Allison M. Cosgrove's Blog, page 20
July 19, 2013
Q & A with C.N. Lesley
This week we have a treat from the Prairies! Please welcome Elizabeth Hull! 
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What would your bio say?
Elizabeth Hull, writing under the by line of C.N.Lesley, lives in Alberta with her husband and cats. Her three daughters live close by. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth likes to read and to paint watercolors. She is also a keen gardener, despite the very short summers and now has a mature shade garden. Once a worker in the communications sector, mostly concentrating on local news and events, she now writes full time.
When did you start writing and why?
My first attempts were in high school. I just loved weaving a story together. Many years later I got to start a real book. It was really dreadful and will never see the light of day, but it did teach me what not to do. Learning the craft came from membership with the Online
If you are a parent how does being a parent affect your writing and writing habits? Or does it?
I started writing that first book as an escape to the mind-numbing shows my three girls liked to watch when they were little. I also got to write in the evening, when they were in bed. Later on, I purchased a typewriter from a garage sale and the girls were quite competitive over trying it out. However, their big problem was figuring out which key for which letter. Yep, it was a teaching machine, which didn’t bother me as I had learned to touch type. I thought I had found a perfect solution to having my toy to myself until the day I found the keys covered with the letters in black marker. Now they are grown up and in their own homes so my time is my own.
Who is your favorite author and why?
Now I am torn. J.R.R. Tolkien because of the wonderful characters and the glorious worldbuilding and also Frank Herbert for similar reasons.
What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
I would like to see all my books in print eventually. The next one up is a science fantasy called Shadow Over Avalon and is out in November. It is the first of a trilogy. I am also in the process of writing a sequel to Darkspire Reaches, billed by my publisher as a dark romantic fantasy.
Traditional or Self publishing? Why?
Small Indy press. I tried the traditional route and couldn’t get an agent interested. My books are a little out of kilter with the easy shelving an agent loves. Small press gives me the expertise needed, the backup and the marketing. Also, great covers.
Talk about your journey into the wide world of publishing.
Grins. The timing was very difficult. I had sent a query for Darkspire Reaches to Kristell Ink, thinking nothing more of it as I was in the last week before my second daughter’s wedding. I was very shocked to get an almost instantaneous reply from them, wanting the full manuscript. Opps. I had only gotten halfway through on what was my final independent edit. Yes, I had gone over it many times before, but I needed that final run through and explained the circumstances. They were very nice about it and happy to wait. I got a very swift response when I turned in the book and a contract followed. Yes, the book went through another edit with the in house editor, but not much was changed. The most exciting part was the cover process, of which I was a part. The cover is an artist’s rendition and I am absolutely thrilled with it.
Tell us about your book (s)
Giving the blurbs is easier. Here is my one for Darkspire Reaches.
Darkspire Reaches – C.N. Lesley
Her birth mother left her as a sacrifice to the Wyvern, believing a second
born twin had no soul.
Her foster mother thought Raven possessed the magic of the First born. She believed she raised a slave.
The emperor of all the lands believed she knew the secret of his birth and
that he must silence her.
Her tribe thought they could trade her for safe passage out of the
emperor’s lands.
The Wyvern knows better. He is coming for her. His fury has no limits.
Raven always knew nobody wanted her: Her own mother abandoned her as baby for a wyvern sacrifice. Saved by a local witch to a hard life of labor, Raven always fears a wyvern would hunt her. And when one does he takes her to the mountain aerie of Darkspire Reaches, where she encounters the mighty Drakken lord. Apart from being handsome and powerful, Connor is the most arrogant, self-centered, difficult man Raven has ever encountered. Instant power battles ensue leading to a sparkling love/hate relationship.
This is the one I came up with for Shadow Over Avalon, although it is far from final. It needs to be much more snappy.
Imagine being raised in a strict elitist environment because of very special abilities. All Arthur wants is to fight the enemies of humanity on the surface world. He dreams of freedom from his captivity in an undersea city.
Ashira, a Warrior Maid, wants a normal life away from her dysfunctional family—a home, husband and children. Not much to ask for one of the ruling class, as this is the way for fort dwellers. This isn’t in her future in the way she envisions.
Someone has been waiting a very long time to move his prime pieces into position for the final gambit. He doesn’t care if dreams are shattered, or if happiness is destroyed.
And then there are the others—the ones no-one would care to meet in the dark. These are the hidden ones, who control all.
Here is the one written by the editor of the Anthology.
A soldier on leave suddenly finds himself at the battlefront and at the mercy of the dreaded Morrigan. Next, a kelpie is given a mission by the undine who rules the river that is his only path to Faerie. A disabled man, drawn into the world of the Shining Ones, must save the fairy he loves from herself. Then a high-strung jeweler finds he has more in common with a thieving Cat Sidhe than the people of the town who accommodate her…
Magic Creatures From Celtic Mists features eleven stories with distinctly different plots and themes, some whimsical, some frightening, and others bittersweet. Together, they feature contemporary imagining of creatures of Celtic myth, portrayed in both ancient and modern settings, with respect for their rich cultural origins and historical significance. It is a tribute to the past that celebrates its continued and compelling influence on the present in which we live.
What inspired you to write these books (or in this genre)?
I grew up reading fairly stories and gravitated to fantasy and science fiction. I guess I needed a world apart and naturally my ideas reflect this.
Tell us why we should love or hate your main character?
My main characters are very real. They are not perfect and they do make mistakes. How they deal with this is what makes them come alive. This also follows through with antagonists. No one is totally evil and there are redeeming, humanizing features in all of them, particularly the most nasty ones.
Do(es) your book(s) have a soundtrack?
The trailer here, but if Darkspire Reaches had a sound track, then it would be the song Veshangro from Incredible String Band. This was the song going through my head as I was writing the book.
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Thank you again Elizabeth! You can follow her on her website!
Her books can be bought from any of these fine retailers:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Darkspire+reaches
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/darkspire-reaches?keyword=darkspire+reaches&store=nookstore
http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=darkspire+reaches
July 14, 2013
Blog Highlight: Faith Brown | Author
Faith blogs about tips for writing, her own work and others!
A bit about Ms. Brown;
Faith A. Brown has taught English at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria and University of Botswana for twenty-two years. At Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, she was a senior lecturer. She was the acting Director of the university’s General Studies Department for over a year. At the University of Botswana, she coordinated the university’s Writing Centre and Student Support Services for two years. After that, she accepted a job as English faculty at the College of the Marshall Islands. She is a member of Victoria Writers’ Society, International Reading Association and The College of Teachers, London, UK. Also, she is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Treasure Link Productions, publishers of The Pearl magazine. She has many academic publications, including a textbook titled English for Tertiary Education. An Integrated Approach. Some of her short stories and poems have appeared in magazines. Her poem ‘Saved’ was selected in an international poetry competition and published in Transcending Moments, an anthology of the Poetry Institute of Africa, South Africa. Her collection of poems, Endless Seasons was a finalist for poetry in the 2010 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Literary Prizes. She is studying literacy among ESL students for her doctoral degree.
Faith is an emerging novelist. In her words: “I am many things to many people. Writing has been my passion since I was a little girl. I also love reading, movies, music, and travelling. I found my niche – writing – many years ago but I’m still on a journey and have many ideas percolating. I’ll continue to give voice to those ideas….”
She lives in Victoria, BC, Canada.
You can find her blog here: http://www.faithbrownonline.com
July 12, 2013
Q & A with Aubrey Brown
Reading this interview I almost jumped for joy. Out of all the interviews Ive done she is the first one who’s favorite author is the same as mine! Enjoy and give a warm welcome to Aubrey Brown!
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What would your bio say?
Aubrey Brown was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has had a passion for writing for as long as she can remember. The first book she read, outside of a school assignment, was a pilfered romance from her mother’s collection. And she has been addicted to the written word ever since. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has one incredible son. She started writing to tell fabulous stories to those who want to read something different from the average erotica. She is a firm believer there is a happily ever after for anyone who has the courage and conviction to reach for it.
When did you start writing and why?
I have always had a passion for the written word. I had a very hard time reading at my grade level in elementary school, so my grandmother forced me to sit down with her and read. I got to the point where I loved to read and was beyond my current grade level. I moved on to work with the journalism staff, dead poet’s society, and the school’s short story magazine. I decided to be an author, by the time I graduated High School.
If you are a parent how does being a parent affect your writing and writing habits? Or does it?
I have an amazing four-year-old boy who takes up most of my time, so I find myself writing during naps and very late into the night. Alternatively, if I have a deadline, my sister will take my son for the day, and I am free to write!
Who is your favorite author and why?
I love, Steven King. He is imagination personified. The massive amount of intelligence within his literature is staggering. I also enjoy historical literature by, Julia Quinn.
What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
I hope to bring joy and pleasure to anyone who reads my works. My ultimate goal has and always will be to entertain my readers.
Traditional or Self publishing? Why?
Both! Ravenous is a traditional publish, as well will the sequel, Hunger, which is due to release in August. Furthermore, the third installment, Crave will come out directly after. I am in addition writing a short for Amazon, BN, and Smashword entitled, Cursed, and lastly, another novel due to release in November called, A Very Merry Chase!
Talk about your journey into the wide world of publishing.
It all started when I complained to my husband that a novel I was reading was horribly written. He told me to write my own novel if I thought I could do better. And I am never deterred by a challenge, so took him up on his dare. I wrote for a submission call to a competing publisher. They read over the novel, and we ended up not being able to come to a contractual agreement. I then sent my novel to Siren and was offered a book deal! Later, they offered to publish the two subsequent books.
Tell us about your book (s)
Ravenous is a historical/ paranormal erotica that is set in England. Here is a synopsis: Emma Westlake is engaged to a Duke, whom she does not want to marry. There are rumors circulating through the ton that the Duke is responsible for his wife’s death. Feeling as if her life is in danger, Emma must flee to a castle near the sea to be a governess to two adoptive children. She is employed by a man who is eccentric. There are no mirrors in the home, and he is never about during daylight. Gabriel Saxon-Worthington has no idea who this mystery woman is, save her name, Mercy, and the sudden impulse to sink his fangs into her. They are both seduced by each other’s brand of secrecy and engage in an affair that could lead to a deadly end. Gabriel is a vampire with a lust for Mercy’s blood, but will they be able to find eternity together before the Duke discovers her, or will he remain Ravenous?! The novel is rated Sextreme and is extremely HOT and adventurous.
What inspired you to write these books (or in this genre)?
I was inspired by the submission’s call, and the fact that I love historical novels and vampires. The call was described as follows: Write a historical piece that finds a woman of title and breading, leaving her home to seek employment to better her circumstance. And lastly, to make is a dark romance, and what is darker than vampires and monsters who go bump in the night?
Tell us why we should love or hate your main character?
My leading character has been described as being out of a Jane Austen novel. He is a dark and brooding man who has a taste for his new governess’s blood! He is secretive and mysterious. You will love him instantly. My heroine is a strong woman who falls in love with the Hero and finds herself keeping her own secrets as well. The dark sadistic duke she is to marry was especially fun to write, because he is so evil and has no conscience for what he does.
Do(es) your book(s) have a soundtrack?
I listened to a lot of Icona Pop, Nickleback, Metallica, Joan Jett, AWOLNATION, Finger Eleven, Fun, Imagine Dragons, and Rob Zombie.
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Thank you again for joining us this week! You can find Aubrey on her website! Her book is available on Bookstrand, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
July 7, 2013
Blog Highlight: Muriellerites
Murielle Cyr blogs about her writing progect, photos and reviews of others books! Be sure to check her out!
A bit about Ms Cyr:
Creating an About file is always a struggle for me. There’s nothing extraordinary about my life. I am grateful to be born in Canada where devastating hurricanes, flooding and earthquakes are not commonplace and where a visit to the hospital doesn’t involve working till 95 to pay off the cost. I give thanks that I have a roof to protect me from the elements and enough food and water to keep me relatively healthy. Ordinary is a need for me; I don’t crave fame, fortune, great adventure and neon lights.
Writing is sharing; it has be an emotional and spiritual connection between writer and reader. I have written many poems and stories through the years but a lot of them haven’t survived my weeding process. In my experience, if the contents of a piece is limited to ame experience, it won’t survive very long. Once the identity crisis that inspired the piece has blown over, the work is no longer relevant. If it connects beyond the ego, it has a better chance at survival. The poems and stories that appear in this blog are not written in cement. Some will disappear when I don’t feel that flutter when I reread them.
My writing is mostly realistic but I’ve been known to go to other worlds and meet fantastic living beings. If you don’t find vampires and zombies, please don’t be disappointed; they just don’t turn me on.
I write to make connections, so please let me know if you feel that flutter when you read a post of mine.
Besides writing and reading, I also garden, do Tai Chi, some yoga, bake and make soap, salves and tinctures. Some of these things sometimes appear in my writings.
Namaste
You can follow her blog here: http://muriellerites.wordpress.com/
July 5, 2013
Q & A with K.Meador
Representing the southern most part of the USA is our next victim! Please give a warm welcome to K. Meador
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Born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in Texas since I she was four years old, K-Trina Meador is the youngest of five children. Growing up in Cross Plains, Texas and being raised on a seventy acre farm gives her an appreciation for country life and small town communities.
She had two children. Her oldest son just received his Master Scuba Diving Certification and will be pursuing an occupation as a Scuba Diving Guide and by teaching the PADI course for those future Scuba Divers. Her youngest son has graduated high school and is entering a trade school for welding.
Author K. Meador enjoys hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, photography and aviation. She is currently traveling from state to state working as an aircraft mechanic and author. Current locations include: Hawaii, Georgia, South Carolina and currently, Oklahoma.
Her first novel, Journey to Freedom, was published in April 2012. Followed by Their Journey Begins in November 2012 and Transcendence in December 2012. Most recent publication is The Knight of the Dixie Wilds in May 2013.
When did I start writing and why?
I have always written. From a journal as a child to an adult. I won a competition in high school for a short story. I wrote poetry. But it
wasn’t until after my sons graduated from high school that I started taking it serious.
If you are a parent how does being a parent affect your writing and writing habits? Or does it?
I am a parent but seeing how both my children are out on their own, it doesn’t affect my writing schedule. My biggest impact on my writing schedule is the full time job I hold in addition to writing and marketing.
Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is Frank Peretti. I love how he weaves the unseen world with the present world.
What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
Honestly, I love to write so my goal is 1) bring a great story to readers and (2) make an income writing so I can quit my day job.
Traditional or Self-publishing? Why?
I went with a traditional publisher with my first book. I ended up firing them. They were more concerned about a “timeline” than they were about helping my book be the best that it could be. Their in house editing department was poor and their marketing consisted of putting together a press release and that was it. By the time I went through all of this I had met other authors and I learned how to self-publish. I currently self-publish and market my books.
Talk about your journey into the wide world of publishing
I have already told you about my traditional publishing nightmare and I can tell you that self-publishing, though a challenge, has led me in the area of meeting and becoming friends with people I never would have before. It is one of the reason I enjoy being an Indie Author. More often than not, other authors are there to provide support, encouragement and to answer questions. I am blessed to have a network of friends/authors.
Tell us about your book (s)
My first book, Journey to Freedom, was published in April 2012. It is set in the civil war and it takes several characters through the journey of escaping slavery. Here is a few statements by readers who left reviews on Amazon:
K Meador’s Journey to Freedom is an epic tale, of love and tragedy, of want and devastation, of passion and bigotry, set in a time of shame for those with hearts unable to encompass compassion for all. What starts out as a story about a couple
Marissa and Greggory turns into an extended story of those they friend, all melding into family, where love abounds. What starts out as a search and escape for freedom twists and turns into marriage, family, separation, and ultimately finding God. It’s a sweet read, an easy read, a good family and Christian read, that Meador put her heart in to.
Toward the end two characters come together and discuss the bible quite a bit. I found this part a bit preachy. The rest of the book mentions God but in a way that just seems conversational. Had someone told me this was a “Christian” story, honestly I
wouldn’t have read it. That is why I wanted to give it 4 stars, but if I passed up on it for that reason I would have missed a lovely story that truly drew me in. That is why I moved it up to 5 stars.
My second book, Their Journey Begins, came about because readers asked to know more about some of the characters in Journey to Freedom. It is a short story anthology. It will also be available on Amazon for FREE starting May 26, 2013 through May 30, 2013.
The cover is a picture that I took in Hawaii on a hiking trail.
My third book is, Transcendence. It is a book of poetry that I have collected over the years. The cover photo is another photo that I took in Hawaii.
My fourth book, The Knight of the Dixie Wilds, is a collaboration with another author. My great-great uncle, Walter E. Taylor, wrote this book in 1929. Because the copyright has ended on this book, I have edited it, gave it a new cover and republished it as a second edition. It is set in the years post American Civil War. This story came about by others’ in his life requesting he pen the story. A memoir is in the back of the book about him.
What inspired you to write these books (or in this genre)?
The American Civil War is one of the greatest tragedies our country as endured. Being split with diverse controversial issues at hand, it is clearly a time when our Country was young. I wrote in this genre because I wanted people to remember the trials and tribulations that our ancestors had gone through – and to respect them for it.
Tell us why we should love or hate your main character?
In Journey to Freedom, you will love both Marrissa and Greggory for their courage and bravery. I had one reader who intensely disliked Daniel. And many have told me how they hated, with a passion, the owner of Greggory. I had one reader who said that Carmen and Charles tugged at her heartstrings.
Do(es) your book(s) have a soundtrack?
I am working on getting “The Knight of the Dixie Wilds” and “Journey to Freedom” on audio.
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Thanks so much for joining us this week! You can follow K. Meador on her website, on Facebook and her blog. Her books can be found on Amazon and CreateSpace.
July 1, 2013
OFFICAL RELEASE!!! Two of a Kind
Finding Our Tribe
By Susan Mallery
With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans.
Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com .
Heres a video in which Susan chats about Felicia of TWO OF A KIND:
I think that deep down, everyone wants to belong. It’s hard-wired into our DNA. When we’re alone, truly alone, we feel lost, adrift. We need to know that someone cares about us. We need to care about others, to be connected to the world around us in some way. We need to be part of a tribe.
Almost all of us do it, all our lives. We either join a community or we form one. We have our families, our friends, our clubs, our churches and schools. We’re brought together by blood or shared interest or just a snarky sense of humor. We meet a like-minded soul,
and we know immediately, we belong to the same tribe.
Have you ever become instant friends with someone just because she reads romance? Me, too! That’s what I’m talking about. We’re all part of the romance-reading tribe. We bond over our belief in happy endings.
Intellectually, Felicia Swift, heroine of TWO OF A KIND, my latest Fool’s Gold romance, understands that she needs a tribe. And emotionally, she feels it. Deeply. But she doesn’t know how to get there. She’s one of the smartest people in the world, but her intelligence seems to push people away. Even her parents. They gave her up when she was four, intimidated by her freakish smarts. (It didn’t help that she built a bomb.) They allowed Felicia to be raised on a university campus, where she was fed, clothed, challenged, educated… but never loved.
Felicia has moved to Fool’s Gold, typical small-town America, to learn how to interact with normal people so she can become one of them. She longs to fit in. She served as a logistics expert in the Army for years, and found a community there, but it was a life she was in almost by default. What she truly yearns for is to find her tribe, to fall in love, to have a family.
Men tend to be more solitary than women, but underneath, they need a tribe, too. Even if their tribe consists of just one or two other people. Gideon Boylan doesn’t think so. When he was a prisoner of war, he watched his buddies break, one by one, weakened by the families they loved back home. Gideon was the only survivor because, as he saw it, he had no one to miss.
Felicia thinks there’s safety in numbers, and Gideon feels that safety lies in the number one. Bet you can guess who turns out to be right!
Enter the TWO OF A KIND blog tour contest once a day every day from June 25 through July 7 for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or BN.com gift card! And because this blog was set up by Fool’s Gold Cheerleader Allyson Brann, if you win, she’ll win a gift card, too!
Click here to enter: http://www.susanmallery.com/contentpage.php?id=0016
What shared interests or hobbies hels you make close friends?
June 30, 2013
Blog Highlight: Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog
Barbras blog reviews and talks about childrens books!
A bit about Ms. Mojica;
Barbara Ann Mojica is an historian and retired educator living in New York State. She holds a Bachelor’s and
Master’s Degree in History. Barbara spent more than 40 years teaching in NYC and holds New York State teacher certifications in Elementary, Special Education, and Administration. She also spent several years
as a Special Education Administrator and principal of a special education preschool for developmentally delayed children. Barbara, although retired from teaching, is staying busy: along with her forthcoming series of Little Miss History travel books she writes historical pieces for The Columbia Insider, Pat Fisher and Ed Pollack Editors, under the banner “Passages”. Marrying her love of history and teaching, Barbara hopes her Little Miss History character will inspire children to learn about historical people, and visit landmarks such as the one covered in this book, Mount Rushmore.
You can find her blog here: http://bamauthor.me/
OFFICIAL RELEASE!!!! Dragon Twins
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The Blurb:
Separated at birth…reunited by murder.
Behind the gates of an exclusive Lake City neighborhood, prominent businessman Don Chu’s housekeeper has been brutally murdered and his teenage daughter taken. The high-profile case has the Mayor himself sending the case across Detective Stan Brookshire’s desk. He barely has time to digest the details of the two sinister crimes before he’s called to yet another disturbing scene.
This time, at the other end of the city, another murder and attempted kidnapping ring out with a similarity too convenient for coincidence. As the clues fall into place and the evidence mounts, Stan starts to see a pattern emerge. A DNA match, and the two cases now become one. With the help of an unexpected young ally, Stan begins his search for a victim that may still be alive. It’s a race against the clock and across the globe that will test his skills to the absolute limit. Two murders. Two kidnappings. Twice the danger.
The Excerpt:
A loud noise startled Jade from her slight doze. As she straightened up in her chair, she glanced at the clock on her bedside table across the room that held her textbooks. Eleven thirty-five.
Leaning back at her desk, she reached over and felt the bowl of soup Wei-Lee, the family housekeeper, had brought. It had been piping hot but now it was tepid. She estimated she was out less than half an hour.
Another crash came from the direction of the kitchen. What on earth was Wei-Lee doing at this time of night to make that much noise?
Jade started to get up when the door to her room flew open and two almost identical Asian men burst into her room. Grabbing her before she could make a sound, her feet lashed out and knocked the books to the floor as they dragged her toward the door.
“You’re coming with us,” one of the men said in a thick, Chinese accent. “You can either come quietly or we’ll drag you out.”
“There’s no way I’m letting you take me anywhere!” she yelled, struggling against them. Their grip loosened and this time she racked her nails across one man’s cheek. Crying out in pain, he released her arm to protect his face.
She ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs hoping to find Wei-Lee or something to defend herself. Jade heard them running after her. Chancing a glance over her shoulder, she saw they were right behind her as she raced through the house trying to get to the kitchen.
She was almost there when a man stepped out of the doorway, into her path. He was Asian but what caught her attention was the knife in his hand. Red liquid dripped from it onto the tile floor. She managed to duck around him and into the kitchen where she was halted at the sight of Wei-Lee. She lay dead in a slowly spreading pool of blood.
A hand grabbed her shoulder and tried to spin her around. Her reflexes drove her forward, jumping over the housekeeper’s body she dove for the cordless phone to dial 911. She managed to dial two digits before the phone was knocked out of her hand and it went flying across the floor.
Rough hands grabbed her and tore her clothing as she tried to get away. It was useless. They were too strong. It was too much for her. The sight of the dead housekeeper, the men in her house…the blood. There was so much blood.
A hand reached up and put a cloth over her mouth, she fought against it but it was no use. She had no strength left. As her world faded to darkness the last thing she heard was, “Do not hurt her. Ling will not be happy if she is harmed.”
Grab your copy today on Amazon!
And dont forget to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway " target="_blank">Rafflecopter contest! Great prizes to be had!
June 28, 2013
Q & A with Rachel Sparks
Our victim this week comes from the opposite end of the country as our guest last week. Shes no newcomer to interviews either Please welcome Rachel Sparks!
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What would your bio say?
Rachel Sparks grew up in South Carolina. With a degree in Early Childhood education and one in social work, she brings those skills to the table to write stories involving strong female characters, current social issues, a sprinkling of romance and powerful storylines.
On the 2007 Preditors and Editors Readers Poll “Factor Of Love” ranked 14 out of 201 romance novels.
Rachel has appeared on WGGS-TV 16 Dove Broadcasting in November of 2006, February 2009 and March 2010
Also in March 2008 Rachel appeared on Your Carolina WSPA-TV 7.
When did you start writing and why?
I have been writing since I was 7 years old…poems and little stories. I have always had stories running around in my head. My mom was a reader and she taught me to love to read and books.
If you are a parent how does being a parent affect your writing and writing habits? Or does it?
Well my son is 22 now and he also has 3 published novels.
Who is your favorite author and why?
Amanda Quick…I love she has mystery along with romance in her books
What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
That my books will help someone and also will enjoy a little romance and suspense too.
Traditional or Self publishing? Why?
Self-publishing because I keep the rights to my books and control everything.
Talk about your journey into the wide world of publishing
After finding traditional publishing with too many rules and so forth, I discovered Lulu. They are some wonderful people and publishing was a so fun and exciting.
Tell us about your book (s)
I have 8 published novels. Innocent Hearts Of Courage, Unconditional Love, Factor Of Love, Rochelle’s Life, The Invisible Child, Faith To Love Again, A Reason To Love, Love Heals The Broken…some are based on today’s time and historical
What inspired you to write these books (or in this genre)?
I love romance, mystery and suspense
Tell us why we should love or hate your main character?
My main characters are average people who go through some tough situations. I want readers to love them and root for them and sometime get mad at them.
Do(es) your book(s) have a soundtrack?
I listen to dvds when I write.
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Thank so much Rachel for joining us this week! You can follow Rachel on her blog or Facebook. Her books can also be found on Amazon and Lulu.
June 23, 2013
Blog Highlight: Jo Robinson | Writer
A lovely collection of shorts by Ms Jo Robinson.
A bit about Ms Robinson;
I live in Zimbabwe with my husband, dog, and a feathered flock. I’m a writer currently published on Amazon, ardent supporter of human and animal rights, lover of the written word in all its forms, and art in all its form.
You can find her blog here: http://africolonialstories.wordpress.com/
