Ali Cross and a BECOME giveaway!

Last week my husband was out of town for four days, which meant holding down the fort here solo. For me that's tough, but to complicate things further, my youngest son got the flu - around midnight the first night my DH was gone. While the next day was tough, dealing with a sick child and very little sleep on top of everything else, I was reminded once again that I can do hard stuff. I made it through the week and came out stronger for it.

A lovely woman who's gone through tough stuff and come out on the other side stronger than ever is my good friend and critique partner Ali Cross. I met Ali three and a half years ago when our critique group formed and I've had the chance to watch her journey to publication. It hasn't been an easy road - she's had to keep going when open doors have suddenly closed. But I've seen firsthand how Ali chose to use these experiences to better herself and her writing.

Not only is Ali a phenomenal writer - often lyrical in style - she is also multi-talented. She's been an opera singer and runs the writing dojo at her blog with lots of information and help for writers. She's also a loyal friend and has a snappy wit.

Last but not least, her YA novel BECOME released last week! It is well-written and is a fabulous story about choice and not letting one's past dictate the future. To celebrate, I'm giving away the e-version of her book today. To win, leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will close at 10:00 p.m. MST tonight and I'll announce the winner tomorrow.

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

How have your friends inspired you? What tough things in your life have shown you that you are stronger than you think?