M.M. Roethig's Blog

Hello all my fans and followers!
It's been a while since I've posted on this blog and I hope to find you all doing fabulous in this new year!
I've made the decision to consolidate my website/blog in an effort to free up time to allow more writing.  You can still follow me on my website at http://mmroethig.weebly.com. 
I hope to see all of y'all over on my new site! 
Cheers!M.M. Roethig

The hardest part about being an author is finding readers willing to write a review. I'm looking for reviewers for my newest release, Dangerous Obsession. 

I have 20 e-copies I'm giving away to 20 people who are willing to review. To thank my readers who've reviewed for me before, you get first dibs.  All you need to do is fill out the form with your name, email address, your preferred format (Kindle or B&N), and the links to previous reviews.  

The best way to thank an author is to leave an honest review of their work. To all my fans, you're the best!!

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by!

M.M. Roethig


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Look at this amazing cover for Dangerous Obsession! Isn't it beautiful? I've been sitting on this cover for MONTHS and I'm ecstatic to be able to share it with you now. I purchased this over a year ago from the very talented Linda Boulanger of TellTale Book Covers when I saw it on her pre-made list. Eric and Chloe spoke to me then and have been in my head ever since. I'd often pull picture up and look at it as I wrote. I hope you love it as much as I do!



I'm also excited to announce a release date of September 15, 2015!  I can't wait for you to read Chloe and Eric's story and I hope you fall in love with these characters. They've been with me for over a year and I hold a special place in my heart for their story.  As a special bonus, you get to read about Parker, Eric's twin, in the novella Reflections included at the end of this book. How cool is that?!

A dancer and a Marine—two worlds collide.
Chloe Johnson is no stranger to the spotlight. A prestigious member of the LA Laker Girls, she’s in the public eye regularly.  Her world is perfect.Eric Taylor, on the other hand, is damaged, both body and spirit. Injured overseas, he returns home with fresh physical wounds, invisible emotional scars, and a bad attitude.When Chloe becomes the object of affection to an unknown stalker, she must leave her life behind and rely on a total stranger, and the only man she’s ever met who’s never happy to see her—Eric. Can she trust this hardened soldier with her life? Adjusting to civilian life hasn’t been easy for Eric. Swearing off women forever, all he wants is to be left alone. However, his world is thrown into chaos when Chloe appears on his doorstep as an invited guest of Eric’s twin brother. Bewitched by her innocent charms, Eric fights to keep her at arm’s length, putting his No More Women resolve to the test.Everything soon changes when Chloe’s stalker tracks her down, making her a pawn in a cat and mouse game of Dangerous Obsession.


Pre-order your copy now from Amazon or Smashwords.


Would you like to be one of the first to read Dangerous Obsession? I'm looking for readers who are willing to read and write a review once the book is available to the public. If you've written a review on one of my previous works in the past, you qualify. Simply fill out the below form with the links to your review, and you're entered. If you haven't written a review yet, there is still time. Simply write a review and submit your name. I will be giving away 20 copies to previous reviewers. 

HAPPY READING!
M.M. Roethig

Disclaimer: 
Any honest review qualifies. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads,  B&N , or any other ebook outlet is acceptable. If you've written a review in any outlet, please consider copying and pasting that review to the other major outlets as well. Thank you for your continued support!



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Happy Monday to everyone!
Can you believe school is starting soon, if it hasn't already? My kiddo goes back on Wednesday! I can hardly believe the summer flew by so quickly. If you're anything like me, you're experiencing mixed emotions. I love having my kiddo home, but I also love watching him learn and grow throughout the school year. Having my last child starting high school this year is going to be a blast, and a whole new ballgame. I just hope I'm up to the task. 

To help keep my mind off the fact that time is going to fly quickly, I've decided to host a giveaway! What better way to start the school year off than a chance to win gift cards to Amazon and Starbucks?!! Anyone can enter by following the requirements listed below. However, to be entered for the grand prize,  a $25.00 gift card to Amazon, (or B&N) and a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks, you must write a review of Raine in Goodreads, Amazon, or B&N.  Copy and paste your review in all three and get three separate requirements, worth five (5) entries each. To qualify for the $5.00 Amazon card, do any or all of the remaining requirements for an entry.

Happy Monday, my dear friends and fans! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are!


M.M. Roethiga Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Stephanie N. Pitman for being my guest author this month. Her debut novel, Honorable Disgrace, is my book pick of the month this month. Based on a true story, this book will have you running a gamut of emotions with every word.  It is a great read and you can purchase it at any major online outlets. 


(M.M. Roethig) You can tell a lot about a person by their favorites so I always love to ask . . . What ‘s your favorite type of ice-cream?
(Stephanie Pitman) Vanilla Bean, or sometimes Blue Bunny’s Banana Split. Simply delicious!
(MM) I love vanilla too. You can add so many things to vanilla. :)

(MM) What’s your favorite writing beverage?
(SP) I drink water mostly. Every now and then, my sweet husband will surprise me with a cup of Bengal Spice Herbal Tea, and that is definitely the best beverage ever.

(MM) Do you have any favorite writing snacks you like to have on hand? 
(SP) No. If I have anything to munch on, I do more munching than typing and that really puts a damper on getting in my word count.
(MM) How did you discover your love for writing?
(SP) I wrote my first book in 1st grade, completely illustrated by myself as well I might add J I still have it somewhere, but I couldn’t tell you what it was about. But I loved seeing my name on that front cover.  

(MM) When did you begin writing and was your intention to become an author at that time? 
(SP) It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my first child when I came across a writing aptitude test that I really started to think about writing. It’s been 14 years since my son was born and though I’ve written many books and started many others, my first book was only published this past February. (Happy note: February was the month I became a mother for the first time. That month is kind a special for me)

(MM) Tell us about Honorable Disgrace. This was a personal experience you endured. How hard was this to get out on paper? 
(SP) It took me 5 years to write this. Part of that was because it brought up so many hard memories. But I began writing it because I started having nightmares. It had been fifteen years since I had been raped and I thought I’d overcome the horror of it, but those nightmares told me different. After several weeks of them tormenting me, I began to journal about it. That turned into trying to rewrite the ending. What if I had told someone about it sooner? Would my attacker have been brought to justice? Would I have gotten the help I needed then? Going at it from that angle helped me to put some closure on my feelings about the attack, my hatred for the attacker and my grief over my sister’s part in it, my feelings of betrayal. 

And then the big question. If I wrote this with the intention of it being read, becoming a book, would it help someone else who’d gone through a similar experience? I am grateful to know that after only a few months out, a lady approached me, someone I didn’t know, and told me she was taking my book along with her to her counselor and using it to help her with her past.

So, yes, it was really hard at first deciding to write Honorable Disgrace. But all the remembered pain and anguish has been worth it. First, it helped me. I can talk about it and I no longer feel it was my fault. I have forgiven my sister and my attacker, which has helped to leach poison out of my life, and move on from it. Second, I know already it’s helped at least one person. And that’s enough.
(MM) That is so amazing! I truly commend you on taking that step. To know it helped not only you, but a stranger--what a gift!

(MM) Do you have any rituals? 
(SP) Not really. I seem to do my best writing at night after the kids have gone to bed, but it’s hard to pull myself away from my husband time to write. Once I get going, I can write for hours. Except when I am writing my initial first draft. That’s rough. I guess that’s why it’s called a rough draft. Ha, ha. I do find that when I first begin a new story, its easier for me to write in a notebook. Something about the blank white page and that cursed cursor flashing gives me writer’s block something fierce.

I do have one thing I love to do, but I don’t always do it. I like to wrap myself up in a blanket from my chest down like a burrito, hobble over to my desk and tuck my 5 lb Chihuahua in the folds over my chest and write while she nestles down to sleep. 

(MM) Awww, that sounds like a wonderful way to write!

(MM) How many hours a day to you devote to writing? 
(SP) Do you write every day? I wish I had time to write every day. But I think the key is “making” time. Extra time doesn’t just fall in your lap. You have to make the effort to it. Winter time is much easier, less outside distractions, plus I get some puppy snuggle time.

(MM) How did you come up with the title and was this the original working title? 
(SP) Honorable Disgrace was always the title. I’m not quite sure how I came up with it. It just came to me when I was thinking about how I wasn’t really disgraced by what happened to me, even though I felt so ashamed and that even though horrible things happen to someone out of their control, doesn’t mean they don’t have worth. I was also thinking about how when people are discharged from the military that sometimes they are honorably discharged and sometimes not.
(MM) Very thoughtful title. I loved it, but knowing the story behind the words makes a greater impact on me. 

(MM) What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you and your writing? 
(SP) I read anything, but I really love Julie Kagawa’s writing. She’s written quite an array of series, all fantasy, that grabs my attention and doesn’t let me go. Other’s authors who I love and have an influence on my writing are Brandon Mull, JK Rowling, Andrea Cremer, Stephen King, Jennifer Fallon, Rick Riordan, and Cassandra Clare. Fantasy and paranormal are is my favorite genre to read and is what I write. Honorable Disgrace is the exception. It was the book I never intended to write, but I feel the one that was screaming the loudest to be written. I actually put aside a trilogy I’d been working on to get it done.

(MM) What are you reading now? 
(SP) I’ve taken a break away from YA (but not fantasy. I just can’t get enough) and I am reading Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. They are huge thick novels with such tiny writing I am only on the second book and that’s taken me a month. I do have the excuse of moving to put in there, plus training for a long distance relay race, lol.
(MM) Tell me more about Honorable Disgrace. What was the hardest part to write? Is there a message you want your readers to grasp? Is there one scene that stood out to you the most? 
(SP) The hardest part was definitely the rape scene. Angie endures a much more violent experience than I did, but my sister was in the next room like Angie’s and I felt completely helpless and forsaken being able to hear her, but her not coming to my rescue.

My main message would be for readers, especially those who’ve gone through rape, to know that no matter what happens to us, even if we are not in control of that moment, we are in control of our lives. We can choose how we react to things and what we are going to do about them. Don’t give the power to our attackers (or negative influences) to dictate who or what you are going to be in life. You are valuable.

And I’d have to say my favorite scene was when Cory came to the rescue, and in close second is when Cory refused to let Angie push him away. He stood up for what he wanted.

(MM) What’s next for Stephanie Pitman? 
(SP) Next is to get my butt back to the computer and get writing, ha, ha. I haven’t written in several months and I am feeling wholly unauthor-ly. Before the move, I started working on a paranormal romance set in Paris. Andrea finds herself in the midst of a 100+ year old murder, haunted by ghosts and a certain dark haired hunky historian, only to realize it’s her reincarnated self’s murder. My hope is to get it through the rough draft by the end of September and get a few revisions under my belt by the end of the year. There, I’ve said it. It’s out there, now people keep me accountable. J

I also plan to get the first book in my trilogy, Tlaloc, done by the mid to end of February. I can do it. I just have to do like I said and sit my butt down to write.

(MM) Do you have any advice for other writer? 
(SP) Write. That’s the only way it will get done. And don’t doubt yourself or compare yourself to other authors. You are completely unique. Believe in what you can do, and write.

(MM) Where can we follow you? 
(SP) Lots of places J My website, www.literarypitstop.com has links to my social network, but here’s a few. Twitter @stephpitman11 Facebook under Stephanie N. Pitman and you can purchase my book at this link http://tinyurl.com/p5gzr2k on Amazon. 

Also, if you find yourself running in Southeast Idaho, you may come across me out on the road. You can follow behind there if you like, but please don’t pass me. I don’t like to feel slow. J
(MM) Last question: Flip flops or tennis shoes? 
(SP)This is a tough one. Is bare feet an option? I definitely prefer flip flops, but I love my tennie’s. You can’t run in flip flops.


Thank you again, Stephanie, for guesting on my blog today! You've got an amazing story to share. 
Thank you, my friends and fans, for stopping by today! 
M.M. Roethig


Stephanie N. Pitman has taught preschool for over 12 years and is a motivated entrepreneur, currently operating two successful businesses with her husband, Travis. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction. Her first novel, a YA Contemporary, Honorable Disgrace, is based on her own story of overcoming the ugly side of life, betrayal and rape. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature and an active member of the SCBWI. Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years, and their two boys, visiting the beautiful splendor and diversity of their home state of Montana. Along with being an avid reader and dedicated writer, she enjoys pushing herself to her best by competing in triathlons, relay races, and half marathons along with being a Zumba and Yoga Instructor.

Thank you, Norma, for being a guest on my blog today!! I always like to start off my Q&A sessions with a very important question:  What ‘s your favorite type of ice-cream? 
Vanilla straight up is best but I’ll eat about anything in the ice-cream family.
(I'm not going to lie, I love vanilla too. You can add anything to vanilla!)

What’s your favorite writing beverage?
I generally only drink water, but on occasion I break out the milk and graham crackers. 

Do you have any favorite writing snacks you like to have on hand?
I’m trying to get out of the habit of snacking while I write. It’s a terrible distraction. I eat pretty much anything that I can eat with one hand and type with the other. I’m trying to keep fresh veggies around like baby carrots and stuff so that I don’t kill myself.  (That's great advice! I think I'll adopt some of Norma's ideas on this one.)

How did you discover your love for writing?
I learned that I liked it in high school writing poetry for an English class. I mainly wrote in my journal though until later on.

When did you begin writing and was your intention to become an author at that time? 
I was reading Harry Potter to my girls at the time. While out walking I was thinking “I wish I could write stuff like that and make money.” The thought then immediately came to me “how do you know you can’t if you don’t try?” I started writing then and I haven’t stopped.

Tell us about Gift of Lie’s. How did you come up with the premise for your book and what was your biggest influence while writing? 
I love the story of Aragorn and the elfish princess in Lord of the Rings. That whole forbidden love thing sort of fascinates me. From there I got onto the idea of “what if” they really had no choice but were stuck with each other no matter what they did. 

Do you have any rituals? 
I wish I did, I’d probably get more done.

How many hours a day to you devote to writing? Do you write every day? 
I go in streaks. Sometimes I write every day and some times I don’t write for weeks.
How did you come up with the title and was this the original working title? 
The title refers to the “gift “ of the mind that the evil governor has. Yes it eventually became the working title although for a while I called it Soul Mates.
What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you and your writing? 
There are so many I hate to make a list because it will be sadly incomplete, but a few authors are Jane Austen, C S Lewis, Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters, Mary Stewart, Mercedes Lackey.

What are you reading now?
 I’m embarrassed to say that I’m re-reading the Harry Potter series. 

Tell me more about Gift of Lie’s. What was the hardest part to write? Is there a message you want your readers to grasp? Who is your favorite character?
The underlying message in The Gift of Lies is about prejudice. Often we judge others because we don’t really know anything about them.
What’s next for Norma Rudolph?
I’m still working on the sequel to TGOL and there are a couple of other things in the works that I’d rather not get into in case I jinx myself.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write what you’d like to read, make it as perfect as you can, finish it and then go for it.
(This is some fabulous advice.

Where can we follow you?
http://normasnovels.blogspot.com/
amazon.com/author/normarudolph
https://twitter.com/booknut77
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13393995.Norma_T_Rudolph
https://www.facebook.com/normarudolphauthor?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
There are other places if you really want to stalk me . . . just kidding, don’t do that that would be creepy.

Last question: Flip flops or tennis shoes?
Depends on where I’m going. Definitely flip flops where I can, but if not a pair of slip on canvas tennies are a good alternative. I’m also rather fond of comfy hiking boots. 

Thank you, again, Norma for stopping by my blog today! All you book fans out there, follow her blog and get in on a give away happening right now to celebrate the re-release of Gift of Lie's. 

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!
M.M. Roethig

On this beautiful 4th of July holiday, please take a moment to reflect on those brave men and women who've fought for our freedoms, and helped make this country what it is today. Be safe out there today!
Much love, 
M.M. Roethig

Oh my has it been a long time since my last post. This last month has been horrible for me for electronics, thus, making my time online almost non-existent. Did you think I fell off the face of the earth? After weeks, and weeks, and weeks, and  . . . well you get the picture, of having little to no online services, I am finally back online. The month of June is almost over and I have yet to make a post since May 7th! 

To celebrate my connection with the outside world once again, I've put Raine: An Elemental Series Book 2, on sale for $0.99 for a limited time. You can purchase your copy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Inktera, Kobo, or Scribd for a limited time. Yay!!!  Please remember to write a review on Goodreads, and all major ebook outlets to let me know how you enjoyed my writing. If you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can read Elemental Princess for free as well, and I'd LOVE a review!

It is wonderful to be back online! Stay tuned as I complete my current WIP and finally reveal my book cover. I can't wait to share it with you!

M.M. Roethig

Thank you to Rachel Stiber for being a guest on my blog. 

You can tell a lot about a person by their favorites so I love to ask . . .
What's your favorite type of ice-cream? Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food; it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise.

What’s your favorite writing beverage? I usually drink coffee or water while I write.

Do you have any favorite writing snacks you like to have on hand? Since I don’t like healthy snacks, I try not to have any snacks on hand. I could easily devour a large bag of Funyuns or M & M’s in one setting.

How did you discover your love for writing? When did you begin writing and was your intention to become an author at that time? I have wanted to be a writer since I was four years old. I guess my grandfather who sat me on his knee and told me impromptu stories that he created inspired me to create stories of my own. I wrote my first “book” (more like a short story) in fifth grade, and a friend illustrated it. My mother still has it in storage.

Tell us about Elise’s Choice. What how did you come up with the premise for your book and what was your biggest influence while writing? One evening as I hiked a walking trail at the University of Missouri-Columbia, my mind began to toy with the familiar Disney version of Cinderella. I questioned, “What if Cinderella hadn’t fallen in love with the prince? What if she wasn’t beautiful?” The answer to these questions and more weaved themselves into Elise’s Choice. But don’t expect a retelling; the answers led the story in an entirely different direction. Here’s the synopsis:

A stranger
A legend
A choice that will change Elise’s world

Elise and her best friend Anton grew up in the medieval village of Petheralm, where life, though hard, is good. When a stranger arrives in her village injured and unconscious, his handsome face and sweet demeanor capture Elise’s heart.
However, according to ancient legend, the forest surrounding their small town is enchanted, and any stranger unworthy to enter the village would be stopped there. The village is leery of this stranger and wants nothing more than for him to leave.
Elise pays no mind to the silly legend, and is shocked to discover that he’s no ordinary peasant as everyone first thought. Before the stranger is strong enough to leave Petheralm, she is forced to make a startling choice between following her dreams and following her heart. Although Elise feels strongly that she made the correct choice, the day soon comes when she and everyone she loves must deal with the repercussions of her choice.

My biggest influences while writing were my husband and my peer editing group. I bounced ideas off them, they helped me work through tough scenes, and they lent encouragement.

Do you have any rituals? When I experience difficulty in writing certain scenes, I take a walk or a shower, tidy the house, or work with my plants. I have mentally written entire chapters while participating in these activities, brushing my teeth, and/or styling my hair.

How many hours a day to you devote to writing? Do you write every day? Since I teach, I don’t have a regular writing schedule throughout the school year. I write when I have a spare moment, and cram as much writing in a weekend as possible. However, I do manage to write a little every day.

How did you come up with the title and was this the original working title? My novel is about the consequences of choices, and the protagonist’s name is Elise. Although simple, the original title fits like a glove.

What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you and your writing? I read a lot of indie authors because I feel they are overlooked and underrated by a vast majority of readers. One of my favorites is Anita Valle. Her Nine Princesses series is entertaining and well-written. Of course, Raine is on my TBR list as well.
I hesitate to read mainstream novels (i.e. books with upcoming movies, celebrity book club choices, etc.). I firmly believe in Haruki Murakami’s statement: If you only read the books everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers, and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin have influenced me and my writing. Someone once told me that my writing style reminded her of Charlotte Bronte. That was one of the best compliments I’ve received.

What are you reading now? Currently, I am reading Cerulean Isle by G. M. Browning.

If you could adapt this book, or any of your writings, which one would it be and who would play your main characters? If I could adapt Elise’s Choice into a movie, I would want the following people to play the main characters: Elise: Molly C. Quinn; Anton: Asa Butterfield; Ludiford: Jamie Campbell Bower

Tell me more about Elise’s Choice. What was the hardest part to write? Is there a message you want your readers to grasp? Who is your favorite character?  The hardest part to write was the ending. I can’t explain why or I’ll spoil it, but I seriously considered changing the ending simple because I found it difficult. It was absolutely gut-wrenching.
The message I want readers to grasp is that choices have consequences, and not all consequences are negative. Good and poor, your choices have the potential to affect those around you. 
It’s difficult to choose a favorite character, but I am partial to Elise. The novel is written in first person from her point of view, so I (mentally) spent the most time with her.

What’s next for Rachel Stiber? Since the publication of Elise’s Choice, I decided that I am going to write a series using the kingdom of Ogden and specifically the village of Petheralm as a setting. The series will be entitled Maidens of Petheralm. All of the novels will be stand-alone stories regarding characters from Elise's Choice. Chronologically, the story on which I'm currently working is the last of the series, but it ties the closest to Elise. While it is not necessarily a sequel, it takes place sixteen years after Elise's Choice and focuses on a character that readers seemed to be the most curious about. It will be the next novel to be released.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Simply write, and write often.

Where can we follow you? Please visit my website, Rachel’s Ramblings, at www.rachelstiber.com and like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Rachel-M-Stiber/530248957109874?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

I can also be found on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8460777.Rachel_M_Stiber

Last question: Flip flops or tennis shoes? It depends on the weather. If it’s warm, definitely flip flops. However, in the winter, I prefer tennis shoes.

Thank you, Rachel, for being a guest on my site!

Happy Reading, y'all!
M.M. Roethig

Hello all my fans!

Recently I received news from my publisher that affected my Elemental Series. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I would be receiving the rights back for my Elemental Series; Elemental Princess: Royal Lines & Raine. It was bittersweet news as I contemplated which direction I wanted to take, whether it be shopping for another publisher or stepping into the world of self-publishing.

After many hours of research, several helpful emails with my publisher, and much prayer, I decided to take the plunge into the self-published world. This has allowed me to keep my works available to you,my fans, seamlessly. To help me celebrate this new and exciting step, I'm giving you the opportunity to purchase Raine: Elemental Series Book 2, for $1.99 for a limited time! Come help me celebrate this new step by getting your discounted ebook before the price goes up! (You can also get in on my review giveaway, happening right now. Scroll down to the post with my rafflecopter giveaway for details.)

I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank my publisher, Creative Prose Publishing, for taking a chance on me. I've been long time fans of both Sherry Gammon and Cindy C. Bennett, and having the opportunity to work with them and develop lasting friendships has been an amazing opportunity and adventure. Not only are they wonderful friends, but they are major talented and I've learned much from them! 

I look forward to this new adventure and hope you will come along for the ride. Thank you for following and thank you for your support!

Happy Reading!
M.M. Roethig

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