Anne Patrick

Death Clash: The Winner Is...

2012-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

**guest post by Michelle Massaro

For the last couple weeks, Clash of the Titles has been exploring two books delivering powerful death scenes. That's right, death scenes. The two books were The Vengeance Squad and The Redemption. We met authors Sidney Frost and MaryLu Tyndall and waited with bated breath to find out which title got the most votes. If you missed Friday's announcement, I won't keep you in suspense. Though the competition was stiff, the champion title is...

...

The Redemption, by MaryLu Tyndall

Congratulations!

About the book:

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Charlisse free herself from the seductive lure of this pirate captain and find the father's love she so ardently craves?

While battling his attraction to this winsome lady and learning to walk a more godly path, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest--until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady's love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?

Can the supernatural power of God rescue Charlisse and Edmund from the danger and treachery that await them as they ride upon the tumultuous waves of the Caribbean?

***

A few of the comments from readers:

I loved the Excerpt B.....I look forward to reading the book..it seemed more historical and the genre of books I enjoy reading. I am personally blessed by many of the Christian fiction authors and want to say thank you for all you for your readers. God bless you both!

Someone turning to Christ at the last moment is always a touching scene. It tugs at your heart to know that someone you would never see again, now you will. Very touching!

Keep writing as God leads you. You are bringing God's truth to readers; some who really need those truths in their lives.

About the author:

MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award finalist, and author of more than ten novels is known for her swashbuckling historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes.

MaryLu dreamt of tall ships and swashbuckling pirates during her childhood years on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Unfortunately, instead of pursuing that dream, she worked as a miserable, landlocked software engineer for fifteen years. Only by the grace and providence of God, did she decide to answer His call to write a Christian Pirate series. Today, while writing her eleventh novel, she manages a home, husband, and six kids while battling three cats who have decided that her keyboard is the best place to sleep! She believes that without popcorn and chocolate, life would not be worth living, and her sole motivation is to bring others closer to God.

***

What fun! For a sneak peak at the book, check out the winning excerpt here. You might also enjoy her fascinating interview here.

Right now, COTT is in the middle of a brand new clash so be sure to head over there to cast your vote. You just might win a free book!

Happy reading!

Angela Britnell Interview & Giveaway

2012-01-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Joining me today is fellow Desert Breeze author Angela Britnell to talk about her new book, Opposites Attract. Be sure to leave a comment for her for a chance to win a copy of the ebook.

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Angela] I’m not sure of the exact title but it was a book of 365 Bedtime stories for children. This became a special time with my Father and I would want him to read on to the next night’s story but he never would!

[Anne] Out of all the books you've read, which one comes immediately to your mind?

[Angela] ‘The Rector’s Wife’ by Joanna Trollope. It’s one of the few books I read over and over again. One reason I love it is because it’s set in the sort of small English village where I grew up. Her beautifully drawn characters will stay with you long after reading. It’s difficult to pick a favorite scene but I think where the light bulb comes on in Anna’s head when a parishioner helps her to see that action is the only way forward. She realizes that if she doesn’t do something things will only get worse because no one else will do it for her. The consequences of her decision will be far-reaching both for Anna and her family.

[Anne] What's your favorite dish?

[Angela] It would have to be a Cornish Pasty. This is a hand-held pie made with beef, onion, and rutabaga. It was traditionally eaten by Cornish tin-miners as it was easy to carry and eat. Of course it has to be made by my mother!

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Angela] I’ll go outside the list on this one – I’ve always loved the dark red Jaguar driven by Inspector Morse in the Colin Dexter mystery series set in Oxford .

[Anne] What's your favorite television show/movie?

[Angela] If I have to pick one I’ll go for the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ version with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I never tire of watching that. But I’ll also have to say anything with Johnny Depp.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Angela] As soon as my eldest son left home I painted his room in peach and decorated with cream lace curtains, a tea table, sofa and desk. This is now my favorite spot and no one is allowed to mess with it. I also have a Johnny Depp calendar on the wall perfectly sited to admire and inspire from anywhere in the room!

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Angela] I’ve just finished my new novel ‘It’s Complicated.’ It’s a contemporary romance set in England . Charles ‘Black Ash’ Ashton temporarily abandons his jet-setting lifestyle to avoid being blamed for a multi-million pound poker scam and comes face to face with quiet, elegant math teacher Emily Worthing but the odds aren’t in their favor. After a disastrous affair cost Emily her heart and prestigious job she now prizes truth and honesty above all things. Ash makes his living at the poker table, where a little deviousness and the occasional white lie never hurt. Put them together and the odds are not in their favor. Emily and Ash have to prove they’ve an ace in the hand called love.

Angela's Bio -

I was born in Cornwall in southwestern England and return frequently to visit family and friends. After school I joined the Royal Navy and at my last assignment in Denmark met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband. Our itinerant life took us to Sicily , California , Maryland , and finally London . Along the way we had our three sons. On retirement from the Navy my husband took a job near Nashville , Tennessee and we're still here. I've always been a voracious reader and in 2001 took a creative writing class which sparked my writing career. I've had short stories published in women's magazines in the UK , US, and Australia . My first novel 'Truth and Consequence' was published in 2006. I belong to the Red Bandanas Writing Group, Jubilee Readers Book Club, the Music City Romance Writers, and the Romantic Novelists' Association. I also volunteer at my local library so you can see words are important to me.

Opposites Attract book blurb:

Why can no one believe Holly and Brett are content with their single lives? Certainly their interfering parents don't and they decide to take action. The 'Opposites Attract' dating agency has the theory if normal matchmaking hasn't worked they'll turn it upside down. The uptight British policewoman and the laid-back Southern writer are complete opposites and so will make the perfect mismatch. A weekend in Paris turns magical but secrets, lies and sheer stubbornness threaten this romance before it hardly gets off the ground. Holly and Brett will fight love all the way and it's a question of who'll give in first.

Excerpt:

Holly sucked in a deep breath. This wasn't on her agenda. The neat picture she'd formed of Brett Adair - short, thin, pale and chain-smoking - was just blown into next week. She preferred her men sharp, from their haircuts to their suits, to their minds. No way did she have any interest whatsoever in a lanky American with a cowboy hat and an accent straight from 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' He probably made moonshine in his spare time, when he wasn't shooting squirrels or ... whatever they did. She would make her position crystal clear. "The only things I plan on enjoying are the sights of Paris . I don't intend to let the fact I have to see them in the company of a stranger spoil my weekend. It's unfortunate, but I'm sure we can make the best of things."

"Hey, you don't take any prisoners do you?" Brett threw up his arms in mock surrender.

"Actually I do, often, or have you forgotten what I do for a living?"

Brett laughed. The deep, warm sound of it sent a little shiver through her belly. That laugh made her almost give in and smile.

"Smart lady. You're quick on the draw, anyone ever tell you that?"

"Not if they wanted to see me again." Mortified heat instantly flamed in her cheeks. God, that sounded like flirting.

A lazy smile crept from his eyes -- a deep Mediterranean blue she'd have preferred not to notice -- all the way to his mouth, turning up the edges of lips way too tempting to a woman who hadn't been kissed in over a year. Her belly clenched. She told herself she was just hungry.

Brett tipped his head toward her and stared straight into her eyes. One slight move, and his mouth would touch hers. Oh, God. Would he kiss her senseless if she wasn't careful? Her heart raced. Would he dare? Did she want him to?

"Come on, y'all. Time to get on board. Paris , here we come."

Brett took a step back and grinned at his father. "Sure thing, me and Holly here were just getting to know each other. Weren't we, darlin'?"

Holly buttoned her jacket, grateful for the interruption. She could've done something really stupid, there. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not your darling and never will be. We've merely got to tolerate each other for two days like reasonable adults. End of story."

Don't forget to leave a comment with your contact info to be entered in Angela's drawing.

COTT Rings In The New Year

2012-01-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

IS THERE A BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMPETE ON CLASH OF THE TITLES? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO ENTER THE TITLE IN OUR QUICK SURVEY, BELOW!

*by COTT Sr. Editor, April W Gardner

January is in full swing, starting 2012 off with a bang. At Clash of the Titles, you can take that quite literally! For the next two weeks, we’re featuring Death. That’s right. Death.

Death has the power to intrigue and terrify, and it’s that power that a good book taps into, often leaving a permanent mark on the reader’s memory. Visit Clash of the Titles today, to read two Death excerpts and vote for the one that impacts you the most.

Remember that every book you send to the Champions Ring will have a shot at our Laurel Award, handed out at the end of our Tournament of Champions. Coming October 2012!

Between now and our October Tournament, we'll have a slew of exciting clashes—some, old reliables; others, brand new.

Here’s what's on the COTT calendar:

Almost Kiss--

(Feb, accepting submissions)

Unpublished Hooks--

(March, accepting submissions)

Here's a glimpse at clashes you might see in the future:

Good Guy

Bad Guy

Leading Lady

Back Cover Summary

Comparable Covers

Mayhem and Mishaps

Creepy Covers

Author’s Choice

Reader’s Choice

Tantalizing Titles

Young Adult

Childrens

Is there a specific book that comes to mind that you would like to see compete on Clash of the Titles in one of these clashes? We want to know!! Please enter the book title in the survey box below.

Also new in 2012, once a quarter, a specially selected COTT Champ will be featured in a podcast interview with Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. You can hear our current podcast HERE.

Clash of the Titles thanks each of our readers and voters for making COTT such a fun hang-out during 2011. We look forward to another year of introducing you to amazing new books and giving you the opportunity to win them!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Melanie Atkins & her new book Quest for Justice

2012-01-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

Special Guest Post by Melanie Atkins

Welcome 2012!

A new year, a fresh start. A blank slate. I love having this new canvas stretched out before me. What will 2012 bring? None of us knows, but it's fun to speculate. Will we travel? Redo a room at home? Adopt a new pet? I wish only good things for everyone. Fabulous sales for all the authors I know, great reads for the readers, and happy travels for those taking off to parts unknown.

Picking up a new book to read is kind of like starting a new year. You might think you know what you're going to get or what you want to happen, but you never really know. The author might surprise you… and bring you gasps along the way. That's what makes life fun!

I tried to do that in QUEST FOR JUSTICE, the third book in my Keller County Cops series. My latest title came out January 1 at Desert Breeze Publishing, and I'm thrilled. Writing this book was a real struggle… but at the end, I was truly satisfied. Abby and C.J. got their happy ending, and the bad guys were locked away. What more can you ask when reading (or writing) a romantic suspense?

Here is a sneak peek inside the book:

Blurb:

Abby Ryals goes behind the sheriff's back to accept an undercover assignment with another agency to avenge fellow detective C.J. Bowman's death, and is stunned to learn he's very much alive when he leaves witness protection and follows her undercover to help keep her safe. Together, they must race the clock to defeat a notorious drug lord before he can discover their true identities.

Excerpt:

The unrelenting volleys of the twenty-one gun salute reverberated inside Abby Ryal's head. With each shot fired, her heart skipped another beat. She tried to breathe, to draw in the cool fall air and clear her muddled senses, but she couldn't. The ache inside her only intensified, and she worried she might throw up right here in front of C.J.'s polished mahogany casket.

C.J. Bowman. Fellow Keller County detective. Her best friend, and former lover.

Dead.

Her stomach heaved. She wrapped her arms around her middle and dropped her head onto her knees. The ancient folding chair creaked as she released a shuddering breath.

Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Not here. C.J. will laugh his fool head off if you toss your cookies on the funeral wreaths. Their too-sweet smell is bad enough, and if you...

She sat up and smothered a laugh.

Oh, God. I can just picture him sauntering through the cemetery with that trademark smirk on his face, making fun of me. He gets off on that. He's always so--

The idea that she would never see him again curdled her stomach.

"You self-centered bastard," she whispered to herself, cringing as the line of uniformed policemen fired yet another round. Leave it to C.J. to go down in dramatic fashion, waging a one-man gun battle with one of the Deep South's most infamous drug cartels.

Tears filled her eyes as she murmured, "Always playing the hero. Only, this time it got you killed, didn't it?"

"Abby, you okay?" Jonah McKee, the detective who'd mentored her since she first got her gold shield six months ago, leaned over and asked with concern.

She nodded stiffly, unable to voice her pain, and aimed her gaze at the shimmering red and gold leaves on the trees bordering the tiny country cemetery. The brisk November breeze iced her heart. C.J. had loved this time of year. He loved to hunt, loved the contest of man against beast. Why, oh why had he chosen to challenge the most frightening beast on the planet -- Salvador Salazar, better known as Sal-Sal -- instead of climbing into his deer stand and scouring the wooded terrain for a prime ten-point buck?

Hope you'll check it out! It's available at Desert Breeze via this link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-245/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok

And at Amazon: http://amzn.to/vtJ0bU and other online outlets.

Next month, look for BLOOD RITE, my latest single title release from Whiskey Creek Press (in both print and e-book formats) and CHERISHED WITNESS, the first book in my New Orleans detective series with Desert Breeze, that will come out in print for the first time.

Happy New Year!

What inspires Theresa

2011-12-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

For me, a new story can start from anything. A snippet of overheard conversation, an article in newspaper or magazine, a person, a dream, another book or a movie can set a story in motion. If the story idea stays in my head without me writing anything down for a few days, if it continues to grow without me consciously thinking about it, I know it could turn into a book.

But it's not until I see the lead characters clearly in my head, that I start putting down notes on paper or in a Word document. A story doesn't come to life until I have the right characters. Once I have the hero and heroine clear in my mind, that's when the plot happens. I start writing as soon as I know the beginning of the book, and I continue to write until I need to do research.

Or until the middle of the book, when writer's block sets in. Never fails. I set the book aside and work on another project for a few days, and then I go back and reread what I'd written. I might have to put it aside again for a few more days, but eventually I'll find the place where the story went wrong and fix it. Soon after I'm writing 'the end'.

Some books are easier to write then others. I wrote Renovations, Book 2 in The Sisters Callaway, in less than three months without hitting that dreaded writer's block. I wish A Difficult Choice, Book 3 of the series, was going as smoothly. This one is really kicking my butt.

Good thing, though. I know I'll find out where I went wrong and finish the story.

I always do.

Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews!

2011-12-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

What an awesome way to start the week! Kill Shot, Book One in my Wounded Heroes Series received a Top Pick review. Check it out!

"This book was awesome and I can't wait to read the next book in this new series. The story line was phenomonal. Anne Patrick has definitely out done herself with this book. She takes the Christian reading genre to a whole new height. Keep up the good work, and I can't wait to read the next one in this new series."

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Angibabi4-reviews-Kill-Shot-by-Anne-Patrick.aspx

Book Blurb for Kill Shot:

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired, was found dead in a building she owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Meet Tigger

2011-12-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

Nothing livens up a house faster than a new kitten. Meet Tigger...Isn't she a beauty!

Zoe is taking up quite nicely with her new roommate, and so is Sailor. I've gotten such a kick watching Sailor and Tigger get acquainted. Sailor was rescued from an animal shelter a few years ago and was never really given the chance at being a normal kitten. She didn't even know how to play. I'd purchased all kinds of toys for her but she showed no interest in them. Since Tigger has joined the family, Sailor is like a totally different cat. They wrestle and chase one another and Tigger has even showed Sailor how much fun you can have with a simple bell and ball.

Zoe is content, at least for the time being, just watching the two having a blast. Every now and then, she will try to join it the fun but Tigger is overwhelmed by Zoe's size so she'll run and hide. As if sensing her fear, Zoe will lay low and just watch. To make Zoe feel better she got one of her Christmas presents early, a new squeaky toy. So between the squeaks and running and playing it's been an interesting few days.

I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your family and friends. Have Merry Christmas!

(((Hugs)))
Anne

Theresa Stillwagon Shares her Journey to Publication

2011-12-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

Today Theresa shares her journey to publication and why she writes contemporary romances. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win one of her ebooks. Take it away, Theresa!

I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing.

My first attempt at writing a book was a historical, and I wrote it long-hand. I was in my mid-teens. I don't think I wrote more than the first chapter.

My second attempt was in the mid 1980s. That one was a romantic suspense I planned on sending to Harlequin. The best thing I could say about that one is I finished it. Every mistake a new author could do, I did.

The next few years were a learning experience for me. One thing I learned was that if I did a plot outline for a book, I would be too bored with it to actually write it. I also learned to show, not tell, to write believable dialogue, to start the book in an interesting place, to know the characters inside and out, but one thing I wished I knew then that I know now is -- not to be afraid to show your work to someone else.

For years I wrote alone, no one even knew I was a writer. It was as if I was ashamed of it. I wrote for ten or so years, finishing three or four books and starting twice as many without 'the end', before I finally trusted my writing enough to let others read it. I was nervous, yes, but I didn't need to be. I still call those first critique partners my on-line friends. Almost every one of them is now a published writer, and I'm proud of that.

A second thing I wish I knew then was to ignore the bad comments of others. People have been telling me my whole life I'll never amount to anything. It wasn't until I decided to stop listening to those negative people that I found out I could.

What would be my advice to a new writer?

Don't be afraid to put your work out there. I started writing almost thirty years ago, and I've only been published since 2008. If I'd listened to my own heart, my own mind, I might have been published years earlier.

You have to believe in your dreams.

Tell us more about your work and your favorite genre.

I love history, yet I could never write an historical.

I love romantic suspense, but I have a hard time keeping track of the suspense part of the story.

And, as for paranormal, fantasy, or steampunk genres, I'm way too lazy to build a proper set of rules and customs to make the story believable.

So why do I write contemporary romance?

I think writing in the same period as you live frees you to add a bit of suspense, or a ghost, or a mystery, without having to worry too much about research.

Basically I write contemporary romance because I'm a lazy researcher. As I'm writing and I come to a spot where I need to research something, I stop what I'm doing and Google the problem. When I have the facts straight on the subject, I go back to writing. In the book I'm writing now, I needed to know the process on how a woman became a Catholic sister. I stopped writing and Googled the town she lived in and found the Sisters of St. Joseph, and I found all the answers I needed. I needed to be sure she could walk away from it. (And, yes, she can.)

For an older book, A Betrayal of Friendship, I stopped writing and researched the state of Alaska and flying. I found out more than I needed to know about the state, but I also found out something interesting about me. I really would like to learn how to fly. (Maybe someday, I'll do just that.)

One bad thing about writing this way is I'm easily distracted. I really need to force myself to write. In those times, I disconnect from the internet and just write.

JoAnn Carter's Hidden Paths

2011-12-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are it's almost Christmas. Not only are we preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, but I have the privilege and joy of releasing Hidden Paths, a young adult inspirational romance that readers of all ages can enjoy. Can a holiday get any better? :) Thank you, Anne for letting me share a bit about this story here on your blog! I hope you won't mind if I start with the note that I wrote to the readers at the end of Hidden Paths. It's my prayer that this will be a blessing and encouragement to your blog followers...

Well, here we are at the close of another story... Hidden Paths. I have to chuckle a bit at the irony of the situation. You see, that's the perfect title for my own personal journey that the Lord has been guiding me through.

Although I have other books in circulation, this was the very first story I ever drafted fifteen years ago. I started writing on a whim. Don't ask me why. In fact, have you ever watched Night at the Museum? The first time we saw that movie I cracked up. I am so like that museum director. Some days it seems as if I can't put a complete thought -- let alone sentence -- together to save my life. Couple that with dyslexia and grammar and spelling that would make any English major cringe and... yup, that's me. Yet, here I find myself, walking down the path that once seemed so elusive and hidden to me.

Quite a few years after I wrote this book, I went to a writer's retreat. I prayed and prayed that God would show me what He wanted me to do and give me direction. I knew writing was something I enjoyed but was this what God wanted me to do? I struggled with that, and to be honest, still do on occasion.

I walked away from that weekend with as many questions as I arrived with. I was so discouraged. Didn't God hear me? I wanted to follow His will for my life, yet felt like He was far away and unwilling to give me the direction I so desperately craved.

He had heard my prayers, yet I was too close to the situation to see that He had been, was, and still is guiding me. I stand amazed as I think about this now... God has led me to friends who had a passion for the craft of writing and the gift of encouragement. I've been blessed with a family who supports my writing endeavors, and I've learned a ton of stuff along the way... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the gist.

What I've come to realize is I don't need to have everything figured out. I serve an awesome God who knows what's best for me. Sometimes I may not particularly care for what needs to be done. The road may seem long and hard and the mountains too big to scale. Yet, God loves me too much to let me settle for the easy road where I would forget where true strength is found.

Perhaps like me, you have been struggling with direction in your own life. I would like to challenge you to place your hand (and your life) in God's hands and allow Him to plot your course. You might find yourself in for a crazy ride -- on a path, like Julie, that you would have never imagined.

And that, my friends is my Christmas prayer for you. That you would follow the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strenght. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Hidden Paths a Young Adult/Adult Inspirational Romance

Purchase link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-235/Hidden-Paths-JoAnne-Carter/Detail.bok or at amazon.com and Barnes and Noble as well as other e-book retailers.

Blurb:

Staying in Vermont on the family farm wasn’t what JULIE HEMMINGWAY had envisioned for her life. After all, she had just spent two years at the community college in preparation to join a mission agency to use her nursing skills overseas. However, those plans quickly change when her father suffers a massive heart attack and dies. Out of necessity, she stays at home to help her mom manage the farm.

To help make ends meet, Julie accepts a new job at a construction company where many unexpected things happen, including working with the handsome, ADAM JACOBS. Will Julie learn that she can trust in God and the path He has planned for her life – even when it looks totally different than what she expected?

EXCERPT:

Julie Hemmingway's thoughts centered on one thing -- and one thing only -- the letter which had arrived yesterday. Her dreams were coming true at last. She hummed a little Christmas tune and pushed her cart to the return rack. Scooping up her bags, Julie turned to walk out of the grocery store. The next thing she knew, her face was planted against a wool sweater and a coat's zipper. The paper bag filled with groceries crushed against her midsection with a sickening crunch. Thankfully, with a firm grip, she somehow managed to hold onto the second bag. She stood stunned for a moment. Please tell me I didn't just run into the person behind me.

"Are you okay?" His warm bass voice vibrated through his chest and beat against her cheek.

So much for that wish.

Julie wrapped her arm tighter around the bag resting between them to prevent it from plummeting to the floor and pushed herself back.

The guy gently gripped her forearms to steady her. "I'm sorry. I should have been paying closer attention to where I was going." He pointed with his thumb toward the colored lights twinkling merrily in the window. "I was looking at the decorations. They're amazing."

Julie let her gaze travel up until she met his blue eyes. The second bag, which had managed to escape the fiasco, slipped out of her grasp. She looked down in horror at the mess on the floor. "Oh man, it looks like I just did some decorating of my own -- but not the pretty or festive kind." She groaned. "I think that bag had my eggs."

"If that's the case, they're now scrambled." He took the bag, with lettuce spewing over the side, away from her and stepped back to assess the damage. "Or at least, sunny-side up."

Julie grinned at his quick wit as she kicked loose coffee beans off the top of her shoe.

With a crooked smile, he introduced himself. "I'm Adam." Before Julie could tell him her name, he plucked a piece of lettuce draped over her sleeve like a scarf. "I must say, these lovely, um... accessories, don't do your beautiful coat justice."

Julie, caught between his humor and her self-consciousness, tried to think of something -- anything -- to say. Unfortunately, her mind was as blank as a school chalkboard over summer vacation. If only she could attribute this temporary loss of words to the near fall. However, that wouldn't be totally honest.

Perhaps it was his disposition, his good looks, or ease with himself, but something about him intrigued her. The man seemed larger than life and although the groceries had been smashed between them, no food clung to his clothes as they did to hers. In fact, he looked like he could have stepped out from a magazine page.

"Let's get this stuff picked up." He stooped to retrieve a can of soup that had rolled toward the door.

"Let's." That was better than the alternative -- to stand and stare at him. The sooner this mess was cleaned up, the sooner she could leave and move on with the dream which had, up until the last few moments ago, been her sole focus. Once again, her heart galloped at thought of the acceptance letter. Her desire to become a missionary was nothing new. Rather, her heart and imagination were captured ever since a speaker, who worked in Africa, gave a presentation at her church when she was twelve. Now she was close to seeing it come to fruition.

Julie sighed. She couldn't wait to share the news from New Hope Missions with her grandmother, who was visiting for the holidays. She sank her teeth into her lower lip, hoping to hide the goofy grin that threatened to escape.

Adam turned, and whack! -- they collided again. She rubbed her head.

That's what I get for daydreaming.

The whole situation suddenly reminded her of an episode of one of her father's favorite old-time television shows with one guy bopping another on the head.

Adam winked. "Jinx."

Mirth bubbled in the pit of her stomach until she couldn't help but laugh. She shook her head and stuffed a cantaloupe into a bag. "I am so sorry. My bad this time. I was thinking about something else." She narrowed her eyes. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Nah, I have a pretty hard head." He reached for another bag and began to fill it with the groceries. "But I guess you found that out for yourself."

Julie rubbed her scalp. "I guess I did... the hard way," she chuckled.

The store manager rushed over with new bags and began to help pick up the groceries as well. "I saw it happen. Are you two all right? We need to hang a mirror or something over the door. This isn't the first time this has happened."

Adam gave a teasing grin. "You mean she does this all the time?"

Julie's jaw dropped, and the manager laughed. "No, no. Of course not. Other customers have had similar run-ins." He gave them both the once-over.

"You sure you're all right?"

Nodding toward Julie, Adam answered for both of them. "We're fine."

"Follow me to the courtesy counter," the manager motioned. "I'll replace or reimburse you for the broken eggs and whatever else has been damaged."

How much does pride cost?

Julie ducked her head.

The manager continued, "What would you prefer?"

Julie had no idea what she looked like, but she knew how she felt -- a big, sticky, eggy mess, albeit a mess who was impatient to get home. "I think I'll just stop back later if that's okay."

"Sure. Just don't forget your receipt."

"Got it." Julie nodded toward Adam, "Thank you for helping me corral my groceries."

"My pleasure."

She turned and ran out the door, leaving traces of egg to mark her path. As she raced through the parking lot, she couldn't help but think about how she had clung to the stranger's arm and then whacked him in the head. Some days it felt like she could tackle anything the world sent her way, and other days -- well, it made her realize how woefully inadequate she still was.

Julie had been so sure of everything when she opened the letter this morning. But now that her elusive dream was about to become a reality, doubts about her future whispered and wrapped long, spindle-like bands around her heart. She wasn't quite twenty yet -- fresh out of community college. Did she really think she was prepared to join others of great faith in the mission field?

Yet, the light of her hopes and dreams flickered again then set ablaze the shadows that threatened to lurk. She pushed back her shoulders.

Guatemala, here I come!
--

JoAnn Carter writes stories that will encourage your faith through her inspirational romances. She resides in Vermont with her wonderful husband and four children. JoAnn is available for speaking engagements to book clubs, reader groups, library groups, women's ministry events, school events and church retreats.

You can visit her webpage at http://home.comcast.net/~jo.glenncarter/site/

Judging A Book By Its Cover

2011-12-12T08:56:00.000-08:00

*by Michelle Massaro

Last week Clash of the Titles held their first ever Clash of the Covers. This fast-paced clash was different than their usual fare, because instead of judging the author's story, we judged how well their cover designs matched their theme or made us want to pick up the book. There were four books to vote on, from authors Cathy, Erica, Lacy, and Maggie. The books were Marrying Miss Marshal, Spring For Susannah, A Bride's Portrait, and Deeply Devoted.

It was a VERY CLOSE race and it saw enough voter participation to max out the scoreboards!

Some of the comments included:

Spring for Susannah - Susannah is aware of the man but she looks as though she could turn away, or turn towards him.

Marrying Miss Marshall seems to speak volumes about the heroine--just in her position.

The cover of A Brides Portrait, really sells the title by having the woman with a camera on it. Caught my attention.

I love cover C...looks like the "old west"!!!

Marrying Miss Marshal. Hmm, with that rifle laid across her lap, one wonders who's daring enough to approach her, much less marry her. Intriguing.

I loved A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City - it added so many components of the story into the cover besides just a profile :)

Love this (A) - it's intriguing. I'm not sure from the picture whether she's toting for justice, revenge, or protection. Makes me curious.

The Champion Book that was voted

BEST SETTING THAT CAPTURES THE MOOD OF THE TITLE:

Springtime For Susanna, by Catherine Richmond

This week, COTT is sporting a holiday/winter theme with host Gail Pallotta. We expect it to be another huge turn-out so please join us. We'll cozy up to the virtual fireplace, egg nog in hand, and browse for books. In this case, it's okay to judge the cover. =)

We’ll be taking a break December 26 – January 6

And then come right back on January 9 with a new clash that will – literally – take your breath away! If you're an author, don’t forget to check upcoming open clashes and submit

Theresa Stillwagon's Renovations

2011-12-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Blurb for Renovations --

Was she making a big mistake?

Megan Callaway now owned Green Oaks Plantation, with all of its outbuildings and forest of trees and grass – and problems. She planned on changing it into a bed and breakfast. Yet she didn’t have complete control. She would have to agree on everything with Andy Perry, the president of the local historical group.

The man didn’t want to see anything change on the property.

Megan wanted to demolish all the outer buildings except an old-fashion outdoor kitchen.

Sparks fly every time the two get together.

But it’s not until her past starts catching up to her, things get interesting.

Would Megan really be able to let go?

Excerpt --

A slight grin lifted his lips as if saying, Why are you hiding from me? She fisted her hands together, forcing her fingers away from her glasses.

His grin faded. "Look, I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry for how I acted the other day."

"I accept your apology."

He stepped past her on the stairs, stopping her halfway down them. Eye to eye, she was forced to look directly in to his astonishing brown ones. She'd never seen eyes the color of this man's before, brown with little hints of caramel coloring reflecting brilliant in the harsh light of the stairwell. A woman could never be safe with a man with eyes like his. Mysterious, full of promises. She suddenly wanted to agree to those promises.

No, no, no.

"You're not acting like a woman who has just accepted a man's apology."

Pulling her gaze from his, she slid past him and raced down the stairs.

"Hey?"

Oh, how foolish could one woman be? Part of the reason she'd driven eight hundred miles was to get away from a man who'd promised her the world. She definitely didn't plan to get involved in any way with another one for the same reasons.

She heard him calling her name, but she ignored him. The front entrance came into view as she swallowed bitter tears. Before she reached it, a hard hand stopped her. She jerked out of his grip and turned toward him.

"Are you okay?"

Megan couldn't talk as she fought her tears.

He dropped his hands and backed away from her. "Now I've made you cry."

"No."

His eyes widened at her negative answer. "Then why are you?"

"I don't..." She didn't know what to tell him because she wasn't sure why. "Sometimes women just... need to cry." What the hell is wrong with me anyway? "I'm overwhelmed by all that's happening now."

He looked chastised. "My attitude certainly isn't helping you, is it?"

"No." She blew out a relieving breath. "But I'll be all right."

His steady glance told her he didn't quite believe her.

Buy links

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-228/The-Sisters-Calloway-Book/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Callaway-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B0067DE6L8/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321562080&sr=1-4

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sisters-callaway-book-two-theresa-stillwagon/1107396598

Just Romantic Suspense Giveaway – Over Twenty Five Books!

2011-12-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Now I know you like romantic suspense or you probably wouldn’t have dropped by, so check this out. ONE insanely lucky person will win all these books on the night of December 19th. That’s right, over twenty-five romantic suspense books! To visit Just Romantic Suspense’s blog, just click on the graphic in my side bar. You can enter the drawing Dec 16th – 19th.

Here are some of the titles included in the drawing:
Dee J Adams – Dangerous Race
Becky Barker – Cade’s Challenge
Anne Marie Becker – Only Fear
Allison Brennan – Love Me to Death
Lorelei Confer – Deadly Revenge
Wynter Daniels – Sizzle At Sea
Lena Diaz – He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
Marcelle Dube – On Her Trail
Misty Evans – Operation Sheba
Adrienne Giordano – Risking Trust
Angela Henry – Paris Secret
Rita Henuber – Under Fire
Betsy Horvath – Hold Me
Victoria Howard – Ring Of Lies
Autumn Jordan – In The Presence Of Evil
Sylvie Kurtz – A Little Christmas Magic
Gennita Low – Hunter
Kat Martin – Tin Angel
Dana Marton – Guardian Agent
Julie Miller – The Shadow Of The Hawk
Maureen A. Miller – Endless Night
Terry Odell – When Danger Calls
Anne Patrick – Fire and Ash
Patricia Rasey – Deadly Obsession
Christy Reece – Sweet Justice
Jaime Rush – Unforgivable
Carol Stephenson – Courting Death
Carla Swafford – Circle Of Desire
Debra Webb - Obsession
Norah Wilson – Guarding Suzannah

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!

Clash of the Titles Allliance Members

2011-12-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

by Delia Latham

Christine and Pamela!

A huge welcome to blogger and author Christine Lindsay! Christine is another extraordinary member of the COTT Blog Alliance. On Wednesdays she posts the COTT weekly article, and on Fridays she posts either an editorial/devotional or a review on a book.

What's her blog like? Christine wants her blog to be somewhere a reader can find a true inspirational story to encourage their faith. For example, on her blog she has in book-length the entire story of her experience as a birthmother. From the moment she found out she was pregnant, to the relinquishment of her child, and to their reunion 20 years later.

Do not miss this testimony. Her birth-daughter, Sarah, modeled for the cover of Shadowed in Silk. Take a look at how it all came together—it's well worth the read.

I asked Christine who she is outside the realm of writing and publication and all that jazz.

"I am so ordinary, it's hilarious. I used to be an administrative assistant, going off to work in suits, high heels and makeup. Now that I'm following the labor of my heart (writing) I work in my home office and wear the closest thing I can get to pajamas—sweat pants and a sweat shirt.

"But there are times I have to go out and leave my beloved laptop behind along with my cat. Then I slap on some mascara, whip a comb through my hair, put on some decent slacks and head out the door with a cup of tea in my hands. I can drive with one hand and drink my tea with the other."

What "ordinary"? That's multi-tasking!

Why is she willing to give COTT space on her blog every other week?

I find the COTT alliance an energetic group of writers that inspire me. I love the fun and camaraderie with the clashes," she said. "And it gets the word out to readers of all the great Christian fiction that's available. They are a great group of people to be affiliated with. I consider it an honor."

The feeling is entirely mutual!

Christine's blog

Christine's website
Book trailer

Meet Pamela S. Thibodeaux:

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com
Bayou Writers Group: http://bayouwritersgroup.com

A great big welcome to Blog Alliance Partner Pamela S. Thibodeau. We're so pleased to have her aboard.

I asked this author and blogger where she finds inspiration for her blog, Pamela S. Thibodeaux—Blog.

"I must admit that, personally, I'm pretty burned out on topics…but I love showcasing other authors on Saturday Spotlight and hosting their virtual book tours. This helps me fill in when I can think of nothing to talk about. LOL!"

Honesty…I love it! (Also really glad to know I'm not the only blogger with this kind of problem…)

I'm always interested in why our Blog Alliance members choose to be members. Here's Pam's reason:

"I believe in what COTT is doing and frankly, any website that helps promote Christian authors—especially those who are new, unknown, small press or independently published—is a place I try to support. Doing regular posts for COTT helps me do just that."

Pamela's newest release, The Visionary, is an absolutely wonderful book, one I can whole-heartedly recommend. Without being offensively graphic, it deals with some pretty heavy issues of child abuse and its aftermath.

What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

The biggest challenge I face is not having my work accepted by the “Christian” publishers. As one reviewer said, “Though undeniably Christian, it is never dogmatic or insular; offering faith rather than religion.” (From Elizabeth Burton's review of Tempered Dreams for Blue Iris Journal) My books deal with issues in a way that is unacceptable in the traditional CBA market. Now that is not saying that my books are better than those published through traditional CBA publishers, only different. As I’ve said many times, everything that gives God glory deserves to be praised!

So true. And all I can think to say in response is a very sincere, "Amen!"

What Does Christmas Mean to You?

2011-12-03T16:42:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Marlayne Giron

I didn't get to experience the "magic" of Christmas until I was 37. As a Jewish child growing up in a nominally religious home; my mom steadfastly refused to get a Christmas tree (or Chanukah Bush) for the holidays. Each year of my childhood Christmas would come and go and I often remember wishing that Santa Claus would overlook the fact that I was Jewish and just once come down our chimney and bring a tree, stockings and presents. When I became a believer in Jesus at the age of 17, Christmas took on an entirely new meaning. I was outraged, outraged at the rank commercialism of it all! And I told my fellow employees at a shipping company near LAX on my temp job so in a single-spaced, page-long diatribe (typed on my break then photocopied and distributed throughout the office). Needless to say, my supervisor was not pleased. My first few Christmases as a believer were much more meaningful but also lonely. I had moved out when I was 19 and lived on my own. I didn't have enough time off at my job to join my parents at my sister and brother-in-law's home when I was 21 during Christmas and having no friends, I spent one of the most pathetic nights one Christmas Eve crying myself to sleep on my couch with only a candle and the Lord to keep me company.

I got to experience my first real Christmas was when I was 22 and had begun dating a nice young man who later turned out to be my husband. I was invited to sleep over his parents home on the pull-out couch and when he thought I was asleep (I wasn't) he snuck downstairs and filled a stocking for me on behalf of Santa Claus. For the next 15 Christmases, we celebrated with his family but in December of 1997, I got to experience the full magic of Christmas for it was on this Christmas Eve that God gave us our daughter, Karina. She was 3-1/2 at the time and experiencing Christmas with a family of her own for the very first time. We took her around the block to show her the Christmas lights; her proud (and scared) new daddy carrying her on his shoulders while she shouted, "It's the Kwissmass!" over and over again with delight. We had the tree, a Candy Cane stocking I had gotten just for her and presents from us (and Santa Claus). What we also had was the flu bug, which had grown to epidemic proportions in Orange County. Our entire family and extended family got hit with it and we were not able to share Christmas morning with anyone until a full week later when we were all well. At the Christmas family reunion two weeks later, we introduced our daughter as a surprise to the entire family.

Having felt "deprived" as a child, I was bound and determined to give my new daughter both the spiritual significance of Christ's birth as well as the full magic of Christmas for as long as humanly possible. I wrapped her gifts from Santa in different paper (no bows - they would get squished in the sleigh) and used different handwriting. When she mailed off a letter to the North Pole, I made sure she found a reply in her stocking. I was so good at the Santa Claus thing that I almost had myself convinced that Santa Clause was real and had my daughter believing in it up to the ripe old age of 12 (yes 12!!). The year after the movie "Polar Express" came out. She decided to test the waters (she was 11). I just happened to see her writing a note to leave on the coffee table in the "Christmas room" and when I looked, I discovered it was a letter to Santa asking him for a bell off his sleigh. It was 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve! I ran out the door in a panic, raced to my nearest Michael's Craft Store and nabbed the last container of giant sized jingle bells. I found a little drawstring pouch and ribbon that said, "Believe" on it. She opened it the next morning with delight and I breathed a sigh of relief; safe for another year! To be quite honest I was actually amazed that she still believed and wondered if she wasn't just doing it for my benefit. I couldn't believe that none of her friends at school hadn't spilled the beans yet. In the end; she found out the following Christmas by going into my closet behind my clothes and discovered where I hid all the gifts before wrapping. She took in all in stride but I was devastated. No more Santa Claus. I had only gotten to experience him through the eyes of my daughter for nine short years. It still bums me out.

Christmas is still a blessed time. We have created our own traditions such as listening to The Gift on Christmas Eve in front of the fire and tree while my honey and I cuddle on the couch. Most of all; I have grown to increasingly appreciate the true miracle of Christmas. The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent God of the Universe deigned to come in the most helpless of forms and chose to be born in the most lowly of circumstances without even the benefit of modern medicine. I still find it hard to wrap my head around it. Jesus submitted himself not only to the womb and birth but had to endure years in which he could not even vocally express himself; soiled himself until potty trained and then was raised by fallible humans. He didn't have to do it. He could have chosen to been born into a palace; but he chose to identify with us in all of our sufferings and helplessness. Thank you, Lord, for the most precious gift of all...Your Son.

Marlayne's Bio -
Marlayne Giron is a Messianic Jew who found Christ as her Messiah at the age of 17 while watching Franco Zefferelli’s “Jesus of Nazareth” on television in 1977. After coming to faith, she began to read the Old Testament for the first time and was amazed to discover that believing in Jesus was a very Jewish thing to do and not a betrayal of her Jewish religion as she had been taught by her parents and the rabbi’s in her synagogues.

In the course of her life she has had many small ”miracles” occur; the first major one being coming to faith in Christ when she hadn’t even been looking for it and with a built-in bias against Him. The second was meeting and marrying her future husband Michael whom she had prayed for by name as well as writing and illustrating a story (with his image in it) five years before meeting him. The third is the publication of The Victor after almost 30 years with no previous publication credits to her name. All three of these significant milestones in her life occurred on the Easter holidays. The fourth was becoming a mother of an adopted daughter on Christmas Eve in 1997.

Marlayne Giron is a full-time career secretary, wife and mother who likes to read, cook, entertain, draw and scrapbook. She is the author of "The Victor, A Tale of Betrayal, Love & Sacrifice"; "Make a Wish (Stories Written for Real People Where They are the Star)"; and "In Plain Sight"; her first Amish fiction.

http://marlaynegiron.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html

Thank you for allowing me to share your story, Marlyane. I was inspired by it and I'm sure others will be too.

Theresa Stillwagon Interview & Giveaway

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Theresa's Bio: Theresa Stillwagon has been writing most of her life. Since one of her teachers praised a poem she wrote for a class assignment, she's been putting words together in the hopes of seeing them in print. Not caring if anyone other than herself ever read them. Her dreams came to reality in 2008 when she signed her first writing contract. She's now just signed her fourth one and isn't looking back.

A former resident of the state of Ohio, Theresa now lives in her RV in the sunny city of Savanah, Georgia with her husband of twenty-seven years, Mike, and her two cats, Fred and Barney. She's currently seeking for a job while still hard at work on her next romance.

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Theresa] I really can't think of one. It's been so long since I've been a child. One book that comes to mind is The Little Engine that Could.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Theresa] Not really. I love reading and have a lot of them.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Theresa] Salem's Lot. And the scene is the one where the kid is scratching at the other boy's window. I read this many, many years ago, and I still remember how scared I was after reading that scene. Late at night, with the wind blowing, I had scratching at the window. Believe me, I stopped reading.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Theresa] I love Gettysburg, PA. I've been there a few times, hoping to experience some ghostly residence, but no such luck. Love the place.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Theresa] A kitchen, even though I'm not much of a cook. I like shopping for new clothing even less.

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Theresa] A comfortable long t-shirt and a pair of green socks.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Theresa] Spaghetti.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Theresa] Reading, messing around on line, or playing an online game called My Free Farm. It's amazing I get anything done.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Theresa] A BMW. A friend had one, and I loved riding in it.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Theresa] NCIS. (Love those guys.) I don't really have a favorite movie. I love The Mummy and Lord of the Rings series, though.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Theresa] I've thought and thought on this and can't come up with anything. I've decided I'm the most untalented person around. I have sung in a choir before, and nobody told me to shut up, so I guess I sang. (With a choir of voices behind me.)

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Theresa] I want both but if I have to choose only one I'll say to fly. I'll be able to get places without standing in a long line at the airport. Plus I'll get to my destination quicker.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Theresa] I think the most surprising thing I learned was that I could actually write. I'd finally found something that I could do reasonably well.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Theresa] I research flying for one of my released books. I enjoyed that.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Theresa] Someplace quiet where I can be alone. I can't write with any kind of noise or people around me.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Theresa] Not really. Other than having a pot of coffee nearby, and quietness, I'm fine.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Theresa] Well-rounded, real characters and a believable conflict. The more damaged the character the better.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Theresa] I'm actually working on two things now. The third book in The Sisters Callaway, A Difficult Choice, and the second book in my paranormal series with Beachwalk Press, The Dressmaker's Dilemma. I can do two at once because they are so different. I'm trying to finish The Dressmaker's Dilemma now.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

He grabbed me up and twisted me toward the wall. I screamed and fought against his tight hold, kicking the sharp heel of my shoe into his calf. He groaned out my name.

"Didn't I worn you I'd hurt you if you touch me again?"

He groaned again.

I kicked out my foot once again, hard, connecting with his right knee. Pleasure raced through me as he loosened his hold and dropped me to the ground. "That's what you get for not believing me."

Great job, Theresa! I loved your answers. Folks, be sure to comment throughout the month on one of Theresa's posts for the chance to win one of her ebooks.

An Early Christmas Gift for You!

2011-11-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

To show my appreciation of all the support you've given me this year, I'm giving away two short stories. Enjoy my friends!!!

Christmas with Hope - A Companion piece to my WOUNDED HEROES series:
Hope Erickson, a Blackhawk pilot, and Nick Cunningham, an army ranger, renew their acquaintance on the battlefields of Iraq. Will they risk their hearts to one another or does fate have other plans in store for them?

Download link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-239/Wounded-Heroes-Christmas-with/Detail.bok

Dangerous Deception - Journalist Gwen Jacobs thrived on dangerous assignments. That is until her ambition led to the massacre of an entire African village. Now, a year later, she’s been offered a chance at redemption and the opportunity to expose the men behind the slaughter.

Unaware of the secrets she carries, or the danger they could bring if exposed, philanthropist Jack Peterson and his small group of humanitarians welcome Gwen on their journey of hope with the understanding she will tell the world of the atrocities taking place amidst a civil war.

But when Gwen’s deception is uncovered and a rebel commander learns who she is, not only is Gwen’s life on the line, the whole group may die.

Download link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109846

Christina Freeburn's Writing Process

2011-11-29T16:46:00.000-08:00

Over the years, my process has changed. I used to be a solely seat-of-the-pants writer, which meant I sat at the computer knowing the heroines and hero, the basic plot, and an idea of who did it and told myself 'Start'. I did get books completed that way but spent a lot of time reworking them. I always had to go back to begin and do a total rewrite because the beginning never went with the editing as the whole plot shifted and twisted away from me.

I'm trying to 'write smarter' as I have a couple of books a year I need to get done so have started outlining. Now, not the high school kind of outline because ... well ... that seems like 'work' to my brain and then the creative portion doesn't want to cooperate. A few years ago, I started using a software program called The Snowflake Pro. I love it. It gives me a wonderful balance to the seat-of-the-pants style that encourages my creativity and an outline which helps me to focus.

When I find myself stuck at a point in my manuscript, I've learned it means there's something I got wrong. If I go back a few chapters, I'll find the problem and once fixed can move forward. Usually it's the fact that I had the hero or heroine behave in contrary to what I've established and need to either change the action or dialogue, or make the motivation clear.

The biggest help for me in taking writing seriously was how I talked about writing a book. Instead of saying "I dream of writing a book", I started saying "My goal is to write a book". It's funny, but once I used goal instead of dream, I found myself spending more time writing and working toward it. For the most part, dreams happen to us while goals are what we actively work to achieve.

Deciding to write a novel can seem daunting so break up the steps needed to complete your dream into mini-goals. When I was having trouble getting started on a recent book, I went back to this method and found the process easier and more doable. Even after writing a few books, I still at times wonder if I'm able to do it again. The first thing I do is decide what type of book I'm writing. Okay, that's easy right now as I'm writing romantic suspense.

Next, is the theme ... or heart ... of the book. What will be biggest struggle for my characters? Usually once I figure out the 'heart' pains (the romance conflict) the hero and heroine are either working through or clutching for dear life, the suspense part of the plot naturally comes from or weaves into the romance. After that comes the title, as I'm a 'title' girl and need to have one in order to start the book. The title sets the theme and mood for the story so I'll go through a couple before a find the right one. By the time I type Chapter One, I've already completed four steps and find those small 'victories' to give me a boost to go on to the next part.

Turning each chapter into its own separate goal also helps when I'm struggling. Even with an outline, it can seem like an endless task to get to the end of the novel but taking on each chapter as it comes makes the process easier and more doable. I know I can finish the chapter even if I doubt if I can finish the book.

I hope in the New Year everyone who has the dream of writing a book or a short story starts down their path to completing their goal. I can't wait to read your story!

Interview with Sadie & Sophie Cuffee

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Sadie] “Take Wing” By: Jean Little We had to write to an author in the fifth grade and I chose her. She lived on Woolwich Street and I went to Woolwich Central School. We were a country apart but had a connection. I learned from her the power of humility and kindness in always taking a genuine interest in your readers. I kept her letter (somewhere, I think) and the poem from the front of that novel is still one of my all-time favorites.

[Sophie] "A Wrinkle in Time" - Same fifth grade teacher, same assignment, but I didn't write to Madeleine L'Engle. (Sadie's always been an over-achiever!)

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Sadie] Robert P. Tristram Coffin.

[Sophie] Madeline Brent

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind?

[Sadie] "Ashes in the Wind" by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I read it decades ago but I have a thing for the Civil War Era.

[Sophie] "The Golden Urchin" by Madeline Brent (It appears I'm hooked on authors named Madeline!)

Anne] If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Sadie] The heroine disguises herself as a spitfire confederate boy and hitches a ride with a Union soldier who turns out to be the hero and doesn’t have a clue. She rubs soot and grease on her face and hair but is drop-dead gorgeous (of course) when she washes it off. You know what would happen to me if I did that!

[Sophie] The heroine is a red-headed white girl raised among aborigines. One of the customs for the tribe is to knock out one of their front teeth, but because she was different, she wasn't allowed to knock hers out. How convenient is that!

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Sadie] New Zealand (future favorite, I hope)

[Sophie] Ireland (future favorite after I visit New Zealand with Sadie)

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Sadie] Kitchen, way more fun. My closets are junk fests and a customized organized junkfest breaks the disgusting closet rule I’ve lived by my entire life.

[Sophie] Definitely kitchen!

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing?

[Sadie] Fuzzy socks, old jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt and a ratty green hooded sweatshirt. Not pretty, but comfy. And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Sophie] old jeans, old socks, my big brother's flannel shirt over a turtleneck, topped with a fleece vest. I like to swim in my clothes, and I agree, you must have clothes on, especially since it never got above 30 degrees today!

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Sadie] Homemade hot cinnamon raisin pretzels.

[Sophie] Homemade Shredded Wheat Bread.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Sadie] Hiking, camping, snowshoeing, farming, sewing, singing with my sisters, reading, road trips,…

[Sophie] everything Sadie said plus music, cooking, knitting, cross-country skiing, playing with the grandkids.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Sadie] A truck, either red 4 wheel drive with black interior, or a mint restored 1950’s powder blue pick up.

[Sophie] A peacock blue 4-wheel drive extended cab pickup. You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl!

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show?

[Sadie] old - Remington Steele Current - Burn Notice.

[Sophie] Castle (and I love the reviews by Melanie Atkins and Lee Lofland!

[Anne] Favorite movie?

[Sadie] White Christmas (sisters!)

[Sophie] While You Were Sleeping

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Sadie] Singing “Holding out for a Hero” with the sisters (without the tamborine or any other musical instruments in MY hand, or we would’ve gotten the hook.)

[Sophie] I've actually played my accordion in a talent show that landed me on TV at the age of 10 YOUTH CAVELCADE. According to the promo we received yummy milkshakes after the show. The reality was yucky chocolate milk, but it was fun.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Sadie] Fly. I’d like to cruise over the mountains and the islands, wind in my face, able to swoop down the cliff and back up again, riding the wind currents without moving a feather. Soaring without the thudding would be nice.

[Sophie] I love to fly and to have that ability within myself would be the greatest! We have eagles floating around in the skies from time to time and it would be so cool to hang out with them!

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Sadie] People can misinterpret what you write and be incredibly and brutally frank. Critics mostly shoot from the lip, and you have to take what they say to the page but not to heart. Not all comments may be good, but they can be used for good, even if it’s in the negative lesson of "don’t do unto others what they have done unto you."

[Sophie] What you write initially can change tremendously by the time you type the final THE END.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Sadie] Once I asked a prisoner to give me the real scoop on how they use mirrors and notes to pass messages to each other on the inside. Creepy (The inside info, not the prisoner, thank goodness) but I think the most interesting research comes from real people in real situations. It may not always be Wikipedia approved, but it has an edge of humanity, grit and unique oddity so when you use it, it makes the characters in your book have... well, character.

[Sophie] Exchanging Maine lingo for western lingo. An Iowa farm gave us the line, "slicker than cow snot on a doorknob." We countered with "deafer than a haddock." I love local lingo!

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Sadie] For a walk with Henry, our mostly-Australian shepherd dog, in the woods behind our house.

[Sophie] Seriously, Sadie's always inspired. Whenever we come into the house from chores, or shopping, or bringing in the firewood, she always has to run to her desk and write down notes. I usually go to the sewing machine.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Sadie] Not really, but I scribble notes to myself on old envelopes, ads, letters -- whatever’s on hand. I write upside down, around corners and draw arrows, which drives my writing partner nuts.

[Sophie] This is so true, and while transcribing some of our father's sermon notes, we discovered he did the same thing. I think it's catching, as I find myself jotting things down on napkins, even on my hand when no paper's available. It's great, unless I wash my hands before I write down what's on it!

[Anne]What do you think makes a good story?

[Sadie] Characters with heart that touch my heart. Also I like rural intergenerational characters that reflect real life emotional connections.

[Sophie] I like stories where the hero/heroine are just ordinary people with a sarcastic sense of humor; the kind of people you'd like to hang out with if they were real.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Sadie] "Warrior’s Journey," the second book in the Blood Brothers in Christ Series from DBP. I need to finish this week or I’m dead meat. (This is why I don’t write poetry.)

[Sophie] "Warrior's Journey," Sadie's doing the final tweak before I do the final edit. Teamwork!

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Sadie] An older reader and fan came to my house right before the holidays. I was vacuuming in preparation for family when he knocked on the door. He said I was nothing like he imagined. (And I’m sure I wasn’t – red faced, hair falling down, ratty clothes, etc.) He thought I’d be overweight, older, and live in a decrepit old farmhouse. He asked if he could come in. I said, "no." Can you say "penname" from that day forward?

[Sophie] A friend bought "Arrow That Flies" and said she thought Stellar's Ford (the town) was a car dealership. Now I try to out-think readers and hope I've covered all the bases when naming characters or towns. (Although Sadie DOES have a thing for town names with lots of s's.)

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it...

[Sadie] he was standing at my door whining about our breakup. I tried to ignore the drip on the welcome mat, but it's hard when all those messy emotions were puddling around his sandals and dribbling on my toes.

[Sophie] he pulled me into his arms and turned my back to the street. He searched the throng of people as he embraced me and whispered in my ear, "Please don't give me away."

http://www.cuffesisters.com/

Our latest release:

The purple splotched birthmark on her cheek brands Alice Wainwright a spinster. When a gentleman courts her, Alice jumps into a loveless engagement to Joshua, a braggart in desperate need of cash.

His groom, Hawk, knows Joshua's dirty secrets but, as a blind war veteran, he has few choices. His employer's threats make it clear he'll be on the street if he breathes a word of the truth to Alice.

But when Joshua bullies Alice at their engagement party, Hawk steps out of the dark and becomes her champion. Torn between honor and need, Hawk comes to work for the Wainwright family. Alice and Hawk share the same vulnerability and pride. When friendship quickly turns to love, each is blinded by a dark secret. Joshua's interference plays on their insecurities and threatens their future together. Can they face the truth about themselves and each other before they're torn apart?

Purchase links for FAITH IN THE SHADOWS:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-225/The-Wainright-Trilogy-Book/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Wainright-Trilogy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0067D6N6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321791291&sr=1-2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wainright-trilogy-book-one-sadie-cuffe/1107396596?ean=2940013446342&itm=2&usri=faith%252bin%252bthe%252bshadows

purchase links for ARROW THAT FLIES:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-191/S-%26-S-Cuffe/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Brothers-Christ-Book-ebook/dp/B005FGA8S8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317290772&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-brothers-in-christ-book-one-sadie-sophie-cuffe/1104578312?ean=2940013155657&itm=1&usri=sophie+cuffe

Hey, Anne, Thanks for letting us share the spotlight - it was wicked fun!

Christina's Journey to Publication

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Every path is different to publication so it's best not to judge yours by others. It's easy to get demoralized and question your ability when comparing accomplishments. The times when I sit and stack where I'm at with my writing career against another, I always come away feeling a down and wondering why I am bothering. But I do know why I bother. I can't. There's something inside of me compelling me to write. There are stories in my head that want out and won't quiet until I get them onto the computer.

I have had some ups and downs along the way to publication: a publisher going out of business, two maybes where I spent many months editing a book only to be told no at the end, trying to change my voice and style to please others. I finally found that 'open door' again when I wrote the story I wanted to tell and sent that story to the publisher rather than the other way around.

The advice I wish I had taken to heart a lot sooner than I did was to be true to yourself. Be true to your writer's voice and the story you need to tell. That is when the words come out the most pure and will touch those that read them.

This Weeks COTT Winner

2011-11-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Delia Latham

The Amish are known for their quiet, unassuming manner. Their love of all things peaceful…and shunning of competitive pastimes.

Well. I'm afraid that all flew out the window in the COTT Clash featuring Amish fiction. It was a fight to the finish.... a nose-to-nose race...a no-holds-barred dash to the finish line!

Contestants were:

Suzanne Woods Fisher

(Click on the cover to read Suzanne's Excerpt A)

and

Laura V. Hilton

(Click on the cover to read Laura's Excerpt B)

Both authors hit the ground running with sizzling teasers that presented a definite challenge to our readers. Both were super-fantastic! Both offered a tantalizing glimpse into an amazing read.

But only one of these fabulous excerpts could take the win.
When at last the dust died down…the crowd silenced in expectation…and the winner stood revealed…

LAURA V. HILTON

held the finish line ribbon firmly in hand!

CONGRATULATIONS, LAURA!

The choice was not an easy one, as our readers made perfectly clear in their comments:

"Both of these excerpts are immediately engaging—I think I'd like to read both books!"

"Both excerpts are winners. Can't wait to read them."

"I enjoy the Clash of the Titles!! Each author is fantastic!! And such a great place to hear of new authors that perhaps you haven't read before. Good luck!"

"I love to read stories of the Amish. Thank you for your hard work."
"The authors who write Amish fiction are doing a great job keeping true to the Amish ways while holding the reader's interest with wonderful story lines over and over again."

Heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to both Suzanne and Laura. I wish we could call it a tie and put both in the winner's slot, because both authors truly are winners.

New Release, New Reviews & an Interview

2011-11-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy & exciting week for me. Kill Shot, Wounded Heroes:Book One released Tuesday. I'll add a blurb and excerpt below. I was interviewed at Night Owl Reviews today. Here's the link if you want to read it: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Interviews/Tamazon-interviews-Anne-Patrick-on-Nov-17-2011.aspx Also, I received three great reviews this week. I'll temp you with some snippets :). In case I succeeded there are buy links on my book page.

LASR review of Renegade Hearts: "In Renegade Hearts, author Anne Patrick takes a bunch of strong and delightful characters and presents a charming, gentle story of family love, family differences, of loss and the courage to go forward. And as is her way, Ms Patrick chucks in some suspense and weaves it through the book, not revealing the outcome until the end of the story...Whether writing on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery and suspense, or gentle family life with suspense entwined, Anne Patrick is an author worthy of your Keeper shelf."

Martha's Bookshelf review of Renegade Hearts: "This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done." *Note - I'm giving away a copy at Martha's so be sure to get your name in the hat.

Diane Craver's review of No Greater Love: NO GREATER LOVE is a page-turner filled with inspiration and hope. I knew it would be a great read but it exceeded my high expectations. The characters are well-developed, and each could have a book written about them. They are that interesting. I highly recommend this absorbing and beautifully written book, NO GREATER LOVE.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful reviews!!!! Okay, now here is the blurb and excerpt for my new release. I hope you enjoy it.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Excerpt:

The steel door creaked as she pushed it open, the sound echoing throughout the metal building. "Mr. Urlik?" She waited for her eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before stepping all the way inside. A wide stream of light from the door spread out in front of her. "Mr. Urlik. Are you in here?"

Kory heard a sound a few yards in front of her. She quickly scanned the area. Three rows of huge metal shelves lined the interior. She inched forward, peering around the corner of the second row. Mr. Urlik lay on his side, facing her, clutching his chest. His eyes were opened and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. A heart attack? She ran to him, knelt down on the cement floor, and took his hand. It was wet, slimy. She looked down and saw his hand covered in blood. Her eyes shifted to his chest. A large crimson stain spread across the width of his white shirt from a small hole near the center. He was breathing erratically. Experience told her a bullet had pierced at least one lung and he didn't have much time. She immediately pressed the heel of her right hand against the wound.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Where's your cell phone?" Hers was in her backpack but she didn't want to waste valuable time digging it out.

"No time. Get out."

"Who did this, Mr. Urlik?"

He grabbed her right hand and squeezed it tightly. "You were right -- no accident."

His hand went limp.

Kory felt something in the palm of her hand, looked down and saw it was a key. She shoved it into her jeans pocket. A whizzing sound buzzed past her, followed by the unmistakable clink of a bullet ricocheting off metal. She instinctively threw herself over his body as another bullet struck metal. Kory felt for a pulse. There was none. She lowered her hand to his chest and felt under both arms and along his waist. I thought all PIs carried guns. Just my luck this one didn't.

She scrambled to her feet, as more shots ricocheted around her, and dove through an opening on the first row of shelves. A piercing pain sliced through her upper arm as she took cover behind some boxes. They wouldn't shield her from the gunfire but they would conceal her presence while she figured out how she was going to get out of there. She paused long enough to grab her cell phone from her backpack, wishing she hadn't when another bullet tore through a box beside her. She ducked lower to the floor.

Kory ignored the throbbing in her arm and slithered along the floor toward the back of the building. As a child, she and her sister, Callie, had often accompanied her grandfather to the warehouse where he worked on boats as a hobby. She remembered a back exit that led to the side parking lot and nearby woods. If she could reach the door, she had a chance of getting out of this alive. She looked down at the tear in her shirt, drenched with blood.

This isn't good!

Christina Freeburn - Why Mystery/Suspense?

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was always drawn to mysteries and suspense books growing up and even now those are what I prefer to read along with romance. For me, there's something intriguing and humbling about those that willingly serve others even if costs them. I like to explore these types of personalities and figure out where -- if there is -- a line they will draw for themselves. With so much heartache and heartbreak in the world, I wanted to create stories where the wrongs are righted and suspense allows me to do that. I feel drawn to show characters struggling to overcome and fight against the world and the people set to destroy them. There is a hope and a promise for everyone and suspense allows me to show people reaching that place in life after going through their dark times.

Learn more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/

Be sure to comment on any or all of Christina's posts for a chance to win Lost Then Found.

Kill Shot Excerpt

2011-11-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

Kill Shot Releases Nov 15th!

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Excerpt:

Sean stared at the door that stood ajar. He heard a noise come from inside. "Stay out here, Mr. Chandler." He drew his gun and quietly pushed back the door.

Another sound came from further inside the apartment. His heart pounded in his chest as he checked around each corner and behind each piece of furniture. In one of the bedrooms, he found the intruder going through dresser drawers. Judging from the small frame, blue jeans, purple hoodie and tennis shoes, it was just a kid. One that was about to get the lesson of a lifetime.

"Police... don't move!"

The intruder almost jumped straight up in the air. A figurine fell and shattered on the floor.

"Put your hands up and slowly turn around."

"This isn't what it looks like, Officer."

Sean lowered his gun in recognition of the intruder's voice. Kory Wagner. He should have known.

Kory's eyes widened when she saw him, her cheeks quickly turning crimson. "Are you following me?"

"No I'm not following you." He put his gun back in its holster. "You know I find it hard to believe you were in the army for twelve years because you sure don't take orders very well."

She lowered her hands to her hips. "You're not my superior. You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do."

"You were a witness to a murder in my county. I have every right."

She seemed on the verge of a comeback when the landlord joined them. "Is everything okay in here? Oh Kory. I didn't realize you were back."

"Hi, Mr. Chandler. Yes, everything is fine. Super cop was just on his way out."

"I'm not going anywhere without you. And if you resist I have a nice pair of bracelets here to persuade you."

Mr. Chandler considered them both, before his eyes settled on Kory. "Before you leave, there is something I need to talk to you about."

"Sure." She looked at Sean. "Do you mind?"

"Just don't go far," he answered.

Click here to learn more about my Wounded Heroes Series.
You can purchase Kill Shot Tuesday, November 15th at my publisher, or at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and most online bookstores.

Christina Freeburn's Lost Then Found

2011-11-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

Lost Then Found, is the first book in the New Beginnings Series, which features a skip-tracing business that specializes in relocating abused and stalked women.

Blurb:

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.

Excerpt:

Renee locked the apartment up tight and took the stairs. Gripping the rail, she plodded down the steps, each step draining energy. The eventual battle with Jonas weighed down her spirit. She didn't want to relive the painful moments of her life.

She stepped onto the ground floor, tugged open the door leading to the back parking lot and walked outside. A cold breeze played along her skin, drifting against her unprotected neck. The impulsive summer haircut she chose that winter over the hairdresser's recommendations no longer symbolized independence to her but teenage rebellion.

She tugged up the small collar of her leather coat. "Showed him, didn't I."

Hands clapped. Renee halted under the dim lights of the outside doors. Her heart rate accelerated as she looked around the darkening area. Parked in the lot were three cars and a van. She swallowed hard and stared at the windows of the van, trying to make out any figures. Placing her hand into her front pocket, she pressed her thumb onto the keypad of her cell phone. She sent out a heads-up message to her brother.

Jonas stepped into the light, a sarcastic smile stretching across his face. Better to face a known enemy than an unknown one. She typed another message to her brother. False read. Lord, let that work to keep Alex at home rather than charging to the rescue.

"Your skills at deception have gotten better." Jonas loomed over her.

"I learned from the best." Regret tugged at her conscience as the words left her mouth. She pushed it away. If she allowed Jonas to get the upper hand, then she offered an opportunity for his words to steal away her confidence.

She tilted her head back and locked onto his storm-cloud gray eyes, standing in place even though her neck muscles ached. She promised herself not to ever allow a man to make her feel powerless. The streetlights allowed her to see her reflection in his eyes. As he studied her face, his gaze softened. He reached out, fingers lingering by her cheek.

The air between them crackled. A shiver raced through Renee and she fought the instinct to lean those few inches toward his touch. They were divorced. They no longer meant anything to each other. She drew back but not before awareness crept into his gaze. He knew. He sensed it.

Time to end the silent duel, and leave. Now. She held in a frustrated sigh as she asked the question Jonas silently demanded. "What do you want?"

"Gina Howard's location."

Find out more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/
Be sure to leave a comment on any of Christina's post's this month for the chance to win a copy of Lost Then Found!

E.A. West Blog Tour & Giveway

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the release of The Key to Charlotte, I’m giving a copy to two lucky commenters on this blog tour. The rules are simple. Between October 28 and November 6, leave a comment on any of my blog tour stops (including this post) with your name and email address letting me know you want to be entered into the drawing. You can find a complete list of the blog tour stops on my blog http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com. I will draw two names at random from all of the entries and announce the winners on November 7 (winners will also be contacted by email). The two winners will each receive a free PDF of The Key to Charlotte. Good luck to you all!

[Anne] What is your favorite part of writing?

[E.A.] I love the creative process of creating new characters and plots. I don’t write outlines, so every story unfolds as I write it. It is so much fun to learn about the characters as I work my way through the story. I rarely know exactly where the story is going when I first start writing it, so I get to watch the story unfold the same way a reader will, although I do usually have a little more insight into what happens next.

[Anne] Have you always wanted to be a writer?

[E.A.] Although I’ve always been a voracious reader, I haven’t always dreamed of being an author. Believe it or not, I went through most of my school career hating writing and doing everything I could to avoid it. It wasn’t until high school that I fell in love with writing and knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. It’s been a crazy journey since then, but I have no doubt I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do by writing.

[Anne] Where do you get ideas for stories?

[E.A.] I find ideas and inspiration everywhere. From a snatch of conversation to a photograph to a newspaper article, the world is filled with ideas waiting to be found. I once heard that everything is fodder for a writer. The longer I write, the more I learn the truth of that statement. Everything I observe, everyone I meet, goes into what I fondly refer to as the blender of my mind. All of that information gets blended together and is poured out into countless stories and characters, many of which have little or no basis on true events or people.

[Anne] Who is your biggest supporter?

[E.A.] I would have to say my mom, although my little sister is a close second. No matter how many rejections I receive, how many times I write myself into a corner or get stuck on a manuscript, they encourage me to keep going. They believe in me even during those rare times when I doubt myself. My mom and sister are like my own little cheerleading section.

[Anne] Where can readers find you and your books?

[E.A.] You can learn more about me and my books on my website http://eawest.mcphitty.com and my blog http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com. If you’re on Facebook, please “like” my author page for periodic updates and thoughts from my writing life http://www.facebook.com/pages/EA-West/34280264617. I’m also on Twitter http://twitter.com/eawest and ShoutLife http://www.shoutlife.com/eawest.

My inspirational romances The Key to Charlotte, Healing in Haven Falls, and Dreams Do Come True are all available from White Rose Publishing (http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec). Riley’s Mission is available from The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com). Copies of my books can also be purchased through Amazon.com’s Kindle Store.

BLURB & EXCERPT

Charlotte Harris can't speak due to a quirk in her autistic brain, but that doesn't stop her from communicating with others. Unfortunately, it prevents her from achieving two of her dreams--to praise God through singing and to carry on a simple conversation with her own voice.

Zakaria Rush is the new Director of Children's Ministries at Charlotte's church, and he can't keep his thoughts off the partially mute blonde with a love for guitar music. Her innocence and love of the simple things in life intrigue him and make him long to give her what she wants more than anything: her voice.

Can Zakaria help Charlotte find the key to unlocking her ability to speak, or will his attempt to help her only lock away their chance for love?

Excerpt:

Charlotte switched off the vacuum and breathed a sigh of relief. The silence in the small church was pure bliss. She pulled the plug from the wall and coiled the cord around the top of the vacuum, then returned it to the janitorial closet in the basement. Turning around, she pulled out her cell phone and checked for reminders.

Take the rag bucket home.

Yes, she needed to wash the rags and kitchen towels. She returned the phone to her pocket and grabbed the bucket handle. As she headed upstairs, she heard the sound of a guitar coming from the sanctuary. Was someone playing a CD? It sounded like live music, but she’d never heard anyone in the church play a guitar.

Drawn by the soothing strains of the strings, she turned right at the top of the stairs.

No one ever came in the church while she was cleaning. The entire congregation knew her schedule—Tuesday and Saturday afternoons—and they always made sure to come at a different time. Charlotte had never been sure if it was because they didn’t want to get in her way or if her parents had talked to them about the importance of routine for her. When she was little, she’d gotten upset by people showing up unannounced, but now that she was twenty‐three, she liked to think she could handle surprises a little better.

She peered through the open doorway and saw a man sitting on the edge of the platform by the plain wooden altar playing a battered acoustic guitar.

Her breath caught in her throat and her heart raced as she studied him. Not only was he a talented musician, he was gorgeous, more gorgeous than anyone she’d ever seen in this small Indiana town. His black hair was a little shaggy but stylish; his straight nose, high cheekbones, and tan complexion made her think of Native Americans and Italians; his lean build clothed in faded blue jeans, an olive green T‐shirt, and worn‐in sneakers made him look laid back. Peace filled his face as he strummed his guitar. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, making Charlotte wonder if the sound of a guitar brought him as much joy as it did her.

Suddenly, he stopped playing and looked up at her. She tightened her grasp on the bucket handle.

He studied her with the most beautiful, warm brown eyes she’d ever seen. His smile caused her heart to flutter. “Hi there. Are you Charlotte?”

She nodded.

He didn’t seem to mind that she shifted her weight back and forth. Just as well. If she didn’t rock to release it, the nervous energy building under his gaze would make her cry.

“Pastor Ed told me I might run into you if I came this afternoon. I’m Zakaria Rush, the new director of children’s ministries.” He laid his guitar across his knees and chuckled, a deep, rich sound that warmed Charlotte clear through. “It’s a fancy title for a guy who didn’t want to grow up and found a way to turn it into a career.”

E.A.'s BIO: E.A. West, author of sweet and inspirational romance, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. In high school, she discovered the wonders of sharing her stories with others through writing. She picked up her pen in a creative writing class and hasn’t laid it down yet. Her love of writing encompasses not only the romance genre but also a variety fiction and non-fiction styles.

Born and raised in Indiana, she still resides there today with her family and a small zoo of pets that includes the typical dogs and cats, and the more unusual African water frogs and a ribbon snake. Her interests are as varied as her critters. She has been known to carry on conversations about everything from politics and current events to gardening and theology. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her working on her latest knitting or crochet project.

Christina Freeburn Interview & Giveaway

2011-10-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

Joining me this month is fellow Desert Breeze author Christina Freeburn. Be sure to comment throughout the month for a chance to win her new book, Lost Then Found, which releases today. In case you can't wait until the end of the month to see if you won, you can purchase it from our publisher, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores. Here is the blurb and cover.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.

Doesn't it sound great? Okay, on with the interview.

[Anne]Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Christina] Black Beauty

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Christina] I always get stuck on this question. So many of my friends are authors that I hate to pick one as my favorite. It would be like choosing a favorite child.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Christina] What Happened at Midnight (Hardy Boys #10) by Franklin W. Dixon. There's a scene where Joe is kidnapped and Frank does everything he can to find his brother. I always loved how warm and caring the relationship of the brothers was portrayed.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Christina] Disney World

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Christina] Custom kitchen

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Christina] Yoga pants and a t-shirt

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Christina] Mozzarella and tomato salad, especially with balsamic dressing and a nice, warm roll on the side.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Christina] Quilting

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Christina] BMW

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Christina] American Idol, The Man From Snowy River

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Christina] I'd have performed a reading of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. My singing and dancing abilities are best left in the privacy of my home, or to perform if I ever want to embarrass my teens.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Christina] Fly. Then I'd be able to travel more as my costs would be lowered. I could go to Disney World every month!

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Christina] The path for everyone is different and there isn't a right way, just a right way for each writer. So many times, we close ourselves off to possibilities and ways to achieve our goal of publication by setting out on a very narrow path and never even pausing to take a look and see if there really is only way to get to where we want.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Christina] Participating in a citizen's police academy.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Christina] Hanging out with other writers. There's something about being around other authors and taking part in shop talk that inspires me and makes me excited about writing.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Christina] Sometimes I act out the fight scenes I write with Rescue Heroes figures. I want to make sure it looks right and is possible. When my son outgrew them, I kept some to have on hand for research purposes. Okay, I'll admit that I also kept some Matchbox cars. Those are great for chase scenes.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Christina] Characters who feel and act like real people rather than characters in a novel.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Christina] Led Astray, the second in the New Beginnings series

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Christina] When I used to attend a critique group at a bookstore, there was one woman who'd always stand nearby when I was reading. I didn't think anything of it until the other members pointed out she always came near when it was my turn to read and left when I was done. I was amazed that she wanted to know what was going to happen in the new book so much, that she visited the critique group every week for months to find out what was going to happen.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it...

...his bicycle careened out of control, heading straight toward the barrier that kept pedestrians from venturing onto the private property owned by ... no one was sure and have ever dared to find out.

Romantic Times gave Renegade Hearts 4 Stars!

2011-10-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

"Anne Patrick’s realistic depiction of cattle ranching is what makes this story sing. Readers will feel like they are on Jenny’s spread with her, looking out at her fields and animals. The amount of detail that the author uses for the setting is also carried through with the characters. The multidimensional Jenny and Gil really get to know each other before starting up their romance. And they never shy away from discussing important things like Jenny's deceased husband and Gil’s time in the war. The pair also discusses their faith in God, which leaves the reader with a subtle, yet inspiring message of hope." http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/renegade-hearts

Single mother Jenny Holloway has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around.

Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn’t prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she’s rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn’t going anywhere.

Purchase the eBook at my publisher, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores!

Also, I'm in the spotlight this month at Jewels of the Quill. Stop in and learn the inspiration behind Renegade Hearts. I'll be giving away a download of Renegade Hearts and an autographed print copy of Journey to Redemption. All you have to do is sign up for our (Jewels of the Quill) newsletter. Here's the link. Good luck! http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/jewelsofthequill2.html#spotlight

Amy Corwin's Writing Process & Giveaway!

2011-10-28T17:14:00.001-07:00

My writing process is tortuous and convoluted at best. I wish I could say I just sit down at the computer and write. But alas, it ain’t so. One day, I may be so efficient and pulled together that I can write a book in three months like so many others.

In the meantime, here is my process, and God help me, I don’t see it changing anytime soon.

I get basic ideas at odd times. Generally, a scene will play through my mind of a woman and a man, in conflict. She’s psychic and has seen a murder. He doesn’t believe it. That sort of thing. I write this down at the first possible moment, along with any pertinent facts that I can think of, such as names, hair color, or any other details that come to me in this first vision.

Of course, as luck would have it, these ideas usually occur while I’m right in the middle of writing something else. So I simply document the notion and get on with whatever I’m working on at the time.

When I’m ready to begin the manuscript, I create a folder structure on my computer with a blank template file and work out the broad-brush plot outline. This translates into writing three short phrases or notes per chapter so that I have at least a vague idea of what I want to happen. At this point, I find it difficult to actually start writing until I’ve done two things: 1) thought of something funny, either a comical character or funny situation involving the hero/heroine; and 2) one or more twists. Without something funny or several plot twists, I just can’t generate the excitement to start writing.

Then…I write. It usually takes me about three months to write the first draft. This draft is bad. Very bad. So I put it away and work on something else. I often edit a previous manuscript at this point. This allows time for ideas about the first manuscript to vegetate and morph. I think of plot twists and bizarre things that never occurred to me in the first draft. This is also why I generally have several projects in various stages of creation. I edit one manuscript while vegetating on a second.

After a few months, I’ve often thought of some really, really cool twist or change that I want to make on my new manuscript, so I write those down. In the meantime, I try to finish the edits to manuscript two and get that off to my editor.

When I go back to manuscript one, I’m ready to do serious deconstruction/reconstruction of the plot and characters. More often than not, I delete the first three chapters. Sometimes, I write an entirely new first chapter. You see, as you write a story, something strange happens. Your characters take on lives of their own. So the latter chapters are true to your characters, but the first few…not so much. So you have to redo the.

Once this is done, I work on adding descriptions and characterization since my first draft tends to be mostly dialog. In fact, I’ve often toyed with the idea of writing a book that is 90% dialog. I may still do that at some point when I feel bolder.

Anyway, for the final draft (which is usually about the 5th or 6th time I’ve gone through the manuscript) I check all the details for accuracy. This is essential for my 19th century mysteries. Things like dialog, speech patterns, historical facts, and other facts must all be verified for accuracy.

All in all, it takes me about two years to produce a manuscript that is ready to send to my editor. The one thing that I find absolutely critical is creating gaps in the process. Without gaps, I don’t have the “fresh eyes” essential to adequately editing a manuscript. Even with that, I’ve been known to see what should be there instead of what is there.

Thankfully, I’ve found editors to save me from myself. They are invaluable and always make me stretch further than I ever thought possible.

It is not possible, at least for me, to write a book without the input from critique partners and editors. Maybe one day.

And maybe one day I’ll be able to write a book in less than two years.

We’ll see.

Leave a comment to be included in Amy's drawing for winners choice of either The Vital Principle or The Necklace, ebook or print. Please note if the chosen winner lives outside the U.S. they will receive an ebook.

Michelle Sutton's In Sheep's Clothing

2011-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

About In Sheep's Clothing...

When entrepreneur Stephanie Miller meets successful accountant Jacob Wells, sparks fly, but at least they're the good kind. Their initial attraction to each other is evident, and their business skills compliment each other. Unfortunately they've both had bad luck with love in the past, but this time God is part of their relationship. So what could go wrong with a match made in heaven? For one, Stephanie launches a business with a new friend without telling Jacob about it. Oh, and that friend just happens to be someone Jacob used to date; someone who wants to break them up for her own nefarious reasons. Will Stephanie listen to her new best friend, or will she listen to her heart?

EXCERPT

Jacob hopped out of the car, intending to open her door. Before he could get around to opening her door, she stood and shut it.

Jacob chuckled and held up a finger. "Rule number one. You wait for me when we're together. I don't want you getting out by yourself when I can be chivalrous about it."

She blinked like it had never occurred to her that someone would get her door. What kind of lame pups had she dated before?

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize men still did that. Because I drove here I didn't think to wait."

"That's just because you've never met the right man before." He winced as he realized how presumptuous that sounded, not to mention cocky. He tried again. "I want you to feel special when you're with me, because you are. Special, I mean."

"Is that right?" Smirking, she held out her arm and allowed him to loop his arm through hers and lead her to the restaurant.

She started to reach for the door handle and he nudged her out of the way. "Chivalrous, remember? I need to do this for you. Keeps me in line."

Her brows lifted in surprise. "Is there something I need to be worried about?"

He chuckled. "That was just a saying. I'm really a pretty good guy. Very harmless."

Her wry smile told him that he had spread it on a bit too thick. He needed to chill before he scared her off, or they'd never have a chance to get better acquainted. They stepped inside the restaurant and he waved at the owner.

Jacob shot up two fingers. His friend approached and knuckle punched him. "Hey, Jake. How's it going these days?"

"Going good." He tipped his hand toward Stephanie and then moved it toward Brent. "Brent, Stephanie. Stephanie, Brent."

"Nice to meet you, Stephanie." Brent took her hand and shook it.

Jacob couldn't help noticing that his friend held her hand a bit too long. Was Brent also making eyes at her? Good grief. If he bent forward and kissed her knuckles, Jacob would have to walk out before Brent stole another woman from him. Brent had always had a way with the ladies in high school. His muscular build and roguish smile had stolen a number of hearts, making him more popular than Jacob. Nothing seemed to have changed for Brent in that respect. He was still single and a real player. The fact that he was practically mooning over Stephanie right now was unsettling, to say the least.

He had always genuinely liked Brent, but at the moment his nice guy persona had gone underground and he started feeling prickly toward him. Maybe they had more negative history than he remembered, because right now he felt threatened by his friend flirting with his date.

Jacob cleared his throat and put a protective arm around Stephanie and hoped Brent took the hint. "Don't you already have a girlfriend?"

Brent shrugged as if he hadn't heard what Jacob had said. Brent asked Stephanie, "So where'd you meet my goofy friend here?"

"At church. We met about a month ago, right, Jacob?" She pulled her hand from Brent's and offered him a strained smile. Jacob wasn't the brightest bulb, but even he knew when someone was uncomfortable. He needed to get her away from Brent.

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing and most online bookstores!

Interview with B.J. Robinson

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

As you all know I'm a suspense junkie. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to a new author to Desert Breeze Publishing, BJ Robinson. Her new mystery sounds like it's right up my alley. So pull up a chair and let's learn more about BJ and her book Last Resort.

[Anne] Thanks for joining me today, BJ. According to your bio (which I'll include at the end of the post) you've been published in numerous magazines and devotionals but Last Resort is your first book. How has the experience been so far? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

[BJ] Last Resort has been a different experience. I spent three years honing my skills and working on the novel and loved every minute of it. I think we always wish we'd done something differently, but all in all, I'm happy with the romantic suspense and pleased with comments from readers. Of course, a part of me wishes it would've been available in paperback, and I've lost some sales as a result. However, I've also sold LAST RESORT to some who are experiencing their first eBook with it. So, it's been an experience for me as well as for some of my readers.

[Anne] Please share a little bit about Last Resort with us.

[BJ] Last Resort is a 79,000 word woman-in-jeopardy romantic suspense novel that tells the story of Faith Grace Roussell, who escapes an abusive fiancé and endeavors to start a new life filled with peace and contentment. She returns to her family home to farm strawberries only to discover it's not the safe haven she hoped it'd be, when the backdrop of the berry farm suddenly turns dangerous, but she vows to stand firm. It's set in fictional Bridal Wreath and Key West, Florida.

Faith is stalked and forced to search her conflicted heart when she collides with Matt Allen and finds herself drawn to the pull of his magnet-brown eyes. In a battle of love, loss, and raging jealousy, she strives to build a new life with peace and contentment, but she could get as lost in Matt's searching brown eyes as she could in unknown woods. Will he prove to be a helpmate? A series of incidents take place to try to force her to leave. When she doesn't budge, arson, attempted murder, and murder keep the reader turning pages. Will she be forced to use The Pink Lady? Where will she be when the smoke clears? Will Faith and Matt's love survive? Pursued by an ex-fiancé, shattered dreams, an awesome God, and a cowboy farmer, there's only one place she can turn . . . .There's only one last resort

What early Readers Had to Say...

"B. J. Robinson's Last Resort is an inspirational romantic suspense story that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat -- both to see if the villain is overcome and to see if Matt and Faith end up together. You don't want to miss this one with its twists; it's a great read!" ~ Deb Haggerty, Author and Speaker

"The warm, sweet romance, yet insightful story, will touch your heart with its simplicity and charm." ~ Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker

[Anne] How did you come up with the idea for it?

[BJ] I overhead a woman say that she'd hide her heart so deeply in Christ that to find her, a man would have to find Him first. Pieces came to me at different points and times. I started to title it Hidden Treasures, then True Hidden Treasures because of the gems found in the Bible, but finally settled on Last Resort. A reader said she enjoyed the play on words with Last Resort. It started off as a sweet romance and turned into a book with several themes. There was a lot of controversy about guns in the news and gun control. At the same time, there were many incidents of private citizens who owned guns coming to the rescue. I thought about how I could show growth and change for my main character and thought I'd have her not wanting to own a gun and show her become stronger as she changed her attitude and learned to use one for all the right reasons, of course. Many women are stalked by former spouses and/or boyfriends, so I thought it'd make a good story. I was inspired to include Sunflower, my golden cocker spaniel, because I'm a dog lover and thought it'd appeal to pet lovers. I love reading books with pets included

[Anne] Was there much research involved?

[BJ] My research involved visiting and touring Key West a couple of times and visiting and touring two different hydroponic strawberry farms. The research was fun.

[Anne] Why mysteries?

[BJ] It's not exactly a mystery. It's a romantic suspense novel, but I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries and read every one I could get my hands on. So, I have red herrings to keep the reader guessing throughout the novel. I challenge readers to put the puzzle pieces together and see if they can make them fit before the end of the book. I've always loved a good mystery, especially on a rainy day. I find writing romantic suspense allows me to combine the romance and mystery. For the same, reason I enjoy reading romantic suspense, and it's my favorite genre.

[Anne] You've received rave reviews for Last Resort. Is there one in particular you were thrilled with that you would like to share?

[BJ] This is one of my favorite five-star reviews:

Just when you think it's another church supper, the hero makes his entrance...and what an entrance it is. He crashes in and winds up with strawberry shortcake all over him. Then there's the guy with the gun. Creepy. He turns out to be a stalker who relishes the hunt. Scary. Faith Roussell is determined not to fall in love again, not after her ex-fiancé cheated on her. But Matt Allen has eyes that ...

[Anne] Are all of your stories contemporaries?

[BJ] Southern Superstitions releases January 11 and begins in the early eighties, and I like to write about the fifties and sixties, too, though I haven't published any material in that time frame at this time.

[Anne] What's on the horizon for you? Any new releases coming up?

[BJ] Southern Superstitions is a romantic suspense novel that will release January 11 by Desert Breeze, and Whispering Cypress, another romantic suspense will release August 11 by them.

[Anne] I see you're an animal lover. Tell us about your pets.

[BJ] I have a shelter cat named Frankie, a golden retriever named Honi, and a cocker spaniel named Sunflower, who is a character in Last Resort. I had a beloved German shepherd we had to put down due to hip problems. Her name was Dakota, and she's featured in Whispering Cypress, another romantic suspense to release August 11, 2012.

[Anne] Aw, they're precious! If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

[BJ] Ireland. My dad had some Irish in him, and I have the green eyes. I've read books about how beautiful it is. I've been to Hawaii, so my next choice would be Ireland. I may never get there in person, but I can always travel through the pages of a great novel.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom made office or kitchen?

[BJ] I have a kitchen I was able to choose, and I love it, so even though I love to cook, I'll say a custom-made office. Custom made would mean I get to pick the setting, too. It'd have to have a bay window or sliding glass doors overlooking a lake or river. I love the water, and it brings out my creativity. I'd relish plenty of bookshelves and a huge L-shaped desk with plenty of working area. Ah, to dream. Meanwhile, I do have an L-shaped oak desk by a large picture window overlooking a yard with flowers and a small oak right by the window. I can hear the birds sing without cracking the window. I have a golden cocker spaniel and a golden retriever who are beside my feet on the floor by my desk. I love gazing at water while I write, and I enjoy writing the traditional way, outdoors at times with a pen and notebook, while I listen to birds and nature.

[Anne] How do you relax after a long day of writing?

[BJ] By reading a great romantic suspense novel by another author.

[Anne] Thank you so much for joining me today, BJ. It's been a blast getting to know you, and I'm looking forward to reading Last Resort. Speaking of which, let's end with an excerpt. Also, please let us know where we can purchase your books and where we can find you on the web.

Last Resort Excerpt:

Faith tore out of the jail's parking lot and prayed she wouldn't get a ticket. She turned Old Blue into the flowing traffic. Her heart pumped faster than a race car engine. Dear God, please don't let me be too late. She reached down and punched Matt's number again. Come on, Matt, where are you? Pick up. Still no answer. She snapped the phone shut and focused on the road ahead. Who could possibly have it in for him? He was such a great guy. She gassed the truck as she passed the city limits and left the jail behind. Why wasn't he answering? She'd never had a problem before. This wasn't like him.

Faith whipped into the drive. She jumped from her pickup, strode to the side door, and knocked. No answer. She pulled out her cell and tried again. It rang and rang, then went straight to the voicemail. This time, she hung up without leaving a message.

She yanked the screen door, and it flew open, unlatched. The door knob turned, and she shoved the door open and yelled, "Matt, are you there?"

No response. She briskly marched through the house and called his name. She checked each room. In Matt's office, the swivel chair faced the door. Blood spotted it. Faith's heart lurched. Oh, God, please don't let me be too late. She spotted blood droplets on the carpet and followed them back through the kitchen and to the garage. Matt's truck ran. Dear God, what will I find when I open this door? Please let me be in time. Why didn't Matt use his pistol?

Faith jerked the garage door, but it wouldn't budge. She ran to the kitchen and hit the automatic door opener. The door slowly opened. She raced inside the garage, and the gas fumes nearly knocked her out. She coughed and held her nose with one hand. Her eyes burned, but she yanked open the driver's truck door. Matt tumbled out.

She let go of her nose and turned off the truck. Faith slid her arms under Matt's and locked her hands in front of his chest. She hefted. He didn't budge. She had to get him out of there. Now. No time to waste. She hauled in a breath, grunted, and heaved. He lifted, and she pulled him toward the door. One foot. Two feet. Three more.

"Matt, we're out of the garage." Please, Lord, help me. She couldn't drop him now. The outside air hit her face and tears of relief filled her eyes. She tenderly laid him on the grass by the side of the cement drive and yanked her cell from its holster. She dialed 911.

Assured the ambulance was on its way, Faith closed her phone and felt for his heartbeat. She rubbed her knuckles against his breast bone and stroked his face. So still. She touched his neck and held her breath. No response. She tilted his head and lifted his chin, then put her ear to his mouth and listened. Nothing. She looked for chest movement. Nothing. She listened for air blowing through his mouth or nose, or on her cheek. Nothing. He wasn't going to die if she had anything to do with it.

She ran her tongue over her lip and tasted perspiration. Why did sweat always taste salty, and why would she even think to question that at a time like this? She took a quick, shallow breath and whispered, "Come on, Matt. Breathe! BREATHE!"

It'd been a long time since she'd trained for CPR. Would she remember what to do? A bluish pallor stole over Matt's complexion, and his body became a dead weight. She had no time to lose.

Faith pinched his nose and made a seal over his mouth with her own. She breathed big enough to make his chest rise, let his chest fall, and repeated the rescue breath again. She listened for an intake of breath, an exhale, but the only sound was the pounding of her own heart in her ears.

BJ's Bio:

B. J. Robinson writes Christian romantic suspense from Florida, where she lives with her husband and pets. She's published numerous devotionals, articles, and short stories. Last Resort is her debut Christian romance novel. She won first prize for a short story penned in college competition and developed it into a romantic suspense novel titled Southern Superstitions that will release January 11. Her current WIP is Whispering Cypress, which releases August 11. All three novels are romantic suspense presented by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. of California. She's blessed with children, grandchildren, pets, and faith. Jesus is her best friend. Visit her at http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com. She's completed the Apprentice and Journeyman courses with Christian Writers Guild and is a member of ACFW.

Visit me at my blog http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com and my books will be available wherever fine eBooks are sold. Below are links to Amazon and Barnes and Noble, where readers may get a free sample.

A free excerpt is available at http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-184/B-J-Robinson-Last/Detail.bok.

Enjoy a book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juwF0dLLX6M&feature=youtu.be

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-resort-b-j-robinson/1030124288?ean=2940012838063&itm=1&usri=last%2Bresort%2Bb%2Bj%2Brobinson

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-ebook/dp/B005CQ7JQK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310918473&sr=1-1

K. Dawn Byrd's This Time for Keep's

2011-10-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

India McGuire's peaceful life is shattered when on the night of her engagement to David Richards, she comes face to face with Chase Porter, a long lost love. India must come to terms with her overpowering feelings for Chase and choose between David, the neighbor who says he loves her, and Chase, the man who broke her heart.

Chase's plans of leaving quietly turn to disaster when he finds that it's impossible to disappear without seeing India one last time. Feelings begin to surface that he believed buried forever and he finds himself fighting to win her back even as David struggles to hold onto her.

India longs to follow her heart, but she's been hurt too deeply. Who will she choose? The neighbor who can provide stability or the man she vowed to love forever who may once again heed to the call of the open road?

EXCERPT:

An uncomfortable silence enshrouded the room like a damp cloak. At last, India broke the stillness. "When are you leaving town?"

"As soon as I wrap up things with Mom's attorney." Chase returned to the couch and turned to face her. "Look, I didn't mean to cause trouble. My plans were to put the house and land up for sale, settle the estate, and then sneak out of town."

"What stopped you?"

He dragged his fingers through his hair. "You. I had to see you one last time."

"Why?"

"I wanted to find out if I still loved you."

She wasn't ready to address his feelings. Part of India begged for the truth, but another other part was afraid that knowing would complicate her life in ways she was in no means equipped to handle. "Your feelings for me didn't stop you from joining the Army and leaving town twelve years ago. What's changed now?"

"I was a just a boy then. I'm not the same person."

India needed answers, and no matter how much it hurt, she'd get them. "Why'd you run away?"

"Joining the Army seemed as good as any way to see the world."

She stared him down, refusing to look away. "That's a lie and you know it."

"Okay. I couldn't stay here after what happened."

"It wasn't your fault. Jimmy was drunk. You didn't force him to drive."

Chase sighed. "I should have taken the keys."

"I'm telling you, it wasn't your fault."

"I didn't try to stop him."

"Even if you'd tried, he'd still have driven. You know how he was."

Chase gazed into the fire. "He was my best friend. I should have at least tried. I heard all the rumors. They blamed me. Some people even thought I gave him the moonshine. I guess I left because I just wanted to forget about everything."

"And everyone?"

His eye met hers with an intensity that left her breathless.

Chase untied the bandana around his neck and shoved it in his pocket. "I didn't say that."

"You could have taken me with you."

"And take you away from your grandparents to live on a military base? You'd have given up college, your horses, and your family. You'd have been miserable."

A glimmer of gold on his left hand caught her eye and stole her breath. "You're married?" Maybe if he had a wife, it would be easier to let him go, even if it did break her heart into a million tiny pieces all over again. Maybe David was right. Maybe Chase was trouble.

Links:

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg6faoavpGI

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-218/This-Time-For-Keeps/Detail.bok

Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Young adult blog: www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com

I'm also on Twitter (kdawnbyrd) and facebook (K Dawn Byrd.) I am the moderator of the Christian Fiction Gathering facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444)

Amy's Journey to Publication

2011-10-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

When folks ask me about how I got published and my journey, I cringe and wonder if there is anything I can add to the hundreds of stories written by all the other authors. Our stories are all the same: years of struggle, followed by a few crumbs of success. However, the aspects that may be of most help and interest to others are what the process taught the author. For me, that’s easy: I learned “to thine own self be true.”

That’s an odd thing for a writer to learn, because most writers have the opposite problem. They write what they want to write and discover (to their horror) that their finished tome doesn’t fit into any genre that a potential publisher feels comfortable publishing. So they can’t find their book a home. For many authors, it’s a question of marketability. Can the agent and publisher identify a hook for the books, a genre (so it can be shelved appropriately in the bookstore), or a market plan?

So many new authors write the book of their heart and then seek to publish it, forgetting that unless it can be marketed, it is difficult to find either a publisher or an audience.

I didn’t have that issue in my quest to be published, but I did have the problem of matching my “vision” with reality. You see, I thought I wanted to be a romance writer. I joined Romance Writers of America as a charter member and got some encouraging rejections from romance publishers during the ‘80’s, but I always sort of “missed the mark.”

Later, I discovered a wonderful group of friends also working on being authors and one by one, they signed with agents and got contracts. But somehow, I didn’t fit in. They tried to tell me that I wasn’t really writing romances, but darn it, I had it in my head that that’s what I wanted to be: a romance writer.

Now, a normal writer would have looked at what she actually read and considered that. But I was trying to be strictly business, and I knew that romance sold well. My friends were all writing romances. I didn’t know writers in any other genres. I’d even read one or two romances when I was a teen. I thought it was the way to go.

But it was not where my heart lay. I confused the light, romantic subplots of Agatha Christie books like “The Man in the Brown Suit” or Mary Stewart’s “My Brother Michael” for romances, ignoring that the main plot was the mystery while the romance was only a tenuous subplot. Even my friends noted that one of my favorite authors, Barbara Michaels, claimed “I’m not a romance writer.” I was stunned by that, since Michaels’ books were exactly the kind of book I most enjoyed. I considered them to be paranormal romances.

A brighter writer would have understood the facts sooner, but I’m nothing if not stubborn. I wrote several books that were mostly mystery with a slight romantic subplot and tried to market them to romance publishers and agents. It’s rather surprising that I got as much interest as I did. In fact, I signed with two agents.

In 2008, I sold my first book, a romance. But hard as I tried, I couldn’t for the life of me sell any additional manuscripts. “Strengthen the romance” was the most common remark. Eventually, it occurred to me that I read mostly mysteries, suspense, and science fiction. Sure, I read Georgette Heyer, but I didn’t like her straight romances. I preferred her mysteries. In fact, I was shocked when other folks said they liked those Heyer stories that I considered rather poor specimens. They were straight romances, as opposed to her mysteries or romantic adventures. Eventually, though, even I had to realize what was going on.

A-ha! I was a mystery writer!

As soon as I realized that and had the courage to step forward and write a mystery (with a romantic subplot, because how can you have a happy ending without a romance?) I found success. It’s almost like one of those addiction programs where you have to admit that “Yes, I’m a mystery writer” before you can be cured.

And this brings us back to my original point: “to thine own self be true.”

You can blithely ignore the markets and write what you want to write and not sell because your manuscript doesn’t fit into a marketable niche. Or you can try to squeeze yourself into a niche that doesn’t quite fit you and be miserable. And you might sell, depending upon how well you fit that genre. Ultimately though, you need to find the marketable niche that you can fit into and still be true to yourself.

You need to be happy writing, otherwise, what’s the point? So now I write mysteries, but there is always a romance involved. Somehow, it doesn’t seem like a happy ending unless a mystery is solved and love is discovered.

It sounds so easy, but the path is arduous and twisted at best. But for me, it’s all been worth it, because I still believe: Every good mystery has a touch of romance.

COTT Kicks Off Tournament of Champions

2011-10-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Jennifer Slattery

Last week, Clash of the Titles launched their first annual Tournament of Champions with two clashes and four talented authors. In Clash one, CS Lakin, author of Someone to Blame, and Marianne Evans, author of Heart Crossing, went head-to-head in a nail-biting, literary duel. In Clash two, our very own Gail Pallotta, author of Love Turns the Tide, competed against Clare Revell, author of A Season for Miracles. All four excerpts rocked, and this was a tough call, but you, our faithful readers chose two Tournament of the Champions' finalists.

Those finalists were Marianne Evans and Gail Pallotta.

Exciting stuff, and yet, the games weren’t done. In the next round, COTT staff cast their votes, and once again, one writer rose to the top and will advance to the next round.

That author is…

Marianne Evans!

And here’s a glimpse of what a COTT champion excerpt looks like:

“Collin Edwards stood before the funeral assembly. Heat crawled up his body. He clutched the edges of the podium where he stood and cleared his throat. The gesture was in vain. His throat constricted so much it hurt. Before the altar, just to the right, rested a flag-draped casket.

He looked down, at a piece of paper upon which he had crafted the words to a eulogy…” (Read more of Excerpt B here.)

About the novel, Hearts Crossing:

Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God, and the community of Woodland . Lately though, she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists, but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better. Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

We’d also like to congratulate our prize-winning readers:

Jessica R Patch! She won a $10 Amazon Gift card from Elaine Cooper.

LoRee Peery! She won a free bookmark design from Delia Latham.

Larry Hammersley! He won a $10 Amazon Gift card from Author Anne Patrick.

Join us this week for more fun and prizes as four more authors jump into the ring hoping not only to advance to the next round, but ultimately reign as the Clash of the Titles’ champion of champions! Remember, every vote counts! Each vote gets your name thrown into the hat for our fab-tabulous grand prize give-away comprised of fourteen novels!

Visit our Tournament of Champions page for a complete list of prizes.

***

Jennifer Slattery is the marketing manager for Clash of the Titles. She writes for Christ to the World Ministries, the Christian Pulse, and Samie Sisters and has written for numerous other publications. She also works for Tiffany Colter, the Writing Career Coach, as a professional manuscript evaluator and publicist. You can find out more about her and her writing at her devotional blog, Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud. You can find out more about her critique and publicity services at Words That Keep.

Why Amy Writes Historical Mysteries

2011-10-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

Why did you choose to write mysteries, particularly historical mysteries?

When I’m asked why I write mysteries, sometimes I think the easiest answer is: I was born to write them. It’s programmed in my DNA. Part of me actually believes that, too. I’m fascinated by the nature versus nurture debate. In my experience, a lot more seems to be nature than is comfortable to admit.

For example, I got my first field guide for birds when I was six. That year, I also wrote my first story about a germ’s adventures as it passed through a little girl’s belly, presaging my interest in both writing and biology. After I got married and built my first chicken coop, I discovered one of my ancestors in the 17th century was an “egg man” and raised chickens. Was an interest in birds and biology in my blood? Certainly, as your standard suburban child, raising chickens and bird watching were not your standard pursuits or things my parents taught us to do (nurture).

Many of us discover our preferences at an amazingly early age. I was also in the first grade when I read my first mysteries: “The Ghost Rock Mystery” and “The Ghost of Dibble Hollow”. Then, I went on to Tom Swift books and other mysteries. Lucky for me, I grew up during the height of the gothic mystery. I still can’t resist a book that has a spooky castle and a woman in a diaphanous white dress on the cover. My favorites included the likes of Victoria Holt, Virginia Coffman, Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels.

When I picked up the pen again ten years ago, I couldn’t conceive of a story that did not include a mystery of some kind. Sometimes it’s not a murder, but a secret or something lost, hidden. A missing jewel, an old secret, something half-forgotten. It is the mystery and process of discovering that answer that creates a story for me.

Why did the crime happen? How will the hero or heroine follow the clues to reveal the truth? What is the truth? One of the things that fascinates me is the idea of “The Truth.” Is there really a single truth or is it a composite of many truths—what an individual knows and experiences of reality? In “The Vital Principle” the hero, Knighton Gaunt believes there is one, discoverable truth. Prudence Barnard, however, believes it may be more nuanced with shades of gray. She is more sympathetic to the weaknesses and foibles of those around her, but despite their different approaches, they do discover the truth and reveal a murderer in their midst.

While resolving the core puzzle is interesting, I also write mysteries to explore how different characters respond to stress and make decisions. How do they react when confronted with a mystery? Do they attempt to collect facts and analyze them, or do they rely on a more intuitive process? Or do they simply ignore the entire thing and hope it will go away?

In “A Rose Before Dying” the hero is driven to collect the facts—in this case, roses—to try to save his uncle from the hangman’s noose. And while Ariadne just wants to be left alone to grow roses, she can’t bury her head in the sand. She helps him even though her actions place her in the murderer’s path.

In the end, there is nothing like a good mystery to reveal what a person—or character--is made of, and it’s the character this makes the story.

Amy's Bio

Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years. She writes historical and cozy mysteries. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.

Amy’s books include the three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; Regency mysteries, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE, and A ROSE BEFORE DYING; and her first cozy mystery, WHACKED!, will come in in 2012 from Five Star.

Join her and discover that every good romance has a touch of mystery.

Website: http://www.amycorwin.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/amycorwin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmyCorwinAuthor
Blog: http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Book Links
The Vital Principe: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OR1GQ2/
A Rose Before Dying: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00557U2QU/
The Bricklayer’s Helper: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YCPLP0/
I Bid One American: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ASJTLC/
The Necklace: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6D2PC/

IT HAS BEGUN!!

2011-10-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Over the last year, there have been OVER FIFTY clashing authors in twenty-four CLASHES, but only ONE can win the LAUREL AWARD. YOU decide which!

In the process, we invite you to repeatedly enter to win
THREE GIFTS A WEEK,
including the GRAND PRIZE--
15 NOVELS

http://www.clashofthetitles.com/

PROMO VIDEO CREATED BY COTT ASSISTANT EDITOR, MICHELLE MASSARO

Congrats to COTT Clash Winner Tanya Stowe!

2011-10-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

* Guest post by Delia Latham

Divine gifts have been a topic of much dissension down through the ages. Some folks believe God bestows certain gifts on his children others firmly believe He does not—or at least that He might have long ago but He certainly doesn't today.

We're not here to argue the point (although for the record I do believe in divine gifts!).

That said it has been proven time and time again that certain people have specific abilities that others do not. Not learned skills which is the ability to do something because one has deliberately set out to master that particular challenge. I'm talking about inherent abilities that one naturally possesses usually from birth.

That's the kind of mind-boggling gift Tanya Stowe tackles in Tender Touch, the excerpt from which won the most recent COTT Clash. Lacy Butler is graced with the gift of healing…but she refuses to use itbecause it didn't save her mother. Pretty commonisn't it? We never seem to want the gifts God tries to bestow on usor we'll take the gift (Thank you very muchFather!)but we want to use it in our own wayfor our own purposes. Tanya does a fantastic job of bringing Lacy around from total abandonment of her gift of healing to an acceptance of God's will and God's way to use…GOD'S gift.

Here's a snippet from Tanya's Tender Touch excerpt:

The sudden comfort overwhelmed him. He wanted to close his eyes and slip away. But his blurry gaze focused on his rescuer as he unwrapped the muffler. He wanted…needed to see this man’s facethe man who had saved his life. He forced himself to watch as he pulled off the floppy gray hat.

Royce blinked. His foggy mind was playing tricks on him. A longgolden braid fell from beneath the hat and lay across the man’s shoulder. He slipped off the coat and beneath was the slender shape of a woman.

His man...his midnight visitor was a woman! Shock filled Royce’s mindand his head flopped senselessly sideways.

We asked Tanya if she learned anything about God's character through Tender Touch. Here's what she said: “Instead of learning something about God through this bookit is a reflection of something I learned about God from life. I’ve had some personal experience with faith healing and I wanted to write a story that reflected those truths. Of courseLacy’s gift is highly dramatizedbut the basics about how God heals are true.” (Read Tanya's interview)

Of her experience on COTTTanya says: "This was the most fun I had in an interview in a longlong time. COTT does such a good job. I really appreciate this opportunity."

Readers loved the Tender Touch excerptas well—and we loved their comments:

“I feel like I’m already hooked on reading the book.”

“… made me want to find out more about the mysterious midnight visitor man who turned out to be a woman. Both of these were great and it was hard to choose one. Can they both win?? !!!”

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run allbut one receiveth the prize?"

Currently we're in the middle of the exciting Tournament of Champions which will be in high gear from Oct. 10 through Nov. 4. Don't miss it! Past Clash champs duke it out for the final prize with each of them offering an excerpt that will hopefully have you panting for more. Head on over and see what it's all about.

* Delia Latham is a Christian wife mother grandmother sister and friend as well as an author of inspirational romance and women's fiction. She wears each hat with pride but treasures most of all her role as a princess daughter to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Congrats to Tanya and a huge thank you also to her very worthy opponent Shawn Grady.

The Vital Principle by Amy Corwin

2011-10-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Vital Principle , a historical mystery featuring The Second Sons Inquiry Agency, is now available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble for a special price of $.99.

Buy Links:

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Vital-Principle/Amy-Corwin/e/2940012291776?itm=1&USRI=the%20vital%20principle

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OR1GQ2/

The Vital Principle - Backcover

In 1815, an inquiry agent, Mr. Knighton Gaunt, is asked by Lord Crowley to attend a séance with the express purpose of revealing the spiritualist as a fraud. When the séance ends abruptly, Lord Crowley is poisoned during the turmoil by an unseen killer.

Gaunt is now left to investigate not only fraud, but murder. Suspicion turns first to the spiritualist, Miss Prudence Barnard, but as Gaunt digs deeper into the twisted history of the guests at Rosecrest, he discovers more deadly secrets. Inevitably, long-time friends turn against one another as the tension mounts, and Gaunt is challenged to separate fact from fiction before another death at Rosecrest.

The Vital Principle is the first mystery in the Second Sons Inquiry Agency series and features coolly intellectual Mr. Knighton Gaunt, the agency’s founder. This witty, historical whodunit in the tradition of Bruce Alexander’s Blind Justice, will keep you guessing until the unexpected end.

“Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance combined with witty dialogue and unforgettable characters make The Vital Principle a book that will definitely go on my keeper shelf!” —Lilly Gayle, author of Into the Darkness and Slightly Tarnished.

Excerpt

As if aware of her scrutiny, Mr. Gaunt edged closer. He spoke in low tones no one else could hear. “You’re very composed, Miss Barnard.”

“For a murderess? Would tears avail me? Or convince anyone of my innocence?”

“They might. A woman’s tears are often most efficacious.”

“Except when the decision has already been made. A trial seems almost superfluous, doesn’t it?” Her voice was low and biting with anger. A deep feeling of ill-use made it difficult for her to remain calm.

“No one has accused you,” Mr. Gaunt replied. “And if you had a hand in this, you’ll get a fair hearing.”

“Then you do think I murdered Lord Crowley? What possible motive could I have had?”

“For one thing, you didn’t seem pleased when he requested my attendance tonight.”

“I didn’t arrange this entertainment, the dowager did. And it appears to me, the mystery should be why I murdered Lord Crowley instead of simply doing away with you. If you believe I was so upset by your presence.” Frustration and fear compressed her stomach into a cold lump.

“You knew why he asked me here,” he stated flatly.

“Really? Why? Pray enlighten me. I’m all agog to hear.”

“To prove you’re a fraud taking advantage of an elderly widow.”

“Taking advantage? By reassuring the poor dear that whatever silly misdemeanor she believes she committed before her husband died is unimportant? How is that taking advantage of her?”

“You’re better qualified to answer that particular question than I. But I’m sure it’s profitable.”

“Profitable?” She laughed bitterly. When the other men glanced at her, she put her hand over her mouth and turned her inappropriate laughter into a cough. “If you call a frusty little room and a few meals profitable. I’m a guest here, nothing more.” Then she added with a coldly sweet smile, “Guests aren’t paid. Or weren’t you aware of that?”

“So kindness was your only motivation?” His black eyes bored into hers. “How can we trust what you say when you conduct these ridiculous entertainments and pretend to speak to the dead?”

She arched a mocking eyebrow. “What makes you think I can’t?”

“Come now. You can’t expect me to believe you’re capable of communicating with the spirit world. Or that you even believe such a thing is possible.”

“I believe there are many things we don’t understand. I refuse to close my mind to the possibility simply because it’s difficult to prove,” she temporized, knowing only too well the dangers of trying to argue about spirit communications.

If there wasn’t a spirit world, then she’d be forced to acknowledge that she was a complete fraud. And even though she hadn't, yet, reached that unseen world and had used a number of tricks to suggest that she had, she always hoped that one day some apparition might answer her call. There was always the possibility.

Mr. Gaunt smiled and his expression grew even more sardonic. “Then let’s be more specific and examine what we can prove. Did you speak to the dowager’s previous husband?”

“Perhaps not this evening. However, I’m sure the words I wrote were what he would have relayed, if he could have done so.”

“So you lied—”

“No, I merely—”

“It was not the truth!” His lips thinned and anger ignited a slow burning fire in his eyes. “Her husband did not speak through you. Admit it.”

She tilted her head to one side, examining him. “Do you believe her husband did not love her?”

“I have no idea. That’s not the point.”

“Then you don’t know if it was the truth or not.” She offered, instinctively knowing the men would tear her apart like a pack of hungry dogs if she reacted emotionally. Her mind raced ahead, abnormally clear, encased in the fragile ice of logic that could shatter at any moment and leave her raging at their accusations. “And it eased the dowager’s mind. So I fail to see I did anything wrong.”

Mr. Gaunt said, “You mislead—”

“No. I told a desperately lonely woman what she needed to hear. That’s the sum of it. There are many truths. You have yours. I have mine.”

“There is only one truth.”

“Nonsense.” She folded her hands at her waist and turned partially away, unable to bear the intense scrutiny of his hard eyes. Her fingers felt stiff and icy with fear. “I refuse to discuss this any further. It’s futile. You’ll believe what you wish. If you chose not to trust me, then so be it. But regardless of what you think, I did not kill Lord Crowley.”

* * * * *

Thank you--

Amy Corwin
http://www.amycorwin.com/
http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

Author of the Month Amy Corwin

2011-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Amy] The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. I remember it so well because I was in the first grade and my dad was reading it to me at bedtime. He got about half-way through and then he didn’t show up one night to read me another chapter. I got out of bed and asked him why he hadn’t tucked me in and read to me. He said, “If you want to know what happens, you’re going to have to read it, yourself.”

ARGH! Talk about tough love. Needless to say, I did read it, and it remains one of my favorite books.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Amy] I have lots of favorites, depending upon my mood. At the moment, I’m indulging in a Barbara Michaels binge. But I also love: Shirley Jackson (I always read The Haunting of Hill House at Halloween); Georgette Heyer; P.G. Wodehouse; and H. H. Munro.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Amy] The first paragraph, which is incidentally also the last paragraph, in The Haunting of Hill House. Hill house had stood for fifty years and might stand for fifty more…

I don’t think I’ve ever read a better, more evocative paragraph in my entire life.

And whatever walks there, walks alone.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Amy] The Antarctic. My husband and I are planning a trip there after we retire. I can’t wait.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Amy] Kitchen. Both my husband and I love to cook. In fact, we’re trying to save money to put in a new kitchen right now!

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Amy] I sew and make a lot of cotton wide-legged slacks. I’m always wearing them because I can move around easily. Those and a T-shirt.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Amy] Food. LOL, I’ll eat just about anything. I do love curried chicken, though.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Amy] Birdwatching. My husband and I are both birders. Or twitchers, depending upon which side of “the pond” you’re on.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Amy] My current 10-year old car. Sorry, but cars don’t do anything for me except get me from point A to point B. But I’m torn between a real Hummer (not one of those pathetic urban ones) and something like a tank. Something that will get me to the back of beyond without getting stuck in the mud.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Amy] The defunct “Gil Mayo Mysteries”. It was on for a very short time, but I loved every minute of it. I wish it would come on in reruns somewhere or be available as a DVD set.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Amy] Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You don’t have a fever, do you? How about…comedy. I could probably do that as long as someone wrote the material for me. And someone else was able to do the bit on stage.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Amy] I don’t see the point in being invisible. You’re far too likely to hear the truth about yourself and frankly, who wants that? Flying might be nice as it seems practical. No more strip searches at airports and all.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Amy] That you have to walk barefoot in the snow up a hill both freakin’ ways. It never gets easier. In fact, the more you know, the more you know you don’t know anything…so you’re constantly working harder to try to create that story ricocheting around in your head.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Amy] The history of roses. No wait, the historical uses for cyanide. No wait, Captain Barclay…. There’s so much and it’s so much fun, but I really did get absorbed by the history of roses and the development of the Hybrid Tea that we know today.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Amy] Outside. Birdwatching is terrific inspiration for some bizarre reason.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Amy] You have to be mega-quirky to write in the first place. I hope I’m not any weirder that most other writers, but I have the bad feeling that I’m just kidding myself. I actually just sit down and write. Nothing special, I’m afraid. Although I do have a blood-spattered decal on my laptop.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Amy] Interesting characters and lots of unexpected twists.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Amy] I’m about to send a Christmas mystery novella to an editor. After that, I’m hoping to finish up another historical mystery (featuring Pru Barnard and Knighton Gaunt from The Vital Principle) which has been a lot of fun to plot. I’m learning all about mazes and the history of mazes…very interesting.

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Amy] I have readers? Oh, yeah, well…. This is a tough one. Most of my readers seem abnormally normal and behave impeccably, so other than a few really nice remarks, I’m afraid there’s no juicy gossip to be had.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

[Amy] he kissed me. It wasn’t until he disappeared down an alley that I realized he’d stolen my wallet and my bra. I’m still trying to figure out the bra thing.

But at least he left me my umbrella.

[Anne] What a fun interview! I love your sense of humor, Amy. Folks, be sure to visit often and post comments throughout the month for a chance to win one of Amy's books. She will give away winner's choice of either The Vital Principle or The Necklace. In either format (ebook or print). If the chosen winner lives outside the U.S. they will receive an ebook.

Amy's Bio:

Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years. She writes historical and cozy mysteries. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.

Amy’s books include the three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; Regency mysteries, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE, and A ROSE BEFORE DYING; and her first cozy mystery, WHACKED!, will come out in 2012 from Five Star.

Join her and discover that every good romance has a touch of mystery.

Website: http://www.amycorwin.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/amycorwin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmyCorwinAuthor
Blog: http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

Book Links

The Vital Principle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OR1GQ2/
A Rose Before Dying: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00557U2QU/
The Bricklayer’s Helper: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YCPLP0/
I Bid One American: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ASJTLC/
The Necklace: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6D2PC/

And the winner is....

2011-09-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, MaryBelle, you're the winner of Janet's drawing!!! I've sent you an email to the address listed. Please reply with the info requested and I'll forward to Janet. Thank you everyone for all your comments this month, and I especially thank Janet for letting us get to know her better.

October's author of the month is Amy Corwin. Do visit often as she shares her wonderful books with us, her journey to publication and writing tips.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Anne

Janet Shares Her Writing Process

2011-09-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

Today Janet is going to share her writing process. What inspires her, how she goes about plotting her novels. How she deals with writers block. She'll also share tips for aspiring writers. Take it away, Janet!

What inspires me? Sometimes some very strange things. I've been inspired by books like Bird By Bird, Th Courage To Create and Etymology. I love words and word origins. I've been inspired by Astrology and Music. Also by wonderful fiction books. Sometimes a single sentence, or a sighting of people will inspire me. Writing for me is an obsession so I never know what will trigger an idea. I keep my eyes, ears and other senses open.

Now for the writing process. I'm a draft writer and will do anywhere from five to seven drafts of a story. I begin with the rough draft that's more of an extended outline with scenes sketched in. After this I do drafts looking for specific areas Plot, Characters, and Language. Then I look for things like repeated words. Doesn't it just bother you when you're reading through and you've used one word like it's the only word to describe something? The final draft is just a read through looking for grammar and other errata that might be there. Never catch it all though.

The only time I had a writer's block was when I worked thirteen hour shifts three to four days a week as a nurse. I'm not sure it was a true block but rather exhaustion and also a priming of the pump with not only my emotions but the emotions of the patients I cared for. I would probably write in my sleep.

Now for tips.

1. Finish the book. Do not keep writing the first chapter or first three chapters. You have to reach the end before you know if the beginning is working.

2. Write every day. Even if all you can squeeze out is fifteen minutes, take that time to write. If you could write a hundred or a thousand words a day think of what you would accomplish in a week, a month or a year.

3. Find a good critique partner or a group. I've belonged to the same group for nearly twenty years. The group has changed and people have moved on, many of them to writing careers that have bloomed. Depending on your best friend or a relative may be nice but they may not know how to tell you what's wrong with what you've written.

4. Read and choose many genres for your reading. You can learn from the way the prose flows things that will help you.

5. Observe. No matter where you are of what you're doing use your five senses to absorb the world around you.

K. Dawn Byrd's New Release Mistaken Identity - Check it out!

2011-09-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

Eden Morgan makes a list of six goals to accomplish in order to have the best summer ever. Getting a boyfriend, which is perhaps the most important goal, becomes complicated when she and her best friend, Lexi, fall for the same guy. Since Lexi is popular, gorgeous, and always gets her guy, Eden thinks she doesn't have a chance.

Channing Johnson is everything Eden's ever dreamed of and she can't believe he just moved in next door. When he starts showing interest in her, she's overjoyed...until she sees him out on a date with Lexi. He says Lexi talked him into it to repay her for tutoring him. Lexi says they're in love.

Eden doesn't know who to believe and is forced to choose between her best friend and the guy of her dreams. Nothing is as it seems and no matter who she chooses, someone will get hurt.

EXCERPT:

We played water volleyball until I was tired, and then we swam a while. I did some laps, glad that I'd lost at least some of the weight I'd put on during the winter. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't realized I'd swam too close to Channing until I surfaced and found myself almost in his arms. He reached out to steady me, and I stepped forward, attempting to regain my balance.

A shiver tripped over my skin even though the night was warm. My eyes locked with his, and I found myself lost in the mossy depths. He hadn't released me, and his hands were warm on my arms.

We stood there, speechless, drinking in each other in with an odd kind of understanding, an odd feeling that all was well in the world and we were meant to be together. His touch and his gaze were so mesmerizing that I couldn't have looked away if my life depended on it.

"Channing, you ready to go?" called his mother from somewhere across the patio.

The spell was broken. I backed away, hoping our parents hadn't seen the magic that had passed between us. I wasn't sure what my parents would think about my dating a senior if Channing asked me out.

"Good night," I said, turning and diving under the water, my heart beating wildly as what passed between us seemed like a dream, a beautiful, surreal dream.

I surfaced on the other end and watched Channing retreat from the pool. He turned and waved and, just like that, the guy of my dreams, walked right out of my life.

ENDORSEMENTS: While Christian fiction is a popular genre, I think there is a bit of a hole in the Christian young adult genre, and Mistaken Identity does a great job of filling it. Not all teens want to be reading about the kind of romance you seen in books like Twilight, so this is a nice way of not only providing them with an appropriate type of romance, but really giving them something to read about the sounds a lot like the lives they live, and the struggles they face. Bravo for Mistaken Identity, and I hope we see more like this from Byrd. ---Tiffany Harkleroad

A book for parents and teenagers alike, this one deals with important issues as well as having an engaging storyline, loveable characters and enough nail biting moments to keep you rooted to the pages and wondering about the characters after the last page is turned. ---Clare Revell

LINKS:

You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mistaken-Identity-ebook/dp/B0056AT186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315948663&sr=8-1

My Publisher: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok

My website: http://www.kdawnbyrd.com/

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

First Reviews for Renegade Hearts

2011-09-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sherry @ LoveToReadNovels gave it 5 Tickets!
I knew when I saw the totally awesome cover of Renegade Hearts that I absolutely had to find out the tale within. I was immediately drawn in by the gentle prose of this story. It truly matched the cover with an easy ebb and flow that I just loved! Though it was not an edge-of-your-seat type story I found myself glued to the pages because I became so involved with its true-to-life well-drawn characters. You will fall in love with each one them. Gil was an excellent leading man. I just loved the way he was with Jenny and Zach. (Big sigh!) Jenny is someone to admire. She was strong and independent but reasonable and tender. Zach will steal your heart hands down! He is such a great little man! And Buddy, Gil's Dad, was a total gem! Now don't get me wrong, this did have a mystery to it and as typical with Anne Patrick's stories, you don't find out the whole truth until the end. She always keeps you guessing. I just LOVED Renegade Hearts! It's an easy, feel-good, up-lifting tale you won't want to miss. A thank you goes to the author for providing this complimentary copy for my review.

Babs Book Bristo gave it 5 stars!
I loved the characters and the setting. A little bit of a western touch to the romance. The hurdles Jenny has to go through was enlightening. The twists in the book make for a great suspense. The book has a little bit of everything to entice the reader. Another great book I would recommend. Click on Babs link to read the whole review.

Samantha @ Amazon.com gave it 5 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance! The inspirational thread wasn't overbearing, the characters truly endearing. I especially loved Zach. What a kid! Jenny lost her husband a couple of years ago and is still nursing a broken heart. Along comes Gil who is recovering from a war injury that ended a career he loved. In Jenny and Zach he sees a possible new lease on life, but will he be able to win over Jenny with his charm and devotion to her son? You'll have to by the book to find out. I highly recommend it!

Ebook available from the publisher:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing...art/Detail.bok

Christianbook.com
http://www.christianbook.com/Christi...&action=Search

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Hearts-ebook/dp/B005MZ8GJU/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/renegade-hearts-anne-patrick/1105618725

Janet's Journey to Publication

2011-09-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

My journey to publication is rather long and conviluted. In 1962 I was a stay-at home mom staying at home with my first child. I was also rather isolated since my husband was in the Public Health Service and we were living on an Indian reservation. The hospital, council house and houses for the two doctors were there. There was a small town nearby. I've always loved to read and had dabbled in trying to write since my early years but I was kind of a scattered person with many enthusiasms, writing being one. Since the library in the small town was limited and the closest large library was an hour plus trip, I bought books on writing and began reading them and piecing together stories. I was writing for my own pleasure and to keep from being bored.

Finally in 1967 I garnered the courage and sent our a story. Many rejections later, a small magazine bought the story. This was the beginning and I would still be writing short stories but the markets dried up and I received a rejection saying the story sounded like a synopsis for a novel. Thus I set out to learn how to write novels. During a college course when I was debating obtaining a BS in Nursing a professor read some of my dabbles and encouraged me to write some poetry. I followed through on this and saw several poems published. One even earned enough to pay for the postage.

But back to novel writing. In 1972 after a novel being rejected 17 times it sold to the first editor to reject it. Three novels followed and I begin to explore other stories than "sweet" nurse romances. My children grew and college expenses beckoned so I returned to nursing and put writing aside. In 1990 I began fiction writing again. Thanks to Jane Toombs who sold my idea for a novel to her editor I was off and running again.

Renegade Hearts Excerpt

2011-09-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Single mother, Jenny Holloway, has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around.

Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn't prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she's rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn't going anywhere.

EXCERPT

Gil helped distribute and light all the candles. By the time they were done it was almost as bright as if the lights had never gone out.

"Thanks, guys," Jenny said.

Gil looked over at her. She looked miserable. "How's the pain?"

"It's okay."

It was the answer he had expected. Gil picked up a stack of magazines from a nearby table and moved to one of the chairs. He sorted through the titles of mostly ranching magazines until he found one on sports. The minutes crept by and every now and then they could hear a loud crash. As much as he hated being stuck somewhere where he couldn't see what was going on, he dreaded the moment when they would walk out of the basement. He'd seen on TV the amount of destruction a tornado could produce in the matter of seconds.

"Can I ask you something, Gil?" Jenny asked.

He glanced up from his magazine. "Sure."

"Earlier when we were leaving the barn and the lightning struck, what happened to you?"

He hesitated a moment, not quite sure how to answer her without leaving the impression that he was mentally unstable.

"Did you have some sort of a flashback?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "Loud noises and flashes of light sometime trigger's a memory. But it doesn't happen very often... I mean there's nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't worried, Gil. I was just curious. I'm sorry I brought it up."

He smiled. "Don't be. I didn't mean to sound so defensive. It's just some people, after learning that I was in the war, get a little nervous around me."

"I'm sorry people treat you that way. They shouldn't."

"No. What people don't understand is that when a soldier is in battle they don't have time to think about it, to process it correctly in their minds. So when they get home those memories that have been suppressed sometimes occur when we least expect them."

"That makes sense."

"The trick is to pretend that you're not shaken by them."

"I barely noticed."

"You're not a very good liar."

"No, I don't suppose I am. What happened is perfectly understandable though."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now will you stop hogging all the magazines and hand me one of them?"

He smiled as he got up from his chair and handed her all but the one he was looking at.

Ebook available at Desert Breeze Publishing, at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.

Janet's Chosen Genres

2011-09-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Since I bill myself as eclectic writer I suppose this means I write in a number of genres. There are some I haven't tried and some I'll never try. I think my writing generally parallels what I like to read and I've been reading since I was three and discovered the joy of the library. So let's see what I do write.

Mysteries and suspense. My mysteries are generally cozy and I do enjoy reading cozy mysteries. There are also those suspense novels. I've written one that's a medical suspense and a second one that deals with hospital politics. I like writing these because when doing them I must have a tight plot and make sure I plant the clues with care.

Fantasies are another area where I love to read. My fantasies range in scope from YA to adult. Many of them can be read by those of any generation and some are strictly adult. I love the way fantasy allows me to stretch my imagination. Fantasy also allows me to use Astrology and my dabbling in ESP and magic to plot the stories.

Now we come to romance and I've written many different kinds of romance from contemporary to historical to fantasy and alternate world. My romances run the gamet from sweet to spicy. Romance has fascinated me since I read Anna Karenina in third grade. Some people say that's not really a romance but since I thought the ending should be changed to a happy one, to me it was. I began writing "sweet nurse" romances because everything I read about writing said to write what you know and I knew nurses and doctors. Since I was a nurse. One reason is that I didn't have to do the heavy research. The facts were at my fingertips.

Once I wrote short stories and that what when I began writing. They were short and easier to plot at that time. I no longer write them because it's hard to rein myself in.

I still toy with poetry and I have had some published but poetry is for the love of words and mostly for myself.

Now we come to non-fiction. I've published four in this area. Three were done as a ghost-writer and the reason was that they paid well and I had the ability to translate doctor words into those the average person could understand. The other was with a friend and was done for the fun and the challenge.

Renegade Hearts Release Party

2011-09-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

Come help me celebrate the release of my first ‘sweet’ western romance, Renegade Hearts, Wednesday, September 14^th from 6-8pm (CST) at The Sweetest Romance Author's Blog (http://thesweetestromanceauthors.blogspot.com/). During the two-hour party I'll be having half hour drawings. Prizes includes: a PDF copy of Renegade Hearts, a hat, and tee shirt. The final grand prize drawing will include a copy of Renegade Hearts, a $10 gift cert from Amazon, & a PDF copy of my award-winning/best-selling Fire and Ash (or choice of one of my other ebooks). Hope you can join me.

New Cover and Book Trailer for Renegade Hearts

2011-09-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

A huge THANK YOU goes out to Jenifer Ranieri at Desert Breeze Publishing for giving me such an awesome cover! Renegade Hearts will be available for purchase September 15th through my publisher or at Christianbook.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or most online bookstores.

Remembering September 11, 2001

2011-09-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

When I was told, "Terrorists are attacking America," my first thought was that another American Embassy had been bombed. "No. An airliner was crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City."

No way!

I walked into the living room where the TV was turned to CNN. On the screen were the twin towers. Black smoke billowing out of the top of tower one. Within minutes, a large jumbo jet came into view...then a ball of fire ripped through the second tower, followed by huge mushroom clouds of smoke, which rolled upwards into the sky.

I sat numb, horrified, mesmerized by the unbelievable sight. This can't be happening. Not in America! The most powerful and secure nation in the world. Yes, they've bombed our embassy's, shot down or hijacked our planes, and have killed innocent Americans abroad. Never had they reached American soil though. Then I recalled the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the Oklahoma City bombing. How could I have forgotten the innocent lives lost in those horrific events?

I had a feeling this day I would never forget. That today, the images playing on millions of televisions across the world, would be forever embedded in our minds and our hearts.

As the hour unfolded, I watched again in horror and disbelief as NYC's two largest sky-scrappers crumbled to the ground. Burning in it's rubble were thousands upon thousands of innocent victims, including police, firefighters, and emergency personnel who unselfishly rushed into the buildings to help save lives, rescuing those lucky enough to survive the blasts and following infernos.

Minutes crept by. The horror wasn't over. Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Then yet another plane crashes, this one, however, hadn't made it to it's target. It crashed in a secluded area in Pennsylvania. Later we learned of the brave souls aboard who took their fate into their own hands and sacrificed their lives for others.

For me, September 11, 2001 will be remembered as the day America lost her innocence, no longer fearless and untouchable. Perhaps smug and naive in our freedom we were taught a hard lesson in reality, that others around the world had lived with for years. Millions watched as the second plane crashed into the second tower of the World Trade Center, leaving them numb with disbelief. A total of 2977 people perished that day and America mourned like we never have before. Momentarily stunned by fear and despair.

Out of the ashes came a renewed strength as three firemen raised our country's symbol, the American flag. It brought forth a patriotism that veiled our country in red, white and blue, reunited in part because of the countless stories of bravery during the darkest day in the history of America. From the tales of brave police and fire fighters who rushed into the towers to save lives, to a hand full of brave souls on Flight 93, we were inspired to stand tall and draw together as a nation of brothers and sisters.

On this tenth anniversary of 9/11, I pray for that continued unity and patriotism. I pray for the surviving family members of those who died and give thanks for all those brave souls who risked their lives to save others, and to the men and women serving in our military in the hopes that we never have such another day.

Anne

A Familiar Evil in COTT's Tournament of Champions

2011-09-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

In August A Familiar Evil won Clash of the Titles and it will soon go up against sixteen previous COTT champs in eight different mini-Clashes over a four week period. Only ONE will take home The Laurel Award. The first annual Tournament of Champions will take place October 10-November 4, 2011. I can't tell you when my excerpt will be posted during the tournament because I don't know. It's top secret! So be sure to visit every Monday and Wednesday during the tournament to vote for the best excerpt. There will be games and prizes throughout the tournament with all sorts of prizes. The Grand Prize will be 17 Novels! For complete details and a list of the prizes please visit here: http://www.clashofthetitles.com/p/tournament-of-champs.html

In other news -
I got a sneak peak at my cover for Renegade Hearts and it's going to be awesome! What's so special about this one you may be wondering. Well...because of the handsome dark-haired model chosen to portray my hero. I'm sure you will probably recognize him even with his shirt on if you've read very many romance novels :). No it's not Fabio. It's Jimmy Thomas! That's right, Mr. Romance himself, the man who has graced countless covers posed as everything from a spy to a knight and IMHO just as good, if not better, than Fabio. I've been wanting a Jimmy Thomas cover forever and now, thanks to Jenifer Ranieri and Desert Breeze Publishing, I'm getting one. I will be posting the masterpiece as soon as I receive the final version, which will be very soon I hope. In the meantime feast your eyes on the cover of his calendar.

http://www.jimmythomas.com/portfolio.html

Janet Lane Walters' Henge Betrayed Series

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

My latest release is The Henge Betrayed -- Quests. This is the third book in the Henge Betrayed series.

Though the now nine friends have found a refuge, as they begin to learn how to use their talents, they realize there are other things needed before they can confront the evil in their land.

The nine divide into three groups.

The first group sets out to find more of the gems that enhance their affinities for the elements. The three must face fears from the past and evade the dom's minions.

The second group sets out to find the remaining talismans and are led to the buried henge in Soutren. They must find a way into the structure beneath the desert sands and fight the vermin they find there.

The third group set out to find the remaining young adults with affinities to complete four quartets. During the search, they discover three of the heirs of the princedoms and stage rescues.

Will they succeed in their quests or will they fall prey to the evil Dom Senet and He Who Walks With Evil?

Since this is the third book of the series I'll tell you a little bit about the other books in the series.

Flight is the first and introduces some of the main characters who are based on my grandchildren in part.

"We’ve been betrayed." Those words spoken by the Dom and Doma of the Wesren henge awaken their four children—two sets of male-female twins.

Each child has an affinity for one of the four elements—earth, air, fire and earth. In secret, the young teens flee their home to seek a place of safety and teachers to hone their control. They use their emerging talents in ways they never imagined.

Will their quest succeed or will they become pawns of He Who Walks In Darkness?

Refuge is the second book.

The adventure begun in Flight continues. Ash, Bran, Ky, and Jay, led by the mysterious birds they believe are their parents, find refuge with a doma while they await the arrival of their friend, Zand.

The doma plans to take them to safety in the highlands but news of the capture of two friends by "He who walks with evil" sends them on a rescue mission.

They soon realize their powers are not strong enough to defeat the evil dom, but they must find a way to succeed, or risk seeing their friends corrupted forever.

There will be a fourth book in the future called Confrontations.

Meet Author of the Month Janet Lane Walters

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for joining me this month, Janet. I hope you enjoy the experience. We look forward to learning more about you and your works. Let's begin with Janet's Q&A, followed by her Bio.

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Janet] As a child I was a early reader and soon went through the children's section of the library. The first book that made an impression on me was Anna Karenina. I read this in third grade and still have problems with wanting to change the ending. Her death was so senseless.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Janet] Problem is that I have too many favorite authors. I enjoy Dick Francis, Tony Hillerman, Jane Austin, Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton, Marian Zimmer Bradley, Jane Toombs, Ann McCaffrey, James Rollins and those are just a few.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Janet] Someone asked the same question the other day and it was The Rake by Mary Jo Putney. Couldn't pick a particular scene because in the number of times I've re-read this book, it's sort of become a gestalt.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Janet] Because four of my grandchildren live in Palm Beach, Fl. this is my favorite place to vacation. Don't see them often enough. If it was a dream trip it would be Egypt and the Valley of the Kings.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Janet] A custom kitchen. I enjoy cooking, especially baking.

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Janet] Saturday and the clothes are much like every other day. Slacks and a tee shirt, socks and no shoes. Except in the winter when it's a sweatshirt and slippers.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Janet] Depends on the season as to what I enjoy but I'd say chicken fajitas most of the time along with a nice salad.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Janet] Spending time with my grandchildren, now have seven, reading and listening to classical music.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Janet] None of the above I'll stick to my Prius not into cars that tear up the roads or the environment.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Janet] Not a movie person. The last one I saw was the last segment of The Lord of the Rings. Now television is another matter. Love all the crime shows and watch for about 2 hours every night. Maybe this year Covert Affairs was preferred for summer. Love Criminal Minds in the winter.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Janet] At my age I wouldn't be doing much in the talent area but years ago a friend and I were a dance team in high school and performed for several years.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Janet] I think I would rather fly since then I could go the places I want to go with little trouble and not have to worry about my new knees setting off the alarms and being patted down.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Janet] Learning to stretch my imagination and being able to write things I never thought I could. Sweet nurse romances were my beginning but I soon learned how to move into other genres.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Janet] Most of my research has been from reading books and using the internet. I would imagine the most interesting was talking to a forensic psychiatrist while writing "Obsession." He kept me on target with the villain.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Janet] Finding inspiration isn't hard. All I need is paper, pen and my recliner and I'm good to go.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Janet] Quirks, not really but I must have a fine line pen and college ruled paper. Guess that might be considered strange by those who compose on the computer.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Janet] For me a good story must have both a plot and the characters that fit the story. I also like the background, any information and descriptions woven in bit by bit rather than huge lumps.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Janet] At present, I'm working on a story called The Chosen of Horu, part of a trilogy using an alternate ancient Egypt. The Warrior of Bast was the first and there will be a third one of these days. I really love exploring Egypt and deciding what to change about the culture. One was giving three gods Bast, Horu and Toth, rather than the plethora found there. Another was getting camels there thousands of years before they appeared.

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Janet] Probably one of the most interesting was at a book signing when a woman asked me for the titles of every book I'd written with nurses in them. She was a nurse and collected novels about nurses. She brought several of mine written in the 1970s to be autographed. This was in 1996.

Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

he gasped and fell at my feet. I knelt and saw the blood. Who had done this? I looked around to see if anyone approached. Carefully I examined the wounds and did what I could to stop the bleeding. "Let me call for help."

"No. Help me." With those words he fell into unconsciousness.

I struggled to get him into my car. As I drove away I wondered who he was and what danger I had stepped into.

Janet's Bio-

From the publication of her first short story in 1968, Janet Lane Walter was bitten by the writing bug. Then one day one of her short stories was returned with a note from the editor. "This sounds like the synopsis for a novel." She set out to learn the rudiments of novel writing. Thirty five or so novels later, she's still as her granddaughter once said " Grandma's making words." Janet took some time out to pursue her alternate career -- Nursing and worked until her four children finished their education. Also during those hectic years she earned a BA in English and a BS in Nursing. She's the proud grandmother of seven ranging in age from 3 to 23. She lives in the scenic Hudson River Valley with her husband of 52 years. He's a psychiatrist and refuses to cure her obsession with writing. Janet's reading and writing habits are eclectic. She's published in romance, from sweet to sensual, from contemporary to fantasy and alternate world stories. She's also written cozy mysteries, suspense and fantasy for YA and adults. Several non-fiction books are on her shelf, one an EPIC aware winner written with her friend Jane Toombs. She's a member of EPIC, Broad Universe and RWA.

Don't really have a web site. Usually send the curious to Jewels of the Quill, Dame Amber but I do have an active blog. http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com/

Winner of Karen's book is....

2011-08-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

Mary Foster! Congratulations, Mary. I'm sure you'll enjoy Glass Angels. Karen's an awesome author!

September's author is another fellow Jewel of the Quill, Janet Lane Walters. Janet is a multi-published and award-winning author I'm sure you're gonna want to add to your reading list.

Be sure to mark your calendar, on Sept 14^th I'm having a release party for my first contemporary western romance Renegade Hearts at The Sweetest Romance Author's Blog. During the two-hour party I'll be having half hour drawings. Prizes includes: a PDF copy of Renegade Hearts, a hat, and tee shirt. The final grand prize drawing will include a copy of Renegade Hearts, a $10 gift cert from Amazon, & a PDF copy of my award-winning/best-selling Fire and Ash (or choice of one of my other ebooks). Hope you can join me.

Karen Wiesner Shares Her Writing Process & Writing Tips

2011-08-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today Karen will share her writing process and some writing tips with us.

Let’s begin with plotting. Take it away, Karen!

Both of my Writer’s Digest books, First Draft in 30 Days and From First Draft to Finished Novel {A Writer’s Guide to Cohesive Story Building} work together perfectly, and those who have read and used both methods say the same. Used together, they really are like a well-oiled machine focused on productivity, high-quality and unending momentum. One thing From First Draft to Finished Novel really targets is the importance of working in stages. I can’t stress how crucial this is for all authors. Let me explain.

In an ideal situation, a writer goes through the following nine stages to get a finished novel:

• Brainstorming

• Researching

• Outlining

• Setting aside the project

• Writing the first draft

• Setting aside the project

• Revising the first draft

• Setting aside the project

• Editing and polishing

A word about why “setting aside the project” so many times is so important: I believe a book is best if you give it time to "breathe" between these stages. Whatever fears you had about whether the story is working will dissolve after you’ve set the project aside for a good amount of time because it’s as if you’re coming into the work brand new. Allowing your projects to sit for a couple of weeks—or even months—will provide you with a fresh perspective. You’ll be able to evaluate if the story is really as solid as you believed it was when you finished it. All writers get too close to their outlines or manuscripts to really see them objectively. Distance gives you that objectivity and the ability to read your own work like you’ve never seen it before, so you can progress further with it.

Another reason for setting projects aside between stages is that writers always reach a point where their motivation runs out, and they may simply want to get away from the story as fast as they can. Who wants to write a book you’ve just spent weeks or even months outlining? Who would want to revise a book you’ve spent weeks or months writing? With every single book, I get to rock bottom and I’m convinced that if I ever see the manuscript again, I’ll tear it to shreds. Setting it aside between the various stages the project goes through really gives me back my motivation for it. I’m always amazed at how much better I can face the project again when I haven’t seen it for a couple weeks or even a month or more. I fall in love with it again. The next stage in the process becomes easier, too, and that helps my writing to be much better.

Also, the more books I have contracted, the more I seem to need these breaks in-between stages. I need breaks even when I feel a project is working beautifully. If I put it on a back burner for an extended period of time (as long as I can possibly allow and still meet my deadlines), amazing things happen over the low flame. By the time I return to it, I find myself bursting with new ways to fix any problems I couldn’t resolve when I was too close to, and sick of, the project, and this also allows me to see more of those connections that make a story infinitely cohesive in terms of knitting your characters seamlessly to the plot and setting.

Another reason for working in stages is that I’m able to start brainstorming on upcoming projects sometimes years in advance. When it’s time to work on that project, I’m just raring to go. I have a ton of ideas and the motivation to get them all down will carry me through the outlining like a breeze. Because I’ve always got multiple books going at one time, each one in a different stage of the process, I’m constantly brainstorming on the projects in the back of my mind, analyzing them for any weaknesses and coming up with ways to improve them. That’s so crucial to the overall strength of your stories.

The most important reason for working in stages is because each of those steps is a layer that is added to the book, a layer that makes it stronger, richer, and—I have to say it—more cohesive.

The only way to stay on track with your writing career is by working in stages and allowing yourself to come into each of them completely fresh and eager to add another layer to the project. On my website, you’ll find a page that includes my annual works in progress and accomplishments:

http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/WIP.html

I encourage listeners to visit this page because you’ll really see how well these methods work.

In an average year, I outline, write and revise about 10 novels and novellas, and I follow the annual goals you’ll see on my Work in Progress page. All of these are done in the stages I mentioned before. Right now, I’m working on eight separate projects, each one in a different stage in the process. Later this year, I’ll be folding five more projects into these current eight, so I’ll be juggling thirteen projects at once (with the greatest of ease!). I love that I’m never doing the same thing in terms of outlining, writing and revising projects. I move from outlining one book, to revising a different one, to writing something altogether, layering and building and developing each book into something wonderful that I could never get if I wasn’t working in stages.

Using my own writing methods, everything in my career is planned well in advance, and I keep tweaking my schedule to make it as productive as it possibly can be. Most people think that I must work 24 hours a day based on my productivity. That's the really amazing part of this whole method. I don't have to. Working in stages, using an outline and goals, I work from eight o’clock to noon on weekdays and I can take off every weekend and most of the summer and yet I’m constantly moving forward. At this time, I’m working about a year ahead of my releases. In other words, I’ve already completed all of my 2011 releases and I’ve already got a good start on my 2012 contracts.

How do you avoid writers block, Karen?

Brainstorming is what turns an average story into an extraordinary one. It’s the magical element every writer marvels about in the process of completing a book. Brainstorm day and night, whatever you do, wherever you are, whenever you possibly can. Something every author covets is the ability to sit down to a blank screen or page and begin to work immediately. The secret to doing that is brainstorming! When you brainstorm constantly and productively during both the outlining and writing processes, you’ll always be fully prepared to begin writing without agonizing over the starting sentences or paragraph.

Notice I specified that you should brainstorm productively if you want the writing process to go smoothly and quickly. That’s where your outline comes in. The brainstorming process will have allowed you to do all the hard work of plotting, characterization, etc. while creating your outline and so you won’t face writer’s block when you sit down to write each day. Once you have an outline, you’ll know every single day what you’ll be writing about in the book. You won’t have to decide where the story is going as you write, because you’ll have done all that in the outlining stage. The day or week before you begin writing a certain scene, start brainstorming on it. Also, working in stages keeps your writing so fresh, you don’t have to worrying about writer’s block or burn-out.

Do you have any other writing tips for aspiring writers?

In January 2011, I began a regular monthly guest column, called “From One Author to Another” on Savvy and the column will run for about a year. Topics will be of interest to writers-published and pre-published—and will vary each month. To check out my introduction and overview of my column and to read my first few articles visit:

http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/content.php?737-from-one-writer-to-another-with-karen-wiesner

Wow! You truly are amazing, Karen! Folks, remember to leave a comment/contact info to be entered in Karen's drawing!

Author Interview with Marlayne Giron

2011-08-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

[Anne] Good morning, Marlayne, and welcome to my blog. Please tell the readers a little about yourself.

[Marlayne] I’m a wife, mother and Messianic Jew who loves Jesus.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite book you read as a child?

[Marlayne] I have several! Heidi, The Secret Language, Black Beauty and all of the Fairytales.

[Anne] I'm sure you've read a ton of books. Is there one you've read you wish you had wrote? If so why?

[Marlayne] Oh I wish that I had written Lord of the Rings. It is an absolute masterpiece and the “gold standard” in fantasy fiction. I read The Hobbit and the entire LOTR trilogy in a single weekend when I was 14 and wept, laughed and endured the pain along with all the characters. It is probably one of the most majestic and profound books ever written.

[Anne] Please share your favorite line or passage from a book.

[Marlayne] It is actually from the Appendix when Aragorn is ready to give up his life and Arwen is pleading with him to stay longer: “Lady Undomiel,” said Aragorn, “the hour is indeed hard, yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white birches in the garden of Elrond where none now walk. An on the hill of Cerin Amroth when we forsook both the Shadow and the Twilight this doom we accepted. Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have me wait until I withr and fall from my high seat unmanned and witless. Nay, lady, I am the last of the Numenoreans and the latest King of the Elder Days; and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my will, and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep. I speak no comfort to you for there is no comfort for such pain within the circles of the world. The uttermost chose is before you: to repent and go to the Havens and bear away into the West the memory of our days together that shall there be evergreen but never more than a memory; or else to abide the Doom of Men.”

[Anne] When did you first decide you wanted to write a book?

[Marlayne] I was inspired to write my first book, “The Victor” 30 years ago while listening to an Amy Grant by the name of Fairytale. The verse in the song was: “two princes wage the battle for eternity but the victor has been known from the start”. After hundreds of rewrites and dozens of rejections I finally got to see the fulfillment of my dream when The Victor was released Holy Week of 2009. The rest of my books took considerably less time, with my latest, “In Plain Sight” being written in just four months. The idea came from attending a writer’s conference workshop in which the editor of Marcher Lord Press was talking about the “buggy and bonnet” books (Amish) and how he would really love to see someone do a paranormal Amish fiction.

[Anne] What has been the highlight of your publishing career so far?

[Marlayne] All the new friends I have made all over the country and the world. I’m not just passing acquaintances with a lot of these people. I pray for them, share my life and struggles with them and visa versa.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Marlayne] For The Victor it was discovering that when a knight was “knighted” by his Lord, he was whacked really hard with the flat of the sword instead of tapped. The object was not to be bowled over by the stroke.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Marlayne] The emotional journey is everything. If a book will make me cry, giggle and empathize with the plight of the characters as they go through the challenges of the plot then it is a book well worth reading.

[Anne] I heard you have a new release. Please tell us about it.

[Marlayne] “In Plain Sight” is Amish fiction with a very unique twist. I’m different from most Amish authors in that I do not live near an Amish or Mennonite community nor have relatives who are. It’s a “what if” story and the inspiration came from several sources, the writer’s workshop mentioned previously and C.S. Lewis’ sci-fi book “Out of the Silent Planet”. It is mainly a love-story but also combines suspense with a very inspirational surprise at the end.

[Anne] What made you decide to write a book about the Amish?

[Marlayne] I honestly just wanted to see if I could do it. It took me four months and until I got to the halfway mark it was like pulling teeth. After that it began to write itself and inspirational went into high gear!

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Marlayne] I just finished a novella for Love Inspired called Plain & Simple. The premise is 30-something SoCal widow with teen, purchases Amish farmhouse for purposes of turning it into an Amish B&B and meets 30-something Amish widower who lost wife and children in buggy accident. Despite their different backgrounds and cultures, they are drawn to one another first by their mutually shared pain and then love begins to grow.

[Anne] Thanks so much for joining us today, Marlayne. It's been fun getting to know more about you. In closing please give us a short excerpt of your new book and let us know where we can buy it.

Excerpt:

Seth and Silas stood up and went onstage to display her quilt to the remaining bidders. The auctioneer began the bidding at $300. One or two hands went up and the price slowly climbed $20 at a time. Then the bidding began to peter out. If others didn’t bid the auctioneer would have to call it sold at a horribly low price. As Rebecca scanned the seats, Katie Zook and her entourage entered the tent. They walked up the center aisle and took the empty seats in the first row. The better to ogle the brothers from, Rebecca guessed. She turned her attention back to the stage to find Seth staring at her; a ghost of a smile playing about his lips.

Watch this! Came the words inside her head as the auctioneer yelled out: “GOING ONCE…!” his gavel poised to declare the bidding concluded.

Suddenly arms shot up all over the tent and the bidding began anew; this time in earnest. The price began zooming up by the hundreds and in moments was well over the $2,000 mark with no end of bidding in sight. Rebecca could feel the eyes of her mother, father and Katie Zook upon her but she dared not meet their gaze. She kept her eyes fastened firmly upon the auctioneer who was now mopping his florid face with a handkerchief; desperately trying to keep up with the bids. Once or twice she stole a glance at Seth who stood stone-faced by the quilt except for the mischievous twinkle in his silver eyes.

“Five thousand dollars for the Esh Shadow Star quilt…do I hear five thousand and a hundred?”

Word quickly spread through the fairgrounds that an incredible bidding war had broken out in the auction tent. The news that a quilt was breaking all records for price emptied the booths and had everyone who was left running for the tent to watch. Every vacant seat was quickly filled and soon there was standing room only but the bidding showed no sign of abating.

“Six thousand, five hundred! Do I hear seven thousand?” The auctioneer was becoming hoarse and sweating profusely. Hands shot up again all over the tent. Now there were more than 100 people bidding on her mother’s quilt. Rebecca caught Seth’s eye. There was no doubt in her mind that the brothers were entirely responsible for the bidding war on the quilt; she just couldn’t figure out how they were doing it.

“Eight thousand!” screamed the auctioneer. The crowd let out an enormous cheer. The bidding had become “the” show and everyone was curious to see how high it would go and who would end up with the quilt.

Rebecca looked over to see her daed and mamm exchange alarmed glances. They had obviously drawn the same conclusion as she and were not pleased. They didn’t want to be responsible for taking advantage of people. Leroy stood up and stared down the brothers; making his meaning clear. Silas nodded and the bidding slowed down to two remaining bidders who seemed determined to win what was arguably the most famous quilt auction in all of Lancaster County.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON MY BLOG: http://marlaynegiron.blogspot.com/2011/08/in-plain-sight.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Marlayne-Giron/257107850968612

Twitter: @thevictorbook

Journey to Redemption book trailer - check it out!

2011-08-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Purchase eBook or print at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Whimsical Publications (where the ebook is half off during the month of August).

Karen's Journey to Publication & What Inspires Her

2011-08-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

Please share with us, Karen, your journey to publication.

I wrote my first book when I was ten years old. That was the summer my family was in Oklahoma (for my father’s job), and we discovered this abandoned old trailer with photographs all over the trashed floor. Both my sister (author Linda Derkez http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/linda.html) and I got a ton of ideas from looking at these pictures, speculating about who had lived there, what happened that they left all these photos behind. That was the summer I knew I was destined to be a writer. All those daydreams were about to pay off. I started brainstorming romances, thrillers, and mysteries in my head. By the time I was sixteen, I’d written almost a dozen books, short stories, and countless poems. Unofficially, I had my own fan club in high school and had a dozen publishing credits to my name (all poems).

Getting my fiction published was the hard part, and, ironically, I got so tired of the whole rejection thing, I’d just made the decision to quit writing for anyone but myself. I don’t remember whether it was a day or week after I made this decision that I received my first contract. Talk about turning a corner and coming face-to-face with a dream! In any case, my first novel (a romance) was finished published in June 1998 (I was 32). I’ve been on a roll since then.

My journey to publication with the Family Heirlooms Series started when Baby, Baby, Book 1, Shadow Boxing, Book 2, and Foolish Games, Book 3 were previously published by Samhain Publishing. When things didn’t work out the way I was hoping there, I took the whole series to Whiskey Creek Press, who bought all six books at once. Because my fans were waiting so long for Book 4, we decided to release Glass Angels first, then quickly re-issue the first three Books in the series in short order afterward. Book 1 was released in April 2011, Book 2 May 2011, and Book 3 July 2011. The final two books in the series, Shards of Ashley and Worlds Collide, will be released September 2011 and March 2012. Also look for the spin-off to my Family Heirlooms Series, the Friendship Heirlooms Series, with Clumsy Girl’s Guide to Falling in Love, Book 1 (inspirational romantic comedy/Chick-lit) and Michael’s Angel, Book 2 (inspirational romantic suspense).

What inspires you, Karen?

I’m a life-long learner. Every experience in my life—whether happy, painful, sad or horrible—leads me to the question of what I’ll learn from it. But I’m not an adventurer. I’m not an explorer. I prefer to live vicariously through my characters. Too much excitement makes me completely insane, and I have to come home and plug in there or I run down. I really was designed to be a writer for those reasons. In my writing, many things inspire me. People watching. Listening to people talk. Faces—not necessarily beautiful or perfect. Unusual stories. An alternate idea not explored in a novel or movie. Headlines. I was in church a few years ago, and a family had gone on a missionary trip for a week to help build a house for a needy family in Mexico. They shared their experiences, and I was instantly captivated. A story I’d had in mind took shape quickly based on this show-and-tell, and the outcome was Shadow Boxing, Book 2 of my Family Heirlooms Series (which was reissued in May 2011). Inspiration is everywhere—plucking it out, refining and “brewing” it in my mind for a long period of time is the easiest and most incredible part of being an author.

http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/fiction9a.html

I just want to say I have a very healthy respect for you, Karen and all you've accomplished. You're a wonderful writer and a great inspiration! I wish you continued success! Friends, don't forget to comment for a chance to win one of Karen's books.

Sweet Saturday Sample - Fire and Ash

2011-08-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance, the fire looks accidental. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.

Awards & Special Recognition for Fire and Ash -

'Best Book' & Five Star review from LASR; 'Top Pick' & Five Star review from Night Owl Reviews; LASR 'Best Book 2010' Nominee; TRR 'Best Inspirational 2010'; LRC 'Best Suspense/Thriller 2010'; #1 Bestselling Suspense eBook at Christianbook.com.

Excerpt:

"Excuse me, sir. Are you supposed to be in here?"

The fireman turned. Quinn's eyes widened. Even with soot covering a good portion of the face, he could tell it was a woman from the brilliant smile she tossed at him. "It's miss, and I reckon I am if you wanna know the cause of this fire."

"You're with the State Fire Marshal's Office?" he guessed. Emerald Point's Fire Chief had told Quinn earlier that he suspected arson.

She stuck her clipboard underneath her arm, reached for the badge pinned to her turnout coat and flipped it around for him to view. "Sadie McGregor, Fire Investigator."

Interesting. She shared the same last name as the Fire Chief. That couldn't be a coincidence. "I had an officer posted here. Do you know where he went?"

"I sent him on an errand. Hope you don't mind." She stepped forward. Underneath her helmet, short strands of caramel colored hair framed a pretty face with freckles marching across both her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Haunting emerald eyes held his gaze as she offered her hand.

"Guess not." He shook the small latex covered hand, surprised by the strength of her grip. "Sorry for mistaking you for a guy."

She chuckled, turned, and walked into a room off to the right.

He followed. "I thought you were awfully small for a firefighter. I'm Police Chief Quinn Harrington by the way."

"I gathered that from your badge," she said with a smile. "Joe said you were on the scene during suppression, did anyone videotape it by chance? Or take pictures?"

"There were reporters on the scene so footage is probably available. Are you kin to Joe?"

"I'm his niece." She knelt along the baseboard. It was several seconds before she moved anything other than her head, which tilted from side to side as if in deep concentration. A few minutes later she balanced the clipboard on one knee, reached down and picked up what looked to be a framed photograph. "Must be her parents," she said, holding the frame up for his viewing.

"Mike and Donna Ingram. Larissa was their only child."

"Too bad. What do we know about her?"

"She was a senior over at the college, good kid, has never been in any trouble that I know of. The parents are away on vacation, so we think she was house sitting for them."

"Did you know her?"

"Not well. I've only been on the job a few months."

She laid the photograph on the buffet table, scribbled something on her clipboard and continued her examination of the room.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."

Buy links for Fire and Ash –

Desert Breeze Publishing
Christianbook.com
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

I'll have a drawing for a PDF copy of Fire and Ash Sunday evening so be sure to leave your contact info if you'd like to be entered.

Arson by Estevan Vega

2011-08-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

Book Details:
Genre: supernatural/YA/coming-of-age
Publisher: StoneGate Ink
Publication Date: May 2011

Synopsis:

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Excerpt:

The lake was quiet.

A lazy fog hovered over the surface of the gray water, whispering in the wake of currents and steady ripples. The world seemed dead to Arson Gable, silent anyway. Like the calm before a storm.

It waited.

Arson stepped off the porch onto the lawn; his mind was swimming. This was where he came most mornings while Grandma slept. He cut his gaze toward the lake, that black womb which rested beyond and beneath the rickety dock. It was as if the lake knew his name and his heartbeats, much like the streets and corners of this town knew his name, cold and faceless as they were. Whether he wanted to admit it, this place was home, and there was no going back.

A bright light burned in the sky, somewhere far enough for him to notice but close enough to nearly blind him. He breathed deeply and blinked, welcoming the dark rush of black behind his eyelids. From where he stood, he could see the towering oaks rooted deep in the ground. Their thick branches stretched upward into the clouds, some parts draping over the shady spots of the worn-out cabin. One final glance and he was reminded that these tortuous, beaten things seemed to swallow the world. Just thinking about them—how he’d watched them ruin—made him seem small, so worthless.

Arson made a fist and felt the heat swell in his grip. He wanted to run into the brush, to get lost deep in the small section of backwoods Grandma had forced him to avoid ever since they’d moved here. But he didn’t move.

This town seemed so close-knit and yet so separated. Less than a mile up the road were a country market, restaurants, and a bowling alley. There was even a liquor store, a cheap pharmacy, and some fast-food chains, and a few miles past that, a movie theater and a nightclub. But at the heart of this place was disunity, a fierce and futile fight to be known and accepted. Arson never understood why Grandpa had picked here to have the cabin built, right beside the lake.

As Arson slowly approached the dock, his mind returned to thoughts of Danny, the only childhood friend he’d ever had. Dim mornings somehow made each memory more real, hard to let go and even harder to erase. Was he always here, always watching? Odd how seven years could come and go without warning, as if the world blinked and somehow forgot to open its eyes again.

In all fairness, it had never been his grandparents’ intention to stay anywhere for too long, but it seemed East Hampton, Connecticut, had become a part of them now, a part of him. “One day we’ll be like the rest of them,” he recalled Grandpa saying—a man of ideals, empty dreams, and hopes Arson could never freely call his own.

Eventually, they had grown tired of running. This dull corner of the world seemed ordinary enough for them to believe starting over again as normal folks would be possible. “Forget what happened all those years ago in Cambridge,” Grandma said so many times that Arson imagined her screaming it to him while he slept. But it was always there—the memory—a splinter in the back of his mind. No going back. Ever.

Arson staggered across the dock, images of child play and stupid laughter pouring in all at once. Danny’s face stuck out the most, and behind that he glimpsed their old home in Cambridge and flashes of his first birthday. His mother wasn’t there, though, nor dear old Dad, but that day had been recounted to him only once by his grandfather, and it stuck.

Nevertheless, with every joyous memory, distilled regret was close behind. He sometimes imagined what it might be like to get thrown in jail by some nameless special agent and be forgotten, or to wake up and find strong hands squeezing the life out of him.

Arson was an unusual boy. A freak. He knew it. And he hated it. Whatever lingered inside his bones always left as quickly as it came, breathing out in short moments of fear or rage. Over the years, he’d asked to be examined to locate the source of his imperfection and if possible terminate it. After all, why did he sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a fever? How come his sweat sizzled when it hit the ground? What was he?

Grandma always argued there wasn’t much point in talking to no-good doctors or even finding out answers to questions he was better off not asking in the first place. Some people were just born with demons, she’d say.

Arson swallowed hard and threw a stone into the water. The splash shattered his reflection, and ripples spread across the dark surface. He wondered why he was the way he was, wondered why those little girl’s parents quit looking all of a sudden, why the investigation against two stupid boys evaporated. Perhaps they didn’t care about retribution, or maybe they were just sick of chasing shadows.

I want to be free, Arson thought, nausea creeping up into his gut. While boats raced along the surface of the lake, Arson stared in awe. They vanished so easily, like mist gliding across the water and dissolving into nothingness. What if men could do the same? There was a man once, he’d heard, who walked upon water and didn’t sink. Maybe he could too. Maybe one day there would be those who believed in him.

Arson’s gaze moved over the lake, across to the other side, where Mandy Kimball lived, and her neighbor, his science teacher from the ninth grade. Then his eyes drew back to the ripples spread out before him, to the dying cabin behind him, as he spit. Beads of sweat streamed down his bony frame, his ash-brown hair trapped inside the gritty creases of his forehead. Arson listened for the lake’s soothing melody but couldn’t hear it. He focused instead on the sound his feet made atop the splintering dock, kind of like the way swings sounded in cheap horror flicks—empty, rocking back and forth to no melody at all. Closer to the edge he came, lingering.

With shut eyes, he stepped out onto the water and began to sink. Peace soon abandoned him to the lake’s shallow world. In a blink, he was looking through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy.

“I don’t like fire,” he heard the boy say, so frightened, so naïve. “It’s dangerous.”

“Don’t be such a wimp,” came his older friend’s taunts. “Just light it already.”

With each shove and curse, the memory turned alive; it was as if it knew he was watching and didn’t like it. The pain still stung, images wilting and dying, only to come alive again and again.

I. Hate. Fire.

Arson could feel the cold, could even remember the way everything sounded or how there was no sound at all. Until the night shattered. The weight of remembering dragged him down while he sucked in a filthy drag of water, his coffined body jerking. The veins on his head began to swell. He was choking.

Time to return to the real world, to release the nightmare once more into the dark of the lake. The struggle eventually pulled him to the surface. Slinging his head back and forth, Arson fought to bring himself out of the bitter current, eventually falling upon dead grass. He tasted the grit of sandy dirt in his teeth. Panting, Arson stood up slowly and staggered toward the cabin, where Grandma Kay’s shadow guided him in.

There was something strange that came over Grandma when she exacted punishment, like a part of her enjoyed it too much. She said fixing their leaky roof was a good and righteous way of killing the demons inside him. Nothing like hard work. She said there was no way a lake could cleanse a boy’s troubled mind anyway and that he was just plain stupid for thinking it could. To ease his frustration, Arson let himself believe that if he had been caught any other day, her scorn might have resulted in worse than fixing a leaky roof, which Arson would’ve had to do eventually anyway.

Grandma’s reasons for why she did things, why she treated him a certain way, seemed to get worse with time. It was no secret that she loathed the idea of him diving into the lake, especially if fully clothed. She even claimed there were toxins in the water from pollution that had supposedly killed a bunch of fish years back. But maybe it was a fair trade. He’d returned to the lake all the toxins he’d soaked up with every vile thought. When considered, Grandma’s logic didn’t seem all that twisted. She probably just didn’t want him bringing any of that evil back with him, infected or not. She was superstitious, so Arson made a promise he knew he couldn’t keep and said it wouldn’t happen again.

The muggy June morning caused his palms to sweat. Arson almost lost his grip on the bucket during the climb to the top but regained his balance before losing any supplies. Spiderman would have been proud. Reading comic books all his life came in handy now and then.

Grandpa took care of the cabin to the best of his ability, had even showed Arson how to repair the roof years back. “If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself,” he recalled. But in spite of his grandfather’s hard work, it was clear that time eventually wore away all things, even hope.

Arson worked for about an hour before carelessness got the best of him. A loose, jagged shingle sliced through the palm of his hand. Blood gushed from the wound and onto his leg. He swore as the sting began to overwhelm him. He chucked the hammer and tried to keep pressure on the cut.

“What happened?” Grandma’s voice echoed from below. “I heard you cussin’ all the way in the kitchen. You know how I feel about that.”

“Sorry, Grandma.” Arson was glad she left it at that. Sitting on the roof, he turned slightly toward the sun. It’s a gusher, he thought. Then, as he stared in amazement, he watched the wound cauterize itself in seconds. It burned.

“Arson, are you all right up there?”

He looked down at the remaining scar, struggling to make sense of it, neglecting the mess on his clothes. “Just fine, Grandma,” he called down.

“That roof isn’t going to fix itself. If I have to spend another night with drops of water hitting my face, I promise you’ll regret it.”

“All right,” Arson said. “I’ll get back to work.”

By evening, the task was complete. He braced himself and watched the sunset from the rooftop as it melted against a fluorescent sky. Arson listened as Grandma concluded her tea conversation with the man she loved.

Moments later, their time together ended with laughter, and he knew it was safe to come down. Arson caught her while she was clearing away the silverware and china.

“Did you finish the roof, love?” she asked in a pleasant voice.

“Yes, Grandma. It’s healed…I mean, fixed.”

“Marvelous. Say, whatcha mean healed?”

Arson grabbed the ladder. “I’m really tired. I’m not thinking straight right now. Maybe I just need some rest.”

“I think you’re right. You’re not making any sense at all. Say, do you want a piece of cake before I put it away? Grandpa didn’t eat much tonight. He’s never been much for carrot cake.”

“No thanks. Not hungry,” he said.

“Suit yourself. Put your tools away and get on up to bed, then. A growing boy like you needs his rest. I hope you learned your lesson, though. I don’t like you spending so much time in that miserable lake. The very idea doesn’t sit well with my soul.”

Arson nodded with reluctant eyes and put away the ladder and the tools. Then he rushed inside the cabin and up to his room to read a comic book before dozing off. Maybe tonight his dreams would be different.

Author Bio:

Estevan Vega published his first book when he was fifteen, and his second followed shortly after. His fascination for the supernatural ignited a desire to write his third and most praised work to date, Arson. For those just joining, Ashes continues the turbulent story. Vega currently resides in Connecticut, where he is feverishly plotting the next chapter in the series. Get stoked.

Connect With Estevan:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Karen Wiesner Returns!

2011-08-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

I’m pleased to have Karen back with us! Today she shares why she writes in her chosen genre.

As you can see by my biography, I write in just about every genre. The story dictates the genre in every case, but it’s a rare event that one of my stories doesn’t contain a romance in there somewhere. In the last year, almost all of my stories have been inspirational romances—whether contemporary or with a mystery/suspense angle. While I’ll continue to write in other genres as the individual stories dictate, inspirational romance is becoming my “main” genre. I felt very led by the Lord to go in this direction, and, so far, it’s been an amazing blessing.

I guess I can’t choose my favorite writing genre because, like in my eclectic reading, I’m enjoying myself so much with each one. Bottom line, there are worlds to discover everywhere. Besides, writing a different genre keeps me refreshed, since I don’t think I could stand to write in the same one always. I love that I’m never writing the same thing. If you read my work, you’ll always get something new and different. To me, the greatest part of being a writer is going anywhere my imagination takes me. For a breakdown of all my books based on genre, visit http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/genres.html

Karen’s recent & upcoming releases include:

Baby, Baby, Book 1 of the Family Heirloom Series reissue (inspirational romance) - Coming April 2011

Shadow Boxing, Book 2 of the Family Heirloom Series reissue (inspirational romance) - Coming May 2011

Souls on (B)Oring Street, Book 3 of the Denim Blues Mysteries Trilogy (inspirational romantic mystery) - Coming June 2011

Foolish Games, Book 3 of the Family Heirloom Series reissue (inspirational romance) - Coming July 2011

Incognito Series Megabook, Volume 4 (romantic suspense) - Coming Summer 2011 in electronic formats

“Wings of Love” {Cowboy Fever Series, Book 1} in Christmas Gems, A Jewels of the Quill Christmas Anthology (contemporary romance) - Coming September 2011

Shards of Ashley, Book 5 of the Family Heirloom Series (inspirational romance) - Coming September 2011

Wow! You’re a busy lady, my friend! I wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors!

A Familiar Evil wins COTT

2011-08-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

The winning excerpt -

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Chief Russell.”

Jordan’s stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

“You found her,” Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. “Indeed I have.” He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. “Chief, there’s an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her.”

“Agent Russell,” Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, “Isn’t Russell your married name?” He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, “That must mean you’re her husband.”

“Not for much longer.” Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She closed the door and looked at Sam. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here at your request.”

“I specifically requested someone from the Charlotte field office.” Anyone but him.

He looked at her with the gorgeous smile that used to make her go weak in the knees. “And they forwarded that request to Agent Haines, who assigned me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Jordan marched back to her desk, and was four digits into Haines’ cell phone number when Sam pressed his finger down on the button and disconnected the call. Eighteen and a half months of built-up rage boiled to the surface. She doubled her right fist and spun around with lighting fury.

Sam, just as quick, stopped the fist within inches of his jaw. With his free hand, he took the phone from her left hand and placed it back in its cradle. Jordan felt his hot breath on her face as he peered down at her, and was keenly aware of the heat generating from his body through the hand which tightened around her wrist.

“Let me help you, Jordan…please.”

She swallowed hard, summoned all her courage, and met his smoldering gaze. “I need a profiler who can tell me exactly what I’m up against here.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve lost your touch.”

She ignored his smirk. “I need a fresh pair of eyes who can look at this guy objectively.”

“Who hasn’t allowed themselves to get too personal?”

“I just need someone other than you,” she spat.

“Too bad, you’re stuck with me. Now, what do you say I release your hand and you don’t take my head off? Or we can continue to provide the day’s entertainment for your co-workers.”

Jordan shifted her gaze to the glass separating her office from the command center. A half dozen familiar faces scattered like rats. She twisted free from his grip, grabbed her cap from her desk and shoved it down over her head. “Fine!” She was already halfway out the door before she realized he wasn’t with her. She turned back and found him smiling at her. “Are you coming or not?”

Be sure to visit http://www.clashofthetitles.com/ if you want to read my interview with April. They're a great bunch at COTT. I want to thank all the readers who voted for A Familiar Evil.

In other news - I'm thrilled to announce that I've received my rights back on my first book Every Skull Tells a Story, and after some major revising it will release under the title Trespasses - book #2 in my Wounded Heroes series with Desert Breeze Publishing. I love the story, it's one of my favorites, and I think it will be a wonderful addition to the series. I'm working on the edits of book #1 now, titled Kill Shot. Hope to have it finished this weekend.

During the month of August the ebook formats of Lethal Dreams and Journey to Redemption is 50% through Whimsical Publications. Just click on the title and follow the directions.

Prefer print...you're in luck. This month I'm giving away an autographed copy of Journey to Redemption on my website http://annepatrick.weebly.com/index.html All you have to do is drop me a note via my contact page and tell me you want to enter the drawing.

Happy Reading!
Anne

Glass Angels by Karen Wiesner

2011-08-07T18:31:00.000-07:00

GLASS ANGELS, Book 4 of the Family Heirloom Series
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Published by Whiskey Creek Press http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Blurb:

Nuggets of faith can be passed down as family heirlooms from parent to child, sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse.

Book Four Family Heirloom: Forgiving

A young Christian woman struggles with seeking pardon from those she's hurt when she can't seem to get past her own inability to forgive those who have wronged her.

Three years ago, Samantha Samuels had suffered under the violent hands of Ryder Feldmann, a juvenile delinquent her pastor father had been counseling. Now she's completed her psychiatry training and plans to help other victims of violent crimes at the rape counseling clinic in her hometown of Peaceful, Wisconsin. Unexpectedly, she finds herself sharing an office building and Sunday services at her new church with the older brother, a divorce counselor, of her attacker...the very man she'd been in love with before her rape.

In the time since Kyle Feldmann's brother was jailed for his crime against Samantha, he's lived with the torment of all he's lost because of his sibling. Before the tragedy that stole Samantha from him and destroyed his dreams, Kyle had begged her to risk her father's disappointment and elope with him. Seeing Samantha again after so many years, being near her, only puts him right back where he was before the rape. Kyle wants to heal Samantha, love her, and fulfill the dreams he grieved the loss of—by marrying her. But how can they be together forever when she's still so broken?

All her life, Samantha had wanted her father's approval, but his selfish part in putting her in a dangerous situation has led her to a painful place of desperately needing to forgive him and her attacker...and being unable to in all the time since the traumatic event that ripped her life in two. As she gives her heart to Kyle once more, her already fractured relationship with the Lord is tested. In the crossfire of faith, she wonders if glass angels shatter beyond recognition when they take a leap of faith, or if they can heal and become stronger than ever before.

Excerpt:

Prologue

“I know you were just glad to see Ryder Feldmann convicted at the trial, sweetie, so you weren’t concerned about how long he’d be in the institution.”

Samantha Samuels stared at her sister-in-law, a lawyer, who’d insisted she wanted to drive her to the airport today when she left for her two-week vacation. She and Justine were fairly close. Nevertheless, she’d been a little surprised by the offer. Not once had she considered that Justine wanted to drive her so she’d have time to drop this bomb on her.

Stunned, Samantha opened her mouth. Her sister-in-law wasn’t wrong—she’d heard nothing at the end of the trial but that—thank the Lord!—her attacker would be locked away. “I assumed he’d be in prison for a long, long time.”

Justine nodded, her expression pained. She reached across to the passenger’s seat and squeezed her hand. “I know, Sam. You didn’t want to hear anything else about it whenever I tried to talk to you about this in the last several years. I can explain everything to you whenever you’re ready, but the bottom line is that Ryder’s term of confinement is almost up. He’ll be released on September 30th, followed by a year of extended supervision...”

* * * *

“Miss Samuels,” the clerk called when Samantha entered the hotel with the rest of her tour group. Tired after the long day of exploring Southwest Ireland’s treasures, including a museum and a castle—along with fighting off the aggressive advances of a certain member of her tour group—she was eager to go to her room and shower. She’d been wondering if she’d have time to snatch a few hours’ sleep before dinner.

She wended her way through the others to get to the front counter.

“You received a phone call while you were out, Miss Samuels.” The man handed her a memo.

Samantha looked at the note without surprise to see her sister-in-law’s name and phone number written on it. Justine had called the night she arrived in Ireland, but Samantha hadn’t been able to get herself to take the phone call then. She hadn’t been ready to face the fact that the man who’d raped her would be released from prison after a mere three years paying for his unconscionable crime against her.

“I do hope everything is all right, miss.”

Distracted, Samantha glanced at the clerk and nodded. While dodging the crowd, she rushed up to her room as fast as she could. Had Justine called to apologize again for seeing no other choice but to tell her the truth—even if it meant ruining a perfectly lovely trip? Samantha had thought of little else except the single sentence that had deadlocked her in the days since: “He’ll be released on September 30th, followed by a year of extended supervision...”

She couldn’t fathom that Ryder had served only three years. Three years! In three years, I haven’t even begun to heal from what he did to me. And he’s done being punished, other than a year of” extended supervision”—whatever that meant.

Samantha took a deep breath to quell the sensation of suffocation rising inside her. The tightness of her chest resembled an evil force growing in proportion to her dread. Now it was gathering all the air in her lungs and transforming it into an ominous, black cloud.

After drawing another breath and letting it out slowly, she murmured to herself, “I’ll be home in two days. I can call Justine then and ask her all the details I wish I didn’t have to know. Right now I’m four thousand miles away and it must be nine or ten at night in Wisconsin anyway.”

Why had Justine called a second time? And why in the world did she feel she had to tell me this before I left for Ireland? As if I had any chance of enjoying the trip anyway. I’m too much of a homebody not to have started wishing my flight would return me to my home the day I arrived. Why, Justine, why? As a lawyer—though only part-time since the birth of her son a few years ago—Justine was too logical to drop a ticking bomb in someone’s lap without good reason. She certainly had to realize her announcement would upset Samantha for longer than a few hours.

Shaking slightly, Samantha tossed the messenger bag she’d brought with her for the tour today on her bed and grabbed the phone. Unfortunately, she realized that she didn’t have the slightest clue how to make an international call. When she phoned down to the desk to explain her trouble, the clerk calmed her with the words, “Allow me to place the call for you. I’ll forward it to your room shortly.”

Samantha thanked him, gave him the information, then sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. An odd thought entered her head. What if Justine’s phone call had nothing to do with the announcement she’d made in the car? What if someone was ill? Perhaps her son, daughter or husband—Samantha’s older brother—Joshua.

Daddy? Samantha’s cheeks filled with shame and regret.

Luckily, the phone rang within a few moments, disrupting the usual direction of her thoughts. “Justine?” she said as soon as she picked it up.

“It’s me, Sam,” Justine answered, her flinty voice filled with reassurance. “Don’t panic. This isn’t a medical emergency or anything like that. You had to know I couldn’t leave things the way we did at the airport. I didn’t want that conversation to go like that, sweetie.”

“Why did you have to tell me now?”

Justine sighed. “Oh, Sam, I thought long and hard about whether to bother you about this before you left for your vacation. I talked to Joshua, Tamara, Kim and Peter, and they all advised me to tell you right away.”

Tamara and Peter, Samantha’s oldest siblings, and Peter’s wife Kimberly were the three people Samantha trusted most in the world. Even still, she couldn’t understand why any of them would encourage Justine to go ahead with this.

“Did I completely wreck your vacation?” Justine asked softly. “We all knew when you got back, you’d be going to work at the clinic, putting in long hours...and you wouldn’t want to hear the truth then any more than you did at the trial and the years since. We couldn’t see any other way to do this. And you insisted your friend Jordan was picking you up from the airport when you got back from Ireland. You weren’t willing to negotiate.”

I’ve been in hiding. I don’t know how else to cope. After all this time, I still don’t. Samantha shook her head. Eyes closed, she asked in a tone that begged her sister-in-law to enlighten her, “How can they possibly release him, Justine? He raped me. Ruined my life in ways that no can begin to understand...” Samantha inhaled shakily.

Read more:

http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/GAexcerpt.pdf
Purchasing info: http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/fiction9.html
Visit Karen’s website: http://www.karenwiesner.com

Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson

2011-08-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

Book Details:
Publisher: AITE Publishing
Published: May 2011
Genre: Mystery Tourism
Website:Missing In Mexico

Blurb:
Sarah Johnson is a 19-year college freshman who, along with her roommate Mary, spent an extra week in Los Cabos, Mexico after a family vacation over the Christmas break. Unexpectedly, Sarah's not on the plane back to Seattle, and her parents hire Stan, a seasoned Private Investigator, to locate her. Even with local help and some promising leads in the town of San Jose del Cabo, he's unable to find her, and he returns to Seattle to inform the parents. Months later he receives a mysterious letter from someone who says she can help him locate Sarah, and he jumps on the next plane to Los Cabos. Will this be the lucky break he needs to find her? Or will she remain missing -- Missing in Mexico?

Excerpt:

Chapter One/Uno

Flight # 1476 from Los Cabos to Seattle

Saturday, January 5th

     The voice over the intercom system announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we trust you had a good time in Los Cabos, but it’s now time for us to take you back to the States. The cabin doors have been closed, and Alaska Airlines flight 1476 with nonstop service to Seattle-Tacoma is ready for departure.”

     “Hey, wait. Sarah’s not here; we can’t leave without her,” the girl in seat 14A yelled in a frightened voice. Mary reached up and pushed the flight attendant call button even as the flight attendant was already headed toward her seat. “We can’t leave yet; Sarah’s still down there,” Mary continued, now reaching the point of hysteria.

     “Please calm down, miss. Everyone’s already onboard. You can look for yourself,” the flight attendant said in a calm voice as she pointed to the window.

     “What do you mean everyone’s onboard? Sarah’s not here; she should be sitting right here!” Mary pulled her tearing eyes away from the empty seat and looked out and saw that the boarding ramps had been pulled away from the airplane, but what she didn’t see scared her. How come Sarah’s not out there, running in a panic toward the plane? “Where’s Sarah? She was just there with me. Where is she? Don’t leave; Sarah’s missing!” Mary cried out as tears began flowing down her cheeks.

     The annoyed passengers felt a jolt as the plane was being pushed back. They were ready for their flight home from Los Cabos. But Sarah wasn’t on board; she’s missing – Missing in Mexico.

familia (fă•mĭl’•ē•ă) – family. Hay cuatro personas en mi familia. There are four persons in my family.

Author Info:
Stuart Gustafson began writing in earnest after taking early retirement from the corporate world in 2007. His professional life involved travel and so it was natural for him to want to continue traveling once he didn't have to travel as a job. Now when he travels, it's for fun; it's for pleasure; it's to see new places in the world. The way he has chosen to combine his love of travel and writing is to write mystery novels set in exciting locations around the world where he likes to go.

His debut mystery novel Missing in Mexico is set in San Jose del Cabo at the tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, a charming location where he has spent 2-6 weeks each year for the past eight years. This is how Stuart researches his books, by immersing himself into the culture of the area, and getting to know the people and their charm. The best compliment Stuart has received was at a local event in San Jose del Cabo and some of the residents told him that Missing in Mexico was indeed about their town and would he please consider writing another book about San Jose or at least about Cabo.

His second mystery novel, set in Sydney, NSW, Australia, is already underway, and Stuart took five trips to Sydney in 2010 to conduct research of the area to once again ensure that the book, even though it's a fictional mystery novel, would still contain authentic details. Publication date for that book is set for early 2012.

Stuart has been married for thirty-seven years to Darlene and they have one daughter and one son. Stuart and Darlene live in Boise, Idaho.

Connect With Stuart:
Facebook: Facebook
Twitter: Twitter

Author Karen Wiesner

2011-07-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

Joining me this month is the wonderful Karen Wiesner. Karen is an accomplished author with 82 books published in the past 13 years, which have been nominated for and/or won 111 awards, and 15 more titles under contract. Karen’s books cover such genres as women’s fiction, romance, mystery/police procedural/cozy, suspense, paranormal, futuristic, gothic, inspirational, thriller, horror, chick-lit, and action/adventure. She also writes children’s books, poetry, and writing reference titles such as her bestsellers, First Draft in 30 Days and From First Draft to Finished Novel {A Writer’s Guide to Cohesive Story Building}, available from Writer’s Digest Books. Her previous writing reference titles focused on non-subsidy, royalty-paying electronic publishing, author promotion, and setting up a promotional group like her own, the award-winning Jewels of the Quill, which she founded in 2003. Jewels of the Quill produced two award-winning group anthologies per year published by Whiskey Creek Press from 2005-2011. All were edited by Karen and others. Along with her writing, Karen enjoys designing Web sites, graphics, and cover art.

Be sure to comment throughout the month for a chance to win one of Karen's books!

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Karen] How to Care for Your Monster by Normal Bridwell (of Clifford fame). I’d never known anyone else to have read it until I met my husband.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Karen] Yes—for every genre. Some of my favorites are J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Agatha Christie, Angela Hunt, Terry Brooks, Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, and Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (pre-Detective Aloysius Pendergast series).

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind?

[Karen] The Lord of the Rings (a brilliant concept so beautifully executed in Peter Jackson’s films).

[Anne] If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Karen] The scene where Eowyn realizes she’s fallen in love with Faramir. Men tend not to be great at romance scenes, but this one was so poignant, it stands out in my mind.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Karen] I’m a homebody to the extreme. Agoraphobia is common in my family. Leaving home for longer than a few hours is painful for me.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Karen] Kitchen, definitely. I’m as far from a fashion-ista as they come. Besides, I don’t have enough clothes to need a custom closet.

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Karen] Yes, I must have clothes on. I love pajamas and I’d wear them at all times if it was socially acceptable.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Karen] I haven’t progressed out of my teenage years—pizza. The more cheese, the better.

[Anne] Hey, we never grow out of pizza:) Okay, other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Karen] Designing cover art and graphics for websites. See my designs here:

http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/KarensCoverDesigns.html

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Karen] None of the above. I’d just like a basic, new car—a Saturn SUV of some kind would suit me perfectly. Ms. Practicality, that’s me.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Karen] I watch almost no television. I do catch American Idol as often as I can when it’s running, occasionally watch House when it comes on, but mostly I watch cooking shows when I do sit down in front of the television. My favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Karen] I love to sing. Very cool if I could win a talent show for my singing.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Karen] For an introvert, the easy answer for me is to be invisible. You can’t imagine how often I just want to be invisible wherever I go, whatever I do.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Karen] That I could make the rules…write my own ticket. I never expected that and it’s difficult to give up that perk now to work with a publisher who wants to control every single aspect of the work. I love a publisher who trusts me and can see my vision instead of the other way around.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Karen] In the process of outlining the final book in my Family Heirlooms Series, Worlds Collide, I had to do a ton of research about Japan along multiple angles—marriage, family living, childrearing, housing, traveling, etc. What a culture shock. It’s absolutely nothing like the United States over there. Writing a book where a main character is Japanese was beyond difficult and so I felt the only way to make it truly believable was to make her have grown up in the United States—this helped to create a character who’s at home in both worlds.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Karen] Almost exclusively to my office. But I admit I do love to take a bunch of music CDs and go for a long drive in which I brainstorm like mad on a book.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Karen] Maybe it’s a quirk that I don’t believe there are absolutes in writing. There are so many writing trends, and I admit I find most of them silly. If anyone tells me when writing Never do this or Always do this, I immediately take a step backward. There’s only one rule in writing: If it works for the story, go with it. The only rules are the ones you enforce yourself in your writing. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Karen] Great characters. Without them, no story could be good enough to engage a reader.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Karen] I’m researching and outlining Clumsy Girl’s Guide to Falling in Love, the first book in the spin-off to my Family Heirlooms Series. I’m also revising and polishing two novellas: “Beauty is the Beast”, the final story in the miniseries I’m doing within my Woodcutter’s Grim Series, and “For Always”, the third in my Cowboy Fever Series.

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Karen] Interesting might be stretching this, but I often have people send me their books—usually out of nowhere—and ask me to read them. As if I have the time or inclination do to anything of the kind. Don’t get me wrong: I believe in giving back and helping new writers as much as possible, but there is a point where one has to draw the line. One time when I was having this happen to me practically once a week and was getting fed up with it, I had someone beg me to read his work. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He even offered to pay me. Maybe it was wrong to accept it, but I figured it was no different than charging for a critique at a writing conference. In any case, I think we offered each other a valuable service, but honestly I’d probably never do it again. I put a disclaimer on my website now that says don’t send it; I’ll delete it without looking at it. So far, it’s worked pretty well.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

[Karen] I was wishing I’d never left home to begin with. (Hey, pre-agoraphobic talking here.)

For more information about Karen and her work, visit her Web sites at http://www.karenwiesner.com, http://www.firstdraftin30days.com, http://www.falconsbend.com and http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com. If you would like to receive Karen’s free e-mail newsletter, Karen’s Quill, and become eligible to win her monthly book giveaways, send a blank e-mail to

KarensQuill-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.