I should have known I would end up here...
Give me a good book and I'm in heaven. Especially romance, mystery, mayhem, the fantastic and the fey. Give me a laptop and I'm writing any one of these, and not in any particular order.
Night to Dawn Magazine & Books LLC will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter.
Dragon Queen
by Rod Marsden
GENRE: futuristic science fiction
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BLURB:
Mixing with your betters can get you killed. Dragons know this as does a certain maverick pilot and his researcher wife. It is possible to get thrown into events not of your own making in which you must do your best to survive. Meanwhile, somewhere not far from mainland Tasmania, there is an island named Green Maiden’s Folly. What’s it like? Is it paradise, or has it been made over into a worse destination hellhole than Devil’s Island used to be like in the 19th and 20th Centuries? On Green Maiden’s Folly, the destiny of the dragon is revealed.
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Excerpt:
Elanora’s black scales shone in the early morning light. She smiled at the effect the sun had on her spiked tail and also her legs, arms, and claws. The sun came up over the silvery sea. It was always a welcome sight, the start of a new day on her island. In the distance, waves rose and crashed before they could get to shore. A breeze touched her all too human nose, lips, and ears. It should have been unpleasant, but it wasn’t. She found the smell of salt in the air invigorating.
Lizards were bothered by the cold, but despite her lacertilian features, Elanora wasn’t a reptile. She was a dragon, and regardless of the plume of white coming from her mouth, she wasn’t shivering. In fact, she preferred a cool climate. She looked around for company because it was the loneliness that got to her, not the near frozen air.
She picked up a stick and drew a rectangle in the sand. A small blackish-grey crab came out of the rolling surf, and with its eyes on stalks, looked up at her. “These are the dragons,” she told the creature. “They are on the bottom. That’s not a good place to be. They’re mutants like me, but I’m special because I’m a female, and I’m not supposed to exist.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Author Rod Marsden was born in Sydney, Australia. He has three degrees, all related to writing and history. He spent nine and a half years as a civilian clerk with the Royal Australian Navy. His proudest moments there were in the publications area.
He enjoys wildlife photography and in recent years, joined Illawarra Birders. He went on a birding expedition to the main northern island of New Zealand, where he came upon wildlife unique to that country. There he also met up for the first time with correspondent, friend, and novelist Lyn McConchie. He shares his fascination with nature with his entire family, including his niece Jasmine Perala. Her pet, Kiki, is a young, female eclectus parrot and, soggy from a recent shower, is featured on Rod Marsden’s shoulder on the back cover of this book.
His stories have been published in Australia, England, Russia, the USA, and Canada. He has work in the Australian anthology Small Suburban Crimes, the American anthology Cats Do it Better, the American steampunk anthology Break Time, the Canadian anthology Morbid Metamorphosis, and in the Canadian anthology Grey Matter Monsters – Takers of Souls.
Many of his short stories, including “The Antarctic Pineapple,” have been published in Night to Dawn magazine. Undead Reb Down Under and Other Vampire Stories is a collection of his early short fiction on vampirism. Disco Evil is his first venture into the vampire novel. Ghost Dance is his first undertaking into dark fantasy involving a quest plus secret agents out to prevent demonic takeover. It has been reprinted with a new cover. Desk Job is his salute to Lewis Carroll.
His short plays, Zombie Vision, Hyde and Seek, and Smarty were well received at Cronulla Arts Theatre, south coast, New South Wales, Australia. Both his plays Smarty and Hyde and Seek made it into Sydney’s Short and Sweet contest.
He has a short story in The Twofer Compendium edited by Ruth Littner and Ann Stolinsky (2020) in which he mentions the Berry Celtic Festival, which took place every May in a farming community on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is a festival that, unfortunately, had to be cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus but will hopefully resume in May 2021.
The author will award a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.
FORGING MONSTERS, Part 1
by Annie James
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GENRE: Literary thriller
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BLURB:
A modern and beautiful Frankenstein’s Monster fights for the right to carve her own destiny in the human world of New York City.
A talented young dancer tired of witnessing violent crimes against women go unpunished and takes matters into her own hands.
A young woman tries to escape her past in the anonymity of New York but finds out that she cannot escape the scars on her soul, which drives her to shocking acts of violence.
Watch for Forging Monsters Part 2, coming soon.
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Excerpt:
“This body looks as if it has been chewed on–the edges of the throat lacerations are ragged and similar to a previous body that was brought in bearing the same type of teeth marks. A computer 3D model of the wounds on the second body, in front of me, determined the wounds to be made by the teeth of a large canine. However, The DNA test of the saliva left behind has been inconclusive.”
Dr. Violetta paused the tape recorder. “I have never seen anything like it,” she said to her assistant Andrew. “Take a look at the slide I have on the microscope. You’ll see.”
Andrew studied the cells on the microscope and wrote some notes in his typical scrawl that only he could read while Dr. Violetta started recording again.
“Cells separated from a human body die in moments. These cells scraped from the saliva on this body’s wounds have continued to divide and multiply, indicating that the cells are still living. Also, the DNA strands continually rearrange their structure without any outside influence. This is why it has proved impossible to conclusively determine which type of animal caused the damage to this body.” She stopped the recorder.
“This has to be kept out of the media,” she whispered, shaking her head in horrified disbelief.
“Where did this one come from?” Andrew asked, looking up from the microscope.
“He was found in Central Park.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Annie is the author of the Tales of Origen series and several short stories. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and two fun-loving cats who inspired the feline characters Dirtbag and Scumbucket. She has an adult daughter who is also a writer, and a grandson. Her influences and favorite writers include:
Frank Peretti
Mary Wollencroft Shelley
Apryl Baker
Dean Koontz
Alexandre Dumas
Linda Joyce
Mary Ramsey
Lance Sheridan poetry
She has lived in New York and Louisiana and loves Cajun cooking. She has had several people tell her that she should open a restaurant, but she loves writing too much to make time for it—running a restaurant is a TON of work. She has an associate degree in Administrative Assistance, majoring in writing, and business administration.
Beth M. Caruso will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Author Interview:Beth M Caruso
1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I’ve always loved history, facts, and research, so historical fiction comes naturally to me. However, there are also elements of magical realism in my books that reflect spiritual undertones. I was inspired to write The Salty Rose after I came across a little-known female troublemaker in early colonial America, tavern keeper Marie du Trieux, a great grandmother in my husband’s family tree. She lived in the colony of New Netherland and had a colorful reputation. At the same time, I wanted to explore what happened to one of the main characters in my first novel, One of Windsor, after protagonist Alice Young’s death and the trajectory of the Connecticut Witch Trials. These trials culminated in the Hartford Witch Panic. With both research from genealogy and history not used in One of Windsor, I was able to create a story about both Marie du Trieux and her contemporary counterpart in New England, trader John Tinker, the devastated cousin of Alice Young. Their stories started out separately but there was plenty of opportunity to merge them. The cover of The Salty Rose depicts my interpretation of the exact moment when they meet each other outside of Marie’s tavern in New Amsterdam.
2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I am first-born, leading the way to my own adventures. As a first-born, you tend to forge a path without any examples from your younger siblings. Since I started writing a few years ago, I’ve been one of the people leading the way to raise awareness about the Connecticut Witch Trials. I was the first Connecticut writer to ever choose to explore the actual Connecticut Witch Trials with historical fiction about an actual event. There is a famous book, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It takes place in Wethersfield, Connecticut which is a real place. It is a wonderful book however, the story is purely fictional. I am pleased that I was able to incorporate part of Connecticut’s witch trial history into The Salty Rose as well.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
I have a study that overlooks a river. The morning sun coming through its windows helps me wake up enough to write, give me inspiration and be in a state of tranquility. I write on an early nineteenth century writing table that’s very beat up. It reminds me subtly of entering into the past—a great prompt for any historical fiction writer. One of my kitties, Sasha, is my muse and loves to curl up on the writing table near me as I work on projects.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
The death scenes of my favorite characters are an accumulation of lengthy moments frozen in time with great detail either leading up to their death or as they realized they were going to die. I cried for Alice Young, my main character in One of Windsor, because of the injustice of her death. I’m not giving anything away when I say that because the story is about the first witch-hanging in the American colonies. I described the site of her burial with poetic and loving tenderness. I absolutely wouldn’t kill off beloved characters that were based on real people unless their historical timelines called for it. With made-up characters, I’m fine with death if it suits the novel’s purpose.
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
I can narrow it down to two authors. Jorge Luis Borges, an Argentinian whose short stories of labyrinths of changing reality inspired magical realism, is one. I’d ask him if his fantastical work was influenced by losing his eyesight and how did that loss of sight reflect the ways in which he viewed reality? In a different vein, I would ask Sue Monk Kidd what was her inspiration for writing about the Black Madonna in The Secret Life of Bees? And, is she familiar with the beautiful, powerful, and benevolent Black Madonnas of the towns Custonaci, Tinderi, and others on the ancient island of Sicily in Italy?
The Salty Rose
by Beth M. Caruso
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GENRE: Historical Fiction
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BLURB:
Marie du Trieux, a tavern keeper with a salty tongue and a heart of gold, struggles as she navigates love and loss, Native wars, and possible banishment by authorities in the unruly trading port of New Amsterdam, an outpost of the Dutch West India Company.
In New England, John Tinker, merchant and assistant to a renowned alchemist and eventual leader of Connecticut Colony, must come to terms with a family tragedy of dark proportions, all the while supporting his mentor’s secret quest to find the Northwest Passage, a desired trading route purported to mystically unite the East with the West.
As the lives of Marie and John become intertwined through friendship and trade, a search for justice of a Dutch woman accused of witchcraft in Hartford puts them on a collision course affecting not only their own destinies but also the fate of colonial America.
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Excerpt:
The Director General slammed the gavel down with the harsh thud of an ending.
“Marie du Trieux, you are hereby banished from New Netherland forever!” he said.
As I held on to the railing of a departing schooner, I remembered the jarring finality of those stark words against me. Looking back one last time at my town, a little place in the wilderness that had grown up with me—I longed to stay in the home where I gave birth to all my children, the location of my loves and of my losses.
This is the best place to begin recounting the story of how I played a part in the transition from Dutch New Amsterdam to English New York, my dear granddaughter.
I suppose the English will have their own tales to tell about the events that transpired but I want you to know my personal and secret version of the history of my beloved city before I am gone.
Having left New Amsterdam for the first time on that cold winter day in 1664, I felt unsettled, not quite believing that the time for my departure had finally come. Where had the time gone? How quickly had it passed? It had been nearly forty years since I first set foot on the shores of Manhattan with my mother, father, and little brother.
The view from our vessel, The Morning Star, was unrecognizable from the one my family saw many decades earlier. We had arrived to nothing but marsh, forest, and a few Indian canoes that approached our ship in greeting and curiosity. It’s easy to recall my excitement as a young girl of flowing dark hair seeing the Natives for the first time when we reached these shores many years ago.
But at the point of my expulsion, I wasn’t an adventurous, naïve child anymore. A mature and defiant woman who had faced her share of hardship and disappointment had taken her place. The Council of New Netherland and Director General Stuyvesant had told me they were finished with my repeated offenses and had given the order for banishment. I’d been in trouble with the authorities far too often they said. They’d insisted that my tavern be closed.
“So this is how it must end,” I uttered in disbelief to my son Pierre, your uncle, as we huddled together on deck.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Award-winning author, Beth M. Caruso, is passionate to discover and convey important and interesting stories of women from earlier times. She recently won the literary prize in Genre Fiction (2020) from IPNE (Independent Publishers of New England) for her most recent novel The Salty Rose: Alchemists, Witches & A Tapper In New Amsterdam (2019). The Salty Rose is Beth’s second historical novel and explores alchemy in early colonial times, an insider’s view of the takeover of the Dutch colony of New Netherland, and the Hartford Witch Panic with information she gathered from previous and ongoing research. Beth’s first historical novel is One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America’s First Witch Hanging (2015), a novel that tells the tale of Alice ‘Alse’ Young and the beginnings of the colonial witch trials. She based the story on original research she did by exploring early primary sources such as early Windsor land records, vital statistics, and other documents. She lives in Connecticut with her family. Beth kayaks and gardens to unwind.
S. R. Cronin will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
She’s the One Who Cares Too Much
(Book Two of the War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters)
by S. R. Cronin
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GENRE: Historical Fantasy
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BLURB:
Coral, the second of seven sisters, has been hiding her affair with the perfect man until her older sister can get her life together. But the perfect man is getting impatient and now she’s gotten pregnant. Coral decides it’s time to consider her own happiness.
But what does she want? The perfect husband turns out to be less than ideal. She adores the small children she teaches but the idea of being a mother fills her with joy. Meanwhile, her homeland is gripped by fear of a Mongol invasion and she can’t stop crying about everything now that she’s with child.
Then a friend suggests the ever-caring Coral possesses a power well beyond what she or anyone else imagines. Does she? And why is the idea so appealing?
When Coral’s big sister loses faith in the army and decides to craft a way to use magic to save Ilari from the Mongols, she decides Coral’s formidable talent is what the realm needs. Can Coral raise a baby, placate an absent military husband who thinks he’s stopping the invasion, and help her sister save her homeland?
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Excerpt:
My dad didn’t have much to say. Practical man that he was, I doubted my out-of-wedlock pregnancy concerned him. Even with the best herbs the Velka had, this happened on occasion. My guess was he didn’t like having it all sprung on him at once. A suitor, a wedding, and a grandchild. He was a methodical man and would have preferred it occurred step by step. Yet when he spoke, he surprised me.
“So you’ll be moving to Lev?” he said. That was his concern?
“I suppose so. We haven’t talked specifics, but that’s how it’s usually done. Davor, he doesn’t know I’m pregnant yet. We thought we had plenty of time to plan. Now, of course, we’ll want to move things along more quickly.”
My dad nodded. “Of course you will.” He surprised me when he added, “I’m not sure I’m ready to lose another daughter so fast, but if you want this, Coral, then I’m happy for you.”
My mother was the one who was losing a helper, yet she was delighted. Over the years I’d been her back-up, carrying the brunt of household chores and watching my youngest sisters while Ryalgar helped dad. Of course, it had been years since the younger ones needed watching, but they all still came to me for comfort.
“A Mozdol is definitely a prince,” she said. “You did it, Coral. You really did it. I can’t wait to meet him.” Then, with a bit of chiding. “You should have told me sooner. I would have kept it from Ryalgar, poor thing.”
“Well, I was trying to make things easier for her.”
“You’ve always been such a softie.” My mother put her arm around my shoulders. “Well, now you’ve got a big strong Svadlu prince to look out for you and your child. Well done.”
Then she hugged me like I’d discovered gold. Given the dowry that would be coming her way, I guess I had.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Sherrie Cronin is the author of a collection of six speculative fiction novels known as 46. Ascending and is now in the process of publishing a historical fantasy series called The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters. A quick look at the synopses of her books makes it obvious she is fascinated by people achieving the astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had.
She’s made a lot of stops along the way to writing these novels. She’s lived in seven cities, visited forty-six countries, and worked as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. Now she answers a hot-line. Along the way, she’s lost several cats but acquired a husband who still loves her and three kids who’ve grown up just fine, both despite how odd she is.
All her life she has wanted to either tell these kinds of stories or be Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise. She now lives and writes in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where she admits to occasionally checking her phone for a message from Captain Picard, just in case.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. William Francis will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Did you know author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda lived in a haunted house?
It’s the Jazz Age, it’s Prohibition and aviator Charles Lindbergh is the most famous person in America. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald rents a mansion in Edgemoor, Delaware called Ellerslie hoping for a quiet retreat so that he can write his next novel following The Great Gatsby.
April Ross, the first and only female history major at the University of Delaware, is commissioned by the owner of Ellerslie to research the estate’s history for a potential sale. At least, that’s what April is told. In the days ahead, April’s historical research uncovers Ellerslie’s former owners dating back to 1810. She interacts with the Fitzgeralds, yet endures unexplained occurrences and visits by an unknown woman. Against her better judgement, April eventually accepts that the woman is a ghost and realizes that her true purpose is to find out who this woman is, or was, and what happened to her in real life.
Read an Excerpt
The door had swung violently away from April and slammed shut.
“How did that happen?”
Nobody closed the door, nor did she feel a gust of wind. It would take a strong wind to close the heavy door. So how had it shut on its own?
April cautiously turned the metal door latch and peeked into the hall. She looked left. She looked right. Nobody was present. She glanced across the way and might’ve suspected the maid Elena, but the maid was busy rehanging Zelda’s clothes. So without a logical explanation for what happened April had no choice except to shrug it off and close the door.
April stripped to her slip and turned the handle to the sink’s hot water facet. The plumbing made a low rumbling noise for a couple of seconds before rust-colored water spilled out. April wasn’t alarmed. The same discoloration happened at her family home. And like home, she waited a few seconds for warm and clear water to appear.
She grabbed a bar of Pear’s soap already at the sink and started to wash her hands when a familiar aroma struck her nose.
Lavender?
April knew the fragrance well. It was her mother’s favorite. Mama rubbed the oil on her face and hands in the belief that it calmed the skin and reduced wrinkles.
Something flashed in the mirror.
Like the sensation of being watched, April felt someone, or some-thing stood near, very near. It was close enough to give her goosebumps on her arms and raise the hair on the back of her neck.
Squeak.
There was a clawfoot tub in the back half of the bathroom. The hot and cold-water valves were turning on their own.
Splash.
Water shot from the two spigots.
April’s eyes bulged. “Sweet Jesus.”
She hurried to the tub, shut off the flow, and then stared dumbfounded at the draining water. Her heart pounded as she scratched her head and wondered out loud. “How did that happen? What’s going on?”
Tink.
A tiny crack developed on the upper right corner of the mirror.
April sucked in air and watched in disbelief as a jagged fissure slowly spread diagonally across the mirror, about to split the glass in two.
Smash!
April ducked and covered her head as the mirror shattered and shards of glass clinked into the porcelain sink and scattered onto the tile floor.
When she raised her head, April stared at the glassless frame awestruck and bewildered. “Sweet Jesus, it really happened. I didn’t imagine it. It’s not a delusion.”
April then experienced a paralyzing fear as she felt something like fingertips caress the back of her neck.
“Elena!”
About the Author:
Raised in Newark, Delaware, William spends his days working in Corporate America and writing about the First State. He achieved a Masters Degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, but also writes non-fiction. Through Arcadia Publishing he has produced 5 books related to Delaware: The DuPont Highway, Along the Kirkwood Highway, Along the Christina River, Building Interstate in 95 in Delaware and Newark Then & Now. Fiction titles include: A Life Told to None, The Umpire, Seacrest, and the five-star The Katie Dugan Case. Whether his books are fact or fiction, William hopes to entertain as well as inform and leave the reader with a satisfying experience.
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Author Interview: Claudia Blood
Any weird things you do when you’re alone?
I am a daydreamer. I tell myself stories. Most of which will never be anything more than in my head. I also sing. I am not a great singer, but I’ll do it while doing dishes or in the car.
What is your favorite quote and why?
It changes. I love inspirational quotes. The first quote I remember that deeply affected me was this one:
A Man Said to the Universe by Stephen Crane
A man said to the universe: “Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation.”
It was one of those moments when I realized that the world doesn’t owe me a living. Or to say it differently, it was up to me to figure out how to make it in the universe.
Who is your favorite author and why?
If we are talking old school growing up authors. Alan Dean Foster, Ann McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey…okay there are many more. They all had worlds, situations, and characters that I loved to gobble up. I have an author crush on Penny Reid. I love her characters.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
A reader comes in wanting an experience based on the genre they chose. An author should give the reader a good story by creating characters that the reader wants to hang out with (or be) and that meets or exceeds what the reader was expecting.
Where did you get the idea for this book?
This series was inspired by a dream about the second book. The scene opened with a team hacking through the jungle and uncovering this ancient ruin. They were desperately looking for Relics. (whatever that was)Then inside was an alien machine. Rocks and dust fell down on them as they moved into the room. They put a silver pocket watch on a platform and turned on the machine. Lights and electricity coalesced on a platform and the whole structure shook. But they stayed inside because they were desperate for one of these Relics. What appeared on the platform? An ’80’s aerobic instructor who had been pulled forward in time. She was even wearing leg warmers! I thought wow, I have to figure out what happened!
Company Assassin
by Claudia Blood
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GENRE: Fantasy
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BLURB:
It’s Duff Roman’s eighteenth birthday, but no one is lighting candles.
Turning eighteen in the orphanage on Kalecca means starvation for those who aren’t hired into a Family. Outside the Family compounds lies the jungle. And in the jungle lies death. And Relics—the only real currency on Planet Kalecca.
The orphans are Duff’s family, and he’s sacrificed everything to keep the orphanage running, even his chance to move on. Now, at eighteen, he has no choice but to leave. Without him to bring in extra money, the orphans will starve under the Company’s control. Duff’s only chance to save them is to find a spot on an independent crew and hopefully find a Relic to sell.
A seemingly chance encounter with Z, leader of the most feared independent crew, offers Duff his opportunity to score a Relic. And offers Z a chance to relieve the guilt he feels over his past.
But a company assassin has plans to lay waste to Duff’s future, and the orphanage as well.
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Excerpt:
Matilda from Chapter 4
Matilda sat at the table and threaded the needle. The demon alarm still buzzed in the background. She’d given the kids their assignments and tried to act as normal as possible. She didn’t want them worried about Duff or the demons since even the orphanage had company supplied protections. As long as they stayed in the orphanage, they should be fine.
Miss CuddleBug, Sheila’s doll, needed some surgery. Usually this sort of activity would calm Matilda. She checked her nails and saw the distinctive purple at the base that meant her nanites were activated. She took a deep breath and used the mantras her father had taught her.
Peace is within my reach.
Breathe and breathe again.
“Will Miss CuddleBug be well?” Sheila stood on her tip-toes to see her dolly on the table.
“I’ll get her fixed up.” Matilda stroked Sheila’s hair. Sheila’s complexion grayed. Matilda snatched her hand back. She had to be careful with the little ones when she was this worked up.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Claudia Blood’s early introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, combined with her training as a scientist and a side trip into the world of IT set her up to become an award-winning author of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
For her latest release, visit her at www.ClaudiaBlood.com
Nancy Fraser will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Author Interview: Nancy Fraser
1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
As my author tagline states—I jump across romance genres with gleeful abandon. However, historical romance has always held a special place in my heart. Especially the post-Civil War years. I’m also a fan of family saga/series, so it just came naturally when I got back to this genre that I’d write a bunch of stories featuring sexy heroes and strong heroines.
2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I’m actually an only child. I had to “observe” because I had no siblings to share with—which made me an avid people watcher. Being an only child has made me comfortable with the solitude that’s required to become a serious and prolific writer.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
My office. It’s designed for comfort (I invested wisely in a really great chair), and convenience. Everything I need is within reach, including my Keurig and my day planner. Occasionally, I’ll make notes and scenes on paper or my tablet (never on my phone), but the serious writing is always done at the desktop.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
No writer likes giving up a great scene, or even a chapter or two. However, you also want to produce the best finished product that you can. If that means sacrificing a part so the whole can survive, then I suck it up and move it to what I refer to as the “dust bunny file”. Just because you might dump a scene, doesn’t mean there’s not a nugget of goodness, a quote, an embrace, that you can use elsewhere.
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
Elizabeth Lowell. Her books were the romances/women’s fiction that convinced me to change my focus from non-fiction to romantic fiction. I have met her a few times, and have asked her many questions. Other than the one I really wanted to ask: Have you really tried ALL those steamy positions yourself?
6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
Prior to writing full time, I’ve had three complete careers (10+ years each). Yet, the only non-writing award/trophy on my bookshelf is a winner’s cup from a stockcar powder puff derby that I won while six months pregnant.
7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
A notebook for making notes about my experience, a few dozen mechanical pencils with extra lead, and sunscreen so I can write by the water.
8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to fly so I can get off the deserted island and back to my computer.
9. Favorite snack?
Guacamole and chips with an ice-cold Coke Zero.
10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
Speed limit? Me? Not a chance. I’ve already completed the laps and I’m headed for the checkered flag.
The Engagement Gamble
by Nancy Fraser
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GENRE: Historical Romance
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BLURB:
Marshal Zack McAlister has made it his mission to protect the good citizens of Greenville, MS. In particular, one very opinionated and independent lady doctor. The only hinderance to his professional obligations are the dozen or so single women vying for his attention.
Suzanne Martindale, M.D., has quickly become a fixture in Greenville since taking over for her semi-retired predecessor. And, like Marshal McAlister, she’s been inundated with unwanted suitors.
When Zack proposes a fake engagement, Suzanne is reluctant at first and claims in order for anyone to believe they’re actually courting and in love, there has to be chemistry between them.
Zack sets out to prove they can easily fool the people of Greenville into believing their ruse. Will his smooth Cajun charm and steamy-hot kisses do the trick? Or, are they destined to be victims of their own charade?
When outside forces threaten the entire McAlister clan, can Zack keep his family, and his faux fiancé, safe? And, will a life-threatening accident show them anything, even love, is possible if you have trust?
~ ~ ~
The McAlister family welcomes you back to Mississippi with a third adventure, and maybe a sneak peek at yet another devastating seductive McAlister man!
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NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99.
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Excerpt:
Greenville, Mississippi
June, 1868
“Evening, Marshal.”
“Good evening, Miss Winston.” Zack McAlister greeted the young school teacher with a nod and a tip of his Stetson before setting his hat squarely back on his head.
“I brought you some cookies,” she told him, “as a thank you for stopping those boys from tipping over our privy.”
“It was my pleasure.” Accepting the proffered plate of cookies, he added, “I’m sure my deputies and I will enjoy these immensely.”
About to open the door leading to his office and step inside, Zack was halted by Gloria Winston’s next words. “I absolutely love your accent. It’s so…so…New Orleans.”
“Why thank you, ma’am.” Zack took another step forward, anxious to extricate himself from the unwanted attention. “If you’ll excuse me, Miss Winston, I have reports to complete.”
“Please, Marshal, call me Gloria.”
He reached for the door handle and nodded. “Good day to you, Gloria.”
“Good day, Marshal.”
“Another batch of cookies?” Pete Bailey asked when Zack came through the door, a snicker slipping through the deputy’s handlebar mustache, the sound of his laughter followed quickly by a broad, tobacco-stained grin.
Zack turned toward Pete and shot him a glare. “I don’t hear any complaints from you or Tom when you’re enjoying your fill.”
“I just wish these young fillies would learn how to cook something substantial, like a stew or a loaf of bread. A man can’t live on cookies alone.”
Zack sat the plate down on the corner of the desk and took a seat on the other side. It had been the same for the past two months, ever since he’d come to Greenville from New Orleans to take over for the ailing sheriff. He couldn’t walk down the street without one of the town’s available young women throwing herself at his feet. It had been a novelty at first, but now it was just plain tiring. Zack could almost feel his jaw twitching from the hundreds of smiles he’d forced across his face in the name of civility.
“I wish they’d just give up,” Zack muttered. “Surely they can see I’m not interested.”
“You McAlister boys do tend to attract every available female for miles. It was that way for Matthew, then Jake. It’s your turn to wallow in the McAlister charm.”
“I don’t want to wallow in anything. I just want to do my job.”
“You know what you need, Zack. You need a wife,” Pete said. “Then, this parade of girlies would stop.”
“I’m not in the market for a wife. And if I were, there’s not one that interests me in all of Greenville.”
“What about that doctor lady? You two seem to get along just fine.”
“We get along because we’re both professionals, out to do a job. And, Suzanne Martindale is the last woman I’d want for a wife.”
“She seems fine to me. She sure is a looker.”
“She’s also opinionated, stubborn, tied to her career and, at her best, infuriating.”
“It sounds to me as if you’ve given the doc some serious thought.”
Zack shook his head, dispelling any notion of ‘thinking’ about Suzanne Martindale. “My idea of a good wife is someone who stays home, keeps a neat house, raises the children, and is waiting by the door when her husband gets home from a long, hard day at work.” “That sounds about right, assuming all you want is to make babies and eat a home-cooked meal.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Shirley Goldberg will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad. Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire is Dana’s staunchest ally. So what’s with the smooching after hours? And why won’t this grown man make up his mind?
Actor turned teacher Alex Bethany craves a family of his own. Newly hotified, he’s now got the confidence to try online dating. Meanwhile he’s sending Dana mixed messages in the kissing department. After a surprising event rocks his world, Alex panics, certain he’s blown his chances with his special person. Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex’s story will have you rooting for them all the way to dessert.
Read an Excerpt
Alex trotted inside to pay. Dana stood in the aisle ahead of him, drinking coffee from a Smiley’s container, her back to him.
What the hell, he’d give it a whirl. “Hey Dana, nice to see you.”
She turned. Her expectant look morphed into confusion.
Why hadn’t he changed after his trip to the mall? He pulled the T-shirt tighter by stuffing it into the back waistband of his shorts and leaned an elbow on the counter. The casual look. “I thought I saw you fondling the peaches. With Sunny and Noelle. One minute you’re there, next you’re gone.”
Irritation crossed her face. She checked her watch.
“You don’t have a clue about who I am, do you?” She’ll recognize me. I’ll make her see me. The stubborn gene from his grandmother.
“Let me give you a hint.” He cleared his throat and bounced on his heels as if limbering up for a sprint. “Cha-cha-cha changes,” he sang like a demented fool. Then repeated the refrain.
Heat rose in her face and he watched, fascinated as a drop of sweat slid down her neck into the V of her blouse. He stopped as suddenly as he’d begun. What the hell are you doing?
“Look, I’ve got to run.”
She was gone before he could explain, apologize…or cover his face with a paper bag.
About the Author:
Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at living single. Her books FINISH THIS and dating in mid life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. Eat Your Heart Out is the second book in the series Starting Over. Middle Ageish, the first, is available now. Her characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and Shirley agrees.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lindy Bell will be awarding a $25 Starbucks gift card (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Katie Garrett is madly in love with her dashing firefighter husband, Andy. When he is diagnosed with cancer, their entire world is turned upside down. Andy clumsily tries to protect Katie from the truth by not telling her, but her fear — and his increasing pain and tumultuous emotions — only feed her deep-seated insecurities, as they fight for Andy’s life and for their marriage.
While the fire station and its camaraderie are Andy’s refuge, station officer Lt. Mike Bentley wages a vendetta against Andy, making Andy more determined to avoid revealing weakness of any kind. In spite of Bentley’s despising Andy, the C shift crew rally to support Andy until events take a downward turn.
As she discovers Andy’s cancer was caused by exposure to lethal chemicals while on duty, Katie navigates the treacherous maze of uncertainty and grief to emerge a stronger, more confident woman who represents her husband and the fire service as an advocate for firefighter safety and protection.
Firefighters face a myriad of dangers, but the invisible dangers – his past, her fears — can pose the greatest threat of all. Will courage, duty, and love be enough to save Andy from these unseen threats? Will he come to recognize the far-reaching impact his life has on others? If the worst should happen, would his greatest legacy be the love of the fire service or the love for his wife? In the end, the unforeseen might have the greatest significance of all.
Read an Excerpt
Chief Hamilton heard a second loud explosion and looked toward the front door of the house when he saw Rogers sit up, looking that direction. Two firefighters, carrying a hose, stumbled out followed by a large billow of black smoke. Two men. There should have been three.
Without hesitating Rogers radioed in. “Attack, give me a PAR. I see two of you. Shouldn’t there be three?”
Chief Hamilton’s anxiousness jumped a notch.
There was no reply.
Rogers radioed again. “Repeat. Attack, Engine Two, give me a PAR.”
Chief Hamilton watched the two firefighters who’d exited turn and look around. He could tell from their gestures and their heads craning, they were unsure of where their third person was.
In those long, silent seconds, the air hung static with anticipation.
Finally, Bentley’s voice came over the radio. “Attack. PAR times two. Should be three. We have a man inside.”
Bentley was out. Who was the second firefighter with him and who was still inside? Chief Hamilton’s anxiety was building. This fire was growing even with the large amounts of water being poured onto it, and now, they had a man inside.
Rogers and Hamilton watched as first Bentley, then the second firefighter pulled off their helmet, mask and hood. When the second firefighter turned toward Bentley, they could see it was the rookie, Hedrick. Andy was the firefighter still inside.
Before Chief Rogers could initiate the Rapid Intervention Team, a high-pitched chirp went off. Everyone froze. A firefighter’s personal alert safety system device only went off if the firefighter was down and incapacitated for over thirty seconds.
Andy must be down.
About the Author
A project ten years in the making, Fully Involved is Lindy Bell’s debut novel and avidly reflects her admiration and love of the fire service. Thoroughly researched, the quest for accuracy for the book led Lindy to participate in the Plano Citizens Fire Academy, attend classes and accompany firefighters on ride outs. With a retired fire chief and a current paramedic/firefighter in the family, Lindy has witnessed firsthand the dedication and humbleness of first responders which fueled the impetus to convey the importance of the legendary fire service brotherhood and create cancer awareness and its growing effect on the fire service.
Lindy’s first book, Jane Austen Celebrates~Holidays and Occasions Regency Style, is a showcase Regency Era holidays and their impact on modern holiday celebration traditions. A member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Lindy has spoken to a variety of groups and taught Continuing and Adult Professional Education courses at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Lindy currently lives in Plano, TX and works from home for a governmental executive recruitment and training firm. As hobbies, Lindy enjoys supporting Plano Fire Rescue by volunteering with the Plano Fire Rescue Association, writing, reading an engaging novel and cross stitching.
Addison Brae will be awarding a copy of the ebook and song titled Dark Energy, along with a Dark Energy bottle opener (opener is for US Only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Dark Energy: Return to Becker Circle
by Addison Brae
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GENRE: Romantic Suspense/New Adult
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NOTE:
This tour is featuring the book trailer and song purchase below – please place those in a prominent position on your post.
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BLURB:
I had just started over with a new career, boyfriend, and confidence after escaping a vicious murder investigation. When Pinkie’s arrest leaves me struggling to run his two bars, I vow not to let my mentor and friend go down for something he didn’t do. Now I’m forced to trust the cops, people who hurt me, and known criminals, but will it be enough to free Pinkie and save my life?
NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99 the first week of the tour.
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Excerpt:
The band takes the stage again. Before the first note Jon says, “This is for Gillian.” He beams his sexy smile at me. I immediately recognize the opening riff to Dark Energy, the song he wrote for me about how I turned my screwed up life around.
Dark Energy lyrics
Shadows always lurk into the voids.
The great destroyer follows me.
A powerful force
Rips apart my universe
As I want it to be.
Dreams they shatter across the sky
Like shooting stars flying by.
Give it up. Throw it away.
One less win. Another day.
In this dark energy.
Find someone else to conquer.
What does it mean this dark energy?
Dark energy won’t control my fate.
Why do I deserve this dark energy?
I create my own history.
Don’t push this, this on me.
Tipping the balance
Shed some light and set it free
This dark energy.
Find someone else to conquer.
What does it mean this dark energy?
Dark energy won’t control my fate.
I do not deserve this dark energy.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. Addison is an award-winning author of new adult and adult romantic suspense and young adult contemporary fiction. Addison has been writing since childhood and continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Dark Energy .German mix featuring Brian Miller and Bobby Hoke
Both songs available for download or streaming on your favorite music source including Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, Deezer, Beatport, Tidal, Juno Download
