Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 84
August 26, 2016
Out and about with Janet Lane Walters
I'm visiting with Janet Lane Walters on her blog, the Eclectic Writer. Tomorrow she showcases my fantasy romance books. Come by and visit. Hope y'all will leave a comment. http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com/2016/08/fridays-guest-features-helen-henderson.html Hope to see you there. Helen
August 21, 2016
Limited Time Only -- Windmaster for 99 cents
It's a cloudy, hazy Sunday. Time to cuddle up on the porch swing with a good book. How about the book reviewers said will keep you up all night turning the pages - Windmaster. On sale for a limited time for 99 cents at Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU973HAAmazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IU973HA
Not decided?
Click here for an excerpt.
I'm off to rock and read.
Helen
Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU973HAAmazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IU973HA
Not decided?
Click here for an excerpt.
I'm off to rock and read.
Helen
August 17, 2016
Dishing on life and Hatchling's Vengeance
I'm visiting with Jacqueline Seewald. See what I reveal about life and Hatchling's Vengeance. The interview's at http://ow.ly/5VWN303k0Xj
Hope you stop by and visit.
~Till next time, Helen
Hope you stop by and visit.
~Till next time, Helen
Dishing on life and Hatching's Vengeance
I'm visiting with Jacqueline Seewald. See what I reveal about life and Hatchling's Vengeance. The interview's at http://ow.ly/5VWN303k0Xj
Hope you stop by and visit.
~Till next time, Helen
Hope you stop by and visit.
~Till next time, Helen
August 15, 2016
Tuesday's Title - His Ocean Vixen
A lady in disguise, a sea captain with secrets of his own, a love that surprises them both.
Title: His Ocean Vixen
Author: Victoria Chatham
Date of Release: July 2016
Genre: Regency Romance
Publisher: Books We Love, Ltd.
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Newly-wed Lady Juliana Beamish has much to look forward to but her future turns bleak when the ship she is voyaging on is attacked by pirates.
Captain Drake O’Hara serves no master and only one mistress – the sea. On course for Jamaica he is reluctant to waste time investigating wreckage strewn across the ocean’s surface but when the debris offers up a beautiful survivor, he has no option other than to take her aboard.
Drake undermines her every notion of what desire is but, uncertain if she is still a wife or might already be a widow, Juliana is unwilling to dishonor her marriage vows. Returning to England is the only recourse she has to determine her status. Can she continue to resist Drake or will she surrender to the unrelenting passions he has stirred in her?
Behind the Scenes:
Lady Juliana appeared in my first book, His Dark Enchantress. The heroine of that book is Emmaline Devereux but Juliana wouldn’t go away until I promised her a book with her own story. She then quickly slipped into her proper place in Emmaline’s story and Emmaline appears briefly in hers. Although this is a linked series each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Author Bio:
The date on Victoria Chatham’s driver’s licence says one thing but this young-at-heart grandma says another. Now retired, she writes historical romance and reads anything that catches her interest, especially historical and western romances. She loves all four-legged critters, particularly dogs, but is being converted into a cat lover by Onyx, an all black mostly Manx cat who helps her write. However, it’s her passion for horses that gets her away from her computer to trail ride and volunteer at Spruce Meadows, a world class equestrian center near Calgary, Alberta, where she currently lives.
She loves to travel and spends as much time as she can with her family in England.
Find all her books at http://bookswelove.net/authors/chatham-victoria/
Catch up with her on facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaChatham
And look for her monthly blogs at victoriachatham.blogspot.ca.
Follow her on twitter @VChathamAuthor
Title: His Ocean Vixen
Author: Victoria ChathamDate of Release: July 2016
Genre: Regency Romance
Publisher: Books We Love, Ltd.
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Newly-wed Lady Juliana Beamish has much to look forward to but her future turns bleak when the ship she is voyaging on is attacked by pirates.
Captain Drake O’Hara serves no master and only one mistress – the sea. On course for Jamaica he is reluctant to waste time investigating wreckage strewn across the ocean’s surface but when the debris offers up a beautiful survivor, he has no option other than to take her aboard.
Drake undermines her every notion of what desire is but, uncertain if she is still a wife or might already be a widow, Juliana is unwilling to dishonor her marriage vows. Returning to England is the only recourse she has to determine her status. Can she continue to resist Drake or will she surrender to the unrelenting passions he has stirred in her?
Behind the Scenes:
Lady Juliana appeared in my first book, His Dark Enchantress. The heroine of that book is Emmaline Devereux but Juliana wouldn’t go away until I promised her a book with her own story. She then quickly slipped into her proper place in Emmaline’s story and Emmaline appears briefly in hers. Although this is a linked series each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Author Bio:
The date on Victoria Chatham’s driver’s licence says one thing but this young-at-heart grandma says another. Now retired, she writes historical romance and reads anything that catches her interest, especially historical and western romances. She loves all four-legged critters, particularly dogs, but is being converted into a cat lover by Onyx, an all black mostly Manx cat who helps her write. However, it’s her passion for horses that gets her away from her computer to trail ride and volunteer at Spruce Meadows, a world class equestrian center near Calgary, Alberta, where she currently lives.
She loves to travel and spends as much time as she can with her family in England.
Find all her books at http://bookswelove.net/authors/chatham-victoria/
Catch up with her on facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaChatham
And look for her monthly blogs at victoriachatham.blogspot.ca.
Follow her on twitter @VChathamAuthor
August 14, 2016
Celebrate Romance - No it's not winter already
When you think romance, usually Valentine's Day comes to mind. But there is another month that readers of romance books should keep in mind. August is Read a Romance Month - a time for readers of romance to celebrate the genre.
Read-A-Romance Month was conceived and launched in 2013 by freelance writer and romance advocate Bobbi Dumas after she realized there was no one place where the community celebrated romance all together, at one time, in a concentrated way. She says she picked August was chosen because summer reading tends to be lighter fare, and even eclectic readers tend to pick up more romance.
“Why Read-A-Romance MONTH?! I read romance every day!”
Don't worry. Think of it more as the month when we come together to CELEBRATE romance! A time when readers and writers can come together and celebrate this joyful, awesome genre.
My contributions to romance this year are Windmaster and Hatchling's Vengeance . Click on the covers or the title links for more on these fantasy romances.
Fantasy, contemporary, historical and more, it doesn't matter the subgenre. We all need a little romance in our life. Grab a romance and open the page. It's Read A Romance Month.
~till next time, Helen
August 8, 2016
Read a Good Book - It's National Book Lovers Day
Specialty calendars list all kinds of days. There is one that I plan to celebrate - Book Lovers Day.
A definition of bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Accordingly a bibliophile is an individual who loves books. Quite often it refers to a collector of antique or first edition books. In contrast, a term sometimes used derogatorily is "bookworm," defined as someone who loves books for their content, or who otherwise loves reading. Whatever ever you consider yourself, books offer escapes from our daily lives, offer inspiration and information.
How to celebrate Book Lovers Day Src: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/book-lovers-day/
In order to truly appreciate Book Lovers Day, one must only find a story and read it. Maybe you wish to dive into the unknown with a good mystery, or see magic in a high fantasy setting, or be enthralled in a steamy romance. The individual genre of your reading is not the big piece of this, just that you do read is. Maybe a visit to your local library is in order? After all public libraries existed even way back in the Middle Ages, but they didn’t really let many folks take books home. The librarians in those days chained books to shelves or desks in order to prevent theft of the carefully hand-written tomes. Many librarians will gladly help you find a title to read, giving a brief explanation on what it is about if they have read it, or giving it a little flip and reading about it quickly in the synopsis. But no matter your preference, if you read it at home with a cup of tea, share a book meeting with friends or go to the library and make use of the wonderful pieces on those shelves, just enjoy your reading, revel in the book and find a way to read during Book Lovers Day!
What is your favorite book?
Of course that might be an unfair question. It should be what is your favorite book at a particular point in time. The auhor you loved as a young adult as you read coming of age stories may no longer be as your favorite as ad adult.
Check out the Tuesday's Titles in this blog for a selection of interesting books by talented authors. A post about one follows later today.
If you love fantasy and you'd like a free copy of a dragon shifter novella, leave a comment.
Off to flip the pages and read. ~till next time Helen
A definition of bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Accordingly a bibliophile is an individual who loves books. Quite often it refers to a collector of antique or first edition books. In contrast, a term sometimes used derogatorily is "bookworm," defined as someone who loves books for their content, or who otherwise loves reading. Whatever ever you consider yourself, books offer escapes from our daily lives, offer inspiration and information.
How to celebrate Book Lovers Day Src: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/book-lovers-day/
In order to truly appreciate Book Lovers Day, one must only find a story and read it. Maybe you wish to dive into the unknown with a good mystery, or see magic in a high fantasy setting, or be enthralled in a steamy romance. The individual genre of your reading is not the big piece of this, just that you do read is. Maybe a visit to your local library is in order? After all public libraries existed even way back in the Middle Ages, but they didn’t really let many folks take books home. The librarians in those days chained books to shelves or desks in order to prevent theft of the carefully hand-written tomes. Many librarians will gladly help you find a title to read, giving a brief explanation on what it is about if they have read it, or giving it a little flip and reading about it quickly in the synopsis. But no matter your preference, if you read it at home with a cup of tea, share a book meeting with friends or go to the library and make use of the wonderful pieces on those shelves, just enjoy your reading, revel in the book and find a way to read during Book Lovers Day!
What is your favorite book?
Of course that might be an unfair question. It should be what is your favorite book at a particular point in time. The auhor you loved as a young adult as you read coming of age stories may no longer be as your favorite as ad adult.
Check out the Tuesday's Titles in this blog for a selection of interesting books by talented authors. A post about one follows later today.
If you love fantasy and you'd like a free copy of a dragon shifter novella, leave a comment.
Off to flip the pages and read. ~till next time Helen
Tuesday's Title - My Bad Boy Summer
Why do good girls fall for bad boys?
Title: My Bad Boy SummerAuthor: Ann Herrick
Date of Release: May 26, 2016Genre: Young Adult RomancePublisher: Books We Love, Ltd.Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Vija Skalbe wants to be an all-American girl--no matter how hard her parents try to impose their strict Latvian standards on her. She feels unsure of herself with one foot in each country.
Then Nolan, a folksinger, steals her heart at a coffeehouse. When Nolan stops at their table, it's Vija's friend, Caprice, who does all the talking. But it is Vija who gets his phone number--and later the back seat of his motorcycle. Soon she is cruising from one adventure to another, dizzy with joy, her new-found freedom and the excitement of being with the kind of guy who is a challenge.
However, when her father has a heart attack, Vija must take over running the family lawn-care business. She feels overwhelmed until sweet brainiac Joel volunteers to help. He shares the workload and lifts her spirits with his humor. But it is Nolan who fills her heart.
It doesn't matter that Nolan wants everything his way. Or that he's constantly eyeing other girls. Or that he can be pouty and punitive. Or that he says she's seeing things all wrong. Until it does matter. But Vija's in so deep. Will she deal with Nolan's controlling tactics, or is she too far under his spell? Or will Nolan give up his bad boy ways for her?
Behind the Scenes: So many girls are attracted to bad boys. They seem so glamourous, dangerous, exciting--more so when their friends warn them about the perils of a bad boy and wonder why the girl does not break off such a relationship. I tried to show how someone can get caught up in the bad-boy whirl and convince herself that everything is wonderful.
Author Bio:
Ann Herrick is the award-winning author of several books and short stories for kids and teens. Included in the awards her books have won are the ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers, IRA/CBC Children’s Choice and EPIC Best YA Novel Finalist.
Ann grew up in Connecticut, where she graduated from The Morgan School and Quinnipiac University. She now lives in Oregon with her husband, who was her high-school sweetheart. Their wonderful daughter is grown, married and gainfully employed, and has given Ann her only grand-dog, Puff, a bloodhound-Rottweiler-beagle mix, and eight grand-kitties. While she misses the East Coast, especially houses built before 1900, she enjoys the green valleys, fresh air and low humidity in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Ann loves cats, walking, the Oregon Ducks and working in her back yard. In addition to stories and books for children and young adults, Ann also writes copy for humorous and conventional greeting cards.
She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted through her web site: http://annherrickauthor.com.
Also find her on the web at: Blog Goodreads Author Page
Title: My Bad Boy SummerAuthor: Ann Herrick
Date of Release: May 26, 2016Genre: Young Adult RomancePublisher: Books We Love, Ltd.Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Vija Skalbe wants to be an all-American girl--no matter how hard her parents try to impose their strict Latvian standards on her. She feels unsure of herself with one foot in each country.
Then Nolan, a folksinger, steals her heart at a coffeehouse. When Nolan stops at their table, it's Vija's friend, Caprice, who does all the talking. But it is Vija who gets his phone number--and later the back seat of his motorcycle. Soon she is cruising from one adventure to another, dizzy with joy, her new-found freedom and the excitement of being with the kind of guy who is a challenge.
However, when her father has a heart attack, Vija must take over running the family lawn-care business. She feels overwhelmed until sweet brainiac Joel volunteers to help. He shares the workload and lifts her spirits with his humor. But it is Nolan who fills her heart.
It doesn't matter that Nolan wants everything his way. Or that he's constantly eyeing other girls. Or that he can be pouty and punitive. Or that he says she's seeing things all wrong. Until it does matter. But Vija's in so deep. Will she deal with Nolan's controlling tactics, or is she too far under his spell? Or will Nolan give up his bad boy ways for her?
Behind the Scenes: So many girls are attracted to bad boys. They seem so glamourous, dangerous, exciting--more so when their friends warn them about the perils of a bad boy and wonder why the girl does not break off such a relationship. I tried to show how someone can get caught up in the bad-boy whirl and convince herself that everything is wonderful.
Author Bio:
Ann Herrick is the award-winning author of several books and short stories for kids and teens. Included in the awards her books have won are the ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers, IRA/CBC Children’s Choice and EPIC Best YA Novel Finalist.
Ann grew up in Connecticut, where she graduated from The Morgan School and Quinnipiac University. She now lives in Oregon with her husband, who was her high-school sweetheart. Their wonderful daughter is grown, married and gainfully employed, and has given Ann her only grand-dog, Puff, a bloodhound-Rottweiler-beagle mix, and eight grand-kitties. While she misses the East Coast, especially houses built before 1900, she enjoys the green valleys, fresh air and low humidity in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Ann loves cats, walking, the Oregon Ducks and working in her back yard. In addition to stories and books for children and young adults, Ann also writes copy for humorous and conventional greeting cards.
She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted through her web site: http://annherrickauthor.com.
Also find her on the web at: Blog Goodreads Author Page
August 4, 2016
XPost - Oops, Just Killed A Friend
I hadn't thought of what we do to our characters in the manner that Alon Shalev (@Elfwriter) did in his post. Usually I kill the bad guy and only torture the hero. However, Elveswriter explains why we mourne for our characters. Even if they live in the book, at the end we close the chapter and our relationship ends.
If you've ever killed a character (or contemplated it), read on. ~till next time Helen
ElvesWriterWow! Killing a friend ain’t easy. You think you’re ready for it. You have planned the dramatic demise, executed to perfection, but when it gets right down to it, it is soooo hard.
And when they are lying there dead, with an arrow though their heart, or an axe wound in their head, you think you can just walk away. But what do you still have to do?
Press the Save button.
Do you get the irony? Your friend lies dead on the page, their blood still wet, and you are totally responsible for it. Sure you didn’t wield the axe, or aim the bow, but you created this person, this character, this hero.
He trusted you, allowed you to move him from one part of the kingdom to the other. He has seen you put him in a tight jam and always…View original post 275 more words
If you've ever killed a character (or contemplated it), read on. ~till next time Helen
ElvesWriterWow! Killing a friend ain’t easy. You think you’re ready for it. You have planned the dramatic demise, executed to perfection, but when it gets right down to it, it is soooo hard.And when they are lying there dead, with an arrow though their heart, or an axe wound in their head, you think you can just walk away. But what do you still have to do?
Press the Save button.
Do you get the irony? Your friend lies dead on the page, their blood still wet, and you are totally responsible for it. Sure you didn’t wield the axe, or aim the bow, but you created this person, this character, this hero.
He trusted you, allowed you to move him from one part of the kingdom to the other. He has seen you put him in a tight jam and always…View original post 275 more words
July 22, 2016
Windmaster - cast off and fill the sails for love and adventure
Chose between your first love the sea, magic, or love.
Windmaster
Genre: Historical fantasy, Romantic fantasy, sword & sorcery
Publisher: Books We Love
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Windmaster is a romance-filled, action-packed fantasy described by readers as a fascinating story that will keep you up all night turning the pages. Revenge set Ellspeth, captain of Sea Falcon, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey. Despite his insolent attitude, she is attracted to the dark-haired dockworker she hires to help unload the vessel's cargo. When the supposed dockhand reveals he is Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and her passenger, Ellspeth breaks a cardinal rule--fraternizing with the paying customers. Bringing him back from near-death releases Ellspeth's latent powers and threatens her captaincy. For to have magic she must give up the sea.
Dal has his own reasons for Ellspeth to embrace her powers. In accordance with an ancient prophecy, Dal allows Ellspeth to be handfasted to him without her knowledge or consent. However, the prophecy doesn't state whether she will return his love. A likelihood threatened as the deception is unveiled and Dal is captured and stripped of his powers by fanatical clerics bent on ridding the world of magic and those who wield it.
Trapped within the Oracle's Temple and marked for sacrifice, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.
Click here for an excerpt.
Windmaster
Genre: Historical fantasy, Romantic fantasy, sword & sorcery
Publisher: Books We Love
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
Windmaster is a romance-filled, action-packed fantasy described by readers as a fascinating story that will keep you up all night turning the pages. Revenge set Ellspeth, captain of Sea Falcon, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey. Despite his insolent attitude, she is attracted to the dark-haired dockworker she hires to help unload the vessel's cargo. When the supposed dockhand reveals he is Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and her passenger, Ellspeth breaks a cardinal rule--fraternizing with the paying customers. Bringing him back from near-death releases Ellspeth's latent powers and threatens her captaincy. For to have magic she must give up the sea.
Dal has his own reasons for Ellspeth to embrace her powers. In accordance with an ancient prophecy, Dal allows Ellspeth to be handfasted to him without her knowledge or consent. However, the prophecy doesn't state whether she will return his love. A likelihood threatened as the deception is unveiled and Dal is captured and stripped of his powers by fanatical clerics bent on ridding the world of magic and those who wield it.
Trapped within the Oracle's Temple and marked for sacrifice, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.
Click here for an excerpt.
