Krista Ames's Blog, page 70

It's All About the Book 'DECEMBER' with Linda Oatman High + #giveaway

Please welcome Linda Oatman High with an Interview all about her new release December !!

It’s All About the Book…
Please tell us about your current or upcoming release. (Title & Blurb)
DECEMBER is a cautionary tale, a dark young adult novel about a new girl in town who gets drawn into a dark vortex of violence. Lake Millay has hopes and dreams . . . until she moves to Lancaster County, PA, and makes friends with the wrong people.

What is this book’s genre?  Is this the genre you usually write in?  Are there any genre’s you haven’t written that you’d like to try?
DECEMBER is realistic fiction/drama, which is the genre in which I usually write. I’d like to try my hand at a mystery one day, along the lines of “Gone Girl” or “The Girl on the Train”

What inspired you to write this book?
The bullying/stalking murder of my cousin’s 16-year-old daughter Laurie Show, which happened in December of 1991 in Lancaster County, PA. Laurie was stalked and bullied for months before she was killed by three teens.
How did you pick its title?  Did it come first or did you have to write the story first? The title came easily. Laurie was killed on December 20th, 5 days before Christmas, and the cold dark of December always makes me think of her. I can’t hear the first Christmas song of the season or see a lighted tree without being flooded with grief for my cousin Hazel, Laurie’s mother. December has never been the same since 1991.

How did you create your characters?  Did you use any real life people in their making? I created my characters from my feelings about the real crime that took Laurie’s life. They are fictional, but based upon a true crime. In creating the protagonist Lake Millay, I wanted to be sure to make her a sympathetic and likeable character, which was a challenge. Also challenging was writing about the killers, Brit and Seth, who come across as pretty evil in the book. That was unavoidable, I think, because of my own connection to the story and my still-strong emotions. In the end, I believe that writing the story turned out to be a lesson in forgiveness for me.

Who is your favorite character of this book and why?
My favorite character is Holly McGinnis, who is based upon Laurie Show. She is love and light and all that’s good.

What is your favorite part of this book?  Can you share an excerpt from that part?
My favorite part of DECEMBER is probably near the end, when Lake has been in prison for 20 years and she is reflecting upon her life.            There are things I especially like to remember:  the old silver gazing globe, flowers exploding in blooms of color, the clanking of wind chimes, trees in breeze, driving, petting dogs and cats, Jesus bugs walking on water, the clucking of chickens, bird song.  Picking cherries, mowing grass, swimming in the cool creek, catching fireflies and lettting them loose again.  Setting them free.  These are the good memories.  I open The Life Book of Lake Millay, and there’s the flower that Brit gave me on the day we met.  If only I could have known when she handed me the red flower that it was the beginning of the downfall of the almost-once-normal life of Lake Amanda Millay, things might have been different.  I wish that gazing globe had been a crystal ball showing me the future.  This future.I take out that dried flower, now brown, and I remember how it was once bright-red and fragrant.  I lift the flower to my nose, and of course it has no smell. When the wind blows just right, in the spring and summertime, I can smell flowers.  When I get out of here – if I get out of here – I’m going to plant flowers in honor of Holly.  Yellow, the color of hope.  I’ll plant some yellow flowers and I’ll get some ducks and a dog and I’ll live my life, because that’s what people do . . . if they’re lucky.            I crumble the dried-up flower from Brit between my fingers, turning it to dust on the floor of this frigid cell.  I’m 37, and it’s December . . . again.

What was the hardest part of this book to write? Can you share an excerpt from that part?
The book opens with the murder scene, which is very much as it really happened. It was the hardest part to write, and I literally felt physically ill while doing so.Brit has a knife.  A knife, not scissors but a knife, a sharp knife, a long knife, silver and black-handled, pointy and hard in her red-nailed hand, and holy shit, Brit has a freaking knife flashing out of that backpack she carried in to Holly’s house when we pushed through the door and into this house and pinned Holly to her bedroom floor.  I thought we were coming here just to cut her hair, to chop Holly’s shiny red hair that’s still wet from her morning shower and smells like shampoo, but Brit has a knife, a knife, her knuckles are white.  Seth is trying to hold Holly’s ankles but Holly kicks hard and she’s fighting and kicking and beside Seth Brit is screaming. I’m pregnant, hold her legs, she’s kicking my stomach.   Seth’s pressing his whole body against Holly’s legs, her kicking legs in pink flannel pajamas.   His head is bent, and his earring – a silver cross – falls out and it’s on Holly.  Hold her head her arms she screams at me, and Brit leans forward with the knife and her eyes are wild weird crazy blue, wide, and there’s spit on her lips and it drips and I’m frozen, so frozen.   I scream STOP but it’s inside my mind and it won’t come out and my throat and my heart and my skin melt melt melt and I’m numb and I wonder is this really happening is this real or is it a dream and how can this be.  Get her head Brit screams again and I can’t move but I do I do and I get Holly’s head and there’s blood. 
Did you have any special rhythm or quirks while writing this? DECEMBER was my creative thesis at Vermont College of Fine Arts, so my rhythm was that of the semesters of earning my MFA in Writing. I’m quirky all the time (so my family would tell you), so there are no special “writing quirks” that I can share.
v Is this a stand-alone book or is it part of a series?  If so, we want to hear about it and what’s next in the series.  If not a series, what comes next to be released? DECEMBER is a stand-alone book. It was difficult to dive back into the memories and emotions of Laurie Show’s death, and I would not want to write a sequel. The story is over; Laurie’s life on earth ended with the crime of December 20th, 1991, and my goal in writing the story was to prevent bullying/stalking from happening to other teens. It is indeed a cautionary tale, without a typical plot arc or happy ending.

* * * * *


DECEMBERLinda Oatman High
Contemporary YA Romance/Bullying, 54k



~Editor's Pick~
Lake Millay has goals, hopes, and dreams...until she moves to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and becomes ensnared in a vortex of violence. 

Bullying and stalking become Lake’s life, and ultimately the destroyer of her dreams.

A cautionary tale based on the true story of Laurie Show, murdered by three teens in 1991.






Buy Links:    Evernight Teen     Amazon    ARe



Excerpt:
 “This gazing globe’s really old, like from the 1800s.  People believed that a witch couldn’t sneak up on you when you were looking into the dome.”   The voice comes from nowhere and from everywhere, and an electric bolt of fear buzzes through my body.  My heart thunders, filling my chest and ears.  I’m dizzy, numb with shock, not able to move. Then a face appears––a face––blurring and blending into my own in the rounded silver of the globe.   I scream, filling my body and my heart and my ears, and I leap and fall backwards, banging hard into flesh and bone:  a person.I scream again and fall on my knees in the mud. “HELP!  NO!”“Man.  You’re jumpy.  Sorry if I scared you.”It’s a girl, just a scrawny anorexic-looking girl, about my age, fair-haired and pale, with fake-looking cobalt-colored eyes.  She’s one of those girls with an upturned little nose and perfect teeth.  Flawless complexion.  Makeup.  Teeny-weeny, clean white shorts.  Tanned cheerleaderish legs.I gasp, trying to catch my breath.“You scared the crap out of me.”“Man, you scare easy.”  Knuckles on hips, she cocks her head to the side, pale hair falling over those bright blue eyes.I press my hand to my heart.  Puke climbs up my throat, and then slides back down again.“What are you so jumpy about?  There’s nothing to be scared of around here.  Not like it’s an epicenter for crime.”There are definitely shades of cheerleader in this girl, yet none of that high-pitched perkiness.  Clouds of sadness seem to be leaking from her eyes and her smile and her voice, despite the faultless exterior.  A tiny diamond-like chip glints on her nose. “We don’t even lock our doors around here,” she says.I heave myself to a standing position.  My heart’s still racing in a marathon of terror.“What did you think I was?” the girl asks and I shrug.“A wacko.  Weirdo.  Murderer.  You never know.”She barks out a laugh. “All of the above,” she says.  “You better run.”I try to smile.“Here,” she says, reaching down to pluck a flower. “Peace offering.”  She holds a red-nailed hand toward me––her thumb and finger, daintily holding the stem of the red flower.I take it.   Our fingers graze. “Servants also used these gazing globes to be sneaky and watch their bosses,” the girl says.  “Pretty far-out, huh?”I’m still shaking, but I nod.“Cool shirt.  I can tell that you’re not from around here.”I look down, suddenly super-aware I’m about fifty pounds bigger than this chick.  This makes me irritable, and I shove the red flower into the pocket of my shorts. “What are you doing here, anyway?” I ask.  “Don’t they have laws about trespassing around here?”“Just checking out the new neighbors,” she says with a shrug of bony shoulders.  Her voice is like cornhusk: raspy and rough. “Where’d you come from?”“Over there.”  She points with her sharp little chin.  “Through the field and to the left.  When the corn’s down in the winter, you can actually see our place.”“Okay.”“I’m Brit Dannon,” she says.   “Brit with one T, not two.  You’re the new preacher’s kid, I presume?  Got any pot?”“What?”  I almost laugh. “Got any weed?”“No, I . . . don’t smoke.”“Man.  You really aren’t from around here.  What’s your name, anyway?”“Lake Millay.”  There’s a final feeble clank of thunder, like beaters in an empty metal bowl, and then the sun comes out, shining.  Brit Dannon seems to shimmer:  shiny hair and makeup and nails and that perfect-girl sparkly shirt, with sequins spelling out the word Princess. “Welcome to Badger Gap, Lake Millay,” she says.  “The Center of the Universe!  The most happenin’ location on the planet!  The place that’s going to freaking change your life!” 




About the Author:
Linda Oatman High is an author/journalist/playwright who lives in Lancaster County, PA. She’s published more than 20 books for children and teens, and her books have won many awards and honors, including VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) “Perfect Ten” awards. Linda also writes for adults, and her short story NICKEL MINES HARDWARE, based upon the Amish school shootings of 2006, was honored in England in 2012 with the Sunday Times EFG Short Story award shortlist. Linda holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she presents at schools from K-college both nationally and internationally.
www.lindaoatmanhigh.com   lohigh@frontiernet.net  




Giveaway:  $10 Evernight Teen Gift Certificate and 1 Signed Print Copy


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Happy Release Day to @TL_REEVE with CRAVING CAMEO and a Guest Post !! @Decadentpub

How it all began….
Cameo and Quade are very near and dear to my heart. I have to admit, I never intended for Cameo to be a college kid. I always saw her as a prideful young woman who didn’t want her father’s money and didn’t want his life. Nor the life he would eventually choose for her. She had her best friend Felicia, and they lived together out in the middle of nowhere to keep off the radar. But, there was a bounty out for her. One several men had decided was too good to pass up. 
In the beginning, the book was raunchy to the nth degree. Quade is a very crude man. He saw what he wanted and he took it. But, he never gave Cameo the time of day. In some ways, he put her up on a pedestal to look at from a far, but never touch. Not that he didn’t crave her, he did. For Cameo, Quade represented the life she wanted to leave behind. The life she wanted nothing to do with. I honestly can say, from the very beginning, Cameo and Quade were oil and water, they didn’t mix well. For the life of me, I couldn’t pin her down—never mind him. Where she pushed back against conformity, he didn’t have the faith to take that leap and tell her what he desired. So, I put the story down…did I mention they were humans? 
*Grins* they were.
I worked on several projects in between the time I started Cameo and Quade’s story, and when I picked it back up. Then, one night, I saw a promo for True Blood and I believe a season two box set. It showed a bar and the wolves and I thought…Ah-Ha! Success. But, I still had issues with the story that I had to work out. 
When the first of the ROAR books began to be released, and I read Mischief Mongrels and Mayhem and Phoenix Rising, and I knew I wanted to be a part of the series. 

So, I reinvented Cameo and Quade.
Cameo became an early 20-something college student. Her and her father have a good relationship, even if she didn’t want to take over for him or want the same life as him. Felicia is still her best friend and they attend Washington State University. And on the day the story begins, Fe is looking for an adventure, one her and Cameo will never forget. 




Quade still works for Cameo’s father, Drake Cruz, Alpha and President of the Sentinels. He’s an enforcer and would do everything for Cameo, but he keeps himself apart from her. He knows she is his mate, but he won’t give into the pull. He’s loyal to a fault when it comes to Drake, and he is also twelve years older than Cameo, which is a big obstacle his has to overcome. But, one call from 555-ROAR and he’s trying to keep himself apart from the old feelings which creep up between them.

How will our unlikely duo fair? Well, you’ll just have to read Craving Cameo to find out.


Blurb: The daughter of the Sentinels pack and MC Alpha, Cameo Cruz moved across country to escape her pack—and the wolf she can never have. Making a new life, she embraced her freedom and went to school. One partying night with her best friend shatters her bubble of safety, and she’s forced to do the one thing she swore she never would…ask for help. 
Quade Rainwater lives for his pack and the life the Sentinels Alpha gave him when he took him in. He’d do anything for them, even cut himself off from the she-wolf he’s loved for as long as he’s known her. When all hell breaks loose and someone puts a bounty on his girl, Quade will cross the country to protect her. Unfortunately for him, he’s the last person she wants to see. All he has to do is keep her safe from the bounty hunters, the locals, and himself….


 Buy Links: Amazon / ARE / Kobo /Bookstrand/Googleplay/iBooks/ B&N



Author Bio: TL Reeve, a mulit-published author with Decadent Publishing, Cobblestone Press and Evernight Publishing, was born out of a love of family and a bond that became unbreakable. Living in the south, TL misses Los Angeles and will one day return to the beaches of Southern California to ride the waves at Huntington Beach. When not writing something hot and sexy, TL can be found curled up with a good book, or working on homework with a cute little pixie.
Facebook/Twitter/TSU/Pinterest/Blog

It's All About the Author ~ @EllieAshe and Dropping the Dime !!

It’s All About the Author…
Please tell us 5 interesting facts about yourself that readers might not know about you …I cannot be trusted alone in a pet shelter (three cats… for now).I have worked as a photographer, reporter, lawyer, and now as a writer. I have a short attention span.
What do you like to do in your spare time?Read and write (of course), but I also like to try new recipes in the kitchen and work in my little vegetable garden. I live in an area that allows me to go up to the mountains or to the coast fairly easily, and I’m usually up for a road trip!
Is there one book that you love to read over and over again?  If so, what is it and what is it that keeps you coming back to it?There are only a few books that I return to over and over because there are so many books out there and we only have so much time in this earthly library. But I do tend to come back to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I’ve probably read Mockingbird at least a dozen times over the years. And I’m always ordering a new copy of Good Omens because I give mine out so readily.
How did you get started writing and have you always wanted to be an author?I’ve been writing as along as I can remember, and according to my mother, been telling stories since before that. I think I have always wanted to be an author, and that’s why I tended to gravitate toward careers where storytelling was a strong element.
If you for some reason couldn’t be an author, what would your other choice be?I am in the minority of lawyers who actually like their jobs. I’m happy with my day job, though it would be nice to work less so I could write more.

Did you like school?  Were you a good student?I loved school, if I liked the subject. I excelled at English and social studies and history, but struggled with math and science. I was fortunate to go to a high school with a great selection of literature classes. I didn’t become a good student until I was nearing the end of college, but I did well once I matured enough to pay attention in class (see above answer regarding attention span, lack thereof). By the time I went to law school, I was a very good student.
When you write, is there a specific way you have to write, ie:  certain room, noise or quiet, computer or paper etc…Actually, I’ve found that I work really well in bars. Not at night, when they’re busy and loud, but mid-afternoon when it’s dark and quiet, I can get quite a lot done. I don’t do that too often, though, so when I work at home, I like white noise in the background. There’s a great website called coffitivity.com that plays the sound of a coffee shop and that is just enough noise for me. Sometimes, I’ll use music but nothing with lyrics. Soundtracks are good.
If you could write a collaboration with another author, do you have one in mind and what would you write?I’m talking with a fellow author who writes in a slightly different genre about collaborating on a project, and if we do, it will be a departure for both of us. Can’t say too much yet, but I’m very, very excited about it!How do you come up with your story ideas?  I read newspapers. There’s always something that sparks an idea, something I can grab and run with.
Do titles stump you or do they come easy?  When do you pick a title, before the story is written or when it’s done?
For the Miranda Vaughn Mysteries, once I came up with Chasing the Dollar, the title for book one, it was easy to come up with other ideas for the rest of the series. But it wasn’t easy coming up with that first title. Eventually, I decided that because Miranda’s a financial expert it made sense to focus on the money angle and my publisher, Gemma Halliday, agreed.
Do you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?Yes! I love small notepads and notebooks and carry them with me all the time. I also write myself notes in my phone or on my computer. Evernote is a great program for this. It’s like the bottomless purse filled with scraps of paper, but more organized.
If you write a series, do you re-read your previous books before you begin the new one?Miranda’s series isn’t so long that I’ve had to refresh my memory yet. I can see that I may do that in the future, though.
How does your family feel about your writing?They’re thrilled and very proud! My family is awesome!
Thanks for sharing “you as an author” with us !  We hope you’ll come back and visit again soon!
* * * * *
Dropping the Dime
Ellie Ashe Gemma Halliday Publishing70,000-word romantic mystery 
                                                                              Miranda Vaughn was once falsely accused of stealing millions, and now she’s helping others who are facing criminal charges. While being an assistant to her former defense attorney isn’t Miranda’s dream job, she’s eager to prove herself, and her first task is a simple one—protect Kathryn, a shy CFO turned informant, and help her prove that a popular real estate developer is embezzling millions from his company. But what should be a straightforward assignment is deliciously complicated when Miranda is thrown together with FBI Agent Jake Barnes, the man who saved her life, broke her heart, and then disappeared.Beneath the neatly plotted rows of new homes lurk dark secrets, bitter feuds and a whole lot of greed. Nothing is what it appears, even Miranda’s timid client, who is hiding secrets of her own. Despite her growing distrust of her client, Miranda must protect Kathryn from becoming the target of the FBI’s investigation and protect herself from the real thief—all while protecting her heart from the sexy FBI agent she can’t seem to resist.

99 cent special – only for a limited time !!

Buy links:   Kobo   Nook    iBook    Smashwords    Print     Amazon    Gemma Halliday Publishing


 Author Bio:Ellie Ashe has always been drawn to jobs where she can tell stories—journalist, lawyer, and now writer. Writing quirky romantic mysteries is how she gets the "happily ever after" that so often is lacking in her day job. When not writing, you can find her with her nose in a good book, watching far too much TV, or trying out new recipes on unsuspecting friends and family. She lives in Northern California with her husband and three cats, all of whom worry when she starts browsing the puppy listings on petfinder.com.

Author contact info:Ellieashe.comTwitter.com/ellieashehttps://www.facebook.com/EllieAsheBooksNewsletter sign-up:  http://bit.ly/EllieNews


Giveaway:    $20 Amazon Gift Card 
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It's All About The Book ~ Killer Kung Pao by Patrice Lyle

Please welcome Patrice Lyle and her new release, Killer Kung Pao with....

It's All About the Book…
Please tell us about your current or upcoming release. 
KILLER KUNG PAO is the first book in the Health Nut Mystery series about a naturopathic doctor named Dr. Piper who solves mysteries at health expos with her 91-year-old great Aunt Alfa and her potbellied pig named Brownie. She uses a set of How to Be a PI flashcards to solve the mystery.
What is this book's genre?  Is this the genre you usually write in?  Are there any genre's you haven't written that you'd like to try? 
KILLER KUNG PAO is a cozy mystery, which is my favorite genre. I've never written a funny romance before, but I'd love to try writing one someday. I've also published YA and tween mysteries.
What inspired you to write this book? 
An experience my husband and I had at a wellness expo a couple of years ago was the catalyst for KILLER KUNG PAO. What we thought was a holistic health expo turned out to be a psychic fair! Not that I don't believe in the possibility of otherworldly things, but the expo just wasn't what we'd expected. The other vendors were arguing amongst themselves, and I said to my husband, "This would be a great setting for a murder mystery!"  Then my passion for holistic health merged with my passion for cozy mysteries, and KILLER KUNG PAO was born.
How did you pick its title?  Did it come first or did you have to write the story first? 
My final titles often come to me during the revision process, which happened with KILLER KUNG PAO. Also I love short snappy titles with alliteration.
How did you create your characters?  Did you use any real life people in their making? 
I start with my two baby name books to create the name, and then I come up with the character's profession, and what makes the character funny. Dr. Piper is a naturopathic doctor with frizzy hair who's addicted to sparkly makeup and dark chocolate. Aunt Alfa is a 91-year old aromatherapist with a ‘tude, and who likes to date "younger" 80-something-year-old men. Tattoo Tex (Dr. Piper's love interest) is a "jock cowboy" who wears a ten-gallon hat and running shoes.
Who is your favorite character of this book and why? 
I love Aunt Alfa! She's a feisty aromatherapist nonagenarian, and she's so much fun to write! I love her dating antics.
What is your favorite part of this book?  Can you share an excerpt from that part? 
My favorite part is the opening scene when Dr. Piper meets rude psychic Mystic Ming, and he insults her hair. Here's an excerpt:
You probably want to know how I solved Mystic Ming's murder, but first I should tell you why I almost killed him myself.I stepped into the Manatee Inn's elevator and glanced at my hair in the mirrored walls. The words Night of the Living Frizz Freak instantly came to mind. Florida's balmy weather may have been great for the skin, but it sure was murder on my hair. I tapped the close button and dug through my silver sequined purse until I found my only source of solace.A package of eighty-percent dark chocolate almond clusters. I eagerly ripped the foil and popped a chocolate into my mouth. Yum. I ignored my reflection and concentrated on the gold elevator doors as they slowly slid shut. Seconds before they finally closed, however, a tiny beringed hand shot inside. The door halted and creaked open.  "Hold up!" A spry Asian man jumped in. Hot pink hair sprouted from his head, culminating in a giant poof that had been clamped into place with a pink chopstick. He jabbed the close button like it was a slot machine. "Hurry! Mystic Ming need to get to show."The elevator dinged wildly in response, but the doors didn't close."Come on. Close, you dumb piece of metal," he said. "Mystic Ming berry late." To keep from laughing, I gazed at the bejeweled flower painted on my big toe. His accent was as fake as his hair color. Pure Jersey simmered in his voice.He slammed his palm against the button and let out a slur of cuss words amidst a blast of garlic breath so strong it could have flattened Dracula. Not one to tell others what to do (except when people paid for my advice as a naturopathic doctor), I leaned against the wall and waited while the man attacked the buttons again. Finally, when the panel lit up like a starry night, I made what I thought was a polite suggestion. "Sir, if you'd stop pressing the buttons, I bet the doors will close, and we'll be on our way." I flashed him a friendly smile before popping another chocolate into my mouth.He shot me a look that could have melted my cocoa. "Why you tell Mystic Ming what to do?""Who's Mystic Ming?" Then I noticed his tight teal T-shirt adorned with the words, Mystic Ming, Kick-Ass Psychic. "Cute shirt. Very catchy."He slapped the buttons again, but the doors still wouldn't close. "Shirt not meant to be cute. Meant to make sure clients not forget me."I doubted he needed a T-shirt for that. "You here for the Body, Mind & Spirit Expo?" "What's it to you?""I was just wondering." I reached past him and tapped the close button. Surprisingly, it acquiesced, and we began our sluggish descent toward the lobby."Mystic Ming not need your help." His words were accompanied with garlic-scented spittle.Eeww. My poor chocolate. I stepped back and closed the package. "Sorry, sometimes you just need a woman's touch.""Woman touch never good."Oh, please. It worked, didn't it?He squinted and stared at my head. "Your hair look like dung beetle nest."My eyes widened while I waited for the obligatory, Sorry, just kidding.He didn't offer those words though. Instead he countered with, "What happen to you? You get caught in typhoon?"Holy chocolate babka, how can he say that?"It's the Florida humidity," I said, shocked at his rudeness. 
"You should have stayed home where hair not look so ratty."I gasped and bravely peeked at my hair in the mirrored walls, hoping for a miraculous change in the last couple of minutes. Nope. I was still a frizz ball, despite the shine serum, leave-in conditioner, and anti-frizz cream. How could I give my natural health presentation looking like a lightning-strike victim? Or, as Mystic Ming had so clearly articulated, looking like a haven for dung beetles?

What was the hardest part of this book to write? Can you share an excerpt from that part? 
The hardest part for me to write was the scene where Dr. Piper and Tattoo Tex find the body of a second murder victim. Here's an excerpt:"Dare I try the doorknob?" I thought of my flashcards. "Is it considered breaking and entering if we're concerned about someone's safety?""I wouldn't reckon so." Tattoo Tex twisted the knob, and the door creaked open. "Definitely won't be breaking in because the door's unlocked.""That's not a good sign." My pulse raced as I stuck my head into the entryway. "Hello? Is anyone home? Van, are you all right?""Hello thar?" Tattoo Tex cupped his hand by his ear and leaned over the threshold. "I don't hear anythang.""Me either."We scanned the living room, and nothing looked odd. Except for the furniture, that was. A faded orange floral couch dominated the room and was flanked by a couple of grubby lawn chairs. The fringed-shade on the lamp dated back to the sixties as did the pea-green shag carpet. I gazed at the TV. The cracked screen made me wonder if it was turned off or broken. "Maybe Van went for a walk and forgot to lock up?" Tattoo Tex gripped my shoulder and pointed toward the kitchen. My pulse raced when I saw someone's feet peeking out from the other side of the wall…wearing a pair of yellow Sparkle O sandals. Holy chocolate babka. Instinct took over, and I ran into the kitchen. I crouched beside Van and gasped. The woman Charles had been arguing with and the one who'd run from me in the hallway, Van, or Vanessa, was lying on his back wearing a yellow sundress, a slightly askew long black wig, and the face of death.With my medical training, I'd recognize that pale grayish hue anywhere."He's dead." I reached for Van's wrist. Coolness seeped into my fingers, and goose bumps pebbled my arms. "Probably for a few hours at least."A serious look crossed Tattoo Tex's face. "Weird that he died after talking to the police.""No kidding." I swallowed down a sour taste and tried to connect the chocolate dots. My gut told me Van's death wasn't a coincidence. Tattoo Tex gestured toward the slight stubble emerging on Van's jaw line. "Van's definitely a dude. Can't cover up a beard.""True, and he's also the mystery woman from the parking lot," I said. "And the one who ran from me in the hallway outside Babette's room." "You sure?""Positive." I sat back on my calves and stared at Van's body. "We need to call the police.""How do you reckon he was killed?""I'm not a medical examiner, but I'd say the cause of death wasn't natural." I pointed at the light swelling and slight bruise covering his right cheek. "Looks like he was beaten before he died, and with no gun-shot or stab wounds, I'd guess he was bludgeoned.""Two murders in this Podunk town. Who would have thought?"My chest tightened as I realized my PI mission was more complicated now. Why would someone want to kill Van? Had someone paid Van to add the peanut oil to Mystic Ming's kung pao and now wanted to shut him up? But if Van had already gone to the police, what was there to silence?Tattoo Tex pointed at an oversized, powder blue, patent-leather handbag propped against the refrigerator. "He could have gotten clocked by that old-lady purse.""I wouldn't think a purse could pack that much force." Not my tiny sequined one anyway."Depends on what's inside." He approached the bag and lifted it. "Feels like a ton of bricks in here.""You better not touch it, Tattoo Tex. The flashcards said not to taint the evidence." "Good point." He set the purse back down, grabbed a paper towel from the roll on the wall, and used it to unzip the bag. "This is odd. I'd bet my best tattoo this is the murder weapon."I joined him and reviewed the contents. A travel pack of tissues, a gold tube of lipstick, and several shrink-wrapped packages of partially frozen meat were stowed inside. "Who carries around one-pound packages of meat in a purse?" My purse would barely hold a turkey hotdog."Someone packed this purse with intent to kill."I counted five packages and then peered at the labels. "Organic grass-fed beef. They would have been frozen as hard as a gemstone a few hours ago, and heavy enough to deliver a lethal blow.""My grandma had a purse like that. She used to threaten to knock me in the knees with it if I didn't behave. But who would have thought a grandma purse could kill someone?"An army of dung beetles flipped in my stomach. The murder weapon happened to be an old-lady purse filled with organic beef? Was this a set up designed to implicate Aunt Alfa? Then I turned and saw a familiar box sitting on the counter near the sink. An unopened box of Cosmic Cake gluten-free cupcakes. Aunt Alfa's favorite. Yep, this was a set up, all right. But would Detective Fifi get it?

Did you have any special rhythm or quirks while writing this? 
Like Dr. Piper, I love dark chocolate. So I ate quite a bit of dark chocolate while I wrote KILLER KUNG PAO. I also do my best writing at the beach on my trusty old Alpha Smart.

Is this a stand-alone book or is it part of a series?  If so, we want to hear about it and what's next in the series.  If not a series, what comes next to be released? 
KILLER KUNG PAO is the first book in the Health Nut Mystery series. The second book is called KILLER KARAT CREAM. Dr. Piper hosts a spa night where someone drops dead immediately after applying the exciting new Karat Cream. KILLER KARAT CREAM should be released later this year by Gemma Halliday Publishing.


*****
Killer Kung Pao
Patrice Lyle
Health Nut Mysteries Book #1Gemma Halliday PublishingHumorous Cozy Mystery, 63k





Dr. Piper Meadows heads to the Body, Mind & Spirit Expo expecting to solve health problems, not murder. But her first day starts off wrong when famous psychic Mystic Ming compares her hair to a "dung beetle's nest" and tries to get her kicked out of the show. But Piper's bad-hair day gets worse when her Aunt Alfa gets in a public scuffle with Mystic Ming, where he accuses her of trying to poison him with her peanut oil-based essential oils. When Mystic Ming drops dead from his serving of killer kung pao laced with peanut oil, it's no surprise that Aunt Alfa is fingered as the prime suspect.

Unwilling to let her auntie squander her golden years in prison, Piper orders a set of How To Be a PI flashcards and sets out to find the real killer. Secrets and suspects sprout up faster than wheat grass, including a handsome tattoo artist, Tattoo Tex, who intrigues Piper more than she'd like to admit. But can she trust him? Piper had better solve the case of the killer kung pao before the murderer turns his sights on victim number two...one sleuthing doctor!

 


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Excerpt:
My aunt was the most adorable health nut ever. Clad in her size-two teal velour pantsuit, matching foam rollers, and red, patent-leather Mary Jane pumps, she strutted across the beige carpet pulling a neon green duffel roller bag and munching on a gluten-free Cosmic Cupcake (her favorite). She hadn't changed at all—including her hennaed hair—in the last three decades. And I hoped she never would."Hey, Pipe." She planted a kiss on my cheek. "You'll never guess what happened on our walk. It was the craziest thing."Even though it had only been a couple hours since I'd last seen her, I gave her a quick hug. "I was wondering where you—"And that was when I noticed the suspicious pink snout sticking out of the side zipper of Aunt Alfa's bag. Oh, holy chocolate babka to the nth degree."You heard that yoga girl at registration," I said quietly. "Animals aren't allowed in here, and we have to follow the rules."She pursed her lips as if she were sucking a lemon, which she did every day because lemons are great for the liver, and pointed at a woman nearby who was accompanied by a guide dog. "Check out that dog. Studies have shown pigs are fourth on the intelligence roll, behind humans, primates, and dolphins."I was familiar with the study because she talked about it all the time. "It's rude to point." I gently lowered my auntie's arm before someone noticed her. "That woman is blind, Aunt Alfa. Guide dogs are always allowed.""I know." Aunt Alfa crumpled up her Cosmic Cake wrapper and tossed it into a nearby trashcan, making the shot like a basketball star. "Our piglet should be allowed too because he's smart enough to be a guide pig. Besides, I'm ninety-one years old. I defy anyone to stop me." A nonagenarian with a 'tude was what her dead ex-boyfriend had called Aunt Alfa during the nightmare séance. I feared he might have been on to something."I don't like it either, Aunt Alfa, but you have to take Brownie to our room.""You know how depressed he gets alone. He'll pig out." She jutted out her crepe-paper jaw. "I can't believe I forgot Charlotte's Web. That's the only movie he likes."Finally, progress. "Actually, he loves Babe, and I brought the DVD with me.""Really?""Yeah. We watched it last weekend, and he sniffled at all the sad parts." I'd been in major Floyd-avoid-mode so I'd spent my Friday night curled up with a movie, a bag of dark chocolate chip cookies, and a piglet.Aunt Alfa shot me her pity grin. "He was just being polite, Pipe."That figured. Guys were all the same. Even the potbelly breeds.Aunt Alfa rose on her toes and glanced around the room. "I'm going to find the manager and force him to see things my way."Oh, no. Had I made a mistake insisting she come? I'd worried about her starting a riot at my condo complex while I was gone, but I hadn't considered the consequences at the expo."You have to take Brownie to our hotel room," I said. "Seriously."Brownie must have recognized his name because just then a high-pitched, someone's-murdering-me piglet squeal erupted from her bag. Weee. Weee. Weeeeeeeeeeee.Several people turned in response. One woman having a tarot card reading by the yellow-turbaned psychic looked perturbed and asked, "Was that… a pig?"Then a sneeze louder than a New York City firework festival rang out. Followed by a coughing attack."Mystic Ming allergic to pig," a familiar voice choked out. "Ming berry berry allergic to many things."I turned to see Mystic Ming wobbling in the aisle across from me. Then his skinny legs buckled, and his face lightened to the shade of a marshmallow. Right before he collapsed onto the expo floor.





Author Bio:
Patrice Lyle loves green smoothies, dark chocolate, mysteries, and humor. She wove these elements together when she created the Health Nut Mysteries, a cozy series about a naturopathic doctor who solves mysteries at health expos. Patrice also writes paranormal young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as holistic medical suspense. She has an MA in Writing Popular Fiction and a PhD in Holistic Nutrition. She's also a Certified Traditional Naturopath. She now lives in Florida with her husband and two kitties, and is a firm believer in the theory that laughter is the best medicine.· Website· Facebook· Twitter


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Happy Cover Reveal Day to The Blackmail of Evelynn Faust

 * * *
The Blackmail of Evelynn Faust Shirley Anne EdwardsYA Contemporary w/Romantic Elements, 73k


Evelynn Faust suffers from horrible insomnia and paranoia. The summer before her senior year of high school should be one of the best summers of her life. But she’s tormented by guilt and an addiction that haunts her every waking moment. Evelynn is a drug dealer who also craves the drug she sells. The money and the popularity that come with it aren’t bad either. But when she’s caught dealing on school property by Eric Wagner, the respected and admired police chief’s son, the game is over.He won’t snitch on her, unless she gives him whatever he wants - her.
She’s being blackmailed.
Evelynn has no one to turn to for help. Not her parents who don’t understand her rebellious nature or her circle of friends who only care about partying and getting high. When Adam Tristen moves in across the street, and he wants to get to know her better, it all seems too good to be true.
She must make a pact with the devil.
Evelynn now looks over her shoulder wherever she goes, waiting for Eric to act on his threats. But Adam, the charming college sophomore, sees something special inside Evelynn, and he wants to help her fix mistakes. In order to do that she must confront a dark secret from her past that could destroy her family…her life…and her entire world as she knows it.
She must take a leap of faith.


Releasing on May 25th !!
 

Pre-edit Excerpt: 
The Blackmail of Evelynn Faust by Shirley Anne Edwards. Evelynn reveals one of her dark secrets to Adam…
“How was your party?”             “You should have come. A lot of people crashed it.” I held the metal chains and twisted left and right.            He swung back and forth as I twisted. “Maybe if someone asked me to be their date, I would have then.” He swung slightly to the side and bumped my hip with his.            “Wouldn’t have been a good idea.”            “Why not?” Again he tapped his hip to mine.            “Adam, I’m not dating or girlfriend material. I’m just looking for a warm body to use so I can forget about life for a while. I know you don’t want to hear that, but it’s the truth.”            He stopped rocking and reached over to take my hand. I moved my arm away, but he wouldn’t let me, and linked his fingers with mine. “For some reason I can’t leave you alone, and even though you act like you only want me for sex, or whatever else, I don’t think that’s so. What I do think is that you have a lot on your mind and want to tell someone, but not sure how.”            “What am I, your project for school? Trying to psychoanalyze me?”            “No. I want to be your friend and help erase those shadows in your eyes. That’s all.”            I looked right at his face, at this big brown eyed, caramel skinned boy…man who was too good for the likes of me. My stomach cramped because I was going to tell him one of my dark secrets. Why? It just felt right to do in this dark, wet morning surrounded by metal, and dirt and rocks where I once played, unaware of how horrible my life would become.            “My shadows, as you say I have, weren’t always there. I guess it was a gradual thing starting when I was around thirteen. You think I’m something special, but I’m not. There’s not much to recommend about myself, other than I like jazz, jogging, actually love playing with my younger sister, and I enjoy…smoking up.”            “Smoking up? Meaning something harder than cigarettes?”            The look on his face was of surprise and not horror as I’d been expecting.            “Yeah. I’ve been a big pot smoker ever since I was in eighth grade. I need to smoke every day. I think I’m an addict.”            He stood up from his swing and bent down, grabbing both my hands in his. “At least you admit it. It’s the first step.”            “I wish it was the easy. My habit is out of control. I’m stuck in a corner with no way out.”            “What do you mean?” He gave me a tender smile. It made my chest constrict.            I stood and my knee cracked. Holding back a grimace, I shook out my leg while I squeezed his hands. “A…friend, who wants to be more than that knows I’m using, and he caught me doing it at school. He’s threatening to tell my parents, unless I do what he wants. He’s more than willing to be that warm body I could use.” The need to tell Adam all the facts was strong, but I held back. Part of it was because I still felt leery of him. He may come across as a good guy who wanted to help, but he could always be like Eric underneath a great package.            “Oh.” He let go of my hands and stepped back, rubbing his mouth. I saw the outline of a beard on his chin and cheeks. I longed to rub my fingers over his rough, bristled skin.            “See the problem? I either give this guy what he wants, or tell him to get lost and hope for the best.”            “I know you don’t want to tell your parents, but what would be the worst thing that would happen if you told them?”            I scraped my shoe across the pebbled ground and put my hands back in my pockets. “It’s not as easy as it sounds. I…I can’t really explain why, but just take my word for it.”            He didn’t look like he believed me. I swore my heart stopped beating for a second. “You’re not being totally honest with me.”            Damn. “Adam, the situation is more complicated than I make it sound. If you know too much, it could get difficult for you. Plus, your brother is a high ranking official in town. If he found out because you slipped up or mentioned something to him, things on my end would go downhill and fast. I’m not the only one involved in this.”            “You’re not only worried for yourself but the others you care about, right?”            I nodded. “You could say that.”            He gave me bright smile. “See, you’re not hopeless as you think you are. You’ve just proven to me you’re worth something because you care and don’t want those in your life to get hurt. Correct?”            I scratched my ear. I wasn’t sure where he was going with this. “Yeah so? It still doesn’t help the situation I’m in.”            “Well, not necessarily. But it’s a start. If you can trust me with this small piece of information, than you’ll eventually trust me enough to tell me the whole story.”            I couldn’t hide me smile. His joy was too contagious. “We’ll see.”            “Are you’re feeling better now?”            I rocked my head side to side. “Maybe I’ll feel better if you give me another massage.”            He pulled me to his chest and rubbed his scruffy chin on my forehead. “If I give you another one, will you open up to me some more?”            “You want me to bare my soul.”            “Just a little bit. Haven’t you heard absolution is good for the soul?”            I titled up my face. “Sure you’re not studying to be a priest?”             “I have no desire to enter the priesthood.” His mouth landed on mine, and his kiss proved that perfectly.

About the Author: Shirley Anne Edwards is a Northeast girl who first found her love for books when she read Nancy Drew's The Secret of the Old Clock Tower at thirteen. Shirley found her love for writing at a very young age, and since then has let her imagination run wild by creating quirky characters and vast worlds in her head.

Shirley lives in New Jersey and works in the entertainment industry in New York City.

In the immortal words of Mark Twain: "Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss SLOWLY. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret ANYTHING that makes you smile."


For more information about Shirley and her writing journey:
Website link: http://shirlwriteredwards.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @ShirleyAWriter (link: https://twitter.com/ShirleyAWriter )
Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/shirley.edwards.31924 )
Amazon author page:  http://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Anne-Edwards/e/B00N87EEAO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1426708495&sr=8-1

        

Beyond Fairytales presents....The Century Sage by @VickiBallante

The Century SageVicki BallanteDecadent Publishing


 

Lina is a tree sage, a gifted person who heals trees, but her duty binds her to one place for her whole life until she marries. Tree sages must marry and birth a daughter by twenty-eight, even if true love is out of the picture. When hot rally winner Brad meets her, he is drawn to her mystical powers. Lina can’t resist the man who represents something she shouldn’t go for, but neither can she turn away his sexy touch. Brad offers to marry her and take her on a world-wide rally tour. She can fulfill her dream of traveling, and he provides a way to meet the demands of her breed, but will that be enough? What about love?
When Lina settles in Paris, loneliness and unfulfilled expectations threaten to pull the shaky relationship apart. Could the barriers between them be caused by an evil greater than they imagined? Soon, they will have to fight for Paris, but will they survive?




Buy Links:
Decadent Publishing: http://ow.ly/H6BjFAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/Century-Sage-Beyond-Fairytales-ebook/dp/B00RSW68SQAmazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Century-Sage-Beyond-Fairytales-ebook/dp/B00RSW68SQBarnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-century-sage-vicki-ballante/1121027877?ean=2940150265721Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=the+century+sageSmashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509813






Excerpt 18+
“What powers do you have?” “You’re the only person who’s ever noticed. I can heal sick trees, make them healthy again. Tonight, I discovered I can even save them from a forest fire by visualizing things in my mind.” He opened his mouth, but no words came out. “The problem is I have to marry someone within six months.” She squeezed her eyes closed, unable to look at him. The words she spoke must sound crazy to him. “I’m not ready for marriage, for settling down. I want to see the world, yet I feel a duty to my gift. I love the trees. I can’t betray them.” “You can heal them and bring them back to life?” Opening her eyes again, she shrugged. To him it might seem otherworldly, but for her, it was just the norm. “That’s an incredible gift. You’re so lucky.” “I can lose my gift if I don’t follow The Pinnacle. That book over there.” She flung her hand in the direction of the dining room table. “If I leave here before my time or if I don’t have a daughter soon enough, my gift will disappear, and any children I have will be fully normal.” “You are the new normal.” Wonder swam in his gaze, and she turned away again. “It’s unglamorous.” “Why do you say that?” “It’s like being a nurse. She spends her life healing people. Yes, in the beginning, she might think what she does is special, but then she soon realizes many people the world over do the same job, and some do it better than her. She grows weary of the same old routine.” “Wait.” He pulled her to face him again. “There are others?” She nodded, and, all of a sudden, she could sense them. She gasped. “Oh.” Hunger steeped his gaze, drawing her in for a kiss.The Century Sage 33 Oh, wouldn’t it ease all the confusion if she filled her gnawing hunger for his touch? His mouth rested on hers, and she closed her eyes, all tears forgotten. From relief to soaring conflict, her heart rate accelerated. The man in her living room had become the ultimate distraction. But he couldn’t marry her. He hardly knew her. No, she shouldn’t be doing this. She couldn’t do casual anymore. In a blink, she realized she couldn’t turn away from her calling. Her powers had increased, and so had her sense of duty, the pull toward her destiny. As hard as it would be, she had to follow—no, she had to lead at this stage of her life. But Brad’s pressure on her lips glued her to him. She leaned in to him. I’ll just kiss him, nothing else. Then his hands touched the back of her head, and he stroked her hair. He deepened the kiss, and his fingers pioneered new ground. She explored his tongue, the melding of their tips lighting a forest fire in her body. He opened the top buttons of her blouse. She waited for the touch on her breasts, craved it. The Pinnacle! Gasping, she yanked away, pressing her blouse closed to cover her skimpy bra. “Brad.” “You’re so hot. When those powers flow from you, I feel drawn to you.” He reached for her again. “I can’t resist.” “I can’t do this.” She moved away. “I’ve already told you why.” His mouth formed a thin line. Standing, he walked to the palm in the corner, placing his hands on the leaves, fingering their flat, neat blades. “That’s insane.” Brad’s voice came out harsh.



Online Links for Vicki:Blog: http://www.vballante.blogspot.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vicki-Ballante-Sugar-and-Spice/517893148283488Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBallantePinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vballante/Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/VickiSugarNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/-x7RXGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8509044.Vicki_BallanteAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vicki-Ballante/e/B00NAYEKT0Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/VickiBallante

It's All About the Book with Mary Jo Burke ~ Spicing Up Trouble w/ #giveaway

Please welcome Mary Jo Burke with her new release, Spicing Up Trouble


It’s All About the Book…
 Please tell us about your current or upcoming release.  Spicing Up TroubleAlexia Hale works as a test kitchen writer for the Chicago News. But she gets her big break toward reporting "real" news when she's given the opportunity to interview the world renowned artist, Benjamin Nance Cobb. The catch: to get it, Alexia has to pose as a nude model for Ben. What begins as an awkward assignment quickly turns into a real friendship…and possibly more. But when a photograph of Alexia is leaked to the press, their private life suddenly becomes very public. Ben's father isn’t pleased, Alexia's sisters are shocked, and now she's being hounded by the press. Dating a celebrity has its challenges and rewards. The only question is, which one will outweigh the other? 



What is this book’s genre?  Is this the genre you usually write in?  Are there any genre’s you haven’t written that you’d like to try?  
 Spicing Up Trouble is a romantic comedy. I write whatever pops into my head and think of the genre later. My other published books are paranormal and fantasy romances with humor sprinkled in. I won an award for a women’s fiction story about a policewoman fighting corruption and trying to help a girl caught in prostitution. I’ve tried an historical romance and it’s coming along too.

 What inspired you to write this book? 
This is the first book I ever wrote. It has been revised many times. My inspiration is from the tabloids. What would it be like to date a celebrity? Alexia Hale finds it to be hard work and surrenders all her privacy. Would love be worth having your life exposed to all?

 How did you pick its title?   Did it come first or did you have to write the story first? 
Alexia is a chef who loves spicy food who has a penchant for finding trouble so luckily it came together. My book, All Hours Trading, is about a financial planner whose clients are the undead and the supernaturally challenged. She has to be available 24/7, hence the title.


How did you create your characters?   Did you use any real life people in their making? 
My characters come to me. I have notebooks stashed everywhere and write notes to myself. I thought of Alexia as not looking for fame, fortune, or love and all show up in Benjamin Nance Cobb. Celebrities tend to date and marry celebrities, may be finding people who share the same complicated lives. When a civilian enters this world, it’s a staggering and unforgiving learning curve.  


Who is your favorite character of this book and why? 
I love Alexia. She is devoted to her sisters and cooks for them. It’s how she shows her love for them. When she meets Ben, he and his father aren’t getting along. She tries to bridge the gap because family is important to her. She is a peacemaker surrounded by other people’s drama, like a lot of women.


What is your favorite part of this book?   Can you share an excerpt from that part? 
At the beginning when Alexia explains to her sisters her latest idea for a career boost.


"Sweetie, why so quiet?" Irene asked me.A bold move required a first step."Good things come in threes," I said."Yeah like musketeers and stooges," Eleanor said."Don't forget caballeros," Irene added. "Wait, I thought death came in threes.""Only in Hollywood," Eleanor replied.The silent sister had let life pass her by—until now."I have a few announcements to make. First, I submitted my resume to Single Chicago and have an interview next week," I said."You will be touting your favorite sister's bar," Irene said."And your beautiful sister's boutique," Eleanor chimed."No promises, but if I'm hired, I'll steer someone to write an article or five for each of you. Second, the sommelier at the Bergen has agreed to work on the Thanksgiving menu at the newspaper's blog with me.""What if you get the job at the magazine?" Irene asked."Then she can write a guest article. I'm going to mention it at my interview. I can deliver big names.""Sweetie, is the sommelier acquainted with Single Chicago's more risqué serving dishes?" Eleanor asked, sipping her wine."Like the pasty chef's quarterly column?" Irene asked with a giggle."You mean pastry chef," I said."Honey, if you write for Single Chicago you better line up a few pasty experts too. There are some racy suggestions for weekend activities. Remember 'Wrap it in Whipped Cream?' I tried it on what's his name," Irene said."Charles. Whatever happened to him?" Eleanor asked."You have a fabulous memory. He married a stripper/dominatrix. I awakened a buried need in him to be humiliated," Irene said as she picked her glass for a toast."The effect you have on most men," Eleanor added as she tapped Irene's glass to hers."Don't sell yourself short, dear. Many of your exes have yet to recover," Irene said."Excuse me again," I said."Sorry, Sweetie, but you should know by now not to give us airtime," Eleanor said."She's right, honey. Now please continue," Irene said as she filled the wineglasses.I knew they were reptiles or amphibians; they inhaled through their noses, exhaled, and talked at the same time. It explained so much."Thank you. Shelley Carpenter, the art critic, left the newspaper and had been lined up to interview Benjamin Cobb," I said."The reclusive, gorgeous, single, famous artist, Benjamin Nance Cobb?" Eleanor asked."He has been the modern art world for the last fifteen years. Tall, moody, and richer than all the Kardashians and Jenners," Irene said."How do you get to see him? He doesn't speak to the press or on the record to any other living soul," Eleanor said as she leaned toward me."I'm going to model for him," I said."What?" they yelled in unison. The other patrons swiveled around and stared."My editor knows the owner of the modeling agency Cobb uses. He requested a blonde. On Wednesday, I'll go there. While he paints, I'll make conversation and covertly interview him." Stone cold silence from my sisters. The minutes ticked by. They must be trying to set a new world's record.


What was the hardest part of this book to write? Can you share an excerpt from that part? 
 Alexia has a brilliant idea to honor Ben’s late mother’s memory. She was a children’s book author and illustrator. Alexia suggests a museum be built to house and celebrate her legacy, but plans go wrong and Ben blames her.
He slammed down the phone and glared at me.A disadvantage of working for my husband was being home when things went south. Also, being the person who initiated the idea, which he now hated, didn't help. "Could we ask the contractors to sign an affidavit, swearing to only employ union workers?" I asked. "And pay their legal fees, too? Every employee has to be verified. At least two hundred people have set foot on the property. Some may have been day labor. Tracking them down would take time and money. Why am I being punished?" he asked.Because he listened to me.Next a few subcontractors put a lien on the property because they were not paid. City inspectors showed up and issued citations for safety violations. Finally, building material had been stolen. New orders were placed and the overruns were climbing.Donors grew skittish because the once pliant press declared war on Ben, especially my former employer. Costs were touted as outrageous and printed as truth. Pictures of the gangly skeleton of a building stood in sharp contrast to the majestic Art Institute. Reporters staked out the site, pleading for anyone to complain and bash Ben.Two weeks of an angry husband preceded a week of stony silence. He never accused, but I could read it in every gesture. This catastrophe rested on my shoulders. I ate and slept alone. I only saw him at Tad's office. The nurses cut him a wide berth.Mark reported Ben's own staff was ready to bolt. The phones rang incessantly: reporters, lawyers, collection agencies.I packed a bag, left, and camped with Eleanor. I didn't hear from Ben. After two days, I placed a call to Florida. Ben needed the big gun.


 Did you have any special rhythm or quirks while writing this? 
I readily admit I don’t cook. I watched a lot of videos on websites to understand spices. I also checked cookbooks out of the library. I picked the worst time for food research, over the holidays, when everyone is looking for something new or different to serve.


Is this a stand-alone book or is it part of a series?  If so, we want to hear about it and what’s next in the series.  If not a series, what comes next to be released? 
For now, it’s a stand-alone. I do have ideas for an Eleanor book and an Irene book. Both are in the planning stages. What’s next is in the preliminary stages, but addresses my favorite kind of music, rock and roll.

* * * * *
Spicing Up TroubleMary Jo Burke
Contemporary Romance/Romantic ComedyGemma Halliday Publishing, 332 pages
 


     Alexia Hale works as a test kitchen writer for the Chicago News. But she gets her big break toward reporting "real" news when she's given the opportunity to interview the world renowned artist, Benjamin Nance Cobb.
     The catch: to get it, Alexia has to pose as a nude model for Ben. What begins as an awkward assignment quickly turns into a real friendship...and possibly more. But when a photograph of Alexia is leaked to the press, their private life suddenly becomes very public. Ben's father isn't pleased, Alexia's sisters are shocked, and now she's being hounded by the press.
     Dating a celebrity has its challenges and rewards. The only question is, which one will outweigh the other?



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About the Author:

      Gone with the Wind in the theater. She was ten. The story never left her. She read the book three times. She saw the movie every time it was re-released. GWTWwill be seventy-five years old this year and is her favorite movie. She would only make a minor change: Leave Ashley to Melanie and hold on tight to Rhett. Her writing sprung from reading, watching, and always wanting to edit.
Mary Jo was born in Chicago and has never strayed far from home. She majored in Accounting and received her MBA in Finance. She worked in the investment and banking businesses. Long before DVDs, Mary Jo saw

Mary Jo is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Chicago North RWA, and Windy City RWA.
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Beautiful Dangerous by Penny Dee

Synopsis:It seemed like a good idea at the time. Get over my break-up by having a one-night stand with a rock 'n' roll hottie and move on with my life. Going on tour as official photographer to the world’s number one band was not part of the plan.
Have you ever dreamed of being plucked out of the crowd by one of the hottest rock stars in the world?
I didn't even know who Ozstryker were when my reckless sister Beth dragged me along to their concert. I went solely to keep her out of trouble, not for me to get tangled up with the famous guitarist renowned for his magnificent shirtless torso and talented fast hands.
I had no intention of becoming a groupie, let alone anything else. But when Jax Ozstryker invited me on a date, I decided it was time for a little fun. Not that the night ended how I had planned – or how he planned, for that matter – I got a job and he didn't get laid.
Now I’m on tour with the biggest band in the world with my crazy, unpredictable sister for company and a beautiful dangerous attraction for my new boss. I never dreamed life could be so crazy. Or complicated.
But this is life on the road – where nothing makes sense and everything is possible.
About the Author:I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first book when I was five years old. It was called, The Goodies, and it was a short story about driving to the shops to get some milk. Needless to say, it was a very short book and hardly the page turner. It was also illustrated in orange felt tip pen because it was the only felt tip pen left in the pencil case that wasn’t dried up and useless.
My first attempt at writing romance was in high school when my athletic ambitions were replaced with Sunday sessions in my bestfriends bedroom, smoking cigarettes and writing smut about the hot guy at school. They were dreadfully crude stories. Lots of awkward fumblings in the dark or a series of awful first kisses. They were also very straight forward. Very straight to the point. Because I didn’t have a clue about what I was talking about. And I used terrible words such as “shaft”, “her moist warmth” and “velvet cavern”…yeah, they were awesome.
In following years I wisely gave up the cigarettes, became Mum to the “best kid in the world” and married a vastly understanding and supportive soul who tolerated the complete absence of my inner domestic goddess. Through a lot of trial and error, I think I may have started to write stories other people would want to read … without an orange felt tip pen in sight…
You can find Penny here:Facebook Website Goodreads  

Spanked by the Bad Boy ~ A New Audiobook release by London Saint James ~ #Amazongiveaway

Spanked by the Bad Boy (Bad Boy Fever)Written by: London Saint JamesNarrated by: John ThrustListening Time: 6 hrs 49 minsDecadent PublishingGenre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, Suspense, Thriller, SpankingUnabridged Audiobook


As the personal assistant to the owner of one of the top engineering firms in Denver, Tiffany Brooks has worked hard at maintaining a professional façade, intent on ridding herself of terrible habits—like her attraction to bad boys. But when the owner of DC Construction rides his chopper into her world two years after their one-time anonymous sexual encounter, everything turns upside down.

Declan Cage is the type of guy who makes a lasting impression, especially with women, yet the gorgeous assistant at Stoub Engineering never remembers his name—or does she? Intrigued by her game, her sexier than sin body, and an infuriating prissy attitude, Ms. Brooks is begging to be taken into hand, and he’s the man to do it.

Armed with the knowledge Declan doesn’t recognize her, will Tiffany give in to her desire for him yet again, or will her past come back to haunt them both and ruin their chance at something real?
Audio Clip SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/londonsj/spanked-by-the-bad-boy-audio-clip
Spanked by the Bad Boy Audiobook Links:Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Spanked-by-the-Bad-Boy-Audiobook/B00TKOY742Audible UK: http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Fiction/Spanked-by-the-Bad-Boy-Audiobook/B00TKP71EY/Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spanked-Bad-Boy-Fever/dp/B00TOZIMA2/Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanked-Bad-Boy-Fever-Unabridged/dp/B00TKMAGTO/iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/spanked-by-bad-boy-bad-boy/id968158448


Spanked by the Bad Boy Listening List:Carolina Wallace – Wicked GameDavid Nail – Whatever She’s GotJoss Stone – Put Your Hands on Me Kings Of Leon – Sex on Fire Lana Del Rey – Blue Jeans Pink – F**kin' Perfect Alter Bridge – Broken WingsForeigner – I Want to Know What Love Is Gabrielle Aplin – The Power of LoveJason Mraz - I'm Yours




YouTube Listening List HTML:  <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A8j9QHc..." frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

About the narrator John Thrust
The path that lead me to record erotic literature would make a pretty good story in itself.  I may write it someday. It involves a cyber-relationship with a virginal gal whose secret goal in life was to become a full time sex slave. True Story. Her family would have NEVER guessed! I’d been recording regular “vanilla” type books prior to that, as a hobby, with an eye toward becoming a “real” voice actor. This gal pointed me to a specific book and in so doing introduced me to the world of BDSM literature (this, by the way, was right BEFORE “50 Shades of Grey” broke huge). Rather than just read the book, I recorded it. I shared it with her and with some other gals I’d met online. The response was startling to me. For the sake of modesty, I’ll spare the specific accolades. The one book led to the recording of another and then others. The feedback continued to be really, REALLY positive. So much so, that it occurred to me that this ‘erotic genre’ may be a niche I should pursue. So here I am pursuing it.  I still record other books as well… but these books are the most fun *sly grin*. My background started in radio in college. I toyed with theater, did some plays - even did a short stint in Chicago’s famed Second City training program. LIFE intervened however and I got ‘a real job’ supporting computer networks in Chicago. Eventually that career ran its course and I decided it was time to do what I really WANTED to do – Voice Act. I enjoy it and I hope to help you enjoy your listening experience too.
— John

Author Bio & Links: London Saint James has lived in many places, but never felt “at home” until she met the real-life man of her dreams and settled down in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. London lives with her husband and their fat cat who thinks he owns them. As an award-winning, bestselling, multi-published author, London is living her childhood dream. She knew all the scribbling she did, that big imagination of hers, and all those clamoring characters running around in her head would pay off someday. Web: http://www.londonsaintjames.comBlog: http://londonsj.blogspot.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/LSJRomanceFacebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Saint-James/154331444626603Facebook Personal Page: http://www.facebook.com/LSaintJamesRomanceBad Boy Fever FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/badboyfeverGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LSJRomanceTSU: https://www.tsu.co/LondonsjYou can also e-mail London with any questions or comments at London@londonsaintjames.com. She loves to hear from her readers. Would you like to know more? Join her mailing list for her monthly newsletter http://eepurl.com/6P2on. Or, join her book group on Facebook, Slip Between the Pages with London https://www.facebook.com/groups/SlipBetweenthePageswithLondon/

Giveaway:   $20 Amazon Gift Card a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Sale Now!!! Legally Undead by Margo Bond Collins

A reluctant vampire hunter, stalking New York City as only a scorned bride can.
Elle Dupree has her life all figured out: first a wedding, then her Ph.D., then swank faculty parties where she’ll serve wine and cheese and introduce people to her husband the lawyer.
But those plans disintegrate when she walks in on a vampire draining the blood from her fiancé Greg. Horrified, she screams and runs--not away from the vampire, but toward it, brandishing a wooden letter opener.
As she slams the improvised stake into the vampire’s heart, a team of black-clad men bursts into the apartment. Turning around to face them, Elle discovers that Greg’s body is gone—and her perfect life falls apart.
$.99 for One Week Only



A Top-10 Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel


Excerpt
The worst thing about vampires is that they're dead. That whole wanting to suck your blood business runs a close second, but for sheer creepiness, it's the dead bit that gets me every time. They're up and walking around and talking and sucking blood, but they're dead. And then there's the whole terminology problem--how can you kill something that's already dead? It's just wrong.
I was twenty-four the first time I . . . destroyed? dispatched? . . . a vampire. That's when I found out that all the books and movies are wrong. When you stick a wooden stake into their hearts, vampires don't disintegrate into dust. They don't explode. They don't spew blood everywhere. They just look surprised, groan, and collapse into a pile of corpse. But at least they lie still then, like corpses are supposed to.
Since that first kill (I might as well use the word--there really isn’t a better one), I've discovered that only if you're lucky do vampires look surprised before they groan and fall down. If you're unlucky and miss the heart, they look angry. And then they fight.
There are the other usual ways to kill vampires, of course, but these other ways can get a bit complicated. Vampires are notoriously difficult to trick into sunlight. They have an uncanny ability to sense when there's any sunlight within miles of them, and they're awfully good at hiding from it. Holy water doesn't kill them; it just distracts them for a while, and then they get that angry look again. And it takes a pretty big blade to cut off someone's head--even an already dead someone--and carrying a great big knife around New York City, even the Bronx, is a sure way to get arrested. Nope, pointy sticks are the best way to go, all the way around.
My own pointy stick is actually more of a little knife with wood inlay on the blade--the metal makes it slide in easier. I had the knife specially made by an old Italian guy in just about the only ratty part of Westchester, north of the city. I tried to order one off the internet, but it turns out that while it’s easy to find wood-inlay handles, the blades themselves tend to be metal. Fat lot those people know.
But I wasn’t thinking any of this when I pulled the knife out of the body on the ground. I was thinking something more along the lines of “Oh, bloody hell. Not again.”




_____________________________________________99-cent Sale LinksKindle: http://www.amazon.com/Legally-Undead-Vampirarchy-Margo-Collins-ebook/dp/B00KKV44BK/Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/legally-undead-margo-bond-collins/1119607989?ean=2940149615803Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/legally-undeadUniversal Kindle Link: http://bookShow.me/B00KKV44BK_____________________________________________
   Margo Bond Collins is the author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal mysteries. She has published a number of novels, including Sanguinary, Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them._____________________________________________
Connect with MargoNewsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/03A21E5E161401F0Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margocollinsEmail: MargoBondCollins@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.MargoBondCollins.netBlog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollinGoogle+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchyFacebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollinsPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/MargoBondCollins