Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Live chat/interview with fantasy, Christian, sci-fi, and dark fic author Karina Fabian

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:33:00 +0000

The Writer's Chatroom presents author Karina Fabian.

WHEN?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Sign In. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Blurb blitz stop for Cowboy's E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a blurb blitz tour stop for The Cowboy's E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton. It's a contemporary western mainstream romance available from One Acre Press.

Cora will be awarding a $50 Etsy gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered to win, leave an e-mail with a comment below (so you can be contacted if you're a winner). If you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and comment there.

Blurb:

Ethan Cruz should be mending fences on his Montana ranch, but instead he’s driving to the Chance Creek, Montana, airport – to pick up the bride he didn’t know he had. This latest salvo in his ongoing practical joke battle with his best friend, Rob Matheson, has gone too far, and Ethan plans to send his “bride” right back home, then get busy plotting his revenge. One look at Autumn Leeds changes his mind, however. Perhaps he needs a bride, after all. A breathtakingly beautiful city bride.

Autumn Leeds needs a story – fast – or she’s going to lose her lucrative contract with CityPretty Magazine, so when she sees the crazy video plea for a modern mail-order bride for a cowboy, it sounds like the story of the century. Making a video of her own, she casts herself as the perfect mail-order bride for a rancher, but when she finally reaches Montana, she’s surprised to find Ethan’s the perfect cowboy husband-to-be. Against her better judgment, her plan to keep her handsome groom at arm’s length disintegrates into a night of passion spent in his arms.

Ethan knows he can’t keep playing this game – he has to come clean with Autumn and tell her the truth; about the practical joke and about the state of his ranch. He’s about to lose it all because of the debts his mother racked up before his parents’ deaths. Now his sister, Claire, wants to sell the ranch and collect what little money they can. He’ll be out of a home and a job, and in no shape to support the bride he desperately wants to marry, after all.

Autumn’s in bigger trouble than ever. Not only has she fallen in love with the subject of her expose – she might be carrying his child. If she doesn’t write this article and secure her job for another year, she’ll lose everything – her career, her apartment, and more importantly, her family’s approval. The only alternative is to stay and marry Ethan. But how can she trust a man she’s just met when she knows too well that men always let you down?

Can a love based on lies last?

Excerpt:

She glanced up at Ethan to find him glancing down, and the warm feeling curved around her insides again. Surely New York men couldn’t be shorter than this crew, or any less manly, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been around so much blatant testosterone. She must be ovulating. Why else would she react like this to a perfect stranger?

Ethan touched her arm. “This way.” She followed him down the hall, the others falling into place behind them like a cowboy entourage. She stifled a sudden laugh at the absurdity of it all, slipped her hand into her purse and grabbed her digital camera, capturing the scene with a few clicks. Had this man – this…cowboy – sat down and planned out the video he’d made? She tried to picture Ethan bending over a desk and carefully writing out “Sweet. Good cook. Ready for children.”

She blew out a breath and wondered if she was the only one stifling in this sudden heat. Ready for children? Hardly. Still…if she was going to make babies with anyone…

Shaking her head to dispel that dangerous image, she found herself at the airport’s single baggage carousel. It was just shuddering to life and within moments she pointed out first one, then another sleek, black suitcase. Ethan took them both, began to move toward the door and then faltered to a stop. He avoided her gaze, focusing on something far beyond her shoulder. “It’s just…I wasn’t….”

Oh God, Autumn thought, a sudden chill racing down her spine. Her stomach lurched and she raised a hand as if to ward off his words. She hadn’t even considered this.

He’d taken one look and decided to send her back.

Author Bio and Links:

Cora Seton loves cowboys, country life, gardening, bike-riding, and lazing around with a good book. Mother of four, wife to a computer programmer/eco-farmer, she ditched her California lifestyle eight years ago and moved to a remote logging town in northwestern British Columbia.

Like the characters in her novels, Cora enjoys old-fashioned pursuits and modern technology, spending mornings transforming a neglected one-acre lot into a paradise of orchards, berry bushes and market gardens, and afternoons writing the latest Chance Creek romance novel on her iPad mini. Visit www.coraseton.com to read about new releases, locate your favorite characters on the Chance Creek map, and learn about contests and other cool events!

Website: www.coraseton.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/coraseton/

Twitter: @coraseton

Readers, remember: Cora will be awarding a $50 Etsy gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered to win, leave an e-mail with a comment below (so you can be contacted if you're a winner). If you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and comment there.

Book blast tour stop for Lucid by Natalie Roers

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a one-day virtual book blast tour for Lucid by Natalie Roers, a YA paranormal fantasy available from Twilight Times Books. This is just one of numerous stops for the tour.

Natalie will be awarding a $10 Amazon or BN.com gift card to one randomly drawn commentor today. To be entered to win, enter an e-mail with your comment below, so you can be contact if you're the winner. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other stops and comment there.

Blurb:

Being hailed by critics as an intelligent new voice in young adult fiction, Roers' debut novel tells the anything but ordinary, coming of age story of a small town, teen aged, misfit named Travis Hunter.

Disfigured at birth and ostracized at school, Travis dreams of acceptance and secretly yearns for the affection of a beautiful young woman named Corrine. When a mysterious doctor promises to help Travis through something called lucid dreaming, Travis suddenly finds himself ushered into a secret society called "The Lucid", a collection of social outcasts like himself, who have created their own world inside of dreams.

When Travis discovers he is able to bring Corrine into these dreams, he gets more than he ever bargained for and soon finds himself learning the secrets of love and life in a fantastic unconscious world.

An instant classic, Lucid is a timeless story of self-acceptance with a fresh paranormal twist.

Excerpt:

Corrine’s breathing quickened and she pushed against my chest to break the hold.

Not wanting to let go, I grabbed at her waist again, but she stopped me.

“What did you do that for?” I asked, my voice low and raspy. Even I couldn’t tell if I was asking why she kissed me or why she had stopped.

Corrine stepped back even further and looked down at her legs. That’s when I saw it. The shin of her left leg was starting to fade.

“Travis, I don’t know you,” she said softly. “If this is real, though? If it’s really real, like you say it is? I want to meet you. Do you understand me? I want you to come and find me as soon as you wake up.”

The light around us changed. It was sunset. Amazing reds, golds, and purples, streaked across the sky.

Review soundbytes:

"Roers' debut novel heralds the arrival of an intelligent, heartfelt voice in the world of young adult fiction. The rich characters, emotional complexity, and confident prose are matched only by the landscape of dreams that Roers sets them against... a landscape brought vividly to life by the author's seemingly boundless imagination. This is a novel that respects its readers as much as its characters, and that's a beautiful rarity."
~ Mike Flanagan, Filmmaker, Absentia and Oculus

"Natalie Roers' debut novel is both riveting and relevant. More than a paranormal/fantasy/thriller, this is a complex tale that cuts to the very of heart of issues facing young adults today. Well sculptured characters and powerful imagery propel Roers' fascinating narrative."
~ Jason Tinney (Award-winning freelance journalist, musician, actor and the author of the story collection Bluebird.)

"Lucid is an interesting story and a fun read."
~ Amy Carol Reeves, author of Ripper and Renegade

"Natalie Roers' voice is amazingly confident for a first novelist. Her journalist's eye for human detail draws you in, and makes you care about the people who populate the LUCID world. The more I got to know them, both awake and asleep in the world of lucid dreaming, the more time I wanted to spend in their world."
~ Jeff Howard, writer for Film District and Focus Features.

Author information:

Natalie Roers is a veteran writer, voice artist, and on-air personality. A journalist by trade, Lucid is her first work of fiction. She is busy at work on her second novel and hopes to raise money and social awareness for worthy causes with each book she writes. Natalie plans to donate a portion of every sale of this book to her favorite anti-bullying organizations. She lives with her husband Cory, and son Austin, in Columbia, South Carolina.

LINKS:

Websites

jointhelucid.com

http://natasha-r.com/writer/

https://www.facebook.com/natalie.roers?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/jointhelucid?fref=ts

Blog

http://jointhelucid.com/blog/

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16214486-lucid

Special note: You can download this book for only $4.99 this month! That price won't last!

Link to buy on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Natalie-Roers/e/B00CQCCJ0O/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1368395305&sr=8-1

Link to buy on Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115281192?ean=2940016700366

Readers, remember: Natalie will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N gift card to one randomly drawn commentor today. To be entered to win, enter an e-mail with your comment below, so you can be contact if you're the winner. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other stops and comment there.

Book blast tour stop for Midnight Special by Tawny Weber

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today we have romance author Tawny Weber visiting. She's doing a 2-day (today and May 9th) virtual book blast for her novel Midnight Special, a hot contemporary romance from Harlequin Blaze.

Tawny will be awarding a bookmark goodie package to one commenter at each stop (bookmark, signed cover flat, post it pad, magnet) and a grand prize of a $25 Amazon or BN (or other bookstore of the winner's choice) gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her other Book Blast on May 9th. So, to be entered for a chance to win either or both gifts, make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment below, and at any other stops today or on May 9th.

Without further ado, here's some insight into Midnight Special by Tawny Weber.

Blurb:

Somewhere on the train is a key witness for a crime involving arson, murder and a high-profile businessman. And reporter Marni Clare will do whatever it takes to get the story—even if it means crashing in a sleeper car that’s she’s not sure she’s reserved. But when she wakes, she finds herself curled up with the man she’s seeking…and he’s hot enough to derail all her plans!

FBI special agent Hunter won’t complain about the wickedly hot blonde in his arms. And maybe it’s the medication he’s on, but he’s even agreed to share his room for the entire journey….

It’s a long trip in close quarters, and within days their berth becomes the scene of some steamy railway romps. But is Marni just having fun…or is she taking Hunter for a ride?

Excerpt:

WELL THIS WAS ONE HELL of a way to wake up.

All traces of sleep, painkillers and whiskey cleared from his head with a blink. Hunter was left with surprise and an overwhelming degree of passion.

Waking up horny was one of the perks of being a guy, like peeing standing up. But in all his years of appreciating his masculine advantages, Hunter couldn’t recall waking up quite this horny.

Then again, this was the first time he’d ever had a fantasy come to life.

As still as a cat gauging its prey, Hunter inspected the woman next to him. She looked like a cross between a porcelain doll and a sex kitten.

Flaxen blond curls waved around her face, floating to pale white shoulders. Her eyes were huge, the color of a cloudless sky and surrounded by a lush fringe of dark lashes. Heavy with passion, clouded with dazed shock, they had an intelligence in their depths that warned Hunter not to underestimate her. The rounded cheeks, flushed pink, and cupid’s bow mouth completed the picture of adorable confusion.

Figuring it was only fair since she’d taken her own visual tour, he shifted back a little to take in the rest of the view.

Damn.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tawny Weber has been writing sassy, sexy romances since her first Harlequin Blaze hit the shelves in 2007. A fan of Johnny Depp, cupcakes and color coordination, she spends a lot of her time shopping for cute shoes, scrapbooking and hanging out on Facebook.

Readers can check out Tawny’s books at her website or join her Red Hot Readers Club for goodies like free reads, complete first chapter excerpts, recipes, insider story info and much more. And for a limited time, she has a few open spots on her Street Team!

Social Links:

Website – http://tawnyweber.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/TawnyWeber.RomanceAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/TawnyWeber

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/tawnyweber/

Midnight Special link – http://tawnyweber.com/books/midnight-special/

Purchase Links:

- All About Romance

- Amazon

- Barnes and Noble

- Books-A-Million

- Harlequin

- Powells

- iTunes

Blurb blitz tour stop for The Folly at Falconbridge Hall by Maggi Andersen

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a blurb blitz tour stop for The Folly at Falconbridge Hall a historical romance by Maggi Andersen.

Maggi will be awarding a backlist e-book to one randomly drawn commenter and a $30 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win either prize, leave an e-mail with a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave additional comments.

Blurb for The Folly at Falconbridge Hall:

Vanessa Ashley felt herself qualified for a position as governess, until offered the position at Falconbridge Hall.

Left penniless after the deaths of her artist father and suffragette mother, Vanessa Ashley draws on her knowledge of art, politic, and history to gain employment as a governess. She discovers that Julian, Lord Falconbridge, requires a governess for his ten-year-old daughter Blyth at Falconbridge Hall, a huge rambling mansion in the countryside outside London.

Lord Falconbridge is a scientist and dedicated lepidopterist who is about to embark on an extended expedition to the Amazon in search of exotic butterflies. An enigmatic man, he takes a keen interest in his daughter’s education, but Vanessa feels that he may disapprove of her modern methods.

As she prepares her young charge to enter into the modern world, Vanessa finds the girl detached and aloof. As Vanessa learns more about Falconbridge Hall, more questions arise. Why doesn’t Blythe feel safe in her own home? Why is the death of her mother, once famed society beauty Clara, never spoken of? And why did the former governess leave so suddenly without giving notice?

Excerpt from The Folly at Falconbridge Hall:

Vanessa remembered passing the library on her first day and located it without difficulty. She entered the room, finding it empty. It was designed for masculine comfort. Bookshelves filled with tomes covered all available wall space. A tan leather chesterfield and two chairs were grouped in front of the fireplace, and a tiger skin covered the floor in front of the hearth. The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Penny Press lay on a table, and the aroma of cigars and pipe smoke lingered in the air.

A variety of magazines was stacked in a rack. Vanessa sorted through The Gentleman’s Magazine, Punch, The Strand, and the London Sunday Journal. She selected Punch and the Penny Press to take back to her room.

She roamed the shelves searching for suitable books and found several on botany, including one by Lord Falconbridge on Lepidoptera. She piled them onto a mahogany table, along with the books and the notes she’d fetched from her room. Searching further, she spied Plato’s Symposium and climbed the ladder. It was just out of reach. Not wishing to climb down, she leaned across. Her fingers touched the binding, and she leaned farther. She almost had it.

“You read Ancient Greek, Miss Ashley?” Lord Falconbridge asked behind her.

Vanessa jumped, and her foot slipped off the rung. She lost her balance and fell into a pair of strong arms.

Author Bio and Links:

Maggi Andersen and her lawyer husband are empty nesters, living in the countryside outside Sydney with their cat and the demanding wildlife. Parrots demand seed, possums fruit, ducks swim in the stream at the bottom of the garden, and the neighbors chickens roam their yard providing wonderful eggs. She began writing adventure stories at age eight. Three children, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing degree later, her novels are still filled with adventure and suspense, but are also passionate romances. Georgette Heyer among others, brought inspiration to her seductive Regencies and she also writes darker, Victorian novels, contemporary romantic suspense and young adult.

She supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.

Author website: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

Blog: http://www.maggiandersen.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiandersen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggi-Andersen-Author/372854959805

Publisher website: Black Opal Books http://bookstore.blackopalbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=58

Interview with contemporary romance author Rachel Hanna

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is an interview with contemporary romance author Rachel Hanna about her book Broken: Secrets in Madison Falls.

Rachel will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below. For more chances to win, visit other tour stops and enter to win at those stops.

Bio:

Rachel Hanna is a best-selling author of romance novellas and novels. She lives outside of Atlanta with her husband, three cool kids, two crazy dogs, and one very snooty outdoor cat. She loves to write, read, spend time with family and embarrass her kids as much as possible.

She also LOVES to connect with her readers through various social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to check out her website for ways to connect!

Welcome, Rachel. Please tell us about your current release.

Broken is a story about a woman named Bella who leaves after her mother passes away and works to support her younger sister. The only thing is that her hometown doesn't know what she's been doing for the last two years while she has supposedly been working as a marketing representative in California. When she has to come home to become the mother of her young nephew, Bella finds herself trying to hide her past while also falling in love with a handsome teacher named Grant.

What inspired you to write this book?

I like to write stories about redemption and how people can change their lives by simply making different decisions. I wanted to write a book about someone who had such a seedy past but was still able to find love like everyone else.

Excerpt:

What exciting story are you working on next? I actually just finished up two novels. The first one is set back in 1837 and revolves around a Cherokee Indian legend. The second half of that novel is a contemporary romance in modern-day times that relates back to that Cherokee legend.

I also just finished the first book in a new series set in a fictional coastal Georgia town. The series will all be contemporary romance revolving around the different members of a large family.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I've considered myself a writer since I was about seven years old. I was always writing stories and said I wanted to be a journalist. I did work as a journalist for several years before going on another path, but I've never stopped writing.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Yes, I do write full time. Every workday is different. I also have three children at home as well as my husband, and we homeschool. So, between their social activities, school and our work, each workday can be jam packed full of activities. Most of the time, I try to get my writing out-of-the-way early so that I make sure it gets done. It can be very easy to go days without writing if you allow it. Some days, I write on my desktop while other days I might pile up in my bed and write on my laptop. My favorite way to write is on my iPad using a wireless keyboard, so I probably do that most often.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I would say that I like to write the seat of my pants. A lot of people like to outline and have character sketches completed before they even begin the story, but I find that it crushes my creativity. I have an idea of where the story is going when I begin, but for the most part I just write and make it up as I go along.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a journalist from the time I was seven years old and used to watch Jessica Savitch on the nightly news. I stayed on that path and went through college and got to work at different places including CNN as an intern. I really enjoyed being a journalist, but then I found that I liked telling stories I've made up myself better than reporting the news.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I would love to invite your readers to connect with me on Facebook. I've been having such a good time with all of my fan base interacting on Facebook every day. We have a really fun time talking about books, movies and all kinds of other topics.

Thanks, Rachel.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book blurb blitz stop for The Descent from Truth by Gaylon Greer

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a virtual book blurb stop for Gaylon Greer and his novel, The Descent from Truth.

Gaylon will be giving away an autographed hardcover version of his previous book, The Price of Sanctuary, to one randomly chosen commentor during the tour. So if you’d like to be entered for a chance to win, make sure to leave a way for him to contact you! And if you’d like to increase your odds of winning, visit other tour stops and leave other comments.

Blurb for The Descent from Truth:

Alex Bryson is patrolling Rocky Mountain backcountry in his job as a security guard when he discovers a woman with a baby wandering alone in the snow far from the nearest road. He takes them to shelter in a weekender cabin and sees a newscast that suggests the woman, Pia Ulmer, kidnapped the baby from its rightful parents and that it is the sole heir of Peru’s wealthiest and most corrupt family. Pia claims that she is the baby’s mother, and Alex doesn't know what to believe. After turning her in, he continues to struggle with his budding feelings for her and remains unsure of the true story. He becomes more and more involved until finally there is no turning back—lives are on the line. He helps Pia get free from a brutal world that values money over life, and together they devise a plan to reclaim the baby. Just when it looks like they might succeed, they discover an international conspiracy that changes the game entirely.

Excerpt from The Descent from Truth:

“Please,” she said, her voice as rough as sandpaper and barely above a whisper. “Please, do not give my baby to those people.”

“Are we back to that? First you're his mother, then you're his nanny. Now you're his mother again?”

“They took him from me. Look at him, Alex. Both Mr. Koenig and his wife are blondes.”

“Koenig’s an old man. His hair's white.”

“Study Frederick's face. Do you not see me in his eyes? His chin and his mouth?”

The similarities were uncanny, he'd grant her that. Good enough to get away with claiming to be the kid's mother if Alex hadn't learned the truth. The way she had attacked him, trying to kill him with that skillet, she clearly didn’t want to go back to civilization and prove who she was. He turned away, tossed Frederick in a maneuver that brought a cry of delight, and stuffed the boy's blanket-clad feet through the leg holes in the backpack. With his parka snapped around both of them and the diaper bag tied to his waist, he gripped his rifle in one hand, his snowshoes in the other, and headed for the porch. At the door, he turned for a final glance at Pia.

She had set her mouth in a stubborn line. The eye that had been plastered shut was closed. She stared at him with the other. When she saw him looking at her, she spoke again. “Watch over him, Alex. Someone wants to harm him. Don’t let them.”

A new tack, another lie. He stepped onto the porch and strapped on his snowshoes. That should have been the last he saw of her, but the specter of her ravaged face and defiant expression stayed with him as he trudged across the sunlit expanse of glistening snow that sloped gradually toward the Warrior River Gorge.

Author information:

Working with traveling carnivals and itinerant farm labor gangs during his teen and early adult years took Gaylon Greer up, down, and across the U.S. and introduced him to a plethora of colorful individuals who serve as models for his fictional characters. After several years as an Air Force officer and then a university professor with a Ph.D. in economics, Greer developed an interest in writing fiction and attended workshops at the University of Iowa, the University of Nebraska, and Bryn-Mawr College. He also studied with the U.C. Davis Extension program and the Algonquian Writers Group. His most recent novel, The Descent from Truth is available at www.Amazon.com and other e-book retailers. Please visit Greer at www.GaylonGreer.com.

Interview with cozy mystery author Marilyn Leach

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today I'm happy to host mystery author Marilyn Leach as she tours her novel Up From the Grave: A Berdie Elliott Lenten Mystery. This novel is a cozy mystery available now from Harbourlight Books/Pelican Book Group.

As a special treat, Marilyn will be awarding an e-book copy of her first book, Candle For A Corpse to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop, plus a grand prize of a $20 gift card to the Pelican Book Group website to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered to win either or both prizes, make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment below. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other stops and leave comments there.

Bio:

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first work with a childhood friend. It was a mystery. And she has been writing ever since. A graduate of Colorado State University, she taught art to underserved children and co-authored several plays and screenplays. Marilyn is a dyed-in-the-wool British enthusiast after "discovering her roots" in England. She lives in a lakeside cottage on the Denver outskirts.

Welcome, Marilyn. Please tell us about your current release.

Up From the Grave offers all the elements of good British suspense: village setting, British English vocabulary, a local constabulary, glowing romance, an amazing sleuth and shadowy figures. But there’s more. One reviewer said of the writing, “it’s a Jan Karon meets Agatha Christie style with energy.” Berdie Elliott intrepidly combines both church service and crime solving in the small village of Aidan Kirkwood where a whisper on one end of the village becomes a roar on the other. When a sod-turning ceremony in the church back garden exposes bones, the whole village sets to on uncovering the mystery. But Berdie Elliott, vicar’s wife and sleuth, digs deeply and comes up with the truth. Who is the visiting contessa that appears at the sod-turning, along with her aide? How do Swithy Hall and the beautiful nuptials of a Presswood niece come into play? And in what way do plants and herbs spell out a divine message? All becomes clear when Berdie unearths the answers. Up From the Grave is a modern times soft suspense laced with romance and a dash of humor along with inspirational uplift. As Berdie might say, “Up From the Grave is a jolly good read.”

What inspired you to write this book?

My writing partner and I finished a successful screenwriting project and he decided to write a novel. I said, “And what will I do?” He suggested that I write an English mystery since I was such a big Miss Marple fan. I thought and prayed about it and decided to give it a go. In the process, I really enjoyed creating the Berdie Elliott character, a sleuthing vicar’s wife. Then it followed, after the first book which took place during Advent, I’d write more mysteries aligned with the liturgical calendar of the church. Up from the Grave is a Lenten mystery. The more I work on the stories, the more I feel I’m right where I’m supposed to be, doing what was designed for me to do.

Excerpt:

Berdie read aloud. “Doktor Herman Schultz, twenty-five Morgan Strasse, Heidelberg.” Curiosity getting the better of her, Berdie lifted the thin airmail envelope up to the morning sunlight that flooded through the glass doors. She tried to scrutinize its contents.

Cherry spotted the backside of the envelope and emitted a quick gasp.

“What?”

“It’s slightly open.” Cherry looked at Berdie, chin down and eyebrows raised.

Berdie tried to adjust her ‘vicar’s wife hat. “This is a personal correspondence,” she advised. And then the vicar’s wife hat went askew. “Is there a chance he may have intended the letter for you?”

Cherry grasped the envelope from Berdie’s hand and gingerly moved her finger along, lifting the flap of it ever so carefully. Then, with great concentration, she pulled out a single tri-fold sheet of office paper and unfurled it.

Berdie made every effort to stay glued to her seat. She tried desperately not to be overly eager.

“Oh, it’s a bill,” Cherry informed with a bit of disappointment. Then her eyes enlarged. Berdie held back the impulse to grab the paper and read it herself.

“A bill for thirty thousand pounds,” Cherry all but shouted.

“Thirty thousand pounds?” Berdie lifted her well-kept brows.

“Hang about.” Cherry ran her finger over the paper. “This is a confirmation of payment. It’s a receipt. He’s paid thirty thousand pounds.” Cherry was agog.

Berdie calmly nodded while grasping the arm of the sofa.

What exciting story are you working on next?

In the Berdie Elliott series, I’m working on an Ascension Sunday mystery, Into the Clouds. At a village Ascension Sunday fete, someone goes missing. Berdie and the whole village get involved in trying to find the missing person and, like an onion, peel back layers to discover who committed the crime. It takes lots of twists and turns as Berdie uses her divine gift of sorting truth from fiction to find the perpetrator.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I co-wrote my first play when I was nine years old, and it was a mystery. I’ve written most my life as an avocation, and now as a vocation. It wasn’t until I sat in the back of a performance venue and watched the audience react to the words written in a play I was a part of writing that I realized how this could be a skill I should pursue. It actually touched people’s lives and was incredibly rewarding. I thank God for the opportunity.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I now write full time, although I substitute teach occasional days as well. I taught art to underserved populations for several years before writing full time. After my meditative quiet time, exercise, and breakfast, I write for at least one hour before I do anything else. Then I sprinkle marketing, more writing, household chores, and idea boosting in integrated plots of time. Since it’s only a couple of years that I’ve been writing full time, I’m still working out my writing rhythm in the day to day.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Probably one of my quirky habits is to watch Miss Marple and Poirot DVD’s every Sunday afternoon. I actually take notes about things that strike me such as plot twists, hidden clues, character development, and think about my current writing project as I view them. Just recently, I’ve begun watching them in the order they were created by Agatha Christie. Murder at the Vicarage was her first Miss Marple mystery; her second was The Body in the Library. Though screenwriters add their own bit, I like to track the development of story from project to project. Watching the DVD is a quick study.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, I hardly gave a fleeting thought to becoming a grown up. I lived very much in the minute. My major in college was psychology, until I changed it to art, until I changed it to education, then I settled on art education. I minored in French until I switched it to English, and eventually got certified as a language development specialist. Do we see a pattern here? But enjoying writing has been consistent all the way through.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

If you enjoy a good brain-tickle that includes humor, romance, village life and genuine uplift, I think you’ll enjoy reading any of the books in the Berdie Elliott series. Up from the Grave is an especially great spring read.

Thanks, Marilyn.

Readers, don't forget: Marilyn will be awarding an e-book copy of her first book, Candle For A Corpse to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop, plus a grand prize of a $20 gift card to the Pelican Book Group website to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered to win either or both prizes, make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment below. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other stops and leave comments there.

Interview with romantic suspense author Caitlyn Nicholas

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today's guest is romantic suspense author Caitlyn Nicholas. She's sharing a little about herself and her new novel, The Danger Game available now from Escape Publishing.

Caitlyn will be awarding a Caitlyn Nicholas gift bag to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a grand prize of a $10 Amazon gift card + a Caitlyn Nicholas gift bag to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (International) The form to enter is at the end of the interview. You can visit other tour stops and enter the raffle there, too, to increase your odds.

Welcome, Caitlyn. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I began writing in 2005. Exhausted, pregnant (sure I was going to expire from morning-sickness) and coping with a demanding toddler, I decided the time was right to embark on a writing career. (In hindsight I may have been suffering from a scorching case of sleep-deprivation).

Still, it kinda worked out. My debut novel - and the first manuscript I'd ever written - Running Scared, was published in January 2007. My next book, Secret Intentions followed. Then I had a short story published in the Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romance (MBSOR) in 2010 - my story is called “The Grey Man.”

In 2012, my novel Drive Me to Distraction was published, and my novella The Danger Game came out just before Christmas. My next book, The Bunker, will be published in July 2013.

Please tell us about your current release.

It’s called The Danger Game. Flick, my heroine, likes computers. She’s good with them, and they do what she tells them, mostly. People, however, are more of a challenge.

But when a terrifyingly dangerous program is stolen, and her mentor killed, Flick finds herself on the run. The police are convinced she’s committed murder, and a sinister weapons developer will stop at nothing to force her to work for him.

In Ben’s line of work being suspicious keeps you alive. So when Flick turns to him, he quickly realises that she’s up to her neck in trouble and hasn’t fully grasped the danger she is in.

First he has to keep her safe, and then, together, they have to figure out how to save the world from an epic meltdown.

What inspired you to write this book?

The idea for The Danger Game sparked when I read an article about cyber-war, and it inspired a plot about an unstoppable cyber-weapon. I like to write about strong stubborn heroines meeting their match…

Excerpt:

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Ben asked.

Flick looked at his reflection in the mirror. “I don’t know.”

His face had a closed off look, and at her words a deep frown creased his forehead. He folded his arms across his chest.

“What exactly don’t you know?”

“I don’t know who you are. That’s for certain.”

His eyes narrowed and a muscle jumped in his jaw.

“I think I should talk to the police.” She pushed past him, out of the bathroom, aware that they were alone. “I’ll take them up to Andy’s office, they’ll need to know about it.”

“That sounds sensible.”

She glanced at him, but his face showed nothing but bland impassivity.

“It seems unreal to me. Like a bad dream.”

“Civilians always feel that way at first. Its normal.”

“Civilians?”

“People.” He shrugged.

What exciting story are you working on next?

My next book, The Bunker, is out in July 2013. It’s a romantic suspense set in a bunker deep under the idyllic green hills of England. Geeky Dimity Pond is the only person who can save the world from an epic financial meltdown, but to do it she’s going to need help from the reclusive and terse Lord Richard Summerhayes.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I didn’t really consider myself a writer until recently actually. My first two books were very experimental (for me anyway). My kids were very little when they were published and I wasn’t sure if I’d keep writing, go back to work, go back to University, or be a Glorious Domestic Goddess.

As things turned out I decided to become a stay at home mum, but it soon became obvious that full time Glorious Domestic Goddess didn’t make me happy. So I kept writing. When my story, Drive Me to Distraction, was accepted for publication in January last year, then I felt like I was stepping off into a new career as a ‘real’ writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write during the day. Usually about 2-3 hours each day. More if I’m on a deadline. It’s not easy to work at home. There is always chores and jobs that I could easily be doing and I often feel I have to choose between welcoming the kids home with home made after school treats or finishing the next chapter. I’m haunted by Mummy-guilt! Still the writing usually wins out, and if I’m really over it I go and work in a café.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmm. Trying to think of something that doesn’t make me sound too mad!! To be honest I think it’s probably that the more I have to do, the more I get done. I work best under pressure and with deadlines.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Well, it was changeable but most of the time I wanted to be a lady who rode horses in the circus. I’m rather relieved that it didn’t work out!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

My next book, The Bunker, is out in July 2013. It’s another thrilling romantic suspense set in deep underground in an old bunker, in the idyllic green hills of England. If you sign up for my newsletter you’ll be the first to hear about when it goes live. And don’t forget to leave a comment and enter my giveaway. Prizes include much sought after Timtams (legendary Australian chocolate biscuit).

You can find me online at: http://www.caitlynnicholas.com

My blog: http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaitlynNicholas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaitlynNicholasAuthor

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105412279044420141735/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/783424.Caitlyn_Nicholas

Buy links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Danger-Game-ebook/dp/B00AK3GTTI/

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Danger-Game-ebook/dp/B00AK3GTTI/

Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/THE-DANGER-GAME/book-4CHaOFNh70yB3UeAWKA7lg/page1.html?s=shBHL7QvTEeR0uGd3fnOsA&r=1

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-danger-game-nicholas-caitlyn/1114588729?ean=9780857990105

Ibookstore https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-danger-game/id585508156?mt=11

Or on Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280752-the-danger-game

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Book blast tour stop for the Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today I'm a book blast tour host for the Blood Destiny series of urban fantasy books by Helen Harper.

Helen will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn person during the tour. To enter, use the form at the end of the interview. For more chances to win, visit other tour stops and enter there, too!

Blurbs:

Bloodfire

Mackenzie Smith has always known that she was different. Growing up as the only human in a pack of rural shapeshifters will do that to you, but then couple it with some mean fighting skills and a fiery temper and you end up with a woman that few will dare to cross. However, when the only father figure in her life is brutally murdered, and the dangerous Brethren with their predatory Lord Alpha come to investigate, Mack has to not only ensure the physical safety of her adopted family by hiding her apparent humanity, she also has to seek the blood-soaked vengeance that she craves.

Bloodmagic

After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.

Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.

Bloodrage

Mack begins her training at the mages' academy in the hope that, by complying, the stasis spell will be lifted from her old friend, Mrs. Alcoon. However, once there, she finds herself surrounded by unfriendly adults and petulant teenagers, the majority of whom seem determined to see her fail.

Feeling attacked on all fronts, Mack finds it harder and harder to keep a rein on her temper. Forced to attend anger management classes and deal with the predatory attentions of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the shapeshifter world, her emotions start to unravel. But when she comes across a familiar text within the walls of the mages' library, which might just provide the clues she needs to unlock the secrets of her background and her dragon blood, she realises that her problems are only just beginning...

Excerpt from Bloodfire:

Forgetting that I was supposed to be keeping my head down, I scanned the ranks of the other Brethren shifters. I was curious now about what their feelings were about taking in some of their distant country bumpkin cousins. My eyes travelled down the line. There was a bored looking blonde haired woman with a stance that suggested predator –wolf perhaps – then a slight dark man who was obviously a fox judging by the calculating cunning in his eyes, then there was…uh-oh.

The next shifter was looking right at me. Green gold predatory eyes gazed into mine expressionlessly. I snapped my eyes back to the floor and stopped breathing.

I’m no-one, no-one worthy of attention, I whispered silently, trying to quash the rising panic. I couldn’t endanger the rest of the pack by being discovered. Every sinew in my body screamed but I forced myself to keep my eyes and head trained on the ground.

Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Seconds passed. Minutes.

Author Bio and Links:

Helen Harper is an English teacher currently living abroad in Malaysia. As a long time reader of urban fantasy, she finally bit the bullet and began to develop her own series of novels.

Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland. "I always loved the escapism provided by those genres," states Helen. "No matter how bad life gets, you can always find a route out, even if only temporarily, in the pages of a good book."

The growth of urban fantasy fascinated her - the mix of reality and fantasy along with strong heroic female characters appealed from the very beginning, and inspired her to write her own.

Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Harper/101590660022586

Twitter: HarperFire

Amazon.com buy links:

Bloodfire

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodfire-Blood-Destiny-1-ebook/dp/B00AU43ZXK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Bloodmagic

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodmagic-Blood-Destiny-2-ebook/dp/B00AU0O00G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

Bloodrage

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodrage-Blood-Destiny-3-ebook/dp/B00BQEFTPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1362894945&sr=1-1&keywords=bloodrage

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Interview with fantasy author Debra Dunbar

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is an interview with fantasy author Debra Dunbar about her novel Elven Blood.

Debra will be awarding an e-book copy of A Demon Bound (book 1 in the Imp Series) to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a grand prize of a Kindle Fire with an Elven Blood book cover skin to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY). To be entered for a chance to win any of the prizes, leave an e-mail address with a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning something, visit other tour stops and leave more comments.

Welcome, Debra. Please tell us about your current release.

Elven Blood is the third novel in my Imp series. Samantha Martin is an imp, a lesser demon from Hel. She has been living under the radar, posing as a human for the last 40 years, but now that she’s bound to an angel and is the Iblis (a rather meaningless title that signifies the leader of the demons) her life is. . .complicated. In Elven Blood, she’s found herself buried in angelic bureaucracy, saddled with a succubus houseguest, and fighting off a never-ending slew of demon hit-men.

When an elven lord offers to take care of the bounty on her head in return for tracking down and killing a demon half-breed, Sam thinks she’s found the solution to her most pressing problem. But as Sam searches for this “abomination,” she begins to have second thoughts.

Yep. An imp with moral misgivings. What is the world coming to!

What inspired you to write this book?

The series as a whole came from my children. As they grow, I see my sons developing empathy for others, and I wondered how much of “good” is a socially learned response. Maybe a demon could become good if she lived long enough with humans, if she had to modify her behavior to blend in. Maybe acting good would result in a true moral shift.

For this particular book, I was inspired by close friends who struggled with fertility issues. How far is an individual willing to go to conceive a child? Would they be able to violate their cultural taboos? What if they knew they’d never be able to raise the child themselves, that they’d need to hide it away with foster parents for its own protection?

It all sounds so dark and philosophical, but the books are really humorous. I love writing comedy, and promise I don’t beat readers over the head with my moral compass!

Excerpt:

I heaved the decapitated demon head through the gate to Hel and turned to look at the guardian. The way her shoulders slumped and she kicked at the floor, gave me the impression she was not happy to be supervising.

“Third one this week,” I told her, as if she didn’t know.

I had a bounty on my head, but the demons Haagenti was sending after me were the dregs of the hierarchy, desperate beings looking to get lucky and boost their fame by taking me down. Idiots. I kept killing them and tossing their heads through the gate that connected the realm of the humans with Hel. I wasn’t sure if the powerful demon, Haagenti, was more pissed at the fact that I’d shielded my foster brother, Dar, from his wrath this fall, or that I’d kept the Iblis sword instead of turning it over to him.

Not that I really wanted the thing. I was stuck with it, and all the paperwork and responsibility that seemed to come with holding the empty title of leader of the demons. Iblis. Ha-Satan. The Devil. No one had held that title since our split with the angels two and a half million years ago. Why had this sword, this artifact that came with the title, chosen me? I was nothing but an imp. I wasn’t qualified to be the Iblis.

What exciting story are you working on next?

In addition to the next book in the IMP series, I’m writing a novel that I joke is a zombie-cop thriller. In Dead Shift, the heroine is a Baltimore City police officer. She’s dead. And once she realizes it, she needs to find her killer or possibly be trapped forever inside a decaying body.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Birth? It sure felt that way!

I wrote my first story at six in one of those black and white composition notebooks. My teacher liked it so much she nominated me for a county award. I still remember feeling overwhelmed at the presentation ceremony with adult strangers asking me about my “book.” All throughout my childhood, I was either reading or writing. Or watching Scooby Doo.

After college, I did some freelance writing, but eventually took a different fork in the road and went into corporate life. Roads tend to circle back though, and here I am.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I still have the corporate job. My day is really flexible, so I squeeze in writing when I can. Even though the bulk of my word count comes in the evenings or on weekends, I’m always jotting down notes and scene ideas during the day. It’s all very disorganized, but it works for me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hubby says I make weird faces when I write. I can’t help it – I’m imagining the scene in my head, hearing the dialogue, and I think in a way I’m acting out what’s going on. I must be a terrible actress though, because my family says it’s hysterical!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A dog. Seriously. Furry, four legs, cold wet nose. A dog. I’m still disappointed that didn’t work out for me.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I think there is a bit of imp inside every one of us. I hope that as people read Elven Blood, they discover their own imp and let her out to play.

Book blurb blitz tour stop for The Difference a Day Makes by Barbara Longley

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a virtual book blurb blitz tour stop for Barbara Longley and her novel The Difference a Day Makes.

Barbara will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to 2 lucky commentors during her tour. So leave an e-mail address with your comment below to be entered for a chance to win. And if you'd like to increase your chances, visit other stops and leave comments there.

Blurb about The Difference a Day Makes:

Ryan Malloy has lost it all. After his fiancée dies in a tragic accident, he enlists in the army, only to lose his best friend in a roadside bombing. Wracked with guilt and grief, Ryan finds life unbearable—until a job offer from his former commander gives him a glimmer of hope. And in the tiny town of Perfect, Indiana, the man who thought he had nothing left to live for meets the only woman who can tempt him into risking his battered heart one last time...

Paige Langford has it all: wealth, beauty, and ambition. But when her boyfriend’s betrayal leads to the loss of her job and her reputation, she retreats to her brother’s rural Indiana home to regroup. There she meets Ryan Malloy, a gruff, hard-drinking loner whose surly temper can’t hide the haunted misery in his eyes. He is everything Paige never wanted, yet he may be exactly what she needs—if only they can overcome their personal demons to forge a love strong enough to save them both.

Excerpt from The Difference a Day Makes:

Throwing her shoulders back, Paige knocked on Mr. Weil’s door.

“Come in,” he barked from inside.

Smoothing her face into a professional mien, she opened the door and strode in. One look at his expression, and she faltered. He looked serious. Seriously unhappy. What the hell?

“Have a seat, Langford.” He moved a pile of folders aside.

She took one of the chairs in front of his huge, imposing desk. “You wanted to see me?”

“Hmmm.” He scowled her way. “Meyer Construction needed our bid five business days ago. They never got it. They’ve gone with another supplier.”

An adrenaline shock hit her system, and her heart leaped to her throat. She gripped the arms of the chair. “That’s impossible! I sent that bid with a same-day courier two days before it was due.”

“Like I said—they never got it.” He leaned back in his expensive leather chair and fixed her with a baleful scowl. “I’ve also had two other accounts you handled complain that their bids were late, holding them up and delaying their contractors. If it weren’t for Anthony Rutger’s intervention, we would’ve lost those accounts as well.”

“Anthony’s…intervention?” Her mind spun with the implications. Anthony?

Her mind flew back to the day the courier had come to the lobby for the Meyer bid. She’d been in the middle of a phone call, and Anthony had offered to take the envelope down to the lobby for her. At the time, she’d thought it was sweet. Come to think of it, he’d also offered to put a few of her bids into the office’s outgoing mail bin for her. No, he wouldn’t purposefully sabotage her. Would he? They were a couple.

Heat filled her face. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn straight it won’t. You’re fired.”

“Oh, no. There’s been a mistake. I had somebody else put the bids in the mail for me. They must’ve forgotten, or…” Shit. Shit. Shit. She glanced around the office as the reality of Anthony’s betrayal sank in. “I won’t let it happen again, Mr. Weil. I’ll get the Meyer account back somehow.” She sucked in a breath. “From now on, I will personally put things in the out bin myself, and—”

“Miss Langford, you’re done here.”

Author information:

As a child, Barbara Longley moved frequently, learning early on how to entertain herself with stories. Adulthood didn’t tame her peripatetic ways: she has lived on an Appalachian commune, taught on an Indian reservation, and traveled the country from coast to coast. After having children of her own, she decided to try staying put, choosing Minnesota as her home. By day, she puts her master’s degree in special education to use teaching elementary school. By night, she explores all things mythical, paranormal, and newsworthy, channeling what she learns into her writing.

Super book blast tour stop for Fate: Timeless Trilogy - Book 1 by Tallulah Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today I'm just one of 50 virtual super book blast tour stops for Tallulah Grace and her romantic suspense novel Fate: Timeless Trilogy - Book One.

Tallulah will be awarding winner's choice of a backlist e-book to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, so make sure to leave an e-mail address with a comment below if you want to be entered to win (she needs a way to contact you!) And you can visit her other tour stops today and comment for more chances to win.

Blurb:

Death stalks Kris in dreams and in reality. The target of a cunning serial killer, Kris must defend her life and her love. Visions prepare her for what’s coming, but is knowledge enough to change the future? Or will demented mania claim victory over fated love?

The good things in life are coming together for Kristina Collins. She’s found her ideal home, her career is on track for mega success and the man of her dreams has finally come back into her life.

In Fate, the first installment of the Timeless Trilogy, Kris Collins discovers the benefits and risks of having precognitive visions while being stalked by a serial killer. Her friends can’t help her, the FBI can’t save her; she must save herself.

The Timeless Trilogy heroines, Kristina, Veronica and Cassandra, each deal with paranormal abilities as they discover and rediscover eternal love.

Excerpt:

The edge of the blade felt like ice against her skin. One breath too deep, one movement—ever so slight—would give the knife a taste of her blood. It’s a part of the nightmare, she thought, even as she felt the breath of her attacker lightly touch her face.

The nightmares that had been plaguing her for weeks warned of this moment. Images, too terrifying to be real, flashed quickly across her mind’s eye in an instant replay of her recent night terrors. Running down a long, empty hallway, filled with doorways on either side, chased by some unknown monster that knew her deepest fears. Running towards a movie, scrolling incessantly with images of those she loved most trapped in a fiery hell. Sepia-toned faces, twisted in pain, were a stark contrast to the blue, red and yellow of the flames engulfing them. The echoes of their screams filled the dark, never-ending hallway. She couldn’t look away and she couldn’t stop running; her only escape was straight ahead, towards the horror show.

So far, the nightmares ended with her sitting straight up in bed, breathing hard in a cold sweat. He hadn’t caught her yet.

The all too real feeling of cold steel pressed against her neck gave the nightmare an alternate ending. Kris tried to control her breathing so her attacker would think she slept. Her mind raced as she tried to think of a way to reach the loaded SIG waiting beneath the extra pillow beside her. She didn’t always keep a gun so handy, but recent events, including the dreams, made it a necessity.

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.” The familiar voice spoke the words softly in her ear.

Author bio and links:

Tallulah Grace is an aficionado of anything paranormal, loves to read a good thriller and creates characters that become friends. Tallulah was born and raised in a small southern town located in the foothills of the vibrant Blue Ridge Mountains. When she's not developing characters and weaving stories, Tallulah enjoys antiquing and bead-weaving.

Personal Links:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page

Book Trailer on You Tube

Book Links:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054QZNRA

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/timeless-trilogy-book-one-tallulah-grace/1104729281

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/timeless-trilogy-book-one/id454533167?mt=11

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66643

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Timeless-Trilogy-Book-One-Fate/book-AGyrHX17p0yENAS0mnawxg/page1.html

Remember: Tallulah will be awarding winner's choice of a backlist e-book to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, so make sure to leave an e-mail address with a comment below if you want to be entered to win (she needs a way to contact you!) And you can visit her other tour stops today and comment for more chances to win.

Interview with debut thriller novelist Merit Clark

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today’s guest is debut thriller author Merit Clark. She’s here to introduce herself and tell us a bit about Killing Streak.

Thanks for having me here today, Lisa!

Oh, it's my pleasure, Merit. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: I’m a native New Yorker but now write from the Rocky Mountains.

Writing was my first love but several other careers—plus that pesky need to earn a living—got in the way. I’ve been a software developer, and a contractor with the Department of Defense and Los Alamos National Lab. I was also a partner in a startup in the 1990s in the mechanical services industry.

I’m kind of a late bloomer where writing is concerned, and my dream is to be able to finally quit my day job and write full time!

Please tell us about your current release.

Killing Streak is the first in a series featuring Denver homicide Detective Jack Fariel.

In this thriller, Evan Markham is a successful entrepreneur with a dark past. He’s got it all—money, status, a beautiful wife—until someone kills a man in Evan’s guest house and everything starts to unravel.

Evan’s wife, Corie, calls 911 when she finds her friend murdered, not realizing that she’s putting her husband at risk. Everyone has a past, and no one is what they seem. Detective Jack Fariel has a past, too . . . with Corie Markham. Plus, Jack has just returned from medical leave and is fighting cancer.

One reviewer on Amazon wrote that “the reader will end up sympathizing with the hunter as well as the hunted.” I think that’s true. No one’s motives are simple or pure—not even the detective’s.

Killing Streak is a dark, psychological thriller that shows both the destructive and redemptive aspects of love.

Here's a recent review from Publishers Weekly Review:

Evan Markham has it all -- beautiful wife, a new house in a “neighborhood of million-dollar homes,” and a successful consulting business. Or is he a Jekyll and Hyde figure who, as his wife, Corie, may come to find out, is into deadly “sex games.” The first crack in Evan’s carefully crafted and controlled life comes with the murder of Brice Shaughnessy, one of Corie's friends. From here, the author crafts a suspenseful thriller that begins with homicide Detective Jack Fariel’s investigation into Brice’s murder, which leads him to Corie -- his former high school crush. As Jack gets closer to finding the answers needed to solve the case, he also becomes aware of unsolved murders that coincided with Evan’s constant travel, revealing that he was not focused solely on business while on the road. A web of deceit, murder, lost love, and regret, coupled with more than a few surprising twists, and sprinkled with a psycho killer or two, make for a better than average serial-killer thriller.

What inspired you to write this book?

I get this question a lot—what made you want to write mysteries? But the truth is there wasn’t one specific moment when I knew. I’ve always written but it was more along the lines of technical documentation for work, and when I wrote fiction, plays and short stories. My fiction interests were literary, not genre.

I first had the idea for Killing Streak about fifteen years ago when I was living in this small town south of Denver called Palmer Lake. In the original drafts the story was from Corie’s perspective, but that was kind of boring to me—it was all about things happening to her, and her responses. Very passive. I set the book aside for a few years and when I started working on it again I found it much more fun to write from the perspective of the detective. Jack does stuff!

I was intimidated because I had no law enforcement background or experience. But once I started writing from Jack Fariel’s POV I was really energized and inspired. Corie is still a major character in the book and several chapters are from her POV. I tried hard to make her less passive and less of a victim.

Excerpt:

Evan put the truck into gear and drove through the makeshift gate. Behind them the other man replaced the chain. He noticed she was shaking. Good. Evan hadn’t been here in a long time but he knew the road well and navigated confidently, avoiding ruts and boulders. In the dusty yellow glow of the headlights, the road deteriorated even further and became increasingly steep.

“Not that much further.” Evan spoke as if to himself and, for once, she didn’t answer.

The old pickup had no shocks, and when Vangie put out a hand to brace herself, the glint of a chunky gold bracelet caught his eye. She must have snatched the jewelry from the hotel. He’d have to make sure he got all of it back.

When Evan ground to a stop in front of an old building, Vangie took in the weathered siding, the sagging front porch, the rusting propane tank, and practically sobbed with disappointment.

“Where are we?”

Evan stared at the cabin, lost in thought. “It’s a place I use to get away.”

“Why did we come here? Why couldn’t we stay at the hotel? The hotel was much nicer.”

It was as if she was insulting an old friend. Evan snapped out of his reverie. “God, I am sick of your whining.” The truck door squealed as he jerked it open.

Uneven, weathered floorboards creaked under his weight as he strode to the front door. He didn’t really care if she followed or not. A wave of sadness washed over him as he pulled on the metal hasp of the padlock securing the front door.

“Evan, I’m scared.”

The unmistakable cabin smell hit him: mustiness, cedar, mothballs.

Her voice rose to a high-pitched, childish whine. “I can’t shoot Bambi. I can’t.”

He turned and looked at her. She clung to the newel post at the bottom of the front porch steps, standing on her tiptoes, as if she didn’t trust the ground to support her. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I know you came up here to go hunting.”

Evan gave a bark of laughter.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am working on book two in the Jack Fariel series. It involves some pretty twisted individuals as well as something that seems to be a theme with me: evil women and what made them that way. The new book centers on solving the mystery of an old kidnapping, touches on the tragedy of human trafficking, and of course there are a couple of murders and a little sex thrown in!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

It feels like I have always written. Writing is what helped me make sense of what was happening to me, and how I felt about things.

One specific moment I remember is that when I was ten years old my Aunt Marie gave me a diary. You know, one of those cheesy vinyl books we all had with the little flap that folded over the edge so you could lock it with a tiny key. I started writing every day and in my case, more often than not wrote about how I felt about what was happening, rather than recording the who-what-where. It seems that I have never stopped writing, even though a lot of life events and other careers got in the way.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Oh, how I wish I could write full-time! It’s a constant challenge finding time to write. I’m not one of those incredibly disciplined individuals who write at the same time every day. I do find I like to write in the afternoons, though, so many days I will write from 5-7, although that’s not a hard and fast rule.

My husband and I have a signal so that he knows when I’m writing and not to disturb me. I have an actual alligator head from a trip to Louisiana years ago. I will put that on the table outside my office door. It’s really funny because if someone calls on the phone he’ll say, ‘sorry, she’s got the alligator out.’ (oh, my, that's great!)

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m actually a really squeamish person ‘in real life.’ But as a mystery writer, if I have a chance to go to a crime scene or visit the medical examiner, I’m really excited. I have never actually watched an autopsy live, so to speak, and I wonder if I could deal with it, although I have watched presentations (over dinner) that included autopsy photos.

There’s also an excitement I feel about crime that’s really misplaced. I’ve talked to a lot of other mystery writers and they say the same thing. One writer I know was going to interview a detective when they were called to a murder. She asked if she could tag along and they let her. She was really excited and giddy and had to keep reminding herself that someone had died. When she told me that story I was jealous! We’re a strange bunch. (you're so right, Merit)

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer. Although, for someone who always knew what she wanted to do, I sure let a lot of other stuff get in the way. It’s one of the major frustrations of my life. That’s why I’m so motivated to find ways to write now.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

That it’s never too late. If you have a dream or goal you’ve put on hold go for it, no matter how old you are.

There’s so much emphasis on youthful accomplishment in our culture—all of those ‘thirty under thirty’ type contests and articles. I think there should be more celebration of older people finally following their delayed dreams. It’s terrific to do great things when you’re thirty, but I think it’s even more of an accomplishment when you’re fifty or sixty or seventy!

Along with my website, readers can find me on Twitter and Facebook. I'd love to connect.

Thanks for visiting, Merit! I really love the alligator as a writer-is-working Do Not Disturb sign. That's priceless - and incredibly creative!

Live chat w/professional freelance manuscript editor Don McNair tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Writer's Chatroom presents author professional freelance manuscript editor Don McNair.

WHEN?

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Sign In. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with historical romance author Alison Stuart

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today’s guest is historical romance author Alison Stuart as she tours her newest novel, Secrets in Time.

Alison will be awarding e-copies of her two previously published books The King’s Man and the award-winning By the Sword, which are set in the same period as this story, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave an e-mail address with your comment below. And for more chances to win, visit other stops Alison is making and leave comments there.

Bio:

Alison Stuart is an award winning Australian writer of historicals with heart. Whether duelling with dashing cavaliers or waywards ghosts, her books provide a reader with a meaty plot and characters who have to strive against adversity, always with the promise of happiness together. Alison is a lapsed lawyer who has worked in the military and fire service, which may explain a predisposition to soldier heroes. She lives with her own personal hero and two needy cats and likes nothing more than a stiff gin and tonic and a walk along the sea front of her home town. She loves to hear from her readers and can be found at her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Her latest book, Secrets in Time, is a romantic historical time travel with a done of those dashing cavaliers, a thoroughly modern doctor and a splash of witchcraft.

Welcome, Alison. Please tell us about your current release.

Hi Lisa, thanks for having me here.

In a departure from my darker stories, Secrets in Time is all about romance – a 42,000 word time travel featuring a dashing cavalier, a thoroughly modern doctor and a hint of witchcraft.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have always wanted to write a time travel and this story began as a writing exercise for a writing group I was involved. It lingered in the cyber sock drawer for a few years and I came upon it by accident. I have a passion for the English Civil War so it was the perfect story to play with my favourite period in history and an experiment in time travel.

Excerpt:

Alan and I went through his clothing but found nothing that gave any indication of his identity, either in this century or the seventeenth. The only hint was the finely wrought initials NP in the guard of his sword.

“NP, Nathaniel Preston,” Alan said.

“It doesn’t prove anything. He has a sword with initials that match the name he gave us.” I traced the intricate fretwork on the hilt of the sword with my finger. “What do you know about the seventeenth century Nathaniel Preston?”

“He’s dead,” Alan replied with a wry smile. I pulled a face at him and Alan shrugged. “At the start of the war he formed his own local regiment and declared for the king. He fought at Edgehill but spent most of the rest of the war in local defense of this area. A few days before Naseby, he was instrumental in deflecting the parliamentary advance at the battle of Chesham Bridge.” He stopped. “I am not sure going to Heatherhill Hall is such a great idea.”

“Why?”

“Because he may not like what he finds out.” Alan looked into the depths of his coffee mug.

“Like what? That he’s dead? I think even he may have worked that out.”

Alan looked up at me. “That he died at the battle of Chesham Bridge.”

“Oh.” A cold shiver ran down my spine. Even I knew the date of the battle of Chesham Bridge--12 June, 1645--its anniversary would be in nine days time. I tried not to think what it would be like to know the exact date of your death.

What exciting story are you working on next?

That’s a surprisingly hard question! I have two stories out in submission land at the moment – one a Regency murder mystery and the other an English Civil War romance. The next cab off the rank is a little series I am working on – a “cosy” detective story set in Singapore in 1910. I think I am turning to crime!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I dislocated a shoulder in a skiing accident and found myself stuck in a ski chalet with nothing but a notebook computer for company. With a view of snow gums and crystal white snow, I started writing the book that is By the Sword. As the desire to finish it gripped me, I knew then that this was what I wanted to do.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I wrote full time for a year after finding myself unexpectedly thrown off the corporate treadmill. I went from being a senior executive to a full time writer and I loved it, but I have decided I am better with a bit of discipline in my life (and a bit of regular income is nice) so I work for about 2 days a week as a Company Secretary for a “not for profit” organisation. I love it. I travel quite a bit and I do find the “business” of writing and life in general very distracting so finding time to actually write is a problematical! However last time I travelled I put “writer” on my immigration form and found it provokes interesting discussions (of the positive kind) with customs officials.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My computers are set up on a large (much battered) Victorian cedar writing desk that I have had since I was 16. It fails every test for being ergonomic but I love it and can’t imagine myself writing in any other space. It comes complete with a large furry nuisance of a cat, called Oliver Kat, who likes to park himself between the keyboard and the screen, shedding fur everywhere and nipping at my mouse hand. Sigh…

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I desperately wanted to be an archaeologist…and a writer (that one goes back a long, long way!). The one thing I definitely didn’t want to be was a lawyer. Strange where life takes you.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

If you want to be a writer then be prepared to work at your craft -- join writing organizations, enter competitions, submit to respected publishers and agents and learn from your rejections.

Thanks, Alison!

Readers, don’t forget that Alison will be awarding e-copies of her two previously published books The King’s Man and the award-winning By the Sword, which are set in the same period as this story, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave an e-mail address with your comment below. And for more chances to win, visit other stops Alison is making and leave comments there.

Book promo tour stop for I Don't Sing Anymore by April Williams

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

I Don't Sing Anymore

by April Williams

About The Author:

April Williams was born in Bainbridge, Georgia in August of 1974. The fourth child born to her mother, a fieldworker and a father, a brick mason. When she was just a toddler, her mother relocated the family to Florida and settled in the All-American city of South Miami. April attended all the local schools including Miami-Dade Community College.

April was an active volunteer in her community. For years working on programs including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebrations, and many South Miami Community Outreach Gospel Programs. Along with her writing, singing she has always been a passion. She was one of the founding members for the Miracle Voice Ensemble.

Many years ago, her pen was her way of escaping some of the hard times she has faced. She discovered that she could live victoriously and help others by writing about her experiences, triumphs and pains. April’s writing brings concrete reality to the issues within the 21st Century world. She exhorts and motivates her readers to remain constant and dedicated to their passions.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Publsiher: Self-Published at CreateSpace

Release Date: July 29, 2012

Amazon

Book Description:

Josie Gibbs is a young woman who works in the cotton fields of Fowlstown, Georgia. She has had three failed relationships all producing offspring. She only now wants to concentrate on finding a better life for her young family. But her circumstances quickly change when Keith Anderson, May’s father, result to terrifying acts of violence. She is now forced to leave and find a new life in the big city of Miami, Florida.

Keith Anderson is a war veteran who vows to be with Josie at all cost. But the demons of war he has in his mind continue to haunt him. He hasn’t had a peaceful night of sleep in spite of his addiction. His life spirals out of control when his dreams manifest to reality and will cost him everything.

May Gibbs is their daughter who will struggle with the effects of physical and sexual abuse. The path she walks is full of pain and leads her to live a joyless life. What can be done to save this creature that seemed to be doomed from the day she was born?

I Don’t Sing Anymore is a story of a family who battle through all of life’s circumstances. We don’t always know our path in life but we do have a say in how we get to live it. A heartbreaking tale drenched with every kind of emotion you can imagine.

Excerpt: Chapter Eleven

Josie was so excited that John was going to be stopping by before he headed back up to the base. She chose to put on a white sundress that draped so beautifully below her shoulders. She had her hair up in a ponytail that made her look younger. The children were outback playing with Peeps. Josie was excited when she heard the knock on the door. She opened the door to find John standing there in his uniform. The first thing John did was to pick her up in a strong bear hug and plant a nice big kiss on her lips. John was excited just to hold her again. Josie moved away from John as Mrs. Freda appeared in the living room. “Mom, this is Mr. John Flenn. Mrs. Freda did not hesitate to shake his hand. She walked over to her rocking chair and picked up the snuff can. She used to spit out her tobacco. Mrs. Freda sat quiet for a moment before she decided to ask John some questions.

“So, Mr. Flenn where are your people from?” she asked.

Well, we are originally from Attapulgus, but my father lived in Tennessee for a while.

“What does he do now?” she asked

“He is a retired Lieutenant from the Air Force.” He said.

“Are most of the men in your family military?” she asked

“Yes, we can trace our history back to the Civil War” he said.

“Well, I think that is just fine.” Mrs. Freda said,

“Thank you, my father was part of the Tuskegee Airmen.,” he said.

“Is that right?” she said.

Josie gave John a great big smile. She did not know he had a long line of military men in his family. John picked up her hand to hold in his hand. He wanted to hold her so much, right now.

“Mr. Flenn would you like some sweet tea?” Mrs. Freda asked.

“That would be just great Mrs. Gibbs.,” he said.

As soon as she got up out of rocking chair a loud knock on the door. Josie got up to open the door. She was shocked to see the man standing there in a Sunday morning suit.

“Hello, Josie.” Keith said.

Josie just did not know what to do. She did not know whether to slam the door or just say come in. Mrs. Freda recognized the voice right away. Keith stepped inside the door without an invite. Josie nervously closed the door behind him. John stood up to shake Keith’s hand. The smirk Keith had on his face faded quickly as he shook John’s hand. Josie made the introductions.

“Keith, this is my friend Private John Flenn.,” she said as her voice cracked.

“Afternoon” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda returned from the kitchen with the glass of ice tea. She could feel the mood of the room shift, quickly.

“John this is Keith, he is May’s father,” she said.

Josie rushed from the room to wake May so that Keith would be able to hold her. Mrs. Freda’s eyes became fixated on him. She could see the vein popping out of his neck. It was obvious to her that he was furious to see Josie there with another man.

“Keith would you like some sweet tea?” she asked him.

“No, thank you.” he said with a great deal of restraint.

Josie appeared from the back and placed May in Keith’s arm. He had not seen her since the night she was born. She was big baby now. May started crying soon as Josie put her in his arms. This only infuriated Keith even more. Keith could not take it anymore. And before anyone knew it, he jumped with the baby in his arms and headed for the door.

“Where are you going with my baby?” Josie asked

“Move out of my way you whore!” he screamed.

John jumped to his feet to protect Josie and the baby.

“You are not leaving with the child.” He said.

John was careful as he grabbed Keith’s free arm.

“You better get your damn hands off me.” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda moved towards Keith and said give me the baby. You don’t want that kind of trouble.

Keith stared at the baby for a second and handed her to Mrs. Freda. John followed him out of the door.

“You ain’t nobody.” Keith shouted at John.

Josie stood at the side of her man. She was wishing that he just get in his truck and drive away. Keith did not intend to leave quietly.

“You ain’t nothing but a punk!” he continued to shout.

John did not utter a word because he did not want another confrontation. But that quickly changed when he began to curse Josie.

“Witch” he said.

John had left Josie’s side before she could call his name. Even if she had it was too late. The two men were now in a fistfight. Both men matched blow_ for_ blow. Keith being a marine had more skill. Josie could see the fight turning in favor of Keith. She was almost frozen and not knowing what to do. Mrs. Freda appeared with her shotgun and fired off one around. The two men stopped in their tracks. The children came screaming and hollering from the back. Now Mrs. Freda had her sight on Keith.

“You had better get off my property,” she said.

Keith straightened himself up and walked over to his truck. He spit on the ground just before leaving. Josie rushed to John’s side. She could see how upset he was.

“John are you O.K.?” she asked.

I’m fine!” he snapped.

Mrs. Freda did not like the way he said this.

“Young man, I think you better be leaving now, because Keith is crazy enough to comeback,” she said.

ohn walked over to his car and Josie followed with her head down. She was so embarrassed by the entire incident. John turned around to look at her in the eyes. He lifted her chin. “Haven’t I told you not to hide your beautiful eyes from me.” he said. Josie managed to give his a slight smile.

“Don’t worry it is not your fault.” he said.

He leaned forward and kissed her good-bye. Josie stood on the porch alone, retreating inside.

John was listening to music as he drove down highway 309. He was trying to calm down while listening to music. Then he noticed a truck driving up fast and close to his bumper. John began to speed up to try to get away from the truck. He kept checking his rearview mirror and finally realized that it was Keith. John felt it as Keith rammed the back of his car with the truck. John slid off the road into a ditch. He was a little bit dazed but he soon saw Keith running towards his car. Keith had lit a bottle of vodka that he had in his truck. John saw the flames gushing from the white rag. He knew he had to move quickly. John managed to get out the passenger seat window. Just as he did, he heard the bottle crash against the car. Keith realized that John had escaped the car. He ran back towards his truck to get his rifle. By the time he returned he could no longer see John in the rows of cotton that never seemed to end.

Keith spit on the ground as John’s car went up in flames. He was so proud of the fact that he had taken something from him. John stopped running somewhere in the middle of the field. He had a watchful eye as he headed back towards the road. He took off his military jacket and started walking back towards Josie’s house. He was only about six miles away and it would not take him that long. John walked at a rapid pace as he continued to look over his shoulder.

Giveaway:

3 Signed Paperbacks

Follow The Tour Here

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Live chat/interview with mystery author Judy Alter tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Writer's Chatroom presents mystery author Judy Alter.

WHEN?

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Sign In. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with writer Nancy Sathre-Vogel

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Nancy Sathre-Vogel is in the house today to tell us a bit about her travel memoir, Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World.

Nancy will be giving away 5 e-copies of her book during the tour. If you’d like a chance to win, use the form below the interview to enter. To learn more about Nancy and to enter for more chances to win, visit other tour stops.

Bio:

Nancy Sathre-Vogel is a 21-year classroom veteran who made the decision to leave her teaching career behind to travel the world on a bicycle. Together with her husband and twin sons, she cycled 27,000 miles throughout the Americas, including traveling from Alaska to Argentina. Now she lives in Idaho, pursuing her passions of writing and beadwork.

Here is a post including various photos from our journey.

Welcome, Nancy. Please tell us about your book.

What would you do if you were not afraid?

Changing Gears is the true story of one woman asking herself that very question. What followed was a family journey of epic proportions – a journey of physical challenge, emotional endurance, teamwork, perseverance, and tremendous learning opportunities. It was a discovery of self, of priorities, of accepting hardships, of appreciating blessings, and of contrasting a comfortable past life with the extreme hardship and poverty of those they met.

Would the journey be a dream come true – or a mother’s worst nightmare?

The Vogel family’s bicycle journey from Alaska to Argentina – a 3-year, 17,000-mile expedition through 15 countries – will encourage you to rethink what’s possible.

What inspired you to write this book?

While cycling from Alaska to Argentina, I had a lot of time to think. And write.

Judging from the response I got from my website, I figured there were people out there interested in my story. I also feel it’s a story that can inspire and encourage others to get out of their comfort zone and reach for the stars.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m currently working on two books: one about homeschooling your children while traveling, and another about how to dream big and make those dreams happen.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I came to this fairly late in life. I’ve always enjoyed writing when I had something interesting to say, but considered myself a schoolteacher, not a writer. In 2006, we took off together as a family to ride our bikes around the USA and Mexico and I blogged about our journey. In 2007 I wrote a book about our experiences. I think that’s when I started thinking of myself as a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

No. I am a writer and bead artist. I try to write (or edit) every day, but also make time for my beadwork. You can see my beadwork here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/familyonbikes

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I do my best writing on my bike. I think there is something about the rhythmic nature of it that allows me to think. I compose my essay on the bike, revise it in my head, then simply have to put the words on paper when I finish my ride.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Honestly, I have no idea. I don’t remember wanting to do anything, and don’t remember any stories told by my parents. In fact, I don’t think I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was about 25.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

If I could get one message out, it would be that you can do more than you think you can. If *I*, a normal, ordinary mother of twins could ride my bike from Alaska to Argentina, then what can you do? What would you do if you were not afraid?

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Thanks for stopping by, Nancy.

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Interview with historical novelist Meggan Connors

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today’s guest is historical novelist Meggan Connors as she promotes her newest book, a western steampunk romance called Jessie’s War (Civil War Steam).

Meggan will be awarding a silver pocket watch pendant and a cameo choker, and a signed paperback copy of The Marker, her historical romance to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US/CANADA ONLY) Make sure to leave an e-mail addy with a comment below for a chance to win. And if you’d like to increase your odds of winning, stop by and comment at Meggan’s other tour stops.

Bio:

Meggan Connors is a wife, mother, teacher and award-winning author who writes primarily historical and steampunk romances. As a history buff with a love of all things historical, she enjoys visiting both major and obscure museums, and reading the histories of the Old West and the British Isles. She makes her home in the Wild West with her lawman husband, two children, and a menagerie of pets. When she's not writing, she can usually be found hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow, or with her nose in a book. Favorite vacation destinations include the sun-kissed hills of California, any place with a castle or a ghost (and both is perfect!), and the windswept Oregon coast.

Welcome, Meggan. Please tell us about your current release.

Set against the backdrop of a prolonged American Civil War, Jessie’s War is about a woman who needs to learn to trust again after a long-ago betrayal and hard years of living as an outcast.

She's about to become a pawn in a brutal game between nations...

The American Civil War has raged for more than ten years. The outcast daughter of a famous inventor, Jessica White has struggled to salvage what little remains of her life. Then, one cold winter night, the lover she'd given up for dead returns, claiming the Union Army bought the plans for her father's last invention. But he's not the only one who lays claim to the device, for the Confederacy wants the invention as well. Both sides will kill to have it.

...And only he can save her.

As an agent for the Union Army, Luke Bradshaw is a man who will use whomever and whatever is at his disposal in order to complete his mission. An attack by Confederate soldiers ensures that Jessie will turn to him for help, but Luke can't help but wonder about the secrets she keeps--and if those secrets will ultimately prove fatal.

What inspired you to write this book?

Since I started writing, I’ve been writing westerns. One day, I was looking at a map of the mines underneath Virginia City, Nevada. Beneath the city is a warren of mineshafts—the map was even color-coded to help you keep the shafts straight. As I was looking at it, I thought to myself: “Wow, what a great place for a mad scientist.” I had visions of zombies, mad geniuses, and magical aether.

While none of those things actually show up in Jessie’s War (we have scientists and inventors, but none of them are precisely mad), the story did develop from that small kernel of an idea!

Excerpt:

Someone knocked, and Muha’s tentative barking turned hysterical.

Taking her revolving shotgun back down, she crept to the lever that would pull down the shutters and arm the Gatling gun mounted to the rooftop.

“Go home, sheriff. Not talking to you today.”

“It’s not the sheriff.”

Her hand froze and the shotgun clattered to the floor. Gooseflesh dotted her arms and her pulse quickened, a frantic rat-a-tat-tat like a hail of bullets, as her body recognized what her logical mind denied.

The room went quiet. Muha sat with her ears pricked up, her tail thumping cautiously against the worn pine floor. The wolf recognized the gravelly voice, too.

The knock became more insistent, sharper. “Please open the door, Jessie.”

It was a dead man’s voice.

She struggled to fill her lungs with air as the pine door shook beneath her visitor’s heavy fists. Those hands would be big and strong and ridged with calluses. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest, and she tried not to think about them. Or their owner.

She’d gotten over his loss just like she’d gotten over all the others.

With trembling hands, Jessie picked up her shotgun and rested it against the wall. Her legs leaden, she walked to the door and put her hand on the knob, but hesitated.

She’d dreamed of this moment for years, of this man walking back into her life.

Now she couldn’t bring herself to let him in.

“Please. It’s freezing out here.”

She turned the knob, and Luke Bradshaw stood in her doorway, the brim of his hat heavy with snow, and small flakes clung to the dark lashes fringing his silver eyes.

He was as tall as she remembered, towering over her as he stood on her sagging front porch, bringing with him the scent of smoke and sulfur and snow. A black slouch hat covered his head and rested low over his eyes, and a black duster swirled around his bright-spurred boots. The silver six-shooter on his left hip glittered in the low light, and a large, black satchel was strapped to his broad back.

Muha pushed her head past the door.

Luke gave her a lopsided smile and took off his hat. “Hi, Jess.” A scar she didn’t remember ran through his right eyebrow, and another creased his chin. He held his hand out to Muha and scratched behind her grizzled ears, the way he always used to greet her. He handed her a piece of jerky, and despite the long years, a friendship was immediately rekindled. “There’s a girl.”

“Luke.” Jessie reached out to touch his cheek. The stubble of his unshaven jaw was rough beneath her palm, and his skin was cold. Her fingers trembled as she traced his lips, his breath warm against them.

He kissed her fingertips.

Dead men didn’t breathe or kiss a girl’s fingers. Dead men didn’t leave as boys and come back as men. Dead men didn’t come home with new scars or shiver with cold.

“You’re alive,” she whispered.

“Yep.”

His sweet, boyish smile melted her heart, and something inside her, denied for far too long, splintered and howled in despair.

She slapped him.

The crack echoed in the empty, snow-lit darkness behind him. Jessie stepped back to slam the door on this would-be ghost who had the gall to walk back into her life and act as if he’d never left.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now, I’m working on a follow up to Highland Sons, my historical novel. It’s tentatively called Highland Deception. After that, I think I’m going to go back to steampunk and work on a follow up to Jessie’s War called Belle of Baton Rouge.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

A real writer? I don’t know if I do, even after three published books. For as long as I can remember, I’ve written—stories, tortured poetry, novels, you name it. It wasn’t until I really started pursuing publication that I started telling people that, in my free time, I write. So, I guess that was about three years ago.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I don’t write full-time, which might be why I don’t consider myself a “real writer.” I do have the “dreaded day job,” which I really do enjoy (I’m lucky that way). So, because I teach during the day, my work day looks something like this:

6:00: Wake up, roll over, get the phone, and check e-mail. Do a promotional Twitter thing if the mood strikes me.

6:30: Get out of bed, get in the shower. By this time, I’m usually feeling a little less old.

7:00: Wake up the kids, if they’re not already up. The small one is always up, but I usually have to find him some socks and tell him to put his shoes on the right feet. The sock gnomes don’t often visit my household to sort socks, so we have a sock basket. Need socks? Go to the sock basket and find two that go together. None of them match? Well, I hear it’s trendy to wear mismatched socks.

7:30-7:45: Pack lunches for everyone. Do the dishes if we didn’t do them the night before. And have coffee. Need coffee. (Thank heaven for Husband. He’s always made the coffee by the time I get downstairs)

8:00: Load everyone into the car and leave for work.

8:15: Get to work (Yay! A short commute!)

4:30 or 5:00: Leave work, take Thing One and/or Thing Two to whatever sporting event they may need to go to. If we have two at the same time, Husband will go to one, I will go to the other.

6:00-6:30 Home. Make dinner. (This can often mean that I stop by the store, get a rotisserie chicken and a bag salad, or it could mean fast food. If I’ve been good, I assembled the meal in the crockpot the night before, or at least have something ready to go into the oven sitting in the fridge. Alas, I am not perfect.)

7:00: Homework checks/piano practice

7:30: Showers for everyone (because, by this time, everyone smells like a wet dog). Husband will either do the dishes or a load of laundry, depending on what we need done.

8:00 Bedtime for kids. I start writing.

10:00: Bad writing night? I go to bed.

12:00: Good writing night? I go to bed.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I will struggle with a story until I’ve assigned a song to it. Once I’ve found the song that captures the tone of the story, the story seems to almost write itself. For instance, for Jessie’s War, the song(s) I assigned to it were: This is Why We Fight by The Decemberists, and Dead Letter and the Infinite Yes by Wintersleep.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

What didn’t I want to be? Shucks, I wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, an archeologist, a scientist (probably a mad one, if we’re being honest), an author, a teacher, a marine biologist (alas, the sea sickness go the better of me on this one), a botanist (the realization that I can’t keep plants alive took the fire out of this idea), a mom, and an investigator.

I’ve done three of those. I guess those aren’t bad odds.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

It’s crazy, but I have this recurring nightmare where I’m back in high school and, in the middle of Advanced Algebra class, I turn into a giant hamburger. I’ve had this dream since I was actually in that Advanced Algebra class. I still haven’t decided what it means...

Ways to get in touch:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon | Musa Publishing

Thanks for having me! This has been fun!

Definitely my pleasure, Meggan (really got a kick out of your schedule). Happy touring!

Readers, remember the giveaways: Meggan will be awarding a silver pocket watch pendant and a cameo choker, and a signed paperback copy of The Marker, her historical romance to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US/CANADA ONLY) Make sure to leave an e-mail addy with a comment below for a chance to win.

Interview with Carlyle Walker and book bash stop for The Black Song Inside

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Author Bio:

Carlyle Clark was raised in Poway, a city just north of San Diego, but is now a proud Chicagolander working in the field of Corporate Security and writing crime fiction and fantasy. He has flailed ineffectually at performing the writers' requisite myriad of random jobs: pizza deliverer, curb address painter, sweatshop laborer, day laborer, night laborer, twilight laborer (of the fang-less variety), security guard, campus police, Gallup pollster, medical courier, vehicle procurer, and signature-for-petitions-getter.

He is a happily married man with two cats and a dog. He is also a martial arts enthusiast and a CrossFit endurer who enjoys fishing, sports, movies, TV series with continuing storylines, and of course, reading. Most inconsequentially, he holds the unrecognized distinction of being one of the few people in the world who have been paid to watch concrete dry in the dark. Tragically, that is a true statement.

Welcome, Carlyle. Please tell us about your current release.

The Black Song Inside was written to be a fast-paced crime thriller that was somewhat dark but often humorous with flawed protagonists you can root for as well intriguing and frightening villainous villains. Sand Diego based Private Investigators Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez, newly engaged, find themselves in an ever-tightening web of violence when Atticus’s ex-girlfriend uses a secret about Rosemary that Rosemary doesn’t even know to blackmail Atticus into helping her find her boyfriend’s killer and a fortune in drug money. The ensuing investigation pits the PIs against Lost Lobos Locos, a street gang whose leader is Rosemary’ s little brother, outlaw bikers, an aging Mafiosi, a messianic former child-soldier turned mercenary and a cartel kingpin..

What inspired you to write this book?

I had this idea in my head about the type of story I’d like to read and that I thought other people would want to read. So many thrillers are either dark, or light and funny, and I wanted one that was frightening but also funny because that it makes it really fun to write when you’re going through the gamut of emotions, especially for multiple characters, as well as (hopefully!) fun to read.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m working on an Epic Fantasy titled The Riven Tree, and what’s exciting about it is the challenge of creating a world with multiple cultures and weave them all together in a fast-paced tale that spans multiple novels. That allows for much more development of characters and themes. I’m hoping to have The Riven Tree completed this year.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I took a creative writing class at a junior college and one of the assignments was to write a short story that would be read by the teacher without naming the writer. So I was able to study the reaction of the other class members while my story was read and they really enjoyed it. Some were literally on the edge of their seat. That’s when I thought, “Hey, maybe I’ve got something here.” Incidentally, that story was basically the rough draft of the prequel to The Black Song Inside entitled: He’s Faster.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Oh, I wish I could write full time but I’m just a work-a-day stiff. I’m the Assistant Directory of Security at a Fortune 500 company near Chicago.***Teaser Alert**I didn’t stray too far from my childhood aspirations as you’ll see at the end of the interview. Finding time to write is always a challenge. I don’t have a set schedule; it’s big chunks of the weekend and typically in the evening or super early in the morning. I’ve had to forgo the pleasure of sleeping in to find time to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My writing reflect some of my real world views in that I find that many horrible things can be funny if you can just cock your head and squint the right way. It’s the old if you don’t’ laugh, you’ll cry. My antagonists often “mouth” that humor, but they are dead serious about it. It’s just that they have a skewed and often scary world view that to them seems perfectly normally and it’s everyone else who’s crazy, which is always an amusing dynamic for me.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a police officer, or ***Drum Roll Please*** a Private Investigator like Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes, I want to thank you Lisa, for sharing your followers with me and all of you followers for sticking with this interview to the end. I hope you’ll check out my novel. It’s free through the tenth!

Thanks, Carlyle.

Author website: http://carlyleclark.wordpress.com/

Title: The Black Song Inside

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Publisher: Make Luck Press

Release Date: November 14^th, 2012

Amazon

Synopsis:

Shortlisted for the 2012 Faulkner-Wisdom Award

Newly engaged private investigators Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez have seen the dark and violent side of life. Atticus's dry wit is born of a traumatic childhood that's left him emotionally scarred and estranged from his homicide detective sister. The medals Rosemary earned during her tour of duty in Iraq are little reward for returning home to San Diego missing a leg and tormented by PTSD and her continuing failure to save her younger brother from his own violent nature. Still, nothing they've been through has prepared them for an explosive murder investigation that tests the couple's trust as they struggle to solve a case where the best result leaves them in prison or dead.

Atticus's manipulative and gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Claire, bursts back into their lives wielding a secret about Rosemary's family that she exploits to force the couple into investigating the execution-style slaying of her lover. The case thrusts Atticus and Rosemary headlong into the world of human trafficking and drug smuggling as well as rendering them pawns in Tijuana Cartel captain Armando Villanueva's bloody bid to take over the Cartel. Villanueva Machiavellian scheme sends one of his minions, Rosemary's own gangsta brother, after Atticus, and as if that weren't bad enough, Villanueva dispatches "The Priest", a former child soldier for a Colombian rebel group who is now a messianic mercenary whose religious psychosis has launched him on a trajectory that can only end in mayhem.

The Black Song Inside is a vivid crime thriller rife with the murder and madness, melded with gallows humor and the heroism of two flawed protagonists who, in struggling to unravel a skein of human suffering, learn the nature of redemption and the ability to forgive others and themselves.

Excerpt:

Rosemary suppressed a sigh. As the only child of parents who had wanted a brood, her life had been spent as the wobbly point of an inverted pyramid, forever attempting to balance the burden of hopes and expectations meant to be spread over a half-dozen children. Instead, it was only she and her adopted brother Johnny, the mayhem magnet.

“The leg I have now isn’t agile,” Rosemary said, rapping it with her knuckles. “With this new one, I can step over things, walk backward, change directions quickly. I’m no longer stuck just going one way and having a change in direction be a major ordeal. I’ll be free.”

Rosemary maneuvered the X2 case for a better view, marveling at the complexity encompassed in its artistic form. “Come take a look at it.”

Mama stayed put, offering a wan smile. “It’s very fancy.”

Mama sniffed as she levered herself out of the armchair. She pivoted toward the window and pushed the silk drape aside. The waistband of her stretch pants dented her torso. From behind, her hair-sprayed bob seemed smooth and solid, as formidable a protection as the brass dome of a deep-sea diver, the hose stretching from the helmet up to a world of stability, sameness. “So much bad weather this summer.”

Rosemary felt the urge to knead her mother’s shoulders. “You could change, Mama.”

Her mother’s neck stiffened. Still looking away, she shook her head. “I happen to like who I am.”

Ah, and there it was, the roundabout implication that Rosemary was somehow betraying Mama by being with Atticus—the only thing that had set the pyramid to wobbling as much as her joining the Army Reserves. Hadn’t Mama’s fears been grimly vindicated when an IED exploded under the Humvee she was driving? Didn’t she have an “I told you so” moment when the explosion transformed the man who’d been next to her in the front seat, Specialist First-Class Yukio Morimitu, an always smiling human being with a new bride and a child on the way, into a spatter of blood and bone clumped in her hair, clogging her ears and nose, and filling her mouth with gobbets of flesh.

Rosemary hobble-stepped to the window, leaned against the sill, and put her arm around Mama’s shoulders. Lightning flickered in the lining of steel gray clouds. “More rain coming,” Rosemary said. “Maybe you better go now.”

“I rearranged my day so I can take you to rehab. We could have lunch, relax, then go.” She studied Rosemary’s face a moment and squinted. “What? You don’t want me?”

Rosemary forced her expression to be neutral. “Of course I do, but you said you couldn’t go, so I asked Atticus.”

“So. You’d rather have him than your own mother.”

“Oh for God’s sake. I asked you to take me first. You said you were busy.”

“So Atticus can’t change his schedule?” The sky cast a greenish tinge on Mama’s face.

Here we go again, Rosemary thought. Countdown…three…two…one…

“Atticus, Atticus, always Atticus. I’m sick of hearing his name.”

“Blastoff.”

“What?” Mama blinked.

“Cape Fucking Canaveral.” Rosemary shuffled back to her bed.

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Interview with Don McNair author of "Editor-Proof Your Writing"

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today's guest is professional writer and editor, Don McNair. He's sharing a bit about his newest book, Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave.

Don will be giving away winner's choice of any of his backlist books to a lucky commentor during the tour. Make sure to leave an e-maill address with your comment below if you want a chance to win. And if you'd like to increase your chances, you can visit other tour stops Don is making and leave comments there.

Bio:

Don McNair spent his working life editing magazines (eleven years), producing public relations materials for an international PR company (six years), and heading his own marketing communications firm, McNair Marketing Communications (twenty-one years). His creativity has won him three Golden Trumpets for best industrial relations programs from the Publicity Club of Chicago, a certificate of merit award for a quarterly magazine he wrote and produced, and the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil. The latter is comparable to the Emmy and Oscar in other industries.

Don has written and placed hundreds of trade magazine articles and four published non-fiction how-to books. He considers his latest, Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave, to be the cap of his forty-year writing and editing career. It’s an easy-to-use editing manual that helps writers edit, step by step, their first chapter, then use the knowledge gained to edit the rest of their work.

Don has also written six novels; two young adults (Attack of the Killer Prom Dresses and The Long Hunter), three romantic suspenses (Mystery on Firefly Knob, Mystery at Magnolia Mansion, and co-authored Waiting for Backup!), and a romantic comedy (BJ, Milo, and the Hairdo from Heck). All are published internationally, and are available at his website, http://DonMcNair.com .

Don, a member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and the Editorial Freelancers Association, now concentrates on editing novels for others. He teaches two online editing classes.

Welcome, Don. Please tell us about your current release.

My newest book, released April 1 by Quill Drivers Books, is titled Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Agents and Publishers Crave. It’s based on what I’ve learned in my lifelong career of writing and editing. I was a magazine editor for eleven years, a public relations professional for a major PR company for six, and ran my own marketing communications company for 21.

What inspired you to write this book?

The idea for it came several years ago on a flight from Chicago to Atlanta, where I was to research an article for a client. Out of boredom I was reading a fog-filled paperback, and realized the same editing mistakes appeared over and over. I was intrigued. I bought another paperback at the Atlanta airport and edited it on the way home. A pattern emerged, and I became excited. Had I discovered the writer’s Rosetta stone?

Over the next several months I edited many other paperback novels. I joined critique groups, judged writing contests, figuratively tackled new writers on the streets, aggressively editing their fiction. I next plowed through all those manuscripts from pre-published authors and the marked-up paperback books I'd tossed into a dresser drawer and painstakingly sorted thousands of offending sentences and other problems by type. I eventually identified 21 distinct problems. Today I call their solutions, appropriately enough, the 21 Steps to Fog-Free Writing.

The inference staggered me. Just as there are a specific number of elements in chemistry’s Periodic Table and letters in the alphabet, there’s also a specific number of fog problems in writing. I realized many unnecessary words are actually tips of bad-writing icebergs, and that eliminating them resolves otherwise complicated editing problems. In fact, almost half the Steps actually strengthen action while shortening sentences.

Does the book cover things other than taking words out?

Yes. Taking them out was my initial thrust, but I soon realized putting words in properly was as important. So I divided the book into three sections: Putting Words In, Taking Words Out, and Sharing Your Words. The latter discusses finding and working with critique partners, professional editors, publishers, and agents.

How did you know your editing system worked?

Because I field-tested it in two online writing classes, over three years. One was “Editor-Proof That First Chapter” (putting words in), the other was “21 Steps to Fog-Free Writing” (taking words out). The feedback was phenomenal, and I realized I was on to something. I include comments from enthused students in the book’s opening pages.

Excerpt:

Unpublished writer “Barbara Stevens” asked me to critique and edit her newest unpublished novel’s first chapter. “I’ve written twelve other manuscripts,” she said, “and they’ve been rejected a lot of times. I hope you can figure out what’s wrong.”

Well, I did figure it out, and quickly. This lady was basically a good writer. Her blogs sparkled, she dreamed up creative plots, and her heart was certainly in her work. But she’d made a major craft mistake in that chapter and, presumably, in all twelve of those manuscripts. It was a mistake that almost guaranteed she’d never be published.

We discussed her problem (we’ll get back to that later), and the light bulb over her head glowed brilliantly. She rewrote that first chapter and I edited it again, and, as if by magic, it became publishable. Barbara used her new-found knowledge to revise the rest of that manuscript, followed by her twelve other novels. Within two months she sold one, and she’s now been published many times. She’s on her way.

The point? Barbara’s breakthrough came directly from correcting that one craft mistake. She’d made it time and time again and was destined to repeat it again and again, until someone told her what it was.

You may be making that same mistake. Or perhaps you’re making another equally deadly one—mistakes we’ll identify and resolve in this book—and are not aware of it. But there’s hope.

There are other self-editing books out there. In what ways is yours different? Better?

From my viewpoint as a professional fiction editor, the biggest roadblock most writers have is simply this: They have no clue about what their editing problems are! And if they don’t know them, how can they solve them?

There’s a lot of advice out there, of course, but I found that little of it is of practical value to the beginning writer. Most editing manuals are like geography books that give great information but don’t show how to get from place to place. They’re like dictionaries from which one is asked to select words to write the Great American Novel. Well, if you don’t know what your writing problems are, how do you know what in those big books you should apply?

What writers need first, before they delve into bucketsful of unrelated jargon, is a practical way to identify their specific editing problems. And that’s the premise of the new book. It helps writers identify their problems, Step by Step, then shows them how to resolve each one.

Would you give us an example of how your “21 Step” editing system works?

Using this system is simple. Readers apply the 21 Steps one at a time, to only the first chapter of their Work in Progress or that manuscript publishers insist on returning to them. Then, based on that experience, they’ll finish the manuscript.

Step 3 of the 21 Steps, for example, involves changing passive voice to active voice. They’ll read an explanation and examples of the problem, then read a “Fog Alert!” sidebar that shows several more before-after examples. Next they’ll edit ten problem sentences, and check themselves against solutions in the back of the book. After every two or three Steps they’ll edit a mini-chapter of “Sarah’s Perils,” a tongue-in-cheek melodrama, to find and fix the problems they just studied. Finally, they’ll search their own manuscript’s first chapter for passive sentences—they now know what to look for—and change them to active. With many Steps they’ll learn how to use their word processor’s “search” function to find the problems.

When they’re done with all the Steps, they’ll have a sparkling first chapter ready for that publisher. Now they simply apply that same knowledge to the rest of their manuscript. Students using the 21-Step method in my classes were delighted with the results. They know that every manuscript they write from now on will be clearer and more compelling than any they’ve ever written, for two reasons: they won’t make most of those mistakes in the first place, and they’ll know exactly what to look for when they self-edit. Past students today tell me they refer to those lessons daily as they write. I believe most of the book’s users will keep it next to their word processors.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I remember that day vividly. I was in grade school, and the teacher asked us to write a story about Mother’s Day. I turned mine in and the next day the teacher told the class what a great job I’d done, and proceeded to read it. After class a cute little girl with brown curls came up to me and said, “Donnie, I loved your story.” My brain turned to mush and dribbled out my ears, and I was afraid of girls for years after.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Well, I enjoyed writing, and made up stories for years. But back in the fifties, when I hit puberty and tried to look into the murky future, I told myself I wanted to be the world’s foremost cartoonist. I became the cartoonist for my high school's newspaper, and later for my college paper.

I joined a magazine's editing staff after college and toiled as an editor and writer ever since. In the sixties I drew a daily comic strip called Paradise Park, which featured the goings on in a city park. I offered it to the syndicates, and learned their estimation of its value differed from mine. A couple months ago, while cleaning out a storage shed, I ran across those strips. Hey, they didn't look bad! Just for grins, I’ve featured the strips on my website. You can find them at http://DonMcNair.com .

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I’ve written six novels and four how-to books, but my current work is editing for others. I roll out of bed and hit the computer, and work until lunch. I enjoy being able to work from home, doing something I love. When I worked for the magazines and PR agencies I did so in suit and tie, and attended conferences and board meetings, and had to be my best every day. I consider that experience the penitence for what I do now.

Do you have any writing quirks?

Unlike many writers, I keep track of my time in fifteen-minute increments, and that keeps me on target. I picked up that habit in my previous working life, where I billed my work out to my clients in fifteen-minute chunks. It was a good way to keep the muse working with me—and defeating writers’ block—since I had to justify my time with a detailed report of progress.

Thank you, Don.

Readers, don't forget to leave an e-mail with a comment below if you'd like a chance to win your choice of any book from Don's backlist. And if you'd like to increase your chances, you can visit other tour stops Don is making and leave comments there.

Book promo stop for I Don't Sing Anymore by April Williams

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

I Don't Sing Anymore

by April Williams

About The Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Publsiher: Self-Published at CreateSpace

Release Date: July 29, 2012

Amazon

Book Description:

Excerpt: Chapter Eleven

“So, Mr. Flenn where are your people from?” she asked.

Well, we are originally from Attapulgus, but my father lived in Tennessee for a while.

“What does he do now?” she asked

“He is a retired Lieutenant from the Air Force.” He said.

“Are most of the men in your family military?” she asked

“Yes, we can trace our history back to the Civil War” he said.

“Well, I think that is just fine.” Mrs. Freda said,

“Thank you, my father was part of the Tuskegee Airmen.,” he said.

“Is that right?” she said.

Josie gave John a great big smile. She did not know he had a long line of military men in his family. John picked up her hand to hold in his hand. He wanted to hold her so much, right now.

“Mr. Flenn would you like some sweet tea?” Mrs. Freda asked.

“That would be just great Mrs. Gibbs.,” he said.

As soon as she got up out of rocking chair a loud knock on the door. Josie got up to open the door. She was shocked to see the man standing there in a Sunday morning suit.

“Hello, Josie.” Keith said.

“Keith, this is my friend Private John Flenn.,” she said as her voice cracked.

“Afternoon” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda returned from the kitchen with the glass of ice tea. She could feel the mood of the room shift, quickly.

“John this is Keith, he is May’s father,” she said.

“Keith would you like some sweet tea?” she asked him.

“No, thank you.” he said with a great deal of restraint.

“Where are you going with my baby?” Josie asked

“Move out of my way you whore!” he screamed.

John jumped to his feet to protect Josie and the baby.

“You are not leaving with the child.” He said.

John was careful as he grabbed Keith’s free arm.

“You better get your damn hands off me.” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda moved towards Keith and said give me the baby. You don’t want that kind of trouble.

Keith stared at the baby for a second and handed her to Mrs. Freda. John followed him out of the door.

“You ain’t nobody.” Keith shouted at John.

Josie stood at the side of her man. She was wishing that he just get in his truck and drive away. Keith did not intend to leave quietly.

“You ain’t nothing but a punk!” he continued to shout.

John did not utter a word because he did not want another confrontation. But that quickly changed when he began to curse Josie.

“Witch” he said.

“You had better get off my property,” she said.

Keith straightened himself up and walked over to his truck. He spit on the ground just before leaving. Josie rushed to John’s side. She could see how upset he was.

“John are you O.K.?” she asked.

I’m fine!” he snapped.

Mrs. Freda did not like the way he said this.

“Young man, I think you better be leaving now, because Keith is crazy enough to comeback,” she said.

“Don’t worry it is not your fault.” he said.

He leaned forward and kissed her good-bye. Josie stood on the porch alone, retreating inside.

Giveaway:

3 Signed Paperbacks

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Book promo stop for Beneath Southern Skies by Terra Little

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Beneath Southern Skies

by Terra Little

About The Author:

Terra Little is a native of Missouri, where she currently resides and works as a secondary English Literature teacher. She is a critically acclaimed contemporary, romantic, and women's fiction author, and also an avid reader. In 2009, "Where There's Smoke", Terra's sophomore literary effort, was named a Best Book by Library Journal. Prior to this honor, as well as in the aftermath of it, Terra's work has been recognized by numerous book clubs and book reviewers, including Kirkus Reviews, The San Francisco Book Review, Fresh Fiction and The Romantic Times.

Website | Blog | Facebook Fan Page |

Twitter | Google+

PUBLISHER: Harlequin Kimani Press

PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2013

GENRE: Romance

AMAZON

BACK COVER BLURB:

A little Southern comfort goes a long way…

To the world she's Vanessa Valentino, the poison-penned gossip columnist and blogger, but back in Georgia, she's just Tressie Valentine. After digging up one scandalous secret too many, she's forced back home to the sleepy town she thought she'd left behind forever. And now she must face Nathaniel Woodberry, who became her sworn enemy when one of her stories hit too close to home. Yet for some reason, Tressie can't turn off her longing for the irresistible investigative journalist.

Nate can't believe Tressie's back to wreak havoc on the close-knit community they both grew up in, and he can't help holding a grudge against her past deeds. But soon the commitment-wary bachelor discovers that the Southern belle is still a compassionate, loving woman. Nate finds himself drawn to her and he can't stop thinking about seducing her with a healthy dose of down-home passion. But can he stop Tressie from making a mistake that could destroy their hometown—and their blossoming love?

Excerpt #1

The shower.

It was going full blast and she was singing along with the water’s spray. No, that wasn’t quite right. Actually she was singing—horribly—over and above the water’s spray.

The sound of her voice scraped across his nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard, spiking his irritation level into orbit. Without stopping to think about what he was doing, he barged into the steamy bathroom and snatched the shower curtain back.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he bellowed.

She turned just as a blast of cool air slammed into her skin, and then visions of warriors rushing in for battle flashed before her eyes—big, strapping men with bulging muscles, bloodthirsty expressions on their faces, and mighty swords slicing through the air. She saw herself being impaled to death and then buried in a shallow grave deep in the woods, where no one would ever find her. She saw, as plain as day, the likelihood that no one would even bother to look for her because the sad fact was that she wasn’t the most popular person in the world and she had no real friends to speak of. Every questionable deed that she’d ever done played before her eyes like a movie. Her killer would go unpunished and her death would be in vain. The public would probably celebrate once her true identity was revealed. They would—

Oh God. She was going to die.

Partially blinded by soap bubbles and completely on the verge of hysteria, Tressie opened her mouth and did the only thing she could think to do under the circumstances. She screamed at the top of her lungs.

It seemed like an eternity, but it really took only a few seconds to wipe the soap bubbles from her eyes and focus. When she did, the first thing she saw through the steam was a pair of gorgeous hazel eyes staring into hers. Expanding her gaze to a wide-screen view, she took in a pair of perfectly shaped lips and a dimpled chin, thick eyebrows and smooth pecan-brown skin. Something in her brain eventually clicked and she recognized Nate Woodberry, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to scream like a banshee. The only difference was that this time the sounds she made were intelligible. “What the hell,” she shrieked frantically as she snatched the shower curtain from his grasp and wrapped it around her body, “are you doing in here?”

“I rang the bell. You didn’t answer.” He was the epitome of calm.

“So you just walk right on in and make yourself at home?” She slung her wet hair back and out of her face and shut off the water. “Idiot! Hand me a towel from over there, would you?” She snatched the towel he handed her and only released her death grip on the shower curtain long enough to make the trade. The fact that he had undoubtedly seen more of her naked body in the past thirty seconds than her doctor had in years burned her skin to a cherry-red crisp, especially since he hadn’t so much as given it a second glance in all that time. So much for cutting back on sweets and working out like a demon.

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Virtual book blast stop for Identity Crisis by Eliza Daly

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Haselton) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Today is a virtual book blast tour stop for romantic suspense author Eliza Daly as she promotes her novel Identity Crisis.

Eliza will be awarding one $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card, winner's choice, to four (4) randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

Identity Crisis

by Eliza Daly

Blurb:

When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.

At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized.

Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?

Excerpt:

The footsteps drew closer. Her breathing quickened. The intruder paused outside the door and she held her breath, a death grip on the pepper spray. The barrel of a gun appeared through the doorway, followed by a man. In that split second, she blasted him with a steady stream.

“Shit!” he yelled, snapping his head away from the line of fire.

Unsure if she’d made a direct hit, she flew past him, still spraying the air behind her. Although it wasn’t a blanket mist, she couldn’t help but inhale some of the toxic vapors in the air. Her eyes burned slightly and she coughed, racing down the hallway and across the open foyer.

She was almost to the door when the guy yelled out in a raspy voice, “Touch that door handle and I’ll shoot it off.”

She came to a screeching halt, unsure if he planned on aiming for the handle or her hand. The blood pulsating in her ears muffled the roar of the lawn mower as it passed by near a window. Nobody would hear her scream. She eyed the security alarm keypad on the wall by the door. Two quick steps and she could hit the panic button. Two quick steps and she might get shot. She slowly turned around, her gaze locking on the gun pointed at her from the opposite side of the foyer. Sheer panic pressed against her chest, and she sucked in a deep breath.

The guy cleared his throat. “I’m not gonna hurt you.” He cautiously lowered the gun, but didn’t holster it. “Unless you spray that crap again.” He blinked rapidly and ran a hand up over the top of his head, sweeping back a clump of wet hair. Her aim had obviously been off. It was impossible to spray straight when her body was shaking uncontrollably.

The guy’s dark hair was just shy of touching his shoulders and he had a five o’clock shadow. A black T-shirt covered his broad chest and faded, relaxed fitting jeans contradicted his rigid stance. A scar across his cheekbone, and a thin one slashing his eyebrow, added to his don’t mess with me look.

“I’m Ethan Ryder with the U.S. Marshals.” The man flashed a badge, then slipped it back in his pants’ pocket.

If the mob had hunted down her dad, who was to say it hadn’t been through a U.S. Marshal snitch? He’d trusted Roy Howard, not Ethan Ryder. Maybe he wasn’t even with the U.S. Marshals. Rather coincidental that he showed up right after a robbery.

“I assume you’re Olivia Doyle?”

At the back of her mind she heard her dad’s voice. Don’t trust him, Livvy. Be leery of people you know and certainly don’t trust someone you don’t know.

Author Bio and Links:

Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.

You can find Eliza on the Web at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Identity Crisis is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance, eBooks.com, and Kobo