The last post I shared here I discussed quitting my day job and focusing on my plan for writing freelance and fiction. I did that, but then like the best laid plans, things changed. One of my freelance writing jobs quickly became a full-time job. I’m still at that job, because I enjoy it and have learned a ton (and hello—twin girls in college!), but I continued to write fiction in my free time.

Sadly, my free time was not as abundant as I hoped.

When There’s a Writer, There’s a Way

As a writer, I can’t not write. It’s part of who I am and I feel incomplete when I’m not writing my fiction stories. So I did. The funny thing with me is, writing the story is the easy part, the editing is where I procrastinate. That lead to accumulating multiple story drafts on my computer that I planned to return to edit ‘later’.

Then Comes COVID

Luckily for me, when the lockdowns happened during the height of pandemic, it didn’t affect my day job. We continued working and were busier than ever. But the pandemic did affect my writing.

When my favorite month came along (I’ve talked about my love of November’s National Novel Writing (NaNoWri) until I’m blue in the face), I started a new story—and I stalled. Current events, and the fear in the world, were stealing my writing mojo. Until I switched gears and changed the story to a holiday paranormal cozy mystery.

I played Christmas music to inspire me and watched a multitude of holiday shows—something I hadn’t done in years—and the story poured out. That story (Magic, Mimosas & Mistletoe) is just one of the paranormal cozy mysteries I’ve written for my new Charmed Cocktail Cozy Series.

Why Two Author Names?

I added the pen name of M.L. Bonatch for my paranormal cozy mysteries. Most of the reason for doing this is due to the business side of writing. It’s also an easy way for readers to identify my paranormal cozy mysteries from my Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books that will remain under my author name of Maureen L. Bonatch.

What’s the Difference in the Books?

My stories are similar in these genres in that they all:

• Have a paranormal element
• Usually feature magic and/or witches
• Have Humor
• Usually have pets or animals in the story

My stories are Paranormal Cozy Mysteries are different in that they are:

• A little shorter
• Humor is a huge focus
• There is no sex or violence
• There’s always a mystery, and usually a murder, to solve
• My heroine can talk to her cat, or other animals

Exciting Book Stuff Coming Your Way

• My website will continue to share book information for all my genres
• My Charmed Cozy Cocktail series will have at least 3 releases this year:
  • Curses, Cats & Corpses (Is initially included in this boxset to give you a taste of ten other fabulous cozy mystery authors)
  • Hexes, Highballs & Hockey
  • Magic, Mimosas & Mistletoe
• My book, Grandma Must Die, is being re-edited and released with a new cover and a stronger focus on the mystery as one of the characters in the story (Abigail) has her own paranormal cozy mystery series coming early next year.
• No worries if you love Urban Fantasy – I’ll have several stories in draft (one in a new series) that you’ll hear more about in 2022

Hop on This Crazy Train with Me!

There’s so much going on this year with my writing. The best way to know what’s up next is to sign up for my newsletter right here or:

Follow me on my social media- especially my new pages as M.L. Bonatch (She’s lonely & looking for friends)

Author: M.L. Bonatch:

• Amazon page
• BookBub
• Facebook
• Goodreads

Author: Maureen L. Bonatch:

• Amazon Page
• Facebook
• BookBub
• Goodreads

Both M.L. Bonatch & Maureen Bonatch:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest

Afraid you’ll forget about all these books coming out? No worries- preorder links are already available on my M.L. Bonatch Amazon page right here.

More Good Stuff for you

Find new authors and enter right here for this fabulous giveaway to win an Amazon gift card!

Searching for Your Next Cozy Mystery?

Check out these great deals on Cozy Mysteries (click right here) to fill up your TBR

Get Out and Read Giveaway

WIN 1 OF 4 KINDLE FIRES

Do you enjoy spending the long, lazy days of summer with a book in your hand? One of the best ways to find new-to-you authors is on BookBub, and LitRing has got you covered. Head over to the Get Out and Read Giveaway now to get 175+ chances to win a Kindle Fire >> https://www.litring.com/get-out-and-read-giveaway/

Thank you for sharing this journey with me, lovely readers! I can’t wait to share more stories with you.

The post What Happened? What’s Next for My Books? appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

If you’d like to find out, sign up to receive my blog, or follow me on my author Facebook page. Because I’ve always been fascinated with stories of writers and authors who left the day job to write full-time. But that’s usually all there is to read. They quit. I’ve always wondered what happened next?

Quitting the Day Job

Leaving the day job (as we authors like to refer to a job other than writing) was not an easy decision. It was a terribly difficult decision. I’ve worked at my current job for 16 years.

To put that in perspective, my twins were 18 months when I started. This year they’ll by 18 years old.

Many of the people I work with have become very good friends, some like family. I’ve already warned them that I’m not that easy to get rid of, and I think they’re okay with that because they’re afraid of what might happen if I’m left alone in the house for months on end, and if I might forget to wear pants when I venture out in public. Plus Scruff will be the only one to talk to most days, and he’s not all that talkative.

So it’s not the job that finally made me take the leap, it was something more.

An Author’s Agony

This might be difficult for someone who’s not a writer to understand, but I’ll try my best to convey how it feels when your ‘book babies’ are trapped in your mind or on your computer. For the last 2 years I’ve gotten increasingly busy with freelance writing (more about that later). Thus, between that and the day job, I’ve had less and less time for my fiction. Fiction writing is my escape, my passion. It brings me peace. So not being able to do that was a bit torturous at times.

As the year seemed to speed up, the busier I got, the more I began to worry that I would never get to finish the books on the back burner. That I’d die with these stories still inside me- pretty much most author’s fear. Once I decided that I was resigning and wrote the letter, I felt a weight lift from inside of me that I hadn’t realized was there. The hope that I’d have more time to devote to writing my stories. But it isn’t just fiction I’m writing, and I hope to do more with my time than just stories.

Family and Freelancing

It wasn’t just my fiction writing that suffered the busier I got with freelance writing. I’ve been writing most hours of the day when I’m not at the day job. Meaning that the laptop is with me almost all the time and that means less time with family and friends. I’m hoping to find a better balance with that. As I struggled with my decision about leaving the day job, I turned to organizing things. Organizing, or cleaning, often helps me work through thoughts and relaxes me. The first two weeks in January I organized half the drawers and closets in my house.

What in the Heck is a Freelance Writer?

Ahh, there’s the question on most of your minds. I didn’t realize just how prevalent freelance writing was until a handful of years ago when I was looking for something to do with my writing to make some extra income. Although I love fiction writing, that is more like the marathon of writing. A long process, with uncertain results. Freelance writing is like the sprint. Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a huge need for healthcare freelance writers, even more so if you’re an RN. I discovered a way to continue to use my education while combining it with what I love, writing. Plus I discovered how much I love to learn new things. I love researching a new topic and molding the prose for the audience. My freelance audience could be nursing students, consumers interested in healthcare information, other nurses, nurse managers…and more.

Some have said, “So you’re not a nurse anymore?” Yes. I’m still a nurse. I’ve been a nurse for many years, even though the past 16 years I haven’t provided direct patient care. But I’ve been a nurse educator, a nurse leader, a nurse supervisor and now a nurse content writer. It’s not just about providing care. Nursing is also about providing education and using that knowledge base.

So…What Do You Write?

Lately? All kinds of stuff. This month has been particularly busy with my newest job that focuses on writing and editing educational material for direct care workers as an RN Content Writer. Although in addition to that this week I’ve written articles on Medicare Advantage, 2 articles on Value-Based Care, and another on Physician Burnout. I have more articles lines up for next week and others in March.

Consider where you get your information. I’d guess most of it is online. Someone is writing that information. That someone is me- well, for some of it.

What Happens Next?

Your guess is as good as mine. I have my plan. I’m hoping for more freelance, and much more fiction, but this is totally out of character for a Virgo like me who is used to stability. Part of my plan is to share my journey, my new adventure with you about my Life After the Day Job. Stay tuned to find out what the heck a healthcare freelance writer really does all day, or what’s happening with my next book baby…or just to check in to make sure I’ve really not lost my mind.

Together we’ll find out what happens if you take the leap to follow a dream.

The post Quitting the Day Job appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

WELCOME TO THE HALLOWEEN BOOK BLAST!

The post No Tricks, Just Treats at the Halloween Book Blast & Giveaway appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Stop by now, and return all month long, as I add more giveaway information to this party page. It’s full of chances for you to win. No tricks, all treats here my pretties! 

NOT A CHANCE- Book #2 of The Enchantlings

Hope just wants to be normal—too bad that will never happen.

The last thing Hope Hallows wants is to become the latest headline. Living in a town that likes secrets, she prefers to keep hers hidden. Avoiding a nosy reporter’s questions about her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with a single touch, and those who crave this bliss, is nothing new. But having her brother’s annoying girlfriend, Berta, go missing is—especially when it makes Hope suspect number one.

As a triplet, her resemblance to her beloved dead sister causes her family to grieve even more, and her escalating supernatural skills makes Griffith, her half-human-half-Oppressor boyfriend, wary. He wants to put his unsavory past behind him—this could include Hope—since her abilities remind him of the Underworld.

In her desperate search to find Berta, she stumbles across a tunnel. Phantom voices within whisper that evil has been waiting for a new leader—and isn’t she lucky, they’ve chosen Hope.

Excerpt for my new release, NOT A CHANCE

Come Celebrate my New Release NOT A CHANCE All Month Long

Because you do have a chance to win a ton of great prizes! Check out all of the places I’ll be visiting and celebrating my new release. Join in the fun and enter to win a prize! Be sure to check the dates, since the contest times vary.

• Join in this Spooktacular Event featuring over $200 worth of prizes now through October 31st
• Constance Bretes Octoberfest Romance Ebook Giveaway starts October 4 and ends October 31– Click Right Here
• Stop by Kate Hill’s Halloween Page all month long to make a TBR of author’s favorite Halloween movies. I’m featured on October 21st.

CHOCOLATE & BOOK
BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN

All-Genres Romance Giveaway October 11-31

Enter For Your Chance to Win

A Kindle Fire or an Echo Dot and discover some fabulous new authors. Don’t wait, you have until October 26th to enter right here.

Stop by this multi-author giveaway as the Here Be Magic authors reveal their favorite monster. Giveaway running from October 19th until November 1st.

Save the Date to Celebrate

• Fly on over to The Paranormal Romance Guild from October 21st- October 27th where I’m hosting an e book giveaway!
• Stop over for Hocus Pocus & All That at one of my favorite monthly haunts, Still Moments Magazine where I’m sharing a creepy story on 10-31-18- Happy Halloween!
• Goddess fish Promotions will be have a blurb tour with NOT A CHANCE from October 22nd- November 2nd with a chance to win a $15 gift card and to visit some fabulous blogs.
• I’ll be at Linda Carroll-Bradd’s on October 30th

 Hey Peeps – Not A Chance is Going on Tour

This isn’t the kind of tour where you ride around in a bus—because my back would never survive that tour! This is a cyber tour where you get to visit tons of blogs hosting my new release! Plus there is a chance to win if you visit, so don’t miss it! Here’s the tour schedule for Goddess Fish Promotions!

October 22: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love

October 22: Mythical Books

October 23: Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

October 23: BooksChatter

October 23: Wendi Zwaduk – Romance to Make Your Heart Race

October 24: Edgar’s Books

October 24: Romance Novel Giveaways

October 24: Vala Kaye’s “Other World”

October 25: All the Ups and Downs

October 25: Jazzy Book Reviews

October 25: Stormy Nights Reviewing and Bloggin’

October 26: Wake Up Your Wild Side

October 26: Hearts and Scribbles

October 26: Notes From a Romantic’s Heart

October 29: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews

October 29: The Tired Buyer

October 30: Kimmi Love

October 30: Readeropolis

October 31: Andi’s Book Reviews

October 31: Romance that’s ‘Out Of This World’

October 31: T’s Stuff

November 1: Fabulous and Brunette

November 1: Kit ‘N Kabookle

November 1: Travel the Ages

November 2: Christine Young

November 2: Danita Minnis

November 2: Mixed Book Bag

While You Wait for the New Release Don’t Miss This Sale

Wanna Help an Author Out?

The most important way you can support Not A Chance launch is to write a review as soon as possible. (P.S. a review doesn’t have to be detailed, even a few words will do.)

• Follow me on Facebook or Twitter and retweet and share posts about the book release- Here’s one on Facebook to share
• Once you have Not A Chance in your hot little hands, post a photo of the book/and or kindle on my Facebook page. It would look especially cool with your Halloween or Fall decor, but any photo will do.
• Share this tweet:

Fabulous #giveaways and lots of chances to win treats at this #Halloween celebration with Not A Chance- a #newrelease in paranormal books
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In general, just recommend the book to all your peeps who love a little paranormal. Thank you so much for celebrating with me!

Worried about missing a contest? Be sure to follow my Facebook Author Page, and sign up for my newsletter to stay informed of all the festivities! Plus if you sign up for my newsletter you get my free story – Witch You Were Here. (Previously published in the Moon, Mist & Magic anthology)

What’s Your Favorite Paranormal Creature?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Lots of Chances to Win- Celebrate My Upcoming New Release- Not a Chance appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer

In 1999 Australia, Sergeant Rick McCoy investigates the murder of a woman found packed inside a suitcase. The Killer then abducts another victim and threatens to dismember her slowly, unless he is caught. His life is further complicated by a marriage in tatters. Frustrated at every turn, he is paired with glamorous Criminal Psychologist and profiler, Patricia Holmes. While trying to rebuild his marriage, he finds himself in a desperate race against time to free the victim and fight his desire for his new partner.

A deadly glimpse into the troubled mind of a serial #killer who dismembers bodies and taunts the police to catch him if they can. #book #WRPbks
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Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer Excerpt

She curled her legs underneath her, which gave just a hint of her thighs, and sat back in her chair, cat-like. She sipped from her glass, and licked her lips. “God I needed that, it’s been a tough day.”

Rick almost burst out laughing. In this luxury house, which he would never be able to afford, she seemed so damned normal.

“What?” She asked, taking another sip of wine. “You don’t think we psychologists can have tough days? I have a psychiatric degree as well, and have two long term patients in the high security wing of Graylands Mental Hospital. One cooked his wife and child before eating their organs, and the other murdered three random strangers because, he says, God told him to do it. Trust me digging around in their minds constitutes a tough day.” She shuddered.

“I’m sorry Pat, I meant no disrespect.”

“No, I don’t suppose you did. But, I’m guessing you feel like you’ve been press-ganged into coming here, haven’t you? You believe using psychology to try to understand why someone would do horrible things to another human being is a waste of your evening. You’ve a wife, and probably a couple of children at home you’d rather be with, don’t you?”

He blushed, knowing she would tell if he tried to lie, and he found himself, against his earlier intuition, liking her. “Just one child, Amy, she’s five years old. Pat if you could just jot down this killer’s address for me, I would think you were amazing. But it’s going to be long hours of painstaking, often boring police work that tracks this guy down. When we’ve caught him, you can analyze him to death, I just want him off the streets.”

“Fair enough, we know where we stand. But, did you know that a high percentage and I do mean a very high percentage, of serial murderers had been previously interviewed by police, sometimes more than once, during an investigation? They are often let go, unsuspected, to kill again before they are eventually apprehended. Now I’m not saying great police work didn’t catch them eventually, but, had the cops had access to a good, insightful criminal psychologist, maybe, just maybe, they’d have him locked up earlier and innocent lives saved.”

Rick nodded, thoughtfully, then raised his glass in a silent toast to her and took a sip.

Preorder Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer Right Here

I left Perth, Australia many years ago to go East and find fame and fortune in the music business as a long-haired rock guitarist. I wrote poems and music in my wild days. I gave it all up for love and got married (as you do when the right one comes along). Then, real life took over, children came along and I threatened to write a book for so many years my long-suffering wife eventually pushed me into it by buying me a laptop and said: “No more excuses, do it.” And so began this amazing journey.

Thrillers and crime genres have always fascinated me, and in particular, the dark world of serial killers and police procedurals. I love a good, un-put-down-able, thriller; the kind you just want to read one more chapter of at three in the morning, but you have to get up at six to go to work. Have I succeeded in creating stories that can take people to that place?

I hope so.

My first book, Forever Night, was contracted and published by The Totally Entwined Group UK’s now defunct Evidence Press when they were taken over by Bonnier UK. Undeterred it was followed by a trilogy, comprising of Domin8, The Vigilante Taxi and Burial Ground, All were self-published due to contractual problems with TEG, even though they gave me an editor to work with in the interim. Months passed in limbo. Repo, saw me return to two characters from Forever Night as new private investigators trying to save a man from jail for a murder he did not commit, which was also self-pubbed until the war with the big bad publisher was over and agreements were signed – so I can’t talk about it.

The Wild Rose Press in NY (no more UK publishers for me) contracted Thirty-Three Days, for which I will always be grateful – they are awesome to work with. They have also contracted another Trilogy called Three Deadly Glimpses, the first is due for release on the first of October and is called, Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer. Book Two: Glimpse, The Beautiful Deaths will follow shortly after as it is going through the editing stage now, and the finale: Glimpse, The Tender Killer will be available next year.

 Author Interview

My characters usually have a favorite brew. (Ie: Hope=tequila, Sabrina=coffee, Carman=margaritas, Olivia= Vodka & Tonic etc) How about you? If it’s your own concoction, please share the recipe.

Wow, what a good question. Do you know I’ve only just thought about that now? My protagonists are a bit like me and my tastes. Some might say boring, but I prefer unpretentious. Black Coffee, good Bourbon, and wine (I’m a chugger not a connoisseur) but not necessarily in that order.

Most of my characters have a special ability or power. (Even Ruthie has the power of “knowing”) What kind of magic would you like to be able to do?

One of the fantastic things about being an author is being able to create people who can do all the wonderful things I can’t. In my last book, Thirty-Three Days, Jenny could travel back in time to save the future of the world – what a heroine? In the Glimpse series, Patricia Holmes has the gift of being insightful. She can look at random facts and bits of evidence and extrapolate from them things about the person even he doesn’t know. I’d love either of those gifts please.

Nothing is more rewarding than a genuine laugh and a good sense of humor. What can always make you laugh?

Old Monty Python sketches, and movies like Flying High, What’s up Doc and Death at a Funeral. I love a sense of the ridiculous.

My character, Olivia (Liv) from Evil Speaks Softly has always wanted to be a writer. What about you? Did you always want to be a writer? What other profession(s) have you had?

For as far back as I can remember I wanted to write, and for many, many years I found reasons and excuses not to. I was busy raising children, renovating houses and working sixty plus hours a week. I will always be grateful to my wife for buying me a laptop and telling me “no more excuses, go and write that damn book.” Sometimes, I think she regrets that now as book number nine is contracted and nearing completion.

Writing and marketing a book is hard work. Share your best “author tip”.

Write from your heart, and edit with your head. To complete a first draft is a celebration – lots of people will never get that far, and know that in that form, it is the worst it will ever be. From there is up, up, up.

Connect with Stephen B. King:

web: http://www.stephen-b-king.com
twitter: @stephenBKing1

Facebook: @stephenbkingauthor

The post Glimpse into the Mind of a Serial Killer with Guest Stephen B. King appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

The Boss releases next week, on September 24th, but you can get the prequel right now—for free! So read on to find out more about my author guest, the prequel, and her new release.

The Boss

(Fire’s Edge #1)

By Abigail Owen

The hotter the fire, the deeper the burn…

Finn Conleth leads his team of enforcer dragon shifters with an iron fist and a cold heart. Every dragon seeks his destined mate, but the process to turn the woman he once thought was his killed her and devastated him. He will never risk his heart again. His team is his family now. When his body eventually gives out, he’ll leave, living his last days alone.

Delaney Hamilton moved across the country to escape the freak fires that plague her. But when another suspicious fire erupts and rapidly escalates around her, her hopes for a new life go up in smoke. She has no choice but to turn to the mysterious men who come to her aid.

Finn knows the fire is dragon-caused, which puts Delaney’s problems directly in his jurisdiction. No matter how her wounded grey eyes call to every part of him, he refuses to risk her life in the mating process.

Until another dragon threatens to claim Delaney for his own, and Finn has to sacrifice everything to keep her alive…

Pre-Order Your copy of The Boss Now and it will be in your hot little hands next week!

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N 

Apple

Kobo 

Google

Goodreads 

More Info about The Boss:

Cover Art: KAM Designs

Page Count: 350

Release Date: 9/24/2018

Steam Rating: Hot

Can’t Wait for The Boss? Check Out This Free Prequel Short Story

Get an early start on the series with a #prequel short story to the Fire’s Edge series. #AbigailOwen #Book
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“The Mate” will be available for FREE via all retailers 9/17. Checks calendar – hey peeps, that’s like…now! Go peeps, go! (After you read the hot excerpt from The Boss below and snag your preorder copy then—) Grab your prequel copy with the links below, or by joining Abigail’s newsletter!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV99XP5

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1129424409

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Abigail_Owen_The_Mate?id=g7RqDwAAQBAJ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41520087-the-mate

OR… Join Abigail’s newsletter to get a copy. http://eepurl.com/Lw2XH

Praise for The Boss:

✭✭✭✭✭Abigail Owen is a rising star in paranormal romance!  Her dragons are sexy, suspenseful, and smoking hot–an electrifying new series. ~NY Times Bestselling Author Alyssa Day

✭✭✭✭✭Paranormal romance doesn’t get much better than The Boss. A sexy shifter hero, a spunky, no-nonsense heroine, heart-clenching emotion, and worldbuilding at its best. This story nearly set my Kindle on fire. Bring on the next book cause I can’t wait!~USA Today & National Bestselling Author Anna J. Stewart

✭✭✭✭✭It is an excellent start to the new Fire’s Edge series.  Abigail Owen has a best-seller series on her hands with this one. ~Moonshine’s Corner

Excerpt from The Boss:

Plumes of smoke seeped out of the door she’d left open, but the flames were still hiding inside.

Oh God, I have to fix this.

Delaney had thought she’d be safe here. She’d thought the fires that plagued her in Vermont wouldn’t follow her across the country.

She’d been horribly wrong.

She ran to the water faucet that stuck out of the ground about twenty feet from the barn. A long hose already attached lay coiled beside it. With a twist, she turned the water on full force and dragged the hose toward the barn.

I can’t let Sera’s wine burn.

That reason, more than her own safety, drove her actions.

Carefully, she moved closer to the building. Her aching eyes and fuzzy vision didn’t help, but she kept going. She inched inside until she glimpsed flame, then she aimed her hose at the spot and sprayed, using her thumb to focus the water. The fire appeared to laugh at her pitiful effort like a crazed, caged animal. Flames receded in fizzling, smoldering protest before lunging for her with renewed vigor.

I’m not even making a dent.

Delaney stepped forward, not giving up, dousing more of the blaze.

A snap of sound was the only warning she had before the beams above her crumbled. With a scream, Delaney jumped, feet scrambling as she tripped and fell backwards. Luckily the beam didn’t land on her, but it lay so close, heat singed her skin. Grabbing the hose, she crawled back to her feet and turned the spray on the beam.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” a deep male voice thundered in her ear a second before a strong arm banded around her waist.

Delaney found herself hoisted over a shoulder, the air punching from her lungs with a whooshas her middle connected with a broad shoulder, as she was bodily carried from the burning structure.

She didn’t struggle.

She also didn’t think to let go of the hose.

Her rescuer stumbled over the line and jerked to a halt.

“Damn,” the same deep voice swore and he yanked the hose from her hands.

Realization sank in that she’d been dousing the firefighter who’d “rescued” her, and a completely inappropriate giggle escaped her.

He took off again, not letting her go, jostling her none too gently as he ran across the gravel drive to plonk her on a boulder beside the main winery building. Delaney lifted her gaze up, way up, over his green flame-resistant pants, yellow long-sleeved shirt, and white helmet. A firefighter, but not any kind she’d dealt with before, not based on the clothing. He pinned her to the rock she sat on with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

Delaney blinked.

Anger and frustration pulled his brows down in an intimidating glower. “Are you hurt?” he asked. Yelled more like, his voice a harsh growl.

Delaney blinked at him again, shock taking over and slowing her brain way down—like molasses in the winter.

When she didn’t answer, his severe expression softened. “Are you hurt?” he repeated, no less urgent, but gentler.

Pull yourself together.Delaney shook her head.

“Is anyone else in there?”

“No.”

“Any animals?”

“No.” At least, she assumed the cat she’d saved was the only creature in there. “It’s for wine. State of the art with temperature control.” No way should fires be happening in the building.

He nodded. “I’ve got this now. Don’t go back in there. Wait here for the paramedics.” He straightened and anything soft about him disappeared behind granite determination.

This guy had it.

Relief surged through her followed by immediate the prick of tears that had nothing to do with the smoke.

Why does this keep happening to me?

Thanks so much for being my guest Abigail!

Author Bio:

Award-winning contemporary romance author, Kadie Scott, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

Website & Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram| Bookbub

The post Check Out Abigail Owen’s Hot New Release appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Plus Linda is going to allow us get to know her a little better and her writing by answering a few fun questions. Plus you don’t want to miss where to find her next and her great contest—all the way at the bottom— but first let me share her amazing cover. It is gorgeous!

Heather Morique is a witch.

The problem is she doesn’t know it. Her husband Jahill was a refugee from an obscure branch of the Arawak Indians. After his death, mysterious whispers lure her to his homeland of Jamaica. Soon, she finds herself in a web of secrets, lies and illusions.

Jahill’s people worship Eyrael, the God of Wind and Sea, and his brother Sofiel, the God of Fire and Earth. The new Shaman has pitted brother against brother, and these two powerful spirits from an alternate universe fight to become the tribe’s ruling deity. Will light or darkness reign?

When Heather unwittingly summons Eyrael, these two unlikely soul mates face a dangerous fate.  The chemistry between them is more disturbing than the long-buried secrets.

A witch unawares summons a powerful spirit deity from another dimension, igniting danger from all sides in a web of deceit and danger. As dangerous as their battle is chemistry sizzling between them. #WRPBks #shapeshifter #Fantasy
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Excerpt from The Summoning

A warm hand brushed the top of her cold foot. “You are silent. Is something wrong?”

Again, that electric trill at a mere touch! “No, no. I—thank you. I’d be dead now if you hadn’t rescued me.”

“Yes, you would. If you are ready now, you can repay me.”

“Repay you?” Why should she be surprised? No one did anything anymore for free, but what need had a spirit of money? “If you want cash, we’ll have to find an ATM.”

He leaned back against the coffee table, regarding her with amusement. “I do not need your money, beautiful witch. I seek only Pleasure, and I am certain you can exceed even my high expectations.”

Heather’s jaw dropped. “Pleasure? Do you mean you want me to…”

The God of Wind and Seagrinned, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Yes, Heather.” He sobered, shaking his head. “Not sex only. I want to make love to you.”

How could this creature simply assume she’d have sex with him? Shocked, yet flattered in an odd way, she arched her brows. “No.”

He straightened, staring at her as if she’dsprouted wings. “But I saved your life.”

Oh, dear God, she’d heard in certain cultures if you saved a life, that life belonged to you.

“Eyrael, I’m very, very grateful.” She folded trembling hands and met his gaze squarely. “I don’t intend to f-word you, however.”

Liar! When that’s exactly what I want.What am I saying? I’m recently widowed… Right…by a man who betrayed me.Why not pay my debt? Pleasant repayment.

Who was she kidding? Tempted or not, she couldn’t have sex with a total stranger.

He laughed, the melody this time with a touch of bitterness—or surprise that anyone would refuse him. “So be it.” He rose, beautiful, graceful as his sea. “Then I shall take my leave.”

Turning away, he hesitated, then again faced her. “Did you commit crimes against the People?”

Heather closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I did nothing. For some reason, Taino is convinced I caused my husband’s death.” She opened her eyes and met the question in Eryael’s. “As I said, he died in a fiery car accident. We weren’t—I had nothing to do with it.”

“I must warn you Taino and Sofiel are not finished with you. Heather, you are in danger. The Shaman intends to exact his misbegotten revenge.

The Summoning Buy link

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Linda’s Bio

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.  She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt.  She retired from a career as a legal assistant and loves events with her car club. The stars in her crown are two wonderful sons. In a former life, she must have had to walk everywhere because today she is into transportation with fine taste in expensive horses and hot cars! She likes to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Chance to #win $15 Gift Card! Visit with a spirit deity from another dimension and a #witch who doesn’t know she’s a witch battling a web of deceit and danger…and the chemistry between them. The Summoning on my blog today!
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Let’s Get to Know Linda Better

When I find a new author, the first thing I seek out is their story about their first book, their “big break”, or “the call”. Please share yours.

My break came when an author friend, Toni Sweeney (also makes dynamite trailers) mentioned that I should submit my rather taboo unpublished manuscript to her publisher, Double Dragon, a Canadian publisher.  I did. I was sitting at work, typing away when the phone rang and DDP told me they’d publish Gemini Rising.  It’s a good story I think but is definitely for those who enjoyed Flowers in the Attic, though GR is a dark fantasy. It has now been re-released by Lot’s Cave Publishing under my pen named, Bianca Swan, as Her Brother’s Wife.  The subject matter is rather sensitive.

My characters usually have a favorite brew(Ie: Hope=tequila, Sabrina=coffee, Carman=margaritas, Olivia= Vodka & Tonic etc), how about you? If it’s your own concoction, please share the recipe.

Like your characters, each of mine has a favorite drink, except of course the vampires. Well, actually, they do have a favorite—blood!

In the Summoning, the heroine is very, very partial to Crown Royal—straight—until she meets the hero and pulls herself out of the bottle.  She had reason to drink, having lost her infant son months ago.  She introduces the hero to Crown, and he decides that he likes the concoction: Crown & Coke

Many people have a ‘signature expression’(Ie: my character, Hope from Destiny Calling, often says “For Goodness Sake”). What expression are you known for—or would you like to be known for?

My slogan for my brand is ‘Out of the Ordinary, into the Extraordinary”.  I hope it means something to my readers!

Nothing is more rewarding than a genuine laugh and a good sense of humor. What can always make you laugh?  Twizzlers. No, seriously!  I laugh a lot at myself. I am so clumsy and get lost going out of my driveway. But I love good sarcasm and a dry wit to deliver it.

My character, Carman (from Grandma Must Die), loves makeup. What’s your “weapon of choice”in cosmetics that you can’t live without?  

I need mascara.  My lashes are not too dark and need that boost. Otherwise, my eyes don’t stand out at all. I don’t mean they look like empty eye sockets, just no ‘snap’.

My Enchantlings Series feature bikers. Would you call yourself a “backseat biker”,a “motorcycle mama”,or a “no-way jose’” kinda gal when it comes to motorcycles?

No-way Jose!  I added the exclamation mark because I’m afraid of motorcycles (well, moving ones.)

My character, Olivia (Liv) from Evil Speaks Softly has always wanted to be a writer. What about you? Did you always want to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a horse trainer—one with the talent and finesse to produce a high-schooled mount.  But alas, though I was a decent rider, I couldn’t achieve my perfection. What other profession(s) have you had?  I was a Legal Assistant for many more years than I care to admit. In 2014, I retired from the Legal Department at MD Anderson Cancer to write full time.

Writing and marketing a book is hard work. Share your best “author tip”. 

I really don’t have one.  Like most writers, I think, I’m struggling with budget and promotion. If I’d hit on the right formula, the budget might be under less strain!

Linda’s Other Books:

Love For Sale

Gambler’s Choice

Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody

Gylded Wings

Her General in Gray

The Summoning

Sinner’s Obsession

Cardinal Desires

Giveaway:  Linda is giving away a $15 gift card via Rafflecopter, so enter and follow her to her next destination for more chances to win and different excerpts!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Linda Nightingale and her new release The Summoning appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Everything can be happiness and rainbows, then—WHAM—Life knocks you down and your life changes.

Change is a fact of life. I had a calendar with inspirational sayings across the bottom of each page. My favorite was, still is, that change happens. It’s how we deal with change that counts. My life changed several times because of Hubs’ job. Being an at-will employee, his job could change at any moment. Promotion, demotion, let go. Then, we’d move. My reaction varied from rah-rah cheerleader (when we had kids at home) to tears and words that shouldn’t be repeated. LOL The only constant was our love for each other and the strength of our marriage.

Writing can be done anywhere.

Have laptop, will travel. During one of those downtimes, I was well into a new story. Since I knew the drill, I signed on with a temp agency for secretarial work. Because I have a long-time friend who gets up at 5 am to write each morning then goes to her day job, I followed her example and continued with the story. Then, my mother’s Alzheimer’s got worse, and my sister, her caregiver, needed breaks. Living one and a half hours away meant I could help on weekends. And then, Hubs’ mother’s health went downhill, and she went into a nursing home. Same hour and a half away. Hubs’ was working full time then, so we added visits to his mom on the weekends—along with running errands for his elderly aunt.

By then, I needed sleep more than writing, stress rose, and my creative muse departed for parts unknown. The story was set aside. That was about fifteen years ago. More changes. We lost all three “moms” and gained five grandchildren. Life is like that. My muse returned, I retired and had more time to write (10 novels and several short stories).

This winter, I found that long-lost story.

It became NUMBERS NEVER LIE, a romantic suspense.

Maggie Sinclair’s life was going along marvelously.

Until her brother’s fatal car crash. Her life changed dramatically.

NUMBERS NEVER LIE

A Romantic Suspense

By Diane Burton

Release Date:  July 9, 2018

Length: approx. 80,000 words

Available at Amazon http://a.co/gUmO9wZ

Free with Kindle Unlimited

Blurb for NUMBERS NEVER LIE:

A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie.

As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack’s an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Upon returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother Jack’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.

Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that–an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.

A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack dothat puts Maggie in danger?

Was Jack's car crash an accident? NUMBERS NEVER LIE https://buff.ly/2lOX3Uj#RomanticSuspense#humor#MYSTERY
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Numbers Never Lie Excerpt:

Maggie Sinclair wondered for the tenth time that morning why she hadn’t had her head examined before agreeing to Ellen’s offer. The week before, Maggie called off the trip when not one parent volunteered to chaperone. She hated disappointing the girls who had been crushed when their leader moved away. For the past two months, they talked about camping again. But week after week they returned with the same news. Their mothers refused, and their dads were too busy.

So when Ellen said her dad would help, the girls went wild. And Maggie, who should’ve known better, believed Ellen who swore she’d asked and her father agreed. Maggie should have followed up with a phone call, but years of avoiding Drew Campbell prevailed. Years of unreciprocated longing—from when her heart first took notice, through the years when he was single, then when he was married. Except for that one time, she never let him know. Avoidance was best.

Now here she was needing his help with the girls.

Preparing them for a week-long camping trip to Isle Royale had been Trish Morrow’s goal when she started the group four years ago. The girls loved roughing it. They just needed more hiking and camping experience before tackling the primitive island in Lake Superior.

Though they’d gotten a late start this morning because of the fog, Maggie noticed the girls’ energy start to flag after the fifth mile of the hike. That was when she put Drew Campbell at the front of the line. From the rear, she watched him trying to set a faster pace—especially after Gretchen’s assurance that they could keep up. The man was in a world of hurt even if he was making a concerted effort not to show it. He looked so trim, so athletic, Maggie had assumed he was in good shape.

Typical desk jockey. He probably got his exercise in a climate-controlled gym. No, wait. In a health club.

For better or worse—and she was afraid worsewas the operative word—she was stuck with him for the next thirty hours.

Are we having fun yet?  

She mocked herself as she tromped through the woods with eight tough little girls on the brink of womanhood and her brother’s best friend. From the back of the line, Maggie watched his long-legged stride and the way his navy golf shirt revealed his strong shoulders andthe way his obviously new jeans conformed to his butt. She lifted the tail of the bandanna knotted around her neck and wiped the sweat from her upper lip. She couldn’t blame the sun for the heat coursing through her.

Okay, Sinclair, she told herself, keep your mind on the matter at hand. And not how good Campbell’s butt looked in tight new jeans.

Good Lord, she felt fifteen again—instead of thirty-four. Her stomach in knots, her skin on fire. Lusting after the man who said she kissed like a guppy.

Numbers Never Lie is available at Amazon.

A camping trip, an accounting nightmare, and a car crash. But was the crash really an accident? Or worse? NUMBERS NEVER LIE https://buff.ly/2lOX3Uj#RomanticSuspense#humor#MYSTERY
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About the Author:

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides writing science fiction romance, she writes romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children and five grandchildren.

For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com

Connect with Diane Burton online

Blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor

Goodreads: Diane Burton Author

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/

Sign up for Diane’s new release alert: http://eepurl.com/bdHtYf

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have Events Now Ever Made You Return to a Favorite Story or Hobby Later?

The post What Happens When Things Change? Featuring Guest Diane Burton appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Good Writing Outdoes Genre

It’s true. Fantasy and paranormal are my absolute favorite genre to read or write. I’ve tried to write novels without fantasy and they seem lacking somehow. I read a book and I’m waiting for something out of the ordinary to happen. Therefore, it takes a really good story to hold my attention if it’s not in my favorite genre, but there are others that I enjoy reading.

Because if the #story is good enough, #genre doesn’t matter.
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I have favorite books that are suspense, horror, pure romance (aka: no paranormal), you name it. It would be easier to tell you what I don’t like to read. Although even then I might be challenged.

I used to think I had a few genres that I didn’t care for at all, like historical or erotica. Then…I read a good book or two in these genres, and realized there is always the exception. I’m a reader first, and an author second, which means I’m never without reading material. If I am, you’ll find me reading a magazine, a label, or any old thing laying around.

Read Out of Your Comfort Zone

Going outside my genre isn’t the norm for me. Like most people, I know what I like and I tend to gravitate toward that. As a writer, I realize the value in reading widely.

Plus, I enjoy reading books of authors I’ve come to know. I’ve also been in a Bookclub in the past in which the group chose the book—and it wasn’t always a book I’d pick. A few times I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It just shows the perks of opening your mind to other options.

It’s a Blog Hop!

Hop on around and meet some other authors to discover what they love to read or write. Perhaps you’ll pick up a new favorite, or try a new genre.

No matter what you read the important thing is that you do. Because a life without books and reading would be one of true deprivation.

Enough About Me—What Do You Like to Read?

The post What Do I Like to Read? appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

The Birth of a Story

Before I started writing I had no idea how much was involved in creating a story from start to finish. I thought the author just…

Sat down and wrote the story, did a little editing, got a cover and off it went into the world. (Okay I’m summarizing this a little since this isn’t the focus of this post.)

Of course, each author has a different process of getting their stories on the page, but my writing process goes something like this:

• Get an idea for a story
• Mull over it for an indefinite amount of time and write notes in odd places
• Gather all the sticky notes, tablet paper and notes from on my phone
• Write the story over an undetermined amount of time (quicker if it’s #NaNoWri month)
• Let the manuscript fester on the computer while it nags me and accuses me of deserting the characters
• Return to the manuscript to edit it—often pleasantly surprised and horrified at the same time
• Send the manuscript to my editor (or first pitch the story to her)

If the Manuscript is Accepted Then…

• Do about three more rounds of edits
• Work on the blurb, the tagline, the cover information etc. etc.
• And so much more…

Sometimes it seems like an eternity to transform an idea, and then a manuscript, into a story. The entire time I’m writing and editing, my characters are nagging at me. They won’t rest until I write “the end.”

Once the #story is “done” and I’ve finally freed the characters from the confines of my mind, they become quiet.
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Quiet Reflection

Therefore, completing the initial draft of my manuscript is more of a personal accomplishment. It fills me with an inner peace, and a little sadness, as I release the characters to the page.

Until that time it often feels as if I’m carrying many stories around with me, which can sometimes be a little maddening. Hence the calm after the storm as silence cocoons my thoughts.

Follow the Hop

I’m sure if you check out what the other authors have to say, you might discover some fabulous ways to celebrate the completion of a manuscript.

Now if I was discussing the release of a “book baby” it would be a much bigger party that just might include some wine or tequila.

How Do You Celebrate What You Create?

The post My Manuscript Celebration is a Quiet One appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.