Let’s ask Alicia to tease us just a little about what inspired these authors to write these books.

The Story Behind These Gothic Mysteries

A group of authors from countries all over the world were drawn together by our love of the classic gothic mysteries by authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney.

While the stories are stand-alone, they each share a recurring thread of a Spinel stone, which can play a small or large part in the plot. We have stories set in Scotland, Greece, Oklahoma, Florida, France, Ireland, and more.

We hope readers have as much fun reading these stories (we recommend you do so with the lights on) as we had writing them.

A World of Gothic…Gothic #Mystery Novellas ON #SALE for ONLY 99 cents each through Halloween! #AWOG99
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Dark Hunt ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Tamrie Foxtail

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hunt-Florida-World-Gothic-ebook/dp/B078MPBXVT/

Ghost in the Rain ~ A World of Gothic: Scotland by Marie Treanor

https://amzn.com/B01ES21KZE

House at the Edge ~ A World of Gothic: Greece by MM Jaye:

https://amzn.com/B01G7B1FI6

Haunting at Spook Light Inn ~ A World of Gothic: Oklahoma by Alicia Dean

https://amzn.com/B01GNGTU96

Haunting in the Pines ~ A World of Gothic: East Texas by Janis Susan May

https://www.amazon.com/House-Pines-World-Gothic-Texas-ebook/dp/B01JSYOHFC/

Raven of Blackthorn Manor ~ A World of Gothic: Ireland by Gemma Juliana

https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Blackthorn-Manor-Gothic-Ireland-ebook/dp/B01LRXCILW/

Blood-Stained Memories ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Kathy L Wheeler

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Stained-Memories-Gothic-United-ebook/dp/B01K82OKJG/

Sea of Darkness ~ A World of Gothic: France by Amanda McCabe

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Darkness-World-Gothic-France-ebook/dp/B01LWKXVO6/

Shadows and Lies ~ A World of Gothic: Louisiana by Raine English

https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Lies-Gothic-United-States-ebook/dp/B01M9BY010/

Sinister Ceremony ~ A World of Gothic: Maine by Stacey Coverstone

Available for pre-order https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRZ2KZ2/

Are You Ready to Get Your Gothic on This Season?

The post Treat Yourself With this Gothic Mystery Sale 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.

Although lately I’ve had to implement some tweaks to my writing set-up since I’ve stared to notice wrist pain from long hours writing. Since giving up writing isn’t an option, I’ve continued to explore ways to make writing easier for my fiction and freelance. Recently I read this post about automated transcription and thought I’d share it.

I came across this article about automatic transcription. I notice more people using features similar to this with their phones, so why not with writing? It might be a good way to keep track of the random ideas or stir up some creativity if writer’s block sets in. Check it out and see what you think.

Article below originally posted and written by Descript 

Overcoming Writer’s Block with Automatic Transcription

If you’re a writer — of books, essays, scripts, blog posts, whatever — you’re familiar with the phenomenon: the blank screen, a looming deadline, and a sinking feeling in your gut that pairs poorly with the jug of coffee you drank earlier.

If you know that rumble all too well: this post is for you. Maybe it’ll help you get out of a rut; at the very least, it’s good for a few minutes of procrastination.

Here’s the core idea: thinking out loud is often less arduous than writing. And it’s now easier than ever to combine the two, thanks to recent advances in speech recognition technology.

Of course, dictation is nothing new — and plenty of writers have taken advantage of it. Carl Sagan’s voluminous output was facilitated by his process of speaking into an audio recorder, to be transcribed later by an assistant (you can listen to some of his dictations in the Library of Congress!) And software like Dragon’s Naturally Speaking has offered automated transcription for people with the patience and budget to pursue it.

But it’s only in the last couple of years that automated transcription has reached a sweet spot — of convenience, affordability and accuracy—that makes it practical to use it more casually. And I’ve found it increasingly useful for generating a sort of proto-first draft: an alternative approach to the painful process of converting the nebulous wisps inside your head into something you can actually work with.

I call this process idea extraction (though these ideas may be more accurately dubbed brain droppings).

Part I: Extraction

Here’s how my process works. Borrow what works for you and forget the rest — and let me know how it goes!

• Pick a voice recorder. Start talking. Try it with a topic you’ve been chewing on for weeks — or when an idea flits your head. Don’t overthink it. Just start blabbing.
• The goal is to tug on as many threads as you come across, and to follow them as far as they go. These threads may lead to meandering tangents— and you may discover new ideas along the way.
• A lot of those new ideas will probably be embarrassingly bad. That’s fine. You’re already talking about the next thing! And unlike with text, your bad ideas aren’t staring you in the face.
• Consider leaving comments to yourself as you go — e.g. “Maybe that’d work for the intro”. These will come in handy later.
• For me, these recordings run anywhere from 20–80 minutes. Sometimes they’re much shorter, in quick succession. Whatever works.

Part II: Transcription

Once I’ve finished recording, it’s time to harness The Power of Technology

A little background: over the last couple of years there’s been an explosion of tools related to automatic speech recognition (ASR) thanks to huge steps forward in the underlying technologies.

Here’s how ASR works: you import your audio into the software, the software uses state-of-the-art machine learning to spit back a text transcript a few minutes later. That transcript won’t be perfect—the robots are currently in the ‘Write drunk’ phase of their careers. But for our purposes that’s fine: you just need it to be accurate enough that you can recognize your ideas.

Once you have your text transcript, your next step is up to you: maybe you’re exporting your transcript as a Word doc and revising from there. Maybe you’re firing up your voice recorder again to dictate a more polished take. Maybe only a few words in your audio journey are worth keeping — but that’s fine too. It probably didn’t cost you much (and good news: the price for this tech will continue to fall in the years ahead).

A few more tips:

• Use a recorder/app that you trust. Losing a recording is painful — and the anxiety of losing another can derail your most exciting creative moments (“I hope this recorder is working. Good, it is… @#*! where was I?”)
• Audio quality matters when it comes to automatic transcription. If your recording has a lot of background noise or you’re speaking far away from the mic, the accuracy is going to drop. Consider using earbuds (better yet: Airpods) so you can worry less about where you’re holding the recorder.
• Find a comfortable space. Eventually you may get used to having people overhear your musings, but it’s a lot easier to let your mind “go for a walk” when you’re comfortable in your environment.
• Speaking of walking: why not go for a stroll? The pains of writing can have just as much to do with being stationary and hunched over. Walking gets your blood flowing — and your ideas too.
• I have a lot of ideas, good and bad, while I’m thinking out loud and playing music at the same time (in my case, guitar — but I suspect it applies more broadly). There’s something about playing the same four-chord song on auto pilot for the thousandth time that keeps my hands busy and leaves my mind free to wander.

The old ways of doing things — whether it’s with a keyboard or pen — still have their advantages. Putting words to a page can force a sort of linear thinking that is otherwise difficult to maintain. And when it comes to editing, it’s no contest: QWERTY or bust.

But for getting those first crucial paragraphs down (and maybe a few keystone ideas to build towards)? Consider talking to yourself. Even if you wind up with a transcript full of nothing but profanity — well, have you ever seen a transcript full of profanity? You could do a lot worse.

This article was originally published by Descript.

What Are Your Thoughts on Automated Transcription?

The post Thoughts on Writing with Automated Transcription appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Connie’s back to let us know about a the fabulous .99 cent sale for Jade’s Redemption for the month of August. I don’t know about you, but I love a sale. It’s your chance to pick up a new read for these last few weeks of August. Let’s take a closer look at Jade’s Redemption.

Blurb for Jade’s Redemption

Someone is kidnapping newborn infants and selling them to the highest bidder. Police Chief Patrick Carter has his hands full investigating the case. To complicate matters, he’s short on staff.

Jade Harlowe has secrets, ones that she vowed no one would ever know. She used to be a police officer, but when a tragedy occurred—one that everyone held her responsible for—she resigned and moved to another state to start over, accepting a job as a dispatcher for the police, fire, and ambulance departments.

When Patrick discovers Jade’s past police experience he offers her a job on the force. He needs help working the kidnapping cases, and Jade previously solved a similar case, so she could be a valuable asset. But will they be able to fight the attraction that’s sizzling between them? Something that could be very distracting if they can’t control it.

The clock is ticking. They have to find those babies and prevent more from being taken. But a very nosy news reporter may compromise everything if she digs deep enough to uncover Jade’s past.

Neither Patrick nor Jade thought they had room for each other in their lives, but working so closely together makes it impossible to deny the chemistry. Can Patrick break through the wall Jade has built up around her, or will her past finally catch up with her and she loses everything once again?

Content Warning: contains sexual content

He's an overworked police chief, and she's a disgraced cop. Can he rescue her from her own depths of hell without losing his heart to her in the process? #sale #book
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Excerpt for Jade’s Redemption

“Jade, in my office. I need to talk to you,” Patrick said.

“Okay.” She didn’t report to him, so why did he want to see her? She entered his office.

“Close the door,” he commanded, his voice terse.

She closed the door and sat in the chair in front of his desk.

“There was another kidnapping last night. Here’s the file on both kidnappings and files from other known cases to cross-reference. I need you to investigate the cases and try to get these babies back and prevent another one from being taken. I want you to go out into the street, ask questions, get in people’s faces, and help solve this crime.”

“Um, not an officer, Patrick.”

“You are now. If you’ll stand, I’ll swear you in.” He opened the desk drawer to get the book out.

“You can’t make me an officer, just like that.”

“Yes, I can. I know you were an officer in Oklahoma City, and I know your credentials are up-to-date. You are certified and ready to be an officer. All I need to do is swear you in.”

“You checked up on me?” Jade asked, her voice faltering.

“No, at first, I called the Oklahoma City Police to find out about the kidnapping case you mentioned. In the course of my discussion with the chief, I asked if he knew you, which he said he did.”

“Then you know what happened there.”

“No, they couldn’t tell me due to your non-disclosure stipulation.”

“Then you shouldn’t hire me.”

“I’m giving you an opportunity here. This is your chance to prove yourself. You are given full range to investigate the cases. You’ll report back to me every day as part of your training. I will guide you to where and how to solve this crime and many others. Now, are you up to it and ready to start?”

“But…Patrick…um…Chief. This is so sudden. I…” She was speechless, she didn’t want to do an investigation into a possible kidnapping. She didn’t want to handle cases that involved children. How could she get out of this? Did she really want to get out of this?

“Say yes so we can get started.”

“You sure about this?” She wasn’t, but she couldn’t tell him no. This was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you didn’t turn down. It felt strange though; he never talked this fast, and he wanted her decision now.

“Yes, I’m sure. So, what do you say?”

“Chief, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

What could she tell him? “I’ve been away from police work a long time, and I’ve never been a detective. I was only in training to be one.”

“Your previous employer said that you were showing signs of being a good detective. Jade, I need a detective. I need fresh eyes, someone quick to analyze the situation and get to the bottom of this. I’m offering you a chance to prove you are the right person to do the job. Anyone else would jump at the opportunity. Why are you hesitating?”

“I…um…” She couldn’t tell him she didn’t want to work baby or children cases. You couldn’t be selective when you were a detective. You took all jobs, no matter how difficult or painful it was.

“Have you talked to the fire chief? Does he know?”

“Yes. I talked to him this morning. He’s going to hire someone to replace you.”

“What about the police commissioners?”

“I’ll deal with them.”

She stared at Patrick and swallowed a big lump in the back of her throat. A detective? Her heart hammered hard in her chest. Could she do it? If he knew her past, why would he even consider her for the job? Talk about a bombshell dropping. Couldn’t she have time to consider it?

But a little glimmer of hope sparked in her heart.

So there was a chance for her to redeem herself? She’d be stupid to turn down the opportunity. #Book #JadesRedemption
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To Purchase Jade’s Redemption:

Amazon            Barnes and Noble           ITunes              Kobo

Author Bio for Connie Bretes

I started writing contemporary romance and contemporary romance suspense fifteen years ago, and after multiple rejections, got my first contract for Delayed Justice, released in 2014.

I lives in Basin, Montana, where three feline furballs own me and my husband, and a dog that lives next door named Sara, who thinks she also lives with the Bretes family. I love the mountains that surround my home, I love basket weaving, jewelry making, and just visiting all the folks in the small community we live in.

I currently have seven books published, and a number of other ones in various stages of edits. Right now, I’m working on a new book, called Roadside Love. A murder mystery/romance is a small town in Wyoming. I have two other books that are at the end of their editing days and now at critique partners, the books are Elkhorn In The Moonlight and Rocky River Gold. Both are small town romances.

Connie can be reached through the following media.

http://constancebretes.com

https://www.facebook.com/conniebretes/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7737457.Constance_Bretes

Email:  bretesc@gmail.com

http://beachwalkpress.com/constance-bretes/

Tweets by ConstanceBretes

The post Author Connie Bretes Returns with a Sale for Jade’s Redemption 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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Web Site:  Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.

Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes

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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.

But Wait, There’s More

 

“Don’t you dare die on me, James Adams.”

Kenzi pressed the blood-soaked gauze against the left side of his abdomen. “I won’t lose you. Not now.”

Barely clinging to life, he opened his eyes a slit, raised his hand still clenching Colin’s gun, and shot two rounds.

Stunned, Kenzi snapped around. “No.” She screamed and dove for the gun through the hazy blue mist engulfing them.

“Brady…” His voice faded as he slipped into semiconscious mumbling.

Yanking the pistol from his grip with her right hand, she maintained pressure with her left. A heartbeat later, the cylinder encasing them rotated open. Kenzi stood then sprinted across the room and pounded on a fist-sized alert button affixed to the wall. The resulting alarm shrieked through the underground chamber, reverberating as it radiated throughout the compound. Two men dressed in white jumpsuits burst through double doors.

“Gurney. Now.” Kenzi screamed at the attendants. “And O-Neg blood. Hurry. Go, go, go.” She ran to James and knelt beside him. Lifting his head, she slid a knee underneath it for support and smoothed a chunk of his dark brown hair from his face. “I’ve sacrificed way too much to have you die now,” she whispered. “My ass will burn for this. Not to mention the repercussions for abandoning York.”

Pulse racing, she checked his bandage. Despite her efforts, streams of crimson still oozed from the wound. Pressing again on the gauze, she shook her head. “Geez. You’ve lost so much blood. Please, hang on.”

Again, the double doors swung wide. This time, a gurney pushed through, followed by the two assistants. One man ran to Kenzi.

“Help me lift him.”

Her hands, slick with blood, shot to her white T-top, already drenched in crimson. On second thought, she swept them down the rear of her jeans. Sliding her slippery arms beneath his back, she braced her stance with one bent knee.

“One, two, three.” They heaved him in tandem onto the gurney. She doused her hands with Betadine then splashed more on James’s forearm, snatched an IV from the attached supply basket, and punctured a vein on the inside of his wrist with the sterile needle. Once connected, she hooked the blood pouch on the IV pole and barked at the team, “Let’s move. If this man bleeds out, there will be hell to pay.”

The men, poised with hands on the side of the rails, awaited their next move. “Where to, Dr. Reynolds?”

Kenzi stared at James’s ashen face, worried her meager experience wasn’t enough to save his life––but she had no option. “Surgery.”

Springing into action, one man rolled the gurney down the hallway, while a second leapt onto the base and slipped an oxygen mask over James’s nose and mouth. “I hope this guy isn’t allergic to Propofol.” He attached an anesthesia drip to the IV. “Damn, what caused this gaping wound?”

“He was shot…with a musket.”  

Casi McLean

Romantic Suspense, Time Slips, And Supernatural Mystery with a Sprinkle of Magic ….

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon Author Page Blog Pinterest Instagram

Award Winning Author

2016 Best Romantic Suspense  Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence 

Winner 2016 Best Heroine Still Moments Magazine

2016 Aspen Gold Finalist for Best Romantic Suspense

2015 Top Pick by Night Owl Reviews

2015 Chicago Fire and Ice Finalist

2014 Winner 2014 AWC Short Story Award

Fiction:

  Lake Lanier Mysteries

     Beneath The Lake

     Beyond The Mist

     Between The Shadows 

   Destiny Series:

     Destiny

     The Gift

     After Midnight

     Convergent

     The Pegasus Chronicle

   Deep State Mysteries

       Reign Of Fire

       The List   

Nonfiction:

Wingless Butterfly

So You Want To Be An Author 

Trailers

Beyond The Mist ~ Star-crossed Lovers Struggle through a Cyclone of 9/11 Terrorism

   
Beneath The Lake Trailer ~ A Time-Slip Romantic Suspense

Destiny Trailer ~ Shorts With A Sprinkle Of Magic 

 

Wingless Butterfly Trailer ~ An Inspiring Memoir

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon Author Page Blog Pinterest Instagram

The post Spotlight on Between The Shadows & Casi McLean appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Mystic Realms Anthology

What goes bump in the night? What causes you a fright? While the answers for each may vary, I promise that these stories will not leave you wary.

From vampires and demons to shifters and creatures that you’d never suspect, this set will leave you breathless in the best possible ways.

So, don’t be afraid. Come, step inside our realm. Allow the mysticism of romance in many shapes and forms fall over you like a veil of sweet, soothing, spine tingling comfort.

We promise…you won’t be sorry.

Now a Little About Lynn’s Story- Avenging Aingeal

Aingeal Cochran is on a mission to save humanity from itself when suddenly she’s staring head-on at her forgotten past. Lukas Everhard must bring her up to speed regarding the real enemy before allowing himself to love her completely. In learning about her past and mission, Aingeal realizes the best is yet to be and she will do anything to protect those she loves. For Lukas, Aingeal is the mission.

Bound by vengeance, she is humanity’s one hope…

Excerpt for Avenging Aingeal:

“You know the rules here. No fighting in the mess hall.” The object didn’t remove itself from my body.

I whirled furious, jerking my arm away, energy in both hands now and was stopped short by the man who stood before me. I was not a small woman, yet this man dwarfed me.  Slowly, my gaze moved from his chest to his wide shoulders to his face and stopped there. Ice blue eyes stared at me without one bit of emotion attached to the look. He’s one cold cookie.I blinked rapidly almost as if I had been hit in the gut. This man was not going to take my crap in any way, shape or form. While I might be able to fool Darien somewhat as I had learned since I had arrived, I would never be able to fool this one.

Then there was the fact I felt more aware of him sexually than I had been with anyone else. Ever. There was a charisma about him which made me want to throw myself into his arms and beg to be taken.  And it was more than his physical appearance because if truth be told, this man looked good…the best I had ever seen…again a rarity for me to note. It was as if he were palpable under my hands even though we weren’t touching. My crotch tightened once more and I shook my head to clear my errant thoughts.

“Told you.” A snide voice commented somewhere off to my left.

I turned to look at my accuser, electricity leaping to my hand yet again. Some days I couldn’t control it at all. This could be a problem.

Stepping in front of me, the big man’s forefinger jabbed my chest in a hard push. “You. Me. In the sparring room immediately.”

I watched as he walked out the door, all predatory-like and with more purpose than I had seen anyone in this place have since my arrival. I eyed everyone else and realized it wouldn’t matter what I said, they were going to see if their man could best me. Sighing, I also knew I had brought this on myself. Vowing to make his fall gentle, I shook my head and followed him down the main corridor, wondering if I should even bother to introduce myself. I ran up to walk next to him and before I could even start, I was cut off by his raised hand.

“Don’t bother. I know who you are.” He kept his eyes straight forward.

Frowning, I watched him for a minute. “Yeah, but I don’t know who you are, now do I?”

A woman with elemental powers must learn who she is before she can help save the Earth. Avenging Aingeal Mystic Realms Anthology $0.99 https://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Realms-Collection-Paranormal-Romances-ebook/dp/B078X57PN4#MysticRealms…
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Amazon US ~ Barnes and Noble ~iTunes ~ Kobo ~ Video Link

About the Author:

Award-winning author Lynn Crain writes full-time, weaving contemporary, fantasy, futuristic and paranormal tales, tame to erotic. Her home is in the desert southwest with her husband of 32 years. Readers can find her at lynncrain@cox.netor her website at http://www.lynncrain.com.

Find Lynn:

lynncrain.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/oddlynn3

http://www.facebook.com/oddlynn3

https://www.facebook.com/LynnCrainAuthor

https://www.amazon.com/author/lynncrain

https://www.pinterest.com/oddlynn3/

https://plus.google.com/u/2/+LynnCrain-oddlynn3

https://www.instagram.com/lynn.crain

The post Please Welcome My Guest & Her New Release Avenging Aingeal appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Keri’s Christmas Wish

 Inspirational Christian fiction with paranormal elements

Christian Theme: The power of faith to heal

Can Keri get past her angst over Christ’s birth and enjoy the Christmas season?

Blurb for Keri’s Christmas Wish

For as long as she can remember, Keri Jackson has despised the hype and commercialism around Christmas so much she seldom enjoys the holiday. Will she get her wish and be free of the angst to truly enjoy Christmas this year?

A devout Christian at heart, Jeremy Hinton, a Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Spiritual Mentor and Energy Medicine Practitioner has studied all of the world’s religions and homeopathic healing modalities. But when a rare bacterial infection threatens the life of the woman he loves, will all of his faith and training be for naught?

Find out in Keri’s Christmas Wish

Can Keri get past her angst over Christ’s birth and enjoy the Christmas season? #KerisChristmasWish http://amzn.to/2ePnias #IDAWinner
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Excerpt for Keri’s Christmas Wish

She awoke in another dimension. Keri had no idea if she was in Heaven, but neither did she fear Hell. Her surroundings were reminiscent of a dense forest at dusk. Shadows danced against a sunset where brilliant colors bled from the sky. A light shone in the distance but as she moved toward it, Keri felt as though she plowed through molasses. Unease pricked her skin. The sound of water drew her deeper into the woods until she stood at the base of a vast waterfall and rapids so swift she dared not attempt to cross the river.

The light grew stronger, brighter. Beckoning.

I need to get to the light.

Ebook Link: http://amzn.to/2ePnias

Print Link: http://amzn.to/2g4o4yG

While her body is under attack, Keri’s soul is alive and well in another realm. #KerisChristmasWish http://amzn.to/2ePnias 2017 #IDA #winner
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Interview With Pamela

1. 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? Personally I believe we all have intuitive abilities. Some don’t believe and others are afraid. I’d love to hone mine so well that I never miss an opportunity to be a blessing to someone else or a blessing God has for me.

2. 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 author brand is “Inspirational with an Edge!” but I’d also like to be know for “Good luck and God’s Blessings” which I use when commenting on blog posts AND Until next time, take care and God Bless – which I use in very nearly every blog post & newsletter I write. Some folks may feel using these salutations every time lessens their authenticity, but each time I use one, I mean it with every fiber of my being!

3. Nothing is more rewarding than a genuine laugh and a good sense of humor. What can always make you laugh? Watching children. You never know what they’ll say or do and most times it’s hilarious.

4. 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? I’ve always been an avid reader. The urge to write came in my twenties. I’ve worked in various positions from Cashier/Food Prep in fast food restaurants to Full Charge Bookkeeper & Tax Preparer and Licensed Insurance Agent.

5. Writing and marketing a book is hard work. Share your best “author tip”. The bible exhorts us to “study and show yourself approved.” Keep studying, keep writing, keep learning, stay open to constructive critique and NEVER GIVE UP! Writing is both gift and talent given to you by God. Don’t hide your gift or bury your talent. Whatever you write, write well. Strive for excellence. Stay teachable, pliable, and flexible. Never believe that you know it all because knowledge is power and the more you know the more valuable you become. Above all share what you learn with others and make someone’s load lighter to bear. My best marketing advice is: Don’t watch your numbers too closely, it’ll drive you crazy and remember it takes time, patience and consistency!

#IDAWinner KERI’S CHRISTMAS WISH by @psthib http://amzn.to/2ePnias #inspirationalwithanedge
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Please Note: Keri’s Christmas Wish is featured in Mistletoe, Snow and Suspense

a collection of 5 Christmas stories by 4 Acclaimed authors available for a limited time for only 99cents! Link for collection: http://amzn.to/2A50wEe

Author Bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jUVcdU

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamela-s-thibodeaux

The post Guest Post with Pamela S. Thibodeaux appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.