Kill Shot is a Finalist in the 2011 Grace Awards!

I'm thrilled to announce my novel KILL SHOT has been nominated by readers as a finalist in the Grace Awards 2011 in the Suspense/Mystery/Thriller/Romantic Suspense: category.  Yaay!   Winners will be will be announced on May 10, 2012. *Crossing my fingers:)* Thank you, readers, for your nominations!!!

Blurb:
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!

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and most online bookstores.

Giveaway - Print Copy of A Familiar Evil

You have until the 29th of February to enter my drawing for an autographed copy of A Familiar Evil.  Just use the contact form on my website http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/ to enter.  Good Luck!!!

"You're out there watching me. I can feel you. What do you want? Why did you come back here?"

Jordan Russell had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure Jordan leaves her cheating husband, and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

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?”

Melanie Atkins & her new book Quest for Justice

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!

Sweet Saturday Sample

Journey to Redemption - Inspirational Romantic Suspense - Rated PG - Releases August 1st!

Detective Morgan Reynolds thought her nightmare was over when serial killer Gerald ‘The Slasher’ Tate was sent to prison for her husband’s murder. But she was wrong. The Slasher has escaped and he’s making it even more personal this time. Tate has kidnapped her son and is giving her 72 hours to find the answers he wants or Jared dies.



Excerpt

Please, God…please let him be at one of his friends’. Please let him be safe!


Morgan fought off the threatening tears as she searched her bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the bathrooms before heading back downstairs.

“Afternoon, Sergeant.” Morgan froze at the familiar voice coming from her answering machine. She stepped into the living room and stared at the black box next to the phone. “Not to worry, you’re little boy is safe and sound. He’ll stay that way as long as you don’t contact your buddies down at the police station. I’ll be in touch soon.” She looked at Chase.

“Sorry. I thought maybe he’d left you a message,” he said.

“Oh no.” Her worst fear confirmed, Morgan sank onto the couch and wrapped her arms around her midsection. She struggled to fight off the nausea that threatened to consume her.

“Get me the captain.”

Morgan looked up and saw Chase on the phone. She rushed to his side, grabbed the receiver from his hand, and slammed it down on its cradle then glared at him. “What are you doing?”

“Following procedure. The faster we act, the better the chances…”

“You heard what he said, no cops.”

“Come on, Morgan, be realistic. We have to follow protocol.”

“Forget protocol. We’re talking about my son here. I’m not going to do anything that will endanger his life.”

“I know he’s your son, and I know what’s at stake. You’re a cop, Morgan. You know the first twelve hours are the most crucial. We have to call the captain and get the FBI in here.”

She shook her head. “No. No cops, and no FBI.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “I’ve already lost my husband. I can’t lose Jared too. Please, Chase…please just trust me on this.”



I'll have a drawing for a PDF copy of Journey to Redemption Sunday evening so be sure to leave your contact info if you'd like to be entered.

Journey to Redemption will be available for purchase Monday, August 1st, in ebook and print from Whimsical Publications, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores.

And the Winner Is..... & other news!

Janis Lane!  Congratulations, Janis.  Nancy will be contacting you shortly with your book.  I'm sure you will enjoy it.  It sounds awesome and is on my TBR list.

I want to thank Nancy for joining me this month.  It's been great getting to know more about her and her wonderful new series. 

In other news -

Coming up next month is fellow Jewel of the Quill Karen Weisner!  Karen is truly an amazing author.  She makes my head spin with all the books she has out and all the things she does on the side, plus she's a wife and mother. 

Have you seen my beautiful cover for Journey to Redemption (look in the side bar)?   Traci Markou at Whimsical Publications did an awesome job!  I just love it.  It really captures the mood and setting of the book.  It releases one week from today.

If you haven't read Out of the Darkness or A Familiar Evil yet.  Now is a great time to pick up your copies.  They're both on sale! 

Out of the Darkness

FBI profiler Alex Michaels’ life was shattered when a sadistic serial killer murdered her twin sister and left Alex with a career ending injury. Hoping to put the past behind her, she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows.

Royce McIntire knows Alex is on the run from something or someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s fallen in love with her and is finally getting his life back on track.

The killer is hot on Alex’s trail though, determined to find the one victim who got away. As more bodies turn up dead Alex has no choice but to tell Royce who she really is. Will the love that has blossomed between them be strong enough to sustain them, or will the killer get to Alex before they even have a chance to find out?

EXCERPT

The knife came out of nowhere.

A sharp pain, followed by a burning sensation, seared up her right forearm. Her fingers went numb and the gun clattered to the floor. She jabbed with her left arm, her clenched fist coming in contact with the jaw hidden behind a black ski mask.

The intruder retaliated with a punch to her right cheek that slammed her body back against the door. The room swirled, her knees grew weak. She struggled to stand on solid ground. With a fistful of hair, her head was jerked back as the attacker’s knee rammed her rib cage, forcing a gush of air from her lungs.

She cried out as her knees buckled and she dropped to the floor. Another blow to her rib cage knocked her back onto the floor. Her left arm pinned beneath her, she raised a bloody right arm toward the intruder and stared in horror at her hand dangling lifelessly.

With the full weight of his body pinning her, she writhed beneath him trying to free her left arm.

Fight me, Alex. Show me you’re not as weak as the rest.”

“I swear I’m going to kill you.” Using her feet as leverage, she rolled against him but she was no match for his strength.

He laughed. “Come on, Alex. Your sister put up a better fight than this.”

A sob escaped her lips. She could still hear Cassie’s cries for help and her bloodcurdling screams of terror.

“Sorry you didn’t make it in time to say goodbye. But you’ll be with her soon enough.”


Out of the Darkness is 50% off until July 31--use coupon code xmasEjuly at checkout to get your discount. http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=76 

A Familiar Evil

"You're out there watching me. I can feel you. What do you want? Why did you come back here?"

Jordan Russell had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure Jordan leaves her cheating husband, and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.


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?”


Ebook only $2.99 at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.  Print also available.

Nancy Kay's Deadly Reflection

When Philly Detective Nick McGraw meets upscale health club owner Cassi Burke, his much needed vacation come to a halt. Instincts tell the seasoned homicide detective Cassi didn't kill the dead man at her feet. But Nick's duty bound to deliver her to local police, never suspecting Cassi's moment of fame makes her the target of a psychotic stalker. Though attracted to Cassi, Nick's not looking for forever, and he senses Cassi is a forever kind of girl. Attraction escalates, putting their feelings for one another, the silent threat to Cassi's life, and Nick's involvement in the unsolved murder case on a collision course.


Excerpt from Deadly Reflection

"Police! Hold it right there. Drop the knife and don't move."

Cassi whipped around. Looming several feet away, cloaked in shadows, stood a man. Her eyes went from him to the mutilated body, then back. She ignored his harsh command and scrambled to her feet.

He strode closer, forcing her gaze up a tower of muscle. Dark stubble roughened his jaw line and, glinting in the dim forest, his hard, angry eyes locked with hers.

This was a policeman?

What kind of cop slunk around a swamp, hovering near dead bodies? The shoe did not fit.

"I said, put down the knife. Now!" The man wiped sweat from his brow, moved closer, and reached for her.

Cassi raised her hand, forgetting she still clutched the knife. He froze, muscles bunched like a jungle cat ready to pounce. Going light headed, she gulped in air and cast a furtive glimpse around. Except for the droning insects, hushed silence surrounded them.

She was alone, and at his mercy.

Almost.

Rufus pressed against her legs, emitting sounds somewhere between whines and growls.

Cassi dropped the knife.

"Get 'em!" she shouted, giving Rufus a hefty shove. Resisting, the stumbling dog crashed into the man.

"Damn it!" he yelled, as Rufus' big puppy feet tangled with his long legs. He skidded, arms windmilling, and landed flat on his ass.

"Son of a bitch."

Rufus took off running.

Cassi seized the moment and followed. If this was a cop, she'd face the consequences later. Right now, she just wanted to escape and get out this swamp.

Meet Nancy Kay

Please welcome, Nancy Kay! Thanks for joining me this month, Nancy. I look forward to learning more about you.

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

[Nancy] Very early I loved 'My Friend Flicka', followed by subsequent series including 'Thunderhead' and 'Green Grass of Wyoming'. However, my first romantic read was a book entitled 'I'll Find My Love' published by Berkley Highland Books and written by Joan Dirksen.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Nancy] Tough one, where do I start? Initially, I'd say Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I loved her books, and believe she got me hooked on romance. She was a true pioneer of the romance genre.Yet, I can't overlook my absolute devotion to Nora Roberts.

[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.

[Nancy] The closing scene in Nora Roberts Chesapeake Blue made me sad. But, only because the Chesapeak Bay series had come to an end. It warmed my heart knowing Seth was at peace as he looked back on members of a family that took him in, loving him unconditionally, and looked forward with Drusilla, the love of his life.

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

[Nancy] Once again, I must admit at least two. My daughter did her junior year of college in Bologna, Italy and for our twenty-fifth wedding annivesary my husband and I traveled to Italy. Charleston, South Caroline is a close second. The culture and cuisine there are exceptional.

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

[Nancy] A closet, hands down. I am constantly trying to organize and a spacious closet catering to my every need would be heaven. I'll leave the kitchen to my husband, a fantastic gourmet cook!

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

[Nancy] Comfy slacks and a pullover.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Nancy] Almost all seafood, with she-crab soup high on the list.

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

[Nancy] I enjoy travel, great plays and long walks. Though spending time in our sunroom, either alone, with my husband, close friends, or my daughter and her family while talking and sipping wine tops the list.

[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?

[Nancy] None of the above! I may opt for a classic Volvo or be practical and get a Honda CRV.

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

[Nancy] I watch very little television. In the past I enjoyed ER and JAG, but in my humble opinion, most recent shows lack depth and promote overindulgence to a fault. As for a movie...hmmm, I loved a little known production entitled 'First Night.' And of course all the early James Bond Movies with Sean Connery.

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

[Nancy] I danced a sexy, sensual tango.

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

[Nancy] Fly. Then I could avoid all the crazy drivers on the road today.

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

[Nancy] The choice of many publishing houses surprised me. I have respect, and trepidation, for how market driven the publishing industry has become. Granted, they are in business and must make sound decisions. Yet, I tend to consider writing an art, and forcing an artist to paint a certain picture in order to sell goes against the grain, don't you think?

[Anne] I totally agree, Nancy. What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Nancy] Once more, my answer has two parts. My husband is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper, and, though always aware of what he did on the job, it wasn't until I began writing suspense and he helped me with details that I learned so much more about the job and the man. Second, my stories are set in and around the Great Lakes. Though I've lived near the lakes for many years, I love writing about the area and look forward to expanding my stories - of course requiring some travel for further research! - to other towns and villages surrounding all the Great Lakes.

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

[Nancy] I go for long drives, listening to music or for long walks, often on the beach.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Nancy] I talk dialog out loud when I'm driving alone. Getting inside my character's heads this way helps a lot.

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

[Nancy] Characters readers will love. I've read stories with excellent plots and story lines but hated the characters. Villians, I understand, but I must admire and sypathize with other main characters. As a reader, if I can't relate to, or empathize with individuals within a story, then the story has failed.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Nancy] I'm working on the second story in my 'Deadly Triad' series. I love giving characters I introduced in previous stories a future of their own. It's a continuim, a passing of time and character growth.

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

[Nancy] My first release was July 1 and I've not yet interacted with readers. I look forward to every experience with my readers being interesting.

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

[Nancy] he shoved me beneath the overhang and pinned me against the wall with his lean, hard, body. Fear blasted through me. I gulped in air, preparing to scream like a banshee. Then a shaft of light slanted across his face, and the scream died. "Can't have you getting all wet," he murmured, and flashed a familiar grin before his warm lips closed over mine.

[Anne] Wow! Awesome response, Nancy.

Nancy's Bio - The first romance I remember reading was Mrs. Mike--lovedthat handsome Canadian Mounty. Kathleen Woodiwiss created powerful heroes, and Suzanne Brockman, men of action. The thread that wove these very different stories together through time was unforgettable characters. I fell in love with each and every one of them. So, six years ago I vowed to create heart winning characters for/my/readers and joined RWA.

I live in the heart of wine country along the shores of Lake Erie in Western Pennsylvania. My husband, a former member of the Marines and the Pennsylvania State Police Department, is a built in advisor for military and law enforcement issues.

My stories are romantic suspense with a hearth and home slant. I strive to make them interesting and authentic by drawing from life experiences.

I've worked as a bank teller, veterinary assistant, fitness instructor, and am currently working part time at an exclusive bra boutique. But writing has become my focus and, I've discovered, is a constant learning experience.

Wherever I go I gather ideas for my stories. But some of the best ones come to me in my home office as I sip hot tea and snow blankets the landscape outside my window.

Visit Nancy's website: http://nancykayauthor.com/

Toni's inspiration for Temp to Permanent

In my other life as an accountant, I maintained the accounting software and supervised payroll. Each year just prior to year-end close I interviewed candidates sent over from various temporary help agencies for the most likely candidate to fill my shoes while I concentrated on producing year end financial reports.

One year, the best temp to interview for the job turned out to be a show-stopping male. He had the training, skills and willingness to help I was looking for and could start the next day, auditing weekly time sheets. Word spread among our employees and a steady line of women employees soon began parading past his desk to turn in their time sheets in person and see for themselves if what they'd heard about the new temp was true.

The poor guy had a wife at home, but that didn't deter his admirers, who looked for any excuse to visit accounting and earn his smile. They even hung out of their cubicles whenever he walked by.

Those events inspired my second published novel, Temp to Permanent. I'd decided to write a novel about the overextended owner of an advertising firm whose secretary calls in sick on the busiest day of the heroine's career, forcing her to place an urgent call for a temp.

When a man so good-looking she longs to feast on him across a dinner table in some romantic setting shows up, she thinks uh-uh, no way. She needs help, not the distraction this handsome guy is already causing her, and tries to send him away. He convinces her to let him work without pay until lunch time, so he can prove himself to her.

And prove himself he does, in countless ways. His fingers fly over the keys of her computer. He uses his head and makes needed decisions without interrupting her. It's only when he clears his throat in the outer office that her thoughts return to him. How can she get any work done under these conditions? Somehow, she must.

And so the busy life of Carina Carrington gets turned upside down by a black-haired, blue-eyed temp determined to help her company succeed at all cost.

Here's a blurb: A struggling business woman and her secretive temporary secretary are drawn together by love and forced apart by her suspicions and his relentless adherence to ethics-in-the-office guidelines until he saves her life.

Temp to Permanent unedited Excerpt:

Carina Carrington's fingers flew across the computer keyboard.

Not fast enough.

She'd never meet her schedule without another pair of hands. Of all possible days, why did Rachael pick today to call in sick?

And what happened to her replacement? The temp agency had promised to send a secretary an hour ago. What was keeping her?

At the scrape of a leather shoe sole, Carina's concentration cracked.

"Hello, is anyone here?"

Startled, Carina hit a wrong key. Unless his face matches that heart-stopping voice, I'll throttle this salesman.

She abandoned the keyboard and swiveled around in her chair. Six feet of tanned muscles crossed her carpet. No way would she choke this hunk.

"There's no one at the desk out front," a husky male voice rasped.

Surrounded by masculine scent, Carina riveted her gaze on his business card, then glanced up. Devilish blue eyes locked with hers. She looked away to conceal her unprofessional, very unladylike reaction.

"I'm Gregory Lawless from Data Services. Pat Kilpatrick said to see Mrs. Carrington. Your receptionist--"

"Has the flu."

This perfect example of centerfold material could not possibly type.

With all the work still to turn out, I'll kill Pat, instead.

Reluctantly Carina pushed back her chair and stood to shake his hand. Good grip, self-confident. "That's why you're here, Mr. Lawless. I'm short handed today, and it's Miss Carrington."

She indicated a chair and waited for him to sit. "The agency didn't say they were sending a man." Oops. Maybe employers weren't supposed to say things like that anymore.

"Is that a problem?"

"Only if you can't do the job." She wasn't about to acknowledge how difficult he made the simple act of speech.

He folded his lanky frame into the visitor's chair she'd indicated and placed a folder on her desk. "Ms. Kilpatrick asked me to give you this copy of my résumé."

A deep cleft creased his chin. How could she think with that distraction? With her weakness for cleft chins she couldn't hope to actually work around this man. His devastating smile belonged in a bedroom. In a bar. Anywhere but in her office, ruining her concentration.

Carina sank into her own chair and opened his file to study the brief list of qualifications while steadying her heart beat. San Diego Data Services normally provided exceptional help, but Pat had warned this flu epidemic had also left her short handed. Gregory must be the last healthy soul available.

Healthy? He was that, all right. From what she could see, far healthier than a man had any need to look.

He'd indicated a willingness to work. Any warm body could man the phones in her secretary's absence. What about this unexpected heat? Maybe Mom was right and she was sex-deprived.

Perhaps tomorrow Pat would have a real secretary available. Her mind pictured a prim woman. Someone wearing a skirt whose very presence wouldn't take her mind off her work.

She glanced up from the résumé to study Gregory. Information in the agency's file was scant, little more than name, address and social security number. He looked about her age. Why would a man approaching thirty resign himself to temporary work?

Carina drew a steadying breath. "Have you been with Data Services long?"

He tilted his head, obviously mulling over a reply. "This is my first assignment."

Great. Disgruntled by his admission, she looked away. Few skills and even less experience. Carina stole a glance. The smile hovering about his mouth prevented objective reasoning. "With a busy week ahead of me, there won't be much time for training."

He peered at the scribbled notes on her calendar and lifted one cocky eyebrow, giving him a rakish appearance that almost brought her out of her chair.

"Tell you what. Let's not waste any more time. Give me a chance to help and if I don't meet your requirements, you don't owe me a cent."

Desperation evident in his voice caused her to give him a sharp look. "So you're a gambler, too."

He straightened his back against the chair, then leaned forward and gazed at her. "I've nothing to lose," he admitted with admirable honesty.

Carina pondered everything she would gain if Gregory could fill Rachael's shoes. She wouldn't need to postpone tomorrow's meeting and might still land that contract.

Quick decisions were her trademark. "I'll only expect you to answer the phone. On Mondays it rings constantly."

He grinned, nodding. "How shall I answer?"

Criminey. Would she need to hold his hand and walk him through the office as well? "Carrington Graphics will do."

"I'll manage. What is the nature of your business? Ms. Kilpatrick said you needed someone in a hurry and didn't take time to fill me in."

"Advertising." From the bookcase behind her desk Carina selected two brochures and unfolded them for Gregory to examine. "This is a terrible time to come up short handed. I've two important presentations scheduled, one tomorrow, and another on Friday. Rachael always handles my prepress. Without her, I'll never be ready."

After a moment, Gregory leaned across her desk to return the brochures. Fragrance, spicy-clean and fresh, teased her nostrils. Aftershave and a recent shower, a masculine scent far too likely to distract her, if she gave it a chance. She wouldn't, absolutely couldn't. Not this week.

"I've had some experience with--"

"It's likely the phones will occupy all your time." She couldn't picture his neatly trimmed fingertips flying over a keyboard.

Imagining his hands tangled in some woman's hair though...

Easy. Far too easy.

Cut that out. "Why don't I get you settled at the front desk, Gregory."

He followed her into the outer office. "I prefer Greg."

She ignored the thump of her heart. "Greg it is."

The phone rang. Carina reached for it, only to find Greg's hand already there. He gave her a complacent look and shrugged.

"Good morning, Carrington Graphics," he said into the receiver. "How may I direct your call?" He listened a moment longer. "Certainly, just one moment, please." He placed the caller on hold. "There's a typesetting question on line one."

"Thank you. I'll take it in my office." She rubbed the circulation back into her fingers as she walked away.

The less she heard Greg Lawless' voice, the more she'd accomplish. Carina decided, and pulled her door closed before lifting the receiver. She had her secretary's work to finish.


You're invited to visit Desert Breeze Publishing's Web site, download the book, and find out what happens next. http://www.stores.desertbreezepublishing.com

And visit Toni's web site: http://www.toninoelauthor.com

Romantic Suspense Author Toni Noel

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

[Toni] The Lilac Lady. I have no idea who wrote it, but the story was about a young girl living next door to a lady who shares her love of flowers with the child. My mother bought three hardback books for a dollar and it was one on them. I was also a Bobbsey Twins fan. Never read Nancy Drew, I didn’t like mysteries. Now I write romantic suspense. Go figure.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Toni] Sharon Sala. She writes about subjects other writers avoid.

[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.

[Toni] Judy Duarte’s first inspirational Entertaining Angels. It's about a little girl who leaves poignant letters for her deceased mother in a tree in the park, and the lady who answers them.

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

[Toni] A car-and-passenger ferry plying Alaska’s Inland Passage. Our sleeping compartment was larger than our accommodations on an anniversary cruise to Bahama. There were comfortable chairs in the main viewing room where we could watch whales sounding, and several restaurants with enough choices to satisfy anyone's hunger. On deck at the rear of the ferry adventurous young people slept in tents and dangled fish hooks over the side.

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

[Toni] My husband does the cooking. I recently had the kitchen remodeled for him, but my forty-four-year-old closets desperately need help. The closet rods are so overloaded one actually broke!

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

[Toni] Something blue, always. When it’s chilly, like today, I get cozy in fleece. In the summer, I wear cotton knits or capris. You do not want to see me in shorts.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Toni] Lasagna. Favorite meal, steak.

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

[Toni] Gardening, camping, and talking long walks. I’m a nature lover at heart.

[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?

[Toni] None of the above. We’re a two Volvo family, and I dream of replacing one of those twenty-year-old vehicles with a trim Volvo SUV.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show?

[Toni] NCIS. Movie? Toy Story 3.

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

[Toni] I used to sing church solos and recite Poe's The Raven for school programs, but not anymore.

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

[Toni] I’d love to be invisible. I’m actually very shy. I dread walking into crowded rooms.

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

[Toni] Good writing is hard work, but you meet some wonderful people along the way.

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

[Toni] For my time travel Rising Above, I had to learn how to maneuver a hot air balloon.

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

[Toni] To an RWA chapter meeting.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Toni] I do my best writing on rainy days, we just don’t get enough of them in Southern California.

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

[Toni] Well-defined characters determined to get what they want.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Toni] A contemporary romance about a stager and the wealthy man whose house she is hired to help sell.

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

[Toni] I'm still waiting to have one, perhaps it will happen at the Romantic Times Convention.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining.

[Toni] A burly man came out of nowhere, and before I could react, he shoved me into a passing car.


Check out Toni's Lawbreakers and Love Makers!

Blurb:
Deputy Sheriff Jon Sutherland reunites with his high school sweetheart when he responds to a silent alarm she sets off while house sitting. This chance meeting sends the sheriff and Zoe Westmoreland on a roller coaster run for their lives.

Burglars escaping from her parents’ home, send her sprawling. Twice. Then she finds the gardener floating face down in the family pool and interrupts a burglary-in-progress next door. When the gardener's death is ruled a homicide Jon moves in to keep Zoe safe. Not all that easy.

Two men try to force their vehicles off the road, and the one time Jon leaves Zoe alone those really bad guys show up again. Thanks to Zoe's quick thinking and resourcefulness, the crooks get a free ride to the hospital and she winds up in Jon’s arms for keeps.

Purchase from her publisher: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-113/Toni-Noel-Law-Breakers/Detail.bok

A Familiar Evil Book Trailer & Excerpts

Excerpt One

He watched Jordan walk from her black SUV into the police department, adjacent to city hall. He’d been so close to her this morning he could almost see her facial expressions. He closed his eyes and visualized her walking along the trail. Her scent had lingered long after she’d gone, as if it had permeated every leaf in the forest. He recalled how she had peered into the darkness, almost looking right at him.

Had she sensed his presence? Was she scared? She had been the last time they met. He wished he’d been close enough to her this morning to hear what she was saying. Did she tell the good doctor about the last time she was in that section of the woods? Had she shared any of the intimate moments of her captivity?

He let out a contented sigh. It seemed a lifetime ago.

So many years had passed since that summer. His summer of discovery, he liked to call it. It was when the beast inside him was born. The hunger for complete dominance first realized. He wondered if Jordan knew she was responsible for that evolution. She had made him see his full potential, awakened a sleeping giant that begged to be turned loose on the world.

He scanned the street. People passed him as if he was invisible to them—but not for long. Soon, the whole world would know of the Musical Strangler.


Excerpt Two

Inside Seth’s kitchen, Jordan opened the refrigerator and took out the pitcher of iced tea. Her heart continued to race. Sam had no right to put her on the spot like that. He knew Seth and Ellie were on his side and that in their opinion she was blowing things out of proportion. He was using them to bully his way back into her life and she didn’t like it one bit.

The screen door opened and closed. Jordan didn’t have to look to know it was Sam.

“Commitment isn’t our problem, Jordan. It’s communication.” His voice drew closer as he crossed the room. “Why is it you can talk to your family and friends about our marriage, but you can’t talk to me about it?”

“I’m not the one that brought it up. Ellie did.” She twirled around and glared at him as he leaned across the counter. “You should know. You probably put her up to it.”

“What are you talking about?”

The door opened and Ellie walked in. “Guys, please don’t argue. I feel like this is my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything, Jordan. I’m sorry.”

Jordan ignored her apology and continued to stare at Sam. He stared back.

“Come on guys, this is ridiculous,” Ellie said, moving closer. “If you two would just sit down and talk... Jordan if you would just tell him.”

“Shut up, Ellie!”

Sam’s eyes narrowed on Jordan. “Tell me what?”

“Nothing.”

Sam glanced over his shoulder, “Tell me what, Ellie?”

Jordan shifted her glare to Ellie, and hoped like crazy she’d keep her mouth shut.

Ellie shook her head before walking back outside.

“What’s going on here, Jordan?” When she didn’t answer, he came around the counter. “I asked you a question.”

“I told her I was confused about us.” It was the only answer she could afford to give him.

“Confused how?” he asked in a much softer tone.

She leaned against the sink for support. All the suppressed emotions bubbled to the surface. “My feelings toward you.”

“Do you still love me, Jordan?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m not sure how I feel about you, Sam.” He moved toward her, but she stopped him with a palm to his chest. “One thing I do know is I can never trust you again.”

Sam started to speak as his cell phone rang. He took it from his pocket and answered it, “Agent Russell.”

Jordan hurriedly brushed her tears away and placed the pitcher back in the refrigerator.

“I’ll have to call you back.”

She placed her empty glass in the sink then turned to face him. “Was that Darcy?”

He hesitated briefly. “Yes, but—”

She started to brush past him and he grabbed her arm.

“She’s my partner, Jordan. That’s it, I swear.”

Jordan stared at him through teary eyes. “I don’t believe you.”


Available in eBook:  http://www.amazon.com/A-Familiar-Evil-ebook/dp/B004YDPWN4/
Or print: http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Evil-Anne-Patrick/dp/1461118514

And the winner is....

Celia Yeary! Congratulations, Celia, you've won an autographed copy of one of Sharon's books.

I want to thank Sharon again for visiting this month. It was an honor to have her here and I really enjoyed learning more about her and her wonderful books. And who could forget the memorable visit from Oliver. What a hunk!

Don't forget to pick up a copy of Sharon's new book Charade of Hearts, starring the one and only Oliver.

While scuba diving off the coast of Diamond Head with her diving partner on a quest to find a family heirloom, underwater photographer Dominique St. John witnesses his brutal murder and photographs it, ensnaring her in a deadly jewel ring. And when the investigating officer turns out to be her partner’s identical twin, a man she knew nothing about, her life becomes a Charade of Hearts.

Welcome to the world of greed, intrigue, deception and murder. And at its core is a blue diamond worth millions.

As honest as his twin was corrupt, Honolulu Homicide Detective Oliver Carvalho must convince Dominique that her diving partner and best friend was a crook. In a race against time, Oliver must rescue Dominique from a ruthless killer. But his biggest challenge proves to be mending a broken heart torn by betrayal that can only be redeemed by love.


AVAILABLE NOW!
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

The Amazing Sharon Donovan - What inspires her to write!

Hope inspires me to write. I don’t plot, outline or suffer from writer’s block. I just write. After my near fatal heart attack in August, my heart echoes the quote of Isaac Asimov.

“If my doctor told me I had only six months to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”

I’d like to share with you my journey to publication. My life has been a long and winding road, full of challenge, heartache and passion. I’ve been blessed with the gifts of faith and hope. Faith in myself and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I’m Irish, highly emotional, stubborn as all get up and fiercely determined. What didn’t kill me made me stronger.

After a long bout with diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes leading to progressive blindness, my life took a complete 180. I went from being a legal secretary where I prepared legal document for judges to not being able to see the paper, let alone the print. But worst than that, I could no longer pursue my passion of painting. I battled the retinopathy for two decades. Vision came and went. After undergoing twenty painful surgeries, I lost the battle and am now totally blind.

With a strong creative muse and nowhere to channel it, life became as dull as my existence. I was introduced to the world of audio books and fell in love with romantic suspense novels. The more I listened the more I began writing one in my head. But how would I put my words to paper if I couldn’t see what I was typing? Refusing to give up on the idea, I explored other options. If there’s a will there’s a way.

When I heard about a computer with adaptive software, converting text to synthesized speech, hope soared. With a new outlook and a new direction, I challenged myself to write a romantic suspense. How hard could it be after all.

Once I’d written my first full length novel, I envisioned agents and Hollywood movie producers beating a path to my door. Humming a happy tune, I whipped out twenty-one submission packages to top New York agents. Then I sat back, waiting for the phone to ring off the hook. It never rang. But slowly but surely, all agents responded to my romantic suspense, each a rejection letter. The worst of the lot said simply, “Your project does not excite us.”

With that little devil perched on my shoulder once more, my first reaction was to fire back an email of attack. Everything in me wanted to scream they’d be sorry when what they so carelessly pitched in the trash wound up a New York Times bestseller. But my psychology classes kicked in, and Freud’s ego component mediated between the devil and the angel. I orchestrated a new plan of attack, enrolling in creative writing classes, critique groups and attending conferences. It didn’t take long to realize why my novel was rejected. Using knowledge as power, I learned to accept criticism from group members. And while attending a conference, The door to Wild Rose Press was opened.

One more grain of knowledge to add to the list. I was marketing my novel in the wrong genre. While it had elements of romance, it did not fit the standard romance category and was rejected once more.

Unwilling to ditch the dream of having my first novel published, I set it aside on my hard drive. For the next two years, I focused on short stories of romance and had several short stories published by White Rose Publishing. Looking back now, I view the petals of the white roses as snowflakes from heaven. They were sent to me as messengers, reminding me that writing is a gift that takes time to craft. The old saying came to mind. “Stop and smell the roses.” Before my rosettes could blossom into full-grown roses, I needed to nurture them with tender loving care.

After more writing classes and critiques, I felt ready to move onward to a mission near and dear to my heart. I wrote Echo of a Raven, a book about my struggles with diabetic retinopathy, donating a percentage of proceeds to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) fight for a cure. More confident in my writing skills, I wrote a full length romantic suspense. Her Biggest Fan was contracted by Wild Rose Press. A month later, the same publishing house contracted Charade of Hearts as one of the books in their Jewel of the Night series.

It was time to tackle my first novel, still collecting dust on my hard drive.

While polishing it to the best of my ability, I recalled the words of a teacher in my writing class. She said the first book written is rarely the first book sold. Truer words were never spoken. After twenty-one rejection letters, three title changes and numerous rewrites, Mask of the Betrayer has a home with Whimsical Publications.

Rejection letters hurt, but for every rejection there is acceptance. The secret to all of this is faith. Faith will open doors. What’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learned through all of this? I’m a better writer today than I was yesterday, but not as good as I will be tomorrow. Final words of wisdom for all aspiring writers. Never give up on a dream.

Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream rose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.

Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. She is a published author with The Wild Rose Press, White Rose Publishing, Whimsical Publications and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Echo of a Raven is a CTRR recipient, and The Claddagh Ring is a CAPA nominee. Lasting Love earned readers pick of the month at Find a Great Romance. To read excerpts and reviews of Sharon’s books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website:

www.sharonadonovan.com

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win Sharon's book!

New Release - A Familiar Evil - Excerpts!

"You're out there watching me. I can feel you. What do you want? Why did you come back here?"

Jordan Russell had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure Jordan leaves her cheating husband, and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.


Excerpt #1

“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 that 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?”

Excerpt #2

He watched Jordan walk from her black SUV into the police department, adjacent to city hall. He’d been so close to her this morning he could almost see her facial expressions. He closed his eyes and visualized her walking along the trail. Her scent had lingered long after she’d gone, as if it had permeated every leaf in the forest. He recalled how she had peered into the darkness, almost looking right at him.

Had she sensed his presence? Was she scared? She had been the last time they met. He wished he’d been close enough to her this morning to hear what she was saying. Did she tell the good doctor about the last time she was in that section of the woods? Had she shared any of the intimate moments of her captivity?

He let out a contented sigh. It seemed a lifetime ago.

So many years had passed since that summer. His summer of discovery, he liked to call it. It was when the beast inside him was born. The hunger for complete dominance first realized. He wondered if Jordan knew she was responsible for that evolution. She had made him see his full potential, awakened a sleeping giant that begged to be turned loose on the world.

He scanned the street. People passed him as if he was invisible to them—but not for long. Soon, the whole world would know of the Musical Strangler.


You can purchase A Familiar Evil in eBook  http://www.amazon.com/A-Familiar-Evil-ebook/dp/B004YDPWN4/ or print http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461118514  Coming soon to other online bookstores!
 

Sharon Donovan Interview & Book Giveaway!

I’m thrilled to have Sharon back with us! As many of you know she has been battling some medical problems the past couple of months, so it is indeed a joy that she felt well enough to answer my questions. Let’s begin with her bio:

Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream arose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.

Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. Echo of a Raven, a narrative non-fiction about her struggles with diabetic retinopathy, received a CTRR award for outstanding writing, and The Claddagh Ring is a 2009 CAPA nominee for best inspirational of the year. Other books by Sharon Donovan are Mask of the Betrayer, Touched by an Angel and Lasting Love. Her Biggest Fan and Charade of Hearts are coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. You can visit Sharon at http://www.sharonadonovan.com/ or write to her at: sharonad@comcast.net

[Anne] Sharon, you have a new book out, please tell us about it.

[Sharon] Her biggest Fan is a mystery suspense. Someone is stalking New York Times best-selling author Tess Kincaid. She receives a letter with the words scribbled in red. “I’m your biggest fan.” And when she returns to live in her seaside manor after her father’s suicide, she feels someone watching her from the bell tower. One night when the clock strikes midnight, Tess spots a flaming ball of fire rolling through a forest of grandfather redwoods and cedars, straight for her home. But when the fire department arrives, and there is no wildfire spreading through the hills, Tess questions her sanity.

[Anne] I’ve been hearing some wonderful things about your book, what inspired you to write this story?

[Sharon] My mother. She lived in a small coal mining town called shamrock where a ball of fire appeared on a hill every night at midnight. While the mystery was never solved, the legend lived on…a writer’s dream.

[Anne] Sounds very spooky! How did you go about researching your book?

[Sharon] Research is everything, and I did my share for this book, including taking psychology classes to get inside the mind of a killer. I also questioned a homicide detective who described a crime scene investigation, types of guns used by the force and how to obtain a confession from a killer. I just kept pushing doors until they opened.

[Anne] Yes, research is very important, and it sounds like went far and beyond to gather yours. Do you have anything new in the works?

[Anne] YES OLIVER’S STORY COMING THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS CHARADE OF HEARTS

[Anne] Awesome! I know he’s been very excited about it. If you could be anyone of your characters, which one would you chose to be and why?

[Sharon] Tess as she has many of my personal traits as drinking hazelnut coffee and being a cat lover.

[Anne] Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go? (Okay so maybe this isn’t very likely to happen but since I’m asking the questions…)

[Sharon] HAWAII BUT THAT’S OLIVER’S STORY

[Anne] What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?

[Sharon] SUSPENSE

[Anne] Well of course! Okay, name three things you can’t live without (excluding spouses and family because that’s a given).

[Sharon] FRIENDS INTERNET AND COFFEE

[Anne] What advice would you give to any aspiring writers out there?

[Sharon] Never give up on a dream.

[Anne] Where can we find you on the web?

[Sharon] http://www.sharonadonovan.com/

[Anne] And where can we purchase your wonderful books?

[Sharon] The wild rose press.

[Anne] Is there anything else you’d like to add?

[Sharon] I will give a download of HBF to one commenter.

[Anne] How generous! Thank, you Sharon! It is so good to have you back, Sharon. You really gave us all quite a scare. I’m glad you’re doing better and I wish you much success with Her Biggest Fan. Okay folks, start commenting.  Sharon will draw a name later this week.  Good luck, everyone!

Cheryl Pierson Interview

I’m thrilled to have Cheryl visit us again. For those who may have missed her first interview, here is her bio.


Cheryl was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, and grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. She has taught numerous writing classes and workshops over the past years and also works on an individual basis with many of her students, and other authors, locally and nationwide.

Cheryl’s most recent publications include her debut novel, released through The Wild Rose Press in May of 2009, “Fire Eyes,” and her first contemporary romantic suspense novel, “Sweet Danger,” to be released October 1, 2010 through The Wild Rose Press as well. She has also had the good fortune to become affiliated with Victory Tales Press, a romance anthology publisher, and has two upcoming releases through that company, “A Halloween Collection: Stimulating Edition” and “A Christmas Collection.” Her first story with them was published in May of 2010 in “A Summer Collection.”

She has also sold numerous other short stories, as a contributor for the Adams Media anthologies “The Rocking Chair Reader: Family Gatherings”, as well as the earlier “The Rocking Chair Reader: Memories from the Attic.” Her short stories also appear in the 2006-09 editions of the Adams Media Christmas anthologies, as well as various other publications, including “Chicken Soup for the Empty Nester’s Soul.” Her holiday short story, “A Night For Miracles,” was released in December, 2009, through The Wild Rose Press.

Although Cheryl has written and sold articles to local newspapers as well as these short stories, her first love remains romance novel writing. With the release of TIME PLAINS DRIFTER, her debut novel in the speculative romance genre of paranormal/time travel, she garnered the Honorable Mention Award in the “Best New Paranormal Author” category in the prestigious PEARL contest, presented 3/21/10.

Time Plains Drifter also received a 4.5 review from Romantic Times Magazine. She’s now at work on another novel, TIME PLAINS GUARDIAN, in the speculative romance genre of western historical paranormal/time travel and hopes to complete it before the end of the year. She has just completed a western historical novel, GABRIEL’S LAW, which placed third in the San Antonio Romance Authors Merritt Contest for 2010 and is presently under consideration for publication with Berkley.

Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she has been for the past 25 years. She has two grown children, ages 21 and 24. You can visit her website at http://www.cherylpierson.com. You can e-mail her at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com (she loves to hear from readers and other authors!) You can visit her blogs at: http://www.cherylpiersonbooks.blogspot.com and also at http://www.westwindsromance.blogspot.com

[Anne] Tell us about your latest book.

[Cheryl] My latest novel is SWEET DANGER, published with The Wild Rose Press. The release date is technically October 1, 2010, but the print version is already available ( www.thewildrosepress.com ). The digital version will not be available until October 1, and I’m told that both will only be available through The Wild Rose Press until the end of October, then will go to other venues such as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Here’s the blurb for Sweet Danger:

When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman’s Deli, he doesn't expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier. Now, Hardin’s escaped, and he’s out for more blood—Jesse’s.

Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months. Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast. Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy’s plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly. That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.

But Jesse’s got some hard-hitting secrets. With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them—if Hardin takes the bait. Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger?

[Anne] What inspired you to write this story?

[Cheryl] I have always written historical romance, but about three years ago, I decided I wanted to try a contemporary. I wrote a story called Intersection that I dearly love and that I fully intend to re-work and resubmit at some point. I had lots of rejections that were full of “I love it, but…” So I decided to take a break from working on that story and write another contemporary. The result was SWEET DANGER. I always write my stories set in my home state of Oklahoma, sometimes in Texas. This story was just a natural for my intended setting. The characters just came alive in a few short pages.

[Anne] How did you go about researching your book?

[Cheryl] I didn’t really have to do a lot of research for this. It’s contemporary, and set here in Oklahoma City. Of course the names and characters are all purely fictional, and it revolves around a hostage situation. My husband was a U.S. Navy SEAL back in the day, so there is my source for info for weapons and explosives and those “covert operations” types of scenes I have sometimes.

[Anne] Do you have anything new in the works?

[Cheryl] I DO! I mentioned earlier that I have a short story in a Halloween anthology that is also releasing on October 1. Don’t have a buy link for that yet, but if anyone is interested, please feel free to e-mail me and I will be glad to put them on my list once we know what it is.

In November, I have a Christmas short story coming out with Victory Tales Press called Scarlet Ribbons, a western based on the old folk tune of the same name. That song has always haunted me and I knew I wanted to write a story based on it for years.

I have a western historical under consideration with Berkley. It’s called Gabriel’s Law, and I am on pins and needles waiting to hear the “verdict.” They are also looking at re-releasing my book, Time Plains Drifter.

I’m writing another short story for yet another anthology with Victory Tales Press—as western. And I’m also working on putting the final touches on another contemporary novel—a bit shorter than my usual works are, but a story that I really did enjoy writing. The working title for it is “OF DREAMS FORGOTTEN”—it’s about two people who have both given up on love and find each other in a very unlikely set of circumstances. He’s a DEA undercover agent whose cover has been blown and he’s been left for dead on her property. She can’t call the authorities or they may both wind up dead. There are a lot of plot twists in this and I really had fun with it.

[Anne] What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantster?

[Cheryl] I’m definitely a PANTSER! LOL I don’t really “plot” anything much until the book has already taken shape. Then I draw up a timeline so that I can keep it all straight about “what happens when” at just a glance.

[Anne] What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?

[Cheryl] I loathe “self-help” books, so I never read those. LOL But I do try to read other things besides just romance books, although I read a ton of those, too. I love history, so I read a lot of history based books and alternate history books, such as those by Eric Flint—LOVE HIM. I bought the first book of the Civil War trilogy by Shelby Foote and totally loved it, but it is heavy reading and taking a while for me to slog through. I love westerns. I’ve read a lot of Louis L’Amour, but recently have discovered Peter Brandvold.

[Anne] What advice would you give to any aspiring writers out there?

[Cheryl] Have patience! Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and our writing careers aren’t, either. Consider writing some shorter pieces for anthologies and building your portfolio. It helps when you contact an agent, if you go that route, for them to know you are serious about writing by being able to see that you have written some shorter things and at least submitted them or at best, had them published.

[Anne] Where can we find you on the web?

Website: http://www.cherylpierson.com; Blogs: http://www.cherylpiersonbooks.blogspot.com http://www.westwindsromance.blogspot.com

[Anne] Where can we purchase your book(s)?

[Cheryl] Fire Eyes and Sweet Danger (novels) and A Night for Miracles and Until the Last Star Burns Out (short stories) are available at www.thewildrosepress.com Until the Last Star Burns Out is a FREE READ.

A Summer Collection, and soon, A Halloween Collection and A Christmas Collection are available here at the Victory Tales Press site:

http://victorytalespress.yolasite.com/online-store.php

The Adams Media Rocking Chair Readers and Christmas anthologies are available on Amazon, as is the Chicken Soup for the Empty Nesters Soul anthology.

[Anne] Is there anything else you’d like to add?

[Cheryl] I’d love to leave you excerpt from Sweet Danger.

This excerpt takes place in the first chapter. Jesse Nightwalker, an undercover cop, runs into his neighbor, Lindy Oliver, in the local deli. Though they've never met, they are very aware of one another. The deli owner introduces them officially and points them toward the only available booth. But their Friday morning takes a quick nosedive in the next few minutes. Here's what happens.

FROM SWEET DANGER:

Jesse looked past her, his smile fading rapidly. As the flash of worry entered his expression, Lindy became aware of a sudden lull in the noisy racket of the deli. Jesse’s dark gaze was locked on the front door, a scowl twisting his features.

“Damn it,” he swore, reaching for her hand. “Get down! Under the table, Lindy…”

But she hesitated a second too long, not understanding what was happening. In the next instant, the sound of semi-automatic gunfire and shattering glass filled the air.

Lindy reflexively ducked, covering her head. The breath of a bullet fanned her cheek as Jesse dragged her down beneath the sparse cover of the small table. He shielded her, his hard body crushing against her, on top of her, pushing her to the floor. The breath rushed out of her, and she felt the hard bulge of the shoulder holster he wore beneath the denim jacket as it pressed against her back.

Her heart pounded wildly, realization of their situation flooding through her. A robbery! But why, at this hour of the morning when the take would be so low? The gunfire stopped as abruptly as it had started. From somewhere near the counter, a man shouted, “Come out and you won’t be hurt! Come out—now!”

Lindy looked up into Jesse’s face, scant inches from her own. What would he do? They were somewhat concealed here at the back of the deli, but these men were sporting semi-automatic weapons.

“There’s a back door,” Jesse whispered raggedly. “Get the hell out of here. I’m gonna be your diversion.” She didn’t answer; couldn’t answer. He was likely to be killed, helping her go free. He gave her a slight shake. “Okay?”

An interminable moment passed between them before she finally nodded. “Get going as soon as I get their attention.” He reached to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes, his own gaze softening as he leaned toward her and closed the gap between them. “Take care of yourself, Lindy,” he whispered, just before his mouth closed over hers.

The instant their lips met shook her solidly. Every coherent thought fled, leaving nothing but the smoldering touch of his lips on hers, burning like wildfire through her mind. Soft, yet firm. Insistent and insolent. His teeth skimmed her lower lip, followed by his tongue, as he tasted her. Then, he pulled away from her, their eyes connecting for a heart-wrenching second.

“Safe passage,” he whispered.

Lindy didn’t answer, more stunned by the sudden sweet kiss than by the madness surrounding them. Jesse pushed himself out from under the table and stood up, directly in front of where Lindy crouched. Only then did she hear his muted groan of pain, his sharp, hissing intake of breath. The blossoming red stain of crimson contrasted starkly with the pale blue of his faded denim jacket as his blood sprang from the bullet wound, soaking the material.

He’d been shot!

Lindy gasped softly at the realization. How could she leave him now?

New Suspense Thriller by Sharon Donovan

Many of you have probably already heard about Sharon’s health problems. In case you haven’t she suffered a major heart attack, followed by a minor stroke, last month. Although she is doing much better, and is out of the hospital recuperating at home, it will be some time before she’s able to get back on line. Sharon has a new release coming out Sept 24th that I encourage you to check out. Below is a blurb and excerpt. For those of you who like suspense, this sounds like a doosy.

From the Men In Uniform Series:

From the shadows of the woods, he keeps vigil. The stage is set to drive the pretty little princess insane. He’s coming for her. And when he catches her, he’ll pounce on her like the big bad wolf.

After receiving a disturbing fan letter, New York Times best-selling author Tess Kincaid flees to the New England home she’s inherited following her father’s death. The manor has been tainted, every room staged to resemble the way it was in its glory days. However when Tess calls the police, the chilling props vanish into thin air.

Ruggedly handsome Sheriff Mike Andretti is called to investigate the reported burning candles, dancing gargoyles and otherworldly events. When he discovers no trace of the eerie setting, he finds himself caught between duty and desire. Is the woman with the bewitching green eyes delusional or is this a trap of twisted wit set by a demented fan?


Excerpt:

Cool air drifted out of the ballroom, carrying the scent of burning candles and cigarettes.

Music floated through the corridor, the seductive undertone hauntingly familiar. The music was hypnotic, mesmerizing. Tess could barely think over the loud beat of her heart.

Every sense screamed to beware. She was about to come face-to-face with her stalker, her biggest fan. But over the hammering of her heart and accelerated senses, her will to put an end to this deadly game prevailed. She had to face him, find out who was behind this bizarre masquerade. Anticipation mounting, she made the turn at the end of the corridor and came to a riveting halt.

A female wax gargoyle stood in the doorway, long blonde hair billowing in the breeze. Her glass eyes shimmered with madness, an eerie smile on her face. In one hand, she held a mission bell, the other reaching out for a candle.

Music played from the old phonograph, the plucking of guitar strings laced with seduction. A breeze blew in through open terrace doors, stirring the sweet scent of jasmine from the candelabras.

Two wax nymphs stood at the bar, glass eyes shining bright in the candlelight, pliable fingers wrapped around flutes of pink champagne. Lit cigarettes burned in ashtrays. From behind the bar, a winged monster served drinks.

In the center of the ballroom, two gargoyles held a pose as if they were dancing, their waxy bodies closely pressed together, their reflections glowing in the mirrored ceiling. From the old phonograph in the corner, the hypnotic music played.

Tess gasped, her hand clasping her mouth. “Oh, my God!”

Mike raised his gun, circled the room. “Come out with your hands up. Hancock County Sheriff. Put your hands where I can see them.”


Rated Sensual, Her Biggest Fan can be purchased Sept 24th at this link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/her-biggest-fan-p-4234.html?zenid=ea0c71ef12af9b28efd0dfb9186339a8

If you would like to send Sharon a 'Get Well' wish, or if you'd like to keep up with her progress, drop by her blog.  http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com/  Fellow author, Hywela Lyn is keeping us updated.  I've never met Sharon in person, but I've shared many emails with her and we've visited each other's blog.  She is one of the most inspirational women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  Sharon still has a long and difficult road ahead of her so ask that you remember her in your daily prayers.
 
Thanks friends!
Anne