  • Jezebel (Jez) controls heat, fire, electric...
  • Gwendolyn (Wend) controls air. She is the wind. ๐ŸŒฌ
  • Heath is currently gone in this scene. His birthday is May 20.

This explains the tag and why what's going on in this urban fantasy is plausible for the story.
Tag: An excerpt that is literally about a character who is GONE in a scene with THE WIND. ๐Ÿ˜†

Title:

CHAPTER 21 Excerpt


Jezebel let herself into the apartment. Still in her pajamas and bathrobe, Wend sat on the sofa with a nearly empty box of tissues and her phone, crying hysterically.

"Where is he?" Jez asked. Wend pointed to the door to the terrace as she squeaked out a thanks for coming.

Jez adjusted her scarf as she marched over. The clean, fresh scent of him and his rain bombarded her. She paused to breathe it in, momentarily lost in the memory of his finest hugs. Rain poured down, water running inside thanks to the open door. She considered going for a towel, but this floor wasn't hers, and the growing puddle was not why she came. She spread warmth through her body before stepping outside. "Looks like it'll be a wet lunch today."

"He'll see it," Xavier said, his face turned up to the clouds. "He'll see it, he'll know I care, and he'll come home."

Jez leaned against him. "I miss him too. But all you're doing is soaking the city."

"No! He'll see it. He'll find a weather report. He'll see it's raining in New York City and he'll call me."

Jez touched his jaw. "Look at me. Xavier, you're upsetting Wend. And, as powerful as you are, it does rain all over the world without your direct intervention."

"She's upset because adding wind won't help, according to her."

"Really? I'm pretty sure she's upset because you are standing out in the rain yelling at the clouds like a madman."

He leaned against her hand, finally looking her way. "His birthday is tomorrow. I can't sit here and do nothing, Jez. He would have found me."

The rain pounded harder as tears welled up in Xavier's eyes. 

"Dammit," Jez pointed to the sky. Lightning struck across the clouds. "He'd find me too. I've never been able to hide from him. Tens of thousands of years, Heath has always been able to find me."

They stared at each other as she sent a bolt across the lightning rods of the highest buildings. 

Wend swept to the door. "I thought you came to help," she cried.

Another flash of lightning tore across the sky. "I am helping! We're having a thunderstorm brunch in honor of tomorrow being Heath's birthday. You may as well come add some wind to the party."


*****


"I hope you’re having a meaningful Memorial day. How's the happy couple?" Jez asked as she answered Xavier's call.

"We're okay. They're filming on Fire Island, so we opted to come out to California. We're on the yacht. Plan to fly back Wednesday night."

"That's good," Jez said as she sipped her drink. She kept her tone casual, as if two weeks ago they hadn't spent most of the day creating a storm. As if they didn't goad Gwendolyn into causing a thirty-eight miles-per-hour wind in the middle of that afternoon. 

"Yeah. So, umm,"

Jez sighed. "No, I haven't heard from him. Yes, I still have his phone. I checked his apartment twice this week. Nothing. Presents are gathering dust. I've looked at his other local hiding spots, too. No one has seen him."

"Oh," bits of Xavier's shattered heart drifted through the phone. Jez lit her finger, evaporating her tears away. 



545 words  FCA


Yes, it's REAL weather.

https://weatherspark.com/h/d/23912/2006/5/19/Historical-Weather-on-Friday-May-19-2006-in-New-York-City-New-York-United-States


(Wow! Fractions of Existence is finally in ONE of the right categories on Amazon! "#11,800 in Mythology & Folk Tales")

๐ŸŽ‰ I intend to release Proof of Existence on April 4, 2023. ๐ŸŽ†


It picks up where the first book left off. It is still a Speculative Fiction / Urban Fantasy, set in 2006, though this one focuses a bit more on the paranormal romance angle. The main characters pass for the 18–29 age bracket, so it's still New Adult. (Though college is no longer one of Wend's primary concerns. She has something entirely different to learn now.)
I hope to get a launch party going. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out this short form:
https://forms.gle/9qkdk6FheDtZvR7Y9
(Thank you to Natalie, Kate, Ronel, Christine, Yolanda, and Toi for your support. I will be in touch in or near March. ๐Ÿ˜Ž ❤ )

Proof of Existence by @JLenniDorner Please add to your Goodreads TBR. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65150644-proof-of-existence

Some "book sites" to connect with J: Please visit the author page of J Lenni Dorner on Amazon Please follow @JLenniDorner on BookBub Follow and friend author J Lenni Dorner on Goodreads pleaseJ Lenni Dorner on Storygraph Visit @JLenniDorner on AllAuthor


Sunday, February 5, 2023

Proof of Existence Update #IWSG


Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner!




Feb 1 question -


If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

I won one, had help making others.

Please also visit: The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club on Goodreads.

My post is publishing a few days late. My focus is on finishing the next book in the Existence series. Nearly every minute at my computer is spent doing that.

I'd like to say I didn't notice that the first Wednesday happened on the first because I've been staring at a 2006 calendar for months. Except that 2006 lines up perfectly with 2023!

So really, it's just that I haven't paid much attention to anything except getting this book ready for publication.

๐ŸŽ‰ I intend to release Proof of Existence on April 4, 2023. ๐ŸŽ†


It picks up where the first book left off. It is still a Speculative Fiction / Urban Fantasy, set in 2006, though this one focuses a bit more on the paranormal romance angle. The main characters pass for the 18–29 age bracket, so it's still New Adult. (Though college is no longer one of Wend's primary concerns. She has something entirely different to learn now.) 
I hope to get a launch party going. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out this short form:
https://forms.gle/9qkdk6FheDtZvR7Y9



(Thank you to Natalie, Kate, Ronel, Christine, Yolanda, and Toi for your support. I will be in touch. ๐Ÿ˜Ž ❤ )

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Word of the Year #IWSG #WOTY Score


Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today:


Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!

January 4 question -


Do you have a word of the year?

I've never had one before.
"Instead of a rigid resolution, a Word of the Year is your constant (yet gentle) reminder to focus on creating positive change." https://www.elizabethrider.com/word-of-the-year/
Achieve is the first word to come to mind.

I figured I'd do more research first.
  • What could I use more of in my life? Positivity, encouragement, triumphs
  • What could I use less of in my life? Stress, feeling overwhelmed, death
  • What characteristics would I like to have? intelligent, kind, ethical, self-confident, protective, resilient, leader, affectionate
  • By the end of the day, I feel exhausted
  • How do I want to feel? accomplished


WOTY Challenge


That ending doesn't feel right, being told to just toughen up. Nor do I seek revenge. 
Achieve and accomplish are the words I like the most so far. So I went to the thesaurus. 

score


๐Ÿ‘† SCORE ๐ŸŽ‰


to achieve an advantage or a success
intransitive verb: to gain or have the advantage
to succeed in an activity or to achieve something

That's my word of the year.

๐Ÿ“š

Please also visit: The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club on Goodreads.
 
#IWSG Jan 2023 Book Club
Share this ^ image!



(Fractions of Existence is an Amazon exclusive, which allows the ebook to be in the Kindle Unlimited program. If you are in a region that cannot access Amazon ebooks, and wish to read my book, please contact me.)

๐ŸŽ‰ I intend to release Proof of Existence on April 4, 2023. ๐ŸŽ†


It picks up where the first book left off. It is still a Speculative Fiction / Urban Fantasy, set in 2006, though this one focuses a bit more on the paranormal romance angle. The main characters pass for the 18–29 age bracket, so it's still New Adult. (Though college is no longer one of Wend's primary concerns. She has something entirely different to learn now.) 
I hope to get a launch party going. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out this short form:
https://forms.gle/9qkdk6FheDtZvR7Y9



Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Dec #WEP #WEPFF ANTiation

#WEP DECEMBER 2022 CHALLENGE #THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW...Post Dec 1st - 15 the
WEP Dec 2022


ANTiation

by:
J Lenni Dorner
FCA 755 words

Tagline-- A true face is revealed.

*Names changed to protect the innocent, and seriously guilty. Except for Boogers, ๐Ÿ‘ƒ๐Ÿฝ because that's the only name I knew him by and I'm sticking with it. (He was so PROUD of that nickname. Even had most of the teachers calling him that. Wore a hoodie with the name, in gold, and an ⬆ arrow pointing to himself. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿฝ‍♂️ ) This is another "fiction" ๐Ÿ˜‰ story.

ANTiation by: J Lenni Dorner #wepff WEP DEC 2022




Mike the Mighty stands over us. "Today's the day you sad sacks have a chance at a new life. Boogers, reveal the challenge."

While Mike's other goons hold us hostage on the sticky bathroom floor, Boogers unzips his backpack. Small glass jars, once containing baby food, are rolled to each of us.

"Thirty-five black ants in each," Mike says. "Whoever eats the most gets to join our ranks. The rest of you will suffer."

Boogers opens a bathroom stall with an out-of-order sign taped to the door. A plastic menorah is affixed to the flush valve. Three of the fake candles show a pretend flame. It's as if we're to consider this a gift. The toilet has overflowed. Paper hangs from the sides. I thought the bathroom was especially rank today, now I know why. 

Kim has left an opening in Mike's gang. I never understood why he was friends with them. My friendship with his sister resulted in getting to know him outside of school. He is smart, funny, and respectful to his family. So smart, in fact, that he moved up a grade at the end of the first semester. I hope he has better friends in high school. 

"Any volunteers to go first?" 

Dennis cries beside me. As usual, he begs to let go and cries while wetting his pants. Liam is new. He stays still and silent, like me. 

"Barfing Barry! Start us off. And anything you don't keep down, please, aim for the broken bowl. It will look great on your head later." 

No sooner does Boogers unscrew the cap than Barry barfs. 

"I told you to aim for the toilet!" Mike kicks Barry several times. 

Liam shoves his way to his feet. "You can't make people eat ants."

Mike rewards this bravery by having Liam dunked in the broken toilet. His light blue shirt is soon caked in brown crap and used bathroom tissue. A bit of corn sticks in the tips of his hair when he is allowed up. He cursed between gasps. 

"I can make anyone do anything. This is my school. I am the king of the students." Mike grabs me by my ponytail. 

The thing is, I had hidden in the woods quite often. Ants were not new to my tastebuds. Normally, I killed them before eating them. They're a little sour, so I usually roast them with pine bark. 

I unscrew the glass jar and eat the ants. Every last one, my eyes locked on Mike's the entire time. 

"Gees. At this point, you only had to eat one to win." He claps me on the shoulder. "You wanna spit them back out? Barf on Barry?"

I shake my head, grab another jar, and unscrew the lid. 

"Whoa, whoa! Put it down. You're in. No need to go overboard." Mike knocks the jar away and helps me to my feet. 

Lifesavers butter rum candy
The bell rings, indicating lunch is over. Mike puts his arm around my shoulder, walking me to class. We have math together this period. He usually sits next to me, erasing his paper, then blowing the eraser dust at me. Not today. Instead, he gives me a buttermint from his pack. 

People smile at me the rest of the day. They've never made eye contact before, especially without sneering. Being friends with Mike means kindness from others? All this just for eating some ants. 

We walk home together. Mike used to walk with Kim. The rest of his crew uses the bus. 

"I can't believe you ate all those ants. Are they crawling around inside you?"

I shrug. 

A car pulls up beside us. 

"What the hell are you doing with that kid? Get home! Your sister needs changing and the trash has to go out. I'm going to buy cigarettes." 

Mike nods. "Yes, Sir."

The man in the car points his lit smoke my way. "I better not catch him on my property. And if I ever see you with him again, I'll break your leg, Hanukkah or not. Am I clear?"

He doesn't wait for an answer. Just flicks the lit butt our way before speeding off. 

I look at Mike. It's the first time I really see his face. Not the king of class, not the mighty leader. Just a scared boy. His life is not much different from mine. I want to wipe his tears and hug him. I want him to know just how much I understand.

His face fades from view when his fist collides with my head. 




Proof of Existence by @JLenniDornerProof of Existence on Goodreads Please consider adding to your TBR.

๐ŸŽ‰ I intend to release Proof of Existence on April 4, 2023. ๐ŸŽ†


It picks up where the first book left off. It is still an urban fantasy, though there is a bit more focus on the paranormal romance angle in this one. The main characters pass for the 18–29 age bracket, so it's still New Adult. (Though college is no longer one of Wend's primary concerns. She has something entirely different to learn now.) I hope to get a launch party going. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out this short form:
https://forms.gle/9qkdk6FheDtZvR7Y9