Launch Party ~ A great success

Hello everyone. It is Monday the 28^th of February, the very last day in the month and I am blogging today to announce how wonderful the book launch was!  I am happy to say that we were a huge success, even with the weather being so cold here in South Dakota.  So, a very big thank you to all that came and shared in our success! 

I am reminded every day of the blessing that I have been given, in both good friends and family. With all of your love and support, I continue to grow strong.

And to all of my new friends and readers, I say a heartfelt thank you as well. Without you, I would not be where I am today. 

If you are interested in seeing a few of the pictures that were taken at the Launch Party, they will be on the website at www.primeimmortals.com tomorrow. You will also be able see them at my Face book page, Prime Immortals, as well.

So once again, thank you all for your support and friendship!  Blessings to you and yours.  I look forward to our next adventure. Until then, Read On!!!

All my best, H.R. Phillips

Launch Party Extended

Hello everyone! Wow, what a day of winter snow. I have to say that my morning turned out rather badly considering that I drove my Explorer into the ditch. Yes, I know! You’re probably wondering how I managed that. Well let’s just say the road was not exactly clear and I kind of missed the road. That’s what happens when it is snowing four to six inches at a time with low visibility. Yes, you heard me! Four to six inches… We are expecting to get a couple more inches before it stops and I am not looking forward to digging myself out.

So today instead of doing the word of the day we are going to discuss the launch party that is scheduled for tomorrow evening at 520 Kansas City Street, Rapid City SD 57701 from 6pm – 9pm.

The big question is, are we still having the launch or are we planning on canceling? Well, according to the weather service, it is suppose to clear up by noon tomorrow. So we have decided to continue with the party and add a little more fun to the launch.

We are extending the launch to the following day, Saturday February 26th, 2011 at the same location 520 Kansas City St. from 3pm - 5pm. So the party goes on! We decided to do this so that everyone who is interested in meeting the author (me) and getting a signed copy of “Immortal Lost” can do so.

We are doing our best to accommodate everyone who has been patiently waiting for this release.

So just to make sure that everyone completely understands, we will be having the Launch Party on February 25th from 6-9pm and then continuing it for those of you who may need to dig out on February 26th from 3-5pm.

Make sure to bring the whole family; we will be serving treats and giving away door prizes!

Until tomorrow, stay dry, drive safe and remember to Read On!

Word for the Day: Conviction

Hello everyone! What a beautiful day it is, here in good old South Dakota. I just got back from an interview at KOTA radio promoting the book “Immortal Lost” and I believe I did okay. However, you never really know how well you do until you hear the feedback. So if you did get an opportunity to hear the broadcast please let me know what you thought. I am always looking to improve on myself as well as the publicity for the series, “Prime Immortals.”

So, enough about that. Let’s get busy with the next word of the day. Today’s word is conviction. It was submitted by Dr. Larry Lytle, he would like to know my definition of the word and how it makes me feel.

So as always the following is the definition that I retrieved from an online source. www.thefreedictionary.com defines conviction as follows.

con·vic·tion  (kn-vkshn)

n.

1. Law

a. The judgment of a jury or judge that a person is guilty of a crime as charged.

b. The state of being found or proved guilty: evidence that led to the suspect's conviction.

2.

a. The act or process of convincing.

b. The state of being convinced. See Synonyms at certainty.

3. A fixed or strong belief. See Synonyms at opinion.

So now that we have the definition, let’s get to what we really see in the word. I once saw a poster that had a beautiful picture of an old oak tree. Below the picture of the Oak tree was the word conviction in bold lettering. Below the word Conviction was the statement “Every great oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who stood their ground.” Now that is what I call conviction! What a great way to describe that word and funny too.

Conviction is something that I have always had when it comes to my family and work. In the book “Immortal Lost”, Gelmir too has great conviction. Read about him and his journey through the series of Prime Immortals.

Word for the Day: Hubris

Hello readers, for those of you who follow along each day with this blog already know that we have started a new fun adventure. For those of you who are new to my blog, allow me to explain.

I have decided to have a little fun with the English language. I am asking all of my readers to submit a word onto the blog. It can be any word you would like, just as long as it is in English. By submitting a word you enter yourself into a contest that we are having. Just by entering a word you qualify to partake in our adventure that will inspire you into reading. Reading more and understanding the true meaning of the words we read is important. So with that being said. Let’s get to our word for the day. Cindy Keitch from Pierre SD has chosen the word hubris.

Great word, Cindy! The definition I found most interesting was on the website www.dictionary.reference.com

hubris or hybris  (ˈhjuːbrɪs)
— n
1.	pride or arrogance
2.	(in Greek tragedy) an excess of ambition, pride, etc, ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin
Well, aren’t we all a little guilty of hubris at some point in our lives? I know I have had my fair share of prideful moments. Yet, in some instances arrogance and ambition can be useful. For instance in the upcoming book “Dark Days”, several of the Immortals battling amongst themselves rely on hubris. Tell me, what do you think? How does this word make you feel? Are you hubris? I really would like to know. Give me your feedback and words. Let’s get a word marathon started. You never know, you might even learn something and enjoy yourself while doing it.

Word of the Day: Yeuk

Hello again to all my friendly readers. I do hope that you all had a wonderful weekend.  I can honestly say that mine was truly enjoyable. I spent the weekend with my beautiful children. I helped with the completion of their homework, as well as assisting my daughter with her new interest in writing.  I am proud to say that she is following in her mother’s footsteps and becoming quite the little author.  

Well enough about me, let’s get to our word of the day.   Just a reminder anyone wanting to submit a word on to the blog, is more than welcome too.  Please just post your thoughts and give us your word.  I will choose one every day and if your word is chosen, you could possibly win a gift.

Today’s word is Yeuk.  I know it sounds strange and even a little silly. Most of you will probably say that it is not a word at all. However, I assure you that it is.

The definition of our word of the day was found online at www.merriam-webster.com. It is defined as follows.

Yeuk - intransitive verb-chiefly Scottish

 itch

Origin of YEUK Middle English (northern) yukyn, from Old English giccan — more at itch First Known Use: 15th century

Wow, who would have guessed?  I really thought that it was going to be some kind of animal. How would you describe your feelings or thoughts on this word?  Well folks, I have no idea and I think that I will have to yeuk my head on that one before giving my answer. Hehehe…

That’s all for now, see you back in cyber space soon and remember to submit your word choice of the day. See if you can get a silly, crazy, unbelievable word that might stump us all.

Until then Read On!  

Word for the Day: Seduction

Yeah, it’s Friday!!!  What a great week.  I hope that all my wonderful readers are having a great week too.  It’s the last day of the workweek and I am looking forward to spending a little time at home with my troops. Most of you know that I have four children who are my complete and total joy.  I have plans this weekend to take them out on a whirlwind shopping trip and then a movie. If anyone has suggestions as to which movie we should attend, please let me know.  I am leaning towards the Chronicles of Narnia. I just loved the books and it is playing at the dollar theater. Can’t beat the cheap seats.

Anyhow, let us move on to the word of the day. Today’s word comes from Christen Horner from Baird, TX. Christen is a new reader to the SciFi scene. She is in the process of reading the Immortal Lost and is on the final chapters.  Her word choice for today is seduction.

I found the following definition online at www.thefreedictionary.com

 Seduction

 1. a. The act of seducing.  b. The condition of being seduced.

2. Something that seduces or has the qualities to seduce; an enticement.

Great word, Christen!  Most of you have strong feeling about this word and have probably used it in your everyday life. No, you say? I beg to differ.

For instance, Christen was drawn to the chocolate truffle lying on the counter, just waiting to be consumed.  It was placed there strategically by her nemesis as a seduction of ultimate design, tempting her from her weight loss goals. Okay, maybe that is a little dramatic, but you get the point.

In the “Immortal Lost” many of the Prime Immortals are seduced by the darkness, gaining them power and control over those less fortunate. That same seduction follows us through the entire series.

It is a strong word and can be used in many ways.  Both examples above are using the word negatively. However, we all know the results that a powerful and honest seduction can have on a reader or character within the book. Read about the positive points that seduction has throughout the series of the “Prime Immortals” 

That’s all for now.  Have a great weekend and Read On!  HR Phillips

Word for the Day: Sweetheart

Hi everyone! Okay, as promised we will continue on with the word of the day. Today’s word is sweetheart.

I found my favorite definition for this word online at www.yourdictionary.com.  The definition is as follows:

noun

1.     someone with whom one is in love and by whom one is loved; lover darling: a term of endearment

2.     Slang a. very agreeable person or an excellent thing

3.     One who is loved.

4.     Used as a familiar term of endearment.

5.     Informal a. A person regarded as generous or lovable.
b. Something cherished for its excellent qualities.

adjective

Involving privileged treatment of a favored party; illegally or unethically favorable: “another land grab, another sweetheart deal based on political influence” (Village Voice).

Well that pretty much says it all.  Yet, I have a feeling that some of you, just like me, want to say a little more.  A definition can give you the basics of the word, but not the true feeling. Remember the project and point of this blog is to also find the feeling behind the word.

In “Dark Days”, the second book in the series of “Prime Immortals”, Alessar is accused of having a sweetheart and Dylan is a little upset.  Now where in the definition above does it talk about that particular feeling?  Why is Dylan upset?  She has no claim to Alessar and she has already decided to ignore the feelings that he has aroused in her and look to another man. Who, you ask, is the other man? Well, I can’t give it all away, now can I?

That’s all for today friends, remember to submit your word of the day and maybe if your word is chosen you will be the lucky recipient of a sneak peek into the series to come. “The Knight Trilogy”, a sexy story of a brother and sister detective team working together to solve crime and ultimately discover who it was that sent their parents to a watery death.

Until next time.  Read On!…  HR Phillips

School Project

Hello everyone out there is cyber space!  I’m back and ready to have a little fun.  I decided that from now until the end of this year (2011) we are going to do things a little different when it comes to this blog. Don’t worry, I’ll still post everything you need to know about upcoming events and teasers on the new books coming out, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Recently my daughter came home from school with a project in her spelling class. She was asked to choose five words that meant something to her, and then write them down (spelled correctly, of course) along with their definitions onto a storyboard. Underneath each word and definition she was to explain how the word made her feel or what the word meant to her.

Being a lover of words, this project was extremely fun for both my daughter and me, engaging her interest in a way I personally have never seen. So in honor of a very intelligent second grade teacher, I have decided to take a version of the same project to engage you wonderful people online.  

Word of the day: Blog

According to the almighty Wikipedia the definition of Blog is as follows.

A blog (a blend of the term web log)[1] is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

So now that we have the definition of the word, what does it really mean?  For me it has several meanings, depending upon how I feel, which of course, was part of the original assignment that was given to my daughter.

How does this word make me feel?  Well, sometimes it makes me happy.  I love when I am able to write something down and feel a sense of accomplishment, or when a reader gives feedback that makes me laugh.

Other times it makes me feel anxious, because I know I have a deadline and it is not always easy to meet.  But more often than not it really has no special meaning to me.

So with the first word out of the way, let’s get started with a new adventure.  Submit a word that you would like to discuss. Tell me how you feel about it and let’s get started.

Tomorrows Word in honor of Valentine’s Day, even though we are a couple of days past, is sweetheart.

Thank you all and remember Read On!! H.R. Phillips

Valentine's Day Gift Idea

Need a fresh, new idea for a Valentine's Day gift?  How about a great love story filled with mystery and intrigue?  Or a beautiful "key" necklace?  Or a cool t-shirt? 

Visit our site to order from The Prime Immortals series products.  http://www.primeimmortals.com/  Let your Valentine know you have a surprise coming in the mail!

Thoughts out Loud!!!

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed writing. A poem, short story, romance, fantasy or mystery ~ it really doesn’t matter what the genre. For me it is the whole concept of putting the written word down on paper and creating something that wasn’t there before.

I love getting lost in a world that I created myself. It is sharing my imagination with others. It is developing, growing and giving birth to a little piece of myself, bound together in the form of a book. It is a piece of writing that someone could pick up and read, absorb or digest. Maybe it moves them, maybe it doesn’t. That is the risk that all writers take. Are readers going to like it or not? It can be scary.

How would you feel if someone told you that you sucked at what you do? Yet we writers learn that we have good days and bad days. The writing accomplished on the good days has the potential of being great; the writing on bad days can be haunting. Trial and error ~ it’s an exhausting process, no matter what business a person is in. Eventually we get it down from the process and we grow. 

Over the entire course of publishing the first in the series “Immortal Lost”, I have learned a considerable amount of something and nothing at the same time. Yet, I have gained knowledge in both areas of what to do and what not to do (trust your editors!). Yet, even with the ups and downs, everything about the writing experience seems to comfort me in ways that I cannot completely describe.

Although I have attempted to explain my specific writing process, from the development of characters to the storyline, it still eludes me as to how my writings can be misinterpreted or construed other than how I initially foresaw them. But maybe, just maybe, that’s the process. Could it be the reader’s take that I write and build on it? Are they reading what they want to read, envisioning a reality in the written word, bound together in a story written by me? 

Truthfully, people like me want to believe in the fantasy that could be. Is that not why for years romance novelists put only male models on the covers of their books? Hello Fabio!!!! (Let me just say yum yum). It allows the female reader the “fantasy” to step into the shoes of the heroine who graced its pages, thereby becoming a part of the book themselves! She dreams of throwing her arms around the man she desires while being swept away in the romance of it all.

Is there a woman out there who doesn’t dream of romance during some point in her life? Whether she is eighteen or eighty, the love of romance stays with her forever. So it is understandable the marketing department would put a handsome man on the cover. It worked then and probably still does. However, I think Fabio has retired. Can you say Cougar! Wait, does that reference apply to the male gender? Oops! Sorry about that Fabio.

Anyhow, that is all I have for today. Just my thoughts wandering the page, give me some feedback and let me know what you would like to talk about. I am an open book and would love to discuss the book The Immortal Lost. Maybe I will give you a few inside scoops as to when the next book is coming out.  Until next time, read on.

The Immortal Lost Launch Party

You're invited to the official "Launch Party" for The Immortal Lost, the first in the series "Prime Immortals".

The wine & cheese party will be held on Friday, February 25th from 6-9 pm at 520 Kansas City St, Rapid City SD. 

Come meet me and enjoy autographs, food, prizes, etc.

See you there!