Virtual Book Tour, Stop #3: Guest Post at The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

On Stop #3 of my blog tour, I'm tackling an issue a lot of us full-time moms face: returning to work after raising kids. I've even quoted two real-life friends in this article. Feel free to click on the link below and share your experiences!

The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom: Guest Blog by Author Mysti Parker: Would You Like Some Guilt With That? Navigating the Emotional Waters of Returning to Work After Full-Time Mothering 

Virtual Book Tour, Stop #2: Guest Post at Sarah Mäkelä's Blog

On our second stop, you'll learn the intimate details of why I'm so fascinated with elves. It might have something to do with this guy right here:

Plus, I'm giving away a copy of BOTH A Ranger's Tale AND Serenya's Song to one lucky commenter, but you have to click on the link below and leave your comment there. Prizes to be awarded at the end of the tour!

Sarah Mäkelä: Guest Author Mysti Parker: Elves are People, Too—A Love Story by Mysti Parker In 2001, a little movie called “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring” hit th...

Virtual Book Tour, Stop #1: Interview at Books, Books, the Magical Fruit

Pack your pretend suitcase, grab a real cup of coffee, and journey through the blogosphere with me. Our first stop is a wonderful book blog with a very cool name. I'd be so grateful if you left a comment over there. So, click on the link below to reach our first destination!

First Stop: Books, Books, the Magical Fruit: Blog Tour - Author Interview 

Serenya's Song Hits the Virtual Road!

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Review of Better Than Catnip by Ruth J Hartman

Better Than Catnip by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, one of my favorite sweet romance authors has delivered a story as warm and fuzzy as the cat on the cover. Don't let looks fool you, though. This story takes us deep within the bowels of a terrifying place...a cat shelter!

Ok, so not so terrifying to most people, and not to Roxy, the heroine of the story. Unfortunately, for 11-year-old Derek, who's been forced to volunteer at the shelter or face juvenile detention, it's his worst nightmare. And that's a shame, because Derek's single dad, Max, is one fine specimen of a man. He and Roxy hit it off, but their future together is questionable, since Roxy cannot give up her cats, and Max cannot force his son to overcome his fear.

I loved the reality of this situation. One could imagine themselves in Roxy and Max's shoes. Mrs. Hartman writes in such a way that their desire for one another tugs at your heartstrings, but you feel sympathetic toward Derek, who really does try his best. The characters are genuinely flawed--Roxy being awkward around teens and clumsy, and Max (a high school basketball coach) being a loud Sasquatch at times. I particularly love that these quirks provide both laughs and conflict as the two of them try to make it work in what at times seems to be an impossible relationship.

I highly recommend this book, and any of Ruth J Hartman's works, to all the sweet romance lovers out there, young adult and beyond. And if you're an ailurophile (cat lover), I'm sure you'll find it purrfect!

View all my reviews

Busy Beaver Is Busy

It's Thursday, I think. Since I've not had a new post in a few days, I thought I'd assure you that I'm still alive and kicking. Between taking my kids here and there for summer fun, I'm working on promotional activities. I've decided not to force any fiction writing for the remainder of the summer, but to focus on writing up guest blog posts for my blog tours, since I can only get a few minutes of uninterrupted thought.

If the bug bites in and makes me write some fiction, then I shall surrender to the bug's direction. Meanwhile, look for these upcoming events:


1. Interviews with the MFF Contest winners.
2. Live events--check out the "See Me Live" page at the top of the blog. If you're anywhere near those areas, I'd love to see you.
3. Virtual blog tour from June 11-July 9 through Bewitching Book Tours. I'll be all over the blogo-sphere and I'll be posting my stops here each day. Stay tuned for the schedule.
4. Virtual blog tour from July 15-21 through Page Turners Book Tours.

Starting next week, look for posts each day. I hope you have a great summer!

~Mysti

Drum Roll Please....

During a busy and fun weekend, while I chatted it up with some fab folks at the Lori Foster Reader/Author Get-Together, I put my blind judge (my hubby, who is not blind at all) to work on our MFF contest judging.

I printed out each entry, removed names and titles, except for entry number, and even formatted them in a similar fashion. Hubby sat in our hotel room and read them all, then marked 1, 2, and 3 on his picks for our winners. I had no influence on his choices, but I'm very happy with them, nonetheless. That being said, you ALL did a fabulous job. I was uber impressed with how much variety and creativity you peeps put into these 13 entries. I'm already looking forward to another contest.

Don't you just wish I'd get to the winners already??? I'm such a stinker.

Without further ado...the winners of Unwritten's May Flash Fiction (MFF) contest are...

1. A Child Needs His Father by Rebecca Barray

2. Banished by Cristina Rehn

3. MFF#11 by Angie Ballard

Winners, you will receive these fabulous prizes:

1st Place: One print copy of The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman, One print copy of The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman, one first-page critique by one of the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus, and an interview on Unwritten!

2nd Place: One PDF of The Emotion Thesaurus, one first page critique by one of the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus, and an interview on Unwritten!

3rd Place: An interview on Unwritten!

Everyone send a big woot, woot to these fine writers for their fabulous work. And please stay tuned to Unwritten for even MORE contests in the near future....

~Mysti