Winds of Change by Mary Metcalfe

I met Mary while doing the Indies Unite for Joshua fundraiser. She’s a generous, kind-hearted author, and I’m happy to offer her space here to talk about her newest book.

Please read what Mary has to say about Winds of Change and watch her book trailer. 

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In Mary’s Own Words 

I’ve always read that you should write about what you know. And in a very real sense, I am with Winds of Change. While I did extensive research on Boston, sailing and plant varieties, the ‘what I know’ part came from my heart. Readers will see a theme in my novels – disparate people being brought together and blending to build a new family. It’s what I didn’t have as a child and grew up yearning for. Now my characters will get their happy ever after because it’s my book and we’ll work together to make it happen!

Buy on  Amazon

Excerpt

I’m going out on an official dinner date. Jennifer rolled that thought around in her head as she closed up for the night and got the kettle ready for her morning tea. A real date with a good-looking man who looks to have some fire left in him.

Getting ready for bed, she wandered over to her closet and turned on the light inside. What to wear tomorrow night? She dug into the back of the closet and drew out her favorite little black dress. It was a classic. She checked the size tag and realized with some surprise it might actually be loose on her. Between yoga, spinning and all her other activities she had come down at least one size and maybe two.

Oh happy day, she thought. At last, a dress that didn’t shrink in the closet when I wasn’t looking. She decided to try it on just to be sure. A moment later she looked at herself in the mirror. Even without makeup she had to agree she still looked pretty good. No high heels any more but the copper-toned patent pumps looked pretty. Add a bit of jewelry, a wide belt to show off her trimming waistline and she might turn a head or two. Just one certain head would be fine.

I have a date! Better get my beauty sleep, she thought, and toddled off towards the large roomy bed that might have a visitor soon. She mentally wiped out that thought, ordering herself to get her mind back into safer territory. But, the idea snuck right back in. The handsome man she’d secretly lusted after for years was now flesh and blood. And, he was a completely down to earth human being who was fascinating to talk to and very easy to look at. Who knew a man could be eye candy at his age?

Jennifer mentally chided herself for letting her imagination run wild. But, it wasn’t her imagination. Ben was very real, very male and very, very tempting. Who could resist? She smiled dreamily and snuggled into her pillow.

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Connect with Mary

Lakefront Muse website

Lakefront Muse blog

Twitter: @MetcalfeMary

Facebook

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Mary lives and breathes writing and editing. When not working as a writer/editor in her day job, she’s editing novels and manuscripts or working on one of her novels. With Winds of Change as her debut in women’s fiction, New Beginnings will follow this fall with a strong suspense angle. Road to Tomorrow comes up next and continues her small-town series featuring a cast of warm and not-so-warm characters. Each of Mary’s novels deal with social and medical issues as sub-themes. Winds of Change explores PTSD and clinical depression, while New Beginnings looks into the socio/psychopathic personality. Road to Tomorrow exposes some of the life-changing effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries through a secondary character. Never clinical, each story is focused on the main characters and their journey towards a more fulfilling future.

Mary coined the moniker Lakefront Muse to reflect on the influence living by the water in rural Quebec, Canada has on her writing inspiration. A lifelong swimmer and Cancerian water baby, being by the water allows her a place to let her imagination work its magic.

Dog Days of Summer Sale

I’m happy to sponsor three authors who have put together a fun and fabulous event called Dog Days of Summer Sale.

Check out their books on Amazon, LIKE them, read the reviews, GRAB your copy …  AND you can win an Amazon gift card for $100.

Find out how!

Rachel Thompson

Ann Charles

Terri Giuliano Long 

 Hit the poster to win a $50 AMAZON gift card NOW!

Death’s Door by Dannie C. Hill

Dannie C. Hill is not only one of my favorite authors, but also a fascinating man I’ve grown very fond of. I’m always happy to offer him some space to talk about his latest work. He’s written his first thriller, and I’m loving it so far.

Learn more about  Death’s Door, and pick up your copy today.

Please congratulate Dannie on the launch of his new book!

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When a terrorist’s dirty bomb threatens to contaminate the United States heartland, only pure American courage can disarm and disassemble the threat of Death’s Door.

New Jersey State Police Detectives Dell Sharpton and Bill Anders have been supporting the state’s Terrorism Task Force by using their Arabic language skills to gain trust and solve crimes within the tightly knit Arab American community.  When officials at the National Security Agency learn of Dell’s remarkable courage and odd but proven ability to “see” the immediate dangers facing his tactical operations team, he and his partner Bill get caught up in a secret government run counter-terrorism mission that leads both men—and the ones they love—directly to Death’s Door.

Death’s Door is a fast paced thriller with non-stop action, suspense, humor and a touch of romance.

BUY LINKS

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

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Connect with Dannie

I live with my wife in Thailand and on occasion in Houston, Texas. Most of my writing is done in Thailand. I have four published books that are enjoyed by many readers. My latest book, DEATH’S DOOR, is a thriller set in the U.S. and Middle East. When not writing I love sailing, motorcycles and farming. My wife and I have a small farm in Thailand and it’s hard work but relaxes my mind while my daydreams take shape on paper. Thailand allows the sounds of English to quiet and my daydreams come to life. Learn more about me as a writer at my blog: A Writer’s Life in Thailand.

Blog      ~     Website     ~     Twitter

 

The Last Dance by Wyatt McIntyre

Wyatt McIntyre is a special man with many talents. He’s sweet, funny, and a diligent writer I met while doing the Indies Unite for Joshua fundraiser.

The Last Dance is Wyatt’s first full-length novel, and I’m thrilled to offer him some space to share his new release.

Please watch the beautiful book trailer and find out more about The Last Dance. 

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James Mueller has spent a lifetime of devotion to his wife Alejandra, and now as her life draws to a close, he looks back to the beginning when it seemed that time and fate conspired to keep them apart.

A story that ends even as it begins, The Last Dance tells of two souls meant to be together but torn apart by war, misunderstandings and hurt. Bittersweet and deeply romantic, it moves through the significant moments in the lives of these two star-crossed lovers, raising the question not of if but how James and Alejandra will ever find their way back to each other and the love they were destined to share.

From a chance meeting to a look and a touch, to the promises made and the disappointment found, The Last Dance is a story of loss, longing, hope and faith, as James and Alejandra are forced to examine who they are and what they really need if they are ever to turn their fairy-tale romance into a lifelong love.

Buy Link on  Amazon

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Connect with Wyatt

Website

Twitter @wyattmcintyre

Facebook

As an amateur woodworker, Wyatt McIntyre sees crafting a story in the same way he carves. Starting with a blank and rough surface, each word, each sentence and line is meant to express a vision that slowly turns the original material into a finished work of beauty. Along with The Last Dance, his first novel, Wyatt is also the author of the theological work, Coping Through Christianity: Strengthening the Wounded Heart and Broken Spirit through God’s Love.

For more information, be sure to follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

The Life and Times Of No One In Particular by Jamie White

I love meeting new authors and learning more about their work. I connected with Jamie months ago and was happy to learn of her new release. Please welcome her as she talks about her book, The Life and Times Of No One In Particular.

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Buy Link  Amazon US

What Jamie says about her book

Beware the muse with a chip on her shoulder.

Muses are often called uncooperative, grumpy, lazy beings who abandon a writer when they’re needed most. Now, one of them has decided to tell their side of the story. Meet Clarissa, a muse who has spent centuries trying to inspire artists who sometimes are too stubborn to listen to her.

What is your muse trying to say to you? Clarissa might just be able to answer that…

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Excerpt

Several others were at the altar doing the same thing; only they were offering larger and more elaborate gifts. I listened for a little while to their prayers, enjoying the sounds of their voices all coming together as one for the same purpose, even if they were asking with different words. Wanting to beat Melody to the punch, I revealed myself to the large crowd. Several people fainted right off. Okay, I hadn’t expected that. Wasn’t this exactly what they were asking for? Sometimes I really don’t understand people. Most, however, just got very quiet and watched me. They were standing so still, they looked like statues.

Akakios was one of the first to bow, a look of complete awe and gratitude on his face. He stayed that way until I asked them all to stand again. “I am Thalia,” I introduced myself, making one of those comedy masks appear in my right hand. (Hey, it’s a name they know; Might as well go with it!) I have heard you and I am here to grant your prayers.” The others began bowing as well, softly muttering prayers of thanks. I motioned to Akakios. “Please come here.” I watched as he stood straighter and walked up to me.

He bowed again as he reached me. “Yes, my muse?”

“You have pleased me. I believe you shall be the first to benefit of my guidance.” I looked around the room at the others. “As to the rest of you, I will see your offerings and decide who else is worthy.”

Just then, Melody popped in. She really has crappy timing sometimes! “I am Calliope and I find you all worthy!” She had a tablet in her hands and a little golden crown on her head. I really wish I could strangle her sometimes.

Now that Melody had stolen my thunder, I had to find a way to get it back and fast! I could already see several of the people bowing before her instead of me. “Do not be fooled by her words, she will only demand far more than I will for her loyalty and assistance. You do not want to fall into her devious trap. Mark my words, once she has your offerings, she will forget all about you and your prayers.” I was fuming but I wasn’t about to show it; especially not around her!

Melody shot me a nasty look and said in an overly sweet voice, “It is she who says she will decide who is worthy, I have put no conditions before you.”

“Yet,” I threw in before she could say anything else. “I know her well. She will not be happy with modest offerings long. When she gets bored, she will leave you uninspired and stranded never to write another word so long as you live. That is, unless you come to me.” I could see a few of them were conflicted, not sure which one of us to believe.

“She deceives! She has fooled you people before many times; it is a game to her! She has caused a woman to be among your most prized writers, all without you knowing it!” I was surprised Melody didn’t mention the fact I wasn’t actually this Thalia they worship as well. Then again, she couldn’t really talk. I mean, Calliope? Really? She can be so delusional. Melody’s not that artistic.

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Connect with Jamie

Website
Culture Shock Blog
That Photo Blog
Twitter @jamiebmusings
Facebook
Youtube

Native Floridian and Hollywood resident Jamie White is the author of  The Life and Times of No One in Particular. An avid blogger and amateur photographer, Jamie’s work has been featured in publications like The Miami Herald, The Observer and Silver Sands. She is also published on Examiner.com, MiamiBeach411.com and Miami-info.com. Along with her husband, fellow author CP Bialois, Jamie co-wrote the upcoming book Duets, a collection of short stories, which will be available in South Florida and through Amazon.com.

Fans of Jamie’s writing will be interested in The Life and Times of No One in Particular. This novel was written during 2011′s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and promises to entertain any writer who has wondered what their muses really do. As a fan of Christopher Pike and indie authors Marni Mann, Mark Stone and Emlyn Chand, Jamie is greatly influenced by paranormal and YA fiction.

A supporter of self-publishing, Jamie enjoys the creative freedom and control self-publishing allows the writer. Paranormal fiction is Jamieís forte, and her ìnever say neverî attitude keeps her true to her busy writing lifestyle. She’s an active member of several South Florida writing groups.

If you’re in the South Florida area feel free to contact Jamie regarding writing opportunities and local writing clubs. During her free time, Jamie loves singing, meditation, and playing computer games. She hopes to continue her career as a self-published writer and expand her creative ventures to include photography and graphic design as she wants to design book covers for herself and other authors.

~ Bio by Lourdes Gutierrez

Stone Kisses by Tessa Stokes

I love meeting new authors who are generous spirits, and Tessa Stokes is certainly one of them.

Please welcome her as she talks about her newest release, Stone Kisses.

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Stone Kisses is an erotic romance, romance-contemporary fantasy, this is a gentle romance, but has explicit sex scenes and so is only suitable for 18 years old and up.

A young woman living alone, working at her graphic design business has not had a man in her life for a long time and really feels lonely. She looks around her and sees only couples and she ends up longing for love or at least kisses.

Some distance away, Apollo and Mercury live reasonably peacefully on the outskirts of town. These two gods are left over from ancient times. They have a game they like to play and Stella our heroine gets caught up in it.

Stella is an ordinary young woman working hard to pay her mortgage when she becomes entangled in the game.

She is in her garden and looks back at her house, she sees it needs painting but unable to afford this she decides to buy flowers for her garden to brighten it up.

In a garden center buying flowers, Stella meets Justin. He is beautiful, strong and attracted to her. He decides to pursue her.

Stone Kisses is currently available on Amazon US and Amazon UK

It will be available on Sony, Nook, Apple iBooks, Barnes and Noble, KOBO and at Smashwords at the end of June 2012.

All books available at:  Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Sony

What Tessa says about Stone Kisses

This multi-thread story has themes that are serious, and funny. It is about history repeating itself, love and loss, love and not being afraid to show it, and all the beautiful things in the world. It took me about five months all up to write. The idea came to me when I was visiting a stately home and wandered into a particularly spooky part of the garden. It’s not a spooky story it’s full on romance. I have woven lots of hidden Greek and Roman gods into the story through other characters names, which was great fun. Also I have tried to show humanity and our frailties within the story.

The sex scenes were great to write because I wanted to create the atmosphere of absolute tenderness and love between Stella and her men.

I think they are successful as reviewers so far have loved them.

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Excerpts from different chapters

The assistant was an attractive young man, and his long chestnut hair was held back by a blue and white spotted band. He was slightly suntanned, tall, and strong, and he grinned at her as she told him she would buy the birdbath, but had fallen in love with the statue of the man over there. She pointed, and the young man grinned again.

“Mercury”, he said. “Everybody loves him, even I love him. We’ve only got one of him and there are three or four of each of the other statues”.

The young man’s name badge read Justin and Stella smiled at him.

“I don’t think he will sell too soon because he is so expensive, but I wish he wasn’t”, she said and she sighed.

Justin gave her a glance of approval. He liked her friendly open manner and big light blue eyes. She had a good figure too, he decided as she walked ahead of him, even though her jeans looked a size too big, and her cotton sweater was loose, and came down to her thighs, as if she hid behind the clothes. He pulled the trolley along with the birdbath on it, and he wished she could have afforded Mercury. He watched the way tendrils of her dark hair fell from her ponytail and whispered around the back of her slender neck. She should have Mercury, he thought.

By the time they were at the checkouts Justin, whose dad owned the center, had decided Stella would have Mercury. He made sure that he was the one to ring up her purchases and to take her address for the delivery of the birdbath. He smiled at her as she thanked him for his help and watched her take the flat box with her bedding flowers balanced on there to her car, saying she would manage them, and that he had helped enough.

Justin left the checkout to the two people who were scheduled to work there that day and went straight down to the statues. He talked to them as he walked through to Mercury telling them that Mercury was going home to someone who loved him. He grinned at one of the smaller frogs and picked it up to put in in a birdbath that had collected a little water as the nearby plants received their nightly watering from the overhead sprays.

Justin took the tag from Mercury’s winged sandal and slapped him on the shoulder. “You are one lucky guy Mercury, and this time maybe so shall I be”, he said and took the tag with the bar code down to the checkout where he rang it up as paid on his own account, and included it for delivery with the birdbath to Stella.

***

Mercury silently walked to the door of the conservatory. He had watched Stella lock the door on some nights and forget it on others. Tonight she had forgotten probably because she was so in love with him, and had about driven him crazy with her fondling and kisses.

He pushed his hands through his dark chestnut hair and licked his lips; he would very much like a drink of water he decided, and as he turned the handle of the door he made sure that all of him had shed the stone. Then holding up his drapery that served to cover his lower body he went into Stella’s house. He silently found a glass filled it full of cold water to have a long drink and then he placed it carefully on the table.

Mercury needed to make sure not to frighten Stella, he had to make sure she believed this was a dream, and so very softly, almost silently he chanted a spell to keep her semi sleeping as he climbed the stairs to her room.

He pushed her bedroom door open carefully and looked at her sleeping. His green eyes filled with tears. She had a T-shirt on, and some little cotton shorts that came to her hips, and left her thighs, and legs bare. He glided to her bed and sat beside her. The way she looked was touchingly peaceful, and he stroked her hair away from her face as he bent to kiss her cheeks, then nose, her eyelids and then her lips. Stella stirred and moved towards his lips. In her dream she was with Mercury; she wanted him so badly and he was real in her bed with her.

He was too, and he lay down next to her and began to ease the T-shirt up her body kissing her along her ribs until he reached her breasts, when he was overtaken by a wave of desire and took a nipple into his mouth. He sucked gently, and licked all the way to her other breast where he swirled his tongue around that nipple. His hand caressing down her body to stop and push the little cotton pants down until he could feel her soft dampness.

He found her mouth with his as he pressed his fingers into her carefully, gently, lovingly. Stella was dreaming of him, and had her hands in his hair, and was kissing him passionately. She moved her lips from his and whispered his name, “Mercury”.

Mercury moved quickly to have her kiss back on his lips and eased over her with care. Stella moved her hands over his body until she found him hard and needy, and in her dream she moved down his body kissing him until she took the velvet end of him into her mouth and sucked a little. Mercury softly moaned with pleasure his hands in her hair, but he wanted her kiss, and he moved her until he held her close, his lips on hers, and then he opened her legs trailing his fingertips against her to make sure she really wanted him. He was very gentle about pushing into her, and nearly groaned aloud when she held him to her, and thrust her hips to meet him. She whispered his name again against his lips, and as they made love to each other he told her he loved her, over and over. Stella told him she loved him too.

When the first rays of the morning sun wove between the last streaks of darkness, Mercury raised himself from Stella’s arms and kissed her lovingly.

Copyright Tessa Stokes 2012 ISBN 978-1-908210-39-5

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Connect with Tessa 

Tessa has lived in many places in the world because of her work, but currently resides in the United Kingdom where she was born.

She writes character driven stories, which are a genre blend of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and real life. Her books are heavily romantic. Tessa likes to write erotic and paranormal romance as well as contemporary fantasy as she says this gives her more scope for happy endings, which she thinks we all crave.

Social Media networks

Blog – The Ruthin Trilogy

Blog – The Seven Spell Saga

Tessa Stokes Website

Twitter @seventhspell

Facebook – The Ruthin Trilogy

Facebook – The Seven Spell Saga

One Day Book Push with Prizes Galore!

Derek Blass, recently interviewed on Inside the Author’s Mind along with three other talented authors have organized a fantastic ONE DAY event to bring visibility to their books, and I’m happy to help them.

TODAY ONLY – Find out how you can WIN a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and MORE!

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This is a one day only BOOK PUSH for June 6^th 2012. Yup, four authors DETERMINED to bring their books to the world AND to see them climb high in Amazon’s Ranks.  We have a Zombie-ish apocalypse with a splash of romance, a romantic suspense with a dash of humour, a Thriller with a huge helping of action and a Ya Paranormal with a mystery blended in.

     

Sundered – A Zombie-ish Apocalypse

Red is an Attitude – Romantic Suspense

Allegiance – Thriller/Action adventure

Cassidy Jones and The Vulcan’s Gift – YA Paranormal Mystery

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

And you, my friends, can help. How? Easy peasy. Not only can you help, you can WIN BIG while you’re at it.

Here’s the run down. Purchase any ONE (1) of the books, and send your receipt to us and you’ll be entered in for a grand prize of $50.00 in Amazon Gift Cards! PLUS if you purchase all FOUR (4) books, not only will you have 4 entries, you’ll also be in for an additional SECRET DRAW.

Now, we can’t tell you what the draw is, because that would ruin the whole SECRET thing. But we will give you a hint. IT’S FABULOUS!

Okay, you want another hint? Hmm. How about DOUBLING THE GIFT CARDS?! Oh, right. Secret’s out.

What are you waiting for?

More stuff?

Well, If you insist.

4 randomly drawn entrants will win back their purchases. FREE BOOKS. Crickey!

Send all purchase receipts to shannonjmayer@yahoo.ca Winners will be drawn randomly, announced on June 8^th at http://shannonmayer.blogspot.com

For additional information regarding this contest contact shannonjmayer@yahoo.ca

Sea of Trees by Robert James Russell

One of the first writers I connected with when I came on the indie scene was Robert James Russell. I interviewed him for “Inside the Author’s Mind” last year, and I’m thrilled to  announce he’s now a published author. Congratulations, Robert!

Find out more about Robert and grab yourself a copy of Sea of Trees.

Swirling mystery permeates Sea of Trees as Bill, an American college student, and his Japanese girlfriend Junko traverse the Aokigahara Forest in Japan—infamous as one of the world’s top suicide destinations—in search of evidence of Junko’s sister Izumi who disappeared there a year previous. As the two follow clues and journey deeper into the woods amid the eerily quiet and hauntingly beautiful landscape—bypassing tokens and remains of the departed, suicide notes tacked to trees and shrines put up by forlorn loved ones—they’ll depend on one another in ways they never had to before, testing the very fabric of their relationship. And, as daylight quickly escapes them and they find themselves lost in the dark veil of night, Bill discovers a truth Junko has hidden deep within her—a truth that will change them both forever.

Buy links on Winter Goose Publishing 

or go directly to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Connect with Robert at all his social networks

Follow Robert on his websites: Robert James Russell and Midwestern Gothic.  You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Robert James Russell lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has known he wanted to be a writer since he was ten years old. A fan of well-placed stream of consciousness and stories that feature everyday characters and dialogue, Robert has a penchant for stories focusing on relationships in all their many forms. In 2010, he co-founded the literary journal Midwestern Gothic, which aims to catalog the very best fiction of the Midwestern United States—an area he believes is ripe with its own mythologies and tall tales, yet often overlooked.

His work has appeared in Joyland, Thunderclap! Magazine, Red River Review, LITSNACK, Greatest Lakes Review, and The Legendary, among others. 

Sea of Trees is his first novel.

Sandcastle and Other Stories by Justin Bog

I met Justin a few months ago and did a guest blog for him about my top ten albums that help me create. We both have a passion for music, so it was the perfect fit. Later, I discovered what a terrific writer Justin is by subscribing to his creative writing blog.

Justin is one of the most genuinely supportive people I know, so I’m thrilled to showcase his debut novel, Sandcastle and Other Stories, and you know I LOVE the genre of short stories. I’m savoring each one as I read Justin’s book now. You will too!

Watch the excellent trailer and pick up a copy of Sandcastle and Other Stories. Find out find why it cracked the “TOP 100 Short Stories Paid List on Amazon“!

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Ten literary, psychological, and suspense tales collected in Sandcastle and Other Stories are nothing short of an adventure through a roiling sea of emotion. An old man twisted by fate and a lost love . . . a young girl playing on the ocean shore becomes entangled in nets of a mercurial god . . . a divorced man mired in troubles, coerced into taking a singles’ cruise . . . a Hollywood actor in a television drama, always typecast as the bad boy . . . a child kept awake by night terrors, and a woman who hides her secretive personality from everyone on the beach one sunny day. Genuine voices of the characters, mixed with a clear-eyed tonal directness, make this a series with mesmerizing psychological interaction. Stories span a broad depth of human understanding and build a bridge between deepest chasms of pain and high portals of joy.

Read Sandcastles and Other Stories and stand witness to unspeakable hate sitting with cozy wile, right beside unconditional love — a provocative and compelling mirror on the human condition.

Buy the ebook from Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K.

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Connect with Justin

Justin provides commentary and recommendations in Pop Culture as the Senior Contributor and Editor at In Classic Style.

Subscribe to Justin’s blog A Writer’s Life
and 
Follow him on Twitter @JustinBog

Justin Bog, first and foremost, grew up a voracious reader, movie fanatic, and music audiophile. Justin always carried a stack of library books and collected way too many comic books from his local Ohio small-town drugstore. More than one teacher scolded Justin to put his suspect reading materials away and join the class. Justin began to make up stories of his own, using an old typewriter he found in the attic.

So it comes as no surprise that Justin pursued an English Degree at the University of Michigan, followed by Film and Music Appreciation classes — finally graduating from Bowling Green State University with an MFA in Fiction Writing. After teaching creative writing, Justin began apprenticing in a number of bookstores and editing fiction for a midwestern journal. Justin ended up on the management team at Chapter One Bookstore in the Sun Valley resort area for a decade, offering book recommendations to its local celebrities, skiing fanatics, and tourists. Currently residing in the San Juan Islands just north of Seattle, Justin has the opportunity to focus on his own novels and short stories, while contributing commentary and reviews of Pop Culture. Justin continues to engage his lifelong passion for writing in combination with his curious mindset as the Senior Contributor and Editor at In Classic Style.

Sandcastle and Other Stories is his first book.

Sara’s Smile by Sandra Bunino

Sandra Bunino is a writer of the sexy, lover of handsome heroes and a sucker for a smokin’ hot scene. I was introduced to her by good friend and author, Rachel Thompson. With a book coming out in a couple of days, I’m thrilled to give Sandra some space to tell you all about it.

Please give Sandra a warm welcome as she tells us more about herself and Sara’s Smile. 

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“Men always want to be a woman’s first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man’s last romance.” ~ Oscar Wilde

(big sigh) I love that Wilde quote.

I’m such a romantic and have always been a sucker for a love lost/love found reunion story. My sensual romance, SARA’S SMILE is my second release but it’s actually my first story. I treat my books like my children and I just wasn’t ready to send this one out into the world as my first release. Instead I debuted my erotic romance, MAROONED IN MIAMI, to blaze the path for Sara. Now that warm weather is approaching, it’s the perfect time to introduce SARA’S SMILE as a sweet summer read.

There’s nothing like your first love, is there? Spanning five years, SARA’S SMILE will take you from young love found on the carefree beaches of Martha’s Vineyard to rekindled passion in the heart of New York City.

Blurb

As an architect who specializes in restorations, Sara Wiley is a genius at returning neglected structures to their former glory. But when it comes to her own life, she has no idea how to reclaim the ruins, which are all that remain of her first true love.

When the biggest opportunity of her career and a sexy contractor comes her way, she’s thrilled…until she learns that the client is the long-ago boy who captured her heart and continues to invade her dreams. Is it a bittersweet coincidence or might there be a chance, after all, for Sara to revisit the mistakes of her past and build the future she has wanted for so long?

 

Excerpt

Why am I doing this? she asked herself when she climbed into the cab, the next evening. Having dinner with him certainly isn’t going to help me get him out of my dreams.

As she got out, in front of O’Reilly’s, she was startled by her own reflection, and silently thanked Cat for assembling her outfit of dark skinny jeans, pink chiffon top with spaghetti straps and strappy silver sandals.  At Cat’s insistence, she had worn her hair long and loose. She had added her favorite dangling silver earrings and a matching chain and pendant just before she walked out the door. If clothing was armor, she was as well equipped as she could manage for the coming conversation.

She found Will at the crowded bar, where he kissed her on the cheek and gave her his seat.

“What are you drinking?” he asked.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

He ordered two martinis, and they began talking about the Hanson House. From there, the conversation turned naturally to their jobs. As Sara had expected, Will explained that he traveled all over the world and spent only a few weeks out of the year at his apartment in Santa Monica.

While he spoke, she stared at his mouth, remembering how his kisses felt on her lips. A glance at his hands awoke her memory of the way they had encircled her waist as she made love to him.

Stop it, she ordered herself sternly, and shook her head.

“Are you okay?”

Oh shit. I didn’t say that out loud, did I? “Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she answered with a laugh.

“Now that we’ve made a dent in these martinis,” he said, looking down at his glass, “I have to tell you… You broke my heart, that last night we were together. I really loved you, Sara.”

SARA’S SMILE releases May 18^th from Bradley Publishing.

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Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family.

Connect with Sandra at all her social networks

Website
Email: sbunino (at) gmail (dot) com
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Twitter (@sandrabunino)

Remember, following is sexy!

Ripper, My Love by Glynis Smy

Glynis Smy is a wonderful woman, friend, and now she’s also a published author! I interviewed her less than a year ago on my “Inside the Author’s Mind” series. She was popular then, and she’s only become more so. A  genuine person who promotes others, I am only too happy to return the favor.

Please welcome back a sweetheart of a lady as she talks about her new novel ~ Ripper, My Love. Offer your congratulations to Glynis too!

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Today writer/poet, Glynis Smy adds author/novelist to her name. Her debut novel, Ripper, My Love is launched in e-book format and paperback. The genre for this love story falls into the one of Historical Romance Suspense.

Growing up in late nineteenth century East London, Kitty Harper’s life is filled with danger and death – from her mother, her beloved neighbour and the working women of the streets.

With her ever-watchful father and living surrogate family though, Kitty feels protected from harm. In fact, she feels so safe that while Whitechapel cowers under the cloud of a fearsome murderer, she strikes out on her own, moving into new premises to accommodate her sewing business.

But danger is closer than she thinks. In truth, it has burrowed itself right into her heart in the form of a handsome yet troubled bachelor, threatening everything she holds dear. Will Kitty fall prey to lust – and death – herself, or can she find the strength inside to fight for her business, sanity and her future? And who is the man terrifying the streets of East London?

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Who is Glynis Smy?

Glynis was born and raised in England, in the coastal town of Dovercourt, near the port of Harwich (where the captain of the Mayflower lived). After qualifying as a nurse, she married her school friend, and they produced three children. During her rare quiet moments, she wrote poetry and articles for magazines. In 2005 she and her husband emigrated to Cyprus for a new life in the sun. It was here that Glynis lay down her cross stitch and started making writing friends on the Internet. With their support and encouragement she shared her poetry, and was successful in a few contests. She shared a short story with a friend, who wrote back telling her it was worthy of becoming a novel, and not to waste the premise upon a brief plot. The story is the one being launched today. Glynis found her love of writing 19th Century, historical romances and her second novel, Maggie’s Child, will be published at the end of 2012.

Aside from writing and cross stitch, Glynis enjoys creating greetings cards, and sells them to raise funds for a small hospice in Cyprus. One of her pleasures is to sit on the back porch with a glass of wine, and reflect upon her good life. She can often be heard chatting to new characters urging her forward.

Her desire to pay back those who had supported her is realised in a blog designed specifically to promote the books of others: New Book Blogger.  You can find her personal writing blog here. Glynis finds the community spirit of writers on Facebook a valuable one.

Want to purchase a copy?  

SPECIAL introductory price for the Kindle is 99c/77p!

Amazon Kindle US

Amazon.com Paperback

Amazon Kindle UK

Amazon.co.UK Paperback
The Book Depository UK (free delivery worldwide)
Barnes & Noble

Contemplations by L.M. Stull

One of my dearest friends and fellow authors just released a fantastic anthology. L.M. Stull has been interviewed as part of my “Inside the Author’s Mind” series, and I also reviewed her excellent debut novel A Thirty Something Girl.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up Contemplations, get it now! I’m a fan of short stories and poetry and L.M. writes both with a deft hand. Enjoy!

Before penning her first novel, L.M. Stull found her voice and style by crafting a variety of short stories, poems, and flash fiction. Comprised of the very first words she uttered as a writer, Contemplations is a collection of tales and prose about life. Some happy. Some sad. Contemplations is filled with a multitude of writings that are sure to touch each reader in one way or another.

Buy Links:  Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Smashwords

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Connect with L.M. Stull at all her social networks

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads Facebook Fellow Writer’s Group

L.M. also blogs about her own personal journey in life on her blog, Lisa’s Liberation.

A Washington, DC native, L.M. Stull spends her days chained to a desk at a law firm in southern Virginia. When she’s not feverishly taking orders from attorneys, she writes.

After the death of her grandfather, the words stopped flowing, and it was not until her late 20s that she rediscovered her passion for writing.

Her stories tell of the human spirit – sometimes sad, sometimes not – most can relate to them on some level or another.

Dreaming in Darkness by Jessica Kristie

Dreaming in Darkness, the award winning poetry collection by Jessica Kristie will be free for two days (April 15^th & 16^th)! Today and tomorrow you can download the Kindle version of Dreaming in Darkness for FREE!

Don’t have a Kindle? You can download the FREE APP for your PC, Smartphone or tablet including iPhone and iPad.

Download your free copy of Dreaming in Darkness NOW.

Take a moment to also check out Jessica’s brand new release Threads of Life,  now available through all major retailers.

Immerse yourself in the award winning and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominated poetry collection, Dreaming in Darkness, from writer Jessica Kristie.  Share the passion and anguish, the acceptance and regret that life imposes on us all. Feel the validation of your pain, discover empowerment through understanding, and be reminded that a light always exists when you are Dreaming in Darkness.

Enter the astonishingly honest world of American poet Jessica Kristie. Her new book, Threads of Life, is a crushing testament to the pain and anguish surrounding dysfunctional relationships. This author of the award winning  and Pushcart Prize nominated volume, Dreaming in Darkness, has gone deeper into the human soul, revealing a fascinating understanding of those who are forced to endure the bleakest of circumstances, and affirming that true forgiveness is achieved through one’s own inner peace.

Jessica Kristie  is the author of several poetry books, and the co-creator for the ArtPlatform book,  Inspiration Speaks Volume 1, which is now available in print and eBook through all major retailers, and benefits ColaLife.org.  She is also the founder of the Woodland, CA, poetry series, Inspiring Words—Poetry in Woodland.

Dreaming in Darkness is Jessica’s first volume of poetry which is the winner of the 2011 Sharp Writ Award in Poetry, and is nominated for a 2011 Pushcart Prize. Jessica’s second book, Threads of Life, was released March 2012 through Winter Goose Publishing. Her first spoken word CD, Road Maps, will be released late 2012.

Jessica has been published in several online and print magazines such as Zouch, Muse, A Writer’s Point of View and TwitArt Magazines.  You can find all of Jessica’s appearances under Press on her website.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jessica Kristie discovered her passion for writing as a child. Her inspiration comes in many forms, often inspired by just a word or quickly fleeting emotion. Through years of writing she has been able to capitalize on her experiences, whether they are painful or joyous. She hopes to draw you close to her world through shared emotion while inspiring you to forgive, remember, and heal.

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Connect to Jessica

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Earthly Concerns by Xavier Axelson

Xavier Axelson is an erotica author I connected with recently who writes in the M/M genre. His work has been described as compelling and edgy, and his latest book, Earthly Concerns is due out shortly. Please give him a warm welcome as he provides more details about his new book.

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Xavier Axelson is a writer and columnist living in Los Angeles.  His columns include interviews with counterculture celebrities, artisans, singers, writers, performance artists, politicians, and activists.  While his writing has been called, “raw, dirty, and absolutely beautiful,” Xavier hopes to push boundaries of what is expected in the M/M erotic genres.

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Earthly Concerns is an erotic nightmare, with a fable element.  It really is a story about the power of generosity, generosity of spirit and the price of selfishness.  While there is an erotic romance involved, there are forces at work in the story that scare me and hopefully will frighten readers too.

Between love and loss, there is obligation…

It was a peaceful night when Barrett and his daughter were driving home… then something happened.  Something sinister.

Between shadow and light, there is uncertainty…

Now the only person Barrett can turn to for help is Anson, a man gifted with psychic abilities beyond reason. But Anson is also his ex-boyfriend, a man whose heart he’d already broken.

If you can see, you have to help.

As Anson delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Barrett’s accident, he begins to realize that he’s not only in a race against time, but in a battle against his own broken heart and the terrifying understanding that whatever has taken Barrett’s child is a force of evil beyond anything either man has ever encountered.

And between decision and consequences, there are… Earthly Concerns

Buy Earthly Concerns HERE

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Read an excerpt:

How could I just go over, and if I did, would I just be stumbling back into the pit of snakes I had just narrowly escaped the first time?  I thought this and a hundred other dangerous thoughts until I saw him begin to stand up. I waved him down, then went over and sat down.

Apparently, I thought the best course of action was to dive right in, avoid any further uncomfortable thoughts from belching up from the cesspool that I was creating in my skull.

“Tell me everything,” I blurted, trying to avoid looking into his eyes.

“You look good, all hot and cute,” he said, trying to maintain his smile, but the weight of his sadness was too intense. Instead, he managed a pained grimace.

“Thanks.” I wanted to say more, return the compliment, but found I couldn’t; he was a keen listener and would be able to detect any false sentiment I might throw out. I stared down at the menu and tried to ignore my heart, which had once again taken up its incessant thrumming.

“Thanks for coming,” he said.

I didn’t look up, but could feel him staring at me.

When the waitress came over, we ordered. Without the menu to stare at, I looked up and past him.

“Anson.” He said my name like it was some sort of invocation.

Did he believe he was dreaming?  I could only imagine the nightmare of not knowing where your child is and if she would ever come back.

“Tell me everything,” I repeated, my voice steady. I lowered my eyes and faced him; and seeing his sadness, I swallowed hard.

“It’s unreal,” he said, this time looking away from me, his eyes glistening. “I’m not sure I know what’s happened.”

The waitress arrived with two small cups of clear broth with some vegetables in them and refilled our waters.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my eyes riveted on him. I couldn’t believe I was sitting across from him in the same place I had met him once before; the day he wanted to return a t-shirt I had left at his place after one of our interludes.

Even now, looking beaten and tormented, the man somehow managed to provoke me in ways other men hadn’t. I saw him as beautiful and felt my stomach lurch. I looked at his brown eyes that I remembered looking gold in the sun, and his oddly handsome face. Not a traditionally good looking face, but handsome in a bookish, learned way. I felt my body begin to respond.

Congratulations, Xavier on your new book! I wish you every success with it, eden

Connect with Xavier

Website        Facebook        Twitter        Examiner.com

Pilate’s Key by J. Alexander Greenwood

J. Alexander Greenwood was originally interviewed for Inside the Author’s Mind last May. I read his book, Pilate’s Cross Dec. 2010 and have been bugging him for a follow-up ever since. It’s finally here – Wheee! I think Alex is an incredible writer and one of the nicest men you’d want to meet. I am always happy to give him space on my blog to promote his projects. Find out more about Pilate’s Key.

As a reminder: If you’re in the Kansas City area Feb. 23, be sure to attend a reception and presentation about Alex’s work hosted by the Kansas City Public Library! More details and RSVP link here.

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John Pilate Mystery fans, your wait is over!

The small but vocal cadre of fans asked for a follow-up to the acclaimed mystery thriller Pilate’s Cross, and author J. Alexander Greenwood delivers it with Pilate’s Key.

Since publishing the first book in 2009, Alex has enjoyed meeting with numerous Kansas City–area book clubs and had a book signing in Omaha in 2011.

“I really enjoyed hearing the likes–and dislikes–of my readers at book clubs as well as meeting new fans at the book signing at The Bookworm in Omaha,” he said. “The book clubs overwhelmingly asked me to hurry up on writing the sequel.”

The book’s popularity in Kansas City made it possible for him to be honored with a speaking engagement at the Kansas City Public Library as part of their author series.

“Anyone who knows about the incredible library system in Kansas City will recognize immediately what an honor this is for me and my books,” Alex said. “I keep pinching myself when I think about being invited!”

The Kansas City Public Library will host the author event at the Plaza Branch (4801 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64112) Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a reception followed by a multimedia presentation by Alex about what inspired his novels and his life as a writer. A book signing session with Alex and award-winning book cover artist David A. Terrill is also scheduled. The Library encourages patrons RSVP for this event. Click here for the event RSVP link.

Pilate’s Key was published as an ebook in January 2012 and in paperback in February. It follows John Pilate to the sands of Key West, Florida.

Life’s A Beach for John Pilate…

On the mend from a near-death experience in the snowy Midwest, John Pilate is taking it easy on the sun-soaked beaches of Key West. Umbrella drink in hand, Pilate is writing a book and getting some much-needed therapy to deal with his imaginary friend Simon. He’s also pondering the future with his new love, Kate. Life is looking up for John Pilate…until he is drawn into a world of murder, pirates, conch fritters and smart aleck remarks from invisible men.

He has blood on his hands, a mysterious poker chip in his pocket, shadows over his shoulder and a sexy cop in his bed. John Pilate is in trouble again–and the only way out is to find the key…Pilate’s Key. (From the book jacket)

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“The word from readers is so encouraging…usually along the lines of ‘I liked the first book, but Pilate’s Key is even better.’ Better editing, snappier dialogue, the works–I take that as a high compliment,” Alex said.

Like the first book, Pilate’s Key is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and wherever ebooks are sold. It’s also a print-on-demand paperback–available on Lulu now and soon from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and on order from your local bookstore.

Alex looks forward to future book club appearances–whether in person or via Skype.

“Technology has made it possible for me to appear at book clubs all over the world, and I’m certainly ready to do so.”

Alex won the 2011 Shelf Unbound Short Story competition for his popular story Obsidian (available on Amazon.com). Besides writing Book Three in the John Pilate series, Alex is working on a multimedia project with artist David Terrill. For more information and for book club discounts and appearances,

Connect with Alex

Website

Facebook

Email: author (at) pilatescross.com

Twitter

Congratulations, Alex on your new book! Thrilled for you and can’t wait to read it, eden

A GODSEND: A Love Story for Grownups

A GODSEND: A Love Story for Grownups was referred to me by friend and novelist, David Lender. I read about the authors of the book on their Amazon page and after watching their video, I knew I wanted to feature them.

Dalma Heyn and Richard Marek have written, edited, and published numerous books. This new venture is their first collaborative effort as writers. I’m sure you’ll enjoy getting to know them better.

Please give a warm welcome to Dalma Heyn and Richard Marek.

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 Buy links:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Apple iBookstore   Kobo

Watch the video

In Dalma’s own words … 

For years, I’ve written about women’s deepest feelings about love, sexuality, marriage, in my nonfiction books,  beginning with The Erotic Silence of the American Wife, and moving on to Marriage Shock: The Transformation of Women into Wives, and then Drama Kings: The Men Who Drive Strong Women Crazy. And my husband, Richard Marek, had edited four books by James Baldwin, discovered Robert Ludlum, and published Thomas Harris, Peter Straub and Richard Condon, among many others. So when we wanted to collaborate on a love story, we had me, this woman’s advocate, filled with women’s stories in my head; and this pace master,  a thriller expert….and we had to figure out how to make our skills work together, and well.

In A GODSEND: A Love Story for Grownups , we wondered: Can two busy, independent adults living on opposite coasts, both with plenty of emotional baggage;  neither one using Facebook or Twitter;  iPads, Match.com or even cell phones… and who have absolutely no desire for another relationship; fall in love?

And if they meet, how will they get together if, combined with their ambivalence,  they don’t use social media or cellphones? This is the crucial question sticking in the quiver of The God of Love, whose career as a matchmaker is on the line unless he can prove he’s still relevant in this world of tweeters, texters and sexters who seem to do nicely without his services. His boss gives him one more chance to work his old magic and get a great love affair going…..or else he’s out of a job.

Enter Evan and Eve. Evan is an outdoorsman, car enthusiast and book anthologist who has given up on love; Eve is a former ballerina who now runs her own Vermont maple sugar farm. When an ice storm threatens to destroy Eve’s maple trees, and Evan’s ex-girlfriend, now ill, begs him to take her in, their love implodes.  The God of Love is powerless to intercede. But the soul of a man and the heart of a woman are stronger even than the will of the Gods, the treachery of mortals, and the power of social media.

Richard and I had a great time collaborating, easier than we had thought—although it took us a long time to get the tone, voice and pace the way we both wanted it. I think the fact that we shared different thoughts about what make characters come alive, and how much time to spend on various parts of the novel, made our journey more fun than it would have been if we’d both come from the same literary place. We love the story, and hope readers will, too. And we welcome, most of all, readers’ thoughts and input.

Read two excerpts: 

Yes, he thought, I’m ready for a woman like you, now. Everyone before Eve was a little girl; even his own sexual experience, in retrospect, felt partial; teenaged. This was a woman to contend with, a woman who needed a grown man. 

He smiled down at her, and his eyes reassured her. “Let’s go,” he said.

“Let’s go,” she moaned. And together, they went.

Eve, rocked beyond joy, felt infused with an immense gratitude, a global sensation of thanks. The pleasures and successes to which she had given her life until now seemed to pale next to this feeling. She understood the price she’d paid for her art….why she’d for so long felt a nagging loss in her heart, in her bones, in her skin. It was not just a hunger for a certain kind of love; it was a need to feel part of the world, of the universe, even. It was a need for this.

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This was what she most feared in herself—in herself in relation to men, anyway; this reflexive impulse toward cookie-baking goodness, even here in her own home with a stranger. She’d boldly invited this man to visit her for the purpose of an affair, yet here she was nattering on self-consciously like a young girl being hustled off to a drive-in movie by a horny teenager. Could she not successfully play the role of the seductress without feeling as if she were about to be hurled under a train, or hurl herself under one, a la Anna Karenina?….God knows she wouldn’t call herself repressed. Yet some impulse left over from her girlhood had crept over her, something to do with proving to a man you’re virtuous. Something to do with earning love.

Congratulations, Dalma and Richard on your newest venture. May you have every success with your book!

Readers, please take this opportunity to connect with Dalma and Richard and ask them questions!  

Image courtesy of Pam Barkentin Blackburn

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Central ~ Open Road Media 

Dalma Heyn’s books, The Erotic Silence of the American Wife; Marriage Shock; and Drama Kings are published in 34 languages and have been bestsellers both here and abroad.  Richard Marek spent 40 years in the publishing business, rising from a junior editor at Macmillan to President and Publisher of E.P. Dutton. During that time, he discovered Robert Ludlum, edited four books by James Baldwin, and published Thomas Harris, Peter Straub and Richard Condon, among many others. He is the author of a novel, Works of Genius.

A Thirty-Something Girl by L.M. Stull

Author, L.M. Stull

I love this thirty-something girl who wrote A Thirty-Something Girl.

L.M. Stull is a shining light in the indie author community, and I could not be happier to showcase her debut novel. She was one of the first authors I interviewed for Inside the Author’s Mind, and we’ve been connected ever since.  I think it’s both fitting and serendipitous that she’s on my blog almost a year to the day since that interview, and even more so that she’s here in a month with the theme of  ”new beginnings.”

In many ways, A Thirty-Something Girl is not only L.M.’s debut novel; it’s a symbol of her own growth over this past year. When we first met, she was working on a different book. Originally a writer of paranormal romance, L.M. changed course when she realized she preferred to write stories about the human spirit.

I don’t normally post reviews on my blog, and I didn’t think I would be able to finish A Thirty-Something Girl in time to do it for this post. I was mistaken. Read my review, and you’ll understand why.

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Review of A Thirty-Something Girl

I’m not the world’s fastest reader, but I cannot remember the last time I breezed through a book as quickly as I did A Thirty-Something Girl. From the first sentence to the last, I inhaled L.M.’s words as if they were air.

Does this mean there wasn’t a lot of substance? Absolutely not. Written in first person point of view, Hope Ellena Jackson, a thirty-something girl lives through more twists and turns in a year than many of us encounter in a lifetime. At almost any point in the book, I was riding a wave of frayed emotions – either my stomach was in knots or my inner cheerleader was doing high-kicks.

You see, I really liked Hope. I liked her relationship with her girlfriends, her romantic interest, and her broken past. In her, any woman can find something to relate to. Hope is that part of us who must come to terms with life’s misfortunes. Some of them are of our own making; others are by circumstance. Either way, Hope has to deal with the consequences. In the process, she cements her friendships, opens her heart, and finds love.

L.M.’s book is a testament to the type of stories she wants to write. In A Thirty-Something Girl, she spins a generous tale about the resilience of the human spirit. Hope is her vehicle to illustrate that we all have the ability to rise above life’s hardships. As with her main character’s journey, it’s never a straight line to a happy ending, but while moving toward it, we learn what we are truly capable of.

My strong suspicion is that L.M. wrote A Thirty-Something Girl from a very personal place—perhaps her own life experiences from this past year. Hope is a thinly veiled metaphor, and there is clever wordplay strewn throughout the book using her name.

L.M. has written a book for all ages. It’s not just for thirty-something girls; it’s for twenty-somethings who can learn valuable life lessons, and those older who can take comfort in the wisdom of their decisions.

It’s for all of us who implicitly know that life is what we make of it, but sometimes a thirty-something girl like Hope comes along and reminds us.

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Available from:

 Amazon    Barnes & Noble    BookieJar    Smashwords    iTunes

Life has been anything but kind, and everything that can go wrong has. At an age when life should be coming together, and questions should start to be answered, Hope finds herself feeling very alone and terribly confused. As her life spirals out of control, she realizes she needs help. And she needs it quickly.

With the love and support of some dear friends, Hope slowly begins to find her true self, and along the way, she meets someone. Someone who makes her feel like living to see another day might just be worth it.

But with happiness, comes pain. Pain from a past that simply won’t be forgotten. Walking a dangerously fine line between joy and utter despair, Hope wonders if happy endings really do exist. And if they do, is there one waiting for her?

L.M. is giving away an AUTOGRAPHED paperback copy of A Thirty-Something Girl to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave a comment after this post!  A drawing will be made Jan. 23rd to choose the winner. Thank you L.M. for your generosity to my readers!

Connect with the lovely L.M. Stull at all her social networks.

Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads   Facebook Fellow Writer’s Group

L.M. also blogs about her own personal journey in life on her blog, Lisa’s Liberation.

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A Washington, DC native, L.M. Stull spends her days chained to a desk at a law firm in southern Virginia. Yes, she works for lawyers… you can go ahead and feel sorry for her.

Most of her youth was spent studying classical piano and dance. And while L.M. wrote several short stories, her primary focus was on poetry. After the death of her grandfather, the words stopped flowing, and it was not until her late 20s that she rediscovered her passion for writing.

When she’s not feverishly taking orders from attorneys, you can find her pounding the pavement thinking up her next story idea… and sometimes eating cake (okay, maybe more than sometimes).

.45 Caliber Jitterbug by Maxwell Cynn

One of the most diverse authors I know is Maxwell Cynn. He was interviewed May 13, 2011 for Inside the Author’s Mind and has been a wonderful and supportive friend.

.45 Caliber Jitterbug is an incredibly intriguing title and the latest addition to Max’s growing library. After falling in love with his previous books, CybrGrrl and The Collective, I’m really looking forward to this newest offering.

Find out more about .45 Caliber Jitterbug, and get your FREE COPY for a limited time ONLY! See details below.

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Available from Amazon

It’s the Roaring Twenties in America, but in the South that roar is kept discreetly behind closed doors and separated into “Whites” and “Coloreds” even at the Speakeasy. Jack Spaulding was born and raised in this quiet southern town, but he doesn’t care much for Segregation or Prohibition. He’s a journalist and his best friend was murdered investigating the war brewing between local Moonshiners and the Chicago Mob.

.45 Caliber Jitterbug is a Cozy Romantic Mystery set in Charlotte, North Carolina – the author’s home town. A journalist at the local paper is murdered, a young girl from a prominent family is raped and killed, and a local bartender is shot – all with a high caliber handgun at close range. Jack and an intrepid young legal assistant determined to be the first female lawyer in the state must unravel the mystery and uncover corruption in the seemingly peaceful town.

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Max is offering .45 Caliber Jitterbug FREE for TWO days ONLY – TODAY & TOMORROW. Get your copy now from Amazon.

Thank you Max for your generosity, and I’m really looking forward to reading your book!  

Maxwell Cynn is a freelance writer, novelist, amateur coder, webmaster, and Indie Publisher. He writes an eclectic mix of science fiction, romance, fantasy, and adventure. His short stories are published in sundry media, online and in print, and he is active in the emerging Indie Lit community.

Connect to him at all his various social networks.

Website     Blog     Twitter     Publishing     Facebook

King of Swords by Russell Blake

Russell Blake was introduced to me by fellow author, David Lender. As you know, I like good writers and people who have adventurous spirits—Russell certainly qualifies as both. You’ll discover more about him in the coming months when he’s interviewed here, but in the meantime, enjoy finding out about his latest release, King of Swords.

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Thanks so much for the opportunity to share with your audience, Eden. My name’s Russell Blake, and I write suspense/intrigue thrillers with a strong conspiracy undercurrent. I live full time in Mexico, where I’ve resided happily for approaching a decade.

My latest novel, King of Swords, draws on my familiarity with Mexico, specifically with the culture of modern Mexico, which is completely different than the country portrayed in Hollywood and the news. It draws on that different perspective, and my exposure to the ongoing de facto civil war between the drug cartels and the government, to frame a novel that was demanding to get out. It’s an assassination thriller set in present-day Mexico, where a cop gets wind of an assassination plot by a super assassin known only as “El Rey” – the King of Swords – after the tarot card he uses as his calling card on hits. The cop, captain Romero Cruz of the Mexican Federal Police, must race to find and stop El Rey from killing the U.S. and Mexican presidents at the upcoming G-20 financial summit in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. King of Swords is a gritty, disturbing, lurid, breakneck-paced novel that unflinchingly describes the reality of the cartel violence that kills between eight to ten thousand people in Mexico every year, as well as examines the financial and political drivers behind the drug trade. Day of the Jackal is one of my favorite novels, and I always wanted to write a book like it. I’ve been told that King of Swords is like Jackal on steroids in a Ferrari on an ice-covered autobahn. It’s unlike anything else I’ve written, or read – and I read voraciously. I would advise readers who are unfamiliar with my work to give King of Swords twenty minutes, and if they can put it down, I failed. Likewise, if they aren’t disturbed or cringing or wincing in places, I failed. And if they can sleep at night, or don’t have recurring dreams of scenes from the book, I failed. It’s a novel that is designed to affect and move, that will cause readers to want to recommend it and discuss it, and it’s written in a manner that presumes the reader is intelligent and informed. I think of my readers as bright, jaded, pragmatic, and demanding much from their books. If you’re looking for formulaic or monosyllabic, I’m not going to be your cuppa. I deliberately push the envelope on everything, at all times, in the book – it’s unconventional, in the same way a season of “24″ was unconventional when that TV show first broadcast. If you want predictable books where ex-CIA killers make the ladies swoon, you won’t like me. If you demand thrillers that leave you gasping, going, “WTF was that?” you should give me a try.

Purchase from Amazon

Blurb
King of Swords is an epic assassination thriller framed against a gritty backdrop of brutal drug cartel violence in modern Mexico.

The G-20 Financial Summit is planned for San Jose Del Cabo. The world’s pre-eminent finance ministers will attend, along with the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico.

Captain Romero Cruz of the Mexican Federal Police uncovers an assassination plot against the attendees. In a roller-coaster race against the clock, Cruz must track and stop El Rey, the “King of Swords” – a faceless super-assassin responsible for a string of the world’s most spectacular killings, before he turns the G-20 into a slaughterhouse.

King of Swords is an intelligent, rule-breaking rush that shatters convention to create a richly-drawn story that’s sure to shock and delight even the most jaded intrigue/adventure thriller fans.

Bio
Russell Blake is the international bestselling author of Fatal Exchange, a groundbreaking genre-blending thriller set against the counter-culture backdrop of New York’s gritty underground, The Geronimo Breach, an action/intrigue/thriller set in Panama, the bestselling Zero Sum trilogy of Wall Street thrillers – Kotov Syndrome, Focal Point and Checkmate (which hit #15 on Amazon’s top 100 free books), The Delphi Chronicle trilogy, the epic assassination thriller, King of Swords, and its prequel, Night of the Assassin.

His first satirical non-fiction work, How To Sell A Gazillion eBooks In No Time (even if drunk, high or incarcerated) was released to critical raves. An Angel With Fur, his second non-fiction book chronicling the saga of Lobo the miracle dog, has been the #1-#5 Book in Animal Essays at Amazon UK for months.

“Captain” Russell, 52, lives on the Pacific coast of Mexico, where he spends his time writing, fishing, collecting & drinking tequila, and playing with his dogs. He is currently hard at work on a magnum opus of indeterminate plot, topic or genre, tentatively titled The Voynich Cipher, and a panoramic, epic screenplay about…cartoon ninja beavers for whom this time it’s personal, tentatively titled Beaver Team Bravo.

Often referred to as “The Writer’s Writer’s Writer’s Writer,” Russell is also a self-declared guru on everything related to writing, self-publishing and self-promotion. And he hates clowns.

Connect to Russell:  Website   Twitter   Facebook

 

“Number 69″ by Casey Sheridan

One of my favorite writers is releasing her latest novella today.  Casey Sheridan, who was previously interviewed on my blog is a dear friend and a wonderfully sensual author.

Her book, Number 69, is available from Breathless Press today!

Read the HOT blurb below:

Can a pair of vibrating panties help Melodie find the man of her dreams?

A matchmaking party was not Melodie’s idea of fun, and wearing vibrating panties was just plain weird. Or was it?

Should she go to the party? After all, she just might meet Mr. Right. And if he doesn’t show, she has the vibrating panties to keep things interesting.

Congratulations, Casey on Number 69! Readers, please leave a comment and wish Casey the very best with her latest launch.

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Purchase “Number 69″ from Breathless Press.

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Casey was originally interviewed for Inside the Author’s Mind – December 17, 2010.