M.E. Sutton's Blog, page 10
May 22, 2014
Early Release: Death & Politics
by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Ah, the magic of technology. Despite a few glitches, I am please to announce – just in time for the US holiday weekend – the second in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries is available.
The story is available for Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. It will be available for iBooks just as soon Apple does – whatever they do when you submit a book.
And if you missed the first story, An Idyllic Place for Murder, you can pick that up too.
Happy reading – for those in the US, enjoy the long weekend (I know I will).
May 11, 2014
Children’s Book Week 2014 – Blog Hop giveaway
by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
It’s summer time. Kids are eager to get out of school – and maybe parents are eager to stop fighting the kids over homework. But do we want our kids to totally tune out for the summer?
Children’s Book Week to the rescue!
No doubt, summer is a time for swimming pools, beaches, and hanging out with friends. But too much tuning out makes returning to school in the fall that much more difficult. Yes, September looks a long way away in May.
It’ll look a lot closer in August.
Plus, maybe I’m weird, but some of my best summer memories involved reading. I was a mystery girl, so you could easily find me across the street, in my favorite tree, reading Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden.
Adult swim at the pool was boring for most kids. Me, I just took out a book.
And the world of kids literature – from picture books to YA – is so much bigger than it used to be. Fantasy, mystery, coming-of-age – it’s all out there. Just check out the YA and MG sections on Amazon, or at your local bricks-and-mortar store. Kid’s literature is where it’s at.
So here’s my challenge for your summer: Get your kid to read at least one book a month. For bonus points, try an author you (or your child) has never read before.
It’ll open a whole new world to them – guaranteed.
Oh, and I did I mention prizes? See the Rafflecopter widget below (open to US/Canada/Australia/GB)!
Blog Hop Sponsors: Mother-Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews
May 4, 2014
LUCKY CHARMS Goodreads giveaway – and more
by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Looking for a something good to read by the pool this summer? Something you can pick up, set down, and not completely lose track of the story?
Short stories are good for that. And I’ve got just the thing.
Starting today, May 5, and running through April 5, enter at Goodreads to win a copy of Lucky Charms: 12 Crime Tales from the Pittsburgh chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Want to know more about the anthology? Here’s the link.
Lucky Charms contains my story, Batter Down, a Laurel Highlands Mysteries (written as Liz Milliron). The eleven other stories are fabulous, including one from my friend Annette Dashofy. Sweet Deadly Lies is set in the same fictional Monongahela County universe as her terrific Zoe Chambers series from Henery Press (and I hear the debut, Circle of Influence, is tearing it up the sales charts).
So if you have a Goodreads account, pop on over and enter to win. And if you don’t have a Goodreads account, create one, pop on over, and enter to win.
Good luck!
Death & Politics – a Laurel Highlands Mystery (#2)
I’ve got the cover for the second in my Laurel Highlands series here waiting.
Yes, it looks a lot like the cover for An Idyllic Place for Murder. I think that’s what they mean when they say “branding.” Here’s the blurb:
It’s election season. Everyone knows that gubernatorial candidate William Carmichael has a history of infidelity, but when his wife turns up in the woods near their house, strangled, Jim Duncan and Sally Castle must find out if it was jealous revenge – or political expediency.
Also written as Liz Milliron, Death & Politics will be available as a digital single at all e-tailers on June 1, 2014
April 29, 2014
Book Blast: Faery Swap
About the BookTitle: Faery Swap | Author: Susan Kaye Quinn | Publication Date: December 19, 2013 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 281 | Recommended Ages: 10+
Summary: Warrior faery princes can be very stubborn. Especially when they possess your body. Fourteen-year-old Finn just wants to keep his little sister out of Child Protective Services–an epic challenge with their parentally-missing-in-action dad moving them to England, near the famous Stonehenge rocks. Warrior faery Prince Zaneyr just wants to escape his father’s reckless plan to repair the Rift–a catastrophe that ripped the faery realm from Earth 4,000 years ago and set it adrift in an alternate, timeless dimension. When Zaneyr tricks Finn into swapping places, Finn becomes a bodiless soul stuck in the Otherworld, and Zaneyr uses Finn’s body to fight off his father’s seekers on Earth. Between them, they have two souls and only one body… and both worlds to save before the dimensional window between them slams shut.
Faery Swap is an action and druid-magic filled portal fantasy, told by both a runaway faery prince and the boy he’s tricked into taking his place. This Prince and the Pauper meets Warrior Faeries tale is suitable for all ages.
NOTE TO TEACHERS: A 2 minute book trailer and a 9 minute Virtual Author Visit video brings Author and Rocket Scientist Susan Kaye Quinn (Ph.D. Engineering) into your classroom, sharing her background in science and engineering and talking about her book, Faery Swap. A downloadable Teacher’s Guide includes discussion questions, activities, and a Knowledge Seekers card-based game designed to be played in the classroom – all aligned to Common Core reading, writing, and college readiness standards for Grades 3-6. (Virtual Author Visit can be found at Susan’s website: www (dot) susankayequinn (dot)com/p/virtual-author-visit.html)
Book Trailer
Purchase
Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes and Noble
The Buzz
“I’ve seen and enjoyed this theme before, but never in a book for this age group and Ms. Quinn carries it out beautifully. The kids were fun and acted like kids, which makes them believable for all ages. The pace and action will keep readers flipping pages greedily. Also, telling the story from the two viewpoints greatly added to my overall enjoyment. Highly recommend for ages 9 and up.” ~ 5 Star Review, Alan T., Amazon
“I am a 10 year old boy. My mom recommended this awesome book to me because she knows Kai Strand, who knows Susan Quinn. I was hooked from the first paragraph! This is a wonderful ( and quite thrilling) story! Good for all ages and I wish I could rate it 100 stars! … I can definitely recommended this to almost anyone! Good job to Susan Quinn. The story is balanced neatly between Zaneyr and Finn, by Finn’s perspective in the first chapter, Zaneyr’s perspective in the the next, then Finn again, and so on. Great book and is a must read.” ~ 5 Star Review, Red Rose, Amazon
“I LOVED this book. This is one of those books that grabs you and doesnt let you go. Susan Kaye Quinn is an awesome writer! Feary Swap is funny, well paced, and filled with adventure. It’s a book no kid will want to miss. I especially loved the witty humor that kept me laughing page after page. The world building was vivid and phenomenal. I could just see this as a movie in my head. I liked how the author sneaks those educational moments in there without you even knowing it. A delightful book for old and young readers alike. Get it!” ~ 5 Star Review, Daddy’s Girls Book Reviews, Amazon
About the Author: Susan Kaye Quinn
Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, which is young adult science fiction. Faery Swap is her foray into middle grade, which is her first writing love. Her business card says “Author and Rocket Scientist” and she always has more speculative fiction fun in the works. You can subscribe to her newsletter (BONUS: new subscribers get a free short story!) or stop by her blog to see what she’s up to.
Website | Virtual Author Visit Page | Facebook
Twitter | Goodreads
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: May 29, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Kaye Quinn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 24, 2014
Release: An Idyllic Place for Murder
by Mary Sutton / mary_sutton73
So, it’s done. I went and released Jim and Sally to the world.
Okay, that’s an overstatement. With two stories at Mysterical-e and one in Lucky Charms, I’d already released them to the world.
But now, they’re on their own.
At Amazon.
And Barnes & Noble.
And Kobo.
And iBooks.
So, if you read Batter Down, or anything else, and you’re wondering exactly how Jim Duncan and Sally Castle met, well, here’s the genesis story. Available everywhere for only 99 cents.
Enjoy.
April 20, 2014
Book Blast: Noah Zarc
Looking for a good middle-grade read? Check out this one, courtesy of Mother-Daughter Book Reviews.
About the Noah Zarc Books
Book 1
Title: Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble (Book #1) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 214 Recommended age: 9+
Summary: Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth… for the second time.
Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible
Book 2
Title: Noah Zarc: Cataclysm (Book #2) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 234 Recommended age: 9+
Summary: Noah becomes embroiled in a mission that could cause the greatest cataclysm in the history of the solar system. Will his name, Noah Zarc, be forever linked to the most devastating crime in humanity’s existence, all because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible
Book 3
Title: Noah Zarc: Declaration (Book #3) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 1, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 226 Recommended age: 9+
Summary: As battles rage across the solar system, Noah must work to join together a rag-tag bunch of miners, farmers, and scientists who would rather just live in peace. With only a time-traveling ship full of animals and a general from the history books, the Zarc family has to stand against the full might of the Poligarchy. Will the truth about what really happened a thousand years in the past be enough to stop total war, or will Noah and his friends need to find another way to bring down a dictator?
Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
Special Omnibus Edition
Title: Noah Zarc: Omnibus (Special Edition) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 2, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 630 Recommended age: 9+
Summary: FEATURES ALL 3 BOOKS IN 1 SPECIAL EDITION & INCLUDES 22 PENCIL ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR
In a future where Earth has been wiped clean of all life, and humanity has moved on to other worlds, twelve-year-old Noah Zarc and his family have embarked on a quest, in a time-traveling spaceship called the ARC, to retrieve two of every animal and repopulate a dead world.
Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
The Buzz About the Noah Zarc Books
Book 1: “Pease’s strength as a storyteller lies in his ability to connect multiple time periods imaginatively, as well as Noah’s excited, fast-paced narration.” ~ Publishers Weekly
Book 1: “If I had read this book at age 10, I think it would have made me love SF just as much as reading Asimov did. If you like the non-stop action and humor of Rick Riordan’s Olympians books, I think you’ll also like Noah Zarc.” ~ Sher A. Hart, book blogger and author
Book 2: “This is another great mind-bender. The wild time jump details are fabulously thought out and cause some unexpected results.” ~ Michelle Isenhoff, Children’s Author
Book 2: “A well-written, adventurous read for young readers and even adults, Noah Zarc blasts through space and into your imagination.” ~ TKristufek, Amazon Reviewer
Book 3: “I was completely captured by the characters, the action and the issues and questions: set in fantasy but integrating concepts and engaging readers with a fun tale that teaches as it entertains.” ~ Gaele, Amazon Reviewer
About the Author: D. Robert Pease
D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn’t been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer’s Sirens. It’s not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters he brings to life.
Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: May 20, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, D. Robert Pease and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
April 13, 2014
Cover Reveal: AN IDYLLIC PLACE FOR MURDER
by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
It’s here. It’s finally “a thing,” a real thing.
An Idyllic Place for Murder, the first in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series was published by Mysterical-e, the digital magazine, in their Fall 2013 issue, under my crime fiction pen name Liz Milliron. And now, it’s going to be available as a digital single via Amazon and other digital retailers.
Would you like to see the cover?
Simple, but effective (I hope). I took inspiration from J.D. Robb and her cover styles, with the bold fonts and color block. The image is actually from a stream that cuts through the Laurel Highlands. And the crime scene tape, well, that ought to tell you what’s inside.
Thanks to Heather Lamison-DeSuta for working with me on the design, and fellow sibs Martha Reed and Susan Gottfried for providing feedback.
Here’s the story blurb:
The Laurel Highlands seem idyllic, but for Trooper First Class Jim Duncan, they’re anything but. When a young woman visiting from Pittsburgh ends up dead, it’s up to Duncan to find the killer. There seems to be a built-in suspect in The Creeper, but if Fayette County public defender Sally Castle has anything to say, The Creeper won’t end up in prison without a fight.
I may tweak this a bit before publication. But if you’re wondering where it all began for Jim and Sally, this is the place to find out.
I’m getting all of the accounts set up and the formatting completed. Hopefully I’ll push “publish” by the end of the month at it will be available by May.
And there are plenty more stories in the Jim/Sally universe, so watch this space for news!
March 31, 2014
Write what you know – or not
by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
When you’re starting out as a writer, you get a common piece of advice: write what you know.
On a certain level, this makes sense. You’re just starting. You’re figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Keeping things familiar can make that easier. Maybe you tap into the emotions of your past, or your family experiences, or your hometown. And that’s cool – up to a point. Beyond that point, you’re actually doing yourself – and your reader a disservice. And here’s why.
When you limit your writing pool to things you know absolutely – your town, your feelings, your experiences – the well dries up. You can only mine stuff for so long. And the familiar doesn’t encourage growth.
Case in point. When I started writing, I figured I’d be writing traditional mysteries. After all, I grew up on Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden – staples of amateur detectives. But when I actually started writing, I had a hard time connecting to those stories. Then I conceived an idea – based on something that actually happened at a writers’ retreat, as a matter of fact. I started playing “what if” in my head. I wrote the story, and shipped it off to an editor.
Imagine my surprise when she said, “You’ve got the start of a nice police-procedural here, but it needs some work.” Wait, what? Police-procedural? Not what I intended to write at all. That stuff is hard. You have to know things. Get things right. I can’t do that! I’m not a police officer, I don’t even play one on TV!
Except that I loved this story. I loved these characters. They wouldn’t stop talking to me. So guess what? I learned about police procedure. I bought a book, took an online class, and participated in a citizen’s police academy. I found resources and asked questions.
And when my state trooper protagonist decided that he was a coffee and beer snob, I learned some more. Where to find, and how to distinguish fine coffee. The most current story surrounds home brewing, so I’m researching beer. FYI, I don’t drink coffee or beer. I can’t stand either of them. But I’m not going to let my ignorance stand in the way of the story. Not any more.
But I better get it right, because I’m certain that readers will tell me if I don’t. And I owe it to them to be as accurate as I possibly can (nobody’s perfect, after all). They’ll forgive me a few minor points, but only if it’s apparent that I’ve put in the effort.
And besides, research is fun. You might not be able to travel to Paris or China. You certainly can’t travel to 16th century England (unless you happen to have a T.A.R.D.I.S. stashed in your basement). But the Internet is a wild and wonderful place. And every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself that is just too good to pass up. Case in point: I’m attending a Writers Police Academy this fall. I’m road-tripping to North Carolina with a friend of mine, another crime fiction writer. I anticipate lots of fun and loads of learning.
So yeah, if you’re starting, write what you know. But I heard an better variation on this recently from yet another writer friend: Write what you want to know. Because your passion for learning will infuse your writing and entice the reader. You’ll end up with a better story, one that excites you and your audience.
And really, isn’t that worth a few hours of research time on the Internet?
Image courtesy of Nicola; used under creative commons license.
March 23, 2014
STORM CLOUDS Goodreads giveaway
by Mary Sutton / mary_sutton73
For the next month, I am running a giveaway through Goodreads for Storm Clouds: Hero’s Sword Vol. 2. The giveaway will run from today, March 24, through April 24. I am offering up five, that’s FIVE, signed copies of the print version of the book.
To enter, use the widget below. Good luck!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Storm Clouds
by M.E. Sutton
Giveaway ends April 24, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
March 12, 2014
Book Blast: The Magician’s Doll
Title: The Magician’s Doll | Author: M.L. Roble | Publication Date: February 2, 2013
Publisher: Independent | Pages: 320 | Recommended Ages: 10+
Summary
“They are stronger. They are coming. They will arrive!”
Life would be so much better for twelve-year-old Natalie if she and her mother weren’t different; other kids wouldn’t pick on her; she wouldn’t have to get into fights. She would have friends. But Natalie has abilities that set her apart, and despite her very best efforts to have a normal life, her developing “gift” has a way of upending them all. Then one day a big top circus rolls into town bringing with it Beausoleil the Magician, his daughter Louisa, and his mysterious doll. Strange things are afoot with Beausoleil’s arrival, and in his wake, an eerie storm is approaching. Soon Natalie discovers there is more to her world and the people around her than she knew, and that being different is just the tip of the iceberg… The Magician’s Doll sparks readers’ imaginations with a tale of magical discoveries, profound friendships, a fight against evil, and the growth that comes with facing your fears and accepting who you are.
Purchase the Book
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | The Book Bin
The Buzz
“The story of exceptional and gifted beings secretly living among us is timeless; this exhilarating book is an impressive treatment of that classic storyline. The writing is fast and clear, with a well-developed plot and perfect buildup of action and suspense.” ~ 5 Star Review, G. Wagner, Amazon
“This is perfect for kids of the middle grade age. It forces them to look at the way they treat each other and their differences. It makes them look at what true friendship is and what they would do in certain circumstances. I am sure this book was written to be a wonderful story, yet I find it is a great example of teaching kids something without them realizing they are learning I will definitely continue to recommend this book to parents and students.” ~ 5 Star Review, Sandra S., Amazon
“I am a eighth grader, and was told to read this book by a friend. I am a huge fan of fantasy and magic, and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it well thought through with colorful characters from a variety of backgrounds. The concepts and ideas are fresh and interesting, I especially enjoyed the idea of travel through maps, like Phillipe. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to all my friends, and will do so as soon as possible.” ~ 5 Star Review, Eugenia, Amazon
About the Author: M.L. Roble
M. L. Roble’s desire to write a children’s novel stems from the nostalgia of her own middle grade reading years where she first experienced books like “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Shattered Stone”. There have been different books and genres since, but those years fueled an enchantment for story that continues to this day.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+
* Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: April 11, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, M.L. Roble and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
