Thank-you, Red City Review!

Control Switch by Leana Delle

Since high school, Candace Bradford has been offering advice to anyone who would listen: stop procrastinating, start exercising, remain calm in tense situations.  Now that she has a just-released book on the market and a radio show airing weekly out of Chicago, people are definitely listening.  It seems that thirty-something Candace has achieved her single greatest dream in less time than she could have imagined.  But despite her bright future, Candace’s success comes with a price – at the very moment when her career is poised to take off, she comes under the hold of a strange illness, the ramifications of which could tear her carefully constructed world apart.  Candace makes a quick decision that could save her life while simultaneously ruining her marriage to Ross Simpson, a hunky, hot shot lawyer with a severe competitive streak and a burgeoning workload of his own.  In an effort to protect Ross, Candace lies about her health, preventing him from having any influence in her decision-making process.  Ross becomes irate when she finally fills him in on the situation, walking out on their already-troubled marriage.  Even so, Candace can sense that there is more to Ross’s reaction than he is letting on.  The real question is, can Candace keep her crumbling career together long enough to figure out what he is hiding?

Control Switch is an unerringly enthralling read that rolls out a well-written narrative and addresses key social themes at the same time.  First, there is the issue of being a successful female in a male-dominated work environment.  Delle’s protagonist is adamant that she have control over her own life, but sometimes that right is unfairly hoarded from hardworking women.  Second, Delle writes about a convincingly troubled marriage that ails because a couple feels the need to fight over things like finances and the relative success of either person’s career.  With a unique premise and engaging conflict, Control Switch asks tough questions that deserve answers.

~ Red City Review

 

iBooks Rocks!

Admittedly, I’m a Kindle girl when I’m not reading an honest-to-goodness, hold it in your hands, page flipping version of a story, but iBooks started carrying my novel recently, and I see that as cause to celebrate.

Wanna win a free eBook from moi? Click “Like” on my Facebook page over the next week (you can find me here) for a chance to win.

I’ll announce the recipient on Wednesday, September 17th.

Good luck, and happy reading!

Catch Me In A Lie . . .

NINE truths about me, and ONE lie.

What do you think I’m fibbing about? Guess correctly in the comments section below, and you could win one of two free eReader downloads of my novel, CONTROL SWITCH. I’ll announce the winners on Dec. 10th on my Facebook fan page, so be sure to visit me there and click “Like” to find out if you won. Good luck!

1)  I was born in Cornwall, Ontario,         Canada.

2) My favorite color is red.

3) I have dual citizenship (I’m                  Canadian and American).

4) My first job was as a chamber maid     at the Holiday Inn.

5) I always wanted to be a                       professional singer.

6) My favorite pastime is writing.

7) I was arrested once, but it wasn’t my fault.

8) I had music videos aired on CBC in the early 90s.

9) Nothing makes me happier than hanging out in airports.

10) I wish it could be autumn all year round.

FREE GIFTS . . . FOR EVERYONE! WOO HOO!!!!

FREE GIFTS

FROM SIX AMAZING WOMEN

&

THE CHANCE TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD!

 “This story will find anyone with an ounce of ambition tearing through the pages to see how it all turns out.”

A HUGE thanks to everyone who has read my novel, CONTROL SWITCH, and given it such rave reviews. So far it has made the bestseller lists for both Canadian Women Writers and Women’s Fiction on Amazon.ca and earned me the chance to attend Southern Methodist University’s (SMU’s) prestigious New York Seminar.

I started writing after my friend, Jenesse Aurandt, died of breast cancer in 2007.  Before she passed, she made the following request: “Promise me that you’ll write a book one day.”

I did, and I want to share it with you.

FREE GIFTS TODAY WITH PURCHASE (see below – nice ones too) AND THE CHANCE TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD – FROM ME! 🙂

“Tautly written with a great protagonist, this story about change, found from within and all too often forced from without, will find anyone with an ounce of ambition tearing through the pages to see how it all turns out. Poignant and smart and full of surprises, Ms. Delle has conjured a gripping debut novel about the dreams and nightmares of our celebrity obsessed society” ~ Daniel W. LaVigne

“This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. In fact, I read it straight through in one day” ~ Nancy Donner

“A wonderful novel that goes in depth to show us that everything happens for a reason” ~ Jerry Hill

“As a woman, I found this book to be very relatable to my own life, and that of so many of my friends. The expectations of our husbands, our employers, our friends….all are delved into in this insightful page turner. I could not put it down until the very past page, and was not disappointed!” ~ Shari Foster

Order before October 9th at midnight (EST) to receive the following FREE GIFTS and the chance at a KINDLE FIRE HD:

YOUR GIFT FROM 

Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry:

Ten lucky, randomly chosen buyers will receive a $25 gift certificate towards Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry. Winners will be notified via email by representative, Sonya Wickens, and provided with details on how to claim their prize.

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YOUR GIFT FROM 

Anne-Sophie Dumetz:

Empower me up! Revive Your Soul & Heal Your Life With Words

Free pass to Anne-Sophie’s signature workshop! Get juiced and learn proven empowerment practices that use the world’s best free medicine:

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Anne-Sophie is a powerhouse of inspiration who teaches big-hearted parents how to up their personal game to build a meaningful and fun life, while raising kids.

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YOUR GIFT FROM

Teresa de Grosbois:

Access to the content-rich class, Flame to Fame in 30 Days, that will show you how to catch your business on fire.

Author and philanthropist, Teresa has taken three books to bestseller status using word-of-mouth marketing techniques. You will join her to explore the heart and how of word-of-mouth.

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A sample of this company’s amazing Jewelweed soap will go out to the first 50 purchasers of the book.

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YOUR GIFT FROM

Bestselling Author Melissa Bourbon Ramirez:

Free chapter/excerpts from two of Melissa’s phenomenal books: “A Curse Of Passion,” and “A Custom Fit Crime.”

Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name, Misa Ramirez, is the Publicity and Marketing Director with Entangled Publishing, is the author of the Lola Cruz Mystery series with St. Martin’s Minotaur and Entangled Publishing, and author of the bestselling A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series with NAL. She also has two romantic suspense novels, and is the co-author of “The Tricked-out Toolbox,” a marketing book for writers.

*****

TO ORDER CONTROL SWITCH: Simply click on the appropriate Amazon link below, then return to this page and enter your order confirmation number in the box provided:

 Amazon.com

 Amazon.ca

You will receive your free gifts and be entered in the draw for a Kindle Fire HD.

 

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PLEASE NOTE: ORDERS MUST BE MADE BEFORE OCT. 9TH AT MIDNIGHT (EST) TO BE ELIGIBLE

Amazon is not a sponsor of this promotion

 

Link

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

If you haven’t already checked out this awesome blog, and you’re a parent, click now! You’ll love it.

Thank-you to blogger, Respectful Mommy, for the great review and book giveaway!!

A Fresh New Blog Page

Well, a fresh new look, and a fresh new approach. Hard to believe I’ve been writing a blog now for a year and a half. Amazing. Over that period of time, a lot of cool things have happened in my life, including the following:

• A move to a great apartment
• A dog (who wishes I’d spend more time in my great apartment)
• First novel completed and published
• A great guy (who wishes the great apartment was geographically closer)
• Numerous television interviews, including one on KASA FOX 2s “New Mexico Style”
• Bestseller status achieved on Amazon.ca in two categories: Canadian Women Writers and Women’s Fiction

To say that my head’s reeling would be an understatement, but only when I actually take the time to think about it. It’s easy to lose sight of it all when you’re doing the actual work (I prefer to call it full-time, all-encompassing play).

So, where to now? I’m going to branch out to feature some guest bloggers and do a few interviews with some of the people who inspire me to keep trekking down this intriguing path. I’ll also be re-blogging some inspiring posts by fellow creatives.

Of course, I’ll continue to keep busy working on my second novel. It’s such a joy to spend time doing what I really love to do, and even more of a joy to share that process with others.

Let’s keep fanning the flames of inspiration!

Click here to review/order Control Switch

Leana’s blog can also be found on her website at http://www.leanadelle.com

They Continue To Inspire

Photo credit: Helene Anne Fortin

Three days from now marks the sixth anniversary of my friend Jenesse’s passing. She’s the girl who made me promise to write a book one day; the one responsible for starting me on this amazing journey.

For those of you who have lost a loved one, you know that the anniversary of their death exacerbates our underlying sorrow. We tend to live it all again – the loss – and either swallow hard or shed the buckets of tears that have been storing up since the last pang hit us. We also tend to play over in our minds all of the moments that defined our relationship and everything that made that person special.

I lost another friend to cancer recently – damned f%#@ing disease – who also lived his passion and left a legacy of inspiration. Larry Wayne Clark, songwriter extraordinaire.

A strong man with a gentle spirit, Larry continued to follow his dream even in the face of a grim prognosis. He maintained his numerous friendships across the miles and continued to create some of the finest goosebump inducing songs I’ve ever heard. He is missed.

Amidst the sorrow, however, I am making an effort to remind myself to show gratitude. Gratitude for having known these two fine individuals and gratitude for the ability to continue my dream and live my passion without the imminent threat of it all coming to an end. If Jenesse and Larry could continue following their passions in the face of illness, there’s no excuse for me not following mine in perfect health.

I know it’s cliché to say, “Live each day as though it may be your last,” but . . . Really? We can. I’ve seen it done.

Embrace the ones you love, encourage their wildest dreams, and ask, in return, that they encourage yours. To quote one of my favorite songs of Larry’s, “I wanna live like that.”

Click here to order Control Switch

This blog is also available on Leana’s website at http://www.Leanadelle.com

Movement

Travel, in any form, brings me great joy. One of my previous jobs required me to fly almost weekly, and my favorite part of that? Airports. Yes, I’m one of those few people who actually enjoy these hubs of activity. I even enjoy delays if they’re not of the 10 hour variety. I simply park myself with my laptop and watch the movement.

I recently traveled to Albuquerque, NM where I appeared on KASA FOX 2’s “New Mexico Style” to promote my book, “Control Switch.” On the way, I had a connecting flight in Chicago. Five of my all time favorite words: “A connecting flight in Chicago.” For a girl who loves airports, O’Hare serves up a smorgasbord of sensory stimulation.

There’s movement everywhere. Other than the folks who are employed behind counters or between tables, everyone’s making their way toward a destination, and I love that.

Movement is fluid; it’s life. It stimulates the imagination and creates endless possibilities. While sitting in my corner of the airport last week, I imagined what it might feel like if the movement suddenly stopped. How empty the place would feel without that electrifying pulse of motion. Some would prefer the quiet and an end to maneuvering through a seemingly oblivious crowd, but not this girl. Every day in that airport, that crowd is on a journey and each person in it has a unique story to tell.

It’s basically a microcosm of the big picture, don’t you think? They all are: O’Hare, DFW, Pearson, Charles De Gaulle. A snapshot of what’s going on in the grand scheme of things. All of us on our way to some scheduled destination and picking up stories along the way.

At this stage in my own journey, I’m starting to see the importance of savoring delays in the macrocosm as well. I’m trying to actually revel in them and absorb the flow of life around me. Maybe stepping back from the energy of movement gives us a much needed reminder that it exists. Maybe the shore provides the best view of a river with a constant flow – a river that has a bend in the distance leading to potential and opportunity.

Click here to order Control Switch

**Leana’s blog is also available on her website at http://www.leanadelle.com

Perfect Circumstances

Photo credit: Helene Anne Fortin

“Someday, when I have (fill in the blank), I will (fill in another).”

Here’s the thing about perfect circumstances: they rarely occur. Not without a lot of effort anyway. To wait for them to present themselves is a complete waste of time. I hear a lot, however, about that fill in the blank version of living a passionate life.

“Someday, when the kids are out of the house, I’ll start painting again.”

“Someday, when my mortgage is paid off, I’ll take that trip to Paris.”

How about, “Someday, when I retire, I’ll wish I hadn’t waited so damned long to do what my heart desires.”

One of the biggest misconceptions about following a dream is that the planets have to line up before it’s a good time to begin. Nonsense. The only good time is now. What it comes down to – planets aside – is priorities and effort.

There are plenty of days when I don’t exactly feel like writing. There are plenty of days when anyone who’s accomplished anything has to push themselves to get out from under a ticking clock and into a groove.

Circumstances are created; they are not something to be anticipated. Waiting brings nothing but frustration and regret. Make the extra effort now. Be the catalyst of your own creativity.

Click here to order Control Switch

** This blog is also available on Leana’s website at http://www.leanadelle.com

The Steady Climb

Photo credit: Helene Anne Fortin

My dog is learning how to climb the stairs in our building, and yes . . . it’s adorable. He’d mastered stairs long before coming to live here but not the kind that have spaces between them. Ours allow you to see straight through to the bottom floor, and from his perspective, that’s pretty scary stuff. Each day, however, he becomes just a little braver and a little faster at reaching the top. The echoing chorus of “Good boy” that bounces through the stairwell after each flight is no doubt helping, as are the hugs he receives when there’s no further to climb.

I smiled a little broader at Toby’s accomplishment this morning, because we almost reached a sprinting pace climbing those big scary stairs, and because he reminded me of the challenges we humans face that can start with just one hesitant step.

New adventures – whether chosen or thrust upon us – come with a certain degree of apprehension. For some, that apprehension is minor. For others, it’s overwhelming. At times we’re able to keep our heads high and think only of our destination. More frequently, it seems, we maintain a clear vision of where we started from and are fearful of landing right smack back down there with nothing but wounds to show for our efforts.

Like little Toby, the trick is to keep repeating the required action until it becomes effortless. Don’t give up at the outset; don’t stop half way. If you can’t help but look downward, do so while your feet keep moving up. And for God sake, find someone who will cheer you on during your ascension and hug you at the top. Support is the greatest motivator, and your greatest gift. Receive it, give it, and wag your tail. Everything becomes less scary if you don’t give up.

Click here to order Control Switch

**This blog is also available on Leana’s website at: http://www.leanadelle.com