Anna Sugg's Blog, page 12

New Book Cover

Dawné Dominique, artist for Secret Cravings Publishing, has done it again. Here’s the book cover she’s created for book two of Silver Sage Creek novels, Better She Live. What do you think?

Blurb for Better She Live to be released in September:
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 contradicts 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?
By the way, Better She Die received a 5 star review on Amazon. I’ll let you know the release date for Better She Live. I’ll be having a contest, so please stop by and enter during the September blog. Okay, back to my book covers. When an author is lucky enough to have two cover illustrators, it’s highly motivating to your writing. I’ve been one of those lucky authors.
All of my contemporary books, written under Anna Sugg (http://anna_sugg.coffeecup.com) have wonderful covers because of Brandon Collins. When I first signed with Secret Cravings Publishing for my historical westerns, I worried about the book covers, because I’ve been so happy with Brandon’s work. Well, as you can see I’m excited to let you know that Dawné Dominique has done a wonderful job too. Check out her website if you’re an author and in need of an illustrator: www.dusktildawndesigns.com

Now, I’ve been motivated to shift into high gear to finish the third book, Better She Love, due out in January 2014.

Please leave a comment, I’d love to know what you think about my covers.   

Deadlines

Many authors have deadlines to meet when writing for a publisher, or as an indie author we cause our own deadline pressures. I’ve done both. My yearly calendar gives me a guideline of when and where I should be when writing a book to its completion. Do I always follow it? Life happens.
My historical westerns are with Secret Cravings Publisher, meaning I have deadlines to meet for the next two books. I just finished the second book to my Silver Sage Creek novels, and now headed into the third. I also have my third indie Yellow Creek book sitting on the shelf waiting to get started.   I’m not a fast writer and try hard to stay within my schedule, it’s difficult at times. I’ve even asked myself: Do deadlines hurt my writing? Cut into my creative thought process? Would I have written a better scene if I hadn’t been pushed to complete so many words in a day? If you’ve read Better She Die, then you know that Clare Rose had one friend in the town – the saloon woman, Ruby. When Ruby Thornton’s life developed, I knew I had to tell her story, besides it gave Clare’s son time to grow up. Sometimes writing a better scene causes problems and delays. It happened with Ruby in Better She Live when I wrote her into a corner and had to take a whole afternoon off in order to write her out. It was worth the time taken to add to the story. I love surprise scenes popping up.   While working toward a deadline, I discovered I’ve neglected everyone, including FB friends, twitting, writing my monthly blogs, emailing, and spending time in my garden. I have to mention, my hubby’s been a trooper.  All in all, you’ll find a big smile on my face when I get my new book cover for Better She Live, available in September.  July is quickly coming to a close and so is summer – my favorite season. Sure we’ve had heat in the three digits, but still I love those balmy nights that’s perfect to enjoy without wearing a sweater or jacket. And of course, the warm weather calls for sweet southern tea with lemon.   What about you? Have you been working toward a deadline? Have you missed some of the summer while writing? Neglected anything? Better She Die was available in May, Better She Live will be available in September, and Better She Love in January 2014. Better She Die and Ghost Thunder are highlighted in the following magazine for the month of July: http://stillmomentsezine.blogspot.com/p/about-still-moments-magazine.html
Have a wonderful summer and I hope you accomplish all you want to in the months ahead.
Judy
    

Come Join Us

Rebecca Tripp invites you to a book signing where the book, Ghost Thunder will be available, along with a chance to win lots of items and her mug with the book cover on it. Did she mention chocolates? Oh, by the way Rebecca lives in Yellow Creek, Tennessee, and in book two of the Yellow Creek Novels, she tries to save the Tennessee Walking Horses from abuse. She’d love you to stop by and grab a book to experience her struggles while trying to save a few horses from a cruel man who is out to harm both her and her unborn child.

 
News Alert in Murray Journal:http://www.murrayjournal.com/pages/calendar/#/event/1208185If you’re in the area, please stop by and checkout all the wonderful books by some very creative authors. There will be five authors at Marissa’s Books and if you live in the Salt City area, please come see us, chat with us, and don’t forget to sign up for several drawings. If you live too far to attend the book signing and have purchased any of my books. Please leave a review on Amazon or one of the other sites and I will put your name in the drawing and if you win, I'll let you know. Thank you.

Now, on to another matter, my new release, Better She Die  (see the book cover on the side) available now at Secret Cravings Publishing:  http://store.sweetcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=10&products_id=167&zenid=dcbc02a6be043c73471d76fd6e68a556

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Better-She-Die-ebook/dp/B00D1CFIC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370880610&sr=8-1&keywords=Better+She+Die
Kobo  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Title/book-_kBLVCKaYU6mR46cJ_dooA/page1.html?utm_source=shopping.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=title-Better+She+Die
Also, a couple of my books have been added to the BookLoads Fun: http://bookloads.weebly.com/index.html, hop over when you have a chance.
Have wonderful June read, and I hope to see you at the Murray, Utah signing.  Judy

 
 

New Release

ANNOUNCEMENT:  BOOK RELEASE

Better She Die

Blurb:

In 1858, Clare Rose Coulson of Silver Sage Creek, Texas, is traumatized as a band of Apache Indians murder her husband, her father, and best friend. When kidnapped, she tries to escape only to be captured by another band, but quickly learns this band is Comanche and different. They aren't warriors or savages, but a peaceful, loving people. While living with the band, she learns to respect the Indian ways and settles into a life she never dreamed.
 
Four years later, Captain Drury Burchett, a Texas Ranger, rescues Clare Rose. Only, the beautiful redheaded woman is angered by her rescue. He's bewildered by the compassion she shows for the Comanches, especially since his hatred for the savages digs deep into his soul for all they've taken from him. What makes this woman so strong in her beliefs and needs to defend the Indians? 
Excerpt:
Clare hung on to Betsy’s limp body and held out her free hand to the nearest animal, and whispered, “Shish.” She untied a rope and led the horse away from the others.After what she hoped was a safe distance, she quickly glanced back at the enemy’s camp. She could do this.Betsy’s body slouched against her. She glanced down at her friend, heaved in a breath and gave her a rough shake, and whispered, “Betsy.” No response. Clare shook her again. “Betsy, listen to me, you’re going to have to stand on your own? Do you hear me?” A twig snapped. Clare whirled.An Indian stood near, slanted his head to the side waiting to see what she was up to. Her mind raced. Clare swung her gaze toward the camp. He seemed to be alone. Turning her hard glare back to the Redskin, she returned his stare with the overwhelming desire to holler, “Boo.” From the way he was gawking at her, she was sure he’d run. However, he’d head straight to his band, putting her in worse danger. Clare continued to bore her angry look into the savage’s eyes. If she couldn’t escape with Betsy, she’d do the unthinkable. No sooner had the thought slipped into her mind, her body reacted. With a strong force, she shoved Betsy toward the hesitant Indian, knocking him backward. With one swift movement, she mounted the horse, leaving Betsy in the clutches of the Redskin. Without looking back, Clare whipped the rope against the horse and took off. God help her. She had just left Betsy in the hands of the enemy. In the early dawn of the morning light, Clare turned the horse toward a canyon. She had no idea what direction to take, but the one thing she knew for sure, she had to get away and bring back help for Betsy.No soon did she breathe in a sigh of relief for successfully escaping, two Indians from out of nowhere rode out in front of her. Before she was able to pull back on the rope, her startled horse hoisted his front legs into the air, dropping her like a dead body. She hit the hard ground, thrusting the air from her lungs. Once she sucked in a gulp of air, her eyes jerked open. While trying to breathe deeply, she looked up into the face of a savage. When he squatted down next to her, she tried to scoot back, but her shaking arms failed to hold her weight. His black angry eyes drilled into hers. God help her, she’d been captured--again. Amazon.comSecret Cravings Publishing


  

Sunshine Award

 
I’ve been nominated by a fellow blogger, Mary Martinez, for the Sunshine Award! This is a festive award that bloggers give to other bloggers “who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.” I’m humbled to be included among the ranks.
Thank you Mary for this nomination.


Mary’s blog is one of my favorite blogs to follow. She’s earned the Sunshine Award for her personal connection with all her fans. If you haven’t stop by her blog, please do. She’s a person of interest in her writings and her special recipes that she shares with us. I’ve known Mary for some time now and her success as a writer has increased with each book she’s written. Her great suspenseful Beckett series is available and you won’t be disappointed when you read her books.

The rules of the Sunshine Award are as follows:1. Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post. (Thank you, Mary!)2. Answer the questions below3. Pass the award to 10-12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs. So, here are the questions:Favorite color: YellowFavorite animal: Dog\Favorite number: 5Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Sweet Southern Tea w/lemonFacebook or Twitter: TwitterYour passion: Besides my family and writing, I love exploring the universe through my telescopes  Giving or getting presents: GivingFavorite flower: Daises

And now I’d like to nominate the following outstanding bloggers for this award:Monique DeVereM.K. McClintockMolly’s MusingPaty JagerCowboys and Dragons At the Cafe

  

Book Cover for Coming Release




My doggie's paw prints this morning!

Happy April. What’s that old saying? April showers bring May flowers – well, sure in some areas, but not northern Utah. Got up this morning to snow covered ground. Not a huge amount in the valley, but enough to say “Ahhh…no!” Just talked to my sister on Friday who lives in North Carolina where they’re having beautiful weather, she was outside working in the yard. I’m looking forward to digging in my flowerbed too, some day! Something else that I’m looking forward to is my May book release. I just received the book cover so I thought I would write about book covers today. One time I did an article on book covers and asked if you judged a book by its cover? Since then, I took note of what books drew my interest. Well, I must admit to judging covers before actually reading the blurb. I’m guessing most of us do. This week I received my western historical romance book cover. Better She Die will be released next month with Secret Cravings Publishing. I’ve been pleased with all my book covers, mostly my eBook covers that are designed by Brandon Collins. I’ve been so please with his work that I was a little nervous about the cover the publishing company would produce. Well, here it is and I want to tell you that I was delighted with the results. What do you think? Would the book cover draw your attention? Here’s a blurb:In 1858, Clare Rose Coulson of Silver Sage Creek, Texas, is traumatized as a band of Apache Indians murder her husband, her father, and best friend. When kidnapped, she tries to escape only to be captured by another band, but quickly learns this band is Comanche and different. They aren't warriors or savages, but a peaceful, loving people. While living with the band, she learns to respect the Indian ways and settles into a life she never dreamed. Four years later, Captain Drury Burchett, a Texas Ranger, rescues Clare Rose. Only, the beautiful redheaded woman is angered by her rescue. He's bewildered by the compassion she shows for the Comanches, especially since his hatred for the savages digs deep into his soul for all they've taken from him. What makes this woman so strong in her beliefs and needs to defend the Indians?Next time I’ll try to be more open minded about reading blurbs when I’m not drawn to the book cover. Who knows how many good reads I’ve missed out on when the cover didn’t interest me? What about you? Do you judge a book by its cover?And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.—Percy Bysshe Shelley                                  My sister's roses in North Carolina... Leave your comment, I'd love to hear from you. Have a happy spring, no matter where you are. Judy

April Author Guest

I’m excited to have an author friend as my guest today, Stanalei Fletcher (some of us call her Kim). She’s a great person to get to know and I hope her interview will inspire you to put her on your list of new authors to read. I can promise you will thoroughly enjoy her books. She’s a person of many interests, for instance, she has a 3rd degree black belt rank of Sandan in Aikido, rides the open roads on a Harley with her husband exploring ghost towns, and she’s a sci-fi fan so be sure to stop by her website. Her stories are suspenseful romanes filled with danger. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Utah, Greater Seattle and the Kiss of Death Chapters of Romance Writers.
Stanalei, thank you for being with us today, and now, we’d like to know a little about your main character in LIGHTNING ONLY STRIKES TWICE. Judy:  What drives and motivates Annie Crawford?  Stanalei: Annie is motivated by a need to connect to family and more deeply, her heritage.  Judy:  What does Annie do for a living? Stanalei:   Annie needed to support herself and her grandfather right out of college. She works as an accounting clerk for a software company. Not glamorous, but it pays the bills.Judy:   What does Annie mean to Luke Maxwell when they first meet? Stanalei:   After Annie sold her property to Luke, he wanted to garner her support/approval, as the previous owner, for his new development plans for the property. To Luke, she’s a means to an end, although she turns the tables on him when she doesn’t completely approve of his plans and realizes she may have made a mistake to sell the land. Judy:   Why did you chose the location and was it because of a real-life connection?Stanalei:   I was born and raised in Idaho. I love the areas near the Sawtooth mountain range and have fond memories of picnics and hikes up there. When I crafted the story involving a mining ghost town, it just made sense to locate the story in those mountains.Judy:   Is LIGHTNING ONLY STRIKES TWICE part of a series?  Stanalei:   No. Writing Lightning Only Strikes Twice was an anomaly for me. I had no intention to write a time-travel until the idea came to me one day—out of the blue. As a consequence, I have no plans for sequel regardless of Rebecca Winter’s wonderful book quote, (thank you a million times over, Rebecca). That said, I’ve considered a few ideas for sequel because I have a sense that readers might like one, but nothing is on the drawing board yet.  Judy:   Do you have a favorite scene that you can share?Stanalei:   One of my favorite scenes is when the kids from White Rock stumble across Annie in the forest just after she’s time traveled to 1891. Here’s a short excerpt:Another boy knelt beside her. Dressed similarly to the first boy, he looked a couple of years younger. He touched the back of her hand, and then cradled it in his own. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “We ain’t gonna hurt you.”A young girl stepped into view. Her faded blue cotton dress didn’t quite reach the tops of her black button boots. “Is she sick? It sort of smells like throwup.”“I think we oughtta git the doc,” the older boy spoke again. “Willie, you stay with her.”The boy holding her hand looked up. “Me? Whadda I do if she dies?”The girl leaned over and stared at Annie with solemn eyes. “Don’t die,” she whispered. “Willie’safraid of dead people.” Judy:   What are you working on now?Stanalei:   I’m currently working on the final book in my Northstar Series. The common thread in the series is a private security firm. The stories are all contemporary romantic suspense. Blurb: FBI agent, Nelson Kane’s Aunt Rosalee has a story to tell. Someone wants her stopped. When Northstar Security’s unconventional bodyguard, Justine Colby is assigned as Aunt Rosalee’s protention, Colby learns she’s a welcome as a wiretap at the annual J. Edgar Hoover Christmas party. Ornaments start to fly when Colby informs by-the-book Agent Kane to stay out of the way while she helps his aunt complete her tell-all autobiography.Judy:   A couple of quick questions so my readers can get to know you as an author:What do you do to relax? Stanalei:   Watching TV is pretty much the most relaxing thing I do. Sometimes I need the mindlessness of letting someone else tell the story. Reading is a close second, but I tend to read like a writer nowadays, so it feels a bit like work.Favorite spot: My backyardCat or dog: NopeFavorite drink: Coke, when I want to treat myself.Favorite season: FallHobbies/past time: Martial arts, gardening, going for a drive to get out of the city.Favorite movie: Guns of NavaroneFavorite color: GreenFavorite smell: Fresh mountain pine-scented airJudy:   Special words for your fansStanalei:   Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The feedback you’ve given me on LIGHTNING ONLY STRIKES TWICE has made all the hours sitting at my computer worth every word. I’m humbled and honored that you’ve enjoyed my stories.Judy:  Where can my readers find you?Website: http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StanaleiFletcherTwitter: https://twitter.com/StanaleiFletchGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6879050.Stanalei_Fletcher  Thank you, Judy, for this opportunity to share a bit about my work and myself with your readers. Through our shared love Stargate: SG1 and your wonderful stories, your stellar example has helped me reach out and obtain my dreams. Bet you didn’t know I was watching, eh?  Thank you Stanalei, I'd like mention to my readers that you also have a short story call Imperfect Dream Perfect Reality, http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/idpr.html - Readers, if you like a short quick read, you shouldn't miss out on this one.

Spring is in the Air

SPRING IS IN THE AIR for Judy's Escape and she has joined Sensuous Promotions to hop through a list of blogs, all filled with giveaways that you're going to love to read.


SPRING is in the AIR BLOG HOP
WIN PRIZES

 While your spring steps HOP from blog to blog you’ll see the same list on each blog (see list below), so keep on the HOP and have lots of chances to win gifts from each blog.

I’ll give away a printed copy of one of Judy Baker aka Anna Sugg's eBooks, your choice of Secret Past or Ghost Thunder. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address for contact and your name will go into the hat. I will draw the lucky winner's name on March 30.

 

There are giveaways on each blog, so hop on over to the many blogs listed and leave your comment. Not only do you have a chance to win something from each blog, your name will also go into the Grand Prize hat for an eBook prize package from XOXO Publishing’s authors.



March Guest Month Week Three

My March guest this week is Mary Martinez.


Mary has live in Utah her entire life, but she and her husband love to travel to exotic places like the Caribbean. And, since Mary is somewhat of a wine connoisseur, it isn’t surprising to learn that Italy is one of her favorite places to visit.
Her inspiring journeys help to fill her books with intriguing characters and rich location descriptions for her stories. Welcome Mary.
Judy:  Mary, tell us about your main characters in The Beckett Series. Mary:   Actually the main character is the Beckett family. The Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2kyxa5u38 Judy:  Mary, tell us about your main characters in The Beckett Series. Mary:   Actually the main character is the Beckett family. The Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2kyxa5u38 Judy:  What does Tyler Beckett do for a living? Mary:  He is an FBI agent.Disappear Available Now  Buy: http://www.marymartinez.com/disappear.html After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual.The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good.Judy:  What does Jessica Beckett do for a living? Mary:  She’s an algebra teacher.Innocent   Available Now. Buy: http://www.marymartinez.com/innocent.html All Jessica wants is a home and a family. So how did she suddenly find herself falsely accused of a felony and then kidnapped by a hit man?Jessica Beckett loves her job teaching high school algebra. That is until Coach Brinley makes her life miserable because she actually has the audacity to fail his three staring football jocks. Maybe if they’d done their homework they would have passed. She refuses to be intimidated. He on the other hand refuses to admit defeat and manipulates the boys into accusing her of sex in exchange for passing grades.Gabriel Despain loves his job as FBI agent. But falling for his partner’s sister has complicated a great partnership. It would be a lot easier to ignore his feelings if Jessica hadn't found herself in trouble. Now he must keep her safe. And if he can't remain objective, they both might get killed.Judy:  What does Christine Beckett do for a living? Mary:  She’s an attorney. Quiet Coming Soon (April)Christine Beckett’s dream of partnership in a prestigious New York City law firm has finally come to fruition. She has financial security, a loving family, and owns her home, why does she need a man? Detective Solomon has worked with Tyler Beckett on several cases, he almost feels he is part of the Beckett clan.  He considers them his good friends, except for Christine who seems to look down her professional nose at him. Christine receives a threatening note and her townhouse echoes with mysterious cries in the night. That is when the handsome and irritating detective insists he temporarily move in to protect her. To add insult, it is with her family’s blessing. Judy:  Why their location and is it a real-life connection for you?
Mary:  The Beckett family’s home is in Brooklyn. However, they work in Manhattan. Why the location? Because I love NYC and Brooklyn. I know their neighborhoods, I’ve walked them. I have pictures of them. The Beckett’s are like family to me.
 
Judy:  Do you have a favorite scene that you can share? Mary: My favorite scene is the final scene of Quiet so obviously I can’t share that. And there are several scenes I like. Actually, all my favorites are the end of each book. LOL.
Judy:  What are you working on now? Mary: History Mysteries with my three grandsons. We have a story board and a map of our fictional town of Cliffdale.
BlurbSummer vacation and Nana is anxiously waiting for her three grandsons to visit while their parents are on vacation. Usually she only saw Zekeriah, Nicholas and Bartholomew at Christmas, but this year her son’s were taking their wives on a cruise and trusting their children to her.  Zeke, Nick and Bart couldn’t wait to explore the town of Cliffdale, though it was sort of small, settled along the coast of California it still seemed pretty cool. They were soon to discover it had a magical quality about it. But as the summer wore on, they notice strange things happening in the deserted house next to Nana’s. And Nana forbid them to explore it because they could get hurt. But who listens to Nana’s? What they find is a house with a ghost and the sheriff and a stranger in town snooping around. They have to find out what is going on, don’t they? But when Zeke ‘see’s’ with his special sixth sense that Nana is in trouble and it’s up to them to use all their powers save her. But can they save her and solve the mystery?  
A couple of quick questions so my readers can get to know you as an author:
What do you do to relax? Listen to music.Favorite spot: Too many places, I love Venice, Florence, Rome, NYC, San Francisco and Calistoga (northern end of Napa Valley)
Cat or dog: Neither, but if I had no choice it would be a dog.
Favorite drink: Wine
Favorite season: Fall
Hobbies/past time: Hmm too many. I’m a concert ho. I love eating and cooking and making up recipes. I love to have wine tastings. I love College sports. University of Utah (Utes)
Favorite movie: Oh man, I do not have just one. True Lies, American President, Goonies, The Proposal, The Ugly Truth, 27 Dresses, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Quiet Man (John Wayne), Don Juan De Marco, And the list goes on and on and on.
Favorite color: Red.
Favorite smell:  Coffee
Special words for your fans:  Thank you!

Where can my reader find you?Web site: http://www.marymartinez.com
Mary’s Garden: http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Martinez/169373246496620
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marylmartinez
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/marylmartinez3/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1646623.Mary_Martinez

Thank you, Judy for inviting me to visit today, it’s been great! I've enjoyed hearing about the Beckett family and to all my friends out there in reading land, if you haven’t read a suspenseful Beckett story, now’s the time. Mary's books are worth it.  Judy

March Post Week Two

I’d like welcome Shelia Bolt Rudesill to my blog. She’s an inspiring author creating stories with a magnetism that draws you into her characters’ emotional struggles and uplifting triumphs.

While living in Wyoming, Shelia became interested in The Oregon Trail. Both she and her artist/writer husband, Bud, had seen and read about much of the overland trail. Shelia created three frontier children, each with a storybook of their own--the first as a journal, the second as a collection of letters, and the last as a novella. The dolls and their computer-printed books sold in gift shops and craft galleries in Wyoming, Idaho, and California.With the local success of Shelia's dolls and books, she set out to write her first novel--a story based on her life, "Child of My Heart." Today, we’re talking to Shelia about her book, Transmutare.We’d like to know a little about your main character in your book Transmutare. Please tell us what drives and motivates Shelli Segal and what does she do for a living? Shelli is a third year medical student and she’s driven by her Orthodox upbringing and strong family ties. What does Shelli mean to Gregoire when they first meet? Shelli is the protagonist. Gregoire is the antagonist. Gregoire reinforces Shelli's sudden psychosis. (Shelli suffers from Alcohol Induced Psychosis after her favorite niece dies and her husband is suddenly sent to Prague just days after their wedding.) Why did you choose the location and was it a real-life connection? Shelli lives in Chapel Hill, NC but visits New Orleans when her psychosis begins. I set the story in the town where I live (Chapel Hill) but my protagonist develops her first symptoms of psychosis while participating in one of her best friend's weddings in New Orleans. Shelli makes friends there who only know her in her psychotic state. Do you have a favorite scene that you can share?From Chapter 13:Some people put a conch shell to their ear to hear the ocean. Not me. The glorious sound of the crashing waves is ingrained in the totality of my consciousness. For six days I have been here at the condo in Wilmington with Zack. This is the only reality I know right now. This place makes sense, maybe because this beach holds my first memory. The condos were brand new then—three story structures built on stilts as close to the water as the building code allowed, twelve condos in each of four buildings. My father bought one on the north end, on the top floor with a balcony overlooking the vastness of the blue ocean with its majestic, ever changing surf. If there’s a paradise, it’s right here on Kure Beach.My teenage sister and brother screeched with delight as they ran to the edge of the sea and dove into the tumultuous waves while I stood enchanted, mesmerized, unable to move, barely able to breathe. I knew I was standing on sacred ground. I was touched, moved to tears. Mama thought I was afraid but I wasn’t. I was home. Grounded. This place was mine. Every grain of fine sand, every shiny bubble in the surf, every coquina rock, every worn and broken shell belonged to me. Even the pelicans with their lofty callings and full gullets, even the snowy white seagulls that fought the wind to find their dinner—all of it, all of it was mine.No one believes that I truly remember that day. It was then that the blue of the water blended with the blue of the sky. I bonded with that blue. I was eighteen months old. I’ve tried to remember what happened after that moment but my next recollection is years later..As I watch the surf here at this place I call paradise, I’m trying to remember who I am and how, after twenty-five years of a blissfully happy, privileged life, I came to be so horribly sad. What are you working on now? All the Voices in My HeadBlurb: Gloria Romano finds herself torn between her recently brain-damaged, dependent husband and her ex-college sweetheart. With children and friends pulling her in different directions she has to find her own path. How deep do marriage vows go? A couple of quick questions so my readers can get to know you as an author:What do you do to relax? Read and imagine\Favorite spot: my gardenCat or dog: 2 cats: Dodger and QFavorite drink: Tanqueray MartiniFavorite season: SpringHobbies/past time: photography, writing, walkingFavorite movie: AtonementFavorite color: PinkFavorite smell: Stargazed lily Special words for your fans: I call myself an accidental writer. I was a nurse for 45 years and only began writing because I wanted to sell a collection of dolls from the Oregon Trail era. My gimmick: an historical fiction journal, a collection of letters, and a very short novella--one for each doll. Unfortunately for me The American Girl dolls and books were being created at the same time. But that small taste for writing spurred me on to write four novels. My motto: I'm not retired. I'm a writer!Where can my reader find you? www.sheliaboltrudesill.com  and Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/a82l576 Thank you Shelia for being a guest on my blog. Your book, Transmutare sounds amazing, especially after reading your favorite scene from Chapter 13. I can’t wait to start reading my copy.  And, we’ll look forward to your WIP, All the Voices in My Head.