tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:23:24 +0000http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)Blogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-8825223047722328710Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:02:00 +00002020-10-24T14:02:50.977-07:00It's almost here! Can't believe it's been a year since my last post. I'm always grateful for the Halloween exchange I do annually with my fellow horror buddy and entertainment blogger, Michael Shinafelt. You can read his interview with me here. It's one of the traditions I really look forward to. Q: Besides our blog, is there another Halloween tradition you would hate to miss?A: Having pizzahttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2020/10/halloween-time-with-michael-shinafelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-5783648906079677083Wed, 30 Oct 2019 02:45:00 +00002020-10-24T13:43:12.881-07:00 Trading interviews with my friend, Michael Shinafelt, has become one of my favorite Halloween traditions. He has a sinfully fun blog, and you can check out his interview of me here. Q: What was your best Halloween ever? A: Kissing a green witch with warts when I was a little tyke, while waiting in line for a haunted house with my Dad. Q: What group is most likely to survive a zombie http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2019/10/halloween-time-with-michael-shinafelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-4117120310834886810Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:20:00 +00002019-04-16T13:20:28.401-07:00 It's so important to talk to children about the dangers of abduction, but it's hard to know how far to go. You want your kids to be safe without making them paranoid. Kids are very innocent and trusting, so even after talking to them, it's hard to predict how children will react when approached by a kind stranger. Pedophiles are incredibly good with children and know how to approach them withouthttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2019/04/child-abduction-close-call.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-2950477061725652407Fri, 19 Oct 2018 22:54:00 +00002018-10-22T12:12:02.939-07:00 Q: If you could pick the theme/setting for the next season of American Horror Story, what would it be? A: A Shopping mall. George A. Romero nailed it in Dawn of the Dead. Consume mass quantities! Q: You can bring one thing to the apocalypse. What is it? A: A way out! Q: Have you ever read a horror novel you wish could be made into a movie? A: "Blood Sacrifice" by Rick R. http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2018/10/oh-horror-halloween-with-michael.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-5592977064608105187Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:11:00 +00002017-10-18T10:11:51.321-07:00 Love, love, love this time of year! One of my favorite traditions is trading fun questions my best horror mate, Michael Shinfelt. You can catch my interview on his blog here. ME: Seems like Hollywood has been doing a lot of remakes/reboots. What is your fave horror remake/reboot? What classic horror movie/series do you think they should leave alone? MS: I actually had to Google this subject http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2017/10/halloween-time-with-michael-shinafelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-3736215956563666427Fri, 28 Oct 2016 19:49:00 +00002016-10-28T12:52:49.158-07:00 Several years ago, my fellow horror buddy, Michael Shinafelt, and I started trading off blog interviews in October. It has become one of my favorite Halloween traditions. Check out my interview on Michael's blog here, and be sure to check out his other posts for fun stories about music and entertainment. ME:  Addams Family or The Munsters? MS: Addams Family, truly were creepy,http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/10/halloween-horror-fun-with-michael.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-5350695381579106452Sat, 07 May 2016 02:13:00 +00002016-05-06T19:14:25.747-07:00 Be Witched: A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set of Witches and Magic Publication date: May 3rd 2016 Genres: Adult, Paranormal Romance Limited Edition Paranormal Boxed Set 22 NY Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors. 22 of today’s most romantic, bewitching titles. Yours for only $0.99. Prepare to Be Witched with 22 tales of magical and mysterious Paranormal Romance. All one http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/05/be-witched-paranormal-romance-boxed-set.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-3830588241769230705Tue, 03 May 2016 19:44:00 +00002016-05-03T12:44:22.118-07:00 Infinite Possibilities Synopsis “Pounding from the front door echoed across the room, drowning out the sound of the rain pelting against the window.” T.J. Burton, Mireille Chester, Robbie Cox, Maggie Dallen, Taylor Dawn, Brandy Jellum, and S.L. Stacker, the authors of Infinite Possibilities, take that sentence and deliver to you seven unique YA/NA short stories filled with romance, http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/05/cover-reveal-infinite-possiblities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-8362946582800291302Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:27:00 +00002016-04-25T11:27:21.162-07:00 NEW RELEASE Ciara Ballintyne’s Epic Fantasy ‘In the Company of the Dead’ Only a fool crosses a god, but Ellaeva and Lyram will do anything to get what they want. Title: In the Company of the Dead Author: Ciara Ballintyne Series: The Sundered Oath #1 Genre: Epic Fantasy/Fantasy Romance Chosen as a five-year-old orphan to be the Left Hand of Death, Ellaeva has nothing to call her http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/04/new-release-epic-fantasy-in-company-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-4077780994585538309Mon, 04 Apr 2016 05:01:00 +00002016-04-03T22:01:34.396-07:00 Welcome to the Write Like a Wizard April Blog Hop! Visit each blog for a chance to win an ecopy of the books the characters are from, AND a Amazon GCs! See details after the interview with my character, Hannah, from The Rustler's Daugher. Q: Where are you from? A: I'm from Virginia. Q: Where do you live now? A: After my mother died, I went to live with my father and brother in http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/04/write-like-wizard-april-blog-hop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-7817228136315448778Tue, 01 Mar 2016 05:14:00 +00002016-02-29T21:14:36.261-08:00 When my husband goes away on business trips, I usually try to take on some household project I have no business doing, in an effort to surprise him when he gets home. Now I'm a cheap bastard, and I won't pay people to do jobs I think I can do myself. The operative word here is "think." Sometimes my skill level doesn't match my confidence level. So while my husband was making plans for his http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2016/02/sucking-caulk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-6602997853337676837Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:36:00 +00002015-10-06T13:39:11.462-07:00 A few years ago, I was planning a trip to Dallas to meet with some author friends I'd met online. It was a huge incentive to lose weight. I was eating healthy and exercising (see my Insanity blog). I lost a ton of weight, bought new clothes, and was feeling good. After the trip, I went back to my old ways, and here I am several years later, right back where I started, only heavier. Like mosthttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2015/10/trying-new-diet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-8244386180063212327Wed, 09 Sep 2015 19:50:00 +00002015-09-09T12:50:35.521-07:00 International Literacy Day was yesterday (9/8/15). Grammarly is working to raise awareness of the importance of reading and writing this week. Please see their graphic on literacy rates below and consider donating to the following charities. If you have time, check out your local libraries or schools and volunteer to help with their literacy programs. Thank you and happy reading!! Reading Is http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2015/09/international-literacy-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-2131216603246086876Sat, 01 Aug 2015 01:10:00 +00002015-07-31T18:10:50.996-07:00 Hi all! Sorry I've been away so long. Life has been a little crazy lately - some good, some bad. On the good side, I've signed up with Booktrope. They are going to re-release my books with a fresh new look and some updates. First up is my historical western romance, The Rustler's Daughter. It's going to be re-released in August 2015, and I'm happy to share a sneak peek of the cover with you! http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-rustlers-daughter-gets-facelift.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-8873810473409481184Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:25:00 +00002015-02-07T13:25:48.350-08:00 My friend and DJ, Tom Slick, runs a radio station called 92.6 The Blitz. He plays indie music from around the world. As with most indie projects, he needs a little help to keep the station going. But he can tell you about it better than I can.  I would love to show you the awesome video he made for this Indie GoGo campaign, but blogspot isn't cooperating. Click on this link to see http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2015/02/indie-music-station-926-blitz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-6600589166963718066Tue, 11 Nov 2014 06:07:00 +00002014-11-10T22:07:18.949-08:00 When I started down this bumpy road of self publishing, Allie Burke was one of the first authors I met in a Facebook group filled with incredibly supportive indie writers. Recently, I read Allie's latest book, Paper Souls, and I was blown away. Having worked in the field of psychology for more years than I care to share, this story about a young woman diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia was http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/11/guest-post-allie-burke-author-of-paper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-7000641930814654066Sat, 08 Nov 2014 16:51:00 +00002014-11-08T08:51:51.111-08:00 Eggnog Kisses Christmas in Quelondain It’s been six months since Kaley’s fiancé called things off, disappearing with barely an explanation, and the thought of spending Christmas alone is causing feelings of hurt and loneliness to ruin her holiday cheer.  Tall, dark, quiet, and ever the gentleman, her next door neighbor has been sneaking into her thoughts more often than not http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/11/cover-reveal-eggnog-kisses-by-mireille.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-7957194716903316195Thu, 30 Oct 2014 03:55:00 +00002014-10-29T20:55:42.150-07:00 It's time for one of my favorite annual traditions. Fellow horror fan Michael Shinafelt invited me for a fun Halloween interview on his blog a few years ago, and since then, we have been having a great time grilling each other every October. You can read his interview with me HERE. 1. I know I'm stealing your question here, but I have to know...what kind of freak would you be? Lobster Boyhttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/halloween-fun-with-michael-shinafelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-5560299822012666598Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:26:00 +00002014-10-19T12:27:10.581-07:00 Here is part two of my short story about gargoyles, Under His Wing. For part one, click HERE.           The days turned into weeks, and Callie was sitting on her balcony, watching the changing leaves float slowly to the soft ground. As much as she hated it, she was going to have to give some thought into leaving her little fortress. The air was crisp http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/short-story-under-his-wing-pt-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-1198072477331924605Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:25:00 +00002014-10-19T12:27:40.485-07:00 When I was younger, I loved to watch Disney's animated series, Gargoyles.  I'll have to admit that I had a crush on Goliath, but as I was writing this blog, I went back to get some pictures, and wondered what I was thinking? I thought he was more human looking, but he's blue with giant bat wings, really funky feet, big ears, a huge tail, and spike things pointing out of various parts http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/short-story-under-his-wing-pt-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-1662347775248934951Mon, 13 Oct 2014 02:44:00 +00002014-10-12T19:44:04.862-07:00 I love October. Not only does the weather finally start to cool down a bit, but fall is amazing. I love all things autumn from the changing leaves, to pumpkin lattes, to comfy sweaters. It's also the best time for horror and Halloween. I share my passion for all things spooky with my long time friend and fellow author, Thomas Amo. He released a horror anthology called Midnight Never Ends in http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/nightmare-alley-new-online-horror.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-6504945012067805569Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:50:00 +00002014-10-07T13:50:54.279-07:00 My love of horror started at an early age. From the moment I read Dracula in junior high school, I became fascinated with all things creepy. Maybe it's the allure of danger or the amped up shot of adrenaline. Whatever it is, I love it! The first horror movie I saw was the original Halloween. Because of the rating, I was too young to see it in the theater, so I had to wait until it came out http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/horror-movies-fabulous-to-just-say-no.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-6433918861926458195Fri, 03 Oct 2014 04:18:00 +00002014-10-02T21:18:40.977-07:00 I am thrilled to have Ben Ditmars on my blog again. I am a huge fan of his poetry. If you love poetry as I do, check out his other collections and books on his Amazon author page HERE. Ben's latest collection is called Inhale the Night, and I can't wait to get a copy! It's available for preorder on Amazon HERE. He was also kind enough to share several poems from his upcoming work. Inhalehttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/10/cover-reveal-inhale-night-by-ben-ditmars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-7156730765281135169Mon, 22 Sep 2014 18:11:00 +00002014-09-22T11:11:37.737-07:00 Before I start the series of blogs about my trip to Pennsylvania, I'd like to share a new book, Divorce After Death. A Widow’s Memoir by Concha Alborg. Concha was born in Spain and emigrated with her parents to the United States when she was in high school. She currently lives and writes in Philadelphia, where I was traveling. She has written several books and has recently left her position as ahttp://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/09/divorce-after-death-widows-memoir-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928911558791185732.post-3851620764714027699Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:16:00 +00002014-08-08T12:16:56.569-07:00 My mother-in-law invited me to accompany her to her high school reunion in Hershey, Pennsylvania this September. Yes, the birthplace of Hershey's chocolate. How could I say no to that? I like mine with almonds :D She sat down with me and started talking about her childhood, and what it was like growing up in Hershey at that time. I had no idea that Milton Hershey, the chocolate http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/2014/08/milton-hershey-more-than-candy-maker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. E. Franco)0