Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 288
December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day with family and friends.
December 24, 2012
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"
December 21, 2012
Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know that feeling—the one where your breath catches and
you feel like your insides are fluttering when you meet that special
someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get that instant
connection and you can’t stop thinking about that person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Throughout history and especially in fiction, there have
been plenty of instances where love at first sight holds true. Here are some instances through the ages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zu7Pl_3k6hA..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zu7Pl_3k6hA..." width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Romeo and Juliet – these two star-crossed lovers are from
rival feuding families and they are caught in the middle of all the chaos of
the adults. They meet with a glance across a crowded dance floor and then
again, behind a pillar where their hands touch. There’s something so sensual
about only be allowed a mere grasp and nothing more, no long slow kisses or
loving embraces. When Romeo is banished from the city, Juliet (who is now
secretly his wife) cannot live without him and concocts an elaborate scheme so
they can be together, but Romeo never receives the letter explaining the plan. Their
brief epic romance ends in tragedy for this pair, but there’s no doubt that
they found love at first sight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc1tqEhGnJ4..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc1tqEhGnJ4..." /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tristan and Isolde – the legend of this pair has a kernel of
truth to it. Tristan was believed to be a Scottish prince named Drust, but as
legends evolve with time, he became Tristan, and the champion to King Mark of
Cornwall. As champion, Tristan was sent to Ireland to duel for Isolde’s hand in
marriage. He won the duel and brought Isolde back to England to marry the king,
but they fell madly in love with each other on the way. Like Romeo and Juliet, this pair
would die rather than be separated from one another, but there was no doubt
that the legend of Tristan and Isolde was one of an all-encompassing love at
first sight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zooi5Jf6WE8..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zooi5Jf6WE8..." width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Not all lovers’ pairing ends in tragedy. There is the love
between Wesley and his Buttercup. For those who haven’t seen “The Princess
Bride,” this is the story of Buttercup and her farm boy, Wesley. The two fall
madly in love with each other, but Wesley must go off to seek his fortune so
that he may provide Buttercup with a proper home. Suffice it to say, much
happens between the last time these two saw each other to when they are
reunited. Although the evil Prince Humperdinck tries everything he knows to
keep them apart, true love wins in the end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_UclONSvFg..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_UclONSvFg..." width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In THE SILVER CROSS, Damon Harte and Lacey Gardner have that
“once in a lifetime” connection with each other, but will their ‘love at first
sight’ endure? Can they put aside their differences? Can they enjoy a "happily ever after" or will they be another tragedy? You can check out the book here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Cross-Va... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So what do you think? Has this happened to you? Did you fall in love at first
sight or is this only for legends and fairytales?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know that feeling—the one where your breath catches and
you feel like your insides are fluttering when you meet that special
someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get that instant
connection and you can’t stop thinking about that person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Throughout history and especially in fiction, there have
been plenty of instances where love at first sight holds true. Here are some instances through the ages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zu7Pl_3k6hA..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zu7Pl_3k6hA..." width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Romeo and Juliet – these two star-crossed lovers are from
rival feuding families and they are caught in the middle of all the chaos of
the adults. They meet with a glance across a crowded dance floor and then
again, behind a pillar where their hands touch. There’s something so sensual
about only be allowed a mere grasp and nothing more, no long slow kisses or
loving embraces. When Romeo is banished from the city, Juliet (who is now
secretly his wife) cannot live without him and concocts an elaborate scheme so
they can be together, but Romeo never receives the letter explaining the plan. Their
brief epic romance ends in tragedy for this pair, but there’s no doubt that
they found love at first sight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc1tqEhGnJ4..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc1tqEhGnJ4..." /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tristan and Isolde – the legend of this pair has a kernel of
truth to it. Tristan was believed to be a Scottish prince named Drust, but as
legends evolve with time, he became Tristan, and the champion to King Mark of
Cornwall. As champion, Tristan was sent to Ireland to duel for Isolde’s hand in
marriage. He won the duel and brought Isolde back to England to marry the king,
but they fell madly in love with each other on the way. Like Romeo and Juliet, this pair
would die rather than be separated from one another, but there was no doubt
that the legend of Tristan and Isolde was one of an all-encompassing love at
first sight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zooi5Jf6WE8..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zooi5Jf6WE8..." width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Not all lovers’ pairing ends in tragedy. There is the love
between Wesley and his Buttercup. For those who haven’t seen “The Princess
Bride,” this is the story of Buttercup and her farm boy, Wesley. The two fall
madly in love with each other, but Wesley must go off to seek his fortune so
that he may provide Buttercup with a proper home. Suffice it to say, much
happens between the last time these two saw each other to when they are
reunited. Although the evil Prince Humperdinck tries everything he knows to
keep them apart, true love wins in the end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_UclONSvFg..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_UclONSvFg..." width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In THE SILVER CROSS, Damon Harte and Lacey Gardner have that
“once in a lifetime” connection with each other, but will their ‘love at first
sight’ endure? Can they put aside their differences? Can they enjoy a "happily ever after" or will they be another tragedy? You can check out the book here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Cross-Va... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So what do you think? Has this happened to you? Did you fall in love at first
sight or is this only for legends and fairytales?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
December 20, 2012
Book Tour Blast: SWEPT INTO DARKNESS by Lataeya Lane
Swept into the Darkness (Chronicles of the Celestial)
Sydney London is no ordinary twenty-four year old. Ever since she was a child she has had unique out of this world abilities. Suffering from a near death experience and surviving a deadly car crash Sydney is no stranger to death and loss. Cut off from the world around her she encounters an Angel and eventually falls for him inspired by deceitful magic.
Her one true love awaits in the shadows attempting to guard and protect her by risking his immortality. Traumatized by the murder of her best friend she sets off on an unspeakable journey to bring the dead back to life. Sydney's journey of self discovery opens her up to learn of her true angelic identity. She is led in the middle of an inter dimensional war among a hybrid breed of Angel Vampires and the Hierarchy of the Angelic clan. Will her unique powers and the love she bears for her guardian be enough for her to save the Earthly Realm or will she be Swept into the Darkness?
Purchase Swept Into The Darkness
Kindle | Paperback | BN | Smashwords
About Author LaTaeya Lane
Years of exposure within the writing and publishing world have made a lasting impact on Author LaTaeya Lane. Writing since she was seven years old, Lane began jotting down phrases and themes later turning them into poems and short stories. Writing became such a passion throughout her youth that she became the Junior and Senior editor of her High school newspaper. She wrote her first novel at age sixteen but was not seeking publication at that time in her life. Lane entered several creative writing contests during her early years of writing and won a few of them. Always captivated by the supernatural and elements of fantasy, Lane was inspired to write a series of books that focused on going beyond the boundaries of life and imagination. The angel vampire fantasy "Swept into the Darkness" is Lane's first published book in a series called "Chronicles of the Celestial." Lane completed a degree in social Sciences and currently works to support the education of special needs middle school students. Lane resides in the state of New Jersey with her husband Leo and is working on writing a publishing the second book in the series.
Follow LaTaeya Lane
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Tour Prize is an Amazon Kindle. Open to US/ Can residents
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Method Acting Helped Me Become a Better Writer by Karen Cantwell
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_KPSBtAAg..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_KPSBtAAg..." width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Like many authors I know, I took my first jab at novel
writing in elementary school. I was very proud of my original manuscript
titled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Adventures of Frog and Mr.
Toad</i>. Ahem. Well, imagine my distress when I discovered a little book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wind in the Willows</i>. Shattered, I
gave up the goal of becoming an award-winning novelist, and set my sights on a
more realistic ambition: acting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">During my first year at the University of California, San
Diego, I declared myself a drama major and began taking classes to learn the
craft. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter was, that I was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">terrible</i> actress. Really. I was awful. I
probably turned more than one acting coach to drink. Sadly, my performances
lacked that important element: talent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Aha, but my college tuition wasn't entirely wasted. I
learned something useful. Lack of acting talent aside, my theatre training
those years at UCSD, has eventually proven helpful as I have resurrected the
dream to write fiction. The drama department taught "The Method,"
also known as "Method Acting," originated by Konstantin Stanislavski,
and then further developed by Lee Strasberg and employed by students of the
famous Actors Studio. Per www.MethodActingStrasberg.com: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The Method trains actors to use
their imagination, senses and emotions to conceive of characters with unique
and original behavior, creating performances grounded in the human truth of the
moment."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, we're writers – we already use our imaginations! So no
big epiphany there. But this process of accessing senses and emotions to create
unique and original character performances can definitely be translated to the
writing experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As I began writing in earnest, I found myself naturally
applying this training. Who knows the character better than me? No one. But I've
found a writer can write from afar or from within – and writing from within is
much like Method Acting. To write from within, I get into each character's
skin, and write directly from their viewpoints. In polishing drafts, I can
always tell when I've failed to write from this approach. A character will say
or do something that isn't typical – not believable for that character. Readers
will pick up on such anomalies, pulling them from the story, and that's the
last thing an author wants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A great exercise to help access your characters is to spend
some time (it doesn't have to be extreme, but the more specific, the better)
not only creating back story for each of your characters, but to write lists
that flesh them out – their favorite colors, books, songs, musical artists;
their dreams, considered failures or successes. Are they home bodies or
travelers? How do they react to stressful situations? Are they talkative or
quietly reserved? Do they consider themselves lucky or unlucky? How do they
view themselves vs. how others view them? You may never actually use any of
this information in your novels, but the more you create the character with
this information, the more "real" they will become for you, and the
easier it will be to access your character when writing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When I sit down each day, it can take me a good half-hour to
hour to actually settle into the minds and souls of my characters, and during
this time, the writing is slower and more arduous. But as I utilize Method
Writing – a term that actually has been coined – the characters begin to write
themselves as does the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Writers and actors do share a common goal – they both seek
to entertain. And if you approach your writing from that perspective, and
utilize some of the same tools, you may find your creative works will benefit
greatly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
bio:</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQJCqVouQuw..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQJCqVouQuw..." /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">I
have been writing plays and short stories for many years, some of which were
published in various college literary magazines. In 2010, my short story “The
Recollections of Rosabelle Raines,” was published in the mystery anthology
Chesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin’ available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, or
directly from the publisher, Wildside Press.<br />
<br />
But I had always wanted to write a novel. I found that more difficult. Finally,
a few years ago I became inspired to write my first novel, "Take the
Monkeys and Run," a comedy-mystery, inspired, to some degree by a true
monkey sighting. I followed that up with a Barbara Marr short story collection,
"The Chronicles of Marr-nia," and two more mystery novels,
"Citizen Insane" and "Silenced by the Yams."<br />
<br />
Because I love to laugh as well as make other people laugh, I have the most fun
imagineable writing the character Barbara Marr as well as her friends and
adversaries. When I set out to write these books, I knew I wanted to write
something that readers would say, “Now that was FUN.” I HOPE I have achieved
that goal. And if I did, please feel free to drop me a line at and let me know!
I love to hear from readers. (especially if you LIKE the book!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Website:
<a href="http://www.karencantwell.com/"&g...
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_KPSBtAAg..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_KPSBtAAg..." width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Like many authors I know, I took my first jab at novel
writing in elementary school. I was very proud of my original manuscript
titled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Adventures of Frog and Mr.
Toad</i>. Ahem. Well, imagine my distress when I discovered a little book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wind in the Willows</i>. Shattered, I
gave up the goal of becoming an award-winning novelist, and set my sights on a
more realistic ambition: acting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">During my first year at the University of California, San
Diego, I declared myself a drama major and began taking classes to learn the
craft. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter was, that I was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">terrible</i> actress. Really. I was awful. I
probably turned more than one acting coach to drink. Sadly, my performances
lacked that important element: talent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Aha, but my college tuition wasn't entirely wasted. I
learned something useful. Lack of acting talent aside, my theatre training
those years at UCSD, has eventually proven helpful as I have resurrected the
dream to write fiction. The drama department taught "The Method,"
also known as "Method Acting," originated by Konstantin Stanislavski,
and then further developed by Lee Strasberg and employed by students of the
famous Actors Studio. Per www.MethodActingStrasberg.com: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The Method trains actors to use
their imagination, senses and emotions to conceive of characters with unique
and original behavior, creating performances grounded in the human truth of the
moment."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, we're writers – we already use our imaginations! So no
big epiphany there. But this process of accessing senses and emotions to create
unique and original character performances can definitely be translated to the
writing experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As I began writing in earnest, I found myself naturally
applying this training. Who knows the character better than me? No one. But I've
found a writer can write from afar or from within – and writing from within is
much like Method Acting. To write from within, I get into each character's
skin, and write directly from their viewpoints. In polishing drafts, I can
always tell when I've failed to write from this approach. A character will say
or do something that isn't typical – not believable for that character. Readers
will pick up on such anomalies, pulling them from the story, and that's the
last thing an author wants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A great exercise to help access your characters is to spend
some time (it doesn't have to be extreme, but the more specific, the better)
not only creating back story for each of your characters, but to write lists
that flesh them out – their favorite colors, books, songs, musical artists;
their dreams, considered failures or successes. Are they home bodies or
travelers? How do they react to stressful situations? Are they talkative or
quietly reserved? Do they consider themselves lucky or unlucky? How do they
view themselves vs. how others view them? You may never actually use any of
this information in your novels, but the more you create the character with
this information, the more "real" they will become for you, and the
easier it will be to access your character when writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When I sit down each day, it can take me a good half-hour to
hour to actually settle into the minds and souls of my characters, and during
this time, the writing is slower and more arduous. But as I utilize Method
Writing – a term that actually has been coined – the characters begin to write
themselves as does the story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Writers and actors do share a common goal – they both seek
to entertain. And if you approach your writing from that perspective, and
utilize some of the same tools, you may find your creative works will benefit
greatly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
bio:</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQJCqVouQuw..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQJCqVouQuw..." /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">I
have been writing plays and short stories for many years, some of which were
published in various college literary magazines. In 2010, my short story “The
Recollections of Rosabelle Raines,” was published in the mystery anthology
Chesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin’ available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, or
directly from the publisher, Wildside Press.<br />
<br />
But I had always wanted to write a novel. I found that more difficult. Finally,
a few years ago I became inspired to write my first novel, "Take the
Monkeys and Run," a comedy-mystery, inspired, to some degree by a true
monkey sighting. I followed that up with a Barbara Marr short story collection,
"The Chronicles of Marr-nia," and two more mystery novels,
"Citizen Insane" and "Silenced by the Yams."<br />
<br />
Because I love to laugh as well as make other people laugh, I have the most fun
imagineable writing the character Barbara Marr as well as her friends and
adversaries. When I set out to write these books, I knew I wanted to write
something that readers would say, “Now that was FUN.” I HOPE I have achieved
that goal. And if I did, please feel free to drop me a line at and let me know!
I love to hear from readers. (especially if you LIKE the book!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Website:
<a href="http://www.karencantwell.com/"&g...
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
December 19, 2012
Interview with Zrinka Jelic
Can you
give us a brief overview of your latest book?
My latest release is titled “Treasured Chest”. It’s
untypical pirate’s romance in which women hiding from the law are pirates.
Do you have
a favorite character?
In this book, my favorite is Captain Marko, a man skilled in
the art of love as he is skilled with a sword. Who wouldn’t love him?
Did you
try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers? Yes, both
my books are published through Black Opal Books. It is a small press, a
boutique style publisher, meaning they publish paperbacks only per order.
Do you
belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
Yes, I am a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and
its online specialty chapter Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FFnP). My
debut novel “Bonded by Crimson” is a paranormal romance and my work in progress
is also a paranormal. FFnP online
critique group helped me tremendously while I was working on “Bonded by Crimson”
and they are of a huge help with my wip. However, “Treasured Chest” has been
critiqued by my three steady critique partners.
What is
your writing process?
Well, I’m a punster and I never know which way my muse will
take me. I usually start with a quick synopsis and once I’ve even tried to plot
the book, then I never referred back to it. So, I edit as I go, I usually don’t
see past the next chapter, not in the smallest of details at least. I see the
big picture, but only once I start to tackle the job, I can concentrate on the
details.
Did you
hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
I didn’t hire them, the three editors who worked on both my
books came with the publishing contract.
Besides
Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Yes, they are available at my publisher’s site, on Barnes
& Noble, Kobo Books, Smashwords, AllRomance E-books. Hope I’m not
forgetting anything.
What kinds
of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for
promoting your book(s)?
You will find me on Facebook, sometimes I tweet but haven’t
figured how to do this successfully. I have banner ads on The Romance Reviews
and The Romance Studio. Also making as many guest blog appearances as I can
possibly do. Marketing is a full time job with no pay what so ever. But in the
end the best is to let the word of mouth do the job. I’m confident in my books
and that people will find them page turners and the I have people stop me in
the store or restaurant to tell me how much they’ve enjoyed reading my books.
Do you
find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and
writing your next book?
Oh yes, some days I don’t end up doing any writing at all. I’m
just “out there” trying to line up the next blog appearance, the blog hop or a
giveaway.
Besides
writing, do you have any other passions?
Working out in the gym. All kind of ideas pop in my head on
that one hour on the treadmill or elliptical trainer. And then sometimes there
something interesting to look at.
What’s
next for you?
I’m working on two projects at the time, though I’m
concentrating on my current wip “Love Remains” which is almost done. My second
project is a prequel to “Bonded by Crimson”, but progress on that one is slow
since somehow always seems to end up on the back burner.
Author
bio:
Zrinka Jelic lives in
Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two children. A member of the Romance
Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic &Paranormal, as well
as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction—which leans toward the
paranormal—and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of
life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic’s
love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find
themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that’s about the only
break they get. “Alas,” Jelic says, with a grin. “Some rain must fall in
everyone’s life.”
December 18, 2012
Book Tour Blast: LOVE AND LUST by Jessica Gibson
Love and Blood
Bronwyn Fitzgibbons was young and reckless. It was easy for Ronan to steal her human life and make her a vampire. She ran, but she never forgot him--or how he made her feel.
Rider saved Bronwyn from the new life she loathed and the new self she detested. His love restored her sanity.
Now Ronan is back to claim her. She struggles like hell against him, but she cannot deny the overwhelming power of her maker. Will Bronwyn surrender to the one who could possess her utterly? Or can she find the strength to choose the one who loves her as she is?
Join the Love and Blood release event!
Purchase on Amazon
Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads
Jessica lives in California with her husband and young son. She loves to read, and that love helped her to branch out into writing. Aside from writing, she runs an online event planning business called the Release Day Diva. In addition to novels, Jessica writes and maintains the blog Book on the Bright Side. Keep up with Jessica and her latest releases and events on her blog This Author's Life.
Blood Lust (Prequel to Love and Blood) is available for free on Smashwords.
Blood and Sacrifice will be available March 2013
Prizes: 3 ebooks $15 Amazon card
Fill out the form below to enter. Open Internationally!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Tour Blast: CLOSURE by Kim Carmichael
Closure
There's always the one…
He's one person throughout life you think about every so often, the one who leaves his unique indelible mark on you, the person with whom you need closure.
For Margaret Collins that person was Mike Taylor. After he broke her heart seventeen years ago, she left everything she knew and reinvented herself. With a new home, a new look and a new name, Riley Williams is now an up and coming journalist given the assignment to interview a Mike Taylor. She never suspected he would be her Mike Taylor. With Mike having no hint of Riley's true identity, she must decide if she will make him pay for sins he doesn't remember committing, or if she can wipe away the past and be with the one man who she has always wanted?
About Kim Carmichael
Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own. She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.Follow Kim Carmichael
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Purchase on Amazon
Follow the Tour:
Kim Carmichael is offering two HUGE Prize packs.
Open to US residents 18+ Fill out the form below to Enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 17, 2012
Twelve Days of Christmas: NO GOLDEN RINGS
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">By Rebecca Forster</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UYCyqqRJaWU..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UYCyqqRJaWU..." /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I love the idea of celebrating the twelve days before
Christmas, but I never much liked the idea of waking up to find maids-a-milking
in my living room. So I thought I would make up my own list of countdown gifts
that are guaranteed to make someone smile. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1) Hold someone’s hand when they least expect it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2) Write a letter in real handwriting on real paper, and mail
it with a real stamp.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3) Tell a joke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4) Kiss someone with or without mistletoe. Lips, cheek,
head, hand all are very nice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5) Invite someone to your favorite place and tell them why
they are there with you .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6) Add an extra ribbon, bell, sprig of holly, or lottery
ticket to a package you wrap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">7) Cook something you’ve never cooked before; share it with
someone you’ve never shared with before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">8) Choose one person who is not expecting a gift and give
them one. Give it too late for them to reciprocate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9) Hold a door for someone when you’re the one in a hurry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">10) Talk to someone who lives alone. Not just hello, but a
real conversation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">11) Hum a Christmas song close enough so other people can
hear<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you and then smile when they
look your way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">12) Let your spouse sleep late and your kids get up early.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4026Rm2e6ZI..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4026Rm2e6ZI..." /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you have a gift to give on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of
Christmas? Visit me at <a href="http://www.rebeccaforster.com/"&...,
tell me about your gift, and choose the book you’d like my Christmas Elves to
send you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.</span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com...' alt='' /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">By Rebecca Forster</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I love the idea of celebrating the twelve days before
Christmas, but I never much liked the idea of waking up to find maids-a-milking
in my living room. So I thought I would make up my own list of countdown gifts
that are guaranteed to make someone smile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1) Hold someone’s hand when they least expect it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2) Write a letter in real handwriting on real paper, and mail
it with a real stamp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3) Tell a joke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4) Kiss someone with or without mistletoe. Lips, cheek,
head, hand all are very nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5) Invite someone to your favorite place and tell them why
they are there with you .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6) Add an extra ribbon, bell, sprig of holly, or lottery
ticket to a package you wrap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">7) Cook something you’ve never cooked before; share it with
someone you’ve never shared with before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">8) Choose one person who is not expecting a gift and give
them one. Give it too late for them to reciprocate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9) Hold a door for someone when you’re the one in a hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">10) Talk to someone who lives alone. Not just hello, but a
real conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">11) Hum a Christmas song close enough so other people can
hear<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you and then smile when they
look your way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">12) Let your spouse sleep late and your kids get up early.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4026Rm2e6ZI..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4026Rm2e6ZI..." /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you have a gift to give on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of
Christmas? Visit me at <a href="http://www.rebeccaforster.com/"&...,
tell me about your gift, and choose the book you’d like my Christmas Elves to
send you.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.</span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=twoen-20..." style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com...' alt='' /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>
December 16, 2012
Review: ROGUE GENTLEMAN by Brian Drake
4 of 5 stars
I've been a fan of Mr. Drake's since I read his story "Justified Sins" so I was very excited to read his latest novel, ROGUE GENTLEMAN. The story revolves around Steve Dane, ex-military, ex-CIA operative who is out there on his own righting wrongs when he sees them along with his partner, ex-Russian spy Nina Talikova. After being unwittingly drawn into a global conspiracy while trying to save a kidnapped girl, Steve finds himself on a path to take down the most wanted terrorist known only as The Duchess. The Duchess wants to buy a nuclear weapon and sell it to the highest bidder and Steve has vowed to stop her even if it means sacrificing his own life.
I absolutely loved the banter between Steve and Nina. The characters come alive and draw you into their story. There is true affection between these two and dare I say even love, but Nina is used to living high and when she doesn't get it, she can be a very unhappy girl. This was such a fun part of the book especially with all the seriousness of their situation. Good ole Steve is happy to accommodate her whenever he can. They are not only partners in love, but out in the field. They have each others' back every step of the way. I was intrigued as the author introduced these two past's associates as they tried to uncover the whereabouts of The Duchess. Snippets of both Steve and Nina's past are also sprinkled throughout the book and that made me want to know more about them. Steve has a unconventional relationship with the President of the United States, but if that is so, why is he no longer working at the CIA?
The story moves along at a fast clip. There's plenty of action to keep you reading to the end. Will Steve and Nina finally unmask the elusive Duchess and stop the sale of the nuke in time? How many will die in the hunt? Can Steve and Nina pool their resources to pull off the biggest terrorist take-down the world has ever seen? These are just some of the questions the author throws at you. Fans of spy thrillers will definitely enjoy this one. Recommended.
