Lynn Cahoon's Blog, page 36

Diane Burton – The Pilot – Visiting A Fairy Tale Life.

MEET THE NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!!!! It’s Guest Day over at A Fairy Tale Life. Today I’m please to have Diane Burton visit.   I met Diane when I started promoting The Bull Rider’s Brother on the social networking sites.  Since that time, she’s been an amazing resource for information and support.  The coolest thing about the internet?  I would have probably never met Diane without the ability to match up with like minded authors who I’ve grown to call my friend.  

Now, I’m turning the blog over to Diane.  

Desert Island time – 3 must have books.

The Bible because I’ve never taken the time to read it all the way through; War and Peace because I’ve never had the patience to wade through it and I’d have plenty of time; Narnia Tales (I’m sure there’s a collected works version) because I like them. Of course, Hubs thinks I should have said a complete survivor’s guide.

What’s your writing must have snack?  Or drink?

I always have a glass of water close by. It’s hard to snack when you need both hands on the keyboard. I have managed to do it anyway. LOL Crackers are my favorite, like Triscuits or Flat Bread Crisps.

***OMG, I love my Triscuits! 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written close to 20. Three are published; three more are close to being published. The early ones will never see the light of day. LOL They were learning exercises. Just like I’d never say which of my children (or grandchildren) is my favorite, I can’t say which book is my favorite. Maybe my favorite is the one I’m writing.

What do you think makes a good story?

A story with strong characters I can identify with, that keeps me on the edge of my seat, has a satisfying ending and makes me wish it didn’t end.

Diane, I love revisiting a great story in my mind while I’m doing something else. 

If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?

Don’t be impatient. Listen, really listen to what the editor says in the rejection letter and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What does your family think of your writing?

They are very supportive, especially my husband. I hear stories from my friends and other writers whose spouses aren’t supportive, who don’t understand the writing process and expect results like you’re making widgets. Hubs doesn’t understand the writing process but still encourages me—as he’s always done—to go after my dream. My children think it’s great and my granddaughter (age 5) has such a great imagination that she and I write “books” together. She dictates and I write then she illustrates. A perfect partnership.

Favorite writing advice guru?

People who know me will be surprised when I say Stephen King. (I really don’t like horror.) His book On Writing is filled with inspiration and thought-provoking statements. My favorite quote is “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”

Tell us about your latest book.

My new release The Pilot kicks off the Outer Rim series about strong women on the frontier of space. Like my other published works, this is a science fiction romance.

Blurb for The Pilot:

There’s no place like home and he just stole hers. Cargo hauler, risk taker Celera d’Enfaden must work with rule-bound Administrator Trevarr Jovano to save her brother from a galactic gangster.

Excerpt from The Pilot:

Celara stopped looking for the Dockmaster when she saw a pair of legs topped by the most gorgeous set of male buns she’d seen in at least a year. The owner of the aforementioned body parts, encased in the dark blue uniform of the repair crew, was bent over the open hatch of an Agilean Speeder.

Now there was a ship. The sleek vessel—one of the fastest in the galaxy—almost distracted her from the mechanic. He’d shrugged off the top portion of the jumpsuit so that it pooled around his waist. The environment of the repair shop affected many newcomers, especially those unaccustomed to the heat.

As she stared at his butt, all she could think was oh, mama. She hoped he was human and that the rest of him lived up to the preview. Better yet, she hoped he was in a party mood. After escaping from the pirates, Celara wanted to howl . . . and someone to howl with.

“Hey, big boy,” she called to the mechanic. “Wanna party?”

As the mechanic abruptly straightened, he whacked his head on the raised engine hatch. He muttered a Bricaldian curse about origins. She hoped he meant the ship’s, not hers. But then, considering her origins, that curse wasn’t out of line. When he turned around, she sucked in a breath. Oh, yeah. A primal part of her sat up and took notice. His backside, gorgeous as it was, didn’t compare to the rest of him. He had the broad shoulders and muscles of a laborer plus the black hair, square jaw and blade-straight nose of Bricaldian aristocracy. What a delicious combination.

“Did you arrive on that hauler?” He nodded to her ship. His voice, a tantalizing allure of baritone and chokiris, sounded vaguely familiar.

“Yep. That’s my ship.” She tucked her thumbs into the side pockets of her trousers and thrust out her chest a little in pride. “D’Enfaden’s Thermopylae. Fastest little transport in three sectors.”

He walked past her to examine her ship then ran his hand—long, strong fingers, she noted—over the dents and scrapes along the aft section. “It appears to have sustained damage.”

“My thruster gimbal got damaged when I kissed an asteroid evading filthy pirates. They didn’t catch me, though.” She grinned. “Hey, you new around here? Don’t remember seeing you before—and I sure would remember seeing you.”

He arched his dark eyebrow.

She raised her hand, palm outward, in the traditional indie greeting. “Celara d’Enfaden.” As he stared at her with green eyes as sharp and clear as veridion, she raised her own eyebrow. “And you are . . .”

When he reached into the pocket of his work uniform and pulled out a zircan leather folder, she groaned before he even opened it. She knew what the folder contained. A shiny gold badge, carved with an intricate array of stars, swirls and a tiny red jewel in the center. The insignia of the Coalition.

“I am Administrator Trevarr Jovano.” He snapped his fingers and two armed Security personnel stepped out of the shadows of the Agilean Speeder. “I am impounding your ship and confiscating your cargo.”

The Pilot is available at Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo

Bio:

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Mid-Michigan, Young Adult and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal RWA chapters. She is the author of the Switched series, about twins exchanging places—from Earth to a starship and the reverse. With The Pilot, she begins a new series about strong women on the frontier of space. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Diane can be found around the Internet at:

website:  www.dianeburton.com

blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor

Goodreads: Diane Burton Author

All I want for Christmas – Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Tour

My ex used to ask for a list.  Then he’d fulfill each item, and wonder why I wasn’t overjoyed when I opened my presents Christmas morning. This process started after the year he bought me wolf slippers because I looked at them when we walked by the display.  The wolves howled when you squeezed their ears.  Great gift for a twelve year old, not so much for your wife.

If you have to ask what I want, I don’t want anything. I know how to shop.  If all you want to do is complete my shopping list, it’s not much of a gift.

Yes, men, that means I want you to read my mind.  Or, at least, put an ounce of thought into the gift you give me.

The first Christmas I spent with my then boyfriend, now, husband, he bought me a wide variety of things, including a large stuffed Santa bear that we still have.  I love that bear because he knew I adored stuffed animals. He goes under our tree each year, reminding each of us of our first Christmas. That’s a gift with meaning.

I’m a book giver.  I love giving relatives and friends books that meant a lot to me, that touched me in some way.  The last book I gifted was a old copy of a Trixie Beldon book circa 1960. My friend, a mystery writer, loved it.

So what book are you gifting this year?  (The Bull Rider’s Brother is available in POD …just in case you need a suggestion.  –grin)

Leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and you’ll be entered to win an e-copy of  The Bull Rider’s Brother  as well as be entered into The Holiday Gifts of Love Grand Prize giveaway.

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

 Now what are those prizes?

 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

 

And make sure to keep hopping…. http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/

Megan Kelly – Holly& Ivey – Christmas Giveaway Fun

MEET THE NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!!!! It’s Guest Day over at A Fairy Tale Life. Today I’m please to have Megan Kelly, Harlequin American Author who has released, not one, but two Christmas stories under her own brand as an independent author.  I loved reading Holly and Ivey!  I’ll stop gushing and turn the blog over to Megan.

Thank you for having me, Lynn. I’m so happy to be here talking about Christmas, I’m offering your readers the chance for an early gift. One person chosen at random wins a pdf of either Santa Dear or Holly and Ivey.  Woo hoo! 

Tell us about your release.

Holly & Ivey is a contemporary holiday romance featuring Holly MacDonald and Luke Ivey. Earlier this year, a publisher had a call out for short Christmas stories. I brainstormed it one night at a conference with some writer friends. They encouraged and expanded on good ideas and shot down bad ones. Love them!

Unfortunately, I fell twice during the next week and wound up on painkillers–strong painkillers that made me loopy. The deadline overlapped the time I’d scheduled a vacation, cutting off time to write. It wasn’t going to work out to submit it. But I loved the story of reunited friends feeling that holiday magic. I wanted it to be published so readers could meet these two. That’s when I decided to publish it myself.

Here’s the blurb:

Holly MacDonald rushes to the town she left as a child to prevent her friend from marrying an unfaithful groom. Her old buddy, Luke Ivey, is the best man and intends to stop her interference. She’s no longer his tomboy pal, and he’s no longer her nerdy sidekick. They fall for each other despite their different views on the wedding and living four hours apart. But when “The Wedding March” fades and Christmas is over, will they stay together?

Desert Island time – 3 must have books.

Can I take 3 pre-loaded reading devices instead? Then if the batteries die, I’m covered. No? Okay, here’s a shot: I’ll take JD Robb, probably the first in her series, Naked in Death, which is a romance as much as a cop story. My all time favorite hero is in A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel, so that one would get me through the lonely days. And one more…How about a survival guide specific to the area where I’m stranded!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m an avid Cardinals baseball fan. Of course, I read: romance and mysteries with some general fiction. I knit a little and I’m teaching myself to crochet. I love movies, which is just another form of storytelling.

What do you enjoy most about life?

The people in my life keep me going. My husband and kids are my heartbeat; the rest of my family and my friends are my breath.

What is the craziest thing you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?

Hahaha and NO.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

I hope they sigh with satisfaction over the love story and the characters’ growth. I hope they have laughed and maybe blinked hard against tears here and there. And I hope they want to read more of my books.

Please visit my website for information about my books. Thanks for having me.

Available at - Amazon * Barnes & Noble  * SmashWords

Winner announced- Bull Rider’s Manager’s Flyaway Tour

First, the winner from The Crimson Launch Authors Celebrate a 1/2 Birthday…

Congratulations – Julie Kornhausl!!!!!!!!!!!!! She won a Kindle, with 10 e-books from the launch authors – including The Bull Rider’s Brother!  Have fun reading!

And if you didn’t win, check out my side widgets for links to buy any or all of my current releases.  (Shameful plug for a Sunday morning.)

Now, the last legs of THE BULL RIDER’S MANAGER Flyaway tour…

I’m being interviewed over at Romancing the Heart blog -starting on Sunday.

Tuesday, I’m at Make Mine Mystery – talking about what I’m doing this December in between the holiday cheer.

Wednesday, I’m visiting Cynthia Woolf  talking about a subject near and dear to my heart, juggling all the responsibilities we have in today’s world.

Thursday, I’m visiting Laurie’s Non-Paranormal blog with an interview with Jesse, the bull rider in my first two books.

 

***Come visit me at one, two, or all four.

 

And a big Thank You to Vicki Erwin at Main Street Books in St. Charles for hosting the Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Soup for the Body food drive and signing yesterday!  What a great day to be in historic St Charles!  (Thanks to Shawn Kelly Atkinson for the picture!)

 

 

What do I want for Christmas?

Nashville Elvis…

Clarity.

Time.

Maybe a little premium chocolate…

Last night my dh and I went on a date night.  All you can eat crab leg’s buffet (yum) and a concert by a local Elvis impersonator whose band had amazing credentials and chops.

As we sat and talked and cracked crab, I watched a young couple seated next to us who were on a first date.  He kept talking, pulling out the stops to impress this girl, but I didn’t hear her say one word.  Not a good sign for a future second date.

I think that’s what I love about my husband twelve years together, and we still can talk for hours.  Or not.

When was your last date night?

Crimson Launch Authors Hop -Kara’s Christmas Wish- Guest Author – Diane Jewkes

I’m so excited to celebrate our 6th month anniversary of launching with Crimson Romance.  Diane, me, and 8 other launch authors have a giveaway for you.  Read on, and comment, fill out the rafflecopter and win.

That easy.  (I’m blogging over at http://www.denysecohen.com/) Now let’s hear from Diane…

Lynn

Kara’s Christmas Wish

It was Christmas Eve on the Jonston ranch and everyone was busy getting ready for the evening’s festivities.

Kara watched from the porch as her father, Joe, their foreman, Hawke and Alec wrestled a large tree off the wagon.

“It’s beautiful!” Kara rubbed her hands up and down her arms in the cool air.  “Where’d you find it?” She looked up at the clouds, heavy with snow. They might have a white Christmas after all.

“Just up the south ridge,” Joe replied, grasping the tree by its trunk while the other men hoisted it further up its length. Kara opened the large front doors as they carried it up the steps and into the house. The men hoisted the 12 foot tree upright and positioned it by the fireplace

“What are you thinking, Hawke?” Kara walked over to her husband who was warming himself by the fire with the other men. They had married in the summer and Kara was still amazed at how different her life was from what she had imagined just that spring. She had found a man she respected and loved, and who loved her without reservation.

He put his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. “Just enjoying new experiences, lass,” he kissed the top of her head. He dropped his arms and took her by the hand. “Let’s get this tree decorated, shall we?”

After supper everyone gathered together and lit the candles that decorated the branches, and admired the beautiful tree.

“So Kara, do you have any wishes this Christmas?” Alec asked. “Because we all know Christmas wishes are the strongest.” He winked, smiling at Hawke and Kara. He had stayed on after the wedding to spend time learning more about the race horses that were bred on the ranch. He was Hawkes best friend and had become very dear to Kara.

“Oh Alec, I do have some Christmas wishes. Some wishes for you.” Kara laughed at the wary look on Alec’s face. “My wish is that you will meet a strong, independent woman that you can’t live without. And I hope she makes you work – really work to prove yourself to her before she confesses her love in return.”

“Are ye daft, woman?” Alec stood and headed for the whiskey decanter. “Hawke. Did you hear what she just did?” He looked over appalled to see his friend doubled over with laughter. “It’s a good thing I don’t believe in wishes.” He tossed back the whiskey and glared at Hawke.

“If that’s true, lad,” Hawke took a deep breath trying not to laugh, “then why do you seem so out of sorts? It’s not like that’s going to happen. Though if it were…”

“Stop. Stop right there.” Alec put up his hand. “No need to be tempting the fates. And let’s leave my love life, or lack thereof, out of any further conversations.”

“Well you are going to San Francisco soon. It’s a very modern city with very, very modern women.” Kara couldn’t help teasing him just a little more.

Alec crossed his arms and slumped into the sofa. “When I asked the silly question, I thought you would be making wishes for yourself, or Hawke. Not cursing me!”

Kara looked at Hawke. “But that’s just it Alec. I don’t have to wish. My wishes came true when I met Hawke.”

Read Kara and Hawke’s story, The Heart You Own. Available in print or e-book from Amazon, B&N, iTunes and other online book stores.

Christmas is a time of wishes. What are yours?

December is filled with wonderful things – from the delicious goodies taking up our counter space to time spent with friends and family. What is your favorite thing about the holiday season? Leave a comment below – and don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter below to be entered to win a new Kindle and 10 of our titles! Keep hopping!

http://www.dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/

http://moriahdensley.com/blog/

http://www.kristiknight.blogspot.com/

http://www.peggybirdwrites.com/#!/blog/

http://dianerjewkes.com/

http://www.denysecohen.com/

http://nlsscribe.com/blog/

http://www.irenepreston.com/blog/

 http://www.facebook.com/MicahPersell?sk=notes#!/notes/micah-persell/crimson-romance-holiday-blog-hop/426412804091228

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Last two weeks on The Bull Rider’s Manager Blog Tour…

November went by in a whirl.  And December looks like it will be flying as quickly…

So this week I’ve got some special surprises for you guys…

Monday -

Get a Christmas treat recipe at: Believing is Seeing.

and I’m over at Sara Walter Edwards Blog.

Tuesday-

Book Birthday Day!!!!!!!! Six months since I’ve been published. And we have a big giveaway for our 10 author’s Launch hop!

I’ll have Diane Jewkes stopping here on A Fairy Tale Life, and I’ll be over at Denise Cohen’s place.   Did I mention BIG giveaway?

Wednesday- 

Time to take a short vaca and find out my top 10 reasons NOT to get married in Vegas… Stop by Under the Tiki Hut.

Thursday -

I’m heading out of this world talking about building imaginary towns and visiting Diane Burton’s blog.

Friday - 

I’m over at New Kids goal planning for 2013

and

Visiting Lisa Mondello’s place.

Saturday – I’m signing Chicken Soup books (and The Bull Rider’s Brother) over at Main Street Books in St. Charles Missouri!

And, if you can’t make that?  I’m posting over at Romancing the Heart blog -starting on Sunday.

Have a great week.  I’m buying a book to celebrate my anniversary of being an author.  :) What are you doing this week just for you?

 

 

Blog Hop Winners

Crimson Wonderland Blog Hop – Winner – Kat

Black Friday Blog Hop – Winner -Katie Amanda

Winner’s have been contacted. Thanks everyone for playing.  Next month, Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop!

***

Blog Tour News- The Bull Rider’s Manager Flyaway Tour – has just a few stops this week.

***Tuesday I’m playing over at Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s Blog - http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/po...

***Wednesday – Jesse (the bull rider himself) will be on Chicklets in the Kitchen with his Impress the Ladies Corn Bread- http://chickletsinthekitchen.com/

Black Friday Rocks Hop

1600 miles away from my Black Friday partner in crime, I’m missing Renee, my sister-in-law today.  Renee has  known me since I was in third grade, and knows all my secrets.  Well, not quite all.  At Thanksgiving dinner, we’d pour through the ads, circling and making lists, when the kids were outside playing, of course.  By the end of Black Friday, my Christmas shopping would be done and stuffed into the top of my walk in closet.  Waiting to be wrapped.

Now adays, my shopping is done on line more often since my son lives even farther away than  the 1600 miles to my childhood home.  Most of the siblings are scattered across the country, but I win based on distance.

However, this year, I’m sneaking out in the wee hours to grab one thing.  A present for me.  I want a new sewing machine. Shhhh, don’t tell Barb Carico, the heroine from The Bull Rider’s Manager.  The consumate career girl will be totally jealous!

What are you shopping for this Black Friday? Comment with your email for a chance at winning a $5 Amazon gift certificate from me and the more blogs you comment on, the better your chances with these great prizes… 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $75 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more! (Sorry, this one prize is US mail only.)

Be sure to keep hopping — http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/

Bull Rider’s Manager Releases November 19th

 

First, if you’re looking for the Crimson Wonderland blog, it’s right below this one… LOL

Side note- If you like Women’s World’s fiction shorts, check out this week’s story, A Recipe for Love.  I’m very proud of getting my second story into the pages of this national magazine sold at grocery stores everywhere.

 

Happy Book Birthday to the second in my Shawnee Rodeo series.  The Bull Rider’s Manager is a marriage of convenience story, with a Elvis wedding and a secret past.  So excited for Barb to have her own happy ever after.

So, I’m continuing my blog tour.  Monday I’m at Crimson Romance’s Ladies in Red Blog.

And sometime this week, I’ll be on the main Crimson Romance site.

Tuesday I’m at DayDreams  for A Member of the Council.

Wednesday I’ll be on USA’s HEA blog.

And at Cynthia Woolf’s blog.

Thursday I’ll be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the husband’s side of the family. I’m thankful for friends, family, and my fans this holiday season.

Friday, I’ll have the Black Friday Blog hop here and a post over at New Kids.

And Saturday, I’ll be at Laurie’s Paranormal Blog with A Member of the Council again.