Karen Docter's Blog, page 235
September 6, 2015
**Author Peek** Interview with Debbie Manber Kupfer
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
DEBBIE MANBER KUPFER
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INTRODUCING…Debbie!
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.
My name’s Debbie Manber Kupfer. I’m originally from London, but today live in St. Louis, MO. When I’m not writing fiction I write puzzles for puzzle magazines and for my blog, Paws 4 Puzzles. I live with my husband, two kids, and the real ruler of our household, our kitty Miri Billie Joe. I believe with enough tea and dark chocolate you can do anything!
1. What appeals to you about the genre that you write?
I love fantasy, because it means I get to dream for a living!
2. Are you a plotter or a pantser (one who writes “by the seat of your pants”)?
I’m mostly a pantser, or as I prefer to call it a “discovery writer”. I usually have a general idea of where I’m going in a story, but until I sit down and write it I have no clear idea how I will get there.
3. What is your favorite part of writing?
The surprises along the way. For example my villain, Alistair, in P.A.W.S. was not in my original idea for the story, but a few chapters in he arrived and made the story all about him. I love surprises like that and am excited to see where my characters take me next.
4. If you had to give up writing and do something else, what would you do instead?
Not sure I could do that! My writing and my puzzles are a huge part of who I am. Before I settled into my current life I worked in many different jobs including secretary, teacher, community worker, and market researcher. They were all just that though, jobs. Writing (and editing, which I also enjoy) make my life much more fulfilled so I doubt if I ever could go back to my previous life.
5. What’s your favorite meal of the day?
Breakfast – I love breakfast foods and could eat them for every meal of the day. I also enjoy breakfast very much when I travel. In England they make a wonderful vegetarian breakfast that I adore and in Israel (where my mother lives) they serve a breakfast platter filled with cheeses, eggs, breads, salads and all kinds of other delights. It’s making me hungry just thinking about it.
6. Which are your favorite characters to write, the female characters or the male characters? Why?
I don’t have a huge preference as I enjoy writing a variety of characters and P.A.W.S. has a big and ever growing cast of players. The only conscious decision about the gender of a character I made was Jessamyn, the leader of the St. Louis P.A.W.S. Institute. It occurred to me that they main mentor/teacher characters in fantasy are usually male – think Dumbledore or Gandalf – so I decided I would like to have a strong female leader for P.A.W.S.
7. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
I want “Mary Poppins” power – the power to snap my fingers and have the house miraculously clean itself. And then once the mess is cleaned I’d have much more time for my writing and puzzles!
8. Many writers dream of having the ideal location to write. If you could live anywhere in the world or live a particular lifestyle, where would you be answering these questions right now?
I love big cities and London and New York are my favorites. The ideal location to write is in a diner or coffee bar in London or NYC where I can watch the world go by. I do some of this in St. Louis, but it’s really not the same.
9. Do you have any rejection stories to share? Reviews that meant something special to you?
My favorite review is one that’s not published – a teen who read P.A.W.S. before it was published told me that although she enjoyed Harry Potter, she’d never wanted to go to Hogwarts, but she wanted to go to P.A.W.S. – who wouldn’t? Loved that so much.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
My latest release was this September 1st (so it’s out now). This is the second edition of P.A.W.S. with a new kickass cover from the amazing Rachel Bostwick and bonus bits.
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Be sure to come back to read more about Debbie and P.A.W.S. on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~
Links to Debbiew’s website, blog, books, etc.
Paws4Thought: http://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/
Paws4Puzzles:
Twitter: @CiciCat42
Amazon:
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Debbie is giving away an ebook of P.A.W.S. to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek** Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Debbie, for sharing your story with us!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench *SNEAK PEEK*: Season of Thrills/REFLECTION by Kim Cresswell
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!
~~
SEASON OF THRILLS BOX SET
5 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novels
By Award-winning and Bestselling Authors
A.J. CARELLA, KIM CRESSWELL, K.L. DOCTER,
RACHEL KENT & MARIAN LANOUETTE
Now available for Pre-order
** Special limited time price ONLY $.99 **
#seasonofthrills
Release Day ~ December 1st!
Regular price of $7.99
SEASON OF THRILLS **SNEAK PEEK**
REFLECTION
A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One
By Kim Cresswell
Blurb: Lunch with the ex-husband is not always a fun thing especially when bullets start flying and reporter Whitney Steel finds herself in the middle of a human cloning story that will rock the world…providing she lives long enough to get her byline. “A deeply emotional romantic suspense that starts bold and holds you captive to the very end.” –New York Times Bestseller, Dianna Love
EXCERPT
Chapter One
Mason Bailey gulped down his third Glenlivet. “I didn’t kill her.”
How many times had Whitney Steel heard those words? Dozens. But never from the mouth of a United States senator. For all she cared, the man could drink himself to Mars, but not until she got what she’d come for. An exclusive.
Under the awning shading the Pink Flamingo Club’s patio, she took a sip of her lime daiquiri, and couldn’t help notice the way the mid-afternoon sunlight brutally magnified every line on Mason’s tanned face.
“Of all the reporters in Panama City, let alone Florida, why me? We cut our ties years ago.” And our losses, she wanted to say, but didn’t.
“I know I can trust you.” His gaze darted across the street then back to her. “Besides, we were married once. That should count for something.”
Whitney straightened. Anger coiled in the pit of her stomach. “Give me a break. For a year and a half, I thought we were married. Too bad your girlfriends didn’t know about our little legal arrangement.” Especially, your twenty something assistant.
“Damn it, Whitney. I didn’t ask you here to rehash our past.” He yanked a monogrammed handkerchief from his jacket pocket and dabbed the sweat from his forehead. “I need your help. I know why Carmen Lacey was murdered.”
Her eyes widened. Now they were getting somewhere. “You have my full attention. Are we on the record?”
Mason shoved his empty glass aside. “Yes.”
Her heart thumped with anticipation. This story would be the topic du jour for months. Her ratings at WBNN-TV would soar, and finally her colleagues would take notice and treat her with the professional respect she deserved.
For the past twelve years, her colleagues said she’d had a free ride because of her father, an award winning war correspondent, and her ex-husband’s political connections. This time she’d prove them wrong.
She rummaged through her leather bag, placed her digital voice recorder on the table and gave the record button a firm push. “For the record, Senator Bailey, did you kill Carmen Lacey?”
“No.” He leaned back in the chair and loosened his pinstriped tie. “It’s true. I was the last person to see her alive. But there’s more to this than you think.”
Brown eyes that once set her heart hammering now conveyed a chilling, hollow look. Was it guilt? Desperation?
No. Fear.
Uneasiness slid down her spine. She stopped the recorder. “Mason, you’re scaring me. What the hell is going on? It’s been over three years since we last spoke. Then, out of the blue, you beg me to meet with you today. I know the police don’t believe you killed that woman.”
“But do you, Whitney? Do you believe I killed her? I need to know. It’s important.”
Stunned by the urgency in his voice, she answered carefully. “Of course not. You’re many things, but you’re not a killer.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He reached for his empty glass and tapped his chunky gold ring against the side.
Whitney turned the recorder on again.
“Carmen was a scientist working for a biotech company in Nevada. ShawBioGen. Heard of it?”
“Who hasn’t? They were one of the first to clone animals in the eighties. Caused quite a stir. But I don’t understand. What does that have to do with Carmen’s death?”
He opened his mouth to answer.
The large window behind them dividing the patio from the main restaurant exploded. A storm of glass rained down, showering the patio.
There was no warning. Everything moved so fast, yet in slow motion as if part of a horrid nightmare.
Screams. Rushed, heavy, thumping footsteps.
A few feet away, a male waiter dropped the two plates of food in his hands. He froze.
“Get down!” Mason yelled.
Whitney dropped. She huddled into a ball under the table and squashed the side of her face against the patio stones. Amid the chaos, a gunshot echoed and the waiter ran for cover.
A bullet ripped through the man’s shoulder and spun him around, the force slamming his body against the restaurant door. He folded to his knees and howled out in pain.
More shots rang out. Debris spewed through the air. Food, glasses, plates. The sickening smell of deep fried food and scorched cordite assaulted her nostrils. She gagged.
Crimson snaked toward her hand. The warm, sticky liquid met her fingertips.
Blood. Lots of blood. But it wasn’t hers.
Her gaze snapped to Mason, lying on his back. Dark red blood pumped from a gaping wound in his chest, soaking his white shirt. She held her breath to keep from screaming.
He raised his arm and reached for her. “I swear—I didn’t kill her. I swear.”
“I believe you.” Whitney kept her head down and inched her body closer. She grasped his hand. “I do. Oh, God.”
Please don’t die. Her pulse roared so loud in her ears she couldn’t hear her own words. “You’re bleeding so much. Someone help us!”
Another bullet whizzed through the air and slammed into the bottom of wooden table leg.
Needle-like splinters from the wood slashed through her pants and drilled into her thigh like a hundred slivers. The pain knocked the breath from her. The world twisted and turned yellow. Darkness thickened and threatened to overpower her. Can’t pass out…help Mason.
He gasped a ragged breath and shoved a key into her bloody palm and curled her fingers closed. “Don’t trust—anyone.”
She clutched the piece of metal. A knot wedged in her throat, one she couldn’t swallow. “I’m going to get help.”
“No—stay.” Blood bubbled at the corners of his mouth and trickled down his jaw. “They cloned…”
His eyelids slid shut.
“What Mason? They cloned what?”
Whitney lowered her head to his chest. “Oh, Mason, no.”
Meet the Author: Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada and is the bestselling author of the WHITNEY STEEL series. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.
Her debut romantic suspense, REFLECTION, has won numerous awards:
*RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalist (Romantic Suspense)
*InD’tale Magazine 2014 Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller)
*UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013)
*Silicon Valley’s Romance Writers of America (RWA) “Gotcha!” Romantic Suspense Winner (2004)
*Honourable Mention in Calgary’s (RWA) The Writer’s Voice Contest (2006).
LETHAL JOURNEY won RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown (Thriller) and was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003).
Her action-packed thrillers have been highly praised by reviewers and readers. As one reviewer said, “Buckle up, Hang on tight!”
Kim recently entered the true crime writing arena. Real Life Evil – A True Crime Quickie (two short stories) was published in January 2014. You can read her latest true crime stories in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new quarterly e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press. She is also a member of The American Investigative Society Of Cold Cases (AISOCC), a non-profit, volunteer based organization of professional investigators whose sole mission is to assist in solving cold cases.
Find Kim Cresswell here:
Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter and keep up-to-date on new releases, excerpts, exclusive content and deals!* http://eepurl.com/qTCU1
Website/Blog: www.kimcresswell.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kimcresswell
WATCH FOR MORE
SEASON OF THRILLS
**SNEAK PEEK** EXCERPTS!!
TRUE DECEIT
By A.J. Carella
Blurb: The truth will set you free … unless it kills you first.
Mike is sure he has hit rock bottom after his wife leaves him. Little does he realize that it’s just the beginning and things are about to get worse. A lot worse. But all is not as it seems and soon he is forced to face the truth of his past in order to protect his future. Intense and fast-paced, this ride will have you on the edge of your seat.
KILLING SECRETS
A Thorne’s Thorns Novel, Book One
By K.L. Docter
Blurb: Some secrets are better left dead. Too bad the Angel Killer’s digging them up.
Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her traumatized child, his key to the James fortune. Patrick Thorne isn’t interested in helping another of his parents’ charity cases, especially after losing his unborn son and wife to suicide. Only trust will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a child of her silent prison, and save them both from a killer who stands too close.
BROKEN PIECES
Bits & Pieces Book
By Rachel Kent
Blurb: Tara Jacobs had her life completely planned. She truly did have it all after a lifetime of struggles. Unfortunately, her stepbrother arrives in town and threatens to ruin her well-laid plans with some blackmail. Tara stops at almost nothing to keep her skeletons from tumbling out of the closet.
If I FAIL
A Jake Carrington Mystery Book One
By Marian Lanouette
Blurb: Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his career. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!
SEASON OF THRILLS Box Set is a value-packed, thrill ride for those who love romantic suspense, procedural suspense, detective mysteries, thrillers, and so much more! Get all five, full-length novels for one low price NOW!
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/season-of-thrills-box-set-marian-lanouette/1122601725
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/season-of-thrills
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/season-of-thrills/id1033661475?mt=11
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!
September 3, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: 30-Minute Glazed Pork Chops
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 30-MINUTE GLAZED PORK CHOPS!
I love pork chops and I love easy recipes. This is a great meal if you’ve worked hard all day and want to get dinner on the table quickly with a minimum of fuss. Your family is going to love the flavor!
I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 216 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.
30-MINUTE GLAZED PORK CHOPS
[Serves 4]
4 bone-in pork loin chops [¾ inch thick]
1/3 cup plus 1 T. cider vinegar, divided
3 T. soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1½ tsp. cornstarch
In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown pork chops on both sides. In a bowl, combine 1/3 cup vinegar, soy sauce and garlic; pour over the chops. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and remaining vinegar until smooth; stir into the skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Serve with rice and/or vegetables.
Karen’s Killer Book Bench Blog Subscriber SEPTEMBER Winner!
Time to announce the SEPTEMBER 2015 #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…
4DEBLUTZ…
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 have 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.
September 1, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench Character Interview: Mail Order Baron 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!
~~
MAIL ORDER BARON
Brides of Tombstone, Book 3
BY CYNTHIA WOOLF
Blurb
When her parents died, Molly McGregor did what she needed to survive in New York City all alone. She took a job for a well respected banker, but made a discovery that put her life in danger. Now in 1882 she is fleeing New York for the western frontier, Molly makes the desperate decision to become a mail order bride in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. She doesn’t hope for much, just that her new husband will be strong enough to protect her from the danger she fears will follow.
Ben King was too busy making his fortune in silver to worry about a wife or family. Now he’s rich, well known, owns half the town of Tombstone, and is utterly alone. When his heart becomes entangled with his best friend’s new wife, he decides drastic action is required and contracts a mail order bride. He requests someone plain, someone simple to warm his hearth and home, someone he can be sure won’t rouse his passion or complicate his life. He’s tired of fancy women chasing him for his money, and even more tired of hoping any woman could be different. He doesn’t believe in true love, and doesn’t want the complications that would come with it. He doesn’t have time for complicated. He has an empire to run.
But Molly is a shock to his senses. She doesn’t care about his money or his fame. All she wants from him is a safe haven, security, and a new last name. Ben tries to keep his heart out of danger, but danger seems to be Molly’s middle name. When a rich and powerful enemy chases his beautiful new bride halfway across the country to extract vengeance, Ben discovers his heart is not nearly as cold as he’d hoped. Their passion fires hot, hot enough to kill…more than hot enough to burn them both.
MAIL ORDER BARON
Brides of Tombstone, Book 3
BY CYNTHIA WOOLF
Character Interview ~ Molly McGregor King
1. What is your name? Do you have a nickname?
Molly McGregor King, no nicknames
2. Who is your best friend? What kinds of things do you do when you’re together?
I guess my best friend is Lizzie Brandon. When we’re together we just talk because we both have small children and it’s nice to talk to an adult.
3. If you have a family, how do you get along with them? If you don’t, are there people in your life that you consider family? How do you get along with them?
I have my husband Ben and our friends, Lizzie and Mal Brandon and Julia and Matt Reynolds.
4. Do you have a birthmark? Scars? Where is it/are they? How did you get it/them?
I have a scar across my face. You’ll have to read the book to find out how I get it.
5. When you’re angry, what do you do? Where do you go? How do you deal with your anger?
Usually I cry. I’m not very good at letting out my anger. I tend to keep it inside.
6. If you had to make me a meal right now, without going to the store, what would you find in your refrigerator to feed us?
What’s a refrigerator? Is it like an icebox?
7. What’s the one thing you’re afraid of losing?
My children, my husband, my family.
8. What makes you laugh out loud?
My children’s antics
9. Has anyone broken your heart? Who was he?
Yes. Ben.
10. What’s the one thing you want out of life that you don’t think you can have? Why can’t you have it?
There is nothing that I long for. I am most blessed.
About the Author, Cynthia Woolf…
Cynthia Woolf is the award winning and best-selling author of fifteen historical western romance books and two short stories with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.
Their closest neighbor was about one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.
Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.
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.
Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she’s made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.
TITLES AVAILABLE
MAIL ORDER OUTLAW – The Brides of Tombstone, Book 1
MAIL ORDER DOCTOR – The Brides of Tombstone, Book 2
MAIL ORDER BARON – The Brides of Tombstone, Book 3
NELLIE – The Brides of San Francisco 1
ANNIE – The Brides of San Francisco 2
CORA – The Brides of San Francisco 3
JAKE (Book 1, Destiny in Deadwood series)
LIAM (Book 2, Destiny in Deadwood series)
ZACH (Book 3, Destiny in Deadwood series)
CAPITAL BRIDE (Book 1, Matchmaker & Co. series)
HEIRESS BRIDE (Book 2, Matchmaker & Co. series)
FIERY BRIDE (Book 3, Matchmaker & Co. series)
TAME A WILD HEART (Book 1, Tame series)
TAME A WILD WIND (Book 2, Tame series)
TAME A WILD BRIDE (Book 3, Tame series)
TAME A SUMMER HEART (short story, Tame series)
TAME A HONEYMOON HEART (novella, Tame series)
~~~~
Links to Cynthia’s website, blog, books, etc.
My website is http://www.cynthiawoolf.com
My blog is on my website and you can sign up for my newsletter there as well. My newsletter is only for new and upcoming releases.
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Cynthia is giving away one print copy of the BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE trilogy (US only) to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek** Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Cynthia, for sharing your story with us!
August 31, 2015
* $.99 * #Pre-Order Sale!! Season of Thrills Box Set by 5 Bestselling Authors!!
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!
~~
SEASON OF THRILLS BOX SET
5 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novels
By Award-winning and Bestselling Authors
A.J. CARELLA, KIM CRESSWELL, K.L. DOCTER,
RACHEL KENT & MARIAN LANOUETTE
Now available for Pre-order
** Special limited time price ONLY $.99 **
#seasonofthrills
Release Day ~ December 1st!
Regular price of $7.99
TRUE DECEIT
By A.J. Carella
Blurb: The truth will set you free … unless it kills you first.
Mike is sure he has hit rock bottom after his wife leaves him. Little does he realize that it’s just the beginning and things are about to get worse. A lot worse. But all is not as it seems and soon he is forced to face the truth of his past in order to protect his future. Intense and fast-paced, this ride will have you on the edge of your seat.
Meet the Author: AJ grew up in Switzerland but now lives by the sea on the South Coast of England.
She always wanted to be a lawyer and after several years working for the police, she decided to go back to school when her son was born. Graduating law school she decided that while her son was young she wanted to stay at home as much as she could and started writing, something she’d always done as a hobby.
She’s never looked back and these days she spends her time writing what she loves to read, suspense and romantic suspense.
To stay in touch, or contact AJ, please go via her Facebook Fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/ajcarella
Find A.J. here:
To Kill For: http://www.amazon.com/Kill-McKays-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00IYJUGQC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
Gang Land: http://www.amazon.com/Gang-Land-McKays-Book-4-ebook/dp/B00MU143ZU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
REFLECTION
A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One
By Kim Cresswell
Blurb: Lunch with the ex-husband is not always a fun thing especially when bullets start flying and reporter Whitney Steel finds herself in the middle of a human cloning story that will rock the world…providing she lives long enough to get her byline. “A deeply emotional romantic suspense that starts bold and holds you captive to the very end.” –New York Times Bestseller, Dianna Love
Meet the Author: Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada and is the bestselling author of the WHITNEY STEEL series. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.
Her debut romantic suspense, REFLECTION, has won numerous awards:
*RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalist (Romantic Suspense)
*InD’tale Magazine 2014 Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller)
*UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013)
*Silicon Valley’s Romance Writers of America (RWA) “Gotcha!” Romantic Suspense Winner (2004)
*Honourable Mention in Calgary’s (RWA) The Writer’s Voice Contest (2006).
LETHAL JOURNEY won RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown (Thriller) and was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003).
Her action-packed thrillers have been highly praised by reviewers and readers. As one reviewer said, “Buckle up, Hang on tight!”
Kim recently entered the true crime writing arena. Real Life Evil – A True Crime Quickie (two short stories) was published in January 2014. You can read her latest true crime stories in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new quarterly e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press. She is also a member of The American Investigative Society Of Cold Cases (AISOCC), a non-profit, volunteer based organization of professional investigators whose sole mission is to assist in solving cold cases.
Find Kim Cresswell here:
Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter and keep up-to-date on new releases, excerpts, exclusive content and deals!* http://eepurl.com/qTCU1
Website/Blog: www.kimcresswell.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kimcresswell
KILLING SECRETS
A Thorne’s Thorn Novel, Book One
By K. L. Docter
Blurb: Some secrets are better left dead. Too bad the Angel Killer’s digging them up.
Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her traumatized child, his key to the James fortune. Patrick Thorne isn’t interested in helping another of his parents’ charity cases, especially after losing his unborn son and wife to suicide. Only trust will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a child of her silent prison, and save them both from a killer who stands too close.
Meet the Author: Amazon Bestselling Author K.L. Docter writes two different kinds of romance novels…Romantic Suspense w/a K.L. Docter and Contemporary Romance w/a Karen Docter.
Karen/K.L.’s an award-winning author, a four-time Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist, and won the coveted Kiss of Death Romance Writers Daphne du Maurier Award Category (Series) Romantic Mystery Unpublished division.
When she’s not saving her characters from death and destruction or helping them to fall in love, she loves camping and fishing with her family, reading, gardening & cooking. If she can do most of those things over a campfire, all the better!
Find Karen/K.L. Docter here:
Website/Blog: http://www.karendocter.com
Twitter: @KarenDocter
Karen Docter FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Docter-Author/112017712223396
K.L. Docter FB: https://www.facebook.com/kldocter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5754902.Karen_Docter
BROKEN PIECES
Bits & Pieces Book
By Rachel Kent
Blurb: Tara Jacobs had her life completely planned. She truly did have it all after a lifetime of struggles. Unfortunately, her stepbrother arrives in town and threatens to ruin her well-laid plans with some blackmail. Tara stops at almost nothing to keep her skeletons from tumbling out of the closet.
Meet the Author: Rachel Kent is a 30-something mother of two who has been writing since the 7th grade. When she’s not writing she follows her other passions — working out, practicing yoga, teaching group fitness classes, running, or dancing.
She loves writing steamy romance and steamy romantic suspense.
Find Rachel Kent here:
Broken Pieces:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZUYLQ1S?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-pieces-rachel-kent/1122187715?ean=2940152208023
Bits & Pieces:
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZTJPVFG?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bits-pieces-rachel-kent/1122186575?ean=2940152192414
If I FAIL
A Jake Carrington Mystery Book One
By Marian Lanouette
Blurb: Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his career. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!
Meet the Author: A graduate of Post University, Marian Lanouette is one of ten children. She took up writing to explore new and adventurous places. While her friends traveled on planes for vacation, Marian traveled in books. With an overactive imagination she started creating her own characters and stories. Her first book If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery hit the Amazon top two hundred and was followed with Burn in Hell following winter which also resided in the top 500 on Amazon in its first month of release.
Marian also writes romance under the pseudonym Merry Holly. Her brain child Season of Magic Box Set hit the Amazon Bestselling list and stayed there for 17 weeks. This May Marian followed it up with Season of Love Box Set. She plans many more books in the Season of series.
An avid reader, she discovered her love of mysteries by reading the Daily News as a youngster. Intrigued by the real life crimes, and how the police worked and eventually solved cases, ignited her imagination beyond the ordinary.
Marian has many books planned for Jake Carrington and his crew. The third book in the series Mated for Life will be out in late 2015. Also planned for 2015 is the Season of Surprises Box Set.
Find Marian Lanouette here:
Website: http://www.marianl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marian.lanouette
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMarian
Marian Lanouette:
http://www.amazon.com/Marian-Lanouette/e/B0095YFGZ6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1433520796&sr=8-1
Merry Holly:
http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Holly/e/B00OZR4JEC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1433520838&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprise...
http://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprise...
Books:
http://www.amazon.com/Season-Magic-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B00OZ136A6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
SEASON OF THRILLS Box Set is a value-packed, thrill ride for those who love romantic suspense, procedural suspense, detective mysteries, thrillers, and so much more! Get all five, full-length novels for one low price NOW!
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/season-of-thrills-marian-lanouette/1122573715
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/season-of-thrills
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/season-of-thrills/id1033661475?mt=11
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!
August 30, 2015
**Author Peek** Interview with Cynthia Woolf
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
CYNTHIA WOOLF
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INTRODUCING…Cynthia!
1. What genre(s) do you write and why?
Historical Western Romance, because that’s what I like to read.
2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
Flying. I often dream about flying. I think that’s why I love to snorkel, it’s like flying.
3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?
I often get stuck because I’m not a plotter. I just keep writing anything until I get unstuck. It usually works. When it doesn’t I turn to my critique partners and we brainstorm.
4. What is your least favorite part of writing ?
Editing
5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
Prime Rib. It’s easy and very good.
6. What is your typical day like ?
I have terrible insomnia, so my ‘work day’ is about 18 hours long. I sleep two to four hours and spend a couple of hours with my husband watching TV. If I could I’d probably spend all my time writing because it’s what I love. I don’t think my hubby would like that though. For some reason he wants to spend time with me. 
7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
Conflict is the most difficult. I have a really hard time with it. I can easily write you a very nice story and it will have no conflict in it.
8. How likely are the people you meet going to end up in your next book?
Not likely.
9. Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.
Ben is very protective of what he deems as his. His weakness is he’s afraid to fall in love.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
My next book is a secret, but I can tell you it will be out October 1st.
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Be sure to come back to read more about Cynthia and MAIL ORDER BARON on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~
Links to Cynthia’s website, blog, books, etc.
My website is http://www.cynthiawoolf.com
My blog is on my website and you can sign up for my newsletter there as well. My newsletter is only for new and upcoming releases.
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Cynthia is giving away one print copy of the BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE trilogy (US only) to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek** Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Cynthia, for sharing your story with us!
Enter to #WIN Karen’s Killer Book Bench Blog Giveaways!!
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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with M.L. CALLAHAN!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Be sure to enter M.L.’s giveaway for a chance to #WIN a $50 gift card or one of five (5) ARCs (print or digital US and Canada only)! (31 Days Left)
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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with KATHY CLARK!!
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~~~
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August 27, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Zany Beef & Zucchini Skillet
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 ZANY BEEF & ZUCCHINI SKILLET!
If you planted zucchini this year, it’s that time when you can harvest more zucchini than you know how to prepare. Here’s a wonderful, quick way to serve up a satisfying family meal using some of that zucchini. Even if you didn’t plant a garden this year, this healthy vegetable is on sale now!
I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 215 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.
ZANY BEEF & ZUCCHINI SKILLET
[Serves 6-8
½ lb. ground beef
½ lb. ground pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
2 (4.5 oz) cans chopped green chiles
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheese, divided
4 large eggs
¼ cup flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ to ½ tsp. hot sauce
1 ¼ cups milk
Cook ground beef, sausage, onion and garlic in large skillet. Drain well. Spread 1 can chopped green chiles on bottom of lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Spoon meat mixture over cheese layer. Top with remaining chiles and cheese. Whisk together eggs, flour, salt, hot sauce and milk. Pour over casserole. Bake at 350 degrees, 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
August 26, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Deep Night by Kathy Clark
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!
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DEEP NIGHT
Denver Heroes #3
BY KATHY CLARK
Blurb
Sure to thrill readers of Nora Roberts and Karen Robards, the breathtaking Denver Heroes series from New York Times bestselling author Kathy Clark continues as two adrenaline junkies find themselves fighting unexpected passion—and unspeakable terror.
Ex-soldier Chris Wilson lost too many friends to war. Back home in Denver, he’s trying to make a difference as a paramedic, treating victims of crisis situations. Not even active combat could prepare Chris for the rush he gets when violence and tragedy collide, but the job isn’t the only thing making his heart race. His partner is his closest confidant from childhood, and the girl he remembers is now a strong, sensual woman . . . who needs him more than ever.
Sara Richards is more comfortable risking her life than asking for help. The petite blonde medic put a wall around her heart long ago, vowing to never let anyone hurt her again. Only now her long-buried secrets threaten to destroy everything she’s built. And though she should be able to trust Chris, his smoldering blue-gray eyes ignite desires that feel more dangerous than whatever’s lurking in the shadows. For once, Sara can’t go it alone. But Chris might just be stubborn enough to stand by her side as she faces down her worst nightmare.
DEEP NIGHT
Denver Heroes #3
BY KATHY CLARK
Excerpt
The gurney, loaded with the elderly and very overweight driver, was heavy and unwieldy. Even though Sara could have handled her share, the firefighter jumped in and did the heavy lifting with Chris. They dropped the wheels and rolled it through the emergency room doors. Orderlies met them inside and took over freeing up Chris to grab a wheelchair and return to the ambulance for the woman. She was supporting her wounded arm with her other hand and almost lost her balance as she tried to step down from the vehicle. Chris caught her and helped her onto the chair.
Next to him, the last ambulance arrived, and in a flurry of activity, they unloaded their patients and wheeled them inside the hospital. Chris got the woman to the registration desk, then helped unload the other patients.
Finally, when everyone was settled in the emergency room, Chris waited in the cab, filling out paperwork until Sara returned, pushing the now empty gurney up to the rear door. He hopped out and joined her at the back.
“How is he?” Chris moved to the other side of the stretcher and helped her lift it into their ambulance.
“We got him here alive, and now he’s in good hands. Apparently, he has a history of heart disease and hypertension. He was awake and talking when I left. I called his wife. She’s on her way.”
“Let’s get the bus ready for the next call,” Chris suggested. Their uniforms were still fresh and it didn’t take long to tidy up and restock the ambulance, since there hadn’t been any blood or other bodily fluids to remove and sanitize. They gave it a quick wipe-down, removed the discarded medication packets and other used items and restocked. Within just a few minutes, they were back on the road. They drove slowly, circling through downtown, heading back to their post.
Although the city ambulances worked out of Denver Health Medical Center, they didn’t wait there for calls. Instead, they would hang out at one of the three dozen or so posts that were all over the city. The spots had been chosen because they were in parking lots near restaurants or convenience stores that provided easy access to food and restrooms while keeping the medics spread out to quicken response times.
Chris pulled into a big, empty parking lot, backed into a space and turned off the engine. Their post was in City Park, across the street from the Denver Zoo and only a few blocks from several fast-food places. They rolled their windows down and settled back, waiting for their next call. The roar of a lion echoed eerily through the night, followed by the screech of a howler monkey.
Sara leaned her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. “That’s why I like this post. I love to get to the zoo after closing time because the animals are more active at night.”
“Including the ones roaming loose on the streets.” Chris studied her silhouette, which was backlit by the streetlights. They had hung out together as children, but the difference in their ages had seemed huge when they were in high school. He hadn’t given her a second thought as he spent four years in college, then another four years in the Navy. He had hardly recognized her when they were introduced after orientation when he was assigned to her ambulance.
She looked nothing like the skinny little girl he had known, her knees always scraped, her cheeks freckled and sunburned and her feet bare. That was more than eight years ago. Since then she had grown up to be a very attractive young woman.
It was a startling thought. The past six months had been a blur of long hours on the ambulance, rotations in surgery, in OB, in pediatrics and in the emergency room. No sleep and much to learn had left him no time to breathe, much less miss sex.
He gave himself a mental shake. Now was definitely not the time to start thinking about sex. It had been a long dry spell since he’d been back . . . actually since he had left for Afghanistan. But the warning that stuck in his mind was “don’t dip your wick in the company ink.” Even when he was in the military, relations with fellow soldiers had never worked out well. Someone always cared more than the other person, and it wasn’t always the women. He’d seen plenty of men do stupid things when the woman transferred out or went back home to her real life.
Spending so much time together, basically trapped inside the ambulance, bred a closeness that could easily turn to passion. Familiarity might be mistaken for emotion. And there were plenty of stories in the department that proved that intimate relations rarely ended well.
Once he made it through probation, he could relax a little and find someplace else to tickle his wick. And Sara would remain his friend and co-worker.
About the Author, Kathy Clark… Kathy Clark is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have sold more than three million copies in eleven languages. Her plot lines have always championed women’s empowerment, placing strong female characters in real-life situations. Her stories will make you laugh and cry, and her characters will live in your heart forever. She lives with her husband and co-author, Bob Wernly.
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Links to Kathy’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/05/deep-night-denver-heroes-3-by-kathy.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24977075-deep-night?ac=1
Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/147796-denver-heroes
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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