Angela Kay Austin's Blog, page 15
March 10, 2013
Chatting with J.T. Seate
Join me and J.T. as we discuss his release "Connor House" from MuseItUp Publishing.
"Connor House" follows the lives of two sisters living in the Washinington DC area shortly after the Civil War. The death of one of their daughters is an unspeakable tragedy, but the loss does not necessarily mean the end, especially within "Connor House."
To read an excerpt, visit Romancing the Pen!
March 9, 2013
Derailed is now available!
I'm excited! "Derailed" is my homage to women military vets. Most of you know by now that many members of my family have served in the military. Primarily the men of my family. I think that along with a lot of news broadcasts highlighting the plight of women vets and the differences between the needs of women and men made me wonder what happens to our women in the military.
I watched interviews, read a ton of news stories, and the end results became what is now "Derailed."
Now that women have been given permission to be in the "combat" zones of war, I think the struggles and battles of women post-war will become even more important. (Most of the men and women vets I've spoken with all believe that women have been on the front-lines during every war. They just weren't being paid for it.)
Women, like men, face homelessness, joblessness, single parent issues when they are no longer on active duty. But, the "root" cause of the battles women struggle against are not always the mirror image of men.
"Derailed" is my short story that tells one possibility.
Blurb: When you’re given away by the people who are supposed to love you forever, it makes it hard to believe love and family really exist.
JoAn Fentress thought the military would take care of her in the way her family never did, but that didn’t happen. Homeless on the streets of Memphis, TN, she walked through the only open door she could find, and it changed her life.
Jeremy Hooks needed only to smile, and the world gave him whatever he asked of it. Eventually, people stop partying, right…at least when they’re threatened. He has one more chance to prove himself before he loses everything.
Read and excerpt on my website: Derailed excerpt.
Purchase your copy today!
I watched interviews, read a ton of news stories, and the end results became what is now "Derailed."
Now that women have been given permission to be in the "combat" zones of war, I think the struggles and battles of women post-war will become even more important. (Most of the men and women vets I've spoken with all believe that women have been on the front-lines during every war. They just weren't being paid for it.)
Women, like men, face homelessness, joblessness, single parent issues when they are no longer on active duty. But, the "root" cause of the battles women struggle against are not always the mirror image of men.
"Derailed" is my short story that tells one possibility.
Blurb: When you’re given away by the people who are supposed to love you forever, it makes it hard to believe love and family really exist.
JoAn Fentress thought the military would take care of her in the way her family never did, but that didn’t happen. Homeless on the streets of Memphis, TN, she walked through the only open door she could find, and it changed her life.
Jeremy Hooks needed only to smile, and the world gave him whatever he asked of it. Eventually, people stop partying, right…at least when they’re threatened. He has one more chance to prove himself before he loses everything.
Read and excerpt on my website: Derailed excerpt.
Purchase your copy today!
March 8, 2013
New trailer for Derailed
"Derailed" is now available!
Blurb: When you’re given away by the people who are supposed to love you forever, it makes it hard to believe love and family really exist.
JoAn Fentress thought the military would take care of her in the way her family never did, but that didn’t happen. Homeless on the streets of Memphis, TN, she walked through the only open door she could find, and it changed her life.
Jeremy Hooks needed only to smile, and the world gave him whatever he asked of it. Eventually, people stop partying, right…at least when they’re threatened. He has one more chance to prove himself before he loses everything.
Purchase your copy today!
Blurb: When you’re given away by the people who are supposed to love you forever, it makes it hard to believe love and family really exist.
JoAn Fentress thought the military would take care of her in the way her family never did, but that didn’t happen. Homeless on the streets of Memphis, TN, she walked through the only open door she could find, and it changed her life.
Jeremy Hooks needed only to smile, and the world gave him whatever he asked of it. Eventually, people stop partying, right…at least when they’re threatened. He has one more chance to prove himself before he loses everything.
Purchase your copy today!
March 7, 2013
Women History Month at Cornelia Crenshaw Library
Cornelia Crenshaw Library opened in 1939, and was the first library in Memphis, TN to allow African-Americans access. Allowing African-Americans to walk through the doors and read. As a native Memphian, this fact makes me leap at the chance to do as much as possible with and for this special branch.
March 9, 2013, I will join other panelist to speak on issues facing women in today's society. I'll be joined by other authors, community leaders, and hopefully -- you!
To find out more about the program, and Cornelia Crenshaw Library, click here.
I hope you will join us!
March 9, 2013, I will join other panelist to speak on issues facing women in today's society. I'll be joined by other authors, community leaders, and hopefully -- you!
To find out more about the program, and Cornelia Crenshaw Library, click here.
I hope you will join us!
March 3, 2013
Chatting with William Auch
This week, I'm chatting with William Auch about his new release, "Love in Provence."
BLURB: When John Martin is forced to sell his tech company, he decides to take a six-month vacation to the south of France.
When he meets Madame Garcin, her daughter Sophie, and her granddaughter Isabelle, his life is changed forever. What began as a long vacation becomes a journey of self-discovery marked by love, loss, and tragedy.
He is molded by this family of three generations of women, tempered by tragedy themselves, in ways that he could never have imagined.
William is also giving away a $25 gift certificate! Join us at Romancing the Pen to find out more details about how to win.
BLURB: When John Martin is forced to sell his tech company, he decides to take a six-month vacation to the south of France.When he meets Madame Garcin, her daughter Sophie, and her granddaughter Isabelle, his life is changed forever. What began as a long vacation becomes a journey of self-discovery marked by love, loss, and tragedy.
He is molded by this family of three generations of women, tempered by tragedy themselves, in ways that he could never have imagined.
William is also giving away a $25 gift certificate! Join us at Romancing the Pen to find out more details about how to win.
March 1, 2013
Coming Soon from Angela Kay Austin
COMING SOON!
When you’re given away by the people who are supposed to love you forever, it makes it hard to believe love and family really exist.
JoAn Fentress thought the military would take care of her in the way her family never did, but that didn’t happen. Homeless on the streets of Memphis, TN, she walked through the only open door she could find, and it changed her life.
Jeremy Hooks needed only to smile, and the world gave him whatever he asked of it. Eventually, people stop partying, right…at least when they’re threatened. He has one more chance to prove himself before he loses everything.
Visit the books section of my website for more details!
February 25, 2013
Work in Progress #research
I've been attending an event at one of my local libraries, "Making Sense of the American Civil War." This program is a series of five discussions about the Civil War. The American Library Association designed the program to converge with the 150th year mark of the Civil War.As a part of the program, they've selected several books to accompany the discussions.
-"March" by Geraldine Brooks
-"America's War" an anthology
-"Crossroads of Freedom" by James M. McPherson
These materials pull us into the world of the Civil War through historical fiction, speeches, and journals.
I have been amazed at the stories. Until I began the research for my WIP, I'd never read some of the selected materials.
I don't know if there are any history buffs out there, but if there are I would suggest reading America's War. It's really been a truly eye opening piece for me.
February 20, 2013
#BookReview - Archangel's Consort by @NaliniSingh
You guys already know that I caught onto this series late, and I love it. And I still have two more books to read, and another one will release in 2013!Just to catch you up. Archangel's Consort is the third book in the series. The series follows the love and relationship between Elena and Raphael. Elena is hunter-born, and in the world Nalini Singh has created that means Elena hunts and returns rogue vampires to their owners, angels. Raphael is an archangel who rules over the territory that includes New York which is where Elena lives and works.
At this point in the series, Elena and Raphael are a couple. But, no one respects the immortal newly-Made. This is something that constantly places Elena in danger, and maybe Raphael.
Because there may be other late-comers out there like me, I will breeze over some of the story because it would be a complete spoiler if you haven't read Archangel's Kiss.
In this book, the reader is re-introduced to an old nemesis, as well as, the possibility of a new one, Raphael's mother--Caliane.
Immortality sounds like it would be wonderful until you have people losing their minds, bringing people back from the dead, or killing everything they see. And let's not forget that you outlive every one you love.
The ending left me wanting a little more. I'm anxious to know more about everything. There were no pretty little ribbons wrapped around the end of this book. At it's conclusion, we have the reappearance of an old nemesis, and another who we can't quite figure out, yet. And by the book's end, Raphael is sitting beside one of them as if nothing ever happened. Not me! I'd still be trying to shoot her full of angelfire.
Guess, that's just me :-)
Anyway, still loving the series, and looking forward to Dmitri's story, next. I think it'll be fun to watch him fall in love after all the trouble he causes Elena.
February 18, 2013
Great Expectations
Recently, I had a conversation with my brother about "great expectations." Not the book, but about our expectations for ourselves as compared to what our parents hoped for us, and what he hopes for his children.
We don't come from any sort of traditional family of any kind. No long line of doctors, teachers, firemen, or policemen. Our family is a mixture of it all. We have everything from military men and women to nurses. But, we wondered what did our parents expect.
In this time of Black History Month, I guess we wondered with all of the opportunities now afforded to us, are we taking full advantage of them. Did we make our parents happy?
My brother--married with children--has a degree and is one of the most dedicated and hardest working men (people) I know. Although I'm not married, I do have a few degrees hanging on my wall. But, is that what our parents dreamed of for us?
Of course, I had to ask my parents. Their response was simple. They wanted us to be happy.
Now, what does that mean :-) So, if we lived in cardboard boxes underneath the Memphis/Arkansas bridge, would that be okay? According to my parents, maybe. Maybe we'd pitch tents in their backyard instead.
Early February, I spoke on a panel at a local library for Black History Month. And looking into the audience to see my mother quiet and smiling. It definitely reassured me that I chose the right path. I'm much happier writing and not living in a cardboard box underneath a bridge, or in a tent in my parents' backyard. And I think, just maybe my brother and I may have met their hopeful expectations :-)
We don't come from any sort of traditional family of any kind. No long line of doctors, teachers, firemen, or policemen. Our family is a mixture of it all. We have everything from military men and women to nurses. But, we wondered what did our parents expect.
In this time of Black History Month, I guess we wondered with all of the opportunities now afforded to us, are we taking full advantage of them. Did we make our parents happy?
My brother--married with children--has a degree and is one of the most dedicated and hardest working men (people) I know. Although I'm not married, I do have a few degrees hanging on my wall. But, is that what our parents dreamed of for us?
Of course, I had to ask my parents. Their response was simple. They wanted us to be happy.
Now, what does that mean :-) So, if we lived in cardboard boxes underneath the Memphis/Arkansas bridge, would that be okay? According to my parents, maybe. Maybe we'd pitch tents in their backyard instead.
Early February, I spoke on a panel at a local library for Black History Month. And looking into the audience to see my mother quiet and smiling. It definitely reassured me that I chose the right path. I'm much happier writing and not living in a cardboard box underneath a bridge, or in a tent in my parents' backyard. And I think, just maybe my brother and I may have met their hopeful expectations :-)
February 17, 2013
#GuestAuthor Christy Gissendaner
The title of this book intrigued me from the moment that I read it :-) "A Hot Mess"
I've been to Vegas several times, and I love it! It's definitely not a city for the faint of heart!
Visit Romancing the Pen, this week my guest is Christy Gissendaner. She'll discuss her book "A Hot Mess," and it's inspiration -- Vegas!
A Hot Mess Blurb:Caitlyn Myers elopes to Vegas on a spur of the moment decision, but once there she is abandoned by her heartless fiancé. With no money, and her luggage lost at the airport, she calls the one person she knows will help her.
Dylan Russell has known Caitlyn since she was a scruffy tomboy. He’s watched her mature into a ravishing woman and has kept his desire for her a secret … until now. Valentine’s Day in Vegas provides the dazzling backdrop for seduction as Dylan shows Caitlyn that not all loves are messy.
I've been to Vegas several times, and I love it! It's definitely not a city for the faint of heart!
Visit Romancing the Pen, this week my guest is Christy Gissendaner. She'll discuss her book "A Hot Mess," and it's inspiration -- Vegas!
A Hot Mess Blurb:Caitlyn Myers elopes to Vegas on a spur of the moment decision, but once there she is abandoned by her heartless fiancé. With no money, and her luggage lost at the airport, she calls the one person she knows will help her.Dylan Russell has known Caitlyn since she was a scruffy tomboy. He’s watched her mature into a ravishing woman and has kept his desire for her a secret … until now. Valentine’s Day in Vegas provides the dazzling backdrop for seduction as Dylan shows Caitlyn that not all loves are messy.
