Saturday, December 6, 2014

Results from the November 2014 Challenge


Title: The Hunky Elf
Author: Meg Cooper
Genre: Erotic Romance
Total Words: 6,500
Completion Time: 7 hours

Description

Ivy is out of work and low on funds, and is at the point of taking any job being offered. But a Santa’s Elf? At barely five feet tall, she initially takes the offer as an insult, then realizes a job is a job, regardless of whether you have to wear green striped hose and pointy shoes.

When she arrives in Santa’s Wonderland, she sees the other elf on duty. Russell is about as opposite of an elf as can be found — tall, built, and hunky. Then Ivy discovers Russell is there on a secret mission from Santa — the real one — and Ivy needs to do her part to make Christmas magic happen. That’s pretty difficult when all she wants to do is hang out under the mistletoe...

The Hunky Elf is a short & spicy paranormal romance. The story contains strong sexual themes, and is not intended for readers under the age of 18. About 6,500 words.

About the Author

Meg Cooper loves magic in all its forms, from paranormal elements to the power of love. Her stories combine magic with a large dose of humor. She writes from her home in Ohio, generally on the couch in pj's with two cats sleeping on her. With a large mug of coffee close at hand. Lots and lots of coffee.

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMUAUXY/



Title: Paris Green
Author: Cora Buhlert
Genre: Mystery
Series: Helen Shepherd Mysteries
Total Words: 8,500
Completion Time: 8 hours

Description

When intern Kitty Chan is found dead in the basement of the Victoria and Albert Museum, dressed in a Victorian ball gown, the cause of death is quickly established. Kitty died of arsenic poisoning. But who gave her the deadly dose and why?

Detective Inspector Helen Shepherd investigates and quickly realizes that there is more to this case than meets the eye.

Warning : There are some rude words in this story.

About the Author

Cora Buhlert was born and bred in North Germany, where she still lives today – after time spent in London, Singapore, Rotterdam and Mississippi. Cora holds an MA degree in English from the University of Bremen and is currently working towards her PhD. Cora has been writing, since she was a teenager, and has published stories, articles and poetry in various international magazines. When she is not writing, she works as a translator and teacher. Visit her on the web at www.corabuhlert.com or follow her on Twitter under @CoraBuhlert

Date(s) free: Free on Scribd and Oyster with subscription and at Smashwords with coupon code NE37X until December 24

Where to Find It

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGGDEWS
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paris-green-cora-buhlert/1120846242?ean=2940150219786
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/de-DE/ebook/paris-green-1
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id947280149
Scribd: https://de.scribd.com/book/248886888/Paris-Green-Helen-Shepherd-Mysteries-6
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/498384

Additional Comments

I'll write a longer post. The short version is that the research for this one was massively unpleasant and gave me a case of entirely psychosomatic arsenic poisoning. I now also know more about arsenic poisoning than I ever wanted to know.



Title: A Gift from Santa: A First-Time Gay Erotic Romance
Author: Lily Juwette
Genre: Erotic Romance
Total Words: 5,900
Completion Time: 16 hours

Description

Escaping a trio of bullies, nineteen-year-old Malcolm takes refuge in the Santa Claus display at the local mall. After sitting on Santa's lap and discovering the hard truth about how much Santa wants him, Malcolm's Christmas wishes are wholly erotic. And the blue-eyed Santa with the chiseled muscles is more than willing to grant the wishes of a very good boy.

About the Author

Lily Juwette resides on the U.S. West Coast with her feline companion.

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QEDGKKQ/

Additional Comments

Love the fun aspect of challenging myself to just get it done.



Title: Round Two (Play For Keeps, book 2)
Author: Eva Harper
Genre: Paranormal
Total Words: 14,183
Completion Time: 8 hours

Description

The Vampire Survival Challenge is over, and Jade just wants to limp home and forget about what happened in the Sparkrouge underground. But the Boss has other ideas, so Jade and her new group must find a way to survive. With no time limit there's no chance of escape, the only solution is to fight.

Armed to the teeth with the very best tech the police's Vampire Division has to offer, Jade sets out to take down the queen vampire and fight her way to freedom.

Time for the second round of the deadliest game on earth.

About the Author

Eva writes because she can't imagine doing anything else. She has so many stories in her head that it would take a hundred lifetimes to write them all, but she's determined to get as much down as possible, to try and declutter her mind a little if nothing else. She likes vampires and action and has a soft spot for romance in the middle of an apocalypse.

Her blog can be found here: http://evaharper.wordpress.com

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCX6YLI/

Additional Comments

I've learned the joy of storyboards! Post-it notes for scenes are now my friends, and I think I have just as much fun planning as I do writing.



Title: Bird Brain: Exercise Master
Author: Scott Gordon
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Total Words: N/A
Completion Time: 8 hours

Description

It's time to get off the couch and have some fun! Leave your cell phones behind and get outside. There's nothing better than playing sports with your friends.

Live life, feel great, and you'll be a winner every time!

Over 30 fun-filled pages. Appropriate for all ages, children 3-6 in particular. Descriptions of my other popular children's books are included after the main feature (an additional 5 pages).

About the Author

Scott Gordon is the author of over 100 children's books, including My Little Pet Dragon, My Crazy Pet Frog, Pigtastic, A Little Book About You, A Pocketful of Dinosaurs, Ninja Robot Repairmen and If I Were A Robot. Currently he is hard at work on multiple projects: Secret Agent Disco Dancer, Braedyn Bunny and the Missing Eggs, Baby Bee, Aveline & the Great Pumpkin Patch and more!

Date(s) free: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCR3ES0/Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCR3ES0/

Additional Comments

This is my first children's picture book in some time. It's nice to get back to basics.

Also, I lost track of the hours I put into this. It was definitely less than 8 hours, but more than 6. So 8ish hours in all.



Title: El Matrimonio Apesta
Author: Donald Rump
Genre: Fart Fiction/Humor
Total Words: 3,700+
Completion Time: 6-8 hours translation + 1.5 hours implementation

Description

Mackelroy Puggsley creía haberlo oído todo, hasta que un extraño hombre llamado Bilby Bloob se aparece en su vestíbulo una mañana. Cuando Bilby le pide un permiso de matrimonio para su gaseosa esposa, el viejo pone el freno. Sí, una cosa es casarte con tu novia de la secundaria, pero ¿con un pedo? ¿A quién se le puede ocurrir casarse con un pedo?

--No me iré a ningún lado hasta que nos dé un permiso de matrimonio --insisitó Bilby.

--¿Ah, sí? --Mackelroy se hizo sonar los nudillos.

El Matrimonio Apesta es una obra de ficción pedorra. Está orientado a un público adulto, y tiene aproximadamente 3500 palabras de extensión.

About the Author

When he's not writing about old, crusty farts, Donald Rump writes about actual farts--the stinkier the better. He is also an advocate of the No Fart Left Behind program and marriage equality for all gaseous entities great and small. Apparently, he also gives dating advice.

Mr. Rump lives in Southern Maryland with his pet fart Floofy.

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCR3ES0/

Additional Comments

My brilliant Spanish translator converted this instant classic for your amusement. But that's not all! Next, he'll translate the bizarre, ruthless, crazy tale that is The Chapped-Ass Critic. (I know you're just as excited as I am!)



Title: A Hunk for Christmas
Author: Meg Cooper
Genre: Erotica
Total Words: 8,000
Completion Time: 20 hours

Description

Casey stopped believing in Santa Claus in the third grade when she found her father passed out on the living room floor surrounded by half-wrapped presents on Christmas morning. But if Santa doesn’t exist, who is the mysterious elf that’s been giving her gifts the past few mornings, only to vanish when she sees him? And since when was one of Santa’s elves a hunky, half-naked thirty year old?

A Hunk for Christmas is a short & spicy paranormal romance. The story contains strong sexual themes, and is not intended for readers under the age of 18. About 8,000 words.

About the Author

Meg Cooper loves magic in all its forms (even balls that jingle!), from paranormal elements to the power of love. Her stories combine magic with a large dose of humor. She writes from her home in Ohio, generally on the couch in pj's with two cats sleeping on her. With a large mug of coffee close at hand. Lots and lots of coffee.

Friend her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MegCooperAuthor

Join her mailing list at: https://www.facebook.com/MegCooperAuthorPage/app_100265896690345

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3KLJGU/

Additional Comments

TBD



Title: Aveline (Nederlandse Editie)
Author: Scott Gordon
Genre: Children's Books/Dutch
Total Words: 4,000+
Completion Time: 12 hours translation + 3 hours implementation

Description

Kleine Aveline Adorno heeft geen idee wat haar te wachten staat als ze op één oktober in de ochtend wakker wordt. Opeens praat ze met elfjes en ziet ze haar hond Milo dansen op muziek. Natuurlijk is niets wat het lijkt met feeën en zijn er tal van verrassingen in petto voor Aveline en haar dierbaren.

Dit boek bestaat uit ongeveer 3500 woorden en bevat meer dan 15 kleurrijke kunstwerkjes. Een speciaal voorproefje van Aveline en het Grote Pompoenfeest is ook inbegrepen.

About the Author

Scott Gordon is the author of over 100 children's books, including My Little Pet Dragon, My Crazy Pet Frog, Pigtastic, A Little Book About You, A Pocketful of Dinosaurs, Ninja Robot Repairmen and If I Were A Robot. Currently he is hard at work on multiple projects: Secret Agent Disco Dancer, Braedyn Bunny and the Missing Eggs, Baby Bee, Aveline & the Great Pumpkin Patch and more!

Date(s) free: TBD

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q92SR44/

Additional Comments

My Dutch translator is very fast and often sends me the translated text within 24 hours. This one took slightly longer, and I doubt it took her any longer than 12 hours. I hope I can hang onto her! :O



Title: Jingle My Bells: A Short & Spicy Paranormal Romance (Santa's Hunky Helpers)
Author: Meg Cooper
Genre: Erotica
Total Words: 6,000
Completion Time: 12 hours

Description

Sierra needs a job in a hurry, but who wants to hire a chef that’s burned down the last two restaurants she worked at? When she sees a craigslist ad for a position at the North Pole Dining Hall, she thinks the chance to cook for 50 hungry men a great opportunity, but dismisses the North Pole part as just a fun name.

When a hunky elf appears in Sienna’s house to magic her to the frozen tundra, she realizes her fate may just be to surround herself with ice to keep from getting burned. That’s if she doesn't get distracted by Wendell before they even leave her kitchen...

Jingle My Bells is a short & spicy paranormal romance. The story contains strong sexual themes, and is not intended for readers under the age of 18. About 6,000 words.

About the Author

Meg Cooper loves magic in all its forms (even balls that jingle!), from paranormal elements to the power of love. Her stories combine magic with a large dose of humor. She writes from her home in Ohio, generally on the couch in pj's with two cats sleeping on her. With a large mug of coffee close at hand. Lots and lots of coffee.

Friend her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MegCooperAuthor

Join her mailing list at: https://www.facebook.com/MegCooperAuthorPage/app_100265896690345

Date(s) free: Read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P9BRH7E/

Additional Comments

TBD



Title: Embotellando Pedos
Author: Donald Rump
Genre: Humor/Fart Fiction/Spanish
Total Words: 2,500
Completion Time: 8 hours translation + 2.5 hours implementation

Description

¿Podría el poder más grande...

El camino a la riqueza, más allá de nuestra imaginación más salvaje...

La clave para alcanzar el más alto nivel de conciencia espiritual y la felicidad...

... Ser obtenido por pedos embotellado???

--Es nuestro secreto... --Vlad le dijo al niño pequeño. --Usa el poder con cuidado...

2.200 palabras.

About the Author

When he's not writing about old, crusty farts, Donald Rump writes about actual farts--the stinkier the better. He is also an advocate of the No Fart Left Behind program and marriage equality for all gaseous entities great and small. Apparently, he also gives dating advice.

Mr. Rump lives in Southern Maryland with his pet fart Floofy.

Date(s) free: You can read this title now for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PRN67OI/

Additional Comments

A stinky surprised arrived in my Inbox. How could I resist?



Title: Mijn Gekke Knuffelkikker: Special Bilingual Edition (English & Dutch)
Author: Scott Gordon
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Total Words: N/A
Completion Time: 2 hours translation + 4 hours implementation

Description

My Crazy Pet Frog is een leuk prentenboek met ongeveer 27 pagina’s vol met schattige, computer-gegenereerde, kunst. Je kunt het boek het best in kleur bekijken op een Kindle Fire apparaat. Kom erachter wat er gebeurt met die gekke kikker als hij een van zijn vrienden tegen het lijf loopt!

Mijn andere kinderboeken staan beschreven na dit verhaal, op 5 extra pagina's.

This book include Dutch and English versions side-by-side.

About the Author

Scott Gordon is the author of over 100 children's books, including My Little Pet Dragon, My Crazy Pet Frog, Pigtastic, A Little Book About You, A Pocketful of Dinosaurs, Ninja Robot Repairmen and If I Were A Robot. Currently he is hard at work on multiple projects: Secret Agent Disco Dancer, Braedyn Bunny and the Missing Eggs, Baby Bee, Aveline & the Great Pumpkin Patch and more!

Date(s) free: You can read this title now for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PPIU1YM/

Additional Comments

This translation has been a long time coming. I'm relieved that it's finally done.



Title: Eight Hour Fiction #5
Author: Travis Hill
Genre: Science Fiction/Humor
Total Words: 46,000
Completion Time: TBD

Description

Welcome to another "Eight Hour Fiction" edition, inspired by JA Konrath's original "Eight Hour Challenge." Volume #5 is a slight departure from the usual round of short stories. Instead, this month's entry contains two novellas to satisfy your reading pleasure. Each story began as shorts for the EHF Challenge, and both have morphed into full-length novels (all of which are scheduled to be released before the end of 2014).

1. Transfer - Stephen Brewer is never sure when he wakes up if he's been asleep, or if he has died and has been transferred to a new clone body. As an agent for the National Defense Directorate, he and his fellow Transfer Agents are the perfect undercover operatives.

22,000 words / 75 pages
Language / Violence / Mature Themes

2. Henchman - Henchmen are the faceless (and mostly hapless) backbones of the "Super" industry, the glue that is sometimes all that holds a supervillain's plans together. Henchman is a collection of stories about the real power behind the chumps you read about in the headlines and comic books.

24,000 words / 85 pages
Language / Mature Themes

About the Author

I'm an author from Boise, Idaho. I live with my superhero wife and five completely worthless but loveable cats.

I write adult stories for adult readers.

My mailing list: http://eepurl.com/D2ktH

Writes: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Horror / Adult Fiction / Drama / Humor / Whatever I Feel Like

Date(s) free: This title is available for free on Smashwords

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PDTSK32/

Additional Comments

These two stories, and the next three that will be in Eight Hour Fiction #6 and #7 (#7 will have one of them + Extraction's first 20k words), all spawned at some point from the Eight Hour Fiction, and all have grown into full-length novels.



Title: Eight Hour Fiction #4
Author: Travis Hill
Genre: Science Fiction/Humor
Total Words: 10,199
Completion Time: 8 hours

Description

Inspired by a JA Konrath challenge to write, edit, create a cover, and publish a short story in eight hours or less, the "Eight Hour Fiction" challenge is back!

"Mergers & Acquisitions" (8,813 words, Teen+) - Gxkxl is back for a final chapter (for now). With his reproductive cycle coming to an end, Gxkxl, Desiree, and Rebecca are forced to plan for an uncertain future.

"General Megatron #3" (1,386 words, children's story) - Block Seven, the galaxy's worst prison, holds more than just the galaxy's most vaunted hero. The general's luck, while tenuous at best, might have finally run out...

About the Author

I'm an author from Boise, Idaho. I live with my superhero wife and five completely worthless but loveable cats.

I write adult stories for adult readers.

My mailing list: http://eepurl.com/D2ktH

Writes: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Horror / Adult Fiction / Drama / Humor / Whatever I Feel Like

Date(s) free: You can read this title now for free with Kindle Unlimited

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P6FVT3G/

Additional Comments

The conclusion to Gxkxl the alien's story, and another General Megatron chapter!






Title: Hollybelle the Witch and the Colorful Christmas Conundrum
Author: Georgia Grey
Genre: Children's/Christmas
Total Words: 4,000
Fantastic Finish Completion Time: 8 hours

Description

What is a young witch to do when all her dresses are black, red is her favorite color, and Christmas is coming? Make a potion, of course!

Hollybelle the witch misses her frog friend, Foggybottom, so she makes use of her artistic and magical talents to bring the holiday spirit just a little closer this year. With a twist of magic she tries adding some bright colors to her wardrobe, but not everything goes as planned.

Meanwhile a sneaky little newt has a scheme of his own, and even jolly old Santa Claus finds himself caught in the mess.

It’s a Christmas not to be forgotten!

About the Author

Born in Ohio, raised in Florida, and having spent much of her adult life in Georgia, Ms. Grey passed away far too young at the age of 46 after a long battle with breast cancer. She left behind a husband who loves her, many friends with cherished memories, and her baby, Lily the beagle. She was just beginning her work as an author and an artist when she was taken, her handful of works being made available as they can be edited and formatted.

Date(s) free: Nov. 28-30, Dec. 24-25. You can also read this title for free with Kindle Unlimited!

Where to Find It

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P74WW78/

Additional Comments

My late wife originally wrote this Children's Christmas story. Unfortunately, before she passed away earlier this year, she had not been able to complete all of the art for the book. However, I managed to take what completed art she had left behind and some few pieces of art she had started, and I was able to cobble together this project. It is a sequel to a Halloween story she wrote and published a couple of years ago, "Hollybelle the Witch and the Broomstick Ball."

--Ty Johnston, http://tyjohnston.blogspot.com



Title: A Bullet for Father Christmas
Author: Cora Buhlert
Genre: Mystery
Series: Helen Shepherd Mysteries
Total Words: 9,300
Fantastic Finish Completion Time: 12 hours (I was maybe 1000 words in and finished the story)

Description

When two men dressed up as Father Christmas rob a London jewellery store and one of them ends up dead on the floor, shot by his own accomplice, it’s certainly one of the more unusual cases for Detective Inspector Helen Shepherd and her team. But as Helen begins to investigate, it turns out that the case is even more bizarre than she suspected.

About the Author

Cora Buhlert was born and bred in North Germany, where she still lives today – after time spent in London, Singapore, Rotterdam and Mississippi. Cora holds an MA degree in English from the University of Bremen and is currently working towards her PhD. Cora has been writing, since she was a teenager, and has published stories, articles and poetry in various international magazines. When she is not writing, she works as a translator and teacher. Visit her on the web at www.corabuhlert.com or follow her on Twitter under @CoraBuhlert

Date(s) free: Free on Scribd and Oyster with subscription and at Smashwords with coupon code FP65W until December 24

Where to Find It

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGGD324
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-bullet-for-father-christmas-cora-buhlert/1120846241?ean=2940150219762
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/de-DE/ebook/a-bullet-for-father-christmas
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id947528105
Scribd: https://de.scribd.com/book/248951075/A-Bullet-for-Father-Christmas-Helen-Shepherd-Mysteries-5
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/498382

Additional Comments

My books are also available on Oyster.