Anna Sugg's Blog, page 11

Sprint Fling

If you haven’t read Ghost Thunder, second book of the my contemporary Yellow Creek series, available under my aka Anna Sugg, then here a chance to meet Becca Tripp in Ghost Thunder. She is participating in a Spring Fling Hop this week and has agreed to an interview, so come and see what she has to say. 

It’s the beginning of spring in Ghost Thunder when we meet Becca Tripp, pregnant with her first child and without a husband.    Hello Becca, welcome to my blog. We have a few questions to ask you about your life in Yellow Creek, Tennessee. I know you wanted to have this interview while out riding your horses, but since you’re pregnant, we’ll just lean against the fence and watch your Tennessee Walking horse kicking her heels up and enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Judy:  What do you do for a living?  Becca:  I’m a school teacher. Yellow Creek is a small farming community without a school, so I have to drive twenty miles every day to the school in Dickson. I don’t mine. I even enjoy the drive since I pick up my nephew, who lives down the road from me. We always have such interesting topics to talk about. He’s twelve years old and is so much like my brother, Ketch.
Judy:  Is your pregnancy a good thing, or am I being too personal? Becca:  Yes, it’s good. I’m so excited, but it’s hard since my baby won’t have a father…something I would rather not discuss right now.
Judy: Do you live alone in Yellow Creek?  Becca: Yes, well, no. I have my dog, Maxine, and my Tennessee Walking horses, Josie and Silver Dapple. Also my brother, nephew and sister-in-law live down the road.
Judy: I only see one horse out in the field. Which one is he?Becca: She. Josie is a filly. I board Silver Dapple at my brother’s farm. She’s a Tennessee Walking horse that I rescued from an abusive owner and requires medication.
Judy: Will we meet you in book one, Secret Past?  Becca: Yes. My brother, Ketch and his son lives with me, but their life changes when Sarah moves to Yellow Creek. If you haven’t met Sarah yet, please stop by Yellow Creek in book one, she’d love to tell you about her grandmother’s secret past.
Judy: What does the title Ghost Thunder mean?  Becca: Oh my…have you not been in Tennessee when the rain pours. Its buckets. It seems that every time there’s a thunderstorm, I’m confronted with ghost horse. He’s leading me into something dangerous, and I’m scared for my unborn child.
Judy:  Can you elaborate? Becca:  No, I can’t. Someone might hear.
Judy: Do you have a love interest? Who is he? Becca: His name is Thomas and he has a daughter named Ellie. Ellie is a sweetheart, but she’s worried about her father and I can tell she is keeping something from me. I know Thomas has a secret and I’m not sure if he’s truly honest with me, so I’m being cautious. I have to protect my baby.
Judy: Do you have a favorite spring drink you can share with us? Becca: I have to confess it’s Southern Sweet Tea with lemon, of course. I love sitting on my brother’s porch, swinging and drinking sweet tea with my sister-in-law, Sarah. Here’s my recipe: Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda into a 64 ounce, heat proof glass pitcher. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water, add 6 tea bags and cover and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags, stir in ¾ cups white sugar (I like my tea sweeter, so I add 1 cup sugar), then, pour in 6 cups of cool water, refrigerate. Pour the sweet tea over a glass of ice, squirt in some lemon, and enjoy.  
Judy: Do you have a favorite scene that you can share? Becca:  I do. This short excerpt comes from Ghost Thunder:
A horse neighed.  Her hurried glance swung out into the field beyond the fence line. She frowned and squinted into the heavy downpour, stopped near the fence, and searched the saturated field. Josie wouldn’t have left the barn. She didn’t like thunder. There it was again. A horse neighed as if saying, “Over here, where are you?” She was sure of it.In the seconds the bright blue blaze lit up the sky her breath hitched at the sight before her. Through the pouring rain, a horse ran at full gallop. Another sheet lightning covered the sky above to reveal the large muscular body of a beautiful horse moving at a high-speed. His long stride stretched reaching out toward her. Becca wiped the raindrops from her eyelashes and stared. The flash above shimmered on his black coat and the white marking on his face bobbed with each galloping movement. And then, he stumbled, caught himself, stumbled again, but managed to continue in her direction. Becca climbed upon the bottom fence rail. He was hurt. The animal lurched forward and went down. He didn’t move. How did an injured horse get inside her field and where did he come from? Without any thought of how pregnant she was, she climbed up and over the fence and on a fast run headed toward the horse through the soggy wet field. A gust of wind blew the hood from her head soaking her hair. She stopped. Where did he go? Her wet hand held out the flashlight and searched the ground. Once again a sheet of lightning turned the sky from night to day. Nothing. Standing beneath the thunderclouds, she dropped to her knees and gazed beyond the field in the dark. Distant thunder roared beyond the rolling hills, moving on with the heavy rains and wind. The storm had settled down to a steady drizzle, though it had already drenched her entire body. Raising her hand, she wiped her face and eyelashes to scan the field again. Did she imagine the incident? It was too surreal, and yet, she was almost positive he’d been real. Why in this world did she have a vision of such a beautiful animal galloping toward her like his life depended upon reaching her? What did it mean?
Thank you Becca for joining us today and your participation in the Spring Fling Hop. I know everyone will want to leave a comment so their name can be entered into a drawing for one of your mugs. Becca will have me draw a name on April 25 and contact the winner. 


Now, you have a chance to win more prizes… I’m participating in a Spring Fling Blog hop April 21 – 24 with over fifty authors and bloggers joining together to bring you some amazing posts, great giveaways and lots of fun! Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter to win a Kindle tablet, gift cards, paperbacks and swag and be sure to check out the other blogs taking part. http://www.lovelustandlipstickstains....  (I’m #46: Country Girl at Heart)
Thank you for participating in this Spring Fling Hop and if you’d like to read Becca Tripp’s story, Click Here.

Happy Hopping.  Judy

Authors in Bloom Blog Hop

Welcome to Authors in Bloom Blog Hop  Two Grand Prizes!!   Things are beginning to bloom all over, at least, I hope they’re beginning to bloom where you live and not snowing. April 7-16 is a great time to visit a list of authors and readers that are excited to offer you so many giveaways that you won’t be able to resist visiting every site, so please click on the picture above for the list. 
There's two Grand Prizes!!  Here’s what you need to do to submit your name for the grand prize: Simply leave a comment on each author’s site and you’ll be eligible to win. Grand prize entrants will be entered via a rafflecopter giveaway widget, available on the landing page of this hop, A Cozy Reader’s Corner. Visit http://diannevenetta.com/events/authors-in-bloom-blog-hop/for the list and information about the grand prizes giveaway.
Not only will you name be entered in Authors in Bloom final drawing for the two grand prizes, but for everyone who leaves a comment here, on my blog, their name is entered into a drawing for a chance to win a .pdf copy of my newly released Silver Sage Creek Novel, Better She Love and a $5 gift card from Amazon.   

Better She Love
How can she compare the Comanche half-breed’s kisses to the man she’s going to marry, when he had only kissed her on the cheek?

When Sam Coulson meets the prim and proper doctor, he doesn’t think she can fit into the rude, crude, and untamed life of the west. But, she draws him in until she owns his heart. Can a kiss, a flashflood, a shooting, and a mad rabid wolf, chase her into the arms of a Comanche half-breed? 


Thank you for participating in the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop.

Dont' for get to visit BTS Emagazing (it's free) and see my ad on page 18.  Judy

Secondary Characters

I want to introduce you to one of my favorite secondary characters. I wrote the first Silver Sage Creek novel, Better She Die without any thought of two more books, until I finished. Several of my secondary characters were so strong that I decided to write Better She Live and Better She Love . 
Silver Sage Creek is my factious town in northern Texas created through my characters. As the novels grew from one book to three, the town also grew.  Now with a developed western town in the late 1800s, I can’t stop, so my work in progress is book four, Better She Lie .
One special character stood out in my first book  Better She Die. Ruby Thornton has agreed to let me interview her, but she refuses to give away any significant information that would keep you from wanting to read her story in Better She Live.
Judy:  Have you lived all your life in Silver Sage Creek? Ruby:  No, my cousin, Mary Ann and I were about seventeen years old when we found our way to the small Texas town. We were only going to stay long enough to make enough money to buy a train ticket back to Atlanta, Georgia, but it wasn't our destiny to return.
Judy:  What do you do for a living?  Ruby:  I own Silver Sage Saloon. It’s a respectable business now, but it hadn't always been.
Judy:  Why did you settle in Silver Sage Creek? Ruby:  An old gentleman owned the Silver Sage Saloon when Mary Ann and I found ourselves stranded in the town. He offered us a job. We agreed to stay and work for him until we made enough money to return home.
Judy: Did you ever return to Atlanta?  Ruby: Yes, once, during a difficult time. It’s too sad for me to go into right now.
Judy: Are you part of all three books?  Ruby: Yes, in the first book, I don’t have many friends, but Clare Rose and I discovered we have something in common, drawing us together as dear friends, which is down right baffling. If you'd known Clare Rose before the Indians took her, our friendship would never have happened. The second book is when you’ll really get to know me. I’m not a complicated person, but I do have problem with allowing people to love me for who I am, and that has much to do with my scarred body and my upbringing. And, you’ll understand more in book three where you'll actually get to meet my daughter.
Judy: Why do you shy away from being loved?  Ruby: The one think I have going for me is my business skills. I know how to run my saloon and make money, but when it comes to feeling pretty and worthy of someone’s love, I don’t find it easy to open up, especially knowing how ugly the scar on my body looks.
Judy:  From the first book, we discover you have a daughter? Do we get to meet her, if so, what is her name and in which book will she arrive? Yes, I have a daughter, but I hadn’t seen her in years until she stepped off the train in Silver Sage Creek in book three. Her name’s Millicent Thornton and she’s a doctor.
Judy: Do you have a love interest in the first book? Who is he and why does it not work out? Ruby: Sort of. He’s a Texas Ranger and I love him dearly, have for years, but his heart belongs to another. He married my cousin Mary Ann, and when the Indians murdered her, he and I turned to each other for comfort. I know he loves me, but not the way he loves another.
Judy: Do you finally meet someone that loves you? Ruby: I do, but it isn't easy for me, because I own a saloon and he thinks I’m a prostitute.
Judy: Do you have a favorite scene that you can share? Ruby:  Sure. This short excerpt comes from book two, Better She Live: 

The slow gait of a horse drew her gaze down the road behind the town buildings. She squinted through the bright sunshine. Mr. Stryker’s lazy smile showed off white teeth beneath his thick mustache when he connected eyes with her.She tipped her head in his direction. Not many folks road this side of the buildings. Where was he going?“Fine morning, Miss Thornton.”He halted his horse in front of her porch, leaned a forearm on the saddle horn, and shoved the brim of his white Stetson upward. She couldn’t help but notice a lock of curly brown hair drop from beneath his hat. He looked good in his blue cotton shirt and brown leather vest and chaps.“Mr. Stryker.” She couldn’t stop her gaze from trailing down to the gun on his hip, hanging relaxed on his long muscular thigh. He never appeared to be in a hurry. “Are you out to enjoy the day or do you have business to attend to?” No sooner had she ask she bit her lip. Why was she so curious about this stranger?His left brow lifted then his nice smile spread his lips the moment he straightened. “Business, always, ma’am. First business of the day is to proposition you for an evening of pleasure, if you’re free tonight. And, your charge for the evening.”Ruby’s head jerked back. Springing to her feet she stomped to the edge of the porch. Her wide eyed glare aimed at him. With her fingers curling into a tight fist, her infuriating voice spat out her words, slowly, “Mr. Stryker, if I had a pistol in my hand at this moment, your condescending ass wouldn't be sitting on a horse. I’d shoot you down. Your assumption that my business is a place of ill repute couldn't be further from the truth. Now, I suggest you ride on and not step one boot inside of my establishment again.” She stood straight, placed her hands on her hips, and stared into his eyes.With an expression that appeared amused, he pulled his hat square on his head and started to rein his horse around when his gaze shot beyond her to the door.

Thank you Ruby for giving us a look into your life. I'm sure readers will love to read more about you in the second book of the Silver Sage Creek novels, Better She Live .

Do you have some favorite secondary characters that you would like an author to write about? Who are they?


To kick off Spring, I have an ad in BTS eMag. It's free. Check it out.




If you're a reader, this is a free emagazine. My ad is in the Contemporary and Historical section, page 18. They did a great layout of my books. Let me know what you think.

Welcome to Spring Fling Blog Hop, March 7-11

Start SPRING off by entering the Spring Fling Hop and leave the winter snows behind. Feel the warmth of sunshine and enjoy all the free gifts during this hop week.Stop by http://bookstogonow.com March 7-11 and check out all the different authors and free gifts during this hop week. For your chance to win one of many prizes, you must stop by one or all of the participating blog hop stops anytime during the hop week and tell how you celebrate Spring!To increase your chance of winning you are welcome to visit EACH blog and comment. 
There's two Grand Prizes!!  In order to take part, you must  leave a comment and email address at this link: http://bookstogonow.com/blog-hops/Two winners will be chosen at random and notified March 15, 2014First Grand Prize:  (1) Paperwhite KindleSecond Grand Prize: (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
Now, to enter my blog’s giveaway of Better She Die ebook, you have to commenton the blurb and book cover of book two, Better She Live.
   A saloon woman…alone…unloved, and yet, surrounded by loveBlurb:Ruby Thornton, the proprietor of the Silver Sage Saloon is a business woman, not a prostitute. But, because she runs a saloon, the proper folks of Silver Sage Creek treat her as such, until the wealthy Richard Webster moves into town. His reputation of being a gentleman and a lucrative railroad businessman has the entire town smitten, including Ruby. When a cowboy named Jesse Stryker comes along working for the wealthy Webster, Ruby is torn by her conflicting emotions. His angry eyes contradict his proposition for a night of pleasure. She’s tempted. Only, she isn't a prostitute.  Ruby’s first instincts about a person is usually right, until now. Who’s the shrewd and fiendish man, the wealthy Webster or Stryker? Caught up in a charmed life, Ruby’s backed into a corner of kidnapping and murder, putting her life and others in danger. Who can she trust?

One other thing, I’m excited to show off a few of my books during the entire month of March, my books are featured on BTS, http://btsemag.com  Stop by the Contemporary and Historical section, and let me know what you think.   
Have fun and good luck in the drawings.    Judy

Romance Month

Blowing Romance your way with a chance to win a basket full of Romances? It's Valentine's week. Do you feel the romance in the air? 
A few of my author friends are joining me in a party, and it's all about romance and love. We're giving away a basket full of romance. Want a chance to win?



Here’s what you’ll find in the basket:
Marie Higgins: Download of Crazy for You and $5 GC to AmazonAmy Durham: Download of Dusk and $5 GC (your choice Kindle and Nook)Mary Martinez: Download of Honky Tonk and $5 GC to StarbucksSheri McGathy: Signed Print book Elfen Gold (Please note the paper copy only applies to within the USA. If you live outside of the United States, you will receive a pdf. copy of Elfen Gold in your e-mail.Judy Baker: Download of Better She Die and a $5 GC to Amazon
How can you win? You need to answer the five questions listed below. Click on Find Answer links and email your answers to me. Your name will go into the drawing on February 14.
Deadline 2/14/14 midnight. Winner will be announced along with all of the answers on all blogs on 2/15/14. Good luck.


Questions:
1. What does Nerys do to free herself from Gerard's grasp? Find Answer 
2. Mary's wedding wasn't your typical wedding, where was it? Find Answer
3. What is Eli's father's name and where is he at? Find Answer 
4. Where did Amy and her husband get engaged? Find Answer 
5. In the Silver Sage Creek series, Sam Coulson, the Comanche half-breed, has an Indian name. What is it? Find Answer 
Found the  answers? Email them to me at Contact Judy. Good luck in the drawing. Don't forget to check back on Feb. 15 for the winner's name 
Thank you for participating. We'd also love for you to comment and tell us your most romantic story, or your favorite Valentine movie, or song. Happy Valentine's day!
Judy 

New Year Challenge

I hope you are looking forward to 2014 as much as I am.When I look back through the year and focus on what I accomplished during the fast pace 2013 - I’m excited. What about you?I don’t really make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do what I call What I want to Accomplish during the New Year. I write at least six items down and put the paper in a place that is out of sight, therefore, out of mind. By the time the New Year rolls around, I’m reminded of that list, which I actually had forgotten about until now.  So in anticipation, I go looking for that little piece of paper, trying  to remember what I wrote.Well, when I read my list, I was, once again, amazed at what I had accomplished. I usually jot down six items and get all excited if I complete at least half of what’s on the list. They say, the mind is an incredible organ that we barely tap into.
Right now, I’m enjoying a hot cup of coffee and thinking about what was on my list.  I gave myself 5 for accomplishing 5 out of 6. I’m happy. Especially happy about my western historical series and seriously considering writing a fourth book.
Here’s my list:
#1        Finish Ghost Thunder – DONE – available on Amazon in ebook or print          #2        Finish writing and publish the first book to my Silver Sage Creek series, Better She Die – DONE and DONE – signed a contract with Secret Cravings Publishing and they wanted the next two books! 
#3        Write book two, BetterShe Live – DONE (released in September) #4        Write third book BetterShe Love – DONE, and will be released this month (January 2014)#5        Research and write the draft for third Yellow Creek series – Nope #6        Offer my Santa Series in print – DONE, and put the ebooks on for $.99 on Amazon - DONE
Now, as I contemplate the New Year. I’m once again getting excited for what’s ahead for the New Year. What about you? Will you write a list along with me? Just jot down a few things that you would like to accomplish this year. Make it short, but long enough to challenge you. I’d say, no more than 6 things. Now, take the paper and fold it up and put it in a place where you can easily find it, but because it’s out of sight throughout the year, you can forget it. Great. If you’ll let me know that you made a What I want to Accomplish in 2014, let me know. I’ll remind you about your list in December 2014.
Besides accomplishing the above list, I also enjoy two books signings with some wonderful authors at Marissa’s Books and Gifts. I even joined an authors’ group for a Fit and Fabulous 2013 Year, which I was supposed to work out and lose at least ten pound. What can I say…DIDN’T HAPPEN! Oh well, you can’t do it all!
Have an amazing New Year. If you’re partying, stay safe. Here’s the way my hubby and I usually spend New Year’s Eve:   Brett & Judy

December Holiday Kisses

MERRY CHRISTMAS



Merry Christmas and I pray the New Year will be the best and greatest you've ever experienced. I wish you all the love and happiness life can bring.
Before I get started on Kisses, I want to invite you to a book signing on Saturday, December 14 at Marissa’s Books & Gift store, if you’re in the area, I loved to see you, so stop by and say hi, and meet the other four authors.
Once Halloween arrives, it seems the New Year is here in a blink. We’re so busy with friends and families who we usually haven’t seen since the last holiday, so, it’s natural to be hugging and kissing. This got me to thinking about kissing, and how many types of kisses there are. I’ll list a few:
The first one, is the Cheek Kiss, which is used as a friendly greeting, or a flirty kiss by a boyfriend or girlfriend, or good-byes to friends, acquaintances, and family members.

The Air Kiss is more of a gesture in greeting a friend or relative by making a kissing sound with your lips when resting on a cheek, or aiming at the cheeks, but not touching.
Now, let’s get serious,
The Earlobe Kisshappens when you take someone’s earlobe between your lips and tug gently, or suck on the earlobe. Mostly done after kissing the lips.
Of course, there’s the French Kiss, and I’m not just talking about the 1995 film starring (Kate) Meg Ryan and (Luc) Kevin Kline. The French kiss is probably the most famous kiss, performed with an open-mouthed kiss where tongues touches.
We’ve all heard about the Spiderman Kiss, based on the 2002 movie when Mary Jane kissed Spiderman’s lips upside-down. Have you tried this?
There’s the Hickey, which isn’t technically a kiss, but a bruise on the skin after someone sucks hard on the side of the neck – can be embarrassing. I know, some of you are grinning, remembering your youthful days of necking.
For those vampire fans, there’s the Vampire Kiss involving sucking and biting on the skin, usually the neck. And, I’m assuming painful rather than sexy.
I’ll end with the Love Kiss…the most romantic kiss. The most recent romantic, passionate kiss I’ve seen on screen was Thor kissing Jane Foster in The Dark World. I’m talking about the mid-credits scene. If you didn’t stay through the credits, you missed it and it’s worth going again just to see that kiss. It was so breathtakingly long, sweet and smoldering. As it turned out, Thor wasn’t actually kissing Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), but Elsa Pataky, who stood in for Natalie Portman. That’s why the kiss is so passionate, Elsa Pataky is Chris Hemsworth’s wife...hmm, sorry about that Natalie.

I’m sure you know more types of kisses. We all need hugs and kisses, so share one today.
MyChristmas Santa Series, on sale in ebook or print, reveals characters kissing in so many ways.   Santa’s Pretty Lady : How could she fall in love with a homeless Santa?http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Pretty-Lady-Anna-Sugg/dp/1493770144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386366077&sr=1-1&keywords=by+anna+sugg
Santa’s Secret Gift :  A gift from a secret Santa gives her hope and a chance to take her daughter and run. http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Secret-Gift-Anna-Sugg-ebook/dp/B006359FE8/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386366077&sr=1-3&keywords=by+anna+sugg
Mainland Santa :  All men have only two things on their mind: sex and secrets.http://www.amazon.com/Mainland-Santa-3-Anna-Sugg/dp/1494253895/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386366077&sr=1-2&keywords=by+anna+sugg 
 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving  I love autumn, it announces the beginnings of the holidays.   My hubby, Teal’c, and I took our last RV trip toward the end of October. It was a lovely fall weekend, especially with the cool weather and sunshine, showing off all spectacular colors of the season. Here I am with our Airedale, Teal'c.  

I especially want to thank all those who have supported me through my writing career. I took a challenge this year and completed a three book series, and it was a challenge. Silver Sage Creek, book three was completed and turned in to my editor at Secret Cravings Publishing this month. I can’t wait to see the book cover and will share as soon as it’s released. Better She Love will be released sometime in January.

To celebrate our Thanksgiving, I’m making a special dessert, called upside-down lemon meringue dessert. I found the recipe in the food & family magazine – you can visit them at kraftfoods.com.

I first tried the dessert thinking my husband wouldn’t like it…the recipe sounded a little too sweet, and he isn’t crazy about real sweet jello desserts. But to my happy surprise, he really like it this recipe. He thought it was a light dessert and not overly sweet with the contrasting lemon and sour cream added. Here's the picture…sorry about the writing, but I usually make little notes when I try a new recipes. 
  Trust me, it is delicious. Go to the following site and you’ll find the ingredients:  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/upside-down-lemon-meringue-dessert-150582.aspx

Also, my family’s favorite dessert for Thanksgiving is my Carrot Cake, a recipe given to me by my sister in 1979! Wow! Must be good! Back by popular demand from my blog last year is Sherry’s Carrot Cake recipe:
Sherry’s Carrot Cake

2 cups of sugar1 ¼ cups of vegetable oil4 eggs2 ½ cups cake flour2 ¼ teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons cinnamon3 cups finely shredded carrots3 ½ cups black walnutsCombined sugar, oil, egg (one at a time) Mix well after each eggStir in carrotsAdd nuts (I use black walnuts)Sift together: flour, baking soda, cinnamon Stir into mixturePour into 3 greased 9 inch round cake pansBake 30-35 minutesCool 
Cake Icing1           8oz package cream cheese – softened1/4 cup butter – softened1 lb box soft confection sugar2 teaspoon vanilla2           teaspoon lemon juiceBlend cream cheese and butter until smoothAdd sugar, gradually mixingStir in lemon and vanillaIf frosting seems too soft – refrigerate for a few minutes
May God bless you and yours during this special Thanksgiving time of year.  Judy
  

New Release, Historical Western

  

To announce my new release of the second Silver Sage Creek novels, Better She Live, I dedicate the book, as well as the first book, Better She Die to the black wolf. Genetic research has revealed wolves with the unique coloration of the black pelts to be a mutation from domestic dogs. In Better She Live, I have a wolfdog character by the name of Weylyn (Native American name meaning, Son of Wolf). Here’s a tribute to the fascinating animal that made its way into my novels, not only the first two books, but the third one as well, Better She Love, due out in January, 2014.  Take a moment and watch    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzvqfkF6NjY If you’ve read Better She Die, you’ll remember Clare Rose’s best friend, Ruby, owner of Silver Sage Saloon. Her character spoke to me during the entire time I wrote the first book. Book two is Ruby’s story and the last book of Silver Sage Creek novels, will be released in January 2014, Better She Love. Better She Live Blurb:Ruby Thornton, the proprietor of the Silver Sage Saloon is a business woman, not a prostitute. But, because she runs a saloon, the proper folks of Silver Sage Creek treat her as such, until the wealthy Richard Webster moves into town. His reputation of being a gentleman and a lucrative railroad businessman has the entire town smitten, including Ruby.When a cowboy named Jesse Stryker comes along, working for the wealthy Webster, Ruby is torn by her conflicting emotions. His angry eyes contradict his proposition for a night of pleasure. She’s tempted. Only, she isn’t a prostitute.Ruby’s first instincts about a person is usually right, until now. Who’s the shrewd and fiendish man, the wealthy Webster or Stryker? Caught up in a charmed life, Ruby’s backed into a corner of kidnapping and murder, putting her life and others in danger. Who can she trust? A very short excerpt:Ruby’s head jerked back. Springing to her feet she stomped to the edge of the porch. Her wide eyed glare aimed at him. With her fingers curling into a tight fist, her infuriating voice spat out her words, slowly, “Mr. Stryker, if I had a pistol in my hand at this moment, your condescending ass wouldn’t be sitting on a horse. I’d shoot you down. Your assumption that my business is a place of ill repute couldn’t be further from the truth. Now, I suggest you ride on and not step one boot inside of my establishment again.”Are you fascinated with the wolf? Did you like the video? Happy Autumn and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  JudyBooks available:Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Better-She-Die-ebook/dp/B00D1CFIC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381264473&sr=1-1&keywords=better+she+die+by+judy+baker http://www.amazon.com/Better-She-Live-ebook/dp/B00FP2WTY8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381264141&sr=1-1&keywords=better+she+live+by+judy+baker  Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/better-she-die Smashword:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/320887 Secret Cravings Publishing:  http://store.sweetcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=28&products_id=193&zenid=ee6f2abc7ea3da38050871df265964ac        
  

September's Guest Blog

I'm excited to introduce Kim MaMchill. She is a “Writer of adventure fiction, striving to entertain readers and take them on far-flung escapes across America and around the world.”

Living amid some of America’s most stunning landscapes has provided inspiration for many of Kim’s books. She has lived and worked for the National Park Service in the Grand Teton, Hawaii, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, and Wind Cave national parks, and on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi, giving her the opportunity to experience the passion for adventure. Read more about Kim on her website, http://www.kimmcmahill.com

I’m excited to welcome you on my blog this month, Kim. We’d like to know a little about your main character in your new release, Shrouded In Secrets
What drives and motivates Cash Luker? What does he do for a living?Cash is a CIA agent, who has a lot of emotional baggage. He is very good at his job, but capturing the bad guys and staying alive has cost him any semblance of a personal life, and one particular botched operation in his past, has left him with deep guilt.

What does the heroine mean to Cash when they first meet? There are two leading ladies in this novel and they happen to be sisters. The first, Diane, is his new partner and long-time confidant and friend. The other, Olivia, is Diane’s sister and the woman who immediately captures his attention and has the power to change his life.

Why the location and was it a real-life connection?The story takes place all over the world. The first chapter is set in a remote jungle village in Peru, the second occurs in Egypt, and from there we find the characters in Mexico, the Bahamas, Argentina, back to Peru, and in several locals in the United States.  Though I’ve been to most of the countries visited in the book, I haven’t necessarily been to the specific regions where the action takes place, and my trips have no connection to the book.

Is Shrouded In Secrets part of a series?  It is my intention to make this the first novel of a series. I believe there are a number of characters, Diane, Pete, and Marjorie, who are all strong enough to take the lead in future novels, while keeping ties to Shrouded In Secrets .

Do you have a favorite scene that you can share?One of my favorite scenes occurs when the scientist finds himself in a situation where he is forced to test his will to live and draw on physical resources he didn’t know he possessed. Surviving an inhospitable natural environment while trying to elude the superior force tracking him pushes him to new limits, and his strengths are not only revealed to himself, but to his skeptical colleagues.

What are you working on now?I’ve got the first draft finished on an adventure thriller set in a remote area in northern Wyoming. There’s lots of danger, lots of action, and a little heat courtesy of the hot Deputy.
Blurb:
 The massacre of an unarmed South American village, destruction of one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world, and multiple museum thefts ignite a desperate scramble to locate a deadly group of terrorists. An international team led by the ruggedly handsome, but emotionally scarred CIA agent, Cash Luker, scours the globe in an attempt to keep ahead of those striving to bring thirteen mythical relics together. As Cash’s team closes in on those responsible for the devastation he must conquer past demons in order to save the woman who has captured his heart and prevent destruction of legendary proportions.
A couple of quick questions so my readers can get to know you as an author:

What do you do to relax?I really enjoy gardening, but that only applies in the summer, though I do hope to get a greenhouse someday, so I can grow year-round. During the winter I like to travel or escape with a good book.
Favorite spot:Tough question. I’ve been to some pretty amazing places and each one has different attributes that I hold dear. A place may be special due to its people, culture, history, natural beauty, serenity, or recreational opportunities. Usually a locale has a combination of characteristics and it’s difficult to decide which combination is my favorite.
Cat or dog: dogFavorite drink:Mojito
Favorite season: Summer
Hobbies/past time: Travel, gardening, tennis, reading
Favorite movie: Australia
Favorite color:  Green (it reminds me of summer)
Favorite smell: Fresh Ground Coffee Beans

Special words for your fans:  Everyone can embrace adventure, even if it’s just through immersing yourself in a good book.
Where can my reader find you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill
Blog: http://KimMcMahill.blogspot.com
Website: http://KimMcMahill.com

If you enjoy reading suspense stories that keeps you from putting the book down, read Kim’s Marked in Mexico, and then I’m sure you’ll want to read her new release Shrouded In Secrets. Thank you Kim for being my guest.  Judy