Joyce T. Strand's Blog, page 22

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author Rae Z. Ryans "The Elusive Dragon"

Rae Z. Ryans, Author
CHIVALRY AND MALEVOLENCEFantasy and paranormal romance author Rae Z. Ryans writes about dragons, witches, and fairies in her book CHIVALRY AND MALEVOLENCE. She is a fan of history and a fantasy aficionado, and blends the two in her writings.  Ryans was born in Alaska, raised in New Jersey, and currently lives in Alabama with her four cats, three dogs, three children, and her husband. 
In the following article Ryans explains about the world of dragons. Don't miss the giveaway opportunity at the end of the article.


The Elusive Dragon by Rae Z. Ryans
Fantasy creatures come in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps one of the most elusive is the dragon. Throughout mythology, we see these strange beasts and learn of heroic tales, but when writing fiction it becomes harder to paint the picture. When we hear dragon, we all hold our own mental image. Maybe you see the large leviathans breathing fire or a massive swimming sea serpent. Perhaps you visualize something else.
When writing CHIVALRY AND MALEVOLENCE I wanted dragons on Alfheim. There were some dragons in Norse mythology, but not much in the way of prose. Still, I’d always held a fascination with the creatures of lore. This is why I chose dragons.
Constructing the dragon took a lot of imagination, at least on the inside. Information on dragons comes solely from mythology, but I’m not one to follow the rules. These are my dragons after all. However, I’d always loved the dragons from World of Warcraft and Richard Knaak’s novels.
Those dragons talked, transformed, and held ancient magic. The idea just fit perfectly into my strange and unfamiliar world for Thomas to investigate. Later in the series, more light sheds upon the beasts he recalls from fairytales. Mine weren’t all that different if you look on the outside. Inside they weren’t kind, gentle creatures, but they held the potential of feeling such emotions. That notion stemmed from my belief that good and evil rest in all of us.
They held consorts, not untypical as they lay eggs and hatch clutched, but the young Prince Drust of Durkheim discovered love. The idea of a dragon loving one was difficult to establish when the leviathans of popular myth lacked the ability. I’ll admit that I’ve received the most criticism on this fact, but I have faith in my dragons, my world, and my writing. In turn, it’s also applied to my characters.
Hold faith and love for what you’ve created, because if you make it, it’s yours to do with as you please.
Writers shouldn’t fear stepping outside of a mold when creating fantasy creatures. In less than thirty years, look at the transformation of the vampire and werewolf. Both creatures were once fearsome foes, but now they grace love stories or have become the heroes. We rewrite histories and create universes, so why not create a dragon to torment, love, or save the day?
About Rae Z. RyansRae Z. Ryans currently resides in Tumbleweed, Alabama, with her four demons (cats), three lycans (dogs), three sprites (kiddos), and her “normal” mood-shifting husband. Born in Alaska and raised in New Jersey, Rae now calls the south her home. Oh, and contrary to popular belief, Rae never lived in an igloo.
She claims to own a pink elephant that buy shoes and books. While there is plenty of proof that Rae loves both, no one can prove the existence of Punky the elephant. She would point out that we can’t disprove it either.
All kidding aside, Rae is an alternate ego who enjoys writing urban and historical fantasy/paranormal in her spare time. With a deep love for mythology and history, she blends the two together, and creates new worlds, heroic obstacles, and weaves dark tales. These works are often loosely inspired by Norse Mythology, but with plenty of unique twists.
She is currently working on a secret (shh) new steampunk series and continuing to write the Nine Realms series: Alfheim and Midgard. http://www.raezryans.com  http://www.facebook.com/raezryans
About  CHIVALRY AND MALEVOLENCE (new version)
Blanked in white snow, Alfheim is off-limits to mankind. The elves and fae of the Unseelie court ruled over their lands, inciting chaos for the sake of power. The young Princess Morgana, forced to wear protective layers over her face, disagreed with the ways of her people. She craved love, but love is not the Unseelie way.The Knight and his horse traveled toward home after two years on the battlefield. Within moments, the world transformed before his eyes as green gave way to white. He blinked as Achilles stirred. Strange creatures wielding swords and axes surrounded and captured him. They tossed him into a dank prison where he awaited his death.With no hope of survival or escape, he prayed for the shrouded woman, who showed him kindness and healed his wounds. Social LinksFacebook Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorraezryans GoodReads  Amazon Author  Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Where to PurchaseAmazon Smashwords B&N Kobo iTunes Diesel Books Sony   CreateSpace GiveawayFirst Prize: $20 Amazon Gift CardSecond Prize:  Rae Z. Ryans’ Bookmark        Link to Rafflecopter 



  
     

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author Clarkson Graham

Clarkson Graham, Author
MARRIED TO CRAZYAuthor Clarkson Graham offers us insight into a difficult period of his life in his book MARRIED TO CRAZY. In this very personal memoir, he chronicles his suffering caused by an abusive spouse. He shares his pain and recovery to help heal himself and in order to guide others--particularly men--who might have had similar experiences.
When he's not working or writing, Graham enjoys yoga, running, working-out, and reading.









Q: How would you characterize your book, MARRIED TO CRAZY? Did you write it to deliver a message, to instruct, and/or to entertain? Is it fiction or non-fiction?
Clarkson Graham: MARRIED TO CRAZY is a memoir of my battle dealing with the pain, confusion, and trauma associated with the emotional, physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of my now ex-wife, who may have an undiagnosed personality disorder (Anti-Social Personality Disorder).  It is a raw and emotional story of how I came to realize my desperate situation, how I managed to escape, how I suffered through the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and how I finally embarked on the process of rebuilding what I almost lost – myself.
I wrote this book to help me along my path to recovery, and also help others who find themselves in a similar situation as I was in.  My objective was to help other people realize that they are not alone, and with the right resources, including counseling, supportive friends and family, and I steadfast resolve to heal, they can successfully deal with their situation and reclaim their life.  I wanted people to know that anything is possible with hope, hard work and support.
Q: Your story is a very personal one. What inspired you to share it?
Clarkson Graham: I did a lot of research and found that there were very few books and resources available for men who have been in an abusive relationship with a female partner.  This may be due to the fact that some men may not realize, or may even discount, that they are victims of emotional, verbal and/or physical abuse, and in other situations, men may be reluctant to share their stories because of a fear of being seen as “weak”.  There is a need to dispel the myth that women are the only victims of domestic abuse, while at the same time, provide men with necessary resources to help them deal with their situations.  I feel that my book will help to educate people – particularly men – about the fact that abuse does exist, and men can be definitely be victims.  I hope that my book will provide victims with ideas to help them heal after leaving an unhealthy, abusive relationship.
Finally, I felt that it was beneficial to share my story about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) so that people can be informed about the potential health risks associated with abusive relationships.
Q: Who are your target readers? Who do you think will most benefit from reading your story?
Clarkson Graham: The target readers for my book are people – particularly men – who are either dealing with, or recovering from, an abusive relationship.  My book is an effective resource for anyone who may be supporting a friend or family member who is suffering from the aftermath of a physically, mentally, and/or emotionally abusive partner or spouse.
Q:  What tips would you offer to other men who might find themselves in a similar situation?
Clarkson Graham: I think the first tip I would offer is to accept the reality of your situation.  In order for you to begin the recovery process, you need to realize that you are in a damaging situation, and acknowledge the fact that the situation will not improve.  It is impossible to make someone change the way that they treat you and therefore, you have to garner the courage to save yourself and embark on the journey of healing.  
Even though physical abuse is damaging, emotional abuse can be far more damaging.  The reason being is because your self-confidence can be eroded by constant verbal barrages and continuous reminders that “everything is your fault.” Once your confidence is gone, you may not feel like you have courage or strength to leave, which can exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  There is nothing wrong with counseling, talking to friends and family, and reading books to help you heal.
Lastly, but certainly not least, stay positive.  The healing journey is not smooth; however, it gets easier over time.  If you put in the work, you will see the results.
Q: How do you draw readers into your book?
Clarkson Graham: The one thing that will captivate readers is that my book is a real-life, authentic account of my relationship to Olga.  Oftentimes, it is hard for me to imagine that I actually lived through these events, and many times I wish I hadn’t, however they are real nonetheless.
The book begins like a love story highlighting my seemingly perfect courtship and engagement to Olga and then, following our marriage vows, things change for the worse and my dream becomes a living nightmare. 
My book follows an actual timeline of events and so the reader is compelled to continue on to see what happens next.  I have been told that my book is a real “page-turner;” however, I guess that is up to the reader to determine.
Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to write your book? Have you always wanted to write?
Clarkson Graham: I never intended on being a writer; in fact, I still do not consider myself a writer.  One of my counselors recommended that I start to journal my thoughts and feelings as a way to deal with all of the emotions stemming from my ordeal. One night I started to type out my thoughts, and I ended up writing about 250 words.  When I woke up the next morning, I decided that I was going to turn my situation into a memoir, and twelve months later, my book was written, edited and published.
I wrote the book to help build my self-confidence.  My confidence was completely shattered, and I figured that if I wrote a book (something I thought I would never do), it would help me on my healing journey. 
Q: Who influenced your writing?
Clarkson Graham: I was fortunate to have many people influence my writing.  I had a couple of counselors who, upon reading one of my therapeutic letters, mentioned that I wrote pretty well.  I am also blessed to have great friends and a wonderful family who encouraged me to write this book.
Thankfully, I never had anyone tell me I couldn’t do it, and that definitely helps.
Q: What did you find the most challenging part of writing MARRIED TO CRAZY?
Clarkson Graham: The most challenging part of writing the book was going back in time to relive and document my courtship with Olga, my abusive ex-wife.  It was hard to write about how much I loved her after having gone through such an immense amount of pain throughout my marriage.  I truly loved her, and it was hard to imagine that someone who was supposedly so loving and caring turned out to be so destructive.
Hindsight is 20/20 and it was difficult to write about the many warning signs that I either ignored or discounted because I loved Olga so much.  The good news is that experience is a best teacher, and I think I am more attuned to recognizing these signs now.
Q:  What’s next? Will you write more books?
Clarkson Graham: That is a good question.  I have to be honest when I say that I do not have any books in the works right now; however, you never know.  
Q: Tell us about you. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Do you have any hobbies? Favorite movies? Books? Etc.
Clarkson Graham: My journey on my healing path continues.  I vowed to be stronger, healthier and wiser after my ordeal and this has led me to pursue many positive activities in my spare time, such as, yoga, running, working-out and reading.  I am also in the process of learning mindfulness meditation techniques to help deal with the triggers associated with my PTSD symptoms more effectively.  
My favorite books are: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, and Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.  These books are inspirational because they helped me to understand the amazing strength of the human spirit given seemingly impossible odds. 
About Clarkson Graham
“I am not a victim, nor will I be. I am a survivor. As a survivor, I was able to subjugate my feelings of weakness and powerlessness and eventually discover the desire, courage, and fortitude I needed to access the support and resources that were necessary to begin the recovery process. I can say that my continuing growth and development has been defined, in part, by my ability to triumph over a complicated life situation, and now, with this book, I am sharing my knowledge and insight as I continue on my healing journey.“
About MARRIED TO CRAZY

MARRIED TO CRAZY is how Clarkson Graham met and fell in love with Olga, the woman of his dreams. Their courtship, engagement, and eventual marriage followed. As their relationship progressed, Olga’s behavior became progressively more volatile and abusive. All along, Clarkson lived in the hope that he could “fix” her problems and live up to her perplexing expectations, until one appalling event drove him to his breaking point. Following therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, Clarkson finally put his life back together again and was then determined to share his experience, and especially what he had learned, with other people—and particularly with other men—who might find themselves in a similar situation.
Social Links:Facebook Twitter: https://twitter.com/Clarkson_GrahamWhere to Purchase: FacebookWebsite (physical only)Kobo AmazonIndigo Giveaway  CLICK HEREFirst Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card plus autographed copy of Married to CrazySecond Prize: Autographed copy of Married to CrazyThird Prize: Autographed copy of Married to Crazy
Go to: http://marriedtocrazy.ca/

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author Kathy DiSanto

Kathy DiSanto, Author
AMANDA'S EYESAuthor Kathy DiSanto brings us a unique thriller, AMANDA’S EYES, described by a reviewer as a “futuristic Sci-Fi, mystery thriller with a little romance thrown in.”  DiSanto created crime reporter A.J. Gregson, a “character readers will identify with and cheer for.” A.J. loses her eyesight but through surgery gains new eyes and a special gift. DiSanto says she portrays A.J. as someone who cares but someone with flaws who we can all appreciate. 
Currently a communications specialist, DiSanto is considering retirement when she can “look forward to making stuff up, all day, every day!” In the meantime, she enjoys blogging, listening to music, reading, and walking her two rescue dogs, Molly and Lucy.
Don’t miss the excerpt from AMANDA’S EYES following the interview.
Q: What inspired you to write about eyes with “the power to see into the hidden dimensions of the human heart?”
Kathy DiSanto: As I recall, the idea started with one of those news stories we see all too often:  A crime is committed, the perp’s neighbors are interviewed, and almost to a man and/or woman, they say they never saw it coming.  “So and so seemed like such a nice guy.”  We rely on appearances—it’s human nature, right? 
Think of the beloved British children’s show host who was recently revealed as a pedophile.  Or Bernard Madoff, who “looked” so good, he convinced a lot of financially savvy people to invest in “one big lie.”
Wouldn’t it be handy if we could see folks like that for what they are, rather than what they appear to be?  That thought was where the book started.
Q: A reviewer said “One mark of good fiction is a story’s ability to create empathy in the reader” and that you succeeded in doing so in AMANDA’S EYES. How did you create such empathy? Why will readers care about Reporter A. J. Gregson?
Kathy DiSanto: What a marvelous compliment!  Thank you! 
I believe (hope) readers will empathize with A.J. for a number of reasons, the first and foremost being, I’m pretty sure they sense A.J. would care about them.  This woman considers herself of the people and for the people.  She’s part pragmatist—a realist who sees the world as it is—and part philosopher.  A semi-cynical closet idealist a bit embarrassed by her own belief that she can help balance the scales of justice.  Those are admirable traits, but if that were all there were to her, readers might find it hard to connect.  Not many of us can identify with perfection!  So I made her feisty and stubborn and occasionally sneaky.  She gets scared and admits it.  She has trouble believing in her new talent.  She eats junk food, hates makeup, and likes dogs. 
Q: You have set your book in the future with an “intrepid woman reporter”, which reminds me of J D Robb’s series with Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Did her series influence you?
Kathy DiSanto: Not really, although I’ve always admired Robb’s ability to create strong, intrepid female characters, both in the Eve Dallas series and in her Nora Roberts romances.
Q: AMANDA’S EYES is set in the future, and technically could be described as science fiction. However, the book is also a mystery thriller. Who will enjoy the book more – the SciFi reader or the mystery reader?
Kathy DiSanto: Boy, if you only knew how much trouble I’ve had figuring this out for myself!  Trying to categorize this book for Amazon involved several quarts of ice cream and a couple pounds of chocolate.
If I had to choose between the two, I would say mystery thriller readers will enjoy it more.  Way I see it, in true science fiction—the kind devotees gobble up—science plays a central role.  So much so, science is almost another character.  In AMAND’S EYES the science is secondary—just gee-whiz enough to make the story interesting (and an eye transplant possible), but not so advanced it will give non-science types pause.
That being said, I already have some really nifty techno-ideas for the sequel to AMANDA’S EYES, because I love science.  (I mean, genetics, cloning, exo-skins, flying cars, quantum computing … what’s notto love?)  It will be interesting to see if those additions help me firm up the genre.
Q:  Mmmm. If I’d known that ice cream and chocolate were involved, I might have asked about this sooner. But we digress.
How important is credibility to tell your story? What kind of research did you conduct to make the future technology and lifestyles believable?
Kathy DiSanto: Personal opinion:  When writing about the incredible (as in second sight), try to keep the rest as credible as possible.  This made writing a futuristic novel tough, because I came from a romance background, and my imagination simply didn’t want to warp space-time!
I got past that “future shyness” by reading a lot of science and technology magazines:  New Scientist, Discover, Wired, Scientific American, etc .  (BTW, did you know science magazines feature some of the best writing out there?  No kidding!)  I also read books like The Scientific American’s Brave New Brain, looking at what we can do now, what we can’t do yet, and what scientists believe we’ll soon be able to do.  All that reading fired up my imagination and helped me get comfortable with projecting forward.
But, like they say, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.  That being the case, I was always conscious of my limited expertise and avoided giving too much detail.  No need to say too much, get it wrong, and reveal how much I don’t know!
Q: Did you write AMANDA’S EYES purely for entertainment or were you also trying to deliver a message?
Kathy DiSanto: I love this question!  The answer is both. Sort of.
I hope readers do find AMANDA’S EYES entertaining!  An entertaining book draws the reader into the adventure.  It fires the imagination, makes you smile, keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Makes you forget, at least for now, that arthritic knee or the check that bounced or the fact that your flight is delayed yet again.  These are all good things, reward enough in themselves.
Was I trying to deliver a message?  Probably several, but I didn’t have a specific agenda.  Writing AMANDA’S EYES was my way of exploring issues like good vs. evil and the cost of doing the right thing through someone else’s eyes (no pun intended).  I tried to follow where her reasoning led.
I aimed for thought-provoking, rather than preachy.  What I believe isn’t the point.  The point is you knowing what you believe and why you believe it.  In the best of all possible worlds, every individual would work out the big questions for him- or herself.  Problem is, not many of us even bother to ask those questions.  If I had to say, I guess I’d say I hoped to start that internal conversation.     Q: Although set in the future, your reviewers frequently mention that AMANDA’S EYES is a mystery thriller, suggesting cross-genres. How do you create suspense to make it a thriller?
Kathy DiSanto: Several ways, one of which was constantly introducing new elements of tension.  First you’re waiting for A.J.’s memory to return, then you’re wondering if the Ferrymen will come after her, then you run into her gift (which even she has trouble believing), then her attempts to convince others she has this gift, etc.  The tension is heightened and sustained by her flat refusal to back off coupled with her determination to force a confrontation with an apparently unstoppable group of killers. 
I’m also partial to cliff-hanger chapter endings. 
Q: What makes a good villain? Is the concept of villain vs hero relevant to AMANDA’S EYES?
Kathy DiSanto: I’ve heard it said that a good villain is one you can empathize with, at least on some level.  Maybe.  The villain in AMANDA’S EYES obviously does quite a bit of good with his sham philanthropy.  We can also sympathize with the ill-born mechanic Tanya Sidorov … up to a point.
If the concept of villain vs. hero is relevant to this novel, I would say its relevance lies in the fact that we all have it in us to be either … or both.  The mystery is why we choose the roles we do.  Do we choose?  Or are villainy and/or heroics determined by our circumstances?
Q: What’s next? Will you write another A.J. Gregson thriller?
Kathy DiSanto: That’s the plan!  As a matter of fact, the next novel is already in the works.  (And folks who sign up for my e-mail list can get an exclusive preview!)  I think I have at least two more A.J. Gregson novels in me.
I’ve also got a few short stories in mind.
After that … who knows?
Q: Tell us about Kathy DiSanto? What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Kathy DiSanto: Well, when I’m not busy with my day job as a communications specialist, I’m listening to music (my sons are both musicians), while walking my rescue dogs, Molly and Lucy.  Or I’m reading.  (I devour books, so if anyone knows of any good authors, drop me a line.)  I blog about writing and indie publishing.  I also like to put a few rounds down range every now and then. 
Recently, I’ve been getting my retirement ducks in a row.  I’ve never been able to write full time, but come next April, that will change!  Can’t tell you how I look forward to making stuff up, all day, every day!            About Kathy DiSanto
Kathy’s publishing career dates back to 1997, when she published two romances with Bantam’s Loveswept line.  One of them, For Love or Money, won a 1997 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award.In 2012, Kathy self-published two futuristic thrillers. AMANDA’S EYES is a near-future paranormal thriller and the first novel in a series featuring crime reporter A.J. Gregson. WHY LIVE? is stand-alone dystopian science-fiction.Thanks to her day job as a communications specialist with a major university, Kathy has written more than two hundred features for print and the web.She is a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Alliance of Independent Authors, the Independent Author Network, the Independent Author Index, the Indie Writers’ Network, World Literary Cafe, and the International Association of Business Communicators.
About AMANDA’S EYES
Waking up is the pits when you come to in a hospital with a broken arm, a colorful assortment of abrasions and contusions, and a face swathed in bandages. It’s even worse if you can’t remember what hit you.
The bad and the ugly are crime reporter Amanda “A.J.” Gregson’s business. But learning she had a ringside seat for an explosion that killed two agents of the Continental Intelligence and Investigative Service (CIIS), incinerated an entire block of warehouses, and did so much damage to her eyes they had to be surgically removed? Well, that gives the darker side of life a whole new meaning.
Haunted by elusive nightmares, A.J. waits for her transplant and struggles to remember the events leading up to the fateful night of September 4, 2075. Weeks crawl by without a glimmer, before memory floods back the night before surgery, every brutal detail crystal clear.
The explosion had been the work of the Ferrymen.
"The Ferrymen. My not-so-magnificent obsession for more than a year. Only a cataclysm could have made me forget. I guess you could call them hitmen. You could also call Einstein a math whiz. Think ruthless. Think unstoppable. Think killers so proficient 'caught the ferry' was fast replacing 'bought the farm' in common usage, and you have the Ferrymen in a nutshell."
The transplant surgery goes off without a hitch—welcome news, because A.J. is raring for a rematch with Hell's Boatmen. But contrary to popular belief, what you see isn't always what you get. Take her new eyes, for example. Those baby blues may look perfectly normal, but they possess a power that turns her world upside down—the power to see into the hidden dimensions of the human heart.
When the Sight unmasks the mastermind behind the Ferrymen, the unveiling is as stunning as it is unbelievable. The revelation sets her on course for a second head-collision with evil. Will she survive the final encounter?
Excerpt 
September 2075

In the beginning, it was pitch black.

And there was pain.  But distant, like a memory.  Or a threat, prowling the far reaches of the darkness.

Weightless.  Suspended in the void.  No up, no down.  Nowhere.

Beyond the blackness, time passed.  Snatches of sound began to drift in.  Patchy.  Disconnected.  A rhythmic, pneumatic sigh.  Hollow beep.  Voices murmuring words without context.

“Count … three …. ”

“Family  …. outside ….”

“Lucky ….”

” …. dead …. ”

A warm touch, tenderly reaching through the darkness.  A whisper.  Close, very close.

“… going to be all right  … fine … listen … mother now.”

Listen to your mother now.

Hours crept by.  Mental synapses sputtered dimly to life as the brain began to reboot.  Thought sparked, flickered, died.  Cut in again.  Shorted out.  Coalesced laboriously, one syllable at a time.

The memory came together in fits and starts—a kaleidoscope of disjointed fragments and gaping holes, arranging, then rearranging, until the pieces finally fell into place.  At long last, a scene unspooled against the blackness, like a movie in a darkened theater.
• • •“A police reporter, Amanda Joy?”  She shook her head, giving her blue eyes that where-did-I-go-wrong roll that still managed to make me feel like I was a scabby kneed five-year-old tracking mud across the marble floor.  “Call me an optimistic old woman, but I was hoping you would choose a more … well, a more dignified profession”

“Come on, Mom.  Nobody would call you old.”

“Don’t change the subject.”  But she was pleased.  I could tell by the slight smile and the way she lightly touched her glossy black chignon as she glanced around the crowded restaurant.

Lunch at the extremely pricey Henri’s was Mom’s idea, billed as a girls-only celebration of my brand-new college degree.  If I had been in my right mind, I would have shut my trap and gone along for the eats and used Dad as a buffer.  Told him and let him tell her.  Less flack for me that way.  But under the influence of that post-commencement high and further intoxicated by raspberry grilled salmon, basmati rice, and steamed vegetables, telling Mom about my new job seemed like a good idea.  Now I was in for it.

“We were discussing your poor choice in career tracks,” she reminded me.

“I’ve wanted to be a reporter since I was sixteen.  You know that.”

“Yes,” she said, deliberately studying her flawless manicure.  The violet nail polish matched her off-the-shoulder silk blouse.  A delicate bracelet—diamonds strung like tiny, winking stars—glittered when she flexed her wrist.  Her eyes lifted again.  “But I had deluded myself into thinking that was a phase.  I hoped you might grow out of it.”

“Before or after I got my degree in journalism?”

About WHY LIVE


"To be, or not to be, the woman I was engineered to be?" is the question third-generation clone Kai-Lee Fox can't help asking herself. For more than 400 years, the star cruiser Janus has been a Utopia of sweetness and light. Life goes on and on and on for the Quingenti, five hundred souls who fled Earth when the Global Assembly refused to legalize immortality by human cloning. Who knew six words as apparently harmless as, "There was only one Ella Fitzgerald," could trigger a rebellion? But those words no sooner leave Kai's mouth when the light goes on and the trouble begins. Before long the truth that rocks her world makes itself known to a handful of others, and at least one of them doesn't have the sense to keep quiet. 

When Dr. Ke-Ling Yan, the Colony's lead geneticist and a member of the ruling Council, announces his intention to move for the abolition of cloning, the mild-mannered Quingenti reveal their dark side. How far will they go to contain the rebellion?  As far as the Alpha Genesis Option.  The AG microchip, implanted in every colonist's brain at birth, is the excruciatingly painful fail-safe designed to wipe the mental hard drive and prepare it for reprogramming. But before the mind police can make their move, Ke-Ling does the unthinkable--he commits suicide.  His farewell ship-wide broadcast takes containment off the table for good, and life aboard the Janus degenerates into an interstellar witch hunt. Will Kai-Lee and her friends survive the inquisition? Where do you run when you're on a space ship millions of miles from nowhere, and the hounds are closing in?LinksTwitter address:  @Kathy_DiSantoAMANDA'S EYES buy link  WHY LIVE? buy link  Website Write MindedBlog  Facebook Goodreads 

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Thriller Author Alan Wanderer, MD

Dr. Alan Wanderer, Author
ANAPHYLAXIS, A MEDICAL THRILLERDr. Alan Wanderer brings us ANAPHYLAXIS, A MEDICAL THRILLER described by a reviewer as “one of the most riveting tales of intrigue, love, hate, and revenge with so many twists and turns, one can't see it all coming until the very end.”  Dr. Wanderer believes that creating suspense is “a real art form” and wrote ANAPHYLAXIS as a thriller with “medical validation.”
Dr. Wanderer spent 40 years practicing medicine primarily specializing in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology. Although currently medical director of a clinical research drug study center, he has channeled his creative efforts into writing -- supported by his wife and family including four children and six grandchildren. He enjoys fly fishing, scuba diving, and playing with his two dogs, Max and Ruby.
Q: Reviewers of ANAPHYLAXIS, A MEDICAL THRILLER praise it as a “scary book” about the “chilling underside of medicine.” They claim they neglected chores and their loved ones to finish your book, which offered unexpected twists and turns up to the very end. How do you build such suspense?
Alan Wanderer: I believe creating suspense is a real art form. There are many great examples such as the opening scene of Grisham’s ‘A TIME TO KILL’ when an innocent black child is viciously raped by two rednecks. I wanted the opening scene to have significant suspense after speaking with a past owner of a book store who told me that browsers take only a few minutes when deciding to purchase a book. Based on that observation, I decided to begin the story with an immediate chilling anaphylactic event that would catch the attention of browsers, especially the segment affected by allergy, i.e. 20% of the overall population. Once I had the reader’s attention it allowed me to add new suspense with twists and turns .
Q: Your reviewers tout your realism and attention to accuracy --“very valid medical and scientific mystery.” How important is accuracy to believability? How helpful is it to building suspense?
Alan Wanderer:  As a physician and medical scientist, I decided to write a fictional story with medical validation. I wanted readers to experience a situation based on true knowledge and experience, not unlike the action movie that dealt with the sea rescue of Captain Phillips.  In part, I believe validation added magnitude to the suspense within the story. Accuracy also reduces challenges by peers and by others in the medical profession and they in turn may express support for its accurate depictions. It is a win-win for the readers, the reviewers and for me as the author.
Q: You have a career as a successful physician. What caused you to write a novel? Where did your interest in writing originate?
Alan Wanderer: I should start by saying that I have mostly written peer reviewed scientific articles. Going from that more rigid writing style to fiction was a struggle, especially starting in my late 60s’. I hoped I might have some untapped creativity since I had helped design medical devices and successfully solved some medical enigmas. I first started learning to play the violin at 64, but after three years as a member of a children’s orchestra and an obvious aged outlier, I shifted my attention to writing a novel.
The idea for the story developed over a dinner conversation when a friend told me about the mysterious disappearance of a researcher who had made a breakthrough discovery that could inactivate an illicit drug. That gave me the idea for the story in which a researcher, who had discovered an effective vaccine to reduce cocaine addiction, dies from an anaphylactic event.
Q: One reviewer likes your “fascinating characters.” What makes your characters “fascinating?” How do you engage your readers to care about your characters?
Alan Wanderer: I learned this through writing over fifty iterations of my story and working with an experienced independent editor, several family members and friends. I thought the names of the characters had to be somewhat unique to help me with their portrayal. One reviewer thought they were interesting, uncommon names and helped him remember the characters within the story. For example, I named the psychiatrist David Sabatha. I visualized him as being a very erudite physician who would enjoy spending a day, the Sabbath, reading and resting. The protagonist’s name came from the German ‘haber’ which is the infinitive for the verb ‘to have.’ His name became Haberman, a man who ‘has’ professional pride, moral strength and sensitivity and someone who could solve problems with analytical skill. Mostly, I didn’t follow known literary rules for character development because I considered it to be part of an author’s creative process. In a sense it is a process that is unique to each author as a self-identifying descriptor.
Q: Are you a believer in heroes and villains? How do you define a villain? A hero?
Alan Wanderer:  I loved this question because it made me think of immunity to metaphorically describe the villainous characters in my novel. We are born with innate immune mechanisms that allow our bodies to react against microbial invaders the first time we interact with them. If we didn’t have these built in immune responses at birth, the human species would never have survived. As we age, our bodies develop what is called adaptive immunity, the ability to build up defenses over time against previously recognized invaders. Now you may wonder why I am using this metaphor.  We all have the innate ability to unequivocally recognize villainous people, like a Charles Manson or Osama bin Laden. Where we have difficulty is with villains that are sociopathic, who on first interaction seem kindly and who we accept as friends until we realize who they really are. In a sense they are like HIV viruses that are not detected by our immune defenses as dangerous. Hence I created villains that we all recognize as dangerous, and then sociopathic villains that we cannot easily detect until it is too late.
Recognizing a hero becomes easier when you can identify with someone like Haberman who has clearly defined good character and purpose.
Q:  Did you write ANAPHYLAXIS to entertain your readers? Or did you also want to educate? Deliver a message?
Alan Wanderer:  What I really wanted to do was to entertain with a plot that would cause suspense and mystery. However intertwined in it was a sub-theme to increase awareness of the described condition, and for the uninitiated to learn more about it. Many people don’t know the meaning of anaphylaxis nor even how to pronounce it, so there was clear intent on my part to make it an educational thriller. In fact the largest advocacy group (AANMA) for people affected by this and related conditions, has endorsed the book to its membership and related blogging groups. I am pleased to see that occur as a side benefit of the story. 
Q: In your opinion, what key parts of a story make it great?
Alan Wanderer: In reality that will be determined by the readers. However, if I was to modestly identify the best parts, I would probably describe the suspense around the anaphylactic event both in terms of the suffering it caused and the attempt to reverse it. I also wanted the suspense around the deposition to be one that analytically dissected the event to allow the reader to identify with a doctor who tried his very best but nevertheless was still exposed to serious medical liability. By doing that I wanted the reader to sympathize with the protagonist but also understand that physicians are human and can make mistakes. Physicians admitting their mistakes is a good thing; however it becomes a path to major frustration and financial ruin for honest and caring physicians when persons file frivolous lawsuits. In the story you will see I believe there is a need for tort reform to control this trend.
Q: Did you outline your story or did your characters just take you along for the ride?
Alan Wanderer:  I did outline the story at first.  However there were junctions where the story needed a new twist or a way for it to evolve more logically. At times I withdrew a character or added one to make the story more credible. Hence the outline just helped with developing the overall theme, but like an architect’s first drawing may outline a house, details are added to make the house functional and enjoyable. The same is true with the storyline; the added details occurred as I wrote the story to make the suspense build. I do admit the beginning and ending were unchanged from the start as I wanted them to have suspense that would add power to the story.
Q:  What’s next? Will you be writing more medical thrillers?
Alan Wanderer: I do have a storyline that I am outlining, but I am not at the point to start writing it.  Recently I read about an author, Peter S Fisher, who at seventy-eight, is writing murder mysteries with his independent publishing company.  He had been a co-creator of Columbo, a series I enjoyed many years ago. His example has reignited my engine to continue writing another mystery within the medical genre. 
Q:  Tell us about Alan Wanderer. What do you like to do when you’re not writing or treating patients?
Alan Wanderer: I spent forty years practicing medicine mostly as a specialist in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology. I truly enjoyed patient care and making scientific discoveries that provided therapy for certain disorders that now permit afflicted individuals to have almost normal lives. That was part of my past creative process that has now shifted into writing. In the beginning of the novel, an older patient thanks Dr. Haberman for a diagnosis that led to an extension of his life. The patient then mentions it will allow him to play with the band. He was referring to a metaphor he mentioned to Dr. Haberman.  “We are all on the top deck of the Titanic. You can look over the side and watch the rising waterline or go play with the band.”  Like that patient, I have chosen to play with the band.  I can do that because of a supportive loving wife and interacting with my four children and six grandchildren, along with fly fishing in Montana, scuba diving on occasion and playing with my two dogs, Max and Ruby.

About Alan Wanderer
Alan Wanderer received his M.D. from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and trained in internal medicine and pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital and Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Wanderer completed a fellowship in allergy, asthma and immunology at National Jewish Hospital-Health and is certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. He has practiced in Denver Colorado and Bozeman Montana where he lives with his family. Other activities include clinical scientific research in inherited inflammatory disorders, asthma, cold hypersensitivity syndromes with anaphylaxis, sickle cell disease and transplant organ viability. Currently he is medical director of a clinical research drug study center in Bozeman. A detailed CV is available on the center's website www.crgmt.com and at www.alanwanderer.com. He spends his recreational time with his family, his dogs Max and Ruby and fly fishing. ANAPHYLAXIS, A MEDICAL THRILLER is his first novel.

About ANAPHYLAXIS, A MEDICAL THRILLER
Dr. Frank Stevens, the lead scientist at COADD, a biotech company, has discovered an effective vaccine for cocaine addiction. He suffers a catastrophic anaphylactic event in the office of his allergist, Dr. Leonard Haberman, leading to a contentious malpractice lawsuit fanned by Dr. Stevens’ brother-in-law, a politically ambitious Colorado Senator. Concerns arise when it’s discovered that the manufacturing specifications for the vaccine and COADD’s head technician are missing. CBI Agent Ben Locke connects these events with a cold case; the death of a scientist who had made an important discovery involving a different street drug. Forensic evidence exposes a nefarious plot leading to the grand jury indictment of the missing technician suspected of mob connections, and several persons of interest who hated Stevens.  As the fast paced plot unfolds, Haberman makes a shattering discovery, placing him and his family in imminent life-threatening danger.
Links
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author Aileen Gibb, Guest Post in the VOICE of Future-Guide Tashia

Aileen Gibb, Author
VOICES, A COACHING STORY TO INSPIRE YOUR FUTUREAuthor Aileen Gibb has written a collection of fictional stories entitled VOICES, A COACHING STORY TO INSPIRE YOUR FUTURE. In VOICES, Gibb offers fictional stories that incorporate the choices we make that might assist us in achieving the life we want to live.  A “future-guide” weaves throughout the stories to suggest key messages for an improved future world.
Aileen Gibb is a world-wide coach and facilitator. Originally from Scotland, she currently lives in Canada with her husband and their two dogs.
In the following guest story, Gibb’s future-guide Tashia -- “the voice of the questions that inspire your future” -- offers some tips for us to follow to achieve “whatever we wish for.” Don't miss the opportunity to join the VOICES Virtual Book Blog Tour at the end of this post.
If Anything Were PossibleBy Aileen GibbIn the VOICE of  Future-Guide Tashia
I am Tashia: river of your soul, earth of your spirit, air of your voice and fire of your being. I am the infinite space of possibility. I am the voice of the questions that inspire your future. When you listen, you hear my voice asking again and again – if anything were possible, what is it you want to do, be, feel, have, experience, offer or receive in life. What do you wish for?
As you tap into your daily thoughts and feelings, you can ask the questions that capture your innermost desires. When you listen deeply to these desires, and truly hear them, they become your call to action. The call to your inspired future. 
*Practice AWARENESS in everything you do. Be aware of your reasons for doing something or for saying no to something. Practice awareness in every conversation, listening for the opportunities it might present for you. As you become more aware of what’s possible, quiet your inner voice – the voice that says you can’t do that – and invite in the voice of courage and trust that enables you to step into something you may not have experienced before. Let it inspire you to take the next step.

*Be more ACCEPTING of each situation you find yourself in. Don’t waste energy fighting when things are beyond your immediate control. Rather search for what you can accept about the current situation. Accept that your experience is what it is. Acceptance means observing – it does not mean you agree with something being right or wrong. From this place of acceptance and observation, you can open up to seeing aspects and perspectives you might not otherwise have appreciated were there. Once you accept a situation or experience it for what it is, you can start to ask what your next step will be.

*Own your CHOICES. One of the challenges in life is not that you don’t have choice – rather that you have so many choices you are sometimes paralyzed as to what to do with them. Make a choice – any choice- that moves you forward. Until you see where that choice is going to take you, you can’t know how it impacts your future. There’s nothing worse than staying still and not making a choice.

*Take time to REFLECT on each step of your journey. Today’s busy world means you often don’t slow down enough to reflect fully on what you are learning, how much you are growing, and what strength you are gaining. What is truly emerging for you? Stop and reflect on what you need and how you can go about getting it. As you reflect more inwardly, you change your reflection out into the world and others see you differently. In leadership, the success of any team or organization is a direct reflection of who the leader is. Consider what you want to reflect out into the world for others to follow.

*Have a regular routine for your own RENEWAL. Whether you need time on your own to walk and be replenished by nature, whether you need a good night’s sleep, whether you need to re-ignite your commitment to the gym or to yoga class, whether you need to eat better food to support your body. Ask when you feel most renewed and make it part of your daily or weekly routine for yourself.
Ask again – if anything were possible, what is it you want to do, be feel, have, experience, offer or receive in life? Regularly ask this key question to inspire your future. Make a list – don’t edit or delete anything, trust your inner voice to let your inspired future list emerge. Once you’ve got it, keep it handy, and ask yourself what do you need to take the first steps to making all come true?
I am Tashia – may life bring all you wish for. 
About the author, Aileen Gibb
Aileen Gibb is an inspirational coach, facilitator and leader whose work has taken her around the globe. She has worked with leaders and teams in Kazakhstan, Venezuela, the Middle East, France, Angola and in many companies in the UK and North America, to uncover new possibilities and transform results. Where she has travelled she has been amazed at the power of coaching-style conversations and the choices people make to become more successful in their work and to live more fulfilling lives. Aileen is from the small village of Fyvie, in North East Scotland and has lived for the past twelve years amidst the rocky mountain in Canmore, Alberta, Canada with her husband, Jake and their two boxer dogs. Aileen thanks you for your interest in VOICES, please let her know how it inspires you.
About VOICES VOICES is a series of connected coaching stories which reflect many of the real-life choices people might consider making to live the life they truly wish for. All the stories are fiction and her hope is that one of the stories – or one of the questions in one of the stories – might resonate with your life story and invite you to make a choice. The coaching stories are interwoven with the musings of a future-guide who travels to and from a parallel time, considering what the key messages are for inspiring a better future society.VOICES is available for purchase now and although Aileen has some upfront costs to recoup, as soon as it starts to generate profit, funds from the book sales will be going to support people going through cancer to access complementary therapies such as acupuncture, which are proven to mitigate the extreme fatigue and other side-effects of cancer treatments.  LinksAmazonBarnes & Noble: Nook FriesanPress Indigo Web pageFacebook To join blog tour, click here

CHECK IT OUT: New Cover BELIEVE IN ME by Mishael Austin Witty

Mishael Austin Witty, Author
BELIEVE IN MEIn the following article, Mishael Austin Witty explains the new cover for her novella BELIEVE IN ME.
New Cover for BELIEVE IN MEbyMishael Austin Witty
In the late ‘70s/early-‘80s, Kenny Rogers had a major hit with the song “The Gambler”. I remember that song well, even though I was very young when it first came out. The lines to the chorus are running through my head right now as I type this: “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run…”
The cover for BELIEVE IN ME was the first one that I ever tried to create for myself. It was good, I thought. Other people said it was nice… But when I compared it to the covers of the bestsellers out there, there was something that was missing. I finally put my finger on what it was – the professional edge.I’d taken a gamble in developing my own cover, and after a year or so, it became clear that BELIEVE IN ME needed a professional face lift; that is, this became clearer to me once I started working with professional artist Barbara Ivie Green on a cover for another one of my books (my upcoming historical novel, THE FADING SUN).
It was instant, love at first sight. Barbara took my story ideas, and she made my characters come to life right before my eyes. I was amazed and so excited. I couldn’t wait to share this amazing cover with the rest of the world. So, without further ado, here it is.


BELIEVE IN ME is a sweet romance/Christmas novella that is currently available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook form.  
And, as a special bonus, the Kindle price is being lowered to 99 cents for the entire month of November through Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. Don’t miss this chance to get into the holiday spirit at a greatly reduced rate.
About Mishael Austin Witty
Mishael Austin Witty is a professional editor and the internationally bestselling author of SHADOWS OF THINGS TO COME, a Christian thriller/suspense novel, and BELIEVE IN ME , a sweet contemporary romance/women’s fiction novella. In addition to these books, she has newly released a zombie fairy tale, CAMPANULA, which marks a departure from the usual for her, but it was great fun to write, and she already has plans for another.
She lives in Louisville, KY (where most of the action of CAMPANULA takes place), with her husband, two cats, and two daughters. Connect with her online in the following places:
LinksWebsite Facebook Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/woweditor12Links to her other books on Amazon:
SHADOWS OF THINGS TO COME CAMPANULA

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: British Author Chrissie Parker

Chrissie Parker, Author
INTEGRATE
British Author Chrissie Parker just published INTEGRATE, which she describes as suspense/thriller/paranormal.  She chose the genre in order to write "something challenging."
 She adds a "dark air of mystery" by setting it in a non-descript town that could be anywhere. She created a protagonist that "at times you just want to hug her."
Parker is married to an actor, and they live together in London with their two cats, who are named after goddesses (which any cat will inform you is quite appropriate.) She enjoys history, particularly ancient history, and archeology, and she has several books underway set in ancient Egypt and Greece.
Don’t miss her brief excerpt from INTEGRATE following the interview.
Q: How would you characterize your new book, INTEGRATE. Mystery? Paranormal? Why did you write in this genre?
Chrissie Parker: INTEGRATEhas elements of Suspense/Thriller/Paranormal in it.  I chose the genre as I wanted to write something challenging, and the plot and characters allowed me to do that.
Q: What influenced you to write INTEGRATE?
Chrissie Parker: INTEGRATEwas written in the 1990’s and actually started life as a screenplay.  I trained as a Production Assistant (in Media), and I had always wanted to write a film script, something that was slightly dark, about a murder but with paranormal elements, which is where the tarot and premonitions come in.  It never got made into a film, instead it got packed away in a box in the attic, which is where I re-discovered it a few years ago.  After re-reading it, I decided to re-write it into a book.
Q: Why will readers care about your protagonist? How do you develop her to engage your readers?
Chrissie Parker: Hopefully for the reasons I do.  Corinne has had a really tough life.  In her early twenties her parents died suddenly and she suffered terribly from their loss, never really getting over it.  Corinne has a twin sister Helena, who she has always felt responsible for, so when Helena is murdered, Corinne is left completely alone, struggling with terrible grief and the hurt of losing her sister in such a terrible way.  She has to learn to get up each day and carry on despite the heavy burden she carries and it’s a hard thing for her to have to do.  At times you just feel like you want to hug her!
Q: What makes an effective villain? Does INTEGRATE have a villain?
Chrissie Parker: I think an effective villain is someone who puts their own needs above others with a fair amount of control.  Someone who is reckless and has no boundaries. Someone who conducts their life with no concern for others, the law or how their actions may affect others.  INTEGRATE’s villain is Jack, but not in the conventional way.  He unintentionally becomes the villain by his own selfish and thoughtless actions.  Instead of doing the right thing, he chooses self-preservation above everything else. 
Q: Did you write INTEGRATE to deliver a message to readers – or primarily to entertain?
Chrissie Parker: I wrote it primarily to entertain, but there are elements of messages in the book.  I guess if I had to highlight them, I would definitely say don’t drink and drive!  Also that family and close relationships are very important, always let people know you are there for them and that you love them.  Honesty is always the best policy, even if it may not feel like it at the time. 
Q: How relevant is setting to telling your story?
Chrissie Parker: The setting is very non-descript in INTEGRATE.  Despite describing the town a little, I deliberately chose not to name it.  I wanted it to have an air of mystery.  It could be any town anywhere.  It could be English, it could be American.  I liked writing the story this way, it helped give a slightly dark air of mystery to parts of the story.
Q: What’s next? Will you be writing more books like INTEGRATE?
Chrissie Parker: I am in the process of writing some full-length novels, but they will be a little different from INTEGRATE.  My passion is ancient history and archaeology and I love travelling. ‘Wind Across the Nile’ is a historical suspense set in Egypt. It has just come back from structural editing. ‘Among the Olive Groves’ is a World War II suspense set in Zakynthos, Greece. I have almost finished the first draft. ‘Secrets beneath the Sands’ is an archaeological thriller/suspense set in Petra in Jordan.  I have finished the full draft.
I also have plot outlines for a sequel to ‘Wind across the Nile’, as well as another 2 historical suspense stories set in the UK and Italy.
Q:  Whew! You’re really busy.  Tell us about Chrissie Parker. What do you like to do when you’re not writing—if you have any spare time?
Chrissie Parker: I am married to an actor, and live in London (UK), and we have two cats that are named after Roman Goddesses.  I’m a history and archaeology geek, I have completed a 6 month Egyptology course and a 6 month Archaeology course with Exeter University (and hope to try and do another one next year!).  I love collecting and reading history books and watching documentaries about ancient history too. 
I am also a petrol head, I love motor racing, especially Formula 1, and I have been to many races in the past.  I enjoy reading and collecting books and have far too many!  I have also been trying (unsuccessfully) to learn to play the 5-string Banjo for just over two years; it’s not going very well, but I’m still trying!  About Chrissie Parker
Chrissie lives in London with her husband and is a freelance Production Coordinator working in the TV, documentary and film industry.  She is also an Author.  INTEGRATE, a suspense Novella, is her first release.  She is currently working on two suspense books due for release in 2014.  One is set in Egypt and the other on the Greek Island of Zakynthos.
Chrissie is passionate about History, Archaeology and travel, and has completed Archaeology and Egyptology courses with Exeter University.  She also likes to read, collect books and listen to music.
To find out more about Chrissie visit her website www.chrissieparker.com
About INTEGRATE

A battered and broken body lays in the road. A discovery that leaves the local community gripped with fear. Suspicion as to who killed the woman is rife.
Corinne’s peaceful life is shattered by the tragic death, forcing her to struggle daily with overwhelming grief and loss.
A chance meeting with a stranger helps Corinne through the hurt and pain, but can she really trust Jack?Twin sisters Corinne and Helena have always been close, growing up in the same small town.  Corinne lives alone in the house that used to belong to their parents and Helena lives with her husband and love of her life, Jimmy, and their two children.
Helena loves life, she enjoys spending time with her friends and relishes being a wife and mother.  Corinne lives in isolation, unable to get over the death of their parents.  She relies on the spiritual world, reading tarot cards, surrounding herself with crystals and candles.  She also has to deal with unwanted premonitions that strike when she least expects them. 
During a tarot reading Corinne predicts Helena’s death, and is distraught when she learns that Helena has been murdered.  The grief and sudden loss of her twin sister overwhelms Corinne and she struggles to live day to day.  At Helena’s funeral Corinne falls out with her brother in law and is left feeling alone and unloved.
At her lowest ebb Corinne becomes friends with Jack, a stranger in town, but the grief remains and whenever she is around Jack, she gets a vision; one that takes her back to the horrifying scene of Helena’s death.   Unable to stop them, Corinne realises the visions may be her only chance of finally understanding what happened to her sister and why.  But will it be the answer she is looking for?
Excerpt INTEGRATE
A screech of tyres stirred Helena from her thoughts and she saw a car swerving wildly in the road, narrowly missing a frightened fox.  She breathed with relief as the animal safely scuttled into a garden. 


Suddenly, reality hit her.  The vehicle was close.  Far too close.  It was heading straight for her at a speed that was excessively fast.  Her brain urged her to run but it was already too late.  The vehicle was too quick.
Helena stared at the driver in bewilderment, as everything became slow motion.  He wasn’t even looking at the road, then, at the last moment, he lifted his head and his shocked and scared eyes locked with hers.
LinksAmazon (US)
Amazon (UK)Website Facebook Twitter - @Chrissie_authorBlog 

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author Cate Beauman

Cate Beauman, Author
WAITING FOR WRENAuthor Cate Beauman recently released the fifth stand-alone novel, WAITING FOR WREN, in her series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.  Reviewers applaud it: “great storyline, believable characters, murder and love.” They point to the suspense “which was spine tingling and quite the roller coaster ride” and suggest  “if you like a little romance with your mystery” you will like WAITING FOR WREN. Beauman says that the concept for the series "just sort of happened" because the "ideas just kept coming."

To help develop her characters, Beauman assigns music to them. She shares the tunes she uses in "The Unofficial WAITING FOR WREN Soundtrack" following her interview.

Prior to becoming an author, Beauman worked for 12 years in special education. Today she lives with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernard, Bear, in Tennessee.

Don’t miss the excerpt at the end of the list of music.  
Q: Can you explain the theme of The Bodyguards of L.A. County in your series of books? How did you conceive of this concept?
Cate Beauman: The Bodyguards of L.A. County is fairly unique in that it is technically a series but each novel can be read as a standalone. Each story chronicles a different Close Protection Agent from Ethan Cooke Security. I’m happy to say that characters from previous novels continue to share their lives with readers as each book unfolds, but you don’t have to read book one to understand what is going on in book four. Each novel is concluded with a satisfying ending so fans can get ready to fall in love with the next hero and heroine.
The Bodyguards of L.A. County just sort of happened. Morgan’s Hunter (Book One) was supposed to share the harrowing backcountry adventures of sassy D.C. socialite Morgan Taylor and her no-nonsense bodyguard Hunter Phillips, but then I introduced Ethan Cooke and Sarah Johnson to the pages and new they needed their own book. Again, Ethan and Sarah were supposed to wrap up the twosome titles, then Austin Casey and Hailey Roberts wanted their turn. Ideas just kept coming. Forever Alexa  (Book Four) was next, and we’ve just launched Waiting For Wren (Book Five). I’m feverishly working on Justice For Abby (Book Six) now. I have ideas for at least three more novels after that! I imagine I’ll come up with even more. 
Q: Your reviewers are really engaged with your characters. How do you create characters that your readers care for so deeply? Are you a proponent of villains and heroes?
Cate Beauman:  I love that my readers love The Bodyguards of L.A. County crew. I think my audience cares for the characters I create because I work very hard to make them come alive. By the time I’ve hit second draft mode, my heroes, heroines, and villains are very real in my mind. They are no longer characters among the pages of a book, but actual people with endearing traits, faults and flaws many of us can identify with. There are no perfect people among the pages of my novels, just characters that are very much like you and me.
I’m a sucker for good versus evil. I’m a huge fan of the good guys finding a way to win, but that doesn’t mean the winning comes easy. The villains I create are disgusting, vile creatures. They are the lowest of the low in an incredibly sick package. It’s hard to cheer for every human being’s worst nightmare. 
Q: Do you try to deliver a message in your novels? Or are you primarily interested in entertaining your readers? 
Cate Beauman: For the most part, I love creating stories for pure entertainment. Sometimes reality bites, so it’s nice to sit back for an afternoon and get lost in someone else’s story. Some of the plots focus around true and troubling real life issues such as Hailey’s brush with the Mexican Drug Cartel or Alexa and Abby’s encounter with human sex traffickers. Life imitates art and vice versa. I try to weave fiction and pieces of truth together to create engaging novels that will have my readers coming back again and again.
About Cate Beauman
Cate currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their two boys, and St. Bernard, Bear. She is the author of the best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County.  Before her career as an author, Cate worked in special education for 12 years.
“I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on my sixth novel and I’m an Amazon best selling author.  I’m very grateful for the support and success I have had.  - Cate “
About WAITING FOR WREN

Cate Beauman’s newest release is available now through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Visit www.catebeauman.com for more information and to read excerpts from her best selling series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

When the past and present collide…
Wren Cooke has everything she’s ever wanted—a thriving career as one of LA’s top interior designers and a home she loves. Business trips, mockups, and her demanding clientele keep her busy, almost too busy to notice Ethan Cooke Security’s gorgeous Close Protection Agent, Tucker Campbell.
Jaded by love and relationships in general, Wren wants nothing to do with the hazel-eyed stunner and his heart-stopping grins, but Tucker is always in her way. When Wren suddenly finds herself bombarded by a mysterious man’s unwanted affections, she’s forced to turn to Tucker for help.
As Wren’s case turns from disturbing to deadly, Tucker whisks her away to his mountain home in Utah. Haunted by memories and long-ago tragedies, Tucker soon realizes his past and Wren’s present are colliding. With a killer on the loose and time running out, Tucker must discover a madman’s motives before Wren becomes his next victim.
The Unofficial WAITING FOR WREN Soundtrack
As I have discussed with previous book launches, music plays a huge part in my writing process. I typically listen to Pandora or YouTube and compile a collection of songs that I feel represent my characters or the situations they face as the novel unfolds.  Here are a few of the songs that I had on “repeat” while I created Tucker and Wren’s story! 
The soundtrack, of sorts, for WAITING FOR WREN:
·      Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips·      Lego House by Ed Sheeran·      Wanted by Hunter Hayes·      What Would Happen If We Kissed by Meredith Brooks·      Trying Not to Love You by Nickelback·      Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth Ft. Emeli Sande·      I Hate How Much I Love You by Rhianna Ft. NeYo·      Be Still by The Fray·      All Along by Remedy Drive·      Clarity by Zedd·      Mirrors by Justin Timberlake·      To Build A Home by Cinematic Orchestra
Read an excerpt from WAITING FOR WREN:
She pulled in her drive, dropped her phone, and gripped the wheel with trembling hands as heat from the vents rushed over her. She stared at her darkened front steps in the shadows cast about from the neighbors’ tall trees. What if he was here? His texts weren’t threatening, and technically neither were the flowers, but Rex wasn’t healthy. In the two years she’d owned her home, she’d never been terrified to get out of her car and go inside like she was now. This is what he wants. He wants you to be afraid while he plays his games.Steeling herself, she grabbed her phone and got out with her key fob clutched in her unsteady hand. The cool rush of wind tossed her hair in her face, and she swiped wavy locks behind her ear as she strained to hear over the rustling leaves. She walked quickly, her eyes darting everywhere.She just had to get to the door and step inside. The panic button was in the entryway if she needed it. The police would come help her, along with whoever was fielding calls at Ethan’s company tonight. “I’m almost there. I’m almost there,” she whispered, flinching, blinking, startled as the sensor lights flashed on to brighten the walkway. The security lights. It was just the security lights. She forgot she reactivated the feature the night of the gala. She took another step forward and saw the blood by the pretty pot of red mums. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” A black cat lay on her step, decapitated and bloated in a pool of dark, congealed crimson. “Oh my…” Her breath rushed in and out as she stumbled back. The cellphone in her clammy hand rang, and she screamed. Blindly, she pressed “talk.” “Hell—hello?”“Do you like it?” someone whispered. She whirled, scanning, searching for Rex. He was here, somewhere. He had to be.“Why won’t you call me?” The whisper turned into a pathetic whine. “Why won’t you call me, Wren?” “Stop,” she shuddered out as she hurried to her car, looking over her shoulder from time to time, sure he was waiting to pounce. “Stop doing this. I’m calling the police.” The whining stopped abruptly and turned into mad, riotous laughter. “They won’t believe you! They won’t believe you!”“Leave me alone!” She hung up, gasping for air. Tears poured down her cheeks, and her hand shook as she opened her door, took her seat, and locked herself in. She had to get out of here. She had to get away. It took her two tries to shove the key in the ignition as she glanced at the bloodstained step once more and backed out with a squeal of tires. She sped off, heading toward Ethan’s until she remembered he was gone and a quarter of his house had been gutted for the new edition. All of them were gone—Ethan, Hunter, and Austin. She pressed ‘one’ on her speed dial, listening to the repetitive ringing. Ethan’s smooth voice told her to leave a message, but she hung up instead. She turned down another street, taking her farther from her home, and punched in Ethan Cooke Security’s twenty-four hour assistance line.“Ethan Cooke Security. This is Mia.”“Mia, it’s Wren.” “Wren, are you okay?”“Yes.” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as she clutched the wheel with one hand. “No. No, I’m not. There’s a dead cat on my porch.”“Oh.” That didn’t exactly describe the horror she’d just backed away from. “Someone killed a cat and left it on my front step.”“Oh my god. Where are you?”“In my car.” She sniffed. “Driving around. I don’t want to go back to my house alone.”“Of course not. Let me patch you through to Tucker Campbell. He’s on call.”Tucker?“No, wait—” But it was too late. Soothing music played in her ear.“Wren?” Tucker’s deep voice hummed with concern.Her lip wobbled, and tears began to fall again. “Yeah, I’m here.”“What’s going on? Mia said something about a dead cat?”“Someone chopped some sweet cat’s head off and put the body on my front step.”He muttered a swear. “Are you there now?”“No, I’m in my car, driving around. It freaked me out. I don’t want to be at the house by myself.”“I don’t want you there either. Come to my place until we get this figured out.”If choking fingers of terror didn’t have her by the throat, she would’ve refused, but Tucker was offering his help. She needed help. “I don’t—I don’t know where you live.” “Ocean View Apartments, off Highway One.”“What if he follows me? He might be following me right now.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and cringed as headlights trailed behind her.“Who?”“Rex.”“Who the hell is Rex?”“The crazy bastard who left the dead cat on my porch.”“Son of a bitch, Cooke. Don’t stop. Don’t’ pull over. Drive on a flat tire if you have to. Just get here. I’ll be waiting outside.”“Okay,” she sniffed, too afraid to be prideful. “I’m about ten minutes away.”
Did you enjoy the excerpt?  You can read the first three chapters on her website, www.catebeauman.com
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CHECK IT OUT: Coming soon! FOR ALWAYS by Janae Mitchell

“For Always” Coming November 2013…
* Book #1 in the For Always Series*


Malyn Reed meets, and quickly falls in love with, Beau Brogan, who seems to be perfect in every way…
Except for the fact that he died in 1910…
Malyn Reed has been able to see spirits her entire life. Now that she’s almost seventeen, she has learned to differentiate between the living and the dead, making her gift feel less like an evil curse. She ignores the spirits she encounters on a daily basis, which has made living side by side with them slightly easier…until she moves to Dandridge, the second oldest town in Tennessee.
Beau Brogan was a hard working country boy from Dandridge, Tennessee who loved his family and stole the hearts of many southern belles. But all of that came to a tragic halt at the age of nineteen when his life came to an untimely end. For the past hundred years, his spirit has been entombed in a ghostly life of loneliness and misery that he wishes would just end…until the Reeds move in.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janae has been a writer since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her genre of choice was poetry and short stories—until now. After falling in love with so many books over the past decade, she decided that she wanted to write a novel of her own and bring life to the characters that haunt her mind. It wasn't until 2012 that she pursued that passion and started on her first YA novel. 115,000 words later, For Always was born.
Having grown up in an historical Dandridge home that was used as slave quarters during the Civil War, she experienced several things that couldn't be explained. Due to these events, she sought out and joined an investigative team called Eyewitness Paranormal. Her interest in ghosts and the unexplained, combined with her love for telling a story, made writing the For Always series inevitable.
Janae was born and raised in East Tennessee, where she currently resides with her husband, two children, and their hairless dog, Slick. In her spare time, she likes to read, play tennis, and spend time with her family on the lake. 
Connect with Janae: 
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CHECK IT OUT: Character Jillian Hillcrest Introduces Cover of New Mystery FAIR DISCLOSURE

Character Jillian Hillcrest solves mysteries written by yours truly, Joyce T. Strand. When she’s not sleuthing, publicist Jillian promotes her company.  She joins us today to introduce the cover of the newest Jillian Hillcrest mystery called FAIR DISCLOSURE, scheduled for launch Nov. 7, 2013.




Yay! I’m so excited. I’ve waited so long to bring you my next mystery.  But first, check out this cover.
Awesome, right?

As with previous Jillian Hillcrest mysteries, I encounter murder “most fowl” in FAIR DISCLOSURE.
Chad—my ex-husband—and I are enjoying a play at a local community theater when a scream interrupts the production.  We are told that they discovered a bludgeoned volunteer backstage right in the middle of the play.
It turns out that I had interviewed the victim for a job at my company. I thereby get involved in another crime-solving adventure—drawn ever deeper by a second murder, an irate investor, the participation of law enforcement amateurs, an increasingly unreliable assistant, and suspicious trading of my company’s stock. 
Meanwhile, Chad keeps pressuring me to say “yes” to a second marriage. (He is so cute with his hats, but I really don’t want to spoil our close relationship by getting married again!)
FAIR DISCLOSURE concentrates on my role with investors, and how the rules of fair disclosure— to disseminate information to all investors at the same time—frequently are violated by greedy and shady investors.  We drew on real cases of unfair disclosure as a backdrop. 
You won’t want to miss this one. Watch for it! If you doubt me, you can
Read an excerpt HERE
Publication date for FAIR DISCLOSURE:  November 7, 2013
Watch for Blog tour and giveaway beginning Nov. 2