Thursday, December 12, 2013

'TIS THE WINNER!

I'm happy to announce that the two winners of my Christmas Book Give-a-way are:

From British Columbia, Canada: Tracy Fallstrom

and

From Texas, USA: Marti Weaver

Congrats girls and thank you for your support. 

Thanking all the entrants and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year 2014.


Cheers
June

Monday, December 9, 2013

CHRISTMAS BOOK GIVEAWAY

'Tis the season!

Looking for that perfect gift? Enter my contest to win a free copy of "Winter's Captive". All you have to do is click HERE to go to my Facebook Author page and click like. Send me a private Facebook message with your email. I will pick the two winners on Thursday and mail out on Friday, December 13th. Hey, it could be your lucky Friday.

This contest is open to Canada, USA, Australia, Great Britain only.

Good luck to you all.

Friday, December 6, 2013

AM I DONE YET - OH YEAH! THE SEQUEL - CHASING GEORGIA

Finally, the sequel to Winter's Captive is done! 

Why is it called Chasing Georgia? Because ever since Georgia's adventure in Winter's Captive, someone wants a piece of her. She's been sought after by journalists, publishers, agents, publicists, talk shows, movie producers, and even the man in her life. 

Just as Georgia decides to settle down into a quiet, normal life with her five-year-old daughter, Kaela, she finds herself on another roller-coaster ride. 

This time her ex-husband suddenly passes and she's pursued by the mistress who became his second wife, Julie's insistant request forces Georgia to examine all that she learned during the course of her survival five years previous and she's feels impelled to make a life-changing decision that could effect not only her own well-being, but that of her daughter and Julie's daughter, Kaela's half-sister, Shelby. 

The pressures of her relationship with Sean Dixon, leaves her in a state of confusion and she must examine her ability and desire to sustain a long-term relationship.

Finally, thrown into the mix, Georgia becomes exposed to a demented stalker, determined to make her his own. 

Once again, she finds her life in peril. This time it is not just she who is in danger, but the lives of Kaela and Shelby.

Winter's Captive was written in the first person because it mainly centered on Georgia Charles and her fight for empowerment and survival, alone and lost in a cold northern winter. I felt first person suited the story because it helped create an intimacy with the readers. Georgia could talk directly to them.

Chasing Georgia, on the other hand, is in the third person. The reason I changed the format was because I wanted to carry some of the secondary characters from the first book into the second book. This time, I wanted those characters to have a story of their own. I needed the readers to understand their lives and how they would come to interact with Georgia's life. The relationships between Georgia and these characters could not be developed and understood if the readers didn't have first-hand knowledge into their lives as well as Georgia's life.

Chasing Georgia studies the lives of a blended family. Family dynamics play an important role in this story of love, redemption, and the fight for normalcy in a complicated world.

A large percentage of children today are products of divorce and blended families have become the norm. Single parents, divorced parents, parents of multi-marriages try hard to raise their children. Such families bring on new complexities and my hope is that my readers can relate to this story and the characters within.

Chasing Georgia is in the editing stages now. I will let you all know when it is ready for publication.

Meanwhile, all you writer's out there: Keep on Keeping on Writing! 

Please visit me on Facebook HERE and "like" me 

  

Monday, November 11, 2013

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE...



A beautiful day out there on this day of remembrance.  Our little town held a Remembrance Ceremony at the Clinton Community Hall for a village of 650 people and a luncheon next door at the Legion. With over 200 in attendance, what a wonderful turnout.

Of course, I always think of my Dad, George Robert Rogers, on this day who passed away almost seven years ago. He was in the Princess Louisa Troop out of Quebec and fought in WWII. So my blog today is dedicated to him.

He was stationed in Hastings, England, for almost two years where he met my mother, Mavis Rogers. The army expected couples to date for a year before allowing their soldiers to marry overseas. My parents had only known each other three months when he requested permission to marry (yes...he lied). They married on March 3, 1943.

My mother got pregnant during that first month of marriage and my Dad shipped out to Sicily, and then moved on to Italy. At Christmas, 1944, he was on recon with a fellow soldier, ahead of their troop. Crossing an open field, his buddy stepped on a mine, which killed him instantly. My Dad was badly injured which resulted in the loss of his right leg just below the knee. Once he was stable, he was sent back to South Hampton, England to a rehab hospital. My mother who hadn't seen him since their first month of marriage, arrived in South Hampton with my oldest sister, Norma, who by now was about six months old.

My father was sent back to Canada on a hospital ship, while mother and sister were placed on a ship for war brides and their children, bringing them to Canada and a new life. So many of those marriages didn't make it and some of the brides refused to leave their families in England, realizing they had made a mistake.

My Mom and Dad had 63 happy years together until my Dad passed away at the age of 87. He never looked at being an amputee as a disability. A strong man, he always laughed at himself and approached his disability with humour. We three sisters grew up playing with his artificial leg. When my Mom would leave us to go shopping, Dad would sit back in his armchair to read his newspaper. But not before he rolled up his right pant leg and stuck his artificial leg out. We girls would lie on the floor and peek in the air hole at ankle level, poking our fingers inside. You see we were told that a little mouse called "Mickey" lived in there and if we were really quiet, he would poke his head out and let us stroke his head. When we got bored with the fact the "Mickey" appeared to be missing in action, we would make funny faces in the shiny metal leg he had at that time.

What a great babysitting tool his artificial limb was. We would lay there on our stomachs for ages, while my Dad read his newspaper in peace.

I, also, had an Uncle Tito, from New York. He was a double leg amputee.  His humour matched that of my father.

Two great men, who have now passed on, I found myself smiling during the two minutes of silence at the Remembrance Ceremony, thinking of Bob and Tito together.  And I could almost hear their voices and laughter. I'm sure they are mixing it up and causing chaos on the other side.

In all seriousness, we are very lucky to live in a free country, thanks to the soldiers who went to war to defend our freedom. We need to remember these soldiers every day, not just on November 11th. My respect and thoughts go out to all of the men and women who gave their lives to protect our right of freedom.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD!


Short and sweet blog post today. I had to share this with all of you. I just wish when I'm 88 years old, I can move my hips like she does.  You have to watch and listen right to the end and hear what she says to truly appreciate this ladies personality.  Enjoy! Made my Sunday.




1

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A CHANGE OF SEASON

I love the fall. Looking out my office window with coffee in hand, the various shades of leaves from green to yellow, orange, and red set against the surrounding dark green mountains is breathtaking. The warmth and coziness inside my cocoon masks the cool air outside. Today will be a beautiful sunny, day.

What a great way to start this day. The quietness and tranquility totally inspire my creative spirit and is much needed after a stressful week, albeit positive stress, but non-the-less a crazy, full-impact experience.

After fifteen months on the market, we accepted an offer on our home. We are pleased that the couple that want our place are suited to it. Life is so strange and co-incidental. They are both an artist and a writer, just like my husband and myself. Very down-to-earth, they will settle into life in this beautiful little valley with ease. And like us when we first moved here, they have family here. We won't be leaving anytime too soon as the deal is subject to them selling their house, which probably won't happen when the snow starts to fly.

Unbelievably, another party wants our place as well. So much so, that they are waiting to make sure our deal goes through. He, also, is well suited here.

On top of this, we are agents for my sister's house which is rented out at the moment. We showed her house three times last week.

What's our future plan? To downsize, relocate to Vancouver Island where most of our family are, and live in a 33' Silverback Fifth Wheel by the ocean or on the river. Minimal housework, no yard work, and lots of time to write all those books bumping into each other inside my head.

I am also Chair of a committee putting on a fundraiser and talent show on November 8th to raise money for Variety - the Children's Charity in Vancouver. We are holding it at our Memorial Hall here in Clinton as a way for residents to give back for services they have been provided with over the years when their kids on occasion were ill and stayed in Children's Hospital in Vancouver. We are in the throes of rehearsals, gathering donations for a silent and live auction, and handling advertising. Truly an enjoyment, but a worry that all will go according to plan. The students are rehearsing for performances and we are working with them as well. I love to see the kids enthusiasm. Opportunities for them to explore their creative side is limited in our little village.

Meanwhile, I had a breakthough with my sequel and am busy plotting and creating. I expect to finish before Christmas.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada and I feel truly grateful to be in a safe and happy space in my life. I wish the same to all of you.

Until next time, all you writer's out there, "Keep on Keeping on Writing!"


 www.facebook.com/june.bourgo


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

THE ZEN OF IT ALL

SO...27 days into my retirement from the traditional working world and it still hasn't hit home.

The past four weeks have been filled with a week away on vacation, a week with the grandkids visiting, visits from great nieces, sisters, brother-in-laws, and surprisingly a slew of people interested in seeing our home (which is up for sale). Surprising because the market has been quiet here in our sleepy village. With so much happening all at once, it feels like an extended holiday. Summer is such a wonderful time to see family, enjoy swimming, and BBQ's. Last Sunday was our wedding anniversary and we went to Seton Lake for a last swim of the year and a picnic dinner in nature. Saw a hawk hunting, had to pull over for a cattle drive to bring the cattle to winter pasture, and deer. See pics below:






I still wake up at the same time my alarm clock used to go off at.  I don't have to set it anymore (bonus). I expect as we move into fall the realization "that the working outside the home part of my life is done" will sink in.

What I have noticed is that my list of things to do is getting done and there are more hours in the day. If not, there's always tomorrow.  I have more time with my husband and my cats. And...the opporunity to say "Hey, let's go do this" at the drop of a hat...and we have. I see myself adopting a "zen" way of life. Don't stress, don't rush, and above all meditate for mental and physical health.

I haven't had much time to do a lot of writing what with visitors and cleaning up for perspective buyers . But I have done some research for my sequel and some editing. A definite plus and a good start. Even spent some time thinking on my next project...new story, new characters, but still a woman heroine. Love those empowerment plots.

Once immersed into a writing frenzy...which I'm about to jump into head first...expect my sequel to be finished finally. At that point, decisions will have to be made as to how I wish to continue my writing course of action. But more on that later.

As I write this, my retirement from the working world IS beginning to sink in...AND I LIKE IT.

For all you writer's out there: Keep on keeping on writing!

Click  HERE  to visit me on Facebook and "Like" me or leave a comment.


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

I'M STILL HERE...AND MY EBOOK IS FREE FOR THE MONTH OF JULY ONLY

It's been a few months since I posted. Just thought I would say hello and give you an update on my author status. I'm still writing and selling. Life has been busy...too busy.

I have two big news items to share with you.

First, my ebook for "Winter's Captive" is FREE for the month of July, 2013. That's right. So get your copy by clicking HERE. Follow the instructions for purchasing a copy and use the following code SW100 in the Coupon Box. Please leave some feedback.

Secondly, I'm retiring from my job in local government in two weeks. I will truly miss the work and the people I work with but it's time for me to do for me.  All the advice for retirees say the same thing. Have a hobby or part-time work lined up when you retire or you will go crazy with boredom.

Well I have no fears in that department. My time will be spent WRITING, WRITING, WRITING. So excited to reach this stage in my life where I can dedicate my free time to something I love to do. Empowerment! Just like Georgia, my protagonist.

Don't forget to download my free ebook. If you don't have an e-reader you can download Kindle for PC - free software for your computer or laptop. Then you can download a .pdf copy right onto your desktop.

So get ready to hear from me more often and get reading

For you writer's out there, Keep on Keeping on Writing!


Monday, April 29, 2013

THE 777 WRITER'S CHALLENGE

So this blog is all about fun and promotion for my book, Winter's Captive. A writer friend of mine, H.H. Laura, has challenged those of us in her writing group to the 777 Writer's Challenge.

All this means is that I take seven sentences from page seven or seventy-seven and post them here in my blog. Then I post links to all the other writer's I wish to challenge. 


Here we go:


From Page 7:
 Gary grabbed me by the arm and shoved me through the side door of the van, onto the floor.

 He drew the gun out of his pocket and ran the barrel back and forth along my cheeckbone.


 His blue eyes were like those of a doll--glassy and lifeless.


From Page 77: 

The frost line was well up the inside of the door.

I decided that a long, thin carving knife would have to do, and gathered up most of the other items.


I didn't relish the thought of handling the bloody meat with my winter gloves.


The tool shed provided the saw and the tarp.


Did I write these lines? Sometimes I think when I write I'm channelling. When I read back, I even surprise myself.


Okay fellow writer's, I've shown you mine, now show me yours.


H.H. Laura

Chrissy Peebles

Jayde Scott

Patricia Puddle

Irene Kueh

Monday, March 4, 2013

REFLECTIONS

Today I'm in a reflective mood and I'm going to talk about life. A little generalized perhaps, just a little philosophical observation on my own existance that could possibly apply to yours.

My family spans five living generations from 1922 to the present time, with the youngest family member at one year of age and the eldest at ninety-one, spanning ninety years, from a great-great grandson to a great-great grandmother. I have always been a person who looks forward to the future and rarely looks into the past. I just don't want to miss anything. Other than a bad first marriage that led me into writing, it's not that I don't have many happy memories of my childhood or youth. I do. But I have always found it depressing when other people reflect back to their teen years or twenties, and believe them to be the good old days, wishing they were here again. Living in the past means we're missing the present and by not looking to the future, we could be missing out on a great opportunity.  I would never want to stagnate and not enjoy what's offered now.

Recently, I have found myself being more nostalgic about the past and it bothers me because I want my past to stay as fond memories and not become a part of my everyday thinking. So I decided to question myself as to why the past keeps slipping into my present. Self examination found me the answer.


It's my generation. Yup...that's it.


My mother is the only one left in the first generation of my living family. I am in the second generation, having reached the age where once my dear mother has passed, my generation is next.  I remember when I was thirteen years old and the legal age at that time was twenty-one. I thought I'd never get there and believed I would die before I ever became an adult...twenty-one was just so far away. So twenty-one came and went fortyish years ago. Where did the time go?


I'm living in a generation where rarely does a week pass, someone I know has lost a relative or a friend. Ours is the generation where it all comes home to roost. What happens in our lives is very much dictated to by health, lifestyle and acceptance of the inevitable...death.


We're all born to die!


Ouch...that sounds pretty harsh. But it's reality.  And it makes one reflect on the past...and now that I understand my nostalgia, how do I deal with it? By deciding on what I want to do with the rest of my life. This hasn't been a quickie thing that suddenly happened. It began I believe about four months ago when I made the decision not to pursue a wonderful position with a huge pay jump. At that time, lifestyle was the deciding factor and it has snowballed from there. A series of events in my family has forced me to take a good look at my life and make the biggest decision of all. In five months I will be retiring from the work force, allowing me a stressfree lifestyle and one where I can dedicate myself to my writing. Working at my writing will be through choice and not because of financial necessity. Yes...becoming a pensioner will curb some of the activities my husband and I have become accustomed to doing at the drop of a hat, but we will have "enough" to live a comfortable lifestyle.


Living a healthy, stressfree life has become our mission statement. We can't cheat death, but we can make choices that could push it further down the road.  Life is a series of journeys, with the journey being more important than the destination. I'm back looking forward to the future, ready to embrace many more journeys....just sayin'.



www.junebourgoauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/June-V-Bourgo-Author/272429469479146#


Sunday, February 3, 2013

"HOW DO I DECIDE" by RACHELLE GARDNER



How Do I Decide? Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing (A Field Guide for Authors)




Rachelle Gardner is an agent with Books and Such Literary

Agency, representing both fiction and non-fiction.


I have followed her blog for a long time. I find her posts informative, honest, and extremely helpful as a newly published author. 

Rachelle has written four books to help authors on their publishing quest. Recently, the first book was released as an e-book. She formed a marketing team (which I have the honour of being included in) to help spread the word about her books.  

As an author who followed the traditional route and found a publisher for my first novel, I recently found myself considering the self-publishing platform for my second project. Rachelle's first book, ``How do I decide (A Field Guide for Authors) provides a clear, concise view into traditional vs. self-publishing and it has helped me make my decision. 

As an agent who works in the traditional field, but is using the self-publishing field herself, I believe she offers up an unbiased view of both sides of the publishing world. Her easy to use charts, where the reader answers posed questions, forces the reader to look into themselves. Based on the readers answers, Rachelle then offers her opinion as to whether they may be suited best to self-publish or go the traditional route in publishing. Any writer, published or unpublished will find this book helpful whether in making a choice as to which direction to take or to reinforce the decision you may have already made.

The book is short, concise and comes with my recommendation.

Click here to check out her book on Amazon.ca.

Follow Rachelle at:  http://www.rachellegardner.com/

To my fellow writers, keep on 
keeping on writing!




Friday, January 4, 2013

2013

A new day, a new month, a new year.

Just checking in to wish all my readers a happy and prosperous new year.

My 2013 has started at a low point, so it can only get better LOL.  First off, we had a great Christmas Day at my sister's house in Vancouver area. My mom came from the care home and my sisters and family celebrated our get together, one we haven't had for a few years. We are so grateful to have had this day with Mom who was having a 'good' day. We will cherish the memory.

Then came the accident. As the household headed to bed, my husband turned at the top of a steep stairway to say his goodnights, and facing back to the stairs, took a step out into mid-air, missing the top step. Fourteen stairs later, he found himself at the bottom lying on a tiled floor. Three broken ribs in his back and a  punctured lung had him in the hospital for the rest of the holidays. My 'me time' to be spent finishing my sequel to "Winter's Captive" grew wings and flew away. My days were filled with hospital visits. But I am so grateful it wasn't worse.

The initial prognosis was that he would require surgery to repair his broken ribs and a tube in his lung, but he fooled everyone and started to heal on his own. New Year's Eve found me by his bedside watching  Mr. Bean. A quiet and light-hearted evening, although it hurt him to laugh.

We arrived home to find our sewer had froze. Our water pipes into the house are heated so no worries there. So while hubby laid in bed feeling useless, I dug out the snow, removed the skirting, and crawled under the house to place a heater under the house to thaw the pipe. I trudged out a few times to adjust the heat temp as the breaker kept blowing. Then realized I needed to use a different outlet.

By this time, my jeans were snow-covered and frozen solid. I felt like Georgia Charles, my heroine in Winter's Captive. I sucked it up and stopped whining. The pipe finally thawed and all is well in our home.

When accidents like this happen at this stage of our lives and at our ages, it makes one reflect on just what we are doing, where we are heading, and think that maybe it's time to make the changes we have been talking about for awhile.

So my husband and I are heading into 2013 with a renewed, grateful spirit, determined to make the changes we think are for the best in our lives.

On a personal note, I WILL finish the sequel and get it published. Time to put some thought into novel number three.

To everyone out there, make 2013 your year to do the things you want to do and if you write, keep on keeping on writing.