Karen Docter's Blog, page 207
August 10, 2016
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Introducing Interstellar Bride, Sarah Mills, Heroine of MATED TO THE BEAST by Grace Goodwin
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
MATED TO THE BEAST
By GRACE GOODWIN
Blurb
After two of her brothers are killed in battle with the relentless alien menace that threatens the entire Interstellar Coalition, Sarah Mills volunteers to join the fight in an effort to bring home her last surviving brother. When she is mistakenly processed as a bride rather than a soldier, however, she rejects the match. But her mate has other ideas…
Dax is an Atlan warlord, and like all the men of his race, a primal beast lurks within him, ready to emerge in the fury of battle or the heat of the mating fever. When he learns that his bride has chosen to fight on the front lines rather than share his bed, he sets out to track her down and take what the beast demands.
Sarah is none too pleased when a massive brute claiming to be her mate arrives suddenly in the midst of a battle, and her displeasure turns to fury when Dax’s presence disrupts her mission and leads to the capture of her brother. But after her commanding officer refuses to authorize a rescue mission, Sarah’s best hope of saving the only family she has left is to accept Dax’s offer to help, even if that means giving herself to him in return.
Though he is thrilled to have located his wayward bride, Dax quickly discovers that Sarah is nothing like the meek, submissive women of his world. If he wants her, he will have to tame her, with a firm hand applied to her bare bottom if necessary. But Dax doesn’t just want Sarah, he needs her. Can she satisfy the fearsome beast within him before he loses control completely?
Publisher’s Note: Mated to the Beast is a stand-alone book set in the same world as Assigned a Mate, Mated to the Warriors, Claimed by Her Mates, and Taken by Her Mates. It is an erotic romance novel that includes spankings, sexual scenes, elements of BDSM, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
MATED TO THE BEAST
By GRACE GOODWIN
Excerpt
Sarah Mills, Interstellar Bride Processing Center, Earth
“Is there a reason I am shackled to this chair?”
The last thing I remembered was sitting across from the little mouse of a woman—who now practically cowered next to the confident warden—and taking a small pill from her hand. I washed it down with a paper cup full of water. I was now naked beneath my gown—I could feel my bare ass against the hard plastic—and restrained. If I were to be dressed in anything at all, it shouldn’t be this ridiculous medical gown, but a warrior’s uniform for my induction as a coalition fighter.
The warden glanced at me and offered an efficient smile. Everything about her seemed to be professional, unlike the mouse.
“Some women have strong reactions to the testing. The restraints are for your own safety.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind removing them now?”
I felt out of control with my arms pinned. If there was danger of some kind, I could kick an attacker since my legs were free, but they’d certainly get an eyeful when I lifted my leg.
“Not until we are finished. Per protocol,” she added, as if that would make a difference.
She took a seat at the table across from me, the mouse easing into a seat beside her.
“We have some standard questions in order to proceed, Miss Mills.”
I tried not to roll my eyes, but knew the military was a stickler for paperwork and organization. I shouldn’t be surprised that a military organization made up of over two hundred member planets had some hoops I would have to jump through. My induction into the U.S. Army had taken days of paperwork, and that was for a small country, on one small blue planet out of hundreds. Hell, I’d be lucky if the aliens’ coalition process didn’t take two months.
“All right,” I replied, eager to get this done. I had a brother to find and time was wasting. Every second I was stuck here on Earth was another second my crazy, hell-raising brother might do something stupid and get himself killed.
“Your name is Sarah Mills, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You are not married.”
“No.”
“No children?”
Now I did roll my eyes. I wouldn’t volunteer for active duty military service, in outer space, battling the terrifying Hive if I had kids. I was about to sign on the dotted line for a two-year deployment and would never leave children behind. Not even for the promise I’d made my father on his deathbed.
“No. I do not have any children.”
“Very well. You’ve been matched to the planet Atlan.”
I frowned. “That’s nowhere near the front lines.” I did know where the fighting was happening because my two brothers, John and Chris, had died out there in space and my youngest brother, Seth, was still fighting.
“That’s correct.” She looked over my shoulder and had a vague stare of someone who was thinking. “If my geography is correct, Atlan is about three lightyears away from the closest active Hive outpost.”
“Then why am I going there?”
It was the warden’s turn to frown, her gaze focused on my face. “Because that is where your matched mate will come from.”
My mouth fell open and I stared at the woman, my eyes so heavy with shock it felt like they were about to pop out of my head. “My mate? Why would I want a mate?”
My surprised tone and blatantly shocked expression were clearly new to the woman. She flicked a glance at the mouse, then back at me. “Well, um… because you are here for the Interstellar Bride Program processing and testing. Sometimes a woman takes longer to recover from the testing and can wake… confused. However, no woman has ever forgotten the reason she was here. I find your line of questioning worrisome. Miss Mills, are you feeling all right?” She turned to the mouse. “Call downstairs. I think she might need a repeat on the brain scan.”
“I do not need a scan.” I sat up then and fought the restraints, but I couldn’t move. My struggles had both women sitting up straight in their chairs as I continued. “I’m feeling fine. I think she—” I opened my fist and pointed at the mouse, who was now biting her lip and clenching the edge of the table, “—made a big mistake.”
Warden Egara remained unflappable as her fingers flew over the tablet. A minute passed, then another. She looked up at me. “You are Sarah Mills and you have volunteered to be a bride in the Interstellar Bride Program.”
Laughter bubbled up and escaped. It probably was a good thing I was restrained. “No way. I’m the last person who needs to be matched to a man. I grew up with three brothers and an overprotective daddy who were all neck deep in my personal life. They were bossy as hell and scared off any guy who even thought about me in any kind of sexual way.” I did figure out how to keep some things secret, including men, but what my family didn’t know hadn’t hurt them. “Why on Earth would I need a mate?”
“He wouldn’t be on Earth,” the mouse piped up.
Whipping her head around, Warden Egara glared at the mouse and I was quite impressed. Not many civilian women I knew had the whole death stare down. The warden, however, was a pro.
“Then why are you here?” The warden returned her attention to me, her head tilted to the side as if I were a puzzle she was trying to solve.
“I’m now wondering where here is, but I volunteered for Earth’s contingent as a coalition fighter.”
“But you’re a woman,” the mouse countered, her eyes wide.
I glanced down my body as I replied. I was strong, not thin. My bones were heavy and I’d spent nearly as many hours in the weight room as most of the guys in my unit. Despite all the hours of training, I was still curvy, with lush hips and full breasts, and could not be mistaken for a man. “Yes, my brothers took great pleasure in pointing that out to me.”
I thought of them, two now gone and one up in space fighting the Hive. I’d hated their pestering at the time, but with John and Chris now dead, I’d give anything—including fighting the Hive myself—to hear Seth tease me again. Seth was still out there, somewhere. And I was going to find him and bring him home.
The last thing I wanted or needed was a mate.
Share in the adventure as Warlord Dax tracks down and claims his wayward bride in Mated to the Beast!
Meet Author Grace Goodwin …
Grace Goodwin blasted onto the sci-fi romance scene in 2016 with five consecutive #1 erotic bestsellers. Don’t miss her Interstellar Bride series – mail-order brides in space.
Assigned a Mate, Mated to the Warriors, Claimed by Her Mates, Taken by Her Mates, and Mated to the Beast. Each book is a stand-alone erotic romance with an HEA.
~~~
Links to Grace’s website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aG8fL6
NOOK: http://goo.gl/mLWGnr
Google Play: https://goo.gl/NUH3tz
iBooks: https://goo.gl/5NR8tv
Kobo: https://goo.gl/zkRngG
~~
Thank you, Grace, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
August 9, 2016
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Knight In Shining Apron (An Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery, Book 2) by Carole Brown
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
KNIGHT IN SHINING APRON
An Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery
BY CAROLE BROWN
Blurb
Starli Cameron gave up her career plans to be a concert pianist to marry the man of her dreams. He turned out to be a nightmare. When he dies in a car accident, Starli takes the insurance money and builds a successful and upscale restaurant: Apple Blossoms in rural West Virginia. Threats from someone determined to ruin her life and the suspicious romantic advances from her new chef force Starli to search her heart and finally turn to God for real healing.
Sir Joel Peterman-Blair, top notch chef from England, is roped by his uncle, into filling in as head Chef at Apple Blossoms. Joel, with his sanguine-personality, has always laughed and flirted his way through life. But now, confronted with and attracted to the most beautiful woman he’s ever met, Joel has to prove his sincerity and depth of character to his icy-cold employer. Can his love for God and for this woman reach out far enough to rescue her from her own mistrust and bitterness? Will he learn that life is not all play?
And can they both work together to find the source of threats that seem to be coming from Starli’s past?
KNIGHT IN SHINING APRON
An Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery
BY CAROLE BROWN
EXCERPT
Chapter One
Starli Cameron slashed off the last name on her list, the last possible candidate.
It’d been a long day, in spite of loving her work, so saying that was saying the impossible—for her—because she’d never said it before.
She had to admit, she was picky when it came to her beloved restaurant, Apple Blossoms. Anything and anyone to do with it came with high scrutiny from her. She wanted the best and only that for her business.
That last chef applicant, with his incessant sniffing, had driven her crazy. And what about the pompous one who’d strutted into her office with his fake Italian accent itemizing his demands. She’d not had a chance to say a word about her requirements. Good thing too. His dismissal had been fast—although she hoped, politely done.
She ripped the paper from the tablet, crumpled it and tossed her pencil to the tabletop just as the loud pounding began.
Hurrying to the front door, hoping it would be one of her best friends—Toni or Caroline—so she could let off some steam, she flipped on the porch light and peeked through the peephole.
An eye glared at her, and she jumped back, heart beating like a woodpecker determined to get at the insects behind the tree bark.
Roland Stratton.
He can’t see me.
“Starlie-e-e. Open up before I beat down this door.” He accompanied his words with a couple more loud bangs from his big hands.
God, please, not again. Starli gripped the door casing. “What do you want?”
“Think you’ve got it made, don’t you? While Ryan is decaying in the ground, his wife is playing the high-rolling, successful businesswoman to the tilt. You couldn’t even give him a son, could you?”
Dear Lord, please help me. A knife twisted in her heart. “No. That’s not—”
“Don’t bother to deny it.” The voice roared, anger resounding through it. He kicked at an empty flower pot, sending it down her steps to crash at the bottom in a hundred pieces.
“I have to make a living.” Desperation surged through her. She hated the whine in her voice.
“What about the five hundred grand he left you? Remember that measly amount? Did you squander it? Hoard it?”
Starli’s insides froze a little more. Was Roland Stratton, Ryan’s brother, after the money? Too late. It’d all gone toward opening the restaurant.
She recognized the feelings raging through her. Anger, hurt, dismay, defeat. But she didn’t want to address them. Didn’t even want to acknowledge them. She peeked through the hole again.
Her husband’s brother staggered over to one of the porch stands and stared down at it. Then drawing back his leg, he gave it a vicious kick and sent it sailing across the porch.
“I went back to school and started the restaurant. That took money—”
“You’re as stupid as Ryan always said.” A coarse laugh grated through the door. “Too stupid to live. But you did, didn’t you, Starliee-e? Ryan died, but you lived.”
Starli pressed her head against the door.
When he moved away soon after Ryan’s accident, she’d thought she was done with the Strattons, that she’d at last find some peace.
But he hadn’t stayed away. His police reassignment back in Appleton scared her. She knew what the Strattons were capable of. What could she say to pacify him? Anything? Nothing?
“Look down at that ugly finger of yours, Starlie-e-e.”
Starli’s gaze dropped to her left pinkie. The crooked one. The reminder. Fear thudded in her chest.
“I think you need another reminder.” His coarse, drunken laugh drowned out the bang, bang, bang his fists repeatedly applied to the wooden door.
“No.” The single, whispered word exploded from her throat.
The sudden silence played in her ears like a dreaded dirge.
He was gone. For now.
Meet Author Carole Brown …
Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
~~~
Links to Carole’s website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aOmqAC
Personal blog:
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts
Word Sharpeners:
https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/
Stitches in Time:
http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Carole is giving away a print (U.S. only) or Kindle (winner’s choice) copy of KNIGHT IN SHINING APRON to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek** or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Thank you, Carole, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
August 8, 2016
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Introducing Warlord Dax, Hero of MATED TO THE BEAST by Grace Goodwin
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
MATED TO THE BEAST
By GRACE GOODWIN
Blurb
After two of her brothers are killed in battle with the relentless alien menace that threatens the entire Interstellar Coalition, Sarah Mills volunteers to join the fight in an effort to bring home her last surviving brother. When she is mistakenly processed as a bride rather than a soldier, however, she rejects the match. But her mate has other ideas…
Dax is an Atlan warlord, and like all the men of his race, a primal beast lurks within him, ready to emerge in the fury of battle or the heat of the mating fever. When he learns that his bride has chosen to fight on the front lines rather than share his bed, he sets out to track her down and take what the beast demands.
Sarah is none too pleased when a massive brute claiming to be her mate arrives suddenly in the midst of a battle, and her displeasure turns to fury when Dax’s presence disrupts her mission and leads to the capture of her brother. But after her commanding officer refuses to authorize a rescue mission, Sarah’s best hope of saving the only family she has left is to accept Dax’s offer to help, even if that means giving herself to him in return.
Though he is thrilled to have located his wayward bride, Dax quickly discovers that Sarah is nothing like the meek, submissive women of his world. If he wants her, he will have to tame her, with a firm hand applied to her bare bottom if necessary. But Dax doesn’t just want Sarah, he needs her. Can she satisfy the fearsome beast within him before he loses control completely?
Publisher’s Note: Mated to the Beast is a stand-alone book set in the same world as Assigned a Mate, Mated to the Warriors, Claimed by Her Mates, and Taken by Her Mates. It is an erotic romance novel that includes spankings, sexual scenes, elements of BDSM, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
MATED TO THE BEAST
By GRACE GOODWIN
Excerpt
Editor’s Note: Content edited for PG-13, language
Dax, Battleship Brekk, Sector 592, The Front
“It’s over. The match has been made.” The voice came from beside me and I didn’t need to turn my head to know it was the same medical officer who irritated me earlier by talking overly much.
“Are you certain you completed the testing?” I barked. “I don’t remember anything.”
Nothing had happened except I now had vague memories that lingered in the back of my mind, and a painfully hard erection straining to escape my armored pants. I’d been dragged directly from the battlefield to the medical unit, and the hard casing of the ground armor made my condition incredibly painful. With my hands restrained, it wasn’t as if I could even shift to a less agonizing position.
The medical officer stepped over to stand near my hip, where I could see him. His voice sounded vaguely bored and routine. “You were put into a trance sequence. Do you remember any of it?”
“Not much. Shadows. The memories are vague.” I closed my eyes. I remembered holding a woman down, her cries of pleasure, the powerful thrust of my hips as the beast took what belonged to him.
“Shadows? That’s why you are harder than my ion pistol?” the commander commented.
“Most males do not recall much of the processing data. Their higher levels of aggression during a ritual mating tend to obscure the experience.”
I tried to process what he wasn’t saying. “And the women? They go through the same process?”
He nodded enthusiastically as he removed a sensor from my temple. “Oh, yes. But the brides tend to recall everything.” He cleared his throat. “Down to the most minute sensory detail.”
Commander Deek laughed. “So, the males rut and walk away, and the females remember every detail forever so they can hold it against us later.” He slapped me on the shoulder, hard. “Sounds about right for a mate.”
“It is a consistent result of the testing,” the man commented, “not a judgment on females in general.”
I closed my eyes and sighed, ignoring the throbbing pulse of lust in my body. If I saw my mate right now, and knew she was mine, I’d leap off this table, rip her clothing from her body, and impale her as I trapped her beneath me on this hard floor until she had so many orgasms that she begged me stop.
To anyone not of Atlan, it would sound barbaric, but we gave our mates what they needed, and they needed to know who they belonged to.
My body pulsed and I growled, eager to find her. Now that I knew she was out there, ready for me, the beast tugged even harder to be free, to take what was his.
I was closer to the edge than I realized. With a supreme act of will, I reined in my need and focused on the conversation flowing around me as the medical officer spoke to Commander Deek.
“…it is often a sign of… compatibility before the bride’s transport begins.”
“Begin the transport then,” I growled. “I am ready.”
The doctor’s assistant jumped and went to work at a wall screen near my feet, his gaze darting frantically from one item to another as his fingers flew over the controls. “Oh, um… yes. Well.”
I tilted my head and looked up at him. He was a large warrior, not the size of an Atlan or Prillon fighter, but not small either. He’d been overly talkative, as most medical crew tended to be, but he wasn’t just chatting now, he was flustered for some reason. Here I was, strapped to this table, torn between the need to find my mate and rip another Hive soldier to pieces, as he fumbled with the controls as if he’d never used them before. His ineptitude did not make it easier for me to maintain control.
“Let me get the doctor.” The man dashed off before either of us could question him. In seconds, he was back with the small female doctor, her lush curves emphasized by the standard dark green instead of the assistant’s gray. But I was too far gone to respect her knowledge or experience, or the fact that she very likely outranked me. I saw only a woman with ripe curves. I couldn’t think beyond that.
“I am Doctor Rone. I have just been told that while your match has been made, there is a slight complication.”
My hands curled into fists and I fought against the tight restraints as the beast within raged, unhappy with this news. “What is the complication?” My voice was clipped and sharp.
The doctor cleared her throat and looked down at a data stream flowing across the portable tablet she carried. “Warlord Dax, your matched mate is a human woman from a planet called Earth. Her name is Sarah Mills. She is twenty-seven years of age, fertile, and meets all coalition bride processing requirements, but one.”
Sarah Mills. Sarah Mills was mine. I looked at the back side of the tablet, eager for a look at my mate. “I would see her likeness.”
The doctor shrugged, as if it made no difference to her, and held out the tablet so that I could see the dark-haired beauty staring out from the data screen. She was stunning and elegant, with delicate lines, arched brows, and a strong jaw more refined than any Atlan female’s. Her long dark hair curved in waves and came to rest just below her shoulders. Her pink mouth looked ripe for kissing… or more. The sight of her intense, dark eyes made my mating fever so much harder to control. She was mine, and I wanted her now. Right now. “Where is she?”
The doctor averted her gaze and stepped back, the tablet held protectively against her waist as she looked at Commander Deek for permission to speak.
What the f*^k was going on with my mate?
“Where. Is. She?” I bellowed the question and all eyes in the medical station turned with curiosity in our direction. I tensed as the male Prillon doctor stepped in our direction, prepared to fight my way out of here if necessary. My little female doctor waved him off, apparently confident I wouldn’t cause harm even though I was ready to rip this ship apart if the doctor didn’t answer me.
Commander Deek rubbed his eyes and shook his head. We both knew this wasn’t going to be good. “You’d better just tell us, doc.”
The small female doctor remained composed, which was remarkable since my anger and frustration were setting off alarms across an entire wall of biological monitoring equipment. “I’m afraid she was reassigned—to a combat unit.”
Share in the adventure as Warlord Dax tracks down and claims his wayward bride in Mated to the Beast!
Want to read more?! Come back to Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog on Thursday, August 11 for an excerpt in the heroine, Sarah Mills’ POV (point of view)!
Meet Author Grace Goodwin …
Grace Goodwin blasted onto the sci-fi romance scene in 2016 with five consecutive #1 erotic bestsellers. Don’t miss her Interstellar Bride series – mail-order brides in space.
Assigned a Mate, Mated to the Warriors, Claimed by Her Mates, Taken by Her Mates, and Mated to the Beast. Each book is a stand-alone erotic romance with an HEA.
~~~
Links to Grace’s website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aG8fL6
NOOK: http://goo.gl/mLWGnr
Google Play: https://goo.gl/NUH3tz
iBooks: https://goo.gl/5NR8tv
Kobo: https://goo.gl/zkRngG
~~
Thank you, Grace, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
August 7, 2016
**Author Peek** Interview with Carole Brown
**Author Peek** Interview with
CAROLE BROWN!
~~
INTRODUCING…Carole.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
Here is the short version:
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
Now for a little more detail (Lol):
The first two sentences talks about my writing life in brief. As an example: one young woman I mentored has worked hard, learned, accepting hard (but loving) critiques from me, researching her historical romances, until now (I’m so proud of her!), I feel she is on the border of becoming an amazing published author. The new series she’s writing is definitely promising!
The third sentence speaks of our “working” life. Since my husband is a counselor and minister, we’ve traveled extensively across the U.S. We’ve enjoyed many experiences from working with Native Americans (and I tried my hand at flat bread flipping and weaving. Don’t ask me how those turned out. At least it was good for an all-around laugh!) We met some “Bonnie and Clyde” types, shared laughs with new friends who thought my “Dan Brown” was THE Dan Brown. We’ve snapped pictures in Washington state and in Maine, from the Rio Grande to the Eastern shores, with their lighthouses.
Lastly our personal family life: During our travels and when home I home schooled (for the most part) our two sons. They were mischievous and active. I taught them to read before they formally began school which I suppose gave them the desire to read, which they both still enjoy (proud of their mama, they are!). Now that I (finally!) have three grandsons, few things give me more joy than sharing and making memories with them. We enjoy planning events and special trips for them. Friends and family are special blessings!
1. What genre(s) do you write in and why?
Romantic Suspense and Mystery
I’ve always loved mysteries, from a child up. It was only natural and more enticing to veer toward that genre. Since I could not imagine NOT writing, I write in the genre I love.
2. What’s your favorite beverage?
Water. I use to drink a lot of soda, but moved away from downing too much of that. I like to eat and drink healthy.
3. If you had to listen to one song over and over again for a whole day, what would it be?
I positively love the song When a Man Loves a Woman. It’s the romantic in me to think about what a man would do for a woman he loves. Lol.
4. What is your least favorite part of writing?
That’s a hard one because I love almost all of it. I suppose if I have to choose it would be the few times when I’m brain-blocked. That’s fairly easy to get over with a few sessions with one or the other of my two favorite critique partners. But it does happen at times and those meaningful times spent brainstorming, or taking a break for a different activity helps pull me out of that slump.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Either a peaceful and gorgeous–not too busy–island or a small cottage in England (where some of the best mystery books are set) on some beautiful acres of land where I could write to my heart’s content. I’d want lots of flowers surrounding my piece of relaxation, a maid (I won’t have time to keep house), a gardener (of course!) and several good friends who are there when I need to travel, entertain, party, but who also leave me alone when I’m writing. Is that too much to ask?
6. Are you an avid reader? When you do read someone else’s writing, what is your favorite genre?
I can’t read as much as I use to, but I still enjoy finding a new author or one that continues to put out books that keep my attention. I still love mysteries, suspenses with a few thrillers thrown in for good measure. I also adore a really good romance, but I’m picky.
7. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?
Mostly my imagination, but I take ideas from interesting news items, tales from others, and occasionally suggestions that I can utilize into my own creations. I love taking ideas and seeing how far I can push them with a twist.
8. Tell me about your ideal reader.
Fun question. One who loves my writing, who spreads the word enthusiastically and who never fails to review. Who could ask for more?
9. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
Spiderman?
Especially the older versions.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
A Flute in the Willows is the second book in my WWII Spies series and will debut sometime in December, 2016. Here’s the blurb:
Serving as a spy in the middle of Germany, Jerry’s prepared for the risks involved until the sister of a high ranking official falls in love with him. That would be fine except he has a lovely young wife back home that he adores. Besides all he really wants is to find the list of names he came for and if using Vanda to get it is what’s required then he’s willing to pay the price.
Until she’s killed helping him escape and he’s shot and almost dies from the infection. Faced with the life as a cripple, Jerry’s bitter and angry at the world and God, and guilt ridden to have enjoyed Vanda’s attention so much. He shouldn’t have encouraged her, should have been honest with her, but he wasn’t. He didn’t betray his country, but the harm from betraying his own morals and even more so, Josie’s trust—if she knew—is more than he can endure.
Watching Josie, and seeing his wife’s desire to succeed as the world’s greatest female ice skater, Jerry shoves away Josie’s concern and love determined to give her a chance to leave him, a damaged husband. But when her life is threatened by Vanda’s brother who enters the United States with the goal of making him pay both for his spying theft and the death of his sister, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Once again, Jerry has to risk all—only this time it’s for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.
Josie Rayner Patterson has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Was he tortured? Has she lost his love? She knows he was injured—the crippled leg proves it, but he refuses to sleep with her, to talk with her, to share with her. He’s a stranger in their home.
Only her skating helps her keep her sanity even though she has her own demons to fight. Always rebellious at the restricted life she’d grown up in, she develops a greater taste for the liquor that dulls her troubled soul and climbs higher and higher to the peak of success she craves.
Until the night she makes a fatal mistake in the skating competition all because of too many drinks beforehand. She suffers a broken ankle, so damaged it will never heal strong enough for the tough practicing she has to do to become professional. Josie is wild with grief and angry at life itself. How could the God her family serves do this to her? She’s lost her two loves and has nothing left to live for.
But when her brother-in-law, Tyrell Walker, minister and husband to her sister, Emma Jaine, invites her to play her long-forgotten flute in a morning service, she’s shocked and touched by the heartfelt responses her rendition produces. Josie turns to her flute for solace and little realizes that her music is not only healing her own heart, but touching Jerry’s deep buried feelings too.
And when she joins her husband in finding and bringing down the person trying to wreck what little they have of life, she’s determined to do all she can. If flirting with Winifried Rhoderick is what it takes, she’ll do it.
These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.
~~~~~
Be sure to come back to read more about Carole and KNIGHT IN SHINING APRON, An Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery, Book 2, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~
Links to Carole’s website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aOmqAC
Personal blog:
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts
Word Sharpeners:
https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/
Stitches in Time:
http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Carole is giving away a print (U.S. only) or Kindle (winner’s choice) copy of KNIGHT IN SHINING APRON to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek** or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Thank you, Carole, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
1-Day Back to School Facebook Giveaway!! 45 Authors!! August 8, 2016
Back to School Facebook Giveaway!!
$1,000+ in Prizes!!
August 8, 2016 ~ One Day Only!!
I’m participating in the Back to School Facebook Giveaway, celebrating recent book releases with 45 authors and $1,000+ in prizes!
My giveaway will be three (3) print (US ONLY) or digital copies of KILLING SECRETS, a Thorne’s Thorns Series stand alone novel. It’s easy to enter, but please read instructions carefully.
HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a comment on my FB author page at https://www.facebook.com/kldocter/on Monday, August 8, before midnight, then jump to the next author’s page and the next – it’s that simple. Any comment: Bonjour! I dread going back to school! Can’t wait until the kids are back in school! Go Broncos! Love your books! (You get the idea. Exclamation points not required.)
Giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. on Aug 8. Feel free to share, like, or tag your friends – the more, the merrier!
Winner for my giveaway will be chosen at random and announced on my page on Tuesday, Aug 9. Thanks for stopping by – and good luck! (P.S. Like my page to stay posted on future giveaways and other fun stuff.)
NEXT STOP: Larissa Reinhart https://www.facebook.com/RisWrites – visit for another giveaway.
FIRST STOP: Laura DiSilverio https://www.facebook.com/LauraDiSilverio/?fref=ts – visit to enter the first giveaway and to see a full list of participating authors.
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE AT ALL OF THESE GIVEAWAYS.
JUMP ON THE BUS AND COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
Fine Print: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering, Entrants agree to a complete release of Facebook.
Congratulations Week 08-01-16 Blog Giveaway Winners!!
CONGRATULATIONS WEEK
08-01-16
BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!
~~~
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Allan J. Emerson…
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Allan is giving away an ebook (Kindle Only) copy of DEATH OF A BRIDE AND GROOM to one lucky reader who comments on his Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. Contest closing 12:00 Midnight Mtn/Denver time, August 6. Thank you, Allan, for sharing your story with us.
WINNER: CAROLE PRICE
~~~
Don’t miss the SEASON OF THRILLS BOX SET for only $.99
!!
Five (5) full-length suspense/mystery/ thriller novels by Award-winning and Bestselling Authors JERRIE ALEXANDER, KIM CRESSWELL, K.L. DOCTER, RACHEL KENT and MARIAN LANOUETTE!! Thrills are always in season!!
Get your copy HERE:
Amazon –
Season of Thrills Box Set: 5 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novels by Bestselling Authors
KOBO – bit.ly/1VJAw3R
iTunes – apple.co/1huLmNC
B&N – bit.ly/1NvGZjL
chapters.indigo – bit.ly/1LmlQ9y
~~~
All giveaway winners chosen by random.org from reader comments with the exception of Rafflecopter giveaways which are determined and announced offsite by publisher/authors. Thank you!
August 4, 2016
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Cauliflower Au Gratin
It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s! Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers. So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN!
Cauliflower is so good alone. Pouring cheese over it is even better. But, au gratin?! This is so tasty, you could make an entire meal out of it. I know I have!
I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 271 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN
[Serves 6-8]
½ cup chopped cooked ham
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
6 T. butter
1 head cauliflower, broken up
2 T. flour
1-1/2 cups whipping cream
¼ tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
Pinch cayenne pepper
1-1/2 cups (6oz.) Swiss cheese
2-3 T. minced fresh parsley
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté ham and garlic in butter for 2 minutes. Add cauliflower and cook just until crisp-tender. Combine flour and cream until smooth; stir into skillet and blend well. Add salt, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Pour into greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 4 inches from heat for 2-4 minutes until lightly browned. Sprinkle with parsley.
Happy Eating!
August 3, 2016
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Death of a Bride and Groom (A Honeymoon Falls Mystery) by Allan J. Emerson
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
DEATH OF A BRIDE AND GROOM
A Honeymoon Falls Mystery
BY ALLAN J. EMERSON
INTRODUCING…Allan.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full – time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
I’m a Canadian writer who was born in Saskatchewan and brought up in small towns there and in British Columbia. When I was a kid, I used to make up stories to amuse my younger brother. I was a very obliging storyteller—if he didn’t like a plot line or a character, I’d change them, unless it was going to ruin the story. (Turned out to be good practice for dealing with editors later on.)
People who’ve never lived in small towns often think nothing happens there, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. My personal experience of life in small towns provided the inspiration for my series, which is set in the fictional town of Honeymoon Falls.
1. What genre(s) do you write and why?
I write mysteries with a liberal helping of dry humor, because I enjoy reading them. My current novel is Death of a Bride and Groom. You know those people who show photos of their grandchildren and tell you how wonderful they are? Well, I’m the same way about my books. Good-looking? Here’s the cover–judge for yourself!
Smart and funny? Take a gander:
Blurb: When the body of writer Iris Morland is discovered in full bridal array atop a gigantic wedding cake parade float, the little resort town of Honeymoon Falls is left reeling. Not only is its reputation as “the Romance Capital of the World” at risk, its very survival is threatened. Murder, it seems, has a chilling effect on those considering venues for potential nuptials.
Iris enjoyed betrayal, which makes half the people in town potential suspects. Among them is her husband, Kenneth, whose faltering grip on a mechanical mouse plunged him into a hideously embarrassing scene with Iris and her latest lover, television host Arnold Reifel. Arnold was finding the affair burdensome, and his wife, Marjorie, was seething because Iris had turned Marjorie’s interior decoration schemes into a very public humiliation. Then there’s haughty French film director Pierre Blondin, in town filming his adaptation of Iris’s novel. Did Iris trigger his murderous wrath by opposing a nude scene featuring ninety-five-year-old actress Hermione Hopkins?
Captain Will Halsey, head of Honeymoon Falls’ three-person police force, has to find the killer in the crowd of Iris’s enemies, while coping with small-town politics, feuding among his subordinates, and the ferocious attentions of the media.
2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility. Come to think of it, I may already have achieved this—I can never get a sales clerk’s attention in a department store.
3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?
I do occasionally get stuck. When I do, I force myself to write something—anything—to prime the pump. I might write a description of a dream I’ve had, or the items in a bakery window, or someone I saw on the street. Somehow, the act of writing unlocks the word flow and lets me get going again.
4. What is your least favorite part of writing?
Writing the first draft is my least favorite part of writing. It’s an enormous amount of work erecting the plot structure that’s going to be the framework supporting everything else—the characters, the surprises, the twists and turns that will keep the reader intrigued until the end of the story. I’m much happier working on subsequent drafts because I’ve got the foundation in place.
5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
First course: Pepto Bismal (because I like you and I’m sorry you have to eat my cooking).
Second course: A casserole I made from a recipe I found in the paper. Oxtail Surprise, it’s called. I haven’t cleaned the oven for a while and there was a bit of a fire, so it didn’t take nearly as long to cook as the recipe said it would.
Dessert course: Alka Seltzer
Or we could order Chinese, which I highly recommend.
6. What is your typical day like?
Well, the early part is pretty much a fog—my body gets up around 7:30, but my brain sleeps until 10:00. After coffee and the newspapers, I notice it’s daylight and perhaps some sort of activity could begin. I’ll answer emails, run errands, and maybe re-read what I wrote previously. The latter is often a deflating experience—the brilliant idea that enthralled me last night has turned into this on the page? After dinner, I might re-write some of what went wrong, or just plunge into the next part of the story that beckons. After a while, I notice it’s got awfully quiet. And dark. And so to bed.
7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
Probably emotions, because it’s easy to overdo and have characters come across as maudlin or self-indulgent. (“You’ve broken my heart,” she cried, her tear-stained face twisted with sorrow. “You forgot to buy Rocky Road, and now you tell me we’re out of waffles? I’ll never forgive you—never!”)
8. A penguin walks into your office, right now, wearing a sombrero. What does he say to you and why is he here?
“Why did you cut me from the story after I spent all that time learning the Mexican hat dance? I demand to be put back into the ballroom scene!” **stomps on sombrero and flaps stubby little wings aggressively**
9. If you could wave a magic wand, what ill in the world would you solve and why?
World hunger.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
My next book, is called Death of an Action Hero.
There’s big excitement in Honeymoon Falls when tough-guy movie star Arne Skarsgard comes to town. The little town that bills itself as “the romance capital of the world” watches his every move, wondering if he’ll be vulnerable to its over-the-top romantic charm.
It isn’t Cupid’s arrow that pierces Skarsgard’s brawny chest, however, but a real one, silent and deadly, that brings his publicity stunt at the town’s waterfall to a horrifying conclusion in front of a crowd of honeymooners.
Police Chief Will Halsey and his three-person force must find Skarsgard’s killer before the town’s romantic image is destroyed, while his old enemies from the media hound his every move.
Publication date is uncertain as I’m in the process of changing publishers. While I negotiate with a new publisher, you can read Death of a Bride and Groom, the first in the series. Each book is a complete story in itself.
Meet Author Allan J. Emerson
… 
Allan Emerson is a Canadian writer who was born in Saskatchewan and brought up in small towns there and in British Columbia. He lived in Australia and New Zealand before settling on the west coast of Canada. As his mother could tell you, he’s been making up stories since he was a little kid.
Death of a Bride and Groom is the first book in the Honeymoon Falls series. Although the town of Honeymoon Falls and all its inhabitants are purely fictional, the idea of marriage and murder in close proximity came to him when he was visiting Niagara Falls, and wondered about the lives of the permanent residents. Visit Allan at http://www.allanjemerson.com/
~~~
Links to Allan’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: www.allanjemerson.com
~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Allan is giving away an ebook (Kindle Only) copy of DEATH OF A BRIDE AND GROOM to one lucky reader who comments on his Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. Contest closing 12:00 Midnight Mtn/Denver time, August 6. Thank you, Allan, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
August 2, 2016
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Kissed By A Stranger (Montana Sky Series, Kindle Worlds Novella) by Cynthia Woolf
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
KISSED BY A STRANGER
Montana Sky Series, Kindle Worlds Novella
BY CYNTHIA WOOLF
Blurb
Widow Laura Fitzhugh has lost everything but her wonderful daughter. Josie is the light of her life and the only reason Laura keeps going. Offered a home and a job in Morgan’s Crossing by her cousin, Laura jumps at the opportunity.
Bill Simms lost his wife and daughter to influenza seven years ago and has closed himself off from everyone, hoping to never feel that pain again. A chance run in with a beautiful little girl who kisses his cheek, changes his life forever.
A threat from Laura’s past forces Bill and Laura to work together to save Josie and perhaps themselves in the process.
KISSED BY A STRANGER
Montana Sky Series, Kindle Worlds Novella
BY CYNTHIA WOOLF
EXCERPT
CHAPTER 1
June 3, 1887 – New York City, New York
Laura was not looking forward to this meeting with Maude Fitzhugh. Since the death of Maude’s son Frank, one year ago, Laura had been on borrowed time, knowing her mother-in-law was chomping at the bit to get rid of her once and for all. The only reason Maude hadn’t was that throwing Laura out right after losing her husband would have looked bad and Maude’s friends would have censured her. Laura thought that if the truth be told, Maude’s friends looked down on her anyway. But Laura didn’t care what Maude Fitzhugh’s friends thought. She only cared about doing her job well enough that Maude wouldn’t throw her out of the exclusive apartment that she lived in with Josie. But now the year of mourning had passed, and Maude sent for her.
The door to the library opened, and Gordon, the butler, motioned for Laura to enter.
“Mrs. Fitzhugh is ready for your presence,” he said.
Laura hated that I’m-better-than-you are voice that he always used when he talked to her.
“Come in, Laura and have a seat.” Maude pointed at the straight back wooden chair in front of the magnificent mahogany desk.
Her mother-in-law sat in a huge, leather chair that dwarfed her small stature. But if anyone thought her five foot height made her any the less formidable, they didn’t know Maude Fitzhugh.
That small woman ran her businesses, and her family with an iron hand.
Frank had always hated his mother, but he had agreed to run their family-owned hotel in New York City in order to provide a home for himself and Laura.
For the first year of their marriage Laura had helped Frank run the hotel. Then Laura got pregnant and once her figure started to increase, Maude had insisted that Laura not do anything but the bookkeeping. The mandate wasn’t out of goodness of her heart, but the fact that she didn’t want anyone to know Laura was with child.
When the child was born, Frank insisted they name her after his mother, hoping to gain favor, so they named their daughter Maude Josephine Fitzhugh. Having a namesake made no difference to the old bitty, she continued to hate Laura and was still disappointed in Frank. Laura refused to saddle their daughter with the name of her horrendous grandmother and instead called her Josie.
“Laura. Do you know why I have summoned you today?”
“No, ma’am.” Laura’s hands were sweating and she bunched then into her skirt to dry them and to hide their shaking
“I’m turning over the running of The Fitzhugh Hotel to my son, Richard, so your services are no longer required.”
Laura stood, narrowing her eyes. “That’s it? You’ve made me work during my mourning and now you’re taking my source of income and my home from me and that’s all you can say?”
“No, that’s not all I have to say.” She lifted her chin and glared at Laura. “You have one month to find another place for you and your brat to live. I only do this because the child happens to be related to me, though I will never claim the whelp. Do you understand? I’ll never understand what Frank saw in you. Your kind should stay in the sewers where you belong but he insisted on marrying you. Well, now I don’t have to have you around. After the month is up, I hope to never see or hear from you again.”
“And you won’t. I assure you this is the last time we will speak.”
Laura turned and left the room without another word.
Meet Author Cynthia Woolf
… 
Cynthia Woolf is the award winning and best-selling author of twenty-two historical western romance books and two short stories with more books on the way.
Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia’s father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy not a bounty hunter and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now) not the ranch owner. The ranch they met on is still there as part of the open space in Mineral County in southwestern Colorado.
Writing as CA Woolf she has six scifi, space opera romance titles. She calls them westerns in space.
Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.
~~~
Links to Cynthia’s website, blog, books, etc.
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2aj31EO
WEBSITE: http://cynthiawoolf.com/
NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/1qBWhFQ
~~
Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing your story with us.
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Congratulations AUGUST 2016 Blog Subscriber Giveaway Winner!!
Time to announce the AUGUST 2016 #WINNER of my Monthly Blog Subscriber Giveaway, where special readers can win a read or coffee – two of my favorite things—on me!!!
And the winner is…
YVONNEPILATES…
Congratulations! You have won a $5 gift card from Amazon or Starbucks (your choice)! I’ll contact you privately to arrange for delivery of your gift.
Dear Readers,
If you missed this month’s giveaway, you can still subscribe to my blog at http://www.karendocter.com/ to get my blogs delivered straight to your email and be entered EACH MONTH into a random drawing for #FREE $5 gift card. On the first of each month, I’ll draw one name at www.random.org from all of my subscribers to receive the card.
More wonderful perks to subscribing to my blog? The blogs, when they appear in your Inbox, are pretty and easy to read. You can discover new authors, recipes and reader fun…and many of the authors sponsor GIVEAWAYS just for commenting!
If you’re only in the mood to receive my Special Release Alerts, you can subscribe to my mailing list instead. This is NOT a newsletter, but the occasional Karen/K.L. Docter news release.
Thanks for joining me on Karen’s Killer Book Bench!!
Karen/K.L.
To avoid SPAM filters, I will be announcing this random giveaway on the blog from now on because some have not responded to my emails about winning the drawing. If your name is announced and you don’t hear from me and can’t find an email in your SPAM folder, please contact me at kldocter@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Winners selected by random.org.
