To Read, or Not To Read

The Rockin’ Chair excerpt

2013-06-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

The Rockin’ Chair excerpt

Alice could feel the sun on her eyelids before she dared opening them. Beginning with a squint, she was blinded by the light that engulfed the room. Taking a second to adjust, she shook off the two quilts that restrained her, and then grabbed for her flowered housecoat at the foot of the massive bed. Throwing it on, she steadied her tiny feet into a pair of worn moccasins, all-the-while wondering, Why didn’t Ma let me sleep in? It don’t make no sense. It’s Saturday…with no responsibilities to school or church. She felt tired, more exhausted than usual, but waking to a fire burning into her pupils was certainly not the way to start such a pretty day. Making the mental note, I’ll have to talk to Ma about the rude awakening, she stumbled and had to brace herself at the doorway. Her mind had sent some message that her body could not interpret. Brushing it off as fatigue, she started again toward the kitchen, thinking, Maybe Ma will let me help with breakfast?

Grabbing the dented copper kettle off the stove, she turned to the sink and let the water flow like one of the fresh mountain springs that ran out in the backyard. She lit all four burners, placed the kettle back on the stove and began humming a childish tune. The last embers in the wood stove made her nostrils flare at the distinct scent of burnt oak. Smells like the remnants of a late night’s chill, she thought, one of my chores to remove. But she couldn’t recall bringing in the wood, or lighting a fire. Shrugging it off, she snugged down on the robe’s cotton belt, folded her arms across her chest and continued to hum.

She wandered toward the kitchen window and, though she could not have fought it off, nor even detected it, her mind was suddenly exposed to a different reality. Like a child discovering a new world through ancient eyes, she peered out the window and her jaw went slack.

A stranger was busy at work and the sight of him made Alice’s mouth go dry. Her heart began to race and her breathing became shallow. Yet, though the man’s presence absolutely terrified her, his every movement was hypnotizing. Trembling, she stood paralyzed and watched.

He was a large fellow, maybe six feet or better, with shoulders as broad as his smile. In his fists, he held cracked corn, scattering it in a pattern so that every chicken had its fair chance. He was an old-timer, his face wrinkled and weathered like his callused hands. In the middle of that chiseled face sat the biggest nose. Curiously—as if she’d thought it a million times before—she decided that it showed great character. For a cruel second, he turned toward the window, making her squirm with anxiety. She relaxed, though, when she was sure that his liquid blue eyes had not found her. He returned to working slow, his every move filled with purpose and kindness.

But that moment of peace only lasted one single sigh of relief. As if caught in an inescapable nightmare, she watched the man’s three-legged dog limp straight to the window, glance up and tilt his head—cynically. Though she could not manage the words from her constricted throat, her eyes begged for the animal’s silence. Please don’t, she pleaded in her mind. Please…please…please… But it was not to be. The crippled mutt barked out his wailing alarm, calling his master’s attention to her. In an instant, she felt her knees buckle, as the room spun slowly—in a cruel sort of way. She tried desperately to hold on, but the last thing she saw was a red cap and green overcoat rushing for the house.

“Oh God...no!” she screamed, but the stranger kept coming. He’s comin’ to get me, she feared, and though her mind pleaded for her legs to flee, they would not budge. She collapsed to the cold linoleum floor and awaited the worse.

With no more than a stern look, Three Speed lay down on the porch, the storm door slamming in his silver-haired face. John raced through the parlor and could hear the teakettle screaming for help. Breaking the kitchen threshold, his worried eyes caught Alice lying near the bottom cupboard. Her frail body was rolled up in the fetal position and her thumb was stuck in her mouth. As if he were approaching a wounded bird, he slowly kneeled down beside her and held out his hand. She swayed back and forth, humming louder with each movement. For what seemed a lifetime, she avoided his stare. And then finally, courageously, she glanced into his eyes. For a moment, she looked as if she was going to accept his hand but, in the last glimmer of such a hope, she pulled back, retreating deeper into her tortured mind.

“It’s me, darlin’,” John whispered. “It’s John…your husband.”

“You do look some familiar,” she mumbled. But still, her eyes betrayed her lack of trust.

Again, he whispered, “Come on, Alice. I’m not gonna hurt ya. You’re just sick, ol’ girl.” He opened his hand even wider and watched as her horrified eyes gradually registered his words as truth.

Like an abandoned child who had lost all hope only to find that her parents had not meant to leave her behind, Alice raised her arms and began to weep mournfully. “I’m sorry…” she whimpered.

In one easy motion, John scooped his tiny wife into his arms and kissed her frightened face. Turning off all four burners—the majority that did nothing but lick at air—he carried Alice like an infant to their bedroom. All the way, he could taste the salt of her tears on his tongue. It was a bitter taste and he hated it, yet he knew all-too-well that it was only a small taste of what was still to come.

On the way up the stairs, Alice sobbed, “I’m so stupid now…so dumb.”

“You shoosh now,” John whispered. “That just ain’t true.”

He placed her back into their four-poster bed and, conforming to their daily ritual, gave her the two white pills and a small glass of water to wash them down. He talked slow and gentle to her, trying to remove her fears and keep her mind in the present. “Time to rest, Alice,” he whispered. “You just need to get some rest, is all.”

For a moment, she smiled—as if she believed him. But in the next moment, her eyes filled with panic and she pushed herself toward the headboard, scrambling desperately to create a safe distance between them. “Don’t you touch me, mister!” she screamed. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on me!”

She’s getting’ worse, he thought, and began humming a lullaby.

“Mama! Mama…help me!” she screamed out, but as she called out in a panic for her mother the pills began to take effect. He stroked her hair until her mind eventually removed itself from the harsh reality of now and found a more pleasant place to dwell. When John was sure that Alice would need nothing more, he kissed her and returned the cap back onto his throbbing head.

Brief Synopsis:
Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.

Author Bio: Steven Manchester is the published author of the #1 best seller, Twelve Months, as well as A Christmas Wish (the holiday prequel to Goodnight, Brian) and Goodnight, Brian. He is also the Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of his short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
steven.h.manchester@sunlife.com
http://www.StevenManchester.com http://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorStevenManchester

Paperback & Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Rockin-Chair-Steven-Manchester/dp/161188067X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366203850&sr=1-1&keywords=the+rockin%27+chair+manchester
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rockin-chair-steven-manchester/1115092542?ean=9781611880670

Dark Innocence Blog Tour: Rahima Warren Guest Post and Giveaway

2013-06-18T00:30:00.000-05:00

My Unusual Writer’s Journey

Once upon a time, I was a psychotherapist, minding my own business, and seeing my clients. I never thought I’d write a fantasy story, let alone a trilogy! Then one day, I wrote a little story in my journal. The idea was to write down my inner fantasy/dream character’s story so he’d stop bugging me. Big mistake!

That little story ignited a bonfire! Over a decade later, I’ve retired from my practice, and have written a dark, deep, spiritual and healing fantasy trilogy, entitled THE STAR-SEER’S PROPHECY. So far the first book in the trilogy, DARK INNOCENCE, has been published.

How’d this happen, you ask? It wasn’t my idea! The hero—his name is Kyr, by the way—had quite a journey to go on. The only way he could do it was to take over my life and turn me into a writer. Of course, I could have told him “no” and kept on ignoring him. But one thing I had learned on my journey was to honor whatever emerges from the unconscious/dreaming mind, no matter how uncomfortable; to give it artistic expression; and discover its message. At this point in my life, I was finally ready to listen to Kyr. I just had no idea what a long, deep journey I was getting myself into!

In fact, from one angle, it seems like my whole life was preparation to write Kyr’s story. I had to go on my own healing journey, which started during my first marriage in my 20s. I found myself spending hours contemplating homicide, but decided getting into therapy was a better idea. (LOL!) Having derived much healing and peace from my inner work, I wanted to help others in this way. So I went back to school in my late 30s, earned M.A.s in counseling psychology and transpersonal counseling, and my MFT license, and become a guide for others on their healing journeys. I was stunned by how much suffering and abuse people endure, and totally amazed by our ability to recover and heal ourselves with the right help.

Another part of my unwitting preparation to write Kyr’s story was learning to trust the messages of the unconscious mind. First, I learned to work with dreams through creative imagination. (You can see some of my dreamwork and expressive art on my site here: www.soulplay.com) Then I delved deeper into working with the dreaming mind through sandplay therapy. Next, I become an expressive arts therapist, in which the creative process is focused on freely expressing whatever you are feeling or envisioning without any regard for art techniques or for producing ’fine art’ and/or pieces to sell. No critiques or even positive comments allowed! In all of these ways, I learned to ignore the inner critic/judge, go with the creative flow, and follow it to its natural conclusion.

After all this trusting creative play, I was finally ready. Kyr’s story blazed forth in a passionate, creative inferno. It was so much fun to write whatever came--no matter how dark--that I snuck off to write whenever I could, staying up late, neglecting the housework, and the marketing for my practice, etc. I wrote from my heart with no plan or outline. Being a psychotherapist, I did my best to imagine what Kyr would be feeling as he evolved from a cold, obedient slave of evil to a human, vulnerable man. In some sense, he was my alter-ego. I had to imagine being him, to see with his eyes, and write down whatever he showed me. It was an intimate relationship, a sort of thrilling, literary affair, and quite a lot of fun! If it had been work, such as outlining and plotting, etc., I never would have stuck with him and written his whole story.

After three years, I finished writing Kyr’s story, and realized that it is a powerful story with an important gift to offer, one of healing and “guidance through suffering,” as one reader has said. Finally, Dark Innocence, Book 1 of the Star-Seer’s Prophecy, was published by Rose Press in 2011, and now the e-book versions are available in all formats!

About the story, I’ll just say that Kyr’s dark and difficult journey brings him healing, redemption, and love. Yes, he does eventually fall in love – with Jolanya, a Priestess-Healer of the Banished Goddess. But to find out more, you’ll have to read the book. J

ABOUT Dark Innocence: Book One of the Star-Seer's Prophecy by Rahima Warren

The “twin-souled dark innocent,” Kyr, is a youth born and raised to blindly carry out the Soul-Drinker’s brutal commands. At first, Kyr’s one desire is death, the only escape from the Soul-Drinker’s hellish rule. Just when he is about to get his wish, the secret Circle rescues him. Now he has to choose between the familiar easy path of despair and death, or the hard path of healing, living, and a greater destiny, about which he knows nothing. How can a slave who has known only evil, pain and obedience choose to become a man of courage and compassion, and fulfill the Star Seer's Prophecy?

Giveaway Info

Rahima is giving away prizes, including an e-copy of her book at each blog stop on her tour AND a Grand Prize Giveaway of a Custom Jumbo Tote Bag with your choice of fan art, chosen from here: http://www.starseersprophecy.com/fan-art/, plus other goodies, including a signed copy of Dark Innocence for one lucky winner, shipped to anywhere in the world!

1) To win a book: Leave a comment on this blog post about what is your favorite fantasy trilogy to be entered to win a book. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. This giveaway ends five days after the post goes live.

2) To win the Custom Jumbo Tote Bag with Rahima’s fan art of your choice, or a signed copy of Dark Innocence, or other goodies, click the link to go to Rahima’s website here: http://www.starseersprophecy.com/blog-tour/ and enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the page. A winner will be selected on June 21st.

Enter for the Grand Prize on Rahima’s website here: http://www.starseersprophecy.com/blog-tour/

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Or use this link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MmE0MDZiZmU2OTBhOWFmOTJiNDU4OGFhZTYzMDhiOjg=/

Rahima Warren’s Bio:

Rahima Warren is the author of Dark Innocence: Book One of the Star-Seer's Prophecy, a deep, rich novel of the healing journey. With Master's degrees in Clinical and Transpersonal Psychology, she was in private practice as a licensed psychotherapist for over 20 years. In 2006, Rahima retired to focus on her expressive painting, creative writing, and spiritual studies.

In her work with clients recovering from abuse, she was awed by the human capacity to heal, and to reach new levels of forgiveness, wholeness and happiness. She also learned to trust the psyche's own process. This enabled her to allow a dark and mysterious story to flood forth unhindered: Dark Innocence: Book One of the Star-Seer's Prophecy.

Rahima is a third-generation native of California and resides with her husband in Northern California, where she periodically chases squirrels off the wild bird feeders, and deer away from her roses. Her life-long love of fantasy is her parents' fault: they left sci-fi & fantasy magazines with fascinating cover art lying around the house.

Links

Rahima Warren’s website- http://bit.ly/YDWLdo

Read an excerpt of Dark innocence: http://bit.ly/11AqQ0o

Rahima Warren on Twitter: http://bit.ly/12dIIxc

Rahima’s Facebook Fan Page: http://on.fb.me/XZu15l

Rahima Warren on Pinterest: http://bit.ly/WBau8l

Dark Innocence: Book One of the Star-Seer's Prophecy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/11eiksn

Dark Innocence: Book One of the Star-Seer's Prophecy on Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/WTiwvA

Q&A with R.L. Bartram

2013-06-17T00:30:00.000-05:00

1.Please tell our readers about your novel, Dance the Moon Down.
"Dance The Moon Down" is an historical drama set against the background of the First World War. The novel attempts a new slant on an old theme by focusing on the lives of the women left behind. The novels central character, Victoria, has been married for barely a year before her poet husband, Gerald, volunteers to fight and then goes missing on the Western Front, leaving her to fend for herself in a male dominated society. Her struggle to survive and her refusal to give up hope that her husband will one day return give the novel, I feel, a uniquely poignant flavor.
It is a story of human endurance. Of one young woman's courage and faith against almost overwhelming adversity.

2. Historical novels set in the WWI time period seem to be very popular. Why do you think this is?
People are always fascinated by global events, especially something on the scale of the Great War. However, I believe that it has more to do with what happened just after the war ended. The casualties were so staggering that the people who were left had to come to terms, to try and make sense of what had happened. The society of the day began to weave a legend around the whole affair, adding an element of romanticism, (the last golden summer of 1914) and furnished it with iconic symbols that suggested a time when personal honor meant more than life itself. A time populated by dashing young men and elegant young women, when gallantry and valor were the watchwords of the day. Add to that the undeniable sense of tragedy that comes through, even today, and it becomes a very potent concoction.
Some, or all of these themes regularly appear in any WW1 novel you care to read. In fact, as I well know, it's almost impossible to write a novel based on the First World War without including some of them. The legend of the Great War has persisted for a hundred years. I believe it will endure for a thousand more and even then there will be somebody weaving a story around it.

3. Victoria goes through a lot in this book. What do you think she'd say to you, given the chance?
Would that be before or after she's punched me? Luckily for me, she's too much of a lady to do that. I think, I hope, she would say "Thank you for making me strong. Thank you for bringing me through". I hope she would be glad that I had brought her into being and was proud that I had chosen her to represent all the women of that time, the unsung heroes, I think that should be, heroines, of WW1, who made such a magnificent contribution to the war effort and for whom no monument has ever been raised. I think there might be a couple of other things that she might like to thank me for as well, but if I mention those, it might give too much of the plot away.

4. How much of Dance the Mood Down is based on actual events?
About 75%. Most of the incidents portrayed in the novel are based on actual events. All the historical facts are correct, they lend plausibility to the plot and give the reader a sense of "being there". It took two years of research to assemble them. Weaving them seamlessly into the story was the hard part. I used the letters and diaries of some women who had actually been through the Great War to set the tone of the book. Naturally I didn't use the material word for word, but adapted it to fit the story and of course all the names are my own invention. I'm tempted to offer examples, but again, I think that would give too much away.

5. How did you come up with the title?
During my research I read an article in "The Nation" a now obsolete periodical, written by John Galsworthy, the author of "The Forsythe Saga", in June 1914. Basically it was a critique of the times and of the younger generation, entitled "Studies In Extravagance, The Latest Thing". Among other things, he said of them that they "had been born to dance the moon down to ragtime. Of course we now know that they in fact fought the bloodiest conflict of the twentieth century. The irony of this statement made such an impression on me that I was inspired to write my novel. Hence, "Dance The Moon Down" seemed the perfect title.

6. You're obviously a history lover. Is there a time period (other than WWI) that fascinates you?
I'm very partial to ancient history, particularly Roman and Greek. The Victorian era also holds a special appeal for me. However, the period that particularly fascinates me is the time of the American Civil war. I suppose a lot of comparisons can be drawn between that and WW1, but it is unique in its own way. I find the whole subject of the American Civil War quite compelling, so much so, that I'm planning another novel set in that period. This one will also have a female central character. No- it won't be anything like "Gone With The Wind".

7. What is your writing process like?
Generally everything starts with an initial idea. From there I work up the sections of the story, that interest me most at the time, until I have several chunks of disembodied plot. After that it's a process of marrying them together with a storyline, until I have a complete first draft. Then it's a matter of re-writing until I'm satisfied with everything. A novel will always run to several drafts. In the case of "Dance The Moon Down" it was six.
I always write in longhand. I find that's faster for me, especially when I'm on a roll and never commit the work to type until the final draft. I usually write from about 11pm to 3am. I like writing through the night, it's much quieter then and it's easier to hear my muse.

8. What are you working on right now?
I think I just let the cat out of the bag on this one. As I said before, it's a story based on the American Civil War. As with WW1, it's a subject that's been extensively written about, so I'm aiming at a new slant. There's a female central character, my favorite, and a ton of research to do if I'm to make it convincing. I think I've found a new angle and I'm happy with how it's progressing, but that's all I'm saying for now.

9. Who is/are your favorite author(s)? why?
There are many, but the ones that stand out are Henry James, Ernest Hemingway and Herman Melville. James is a brilliant writer. His plots are perfectly executed and always with a superb twist in the tale. He's a master wordsmith. Hemingway's understated but quietly powerful style never fails to impress me. He seemed to have a unique perception of human frailty, probably based on his own, which comes through in all his novels. Melville's "Moby Dick" was, I think, a novel written before it's time. The psychological profiling of his characters is exceptional and cleverly underpins and drives the whole story along. Sadly it wasn't well received in it's own time, but now is rightly acclaimed as a masterpiece.

10. What's on your desk right now?
You really want to know that? Alright then. To my left the notes for this interview and an empty cigarette packet. To my right a full packet of cigarettes,an ashtray and my glasses case, some letters to be posted and my tea mug. This mug holds a whole pint of tea which I drink black with no sugar. I usually get through three an hour. I'd die without tea. There are also the notes for my next novel nearby. In front of me is my computer. I'm only just getting the hang of this (it's only just replaced my typewriter). Mostly it's a pain in the rear with a mind of it's own, which never fails to throw me a curve when I least expect it, but I suppose that's progress for you.

Author Bio.
Born in Edmonton, London, Robert spent several of his formative years living in Cornwall where he began to develop a life long love of nature and the rural way of life. He began writing in his early teens and much of his short romantic fiction was subsequently published in various periodicals including "Secrets", "Red Letter" and "The People's Friend".
Never one to let the necessity of making a living get in the way of his writing, Robert has continued to write for the best part of his life whilst holding down a variety of jobs which have included Health Food Store Manager, Typewriter Mechanic and Taxidermist. Yes- you read that correctly.
His passion for the history of the early twentieth century is second only to his love of writing. It was whilst researching in this area that he came across the letters and diaries of some women who had lived through the trauma of the Great War. What he read in them inspired him to write his debut novel "Dance The Moon Down" and the rest, as they say, is history.
Robert is single and lives and writes in Hertfordshire.

Link to book: (UK) http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/eB00A4E7JGA
(US) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FKB9OU

Cleaning Off My Shelf Giveaway

2013-06-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

Spring cleaning has turned into summer cleaning. And I've finally gotten around to it! I have a few duplicate books in my library that I want to pass on to some lucky readers. Each of these books need a new home. All books are new--never been read. There will be four winners. To enter all you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 13 years old to enter. This giveaway is open to US only to keep shipping costs down.

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Saturday Summer Oasis--Spring Water with a kick! And a giveaway!

2013-06-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

"Spring Water"

2 liters of any kind of grapefruit citrus soda

2 liters of 7-Up or Sprite

Can of frozen limeade concentrate

Can of lemonade frozen concentrate

1 good quality bottle of rum (some people use vodka, but I like rum best!)

Mix well. Put a ton of ice in a pitcher and enjoy!!! Another idea is

to freeze the concoction in a large, empty (eating the ice cream is

half the fun) ice cream tub over night then scoop out like slush into

chilled glasses.

Jennifer DeLucy is author of The Light Series Trilogy. In addition to writing books, she also writes music. For more information about Jennifer and her books, check out her website: http://www.jenniferdelucy.com

I tried this recipe last night, and I can testify to its deliciousness. I used pink lemonade instead of regular and rum. As you can tell from the picture above I didn't freeze it either. It's a super easy and tasty drink recipe that will keep you cool all summer long. Not that I'm encouraging you all to become lushes. You should, you know, drink responsibly. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to drink more 'water'. While I'm gone you should totally enter the giveaway below. It's for a Light Series t-shirt and a signed copy of Seers of Light. Jen is willing to ship the prize anywhere because she's awesome like that.

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Sally Smith O'Rourke Guest Post and Giveaway

2013-06-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

To Read or Not to Read

Guest Post

Some years ago I re-read all of Jane Austen’s works which brought something to my attention that I’d never noticed before, perhaps because it was the first time I’d read them in succession. I realized that Jane Austen was a feminist, a gentle feminist but a feminist none the less. She wrote strong, intelligent women who were, for the day, independent thinkers and men who loved the women for those traits and not in spite of them. I was fascinated, not so much by her characters as the author herself. I wanted to know how it was that a woman in an era where women were, for the most part, not much more than chattel wrote about strong women and the men who love them. So I indulged myself by reading three biographies and the 160 surviving letters she wrote.

I discovered that her parents and brothers were feminists, at least to a degree. Her father educated his daughters the same way he educated his sons, at least up to the point of going to college. She still learned the ‘womanly’ activities like drawing, music and needlework but from the earliest age preferred reading and writing to every other activity. The support she received from her brothers after the death of her father was instrumental in her success. Not only did they provide for her (as well as her mother and sister) financially, Henry arranged for the publication of all her books. They never attempted to marry her off and made sure she always had the paper and ink so she could write. All the brothers were particularly proud of her ability and talent and in spite of the fact that she wanted some anonymity so had published as ‘a lady’ they couldn’t stop themselves from telling anyone and everyone that she was the authoress of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma.

Something else I discovered was that most of the characters in her works could easily be identified as people from her own life experiences. Elizabeth Bennet’s relationship with her father is very much like the relationship Jane had with her own father. Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister is a reflection of Cassandra, Austen’s older sister. The one character in Pride and Prejudice, in fact in all her stories, who remains an enigma, is Mr. Darcy.

Here is a wealthy, although untitled, young man of the highest social standing who has the responsibilities of vast estates, which means a lot of people as well as the care of his young sister thrust upon very early in life. The situation makes him cynical, prideful and prejudiced particularly toward those not in his sphere. Being thrown in with those very people he distains and would judiciously avoid, he finds himself first attracted to and then falling in love with a women he considers beneath him.

Unable to control his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet he offers her his hand in marriage. He considers her his social inferior which he tells her during his proposal, still he is stunned when she refuses him (in fact he finds it inconceivable). She rebuffs him saying he has offended and insulted her. Horrified by her response he leaves, chagrined and mortified.

That however is not the end of it; this in no Cinderella story. Darcy is at first angry at the rejection but cannot escape the sting of her words, ‘had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner’. He reflects upon her reasons for rejecting him and finds himself dissatisfied by his own perceptions. He vows (to himself) to change those things she found abhorrent. Not in an attempt to win her for he is certain that is not a possibility, he makes a concerted effort to rectify those things because after introspection he realizes Elizabeth is right.

At their accidental meeting some months later he is determined that she sees the changes, again not to woe her, but to show her that he took her words seriously and to heart. She does see and is confused because she is certain his arrogance and prejudices were immovable, that implacability and resentfulness were shades in his character. But here he is, gracious and kind.

A few weeks later he saves her youngest sister from an elopement that would have ruined the reputation of her entire family. He does so with the help of her aunt and uncle whom he had derided in his proposal as low connections.

By the time she sees him again his transformation is complete and he is just as much in love with her as he was earlier possibly more, so risks a second proposal. He admits that she had properly humbled him by showing him “how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” She admits to being wrong about him as well then accepts his offer.

Darcy was unusual in 1813 when the literary world met him for the first time and he is unusual today and for all the intervening two hundred years. I can think of no era when a woman would not be touched by a man willing to change his perceptions and actions to better himself.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen and its prequel The Man Who Loved Jane Austen posits an explanation of how this character came to be. The what and who inspired Austen to write what even by today’s standards is an unusual and very romantic character.

A personal aside to this discussion is that the current interest (almost obsession) with Fitzwilliam Darcy has much to do with Colin Firth’s portrayal of the character in the Andrew Davies 1996 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for BBC/A&E. By far the best adaptation ever done and the most touching portrayal. Firth’s Darcy coupled with the superb Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet brought Austen’s characters to vivid life. I believe this production also brought about the resurgence in popularity of Jane Austen’s work.

The audio book with Kendra Hoffman’s wonderful narration is now available at Audible.com, Amazon
and iTunes

Trade paperback available at Amazon and eBooks available pretty much everywhere.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen

Was Mr. Darcy real? Is time travel really possible? For pragmatic Manhattan artist Eliza Knight the answer to both questions is absolutely, Yes! And Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley Farms, Virginia is the reason why!

His tale of love and romance in Regency England leaves Eliza in no doubt that Fitz Darcy is the embodiment of Jane Austen’s legendary hero. And she’s falling in love with him. But can the man who loved the inimitable Jane Austen ever love average, ordinary Eliza Knight?

Eliza’s doubts grow, perhaps out of proportion, when things start to happen in the quiet hamlet of Chawton, England; events that could change everything. Will the beloved author become the wedge that divides Fitz and Eliza or the tie that binds them?

Follow the tour: Tour Schedule

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Finish The Series Reading Challenge

2013-06-13T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hello fellow readers! I have decided that I am going to challenge myself to a reading challenge this summer. You see, I have a bit of a problem. I don't finish series. I don't know why. I get all the way to the last book of a series . . . then stop reading.

Maybe it's because:

Then a few weeks I go I realized how stupid the whole thing is.

So I decided that I finally would address this issue once and for all.

And that's when I decided I was going to finish some of the series I've been holding on to for so long this summer. I went through my books and found quite a few. So many that I knew I couldn't possibly read them all this summer. So here's my reading list:

I also have Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris on my Kindle.

Feel free to join me if you have this problem also. I'll be posting updates on my progress throughout the summer. I also have a few books that I might substitute for any of the above if the mood strikes me. Wish me luck fellow readers!

Q&A with Lisa Becker & Giveaway

2013-06-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

In your novel Click we get to know Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark, and Ethan through a series of emails. What can readers expect form the sequel, Double Click?

Double Click is the sequel to Click: An Online Love Story, the modern epistolary novel that book bloggers and reviewers called hilarious, clever and full of fun. Double Click, which follows the same all-email format, picks up with the same main characters six months after the original books ends. If the first book was about Renee’s search for love online, this book is about whether she and her friends have all found their “HEA” or “happily ever after.” Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click allows readers to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

Why did you choose to tell the story through a series of emails instead of the 'traditional' way?

Many years ago, I read a book called e by Matthew Beaumont which tells the story of a fictitious ad agency vying for a big account, with the story all told in emails. I thought that narrative style would work really well for the story I wanted to tell about the online dating world. It was a modern way of storytelling that fit the topic and the times.

When writing emails, I sometimes find it hard to convey my emotions or tone to the recipient. Was this a challenge for you while writing Click?

Writing a novel entirely composed of emails certainly did pose some challenges and that was one of them. I tried my best to establish each character’s personality so that it became apparent when they were being serious, sarcastic or sincere. Emoticons were also a help. But the hardest part was keeping the timeline and email exchanges organized. Sometimes, I would have to look back a few pages earlier to make sure I had cc’d or bcc’d the right people on an email and that the subject lines were consistent. In some cases, there were replies to forwards to replies. Keeping it all straight was a challenge, but essential to the book’s format.

In Click two of the characters sign up for an online dating service. Have you ever used an online dating service? Why kind of experience did you have?

My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a novel emerged. Click is loosely based on my real-life dating experiences, as well as stories friends have shared with me. In some cases, things are written as they actually occurred. Other scenarios are exaggerated for entertainment value or comedic affect. And some scenarios are completely fictionalized. I really did go out on a date with someone I met online who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking last night.” The ultimate goal was to create a fun read for anyone who has ever had a bad date, been in love, been dumped, or is searching for "the one." But, the happy ending is real. Steve and I have been happily married for 10 years and have two amazing daughters - ages 8 and 6.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to online dating?

I’ve said many times before, if it happened for me, there’s hope for you. And, as my grandmother used to say, for every chair, there’s a tush. Love is out there; just be patient. And concentrate on being a complete, happy and fulfilled person on your own. When you are happy and secure in your own life, you will be much more attractive to someone else.

Can we expect a third book in the Click series?

This reminds me of something my sister once said, and I’ve found it to be quite true. The minute you start dating, people ask “when you are getting engaged?” Once engaged, it’s “when are you getting married?” and once you are married, it’s “when are you having a baby?” Well, I feel like I just gave birth to a baby and I’m not ready to have another one…not just yet. A friend, after seeing the Double Click cover, said, “Can’t wait for part three, Right Click; the story of how Renee becomes a conservative and falls madly in love with a one percenter!" While I don’t think Renee will become a member of the Tea Party anytime soon, I love the title. So, you never know. Right Click may be out there some day.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I’m fortunate to have had a series of wonderful careers outside of writing including being a wife, mom, PR professional, college professor, volunteer and Girl Scout troop leader. But, I’ve always wanted to learn to professionally decorate cakes. Not only does it look fun, but really yummy!

What's your favorite summertime activity?

I live in a part of Los Angeles County called Manhattan Beach, less than two miles from the ocean. I love walking along the strand, looking out over the ocean, searching for dolphins and playing in the sand with my girls.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

I had interviewed Charles Rosen, one of the producers of the original Beverly Hills 90210, for an alumni magazine article while I was in graduate school. And I'll never forget what he told me, "Don't fall in love with your words, because somebody above will probably change them." That advice served me well during my 15+ years in public relations.

What book are you dying to read?

More than a year ago, I read Michael Pollan’s nonfiction book, In Defense of Food, which examines the western diet and its effect on our health. His advice is simple: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” That, coupled with a viewing of a documentary called Forks Over Knives, which examines how many degenerative diseases can be controlled or reversed with a whole-food, plant-based diet, changed my life. I’m now more than a year into being a vegetarian and have never felt better. I just received “Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health” and am looking forward to learning more.

Follow Lisa Becker of Facebook to find out more information.

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Q&A with Kevin Moore & Giveaway

2013-06-11T00:30:00.000-05:00

1. The title of your newest book is called Seven Out. Why did you choose this title for your book?

"Seven Out" is actually a term from the game of Craps. Most people think it's always good luck to roll a seven in Craps, but the majority of the time it's a bad thing. When you "seven out," the dealer clears the table of chips and takes all your money! Seven Out opens with Wil Driscoll and his partner in crime, Albert Crow, playing Craps in the casino on board a Mississippi riverboat while they wait for their contact who has information on a valuable historical artifact. That idea of "sevening out" is also a theme I carry throughout the story.

2. Describe the main character, Wil Driscoll.

Wil is a good guy at his core, but you would have to get to know him a long time before you would ever realize it. He's greedy, jaded about life, distrustful of others, a bit of a womanizer, and he has a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many heroes are almost Olympian in nature. What I mean by that is: they're infallible, they are the best at whatever it is they do, they always know the right thing to do at exactly the right moment and they always sail away into the sunset at the end. Wil certainly has his moments, but he's a broken hero. His moral compass doesn't point due North. Sometimes, he just isn't up to the task.

3. Why did you spell his name with only one 'l' instead of two?

I actually met a Wil with one "l" in college at about the same time I was writing Wil's origin story. I thought it was extremely unique, so I tried it on for a few pages and it fit perfectly.

4. Wil Driscoll seems like a scoundrel. What sort of shenanigans can readers expect from him in the future?

I hope to publish several more Wil Driscoll Adventures as short stories that can be read in one or two sittings. I think the action serial is a genre that has unfortunately been forgotten in reading culture for some time. The next short I plan on writing will take place in my hometown of Toledo circa 1930. I think that will be a fun little research project for me, and I hope it will be a fun read for members of the community. I also plan on taking Wil abroad and seeing how much trouble he can get into in a much larger work, but more on that in Question 7.

5. How has your love for history influenced your writing?

For me, there's a deep level of enjoyment when I write an historical fiction. LIke you said, I do have a love for history and I even chose to pursue a master's degree in it. I'm a nerdy guy who likes research. In fiction, I like being able to recreate an era that's no longer with us. You would be surprised how many things we take for granted that need to be double checked in an historical fiction. For example, Wil walks into a room and switches on the light. Wait a minute, this is the 1920s. Does his location have access to electricity? Research reveals that if he's in a major city, yes, but if he's in the country, no. I try to get things as historically accurate as possible, and in doing so I try to educate my readers in an entertaining way.

6. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be? why?

George Washington, hands down. He's a very interesting figure in what I think is one of the most interesting times in human history, the tail end of the Enlightenment. George Washington has been called "The Indispensable Man," the linchpin behind whom everyone could rally. He's kind of an unlikely candidate for a great leader. Yes, he was an elite, but he wasn't the intellectual powerhouse that Jefferson was and he really wasn't that great of a general. But there was something about his character that inspired people. Interestingly enough, with that same charisma, he could have declared himself king and ruled for the rest of his life, but instead he became the first man to willing surrender the power of Caesar at the end of his second term.

7. So far, all of your books have been short stories. Do you have any plans to write a full-length novel?

I am currently drawing up ideas for a full length novel, which I hope to write this summer. Wil and Albert are on their way to North Africa to track down a legend from the ninth century. I will likely release a couple more short adventures before I finish the novel. I'm inspired by the way Sir Arthur Conan Doyle utilized both novels and short stories to construct Sherlock Holmes and I want to adopt a similar approach to the Wil Driscoll "universe."

8. What is your favorite restaurant in Toledo?

As of late, I've been really liking a place called Balance Pan-Asian Grille, which has two locations in town. Their cuisine is a fusion of Korean, Chinese and Thai. It's pretty awesome.

9. What book are you currently reading?

I like to read two books at a time, one in audio during my commute and one in hard copy. The audiobook I'm listening to is Edmund Morris' The RIse of Theodore Roosevelt, which is the latest contribution toward my goal of reading a biography on each president. The other book, which I am physically reading, is The Arabs: A History by Eugene Rogan. I'll give you a guess as to why I picked up this five-hundred page monolith.

10. If you had to relocate to the moon, what three items would you make sure to bring with you?

Assuming I get to have my space suit as a freebie, I would take a Bible, the extended cut of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy (plus associated equipment to play said trilogy) and one of those PODS moving containers filled with pens and paper for writing.

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Murder in Fact and Fiction Guest Post and Giveaway

2013-06-10T00:30:00.000-05:00

Murder in Fact and Fiction

Guest Post by Elizabeth Buhmann, Author of Lay Death at Her Door

In the opening scene of Lay Death at Her Door, Kate Cranbrook learns that a man who went to prison on her eyewitness testimony has been proven innocent. That starting point—the exoneration of a man who has been incarcerated for more than twenty years—is lifted straight out of real world headlines. Since the mid-1990s, more than 300 people have been freed—some after serving decades for crimes they didn’t commit.

Like the fictional case, most real exonerations in recent years involve DNA profiling. Also like the fictional case, many if not most real overturned convictions were based on eyewitness testimony that turned out to be false. But here’s where we enter the realm of fiction: In real cases, the mistaken testimony is almost always just that—mistaken. In Lay Death at Her Door, Kate was not mistaken—she was lying.

Kate has done something unthinkable. At the age of twenty, after witnessing a murder and being beaten and raped, she deliberately accused an innocent man. And for twenty years she lived with the knowledge that he was in prison for something he didn’t do—because of her. It’s an appalling situation, one that cries out for explanation. We know she did it to protect herself—but what on earth could her situation have been, and what sort of person must she be, to have found herself on such a path? The answer is pure mystery fiction!

Although it opens with a forensic development, Lay Death at Her Door is not a police procedural, and the focus of the story is not the exoneration or a cold case investigation. Kate does not even come under scrutiny for her false testimony. This again is reality: Rarely would anyone double back to lay blame on a discredited witness. Victims are shielded from blame, and rightly so, in the real world. The fictional Kate, to add to her burden of guilt, flies under the protection of rape shield laws, her very name off-limits to legitimate media.

The character of the victim advocate, Diane, though wholly fictional, is realistic and has a realistic back story. Her role in the novel is pure drama, though—she serves as a conduit of information from Kate to her nemesis, a homicide detective who never did believe Kate’s story. In the book, a classic game of cat-and-mouse then brings a secret past to light.

In reality, at best we hope to feel sure the right person has been blamed and punished for a crime. The mystery novel offers something more: Everything is tied up and explained in the end. In real life, the need to know why is almost never satisfied. In the realm of fiction, the darkest deeds come within the reach of understanding. It is the theme of every murder mystery that justice will be done and the truth will out! Lay Death at Her Door is no exception.

Elizabeth Buhmann worked for twenty years at the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Lay Death at her Door is her first novel.

**EXCERPT**

“Don’t say a word.”

Adrian

The room smells musty, unused. Kind of like the back storage buildings on the farm, or the old cellar the Chesanings don’t use any more where we explore and play games. Shafts of sunlight slant through the cracks in the heavy, dark red curtains, and when I take a step, more puffs of dust cloud the air. Chairs covered in white blankets line the walls and tower over me in stacks almost as high as the ceiling.

“What do you think they’re doing out there?” I whisper, but it’s so quiet, I could be shouting.

My servant, Will, shushes me. “If you listen closely, I bet you can hear your First talking.”

I creep over to the door and press my ear against it. Nothing. As if no one’s on the other side. “Isn’t this the Release Ceremony? Shouldn’t I be out there with him?”

Will nods, leaning against the wall, crossing his arms in front of him. “That’s normally how it happens. This is… odd.”

“Did I do something wrong? Did I make Thoreau mad?” I bite my lip to keep it from trembling. Grow up, Adrian. Stop acting like a baby.

“No, of course not.” He flashes me a quick grin, but I can tell he’s nervous.

“Are you sure?” I hate it when my voice is all shaky like a little baby’s.

“Definitely. I would know if there was a problem.” He shrugs, and a bar of light illuminates his carefree smile. “I bet it’s to save you from having to sit out there for the whole ceremony. Some of them can get pretty long.”

On the other side of the door, I hear clapping. An old man’s voice rises up as the applause dies.

“There, you see?” Will says. “Nothing to worry about.” I turn away and tune him out so I can listen to Thoreau.

“Thank you, my friends, for this most welcome reception. As a First, I’ve lived for hundreds of years, influenced this country in ways the average person can’t even begin to comprehend. With your continued support, and that of Princeton, I will use your gift to change the future and create a better tomorrow. Thank you.”

A dull roar follows his words, and I fidget in my seat, watching the door. My eyes dart to Will.

“This doesn’t make any sense, Will. I should be out there.”

“I’m sure they’ll call you shortly, Adrian. Maybe the usual waiting room was unavailable and—”

A loud boom shakes the room, and I almost fall down. The chairs weave back and forth in their towers, and millions of dust particles rain down. Will shoves me away from the wall and pushes me toward the back of the room.

“Move, now!” he shouts, but my ears are ringing, and I cough from the dust. He looks behind us at the door and forces me to move faster.

“Murderer! Child killer! Free the Second!” a loud, mechanical voice shouts from the other room. “Free the Second! Free the Second!”

There’s more yelling, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. Another, quieter boom. Will pushes me to a narrow closet.

“In here,” he hisses and shoves me inside. We stay like that for what feels like a couple hours before the door to our main room bangs open, and I hear the heavy clomping of boots.

“You in here with the Second, boy?” Will stays silent. There is a general grumbling outside, some swearing my mother would never approve of, then the deep, gravelly voice speaks again. “Alpha Code One, this is Underground Robin. Is the cargo safe and accounted for? I repeat, is the cargo safe and accounted for?”

Apparently these are magic words for Will because relief washes over his features.

“Who wants to know?”

“Papa bird.” The men march over to our closet and slide open the door. “Good spot, boy.” The head guard, an older man with a pinched face and a permanent frown sheaths his Artos. The other guards keep theirs out. Why? Is it still dangerous?

“What’s going on out there?” Will asks.

“Nothing we didn’t expect. Stupid rebels, always doing things half-assed.” He grins. “Let’s go.” One of them reaches out for me, but I jerk away.

Will touches my shoulder, reassuring me. “It’s okay, Adrian. We’re safe now.”

I shake my head and step back. “Where are we going?”

“Someplace safe.” The head guard takes my arm roughly in his. “Don’t worry. We won’t let anything happen to you.” One of the other guards laughs, as if that’s somehow funny.

“Is… my First all right?”

“He’s fine, boy.” He drags me from the closet. “Now let’s go.”

“Where?” My feet skitter, trying to find purchase as the guard forces me to follow him. The other men glance at each other, at me, then away again. Even Will won’t meet my eyes. Fear freezes me, and I dig my shoes into the thick carpeting. “Will? What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” he answers too quickly. “Just a trip down to the medical center, to make sure you’re all right.” He tries to give me another smile, but he’s lying about something. I can feel it.

“But I’m fine,” I protest as the guard pulls me to the side of the room, behind the curtains where, instead of a window, there is another door. “Can’t you just tell them that? I’m fine. I just want to go back to my room.”

Will shakes his head, sadly. “I’m sorry, Adrian, I really am.”

“What’s going on? Why are you sorry? Will?”

“Let’s go,” one of the other guards growls from the rear of our group. “We don’t have all day. Some of us have work to do.”

Book Links:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Lay-Death-Her-Door-ebook/dp/B00CYMBUXI/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lay-death-at-her-door-elizabeth-buhmann/1115408626?ean=2940016675145

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Lay-Death-at-Her-Door/book-WFRJw802YEebJ97R1uaK0g/page1.html?s=1xM0GppZSk6wvk0nfPFwew&r=1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17742954-lay-death-at-her-door?auto_login_attempted=true

Author:

Website: http://redadeptpublishing.com/elizabeth-buhmann/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.buhmann.3

RAP Book Page: http://redadeptpublishing.com/lay-death-at-her-door/

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Saturday Summer Oasis--Summer Days Berry Dessert

2013-06-08T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Saturday Summer Oasis where every Saturday this summer we'll feature a different author and their favorite summer treats. Today, Susan Mallery shares her delicious Summer Berry Days Dessert.

New York Times Bestselling Author

SUSAN MALLERY

Summer Days Berry Dessert

Ingredients:
6 C fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur
3 slices of bread or 2 dinner rolls
2 T butter, softened
1 T brown sugar
1/8 t teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:
Wash and drain the berries. Cut the strawberries into pieces. Toss the berries in a bowl with 1 T brown sugar and liqueur. Put
into a deep pie pan if you plan to bake it in the oven, or into an aluminum pie pan if you plan to cook it on the grill. In that
case, build up the sides of the aluminum pan with aluminum foil so the bread layer won’t fall out.
Tear the bread into pieces. Pulse in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle breading layer over the fruit.
Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or the same amount of time over indirect heat on a warm but not hot grill.

SUSAN MALLERY
read. laugh. love.
more free recipes at www.susanmallery.com!

*I've tried a couple of her recipes and they are delicious.
Be sure to check out her Fool's Gold series if you
haven't already. It will make your summer even hotter!

Spartacus Rebellion review and giveaway

2013-06-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

About Spartacus: Rebellion
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
St. Martin's Press
Hardcover; 464p
ISBN-10: 1250012775

Spartacus has already done the impossible—not only has he escaped from slavery, he and his seconds have created a mighty slave army that has challenged Rome and defeated the armies of three praetors, two consuls, and one proconsul. On the plain of the River Po, in modern Northern Italy, Spartacus has defeated Gaius Cassius Longinus, proconsul and general of an army of two legions. Now the road home lies before them—to Thrace for Spartacus, and to Gaul for his seconds-in-command, Castus and Gannicus.

But storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. One of Spartacus's most powerful generals has defected, taking his men with him. Back in Rome, the immensely rich Marcus Licinius Crassus is gathering an unheard-of Army. The Senate has given Crassus an army made up of ten legions and the authority to do whatever it takes to end the slave rebellion once and for all.

Meanwhile, Spartacus wants to lead his men over the Alps and home, but his two seconds have a different plan. They want to march on Rome itself and bring the Republic to its knees. Rebellion has become war. War to the death.

Steve's Thoughts:
Spartacus: Rebellion picks up pretty much where Spartacus: The Gladiator left off (read my review of Spartacus: the Gladiator here). Crixus and his followers have left the slave army to go at it on their own. Spartacus is now left to deal with the two other Gaul leaders, Castus and Gannicus. They attempt to undermine Spartacus at every turn. Also, Rome is finally getting their act together by placing Crassus over the quelling of this pesky slave rebellion. Most casual history students know the eventual outcome of this story, but Kane makes the journey exciting and at times moving.

With little historical documentation to work with, Kane gives us historical accuracy and plausible situations to fill in the gaps. Following Kane on Facebook and through his blog, you see that he has walked where Spartacus walked. He does impeccable research by not only digging in writings but by travelling extensively in Italy. The politics, Roman military strategy and tactics, even the cultural nuances are all given accurate and believable treatment. Kane’s writing style flows beautifully but doesn’t avoid the squeamish, graphic nature of war. Battle scenes are written so that you sense the pace of the fighting. You can almost feel the fatigue setting in after the combatants have been at it.

The characters are brought to life and you learn so much more about the main characters in this second book. You see Spartacus’ humanity. To his men he is almost a god but you sense the conflict between Spartacus the god-like leader and Spartacus the husband/ father. The same internal conflict occurs within Ariadne. She struggles with her duties as the Priestess and being a mother. My favorite character is still Carbo, the Roman turned Spartacus follower. Some of the funniest and dramatic events involve Carbo. But what draws me to him is his devotion to Spartacus. Even though he is Roman, he sees the faults and atrocities committed by Rome and proves himself worthy of becoming one of Spartacus’ most faithful friends. His relationship with his leader goes beyond that of soldier and general. He is a true friend.

Overall, this was a great follow-up to Spartacus; the Gladiator; really they are so seamless that the two are one book. Kane is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors of historical fiction, and I look forward to reading his other works. Powerful, tragic, moving, well written; these Spartacus novels are amazing. For even the casual history fan, this should be in your TBR stack.

Praise for Spartacus: Rebellion

"The author comes into his own during the numerous battle scenes when his burly prose highlights the pain, brutality and chaos of ancient combat. Kane's Spartacus is brave, vain, ruthless and sexy, a Superman for more savage times. The author is genuinely deserving of praise for taking on this mighty subject matter in such a bold and regularly entertaining fashion. Admirers of Kane's work to date will not be disappointed and there's every chance this latest instalment will attract plenty more." (Daily Express )

"Kane succeeds in drawing a convincing picture of how it might have been, which is what a good historical novel should do." (Historical Novel Society )

Praise for Spartacus: The Gladiator

Gritty, passionate and violent, this thrilling book is a real page-turner and a damn good read. It brings Spartacus - and ancient Rome - to vivid, colourful life (Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire )

Ben Kane manages to bring a freshness to the saga ... Told with Kane's usual panache and historical knowledge, this book is highly recommended (Kathy Stevenson, Daily Mail )

Eyes are merciless, blows are wicked and screams are piercing, but this is a compulsive if relentless story, vividly recounted in muscular prose. Definitely one for the boys (Daily Telegraph, 4 stars )

If you want to become familiar with the lanista and the rudus, to know your scutum from your licium, then Kane's your man ... plenty of action (Independent )

There is much to enjoy in this saga of the downtrodden triumphing temporarily over their oppressors, and the portrait of Spartacus as charismatic leader is a vivid one (Sunday Times)

About the Author

Ben Kane was born in Kenya and raised there and in Ireland. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin, and worked in Ireland and the UK for several years. After that he travelled the world extensively, indulging his passion for seeing the world and learning more about ancient history. Seven continents and more than 65 countries later, he decided to settle down, for a while at least.

While working in Northumberland in 2001/2, his love of ancient history was fuelled by visits to Hadrian's Wall. He naïvely decided to write bests

elling Roman novels, a plan which came to fruition after several years of working full time at two jobs - being a vet and writing. Retrospectively, this was an unsurprising development, because since his childhood, Ben has been fascinated by Rome, and particularly, its armies. He now lives in North Somerset with his wife and family, where he has sensibly given up veterinary medicine to write full time.

To find out more about Ben and his books visit www.benkane.net.

**Giveaway**

The giveaway is for one hardcover copy of Spartacus: Rebellion AND one paperback of Spartacus the Gladiator. Open to US and Canada ONLY.

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Soul Taken Blog Tour

2013-06-06T18:43:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to be able to participate in the book blast for Katlyn Duncan’s SOUL TAKEN which released this week on June 4th!

To help spread the word about this awesome first book in the author’s new series The Life After, I have a GUEST POST from Katlyn in which she shares Top 10 Fun Facts About SOUL TAKEN.

There is also a short EXCERPT included in this post which definitely makes me want to read on to find out just what happens next.

AND there’s also a GIVEAWAY included for an eBook Kindle copy of the book to three winners, so be sure to check it out below!

The cover is amazing, the book sounds incredibly exciting and the author is awesome, so I am more than excited to share a little bit about SOUL TAKEN with my blog’s readers.

***

About the Book

Title: SOUL TAKEN (The Life After #1)

Author: Katlyn Duncan

Publisher: Carina UK

Release date: June 4th

Formats: eBook

After-life just got a lot more complicated

Maggie is a Soul Collector. It’s her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl’s body.

Trapped, Maggie’s soul is catapulted into Ally’s life – and the human world she hasn’t experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl’s soul dies…

To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie’s could be next!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AMAZON UK | CARINA UK

***

About the Author

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

***

Top 10 Fun Facts About SOUL TAKEN

1. The inciting incident came about while I was walking into my local CVS about four years ago. And it took those long four years to get it where it is today.

2. Two of the characters are named after dogs that I've had. One is still alive and she is thrilled to be a part of my story.

3. I based the high school after the one I spent four years of my life in. But it had been rebuilt several years ago, now it only lives on in my memory and in the book.

4. Maggie and I share an affinity for cemeteries.

5. It wasn't pitched as a series, but now I get to linger in this world for two more books.

6. I have a crush on two of my male characters, for very different reasons. (And I hope you will too!)

7. Two of the characters (who will have a much bigger role in Books 2 & 3) were never in the original drafts, they came out of left field and I'm so glad they decided to stay.

8. Gate Seven came from much thought about how I would want my after life paradise to look like.

9. One of my family members plays a small role in the novel. I was a bit nervous to select that scene since it nearly made me cry while writing it, but my editor loved it so much it had to stay.

10. It has an amazing cover!

***

I knelt down again next to Ally and reached out to touch her skin. Even though the sensation was unpleasant, I could feel her pulse as it rapidly declined.

“No,” I moaned. I looked up again to see if any of the Guard could help, but no one was around.

I looked back down at Ally. Her face was paling by the second. My soul started to tingle. I leaned closer to her body, reaching my hand out to touch her face again, when her arm moved toward mine.

I jumped back.

Heather pushed through the crowd. “Did she just move? Did I see her move?” Streaks of black mascara ran down her cheeks.

A ringing sensation tickled my ear and I tuned in to the True Soul’s presence. I looked at each human. The True Soul was close, but who had it? They all seemed equally shocked at the tragedy.

An uncomfortable pressure in my chest drew me closer to her body. My soul slanted toward hers until I was practically on top of her. I helplessly watched my hand morph and stretch toward her body.

“What the—?” I tried to pull back but the strength of whatever was happening had other ideas.

My hand disappeared first, then my arm, then my torso.

But before I could call for help, my world went dark.

***

An eBook Kindle copy of SOUL TAKEN to THREE (3) winners!

Must be 13 or older to enter
Must be able to accept Amazon Kindle eBook gifts from the U.S.

Enter in the Rafflecopter below...

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Stretching the Character by Sam Berretti & Giveaway

2013-06-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

Stretching the Character

When I began writing Double Mayhem I wanted a main character that was going to offer more than the usual in mystery romance types, as well as a comment on us all in our struggles with life. Something people could relate to on a personal basis. Doris Watson is a person very comfortable in her routines, hiding in a life she’s created for herself; a safe job as an engineer designing kitchen appliances, and a safe life of solitude with her cat. Then the unthinkable happens and her whole existence is shattered and she is forced to change. And with that change came growth and a new life. Like all of us, we resist change and prefer to live in our routines. It’s when we stretch ourselves that we grow and find new interests and horizons. Doris, unlike so many heroines, is not the typical character. She is not a person with unbelievable strengths or abilities. She is not a super spy with unerring judgment. She is not always right, and she has some emotional issues. She is a real woman who is very smart and capable when pinned in a corner. She is unpredictable, quirky and explosive. And that is what makes her so dangerous. I surrounded her with a cast of characters to contrast her against. Real super spies and underworld villains for example who are trying to use her to their own ends but find themselves confused and outfoxed because of who she is, the unpredictable element. I think the book works on a number of levels because of her humanity, her dry sense of humor and outlook on life, along with the multiple subplots that interweave throughout its telling. The addition of the psychic child to her life makes this more than a simple thriller, and the way it is presented makes it a subtle backdrop to conflict with her training as an engineer. Again, her character must come to grips with a life changing fact that reality is not what she perceived it to be, or wanted it to be. It is what it is, and she has to stretch to fit it. In the end, Doris Watson succeeds because of her resolute adaptability, and that is the core of all of humanity.

About the Author:
Sam Berretti was born and raised in the High Plains city of Lubbock, Texas. After finishing college at Texas Tech University he moved to Florida to attend graduate school at the University of Florida and holds two Masters Degrees. He is an avid naturalist and photographer as well as a writer. Although writing started at an early age and took many forms, the first published book was Double Mayhem.

You can find Sam at
http://www.SamBerretti.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Berretti/163681023776466

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16291328-double-mayhem

BLURB:

They say for every person in the world there is a twin. For Doris Watson, that simple wisdom becomes a nightmare reality that threatens her and the ones she’s come to love. An ex-military engineer who leads a quiet life as an appliance designer, she is recruited to perform one uncomplicated task: take a handoff of secret plans from a Chinese agent who believes she is someone else. Her lonely existence is shattered as headstrong men cross her path, dangerous men with dangerous needs and desires. Suddenly embroiled in mob killings, espionage, and police investigations, she has become a billion-dollar target of sadistic crooks, bioterrorists, the FBI, the NSA, and her psychotic look-alike. It is up to her to protect herself and the mysterious girl who has been thrust into her life. No one is who they appear to be, and no one is telling the truth. A reluctant female MacGyver, she must use her ingenuity to escape certain death. Forced to uncover the secrets of her childhood, she must face a reality that has been buried and locked away in her mind.

EXCERPT DOUBLE MAYHEM:

A frail shadow of a woman sat huddled and trembling in a worn leather chair in Chicago. Tracked-in snow melted on the dull carpet from the heavy shoes of two intruders. Dressed in dark overcoats they loomed over her like dark mountains. There would be no good ending to this. She knew that. She wasn’t going to tell them what they wanted. She wouldn’t.

“Where is she? Just tell us and we’re outta here,” the shorter mountain lied. “We ain’t gonna hurt nobody. We just want to talk to her, sweetheart.” This loser is not going to cooperate. She’s dead. She just doesn’t know it yet. But she’ll talk before she dies. He liked it when they didn’t cooperate. He was good at getting people to talk. That’s why they’d sent him. He enjoyed his job.

Outside a freezing wind dumped snow on grey buildings and people went about their own lives unaware. But no action goes without consequence, and no consequence goes without causing yet more actions. Some are seen and felt, some are invisible, and some reach thousands of miles and touch the lives of the unsuspecting.

*****

Tick, tock. Doris Watson stared into the mirror on the bathroom wall of her Maryland apartment and smiled ruefully. A blind date. She shook her head. She was twenty-seven years old this week, and going on a blind date. Was there something wrong with this picture? She was a strong willed woman and a successful professional engineer, but her only significant other was Bucky the cat. A woman approaching thirty was expected to be seriously searching for that special someone to spend her life with. So the office chatter said, so her dear pushy aunt said. Time to get on the stick. Clock’s ticking. She leaned forward over the sink and scanned the face before her with critical hazel eyes. She hated all of this. Her philosophy was, if it was meant to be, by God, it would happen. Mr. Right would kick her door down and demand her hand. She smiled at herself. What a joke. She felt ill at ease dating. That was the truth. The rituals, the expectations, the disappointments, all gave her a headache and drove her nuts. She was a person who liked the comfort of her simple life. Go to work, design some amazing device, come home, feed the cat and read a book. Good enough. Simple. Not good enough for co-worker Betty though. She could kill Betty for setting her up with this guy, a professor at the university who was probably a 10 on the nerd scale. Trapped, obligated and coerced into a blind date. Happy birthday Doris! The doorbell rang.

Doris was a complex woman with a distrust of men. Her personal experiences had not always been on the sunny side. In fact, some had been on the “Satan’s got you by the throat” side. She capped her lipstick and slipped it into her purse, right next to her 32 caliber Guardian. Mace just wasn’t good enough for her anymore. She looked in the mirror one last time and tried pasting an expansive smile on her face before answering the door. Tick, tock.

To read more or to buy in paperback or ebook form:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Mayhem-Seekers-Sam-Berretti/dp/148029148X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352817016&sr=1-6&keywords=double+mayhem

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/273460

**Giveaway**

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Sweet Thing Cover Reveal

2013-06-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

Sweet Thing will be $0.99 for a limited time in celebration of the new cover and added bonus scenes. The two scenes from Will's POV that were so graciously shared last week have been added to the end of the book for all to read and enjoy.

Sweet Thing will be on sale for $0.99 with all of the retailers...

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Thing-ebook/dp/B00BSY916G/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-thing-renee-carlino/1115123573?ean=2940016663432&isbn=2940016663432'

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Sweet-Thing/book-Cc5m_IGgXUe7UvWsR7hzdg/page1.html?s=Eqci3DRPwUeZkRd4EVthqA&r=2

Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-thing/id622686247?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Sea Glass Island Giveaway

2013-06-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

Under summer skies, New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods evokes family, friendship and heartfelt emotionWith her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won't take no for an answer.

I have one copy of Sea Glass Island to give away to a lucky reader. This giveaway is open to US/Canada. You must be at least 13 years old to enter.

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Are you looking for a good book to read this summer? Try The Time Between by Karen White

2013-06-04T00:30:00.000-05:00

Title: The Time Between
Author: Karen White
Publisher: NAL
Published: June 4, 2013
Hardcover, 336 pages
ISBN: 978-0-451-23966-0
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Summary:
Thirty-four-year-old Eleanor Murray is consumed with guilt for causing the accident that paralyzed her sister—and for falling in love with her sister’s husband. But when her boss offers her a part-time job caring for his elderly aunt, Helena, Eleanor accepts, hoping this good deed will help atone for her mistakes.

On the barrier island of Edisto, Eleanor bonds with Helena over their mutual love of music. Drawing the older woman out of her depression, Eleanor learns of her life in Hungary, with her sister, before and during World War II. She hears tales of passion and heartache, defiance and dangerous deception. And when the truth of Helena and her sister’s actions comes to light, Eleanor may finally allow herself to move past guilt and to embrace the song that lies deep in her heart…

My thoughts:
The Time Between by Karen White is an intriguing story about forgiveness, love, and letting go. The point of view is told between two characters, Eleanor and Helena. These characters are thrown together and through a slow developing friendship the characters are able to heal the wounds of their past. Eleanor Murray is hired to look after Helena, her boss's aunt. Eleanor could use the escape and extra money this job will provide her. She didn't expect that this job would challenge her as much as it did. Helena is a cantankerousness old woman. She's grieving the loss of her sister, and her mood isn't very congenial. She doesn't like Eleanor at first, but through curiosity and a slow-moving friendship, these characters finally face the events that have been haunting them for years.

The Time Between is a great novel to add to your summer reading list. It has a little bit of everything in it: romance, mystery, drama. White explores the delicate love/hate relationship between sisters; the power of forgiveness, and the cost of holding on. Helena is a great character. She has got a lot of spunk to her. Although her attitude can be a bit juvenile at times, she still made me laugh. Eleanor is a character I had to warm up to. I had many mixed feelings about her, but in the end I really started to like her. There are a few sub-stories going on that intersect beautifully with this main story line. White did a great job examining the different relationships between the females in this book. I also love the historical elements that White includes in this book.

This is definitely what I would call a page turner. I was captivated by the story and interested in the plot until the very end. I've only read one other book by Karen White, but so far I've enjoyed both books by this author. I enjoy her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

My rating:

Other books by Karen White:

The House on Tradd Street

On Folly Beach

Sea Change

The Lost Hours

Follow the author on

facebook | Goodreads

Technical Difficulties

2013-06-03T00:30:00.000-05:00

We are having technical difficulties and apologize for the delay in posting. We are currently working on getting these issues resolved as soon as possible. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Q&A with Esther Wheelmaker

2013-05-31T00:30:00.000-05:00

1. Describe your book in three words.

Superheores, zombies, voodoo.

2. What exactly is 'zombiepunk'?

Fun story. I needed a series name and the main paranormal creature is a zombie. So I put up a post on FB. Got a few different responses, but because this is a Steampunk book one author friend recommended “zombiepunk”. It was love at first sight. ::wink::

3. How many books do you have planned for this series?

At least four since it’s not a trilogy. I’m waiting to see where the characters take me and what they have planned. Book two is under way so I know there is at least that!

4. Which character did you have the most fun writing? why?

I would have to say Emily was lots of fun. She is quick witted and doesn’t seem to care how nasty the comment is as long as she protects her best friend Lucy. She is loyal and it comes across well in the writing.

5. I have a irrational fear of zombies. What advice could you give me on how to survive a zombie Apocalypse?

Use the double tap and start your cardio training now! Lmao.

6. Who would you want to be on your zombie survival team?

V is for Villains (the band that stars in the book), Carlos Santiago, Aeron and Lucy.

7.What is the best book you've read so far this year?

The Art of War For Writers. I love this book! I am always re-reading it.

8. What author would you love to meet in person?

Tamora Pierce. She is the one who inspired me to start writing books and I can never say enough thank you’s for that.

9. What is your favorite summer activity?

Writing. ::blush:: what should I say? LoL. The beach is great tho. I love traveling during the summer.

10. What do you do when you're not writing?

I try to sew and make my own costumes, exercise, play with the kids (dog and cat), hang out with friends, day trips, movies, circus exercising, think up new ways to do hands on research, symphony, museums, read…all the normal stuff everyone does.

Gravely Inanimated is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. To find out more about the author visit http://www.zombiepunkseries.com/

Keeper of the Wolves is out now, and we're celebrating with a giveaway!

2013-05-30T14:35:00.001-05:00

“I had been away from the fall of moonlight and the glow of the stars so long I forgot how real I felt beneath their quiet contemplation.”

Victus, a wolf forced to change to the form of a man in the moonlight, lost everything the night he was captured. Caged and beaten, he quickly learned the darkest depths of the human soul. But when blue eyes and a soft smile threatened to steal his heart along with freeing him, he was torn between two worlds.

Victus has to decide if he can trust his fierce instincts to protect the girl, or if he should run away with the wolf pack whose loyalty kept him alive. When a terror appears that threatens to destroy them all, Victus’ decision may be the only thing that can protect those he cares about.

A true love story, Keeper of the Wolves takes love and sacrifice to a new level. Victus faces the ultimate truth: in finding love, one must truly be prepared to put everything on the line in order to not lose it again.

Social Media Links:

website: www.chereealsop.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorchereealsop
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chereealsop
Amazon for paperback & ebook: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=cheree+alsop+keeper+of+the+wolves
Barnes&Noble for ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/cheree-alsop?store=allproducts&keyword=cheree+alsop
Smashwords for all ebook formats: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=cheree+alsop

*Giveaway*

Cheree Alsop is giving away 3 e-books of her latest novel Keeper of Wolves. You must be at least 13 years old to enter. Giveaway is open to all! Good luck!

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Calling all audiobook lovers: Find out how to get audiobooks for FREE all summer long!

2013-05-30T11:42:00.001-05:00

Sync and AudioFile Magazine have the greatest summer program of all time! You can download two audiobooks for FREE every week all summer long. They've partnered with a bunch of publishers in order to spread the love of audiobooks. I've participated in this event for the past two years and have listened to and enjoyed many books. Here's the list of books you can download this summer:

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

June 6 – June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

June 20 – June 26, 2013
Once by Morris Gleitzman, read by Morris Gleitzman (Bolinda Audio)
Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Dion Graham (christianaudio)

June 27 – July 3, 2013
Rotters by Daniel Kraus, read by Kirby Heyborne (Listening Library)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, read by Jim Weiss (Listening Library)

July 4 – July 10, 2013
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 11 – July 17, 2013
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, read by Peter Altschuler (HarperAudio)
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, read by Simon Vance (Tantor Audio)

July 18 – July 24, 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon (Recorded Books)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 25 – July 31, 2013
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Charlie McWade (Scholastic Audiobooks)
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, read by Steve West (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 1 – Aug 7, 2013
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, read by Dan Weyman (Macmillan Audio)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Ralph Cosham (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 8 – Aug 14, 2013
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren (Brilliance Audio)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, read by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio)

Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2013
Sold by Patricia McCormick, read by Justine Eyre (Tantor Audio)
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie, read by Tavia Gilbert (Blackstone Audio)

These titles are only available to download during the specific dates listed. After you download it, it's yours to listen to anytime you want. The files are mp3 so you can listen to them on practically any device. Also it uses overdrive so if you already have it, you're all set. If not, you can download it for free as well. Here's the link: http://www.audiobooksync.com/free-sync-downloads/

Happy listening!

#SeductionVirtualTour Guest Post by M.J. Rose

2013-05-29T00:30:00.000-05:00

“If mankind is to advance there must be installed permanently at the head of its columns proud instances of courage. Acts of daring light the pages of history and the soul of man. The sunrise is an act of daring. To venture, to defy, to persevere, to be true to one's self, to grapple with destiny, to dismay calamity by not being afraid of it, to challenge now unrighteous powers and now victory run wild, to stand fast and hold firm - these are the Guest Posts that the peoples need, the spark that electrifies them.”

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Excerpt from SEDUCTION - From Chapter 2

Jac had read what Jung wrote about our shadow selves being the negative, unresolved aspects of personality. The part of the psyche we must confront and come to terms with if we ever hope to become whole. Jac knew she hadn't yet confronted all her shadows. And that one day she’d need to.

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

Atria Books

Hardcover; 384p

ISBN-10: 1451621507

SYNOPSIS: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.

What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

About the Author

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.

Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s i

n advertising, has a commercial in the Mus

eum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors -Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members

of Internation

al Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder ofPeroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow the tour here.

Something Wicked This Way Comes Review: Seduction by M.J. Rose

2013-05-28T00:30:00.000-05:00

Title: Seduction: The Reincarnationist #5)
Author: M.J. Rose
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: May 7, 2013
Paperback arc, 370 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4516-2150-1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Goodreads Summary:
In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.
What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

My thoughts:
I first came across M.J. Rose last year when I read The Book of Lost Fragrances, which is the fourth book in the Reincarnationist series. I loved that even though I hadn't read the previous books, I could jump into this series without being completely lost in the story line. Although reading the previous books does have an advantage. After enjoying The Book of Lost Fragrances, I was excited to continue with this series by reading Seduction.
Seduction takes place in several time periods with characters that intersect into each others lives. Rose also includes the Jungian's theory and reincarnation to add to this mix of historical fiction and mystery. I also love that she involves the French novelist--Victor Hugo. Based on actual events that surrounded Hugo in his life, Rose pumps up the supernatural volume. Hugo lost his daughter in a tragic boating accident. He exiles himself to the Island of Jersey in 1855. Desperate and grief stricken, Hugo turns to seances to try to re-connect with his darling daughter. Instead he connects with something dark and sinister.
Jac L’Etoile has probably one of the coolest jobs ever! She's a mythologist who travels looking to discover ancient secrets. She's also the heir to a a perfume dynasty. Jac has an extraordinary talent for mixing perfumes but denies that side of her because of her tragic childhood. Jac travels to the Island of Jersey as a favor to a childhood friend. Once there, Jac begins to unravel an unsolved mystery as well as unearth secrets that were thought lost forever.
Seduction has plot lines that mingle together over the course of this story. You have Jac in present day, Jac's childhood, Victor Hugo, and Owain and Gwenore. Rose writes in such a way that this isn't confusing at all. It's easy to keep the story straight. I also love the way Rose intertwines facts with fiction. So much so at times it was hard to know the difference between fact and fiction. This is an intriguing story that will grab you. I love the characters in this series. They are flawed and damaged, but completely relateable. Jac is surrounded daily by 'supernatural' events, but she's still a skeptic. I love this aspect of her personality. It holds true for so many people. Out of the two books I've read by M.J. Rose, this is my favorite. This book encompasses mystery, romance, paranormal, intrigue, and more. The only thing holding me back is on the cover of the book, Seduction is called 'A Novel of Suspense' and while I do think this is a really good novel, I didn't think it was very suspenseful. When I think of suspense, I think along the lines of a Hitchcock film. The type that has you on the edge of your seat screaming at the character in the book or biting your fingernails off. Other than that this is a great book to read. I hope the author has more books in store for this series. I'd love to read more about these characters.

My rating:

Other books in this series:

The Reincarnationist

The Memorist

The Hypnotist

The Book of Lost Fragrences

Seduction

Q&A with Beth Hoffman and Giveaway

2013-05-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

1.) After the success of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, how did you come up with the idea for LOOKING FOR ME?

When I finished touring with CeeCee, I had no idea what I would write. The characters had become so real to me that I felt guilty abandoning them to craft a different story. I especially had a hard time not continuing on with Oletta. For several months I shut down all thoughts about writing.

One day I sat at my desk and began going through stacks of old photographs. The more I sorted, the more I thought about my family and my childhood on the farm—how simple and uncomplicated life was, how much I missed the big old barn and the woodlands that backed up to the fields. I stared out the window and spent a good deal of time reliving those days, and while I was caught up in the nostalgia, something flashed in my periphery. I turned to see a red-tailed hawk land on a tree branch. I watched the morning light glaze across his pale chest, and how, just before he settled, he spread his rusty-red tail feathers to reveal the full spectrum of his regalia. I got a bit teary at the beauty of him, and then …WHAM! I had the beginning of my story.

2.) You always write so beautifully about your novels’ settings, making the reader feel like they’re being transported to another place. With LOOKING FOR ME, did you decide on the location of the novel—Charleston—first, or did that come later? Did you spend a lot of time there?

I write about places I love, places to which I feel a deep connection. I wanted would write about a farm family, and when the character of Teddi took form and she fell in love with the process of antique restoration, I knew Charleston was where she would ultimately end up. I’ve spent a great deal of time in Charleston and feel incredibly comfortable there. In many ways it’s like a second home to me. Plus, with Charleston’s history of antiques shops and gorgeous architecture, it was the ideal juxtaposition to Teddi’s life on the farm.

3.) You write very personally about the novel’s other main setting, the Overman farm in Kentucky. Being a Kentuckian yourself, do you have a strong connection to Red River Gorge?

The Overman farm comes from my roots and my heart. Nothing makes me happier or causes a flood of memories like setting my feet on farmland. I chose the location of Red River Gorge as the backdrop to the farm for many reasons—its mystery and power are palpable, and it’s so stunning that no matter how many times I’m there, I’m always awestruck. Known for its incredible rock formations, dense forests, waterfalls and wildlife, Red River Gorge was the perfect place for the character of Josh to be swept into the romance of the wild. Paleo-Indians thrived there, and it holds a treasure trove of petroglyphs. Every time I ride the gondola up to Natural Bridge and stand on that massive, nine hundred ton sandstone bridge, I feel connected to something far beyond my comprehension. Over 70 million years of changing weather has sculpted Red River Gorge into a place as magical as it is eerie.

4.) LOOKING FOR ME touches on the power of objects—through them we remember our past and face our future—what are some objects that have held meaning for you in your own life? Do you think it’s important to hold onto the things of our past?

By nature I’m a neat-nut and about as opposite to a hoarder as anyone could be, so I’m not inclined to keep things unless they truly have strong meaning to me. I do think it’s wise to keep things that hold memories like family heirlooms, books, photographs and letters, but there’s a fine line between keeping what is precious or sentimental, and overloading my basement and attic with stuff.

5.) The characters in LOOKING FOR ME seem as real as neighbors that live next door—what do you draw on when writing characters? How much do you borrow from real life? Do you model your characters on people you know?

The characters in my novels arrive in my imagination fully realized. Not only do I see them and hear them, but I also get a strong sense of their spirit. While a few characters might have small similarities to people I’ve known, the majority of them have come to me as the story unfolds. More often than not, I meet them just as my readers meet them. It’s a fascinating process.

6.) Birds and feathers play an important role in this story—where did your interest in birds come from, and what do they symbolize in your work?

Nature, animals and birds have enthralled me for all my life. My parents and grandparents had a deep respect for nature and all her creatures, and from a very early age I was taught to be gentle and kind. One of my first memories is of standing in the vegetable garden with my grandma and having her show me how to gently lift a toad and move him out of the way of the strawberry wagon. By the time I was five, I could name nearly every bird that visited our farm, not only by sight, but also by their songs. I viewed birds as beautiful messengers, and as a teen, I loved reading Native American folklore, which is rich with stories about birds and their spirits.

7.) This is your second novel—what advice do you have for writers and novelists just starting out? How did you find your own voice as a novelist?

Captivating storytelling is a gift—good writing is an art. By understanding how to combine those elements, a writer can save themselves from a whole lot of headaches. There are many books that can help a writer hone their talent, but voice comes from a deep place and cannot be discovered without having an inner ear. I say inner ear because writers must hear their voice come alive and rise from the page, and it must always ring true. Being a good listener helps a writer find his/her voice. By tuning our inner ear to catch voice inflections, mood, and the many subtleties of dialect, our own writing voice is strengthened. I believe the best way for a writer to know if they’ve found their unique voice is for them read aloud something they’ve written. Voice is a complex thing to achieve, but once a writer hears it, they’ll know that they’ve just captured the most illusive butterfly of all.

About the book: A Southern novel of family and antiques from the bestselling author of the beloved Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel,Looking for Me.

Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop. Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky. It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last. But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.

Looking for Me brilliantly melds together themes of family, hope, loss, and a mature once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The result is a tremendously moving story that is destined to make bestselling author Beth Hoffman a novelist to whom readers will return again and again as they have with Adriana Trigiani, Fannie Flagg, and Joshilyn Jackson

Thanks to Viking/Penguin I have 3 books to giveaway to my lucky readers. You must be at least 13 years old to enter. Giveaway is open to US only.

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Age of Desire Giveaway

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Now in paperback, a sparkling glimpse into the life of Edith Wharton and the scandalous love affair that threatened her closest friendship, THE AGE OF DESIRE: A Novel (Penguin; On-sale: 5/28/13; $16.00; 978-0-14-312328-6), by Jennie Fields, brings to life one of literature’s most beloved writers, whose own story was as complex and nuanced as that of any of the heroines she created.

Extraordinary coincidences, such as the sudden discovery of more than 100 letters from Edith to Anna, Edith’s governess turned literary secretary and confessor, make Jennie Fields’ own story of writing this novel remarkable. In THE AGE OF DESIRE, Fields seamlessly weaves these letters and other diary entries throughout a narrative that alternates between the points of view of both women, taking the reader on a vivid journey through Wharton’s exhilarating world.

To help celebrate the release of THE AGE OF DESIRE in paperback, Penguin is giving away two copies of this book to two of my lucky readers. To enter you must be at least 13 years old. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!

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