Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 30

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Donna Steele

 They’re back from the past, but so much has changed
Thanks Nancy for having me over! I’m excited about my latest release – A Different Time. I’ve always enjoyed time travel, from books to movies to TV. But there was always that “don’t mess with the time line!!” warning. So, what if you ignore that warning and try to improve things?
That was the premise for Another Time . Dusty and Dee didn’t know how they got to 1891 or whether or not they’d ever get home. So why not make improvements, emphasize a few things that could make life better?
Now they’re back in the present to see all of the changes their hints have wrought – and there’s a ton of them. A Different Time , released June 20, is their struggle to adapt once again to a time they don’t recognize. People are missing, or changed, and some outside force seems to be affecting a lot of people—Dee most of all.
A Different Time is my second book with Soul Mate Publishing, and the second in the Guardians of Now Series. The third book – A New Time – is under construction now.
I love writing paranormal and science fiction. There are no restrictions to where your mind can go. As a pantser I’m often surprised at where my characters lead me, so I can enjoy the journey as you can. Here’s a snippet for you…
Excerpt from A Different Time Dusty kept a protective eye on Dee as she readied for their wedding. She appeared calm, almost serene which was remarkable given last night’s events.Now he had a greater understanding of Dee’s reluctance to contact her mother and stepfather, though neither had been aware of the true extent of the circumstances prior to the dinner. The whole thing had been worse than he had envisioned, and he hated to see her deal with such a mess. Wasn’t a woman supposed to be happy on her wedding day, with her mother around to support and indulge her?Maybe he’d never given weddings in general any thought, but he wanted Dee happy.They’d discussed the whole “not seeing the bride before the wedding” superstition, but under these circumstances decided they could chance it. Besides, helping with her zipper—and again assuring her the pregnancy did not show—seemed to steady both of them.She’d chosen a creamy dress that came to her knees and made her pale complexion glow. Beads were sewn all around the top of the dress, and she’d left her hair down. Dusty saw a few beads winking here and there through the thick strands, redder than ever probably due to all the time they’d spent out of doors in the past.He had not one qualm about marrying her. The uncertainty came from who might show up at the gardens as witness. Ben and his father were the two they wanted at their sides. No one else.“Are you ready?” Dee asked, breaking into his thoughts.“More than you can know.” He kissed her knuckles and she blushed.Blushed.They hadn’t made love last night, in anticipation of their wedding night as well as the fact they were both emotionally and physically exhausted from the evening. He might’ve held her too tightly most of the night but she hadn’t complained. Neither had slept much, though she drifted off for a long nap around three.As Dusty finished donning his best suit, he couldn’t help but miss his friends from Braddock’s Crossing—and wonder how Caleb, proprietor extraordinaire from the town Mercantile, would have dressed him for this occasion.
Buy Link:
Amazon

My Review of the 1st book, Another Time (posted on Goodreads) I just finished reading this author's book and could not put it down. Another Time, a story I have read front to back without stopping, starts out hot and steamy. What happens the 'day after a one-night stand' to the characters, Dusty and Dee, gets more and more action-packed and incredible. The characters don't know each other, but they're all they have to hold onto in this strange time. The writing is crisp, clean, and makes me see the odd world Dee and Dusty fall into from their eyes.  
She was the girl at the party who was yearning for the quiet corner and a book to read (go Rory Gilmore!), and has been writing in her head since she learned to read. Getting those stories down on paper (or in her laptop) has been more fun than she ever imagined it could be. The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn her and she's read them all, there just needed to be a little more romance in them. She finally got up the courage to write them herself and is delighted to be able to share these stories with you.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. Connect with her here:
WEBSITE    FACEBOOK     TWITTER

Pre-Order HEAVEN SENT WARRIOR!

The story begins in the  Rodin Garden  at the beautiful NC Museum of Art in Raleigh  

Asleep inside a bronze statue, a naked Frenchman wakes a century later to save a half-Fae art museum curator from a demon bent on ruling our present-day world.








My 24th book will be released by Soul Mate Publishing on Wednesday July 18th.
Book BlurbHenrí Chevalier's last memory, before stumbling naked into a museum’s moonlit garden, was Auguste Rodin and his dusty Paris studio in 1886. To escape his broken heart, Henrí volunteered to sleep inside a statue until needed. Expecting to die, he discovers he must learn to use the unexpected powers Heaven has given him. Without them he will fail his mission against otherworldly creatures, such as demons and faeries. 

Kenzie Mackintosh, a dedicated art museum's curator, spies a naked man hiding among bronze statues. A quick glance ignites desire within her, but she is too tied-up in work to act on it. Unaware of her fae heritage, their relationship heats up as he disrupts her job. While Henrí tries to process modern buildings, cars, and a broken elevator, a demon attacks and forces Henrí and Kenzie to enlist the aid of her powerful fae relatives. When the demon possesses the body of her ex-lover and threatens to kill him, then use her to take over the world, Henrí and Kenzie must learn to trust each other, even if Kenzie’s death might be the only answer to the world’s salvation.




PRE-ORDER HERE
Amazon       Amazon UK    Amazon CAN    Amazon NL   Amazon FRANCE Amazon AUS  coming soon!Amazon PRINT:  coming soon!

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Belle Ami

Belle Ami, who stopped by to share her new release, hooked me with the title and gorgeous cover. Take it away, Belle Ami! Will her visions lead her to the truth?I'm so excited to tell you about my new release, The Girl Who Knew da Vinci, which was released June 1st. It's a romantic suspense thriller with a supernatural twist. It's also the first book in my new OUT OF TIME Thriller Series.
BLURB: Art historian Angela Renatus is haunted by dreams of Leonardo da Vinci and a mysterious painting of Giuliano Medici and his mistress Fioretta Gorini. A painting that, as far as the world knows, doesn't exist. Compelled by her visions, Angela is determined to find out the truth.When Angela is contacted by art detective Alex Caine, she's shocked to learn that he too is seeking the same painting. Alex's client, a wealthy German financier, is determined to clear the name of his late uncle, Gerard Jaeger, an art historian, who went missing in Florence, during World War II. In letters written before his disappearance, the historian describes his love affair with a beautiful young Italian woman named Sophia Caro, and the discovery of an extraordinary painting by the great master himself-a painting depicting Giuliano and Fioretta. Angela and Alex journey to Florence in search of the priceless treasure. Is it a lost da Vinci, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, or a wild goose-chase that will only lead to a dead end? But someone else is searching for the elusive painting-Alberto Scordato is a powerful man in the art world and a sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even murder. Scordato knows something about Angela that even she doesn't know, something that could threaten both Angela and Alex's lives, forcing them into the crosshairs of fate.
Excerpt from The Girl Who Knew da Vinci

Florence, ItalyUffizi GalleryAugust 3, 1944 
Sophia Caro was scared, but not half as scared as she should be. The world was at war and she was in love with a German officer. She covered her ears as another explosion rocked the building, pressing closer into the arms of her lover, Gerhard Jaeger. Had it only been a few hours? It felt like the Germans had been bombing for days.“Florence will never be the same,” she whispered brokenly. After each detonation, the Uffizi Gallery strained and shuddered as if struck by an earthquake.Gerhard held her tighter, shielding her with his body. “It will my darling, you’ll see.”They planned to escape from Florence. Gerhard, who was no Nazi, would desert. If captured he’d be lined up before a firing squad. Adding to her worries were her brothers who were partisans fighting the Nazis. She and Gerhard were set to flee back home to her family vineyard in the Tuscan hills. She’d be lucky if her brothers didn’t shoot Gerhard first and ask questions later. Time had run out and the man she loved with her heart and soul was prepared to risk everything for her and their unborn child.Another round of blasts shook the building. Huddling in the long central gallery of the Uffizi, dust and pieces of the frescoed ceiling rained down around them.“The ceiling! What if the building collapses?” Sophia couldn’t control the panic that seized her. Blistering heat and falling debris made it impossible to breathe.“We’ll be fine Sophia. The Uffizi has stood for nearly five hundred years. It will stand for another five hundred, I’m sure.” Gerhard kissed her forehead. “Longer than that bastard Hitler. It makes me ashamed and sick to be a German.”Sophia lay her hand against his cheek. “You’re an academic, an art historian, not a soldier. You’d do anything to protect Florence’s art treasures. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”“Have I done enough?” Deep lines etched his face.A massive blast brought another shower of plaster, covering them in a fine veil of white dust.“Heaven help us. When will it stop?” Sophia buried her face in his chest.“It won’t stop until the bridges are demolished. Even for the industrious Germans that could take most of the night.”Sophia covered her ears to muffle another round of successive blasts. “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.” She crossed herself, wondering if God would listen to the pleas of a now-and-again Catholic. She felt a trickle of sweat roll down her cheek. Gerhard pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it away.“Amore mio, I promise you it will end by dawn. My contact, Deiter, assured me that the Ponte Vecchio will not be destroyed. When they’ve finished bringing down the rest of the bridges the explosions will cease. Then you and I will leave this nightmare of a war behind.”A series of booms echoed again through the city and the reality of their situation returned. She held her stomach, protecting the small bump that protruded.He covered her hand with his. “I hope you packed something substantial for our journey, my love. You need to keep up your strength for our child’s sake. Besides which,” he said, “I’d hate to be arrested for a grumbling stomach.”“This is Italy,” she said with a quirk of her lips. “We aren’t going to die of starvation.” She looked around. “What have you done with the painting?”“I had to cut it from its frame,” he said with a grimace. “I wrapped it in tissue paper and rolled it paint side out. Then I rolled it in lamb’s wool and fit it in a thick cardboard tube. I think it should be safe from the elements. My backpack is waterproof.”She knew he’d do anything to keep her and their unborn child safe, but the painting worried her. It seemed to her an unnecessary risk to take a painting from the Uffizi, even if he meant only to keep it safe. It was a bone of contention between them.“It’s twenty-seven kilometers south of Florence to my family’s vineyard in Montefioralle. I’m afraid much of it is uphill.”“We’re young and strong, Sophia. If I have to carry you up a mountain, I will. It should take us about six hours to walk twenty-seven kilometers; we can manage that. Didn’t you say the area is famous for its Chianti?”“The best Chianti and the most beautiful village in Italy. You will never want to leave.”“Sounds like a good place to wait out the war, a glass of wine in hand, a bambino on my lap, and a goddess in my bed. The perfect place for us to begin our new life.” He drew her close and caressed her abdomen.It seemed impossible that amid the chaos of war their child had been conceived. She hadn’t meant it to happen and feared he’d think she’d entrapped him. But when she told him, he was overjoyed, professing his excitement to be a father. She knew, then, that his love for her was true.Sometime after dawn, the explosions ceased and the Uffizi Gallery grew quiet. Gerhard had kept his military uniform on until the last second. But now the die had been cast and it was time to escape. He discarded his uniform and donned the clothes of a civilian. Sophia straightened his collar while he stuffed the fake identity papers into his pocket.“Well, Giorgio Bandini, accountant from Pisa, are you ready to begin the next phase of your life?”He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her. “So long as I’m allowed to make love every night to the most desirable woman in the world. Shall we go, angelo mio.”Sophia knew the Vasari Corridor like the back of her hand. If need be, she could walk it blindfolded. The concealed passageway above the bridge would be their escape route. She gave silent thanks to the clever Duke Cosimo I de’Medici who, in 1565, had ordered Giorgio Vasari to build the secret corridor. It allowed the Medici family to travel from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti in safety and privacy. During the five years Sophia had worked at the Uffizi, instead of walking the crowded Ponte Vecchio below, she’d chosen to walk the three-quarter mile from the Uffizi to the Pitti in privacy, just as the Medici family had.Holding a candle for her, Gerhard followed her through the unmarked secret door near the Botticelli room and down a flight of stairs. She unlocked another door and, after he passed through it, she locked it behind her. The minute the door shut, it was as if the air changed. The eerie silence was disconcerting after the hours of continuous bombings.“Don’t worry, it always feels like you’ve entered another world,” she said.“Cooler. I’ll take it.” He shifted the heavy backpack to his other shoulder.Taking his hand, she led him through the twists and turns of the corridor. “Before the war these walls were hung with Medici portraits. Now they’re hidden in storage vaults. The war has altered the world forever.”“Not forever, amore mio." 
Buy links:Amazon Kindle       AmazonBooks    
More About Belle Ami writes intriguing romantic/suspense/thrillers with a teaspoon of sex. A self-confessed newsjunky she loves to create cutting-edge stories about politics, espionage, and redemptive love. She is a Kathryn McBride scholar of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Writing, cooking, spinning, hiking, boxing, and skiing are her passions.

She is the author of The Only One series, The One (#1), and The One & More (#2). Her third in the series titled One More Time is Not Enough, was published July 13th, 2016. She was honored to be included in the RWA LARA Christmas Anthology Holiday Ever After featuring her short story The Christmas Encounter. Her next series entitled The Tip of the Spear begins with Escape, published January 10, 2017. The sequel to Escape, entitled Vengeance was published September 12, 2017.
The Girl Who Knew da Vinci is her latest release. It’s an intriguing romance/paranormal/thriller. She is currently working on book three of The Tip of the Spear Series, titled Ransom.She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, a horse named Cindy Crawford, and her brilliant Chihuahua, Giorgio Armani. Connect with her here:
WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER  @belleami5  

HEAVEN-SENT WARRIOR Cover Reveal!

Asleep inside a bronze statue, a naked Frenchman wakes a century later to save a half-Fae art museum curator from a demon bent on ruling our present-day world. My 24th book will be released by Soul Mate Publishing on Wednesday July 18th.Since it is now available for PRE-ORDER, here is the beautiful cover.


Book BlurbHenrí Chevalier's last memory, before stumbling naked into a museum’s moonlit garden, was Auguste Rodin and his dusty Paris studio in 1886. To escape his broken heart, Henrí volunteered to sleep inside a statue until needed. Expecting to die, he discovers he must learn to use the unexpected powers Heaven has given him. Without them he will fail his mission against otherworldly creatures, such as demons and faeries. 

Kenzie Mackintosh, a dedicated art museum's curator, spies a naked man hiding among bronze statues. A quick glance ignites desire within her, but she is too tied-up in work to act on it. Unaware of her fae heritage, their relationship heats up as he disrupts her job. While Henrí tries to process modern buildings, cars, and a broken elevator, a demon attacks and forces Henrí and Kenzie to enlist the aid of her powerful fae relatives. When the demon possesses the body of her ex-lover and threatens to kill him, then use her to take over the world, Henrí and Kenzie must learn to trust each other, even if Kenzie’s death might be the only answer to the world’s salvation.

The story begins in the Rodin Garden at the beautiful  NC Museum of Art in Raleigh
PRE-ORDER HERE
Amazon       Amazon UK    Amazon CAN    Amazon NL  Amazon AUS  coming soon!Amazon PRINT:  coming soon!

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Janeen Swart

Please welcome Janeen Swart! She stopped by to share the release of her latest book. Take it away, Janeen!
THE HIDDEN TRUTH is a young adult romance novel written in third person from several different viewpoints. Throughout the book, the characters intertwine into a sweet love triangle along with an underlying plot involving the issues of man-made environmental change. THE HIDDEN TRUTH was published by Soul Mate Publishing in Kindle edition on May 2nd and is available on Kindle at Amazon.
Book Blurb  After being struck by lightning while jogging, Clara’s dreams cause her to question the issues of DNA changes, cloning, and genetically modifying food. In her dreams she visits an environmentally perfect world where an angel-like being tells her to watch for a sign. While Clara searches for answers, her boyfriend, Brian, becomes active in demonstrations against a local biophysics company, named aptly, New Nature. Clara convinces her Science Club to begin a project to confront this company to make them more accountable. She and John, a new friend, vow to do their part, using peaceful strategies. Brian’s jealousy results in several uncomfortable incidents between the three teens. Things go awry when a few of the Science Club members go beyond simple investigation by breaking into the company, then later sabotaging the company’s biosphere. What’s even more troublesome is the fact that Clara suspects her ex may be the one behind the crimes. Relationships and beliefs are tested as Clara searches out the truth. In the end, her questions are answered, but at a cost, she hadn’t anticipated.
Excerpt from THE HIDDEN TRUTH Brian jumped in and turned the key. The ignition ground, but started. As soon as Doug left, Melanie scrambled into the passenger side and said, “Let’s go. Doug can find his own way back. We don’t need him anymore.” “No, we’re not leaving him. He’s the one who got us in there like you wanted.”“Me? What happened to ‘We’ve got to do something about this company’? You were just as much in favor of this. You’ve gotten soft because you’re afraid Clara will find out,” said Melanie.“You’re wrong. I was hoping we could find something, so we could get it out to the public.”“Oh, right. Then Clara would look at you again with those adoring eyes.” Melanie grunted. Brian leaned back against the headrest, waiting. She was right.Doug’s image materialized in the rearview mirror. He was running toward the car, arms waving. Twenty feet behind him, two other figures sprinted their way. “Open the back door,” Brian yelled at Melanie. She leaned over the front seat and pushed the door open just as Doug reached the car. Brian put the car in gear with his foot on the brake, ready to take off. Doug fell in, slammed the door behind him and Brian tromped on the gas. Tires squealed and a faint smell of burnt rubber entered the car’s open window. One of the guards grabbed at the door handle but had to relinquish the chase as the car sped away. Please God, don’t let them see the license number or shoot.“Good thing I covered the license plate with foil,” said Melanie.Brian just stared ahead, saying a thank you prayer. Melanie watched behind. “No one’s following. You can slow down.”   They drove several more blocks and Brian asked, “Did you get the power inverter?”“No. When I went inside, I heard the guards coming and I had to make a run for it,” said Doug.
Find the Book here:  AMAZON    SOULMATE Publishing

More About Janeen Swart After marrying in the beginning of my junior year of college, I still hadn’t decided on a major, mostly because I hadn’t really planned this stage of my life really well. My husband suggested teaching, something I had never thought I wanted to do, but as I got into the education classes, it became another love; the first being my friend and life-partner. I taught  third grade for twenty-five years. While teaching and reading many children’s books, there was always  that little voice that said, maybe I could write books as good as these. But of course, life moves on and there was never enough time in a day with a full time job, being secretary for our business, two busy boys to care for, and various animals, too.
After retiring from teaching at age fifty-five, it was time to move forward with my dream of writing. I took two online courses from The Institute of Children’s Literature and a Children’s Writing Course through Indiana University Northwest. Now I thought I was ready and would soon see my stories in print. After many rejection letters, A DOG AND HIS BOY, was published through a small Christian publisher. I self-published my other five children’s books using Create Space and they are all available on Amazon. During this same time I had joined an online critique group and through that group, my young adult novel, THE HIDDEN TRUTH, became a reality. I submitted it to Soul Mate Publishers and was ecstatic when I received my contract to publish it as an e-book. My experience with the Soul Mate authors has been awesome. Connect with me here:
BOOKBUB    Facebook   Twitter @JaneenSwart
Amazon Author Page     Goodreads  
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Nancy Lee Badger Presents D.R. Grady

D.R.Grady stopped by to share her new release and to talk about her writing. Take it away!
Seeking: Warrior King is a short (50K words) fantasy romance. It is my twenty-first book and is also my first foray into fantasy romance. A genre I haven’t explored yet. This book came about from battery ad, then I dreamed about it, and I had to write the story.
Book 2 is written, entitled Seeking: Maiden Queen and is in the final stages of editing. No release date yet, but anyone wanting more info can visit my website and join my newsletter for up-to-date information and be the first to know.
I also write contemporary romance—some with suspense elements (The Morrison Family series or my “nerd” series), romantic suspense (The Me Series) and paranormal romance (The Dragon Chronicles Series).
Book Blurb:
With her beloved mother dying, Crown Princess Raene of Montequirst must prepare to be queen andchoose a husband within hours of the death. By law, he must be the greatest warrior in the land. The only man who fits that description, who she can tolerate, is her friend and mentor, Vidar the Loyal. He’s a member of the elite Aasguard warriors, who have never married in their centuries of existence.
While the mightiest men of the nation circle Raene in an attempt to boost their own rank and wealth, a neighboring country is also making plans against Montequirst. With the aid of his clumsy dragon companion, Vidar has been teaching Raene to wield her legendary sword in order to defend her throne. Meanwhile, they’re both battling an attraction neither understands.
Can they possibly break the age-old traditions that bind them and choose their heart’s desire?
Excerpt from Seeking: Warrior King
   “Come no further.” The command was uttered in the graveled tones of two rocks rubbing together.   It sent a skitter of something other than fear down her spine. She stepped closer.   Indeed, nothing could have prevented her from doing so.   The warrior straightened his massive length. “This is forbidden.” His inflection didn’t change, but his burning silver eyes pierced her. They glowed as though they saw far more than the outward. A shiver undulated down her spine.   He squared his shoulders, hand resting on his sword hilt, on the balls of his feet.   His shadow is bigger than me.   Her second gulp was audible.   Yet if she didn’t set her course now... Retreat ceased to be an option, despite the way her heart pounded too loudly in her ears.   Eyes narrowing, Raene drew her sword. Although she hadn’t practiced nearly like she should have, the weapon flowed from the sheath with deadly precision.    The warrior sighed deep. When he drew his sword, the echo of metal on old leather made sweat pool along her spine. His hand clasped the hilt with practiced ease, as though sword and hand were one.   By the time he countered her opening thrust, her heart had jumped into her mouth.   Fighting in this manner is beyond us, her inner voice yelped. This is a true warrior. We cannot hope to battle this one and win.   But she gritted her teeth and parried his forward blow. I am not here to win. Not at this juncture. The need to defend herself, to learn all she could, set her jaw.   Perhaps I am a novice, but we continue, she stated in determined tones to her skeptical self. This needed doing, so they would do it.   His lazy counter sent pain ricocheting up her arm. She breathed through the pain, and offered up her best defensive move. While clumsy and weak, she did remain on her feet.   The only advantage she had proved to be her size. The delightful muscles bunching and releasing with his every movement were pretty, but their sheer girth proved a hindrance to him.   She ducked under his sword and jabbed with a small dance that came naturally to her.   He backpedaled to block the blow, but it had been close. He eyed her with a tinge of respect.   Although both knew she was not up to his skill in any way.   When he didn’t pierce her with the sharp end of his sword for the second time, she realized he had another advantage. He had no intention of killing her. Even though he was supposed to.   Wiping away the blinding sweat, she stumbled a few steps back to peer up into his face.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon     Google Play     Smashwords
Barnes and Noble   *PRINT due out soon!
More About the Author D.R. Grady is the author of over twenty clean romance novels. She lives with her husband near Hershey, PA and adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes. Oh, and writing clean stories that resonate with others. Connect with her here:
Website      Amazon Author page     
Twitter  @drgradybooks     Facebook 
Instagram      Google+  D.R. Gradybooks    

Memorial Day is More Than Barbeques

Ever since the US Government moved Memorial Day to always fall on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day has turned into a four-day holiday. Yep, lots of folks also take the previous Friday off from their workday responsibilities, and head to the mountains or the beach. Our family tends to stick around and share a meal, usually on the grill.

Joseph Abner Bean , a relative who died in Libby PrisonThis does not mean we should forget what this holiday memorializes!

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States to remember those who died while serving in our armed forces. The holiday this year will be held on May 28, 2018, and marks the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. The holiday is a day to visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many place American flags on graves or along their properties. 
Hubby will lower our flag until noon. Sometime this weekend will will gather to share a meal while remembering those we have lost. How about you?
Nancy Lee Badger

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Joanne Guidoccio

Author Joanne Guidoccio stopped by to share intimate details about her life AND her latest book. Take it away, Joanne!
While imagining the protagonist of the Gilda Greco Mystery Series, I realized she could easily be my literary twin. In fact, I like to tell people that Gilda Greco is 70 percent of me. As to how I came up with that particular number, let’s just say my well-honed left brain did all the work.
Our similarities...Italian Canadian, born and raised in Sudbury, relocated to Southern Ontario, mathematics teachers, career development practitioners, yoga enthusiasts, non-foodies.
One major difference...Gilda won a $19 million lottery. I’m still hoping!
Blurb  While not usually a big deal, one overlooked email would haunt teacher Gilda Greco. Had she read it, former student Sarah McHenry might still be alive.

Suspecting foul play, Constable Leo Mulligan plays on Gilda’s guilt and persuades her to participate in a séance facilitated by one of Canada’s best-known psychics. Six former students also agree to participate. At first cooperative and willing, their camaraderie is short-lived as old grudges and rivalries emerge. The séance is a bust.

Determined to solve Sarah’s murder, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers shocking revelations that could put several lives—including her own—in danger. Can Gilda and the psychic solve this case before the killer strikes again?
Excerpt Jim whistled. “You sure don’t like it easy. With all your millions, you’d think this crap could somehow miss landing on you. But you do seem to attract it.” He chuckled. “Might be something to address with a therapist or maybe the psychic you’ve just met.”
“I didn’t just meet Cassandra. I got to know her and her parents very well during those seven months I taught in Parry Sound. They’re good people.” I could tell by his tone that he was dismissive of Cassandra’s psychic powers. While I was also skeptical, I did feel the urge to defend her. She had been so sincere and so open. I couldn’t fathom the notion of Cassandra faking or putting on the airs of a psychic. It wasn’t in her nature to be deceitful.
“I’m sure they are,” Jim said. “But let’s face some facts here. Most psychics need to make a living. I don’t doubt this lady has some intuitive ability—as many women do—but I don’t think it’s enough to catch a murderer. The constable is grasping at straws. What did you say his name was?”
“Leo. Leo Mulligan.”
“Tall, dark-haired guy. Good-looking and a bit of a rascal.”             “He’s evolved.” I immediately regretted my response. Knowing Jim, he would pounce and tease me.
“And you’re interested,” Jim said, chuckling. “What does your boyfriend think about this cozy reunion you’re having with a more evolvedconstable?”
Want More? Click to see the Trailer HERE
Buy Links:   Amazon (Canada)      Amazon (United States) 
Kobo     Indigo      Barnes & Noble 
iTunes     The Wild Rose Press
Giveaway: Click on the Rafflecopter link HERE for your chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Bio In 2008, Joanne Guidoccio took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.  Where to find Joanne Guidoccio:
Website      Twitter      Facebook

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Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Alicia Hope

Alicia Hope stopped by to tell us about her life AND her latest book. Take it away, Alicia!

This is Alicia Hope saying g'day from sunny Queensland, Australia. Yes, that's right, I live where it's beautiful one day and perfect the next (except when it's being buffeted by cyclones of course)!  One of the state's sunniest spots - maybe the sunniest in the whole country - is the setting for my book, The Long Road to Loving Grayson, a rural romance and my best seller. This story clamoured for release, its scenes coming to me faster than I could type - and I pride myself on having flying fingers! 

I wrote Grayson just after returning to the coast from the remote north west of the state, where I worked in a Human Resources role, like Maggie in the story. Also like Maggie, I found living remote to be a new and quite wonderful experience, which is partly why I simply HAD to write this story. Grayson is one of my first books but still the one closest to my heart, a piece of which I left in the 'warm heart of Australia'. :)

Blurb:  Being in love with one man but married to another isn't something uber-capable HR officer Maggie could have prepared herself for; and when civil engineer Grayson travels to a remote Queensland town to relieve for six weeks, he isn't expecting to have to summon the Flying Doctors, survive a tropical cyclone, or lose his heart. So when he finally sets off on the journey back home, neither of them realises that Maggie is also on the road ... the long road to loving Grayson. And there are plenty of roadblocks and obstacles to be negotiated on Australia's outback highways, so they’d better buckle up! 
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Bio: Alicia Hope lives in Queensland, Australia, with her author husband and their two pet birds, her much-loved muses. Bass playing, scuba diving, bird and horse loving Alicia lives on coastal acreage dotted with Australia’s famous gum trees and frequented by the wildlife she adores. Her feel-good stories are mostly set in Australia, with many of them inspired by her love of the land and the natural world. She likes to imagine readers curled up and engrossed in one her books on a rainy afternoon, or any time!Once you choose HOPE, anything is possible....
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How I will Spend Mother's Day

I have no idea how I will spend Mother's Day. Do I spend money and go out to eat; buy take-out and enjoy it in front of the TV, or nap all day?

My older son and his partner live a thousand miles away, so a card or a phone call from them will make me smile.

My youngest should be home from his travels and I assume (should I) that he will spend a little time with me.


My mom lives 550+ miles away, and the card is in the mail, and the flowers will be delivered today. Hope she enjoys them. I have told family not to give me flowers, as the cat ends up eating them then puking them all over the carpet.

Sigh.

So, if you are a mom or have a mom, make May 13th a special day. And...
if you want me to be happy, buy one of my books!




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