Haunted: Halloween Book Blast

About the book:

It doesn’t matter to Valerie Wiggins that most people believe Jason McLain killed his wife. She needs the three-time Oscar winner’s expertise in special effects if they are going to turn their local charity’s annual haunted house into a money maker. Besides, every since she first saw his picture in the tabloids, she’s been attracted to him: his piercing dark brown eyes, unruly brown hair, and unsmiling mouth. And even though he’s come to this small town in the Sierra Nevada mountains to hide, she won’t take no for an answer. Except once he says yes, he fears he’s pulled her into the darkness that continues to haunt him.

Excerpt from Haunted

“Nowadays every town and city in the United States has a haunted house at Halloween time. If you want Slaterville’s to bring people from miles around, it’s going to have to be different. More spectacular, frightening, and mysterious than any other haunted house in Northern California.”

Valerie Wiggins parked her white Ford in front of a run-down, peak-roofed mountain cabin and cursed herself for standing up and giving that speech at the last WIN meeting. The squeaking door didn’t get oiled, it got volunteered. It was now her responsibility to create a “different” haunted house, and her job to make sure it was more spectacular, frightening, and mysterious than any other haunted house around.

Just what she needed, another job.

She didn’t have the time. She didn’t have the energy.

Cut the bull, she told herself as she stared at the cabin. The truth was, she did have the time. And the energy. And she didn’t mind being in charge of the project. What she didn’t want to do was talk to the man who lived in this house.

“We have just the person who can help us turn our haunted house into a success,” she’d said at the meeting that night. “Living right outside of town.”

As if every woman in the room didn’t know about Jason McLain.

So now, thanks to her big mouth, she was the one appointed to talk to Slaterville’s newest and most infamous resident. His reputation alone scared most of the other women.

His reputation scared Val.

Unless you knew, you’d never guess a man who’d won three Academy Awards for special effects lived in this house. If he was as rich as the papers had said, he sure wasn’t using his money to upgrade his property. In the six months since he’d moved to Slaterville, he’d done nothing to improve the exterior of the old Dalton place. The fence was broken in several places; beneath the snow, the small patch of lawn that had existed years before was no more than weeds; the bushes around the house were overgrown and dying; and the porch sagged. All of the wood needed a fresh coat of paint.

The only changes she could see from back when the place had stood abandoned for years were the broken windows had been replaced and heavy drapes and venetian blinds kept passersby from looking inside. There were certainly no signs of life. The snow hadn’t been shoveled from the walkway, no smoke curled from the chimney, and no lights showed behind the closed drapes and blinds. There was nothing to indicate anyone lived in the cabin except the tire tracks that led to the garage near the side door.

Or perhaps away from it.

Maybe he’s not home, Val thought as she opened her car door.

                                       *****

Jason heard two raps at the side door and grumbled into the near darkness of his living room. It had to be Bud, back from the store. He’d said he was going for a six-pack of beer, but he’d probably bought more and couldn’t open the door.

Again there were two raps.

Light.

Hesitant.

Jason pushed himself up from the sofa and started toward the kitchen. Why had Bud come anyway? It wasn’t as though an invitation had been issued. The past was better forgotten, and that included friendships. Besides, in the past three years, Bud hadn’t exactly been Mr. Stand-By-Your-Side.

Jason had to admit, if only to himself, that had hurt.

He shook his head as he walked between the sink and the table, both of which were piled with dishes. Dammit all, he’d left Hollywood to find solitude, to get away from the memories. Two and a half years of being harassed by the police and media had been enough. His own doubts were enough.

If Bud expected him to be Mr. Jovial, he’d driven five hundred miles for nothing, and a few beers wouldn’t change that.

From the author:

“Write what you love and know.” That’s the advice given to writers.

I fell in love with the Rhodesian Ridgeback the first time I saw one at a dog show. I love their temperament, their intelligence, and their personalities. I’ve shown them, bred them, whelped them, cried when I sent a puppy off to a new owner, and been as proud as a motherwhen one won at a dog show.

I also love living in the country. I have childhood memories of catching pollywogs in the creek that ran by our two acres in Walnut Creek, California; being able to pick ripe peaches from the tree (also almonds, pears, English walnuts, apricots and more); and sitting in my “thinking” tree making up stories.

When I married my husband, we were living in Santa Barbara, but his father was ill and we decided to move to Michigan to be closer to him. It was supposed to be a short-term move (just a couple years, my husband said). I won’t tell you how many years we’ve now lived in Michigan, but we now have grown children and teenage granddaughters. I haven’t regretted the move. Michigan is a beautiful state, and for 27 years we lived in the rural community of Climax. What a perfect location for a romance writer, and what a neat place to plot a mystery with a lot of suspense. (Yes, there are some similarities between the real Climax and my imaginary Zenith in The Crows and As the Crow Flies, but the events and people in those books are definitely fictional.)

We’ve now moved close to Lake Michigan (so my husband is near his sailboat), and we spend our winters in Florida, not far from the Gulf Coast. Both locations feed my love of being near water (remember that creek I played in and Santa Barbara) and are ideal places to nurture my desire to write. Whether I’m writing a romance, a mystery, or a combination of the two, I’m probably going to include an animal or two and there’s a good chance the characters will live in the country, the mountains, or near water. I’ve often used Michigan and California as settings, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida shows up in a future book. I’m sometimes asked if the characters in my books are based on me or someone I know. My answer is: Maybe bits and pieces, but my protagonists are always braver and smarter than I am (along with younger) and the antagonists are always nastier than the people I’ve known.


Connect with Maris:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Buy the book:
Amazon

Sneak Peek: Mobsters, Monsters & Nazis

Literary and publishing consultant, author, and blogger Dan O'Brien is announcing his latest project: Mobsters, Monsters & Nazis: a collaboration between Dan and Steve Ferchaud, who illustrated Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency. What he's revealing today is the sketches for some of the interior illustrations (which will be black and white) of the first issue. It will be released as six issues (eBooks) starting on Halloween. It is influenced by film noir, pulp comics, and an abiding love of Lovecraft. It is now available for pre-order and Dan will be promoting it heavily starting in the month of October. He would love to hear what you think of it so far!

Dan is the author of The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, Cerulean Dreams, The Path of the Fallen, and The Journey
His blog is Thoughts From The Dan O'Brien Project

Visit Dan at: 

Website    Twitter

Pre-order the book:

Cover Reveal: The Publicist Book 3

It's finally here, the long-awaited sequel to The Publicist! CLIMAX by Christina George is the final installment in the series. It comes in two parts:

The Covers

Here is the Bundled set version:

About the Book

Release date: December 15, 2014. You can pre-order now!

Kate Mitchell has never forgiven herself for breaking Nick Lavigne’s heart. Now he’s back and he’s moved on, and it’s affecting Kate’s life more than she’s willing to admit.

Kate Mitchell has everything. She's the head of a crazy successful publishing house, engaged to the traffic-stopping sexy Mac Ellis and she's about to sign one of the biggest authors of her career.

And that's when everything falls apart.

Everything is perfect…until it’s not.

In a city of 8 million people Kate manages to run into someone she never expected to see again.

Nick is handsome, impossibly kind, every girl’s dream, and Kate’s former fiancé. He’s also the brother of the rising star author she’s trying to sign. Now that Nick’s back in town and has moved on he insists he’s over Kate, but part of him still can’t get past how amazing they were, and his sister won’t let anyone forget how brutally it ended.

When Mac is dealt a life-changing blow, it forces Kate to question every single choice she’s made.

Follow Kate as she embarks on a journey of life and love, navigating through the decisions that will change it all forever.

About the Author

Website  ~  Twitter  ~   Facebook  ~  Goodreads

Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.

Let's Revisit the Characters...

Some Fun Stuff!

Head on over to Kate's site and listen to a sample of the audio book version of The Publicist and enter her Amazon gift card giveaway. She also has a playlist of songs for the book!

So which team are you on? Want to know who Kate ends up with?

Want to win a signed copy of all three books? How about a $20 Amazon Gift Card?

And now for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Tempt You

AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME: From 9 bestselling authors, a boxed set of novels ranging from Naughty to Nice and everything in between! These 9 sweet and spicy stories will TEMPT YOU to fall in love—or lust! Either way, you won't be able to stop turning the page.


Break it Up by E.M. Tippetts
Kyra Armijo's got two problems: her wild past of sex and partying and her overpowering crush on a member of the ultra-clean boy band, Triple Cross. Make that three problems: once they meet, her crush is besotted, but if his fans find out about her reputation, it'll wreck his image for good.

All She Wants by Anna Cruise
Annika Sellers always gets what she wants. But then she meets Stuart Woodcock, a sexy humanitarian who is indifferent to her charms, and Annika realizes she just might have met her match . . .

Love & Relativity by Rachael Wade
It’s no secret that Sanibel Island's notorious resident bad boy, Jackson Taylor, loves to get underneath Emma's skin, but this time he's gone too far. Now all he wants is to earn her forgiveness before she's gone for good, but their ideas of closure—and the future—are enough to keep them worlds apart. Love, life, and happily ever after? It’s all relative.

Deeper by Blue Ashcroft
Lifeguard Rain Wilson can’t afford to get distracted by her gorgeous co-supervisor Knight McAllister. As they find themselves drawn closer together and their pasts start to surface, Rain and Knight realize that maybe too much broken can make a relationship impossible. Then again, sometimes it’s the broken parts of us that fit together best.

8 Weeks by Bethany Lopez
After committing the ultimate betrayal, Cal asks his wife, Shelly, for 8 Weeks: 8 dates, to prove that they're meant to be together and their love is true. If at the end of the 8 Weeks Shelly wants to walk away, Cal won't stop her. Is 8 Weeks long enough to right wrongs and kick start a marriage that has stalled?

Real Eyes by Amy Evans
Two guys, one girl, a public relationship, a private crush. And one tour bus that will never be big enough for any of them to decide what's real to them versus public eyes.

The Ghost & The Graveyard by Genevieve Jack
Meet Grateful Knight, a nurse left destitute by an unscrupulous ex-boyfriend. She’s determined to do whatever it takes to recover financially, including live in a rent-free house on the edge of a graveyard.  Sparks fly when she meets the gorgeous cemetery caretaker and learns her attic is home to things that go bump in the night.

Zoey Rogue by Lizzy Ford
Meet Declan: A sexy incubus Enforcer who specializes in long nights of hot passion and hunting down threats to his supernatural society. His destined soul-mate defies his powerful sex magic—and he’s determined to claim the wild she-warrior, no matter what it takes.

Selling Scarlett by Ella James
Follow Elizabeth—code-named Scarlett—to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost Scarlett her life.

Coming Nov 12!
For more details or a release day announcement visit www.elephantinepublishing.com or join their Herd News and get all the details in your inbox the minute it’s live!

Character Interview: Kyra Gregory's Serena

About the book:

Sebastian and Serena have lived privileged lives, their every desire tended to, with their status as the children of the country's ruler. However, the walls that contain them are not solely those of the palace, but of expectations and politics that come with their positions.

The country's solidifying alliance with Rome upon the return of a childhood acquaintance brings about changes that they never wished to see, causing devastation and despair to touch their lives and loved ones far too closely for them to sit back and do nothing any longer. They become determined to take action, even if it means that their country may not survive. Even if it means that their history would fade into nothingness, at least they would have lived freely.

Character Interview with Serena

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?
I feel like remarkable lives are what is written about in books. It is unfortunate that, most of the time, a remarkable life is not the most happiest.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?
Those that read it would immediately know what I would love to have changed.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
I would take all my loved ones by the hands and take them for a day away from the palace, away from duties. I would want to taste the sweet delicacies at the market, find myself some additions to my wardrobe, and enjoy the street and theatre performances.

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?
In the past it could easily be said that if I could not be found in the common areas then I would be in intimate company. Nowadays, I like to walk through the market or enjoy the view from my balcony.

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?
I think that, upon meeting me, people think that I am cold and distant, catty and with little to desire to make friends.

How about after they've known you for a while?
After having gotten to know me, I worry that some may not see me all too differently.

Tell us about your best friend.
That would be my brother, of course. We have had wonderful times and times of great troubles but we have never lost sight of each other. Of course, then there is Lydia. I would be lost without Lydia.

What are you most afraid of?
Another loss.

What do you like best about Leonardo?
His stubbornness. It's two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, I love that his stubbornness means that he is dedicated. On the other hand, when he is wrong I fear that it takes him far too long to realize it.

Will you encourage Kyra to write a sequel?
I hope to live my remaining days so peacefully that they are not worth writing about.

From the author:

At the time of writing this I’m a teacher and writer, working my way towards finding a place of my own in this vast world. I’m based on the little island of Malta, balancing all the different aspects of my life through a hectic schedule in order to fulfill my dreams.

I started out writing short stories, just for myself, and then began writing lyrics for a band that I was part of for a few years. As I became a bit more confident, I wrote fanfiction on the popular website www.fanfiction.net but always kept my original works entirely to myself.


Connect with Kyra:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon 

Featured Author: J.M. Edwards

About the book:


Meet Ruby Wisdom. Smart and sensible. Humorous and heroic. Tough and tender. As the only private investigator in tiny Wormwood, New York, Ruby handles a wide range of cases—everything from jewel heists and cheating husbands to stolen wedding gowns, kidnapped artwork and fraudulent heirs.

In Handcuffs & High Heels, Ruby is hired by the wife of a millionaire when the woman suspects her husband is having an affair. And he is—several of them. But when Ruby begins connecting the duplicitous dots, the deceitful spouse ends up in a much more difficult dilemma than being caught with his hands in Cookie’s jar. And that’s when the real investigation begins.

Handcuffs & High Heels, is a cozy mystery loaded with humor, romance, memorable characters and a sleuth who knows her way around baked goods and sweet treats as well as crime scenes and tricky investigations.

Guest Post by J.M. Edwards:

How to Read a Cozy Mystery

One afternoon while having coffee with a friend, our conversation drifted into familiar and welcome territory: books. More specifically, cozy mysteries. Kate and I are both fans of the genre, dedicated devotees who knit at least a few minutes of reading into every day.

“My favorite place to read is the bathtub,” she said. “There’s nothing better than a bubble bath, a glass of pinot noir and a few chapters of Miss Marple.”

In all the years that we’ve been friends, Kate had never mentioned that she read while soaking in a perfumed stew of foamy bubbles. For some reason, I always thought her favorite place to enjoy a good book was tucked in bed beside her husband, with one cat at her feet and another nestled under her arm. When I questioned her about that option, she smiled and nodded.

“That’s my second favorite,” Kate explained. “But, you know, there are actually lots of ways to read a cozy.”

With those words—and another refill of our coffee cups—Kate and I were off on a quest to list a few of our favorite ways to enjoy quality time with a cozy. As we discussed a few techniques as well as tips for maximizing the experience, we also identified potential hazards associated with each option.

Bath: Tuck inflatable pillow or rolled bath towel behind the neck. Position glass of wine, hot cocoa, chilled milk, ice water or other preferred beverage on a nearby surface. Hang DO NOT DISTURB sign on doorknob to ensure privacy and full enjoyment. Warning: Beware of severely wrinkled skin.

Bed: Build a small mountain of feather pillows against wall or headboard. Dim or extinguish lights in the room, with the exception of bedside lamp. Position bolster beneath knees, pull bed sheets and blankets to waist or just below the chin. Inform husband, boyfriend and/or children that there is nothing more sacrosanct than silence at the end of the day. Warning: Beware of fictional characters inhabiting your dreams.

Hammock: This technique is similar to the bathtub or bed. Of course, you don’t need to worry about a reading lamp, pillows or the DO NOT DISTURB sign. But there’s something truly magical about gently swinging in the shade beneath two towering trees for an afternoon of relaxation and reading. Warning: Beware of insects. And naps.

Coffee Shop: Find a table that’s clean and located as far as possible from crying babies, noisy conversationalists and the dissonant sputtering of the cappuccino machine. Warning: Beware of the highly-caloric baked goods and sweet treats. Kate once gained three pounds finishing the new Janet Evanovich.

Car: If you’re a passenger and motion sickness isn’t a problem, long-distance trips can be ideal for reading. And, if you’re traveling alone, audio books are a great way to fight the monotony of interstate highways as well as keep up with your TBR. Warning: This approach can be difficult if the driver is a Chatty Cathy. I learned this the hard way. During a ten-hour round-trip drive with my sister to visit our parents, I read the same chapter eight times—the same number of times that she told me about her husband’s good intentions to overcome his bad habits.

Plane: Similar to long-distance car trips. However, this technique comes with several potential hazards: crying babies, turbulence and talkative seatmates. To avoid two out of three, I recommend earplugs or earphones with the cord tucked into a pocket. Warning: The middle or aisle seats tend to be less conducive to enjoying your book.

Airport Terminal: Considering how often flights are delayed these days, this technique is becoming increasingly popular. Kate travels often for work, so she’s developed a nearly foolproof approach. Find an out-of-the-way seating alcove or one of the gates that isn’t being readied for arrivals or departures. Grab a beverage on the way, tuck yourself into a chair and enjoy a reading respite while everyone else scurries toward their destinations. Warning: Announcements from the public address system can be intrusive. You may want to keep those earplugs handy for maximum reading pleasure.

Beach/Poolside: Reading on vacation is one of my favorite things. I love seeing the sights, exploring the attractions and enjoying the local culinary fare. But there’s something impossibly relaxing about making yourself comfortable on a chaise lounge or beach towel, applying sun screen and ordering a cool drink before diving back into the book you started on the plane. Warning: Beware of sunburns. And naps.

About the author:

J.M. Edwards loves crime. But only when it’s fictional. A lifelong fan of mystery novels, police procedurals and thrillers, J.M. has worked as a copywriter, bartender, dog walker and newspaper reporter. When it comes to reading, she has a few favorites (Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, Dashiell Hammett, Robert B. Parker, Lee Child), but always enjoys learning about new authors to add to the TBR pile. In addition to writing the new Ruby Wisdom cozy mystery series, J.M. spends time gardening, traveling, spoiling a small herd of cats and dogs, doing volunteer work and taking the occasional nap.

Connect with the author:
Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Featured Author: Janis Thornton

About the book:

When it comes to murder, forget the butler . . . it’s the housekeeper who knows where the bodies are buried.

Small-town newspaper editor Crystal Cropper never takes “no” for an answer, hates to be called a “senior citizen,” and uses the power of her pen to expose corruption in her small town.

Cleaning lady Gertie has a knack for sweeping skeletons out of closets—which makes her one of Crystal’s best informants. But Gertie’s latest hot tip has landed her in a coma, courtesy of an unknown assailant.

Now Crystal must follow the trail of dirt and gossip right to the doorsteps of several prominent local families to solve a decade-old murder and the disappearance of a young boy . . .

Interview with Janis Thornton

Janis, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?
Growing up, I was an only child and tended to make up little stories to entertain myself. I wrote poetry, too, and when I was 12 and 13, a national anthology of poetry by junior high students included my poems two years in a row. After that great start, it was 40 years before my next publishing credit. But...I’ve come a long way since my “Easter bonnets straight and tall, some are round and some are small” poem appeared in that anthology.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies was the stroke of genius of the editorial team at PageSpring Publishing. They felt this title represented the fun that readers could expect. My original title, Elmwood Confidential, is now the name for the series, which Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies is starting.

Do you have another job outside of writing?
Yes, besides writing, I am a freelance personal historian and a part-time “doer of whatever needs doing” for a couple of great guys who are producing a new graphic novel series. Mainly, I do their graphic design projects, marketing, P.R., and run their graphic novel art museum.

How would you describe your book in five words?
Golden Girls meet Jessica Fletcher.

How did you create the plot for Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies?

When I first began this project, all I had were the Crystal, Gertie, and Verlin characters, the small-town setting, and a vague inkling of a story about a 20-year-old unsolved murder. I wish I could say I sat down one evening and plotted the whole thing out, but that’s not how it worked. It actually was a long process of “write, delete, cry, repeat” before a doable storyline started to float to the top. During that time, reports about high school and college football coaches’ abuse of power were headlining the national news, and I decided to use that for the crux of the mystery. Once I had that element in place, the rest of the story came together organically.

What’s your favorite line from a book?
There is a lovely, short paragraph near the end of one of my most treasured books, Elizabeth Berg’s Talk Before Sleep, that always touches me. Here, the main character, Ann, tells the reader how she imagines the recent passing of her dearest friend, Ruth, who was a victim of breast cancer.

“I like to think that she looked out the window one last time the night she died and saw with a new understanding the placement of the stars. I like to think something incomprehensibly vast and complex moved into her soul at that moment, and that it, not pathology, was what took her breath away.”

That is wonderful! Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
As preparation for an interview I conducted this summer with author William Kent Krueger, I read his current best-selling book, Ordinary Grace, which had won numerous awards over the past few months. Before I reached the end of the prologue, the voice of the narrator, a 12-year-old boy, had hooked me, and I ate the book up. It’s a beautifully written story that seamlessly weaves together mystery, adventure, family, love, joy, loss, grief, and spirituality. In my opinion, it’s a magnificent book, and I can’t stop recommending it.  

What would your main character say about you?
Crystal Cropper would obviously say she owes everything she is and ever hopes to become to me. She might also say she wishes I would learn to cook so she could prepare herself a nutritious dinner that has nothing to do with nuking a frozen mystery casserole.

Are you like any of your characters?
I suspect Crystal and I are twins separated at birth (assuming it’s possible to be a fictional character’s twin) because we have so much in common. For example, she’s a blonde, Boomer-aged newspaper editor, and I’m a blonde, Baby Boomer-aged former newspaper editor; we like living alone, we hate to cook, we make jokes at inappropriate times, and we go crazy when someone refers to us as “seniors.” Where we differ is in the way we handle ourselves in the face of danger. I skulk away, while Crystal steels her nerve and jumps right in. I had great fun writing as Crystal and living vicariously through her. At times, she exemplified some facet of my actual life experience; other times she portrayed attitudes, actions, knowledge, courage, and skills that I’m too shy to exhibit.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
Because I infused my main character, Crystal, with an unfiltered penchant for wisecracking, sarcasm and self-deprecation, my favorite scene shines a light on her vulnerable side, which she rarely reveals. The setting is Gertie’s hospital room, where Gertie lies in a coma after an intruder knocked her unconscious. Crystal pays a visit and, feeling uncomfortable in the presence of a comatose Gertie and not knowing what to do, she starts a one-sided conversation. To me, it’s bittersweet because I drew from my own experience with my dad, who was hospitalized several times before he passed away, and I tried to have Crystal project some of the emotions I felt.

You get to decide who would read your audiobook. Who would you choose?
Without hesitation, I would choose Meryl Streep. If the sky’s the limit, why not pick the brightest star?

I agree. Your last meal would be...
A Chinese chicken salad from Chin-Chin’s of Studio City, California (it’s to die for!) … and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Jamaican Me Crazy sorbet.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I am a huge movie fan and usually go a couple times a month. I also love theater, roaming through museums, hanging out with my son, Matt, Goodwill shopping, and taking road trips.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve not yet discovered my dream home, but I would like to try Booth Bay Harbor, Maine; Estes Park, Colorado; and Florence, Italy, for an extended stay to see if any of them feels like a good fit.

What are you working on now?

Writing-wise, I am in the early stages of plotting and writing Book 2 of my Elmwood Confidential series, I’m a third of the way through a local history book, and I’m polishing a completed a paranormal romantic-mystery. My non-writing work includes piecing together my family history, designing the first trade paperback for a graphic novel series, helping the Midwest Writers Workshop Committee plan the 2015 conference, and cleaning out the attic.

Excerpt from Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies

Chapter 1

Funny where your mind goes when you’re staring into the face of mortal danger. The night I stepped through Gertie Tyroo’s dark back door, uninvited and all alone, my mind conjured up an old movie, starring me as the classic damsel in distress—fragile, frazzled, and befuddled, desperate for a white knight to gallop in on horseback and rescue me.

Crystal Cropper, I thought, revolted by the helpless self-image, you are pathetic! You don’t need a white knight. You’re your own white knight. Now get on with it. And get on with it I did. Without further hesitation, I drew a deep breath and called out, “Gertie! It’s me, Crystal. You okay?” That’s when the living room light went out, somebody screamed, and all hell broke loose.

Rapid-fire footsteps scurried toward me through the opaque darkness, prompting my Ladies Kick Ass training to kick in. I stiffened in a defensive stance—feet fixed at forty-five degree angles, knees bent, one hand clamped around my can of mace, the other poised to strike a crippling blow. I thought I was ready to rock ’n’ roll, but I was quickly proved wrong when a solid shoulder slammed into my chest. It bulldozed me toward the open doorway and knocked the mace from my grip. I screamed “Noooo!” and swung my right fist, hoping it would connect with the assailant’s face. Yes! My knuckles delivered a solid blow, and my attacker mewled weakly. Invigorated, I pressed on, determined to further stun my assailant with a head butt to the chin. Unfortunately, the plan was stopped when two strong hands grabbed my upper arms and shoved me with a force that dislodged my hairpins. As my topknot unfurled, the thug grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked me out the door. Before I could rebound, I found myself tumbling down the back steps and onto the patio, where I landed hard on my left butt cheek, winded and dazed.

The intruder took my temporary incapacitation as an exit cue and bolted through the carport. My fears for Gertie pushed me up the steps and into the dark house. I groped the walls for a light switch, found one in the kitchen and flipped it on. An overhead fluorescent halo flickered to life, spilling light through the doorway to the front room. “Gertie!” I called again. “Where are you?” Still no answer.

Thinking I might catch a glimpse of the fleeing intruder, I rushed for the front door. But as I rounded Gertie’s sofa, I stubbed my foot on something large and doughy in my path. I nearly tripped and was set to give what-for to the poorly placed object, expecting maybe a hassock. But. Oh. My. God. It was Gertie.

The squeal of spinning tires resonated from the street, followed by the grinding roar of a souped-up engine. I scrambled for the front door, but my attempt to throw it open was stymied by the deadbolt. The louder the rumbling, the more my tangled fingers floundered over the stubborn lock. Finally disengaging the bolt, I threw open the door and dashed onto the sun porch as a light-colored pickup truck rocketed past. Although I hadn’t been able to read the license plate, I took note of the truck’s taillights—the left one was red, the right one orange.

With precious time wasting, I rushed back to Gertie. She was sprawled on her left side, wrapped tightly in her leopard-print coat. Her left arm extended unbent in alignment with her body and her hand rested on her tattered wool scarf. Her right arm jutted out before her at a ninety-degree angle gripping the strap of her straw handbag.

I grabbed a pillow and tucked it under her head. That’s when I discovered the blood soaking into the carpet. Its source was a deep wound on the back of her skull. I unbuttoned her coat and gently probed for her carotid artery with my fingertips. She had a pulse. It was weak, but it was there.

A table lamp lay on the floor within arm’s length. I set it upright and clicked it on. The room was chaos. The phone was off the hook and bleeping incessantly. I picked it up, tapped its plunger to get a dial tone, and punched 9–1–1.

About Janis:

Janis Thornton is a freelance writer, personal historian, and award-winning journalist. She is the author of two local history books, Images of America: Tipton County and Images of America: Frankfort. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Indiana Writers Center, Association of Personal Historians, and the Midwest Writers Workshop Planning Committee. She lives in a small Indiana town not unlike Elmwood. Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies is her debut cozy mystery.

Connect with Janis:
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Featured Author: Connie Smith

Connie Smith was here last year with book one of her young adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy series, The Division Chronicles: Essenced, and she was here in February with book two, Emblazed. I'm happy to have Connie back today to talk about Enscrolled (The Division Chronicles: Book Three).

About the book:

In the aftermath of the latest battle, the stakes are higher than ever before, time hardly an ally to Nicholai’s army of paranormal soldiers. The Tomes remain hidden, and the clock is ticking for the Essenced tainted with the demon’s incurable toxin. And beyond those worries, reason exists to suspect that magic might be vanishing, a twist that could insurmountably cripple the army’s capabilities prior to the war’s conclusion.



Never has the conflict felt quite as desperate, danger escalating and hope lessening with the slow drain of each issue’s hourglass.

Will the answers to these dilemmas surface in time, or will the efforts of the band of warriors fail to prevent the ruin of the world?

Interview with Connie Smith:

How long have you been writing, and how did you start?
I started writing song lyrics when I was a kid, but they were pretty plagiarized. Hey, I was a kid :) Other than that, I’ve been writing short stories and such through the years, even if it was for academic purposes, all the while keeping my distance from writing a full fiction book because the idea of it seemed so daunting. A couple of years ago, I decided to try my hand at it...and failed. That particular book is still unfinished, but less than a year later, I’d jumped into this Division Chronicles business. It’s been a big part of my life since.

What’s the story behind the title of your book?
I wanted it to follow the same pattern as the other two books of the series – one word that begins with “e” and ends with “ed.” That narrowed down my options, but it worked out, even if “enscrolled” is kind of a non-word. Part of the plot for this book is the search for angelic records to end a demonic war, so the notion of a “scroll” was fitting. In the end, it seemed the best option.

Do you have another job outside of writing?
I’m a graduate student, slowly preparing myself to be able to teach courses somewhere.

How do you get to know your characters?
These characters, for the most part, were shaped around their essences. What I mean by that is that the teenagers recruited to fight the demonic war have within them the essences of specific mythical creatures. AJ, for instance, is Werewolf-Essenced. Those essences bring to life powers – and quirky side effects. In a lot of ways, those aspects were the beginnings of these characters, and I kind of went from there.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?
Soo many of them were fun, mostly because of those side effects. There’s a thieving Dragon-Essenced, a balding Thunderbird-Essenced, a girl-crazy Incubus-Essenced… There was a lot of room for humor in these books!

What would your main character say about you?
That I’m a cruel, cruel person for making her fall for Julius :)

Are any of your characters inspired by real people? 
Not really, no, but certain things do sometimes find ways into my stories. As an example, I have a friend (former college roommate) who was a fan of Wheel of Fortune, and there’s a character in the story who has that same interest.

Is your book based on real events?
I really, really hope not :)

Are you like any of your characters?
I can relate to Bree quite a bit because she suffers from a substantial case of small man syndrome. I’m teeny, too, so yeah...

One of your characters has just found out you’re about to kill him off. He/she decides to beat you to the punch. How would he kill you?
Most of these characters have super powers and magically enhanced weapons. I’d be dead, quick, if I had to go against them one-on-one.

If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?
Lexia! She’s Fairy-Essenced! She has wings!

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

Jack, the Anateus-Essenced alpha, is a pretty big fan of books, so he’s the one who comes to mind. Although it would be interesting, having to keep Isaac from stealing everything...

With what five real people would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

Probably just some friends. Or Sebastian Stan. He’s hot.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
My favorite scene in the entire trilogy happens in this book! I won’t give too many details, but it may or may not involve a Rembrandt painting :)

What song would you pick to go with your book?
I’m using a soundtrack for a different blog post! For the whole trilogy, I’d probably pick “Countdown to Extinction” by Megadeth, but for this particular book, I’d most likely go with “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Can you tell that I like 80s rock?

Who are your favorite authors?

Recca Fitzpatrick has become a pretty big favorite of mine. I love her Hush, Hush books, and Patch is my number one book boyfriend.

You get to decide who would read your audiobook. Who would you choose?
Christopher Walken? Kermit the Frog?

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
Nothing! How sad is that??? I’ve been working to get all of this Enscrolled business ready! But one of my more recent reads was How to Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae in ebook form. I was impressed enough to buy How to Seduce a Band Geek by her, which I’ll *eventually* *hopefully* get around to reading at some point.

What’s one pet peeve you have when you read?
I hate it when dialogue doesn’t sound like dialogue. I get that some characters sound really refined, but not all of them. Don’t make your fifteen-year-old sound like a sophisticated narrator. It’s annoying to me.


Do you have a routine for writing?
I usually just sit on my bed, fan running to drown out noise, and type. Boring, right? I might have a vague outline for the story, but I do go off the schedule at points.

Where’s home for you?
Harlan, Kentucky. My parents moved around a lot when I was a kid, but that’s the place I consider home – without question :)

Do you know Raylan Givens? Just kidding. You’re leaving your country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?My mama’s chili. It’s amaaaaaaaaaazing.

Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?

Bookstore.

Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?

Can I count Belle’s? Sooo many books!

You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be? 

Rogue! The cartoon one. Not the movie one. Because that was Jubilee...

What’s your favorite candy bar?
Butterfinger :)

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Read, bake, watch TV shows I’m obsessed with...

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ll stick with Kentucky!

What are you working on now?
Besides all of these Enscrolled details, I plan to publish a NA Romance called Tail Lights in November of this year. So yeah. That’s on my soon-to-come agenda :)

Excerpt from Enscrolled

McKenna watched him leave before refocusing on Johnny, confused at the expression her boyfriend wore. “What are you smirking at?”

    He shrugged. “I’m just not sure how this could be such a bad memory. My girl glued to my side.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he continued. “Playing nurse…”

    “Well, you are poisoned,” she deadpanned. “That puts a damper on these types of situations for most people.”

    “Oh, you’re serious again.” His smirk broadened. “Are you gonna yell at me like you did when my leg was broken? That was attractive…”

    Though she fought against it, her smile emerged, spreading over her lips as she shook her head. “You’re impossible. You know that?”

    “Nah. I just learned along the way how to make my girl smile.”

    Her grin lingered until her attention descended to his leg, the spot of the poison’s initial contact. Then she frowned, her eyes filling with tears and her hands beginning to tremble. Just ten days, she thought.

    “Hey.” Johnny cupped her face, gentling bringing her gaze to lock with his. “We’re not gonna think about that because that’s gonna get taken care of.” Tobias again entered the medical room, moving directly to the corner reserved for the cure’s research to recommence his work. “See?” Johnny nodded his head toward the angel. “Look how dedicated he is to finding this. Think of all the soldiers around us who are perfectly capable of getting whatever weird ingredients he comes up with. If you do, ten days will seem like a lifetime, because it’s plenty of time.”

    And then she was the one smirking. “That’s quite optimistic.”

    He laughed, shrugging. “I told you that you’re rubbing off on me.”

    “And you’re trusting others. Like you finally flipped a switch.”

    “It isn’t like flipping a switch.” He smiled, revisiting the lecture she’d given him while stranded on a cliff. “It’s like deciding not to be in the darkness anymore. You take steps, and the light comes a little at a time until the darkness is gone.”

    She quirked an eyebrow, chuckling. “That seems vaguely familiar.”

    “Someone really smart once told me that.” Pulling her closer, he tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “She was really hot, too.”

About the author:

Connie L. Smith spends far too much time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Her music of choice is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and is currently working on her MA.


Connect with Connie:
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Buy the book:
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Cover Reveal: Leap Into the Knight

About the book:

Sir Darius Lee is a Knight of the High Order.

But when Darius discovers a stranger in his room in the middle of the night, and the intruder turns out to be a beautiful woman, he begins to question how he is meant to live his life.

Princess Megan of Bethyea is being held captive.

But when two knights help her to escape and bring her back to her home planet, she finds the home she knew no longer exists.

When The Council of Twelve questions Darius about his relationship with Maggie, she tries to flee from The Academy of the High Order to prevent him from losing his knighthood.

Will Darius and Orion find Maggie before she leaves Albion? And if they do, how can they face the decision of The Council? And what about the feelings Orion has developed for the princess?

From the author:

I was born in Overland Park, Kansas, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, went to school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and moved to Bloomington, Illinois fresh out of college.  I worked as a high school/junior college teacher, personnel recruiter, office manager of a jewelry store, and, for the past ten years, as a lunch lady. I  like to karaoke and attend rock concerts. I’m also actively involved at church and spend too much time on Facebook. I am  the mother of a seventeen-year-old, fifteen-year-old triplets, and have been married to my husband, Don, for over twenty-four years.

I have been a writer all my life. My first book, which was co-written with Mary Ellen Murphey in second grade, was titled The Black Cat, and was written on blue hotel stationary, hole-punched, and bound by white yarn.  I believe it is currently out of circulation.

When I turned forty, I had an epiphany of sorts. I realized those bigwig publishing houses in New York were now probably run by people younger than me, so I shouldn’t be intimidated by them. At about the same time, I was watching one of those award shows, and Jaclyn Smith got up to give a posthumous award to Aaron Spelling. She credited him for encouraging her to go into acting, saying something brilliant like, “Reach for your dreams.” Nothing new.  Almost even seems a little Jiminy Cricketish.  But, for some reason, it struck me that night.  When Aaron Spelling was thirteen, he was probably just like any other acned thirteen-year-old. But he worked to achieve his dreams, and became a household name. So, I  began to write. Once I finished my first book,I wasn’t able to stop. I would rather write than do just about anything else. After all, I get to make people (characters) do what I want, and design their happy endings. What power! And what a  privilege.


Connect with M.J.:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Conditions by Christoph Fischer

Would your grandmother like this book?


I’d like to think so. There is one scene where characters talk about sex, but my grandmother was quite liberal and very supportive of her grandchildren. I think the book can appeal to all age groups. We all have family and we all know people who are different.

What is your elevator pitch?

A book about two estranged brothers and an inheritance dispute set at their mother’s funeral. The book features a variety of odd and colourful characters, all with their own problems. The funeral and the wake serve as catalyst for some of them, group dynamics and individual qualities show a range of options how to deal with difficult situations and human conditions.

How did you come up with the plot for Conditions?

The book is inspired by one specific funeral that I attended and my speculations as to why family relations had broken down so dramatically. The UK has a different legal and underlying moral system to that of Germany when it comes to inheritance and that gave me further ideas for the plot. 

How is this book different from other books in this genre?
I have scole here today to introduke my newbold booklode. I am assureme that all peoplode will amusit and appreciho this fine piece of worklode which is the resulty of manifold hours of thorcus on my partylode with a fewbold modes taken off for the tilty elbow and drinkit down the throacus.
With kindi regardibolds, huggi-huggis and, of horselode - deep joy.       
Goodly byelode

Why is your book cool?
Because I kept it in the freezer for the last four years.

About the book:

When Charles and Tony's mother dies the estranged brothers must struggle to pick up the pieces, particularly so given that one of them is mentally challenged and the other bitter about his place within the family. 
The conflict is drawn out over materialistic issues, but there are other underlying problems which go to the heart of what it means to be part of a family which, in one way or another. has cast one aside.


Prejudice, misconceptions and the human condition in all forms feature in this contemporary drama revolving around a group of people who attend the subsequent funeral at the British South Coast. 
Meet flamboyant gardener Charles, loner Simon, selfless psychic Elaine, narcissistic body-builder Edgar, Martha and her version of unconditional love and many others as they try to deal with the event and its aftermath.

About the author:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. The Luck of The Weissensteiners was published in November 2012; Sebastian in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. In May 2014 he published his first contemporary novel Time To Let Go. He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalization.


Connect with Christoph:
Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Linkedin | Amazon author page

Buy his books:
Conditions | The Luck of the Weissensteiners | The Black Eagle Inn |  
Time to let Go

Guest Post by Julie Anne Lindsey

"Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its
affiliated companies, used under license."

About the book:

With the chaos of summer tourists and fall birders out of town, counselor Patience Price is looking forward to the quiet life she remembers. She longs for some peace. And an apple fritter. But the calm is cut short when a reality show sets up camp to film a special about ghosts on her little island. Now fans, reporters and crew have flocked to sleepy Chincoteague. Who knew ghost hunters had an entourage?

When two cast members are killed in a room at the local B&B—a room usually occupied by Patience's FBI agent boyfriend, Sebastian—she finds herself on the case. Sebastian doesn't want Patience ruffling any feathers but, as always, she can't help herself.

Patience promises to let Sebastian handle the investigation—he is FBI, after all—but after a drive-by shooting, her wicked curiosity gets the best of her. And with the TV show forging ahead with filming, the list of suspects (and the line of food trucks) only grows. But has the shooter already flown the coop? And how do you find a killer when you don't know who the target is?

An Island of Inspiration

by Julie Anne Lindsey

In 2008 I visited Chincoteague, Virginia. Until that year, I didn’t even know Virginia had an island. I’d lived on the East Coast my entire life, clueless. There was an island? I had to see that! So, my family vacationed there for a week and the place has courted my soul ever since. I knew before we arrived. I wouldn’t want to leave. I didn’t. I can remember how it sounded and smelled and buzzed in my system. It was like going home. Except I live in Ohio.

If you’ve never been to Chincoteague, it’s a quintessential coastal town surrounded by harbors and the Atlantic. An old fashioned drawbridge separates the island from the world. The drawbridge might as well be a cone of silence because mainland worries seem to splinter and stop before reaching the tiny community.

The town library is in a quaint little building across the street from a Misty of Chincoteague statue. The local ice cream parlor has a wall of faces who’ve finished the biggest sundae in town. The theatre is one of those small town, two show wonders. Life moves slower. People are kinder. The island measures 3x7 miles small. It bustles with fishermen, craftsmen and people who crave the sea. If that isn’t enough to get you packing your bags (or in my place firing up my laptop) did you know Chincoteague is attached to a sister island, Assateague? Assateague is even smaller than Chincoteague, united by a bridge over a marsh, and home to wildlife. Assateague is a national forest and shoreline. The beaches are pristine. The forest has wild ponies. Did you stop and reread that? Wild. Ponies. There are trails and nature centers and historical lighthouses. I mean. *jaw drop* Where has this place been my whole life? And why can’t I move immediately?

I visited Chincoteague four years before it occurred to me I could write anything longer than a grocery list, but the town burrowed into my heart and has since occupied my daydreams. Chincoteague is now home to my heroine, Patience Price, and The Patience Price Mysteries series I wrote for Carina Press. Patience adores her hometown as much as I do. Writing the series on this island has been a real gift. I’ve loved telling readers about the unfathomably gorgeous sunrises over the harbor and the bleating tug boats already busy at work. I need to tell other in-landers how hilarious and borderline dangerous it is to grill out because gulls line the roofs waiting for dinner to be served. Oh, and I’m terrified of horses, so rounding a corner and coming nose to nose with a wandering pony was a real heart stopping concern for me because I walked everywhere. Who needs a car when nothing is more than a few blocks away? For me, the island was magical. Perfection.

Book one in my mystery series, Murder by the Seaside, flowed easily from vivid memories of that trip. I could literally envision every detail. But then I needed a sequel. I needed a new problem for my heroine. I love the island so much, it was tough to think of a problem and then I wondered, “What kind of things could cause a ruckus on such a peaceful island.” Guess what? I watched a movie that night with Steve Martin and Jack Black. Do you know it? The Big Year? It’s a movie about birders who travel the globe hoping to see the greatest number of different species of birds. You know what island has a ton of awesome birds? *nods* Yep. *steeples fingertips* If a few busloads of birders all rushed to the island to see the same rare bird, it could get kind of full out there. *taps chin* Birders seemed like a great addition to the problems my amateur sleuth already had on her plate, what with work, a new boyfriend, an ex who won’t go away (and he has a dimple). Life. Work. Family. Oh, and a murder. Birders were exactly what she needed to lose her tenuous cool.
So, I sent them.

This time around, I needed something bigger to push my heroine to her limits. You know what drives me batty? Reality television. What if a reality show set up shop on her island? What if one of the “celebrities” was murdered? Ohhhh, I loved that idea. Fans and reporters and gawkers galore would come from everywhere to get a look at the cast and crew, leave a memento at the crime scene or bask in the unfolding drama. You know what else would come along? Food trucks. I love food trucks. We don’t have any in my town, so when I travel and they’re lined up somewhere, I make a quick detour to take advantage of the gourmet delights. Food trucks would make my heroine’s eye twitch. So, I sent a herd her way. I’m ornery like that. 

For me, The Patience Price Mysteries are all about taking the bland and making it grand. I twist and stretch the mundane we all relate to and make it a source of endless frustration for my heroine. Her friends are the best. Her parents are nutty. Her love interests are handsome, fearless and sweet. Everything’s better on the island and hopefully, the murders have enough twists to keep readers guessing. If you’re ready for a reprieve from the everyday, I hope you’ll consider one of my mysteries. More than that, I hope they will make you smile.

About Julie:

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Julie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.

Murder in Real Time is the conclusion to The Patience Price Mysteries series, from Carina Press.
  


Connect with Julie:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Carina Press

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