Author Archives: Alicia Dean

About Alicia Dean

Author of paranormal and romantic suspense. Follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alicia-Dean/131939826889437) or twiiter (https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_)

November 12, 2014 · 12:00 pm

99¢ Sale Ends Soon – How to Plot with Find the Magic & Suspense Thriller Without Mercy

The last day of 99 cent pricing for each of these books is November 15, 2014. Be sure to grab your copies now.

(They will, however, continue to be available through Kindle Unlimited after the sale ends.)

Find the Magic – How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps

(Click on the cover to be taken to the Amazon Buy Page)

How to write a novel? That is the question. There are probably as many answers to that question as there are people who ask it.

Wanting to write and actually doing it are two very different things. I am well acquainted with the sometimes grueling process of churning out a story. Over the years, I have tried many methods for creating and completing manuscripts, and have tweaked and honed it down to a workable (for me) process.

Using specific examples from one of my own novels, Without Mercy, I share my method in this mini how to book. The first eight steps actually deal with plotting while the last two are designed to help expand your outline into a well-developed draft. There is no one, perfect way to create a story, but there will be a method, or methods that work for you. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it works for me. Only you can decide if it also works for you. Fingers crossed that it does!

*** Warning – Please do not purchase without reading a sample. (This is solid advice for any book, fiction or non. If you are not intrigued in the sample, you will likely not enjoy the book)

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great quick-start guide for writers November 8, 2014

By Amazon Customer

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

A quick read with easy to follow directions for streamlined plotting and excellent tips for rewriting clunky sentences. Includes some show and tell examples for clear understanding of the concepts presented. Will be one of my go-to reference books. I bought the book after seeing mention of it being released. A great bargain!

Without Mercy

(Click on the cover to be taken to the Amazon Buy Page)

How far will a mother go to protect her child?

When an apparently random bank robbery turns out to be a sinister plan, single mother China Beckett is thrust into a nightmare.

A group of mercenaries take over her life, threatening her young daughter and everyone they love. Each time China makes a mistake, someone dies. She’ll fight to the last breath to protect her child, but with no idea what move will be the wrong one, that might not be enough.

As the lives of China’s loved ones are jeopardized, she must take action, although she has no idea where to turn—and time is running out. But then, a startling truth is revealed and China discovers that the only person who can save them might be a ghost from the past.

*** Warning: Explicit language and graphic violence ***

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping Story of Love and Betrayal September 27, 2014

By Virginia

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Single mom China Beckett is Teller Manager for Greater Oklahoma Bank. On just another work day, she gets a phone call that her six year old has suffered an asthma attack at school. When she goes to her bitchy manager’s office for permission to leave, the boss from hell gives her a hard time.
Then the woman is shot. Dead. Right in front of China.A bank robbery is in process. And the robbers apparently know who she is. They call her by name.

This is how China Beckett is launched into a bizarre and horrifically violent period of her life. A period in which: 1. A scarred and psychotic bodyguard moves into her house; 2. Random people are killed in order to make her cooperate; 3. Her estranged lover returns from the dead; and 4. She finds out she is tougher than anyone thinks.

Wow, what a story. There is a man behind the curtain who is pulling the strings, manipulating everyone from the band of psychotic killers to their random victims to China and everyone she loves. We are kept guessing who that might be. Is it China’s current boyfriend, the sweet fireman and former mercenary? Her ex-husband, a successful doctor who suddenly ran off to San Francisco? Or Aiden, the father of her daughter, a man she
thought had died years before in a civil war in Africa?

There’s so much to like about Alicia Dean’s newest suspense novel. I was rooting for China from page one because she is brave, consistently putting her child’s safety above everything else. Riveted by the swift plot, I had no idea how she would rescue herself, save her child, and find the love she deserves. But I was sure she would do so because China Beckett is cool, smart, and tough as hell.

You’ll have to read Without Mercy to see how one devoted mother takes a life-threatening situation into her own capable hands. And manages to turns her whole life around.

The Wild Rose Press Lobster Cove Series – Enchantment, a Ghost, and Fun Answers

Two more stories to introduce from the Lobster Cove series. Check out these intriguing concepts and fantastic covers!

L.A. Kelley – One Enchanted Evening

Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea?

I was playing around with a few ideas for a business to add to Lobster Cove and came up with the idea of a consignment shop. I wondered what kind of stories would be a good association with old clothing and hit upon an updated version of Little Red Riding Hood.

What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers?

Lack of control can be a royal pain. The first person to use a character defines a character. If a contracted story states the mayor is a cross-dressing, Irish-Argentinian cat fancier with irritable bowel syndrome than that’s what goes into the spreadsheet. Anyone else wanting to use the mayor has to take Pedro O’Toole and his kittens, gastroenteritis, and feathered boa as is. Either that or its back to the storyboard.

One sticky problem I had was the name of a particular character, a minor, but necessary addition to my story. I couldn’t write around him, but he was not my character. His role had already been defined by another. That meant his name had been selected and it happened to be a name I detest. This is not the name for someone who is an asset to a community. This is the name of a kid who sat next to me in kindergarten, grabbing his crotch and making airplane noises. Seriously, I wouldn’t give a gerbil in one of my stories this name, but I was stuck with it. I gnashed my teeth each time I typed it in.

I had reservations about working on a series. Writing for me has always been a solitary art and I wasn’t sure I could be a team player. I was wrong. Despite minor irritations, working on One Enchanted Evening was a blast. It’s good to step out of your comfort zone. It stretches those literary wings.

The foremost pleasure comes from the collaboration with others dedicated to infusing life into a fictional town. The writers are an eager talented group ready to share ideas and research. An innocent query into the writer’s loop about a character or place brings a plethora of links, pictures, and helpful hints. Need someone to read a passage from a work in progress to see if it rings true? Just post a query. Someone will answer and give you the benefit of their experience. It’s a warm, supportive community with an enthusiastic cheering squad.

Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂

Nope. It’s all from my warped imagination.

Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why?

Probably, the heroine’s sister, Annabel. She fiercely loyal, loving, and bossy without being obnoxious. She reminds me of a lot of women I admire.

What do you love that most people would find odd?

Really stinky cheese and bad SyFy movies.

What do you dislike that most people would find odd

Heat and humidity (I live in Florida)

Blurb:

Enchanted clothing has a mind of its own.

Restlessness plagued Charlotte Becker. Unable to settle down, she moved from place to place searching for an elusive something to calm her turbulent spirit. A sudden invitation from her sister sends her across country to Lobster Cove, Maine. Anchors abound by the sea, but surely nothing would keep her rooted in place in a pokey resort town during the off-season.

Drawn into a consignment shop named One Enchanted Evening, Charlotte is confronted by a mysterious article of clothing requesting her help to stop a man in a wolf mask from killing women. Charlotte agrees to protect the citizens of Lobster Cove and find the hunter before an innocent is slain.

Luke Maddox’s hunting days are over. Wounded in action, he left the Marines to return to Lobster Cove, the only place to bring him peace as a child. Hiding his disability, he accepts life will be nothing more than dull routine. Then he meets a singular young woman wearing an unusual cloak. She tells an incredible story of a wolf that walks on two legs.

And the hunt begins…

In One Enchanted Evening fantasy, humor, and romance are wrapped up in the cheeky retelling of a fairy tale. You will never look at a clothing from a consignment shop the same way again.

Excerpt:

Swallowing back her unease, Charlotte rolled up the window and got out. Except for her car, Main Street was empty. She pushed through the scrubby overgrown yard. Clearly illuminated on the door was the By Appointment Only sign. Somebody must be inside and she wasn’t going anywhere without a tow truck. Butterflies fluttered about her stomach as she scampered up the steps and knocked on the door.

“Excuse me,” she called out. “I don’t have an appointment, but my car and phone died and I need a tow—”

The door swung open. Charlotte drew in a breath and set a hesitant foot over the threshold. The interior lights activated, sending her heart pounding.

“Nothing to worry about,” she muttered. “Motion sensors or something. Hello?” she called louder. “Anyone home?”

Charlotte stepped inside. With the interior illuminated, more than a few armoires were visible. The old front parlor was crammed with trunks and bureaus. Battered chests stacked on top of each other lined the walls. Had all this stuff been here before? The size of the building was deceptively small from the outside.

“Great places to stuff a body,” she muttered.

“That’s true,” said a voice.

Charlotte made a leaping half spin around. Her heart shouldered her esophagus out of the way to race up her throat. She swallowed hard to force it back down. The elderly woman with the peasant blouse and purple bandana stood right behind her.

“However, I don’t recommend it,” she said, cheerfully, “as you’ll never get rid of the smell.”

Contact:

http://lakelleythenaughtylist.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/l.a.kelley.author

Buy Links:

Amazon

B & N

Wild Rose Press

Debra Doggett – A Ghost of a Clue

Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea?

A couple of years ago I attended a Dumb Supper like the one that I put in the book. It was great fun and saw some interesting things. I have always loved ghost stories so when the series was started I decided the time had come for me to write one.

What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers?

It was confusing, but fun. As things started to take shape the process became a real group effort. I had the chance to use some side characters from other stories and now that I’m getting to read those stories I feel a connection to them even though they aren’t “my” characters, lol.

Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂

The Dumb Supper, of course, came from real life. Along with that aspect, I am a practicing Wiccan so it was nice to be able to include some things about my spiritual path as well. The ritual in the book was especially fun to write.

Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why?

I think the kids are my favorites. They are so open and into their ghost hunting that they were fun to write. Their reactions to what they see and experience are great.

What do you love that most people would find odd?

I love storms, especially the thunder and lightning part. I grew up in Louisiana so I was used to rain but I’ve lived in the desert of New Mexico for the last twenty years. Storms are a rare thing out here, at least with the rain part. I went from living somewhere that got like 20 to 30 inches of rain a year to a place that gets 9 inches or less a year, lol. But when they do come, storms out here are different. We can get all this great thunder and lightning that just makes you think it’s going to be a downpour then it might drizzle rain for five minutes. Or it might not rain at all. It’s like we get all the special effects whether we get the main event or not.

What do you dislike that most people would find odd?

The Wizard of Oz. I absolutely hate that movie, mostly because my mom made us watch it every time it came on when I was a kid. I have a wonderful friend who is a Wizard of Oz fanatic – she had all the collectible stuff on her desk at work. I used to just close my eyes and try to ignore it.

Blurb:

When Aurora “Rory” DuMont inherits her aunt’s cottage by the sea in Lobster Cove she considers it perfect timing. She’s ready for a change and the little coastal town sounds like the perfect choice. All her life she’s been a bit odd, mostly because of her ability to see ghosts. Little does she realize, thanks to the Lobster Cove Ghost Hunting Society, she’s still the talk of the town. Suckered into giving a talk at the society’s monthly meeting, Rory winds up in a debate with Travis Reed, the local middle school biology teacher, who’s a definite non-believer. Travis might not see ghosts but he sees a whole lot of other things when he sees Rory. With a little help from a lost ghost, they both just might get a clue as to how they really feel.

Excerpt:

“A biology teacher, huh? That does explain your present condition.”

“Too true. So, enough about me. Let’s uncover the deeply intriguing past of our new local witch.”

“You want to know more after the debate debacle?”

“I’m not looking for ghosts, just the skeletons in your closet.”

“It’s really obvious that you spend most of your time around pre-teens. You push the boundaries without batting an eye.”

“They might not get everything right, but they do understand that if you bat your eyes you might miss something important.”

“I don’t know how important my life story is. Believe me, it falls more to the boring side. And I think we’ve probably tied up this table for long enough.” She settled her cup on her now empty plate.

“Come on, I know you aren’t afraid of ghosts, so what’s got you nervous about letting a few skeletons out of your closet?”

Rory shook her head. “You aren’t going to let up, are you?”

“Nope. But, if you’re worried about freeing up Bea’s table space, we could continue this conversation at dinner some time.”

“Are you asking me for a date?”

“Sure am. Ned’s Lobster Shack has a great special Friday nights, and if we get there by seven, we’ll be sure to get a seat. We could find another table in the back, and you can tell me all about Aurora DuMont.”

Ghost of a Clue buy links:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=241_172_247&products_id=5882

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Clue-Lobster-Cove-ebook/dp/B00NQMJZUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415158504&sr=8-1&keywords=debra+doggett

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-ghost-of-a-clue-debra-doggett/1120421765?ean=2940150717305

Debra’s social media links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Doggett/205566736172548?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgdoggett

amazon.com/author/debradoggett

11 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Tagged as Lobster Cove, paranormal, Romance, the wild rose press

November 7, 2014 · 10:15 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XX – The Movies 5-8

For the first eight years after Elvis returned from the army, he made movies and records but did no live performances.

I featured his first four movies in an earlier blog post, so the following four movies are next…

G.I. Blues 1960

About: Elvis plays Tulsa McLean, an army tank crewman from Texas whose dream is to open his own nightclub with his buddies, who are part of his singing act. On leave in Germany, he places a bet with his fellow soldiers that he can spend an entire night with ‘ice princess’ a hard to get entertainer played by Juliet Prowse.

Side notes: The 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored was Elvis’ regiment when he was in the Army with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, so it was used for the film. Also, just my opinion, Juliet Prowse was not nearly pretty enough to play the role of a sought after beauty who turned Elvis’ world upside down.

My favorite song from the movie: ‘The Best I Can’ (I know, it’s odd. I don’t usually like the ‘mainstream’ popular songs as much as I do the lesser known ones)

One of my favorite scenes: Early in the movie, Tulsa is on stage singing and a guy goes over to a jukebox and the camera shows, in the window of the jukebox, ‘Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley’ and the guy (we’ll call him ‘first guy’) hits the button and Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes begins playing while Tulsa/Elvis is performing. Another guy in the club says “Hey turn that off, the kid’s singing.”

First guy: “I want to hear the original.”

Second guy: “Turn that off.”

First guy: “Turn Tulsa off.”

A scuffle breaks out and Elvis goes up to First guy who is snapping his fingers to the song. Elvis snaps along with him for moment, then punches him and a brawl ensues.

Ha! He punches the guy for playing HIS song. 🙂 Love it.

Elvis and Juliet Prowse on the set of G.I. Blues

Flaming Star 1960

About: Elvis plays Pacer Burton, a half breed Indian who is pulled between his white blood and his Indian blood. When a neighboring family is massacred by the Indians, hostility and mistrust among friends causes trouble for Pacer and his family.

This movie took me by surprise. I mean, I’d seen it before, quite a few times, but not in years and years. I didn’t remember loving it as much as I did this time. It was a well-acted, moving, and intense western. Elvis did an excellent job in the role. I cried, a lot. Very sad and emotional. I highly recommend it.

Side note: Elvis was inducted into the Los Angeles Indian Tribal Council for his role in the movie. Barbara Eden co-starred, but she was actually the love interest of Elvis’ brother. The movie poster is misleading.

My favorite song from the movie: Elvis actually only sang one song in this movie, ‘Cane and a High-Starched Collar.’ Not exactly one of his best, so I’ll have to go with the title song, ‘Flaming Star’ (which was originally recorded as ‘Black Star’ and Elvis had to go in and re-record, replacing ‘black’ with ‘flaming’)

A couple of my favorite scenes:

There is a scene where Pacer’s mother has been shot and she needs a doctor. Due to the new hostility against Pacer and his family, the doctor refuses to come home with him and treat her. The doctor’s little girl is playing outside (Pacer has known her her whole life). He grabs her up and tells her they’re going to play a game, but in reality, he is threatening her father that if he doesn’t come help his mother, he’ll hurt the child. Elvis does a great job of threatening the father while at the same time, comforting the child. He tells her, “Grownups don’t know how to play, do they?” She says, “This is a funny way to play, Pacer.” And Elvis says, “You know I won’t hurt you.”

Another scene I love is when he is fighting shirtless. What’s not to love, right? 🙂

Wild in the Country 1961

About: Elvis plays Glenn Tyler, a young man with a troubled past and an alcoholic father, who dreams of being a writer (pretty cool, right?). He beats up his brother (played by Elvis’ long-time friend, Red West) in the beginning of the movie and is sentenced to probation and ordered to weekly counseling sessions with Irene Sperry, played by Hope Lange. He also moves in with his uncle, who wants to marry him off to his daughter, a single mom and wild girl, played by Tuesday Weld. Elvis actually has three love interests in this movie, the third being his longtime girlfriend, played by Millie Perkins. Again, I cried in this movie. Elvis does a wonderful job in this role, and it’s very dramatic and moving.

Side notes: Millie Perkins broke her arm when she had to slap Elvis’ character. The scene was not used in the movie.

The film was originally not going to be a musical, but Colonel Parker insisted that Elvis sing. Millie Perkins claimed that Elvis was not pleased. In one scene where he has to sing while they’re driving along in a truck, she said that Elvis said, “God, this is embarrassing. People wouldn’t do this in real life.”

At the end of the movie, Hope Lange’s character, after rumors of an affair with Glenn and the threat of Glenn going to prison for murder, attempts to kill herself. In the original ending, she succeeds, but that was not received well, so it was changed.

Hope Lange played the ‘older woman’ Glenn fell in love with, but in actuality, Hope was only 13 months older than Elvis at the time.

And, finally, Christina Crawford, daughter of Joan Crawford and author of Mommie Dearest, played a small role in the movie.

My favorite song from the movie: ‘In My Way’ or ‘I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell’

One of my favorite scenes:

Glenn gets drunk and goes with Tuesday Weld to Irene Sperry’s house, demanding that she return his story to him. He ends up spraying down her porch with the water hose while shouting at her to give him his story back. . It’s a very cute scene, with a touching moment. He was so adorable.
In this video, clips from the movie are shown while the title track from the movie plays:

Elvis and Tuesday Weld, who he briefly dated:

Blue Hawaii 1961

About: Elvis plays Chad Gates, who has just returned to his home in Hawaii after two years in the army. His wealthy parents want him to join the family pineapple business, but Chad wants to be independent and he takes a job as a tour guide.

This movie was one of Elvis’ most popular, but it wasn’t one of my favorites, strangely enough. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but not as much as I did many of his others. I think it was partly because I wasn’t crazy about the music in the movie (even though the soundtrack spent 20 straight weeks at #1 on Billboard’s top LP’s and was Elvis’ most successful album) Yeah, I just don’t usually seem to go with the opinion of the masses. Also, there was no romantic conflict. He returned home to his girlfriend and they were together in the entire movie, with a few minor road bumps along the way. Joan Blackman played his love interest, and she was gorgeous.

Side notes: At the beginning of the movie, Chad is deplaning and if you listen carefully and turn up the volume, you can hear hundreds of screaming fans who were watching the shoot.

Angela Lansbury played Elvis’ mother, but she was actually only nine years older than him.

My favorite song from the movie: ‘Almost Always True’ or ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’

One of my favorite scenes:

Probably this scene where he’s singing Slicin’ Sand – He’s wearing these tight, white shorts and his body looks amazing, and it shows his fabulous butt. 🙂

6 Comments

Filed under Entertainment

Tagged as Alicia Dean, Amazon, Angela Lansbury, Beale Street, Blue Hawaii, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Flaming Star, G.I. Blues, Graceland, Hope Lange, Kindle, Memphis, Rambling Elvis Movies 5-8, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Tuesday Weld., Wild in the County

November 6, 2014 · 10:41 am

Calisa Rhose presents ~ Plotting made easy with Alicia Dean

Calisa Rhose presents ~ Plotting made easy with Alicia Dean.

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XIX – Rare Recordings, Duets, and Remixes

Elvis released hundreds of songs over his career, and in the nearly forty years after his death, his songs are still being released. Many are never before heard recordings, some are remixes, some are alternate takes, and some are duets. I am not crazy about most of the remixes and duets. I like the pure, original sound of Elvis’ music. Below I’ve listed some of my thumbs up and thumbs downs.

Thumbs up:

Any song Lisa Marie records of her father’s. I think it’s awesome that she is a singer, and that she loves and respects her father so much. The songs she records with him are beautiful. I’m not certain how many she has done, but I know of a handful: In the Ghetto, Don’t Cry Daddy, and I Love you Because.

I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone, the alternate version – This is an alternate version that was recorded by Elvis in the early years. It’s better than the one that was released. It’s moody and bluesy and gives me chills. They should have released this version, not that there was anything wrong with the one they did release, but this one is phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.

This is a rare home recording of Elvis at a friend’s house in 1958 singing Happy, Happy Birthday Baby. Can you imagine sitting around a living room with Elvis while he belted out songs and played the piano?

Thumbs Down:

Lisa Loïs Duet of Love Me Tender – While this is a beautiful version, and the girl has an amazing voice, it gets a thumb’s down simply because when I hear the first few notes as I’m listening to Elvis radio, I can’t help but be disappointed that it’s not an ‘original’ Elvis.

Barbara Streisand Duet of Love Me Tender – The woman has a fantastic voice, and there’s no doubt she’s a superstar, and I love that she and Elvis had a mutual respect and admiration for one another, but to me, she tampers with the pure sound of the original arrangement. And, I’m not sure what those extra lyrics are at the beginning, but they’re not needed.

All of the remixes – Although these releases did well, I don’t care for the addition of the Techno sound to Elvis’s songs. I’m not sure how many were done that way, but a few I know about are Rubberneckin’, Little Less Conversation, and Bossa Nova Baby. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like them okay if I hadn’t heard the true versions, but Elvis didn’t need the Techno sound added. His music was timeless and perfect in its original form.

How about you? Do you agree, or am I way too picky when it comes to Elvis? 🙂

1 Comment

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Tagged as Alicia Dean, Amazon, Barbara Streisand, Beale Street, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Graceland, Kindle, Lisa Marie Presley, Love Me Tender, Memphis, Ramblings Rare Recordings, Remix, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio

October 30, 2014 · 5:00 am

Linda Andrews – Unmask My Heart

Linda Andrews is my guest today, and she’s unmasking a Halloween story…let’s get to know a little more about her and her latest release, Unmask My Heart.

Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?

I have a playlist for every story I write. The current book I’m finishing up is a Christmas Story. You’d think I would be listening to Christmas music, but I’m not. It has Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, Grenade by Bruno Mars, Meanwhile back at Mama’s by Tim McGraw, Chicken Fried by ZBB, I’m not the only One by Sam Smith, Roller Coaster and Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan, and Centuries by Fall Out Boy, plus the 4 song album by Meghan Trainor. It’s just something about the lyrics and the beat of the music that puts me right in the mood.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?

By day I don my lab coat and goggles and act like an organic chemist. Okay, I actually perform extractions followed by analysis on a very expensive GC. I love bench work and my job, most of the time. But there are days when I think it would be nice to just be able to write all the time without cramming it into my off hours.

What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

I dislike reality TV shows that views have to vote for or against people and feature really folks being nasty to each other. That said, I do love forensic shows and history documentaries. My daughter points out these are reality shows. And I often counter that these things end well, the criminal is caught and the rest of us rose above the baddies in history. I don’t believe in being mean for entertainment purposes; there are enough jerk faces in the world that we shouldn’t encourage everyone else to believe this is how a society should function.

What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

I’ve never written a mystery series and would love to write one eventually, but I think there’ll be ghosts in it and it’ll be a romance, so um, not really a mystery. I love mysteries and perhaps, there are just some genres we as writers should always enjoy but never ruin our love of them by writing them. 🙂

What is your favorite quote?

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” by Albert Einstein

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

An iPad with keyboard and unlimited power (solar of course), an axe, and a knife. Yeah, I’m that practical. 🙂

Your favorite…

Movie Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Music I find something I love in every kind of music 🙂

Place you’ve visited Home

Favorite Halloween Costume Some epic gold grillz

Place you’d like to visit Cornwall in England

TV show from childhood Scooby Doo

TV show from adulthood Masterpiece Theatre on PBS

Food Anything Mexican

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Board games and Uno

To be entered in the drawing for some Halloween bling, please let me know your favorite Halloween memory and why.

Below is a scene from my Halloween novella. My heroine wanted to look her best when she reunited with her first love. Fate had other plans. 🙂

Her heart faltered and stumbled to find its usual rhythm. The list of supplies slipped from her numb fingers. The neat rows of printing winked at her as the scrap of paper drifted to the ground.

Gabriel Stephens was back.

No one had warned her. No one. On her milk and egg delivery route this morning, she had seen six people and talked to each of them. Yet they had said nothing. It was a small island! The butcher, the baker, and the blacksmith all lived within a stone’s throw of the pier. They had to have known.

“I apologize for my appearance.” Gabe tucked his arms through the sleeves of his woolen jacket. A fancy white label flashed along the sleek lining before he slipped it over his broad chest.

No homemade clothing for him. Phoebe’s mouth opened and closed. Her knees trembled. She was no longer a child. She no longer had a crush on him. Her heart didn’t seem to be listening.

“Now, what can I do—” Adjusting the lapels of his suit, Gabe looked up. He blinked once. “Phoebe?”

Her reply stuck in her dry throat so she nodded.

A dimple winked in his left cheek. The one he always said came out to play just for her. His gray-blue eyes shifted into sapphire as his gaze traveled from her black hair to her muddy boots. “You are looking more beautiful than I remember.”

Blurb:

Her heart can’t give him up. Her head can’t trust him.

Everyone Phoebe Monpetit has ever loved eventually abandoned her. Even Gabriel Stephens, the man she thought she’d marry. For the last twelve years, she’s muddled through alone, cobbling a life together.

Gabriel took the first opportunity to escape his family’s constant fighting and rarely looked back. When war explodes across Europe, he learns what his cowardice has really cost him.

This Halloween, he’ll use every trick he can to win back Phoebe’s heart.

Will she keep her true feelings covered, or will she let Gabe unmask her heart?

Available Only on Amazon: Click Here

About Linda:

Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: “What else would she write? She’s never been normal.”

All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion. So just how did a scientist start to write paranormal romances? What other option is there when you’re married to romantic man and live in a haunted house?

If you’ve enjoyed her stories or want to share your own paranormal experience feel free to email the author at lindaandrews at lindaandrews dot net She’d love to hear from you.

4 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Tagged as giveaway, Halloween, Historical Romance, linda andrews, Unmask my heart

October 29, 2014 · 5:00 am

Nancy Fraser’s Latest, Home is Where the Hunk is, PLUS, a Great Giveaway!

Help me welcome the wonderful and prolific Nancy Fraser to my blog today. She has a brand new release, and it looks like a winner!

Thank you for joining me, Nancy. My readers and I would like to get to know you a little better, so I thought I’d ask you a few questions…

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

My heroine in Home is Where the Hunk is was based on a real-life person. I meet this woman through a friend. We were talking about our favorite themes for romance novels and I commented that I loved secret baby books but, unfortunately, there was not a lot of variation in the main plot. She laughed and said, “I’ve got a variation for you.” And … the rest is history. I found her selfless act so inspiring, I couldn’t wait to turn it into a romance.

What book have you read that you wish you would have written?

If I were thinking money, I’d say the Harry Potter books. However, if I was staying strictly in the romance genre, it would have to be my favorite category romance, Chain Lightning, by Elizabeth Lowell. I wouldn’t have make me rich, but it would definitely have made me a better writer, sooner.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

The necessary evil … social media. As much as I love connecting with readers through Facebook and Twitter, if you’re not careful you can waste valuable creative time and energy wading through cat videos (no offence intended cat lovers), or forwarding comic memes. I do consciously shut down my social media when it’s time to write. However, the temptation is always there.

If you could change something about one of your books that’s already released, what would it be?

There are a couple of my novellas that I would add to. I’ve gotten some great reviews but, quite often, I get the comment … I wish this were longer. I love writing novellas and, like all authors, I do my best to tell a complete story within the shorter time frame. I just think some stories beg for longer versions. The secret is to know which ones … before they’re released.

Your favorite…

Movie: While You Were Sleeping (the perfect chick-flick, romance)

Music: I’m a lover of old rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s (the only three stations preset on my satellite radio)

Place you’ve visited: Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (the most beautiful place on earth)

Place you’d like to visit: Australia

TV show from childhood: Probably Mickey Mouse Club

TV show from adulthood: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Food: Homemade anything (but I’m partial to my D-i-L’s Mandarin Pork Roast)

Sports team: The Detroit Red Wings

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?: Poker if I’m in Vegas, or a good drama on television (I’m currently loving Forever).

Wow, some great answers! I love that your heroine is based on a real person you met. Very cool. And, I have to agree with many of your responses, such as the one about some reviewers saying they wish your story was longer. I’ve had that happen a few times. While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite movies too. 🙂

Nancy would like to know…what is your favorite romance novel and/or chick flick movie? Please tell us in the comments.

Nancy is holding an awesome giveaway, so be sure to click on this link to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, about this new release of yours…(Fantastic cover, by the way!)

About the Book:

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.

Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.

Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Excerpt:

Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears filled her eyes, making them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form in his own throat. She blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious effort to hide her emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge to take Ali in his arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face against his chest, preferably without the argument that followed.

In the very back of his over-used imagination, he could see her coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the heat of her tears against his chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him in equal measure. He didn’t want to feel this way about her, especially when he knew she wouldn’t stay.

“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing Evan’s attention from her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d been fighting back so tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to spill forth at any second.

Evan moved away from the tree, inching his way around Cody and close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and caught the first tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry, yet knowing he selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.

“When I left South America, the only thing I could think of was coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass beneath my bare feet and to smell the fresh, clean air.”

“I don’t care what made you decide to come home. You’re here now and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her into his arms, he held her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips until their gazes met.

At the first touch of his lips to hers, Evan tasted the cinnamon and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning his kiss with one of her own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done when Ali’s trembling voice broke through his consciousness.

“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.” Pressing her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have backed away, she clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We can’t . . .” she warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.

“Ali, it was only a kiss.”

She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and Evan knew if he didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both regret. Gently, he grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip she’d taken on his shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then released her completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back toward the damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed, he realized, to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.

Click here to purchase: Amazon Buy Link

Author Bio:

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people. She invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes.

Media:

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Blog: http://nancyfraser.ca/wordpress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor @nfraserauthor

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

3 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Tagged as deception, giveaway, Montana, photographer, rancher, Romance, secret baby

October 27, 2014 · 8:00 am

Read ’em and Reap Blog Hop – Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Vampires and shifters get all of the love. What about reapers? They need love too. In honor of Halloween, please join us for the Read ‘Em & Reap Blog Hop Oct. 26-31.

Participate in the Rafflecopter by sharing/liking/following and visiting each of the reaper writers below for your chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Every time you participate you earn another chance to win!

And, for a chance to win an additional prize of a $10 Amazon Gift card – Please answer in the comment section.

What is your favorite Supernatural creature and why? (Feel free to name a particular movie or tv role or actor/actress that you especially love as a Supe)

A winner will be chosen on October 31st.

And now, I invite you to take a peek into my Reaper World….

Reapers of Boon Series

What first piqued your interest in writing about reapers?

I wanted something different from the standard fare of Vampires, Shifters, Witches, and Werewolves. I’ve always been fascinated/creeped out by the idea of Grim Reapers. And, if something creeps me out, I love it! 🙂

What makes your reapers different?

My Reapers exist along with humans, but more or less on a different plane. They can watch over humans, and they are supposed to take them when it is ‘their time.’ However, there are a select few humans who have a ‘reaper sense’ and, if they have a near death experience where they come in contact with reapers, they will be able to communicate with them, to see them from then on. My books are set in Boon Springs, Oklahoma, which is a town with more than its share of tragedy, so the town contains a higher number of reapers than most other locations.

Are your reapers Heroes or Villains?

Yes. 🙂 One thing that I found so much fun about writing this first book was that my hero is a Grim Reaper, and my villain is as well. My villain does not follow reaper rules; he takes people who are in jeopardy, even if it isn’t their time.

She spent her entire life fighting death. Now she’s falling in love with him…

Audra Grayson became a nurse in order to help save lives. But one night after a brutal beating, she almost loses her own. The near-death experience opens a door between the world of the living and the world beyond. Two Grim Reapers invade her life. One is charming, with the angelic blonde looks of a saint and the black soul of a psychopath. The other is dark, dangerously attractive and, in spite of her distaste for his reaper duties, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.

When Audra’s patients begin to die unexpectedly and her loved ones are threatened, she will risk her life—even her soul—to save them. But can she risk her heart to an inhuman being whose very purpose is to take those she is trying to save?

Excerpt:

A crash and a scream sounded over the noise of the crowd.

Audra shot to her feet and stared in the direction of the commotion. At a Gyro stand near where Jaxon stood, a small group of people had started to move frantically, some in one direction some in the other. Between the sea of bodies, Audra glimpsed a toppled chair and the prone figure of a man.

A male voice shouted, “Give him room, people. Back off. Someone call 9-1-1.”

Jaxon rushed over to the source of the uproar, and Audra grabbed their belongings, heading to join him as quickly as she could, although her progress was slowed by her limp and the rush of people. Several had vacated their seats and were also moving toward the action, trying to get a glimpse of what was taking place.

Keeping an eye on her target, Audra was pushing her way closer to Jaxon and the hubbub when she spotted the blond ghost. She halted, her breath stalling in her lungs. What the hell?

He was closer to whatever was happening than Audra was. She peered through the mob and, just as she feared, the dark stranger was there, too. He moved through the crowd easily, which was no surprise. After all, ghosts weren’t hindered by mere solid objects. Anger contorted his face, his dark brows drawn over his piercing blue eyes. Forgetting the potential victim for a moment, Audra changed her course and headed toward the dark man, who was nearer to her than the blond. Once and for all, she would get some answers.

When she was within earshot, she shouted, “Hey, you!”

He whirled at the sound of her voice, his eyes momentarily widening in surprise, then he turned away and continued his course.

“Stop!”

Some of the people nearby cast her puzzled glances, probably wondering who she spoke to, but most of them were focused on the drama unfolding next to the Gyro stand.

She was almost upon the man now. “I said stop. You have some explaining to do.”

He barely spared her a glance. “I can’t talk now,” he bit out, still striding toward where Jaxon was administering aid to the ill man.

Before he’d covered half the distance, he came to a sudden halt, his fists clenching next to his sides. “Son of a bitch!”

Audra followed his gaze, and her brow creased in confusion. Through an opening in the crowd, she saw Jaxon crouched next to the fallen man, giving him chest compressions. The blond stood just behind Jaxon, his arms outstretched. Even from this distance, Audra could see an expression of complete rapture on his handsome face.

She looked back at her companion. Unlike the blond’s, his expression held abject despair, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered again.

“Someone,” Audra whispered next to him, “had better tell me what the hell’s going on.”

**************************************************

Find Soul Seducer here: Amazon Kindle Barnes and Noble Nook

Coming in 2015, Soul Embracer, Reapers of Boon Book 2

Click here to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click on the below link to be taken to a page where you will find sites from the other wonderful authors in the Read ’em and Reap Blog Hop! – Lots of chances to enter to win great prizes, including a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

An InLinkz Link-up

18 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Tagged as Amazon Gift Card, Free, giveaway, Grim Reapers, Halloween Blog Hop, Oklahoma Author, paranormal romance, Prizes, Read 'em and Reap blog hop, Reapers of Boon, Soul Seducer

October 26, 2014 · 5:00 am

Hauntings in the Garden – Halloween Romances PLUS a Wild Rose Press Gift Card Giveaway

A new Halloween Series from The Wild Rose Press – Hauntings in the Garden – Fun Facts, Brief Excerpts from Nine Short Stories and a cool giveaway!

Lara Parker, The House, Paranormal

All is not as it seems…

Fun Fact:

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday even though I do not enjoy horror movies, strange huh? I love fall and dressing up in costumes and jack o’ lanterns…pretty much everything having to do with Halloween. So the idea for this book came pretty naturally and excited me.

A Brief Snippet:

A faint sound reached me. It sounded like wind blowing through treetops. I listened closely and heard an almost imperceptible word. Leave. My heart rate increased, and I started to hyperventilate. I felt tingles in my limbs as my hands shook uncontrollably.

Buy Here:

http://www.amazon.com/House-Hauntings-Garden-Lara-Parker-ebook/dp/B00O0EQ6TG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1414270528&sr=8-6&keywords=hauntings+in+the+garden

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Stacy Dawn with Love her Like the Devil, a contemporary western romance

Kick up your heels in the local honky tonk for Halloween…but beware the devil in red cowboy boots…

Fun Fact:

The idea for the story actually came to me from an old country/western song by Charlie Pride–“Kiss an Angel Good Morning”….the lyrics being “Kiss an angel good morning and love her like the devil when you get back home.” My father had taught himself to play the guitar over the last couple years, and during a camping trip this past summer, he played a lot of older country songs that I remembered from my childhood, which is why the song must have just popped in my head one day. Once I had the phrase in my head, it all just unfolded like *snap*

Brief Snippet:

He adjusted his Stetson and sidled up to the bar, tossing a leg over the stool next to the buxom beauty. A heady breeze of cheap perfume plumed around him as she turned and graced him with a perfectly wicked smile.

Looks like my lucky nigh—

“I wouldn’t if I were you.”

Luke glanced over his shoulder to find a pair of deep brown eyes laughing at him beneath a smooth raised brow.

“You’re the sixth guy she’s hit on since I’ve been sitting here.”

He frowned and turned back to the blonde he’d had his sights on…except her sights were now on a Captain Jack Sparrow wannabe.

“Thanks a lot,” he grumbled, swiveling to face the bar.

“You’re very welcome.”

Buy Here:

The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_175_141&products_id=5841

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Like-Devil-Hauntings-Garden-ebook/dp/B00NP305KE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1414270528&sr=8-7&keywords=hauntings+in+the+garden

Find Stacy Dawn here: www.stacydawn.com www.stacydawn.blogspot.com

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Eliza March with Witch’s Tattoo, a paranormal romance

Pride or power, lust or love, life or death.

A young witch must find her soul mate and unite with him in order to defeat the dark forces gathering around her.

Fun Fact:

While I was attending a workshop with WRP Publisher, Rhonda Penders, she mentioned needing a few Halloween short stories, I came up with Witch’s Tattoo and pitched the concept off the top of my head, growing more enthusiastic as I spoke. Thankfully, she liked the idea, too.

A Brief Snippet:

The skirt she wore barely covered her sexy ass—like a black leather napkin filled with wicked delights. Damn, the witch looked hot enough to melt ice-forged steel. He tortured himself with the image of her wearing just the pendant and the boots—thigh high, black leather cut in lacy patterns, exposing her creamy skin…

The tips of her long black hair brushed her narrow waist the way it had the night he watched her in the scrying mirror. His fingers twitched with the desire to trace her plunging neckline. A neckline that bared her deep cleavage and the pendant.

Buy Here:

The Wild Rose Press http://tinyurl.com/m26vzcv

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Tattoo-Hauntings-Garden-Eliza-ebook/dp/B00NQMV4JK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchs-tattoo-eliza-march/1120533213?ean=2940150407206
Find Eliza here:

WEB • Blog • Amazon • Nook • TWRP • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

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Release date: Oct 27

Cecilia Farrell with Crimson Summer, a Paranormal romance

Keeping secrets is as dangerous as finding them out.

Fun Fact:

In “Crimson Summer”, heroine Ranalt Fitzgerald notes that her name is unusual. While doing research on my own family name of Farrell, I found “Ranalt, daughter of Awley O’Farrell, King of Conmacne, who married Hugh O’Connor, the last king of Connacht.” The 12th century Ranalt and Hugh came to unhappy ends. He was betrayed and murdered; she drowned—accidentally or not—in her bathtub. When I was hunting for an Irish name for my protagonist that was a little different, I remembered “Ranalt”. Ranalt’s sister Lacey is named after the main character of “Beatrice Lacey” from one of my favourite novels – Wideacre – by Philippa Gregory. “Colin” is a nod to a favourite actor: Colin Farrell. The only other name of significance is ”Joe”, Ranalt and Lacey’s father. He’s named for one of my brothers because the real Joe thinks paranormal stories and shows are “idiotic”. But he likes those movies about Chucky the homicidal doll so go figure!

A Brief Snippet:

“Ranalt, did you not close the front door when you came in?” my mother asked.

“Of course I did.”

She paled and the blood drained out of my face too.

“Junie,” I breathed and ran to the verandah, praying she hadn’t gone far.

She stood on the top step, her back to me. The moonbeams bleached her cornsilk hair and aquamarine nightshirt, giving her a ghostly look.

“Junie, it’s me,” I called softly, not wanting to scare her. Then I saw what held her attention and my heart nearly stopped. It was a big black wolf, sitting on its haunches. In the moonlight the animal looked like a sculpture of antiqued silver.

Juniper glanced over her shoulder at me. “Hi Ranalt. I saw him from the window. That’s the doggie who came to my house last night. Isn’t he beautiful? Do you think he’s hungry?”

Buy Here:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Summer-Hauntings-Cecilia-Farrell-ebook/dp/B00O0FVN9S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413970012&sr=1-1

The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5862

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Release date October 27th

Dayana Knight with Witch Familiar, Paranormal romance

Breanna McShae finds more in her newly acquired familiar then extra storage for her recently attained powers. She has discovered an unexpected addition to her very soul–something she will do anything to keep close to her heart.

Fun Fact:

This book came to be in a dare to myself–to write on demand. I never thought I could do that. I always stayed away from Nano writing and any sort of write-on-demand projects. This time I figured I am gonna toss the negative to the wind. With three little words in my mind (witch, wolf and raven) this story was born.

A Brief Snippet

“Sooo…” Brea looked everywhere but at Nadyia. She played with a small besom display on the counter. “Who was the guy? I haven’t seen him around before, though you seem to know him well enough, so I figure he must live around here somewhere.” She gave Nadyia a shy half smile.

Nadyia returned the smile. “That, my dear, is Hunter Colhen. He lives off Dante’s Ridge, north of your place. He’s got a cabin out there—one of those modern rustic places.” She completed packaging Brea’s purchases and totaled the transaction. “That’s $56.96 today, dearie.” She accepted the cash and grinned a devilish little smile. “If I weren’t so ancient… But, of course, I tease. I think of him as a grandson and somehow think he reciprocates the sentiment. He is a solitary sort, keeps mostly to himself.”

Brea bent closer and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Well, the dude is totally hot. So you, my friend, have very good taste in adopted grandchildren.”

Buy Here:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Hauntings-Garden-Dayana-Knight-ebook/dp/B00O14EMWI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1414272442&sr=8-6&keywords=witch+familiar

Find Dayana Here:

dayanaknight@blogspot.com

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Linda Carroll-Bradd, with Unlocked Treasure, contemporary romance

Will a prophecy keep a lonely woman from accepting the promise of adventure?

Fun Fact:

The heroine has started the genealogy of the maternal side of her heritage because family stories hinted toward witches and special abilities. Genealogy turns out to be a shared interest with the hero whose study of his ancestors has proved a link to a pirate who grew up on nearby Block Island, which was a pirate stronghold in the late 1690s and early 1700s. In the Newport-Providence area, caches of pirate booty have been discovered throughout the years.

Brief Snippet:

“Aleen—hey, that’s pretty, like the direction alee.”

Her own smile dimmed. Like I’ve never heard that before. “Thanks.” This guy was not charming his way around the rules. “Sorry, but you’ll need to come back when the gardens are open for visitors. That’s Wednesdays through—”

“Yeah, I read the sign.” He gave a dismissive wave then turned to gaze back at the main house. “But I just needed five minutes to check out some dimensions and the lot layout.”

“So, you woke up this morning and just decided to start out your week by trespassing?”

Buy Here:

The Wild Rose Press

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_175_143&products_id=5855

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Unlocked-Treasure-Hauntings-Garden-Carroll-Bradd-ebook/dp/B00O0EQ754/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413922816&sr=1-1&keywords=unlocked+treasure

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unlocked-treasure-linda-carroll-bradd/1120577500?ean=2940150749191

Find Linda Here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Carroll-Bradd-author/440814942635289

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lcarrollbradd

Blog: http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com

Website: www.lindacarroll-bradd.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806413.Linda_Carroll_Bradd

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Anne Knol, with ShriekWeek, a cozy mystery

It’s hard to fit in when you’re suspected of murder. It’s even harder to lay past ghosts to rest.

Fun Fact:

The Isle of Wight is said to be one of the most haunted counties in England. Ghost stories and ghost walks lie around every corner. So it is a tailor-made Halloween setting for the fictional Creektown and its characters. The heroine of the novella, Maggie Ballater, takes her surname from a town situated near Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.

The original plot idea came from the report of a car accident in the local paper which stuck in my head far longer than it should have and would not go away. I applied the magic “what if” formula, and the story gradually emerged.

The characters added themselves and their relationships developed in unexpected ways. They all have stories to tell in the future novellas which will make up the Creektown Chronicles.

I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. It’s taken fifty years to get there so I’m not giving up now. Follow your dream. I recommend it.

A Brief Snippet

She felt rather than saw someone watching her.

Breath caught in her throat, but there was nothing to be frightened of. Bram leant propped on the door jamb, his right ankle crossed slackly over the left.

“Sorry I’m late finishing.” She hated how teenage she sounded. “Are you waiting to set up class in here?”

“Just came to see you.” He wandered in, picked up worksheets and laid them down again, stopped at the dominoes and started matching the words to the pictures.

She had to apologize. She had rehearsed what she was going to say often enough. She cleared her throat, suddenly thick with nerves. “I wanted to say sorry about last night. I didn’t mean—”

He waved a hand dismissively. “No worries. Forgotten.” But his eyes when she looked were shuttered and told a different story.

Buy Here:

TWRP

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5848

Amazon. com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/188-8389611-4373629?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Shriekweek

Amazon UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ShriekWeek-Hauntings-Garden-Anne-Knol-ebook/dp/B00NU7GW9S/ref=sr_1_1/276-2681324-8371863?ie=UTF8&qid=1413925069&sr=8-1&keywords=ShriekWeek

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shriekweek-anne-knol/1120533323?ean=2940150407213

Find Anne Here:

Twitter @AnneKnol1

FB https://www.facebook.com/anne.duguid1

blog

http:www.slowandsteadywriters.blogspot.com

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Veronica Lynch with Caper Magic, a paranormal romance

This attraction: Complete madness or—sheer magic?

Fun Fact:

Interesting tidbit about the heroine Annunciata [Nunie] Doyle: Known as the Black Mamba because of the 4 [four] men she married, then buried shortly after the “I-do’s”, was raised in one of the Magdalene laundries [made infamous by the movie, starring Dame Judi Dench, based on a true story, “Philomena”].

After her parents were murdered in an IRA bombing of a Belfast pub which served Catholic patrons, Nunie was sent to a convent school in Tuam Ireland. This same place recently made the news after the remains of more than 100 young women and infants and small children were discovered in a common grave. The causes of death varied, some of which likely occurred during childbirth as the pain and torture of labor and delivery was considered the girls’ penance for lifting their skirts outside the banns of marriage. Never occurred to some of those demons in black that some of the girls might have been raped or abused by family members. Must be incest does not occur inside the Emerald Isle. Must be no one ever read Angela’s Ashes.

Nunie, as well as the real life Philomena, have forgiven the sisters for their abusive treatment and neglect. As a [lapsed] Catholic woman of a certain age, I find their generosity completely amazing.

But, as we say in the game, what goes around comes around. Those penguins will get theirs eventually.

A Brief Snippet:

Five years had evoked more than a few changes in Annunciata Doyle. Much thinner, he noted, but as far as he was concerned she’d always been a bit on the hippy side. Back then her weight was something she’d thrown around with ease—or when the mood suited. When it came to cops, it suited her often. The hair was another matter. Who knew when she freed the ruthlessly tight bun she’d always sported, her hair would fall past her waist in a curtain of black velvet curls?

In the costume of a Witchy Poo—and wasn’t that appropriate considering what she’d done to several of his fellow officers—her current manner of dress was looser, certainly more feminine than the severe straight-jacket type suits she wore back when reporters hung on her every word and judges clamored for her to speak as an expert during the sentencing portion of criminal trials. Counselors and advocates proclaimed her the patron saint of victims and survivors.

Which, in his opinion, was complete bullshit.

Buy Here:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Caper-Magic-Hauntings-Garden-Veronica-ebook/dp/B00O0FVUDC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1414274930&sr=8-8&keywords=hauntings+in+the+garden

Find Veronica Here:

VLynchAuthor@yahoo.com

blog: www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

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Alicia Dean with Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost, a paranormal romance

He just thought nothing was more frightening than marriage

Fun Fact:

I’ve written a few paranormal stories, but this was my first ghost story. My original idea was that the hero’s mother would come back to haunt the heroine and try to drive them apart. That idea didn’t seem to come together very well, so it occurred to me that maybe the heroine’s husband should come back from the dead, with the intention of stopping her from hooking up with another guy, but inadvertently pushing her and the hero together. Thus, Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost was born.

A Brief Snippet:

“Emily!” Pennywise the psycho clown—aka Bob Ferrell—rushed up to her. “Have you seen Megan? She’s not here and now, Destiny is saying she’ll be Michael’s victim instead of mine. I need a victim, asap.”

Emily rolled her eyes. No doubt the curvy, young blonde would love to trade out horror monsters—Michael aka Caster had it all over Pennywise aka Bob. “Destiny will be your victim, just like we rehearsed, if she wants to be a part of this at all.” Destiny was a switchboard operator at the hospital who was bucking for a promotion, so she’d likely do whatever the administrative assistant asked of her. “I’ll call Megan, and if she doesn’t show—”

“Then maybe you can be my victim?”

Emily turned at the sound of Caster’s voice. He wore the Michael Myers jumpsuit, but was holding the creepy mask beneath his arm, making it look even creepier.

Buy Here:

Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Casters-Unfriendly-Ghost-Hauntings-Garden-ebook/dp/B00NQMV4NQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412516933&sr=8-1&keywords=caster%27s+unfriendly+ghost

Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/casters-unfriendly-ghost-alicia-dean/1120455662?ean=2940150463943

Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_177_139&products_id=5840

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Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Tagged as cozy mystery, demon, Elvis, florida, Ghost, giveaway, haunted forest, haunted house, haunting, Hauntings in the Garden, horses, House, oklahoma, paranormal, ranch, shapeshifter, sikkqui, suspense, the wild rose press, Western contemporary romance, witch, wolf

October 24, 2014 · 11:51 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XVIII – Song & Movie Tidbits

I thought I would share a few facts that I find interesting. If you’re an Elvis fan, you might already know them. If not, then I hope you find them interesting as well.

A Star is Born – A highly successful movie released in 1976 starring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Barbara and Elvis were friends and held one another in high regard. Barbara asked Elvis to co-star with her in the movie, and he was thrilled. He planned to do it, but Colonel Parker nixed it and wouldn’t let him. I think this would have been a huge turning point in Elvis’ acting career, and in his life in general.

Thunder Road – An excellent movie from 1958 starring Robert Mitchum. Elvis was a fan of Mitchum’s and wanted to meet him. When they met, Mitchum asked him if he’d be interested in co-starring in Thunder Road. Elvis was thrilled and desperately wanted the role, but the Colonel refused.

Don’t Cry Daddy – Written by Mac Davis, who also wrote quite a few other songs for Elvis, one of the most popular being In the Ghetto. Mac said that Elvis made some tweaks to most of his songs, and in this one, Mac ended it with ‘another little baby child is born in the ghetto’ and Elvis added ‘and his mama cries’ – which Mac thought was genius. Back to Don’t Cry Daddy, in Mac’s own words, here is the story of how the song came to be:
At the time I was going through a divorce. I had my son, Scotty for the weekend and was about to take him home. I had some time to kill, and I flipped on the five o’clock news. Scotty was about five or six years old. It just happened to be the broadcast where they were showing some film of the massacre in Vietnam. It was a very famous horrific incident where some of our guys shot to death some women and children villagers. They were showing some scenes of the bodies, and apparently I started crying and didn’t even realize it. The next thing I know Scotty was patting my back and trying to comfort a grown man going, “Don’t cry daddy.” That’s where the inspiration came from for “Don’t Cry Daddy.” My songwriter’s brain made it totally different. By the time I got Scotty home to his mother’s…on the way back to my house I had the chorus written. Basically that’s where the song came from. It was a combination of him telling me not to cry because of watching this massacre in Vietnam on TV and my own situation having gone through a divorce. I didn’t know at the time that it was a special song. It was just another day in the life of a songwriter. We write songs about our lives and about things that happen to us…I do remember thinking that I should have written another verse for it. But that was me. That’ll be on my tombstone, “I was still working on that last verse.”

Help Me – An Elvis song written by Larry Gatlin. Elvis recorded a few of Larry’s songs, my favorite of them by far is Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall. I heard a brief interview with Larry Gatlin on Elvis radio recently. He said that he was struggling financially, and he and his wife were at home, wondering how they were going to keep their house. He received a call from a mutual friend of his and Elvis who told him Elvis was recording his song. Larry hung up the phone and said to his wife, “Honey, we can keep the house.”

Here is Elvis’ rendition of Bitter They Are. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a live version.

Heartbreak Hotel, recorded in January, 1956 – Elvis’ first million selling record was co-written by Mae Boren Axton, mother of singer/songwriter Hoyt Axton. She was an English teacher and a songwriter. A steel guitarist, Tommy Durden, read an article about a man who killed himself and left a suicide note that read “I walk a lonely street.” He showed the article to Mae and the two collaborated on the song. Mae took a position as a part time public relations secretary for Colonel Parker, and when she met Elvis in 1955, she said that he had everything it took to be a star except a hit song. She told him, “You need a million-seller, and I’m going to write it for you.” And, that she did.

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Tagged as A Star is Born, Alicia Dean, Amazon, Barbara Streisand, Beale Street, Bitter They Are, Don’t Cry Daddy, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Graceland, Harder They Fall. Heartbreak Hotel. Mae Boren Axton., Help Me, In the Ghetto, Kindle, Kris Kristofferson, Larry Gatlin, Mac David, Memphis, Ramblings Song and Movie Tidbits, Robert Mitchum, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Thunder Road

Author Archives: Alicia Dean

About Alicia Dean

The last day of 99 cent pricing for each of these books is November 15, 2014. Be sure to grab your copies now.

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I featured his first four movies in an earlier blog post, so the following four movies are next…

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Flaming Star 1960

Wild in the Country 1961

Blue Hawaii 1961

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Help me welcome the wonderful and prolific Nancy Fraser to my blog today. She has a brand new release, and it looks like a winner!

Nancy is holding an awesome giveaway, so be sure to click on this link to enter:

Vampires and shifters get all of the love. What about reapers? They need love too. In honor of Halloween, please join us for the Read ‘Em & Reap Blog Hop Oct. 26-31.

What is your favorite Supernatural creature and why? (Feel free to name a particular movie or tv role or actor/actress that you especially love as a Supe)

And now, I invite you to take a peek into my Reaper World….

Reapers of Boon Series

Find Soul Seducer here: Amazon Kindle Barnes and Noble Nook

Coming in 2015, Soul Embracer, Reapers of Boon Book 2

Click here to enter:

Click on the below link to be taken to a page where you will find sites from the other wonderful authors in the Read ’em and Reap Blog Hop! – Lots of chances to enter to win great prizes, including a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

A new Halloween Series from The Wild Rose Press – Hauntings in the Garden – Fun Facts, Brief Excerpts from Nine Short Stories and a cool giveaway!

Lara Parker, The House, Paranormal

Stacy Dawn with Love her Like the Devil, a contemporary western romance

Eliza March with Witch’s Tattoo, a paranormal romance

Cecilia Farrell with Crimson Summer, a Paranormal romance

Dayana Knight with Witch Familiar, Paranormal romance

Linda Carroll-Bradd, with Unlocked Treasure, contemporary romance

Anne Knol, with ShriekWeek, a cozy mystery

Veronica Lynch with Caper Magic, a paranormal romance

Alicia Dean with Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost, a paranormal romance

Find out how to Enter to Win a $25.00 Wild Rose Press Gift Certificate by clicking this link:

I thought I would share a few facts that I find interesting. If you’re an Elvis fan, you might already know them. If not, then I hope you find them interesting as well.

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