Babs Hightower's Blog, page 146

Guest author Gayle Carline & a giveaway

First of all, I’d like to thank Babs for giving me space in her book bistro. It’s so much fun to visit! I’m an author who mostly writes mysteries, and also owns quarter horses. I currently own a mare, Frostie, and her son, Snoopy.

“Why don’t you put horses in your mysteries?”

That’s the question I’ve been getting since my first novel was published in 2009. My mystery series is set in my hometown of Placentia, California. Placentia (“The Pleasant Place”) is a tiny town surrounded by larger towns in Orange County. About 50,000 people live in 6.5 square miles.

If you do the math, you’ll realize there isn’t a lot of horse property available in my town.

And yet, horses are the reason I write. When I was forty, I wanted to be a writer, so my husband bought me a laptop for Christmas. When I was forty-five, he bought me horseback riding lessons. A year later, I bought my first horse and began my writing career. I don’t know what portal was opened, but as soon as I owned Frostie, the words flowed.

Three mysteries later, people who know me are still asking the same question—why wasn’t my muse in my stories?

One morning, I was walking up the barn aisles at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Snoopy and I were at an American Quarter Horse Association show. When you are at a show, you clean your horse’s stall and deposit the used bedding (usually wood shavings) at the end of the barn. At least once a day, guys come by with a tractor and move the pile to wherever used shavings go to decompose.

This particular morning, there was already a large pile at the end of the barn, and I thought, hmm, what if there were a pair of boots peeking out from under that pile? And what if the boots were still being worn… by a body?

I knew I could not get my 50-year old private detective out of Orange County and up to Burbank to solve a crime. As far as I know, she’s never even been on a horse. I had planned to write the next book in her series. It’s a risk, to an author, to step away from a series in order to write something else.

But when a mystery author gets an idea too good to pass up, well, what’s life for, except to take risks? MURDER ON THE HOOF was born.

I made this cast of characters mostly younger, although not so young as to make me pull out my hair and bang my head when they made stupid choices. My protagonist is a widow in her thirties. She is at a horse show, looking to buy her first horse. What she finds is danger, and romance. Here’s the description:

 

Willie Adams is at the L.A. Equestrian Center shopping for her first horse. A young widow struggling with the idea of dating again, she never expected that a gorgeous trainer like Tyler Ransome would notice her. But he did.

 

He wasn’t the only one, either. Bobby Fermino is not as handsome, nor as pleasant. After attacking Willie he ends up dead in her tack room, leaving her the most likely suspect.

 

Willie has to convince Detective Lucas Macy that she’s innocent, but her physical attraction to him isn’t making the task easy.

With growing evidence pointing to her, and two famous actors drawing attention to the investigation, Willie decides to take the reins. She must find the murderer before they find her, but will she survive opening her heart to someone new?

MURDER ON THE HOOF is my first attempt at romantic suspense and I’m pretty proud of it. It is available on Kindle today, and in paperback this Saturday.

Just for being one of Babs Book Bistro’s fabulous readers, I’d like to give you a reward. Here is a picture of me and my horse, Snoopy, performing at a horse show. The first person who names the event correctly will get a signed copy of MURDER ON THE HOOF, a grooming bag (also useful for holding gardening tools or other stuff), and a $10 Amazon gift card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Please check out Gayle’s Blogs:

http://gaylecarline.com/
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com/

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Btsemag has new advertising rates check them out.

We are currently accepting advertising for the  July/Aug 2014 issue and beyond .

Deadlines for advertising:  July/Aug 2014 Issue

all materials and payment received by June 1st

Full Page Premium ads $70, up to 6 books.

Full Page Standard ads $50, up to 2 books.

Half page Premium ads $50, up to 3 books.

Half page Standard ads $30, up to 2 books.

Fourth page ads $15, one book.

 

For Authors wishing Special attention we offer:

Big Splash ad $140. Two page customized ad.

Inside Cover ads, page 2 or 3 for greatest exposure, $120.

Premiere Placement ad $100.  A full page premium ad placed within the first 10 pages, where the heaviest viewing takes place.

http://btsemag.com/advertising/emag-advertising/

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WeareverUS Socks

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 

I was lucky enough to try out the comfortable socks from Wearever.  They are so comfortable you feel like you are not wearing any socks.

  The socks actually feel like they are messaging your feet they are so comfortable.  They come in all sizes and colors. They have a discount going on now. Use the coupon code 10OFF – this is good for 10% off any orders on www.WeareverUS.com for your readers to use.

 

You can find them online at Facebook and Pinterest.

www.Facebook.com/WeareverUS

www.Pinterest.com/WeareverUS

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Btsemag new issue is out

ON THE COVER: From the silver screen to the printed page, Tara Cardinal is taking on new roles as a producer, director, actor and writer. Join BTS as we chat with this inspiring and multi-talented woman! Read an interview and find out more abut Tara’s projects and books on page 13 of the latest issue of BTS Book Reviews.
You won’t miss the sneak peaks or interviews with these other hot authors:

32 CD Mitchell

35 Nana Prah

41 D. Bryant Simmons

62 Sabrina Jeffries

67 Julie LeMense

83 Melissa Keir

87 Sierra Cartwright

90 Kate Douglas

93 Charity Parkerson

116 Brian Mooreland

129 Myra Nour

135 R.A. McCandless

139 Judith Legar

145 C.A. Szarek

155 Jan Milusich

158 Kimber Leigh Wheaton

168 Dianne Duvall

170 Shayne Leighton

Say hello to Mr. BTS!

69 Don’t miss our Interview with Scott Nova, your 2014 Mr. BTS.

I am curious how you went from being a firefighter to a romance novel model?

Well, the two are intermingled, and the modeling came because of going to the fire academy. I used to be incredibly skinny. An almost unhealthy type of skinny. I ate a lot of food but not the right kind of food. In 2008 I discovered that I wanted to be a firefighter. I could never understand why I wasn’t happy with a cushy job behind a desk in the IT world…

Plus, this months’ columns keep you entertained and informed:

23 Chic Trends in Romance: A NIGHT OF ROMANCE AT LADY JANE’S SALON

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a romance fiction reading at one of Lady Jane’s satellite salons in Silver Spring, Maryland. If you haven’t heard of Lady Jane’s Salon®, you owe it to yourself to check it out…

55 The Hot Hunks of History: RICHARD THE LIONHEARTED

Very few kings were considered hot during their own lifetimes, but King Richard I of England was one of the few, the proud, and the studly during the romantic Middle Ages. His life was one of legend… a man who became Duke of Aquitaine in his own right as a teenager; he fought his father in battle to defend his mother’s honor…

77 The Heat Diva: NOT YOUR ORDINARY HEARTTHROB

Heroes have always been the heart of all romance novels . . . even if the hero is wearing leather pants and carrying a whip or happens to turn into a wolf. They may differ in looks, profession, or breed, but all have certain characteristics that not only make your blood pressure go up, but make your panties want to drop as well. I have gathered together some enticing examples…

101 The Scrying Eye: OF FUTURE, OF PASTS, OF CULTS, OF BLOOD, OF DARKNESS, AND OF MERCEDES!

It is time once again, dear denizens of the dead, those who seek wisdom in the pulpy pages of stories both great and small! It is time for the Scrying Eye to open, to speak to your minds, to reveal what was, what is, and what will be. See as it twirls and swirls! Gaze as its pupil swells, opening bright horizons…

121 Ali B. and the Forty Spaceships: GODS, MARTIANS, AND CIGAR-CHOMPING MONKEYS, OH MY! A New Column!

At the tail end of 2013, we were fortunate to have the World Fantasy Convention over here in the UK—we don’t have that many conventions in these ’ere parts, and thus each one tends to be a pretty special occasion, especially if I can attend, me being a domesticated family man an’ all that…

149 Forever Young: KEEP YOUR PANTS ON

“Keep your pants on!” It’s the one piece of advice from father to son that seems universal. From mother to daughter, there’s a similar adage: “Keep your legs together!” Simple. Direct. Parental guidance typically advocates restraint wrapped in a package of self-respect. Teens may listen, but they usually follow their hearts . . . 

Don’t miss our great serials and short stories:

43 Bill’s General Store by Myra Nour

Story based on a real event, but with author’s paranormal twist. 

The old man and his dog walked slowly along the road’s edge; the man was being watchful of strangers who might drive too close to them. He waved at neighbors passing by as he stolidly traversed the quarter mile home. Most days he walked it without much pain in his knees and few complaints, for he was glad he was still able to manage his walk every day…

97 Sex & the Single Woman by Nicole Morgan – the story continues

I tapped my fingers on the keyboard, but no words appeared on the screen. My focus wasn’t worth a damn and hadn’t been for several days. In fact, I’d been doing a heck of a lot more day dreaming than actual working all week long…

Join us for our exciting new venture into the glitz and glamour with BTS Goes Hollywood! A New Section!

BTS showcases writers and other professionals who bring characters to life through movies & TV.

163 BTS Goes Hollywood: THE LEGEND OF THE RED REAPER

When’s the last time you saw a movie with a tortured kick-ass heroine? I think the most noteworthy movies of late to feature those types of heroines have been young adult dystopian tales—The Hunger Games and Divergent. Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America have all been the traditional male-dominated superhero flicks with female supporting characters…

And of course, you can’t miss all the wonderful book reviews featured in this issue!
Read the full issue for free now!

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Guest author Ella James

Today we have the pleasure of having Ella James on the blog today and was kind enough to do an interview.

You can pre-order her newest release with several other authors BEND releases May 5th you can read more below.

Babs….When did you know you wanted to write?

My dad wrote papers for work sometimes. I remember after reading one of them when I was about eight, I thought, ‘I want to write like that!’ I also remember being in first and second grades and just having a natural understanding of English – whereas math…not so much.

 

Babs…..What would you like your readers to get out of books?

I hope they get a brief escape from reality. It’s way too boring and difficult. I want my books to be fun and easy.

 

Babs…..Do you have a current project in the works?

Always! I’m working on a story called Red & Wolfe that’s broken up into three novellas. The first one is appearing in the BEND Anthology, available on Amazon and at other retailers May 5. 

 

Babs…..Do you have a ritual when you are writing?  ie coffee, music, food etc

I used to chain smoke, but that was years ago, when I was young(er) and stupid(er). I went through a jelly bean phase, and now I’m into writing on the floor, lying on my stomach. It changes a lot.

 

Babs…..Hobbies outside of writing?

I love hiking, traveling, reading (romance novels and geeky nonfiction), and spending time with my family.

 

Babs….What book or books are you currently reading?

I haven’t been reading much lately, because I’m so busy with my kids and my own writing. I think the last book I read was by Anna Cruise. I love her books.

 

Babs….If you could be one character from one of your books who would it be?

Mmmm. No one? LOL. My characters are often not happy. I’ll choose Elizabeth, from Selling Scarlett. Her life turned out pretty good.

 

Babs…Favorite drink?

I like Sauvignon blanc.

 

Babs…..What is your favorite ice cream?

Mint chocolate chip.

 

Babs….What is your favorite food?

It’s hard to pick just one thing. I like shrimp and grits a lot. Cake, too.

 

Babs…Anything else you would like to add?  

GOODREADS

WEBSITE

AMAZON

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and being a guest on the blog.

 

 

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New book release and a great sale by Author Sam Taylor Mullens

Sam Taylor Mullens has a new release and sale going on be sure to check this out!

 

New Release: Hold You Again: http://amzn.to/1iJ91Is

Sale Link: Hasty Resolution: http://amzn.to/1mdRgjc

Author Page: http://on.fb.me/1heyEwg

 

“Hold You Again” is the continuation of Jake and Liz’s story from “Hasty Resolution”. “Hold You Again” can be read as a standalone, but may be enjoyed more after reading “Hasty Resolution”. Synopsis: Jake, a US Marine, has returned after a year of guarding an embassy and required training to the love of his life, Liz. He learns that she is now a single-mom with a few surprises in store. With Liz now single and Jake permanently stationed in the States, they begin their life together, as a family, in San Diego. For those readers who wanted more of Jake and Liz…this is it!!

 

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Open for author guest posts and interviews.

My blog is back open for author guest posts and interviews. If you would like to be included just send me an email at Babsbookbsitro at gmail dot com. Would love to have you on.

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Featured Author Joan Meijer

Today I have the pleasure of talking about a great friend and author Joan Meijer.  Joan has written over 16 books and has helped many.  Her newest book The Presidents Dirty Little Secret is a political thriller :

Investigative Reporter David McLaughlin is resigned to writing obituaries for the Washington Herald after having blown the biggest story of a life-time. 

He is approached by his ex-wife’s new husband, Doctor Reginald Hotchkiss, who begs him to call because the doctor has evidence of something world changing. The Doctor is terrified.

The next morning the Doctor is found tortured and murdered and so is McLaughlin’s ex-wife. He grabs his daughter, who was hiding, and they run for their lives.

They must find out what the world changing evidence is, where it is and who it threatens so directly that they have unleashed a string of murders that start with McLaughlin’s ex and her new husband and move closer and closer to the Oval Office. 

You can see all of her books here

 

About the author:

“Look out Robin Cook and Tess Gerritsen- there is new competition in the medical thriller field!” – “…a difficult book to put down” – “This book will blow your mind away” – “A must read!” A writer who consistently gets five stars from top reviewers.

Joan Meijer is the author of over twenty fiction and non-fiction books and dozens of short stories. Her most recent fiction releases are “The Initiative” a medical thriller, “Relentless: The Search For Typhoid Mary.” fictional history, “Provenance” Medical Rescue based on a true story and “The President’s Dirty Little Secret” a Political Thriller.

Joan won The Author’s Show Contest “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” and will be included in the 2011 edition of the book by that title. She is also one of the 2010 and 2011 winning writers in National Novel Writing Month – completing her book “Relentless: The Search for Typhoid Mary” now available in Kindle in 2010 and “The Bridge” a story about a bridge collapse for 2011 – now in revision.

Joan is the former president of The National Emergency Care Advisory Council which worked with the major Networks Program Practices Departments to correctly represent first aid in programming. She is a former New York City Paramedic.

Her books are available on Kindle.

In the area of non-fiction you can find “How To Write A Book That Positions You As An Expert In Your Field” and “Date Rape It’s Not Your Fault” on Kindle.

Follow Joan on Twitter & Facebook

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Teaser by Brina Courtney

The following excerpt is from Brina’s book, Discovery.

“No silly,” she says, “I can only start it, something with the electricity, I can control it.”  With that she puts her thumb and forefinger together and produces a small blue spark. 

“Umm, that’s not normal.” I say staring at the spot where the energy was just made. 

“You can hardly discuss normal Shay, look who you’re talking to- a ghost, that’s not normal,” she says as a smile plays on her lips. 

Valid point.  I look at her closely, “Yeah but I can’t do anything like that, that’s a little excessive don’t you think?  And doesn’t it drain you?”  I don’t ever remember Jeremy messing with the electricity. 

She looks at me and says honestly, “Not when I’m feeding off of your energy and you’re young so you have lots of it.” 

OK creepy dead child who’s feeding off my energy.  I give her a hard look; children have never attempted to contact me before, why is she coming to me now?  “Wendy, how long have you been lost?”

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Author Spotlight with Jessica Gibson

~*~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~*~

First and foremost, I’m a wife to an amazing man, and mother to a 2 year old little boy. I love to read when I can find the time, my Kindle is my best friend. I’ve read tons and tons of books. One of my favorite authors is Diana Gabaldon, her Outlander series is absolutely amazing. I also really enjoy Charlaine Harris’ True Blood series. I’ll read anything supernatural, I’ve blown through most of the good YA series’ that are out there. I think my love of reading really helped me branch out into writing.

~*~BOOK LIST~*~

The Harder I Fall

Dressed in White

The Deeper We Get (COMING SOON)

The Boston Witches series

The Blood Ties series

Haunted U

Marked

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