Category Archives: books

Sep12

“Entangled” – An Anthology to Help in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

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There’s a book that came out today that’s full of great stories and it’s for a great cause as well. All proceeds of the book willl  be donated to breast cancer research. Here’s an interview about it. 

Q: Tell us about Entangled.

A: Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, and Edie Ramer, plus a brand new Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan. All proceeds from the sale of Entangled will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

 Q: Are the stories connected?

A: The anthology has a Halloween theme, so the stories all have Halloween elements in them.

 Q: Are they all one genre?

A: All the stories paranormal, but some are heavier on suspense, while others have more romance. We even have a young adult story by Jennifer Estep that’s related to herMythosAcademyseries.

 Q: How did you all come up with the decision to do this book? Who initiated it and how did you all get together?

A: Edie Ramer and Misty Evans wanted to do a collaboration together, and over three or four emails earlier this year, they decided to do a paranormal anthology of short stories and have the proceeds go to breast cancer. They invited authors whose books they read and enjoyed, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

 Q: Tell us more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

A: BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

 Q: Is there a time limit on purchasing Entangled so the proceeds go to the BCRF?

A: Entangled will available for at least a year and all proceeds will go to BCRF, no matter when it’s purchased. After a year, if it’s still selling well, we’ll keep it available, and again, all proceeds will go to BCRF.

 Q: How much will the ebook cost?

A: Entangled will be discounted to $2.99 during September and October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. After that the price will go up to $3.99. For stories of this caliber, it’s a fantastic deal at either price.

 Q: Can people donate to the cause even if they can’t or don’t want to purchase Entangled?

A: Absolutely. Go to  http://www.bcrfcure.org to make a donation in your name, or in the name of someone you know who’s been touched by breast cancer.

Here’s some info on the stories in the book:

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan. 

Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

 All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 Stories include:

 HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of theMythosAcademy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It’s Halloween atMythosAcademy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

 THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

 MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits ofSt. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

 SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.

 SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

 A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.

 SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

 A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

 FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

 BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

 GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

Jun17

New Story Sale

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I recently sold another short story- this one is called Music Hall, Music Hell.  It’s for an anthology called Happy Hell-o-Ween; Underworld Tours.  I wrote it in a couple of hours (after getting up three times in the night to jot down notes) and then let it simmer in my head for the day. I edited it that evening and submitted it. In 18 minutes, I had an acceptance.  The editor called it “a gem”-  made my day.

It’ll be out in September, 2011, I believe as it is a Halloween Anthology.  Check out the other books at the publisher’s website. I’ve got stories in several of them. I’m in Dear Valentine;  Christmas in Outer Space; Free Range Fairy Tales; Halloween Dances with the Dead;  and It Was a Dark and Stormy Halloween.  There are some amazing writers there.  http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/WhortleberryPress

Jun1

2011 Goals and Achievements

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PUBLISHING GOALS

I’m proud that my second novel (under my pseudonym) was published in February and that the third will be out in July this year. I’m also proud that I’ve also recently finished the first drafts on two mysteries.

I hope that two other novels I have out on submission get accepted and published soon. My other goal is to polish the two manuscripts I recently finished and submit them.

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May10

Look of Disappointment

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I was in Delray, Florida on Friday and wanted to go to Murder on the Beach, a mystery book store. We got there a bit after ten and the store was dark. The spouse went and looked on the door and came back to say there were no hours posted. We sat in the car for a while and I decided to head over and look in the window. I’ve written a cozy mystery called Mystery on the Coast and I wanted to peek in the window of the store even if it was closed.  As I looked in, I saw a sign that they opened at ten (spouse must be blind) but they were still not open. So, we left and walked down the street to a few other stores. #1 son took this picture of me when I was looking in the window and he called it “The Look of Disappointment” 

They did eventually open and I bought four books. So, not so disappointed after all.

May3

“THE WOLF’S TORMENT”- A Review

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I had the privilege of reading an ARC of The Wolf’s Torment for my friend, the author, Stephanie Burkhart.  This book has a wonderful love story between Mihai and his bride to be.  This book also has a lot of tragic circumstances in it. I laughed and cried as I read this story. Mihai is a prince as well as a witch. He returns home from abroad to wed. With him is his friend, Viktor. Viktor is a very appealing character and is immediately attracted to Mihai’s sister. 

The story progresses along and tragedy strikes Viktor. Over and over. He fights against the awful things that happen to him but he’s ultimately changed by his circumstances. My heart hurt for this character that I was so attracted to. The author does an excellent job of making the reader really care about this man. And then she masterfully makes the reader feel the angst of the character and I was surprised at how very much I wanted things to be different for Viktor.

Once I finished the story, I couldn’t get it out of my head. The title of the book is quite appropriate. Torment is the word to describe what the poor man goes through. Mihai’s bride has her share of torment as well.  I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series but I’m very afraid of what the future has in store for Mihai, his wife and family.

Stephanie Burkhart knows what she’s doing in writing dark scenes. I admire her skill in making the reader feel so strongly about her characters. I also wonder how she could stand to write some of the scenes that were so painful.

I recommend this book highly.  Here’s some pictures: The cover and Viktor:  I’ve also included where to buy this awesome story!

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian-Moon/Detail.bok

Apr25

“The Killing Edge” A Book Review

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This book was written by Heather Graham. It’s a light paranormal with some ghostly elements.  The heroine survives a blood bath/massacre when she’s a teen. It’s now a decade later and things are heating up again. People are dying and she may be a target again herself. 

This is a great read and I highly recommend it. Ms. Graham is an excellent writer and she really brings her “A” game to this story. I figured it out pretty early on but that’s what I do. I love to try to solve the mystery along with the characters. This story occurs in Miami, the Keys and a snippet in New Orleans.  AND most importantly, the hero is another to die for kinda guy. Luckily for the heroine, that’s might not be necessary!

Mar3

“Surfer Bride”- A Novel

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Jillian Chantal has the first chapter of Surfer Bride up on Renee Bagby’s First Chapter blog today. She’s giving away an e-book copy to one lucky commenter. Head on over and check out the first chapter.  http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/  and  here’s the trailer for it.

Feb15

“Death Threads”- a mystery book review

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I read this one this past weekend and it was an okay read. I liked some of the characters and the setting. It’s the second book in a series and I was disappointed that the author gave away the whole plot (and most importantly, who dun it) of the first book in this second book. I hate when that happens. I know I am not the only person that may have picked up book two first. I like a series and sometimes when I pick them up out of order, I’ll go back and buy the prior ones. That won’t happen this time. I already know who was accused falsely and who actually was the murderer. So, what’s the point? The author could have very well made her references to the prior book a little less overt.

I like to read mysteries to try to match wits against the writer and the protagonist. I had this one figured out by Chapter six.  Even had figured out the red herring. But remember, I could solve an Agatha Christie book as a middle schooler in 28 pages. So, it’s hard to trick me. LOL!

If you read these, read them in order as you’ll be disappointed that you can’t go back and read the first one.

Feb14

“Sinful Surrender”- A Book Review- A Valentine’s Day Recommended Read

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This weekend, I read Beverley Kendall’s book called Sinful Surrender. Can I just say, Oh. My. Gosh.  What a great read. This book was a perfectly executed work of romantic historical fiction. It had all the elements of romance as well as spot on historical data.  The heroine was feisty and funny. She was intelligent and strong. I liked that she was tall as well. Sometimes, I get tired of the tiny little heroines in these type books. A tall woman was a nice change.

The hero in  this story was ooh la la hot. His name is James and man, oh, man, would I like to meet this guy. He was fine looking and a very strong man. There were a few times I’d like to have been able to shake some sense into him, but that’s a sign of a well written book to me. And the sex scenes were very nicely done.

Ms. Kendall does an awesome job on making the reader feel she’s in the scene. I love that her descriptions were adequate but not overly done. There’s nothing I hate more than a long, dreary scene description- these were enough to give a sense of place but not to the point of a snooze-fest.

This was a great read and I’m planning to read her next one very soon. I already have it in my hot little hands.

Feb9

“Stolen Treasures” – a Review

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Last night, I finished reading Stolen Treasures by Laurie Ryan.  It’s a story about modern day piracy on the high seas. The heroine is involved with a yacht club that has organized a festival of ships. After being conked in the head, she accidently ends up out to sea on a ship called the Treasure. The hero is a marine law enforcement officer investigating the theft of a number of boats/yachts in the Pacific Ocean south of San Diego. The boat the heroine is stuck on happens to belong to the hero.

The heroine initially seemed to have a major anger issue. She throws things whenever she gets mad. It made for a pretty volatile first part of the book. She eventually settled down and got hold of herself.  This book deals with sailing, romance, heat, the doldrums, a big storm and betrayal as well as a very satisfying ending where both the hero and heroine find a purpose for their lives. 

There is a sequel to this book called Pirate’s Promise.  I already have it downloaded to my Kindle app on my I-Pod and plan to read it soon. The first one was a quick read and very nicely done.