Sandra Cox's Blog, page 287

New Visitors and Contest Extension

More visitors. The smaller picture looks like a baby. Look how fuzzy he/she is. I think it may be a Gypsy Moth. Trivia on gypsy moths: the females don't fly. Life's just not fair. Can you imagine having wings and not being able to fly?

Does anyone know who the guy at the top is?
Due to some confusion on the ending date of the contest at some of the blog stops its been extended until June 30th.

~*~

The beast stepped out of the water and shook itself. It looked at the dark house set atop the
craggy cliff and sniffed. The strong scent of Minder and magic filled its nostrils.

Contest

Sunday, the 24th, is the last day of the contest. If you wish to enter just leave a comment with the word Minder and your email addie.
Winner receives:
Butterfly jewelry
Starbucks gift card
Book Dedication
PDF of Minder

 Blurb:
Among the northern tribes there is a legend passed down from generation to generation about shape-shifting Minders—guardians of the innocents—and how they came to be.  It is said that nowadays only a handful of Minders exist, hunted to near extinction by a fearsome beast. Of the remaining Minders, only one wears a garnet-studded collar, the symbol of protection and royalty.   Even when my aunt told me the story, and handed me an ancient garnet-studded band, I had no idea the tale applied to me. After all, it’s only a legend…

J
une 18:  A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 18:  STOP 2: TaraLenWalker
June 19:  It's Raining Books
June 20:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 20:  STOP 2:  Reader Girls
June 21:  Hywela Lyn (Romance That's "Out Of This World")
June 22:   United By Books
BARRAGE SCHEDULE:
June 21, 2012
Black Hippie Chuck's Take on Books & The World (Giveaway)
The YA Cafe(Giveaway)
Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Giveaway)
Hywela Lyn(Giveaway)
Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem (Giveaway)

June 22, 2012
Bea's Book Nook(Giveaway)
Bornean Bookworm Reads (Giveaway)
Carly Fall - Where Fantasy Meets Romance (Giveaway)
Sapphyria's Book Reviews (Giveaway)
Young Adult Novel Reader (Giveaway)

--

Dancing Naked in Dixie

Lauren will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/04/virtual-book-tour-dancing-naked-in.html

Lauren Clark is going to tell us what sets life in the South apart from the rest of Julia's (Dancing's heroine) travel experiences.

Julia Sullivan lives at twice the speed of life, traveling to the far-reaches of the globe to bring Getaways magazine's readers the latest on fabulous resorts and exotic new destinations. She's quite content visiting different cities and meeting new people every day. The constant change doesn't allow Julia to get attached to anything or anyone. This is her comfort zone, as Julia is still nursing wounds from her mother's death and father's abandonment.
As a travel writer, the five-star hotels and celebrity restaurants also have Julia a bit spoiled. Her view of the world skewed, as she doesn't spend time in the 'trenches.' Though she's aware of how the economy has impacted America, she's still naive. The day-to-day struggles, especially in small towns, aren't really on Julia's radar.
Her trip to the Deep South is a bit of a shock because there's no disappearing into a crowd, no skyscrapers, no blending into the scenery. The people of this Eufaula -- in a very loving way -- won't let it happen.
Julia's stop at the Citgo is a prime example. Elma broadcasts her arrival to the far reaches of Eufaula, all of fourteen thousand people. For those who don't catch the news, her visit is also made public knowledge at the Honeysuckle Cafe. Julia is questioned and examined like an (adorable) alien who's landed her space ship on the White House lawn.
When invited to dine with the Jordan family at their home, this very personal connection throws Julia even more off-balance. She sees the inner-workings of this family, the passion with which each member loves Eufaula and the Pilgrimage, and how much her visit really means to this historic community.
As Julia spends more time with Shug and his family, she discovers that progress may destroy this lovely city as she knows it. For the first time in Julia's life, her assignment becomes more than words on a page. Her article, and how she chooses to write it, will affect the future of Eufaula and the people who live there.
For anyone who's visited the Deep South -- likely because of the intense heat of the summer -- you know that everything operates at a much slower, more languid pace. People aren't in such a hurry. Almost everyone is friendly, waves, and will offer a hand if you're in trouble. Be prepared for a conversation while shopping at a store or having lunch at a cafe -- it's considered rude not to comment on the weather, church happenings, or make general small talk.
If you love comfort food, no region of the country does it better than in the South. From the golden fried chicken and fall-off-the-bone ribs to peach cobbler and fresh banana pudding, meals here are savored, shared, and celebrated. Often, in the evenings in my own neighborhood, everyone sits out on their porches to enjoy the occasional breeze and share a chilled glass of sweet tea with friends.
Pride in community, family name, and Southern history is fierce. College football has a cult following, especially in Alabama where there are no professional teams. From birth, children are dressed in orange and blue for Auburn University or crimson and white for the University of Alabama. There are many folks who will still argue that the Confederacy should have won the "War of Northern Aggression."
Life in the South isn't perfect -- as Julia finds out -- there are fire ants that bite and stinging insects that will attack when disturbed. The snake population is live and well, especially in the country. Tiny green lizards love to hang out on my azalea bushes. One occasionally makes it into my house. I still shriek in surprise when I see one, even after years of living here. (I grew up in Upstate NY)
Julia, at the outset of the novel, sees a visit to the Deep South as punishment. She announces loudly to her boss that she'd rather " dance naked " than go on assignment to Eufaula, Alabama. Realizing that she might lose her job, Julia makes the trip, and the visit ends up changing everything in her life for the better.

Have you ever had an experience similar to Julia's? What good came out of it?

BLURB:
Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.
With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.
Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?  
EXCERPT
I’m a travel writer at Getaways magazine. Paid for the glorious task of gathering up fascinating snippets of culture and piecing them into quirky little stories. Jet-setting to the Riviera, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, basking on Bermuda beaches. It’s as glamorous and exhilarating as I imagined.
Okay, it is a tad lonely, from time to time.
And quite exhausting.
Which is precisely why I have to get organized.
Today.
I sink into my chair and try to concentrate. What to tackle first? Think, think.  
“Julia Sullivan!”                                                          Third reminder. Uh-oh.
Marietta rolls her eyes and jerks a thumb toward the inevitable. “Guess you better walk the plank,” she teases. “New guy’s waiting. Haven’t met him yet, but I’ve heard he’s the ‘take no prisoners’ sort. Hope you come back alive.”
I grope for something witty and casual to say, but all of a sudden, my head feels light and hollow.
I’ve been dying to find out about the new editor.
Every last gory detail.
Until now.
“I’m still in another time zone,” I offer up to Marietta with a weak smile. My insides toss from side to side as I slide out of my chair.
Marietta tosses me a wry look. “Nice try. Get going already, sport.”
I tilt my head toward the hallway and pretend to pout. When I look back, Marietta’s already disappeared. Smart girl.
“Fine, fine.” I tug a piece of rebellious auburn hair into place, smooth my wool suit, and begin to march toward the inevitable.
Our new editor.
My neck prickles.
I’m not going to worry. Not much anyway.
My pulse thuds.
Not going to worry about change. Or re-organization. Or pink slips.
Focus, Julia.AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.
A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280308.Lauren_Clark
https://twitter.com/ - !/LaurenClark_Bks        
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

June 18:  A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 18:  STOP 2: TaraLenWalker
June 19:  It's Raining Books
June 20:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 20:  STOP 2:  Reader Girls
June 21:  Hywela Lyn (Romance That's "Out Of This World")
June 22:   United By Books


BARRAGE SCHEDULE:
June 21, 2012
Black Hippie Chuck's Take on Books & The World (Giveaway)
The YA Cafe (Giveaway)
Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Giveaway)
Hywela Lyn (Giveaway)
Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem (Giveaway)

June 22, 2012
Bea's Book Nook (Giveaway)
Bornean Bookworm Reads (Giveaway)
Carly Fall - Where Fantasy Meets Romance (Giveaway)
Sapphyria's Book Reviews (Giveaway)
Young Adult Novel Reader (Giveaway) 

Holiday Affair Blog Barrage

BLURB
Nothing more than a holiday fling…until he moved in next door!
Staid professor Lissy McIntyre believes that choosing a mate should be based on common sense, not runaway passion. And Lissy would certainly never pick a rolling stone like Nick Richards for long-term love. But a red-hot, tropical romance? Oh, yeah. He’s got a body just made for sinning and his sizzling kisses leave her senseless.
When Nick blows into town, he’s stunned to discover that his no-nonsense new neighbor and co-worker is the same sultry creature he seduced for one night of forbidden island pleasure. He’s unaccustomed to staying in one place for long, but he just can’t seem to keep his hands off the multi-faceted Lissy. Will Nick break loyal Lissy’s heart or will she be the one woman he simply can’t walk away from?
EXCERPT
“Hi, Tom. Hi, Nicky. Hi, lucky ladies with Tom and Nicky,” a giggly champagne-fueled hic-cough escaped her lips and Jenny dragged her into the rest room.
“Melissa!” exclaimed Jenny. “The professor is a hunk. Tell me all…you called him by his first name. Have you been out with him, or do you just know him from work?”
“Nuh, juss from work,” slurred Lissy. “He’s a nightmare to work with, very full of himself…not very nice at all.”
“What about Tom? Are you still seeing him?”
“Huh—” said Lissy “—thought he was different, but they are tarred with the same hairbrush.”
Jenny burst out laughing. “Oh, you are so funny with a few drinks under your belt. You mean brush, not
hair brush!”
Lissy tried to be serious for a minute, and had to hang on tightly to the basin to keep her balance. She squinted into the mirror and saw that her curls were out of control.
“Woo…a bit giddy,” she said. “And I’m hungry.”
Jenny pulled a chair over and sat her down in front of the mirror. “Okay, let’s fix you up.” She stood behind Lissy and tried to tame her curls down with her hand. “Speaking of hairbrushes, did you bring yours, hon?”
Lissy fumbled in her bag and tipped it out onto the bench. The contents of the bag rolled around and fell over the edge, just as the two glamorous women who were with Tom and Nick entered the restroom. She dived to the floor to catch lipstick, brushes, keys, and coins as they hit the floor.
“Oh, hello,” she said giggling. “Your legs match the rest of you.”
REVIEWS
http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Affair-ebook/product-reviews/B007KTECCQ/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending BUY LINKS
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Affair-ebook/dp/B007KTECCQ
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holiday-affair-annie-seaton/1109560002
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Annie Seaton lives on the edge of the South Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia. Recently retired from the world of full time work, she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing, and has had instant success! Her first two books were both published on the same day.
She writes across genres: steampunk, historical and paranormal romance, romantic suspense but her favorite genre is contemporary romance
She lives with her own hero of many years. Their two children are now grown up and married, and two beautiful grandchildren have arrived. They share their home with "Bob" the dog and two white cats, Boycat and Girlcat.
Annie’s working life was spent in education from early childhood through to teaching trainee teachers at university. She has worked as librarian, teacher, technology consultant and university tutor.  She has now retired and spends her days writing down all the stories in her head.
When she is not writing she can be found in her garden or walking on the beach... or most likely on her deck overlooking the ocean, a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc in hand as the sun sets.
Email:  annieseaton26@gmail.comWebsite:  http://annieseatonromance.comBlog:  http://annieseaton.blogspot.comFacebook:  http://www.facebook.com/annieseaton26Twitter:  @annieseaton26
One random commenter will win an e copy of Holiday Affair

Charleston

If you haven't visited Charleston, I recommend it. Its all kinds of fun. Much history and beauty. Lots to do:
The beaches--Isle of Palms(has shops and hotels along the boulevard), Sullivan's Island (This beach is more secluded than Isle of Palms. Edgar Allen Poe spent time here) and Folly Beach  where the bro got married.
Shopping--Open air market, Tanger outlet, antique shops, Old Slave mart, art galleries
 Tours--Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Ghost Tours, Mini Bus Tours, Walking Tours, Dolphin Tours, Historical Tours
Fort Sumter--First engagement of the civil war April 12, 1861
Gardens and Magnolia Plantation--http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/video_minutes.html
South Carolina Aquarium--This is on the harbor. The inhabitants come from the five major Southeast Appalachian watersheds.
Rainbow Row--Colorful, historic homes on East Bay Street.
The Waterfront--pictured below.
Hmmm, I realize all I didn't get to see and need to go back.



June 18:  A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 18:  STOP 2: TaraLenWalker
June 19:  It's Raining Books
June 20:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 20:  STOP 2:  Reader Girls
June 21:  Hywela Lyn (Romance That's "Out Of This World")
June 22:   United By Books

No Remorse

Ian will award a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-no-remorse-by.html
  BLURB:
Two men, exiles from their respective societies, take conflicting approaches in the quest to regain their place and self-respect, and find themselves at war over a kidnapped girl.

Lee McCloud (“Mac”), a special forces soldier facing trumped-up charges of murder, is forced to work for a mysterious government outfit operating outside the law.

Khalid Yubani, cast out of Saudi Arabia for an offence against another member of the Royal family, seeks revenge through ruthless acts of evil. Engaged in the worst forms of human trafficking, Khalid buys Sophia, the daughter of Mac’s best friend, who has been kidnapped in Mexico. With time running out for Sophia, Mac enlists the help of a beautiful computer genius, a British SAS soldier and a Lebanese fixer to try to find Sophia and save her from the terrifying fate that Khalid has in store.

Although starting the quest as a man with no remorse, Mac gradually discovers a side of himself that he suppressed after witnessing the abduction of his own sister years before.

Dodging assassins, corrupt generals, evil medicos, Mossad agents, corrupt bureaucrats, and sharks, Mac ignores the order to stay out of trouble and follows Sophia’s trail from Mexico to Paris, London and Dubai, and the island of Andaran, where Khalid and his henchmen are waiting…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT ONE:
The girls’ fathers, Bob and Marvin, each carried a briefcase full of cash with a tiny GPS tracker hidden in a false bottom. They were both taller than the kidnappers, and through the scope Mac could read the pain on Bob’s face. The behavior of the kidnappers was still bothering him, but there was nothing he could do except watch. The leader held out his palm and waved his pistol like it was a flag. He addressed the fathers in accented English.
“You’re late. We think perhaps you do not want your daughters back, eh?”
“Sorry,” Bob said, his breathing short and sharp. “We took a wrong turn coming into the dam. The signs were confusing.”
The man grunted and glanced at the one with the knife. “Check them.”
Knife Man patted them down, searched their pockets, nodded the all clear.
“You have our money?”
“Of course.” Bob’s voice came through deep and confident in his earpiece, although the armpits of his shirt betrayed his anxiety. Be courteous but strong, Mac had advised him, otherwise they won’t respect you. Being a basketball coach undoubtedly helped. “And you have our daughters,” Bob said. A statement, not a question. He held out the briefcase. “Here’s the money. We didn’t contact the police.”
Several kidnappers gave a hearty laugh.
The leader smirked. “We wouldn’t be here if you had, gringo. But your daughters would be. With bullets in their heads.” He gestured to a kidnapper wearing a red bandana around his neck. “Abrirlos,” he ordered, and the man took both briefcases and unclipped the locks.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 Ian Walkley has had a career in social and market research, and has been writing novels, short stories, travel articles and copywriting since 2008. He has co-authored two publications on small business and his first novel, No Remorse was published in 2012. Ian's screenplay "Deniable Justice" placed fourth in the Writer's Digest 2011 competition for best screenplay. Ian has traveled extensively and researched his subject, and brings a knowledge of location and technical detail to the exotic settings and big screen thrills. Ian lives in Brisbane with his wife and three children. LINKShttp://www.ianwalkley.comhttp://www.facebook.com/ianwalkleyauthorhttp://www.twitter.com/ianjwalkley


~*~

Minder's Virtual Tour

June 18:  TaraLenWalker
June 19:  It's Raining Books
June 20:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 20:  STOP 2:  Reader Girls
June 21:  Hywela Lyn (Romance That's "Out Of This World")
June 22:   United By Books

To All the Dads Out There

Happy Father's Day*picture from justsomethingimade.com

Minder Contest

To celebrate the release of Minder, I'll be running a month long contest. The winner  gets:
A set of butterfly pins--on right
A Starbucks gift certificate
A book dedication
and
A download of Minder
To enter: Just leave a coment mentioning Minder and  include your email addie.
 Blurb:
Among the northern tribes there is a legend passed down from generation to generation about shape-shifting Minders—guardians of the innocents—and how they came to be.  It is said that nowadays only a handful of Minders exist, hunted to near extinction by a fearsome beast. Of the remaining Minders, only one wears a garnet-studded collar, the symbol of protection and royalty.   Even when my aunt told me the story, and handed me an ancient garnet-studded band, I had no idea the tale applied to me. After all, it’s only a legend…
Excerpt: “Try on the necklace.” “There’s no clasp.” I held it between my fingers and studied it. “Just slip it over your head.”“I don’t think it will fit.”“Try.”The necklace widened easily as I slipped it over my hair then narrowed to embrace my throat. I straightened and lifted my chin. I might be outdoorsy, and though I don’t obsess over them, I enjoy pretty things especially clothes and jewelry.  But this was different. This piece of jewelry was an extension of me. I felt alive, regal, protected. I frowned. Protected? What an odd thought.“It’s beautiful. It sets off your long swan-like neck to perfection. It belongs on you.” My aunt studied me her eyes alight with what looked like affirmation.“Yes.” I touched it. “It feels like it was made for me.”I felt the pull of an intent gaze and knew who would be staring. I turned my head. Our gazes collided. I could see his golden eyes dilate to black, his nostrils flare and strangest of all I could smell his heat.His gaze locked with mine, he stood abruptly. The woman who sat beside him grabbed his arm and pulled him down. She glared at me.Acutely aware of him, I broke eye contact and turned back to my aunt. “You said it was a gift from my mother?”“She wore it. Do you remember?” Aunt leaned forward, her elbows on the table, her chin in her hands, her eyes intent.I frowned and tried to recall. A forgotten memory surfaced. A young woman who looked like me turning in a circle laughing, butterflies fluttering around her, the necklace at her throat. I felt a thrill. Our features were nearly identical, her hair the same color, texture and sheen only longer.“Yes, I do.” I smiled. The memory a gift I would cherish and hug close to my heart. https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=470&category_id=6&keyword=Minder&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Shadows Deep

Title: Shadows Deep (Shadows, Part II)Author: Cege SmithPublisher: SelfLength: 70,000 wordsGenres: Horror, Paranormal (Non-Romance)
Available at:Amazon| Barnes & Noble
Blurb:Ellie Coulter made a deal with the devil, and now it’s time to pay the price. Little did she know, the shadows that have swirled around her life since her parents’ death were not a coincidence. As Ellie's destiny is revealed, it comes with the knowledge that her fate is the lynchpin in a far larger, and more dangerous game. And the one who found her has no intention of ever letting her go.
Ellie walks a fine line between keeping up the appearance of acceptance while gathering the information she needs to escape. Along the way, she has to decide who to trust and that includes the man she loves.  As facts give way to lies, Ellie begins to question everything.
With her true intentions on the verge of being discovered, Ellie must find a way to defeat her captor before she becomes a shadow herself. Excerpt:Letting go was one of the hardest things a person could ever do. Ellie knew that. What happened when she let go of the idea that reality as she knew it was merely a cover on a rabbit hole? She had willingly taken the cover off and fallen down into the unknown darkness. She’d surrendered. Somehow it felt easier that way. But the Voice kept picking at her even though she was deep in her hidey hole. It wouldn’t leave her alone.
“What was it like for you when your parents died?”
Ellie had answered some variation of that question what seemed like a million times over the years, but her response always paled in comparison to the effect of that one event on the rest of her life. How could she explain the depth of pain she felt when the two people who she loved most were ripped out of her life? Or the excruciating, almost debilitating sense of loneliness that followed when she finally comprehended that she was completely alone in the world?
“I was eight,” Ellie replied. “I had no other family. One minute I was surrounded by love. In the blink of an eye I was an orphan. What do you think it was like?” No one could understand what she had been through, and eventually she gave up trying to explain. Her parents’ death was just something that happened to her a long time ago. Ellie preferred to leave that buried there.
“I am sure it was difficult. But you obviously learned to cope, even thrive.”
“Thrive isn’t the word I’d choose,” Ellie said. “I learned how to survive. Eventually I learned ways to be happy again, but I did that on my own. I never felt like I belonged anywhere again.”
The Voice was silent for a while and Ellie was relieved. When it wasn’t poking at her, the darkness was peaceful. Ellie was used to being alone.
“Tell me about your ability. You’ve linked that to your parents’ death.”
Ellie was tired of the questions. They had covered the same ground over and over again. But it was like the Voice was missing some nuance, and so it all started again. Combing through her life. Looking for clues. “I noticed it the first time at the funeral. I was standing there in the cemetery, looking at their caskets, with the social worker beside me. I kept looking around for more people, but it was just the three of us: me, the social worker, and the minister. And then I noticed that the longer the minister spoke, the more these colors seemed to grow out of him. It didn’t make any sense at the time. The colors were deep purple and blue and they got more vivid every time he made eye contact with me. It scared the hell out of me. I didn’t know what to do.”
A familiar cloud of sadness fell over her thoughts as she remembered that lost little girl. “When the service was over, I wanted to kick and scream and lash out. I wanted to push over those caskets because I convinced myself they were empty and it was some elaborate hoax. Any minute they would appear to take me home. But it wasn’t a hoax. My parents raised me to think that showing emotion in public wasn’t ladylike, so as desperately as I wanted to throw a tantrum, I knew they wouldn’t approve. I looked at the social worker and she had a glow of white tinged with yellow around her. Even though I didn’t know what it meant, the colors were soothing. I had to accept that I was left with nothing but this woman to take care of me. I was naive and automatically assumed that she was kind and that she’d be good to me.”
“She wasn’t?”
Ellie sighed. “After twenty-five years of reading auras, I know now that she was indifferent. She probably saw a dozen kids just like me every week. Her aura meant that she was at peace and even slightly happy, but it had nothing to do with me. I was part of her job, and while I was watching my parents be buried, she was probably thinking about getting a manicure or going home and having a glass of wine. Me, I had no home left.”
“You went into foster care.”
“Yes, and in foster care I stayed until I applied for emancipation when I was sixteen.” She remembered the day that the court approved her request. It had been bittersweet.
“Your ability must have been advantageous in that kind of hostile environment.”
“If you mean it helped keep me out of trouble, then probably it did. But I was always a good kid. I studied hard, got decent grades, and generally stayed out of everyone’s way.  I never gave my foster families any reason to really concern themselves with me. I wanted to be invisible. I was pretty good at it,” Ellie said. She had closed herself off from anyone who tried to reach her. It was a defense mechanism that worked well. Perhaps too well.
“Until you met Veronica.”
A face flashed in Ellie’s mind. A pretty blond with infectious laughter. Whereas her parents’ faces had faded over time, Roni’s was vivid and seemed so real that Ellie almost thought her friend was there with her in the darkness.
“Roni just wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Ellie said. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. And for some reason she wanted to be my friend. I owe her a lot.” It was strange talking about Veronica. Those memories were under strict lock and key for a reason.About the Author:Cege Smith is a Minnesota based writer who is addicted to lattes and B-rated horror films. She had been crafting spooky stories since she was twelve years old. She lives with her husband, two adorable stepsons, and mini long-hair dachshund, Juliet in the suburbs of Minneapolis.
Blog: http://www.cegesmith.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/cegesmithTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/cegesmith

http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/scheduled-vbt-shadows-deep-shadows-part.html

Westridge

Westridge: The Heroine                                                                                  Hello, everyone! I'm really excited to be here at Sandra's Blog today—the third stop on my 10-day blog tour.
I'm doing four guest posts over the duration of my tour, and I thought I'd kick off the first one by sharing a little bit about Westridge's heroine: Gabby Jones.
Gabby is introduced as a typical chatty 23 year-old, gabbing on her cell phone when her attention should probably be on her surroundings. She’s boarding a bus for her hometown of Westridge, and from the start it’s clear she has a haunted past. Gabby and her childhood sweetheart, Jason Dawson, were fated to be together, but she left to find her fortune in the big city the second they finished high school. At least, that’s what she told him.
Jason never bought her story, and, in a way, Gabby never expected him to. She just needed an out, and so far she’s managed to avoid seeing him on her brief visits home. In fact, she’s managed to avoid seeing just about everyone except for her parents on her visits home. No one gossips like the residents of Westridge, and Gabby’s never dealt well with being the subject of their speculation.
But now, she’s back in town for a funeral—an event she, Jason, and everyone else in town will be attending. Gabby will have to face her past, face Jason, and by the end of her stay she just might just find herself revealing her secrets and falling in love all over again.
Here’s a brief excerpt describing Gabby from Jason’s point of view, while she’s reluctantly accepting his help with a flat tire:
Gabby stood outside the SUV and leaned against the driver's side door, watching [Jason] work. She had the frown of a brooding teenager on her face, but it didn't detract from her appearance. The freckles she'd had as a child were faded but still visible to his knowing eyes, and her cheeks were flushed from the cool breeze. She wore a simple, blue knit dress and a fitted beige jacket that only hinted at her modest curves. She almost looked like she belonged in the city, but a pair of cowboy boots finished off the look. She was beautiful.
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading the post! Please leave any questions or comments below—I’ll be checking back throughout the day to join in the conversation!
Title: WestridgeAuthor: Heather LinPublisher: Silver PublishingLength: 178 pagesGenres: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:Gabby Jones and Jason Dawson were born only months apart in the small, country town of Westridge. For the next eighteen years, they were inseparable, but after their high school graduation, Gabby got on a bus to the city, leaving Jason with a weak explanation and a broken heart. After five years of making it a point to avoid her old flame, Gabby comes home for a funeral and, thanks to meddling parents and circumstance, she and Jason are thrown together again.
But now Jason is an auto mechanic with an ex-wife and a daughter, and Gabby owns a successful flower shop in the city. Even if Gabby is able to admit she still loves Jason, and even if Jason is able to convince her to tell him the real reason she left, will they be able to get past the changes and broken pieces in time to start over?
 Excerpt:
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jason demanded, slamming the door to his truck shut.
"I'm leaving."
Gabby had to work hard to keep her chin raised and her lips from trembling.
"Just like that? And all I get is a note in my locker on the last day of school?"
He threw a crumpled piece of paper at her feet. Her parents had dropped her off at the bus stop, but they were long gone. If that goodbye had been painful, this one would be excruciating -- which was exactly why she'd tried to avoid it.
"I told you in the note--"
"And now you can tell me to my face."
He was making a scene. Gabby was embarrassed, and the tears she'd tried desperately to keep at bay burned in her eyes.
"There isn't anything to do in this town. I just need to see what else is out there."
"This is bullshit, Gabby. A few months ago, we were talking about getting married."
Her voice rose as she lied desperately through her teeth, trying to keep control.
"Well, I changed my mind."
The bus pulled up, and Jason's anger turned to pleading.
"Don't, Gabby. If you need some time away from this place, I'll go with you."
"You belong here, Jason."
"I belong with you."
"Not anymore."
Then she turned and boarded the bus, ignoring the stares. She managed to hold the tears back until he was out of sight.
* * * *
The pain of the memory was scorching, surprising Gabby with its intensity. She opened her eyes. She had to get a hold of herself. She looked past the old man reading a magazine, her gaze falling on the houses outside. They were reaching the suburbs, but her destination lay far beyond that. Gabby groaned and firmly pushed the last image she had of her high school sweetheart out of her mind. The next few days were going to be hell.  About the Author: Heather lives in Delaware with her loving husband and loyal cat. She began writing erotic and slightly less-erotic romance in 2008 and hasn't been able to keep her mind out of the gutter since. Her next novel, a futuristic romance called The System, is due out in August from Silver Publishing. Until then, feel free to check out her short stories, which can be found at TheEroticWoman.com, in the Coming Together anthologies, and through New Concepts Publishing. Visit Heather at http://heatherlin88.blogspot.com/.http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/06/scheduled-vbt-westridge-by-heather-lin.html