Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 97
August 25, 2014
Tuesday's Title - Abomination by Audra Middleton
The seeds are planted. Which will take root, change or destruction?Abomination by Audra Middleton(Volume 2, The Watcher of Anthelion Series)
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Indie Published
Buy Links: http://amzn.to/1rl4hOV
Blurb:
A seed of destruction is sprouting in Forest End, but the kingdom is in too much of an uproar trying to locate their missing princess to notice. Princess Willow has been kidnapped by the enemy.
Her mother, the Fauna Queen known as Watcher, is the only one who can reach Luminar and rescue Willow before the winter snows come. While the queen finds a way to save her daughter, the princess is able to plant seeds of change in the enemy kingdom. But if Watcher doesn’t make it back in time to stop the abomination that has been growing in Forest End, Willow’s seeds will never take root.
Author Bio:
Audra Middleton was born and raised in Washington State where she lives with her husband and their three boys. She gave up her teaching career to raise her children, and in between diaper changes and baseball games, she began writing books. Once she started, she couldn’t stop, even after she went back to teaching. Website: http://www.audramiddleton.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AudraMiddletonAuthor
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Indie Published
Buy Links: http://amzn.to/1rl4hOV
Blurb:
A seed of destruction is sprouting in Forest End, but the kingdom is in too much of an uproar trying to locate their missing princess to notice. Princess Willow has been kidnapped by the enemy.
Her mother, the Fauna Queen known as Watcher, is the only one who can reach Luminar and rescue Willow before the winter snows come. While the queen finds a way to save her daughter, the princess is able to plant seeds of change in the enemy kingdom. But if Watcher doesn’t make it back in time to stop the abomination that has been growing in Forest End, Willow’s seeds will never take root.
Author Bio:
Audra Middleton was born and raised in Washington State where she lives with her husband and their three boys. She gave up her teaching career to raise her children, and in between diaper changes and baseball games, she began writing books. Once she started, she couldn’t stop, even after she went back to teaching. Website: http://www.audramiddleton.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AudraMiddletonAuthor
August 11, 2014
Tuesday's Title - Alaskan Magic by Carol McPhee
Freshly divorced and bitter as hell, socialite Amanda Bennington finds an unikely friendship in a grizzled bush pilot suffering losses of his own.Genre: Contemporary Romance Blurb:
Determined to counter the sudden upheaval in her life, ex-socialite Amanda Bennington adds to her difficulty by trying to cope at her aunt's run-down lodge in the Alaskan wilderness.
Complications from a vengeful raven, an environment she doesn't understand, and a scruffy bush pilot, who resents Miss Hoity-Toity's intrusion would send her packing, if not for her compulsion to learn a family secret.
For more on Alaskan Magic and to read an excerpt go to http://carolmcphee.webs.com/alaskanmagic.htm
About Carol McPhee: Carol writes about strong sensuous heroines and heroes to die for. She lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her husband of forty-seven years. Now that their four children are grown and flown, there is time to enjoy researching locations that will give authenticity to her romantic suspense and contemporary romance stories. Carol can be found on the web at http://carolmcphee.webs.com.
August 6, 2014
Out and About at The Embraced
I have the great fun to be a interviewed at The Embraced: Scribal Love. Stop by http://theembraced.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-interview-with-helen-b-henderson.html and see what I dished on being an author and my latest releases, Dragon Destiny and Imprisoned in Stone.
Till next time ~Helen
Till next time ~Helen
August 4, 2014
Tuesday's Title - Mercy of Time and Chance
The Mercy of Time and Chance by Joyce DeBacco
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Genre: Women's fiction/literary
Buy at Amazon Smashwords Barnes&Noble
About Joyce: Among Joyce's other works are Serendipity House, Tomorrow Blossoms, and Where Dreams are Born. Find her on the web at: http://www.joycedebacco.com
Blurb:
The Mercy of Time and Chance spans three generations of an Italian-American family. The first generation is steeped in old world customs and values; the second tenaciously clings to the old and familiar while the world around them changes; the third embraces the modern but reverts to the past when it suits them.
Caught in the middle is Renie. Orphaned at two and raised by a bitter stepmother, she unwittingly promotes what she believes are the proper roles of men and women by raising her children the way she was raised. After a life filled with tragedy and heartbreak, she realizes she may have created a respectful, obedient daughter, but she’s also made her meek and submissive. Her son, on the other hand, has been groomed from birth to assume his father’s role as lord and master of the family. Unfortunately, he also inherits his quick temper.
Excerpt:
In the shadows of the darkened parlor, Tessa rubbed a coarse hand on the underside of her swollen belly as she pondered the conversation to which she’d just been privy. She’d noticed her stepdaughter’s figure developing a more womanly roundness. Apparently Carmine also noticed. With firm, high breasts, a tiny waist, and rounded hips, the girl reminded her of herself many years earlier. Now, at thirty years of age, she couldn’t recall a time when her body was hers alone. For the last ten years she’d been attached to, coupled with, or inhabited by others, poked and prodded from without and within. Trapped in a misshapen body for much of her adult life, she found it difficult if not impossible to commiserate with the problems of her young, attractive stepdaughter
The fluted horn of Tony’s Victrola issued a groan not unlike the dying moans of a wounded animal. Tessa glanced at her sleeping husband, his fat cigar dangling precariously from his gnarled fingers, and frowned. She plucked the stogie from his hand before it fell and ground it out in the ashtray. Then she slipped the glass of wine from his other hand before it, too, landed on the carpet.
She drained what was left of his Chianti, then rested the empty glass on the crest of her belly and refilled it. As she swirled the ruby liquid round and round, an enigmatic smile played across her face. Then she downed the drink in a single, satisfied gulp, as if adding the final ingredient to a prize-winning recipe.
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Genre: Women's fiction/literary
Buy at Amazon Smashwords Barnes&Noble
About Joyce: Among Joyce's other works are Serendipity House, Tomorrow Blossoms, and Where Dreams are Born. Find her on the web at: http://www.joycedebacco.com
Blurb:
The Mercy of Time and Chance spans three generations of an Italian-American family. The first generation is steeped in old world customs and values; the second tenaciously clings to the old and familiar while the world around them changes; the third embraces the modern but reverts to the past when it suits them.
Caught in the middle is Renie. Orphaned at two and raised by a bitter stepmother, she unwittingly promotes what she believes are the proper roles of men and women by raising her children the way she was raised. After a life filled with tragedy and heartbreak, she realizes she may have created a respectful, obedient daughter, but she’s also made her meek and submissive. Her son, on the other hand, has been groomed from birth to assume his father’s role as lord and master of the family. Unfortunately, he also inherits his quick temper.
Excerpt:
In the shadows of the darkened parlor, Tessa rubbed a coarse hand on the underside of her swollen belly as she pondered the conversation to which she’d just been privy. She’d noticed her stepdaughter’s figure developing a more womanly roundness. Apparently Carmine also noticed. With firm, high breasts, a tiny waist, and rounded hips, the girl reminded her of herself many years earlier. Now, at thirty years of age, she couldn’t recall a time when her body was hers alone. For the last ten years she’d been attached to, coupled with, or inhabited by others, poked and prodded from without and within. Trapped in a misshapen body for much of her adult life, she found it difficult if not impossible to commiserate with the problems of her young, attractive stepdaughter
The fluted horn of Tony’s Victrola issued a groan not unlike the dying moans of a wounded animal. Tessa glanced at her sleeping husband, his fat cigar dangling precariously from his gnarled fingers, and frowned. She plucked the stogie from his hand before it fell and ground it out in the ashtray. Then she slipped the glass of wine from his other hand before it, too, landed on the carpet.
She drained what was left of his Chianti, then rested the empty glass on the crest of her belly and refilled it. As she swirled the ruby liquid round and round, an enigmatic smile played across her face. Then she downed the drink in a single, satisfied gulp, as if adding the final ingredient to a prize-winning recipe.
July 31, 2014
National Girlfriend Day
National Girlfriend Day is celebrated August 1st.
[image error] With the change of culture, the relationships between women of all ages has radically changed--yet remained the same. They can be lovers or best friends. And no, I don't mean the two aspects are mutually exclusive. One site describes a girlfriend as "the ones that are there for you. These friends are the ones that you want to spent time with, share your secrets with, cry on their shoulders, go shopping with, get a pedicure with, drink a glass of wine with and etc.; your girlfriends!"
But, I write fantasies, sword and sorcery tales. I admit my heroines are not the kind to share feelings or curl each other's hair. Rather they are hard riding, hard fighting equals of the male characters. That doesn't preclude a more feminine side or a more traditional relationship.
Anastasia of the Dragshi Chronicles wanted a formal birthday celebration complete with music and dancing. An event made possible by a friend. In another of the chronicles, the price of one woman's friendship with her girlfriend was to submerge her identity and pretend to be a man--and her friend's bodyguard.
Relationships can change over the years. A playmate from childhood could blossom to a supportive friend. Speaking of which, I have to extend my gratitude to my final reader--who I am also proud to call a friend.
Celebrate National Girlfriend Day with a call or note to someone you call "girlfriend."
`
For a touch of humor about the holiday, visit
http://www.savvy-women-magazine.com/Humor/national-girlfriends-day.php. My favorite is number 14.
For authors, how do you include a girlfriend's relationship into your stories?
For readers, what is your favorite girlfriend story.
~ Till the next time, Helen
[image error] With the change of culture, the relationships between women of all ages has radically changed--yet remained the same. They can be lovers or best friends. And no, I don't mean the two aspects are mutually exclusive. One site describes a girlfriend as "the ones that are there for you. These friends are the ones that you want to spent time with, share your secrets with, cry on their shoulders, go shopping with, get a pedicure with, drink a glass of wine with and etc.; your girlfriends!"
But, I write fantasies, sword and sorcery tales. I admit my heroines are not the kind to share feelings or curl each other's hair. Rather they are hard riding, hard fighting equals of the male characters. That doesn't preclude a more feminine side or a more traditional relationship.
Anastasia of the Dragshi Chronicles wanted a formal birthday celebration complete with music and dancing. An event made possible by a friend. In another of the chronicles, the price of one woman's friendship with her girlfriend was to submerge her identity and pretend to be a man--and her friend's bodyguard.
Relationships can change over the years. A playmate from childhood could blossom to a supportive friend. Speaking of which, I have to extend my gratitude to my final reader--who I am also proud to call a friend.
Celebrate National Girlfriend Day with a call or note to someone you call "girlfriend."
`
For a touch of humor about the holiday, visit
http://www.savvy-women-magazine.com/Humor/national-girlfriends-day.php. My favorite is number 14.
For authors, how do you include a girlfriend's relationship into your stories?
For readers, what is your favorite girlfriend story.
~ Till the next time, Helen
July 30, 2014
National Paperback Book Day
Readers everywhere, come celebrate July 30th-- National Paperback Book Day.Whilst electronic books and e-readers are becoming increasingly popular, there’s still something very special about an old fashioned book. Paperback Book Day celebrates the look, texture and experience of reading a paperback classic. Although there are those who have declared the death of paper books, almost 92% respondents to an online survey by the Huntsville Times preferred reading hardcopy/paperback. And if you love your paper books, here’s a few hints from the Bibliophile’s Adventurers Club on how-to-care-for-books.
There are different considerations about paperback versus ebook. John Corrigan shared some thoughts at www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2014/07/its_national_paperback_book_da.html. For a touch of humor, read Terry Orr’s post he wrote about being a paperback writer.
I’m thrilled that Dragon Destiny, the first book in the Dragshi Chronicles, and Imprisoned in Stone are available in paperback at Amazon.com. Dragon Destiny Paperback / Imprisoned in Stone Paperback. Of course, for those who prefer their Nook©, Kindle©, and pads, the novels are also available in a variety of electronic formats. Just click on the covers at the top of this page for excerpts, a free read of the first chapter, and the latest distribution sites.
To celebrate Paperback Book Day, visit your local library, independent bookseller, or anywhere else paperback books can be found. For myself, I’m going to my library (a euphemism for several sets of shelves in my back bedroom), and pull down an old favorite book.
~Till next time. Helen
July 28, 2014
Tuesday's Titles - Dragon's Tales
Dragon Tales By Teresa Leigh Judd
A Collection of Short Stories About Everything from Dreams to Dragonflies
Genre: Fantasy, Crime, RomanceBuy Links: Amazon
Blurb: Dragons of all kinds breathe fire and mystery into the seventeen short stories in Dragon Tales. Does dreaming of dragons bring riches? Is a dragon necklace good luck? Can snapdragons lead to murder? Turn the pages to discover the many influences dragons can have on our lives.
Bio: Primarily a short story writer, Teresa Leigh Judd came to writing late in life. She resides in the northern California foothills with her partner Ken and faithful cat, Max. A member of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime, she had had two stories published in their anthologies as well as a number of stories in other anthologies. She can be found at her website: http://www.TeresaLeighJudd.com
July 24, 2014
X-Post, How to Survive The Summer Hiatus and Still Write
Now that the mid-point of the summer is here, and many families are taking vacations, or spending hours in the pool, as a writer I find it harder to keep to my schedule. Intuitive life coach and fellow writer Mary Jo Guglielmo offers suggestions on surviving the summer.Among the pieces of advice she offers is, "If you’re struggling to write this summer, consider taking a hiatus from writing for a few weeks. It might just be the antidote for a stalled writing project." Another is for authors to break the write every day rule and give ourselves permission to un-schedule our writing so that fall temperatures will bring increased interest and rejuvenate our works.
Although we may stop and smell the roses, it doesn't mean we turn off our writer's brains. And she tells how she handles that aspect also.
To read the entire post, go to http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/07/taking-break-from-writing-finding.html.
Find Mary Jo on the web at For more information check out:
http://theadvantagepoint.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/do_north.
On a personal note, color me jealous. Check out the surroundings of her picture.Aloha ~ Helen
July 22, 2014
Tuesday's Title - Starbound by Brenda Hiatt
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Being a Princess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Starbound by Brenda Hiatt(Book Three of the Star Struck series)
Genre: Young adult science fiction romance Publisher: Dolphin Star PressBuy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Blurb:
Between keeping high security secrets from everyone (including Rigel) and trying to keep Rigel and Sean from killing each other (with no help from Trina, of course!) M has more than enough on her plate already.
She knew that as the newly discovered Princess of a secret Martian colony, she’d have to return there someday—but over spring break?? An emergency requires her immediate presence, but not everyone is overjoyed to have their long-lost Princess back.
Can she win her people over in time to save the colony from destruction? And what will she have to give up in return?
Book 3 of New York Times bestselling author Brenda Hiatt’s electrifying new Starstruck series!
Author Bio: Brenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty novels (so far), including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery and a new young adult science fiction series. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving, Taekwondo, hiking, traveling, and reading, of course! Brenda collects data on writers' earnings, which she shares at her website, http://brendahiatt.com. Find more about her YA series at http://starstruckseries.com
July 17, 2014
After the Release
Now that I've caught up on the backlog of Tuesday's Titles (they're scheduled and will be appearing throughout the rest of the summer), I'll be starting a series on life after you've typed those two little words, "The End," and endured the craziness of a release.
Then comes the tracking, the promotion, the "what did I do when?" questions.
The series will include tips on tracking information and what information you might find useful during the initial and the extended promotion.
Till next time. ~Helen
Then comes the tracking, the promotion, the "what did I do when?" questions.
The series will include tips on tracking information and what information you might find useful during the initial and the extended promotion.
Till next time. ~Helen
