Heidi Ruby Miller's Blog, page 49
July 7, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Bryan Thomas Schmidt
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Bryan Thomas Schmidt
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Pick a child? Ha! I’m not done with them yet. It wouldn’t be wise to show bias. Although, to the degree that each of them possesses some aspect of myself, they all have moments in the favored spotlight, you might say. But don’t tell them that. I tell them each that he or she is my favorite.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a composer, arranger and performer of music. I play guitar, banjo, percussion, keyboards and sing. I also have a recording studio and have made 3 CDs of original music. I had one national and several local singles in the 90s. I am an editor and copyeditor for independent/small presses and authors as well.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Sam Sykes, S.B. Knight, and Timothy Zahn.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Inspiration comes in many ways. It could be a soundbyte on the news or in a newspaper story; something from a conversation, article or film. Sometimes it comes from other books or short stories or other authors. Mostly, it comes from releasing the natural flow of creativity and seeing where it takes me. It can make for an interesting ride. It’s fun to wind up down roads and in places you never expected when you started the journey. It’s even more fun to watch readers relive the ride and enjoy it.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride? Pantser all the way. I wear pants as I pants it. Yep. I like to discover the story in a way that helps me embody the reader. I do limited outlining when working on sequels. Since I use a lot of POVs and storylines interspersed, there’s a lot to keep track of and it really helps me get a clear head and keep it tight. But the outlines are basic: storyline(s) the scene belongs to, characters involved, one or two sentence description. And the outline is fluid. I change the order, cut scenes or completely rework them as I write with no apologies.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Timothy Zahn, Robert Silverberg, Orson Scott Card, David Eddings, Mike Resnick, Ken Scholes, John Grisham, and WEB Griffin.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the author of the space opera novels The Worker Prince , a Barnes & Noble Book Clubs Year’s Best SF Releases of 2011 Honorable Mention, and The Returning, the collection The North Star Serial, Part 1, and has several short stories featured in anthologies and magazines. He edited the new anthology Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales #6 for Flying Pen Press, headlined by Mike Resnick. His children’s book 102 More Hilarious Dinosaur Jokes For Kids from Delabarre Publishing. As a freelance editor, he’s edited a novels and nonfiction. He’s also the host of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat every Wednesday at 9 pm EST on Twitter, where he interviews people like Mike Resnick, AC Crispin, Kevin J. Anderson and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. A frequent contributor to Adventures In SF Publishing, Grasping For The Wind and SFSignal, he can be found online as @BryanThomasS on Twitter or via his website . Bryan is an affiliate member of the SFWA.
DESCRIPTION FOR The Returning:
New challenges arise in this second book in the series as Davi Rhii’s rival Bordox and his uncle, Xalivar, seek revenge for his actions in The Worker Prince, putting his life and those of his friends and family in constant danger. Meanwhile, politics as usual has the Borali Alliance split apart over questions of citizenship and freedom for the former slaves. Someone’s even killing them off. Davi’s involvement in the investigation turns his life upside down, including his relationship with his fiancée, Tela. The answers are not easy with his whole world at stake.
To order The Returning at a discount or to read the rest of the entries on this blog tour, go to http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/2012/05/29/the-returning-blog-tour-schedule/
Bryan Thomas Schmidt
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Pick a child? Ha! I’m not done with them yet. It wouldn’t be wise to show bias. Although, to the degree that each of them possesses some aspect of myself, they all have moments in the favored spotlight, you might say. But don’t tell them that. I tell them each that he or she is my favorite.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a composer, arranger and performer of music. I play guitar, banjo, percussion, keyboards and sing. I also have a recording studio and have made 3 CDs of original music. I had one national and several local singles in the 90s. I am an editor and copyeditor for independent/small presses and authors as well.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Sam Sykes, S.B. Knight, and Timothy Zahn.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Inspiration comes in many ways. It could be a soundbyte on the news or in a newspaper story; something from a conversation, article or film. Sometimes it comes from other books or short stories or other authors. Mostly, it comes from releasing the natural flow of creativity and seeing where it takes me. It can make for an interesting ride. It’s fun to wind up down roads and in places you never expected when you started the journey. It’s even more fun to watch readers relive the ride and enjoy it.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride? Pantser all the way. I wear pants as I pants it. Yep. I like to discover the story in a way that helps me embody the reader. I do limited outlining when working on sequels. Since I use a lot of POVs and storylines interspersed, there’s a lot to keep track of and it really helps me get a clear head and keep it tight. But the outlines are basic: storyline(s) the scene belongs to, characters involved, one or two sentence description. And the outline is fluid. I change the order, cut scenes or completely rework them as I write with no apologies.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Timothy Zahn, Robert Silverberg, Orson Scott Card, David Eddings, Mike Resnick, Ken Scholes, John Grisham, and WEB Griffin.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the author of the space opera novels The Worker Prince , a Barnes & Noble Book Clubs Year’s Best SF Releases of 2011 Honorable Mention, and The Returning, the collection The North Star Serial, Part 1, and has several short stories featured in anthologies and magazines. He edited the new anthology Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales #6 for Flying Pen Press, headlined by Mike Resnick. His children’s book 102 More Hilarious Dinosaur Jokes For Kids from Delabarre Publishing. As a freelance editor, he’s edited a novels and nonfiction. He’s also the host of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat every Wednesday at 9 pm EST on Twitter, where he interviews people like Mike Resnick, AC Crispin, Kevin J. Anderson and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. A frequent contributor to Adventures In SF Publishing, Grasping For The Wind and SFSignal, he can be found online as @BryanThomasS on Twitter or via his website . Bryan is an affiliate member of the SFWA.
DESCRIPTION FOR The Returning: New challenges arise in this second book in the series as Davi Rhii’s rival Bordox and his uncle, Xalivar, seek revenge for his actions in The Worker Prince, putting his life and those of his friends and family in constant danger. Meanwhile, politics as usual has the Borali Alliance split apart over questions of citizenship and freedom for the former slaves. Someone’s even killing them off. Davi’s involvement in the investigation turns his life upside down, including his relationship with his fiancée, Tela. The answers are not easy with his whole world at stake.
To order The Returning at a discount or to read the rest of the entries on this blog tour, go to http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/2012/05/29/the-returning-blog-tour-schedule/
July 5, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Jonas Hyde
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Jonas Hyde
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
My favorite character is definitely Alistair Helling from a little known, ongoing series I write The Days and Nights of Sir Alistair Helling. It has been compared to Sherlock Holmes, but with a more poetic voice. The character is so rich and deep, he is great to work with.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
Well, first off let me say it is very kind of you to assume I can write! Sometimes when the blocks hit, I wonder. *smiles* - I am quite the cook and one heck of a grill master. Very relaxing during the process, and always ends with great results!
5. Who are you reading right now?
Poe is never far from my hands. I read something of his daily. I also find myself rereading Robert Greene a lot. As for new material, a friend of mine suggested I read Robert James Russell’s Sea of Trees, so am very excited to start that next.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Unfortunately, a great deal of my writing comes from the pains caused by life. Nearly everything I write has its root in some event that I’ve had to cope with. I always hate going through it at the time, but it usually results in some great pieces. Melpomene’s Tears is a prime example.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
I’m a huge fan of 90’s music such as Hootie, Counting Crows and the Wallflowers. Heck, the entire Dylan family I listen to often. Whenever I write though, and I always listen to music when I write, both Heather Nova and Damien Rice are my choices. I think 100% of Melpomene’s Tears was written to those two. Last artist I bought? Mumford & Sons.
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
The single biggest influence has been Dante’s Divine Comedy. It really shaped my entire approach to writing. Also, as I mention earlier, Edgar Allan Poe’s work has been also been a huge influence – probably too much in many ways.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
For years, Jonas Hyde has been enticing readers with his classical-styled narrative poetry and episodic fiction. While thematically spanning many genres from romantic tragedies to psychological thrillers, the common thread between all his works is the intense imagery and raw emotion given life by every word. His latest work, Melpomene's Tears, is a collection of some of his most popular poems with brief introductions by the author himself. It can be found online at Amazon.com or at Hyde's website, www.jonashyde.com . Always looking to engage with his readers, Hyde can also be reached jonashyde [at] gmail [dot] com.
Find Jonas online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://jonashyde.com
- http://ow.ly/c21x1
- http://facebook.com/thejonashyde
- @jonas_hyde - http://twitter.com/jonas_hyde
DESCRIPTION FOR Melpomene's Tears:
Melpomene's Tears is a collection of romantic tragedy poems by Jonas Hyde. The collection includes the popular epic tragedies, Lament for Lady Beth and Seraph's Song: The Epic Fable of Sister Sera. It also includes the complete Moment with a Muse and Twilight's Star anthologies. In addition, the collection is then filled out by a series of other poems that will truly resonate with anyone who has felt heartache, pain, or loss. While most of us try to forget such emotions, understanding it on the intimate level presented by Jonas Hyde enables us to deal with our own anguish. As a bonus, each poem is briefly introduced by Hyde, giving additional insight into each work by the author himself. This read will truly change your life.
Jonas Hyde
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
My favorite character is definitely Alistair Helling from a little known, ongoing series I write The Days and Nights of Sir Alistair Helling. It has been compared to Sherlock Holmes, but with a more poetic voice. The character is so rich and deep, he is great to work with.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
Well, first off let me say it is very kind of you to assume I can write! Sometimes when the blocks hit, I wonder. *smiles* - I am quite the cook and one heck of a grill master. Very relaxing during the process, and always ends with great results!
5. Who are you reading right now?
Poe is never far from my hands. I read something of his daily. I also find myself rereading Robert Greene a lot. As for new material, a friend of mine suggested I read Robert James Russell’s Sea of Trees, so am very excited to start that next.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Unfortunately, a great deal of my writing comes from the pains caused by life. Nearly everything I write has its root in some event that I’ve had to cope with. I always hate going through it at the time, but it usually results in some great pieces. Melpomene’s Tears is a prime example.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
I’m a huge fan of 90’s music such as Hootie, Counting Crows and the Wallflowers. Heck, the entire Dylan family I listen to often. Whenever I write though, and I always listen to music when I write, both Heather Nova and Damien Rice are my choices. I think 100% of Melpomene’s Tears was written to those two. Last artist I bought? Mumford & Sons.
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
The single biggest influence has been Dante’s Divine Comedy. It really shaped my entire approach to writing. Also, as I mention earlier, Edgar Allan Poe’s work has been also been a huge influence – probably too much in many ways.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
For years, Jonas Hyde has been enticing readers with his classical-styled narrative poetry and episodic fiction. While thematically spanning many genres from romantic tragedies to psychological thrillers, the common thread between all his works is the intense imagery and raw emotion given life by every word. His latest work, Melpomene's Tears, is a collection of some of his most popular poems with brief introductions by the author himself. It can be found online at Amazon.com or at Hyde's website, www.jonashyde.com . Always looking to engage with his readers, Hyde can also be reached jonashyde [at] gmail [dot] com.
Find Jonas online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://jonashyde.com
- http://ow.ly/c21x1
- http://facebook.com/thejonashyde
- @jonas_hyde - http://twitter.com/jonas_hyde
DESCRIPTION FOR Melpomene's Tears:Melpomene's Tears is a collection of romantic tragedy poems by Jonas Hyde. The collection includes the popular epic tragedies, Lament for Lady Beth and Seraph's Song: The Epic Fable of Sister Sera. It also includes the complete Moment with a Muse and Twilight's Star anthologies. In addition, the collection is then filled out by a series of other poems that will truly resonate with anyone who has felt heartache, pain, or loss. While most of us try to forget such emotions, understanding it on the intimate level presented by Jonas Hyde enables us to deal with our own anguish. As a bonus, each poem is briefly introduced by Hyde, giving additional insight into each work by the author himself. This read will truly change your life.
July 2, 2012
CAST YOUR CHARACTERS: The Third Scroll by Dana Marton
CAST YOUR CHARACTERS
THE THIRD SCROLL
AUTHOR: DANA MARTON
DESCRIPTION:A maiden healer sold to barbarians.
A world of savage warlords and cruel concubines.
When ancient powers collide, can the slave save the realm and the high lord's heart?
Sold into slavery, Tera, a budding healer, is thrust into the savage realm of barbarian warlords, the same realm which claimed her mother years ago. She must avoid the displeasure of her warrior lord and survive the cruelties of the concubines, even as war threatens on the horizon.
Yet a greater danger looms when she catches the eye of the most powerful lord of the land and he takes her for his Pleasure Hall. Tera struggles to escape, while searching for the secret behind her mother’s death. But what she discovers challenges everything she believes in. A path set long ago beckons. A path that could lead to triumph, or the destruction of her world.
CHARACTERS:
Jason Momoa as Batumar (Warlord, the High Lord of the Kadar)
Maria Mena as Tera (healer, concubine)
Chris Hemsworth as Lord Gilrem
some bearded guy as Shartor the Soothsayer
Dana Marton is the author of thirty novels that have been translated into a dozen languages and sold all over the world. She is a Rita Award finalist and the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. Her path to publication was nothing but unglamorous, says the author.
“I wrote for 13 years and completed several novels (as well as having others in various stages of completion) before I finally received a call from an editor. I was beginning to wonder if I was being tenacious or just too dense to know when to quit. But it all worked out at the end! While continuing writing romantic suspense, I recently ventured into the exciting world of epic fantasy. I love, love, love writing and would spend all day in front of the computer if I could just break my family of the habit of wanting to eat and wear clean clothes. What's up with that?”
Find The Third Scroll online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.thethirdscroll.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Third-Scroll-Hardstorm-Saga-ebook/dp/B007YWXDEW
[image error]
THE THIRD SCROLL
AUTHOR: DANA MARTON
DESCRIPTION:A maiden healer sold to barbarians.
A world of savage warlords and cruel concubines.
When ancient powers collide, can the slave save the realm and the high lord's heart?
Sold into slavery, Tera, a budding healer, is thrust into the savage realm of barbarian warlords, the same realm which claimed her mother years ago. She must avoid the displeasure of her warrior lord and survive the cruelties of the concubines, even as war threatens on the horizon.
Yet a greater danger looms when she catches the eye of the most powerful lord of the land and he takes her for his Pleasure Hall. Tera struggles to escape, while searching for the secret behind her mother’s death. But what she discovers challenges everything she believes in. A path set long ago beckons. A path that could lead to triumph, or the destruction of her world.
CHARACTERS:
Jason Momoa as Batumar (Warlord, the High Lord of the Kadar)
Maria Mena as Tera (healer, concubine)
Chris Hemsworth as Lord Gilrem
some bearded guy as Shartor the Soothsayer
Dana Marton is the author of thirty novels that have been translated into a dozen languages and sold all over the world. She is a Rita Award finalist and the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. Her path to publication was nothing but unglamorous, says the author.
“I wrote for 13 years and completed several novels (as well as having others in various stages of completion) before I finally received a call from an editor. I was beginning to wonder if I was being tenacious or just too dense to know when to quit. But it all worked out at the end! While continuing writing romantic suspense, I recently ventured into the exciting world of epic fantasy. I love, love, love writing and would spend all day in front of the computer if I could just break my family of the habit of wanting to eat and wear clean clothes. What's up with that?”
Find The Third Scroll online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.thethirdscroll.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Third-Scroll-Hardstorm-Saga-ebook/dp/B007YWXDEW
[image error]
June 21, 2012
WORKSHOP: Science Fiction Romance
WORKSHOPS
In Your Write Mind Workshop - WPF Seton Hill University
Set Your Phasers to Love - Science Fiction Romance
LINKS TO SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE SITES MENTIONED
Broad Universe - http://www.broaduniverse.org/
FF & P - http://www.romance-ffp.com/
IMJ - http://inveteratemediajunkies.com/2011/12/07/heidi-ruby-millers-geek-girl-underground-set-your-phasers-to-l%E2%9D%A4ve
Romantic SF & Fantasy Novels - http://www.romanticsf.com/
SFR Brigade - http://sfrbrigade.webs.com/
SFR Brigade blog - http://www.sfrcontests.blogspot.com
2012 SFR Reading Challenge - http://sfrreadingchallenge.blogspot.com
Smart Girls Love SciFi - http://smartgirlsscifi.wordpress.com/
Space Freighter's Lounge - http://www.spacefreighters.blogspot.com
The Galaxy Express - http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/
[image error]
In Your Write Mind Workshop - WPF Seton Hill University
Set Your Phasers to Love - Science Fiction Romance
LINKS TO SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE SITES MENTIONED
Broad Universe - http://www.broaduniverse.org/
FF & P - http://www.romance-ffp.com/
IMJ - http://inveteratemediajunkies.com/2011/12/07/heidi-ruby-millers-geek-girl-underground-set-your-phasers-to-l%E2%9D%A4ve
Romantic SF & Fantasy Novels - http://www.romanticsf.com/
SFR Brigade - http://sfrbrigade.webs.com/
SFR Brigade blog - http://www.sfrcontests.blogspot.com
2012 SFR Reading Challenge - http://sfrreadingchallenge.blogspot.com
Smart Girls Love SciFi - http://smartgirlsscifi.wordpress.com/
Space Freighter's Lounge - http://www.spacefreighters.blogspot.com
The Galaxy Express - http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/
[image error]
June 18, 2012
EVENT: Seton Hill WPF's In Your Write Mind Workshop
EVENTS
Chocolate-Covered Book Signing and Expo
Friday, June 22 7 – 10pm
Join dozens of authors from 7-10 on Friday, June 22 for our annual book signing/expo.
Booked to Sign (get the pun?!):
Kate Martin - Shelley Bates - Victoria Thompson - Meg Mims - Jason Jack Miller - Heidi Ruby Miller - Lawrence C. Connolly - William Horner - Rachael Pruitt - Scott A. Johnson - Sheldon Higdon - Gary Frank - Maria V. Snyder - Patrice Lyle - Michael Knost - Geoffrey Fuller - Sally Bosco - Jessica Warman - JL Benet - Michael A. Arnzen - Lynn Salsi - Lee Allen Howard - Lee McClain - Lana Ayers - Nicole Peeler - Ron Gavalik - Barbara Miller - Kristin Dearborn - Anne Harris
Public Forum – “The Fire in Fiction” - Donald Maass of The Maass Agency
Saturday, June 23 7pm – Cecilian Hall
The Great Gatsby Costume Ball — with a Genre Twist!
Saturday, June 23 9pm – Midnight
Have you ever dreamed of being Jay Gatsby — as a zombie? Or have you always wanted to dress as a flapper with fairy wings? If so, plan on coming to the first ever IYWM Costume Ball*. In addition to seeing the 1920′s theme twisted into various literary genres, plan to dance, drink, and be merry!
We will also announce the first recipient of the Scholarship fund.
*Costumes not required to attend.
Fundraising Raffle and Silent Book Auction
The WPF Alumni Committee is currently collecting donations for the Scholarship Silent Book Auction and the Weekend Raffle taking place at the workshop in June of this year. Last year was our first year for holding the Silent book auction which coincides with the local book signing sponsored by the In Your Write Mind Workshop and it was a resounding success.
The drawing will be held at the Costume Ball/Wine Social on Saturday, June 23rd at 10:30pm. Raffle items will be available for viewing outside of the registration office during the day, at the Book signing Friday night, and at the Ball Saturday night.
TO REGISTER VISIT: https://alumni.setonhill.edu/page.aspx?pid=210
[image error]
Chocolate-Covered Book Signing and Expo
Friday, June 22 7 – 10pm
Join dozens of authors from 7-10 on Friday, June 22 for our annual book signing/expo.
Booked to Sign (get the pun?!):
Kate Martin - Shelley Bates - Victoria Thompson - Meg Mims - Jason Jack Miller - Heidi Ruby Miller - Lawrence C. Connolly - William Horner - Rachael Pruitt - Scott A. Johnson - Sheldon Higdon - Gary Frank - Maria V. Snyder - Patrice Lyle - Michael Knost - Geoffrey Fuller - Sally Bosco - Jessica Warman - JL Benet - Michael A. Arnzen - Lynn Salsi - Lee Allen Howard - Lee McClain - Lana Ayers - Nicole Peeler - Ron Gavalik - Barbara Miller - Kristin Dearborn - Anne Harris
Public Forum – “The Fire in Fiction” - Donald Maass of The Maass Agency
Saturday, June 23 7pm – Cecilian Hall
The Great Gatsby Costume Ball — with a Genre Twist!
Saturday, June 23 9pm – Midnight
Have you ever dreamed of being Jay Gatsby — as a zombie? Or have you always wanted to dress as a flapper with fairy wings? If so, plan on coming to the first ever IYWM Costume Ball*. In addition to seeing the 1920′s theme twisted into various literary genres, plan to dance, drink, and be merry!
We will also announce the first recipient of the Scholarship fund.
*Costumes not required to attend.
Fundraising Raffle and Silent Book Auction
The WPF Alumni Committee is currently collecting donations for the Scholarship Silent Book Auction and the Weekend Raffle taking place at the workshop in June of this year. Last year was our first year for holding the Silent book auction which coincides with the local book signing sponsored by the In Your Write Mind Workshop and it was a resounding success.
The drawing will be held at the Costume Ball/Wine Social on Saturday, June 23rd at 10:30pm. Raffle items will be available for viewing outside of the registration office during the day, at the Book signing Friday night, and at the Ball Saturday night.
TO REGISTER VISIT: https://alumni.setonhill.edu/page.aspx?pid=210
[image error]
June 12, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Méline Nadeau
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Méline Nadeau
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
I have a favorite in every book. In Hot Off the Press, The Watford Sun’s photographer, Geoffrey Williams, is my favorite character. He’s a charming, effusive gay man with a great sense of humor and he’s the heroine’s best friend. He’s made up of many of the personality traits I love and cherish in my own friends.
2. Tell me about your travels.
Every year my husband and I travel south over the Christmas holidays and to Europe in the fall. So far, my favorite destinations have been Florence, Italy and Nosara, Costa Rica. We have an infant daughter and we just had her passport photo taken. I can’t wait to take her traveling and discover the world through her eyes!
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a freelance TV writer-producer and I’ve produced lifestyle and entertainment programming for networks such as CMT Canada, Teletoon and Cosmopolitan TV, to name a few. I also enjoy photography, yoga and combing through markets and thrift shops for that special find. I speak four languages which really comes in handy for haggling and negotiating – whether I’m buying a purse in a South American market or producing a shoot overseas.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
Pop culture, hands down.
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
I find inspiration to write everywhere – in magazines, on the news, in conversation and in the people I meet. Hot Off the Press was, in part, inspired by the people I met the summer I worked at a small town newspaper. My latest novel, Death by Design, was inspired by the Toronto and New York fashion scenes.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
I’m not sure they count as food, but I love Popsicles and Real Fruit Gummies and I could eat them everyday…and sometimes do.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Méline Nadeau is an award winning writer and television producer.
Her written work has been published by a variety of national news and entertainment sources including The Ottawa Sun, The Kingston Whig Standard, and Urban Male Magazine. She has produced multiple television series for networks such as TVOntario, CMT Canada, Teletoon and Cosmopolitan TV, to name just a few.
Méline hails from Ottawa, Canada where she studied Print Journalism and she holds a Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA.
With over 15 years of writing and broadcasting experience, she has won awards both for her work in television and for her fiction – a Bronze Broadcast Design Award for a spot she produced for Scream, Corus Entertainment's horror network, a Gemini nomination for the Lonestar Live And UpFront special she produced for CMT and three Golden Opportunity Awards (2005, 2007 and 2009).
Méline’s work has taken her all over Canada, the US and the Caribbean where she has produced interviews and TV shows featuring celebrities, designers and musicians as varied as Kris Kristofferson, Marc Jacobs, 50 Cent and Jon Bon Jovi. She divides her time between Toronto and Los Angeles where she enjoys photography, yoga and spending time with her husband, screenwriter, Russ Cochrane, and infant daughter, Chloë Echo.
Find Meline at these links online:
WEBSITE - www.melinenadeau.com
- www.facebook.com/Melinenadeauauthor
DESCRIPTION FOR Hot Off the Press:
Following the death of her father, Leigh returns to the sleepy seaside town of her youth, where, she’s shocked and surprised to learn she’s inherited the family paper. For a seasoned journalist with the country’s largest daily, running a small town newspaper should be a piece of cake.
She hadn’t counted on having to share the reins with David, her father’s right-hand man. Leigh sees him as an arrogant tyrant who believes that his way is the only way. David can only see her as the private school brat who’s had everything handed to her on a silver platter. To top it all off, the paper’s in serious financial trouble and the townspeople are keeping some ugly secrets under wraps.
Despite their differences, Leigh and David are going to have to work closely to save the failing paper—very closely. Their major scoop and saving grace comes by way of a prison break from the local penitentiary. And when an escaped convict highjacks the presses and holds Leigh hostage, only one person can come to her rescue.
- http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Off-The-Press-ebook/dp/B008195HTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336605558&sr=8-1
Méline Nadeau
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
I have a favorite in every book. In Hot Off the Press, The Watford Sun’s photographer, Geoffrey Williams, is my favorite character. He’s a charming, effusive gay man with a great sense of humor and he’s the heroine’s best friend. He’s made up of many of the personality traits I love and cherish in my own friends.
2. Tell me about your travels.
Every year my husband and I travel south over the Christmas holidays and to Europe in the fall. So far, my favorite destinations have been Florence, Italy and Nosara, Costa Rica. We have an infant daughter and we just had her passport photo taken. I can’t wait to take her traveling and discover the world through her eyes!
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a freelance TV writer-producer and I’ve produced lifestyle and entertainment programming for networks such as CMT Canada, Teletoon and Cosmopolitan TV, to name a few. I also enjoy photography, yoga and combing through markets and thrift shops for that special find. I speak four languages which really comes in handy for haggling and negotiating – whether I’m buying a purse in a South American market or producing a shoot overseas.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
Pop culture, hands down.
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
I find inspiration to write everywhere – in magazines, on the news, in conversation and in the people I meet. Hot Off the Press was, in part, inspired by the people I met the summer I worked at a small town newspaper. My latest novel, Death by Design, was inspired by the Toronto and New York fashion scenes.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
I’m not sure they count as food, but I love Popsicles and Real Fruit Gummies and I could eat them everyday…and sometimes do.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Méline Nadeau is an award winning writer and television producer.
Her written work has been published by a variety of national news and entertainment sources including The Ottawa Sun, The Kingston Whig Standard, and Urban Male Magazine. She has produced multiple television series for networks such as TVOntario, CMT Canada, Teletoon and Cosmopolitan TV, to name just a few.
Méline hails from Ottawa, Canada where she studied Print Journalism and she holds a Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA.
With over 15 years of writing and broadcasting experience, she has won awards both for her work in television and for her fiction – a Bronze Broadcast Design Award for a spot she produced for Scream, Corus Entertainment's horror network, a Gemini nomination for the Lonestar Live And UpFront special she produced for CMT and three Golden Opportunity Awards (2005, 2007 and 2009).
Méline’s work has taken her all over Canada, the US and the Caribbean where she has produced interviews and TV shows featuring celebrities, designers and musicians as varied as Kris Kristofferson, Marc Jacobs, 50 Cent and Jon Bon Jovi. She divides her time between Toronto and Los Angeles where she enjoys photography, yoga and spending time with her husband, screenwriter, Russ Cochrane, and infant daughter, Chloë Echo.
Find Meline at these links online:
WEBSITE - www.melinenadeau.com
- www.facebook.com/Melinenadeauauthor
DESCRIPTION FOR Hot Off the Press:
Following the death of her father, Leigh returns to the sleepy seaside town of her youth, where, she’s shocked and surprised to learn she’s inherited the family paper. For a seasoned journalist with the country’s largest daily, running a small town newspaper should be a piece of cake.
She hadn’t counted on having to share the reins with David, her father’s right-hand man. Leigh sees him as an arrogant tyrant who believes that his way is the only way. David can only see her as the private school brat who’s had everything handed to her on a silver platter. To top it all off, the paper’s in serious financial trouble and the townspeople are keeping some ugly secrets under wraps.
Despite their differences, Leigh and David are going to have to work closely to save the failing paper—very closely. Their major scoop and saving grace comes by way of a prison break from the local penitentiary. And when an escaped convict highjacks the presses and holds Leigh hostage, only one person can come to her rescue.
- http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Off-The-Press-ebook/dp/B008195HTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336605558&sr=8-1
June 8, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Jack Whitsel
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Jack Whitsel
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
I find that my favorite character changes with my mood. Rizela is the dark and ruthless ambition in my soul, while Lucia and Dragana reflect my impetuosity. And the various knights in the series also mimic the various attributes I possess - both good and bad.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
I'm an unsympathetic, unrelenting, caffeine whore.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I'm good with numbers - enjoy watching the stock market. And when I can't take anymore, I lose myself in MLB2k Baseball on the Xbox 360. I love baseball. Go Diamondbacks!
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Nothing is more inspirational than the occurrences that surround you everyday. Some are subtle - others are profound. My children are a direct impact to my writing. All facets of my creativity stem from them, and it is their presence in my life that birthed Shadows of Kings.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
When I want to be dreamy - Enya. When drinking - anything eighties. When really pissed off and consumed with the urge to hit somebody with a baseball bat - Rob Zombie. And when I want to bed my woman - none of your fucking business. (snicker)
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I generally have a Point A and a Point B, and I allow my characters to take me exactly where I need to go. My characters are the drivers to my stories before any emphasis on plot is conceived. They are my cast - obligated to entertain you.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Jack Whitsel
is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.
“I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society. In the worlds I create, there are neither citadels of shimmering glass nor any utopian realms.”
The final contributing catalyst to Jack’s creative process comes from his two sons, Josiah and Noah. They remind him how important an active imagination can be, and are the first to hear his tales of diabolical wizards and valiant knights.
“Because of my boys, I still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy.”
Find Jack online at these sites:
WEBSITE - www.jackwhitsel.com
WEBSITE - Twilight Times Books - www.twilighttimesbooks.com
- @JackWhitsel - http://twitter.com/JackWhitsel
- http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com
Jack Whitsel
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
I find that my favorite character changes with my mood. Rizela is the dark and ruthless ambition in my soul, while Lucia and Dragana reflect my impetuosity. And the various knights in the series also mimic the various attributes I possess - both good and bad.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
I'm an unsympathetic, unrelenting, caffeine whore.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I'm good with numbers - enjoy watching the stock market. And when I can't take anymore, I lose myself in MLB2k Baseball on the Xbox 360. I love baseball. Go Diamondbacks!
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Nothing is more inspirational than the occurrences that surround you everyday. Some are subtle - others are profound. My children are a direct impact to my writing. All facets of my creativity stem from them, and it is their presence in my life that birthed Shadows of Kings.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
When I want to be dreamy - Enya. When drinking - anything eighties. When really pissed off and consumed with the urge to hit somebody with a baseball bat - Rob Zombie. And when I want to bed my woman - none of your fucking business. (snicker)
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I generally have a Point A and a Point B, and I allow my characters to take me exactly where I need to go. My characters are the drivers to my stories before any emphasis on plot is conceived. They are my cast - obligated to entertain you.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Jack Whitsel
is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.“I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society. In the worlds I create, there are neither citadels of shimmering glass nor any utopian realms.”
The final contributing catalyst to Jack’s creative process comes from his two sons, Josiah and Noah. They remind him how important an active imagination can be, and are the first to hear his tales of diabolical wizards and valiant knights.
“Because of my boys, I still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy.”
Find Jack online at these sites:
WEBSITE - www.jackwhitsel.com
WEBSITE - Twilight Times Books - www.twilighttimesbooks.com
- @JackWhitsel - http://twitter.com/JackWhitsel
- http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com
June 6, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Kaitlyn Davis
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Kaitlyn Davis
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee! I have a serious coffee addiction! My Keurig is my best friend…
4. What else can you do besides write?
I love anything creative! Photography is a close second to writing and my walls are covered in my own photographs. At some point in my life I would love to try to sell some of my work. I recently started learning how to oil paint and I am really loving it! And singing has always been one of my favorite things – I’ve been known to rock out in the car, belt in the shower and grab the mic at a karaoke bar.
5. Who are you reading right now?
I’ve been so immersed in my own writing and creating my own paranormal universe that I’ve been reading lots of contemporary romances. I just finished Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and LOVED it! If anyone else has read it…Étienne, swoon! I think I might pick up something by Sarah Dessen next.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
Believe it or not, the first scene in the first chapter of Ignite was the hardest for me to write. I knew the beginning of the book would be somewhat similar to Twilight just based on how I wanted to set up my plot and I knew I was taking a risk to keep it that way, but I also knew how I wanted my story to unfold and was confident that it would be completely different from Twilight in the end. Still, that first scene was really tough for me to put together and I can still think of a few things I might have done differently. But part of being a writer is never feeling like any manuscript is ready – there are always ways to improve something, whether it be a word, a sentence, or an entire scene!
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I openly admit it – I have a really strange writing process! Before I start any book, I create a chapter-by-chapter outline of how I want the story to progress. But, once I start writing, I let my characters take me where they want to go. By the end of the book, the outline has pretty much been ditched! I love having my characters surprise me – it makes them seem even more real and I think it makes for a more natural plot progression.
13. Celebrity crush.
Ian Somerhalder! I am totally in love with him right now… thank you Vampire Diaries! Tom Welling and Henry Caville are a very close second and third. See the trend? Black hair and blue eyes just get me! This weakness may have inspired one of my leading men :)
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Kaitlyn Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. She's been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to finally share her work with the world. She currently lives in New York City and dreams of having a cockapoo puppy of her own.
Find Kaitlyn online at these links:
- http://kaitlyndavisbooks.blogspot.com
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaitlyn-Davis/354014464614748
- @DavisKaitlyn - https://twitter.com/DavisKaitlyn
PINTEREST - http://pinterest.com/kdavisbooks
Kaitlyn Davis - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5276341.Kaitlyn_Davis
- Simmer Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13577922-simmer
- Ignite Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12884001-ignite
- Tribute Books Blog Tours - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
- Simmer blog tour site - http://simmer-midnight-fire.blogspot.com
DESCRIPTION FOR Simmer, Midnight Fire Series, Book Two:
Slowly, like a whisper almost blown away in the wind, two words streaked across her mind: "Kiss me."
Kira may have survived the eclipse, but her troubles are far from over. She's headed to Sonnyville with one goal in mind: to learn more about her parents. But with Luke and Tristan competing for her heart and Diana gunning for her head, time is running out on the search for her mother. And the closer Kira gets to answers, the more terrified she becomes. The conduits fear her, the vampires fear her, and Kira is starting to wonder if maybe they're right...
Ignite: Midnight Fire Series, Book One Book Summary
With one last look, one final search of the lines of his face for some sign, Kira turned and ran away from the sound of the man she loved laughing in the face of her death.
When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they're keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan's lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.
Simmer eBook
Price: $0.99
Release: April 4, 2012
Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R82KLK?tag=tributebooks-20
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/148504?ref=tributebooks
Ignite eBook
Price: $0.99
Release: October 9, 2011
Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005U8GQT6?tag=tributebooks-20
Nook - http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=dcSBhG3Rj8w&offerid=239662.2940032804314&type=2&subid=0
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95191?ref=tributebooks
Kaitlyn Davis
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee! I have a serious coffee addiction! My Keurig is my best friend…
4. What else can you do besides write?
I love anything creative! Photography is a close second to writing and my walls are covered in my own photographs. At some point in my life I would love to try to sell some of my work. I recently started learning how to oil paint and I am really loving it! And singing has always been one of my favorite things – I’ve been known to rock out in the car, belt in the shower and grab the mic at a karaoke bar.
5. Who are you reading right now?
I’ve been so immersed in my own writing and creating my own paranormal universe that I’ve been reading lots of contemporary romances. I just finished Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and LOVED it! If anyone else has read it…Étienne, swoon! I think I might pick up something by Sarah Dessen next.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
Believe it or not, the first scene in the first chapter of Ignite was the hardest for me to write. I knew the beginning of the book would be somewhat similar to Twilight just based on how I wanted to set up my plot and I knew I was taking a risk to keep it that way, but I also knew how I wanted my story to unfold and was confident that it would be completely different from Twilight in the end. Still, that first scene was really tough for me to put together and I can still think of a few things I might have done differently. But part of being a writer is never feeling like any manuscript is ready – there are always ways to improve something, whether it be a word, a sentence, or an entire scene!
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I openly admit it – I have a really strange writing process! Before I start any book, I create a chapter-by-chapter outline of how I want the story to progress. But, once I start writing, I let my characters take me where they want to go. By the end of the book, the outline has pretty much been ditched! I love having my characters surprise me – it makes them seem even more real and I think it makes for a more natural plot progression.
13. Celebrity crush.
Ian Somerhalder! I am totally in love with him right now… thank you Vampire Diaries! Tom Welling and Henry Caville are a very close second and third. See the trend? Black hair and blue eyes just get me! This weakness may have inspired one of my leading men :)
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Kaitlyn Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. She's been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to finally share her work with the world. She currently lives in New York City and dreams of having a cockapoo puppy of her own.
Find Kaitlyn online at these links:
- http://kaitlyndavisbooks.blogspot.com
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaitlyn-Davis/354014464614748
- @DavisKaitlyn - https://twitter.com/DavisKaitlyn
PINTEREST - http://pinterest.com/kdavisbooks
Kaitlyn Davis - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5276341.Kaitlyn_Davis
- Simmer Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13577922-simmer
- Ignite Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12884001-ignite
- Tribute Books Blog Tours - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
- Simmer blog tour site - http://simmer-midnight-fire.blogspot.com
DESCRIPTION FOR Simmer, Midnight Fire Series, Book Two:
Slowly, like a whisper almost blown away in the wind, two words streaked across her mind: "Kiss me."
Kira may have survived the eclipse, but her troubles are far from over. She's headed to Sonnyville with one goal in mind: to learn more about her parents. But with Luke and Tristan competing for her heart and Diana gunning for her head, time is running out on the search for her mother. And the closer Kira gets to answers, the more terrified she becomes. The conduits fear her, the vampires fear her, and Kira is starting to wonder if maybe they're right...
Ignite: Midnight Fire Series, Book One Book Summary
With one last look, one final search of the lines of his face for some sign, Kira turned and ran away from the sound of the man she loved laughing in the face of her death.
When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they're keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan's lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.
Simmer eBook
Price: $0.99
Release: April 4, 2012
Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R82KLK?tag=tributebooks-20
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/148504?ref=tributebooks
Ignite eBook
Price: $0.99
Release: October 9, 2011
Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005U8GQT6?tag=tributebooks-20
Nook - http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=dcSBhG3Rj8w&offerid=239662.2940032804314&type=2&subid=0
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95191?ref=tributebooks
June 5, 2012
CAST YOUR CHARACTERS: THE CHICK PALACE by Leslie Davis Guccione
CAST YOUR CHARACTERS
THE CHICK PALACE
AUTHOR: LESLIE DAVIS GUCCIONE
PUBLISHER: DMLA Publishing 2012
DESCRIPTION: THREE DILEMMAS, TWO FRIENDS, ONE DESERTED TREE HOUSE...
The friendship of Boston bred Johanna Lawrence Wheeler and Two Rock, South Carolina’s Lilly Covington spans, well, decades. From their days as college roommates through their years as lakeside neighbors, they’ve offered each other sympathy, support and solace for life’s rough edges. Summer’s come round again and with a new crop of concerns, they commandeer their sons’ long-deserted tree house for morning coffee, evening margaritas and soulful contemplation.
Happily married Johanna has a family reunion to organize, a husband needing attention, a daughter wanting advice, and a son sweeping Grand Central Terminal as community service for graffiti violations. Fresh from her mother’s memorial service, she carries her small bag of ashes on morning walks around the lake, “waiting for wisdom” as she grapples with her emerging role as materfamilias. Who has she become? How did she get there so fast?
Single again Lilly, bemoaning her fresh status as an empty nester and the second divorce from her only husband, hopes to seek refuge in her aging bungalow next door~~until “Ex-ex” announces that he and his paramour, graphic designer Cat Gallordi, intend to use it on alternate weekends.
Complications deepen at the far end of picturesque Lake Allamuchy. Johanna’s first love, the bad boy she used years ago to defy her parents, suddenly appears. Quicker than he can dub their tree house The Chick Palace, he embroils Johanna and Lilly in a triangle, steals hearts and turns summer upside down. Just as he did one long-ago August.
CHARACTERS:
Meryl Streep (college flashbacks: Mamie Gummer) as JOHANNA LAWRENCE WHEELER
Tussling with her new role as Materfamilias
Goldie Hawn (college flashbacks: Kate Hudson) as LILLY COVINGTON (THE FORMER LONNYE-RONETTE DRINKWATER)
Forced to share the Covington Lake Allamuchy bungalow with Ex-ex, the husband she’s divorced 2x, and his paramour
Kurt Russell as ETHAN BRADSHAW “EX-EX” COVINGTON, III
Mr. Hedge Fund
Deborah Messing as CATALANA “CAT” GALLORDI (“PUSSY GALORE”)
Madison Ave/graphic designer wunderkind & Brad Covington’s paramour
Samuel Larsen (in dreadlocks) as JAKE WHEELER
Currently sweeping Grand Central Terminal as community service for graffiti infractions
Sarah Hyland as PHOEBE DELANEY
Nursing a nearly fatal case of growing pains
Jeff Bridges as DEAN DELANEY
Former Lake Allamuchy bad boy, long suffering father & man of many talents
THE CHICK PALACE deserted tree house as itself
Mt. Lake, New Jersey, as LAKE ALLAMUCHY
THE CHICK PALACE
AUTHOR: LESLIE DAVIS GUCCIONE
PUBLISHER: DMLA Publishing 2012
DESCRIPTION: THREE DILEMMAS, TWO FRIENDS, ONE DESERTED TREE HOUSE...
The friendship of Boston bred Johanna Lawrence Wheeler and Two Rock, South Carolina’s Lilly Covington spans, well, decades. From their days as college roommates through their years as lakeside neighbors, they’ve offered each other sympathy, support and solace for life’s rough edges. Summer’s come round again and with a new crop of concerns, they commandeer their sons’ long-deserted tree house for morning coffee, evening margaritas and soulful contemplation.
Happily married Johanna has a family reunion to organize, a husband needing attention, a daughter wanting advice, and a son sweeping Grand Central Terminal as community service for graffiti violations. Fresh from her mother’s memorial service, she carries her small bag of ashes on morning walks around the lake, “waiting for wisdom” as she grapples with her emerging role as materfamilias. Who has she become? How did she get there so fast?
Single again Lilly, bemoaning her fresh status as an empty nester and the second divorce from her only husband, hopes to seek refuge in her aging bungalow next door~~until “Ex-ex” announces that he and his paramour, graphic designer Cat Gallordi, intend to use it on alternate weekends.
Complications deepen at the far end of picturesque Lake Allamuchy. Johanna’s first love, the bad boy she used years ago to defy her parents, suddenly appears. Quicker than he can dub their tree house The Chick Palace, he embroils Johanna and Lilly in a triangle, steals hearts and turns summer upside down. Just as he did one long-ago August.
CHARACTERS:
Meryl Streep (college flashbacks: Mamie Gummer) as JOHANNA LAWRENCE WHEELER
Tussling with her new role as Materfamilias
Goldie Hawn (college flashbacks: Kate Hudson) as LILLY COVINGTON (THE FORMER LONNYE-RONETTE DRINKWATER)Forced to share the Covington Lake Allamuchy bungalow with Ex-ex, the husband she’s divorced 2x, and his paramour
Kurt Russell as ETHAN BRADSHAW “EX-EX” COVINGTON, III
Mr. Hedge Fund
Deborah Messing as CATALANA “CAT” GALLORDI (“PUSSY GALORE”)
Madison Ave/graphic designer wunderkind & Brad Covington’s paramour
Samuel Larsen (in dreadlocks) as JAKE WHEELER
Currently sweeping Grand Central Terminal as community service for graffiti infractions
Sarah Hyland as PHOEBE DELANEY
Nursing a nearly fatal case of growing pains
Jeff Bridges as DEAN DELANEY
Former Lake Allamuchy bad boy, long suffering father & man of many talents
THE CHICK PALACE deserted tree house as itself
Mt. Lake, New Jersey, as LAKE ALLAMUCHY
June 1, 2012
SFFS Snippet #2: "The Islands of Hope" in Sails and Sorcery
"The Islands of Hope" from SAILS AND SORCERY: TALES OF NAUTICAL FANTASY
DESCRIPTION: Mermaids. Pirates. Flying ships. Creatures from the deep. Magic beyond your wildest dreams.
The sea is a dangerous and wonderful realm. It calls to many, promising riches, adventure, or freedom. But just as there are beautiful and remarkable treasures to be found upon and below the waves, do not underestimate the dangers hidden within its depths.
Featuring 28 stories and 42 illustrations, including tales by New York Times best-seller Elaine Cunningham, Paul S. Kemp, Patrick Thomas, Chun Lee, Chris Stout, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jon Sprunk, and James M. Ward with an all-new story featuring Halcyon Blithe.
SNIPPET #1
--
The Ixchel has been adrift in the Horse Latitudes for three weeks and food has been rationed dramatically.
SNIPPET #2:
Hungry crew met him, their stomachs grumbling louder than their complaints. A squabble broke out among three nearest Julian. One crewman shoved another onto the rations table. The downed man pulled a rusty dagger. Encouraging shouts reached deafening heights in the small area.
Julian cocked his pistol in the man's ear. "Back of the line for you!"
To the rest of the crew he yelled, "Any more problems and no one eats."
Each day the men pushed a little further. Each day they took longer to back down.
--
Find more snippets from other wonderful authors at Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday .
Heidi Ruby Miller's Blog
- Heidi Ruby Miller's profile
- 280 followers
Heidi Ruby Miller isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
