Delia Latham's Blog, page 42

New Zoe Mack Mystery - and Giveaway!

 Zoe Mack & A Case of Fatal Attraction

Book 2, Zoe Mack Mystery Series




LEAVE A COMMENT AND BE ENTERED
TO WIN A FREE DOWNLOAD!




Release Date: June 15




Zoe is thrilled when she lands her first paying case until she
learns she'll be going undercover at a local blood bank. The fact that she
faints at the sight of blood makes working there more than difficult. Who would
steal blood and what would they do with it? Is her creepy vampire-like coworker
using it in a cult ritual?


When Zoe learns that Nate will be working undercover with her, she's overjoyed.
She soon finds that the gorgeous Rikki's attraction to Nate is too distracting
and considers throwing him off the case. Zoe questions his loyalty even as Nate
proclaims that she's the only girl for him.


Nothing is as it seems and Zoe has no clue who can be trusted. Who's stealing
the blood? Is it the director? The vampire-like guy with the fangs who wears
all black? Or, her gorgeous co-worker who has a thing for Nate?



Author:  K. Dawn Byrd






K. Dawn Byrd is an author of
inspirational romance and romantic suspense with seven books published so far. Recently,
she tried her hand at young adult fiction and found that she really enjoyed
writing it, which led to a contract for four young adult books for 2012. 

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger
and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most
of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular
facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444. 

When not reading or writing, K.
Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their
dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting
to be told.




Links:

Blog:
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Book
trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1epz5ezneY

The Solomon's Gate Contest

The release of Gypsy's Game in March marked the conclusion of The Solomon's Gate Series. I loved writing it (and I hope you enjoy reading it...)! 





To celebrate the series, I'm conducting a great contest on my website. I'll be giving away TWO Angel Wings Jewelry Sets, and ONE $15 gift certificate to White Rose Publishing. But I need a minimum of 25 entries to validate the contest...so come on over and bring all your friends with you!

Tag, I'm it! 77, 7 & 7

Tag, I'm IT!




I've been tagged by Marianne Evans! Marianne has challenged me to:





1. Go to page 77 of my manuscript.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy the next 7 lines/paragraphs.

4. Tag 7 other writers to do the same.




My seven tagged authors are:




Shirley Connolly

Dana Pratola

Donna Basinow

Carla Stewart

Lilly Maytree

Marian Merritt

Patty Froese




Ladies, share your link with me so I can come read your excerpts!








And here's my 77, 7 & 7 from Gypsy's Game :










She
stiffened her spine as the pastor’s words rolled over her in waves of
condemnation. She had spoken the truth, and it would serve her well to remember
that.

Yet
she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze from Jal’s. Only his grip on her hands kept
her upright. Only the sureness in his touch, the—whatever that something was in
his dark eyes—kept her from running screaming back down the aisle and out the
door.

“Rings,
please,” the minister said, and Jal’s best man placed a familiar wedding band
into his hand. Gypsy gasped, recognizing her mother’s ring. When had she given
it to Jal?

He
slid it on her finger and spoke to her. Only to her, as if they were alone in
the room. “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no
end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and
forevermore.”

Gypsy
swallowed hard.

He
spoke with such sincerity and truth. How could she do this thing, here in the
sight of God and all these witnesses?

Because
I must.

Clash of the Titles' monthly clashes have received...

Clash of the Titles' monthly clashes 

have received a makeover!





Our focus is now on novels new to bookstore shelves. COTT's readers will always have the most up-to-date information on the best and newest Christian literature.





Also...




Thanks to you, our faithful readers, Clash of the Titles’ new unpublished authors literary contest has been christened—








THE OLYMPIA








The path to publication in novel length is the most difficult a writer will embark on. For most, it’s a steep, uphill climb littered with deep crevices and seemingly insurmountable boulders. Often, it feels as though the summit of that mountain is on the move, keeping one toehold ahead of even the most relentless writer.








Ancient Olympia, Greece *Attribution 



In classical times ancient Olympia was the site of the original Olympic Games. It sat at the foot of Mount Olympus, the tallest, most formidable mountain in Greece. The first Olympic Games were held in honor of Zeus, but at Clash of the Titles, we give all honor to the Most High God and wish every contestant His greatest blessing!



Authors, submissions for The Olympia pen October 29, 2012. For preliminary details, please visit The Olympia page.












If you would like more information on how to be a part of our monthly New Releases Clashes, 

please visit our Submissions page.








*Attribution: This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. United States Public Domain.

A New Literary Contest Comes To COTT

Get Ready to Spar!













Dust off those swords (in the Spirit, of course) and put on that literary armor, because Clash of the Titles has an announcement.




The Laurel Award is expanding, and we know you’ll be excited about it.




We are creating a NEW annual literary contest, and it’s strictly for unpublished writers! 

Also, authors will no longer need to be a previous Clash Champion in order to compete for the crown. 




Submissions for this contest open October 29, 2012, 

but first we must name it. That’s right! We want your help naming this exciting, new branch of Clash of the Titles. After reading about it, please take a moment to click on which name you think most fitting for this contest—The Spartan OR The Olympia. (Use survey below.)




About this new contest:




All never before published writers of Christian fiction
may submit their work.

$10 Entry fee.


First two chapters will be judged.

Final scoring by a select panel of beta-readers.




Prizes: 

Special feature on Clash of the Titles' blog.

Tour through COTT’s Blog Alliance.

Page on our site for a full year.

Podcast interview with Author and CAG board member, Cynthia L. Simmons.

A beautiful plaque.




The outcome is in the hands of readers,
not industry professionals.




You’ve written the book of your dreams, now what do readers think? Enter the arena and find out. 




Stay tuned for further dates and details by 

subscribing to our blog and “liking” our Facebook page.






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

Review: Heart's Key (Woodland Series #4)

(Click to purchase)



I read this book out of sequence in the Woodland series, but that little error in no way lessened my enjoyment of the story.


Having watched Tyler Brock and Amy Maxwell tiptoe around their feelings for each other in Heart’s Surrender, I was pleased to revisit this couple in the heartwarming finale to the Woodland Series.
Amy’s abusive marital situation bursts into existence from the first page. Her courage in the last moments of that mistaken union puts the reader firmly on her side, and longing for something better for her and her adorable little girl, Pyper. When Tyler, now a rapidly rising Christian music artist, re-enters Amy’s life, the sparks from five years earlier burst into flame.


This author has an incredible insight into human emotion, and what makes people tick. She makes it easy to feel Amy’s hesitation about entering Tyler’s Nashville-colored world, and her simultaneous longing to be with him, wherever he is. Little Pyper’s heart-breaking fear of men, fostered by her father’s shameful abuse, is poignantly painted and beautifully handled. Tyler’s constant and undying love for Amy, his gentleness with Pyper, his consecration to Christ…he’s a beautiful picture of Christian dedication and true love in its purest form.


Once again, I am utterly “wowed” by a Marianne Evans novel. Evans knows how to write, and how to keep readers reading. Absolutely, unequivocally, unconditionally, without question…recommended!

Want me to sign your Kindle book?

I can!


I'm so excited about Kindlegraph!


One of the drawbacks to electronic books has been the inability to have an author's signature. Well, now you can!


Just click on the widget below, and you'll be taken to Kindlegraph, where you can sign in (using your Twitter account) and get my signature for any Delia Latham books you have on your Kindle.


Woohoo!!! :D


What will be sent to your Kindle is the cover of the book for which you requested a signature, with my signature underneath. You'll probably want to add a new Collection to your Kindle where you'll keep all your author signatures. 


Have fun!

Five New Releases You Gotta See

*guest post by April W Gardner












This week, Clash of the
Titles is featuring five novels new to bookstore shelves. You don't want to
miss a single one! They're already getting great reviews. Check them out on
Amazon by clicking the cover images. You can also use the survey below to let
us know which you're most likely to read first. Which one is going to the top
of your TBR pile?











COWGIRL TRAIL by Susan Page Davis

Alex Bright is torn between supporting
the cowboys who want to strike or the rancher who gave him his start. The
boss’s beautiful daughter complicates matters when she organizes an all-woman
outfit to replace the striking men.










THE RESTORER'S SON by Sharon Hinck

Cast out by those he trusts and
preferring to cross swords with the One rather than yield to His will, Kieran
flees to enemy Hazor, only to find that the One knows no borders. Pursued by
his calling, Kieran finds a boy without a home, a king with burning questions,
and a nation torn by darkness. 










THE CHASE by DiAnn Mills

To FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, it's
a cold case, but to writer Kariss Walker it's a story that she has to write
despite the danger. 












LEAVING LANCASTER by Kate Lloyd

When Holly Fisher's mother reveals a long-kept secret, that
Holly's mother abandoned her Amish community where relatives still live, will
Holly's yearning for family be strong enough to overtake her conflicted
feelings of betrayal? Set in the heart of contemporary Amish country, Leaving
Lancaster explores the power of forgiveness, reconciliation, and love where
least expected.

















THE IRISH HEALER by Nancy Herriman

Accused of murdering a child under her care, Irish healer Rachel
Dunne flees the ensuing scandal while vowing to never sit at another sickbed.
When a cholera epidemic sweeps through London, she feels compelled to nurse the
dying daughter of the enigmatic physician she has come to love.










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Call for Submissions

One never knows the direction God might take them next. He's certainly surprised me this time!




BIG NEWS:  I've accepted a new
position as Acquiring Editor with Inspired Romance Novels.




That being so, I need to start "acquiring" authors and manuscripts. :)




Here's what we're about:




Inspired Romance Novels publishes romance only, in a variety
of genres and lengths - from Short Novellas (starting at 10,000 words) to Plus
Novels (85,000+). We're a fledgling company, established in 2011, but plan to
be around for a long time. While our focus is on novels that "inspire
love, hope, and healing," and we do insist on sweet/inspirational novels,
we do not insist that there be a gospel message, as long as the story is clean.
We're also open to material that steps outside the box on the edgy side of
inspy, if a writer can successfully color outside the lines without crossing
previously mentioned guidelines. For complete submission policies, visit Inspired
Romance Novels. You may submit to dlatham@inspiredromancenovels.com.




I'm looking forward to working with new authors as well as established ones, and to helping them make their novels the best they can
be.




Visit Inspired Romance Novels at www.inspiredromancenovels.com.

High Desert Haven wins on Clash of the Titles

 





**Guest post by Michelle Massaro




In the recent Leading Ladies Clash, Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux and High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner  went into the ring on Clash of the Titles.








After the public vote, the winning title was....












 HIGH DESERT HAVEN by Lynnette Bonner!!  





We're happy to announce that High Desert Haven has been added to the list of COTT Champ titles! And we also want to extend our congratulations to the author. I'm sure we're all eager to add this book to our summer to-be-read pile! In response to her win, author Lynnette Bonner said:




It was an honor just to have been chosen as a clasher, in the first place, and then to have won… wow, I’m totally blessed by that. I’m still fairly new at this, and putting my stories out to the public is, to say the least, a daunting experience. So every little bit of encouragement and affirmation gets tucked away for days ahead when I will need to draw strength from them. I so appreciate COTT for giving me this opportunity to interact and connect with their readers.









Some of the comments left by readers were:



Great job!!
Both excerpts make me want to read the rest of the story. It
was hard to choose!
I think they both did a good job of presenting their books.
Both leading ladies were believable and presented with
skill.
Looks like a whole lotta fun!
I found it very hard to select only ONE excerpt. They were
both great! Keep up the great work!
Both excerpts have great leads! Would like to read both
books!




Curious to read the winning excerpt?
You can both read contenders' entries here.

An interview with
the winning author can be found here.  




Want to congratulate the author? Leave
a message in the comments. Have a question about future Clashes on COTT? Email
them at contactCOTT@gmail.com




Thank you! 






**Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor for Clash of the Titles,
a mother of four, and a wife of nearly 17 years. She bakes, crochets,
cross-stitches, sings, writes, and cries during movies. She champions
for Biblical authority, leads a Jr. High girls' Bible study, and plays a
mean game of backgammon. She spends way too much time on the computer,
but makes it up to her family (she hopes) with prayer coverings and
chocolate chip cookies. The best place to connect with her is on Facebook, naturally.