Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Sparkle Abbey: You Can Quote Us



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We’re thrilled that Cheryl is letting us stop by to chat today. Our stop is part of a blog tour which, in some ways, is even more fun than a regular tour. For instance: we don’t have to leave home, we can visit so many more places in a short time, and we can travel in our yoga pants. Other than those details, it’s a lot like a regular tour in that we get the opportunity to meet and chat with great people who love books!

Those of us who love books appreciate the power of the written word. We know words can connect us, make us think, and even inspire us. With Facebook, Twitter, and other social media it seems like memes and inspiring quotations are everywhere. It often seems to us that they show up just when you need them.

Of course, since we write a mystery series featuring a pet therapist and a pet boutique owner, the pet-themed ones always get our attention. “Try to be the person your dog thinks you are.” is one of our favorites. “Live everyday like someone left the gate open.” is another and, though we don’t know the source of the quote, it seems like great advice. Get out there and enjoy the day!

We can across these words recently on a car parked in our library parking lot. We stopped to take a picture of the window sticker. Wouldn’t life be improved all around us if everyone wagged more and barked less?

Some quotes are from famous people. Business icons like Steve Jobs, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”  Or music legends like John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Their words carry weight. They have street cred. They were successful in what they set out to accomplish.

Love this quote from Danny Kaye, “Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint you can on it.” A little bit different take on, “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” But it says it well, doesn’t it? Live “all in.” Whatever you choose to do, throw your heart into it!

Other quotations serve as reminders. We know certain things but sometimes we need to be reminded. One of our favorites is: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” and is attributed to Thomas Edison. We know our opportunities improve the harder we work, but this colorful and to the point saying is a memorable reminder.

This quote from Jim Rohn was spotted as a post to competition dancers, but it applies just as easily to writers or really any of us with a specific goal we are trying to accomplish. It’s great to have a goal, but what we need to achieve it is discipline. What a great reminder!


How about you? Do you have a favorite quote? One that inspires you, makes you laugh, or encourages you when you need it? Please share it with us! We’ll draw from all those who comment for a free gift of any Sparkle Abbey book in the series.

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They’ve chosen to use Sparkle Abbey as their pen name on this series because they liked the idea of combining the names of their two rescue pets – Sparkle (ML’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). The authors co-write the bestselling Pampered Pets Mystery Series which focuses on the wacky world of precious pedigrees, pampered pooches, and secrets in posh Laguna Beach, California. The main characters and amateur sleuths are Texas cousins, Carolina Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, a pet boutique owner. The first books in the series, Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, Yip/Tuck, Fifty Shades of Greyhound, and The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo have received rave reviews. Midwest Book Review calls the series “A sassy and fun mystery!”

Currently the Kindle versions of Sparkle Abbey’s backlist titles: Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck are on sale at the discounted price of $1.99. And the most recent titles, Fifty Shades of Greyhound and The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo are on sale for $2.99.

The next installment, coming in June, Downton Tabby, is currently available on pre-order.

They love to hear from readers so stop by their website www.sparkleabbey.com or visit them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/sparkleabbey to check out their latest news.