Corinne Davies

Leopard Slugs...not quite the shapeshifter I was looking for.

2013-06-19T09:34:00.003-04:00

My 14yr old wanted to earn some extra money so I got her to clean out a weed invested area next to our car port. About fifteen minutes later she comes running/screaming into the house and proceeds to do the icky dance in the hall way while shreaking 'OHMYGODOHMYGODEEEWWWWWOHMYGOD!" at the top of her lungs.

I come running as does her sister. I'm thinking she's amputated a digit with the shovel, bitten by a spider, has leeches on her legs...(okay there is no water there but her reaction was the same as when I see leeches) As soon as she sees us she yells "I almost died!" and continues to shudder and ickydance in place. The overly dramatic scene she is treating us to take my anxiety down several notches. Now I'm thinking.. garter snake or a big spider. Both reasonable excuses for an ickydance but not life threatening.

This isn't the first overreaction I've seen from the drama princess (the nickname is very appropriate) and I'll admit I was a little apprehensive when she dragged me outside to "kill" it. Turns out she'd overturned an old brick and found this guy underneath.

Leopard slugs - striking fear int the hearts of teenage girls

I wish I'd put something next to him to give a sense of proportion, but this guy was HUGE. longer and thicker than my thumb. Creepy yes, but certainly not deserving of corporal punishment. I got a shovel and scooped him up and took him to the back corner of the yard and tucked him under the hedges. Of course the drama princess wasn't happy because it might come after her in her sleep. LOL

"Don't worry" I assured her. "It's too young for it's fangs to have grown in, and the poison would've only paralyze you not kill you, as long as you avoid its stinger. It's a slug so I'm pretty sure you can run faster if you find another one."

She knows me well enough to know I was probably joking but it didn't stop from changing out of her flipflops and into a pair of boots. LOL She finished the clean up and earned her shopping money. Apparently a new top trumps leopard slug paranoia.

Busy Week and Busier Future but I really want to read! :)

2013-06-16T17:53:00.002-04:00

It's been a crazy week for me. Between the EDJ, writing and regular family needs I feel like I've been going in circles. I've started lots...the piles of clean but unfolded laundry on my sofa will attests to that but thankfully I've managed to finish a few.

The edits for Corralling Dawn. The third book in my Midnighter Seductions series came in and I tackled those. I really like the way this story turned out. The characters took a bit of a turn on me at the end and they didn't end up where I expected, but sometimes that's half the fun of writing. It also tells me that they are strong and well rounded because they took the story away from me.

Corralling Dawn, Midnighter Seductions 3

An ancient portal quietly reopened the day the Mayan calendar ended, but it wasn't the "big bang" ending of the world as predicted. It has, however, changed everything for Dawn LaPorte.

Dawn has focused her life on taking care of the ranch her grandfather left her. A rash of strange cattle mutilations threaten her dreams and lead her straight into the arms of two men who have no intention of remaining here on Earth.

Keeping Dawn safe is the most important thing to Derechos and Storm as they tried to finish their objective on her world. When she is almost killed by a pack of Kimil they know they can’t wait any longer.

Her fury at being abducted it nothing compared to the threat she faces if she ever goes home again. But, forcing her to give up her dreams may cost them her love.

Corralling Dawn will be release on July 17th. :)

I'm so very excited about my current WIP. It's a new book called Trust in Sanctuary. This is a special project that I'm very honoured to be a part of. My story will be fourth in a series of books each written by a different author. The other authors involved in this project are Lara Valentine, Alicia White, Melody Snow Monroe, Jane Jamison and Zara Chase. I've had a chance to read some of their work already and they are amazing!

I've posted a couple little peeks into both these projects on my Facebook page. You can find me HERE.

For now I have one more read through of Dawn's book to make sure I didn't miss anything and then it goes back to my editors so they can find what I did miss. LOL

The Werewolves of Forever, Texas

2013-06-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Jane on her Newest Release! Wild For Milly!

www.bookstrand.com/wild-for-milly

My Favourite Books, the lazy Sunday edition

2013-06-09T13:07:00.002-04:00

I don't often get a lot of writing done on Sunday's because this is my lazy day. :) But, it give me a chance to catch up on some reading. Because of that I'm going to try to do a post every Sunday on what I'm reading. I'm not any good at 'reviewing' but I do like to tell people about the books I enjoyed reading :)

Today, I finished Saved by Surrender by Jana Downs. If you follow me on Facebook (FBlink)then you know I'm a huge face of her Deadzone books. (Post-apocalyptic zombie infested world) but I have to say I'm enjoying her Marked series just as much. Saved by Surrender is the fourth book in this series.

Click here for Excerpts

[Siren Everlasting Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Consensual BDSM Romance, M/M, werewolves, spanking, flogging, whipping, paddling, sex toys, HEA]

Regan Adamson has a secret. As beta for the blackfoot pack, the only thing required of him is acting like a Dominant male. In the world of pack, switching is not an option but when he meets the omega, Titus, his resolve to ignore his need for occasional submission is put to the test.

Titus Oswin is on a mission to rescue a kidnapped group of humans. He never expected to meet his mate in the process. An admitted switch, Titus refused in the past to accept a lover who doesn’t Dominate and submit. But Regan is so deep in the submissive closet that Titus isn’t even sure the instant attraction and growing respect between them is enough for him to take a chance on their relationship.

As troubles within and without the pack arise, Regan will have to decide if being with Titus will be his ultimate downfall or if he will be saved by his surrender.

DEADZONE SERIES...

http://www.bookstrand.com/working-stiffs

http://www.bookstrand.com/relay-for-life

I so could use some more hours in a day!

2013-06-08T00:04:00.002-04:00

I know! I've been a very bad blogger so far this year.....okay so we're almost half way through it. That's pretty bad. LOL

My only excuse it I've been trying to increase my writing, which means that the spare hours I would use to play in here dissipated. I have had two books come out this year so far, Claiming Destiny and Stealing Hope. The first two books in my Midnighter Seductions series. The third book, Corralling Dawn will be out on July 19th!

I've been to my first RT. Wow what an experience, I was overwhelmed for half the time and the other half I was having fan girl squeeee moments. ( I met Angela Knight!!!!! aaaaahhhhhhh!)

Me with my lovely fellow Siren Hostesses, Peyton Elizabeth, Heather Rainier, and Cara Covington

See!! It's really Angela Knight!! AAhhhhhhhh!

I can't say how excited I am that I've been invited to join FIVE other authors (Melody Snow Monroe, Alicia White, Jane Jameson, Zara Chase, and Lara Valentine) and contributing to a series of books called Sanctuary! We are all writing one book in this series set in Montana. It's a wickedly awesome concept and all the books are closely intertwined with each other. I can't wait till I can line all the covers up for you and have a concrete release date. Early Fall...ish, I think

It's been so much fun working on this book, I'm almost half way finished and sometimes I feel like it's writing its self. :) Love it when that happens!

For now, I'm going to try my best to keep up in here...really, I'm not kidding :)

What happened when I tried to embarass the hackers

2013-01-19T17:15:00.003-05:00

Welcome to my interview with Bella Juaraz!

Ever have that feeling like you are being watched but when you look around there isn’t anyone there? I have a feeling that is what my friend Bella has been experiencing lately. You see a couple of her emails have gone missing, specifically the questionnaires. So I thought I’d play around and send her an outrageous one and see if she received it. If they tried to intercept this one, I'd hoped to make them a bit uncomfortable. (should have known better)

Well damn if I didn’t get this response back and it wasn’t from my friend but I’m very intrigued by the man who answered it. By his answers, I suspect he doesn't embarrass easily. LOL
~~~

Hi Bella!!

Thank you for taking the time out of your incredibly busy schedule to answer some questions for me. J Let’s have some fun with these, girlfriend! Imagine you are getting ready for a special night out….

You start your day of pampering with a trip to the salon for a mani/pedi, What colour nail polish do you pick? Do you go for solid colour or opt for some designs or jewels added?

Here we fucking go again! Holy shit, don’t you people have better things to do? Why do I get all these crazy shit jobs? I have better things to do than worry about mani-pedi-shit-nail color, like SAVE THE FREE WORLD! But since Rock said I needed to fill these out COMPLETELY I guess I have to adapt, improvise, and overcome. Lemme see, pedi, slut red please, and no jewels the guy who likes toes doesn’t want that shit coming off. It’s a real mood killer.

Your heading for waxing next, how much do you let her take remove?

Holy crap on a cracker lady! Who the hell do you work for? I’ve known foreign governments that don’t torture people like that! Shit! That’s gotta hurt and hell if it don’t leave a mark. Does the skin stay? Or, do you take that, too? If Bella tolerates that kind of pain, damn, we just might recruit her. That’s one tough broad! Ouch! But what the hay if you’re going to endure that kind of pain might as well take that gorilla shit all the way off. Public Service Announcement: Your guy would appreciate it ladies.

Often the hardest decision is what to wear. Do you reach for leather, denim or silk?

What the hell is this the fashion channel? Do you want pictures? Actually I reach for camouflage. But Bella? Last time I saw her she was in all the above. Leather boots, blue jeans (nice ass by the way) and a silk blouse.

As humans our sense of smell is an incredible trigger. Do you like to wear a fragrance or rely on your shampoo and hair products? Would you skip all that and let allow your natural scent to shine though?

Hehe, before or after a workout? I can do her either way, baby. If you want my natural scent after a workout you’re a sick freak and that might be okay in some circles. I ain’t against no one’s kink, if it’s yours go for it. As for all you ladies reading this out there, in the name of all that’s sacred, clean up please. Pay attention to the details. Nice but not overwhelming perfume because no guy wants to feel like he’s next to feral hog. For chrissakes! Clean up before you greet your guy. I don’t want to be reminded of the smelly bastards I have to work with every day.

The finishing touch is jewelry what do you choose… Tiara? Necklace? Toe rings?

Now we're talking! Put that toe ring on honey and let me see you flaunt it in a sexy pair of sandals. That fucking Tiara ain’t doing nothing but making you look downright re-re. Next thing I know you’ll want to eat the fucking crayons and lick the windows.

What would be your first choice of destination for your night of decadence and overindulgence?

Am I being mind fucked here? Who the hell wrote this shit? Do you have any idea what kinds of images you’re planting in my head? Holy shit! Mrs. Master Chief will be in for the ride of her life tonight. You know I’m supposed to be talking about Bella, but who the fuck knows what’s in that twisted head of hers. For me DECADENCE baby! I want to savor every second. Let me dip you in chocolate and lick it off!

A woman always carries the essentials in her clutch purse. What’s in yours?

Okay now you’ve just deflated my –ah-hem- ego. I don’t carry a purse and I don’t give a fuck what anyone says, that man bag shit is a lot of horseshit. Why the fuck would a woman want to be seen with a man who’s carrying a purse? Carry a fucking wallet or don’t carry the shit! For me, it’s simple my keys, my wallet (with money because no woman of mine pays for shit another load of bullshit) and the pocket knife my grandpappy gave me.

Let’s get a little more personal ;) What do you have in your night table drawer for toys?

What kind of fuckery goes on here? I don’t need the assistance of electronic devices – yet and so far, thank goodness, I don’t need the assistance of a little blue pill. My hands, mouth and dick work just fine and I’ll bet I can make you scream louder than any toy you can play with.

Do you have any hard limits?

Well you can’t cut my dick off. That’s pretty huge for me. No knife play. But as for the rest of it, I’ve probably got a better imagination than you do. I’ve forgotten more evil shit than I’ll bet you could dream up. Let’s find out, shall we?

How do you feel about biting?

If it bites me first all bets are off! I’m biting back. I don’t give a fuck who you are, dog, cat, cobra, whatever. I will bite you back and take your fucking head with me. Now if you talking little love nibbles, well, that’s okay. Nibble away, baby

As a former military soldier, do you have a point where you consider the night has gotten “out of hand”?

That would be Navy, sugar, not Army. Navy kicks Army’s ass every time. I guess if you blow up the Admiral’s house then the night probably got out of hand. If you declare war on a small town, depending on the circumstance, that might be going a little too far. If you kidnap a camel from the circus and leave it in the Commodore’s garage knee deep in camel shit and shave a FIVE on its ass, that’s just boys being boys. I guess it depends on your point of view.

The next morning….do you want breakfast in bed or pick up where you left off the night before?

What the hell? Eat at the fucking table, with a knife, fork and a napkin unless you can’t get out of bed. And if you can’t get out of bed then you ani’t fucking around, literally. Bed is for two things sleeping and fucking. No TV, no food, no bullshit. Let’s sleep or fuck or both. So I guess this means I’ve got your wake up call.

~~~

I think I'm the one with pink cheeks this time ;) and I'm a little giggly because he called me "sugar". LOL

Bella's third book from the Black Ops Brotherhood, Dominant Deception is available through Siren Publishing.

Navy SEAL Captain Jack “Rock” O’Malley is playing a deadly computer game with a hidden enemy. Jack must look outside his SEALs to an unlikely savior. Anna Santiago keeps her head down as a quiet system administrator hiding a painful past. Anna buried her outgoing, confident personality along with her husband and daughter. Jack sees behind the glasses and is drawn to the irresistible Anna. Both fight the pull of a powerful attraction. Can Jack keep his relationship with the unwilling Anna professional?

In fighting an enemy he can’t see, Jack drags the reluctant Anna into his Black Ops world. They are sucked into a cyber rabbit hole of dire consequences. Jack and his SEALs discover that his beloved Anna is the terrorists' next target, and he is faced with a choice that could end his military career and possibly his life. Can Jack and his SEALs keep Anna alive before the terrorists stalking him decide it's game over?

Dominant Deception

2013-01-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! I'm starting this year with a new book and a new series. Here's a special peek into my current project. :)

Rock was turning the door handle when Jag grabbed his wrist. "Wait, knock first.”

“Why would I knock? This is our home.”

“Because, she doesn't know that, all she remembers is being chased in the middle of a storm. I'm willing to wager she thinks she's still on Earth.”

Six Sentence Sunday is a blogging group started by Sara Brooks. Every week authors from all different genres post six sentences from their WIP or published works. If you want to read more contributions to this blog roll CLICK HERE.

2012-12-30T00:30:00.000-05:00

It's been an exciting week for me. I found out that one of my books, Wrapped In Fur has been nominated for a CAPA from The Romance Studio! I'm still completely in awe! To celebrate I thought I'd feature six sentences out of that story this week :)

Brand looked up to watch her stalk across the yard to the house and felt as though someone had just punched him in the gut.

Identical to the imprint in the snow, there was what looked to be a pair of snow-covered wings on Holly’s back. Sunlight glinted off the pristine flakes. No sooner had his brain processed what he was seeing, she shook, and the snow fell gently away down to the ground, leaving no trace of the impossible.
“What are you?” he called out, still feeling a bit disjointed.

One more Steampunked Six Sentence Sunday!

2012-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Steam-Driven Seduction was released on Friday:) Yeah!! I love the Steampunk genre and wish there was more out there. Here's another six sentence peek into my book. Last week, Miguel had spied on Kass in her bath and commented on her "attributes". This week we learn her reaction...

Did Miguel think she would be too embarrassed to bring it up in front of anyone, especially Julien? Miguel was about to learn that she no longer suffered from that kind of embarrassment.

In fact, she didn’t care who saw her body. It was merely a pretty package of skin and bones that housed her heart and soul. Her physical presence was nothing but a tool to be used in order to try to help others. No one gained the inner sanctum of her heart, nor did she think anyone ever would.

(There are two longer excerpts HERE)

Steampunked Six Sentence Sunday!!!

2012-12-09T00:05:00.002-05:00

Only 4 more sleeps till the release of my next Steampunk romance, Steam-Driven Seduction!!
Here is another small peak into this book...

“Oh, I should tell you, I lied.”

That didn’t surprise her, but his admitting it did. “About what?”

“I could see you perfectly in the water as I stood in the shadows.” He stepped back and the darkness engulfed him. She quickly lost track of where he was in the shadows until he whispered, “You have a beautiful ass.”

Have a great week and see you next Sunday!

(There are two longer excerpts HERE)

Sunday Six Returns!

2012-12-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

I know I have been MIA from SSS for a few weeks now and have I ever missed it! So I'm jumping back in with a passage from my upcoming book Steam-Driven Seduction. (Steampunked Lust 3) It will be released on December 14th

She tried to figure out what Miguel's motivation was to visit her in her bath. He was about to learn that she no longer suffered from that kind of embarrassment. In fact, she didn’t care who saw her body. It was merely a pretty package of skin and bones that housed her heart and soul. Her physical presence was nothing but a tool to be used in order to try to help others. No one gained the inner sanctum of her heart, nor did she think anyone ever would.

Six Sentence Sunday

2012-09-30T04:30:00.000-04:00

The seventh book in my Ecstasy Lake series has been sent into my publisher and now I get to play in one of my favourite worlds :) I love Steampunk so much and my fingers have been itching to get back into that world and find out what happened to Julien and Kassandra. Add a mysterious spy named Miguel and the three of them are melting my keyboard when their not cracking me up.

Julien heared the tap of approaching footsteps in the hallway and stepped back from Miguel’s grasp. “Sounds like Kassandra’s will be joining us for dinner after all.”

“This is going to be fun,” Miguel sat up and propped both his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his fingers. “I'll wager she's dressed to take our breath away.”

“I wager she tries to kill one of us before the meal ends.”

Miguel looked far too excited at that prospect, “That would add a bit of excitement.”

2012-09-16T04:30:00.000-04:00

One more peek into Lars, Cris, and Tara's story. If all goes well this this will be packed up and shipped to my publisher this week :)

Don’t worry, we’re going to take care of the two of you.” He reached over to the desk and handed her a box of tissues.

“Why would you do that?”

Lars looked at the tissues and back at her. “Because your face is all wet and you might want to blow your nose?”

She laughed again and this time it sounded a bit more real.

Six Sentence Sunday!!

2012-09-09T04:30:00.000-04:00

I'm in the final stretch for my seventh Ecstasy Lake book and it's been a hell of a ride. Here's another quick peek and I'm back to work on it :)

Tara looked up at Lars and a flush of colour crossed over the top of her cheekbones. Reaching out, he traced a finger along her flushed skin.

“You’re blushing. Tell me why.”

Her blush darkened and Lars fought the urge to grab her and pull her into his lap. He wanted to cradle her in his arms and whisper erotic scenarios in her ear and see which made the colour darken.

Another Sunday Six!

2012-09-02T04:30:00.000-04:00

For some strange unknown reason, my brain has decided to work on two book at once. Sometimes it's better not to ague and just go with it ;) So, while I am still working on the 7th book in my Ecstasy Lake series, the characters from my 3rd Steampunk novel have hijacked my brain and laptop a few times this week.

So far Kass has been estranged from her husband for the last three years. Julien had enough of waiting for her to come home and has come to get her. He's captured her, but Kass has a plan...

Gabe and Raz followed them down the hallway and Kass took no small amount of pleasure from the fact that Julien felt he needed help to keep an eye on her.

Julien smirked at her. “Hold tight to those secrets Kassandra and we’ll see how many of them I have claimed by the week’s end.

“Hold tight to your delusions, Julien.” Kassandra lifted her chin and quickened her pace as she navigated the stairs. “I’ll be long gone by the end of the week.”

Six Sentence Sunday!

2012-08-26T04:30:00.000-04:00

It's been a crazy couple weeks with the Romance Convention in Dallas and the release of Surrounded by Fur. Thankfully after some adventures in airline scheduling I'm home and almost unpacked. More importantly I'm back to work on the 7th book in the series. This book features Lars, Cris and Tara.

Tara has no intention of stopping in Ecstasy Lake but a car accident right outside of town changes her life forever. :) I love Fate.

“I’m sorry for blubbering all over you.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Lars ran his fingers along the side of Tara's face and tucked some wayward hair behind her ear. She reminded him of a pixie with her short tousled hair and big eyes. She blinked up at him and he forgot what it was that made him want to keep some distance between them. He wanted to keep her close for the rest of their lives.

My next read...

2012-08-14T00:22:00.000-04:00

I do enjoy reading the likes of Emily Bronte and Jane Austen. BUT when I saw this book I knew I had to have it. What a scream! (Literally) I can't wait to start it.
Pride, Prejudice and Zombies

Six Sentence Sunday!!!

2012-08-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

I had fun doing the Summer blog tour for the last few Sundays but I've really missed SSS! This week I'm giving you a peek into Surrounded by Fur. It's being released on August 17th ;)

“River, you’ll be staying here, or you won’t be leaving at all.”

That sounded much too much like being imprisoned. “You’re not my jailer, Hugh, and I’ll leave whenever the fuck I want to.”

River heard the soft “oh, shit” from the kitchen, a split second before Hugh lunged to his feet and tugged her to hers. “Come with me,” he snapped and manacled her wrists together in one hand. “You and I are going to come to an understanding.”

Best Ever Summer Blog Tour Week 8!

2012-07-22T04:30:00.000-04:00

On the tour today we are discussing our favourite quotes from our books and I'm thrilled that Angie is here to share some of her favourites with us!! She runs a review site at Love Romances and More

Welcome Angie!!

Favorite quotes from my books… Well as a non author, I have a hard time answering this question, so this week I am going to focus more on what I tend to say as a reviewer – and what I really mean!

I think my all time favorite line in my reviews comes with “Tug at the heart.” I love books that make my heart FEEL something. I want books to remain with me way past the last page. Good tugging or bad, crying or laughing, tugging at my heart is the way to make me want more.

Another phrase I tend to use is that it is a great beach read – something else I want readers to know before they pick up the book. To me a great beach read is light hearted, easily put down and picked back up without feeling the need to re-read the last chapter. I love to bury myself into a book, but being able to come and go from the scenes is what makes a book great for vacation, when I want to be up for anything and to roll with good times!

Flowing off the page is another great line I tend to use over and over… I want books that just seem to keep going on and on before you want to take a break from reading. If a book keeps me reading LONG after I should be asleep – or working, etc. Then it meets my criteria for a great book AND flowing from the pages. Some authors have this talent and leave me jealous of their talents.

I am sure there are many more things I use as a I review, but these three tend to stick out. If I had to quote myself for the real life chatter – I think my favorite phrase has become “I don’t know” it is so much easier to not know than to be quoted later!

To end, I will leave you with two of my favorite quotes of all time.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

“If writers wrote as carelessly as some people talk, then adhasdh asdglaseuyt[bn[ pasdlgkhasdfasdf.” – Lemony Snicket

Do you have a favourite quote from a book...or a favourite book that you love to reread? Please write it in the comments below and you will be placed in the draw for this week and the the Grand Prize Draw in a couple weeks!!!

The Best Ever Summer Blog Tour ~ Week 7

2012-07-15T04:30:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Please give a warm welcome to Regina Andrews who is hanging out with us this week :)
This is the second last week of the Blog Tour! Be sure to comment on the tour and be entered into this week's prize and a chance at a grand prize.

Today our posts are a bit of a game. We are each going to give you a series of facts about ourselves but one is a lie. It's up to you to guess what we're fibbing about. Have Fun!!

It is a pleasure to be on your blog this week Corinne. Such a great topic, too!

First item: I used to be a music teacher. When I finished grad school, I applied to a few jobs in the area but as a writer was basically directionless. To fill in the gaps, I answered an advertisement for an after-school recorder teacher. With three back-to-back sessions of second and third graders, I quickly came to love working with children and sharing my love of music. After the fall session, a full-time opening presented itself and I got the job! Remembering that time flodds my heart with warm memories!

Second item: I took a tour of the Houston Astrodome. Tthe Houston Astrodome in Texas was a trailblazer in sports arenas and referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. After taking a tour there I also saw an indoor fireworks display. It still gives me chills to think about it.

Third item: One summer night I went on a dinner date with Seve Ballesteros While touring the Pays Basque in Southen France, my friends and I visited a private country club for dinner. While sipping our aperos, I spotted the dashing golfer Seve Ballesteros arrive and wind his way through the crowd. Naturally, his appearance caused quite a stir. My father being a big golf fan, I couldn't miss the chance to get Seve's autograph for him. So up to him I went, introduced myself in French and requested his autograph. Not only did he give me that, he asked me to dinner with him the following night. We dined at the same Country Club and he was incredible! My heart still races when I think of him.

So which is the lie? Thank you for having me, Corinne!

You can find me, Regina and get more information at:
WEBSITE: www.reginaandrews.com
BLOG www.reginaandrews.wordpress.com
EMAIL: andrews_regina@yahoo.com Here’s a link http://bit.ly/pLV5w

Here's a blurb and an excerpt of my book, "In Good Faith" and a blurb about my novel “In Good Faith”:
Blurb

Haley Hawthorne is a successful Art Director at a high-powered greeting card company in Manhattan. Designer clothes and expensive material luxuries are what she uses to try and fill the emptiness inside — but it wasn’t always that way for her. Orphaned at a young age, Haley was raised in rural Dunbar Falls by her Uncle Nelson amid pasture lands and a clear sense of the things that matter most in life, including her joyful relationship with God. One day Aaron Carrier, her old friend from Dunbar Falls pays her a surprise visit to her office at Sterling Greeting Cards with devastating news about Uncle Nelson. When she returns home to Dunbar Falls, Haley is faced with a professional decision upon inheriting Uncle Nelson’s air-conditioning company. More than that, she faces a crossroads in her heart. It is a crisis of faith, of loyalty and of love. What does God want her to do? Will she be able to return home to Dunbar Falls and all that it has meant for her? And will Aaron Carrier be more than a friend?

There will be a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift certificate awarded at the end of the tour. Enjoy the blogs and leave comments for the opportunity to be the grand prize winner. One entry ticket per comment!

Excerpt: “In Good Faith”

“Ms. Hawthorne, could you look at these proofs?”
“Do you have a minute to go over this copy together, Ms. Hawthorne?”
“A call for you from Grace on line three, Ms. Hawthorne!”
Haley Hawthorne tossed her long red curls over her shoulder as she swept through the Creative Area of Sterling Greeting Cards. She carried a designer bag in one hand and a steaming latté in the other. As Senior Art Director for the largest greeting card company in the world, these early morning entrances refreshed her enough to get through the day ahead. They were her redemption. But I can remember a time when I didn’t feel like that, and it wasn’t so very long ago.

A hush fell over the flock of artists and interns following behind her as she passed. With a frown she accepted a stack of messages from the leathery, outstretched hands of her receptionist Bernice, a fixture at Sterling’s for over forty years.

“I’m already carrying too much, Bernice,” she murmured.

“There, there.” With a motherly pat, Bernice tucked the papers under Haley’s arm. “Toting a heavy load can weigh you down, Haley. Maybe it’s time to think about what you really need to carry and what you can let go.” She gave Haley a look.

“Maybe you’re right, Bernice.” As if I haven’t already tried! That’s what was keeping her awake most nights. The old Haley used to travel light and breezy, her heart and soul as free as a bird. But lately she felt heavy in her heart and she couldn’t put her finger on why. How had things changed so much? Ignoring the chirp of her cell phone, Haley walked down the corridor to her office, glancing at the framed collections of award-winning cards on the walls and the shelves crowded with shining trophies she’d won over the years. When would she get a chance to start her own company? The fact that all her talent was padding someone else’s profit column wasn’t the only thing bothering her these days. There was something else that had been nagging at her for some time now, an emptiness she couldn’t fill with work…or with her boyfriend, Derek, either. All she knew was that she had to get through each day.

Her young assistant, Suzie, unlatched the chrome double doors to her office for her and Haley flashed the smile that had been opening doors for her all her life. She called over her shoulder, “I’ll get to all of you in a minute.” The entourage scattered, leaving her and Suzie in the peaceful calm of her office. And then she saw him.

“Aaron Carrier! I can’t believe it! What are you doing here?” She put down her bag and her coffee and reached her hands out to him after smoothing her lemon yellow designer suit. She gave him a warm hug, then turned to her assistant.”I’ve known this guy since we were kids. He and his two brothers were like triplets, they were so alike. I’ll never forget when he insisted we start calling him Carrier, to be different from his brothers Adam and Austin. Boy, were they mad…”

With his broad, six-foot frame blocking the Manhattan skyline in the window behind him, Haley noticed how his glinting azure eyes and thick hair had grown more imposing in the ten years that had passed since she had last seen him.

He jammed his fists deep into the pockets of his jeans. “Hey. We have to talk, Haley. It’s about Nelson.”

Her heartbeat quickened. “You’ve come all the way here from Dunbar Falls to tell me something about Uncle Nelson?” She glanced at Suzie, then back at him. “It must be bad news.”

“I’ll have Bernice hold all of your calls.” Suzie hustled off in a cloud of expensive perfume, latching the door behind her with a solid ‘click’.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Carrier. Is it bad?” “Yeah. The worst.” “He’s -” Carrier nodded. “Last night.” His piercing blue eyes, steely as two sapphires, searched her face. But they didn’t stop there; they burned into her soul.

If you’ve read this far, please take the time to leave a comment. You might just win a book by one of the Best Summer Reading Blog Tour authors and qualify for a $50 Amazon gift certificate to be awarded at the end of tour near the end of July. This is a stop on the Best Ever Summer Blog Tour. Eight authors in mixed genres trading blog space for eight weeks for your enjoyment. Someone on the blog tour is giving a prize every week – this week find me, Regina Andrews, with Corinne Davies at her blog: www.daviesromance.blogspot.com There will be a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift certificate awarded at the end of the tour. Enjoy the blogs and leave comments for the opportunity to be the grand prize winner. One entry ticket per comment!

Want to continue the tour? Here’s a list of the blogs:
Ann Tracy Marr - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Tracy-Marr/114711658247?ref=ts
Susan Roebuck - http://lauracea.blogspot.com/
Sharon Poppen -http://poppensthoughtsonwritingandstuff.blogspot.com/
Regan Taylor - http://regantaylorsworld.blogspot.com/
Corinne Davies - www.daviesromance.blogspot.com
Regina Andrews - http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com/
Christine London – www.christinelondon.com
Lynn Hones - lynnhones.wordpress.com

Thank you, Corinne, for a fabulous visit!!

Best Ever Summer Blog Tour! ~ Week 6

2012-07-08T04:30:00.000-04:00

Today's special guest is, Regan Taylor!!!

Yeah!!!!!!!!!

DINNER AT SIX

IF I WAS ORGANIZING A DINNER PARTY THE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS I’D WANT AT MY TABLE.

Ohhh, this could be the best dinner ever. So many choices….no one said how big a dinner party but I’ll go with a table of eight.

I’d like to sit down with Ian and Beth MacKenzie and talk to them about how far we have come and yet how far we have to go helping people with autism. I would ask Ian for advice on what would have made life easier for him growing up and what it is about Beth, if he could define it, that allows him to be present.

For a friend to chat with about life as a psychic Abby Cooper and her hottie boyfriend Dutch Rivers would be the next couple I’d invite. While Amy Haskel from Diana Peterfreund’s Ivy League novels started out kind of annoying me, the character grew on me. The series takes Amy through her college years and a bit beyond. What I’d like is to be able to ask Amy what has happened in oh, say the past ten years—has she been called back to Eli University for any reason to help out the current society members. To my mind that opens the door to some pretty interesting mysteries to be solved. I’d invite one of the Argeneau men who haven’t met their mate yet for her date. I’m sure Etienne would know which male relative would be a good choice.

And my date? These days it would be Rick Hansen. He’s been clamoring for me to finish up his story and maybe sitting down to dinner and talking about those last few twists and turns might get me back in gear to tell his tale.

Our menu would be similar to the dinner I gave Kim and Chris Turner in IT TAKES TWO—Caesar salad, escargot followed by a lobster bisque. The main course would be Beef Wellington and fresh asparagus and for dessert baked Alaska and lattes.

What characters would you like to invite to dinner and why?

The Best Ever Summer Blog Tour ~ Week 5

2012-07-01T04:30:00.000-04:00

This week we are talking about our favourite summer reads and I'm lucky to have Susan Roebuck visiting my blog today. Don't forget to write your favourite summer book in the comments for a chance to win this weeks prize!

Welcome Susan!

Thank you Corinne for letting me run riot on your blog today. Summer’s here! And that means lots of reading…actually I read in Winter too. And Spring. And Autumn too, now I think about it LOL. Anyway, if you like paranormal books, which I do, here’s what I recommend for summer reading:

1. I only recently discovered Karin Marie Moning’s Fever Series. And it’s number 1 of my list because I devoured these books with a greed that had me looking round for more. MacKayla Lane is the ideal feisty heroine who is tested over and over (too much “over” sometimes) until she comes out of the end of the series completely changed from the little rainbow girl she started out to be. I’ve just finished Shadowfever so I feel like I’ve come to the satisfactory end of a tasty, full-blown dinner. Shadowfever ties up all the loose ends so you know who everyone is. My my only criticism about the final book is, without giving any spoilers away, that MacKayla does spend too much time in introspection, questioning her actions, questioning her thoughts and desires.

2. I’ve also just found (lucky me) Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. I’ve read Storm Front and just recently Fool Moon and I think I’m a little in love with Harry Dresden who, in my mind, looks nothing like the hunky figure on the paperback version of Fool Moon. Much to my delight this hero is deeply flawed. He’s feckless and clumsy but he bravely undergoes such hardship it’s hard not to admire him.

3. Ann Rice’s Vampire Lestat series. I read the books before I saw Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt strut their stuff. Actually I preferred Antonio Banderas as Armand – he made a great vampire.

4. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is rather a lengthy novel but it features vampires (pretty scary ones too), witches and daemons who are all against each other. So the sparks fly when a witch and vampire hook up. This is part of a series and I’m anxious for the sequel when there’s going to be all-out war between vampires, witches and daemons. And while all this is going on, humans wander about oblivious (don’t look over your shoulder – and check out the pale guy in the corner).

5. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman. It is supposed to be for children, but the subtle religious undertones are for adult reading. I’m fond of daemons and wouldn’t mind one of my own (it would be an otter).

6. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Leave the light on for this horror story in which figures leap out of shadows and go Boo! They’ll scare the wits out of you. They did me.

7. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. In Wales, a teenager comes across an orphanage whose occupants are definitely not what they seem. One child speaks to the dead, another has two faces, another levitates. And real photographs from days gone by cleverly illustrate the odd skills. This was a strange read – which is probably why I enjoyed it. I like fiction that’s out of the ordinary.

8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I’m just on the point of reading this book. Some of the reviews say that the book is stuff that dreams are made of - just my type of book.

9. Diavolino by Steve Emmett. This is an undiscovered little gem which dodges between sixteenth century and modern day Italy with a horrifying climax. Emmett has been likened to a mix of Stephen King and Dan Browne.

10. The Man Who Rained by Ali Shaw. I’m reading this one at the moment. Elsa moves from New York to a place that is set in the UK somewhere – probably Wales because there are mountains. She falls in love with a guy who turns out to be half man and half weather (he turns into a thunder cloud occasionally and spits lightning). It’s a brilliant concept, written in such a way that I can relate to it – there really might be people like this living amongst us.

Here are the blurbs of Susan’s books:

Hewhay Hall (published April 2012 – a dark fantasy)

An unsung hero's destiny--Slater's house of horrors.

Fire-fighter Jude Elliott loses part of his leg trying to rescue a family held hostage during a terrorist attack. He journeys to mysterious Hewhay Hall, where it is told there are wondrous, magical cures. Little does Jude know that his destination is Slater The Prince of Envy's lair where a demon resides and courageous souls are tormented... Can Jude escape Slater's house of horrors, or will he suffer for all of eternity?

Buy links:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble Kobo
OmniLit

Also by Susan Roebuck: Perfect Score (Finalist in the Mainstream Category of the 2012 EPIC E-Book Awards)

Buy: Amazon

Publisher

Blurb: Perfect Score is about the rite of passage of two young men, Alex and Sam, from the opposite side of the tracks. Alex lives in his uncle's mansion, and while money and a stable future have been lined up for him by his powerful and withholding uncle, he wants nothing more than to be a song writer and to live happily ever after with Sam -- a boy he met once when he was in his teens. Sam's life is more wretched: he was abused, ran away from the fists of an abusive step-father and unstable foster homes, and lived most of his prepubescent and teen years in the streets, fending for himself and taking on as many jobs as he could to pay for his sister's bills at the hospital for the crippled. Struggling to make sense of the two divergent lives they have been dealt, Alex and Sam find their way to one another through a journey full of boundless love and compassion, growth, and strength.

Find Susan Roebuck:

Blog: http://www.susanroebuck.com/

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/SuRoebuck

Be sure to continue your tour with my list. :) I'm visiting on Christine London's blog this week. http://christinelondon.blogspot.ca/

The Best Ever Summer Blog Tour ~ Week 4

2012-06-24T12:48:00.003-04:00

Welcome to week 4 of the Best Ever Summer Bog Tour!! I'm very fortunate to have Christine London visiting my blog today :) Don't forget to look for the question at the bottom of this post. Write your answer in the comments and be entered into the draw for this weeks prize!

Hello Readers,

Sometimes characters haunt us in the most unusual, relentless and consuming ways. Sometimes they change our lives.

My name is Christine London. I live about three miles from the sea along the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula in the southwest of Los Angeles County. The marine layer of low mist is beginning to clear and another lovely early summer's day on tap.

What can I tell you but to say that I too have been touched to the bottom of my soul by a good read. I used to focus on self-help books and those that provided concrete information. Philosophy of life and how to live an uplifting adventure was what turned me on. Then I found Diana Gabaldon and the Outlander series. Oh my goodness!! Like a good steak, every page fed my inner love of words...yum!

I lived in the San Francisco bay area for a number of years as a school teacher until my parents progressive illnesses brought me back to home base...Los Angeles. Nearly four hundred miles was simply too far to live apart.

My homecoming was met with little fanfare...no teaching jobs available. So I took a part time curriculum specialist position. Fate walked me along a path I had never imagined. The extra time off enabled me to do what I had not had time for in years...read, watch films, listen to music.

I saw a particular film that touched me deeply. Yes, I was familiar with the storyline, the music, but not the man that played the lead. Immediately mesmerized by his presence, his eyes, his ability to wrap the audience up in the complexities of his character, I knew I had to write to tell him so. Off to the Internet to find an address to which I could send a note of appreciation

Wow! Little did I know that there exists a vast network of fan sites for celebrities large and small.

A story flooded in on me.

What would you do if suddenly, unexpectedly, a man entered your worldtesting your attitudes, challenging your integrity, dislodging your emotional equilibrium and haunting your dreams with his eyes--- Not just any man, but Hollywood's hottest Scottish actor?

Further more...what if this woman, this fan wrote a letter that managed to get by the fan mail agency readers to the man himself peaking his interest in the acuity displayed---the ability of this fan to look into his soul?

I wrote...and wrote...and wrote until I had a full-length novel. (Known now as "Soul In His Eyes")

Soul In His Eyes on Amazon

This man...this film star had been isolated by fame into a place one could only call loneliness. This fan, this woman who had never written a letter to anyone she'd never met--- was his savior. Little did she know that he would return the favor when tragedy struck her life.

Not a clue...I had no clue as to how to go about getting this labour of love published. The vast learning curve commenced. I research, joined a writers group, Romance Writers of America---and like a sponge, soaked in all the information and experience that proceeded me there in the form of amazing writers---published and aspiring.

Fifteen months from that first tentative keystroke, I had my first contract. Launched into a world I never imagined, I began attending conferences, signings and even Hollywood events (I do live awfully close.). I blogged about these experiences and my travels surrounding future search for settings and characters off to Europe (a return as I had spent a year in London at University and fell in love with all things British) I went...blogging along my way. Seems folks love to hear and see, if only vicariously, what they may have only dreamed of seeing. An incredible draw to Scotland made itself even more apparent as I walked its verdant hills and valleys.

Into Hollywood events I wentand blogged my way. "Christine Goes Hollywood" series beganand continues on my 'London Blog'.

All my past and present seemed to converge into this amazing new adventure...author. Me?? Uhhh...yeah. Wow!

Lover of music (I sing in a vocal jazz quartet), baker of death by chocolate brownies, runner, ex- kindergarten teacher, explorer of places unknown, photographer of what others might not notice, positivist, introvert that pretends she is not, new found Hollywood pundit, Anglophile and best friend to a small group of amazing women, amazing writers, amazing readers--- and Christine London was reborn.

Here I am saying hello from the sapphire shores of the Pacific -- *waving*

Christine London

Christine comes out to play:

Website : www.christinelondon.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-London/71009389201

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristineLondon

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/christinelondon/

Google plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114588027061857681170/posts

Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Christine-London/e/B003MX4AW6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1339640330&sr=8-1

Thank you Christine, for sharing this peek into your first book! DON'T FORGET: To be entered into this weeks draw write the name of your favourtie author in the comments!

The Best Ever Summer Blog Tour ~ Week 3

2012-06-10T04:00:00.001-04:00

It's week Three of this incredibly fun blog hop! This week I have the wonderful Sharon Poppen stopping by to share some tidbits into her own personal life. Be sure to answer the question at the end in my comments to be put in the draw for this week's prize!

Corinne, thanks so much for offering me this opportunity to be featured on your exciting and teasingly erotic blog. The covers to your books are fabulous and must draw quite a bit of attention and I hope sales. (you can see Corinne’s blog for this week of our Best Summer Reading Tour by going to Regan Taylor’s blog www.regantaylorsworld.blogspot.com .)

When shown the proposed cover for my book Hannah, I didn’t care for it. My publisher was much more in tune with what attracts a reader so I went with her suggestion. She was right. When I did a book signing with several other writers at our local Hastings Book Store, we attempted to get the attention of the bookstore customers. All they had to do was talk with each of us for a minute or two to be entered into a drawing for a $20 Hastings gift certificate. I still smile when I think about a couple of young men who politely listened to the other authors spiels about their books, but when they got to me, one picked up a copy of Hannah and turned to his buddy and said, “Dude, this is the one. And they bought it. Sure glad I listened to my publisher that time. Now, on to some questions I’m asked about this delightful fun thing that absorbs my life – writing.

How do I do research?

I must admit, I’m not heavy into research, but there are things that must be validated to make your novel believable to your reader. My first novel was about the aftermath of the U.S. Civil war. Because the characters had been so clearly developed in my imagination before I ever sat down to write, I was able to ‘feel’ their emotional states and I was able to write from the heart. But, items such as historical places, situations, foreign language usage and the names of prominent people of the era had to be verified. I use history books from that era, I surf the Internet and occasionally I find an expert on the subject for some question and answer time. The early part of the 20^th century was dynamic with change. Simple things like mailing something, modes of transportation and acceptable fashions of the era create a challenge to a writer who strives to remain true to the era of their story.

What is my least favorite word?

Can’t. When we utter that word, we sell ourselves short on achieving our potential, no matter the challenge. Occasionally, we all have to face that ‘thing’ that gets the best of us. But, it’s been my experience that I learn so much about myself when I take on something mentally or physically challenging and give it a darn good try. I may find that it is beyond my capability. In those rare cases, I believe I come out all the stronger for giving it a try and then say; “I tried,” rather than just selling myself short with, “I can’t.”

What am I reading this summer?

I started reading 50 Shades of Gray by E. L. James. I’m more than halfway through the book and I’m actually pretty bored with it. The main characters are far too stereotyped as they engage in over described sex. As a writer, we’re told to treat our readers to ‘show’, not ‘tell’. Ms. James is telling me how to do these things, but other than the predictable reactions of the two main characters, I’m left feeling like an observer. My next read will be The Six Wives of Henry the VIII by Gladys Malvern. Her novel Dear Wife was a favorite of mine when I was in my teens and it is still one of my favorite books today.

Hope you enjoyed my take on things and now I’d like to treat you to an excerpt from my novel Regardless due out this fall by Regal Crest Entp. LLC.

After reading the excerpt, you can qualify to win a free book this week and get entered to win a $50 Amazon gift certificate on July 29^th just by leaving a comment here on Corinne’s blog with the answer to the following question. What is Michael Parker’s occupation?

Regardless – Sharon Poppen (Due to be released Fall 2012)

(- The era is 2371 A.D. In this scene Tom, the main character who is a Star Command Captain based in San Francisco, has arrived at his parent’s ranch in Wyoming and is having supper with them, his sister Barbara and her husband Tim.)

Tom took a deep breath and began. “I’ve found someone else.” Aside from a gasp from his mother, the words cast the room into an uncomfortable silence. Tom turned to his father. “I met a man that, despite my efforts to deny it, I have fallen in love with and I want to share my life with him.”

“Did I hear you right? A man?” Barbara’s voice was incredulous.

“Yes. A man. His name is Michael Parker. He’s a photographer that I met when Joanna and I went skiing last fall.” Tom turned back to his father. “Dad?”

His father looked at him as if he were meeting a stranger for the first time. “I don’t really believe what I just heard.”

Tom nodded. “I understand. I felt the same for a long time.” He eyes darted from person to person. “I fought it. I really did, only to find that it was making me miserable. Every aspect of my life was failing. I was making Joanna unhappy to the point where she accused me of having an affair. When that happened, I knew I had to face things and make a decision. I did that on Wednesday. From that moment on, I can’t remember ever being happier or more at peace. Being with Michael satisfies my soul. I feel as if I’ve know him for an eternity.”

He paused for comments. When none came, he continued on to tell them about how his wife had taken his admission and that he had called and asked his brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Victa, to go over and be there for Joanna.

“Eric knows?”

“Yes, Mom. He knows.”

Picking up on Tom’s disappointment, his father asked, “He did not take it well?”

“No. He didn’t. He came to see me Thursday morning. I attempted to explain my feelings, but in the end he disowned me.”

“Oh, Tom.” His mother’s eyes filled with tears.

“Tommy. I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Barbara offered.

“He sounded like he meant it.” Then to soften the blow, “But I keep hoping he’ll come around. He’s not a bigot or homophobic. It just shocked him. Just like you are now.”

Tom had been honest with them and could only hope they would react with love. Coffee was sipped, napkins were toyed with, but most noticeable was that eyes were downcast. Sadness settled in, draping him in a feeling of rejection. He loved these people; how could they turn their back on him? They hadn’t even met Michael; it was unfair. Thoughts of Michael supplanted his feelings of rejection with resentment. He stood up and spoke quietly.

“I’m sorry you feel this –

“Sit down.” His father commanded.

“I don’t want to –

“I said sit down.”

“Yes, please sit down,” urged his mother.

Her concern ate at his heart and he complied. He looked over at his father. Tom was relieved to see only question, not revulsion or rejection in his father’s eyes. Eventually the older man spoke.

“You’re right. This is a big shock to us. We’ve just been told a beloved daughter-in-law may be lost to us. A granddaughter could be hurt and scarred. Our son, a normal HT, is having an affair with a man. You’re damn right we’re shocked.”

Tom opened his mouth to speak, but his father continued.

“But first and foremost, you’re our son.” The words washed over Tom like a balm and gave him a glimmer of hope. “We love you. We have always been proud of you. We want you to be happy. So while we have concerns about the things I’ve mentioned,” he reached over to lay his hand over his wife’s, “you are our son and nothing, I repeat nothing, will ever change that. We’ll work through this.”

“Dad, I can’t …” Tom’s voice caught.

His father continued. “We all just need some time.”

Tom nodded to his father, then looked to find his mother nodding though tears threatened.

“Tom.” Tim’s voice surprised everyone. “I don’t get out of this little valley much. I guess you’d call me a country boy, so I’m not sure about a lot of the things that go on in the big cities. But I know this. I’ve watched you grow from a little boy, like one of mine, into the fine man sitting across the table from me. I know you don’t rush into things willy-nilly. What you do with your life and who you do it with, is your business. If this makes you happy, then who’s to say it’s wrong. I just want you to know that Barbara and I will help you in any way with Kelly. We’ll stay in touch with Joanna, but,” he paused and turned to see Barbara smiling in agreement, “we’ll be happy to meet your new friend.”

It was a long speech for Tim. Tom could only nod his thanks.

Barbara slipped her arm through her husband’s and clutched his hand as she confirmed his words. “Tommy, I couldn’t have said it any better. God knows human emotions can be a mystery, so who can fault our choices when it comes to love.”

Tom looked at his mother.

Her smile was melancholy, but it was a smile. “When do we get to meet this young man?”

“He’ll be here tomorrow.”

(to be continued)

AUTHOR’S BIO

Sharon Poppen ( www.sharonpoppen.com ) has won awards from Arizona Authors Assoc. and National League of American Pen Women. Her western novels After the War, Before the Peace, Hannah and Abby-Finding More Than Gold are available at Amazon Books, most web based book sellers and from her website. Her work has appeared in such publications as A Flasher’s Dozen, Desert Treasures, Skive, Offerings from the Oasis, A Long Story Short, Apollo Lyre and Laughter Loaf. Her workshops on Journaling, Short Story Writing and Blogging bring rave reviews. Sharon is a member of Lake Havasu City Writer’s Group. Her gay/sci-fi novel Regardless will be available in print and ebook the fall of 2012.

List of Published Novels

After the War, Before the Peace

Hannah

Abby-Finding More Than Gold

Regardless (due out fall 2012)

The Best Ever Summer Blog Tour ~ Week2

2012-06-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

Nine fabulous authors in mixed genres trading blog space for eight weeks for your enjoyment. It’s a chance to meet great authors and discover exciting new books. Someone on the blog tour is giving a prize every week – hint: this week you might enjoy Susan Roebuck’s Perfect Score or Hewhay Hall (she is at http://poppensthoughtsonwritingandstuff.blogspot.com) – with a grand prize to come at the end of the tour. What will it be – a Kindle, a hefty gift certificate, a unique needlepoint Kindle cover? Aha! A $50 Amazon gift certificate! Think how many books that would buy. Enjoy the blogs and leave comments for the opportunity to be the grand prize winner!

Thank you to Corinne Davies for letting me preempt her blog this week. If you thirst to read her entry, she is visiting http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com

Three paragraphs in and I haven’t told you my name. Ann Tracy Marr, that’s me. I have loved the Regency period since I was a girl and my mother introduced me to Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland, two of the most well-known authors of the genre. You should write what you love, right? It was natural that I begin writing my own Regency story. That book failed to find a publisher. Rather than give up, I wrote a second. The plot was missing something. It needed a spark to bring it to life. I fiddled, dithered, thought, and rewrote until I realized that making the hero a magician made the book exciting.

How could a magician fit in the Regency? That took planning. If King Arthur and Merlin had really existed – if they were a fundamental part of British history, magic could fit into the period. So I decided just as George Washington lived, so did King Arthur. Taking it the logical step further, Merlin, Arthur’s magical cohort, existed. Voila, magicians are real and my hero was a magician. That made the Round Table the preferred method of governing Britain, not that there is any real difference between it and Parliament. Fundamentally, it is still the Regency, with Prinny, Lady Jersey, bonnets and reticules, and eventful country house parties.

It is a unique twist on the Regency – as one reviewer said, it sounds strange, but it works. If you can believe that vampires live in New Orleans, you can believe that magicians populated Regency England; it just needs that stretch of imagination to make it real. The manuscript sparkled enough that it was accepted by Awestruck and published, as were two more. The three books received very good reviews – two won awards.

Thus, my published works are paranormal Regency romance.

I “dabble” with other writing also. My daughter considers my best work to be the manuscript about two men railroaded into prison. A gory rewrite of the Bell Witch haunting is languishing on my hard drive. I am currently polishing a diary about my recent battle with breast cancer. One of these days I will find a publisher for those books. Faith and begorra, it’s hard to get a book published!

Where can you find me?

Website: www.AnnTracyMarr.com

Purchase books (e-book or trade paperback) on Amazon.com:

http://tiny.cc/7p0xew

To be entered in this week’s draw all you have to do is answer one little question and put it in the comments!

What is the other Blog that Corinne can be found at a couple times a month?

** Hint: look up to the left ;) **

Curious to continue the blog tour? Here’s a list of the participants:

Angie Dobson, Reviewer - http://loveromancesandmore.blogspot.com/

Ann Tracy Marr - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Tracy-Marr/114711658247?ref=ts

Susan Roebuck - http://lauracea.blogspot.com

Sharon Poppen - http://poppensthoughtsonwritingandstuff.blogspot.com

Regan Taylor - http://regantaylorsworld.blogspot.com

Corinne Davies - www.daviesromance.blogspot.com

Regina Andrews - http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com

Christine London - www.christinelondon.com

Lynn Hones - lynnhones.wordpress.com