Sarah Cass's Blog: Sarah's StoryLines, page 14

The Shocking Truth About Fairy Tales by Author Kristee Ravan

They start with once upon a time and end with everyone living happily ever after and in between those two things there is singing, talking woodland animals and a good deal of magic.  Everyone knows that’s how fairy tales go.  But do we really know these tales? Did you know that in the original Little Mermaid, she doesn’t get the prince?  Nope.  He marries the other girl.  The Little Mermaid’s sisters get together and find out from the Sea Witch that if the LM will stab the prince with a dagger, then she (the LM) can return to being a mermaid.  The LM doesn’t go for this.  She tries, but can’t bring herself to stab the prince she loves so much.  She chooses the punishment, explained by the Sea Witch, for not winning the prince’s heart: turning into sea foam. That’s right.  Sea foam.  Happily ever after, amiright? Did you know that originally Goldilocks doesn’t just learn a lesson about trespassing?  Nope.  Instead of running home to live a long life of staying out of other people’s porridge, chairs and beds, the bears catch Goldi and rip her to pieces. Similarly, Red Riding Hood doesn’t even make it to Grandma’s.  The wolf just eats her. Pleasant, no? Did you know that an early version of Sleeping Beauty included adultery, rape, and cannibalism? Yep.  A married king happens upon the sleeping girl, rapes her, and impregnates her.  (She sleeps on…)  Then gives birth to twins (still asleep…). One of the babies sucks on her finger (where she had pricked it on the spinning wheel) and drew out the splinter.  Curse ended, Sleeping Beauty wakes up.  Instead of flipping out about finding herself the instant single mother of twins, she calmly names them Sun and Moon and continues living where she was.  The married king returns after a bit and spends some time with his secret family.  However, his wife finds out, has the children brought to the castle and orders the cook to cut up the kidlets, cook them and serve them to the king.  He doesn’t.  After the queen tries to kill SB, the king has her killed and marries SB. Who is getting a good night’s sleep after that story? I didn’t even get to mention the body mutilation in Cinderella, the infanticide in the Pied Piper, or that in the first version of Snow White, the evil queen was her own mother.  I just hope that somewhere between the once upon a time and the happily ever after, these characters have a chance to get some therapy.   A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours. The Cinderella Theorem (The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #1) by Kristee Ravan YA Urban Fantasy Paperback, 367 pages March 17th 2014 Fairy tales are naturally non-mathematical. That is a fact, and fifteen-year-old Lily Sparrow loves factual, mathematical logic. So when her mother confesses that Lily’s deceased father is (a) not dead, (b) coming to dinner, and (c) the ruler of a fairy tale kingdom accessible through the upstairs bathtub, Lily clings to her math to help her make sense of this new double life (1 life in the real world + 1 secret life in the fairy tale world = a double life). Even though it’s not mathematical, Lily finds herself being pulled into a mystery involving an unhappy Cinderella, a greasy sycophant called Levi, and a slew of vanishing fairy tale characters. Racing against the clock, with a sound mathematical plan, Lily attempts to save her fairy tale friends while proving that normality = happiness. Amazon Calling for Reviewers! We’re looking for reviewers! You don’t need a blog to sign up, but you do need to at least post a review on Amazon. Other sites (blog, Goodreads, etc.) are also appreciated. Reviews must be completed by the end of November. To sign up, please fill out this form. Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, “I want to be a writer when I grow up.” She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected – in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles. Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Amazon Tour-Wide Giveaway 5 copies of The Cinderella Theorem (print for US winners, ebook for international winners) Ends August 31st a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow the tour! August Dates: 11 - Launch 12 Kelly P’s Blog Coffee Books & Art 13 Bookworm Lisa Shannon’s Blog Simplistic Reviews 14 Skye Malone’s Blog Wonderous Reviews Mythical Books 15 Rockin’ Book Reviews Sarah’s StoryLines The Wonderings of One Person 17 Katy’s Krazy Books Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima 18 The Crazy Antics of My Creative Mind My Devotional Thoughts The Written Adventure 19 Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews Mel’s Shelves My Life, Loves and Passion 20 Katie’s Clean Book Collection Book Briefs Deal Sharing Aunt 21 A Backwards Story Little Lisa 22 Coffee, Books and Me I Am A Reader Dividing by Zero 24 – Grand Finale

The Cinderella Theorem by Kristee Ravan

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours. The Cinderella Theorem (The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #1) by Kristee Ravan YA Urban Fantasy Paperback, 367 pages March 17th 2014 Fairy tales are naturally non-mathematical. That is a fact, and fifteen-year-old Lily Sparrow loves factual, mathematical logic. So when her mother confesses that Lily’s deceased father is (a) not dead, (b) coming to dinner, and (c) the ruler of a fairy tale kingdom accessible through the upstairs bathtub, Lily clings to her math to help her make sense of this new double life (1 life in the real world + 1 secret life in the fairy tale world = a double life). Even though it’s not mathematical, Lily finds herself being pulled into a mystery involving an unhappy Cinderella, a greasy sycophant called Levi, and a slew of vanishing fairy tale characters. Racing against the clock, with a sound mathematical plan, Lily attempts to save her fairy tale friends while proving that normality = happiness. Amazon Calling for Reviewers! We’re looking for reviewers! You don’t need a blog to sign up, but you do need to at least post a review on Amazon. Other sites (blog, Goodreads, etc.) are also appreciated. Reviews must be completed by the end of November. To sign up, please fill out this form. Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, “I want to be a writer when I grow up.” She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected – in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles. Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Amazon Tour-Wide Giveaway 5 copies of The Cinderella Theorem (print for US winners, ebook for international winners) Ends August 31st a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow the tour! August Dates: 11 - Launch 12 Kelly P’s Blog Coffee Books & Art 13 Bookworm Lisa Shannon’s Blog Simplistic Reviews 14 Skye Malone’s Blog Wonderous Reviews Mythical Books 15 Rockin’ Book Reviews Sarah’s StoryLines The Wonderings of One Person 17 Katy’s Krazy Books Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima 18 The Crazy Antics of My Creative Mind My Devotional Thoughts The Written Adventure 19 Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews Mel’s Shelves My Life, Loves and Passion 20 Katie’s Clean Book Collection Book Briefs Deal Sharing Aunt 21 A Backwards Story Little Lisa 22 Coffee, Books and Me I Am A Reader Dividing by Zero 24 – Grand Finale

Awaken (The Soulkeepers 2) by Lori Adams

| Amazon | BN | Kobo | iTunes | Blurb The thrills continue in Lori Adams’s addictive series of paranormal romance—the Soulkeepers—featuring the hottest love triangle in this life . . . or the next. Sophia St. James has every reason to be happy: she survived the kiss of death from the seductive Demon Knight Dante and is free to be with Michael, her sexy Guardian Angel. She eagerly begins her Awakening to become a Spirit Walker and help lost souls cross over. But her training is fraught with setbacks, and Michael begs her to stop. The life of a Spirit Walker is far too dangerous, and he won’t be able to protect her. Then Dante returns, threatening to drag Sophia to Hell so they can finally be together. Terrified of losing everything she has worked for, Sophia turns the tables on Dante, luring him into a deception that may get them both killed. The stakes climb even higher when Dante’s ally, Wolfgang, emerges from Hell with one order: kill Sophia. Will Michael once again be Sophia’s saving grace or will the Awakening give her the power she needs to save herself?   Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2014/07... Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... *~* Author Info Lori Adams is the author of the Soulkeepers series: Forbidden, Awaken, and Unforgiven. She wrote her first book—about scary sharks—at the age of eight. Now she writes New Adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction. Originally from Oklahoma, Adams lives in Southern California with her husband and two daughters. Author Links Website: http://loriadamsbooks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSoulkeepe... Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoriAdams33  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...   Rafflecopter Giveaway (Grand Prize: Copy of FORBIDDEN, Book One in the Soulkeepers Series and a $25 Gift Card to eRetailer of choice ) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get to Know Author Anna Kashina

Personal Can you tell us a little about yourself?  I have two lives: a scientist and a fantasy author. Some say this keeps both halves of my brain busy. This is probably true, judging by how difficult it is to keep up. I try to stay grounded by looking at the world through the eyes of my Majat warriors, all of them exceptional warriors with perfectly balanced minds–at least when it comes to fighting. Do you have a day job?  I do biomedical research and teach at major a university. None of these activities can possibly explain why I write fantasy in my spare time. Do you have a saying or motto for your life and/or as a writer?  Yes, my motto is “never give up”. I had to put it to the test many times, at it has never failed me yet. Where can people find you on the web? Where can they read more about your books?  www.annakashina.com (links to my blog at http://annakashinablog.wordpress.com/) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-K... https://twitter.com/annakashina Your Novel What is your book about? “The Guild of Assassins” is the second stand-alone installment in my epic fantasy adventure series, which opened earlier this year with “Blades of the Old Empire”. On the action side, it is about a group of people fighting an ancient and very powerful magical order. On the emotion side, this book is of course about love. But then, on a big scale–what book isn’t?… What about your book might pique the reader’s interest?  Personally, I love the concept of the Majat warriors, which are, essentially ninjas in the European setting. They are martial artists brought up and trained in a world that resembles medieval Europe, complete with armored knights and heavy weapons. When I developed this concept, I was curious at how they would fare against different kinds of opponents. I have to say, they tend to do surprisingly well. My book features several of those warriors, whose occupation is somewhat similar to assassins, or sometimes elite guards for hire. It gives a glimpse of very personal sides of their lives. Readers who enjoy action with elements of romance evolving around highly skilled, notorious warriors, would hopefully like my book. Are the names of the characters in your novel important?  I do pay great attention to names when I create my characters. Usually, each particular character only has one name that fits him/her. Sometimes these names just pop up. Sometimes I have to go  through a lot of variants to identify the right one. It can take days, even weeks, to name a character–and of course the name then drives the personality and therefore I cannot write until this is done. Characters with difficult names can become a holdback. How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?  You have to become your character to write from his/her point of view convincingly. I tend to think that each of their personalities is hidden somewhere inside me, but in truth some of them are nothing like me. It feels as if becoming possessed by someone when writing. Of course, I hope my good characters share a lot of my positive traits, but all these faults–no idea where they get that from! Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?  Mai, an assassin with a special skill to kill warriors of equal rank. He started as a secondary character in “Blades of the Old Empire”, but he quickly occupied the story and became the central character in “The Guild of Assassins”, even though he does not have a point of view. It has been rewarding for me to see some of his fans emerge after the release of the Blades. I hope these fans will feel rewarded when they read the current book. What was your favorite part or chapter, and why?  I have to say, in “The Guild of Assassins”, which has a very strong underlying romance story, I really enjoyed all the love scenes. There is a total of four in the book, and I just feel they all make so much sense. Writing these scenes was, of course, a very personal thing, I am not sure how many readers will share this feeling. Among the non-romantic parts, my favorite chapter is called “Diplomacy”. In this chapter, two main characters, both rivals for the same woman’s affections, are locked together in a room and get to say whatever they want to each other. These two guys have amazing chemistry, I really enjoyed watching them get all these feelings off their chests. Writing How many people (i.e. characters) have you done away with in the course of your career? Have you ever regretted killing one of them off?  Oh, well, this touches on a sensitive subject. I hope I am giving no spoilers by saying that I don’t believe in killing main characters. I don’t think I have ever read a book where this was justified or benefited the story in any way, no exceptions. I guess this probably says a lot right there about myself and my writing. I do kill secondary characters sometimes, and I never feel good about it. Sometimes it is just necessary to the plot. I try not to do it too often. How much impact does your childhood have on your writing? I was fortunate to be mentored by my amazing grandfather, Vladimir Keilis-Borok, who was my true soul mate and the man I credit with shaping me into the person I am. My serious writing started in high school, when he and I co-wrote a historical novel, “In the Name of the Queen”, published in Russian under pen names. He passed away last year, after “The Guild of Assassins” has been completed, and I dedicated “The Majat Code” series to him. He read, and loved, both books. What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?  I have an extremely crazy life with no time for anything, so I developed a habit of writing in short stretches every time I can sit down in front of my computer. Sometimes these stretches can be 10-minute long, but amazingly they still work. I do dream of having some uninterrupted time, but it only happens occasionally. How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?  Too many for my own good :-). And yes, I do keep a mental list. I also shift between them occasionally, even though I do try to stick to one major project at a time. What are you working on now?  I am finishing the edits on the prequel to the series, and working on the first draft of Book 3 of the Majat Code, tentatively titled “Assassin Queen”. Have you written any other books?  In addition to the Majat Code books, I wrote three other novels, all of them quite different from the current series. Full list can be found on my blog and web site at www.annakashina.com Fun (Crazy, odd questions just for fun) Have you ever gone out in public in mis-matched shoes, or with your shirt on backward, and when you realized it just said ‘eh, screw it’?  Yes, I did wear mis-matched shoes once. I was in graduate school then. When I left home I was so deeply absorbed in a scientific problem that I did not notice putting on two different shoes. In the subway I looked down at my feet and saw that the color of the shoe laces did not match — I was wearing sneakers, one white and one gray with green laces. Somehow the color of the shoes escaped me, but the laces caught my eye. I remember thinking “I heard it is fashionable to wear shoe laces of different colors. I guess I am dressed fashionably today.” Then I went back to thinking on my scientific problem, and only when I arrived at work did I realize I was wearing different shoes. Possibly it wasn’t until after a co-worked pointed it out. At that time I thought, “Wow, I am acting like a true scientist”–and of course went back to thinking about science without giving it a second throught. Recalling this afterwards was funny, but during the whole episode it somehow all made perfect sense. Are you a neat freak? Or clutter-bound?  I used to be neat. Then something clicked and I became a clutterer (is there such a word?). It does not help that I like collecting things and never throw anything away. Ugh. If you could have a super power, what would it be?  Stopping the time, so that I could fit more things in a day. I would love to be able to heal and stop death, but that is against the rules, is it? Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten.  You don’t want to know :-). I am one of these people who would try anything if I was told it’s edible. This particular one was a kind of bean curd, fermented and flavored to taste and smell exactly like feces. I have no idea what possessed me to put a piece in my mouth, even though everyone around me was eating and enjoying it, but I could not wash off the smell for several days. It was in China. By comparison, deep-fried scorpions I ate on another day, seemed very tasty and completely natural. Quick Questions Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?  Dance in the streets for sure. I have done it, too. Pen or pencil?  A very particular type of soft ballpoint pen. Summer or Winter?  Summer. Despite growing up in Russia I am unable to tolerate cold. Not to mention those long nights I had too much of when I was little. Just seeing dusk at 4 pm makes me depressed. Movies or TV?  Um. Both?… Theater or DVD?  DVD. I like to watch movies in the comfort of my own home, and I have issues with overly amplified sound. Facial hair or clean shaven?  Clean shaven, always. My readers may notice that any romantic hero I ever write about would have smooth skin and hairless chest. For some reason I can’t stand the thought of facial or body hair–romantically speaking, of course Fall leaves or Spring flowers?  Spring flowers. I like beginnings. I don’t like a sense of something coming to an end. *~* | Amazon | BN | Random House | Blurb Kara, an elite warrior from the Majat Guild, has escaped execution and achieved something that no Majat has ever managed – freedom from the Guild! But the Black Diamond assassin Mai has been called back to face his punishment for sparing her life. Determined to join his fight or share his punishment, Kara finds herself falling for Mai. Is their relationship – and the force that makes their union all-powerful – a tool to defeat the overpowering forces of the Kaddim armies, or a ploy sure to cause the downfall of the Majat? Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/20... Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Author Info Anna Kashina grew up in Russia and moved to the United States in 1994 after receiving her Ph.D. in cell biology from the Russian Academy of Sciences. She works as a biomedical researcher and combines career in science with her passion for writing. Anna’s interests in ballroom dancing, world mythologies and folklore feed her high-level interest in martial arts of the Majat warriors. She is a recent medalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year and Independent Publishers Book Award contests. Author Links http://annakashinablog.wordpress.com/ https://twitter.com/annakashina https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-K...   Rafflecopter Giveaway (Print copy of BLADES OF THE OLD EMPIRE and THE GUILD OF ASSASSINS (US Only)) a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Rapture Series by Megan D Martin

I didn’t plan to become a stripper who performs live sex shows.  But that’s what happened. It’s what I do, and I’m good at it.  I was going to go on and do something with my life. I was going to be something more than just a piece of ass. But that’s not how it worked it out.   Men don’t control me. Not anymore. Not until my best friend left and hecame into my life. I don’t want lose myself and drown in another man. But I’m afraid it’s already too late. **This book is intended for mature audiences only due to graphic depictions of sex and bad language.** Goodreads “I let you walk away, Julia. I let you go, but I can still take you back if I want.” Four months ago I ran away. I left him behind. The man who stalked me, took control of my body, and claimed he loved me. Now he’s returned. Like dripping razor blades, he has slashed his way back into my life. But everything is different.  He doesn’t want me anymore. I expected him to come back, to be sorry. I even planned to forgive him. I should have known that he would discard me like everyone else in my life. But I’m going to change that. My billionaire stalker has come to say goodbye…only this time I plan to keep him. Goodreads a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway website http://www.MeganDMartin.blogspot.com twitter username Megan_D_Martin Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks.

Sunday Snippets 43 – Masked Hearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors! I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts. Last week I left you with Minnie set up to be on the receiving end of a long-shot by the boss, her guardian. Now she faces down the barrel of the gun: Mister stood far down the street, the farthest distance he could shoot straight from what she could tell. Though she’d seen him take this shot many times, she’d never been on the receiving end. Back straight, she lifted the apple to her head. In her mind she imagined the fantastical yelling of the Mister as he did before every shot–in reality she heard nothing but her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. Slowly she dropped her hands to her sides, curling her skirt under her fingers. Despite her own internal promise she wouldn’t close her eyes, she did just that. Through the rush of her heartbeat came the crack of the gun. Cool drops of apple and apple juices ran down her nose. *Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8. *~* If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy! | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start. Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again. As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found. *~* Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!

Meet Angela MacAllister of The Cowboy and the Angel

What is your story? *smirking and arching a brow* Tell me your’s and I’ll tell you mine. Who are you? My name is Angela MacCallister, I’m a report for the Channel 12 News and I’m doing a story on animal cruelty in the sport of rodeo. Do you have a problem that wasn’t mentioned in the story? I don’t have problems, (laughs) I solve them. Do you embrace conflict? Or do you run from conflict? I guess I embrace it as much as anyone does. I mean, if it gets me where I want to be in life, I’ll embrace it. I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of conflict but it’s not something I enjoy. If I can avoid it, I will. How do you see yourself? I’m strong and independent. I have been since I was young. I had to be. I guess I’m kind of a loner. I mean, you can’t really ever fully trust anyone but yourself. And if you do, you’re bound to be disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loyal to those I love, there just aren’t many people who I let close enough to see that side of me. How do your friends see you? (Laughing sarcastically) What friends? I don’t really have any. I never have. Like I said, you can’t really trust other people. They might want to help but when push comes to shove, they are going to do what’s best for themselves first. It’s just the way things are. The only person I’d even consider a friend is Joe and he looks at me the same way other people do – frigid, cold. But they also know I can get the job done. How do your enemies see you? I don’t really have any that I know of. I mean, reporting is a cut-throat business but we all know that so it’s not something you hold against another reporter if they scoop you on a story. I guess there are probably some people who don’t like me but it’s probably for the same reasons other people do like me – I’m strong, independent and get the job done. How does the author see you? It’s strange but she likes me. She has this notion that my independence is a coping mechanism, that it’s not who I really am. She sees me as this softie with a tough outer shell and worked really hard to try to crumble it. What, if anything, haunts you? Is this really something we need to talk about? (pauses) I guess my mother’s death, the way she died, that there was nothing I could do to help her, that I watched it happen. No kid should ever have to endure going through that. Has anyone ever betrayed you? (Bitter laugh) Yeah, over and over and, stupidly, I continue to come back for more. I guess it’s that loyalty thing to those I love but I can’t seem to give up and let my father cave to his demons. Have you ever failed anyone? Do we really have to keep talking about this? (Shifting nervously in the chair) Yeah, my mother and my father. I couldn’t save my mother before she died and, as hard as I try, I’m not so sure I’m going to be able to save my father either. Have you ever betrayed anyone? That would depend on who you asked. Mike, Sydney and Scott might tell you I betrayed Derek. I’m not so sure I’d call it a betrayal as much as a mistake. Other’s might believe I betrayed my friend, Joe, but I wouldn’t call it that. What was your childhood like? Pretty bad. Horrible really. If my parents weren’t fighting about my father being drunk, Mom and I were trying to keep everything quiet while he was suffering from a hangover. After she died, I had to take care of both of us. When he had a job, I used to sneak his checks from his wallet before he could cash them and spend it all at the bar on the corner. I think he knew what I was doing but he never said anything. He wasn’t a mean drunk. (sigh) I can’t tell you how many times, as a teenager, I got phone calls from a bartender telling me to come get him. What in your past would you like to forget? Most of it. I don’t really have those sparkly, rainbow memories most kids have. Don’t get me wrong, there were some good times before my mom died but I’d like to flush most of my past down the toilet. What in your past would you like others to forget? Very few people know about my past at all. It’s my present I don’t want them to know about. Joe is the only person who knows about my dad’s drinking problem. If it got out…(shakes head) That’s just something I won’t let happen. Who was your first love? It’s pretty hard to date or fall in love when you’re busy carting your father home from bars each and every night so I only went out on a few dates in high school and never serious. The only person in my life who’s been constant is Joe and we tried that once, in college. That’s just not happening. I care about him, love him even, but like a brother. So, I guess the short answer is when you can’t get close to people and you don’t do relationships, you can’t fall in love. Who is your true love? My imaginary Prince Charming? If I were to pick an ideal man he’d be strong, physically and emotionally, and supportive. He would need to be able to understand and share my loyalty to family. And he would need a great sense of humor. That’s a must because you can’t deal with this much sarcasm without a sense of humor. It wouldn’t hurt if he was good looking but that’s not what’s important to me. It’s what’s in here. (tapping her chest over her heart). If he’s kindhearted without being a pushover, that’s better than looks. If you find a guy like that, hook me up. Was there ever a defining moment of your life? When we got the call from the hospital saying my mother had died. I was in our apartment and heard my father make this God-awful wailing sound, like…I don’t know. He sounded like his heart was being ripped from his chest. He was still drunk but not to the point of falling over but I saw him fall to his knees. I took the phone and tried to sound like an adult on the phone but they knew I was just a kid. When I hung it up, I didn’t cry. I just put my dad back to bed and set a glass of water on the nightstand. I didn’t let myself cry until I was alone in my room. That was the last time I cried. For my mother, for my father, for the childhood I realized I would never have. From that night on, I grew up fast. I had to. What is your most closely guarded secret? In my line of work, you have to be perfect and pleasing so no one at work knows about my father’s drinking except Joe. I’ve been able to keep it quiet and my life out of the limelight but he’s getting worse. I have to get him into a rehab or some sort of treatment program. If I do that, people are bound to find out. What is your most prized possession? Why? My mother’s wedding ring. I keep it on a gold chain and never take it off. What one word best describes you? Cautious What is your first memory? My third birthday. Mom and Dad threw me a little party with the three of us but, I think, it was as the zoo. I remember them pretending the animals were eating cake for my birthday too. It’s one of my best memories as a child and one of the only times I remember my father being completely sober and my mother looked up at him holding me like he hung the moon. In spite of his flaws, she loved him. Any non-family member adults stick out in your mind? Who were they, and how did you know them? Why do they stick out?   Who was your best friend when you were growing up? That would be Joe. His family moved into our apartment building about a year before my mother died and, since we were the only kids in the complex at the time, we hung out together a lot. We’ve been inseparable since. We went to college together and now he’s my boss. He’s seen the worst times in my life and never turned his back on me. I can trust him when I trust no one else. What is your fondest, childhood memory? Saturday mornings with my mother. I would wake up to her fixing pancakes, always a different flavor, and then we’d clean house together. I know it sounds strange but we had fun doing it together. We’d blast music since dad was working and we’d sing. Badly but it was fun. What habit that others have annoys you most? There are so many things people do to annoy me but I hate it when people try to get away with things they shouldn’t do because they think they can. Maybe it’s why I’m always trying to do an exposé and bring down crooked politicians and scams. I definitely fight for the underdog, even when everyone might be taking advantage of them. Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they, and do you plan to get rid of them? I fidget. When I get uptight, I will start messing with my mother’s ring or the chain holding it around my neck. Either rolling the ring or sliding my fingers over the chain. I’ve learned to control it for the most part and usually only mess with it when I’m really stressed now. What kind of things embarrass you? Why? There’s always the little things like toilet paper on my shoe, or food on my cheek but mostly things like crying or showing fear…I don’t like anyone to see weakness in me. It gives them something they can exploit. What don’t you like about yourself? I don’t like the part of me that still hopes for a better future. Life would be so much easier if I could just face reality and accept the situation my dad and I are in. But that “root-for-the-underdog” thing comes back and I want more, a better life, and keep killing myself trying to get it. It’s only more disappointment but I can’t quite give up. Even admitting I want to irritates me but there are just those days when I wish I could just accept things as they are like other people seem to. Do you currently have a lover? What is their name, and what is your relationship like? What are they like? Why are you attracted to them?   What is the perfect romantic date? I really wouldn’t know. I guess, for me, it would just mean someone allowing me to be myself, to show my vulnerabilities and accept them without judging me. To be held, connected on an emotional level with someone who makes me feel…safe. We wouldn’t need to go anywhere or do anything, just be together. It would be more of a feeling with that person, not a specific thing we do. What is more important – sex or intimacy? Why? (Laughs) Sex is just sex, just another thing you do, without intimacy. I should know. I’ve had sex, meaningless, unfulfilling, unemotional sex. I’ve never had intimacy. I can’t trust anyone. What was your most recent relationship like? Who was it with? (Does not need to be sexual, merely romantic.) My most recent relationship was about a year ago. I went out with a guy from work, a new reporter who was only at the station a few weeks. We had dinner, went back to his place after a few drinks and had sex. I went home. That was all, one date. Two months later, he got picked up by a bigger station. I like it that way. No complications, no emotional connections and I’m completely in control. Do you think redemption is possible? If so, can anyone be redeemed, or are there only certain circumstances that can be? If not, why do you think nothing can redeem itself? I certainly hope there is redemption. I’m the poster child of someone who needs it. I mean, there must be. Everyone needs to be forgiven for something. I’ve seen the secrets people hide, I know what happens when they are revealed. Everyone had something that they need to be redeemed for. I think redemption is available to everyone but you have to want to pay the price and for most people, it’s too high. Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried? No, next question. What do you think is wrong with MOST people, overall? Do you have all day for me to list everything? I guess, overall, it would be a lack of empathy. I see the underbelly of society every day, even if I am only reporting the sweet stuff on television. People in general only care about themselves and their own little world. They forget there are other people out there worse off. It’s where greed stems from, people hurting other people, taking what doesn’t belong to them. If people would open their eyes, consider the ripple effect of actions before they take them, the world would be a much better place. What is the thing that has frightened you most? Do you think there is anything out there that’s scarier than that? What do you think that would be? Complete and utter vulnerability. I’m sure there are other things out there – terrorism attacks, brutality, acts of nature – that would scare other people but for me, right now in my life this would frighten me most. A close second would be giving up control, trusting someone else with an outcome. If I fail, I know who is to blame and who is responsible, but I also know what I put into it. Trusting someone else? (shakes head) I just don’t think I can do that. *~* Blurb   From our NaNoWriMo author T. J. Kline comes the stunning follow up to RODEO QUEEN. When a sexy cowboy falls for a not-so-angelic reporter, secrets and sparks abound. Reporter Angela McCallister needs the scoop of her career in order to save her father from his bad decisions that have depleted their savings. When the chance to spend a week at the Findley Brothers ranch arises, she sees a chance to get a behind-the-scenes scoop on rodeo. That certainly doesn’t include kissing the devastatingly handsome and charming cowboy, Derek Chandler, who insists on calling her angel. Derek has a rodeo to run and a chip on his shoulder. He has no time for the fiery woman who is clearly hiding something. But for some reason he can’t keep his hands off of her. Their connection is instant and explosive but Angela’s secrets could threaten his family and Derek needs to prove that he’s not the irresponsible kid brother anymore. When the rodeo dust has settled, will the Cowboy and his Angel allow themselves to give in to the attraction that threatens to consume them both? Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/20... Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...   Buy Links Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZOX5CM/r... B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-c... Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo... iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...   Author Info T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen competitions since the age of 14 and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has written several articles about rodeo for small periodicals, as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter, and has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah. In her spare time, she can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California. Author Links http://tinaklinesmith.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TKlinesmith https://twitter.com/TinaKlinesmith https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... GIVEAWAY a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Different Kind of Hero by Author Lena Diaz

Thank you so much for hosting me today! It gives me the chance to talk about my favorite subject – men! Specifically, the bad boy in my newest romance novel, Take the Key and Lock Her Up. If you’ve read the earlier books in my Deadly Games series, then you know my heroes are sexy, big, strong alpha males. Many of them have law-enforcement occupations. They’re honorable, have integrity, strong moral codes, and old-fashioned good manners. They respect women for their brains. But they appreciate their other assets as well and are attentive, devoted lovers (as any fantasy hero should be!). These are the kind of men I’ve always chosen to write about. Until now. The hero of my newest book, Devlin “Devil” Buchanan, doesn’t have a law enforcement occupation. He uses good manners when it helps him achieve his goals. He’s an attentive lover, charming in fact, but only for one night. He never lets anyone get close to him. He loves his family, would do anything to protect them, but none of them really know him. None of them suspect that he’s hiding a deep, dark secret. What’s the secret? Devlin Buchanan is an assassin. That’s right. He kills people. For money. So how can he be a hero? The answer to that question lies in the reasons that he kills, and the identity of the people he is hired to terminate. If you read this story, you’ll discover–just like police detective, Emily O’Malley does–that Devlin is a complicated man with a complicated, tragic past that informs every decision he has ever made. And once you learn more about him you’ll begin to understand exactly why he does what he does. And hopefully, if I’ve done my job right, you’ll realize Devlin truly is honorable and adheres to a strict moral code. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll come to love him as much as the heroine does. Devlin is the most difficult character I’ve ever written. But he is also the most rewarding, because redeeming an assassin took an enormous amount of work, and soul-searching, and a lot of “what if” thinking. There are compelling reasons for what Devlin does. And once you know those reasons you might find yourself agreeing with them. Devlin and Emily couldn’t be more different, a criminal and a cop, but through the incredibly difficult challenges they endure together, they find a middle ground. Both of them grow and change in this story and discover a new truth, a new understanding, that neither of them would have ever found on their own. Both characters are flawed, but as Emily says at one point in the story, they may not be perfect, but they’re perfect for each other. *~* | Amazon | ARe | BN | Kobo | Blurb Lena Diaz returns with another sexy, thrilling Deadly Games novel and the darkest question of all: What do you do when your freedom could cost you your life? Detective Emily O’Malley just stumbled upon a killer’s lair—and the remains of a woman he kept locked away for years. But this killer isn’t done yet. More women are missing, and all clues point to Devlin Buchanan—the man who seems to know just a little too much. Emily’s instincts are rarely wrong, and now they’re telling her this sexy, mysterious man is hiding something big … As a trained assassin for EXIT Inc—a top-secret mercenary group posing as an international tour company—Devlin “Devil” Buchanan isn’t afraid to take justice into his own hands. But when the hot new detective on his trail gets too close to the organization and a contract is placed on her life, Devlin does the only thing he can: he turns rogue agent and kidnaps her to save her life. With EXIT Inc closing in and passions running hot between them, Emily and Devlin must work together to find the missing women and clear both their names before time runs out … and the key to freedom is thrown away. *~* Author Info Originally from Kentucky, romantic suspense author Lena Diaz also lived in California and Louisiana before settling in Northeast Florida with her husband, two children, and a Shetland Sheepdog named Sparky. A Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist, she’s won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense and has been a finalist for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She loves to watch action movies, garden, and hike in the beautiful Tennessee Smoky Mountains. Author Links http://www.lenadiaz.com/ https://twitter.com/LenaDiaz https://www.facebook.com/LenaDiazAuthor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...  *~* Giveaway  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get to Know Author Avery Flynn

Today I’m pleased to have the author of Enemies on Tap, Avery Flynn, visiting!  She agreed to sit down and answer a few questions. So, please help me welcome Avery! *~* Thanks so much for having me over!! Personal What was the greatest thing you learned at school? – We moved around a lot as a kid and the best school advice I ever got came from my older sister who told me that on the first day to never sit in the back of the room and never sit alone in the lunchroom. Go out and make friends. Do you laugh at your own jokes? – Sometimes I’m the only one who does. Where can people find you on the web? Where can they read more about your books? – Come visit me on Twitter (@AveryFlynn), on Facebook or on my website (www.averyflynn.com). I’m fun. I promise! Your Novel What is your book about? – Enemies on Tap is about two people who are fighting against what the world expects of them. They’re underdogs in the game of love and you just can’t help but root for them. What about your book might pique the reader’s interest? – If a reader is not into sassy, sexy, funny books than they should stay away from Enemies on Tap. If you do like that sort of thing, then come join the fun! Who is your most unusual/most likeable character? – Personally, I love them all but Ruby Sue is a real hoot. You gotta love an older woman who speaks her mind without censure. Fun (Crazy, odd questions just for fun) You were just given a yacht. What would you name it? – The Full Monte. Someday I want to _____ (fill in the blank) – Have my own private island. If you could have a super power, what would it be? – The ability to be more than one place at the same time. How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a Tootsie Pop? – 412. Try it. See if I’m wrong. If parents say ‘never take candy from strangers’then why do we trick or treat? – Because candy is that damn good. Quick Questions Sing in the rain or dance in the streets? – Both at the same time! Pen or pencil? – Pen. Summer or Winter? – Summer for sure. Movies or TV? – I love movies. Cowboy or Bad Boy? – Bad boy all the way. Sunrise or Sunset? – I am a night owl so sunset is like my sunrise. *~* **BUY LINKS WILL NEED TO BE ADDED Enter to Win “I Love to Read” Ring, Beer Lovers Coasters  & $50 Amazon GC Brewing up trouble one pint at a time. Enemies What’s a girl to do when the only person who can help her is the man who betrayed her? After years away, Miranda returns to Salvation, Virginia to save her family’s brewery, but her fate is in the hands of her first lover turned enemy, Logan Martin. Lovers Logan, Salvation’s de facto prince, can’t believe his luck when the woman who smashed his heart to smithereens walks into his bank asking for his help. What she doesn’t know is he needs the land her brewery is on. When she tempts him with a bet—if she wins, he gives her the loan; if he wins, she forfeits the land—he knows it’s a sure thing. An Irresistible Combination But soon it’s a battle between their attraction for each other and their determination to win, and it’s in each other’s arms that they realize there might be more at stake now than the bet. With the town dead set against the Sweet Salvation Brewery’s success, Logan has to choose between what’s expected of him and what he really wants—even if helping Miranda means she’ll run out of his life once again.  Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.  Website  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook page |   Facebook     Goodreads  |  BookLikes Hosted by

2014 Goals – August Update

Back with the latest update on my 2014 forecast. July was pretty good, all things considered. I didn’t really bump up my word count too much, but I’d started a new job and the kids are home for summer, so things went slow. But, August is a new month, my work hours have backed off and the kids go back to school soon! So, hopefully all of that will add up to a bigger update next month. For now, here’s the updates. So first, the overall goals. Not specific books, but all around goals.. I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2014. ( 347,465 WC as of 7/30/14 10:47PM) I will build my audience and work harder at promotion. I am not doing enough with this. Need to get out more. I will find focus (see below), and figure out how to USE it. I am working on this. Some days I do great, others not so much. Call me a work in progress. Plan 2015 Holidays in Lake Point series books. I have ideas jotted down, 1 title & 3 out of 6 story ideas set. I’ll also need to write the first 2015 book before I can submit anything. Plan 2015 book schedule. What I didn’t finish this year, plus others. Ideas are bursting on this one. I carry a notebook with me all the time now, and I think I have a good idea how/what to schedule for 2015. And for my list of projects. This I’m not removing the completed items, because I like seeing how many are done, however I did remove a couple I had to backburner for pressing deadlines. Items in RED are complete. Items in ORANGE are in progress (or progress notes). Items in BLUE are new. Some of the new items are in blue with the progress I’ve made in orange. Runaway Train (Dominion Falls 5) – 113k Stalled Independence (Lake Point #3) – 35k Katherine’s Story (Dominion Falls Prequel) - 48k – Named finally. Independent Brake Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done) Witch Way (Lake Point #4) – 30k A Thorough Thanksgiving (Lake Point #5) – 30k (4300 done) Heartstrings & Hockey Pucks (Lake Point #7) – 30k The Tribe (The Tribe #1) – 85k The Wolf (The Tribe #2) – 85k Switchback (Dominion Falls 6) – 100k The Chief (The Tribe #3) – 85k The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k The Child (The Tribe #5) – 85k Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (22k done) My focus remains on my three series – Lake Point, Dominion Falls, & The Tribe. Now with Lake Point I’ve got one book to finish for this year & the first for next year to write. Dominion Falls is in edit stages. The Tribe has two books written, and 1 more to write before the end of the year. The Raven needs done, but can wait while I finish up with Lake Point. Escaping Humanity is always a work in progress at least until completion, of course. Both my co-writer & I have stories that are a priority right now, but I hope to add to that word count soon as A Thorough Thanksgiving is complete. I have several other story ideas brewing for what will go onto my 2015 goal list, but they’re all in notes & I’m not going to list them here in my goals until the year comes closer to completion. Fingers crossed the rest of the year sees me reaching these goals as I’d hoped for at the start of the year.