You won’t believe who my guest is today!
09 May 2012 32 Comments
in Author guest, Blog Tour, book to read, Debut release, giveaway, Promotion, Shapeshifters, TWRP Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, excited, faeries, Free books, Gift of the Realm, giveaway, interview, Irish, mackenzie crowne, mystical, Pen of the Dreamer, Winner, wolf, Writing
Osiyo~
I know you’re jealous. Admit it. 
I’m the lucky one today and I am verra thrilled to be the caboose of the multi-blog scavenger hunt for sister TWRP debut author (and I’m proud to say, my friend!), Mackenzie Crowne’s Gift of the Realm. We’re doing an interview and she’s here to tell you more about why you will want to read this book—besides that enchanting and haunting cover and the scrumptious Colin! So let’s get this ranch jumping! Please give a Ranch welcome to Mac Crowne! *indicates the screen door in a grand gesture…gawks…at…*
Donovan O’Brian Quinn be me name.
Calisa: Wha-? Wait a minute…
Donovan: I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance. The lovely Calisa was kind enough to invite me to visit today, to tell ye about me book. Gift of the Realm, it’s called. Oh, I didn’t do the actual writing of the thing. Mackenzie Crowne had that honor, but the story is mine. I’m the star, ye see.
Calisa: Uh-huh… *glances around for the hidden camera then back at the dog talking? to her* Hello? *a talking dog! pinches her arm and winces* Am I being Punk’d? I thought Mac was supposed to be here today. Where’s Ashton? Oh, well. Who am I to turn away a talking dog? Welcome to the ranch, Donovan, was it?
Donovan: I know what ye be thinking’. A dog? Really? Dogs don’t type and they certainly don’t blog.
Calisa: Of course you know “what I be thinking.’ I just expressed that. What I want to know is…how?
Donovan: Well now, I’m here to tell ye, if ye hadn’t noticed already, an ordinary dog I’m not. An Irish wolfhound I be, living in the world of folklore and 
fairies in the mystical village of Dunhaven, Ireland, where strange and wonderful happenings are the norm. My people are Halflings, ye see. Ye might have heard of them. Keely and Colin Quinn be their names.
Calisa: Actually, I have— Ooh! That’s beautiful! I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland and seeing a cliff like this one. *sighs*
Mac: Donovan!
*Calisa jumps from her reverie*
Donovan: *Yelp* Oh, Mac! Ye frightened a full seven years off me life. I didn’t see ye there. Tis the author herself, me friends. Say hello, Mac.
Calisa: Mac, what a pleasant surprise to see you! *eyeballs Donovan suspiciously*
Mac: Hello, everyone, nice to meet you. What are you up to, Donovan? Sorry, Calisa. I hope he’s not bothering you.
Calisa: Not at—
Donovan: I like that! Invited, I was. Calisa and I are having a wee visit. The lass smells of sweet, cinnamon candy, don’t ye know. I like that in a human.
Calisa: I didn’t actually know it was going to be Donovan, Mac. But since he’s here… He does say such kind, flattering things about me. And I do enjoy spicy cinnamon now and again…which Donovan noticed. Flattery…
Mac: Yes, she is a sweetheart. *winks at Calisa* A wee visit, huh?
Calisa: I don’t mind, really. And you are a sweet darlin, Mac. And he was about to tell me some of his story which I’d love to hear! I’m sure my Ranch guests are all ears, as well. I mean, how often does one have a chance to *chat* with a talking Irish dog?
Donovan: Aye. I’m sharing a bit of our story with the lads and lasses who’ve popped in for a visit. It’s a fine tale ye’ve woven, even if it tis a romance.
Mac: Keely and Colin don’t seem to mind Gift of the Realm is a romance.
Calisa: My guests and I LOVE romance! *bobs head back and forth between Mac and Donovan wondering if either are really listening to her*
Donovan: Hah! Humans, even those with fairie blood running through their veins, are silly with it when they find their one true mate. But I didn’t say I minded. After all, it’s a tale full of curses and fairies, and an ancient ring of stones. And then of course, there’s me. Who doesn’t love a tale includin’ a charmin’ Irish wolfhound?
Calisa: *raises hand, whispers* I do.
Mac: I’m not sure Keely would use the word charming. Not when you have a habit of digging up her lilacs.
Donovan: Ah, that. Well, I’m a dog, ain’t I? It’s what we do. And Keely doesn’t mind so much, not when her black wolf has a paw in that bit of mischief, more often than not.
Mac: Hmmm. *grins* She does have a soft spot for that Halfling of hers.
Donovan: And isn’t that how it should be, I ask ye? No matter. She can’t stay mad at me. Not for long, anyway. I helped her solve the mystery of the ring, after all.
Mac: Yes, you did, but you don’t want to share too much with your new friends here. You’ll spoil the story for them.
Donovan: Aye. Ye have a point. Still, we might tease them with a bit of our tail. An excerpt, I believe it’s called. Ye have one, don’t ye? And are ye still running yer scavenger hunt contest, over at yer own web home? The one where me friends have a chance at winning a free copy of Gift of the Realm and a $25 Amazon card?
*Calisa’s ears perk at this idea*
Mac: I do have an excerpt, and the Virtual Scavenger Hunt runs through today.
Donovan: And I’m thinkin’ ye should give away a free copy of our story right here, to one of the lovely Calisa’s friends.
Mac: That’s an excellent idea, Donovan. I’m glad you thought of it.
Calisa: *claps hands and hops in joy*
Donovan: Then what are ye waiting for? Give me friends the chains, so they can find out more about me…I mean, yer book.
Mac: I think you mean the links.
Calisa: *snickers*
Donovan: *snort* Dog, remember?
Mac: *laughs* Here are the excerpt and the links. And don’t stay too long. You’re scheduled for a grooming today.
Donovan: *growl* I thought to chat with me new friends a bit. There be dog lovers here, ye know. I’ll be gifting our book to one of them, after I hear what breed, other than Wolfhound, take their fancies. I’ll be along in me own good time.
Calisa: Erm… I love my Chihuahuas and cried when I had to find a new home for my beautiful Boxer… *eyes the cover of Mac’s book hungrily* Too bad hostesses can’t win. *pouts*
Mac: *waves at Calisa* Thanks, my friend. Don’t let him climb on the furniture. He sheds like crazy.
Calisa: That’s ok, Mac. I have plenty of duct tape around here I use for my own four-legged hair balls. *waves Mac off*
Donovan: *snort*
Calisa: What? I use the tape to remove hair from the furniture! Oh… Just let the visitors read the excerpt… *rolls eyes*
Excerpt:
She tossed a thick stalk onto the small pile at her feet and set the claw at another. Her continued silence said she was done with him and expected him to go.
He abused her of that expectation by taking a seat at the small table beside the garden. He sat with his legs spread, elbows propped on his knees. Donovan lifted his head to stare at him, his dark brows puckered above darker eyes that seemed to plead with him to bring peace to the garden once more.
“I am your friend, Keely,” Colin told her, “and I’d like to help if I can.”
She paused at her chore, tilting her head to eye him suspiciously from beneath the brow of the hat. “Why would you want to do that?”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Well, now, there’s a question. It turns out I’m not the sort of man who can ignore a mystery.”
“That’s not the impression you gave yesterday.”
“Yesterday I was near to being speechless.” A slow smile spread across his face as he decided how to break through her pique. “A man can be excused for being a bit rattled when sitting across from a lovely woman who’s just admitted to dreaming of him for the better part of a decade.”
She fell back on her heels, her eyes widening. “I didn’t admit to dreaming of you, Quinn.” She jabbed the claw in his direction. “I said you joined me in the dreams.”
“You’d consider that a distinction, and yet you admit you’ve been dreaming of me. I prefer my own interpretation.” Confusion knit her brow, and he could see she wasn’t sure if she wanted to blast him for being an arrogant ass, or smile. He pressed the advantage. “I’ve a clearer head this morning, darlin’. I’m here to offer my help.”
She didn’t react to his use of the endearment, but he didn’t miss the flash of interest in her eyes at his offer of help. “How, exactly, do you propose to do that?”
“These dreams we share.” He paused, pleased to see a faint blush spreading color on her cheeks. “They always take place at the Door?”
She nodded.
“The way I see it, you’ve made Dunhaven your home, but you’ve spent little time here. I, on the other hand, have lived the whole of my life in Dunhaven, except for the time I spent at university, and you’ll not be holding that against me.”
“I won’t, huh?”
He grinned. “No, darlin’, you won’t.”
“Hmm.” She glanced away, fiddling with the tool clutched in her lap. He winked at Donovan, and gained a dog grin. Now they were getting somewhere.
Find Mac at: http://mackenziecrowne.com (The details of the Scavenger Hunt are there, as well as all the clues)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MacCrowne
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieCrowne
Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press http://tinyurl.com/84agxz2
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/84mxmrj
What a great excerpt, Mac!!! And I really think I might print and frame that cover just so I can drool over it. Remember, black wolf shifter fan here. Thank you so very much for the contest, Mac!
Donovan…it was wonderful, and interesting to meet you. Thanks for surprising me with your visit. What more can I say but, stay away from my lilacs—don’t lift that leg there! Go get your groom on.
For everyone else, don’t forget to visit Mac’s cyber home- which is one you don’t want to miss, it’s gorgeous! Leave a note in the ranch comment box telling Donovan your email and what your favorite dog breed is (except Wolfhounds- no buttering allowed on the ranch unless it’s by me!) for the chance at a FREE copy of Gift of the Realm!!!
Dodadagohvi~
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A Personal Dedication
07 May 2012 107 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, dreaming, fun, giveaway, Home, Promotion, Release date, TWRP, Win, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Nan Swanson, Pen of the Dreamer, Rhonda Penders, RJ Morris, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Wild Rose Press, Tina Lynn Stout, Writing
Osiyo~
I am so excited today! 
Because, because, because, becaaaaaause………. Because of the wonderful things she does!
Ok, I love The Wizard of Oz. I’m no Dorothy for sure, though I live in tornado alley with a tiny dog, Cocoa the temperamental Chihuahua.
But I’m singing praises for a wonderful woman by the name of Nancy Swanson today. Who? Let me explain.
Exactly one year ago I got an email with these words in it:
“thumbs up for HOME”
That email started out:
“Just got word from my senior editor…it’s a go! As soon as I can get a mouse to work with my laptop I’ll send you the contract documents…”
So, the reason for my excitement today is that it was the beginning of my dreams all coming true. I would finally be a published author! And true to her word, Nan Swanson- my beautiful editor at The Wild Rose Press- sent me the contract soon after! She was on her way to the annual TWRP retreat when she sent me the first email and just home again when I got the second one. That was the longest week in my writing history, let me tell ya!
Now a year later I’m waiting for my first payday for that Vintage Rosette, my Scrimshaw Doll short story, HOME, proudly listed under this lovely Logo on the website.
Of course, my editor isn’t the only one I have to thank for my first book becoming a splendid reality. It wouldn’t be nearly as appealing to look at on Kindle, PC or Nook (or whatever you use to read it) without the stunning job Tina Lynn Stout did on my gorgeous cover! I adore the colors and soft appearance Tina chose to bring out the effects of the era. That car is perfect to reflect the 60′s. 
Most of all, I have to thank Rhonda Penders and RJ Morris- 
- for taking a chance on me and over-looking my neurotic tendencies and offering that coveted contract! And to Lisa who made getting my baby out there possible with her talented marketing skills!
Here’s to The Wild Rose Press!!! 
In the acceptance of my story, TWRP also enabled me to meet the bestest group of writers in Cyberland or print! I adore and love my Sister Roses!!!! They (ya’ll) have made this last year a fun ride. Thank you and raise your glasses in a toast to all Roses!
So…in celebration of the event– I’m giving away a copy of Home to one lucky commenter and I’ll throw in a real signature Rose Rock from my town here in Oklahoma! These are sandy rocks that, because of the sulphur in the dirt and sand in this area and the way water runs over the terrain, forms unusual and unique rose-shaped formations.
They are not always distinct as you can see by these pictures.
(Rose Rock for a USA commenter only)
And since my name is Rhose…
Neat. Huh?
Join me in my celebration and win a book and a Rose!!! I’m verra excited to gift someone with my book!!!!!!
Leave your email with your comment and share what your most exciting or memorable event was as a writer. If you’re not a writer, what was your most memorable day in your adult life (weddings and baby births aside, because those always trump any other day!)?
Dodadagohvi~
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Contest: HELP! I need an opening scene!
11 Apr 2012 11 Comments
in AHA moments, awards, Blogs, Contests, Cowboys, fun, getting the word out, Goals, inspirations, My writing, Progress, revisions, The Wild Rose Press, Win Tags: #TWRP, Back to the Way We Were, Calisa Rhose, Free books, honky tonk, jasper tx, pen name, Pen of the Dreamer, Writing
Osiyo~
I’m in a rambling mood this morning, trying to transfer the mood to my WIP. Not happening so far, but the muse is tugging at me. You may know, or remember me blogging, about my cowboy story I began last September. It was prompted by an ALL CALL from Wild Rose Press for novellas to go into a new series, Honky Tonk Hearts–the first two of these releases this month! I read the word cowboy and my ears perked up, my muse’s ears perked. Why? Because at that time it had been more than a year since I’d been able to enjoy the smooth sex appeal and charm of a cowboy!
My last was Healing Whispers, Tanner Royal. How many remember him and Tobi Star? I got a request for the partial by an editor at Harlequin SE… What happened with that, you ask? Absolutely nothing. After nearly two years I’m still waiting to hear back on that submission. 
Email? Oh, I have…twice. No response is forthcoming so far, not even nearly a year after my second email. Try again? Maybe, or maybe I’ll just submit HW elsewhere. I like the sound of that. True, it wouldn’t be Harlequin, but does that really matter as long as a quality publisher prints my book? I don’t think so.
What does this peek into the dismal past have to do with my ramblings today? I’ll tell ya.
I was trying to sleep last night and as it happens, too often, my characters came to stretch out beside me. Pillow hogs, I tell ya’ll! So there we lay, Nick on my left, Haley on the right…she insisted to lie next to my hubby, not that I blame her. I’m trying to sleep, they want to gab. Typical.
Hero doesn’t think he’s cut out to be a sheriff and heroine doesn’t like how they meet up again after eight years. WTH???
He has to be in law enforcement and there’s already a built in Marshal in the series. That leaves the position of sheriff in Jasper, Tx open for Nick James. He finally concedes. Now he’s agreeing with Haley that how they meet for the first time needs to be more…monumental…memorable. And I agree. Damnit.
So rather than writing their new meeting, I’m writing this blog post. I have a very good reason for this though. It’s helping me. Yep. Blogging is helping me be creative and productive. See, I don’t have a clue how these two should meet now and I’m hoping I’ll have an epiphany as I blog about it.
Nope. Nothing coming to me so far. I am hoping to get this story finished by April’s end. Maybe ya’ll would like to chime in?
How would you like to see a hero and heroine, high school sweethearts, meet again after years apart, and a split that was less than mutual? Keep in mind that, though not a comedy writer, I do try to add a certain amount of light, tasteful humor in my books, so pretty much any scenario, even the outrageous, will be considered! And Haley is something of a sasspot.
I won’t be sitting here waiting for inspiration, or the winning entry, to strike. I’ll be moving forward from where I left off.
I’ll announce the winner at the end of April and post the new beginning, along with the winner’s name, in the “Excerpts” section of my website (hover your cursor over The Corral tab) sometime in the future, once I incorporate it into the book. I’m thinking *when* BTTWWW is published I’ll give a free copy to the winner of this blog!
So leave your suggestions in the comments, tell your friends&family/facebook/tweet/email the contest to help spread the word from now to April 30th and let’s have some fun!
Dodadagohvi~
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INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL AWARDS- what is it?
02 Mar 2012 14 Comments
in awards, Contests, Followers, fun, getting the word out, judges, Promotion, published authors, Word of Mouth, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, ebook contest, Free books, giveaway, HOME, International Digital Awards, OKRWA, Pen of the Dreamer, Winner
Osiyo~
Many of my followers know I am a proud and semi-active member of RWA and an active (and also proud) member of OKRWA. I’m an OUTLAW! In a good, no–great way. Many of you know I am a category coordinator for the National Reader’s Choice Awards; a contest began by OKRWA many years ago for print-published authors only (because that’s all there was when dinosaurs roamed). Yes, I dream of the day I can enter that exciting contest! But until that day arrives– I have another option to tell you authors and readers about. Listen up!
Yes, we need author entries, yes, we need volunteer judges. Last year OKRWA decided to create a new contest. It’s not just any old contest though. As an electronically published author, how many times have you wished you could enter your ebooks in a contest in which readers can judge and choose the best book of the year, like print authors can? I know as a short story-published author I have wished there was a contest for enovella authors to enter. Well, guess what? Thanks to OKRWA there is a contest that covers both those author sets!
Now I’m going to feed you the information YOU need to sign up as an author and/or judge!
The contest is the INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL AWARDS and you can read everything you want or need to know about how to sign up for it as an author or judge at this link http://bit.ly/wOlGR2 !!!!!
So what is the IDA Contest? It’s a digitally enter and judged contest strictly for electronic books. That’s where DIGITAL comes in. WOOT!!! Do you live in any country where contests are allowed? You qualify. If your book is only accessible by getting your Nook, pc or Kindle to swallow it in, then it qualifies. If it is 10,000 words or more, it qualifies, if it was an original release in 2010-2011…it qualifies!
IF, however, your book is also available in print format–it DOES NOT qualify. Hence the contest name- International DIGITAL Awards, or as we fondly nicknamed it, the IDA Contest.
Are you a reader and addicted to your EReader? We need you! Are you a writer, but would love to judge? Super!! We need you, too!
Now, I’m not gonna tell you anymore because I want you to hurry and click that link up there ^^^ and check out the fantabulous website that a super Outlaw created just for the IDA! On it you will find everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING you’ll need to get started. What you don’t find will be in the FAQ page, or you can go to the Contact page and ask the wonderful Chairlady.
Still here? What are you waiting for? GO! NOW! Hurry because there is an entry number limit and a deadline to enter! GOgogogogogo! I can’t wait to see ya’ll there! And thank you if you choose to judge! Did I mention there’s FREE BOOKS involved? Good luck to those who choose to enter!
If you want to offer feedback, or just gush about how much you love this contest opportunity, my comment line is open. I’d love to hear what everyone thinks.
Know what? I’ll even give a FREE PDF of HOME to one lucky commenter who provides all the social media links they’ve shared this news to. There is a few buttons on the IDA site, below on this blog, or just make your own with a link back to the contest site. One link or ten, just show me. I don’t have one of those fancy contest widgets, so if you would just copy and paste ALL of your Tweet/Facebook/whatever-social media-links-you-use-and-share-it-on in a comment (easy to paste these to a word .doc and then cut and paste your list in your comment all at one time) and I’ll draw the winner next Friday from those who qualify. Bottom line… I’m bribing you to help me get this contest out into the literary world fast. By bribe, I mean an impromptu give away to celebrate the coolest contest to break out this year!
Dodadagohvi~
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HOME For Love blog tour- and THE WINNER IS………………
02 Jan 2012 4 Comments
in awards, Blog Tour, Debut release, Followers, giveaway Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, excited, Free books, HOME For Love blog tour, Jeannene Walker, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, the winner is, Vampedchik
Osiyo~
Wow this last week was a blast! I want to thank all of my hostesses who helped make my HOME For Love blog tour a wonderful success! I still have a few more sites I’ll be on over the next month, but the tour is over and I had my little helper draw the winner for me. I’m so excited to announce the winner!
JEANNENE WALKER- (day three/Vintage Vonnie blog) come on down!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations my dear. You won a PDF of HOME!!!!
I had such a waterfall of support and company that I decided to give out an extra copy of HOME to a second winner. Helper, if you please… and THE WINNER IS…
VAMPEDCHIK- come on down, Amber!!!!!!! You have also won a copy of HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for joining me on this thrilling and crazy week of mad-blogging to celebrate the release of my debut book, HOME!
I hope all who have a copy enjoy it and I hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon, TWRP or Goodrads! Thank you all!!!
Dodadagohvi~
Happy New Year and the end of the official tour
01 Jan 2012 20 Comments
in Blogs, book to read, Contests, Debut release, dreaming, Followers, fun, getting the word out, giveaway, Home, My writing, Promotion, published authors, Release Day, The Wild Rose Press, Word of Mouth, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Blog tour, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, Poppy Tippen, released, Sam Callahan, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s January 1, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Today ends the countdown to my New Year’s release party for my first book publication. I’m sure many of you have heard a LOT about HOME from The Wild Rose Press during this last week if you’ve been following the tour. Blurbs, interviews and tidbits about me have been plastered all over the world via the internet thanks to my wonderful, gracious friends who have hosted my week-long blog tour. I have to take this time now to thank you all! YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!!!!
Second order of business- if you missed any of those blogs you should hop over now and leave a comment before ten o’clock (GMT) tonight. Why? Because tomorrow I will be drawing a winner for a FREE copy of HOME!!! The more times you comment the greater your chances to win so hurry and get those last minute names in the drawing.
To make it easy for you, here are those links:
26th- Anna K. Lanier
27th- Silver James
28th- RELEASE DAY– Vonnie Davis AND AJ Nuest!!!
29th- W. Lynn Chantale
30th- Maeve Greyson
31st- Authors By Moonlight
What are you waiting for? GO!
I want to tell you what this week has been like for me. To do that I’m going back a year and a half. I’ll even include some pictures to please the eye. 
When Alicia Dean first brought this project to Oklahoma Romance Writers I was hesitant to get involved in a series. I mean, I wasn’t even published on my own yet, how could I possibly pull off writing one book in a series? But I did it anyway. It was an experience and we had fun. As of this post there are six books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series under contract. It was decided that how much the doll played in the books would be determined by each individual author according to their story. Some feature the doll very heavily, as the main theme of the story. I contemplated how much it would feature in HOME and had all sorts of ideas. Unfortunately (not in a bad way I don’t think, so maybe I should say fortunately), it didn’t turn out the way I first imagined as a pantser.
Sam Callahan seemed to have a greater story to tell than that of a doll his mother was obsessed with. A war veteran who loved the town that raised him, idolized him, had suddenly turned its back on their one-time football star and future doctor. That became the story to a certain degree. Moreover, how he dealt with those horrible nightmares of the war became the story. I let him have his way.
How did he cope? With the courage and strength of a gypsy girl who had lived with stigmas all her life. What was alien to him was a way of life for Poppy Tippen. He learned to shuck the opinions of others by her steadfast, if not graceful, example. Popeye’s mantra became Sam’s unintentionally; I am who I am, and that’s all I can be.
Witchy voodoo curses and all that mumbo-jumbo belief and such were more wive’s tales in those days than actual curses and acceptable black magic. Yes, there were witches and such—at least according to my witchy aunt–it just wasn’t readily acknowledged as that in those days. So the doll took a back seat in my story. But for my time period (Vietnam 1967) that worked.
But I still hadn’t really thought as I wrote my story that HOME would sell. Have I mentioned that I’m a tad insecure? Lol When I finally felt ready to submit I got a wonderful editor in Nancy Swanson. She requested to buy it within three weeks of receiving my manuscript! To say I was shocked is a gross understatement. J But I was so excited. Then the excitement waned over the next month. A little. When I got the email with my cover attached it ramped up again. Again when I got my fifteen minutes worth of revisions. Yes, it took me that long to make changes she asked for. What can I say? I worked on this story, had fellow Okie Outlaws read and crit, until it was a clean ms. Then I sent it in before I could screw it up by over editing! Lol Round two revisions was a matter of basically accepting a few punctuation changes the proofreader suggested, the tap of a button and I was finished. Do I expect revisions on my next ms to be so easy? Hells NO! I wish, but I’m realistic enough to know better.
So back to this week. Most know my release date coincided with my own birthday so that was my favorite gift this year, though my lovely daughters competed very well and I will smell nice for a long while! Of course, any gift from my husband and partner of twenty-eight years will trump anything in my life so I won’t count him now. He is a gift I can’t beat if I sell a hundred books that become best sellers! But this week I’ve been up so high that next week will be boring for sure! I’ve been riding high on friends and family buying MY book! My creation. That’s a feeling impossible to explain. Incredible, scary, wonderful! And I already have a four and a five star review on Amazon! How cool is that? When I wrote HOME I worried I wouldn’t quite hit the emotional mark the Vietnam war left on so many since I was born two years into it, no more than eleven when it ended in 1973 (officially the final troops and POWs were brought out in ’75 just before Watergate took over the news airways). I remember my dad calling it the Eleven-Year-War, saying it was the longest and deadliest war in the history of the USA. I think that length has possibly been beaten more recently beginning with Desert Storm in 1991, but I haven’t researched that yet.
But I digress. I was sure no one would “get” the story, what I was trying to convey. Was I able to get across what was deep inside of me? The fears and recovery a soldier must go through, that he has to face those fears head on to conquer them? What about the era itself? Did I portray it correctly? Does the love and growth of my characters show?
After all, this is pretty much the extent of my memories of that time. I was almost five when this picture was taken. We lived in the middle of alfalfa fields like this one on a race horse ranch. I remember the horses more than I recall the strains of that war my uncle and cousins fought in (they came home). And, even though both Mommy and Daddy are gone now, they both knew I wrote way back when I was a teen, and I know they are smiling on my success today, partying in heaven for me!
I had my doubts until a few days ago. Read those reviews and you’ll see how wrong I was again. My family knows I hate being wrong, or admitting if I am, but in this process I’ve been wrong about a few things I’m happy to admit to!
HOME is out and available NOW at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon. If you don’t win here today I sure hope you’ll feel inclined to go buy it.
Now, to end this tour, here’s one last brand new peek from HOME to make you smile.
Excerpt:
Hearing Sam laugh did crazy things to Poppy’s insides. But she hadn’t forgotten the last time she’d said something to make him laugh. She’d avoided him in the days since. It had been dumb luck that she was out now instead of at work. Mother had sent her on an errand, and she was heading back to the shop.
Seeing Sam sitting at the stop sign had made her cringe. He’d looked like he was in another land, and she couldn’t help speaking up. Maybe he had been. It had startled and surprised her that he pulled over, since he was angry at her the last time she saw him.
She hadn’t forgotten the hurtful words he shouted under the big trees. “So what are you doing? Hiding from Mrs. C. again, I imagine.”
“Something like that. What about you? Can I offer you a ride?”
“You can offer, but I’m going right there.” Sam turned to look where she pointed, across the street to her mother’s doll shop.
He stared, for what seemed to Poppy a long time, before he swiveled back to her. “I’ll walk you over.”
“Yeah? Why?”
“To look at a doll. What else would a guy do in a doll shop?”
Poppy gauged his response and noticed the twinkle in his eyes. He was up to something fishy, but dang it if she knew what. Shrugging, she moved to cross the street. “Fine, soldier. Walk me across the street like a good Boy Scout.”
As she stepped off the curb, she felt his hand touch her elbow and she glanced up at him. “I am a good Boy Scout. Remember that.”
“Yeah? Prove it.” She had no idea why she said that. How did a grown man go about proving he was a Boy Scout? Not her best line, she admitted, and smiled as she softly whistled her favorite song, “He’s So Fine.”
“Why do you always whistle that song? There are a lot that are better and make more sense.”
Poppy stopped in the middle of the street to stare at Sam. “Are you serious? No one is better than the Chiffons! They say exactly what a girl wants to. You take that back, Sammie.”
Sam took her hand and led her from the street and into the nearest building’s shade, out of the August heat. She stood back against the brick and stared up, waiting for him to take back what he’d said.
“Do the Chiffons say what you’d like to say, Poppy? Why do you think of that tune around me?”
She thought she’d choke as she gulped air and looked away in embarrassment. How had she stuck her foot in so deep? Did he know what she’d been so diligent in hiding from him? “Just, they are a great group, is all.”
His eyes bored into hers for a fast count of fifteen before he raised his gaze to look out over her head at the street. “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what? What are you thinking, Sam Callahan?” Did she really want to know?
His eyes fell on her again and he leaned against the wall, one hand propping him to block her view of anything around them. He leaned close. She felt his warm breath on her cheek, could smell butterscotch on his breath. He’d been eating those cream candies Dr. C. used to give out. Now she knew where he’d been before finding her. Maybe he was getting ready to take over his dad’s practice. Holy Joe, he’d be her doctor!
“I’m thinking we need to visit the woods again, soon.”
“The woods? Why?”
He chuckled and leaned closer, so close his mouth almost brushed her hair. “I’d like to fix something that I can’t fix here on Main Street.”
Poppy forced her eyes to look at him so near, to gaze into his almost purple eyes. Her chest pounded with each breath punched out as she whispered, “What?”
Sam slid his lips across hers before backing away to a respectable distance, then smiled lazily. “That.”
Oh, my golly! It didn’t seem to matter how he’d hurt her, when he stood so close she could smell his shower soap. Poppy shivered and looked away from his intense gaze. “I don’t… We can’t…”
“Relax, Poppen. Let’s go look at dolls.”
What? Just like that he turned off the heated charm that left her legs feeling soft and gushy like chewed gum in sunshine and her head spinning out of control. It wasn’t fair he should be able to make her feel like heaven was touchable and then just walk away.
Dumbly, she followed him around the corner to her mother’s store. He opened the door and held it for her to enter ahead of him. Poppy knew she wouldn’t sleep soundly until she discovered the heart of Sam’s charm, why he was so easily able to heat her blood so thoroughly with a word, a kiss.
Maybe he was trying to charm her. But…why?
She was nothing more than a gypsy’s daughter, a doll store owner, a “bad” girl—the wrong girl, from the wrong side of the tracks. What could Sam want with her?
Ok, I’m gonna offer MORE chances to win! Tweet this post, Facebook– with the buttons below this post– RT it, and then tell me that you’ve done these. I’ll take your word for it. Just tell me which you did in a comment and I’ll add your name an extra time into the drawing for each thing you do. That’s three plus more chances!!!
Until tomorrow-
Dodadagohvi~
PS- don’t forget to check my schedule in the news>blogging news tab at the top of the page to see where I’ll be through January and February. You might have more chances to win a copy of HOME if you don’t get one now.
One For The Road !!!
20 Dec 2011 33 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, fun, getting the word out, giveaway, The Wild Rose Press, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Free books, giveaway, guest, Lynne Marshall. One For The Road, sleighs, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
Osiyo~
We’re ready for winter and Christmas here on the ranch. Got the decorations up and the horses geared for fun.
But when I find a minute to sit down and rest I’m reading a fun book currently. It has a sexy older hero, a heroine who reminds me of myself, (except for the cremated hubby) and secondary characters I don’t know if I want to love or hit! Today in the round pen I have the fantabulous Lynne Marshall! She’s talking about the book I’m reading: One For the Road. I tried for many weeks to get this book and finally did. This is one book I will be keeping in e and paper format. Want a good chuckle? Heads up!
Thank you for the book Lynne, and for taking time to visit my cyber ranch. Ignore the horses. They are getting ready for the reindeer races later this week.
***************************
Here we are on the eve of winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest
night of the year, and I’m so happy to be guest blogging for Calisa Rhose. Winter solstice is also known as midwinter or first official day of winter, the day when the earth is the farthest away from the sun. Today is also one year away from the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012. Honestly, I’m not worried about the end of the world based on a culture that couldn’t survive itself. And I’m not going to let worry interfere with my enjoyment of the holidays. I’m ready to celebrate!
The best way I know how to celebrate is to count my blessings. Yup, just like George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life (after the angel Clarence set him straight) I’m going to focus on what I do have and not what I don’t. We’ve all had disappointments in life, and since we can’t have do-overs or set back the clock (except on daylight savings time in the fall), we may as well move forward.
What do you say, let’s leave behind those nagging disappointments and look forward to a new year, a year filled with possibilities. There are surprises waiting for us, we just have to set ourselves up for the best possible outcome by working hard, keeping a positive attitude, and by being open to change.
In my Wild Rose Press book, One for the Road, my heroine has lost everything near and dear to her. She’s a widow, broke, and stranded with her only asset being the forty-foot deluxe RV. She’s bargained to drive a rowdy country band toLas Vegas fromNashville, and instead of fearing for her life, she’s having a midlife coming of age experience. When her sons suspect she’s leftNashville for Nutsville, she is determined to take back her destiny. On the biggest detour of her life, she discovers there’s no place like home, and home is where the heart is.
How about you? What have you had to reclaim this past year? Everyone who comments today will get their names in a drawing for a free e-book of One for the Road.
Here’s an excerpt:
D’Anne breathed shallow, silent breaths through relaxed, parted lips. Thick brown lashes rested on her cheeks. For the first timeTylernoticed a sprinkling of freckles across her nose. He liked the oval shape of her face, and the tiny thumbprint of a cleft in her chin. He hankered to trace it with his finger.
Tylertook a deep breath, inhaled the faint scent of D’Anne and last night’s perfume. His eyes drifted to her chest as it rose and fell. He wondered how it would feel to put his hand on her stomach and stretch his fingers across her skin. Or slide his palm along her side, and up over her ribs, until he cupped her breast. He wanted more than anything to touch her, flick his thumb across her nipple, feel it respond and tighten beneath his caress.
I won’t bite. He remembered his promise. Oh, but he did want to bite. He longed to kiss her neck, starting at the curve of her shoulder and moving up to her ear. He longed to feel the soft, pliable lobe in his mouth to suck and nibble just a bit. He craved licking her to see if she tasted as good as she looked. And hell yeah, he wanted to bite her too. And he wanted her hips right on top of his…?
The tight bulge in his pants grew harder. He rolled onto his back, adjusted himself, and considered putting the icepack on his crotch. Instead, he placed it on his aching brow and groaned.
“You okay?” her husky, sleeping voice whispered.
“Just peachy, Slick, just peachy.” He shut his eyes tight and tried his best to ignore the woman that made his body wake up and want to live again.
****************************
Get your copy of One For The Road:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.phpmain_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4556
http://www.amazon.com/One-for-the-Road-ebook/dp/B005CI7BVQ/ref=sr_1_2 ie=UTF8&qid=1323750227&sr=8-2
Lynne Marshall is a multi-published author for Harlequin, Mills & Boon, and The Wild Rose Press. She firmly believes it’s never too late to fall in love, and second chances shouldn’t be squandered. Visit Lynne at her website: www.lynnemarshall.com
Remember- FREE-E-E-E-E BOOK! Leave your email in a comment!
Thank you for the great fun, Lynne! I havta say I just love this scene in One For The Road!
Now I have to go save the dog from Old Red.
Dodadagohvi~
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Alyson Reuben!!!
06 Dec 2011 26 Comments
in Author guest, Debut release, giveaway, Promotion, published authors, The Wild Rose Press, Win, Writing Tags: #TWRP, A Beautiful Cage, Alyson Reuben, Calisa Rhose, Free books, giveaway, guest, The Wild Rose Press, Winner, Writing
Osiyo~
Howdy folks. Welcome to the ranch today. And what a wonderful day it is! My first December guest comes bearing gifts. Alyson Reuben is in the round pen!!!
Care to tell us a little about your writing to kick us off, Alyson? Then we’ll get to the really good stuff; like your intriguing book from The Wild Rose Press, A Beautiful Cage. I tell ya gang- this book has the most beautiful cover!
The first question people generally ask is what influenced me to begin writing?
I caught ‘Writer’s Itch’ in second grade after listening to a visiting author share his book at my school. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the title of his book, or even his name, only that he greatly stressed the importance of writing down stories as they come to you. As far as writing about WWII and the Holocaust, the biggest influence came from my now deceased grandfather, who patiently answered my questions and discussed those horrific events with me. He was never overly graphic, though he got his points across. Years later, I sat on the idea for A BEAUTIFUL CAGE while playing around with other less serious stories. By the time I became earnest about writing it, everything eased into place.
I’m a huge believer in writing from my heart and soul. If a scene makes me cry as I’m writing it, I know it’ll probably bring some tears to readers’ eyes. If it makes me smile, it will make someone else smile, too. To give my character’s realistic personality traits, I just observe people in general, taking mental notes of their behavior and body language. Friends and family tell me I scare them — they’re afraid they’ll end up as an antagonist in one of my stories! Ha! It hasn’t happened yet, though.
Bio:
Determined to become an author while still in elementary school, Alyson Reuben frequently found herself in trouble for writing stories while she should’ve been studying for math tests. Some years later, by combining a love of history with her enthusiasm for storytelling, she seeks to entertain readers with passionate accounts of vintage romance. Occasionally, she still find herself in trouble for writing when she should be cooking dinner. Alyson enjoys small-town life in Indiana with her husband and daughter.
Blurb:
Wanted by the Gestapo, Rebecca Bloomberg is on the run for her life. Sheltering in the home of a reporter who writes absurd lies for a Nazi propaganda newspaper is hardly an ideal solution. Irresistibly drawn to the man, she dares not trust him, until she discovers his journalist position is a mask for involvement in an anti-Nazi resistance ring.
Gustav Von Furst has done all he can to perfect his mask. Neither his family nor his close friends know the truth. Hiding a Jewish girl is the most foolish risk, yet there is something about her that makes him want to protect her.
Eager to forget the outside world, Rebecca and Gustav are caught up in a private world of forbidden passion—until unexpected danger lands on their doorstep and they’re faced with a decision that will change everything. Will love demand a sacrifice too great to give?
Excerpt:
Entering Aachen Central Station, Rebecca drew
a deep breath.
People were bustling in all directions—children,
the elderly, everyone in between. Some carried
luggage, others toted parcels. All of them seemed to
be in a hurry, paying no attention to those around
them.
Huddled together, a small choral group was
singing “Silent Night,” their voices barely rising
above the crowd’s racket. “Stille Nacht, heilige
Nacht, Alles schläft, einsam wacht.” All is calm, all is
bright… Ironic, Rebecca thought. All was not bright.
And it certainly wasn’t calm.
“This place is crammed,” Gustav murmured
more to himself than to her.
Was he thinking the same thing she was? That
the holiday might make their situation easier
because the employees’ minds would be less on their
jobs and more on getting home to their family and
friends?
She shifted the brim of her hat lower over her
forehead so that it shaded her face as much as
possible without seeming too obvious. Her hair,
pulled back in the style of the girl in the picture on
the visa, did quite a bit to alter her usual appearance,
while her makeup, heavier than she’d normally wear
in the daytime, did the rest.
“Remember, Louise,” Gustav stressed the
counterfeit name, “you’re supposed to be looking
forward to seeing your aunt and uncle, and excited
about going to Limburg, so laugh and flirt with me.
Pretend to be all keyed up.” His jaw visibly twitched.
“Most of all, do not look anyone directly in the eye.”
He squeezed her hand.
“Ready?”
She nodded. “Let’s go.”
As they made their way to the checkpoint, she
forced an exchange punctuated with giggles that
didn’t, in the least, belong to Rebecca Bloomberg, but
perfectly suited the woman who was accompanied by
the striking Nazi, proudly sporting a swastika
armband over his expensive wool coat. Squeezing his
opposite arm, she leaned toward him, angling her
head, and in doing so noticed someone out of the
corner of her eye. A man standing off by himself was
staring at her and Gustav in spite of the surging
crowd all around him. There was no time to point
him out to Gustav before the line moved and they
were face to face with an officer, dressed in Nazi
regalia.
“Heil Hitler,” Gustav addressed briskly, arm out.
The officer, looking fresh out of Hitler-Youth,
returned the greeting, staring at Gustav before
casting a casual glance, like an afterthought, at
Rebecca. She forced a smile, concentrating on his
forehead and not directly at his eyes. But it didn’t
seem to matter; within seconds it was clear he was
focused more on Gustav, obviously impressed by his
height, which towered above him by several inches.
“To Heerlen, Limburg,” Gustav announced with
the brusqueness of a businessman.
“Papers, bitte.”
Rebecca was careful not to appear too anxious as
she pulled out a compact from the purse that Bertie
had given her and laid it on the ledge, making
believe she had to search for the papers.
“Oh, here they are,” she crooned. “Silly me,
forgetting which compartment I put them in.”
Handing the documents over, she couldn’t help but
cast Gustav an anxious glance. The officer studied
the papers carefully. Very carefully. If he had any
doubts or suspicions…
Her stomach was churning like ocean waves in a
storm, threatening to send an earlier cup of coffee
back up her throat. She swallowed down the bitter
bile and prayed she didn’t appear as ashen as she
felt.
And then, suddenly, he reached toward the
phone!
Rebecca closed her eyes, bracing for the worst.
But a dull thump was immediately followed by the
swish of paper, and she opened her eyes to see that
the officer had been reaching for the nearby inkpad
and was proceeding to stamp each of the three
documents.
Her passage had met the final step of approval.
Could a person die of relief? Her heart was
beating three times its normal speed, as if the blood
had been drained and it was now having to struggle
to make a fresh supply.
The officer handed everything back to Gustav—
not to her, she noticed. Was he intimidated by
Gustav? Probably. She understood the feeling all too
well.
And now he was actually telling her to have a
safe trip.
It was done! It seemed unbelievable.
As she and Gustav turned in unison toward the
train, she saw the loitering man again. He’d moved a
few steps closer, glowering at them with a silent
threat that pasted chilblains all along her upper
body.
Suddenly, he strode ahead of them, meeting
with another official who was passing by. His hand
gesture caused the second officer to crane his head to
look at them.
Did Gustav notice?
Yes. The pressure on her arm signaled her to
change paths, bypassing the men. Just a few
more feet and they’d be out of their sight.
A few more feet and…
Suddenly a voice called out behind them, “Halt.
Entschuldigen-Sie, mein Herr.”
Without looking at one another, Gustav and Rebecca both
turned to face the second officer. This one was much
brawnier than the previous one, nearly matching
Gustav’s size. He held out his black-gloved hand,
wiggling his fingers, indicating they needed to hand
something over to him. His smile was a polite one
but didn’t reach his eyes. Beside him, the mole was
leaning against the post, staring at them with
pointed disdain.
“Is there a problem, mein Herr?” Gustav
addressed the officer, his voice unmistakably cold as
ice. Clearly, Gustav wasn’t about to let either man
intimidate him.
In spite of herself, Rebecca glanced again at the man
leaning against the post. His tattered coat was
probably five years old. He was, she guessed,
someone who needed money and would probably do
anything to get it—including hounding Jews for
payment. Right now, he stood unmoving, his face a
stony mask.
Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds. His
were dark, full of malice and anger.
She wasn’t supposed to look anyone in the eyes,
and now she understood why. This man was her
enemy.
Yet she had no idea what spurred his hatred.
********************************************
Buy links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/tTkunI
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/uWqXcI
The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/vkL25w
Website:
http://www.alysonreuben.com
Blog: http://www.abiteofreubensandwich.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alysonreuben
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ruapNe
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/sK9TeY
BTW, we’re doing an ebook giveaway too, aren’t we, Calisa? I’m perfectly happy to give away one or two copies.
Yes, let’s do two winners to start the giving season off with a bang! Whooo- Dogieees!!!!
Oh, happy days! I’m so thrilled you found your way here Alyson.
Thanks again for inviting me to blog for you!!
Dodadagohvi~
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Debut author special event
11 Nov 2011 64 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, Debut release, Ghosts, Promotion, published authors, Release Day, Welcome, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Donna Shields, Free books, giveaway, Soulmate Publishing, The Swan Cove Murders, Writing
Osiyo~
OMG! (for those who don’t know- the ‘G’ stands for Gosh) I am so, so excited today! My critique partner of nearly two years is here on the ranch. Welcome my dear friend and awesome author, Don-na Shi-el-ds!!!!! (Yep, still Oprah today. Don’t ask. )
This is so very special for me since we joined our CBC crit group within a short time of each other. Neither of us published, very few submissions or rejections under our belts at that point, raw newbies basically. And yesterday…yesterday… her first book was released with Soulmate Publishing!
I can’t express how thrilled, how proud (or how jealous of her Jimmy Thomas cover!) and just how WOOOHOOOO I am of her! I had the chance to read this story before it was sold. From the first tentative words I was hooked.
It takes some of my favorite ingredients and makes a great story. Hot detective, misunderstood psychic, ex-fiancé and a ghost. Ok, those last two are one in the same. That’s what makes it such a great read. Not convinced? I’ll let Donna tell you about her journey and The Swan Cove Murders. Grab a coffee and a gooey cinnamon roll, or chocolate éclair if you prefer (I’m still looking for my own chuckwagon chef) and get cozy. It’s all yours, Donna.
My first sale. Wow. I’m still in awe over it. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, that’s for sure. I think fleshing out the idea for The Swan Cove Murders might have been the easy part. Okay, maybe not. There really is no ‘easy part’ at all. No sugarcoating it here! But, with all the hard work, some sleepless nights, great criticism and lots of endless hair pulling, in the end it was all well worth it.
It all began with that spark of an idea – spirits communicating those final words. A simple ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m okay’ or even ‘Leave my home’. Well, in the case of my story, my ghosts are a bit more complicated. One is a murderer and the other is my heroineLena’s fiancé and also my hero Nicholas’ brother.
Then came Savvy Authors May Boot Camp, much like NaNo only in May, lol. I signed up. I struggled. I yanked my hair out. I even wanted to throw my computer out the window. And it wouldn’t be an experience without my hero and heroine wanting their story ‘right now’. But, over that 31 day period, I wrote that first rough draft.
Next was June Revision Hell at Savvy Authors. The same scenario but amplified by a hundred times. Again, I pushed myself to do it. One in particular, Barbara Rae Robinson, kept encouraging me and vice versa throughout June. Even into July. She was a pretty solid rock for me.
And then came the pitches over at Savvy. Talk about tough competition. Lots of writers had some great pitches going on. And I didn’t think anyone would even remotely take on my story. It’s blended genres after all. From what I hear, it’s hard to get into traditional publishing companies with these. Finally came my chance when Debby Gilbert from Soul Mate Publishing wanted to read my first 50 pages. Off I sent my baby and I was scared to death. I thought for sure she would hate it. She shocked me when she asked for the entire manuscript. Of course I figured: Great, I hooked her and she’ll hate the rest of the story.
But I got THE email (kind of like THE CALL) saying she was offering me a contract for The Swan Cove Murders and I cried. Yup, sure did. No pride here. When she told me over and over again every time she read it for edits, semi-final galley, and final galley that she loved reading it each time, the tears fell, but of course for joy.
That’s pretty much it. Within a week, I had my cover book art. And that even blew my mind away. It came out better than anything I could have dreamed of. Since Wednesday, I’ve been on cloud nine and I don’t want to ever come back down.
Available NOW: The Swan Cove Murders: Where the dead speak to her, danger finds her, and love saves her.
Coming in December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge
Soul Mate Publishing http:/ www.soulmatepublishing.com/
Blurb:
As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancé hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave untilLenaand Nicholas prove it.
The skeptic in Nicholas believesLenahas lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.
As their sexual chemistry heats up, so do their guilt levels. Can they make their newfound relationship work, or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?
Excerpt:
The door slowly opened, and she slid through the slim opening. The purple smudges under her beautiful hazel eyes spoke volumes to him, crushing his heart. Be strong.
“What do you want? The sheriff already delivered the papers.” The glare radiating from her hazel eyes spoke of wanting to set him on fire, burning him alive. She’d been crying.
“I know.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, you also know Earl left me the house.”
“A small technicality which will be fixed the day after tomorrow in court.”
She sighed. “Then what do you want today of all days?”
“I would like to get into my attic.” When she didn’t answer, he smiled. “Please.”
Suspicion crept into the fiery gaze. “Why should I let you?”
“I have a key. I can come and go anytime I please.” Vixen. “I thought I’d be nice and ask, before forcing my way in.”
“You certainly aren’t winning me over.”
He put his hands together as if in prayer. “Please. I just need the trunk.” His and Earl’s trunk. After the funeral,Lenahad insisted Nicholas take the treasure trove with him, but the memories inside had been too much to handle at the time.
Her swollen eyes softened a little. “Well…” She pushed open the door and waved him in.
He made his way through the foyer, pausing when he spotted the family photos hanging on the wall. “I see you haven’t changed anything.” He hadn’t been inside the house since Earl’s death.
“Why would I?”
His eyes caught the flower arrangement on the side table near the staircase along with the card sticking up in the middle. “Secret admirer?”
Her face flushed. “How about none of your business? Do you want time with the trunk or what?”
***
Bio:
Donna Shields grew up on romance and scary stories. With her love for suspense and the slightly unusual, she enjoys tying these elements together to create stories full of love, danger, and the paranormal.
She lives in the beautiful upstate ofSouth Carolinawith her husband, her children, and some great haunts. She’s a mom, a ‘gramma’, a wife, a friend, an avid reader and writer. When she’s not occupied with all that, she loves traveling to Playa del Carmen andJamaica.
For one lucky commenter she’s offering an ecopy of The Swan Cove Murders! Yep- and if you just can’t wait, you can buy it now.
http://soulmatepublishing.com/the-swan-cove-murders/
Also available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Swan-Cove-Murders-ebook/dp/B0065M6GNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320978544&sr=8-1
Find Donna Shields at any of these (non tropical but just as lovely) locations:
Blog: http://donna-realworldwriting.blogspot.com/
Website: http://donnamshields.wordpress.com/
Soul Mate Authors Group Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Donna-Shields/192982964105589
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Donna_Shields
Donna, I wish you many wonderful sales and future successes!
Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered for the copy of her book.
Dodadagohvi~
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Welcome Jenna McClure
01 Nov 2011 27 Comments
in Author guest, Debut release, getting the word out, giveaway, Interview, The Wild Rose Press, Welcome, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Animal Attraction, Calisa Rhose, Free books, giveaway, Jenna McClure, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
Osiyo~
Want a super read? I have Jenna McClure with me on the ranch answering some questions and talking about her July release, Animal Attraction from The Wild Rose Press!
Welcome, Jenna. Let’s do this!
Q: What was the best advice you were given leading you to getting published?
A: Believe in yourself, your story and never give up! It really pays to be persistent and consistent with query letters to agents or editors. You never know who is going to believe in you and your story enough to take a chance on it. It also helps to attend conferences and seminars, and network with as many people in the business as possible. But in order to sell your story, you have to believe in yourself enough and have enough faith that it will happen, eventually.
Q: Why do you write what you do?
A: I write romance because, like other authors, I am a hopeless romantic and I wanted to write my own story. I also like to think I have a message to relate. For my first book, I wanted to get a message out there about how eating meat affects the environment, but I didn’t want to do it in any way that would put people off from reading the book. Writing has always come easy to me, but writing from the heart to hit someone else’s heart takes more than just writing. It takes an understanding of people, emotions and conflict, and learning how to intertwine them into a believable story that someone else wants to read. I want to be an author that a lot of someone else’s want to read.
Q: How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?
A: It’s probably less likely to happen in this litigious society because you never know who is going to take offense at reading about a character that may seem a little too familiar for comfort, but it’s still a possibility. I’ve only written one book, and the characters may or may not have some personality quirks that may or may not be similar to those of people I know. I would imagine most authors draw upon personal experience to some extent for their work, and that probably includes people, or at least parts of them. You’d have to be incredibly imaginative and creative to not have to draw upon real-life people. Either that, or you just use the same characters, only with different names, over and over again.
Q: What is your favorite time of year?
A: Fall, definitely. I love the clean, crisp Fall air, the colors of the leaves and the warm (not hot) sun on my face. I am definitely more of a cold-weather person than a hot-weather person. One of the reasons I moved to Colorado was for the cold weather because you don’t get a lot of snow in the South. Besides, if you get cold, you can always put on more clothes, but if you get hot, well, there’s only so much you can take off.
Q: If you were going to cast the hero of your book, what actor would get the part?
A: Jake Gyllenhall, no question. He is an absolute hunk with that dark hair and those baby blue eyes. He is yummy sexiness rolled into a whole lot of hottness, and I know he looks good in a cowboy hat (think Brokeback Mountain).
Blurb:
Environmental consultant Emmalyn Ashmore is outraged when she discovers the last minute replacement for the guest speaker at her annual conference is none other than Adam McLean, a cattle rancher, whose lifestyle represents everything she stands against.
Adam McLean has never met a more contrary woman. From the moment Emmalyn opens her mouth, he knows she’s exactly the type of woman he doesn’t need in his life – ever.
But Fate has other plans, and as the sparks fly, Emma realizes there’s more at stake than conserving just the environment. She has to learn how to conserve her heart, before she loses it forever.
Excerpt:
“It’s never good to make assumptions about people you don’t know,” Adam replied, throwing her words back at her.
She jerked her eyes to him, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Right. Sorry.”
Idly, he wondered if she was always this nervous, or if it was just him. Selfishly he hoped he had the same effect on her as she did on him.
“I know you’re a cattle rancher and all,” she started, “but I couldn’t let you leave without talking to you about your speech.”
He didn’t care for her opening words, but he liked her voice, so he concentrated on that. Besides, if he missed anything important, he’d ask her to repeat it. Over dinner, he mused as he continued to stare at her mouth. It was still moving, which meant she was still talking and he was still not listening, but she didn’t seem to notice.
Or so he thought.
Her lips stopped moving, snapped shut, then opened slightly. A brief, shrill whistle pierced the air. He jerked his eyes back to hers, and found her staring at him in angry disbelief.
If she didn’t look so mad, he might have laughed.
“Mr. McLean, were you listening to a word I said?”
Adam scratched his chin. “Sure. You said something about me being a cattle rancher, which I already knew, and then something about your impressions. But you kind of lost me after that.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I was trying to talk to you about how misleading your speech was.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah? I must have missed that part.”
“I think you missed all my parts.”
“Trust me, I didn’t,” he drawled.
You can buy the book here http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4572
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Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
