Continue reading “Knights in Time A Historical Romance with time travel element”
Month: February 2017
Impossible Love
Stories of unrequited love are usually dripping with ennui and longing. The promise of what could have been grips you like a toothache, and suddenly you’re kicking yourself for not having the…
Source: Impossible Love
THESE FOOLISH THINGS
❤HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ❤
In the spirit of being realistic, I chose to invite an author whose love story kicks off with the setting of sports; which was a very clever way to infuse sexual tension in the characters. I liked that it is a story of mature love, people who are aware of who they are, but who are flawed and make things interesting.
Here is one male reader’s opinion, my review and a couple of questions answered by the author.
Well written tale with interesting characters! Check it out!
Most guys probably aren’t going to think to pick this book up and give it a read. Well, you’d be missing a great opportunity if you pass this one by! What Ms. Thatcher has done is breathe new life into an old topic – romance. The blending of sports, the legal profession and the love of a cherished pet, among many other elements, gives this story a great lift. The story starts off at, of all places, a softball game, yet Ms. Thatcher does not lack the skill to describe this game. We then shift to following the lives, and eventual romance of the two lead characters, Liz and Ty. We can empathize quite heavily with both of them, with their foibles and their scars they’ve carried through life. The imagery that describes the greater Boston area is superb. The story probably succeeds most frequently in presenting characters we really want to get to know – real people. There’s no effort spared to give even the lesser characters some kind of personality. I was particularly amused following the exploits of Angie and her family. So don’t pass up the opportunity to read an entertaining and well-crafted story. Looking forward to more good work from Ms. Thatcher!
on January 25, 2017 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Liz and Ty are complex adults. Their relationship deals with issues such as alcoholism, sexual abuse and cancer. A blend of lighthearted loving moments weaving together harsh realities in life.
Clever wit with the backdrop of sports and courtrooms. The secondary characters are a nice blend that compliments Liz and Tyrone’ s journey through These Foolish Things.
Hi Susan and welcome to my blog. I read These Foolish Things and the sequel a few weeks ago and I have a few questions.
– Is Baseball/softball your favorite sport? I like how you opened the book and sexual tension with it.
Yes. I have been a Red Sox fan all my life and I played softball in high school and on a corporate team. I was not good, but I love the sport.
-I believe We all bear scars, your characters have very physical scars; i.e. Cancer and Alcoholism. Was it hard to deal with the subjects?
In regard to scars: writing about these issues helped me process a lot of my experience. I come from a family with alcoholism. Some got help and others stayed in their denial. It’s like growing up in a minefield.
-Do you think there is the ONE person out there for us, or the possibility of several potential great loves in our life?
The ONE v several: that question sparks almost as much controversy as the proper method for hanging toilet paper. I don’t think there’s a single answer to that.
Thank you very much for your perspective. It takes a lot of courage to tackle the issues you tackled in your writing and I love that you wrapped it all in a love story.
These Foolish Things by Susan-Thatcher
facebook ~ @50tonormal ~ Amazon
“At Last” picks up where “These Foolish Things” leaves off. Elizabeth Gardner and Ty Hadley seem destined for “happily ever after,” but fate has challenges in store that could tear them apart. Is their love strong enough to survive?
Book Quote Corner #44
How to Survive Deleting a Character From Your Story #Writer #AmWriting
Source: How to Survive Deleting a Character From Your Story #Writer #AmWriting How to Survive Deleting a Character From Your Story #Writer #AmWriting Posted on December 1, 2016 Writing the death of…
Source: How to Survive Deleting a Character From Your Story #Writer #AmWriting
BOOKS by Reese A. Stephens
Vengeance (Book 1 in the Oak Grove Suspense Series)When Dr. Shayla Thorn moves back to her home town of Oak Grove, she is determined that this will be a new start for her and her son. But when Dylan’s father insists on righting the wrongs of their past, she’s torn between what she knows is right and what her heart wants. But the one thing she never expected was for her life to be thrown into utter chaos.
Ryan Jacobs, former FBI agent and lead detective for Oak Grove and its surrounding areas, is determined to win Shayla’s heart and make up for the mistakes they made in the past. He won’t take no for an answer, but everything begins to unravel when he is called to the scene of a brutal crime almost identical to a slew of murders he solved long ago.
It doesn’t take long for the pair to give into what their hearts want, but when an old nemesis seeks revenge on Ryan, everyone’s life is in danger. Will Ryan find the culprit in time to save the love of his life or will she fall victim to a vicious killer’s vengeance?
Buy on Amazon. Available on Kindle Unlimited
Penance (Book 2 in the Oak Grove Suspense series)Judson Hardenbergh’s life was perfect, that is until tragedy changed the course of his life. When a fire claims his family, he gives up on everything. Will moving back to his home town of Oak Grove save him from himself or drive him into deeper despair?
For Ryan Jacobs, Oak Grove’s Chief of Police, it’s been smooth sailing since the abduction and murders that plagued the town, and almost cost him his family. Though Mathis is still at large, Ryan is confident that he’ll be able to catch him before he strikes again.
When one of Ryan’s high school friends, Judson Hardenbergh, is accused of murder, he must jump into action and determine if ‘Jud’ is capable of committing this horrible crime. What he finds is that this case is more complicated than he imagined and that penance comes in many forms.
Reese Stephens was born in the Appalachian Mountains, but was raised all over the East Coast. Since getting married Reese has settled 
back into her Appalachian roots, and currently lives on a small farm with her husband and three children. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education, and is currently homeschooling her two school aged children. She considers herself a naturalist. She loves learning about and using natural remedies and essential oils to keep her family and herself healthy.
back into her Appalachian roots, and currently lives on a small farm with her husband and three children. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education, and is currently homeschooling her two school aged children. She considers herself a naturalist. She loves learning about and using natural remedies and essential oils to keep her family and herself healthy.Writing was something Reese never thought much of, until she and her family went through several traumatic events. A friend advised her to keep a journal, but she just couldn’t put into words how she felt, so she turned to the world of creative writing. It didn’t take long for her to discover her passion there.
Reese is currently working on publishing the first book in her Oak Grove Suspense series, Vengeance which will be out this fall. The second in the series, Penance, is expected to be released spring 2017. In addition to writing crime suspense she also writes paranormal romance. Her first story in this genre is called The Reluctant Prince, expected release is late 2017. You can, however, read the first few chapters of it on Wattpad or her Website for FREE.
Social Media Contacts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReeseAStephens/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReeseAStephens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reeseastephens/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/ReeseStephens
Website: https://reeseastephens.com/
KEY TO MY SOUL
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Blurb: Amazon link: Tour Dates: 9th to 11th February |
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH GIVEAWAY
A large number of wonderful authors have come together to help readers celebrate AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. Been looking for your next favorite book. Well, look no further. SUPPORTING AUTHORS
GENRE: FANTASY
When Richter was drawn into the greatest virtual reality MMORPG ever created, it seemed like a dream come true… until he found that nightmares walked The Land.
ALERON KONG I have toyed with the idea of writing for years, and I have finally found my particular niche. My primary goal was, and still remains, to write a story that I would like to read. I am humbled and delighted that ya’ll (yes I AM Southern) will give it a shot as well.
I am still loving the process! If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing! I love this genre and I love my fans. I appreciate your support more than you know.
GENRE: HORROR
A girl who has to choose between keeping her dreadlocs or living a normal life, a woman who will do whatever she can to have “White Girl Flow”, and a boy who thinks black girls look like cockroaches, all come crashing together when they cross paths with their mysterious neighbor.
CONSTANCE BURRIS is on a journey to take over the world through writing fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Her mission is to spread the love of speculative fiction to the masses.
GENRE: HORROR
Author Marie Coren-Ellis must deal with betrayal and death in a bid to save her unfaithful husband.
ALLEDRIA HURT I suppose this is where I tell you about myself, huh? In my mind, there isn’t a whole lot to tell. I was born in Waynesboro, PA. (I don’t use that as a password anywhere so I don’t care if you know.) I’m the middle of three kids by one parent and the middle of four by the other. I won’t tell you which is which. I spent my early formative years in various military places in Germany until I was thirteen at which point we moved back to the United States and took up residence in sunny Savannah, GA. Here I have been ever since. End of story, I guess.
GENRE: HORROR
Daymares is a 230 page collection of seven disturbing little tales of terror.
KENYA MOSS-DYME began writing short-form horror in her teens and won several scholastic writing awards for her creative work. Prey for Me – the hard-hitting story of a monstrous child-abusing preacher – was her first published work in early 2014, followed by the Amazon best-selling dark romance, A Good Wife. She has since firmly established her place in the horror genre with the Halloween 2014 release of Daymares, as well as appearances in anthologies and publications.
GENRE: INTERRACIAL/PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Dr. Akila Marshall’s life mission is saving animals. When Akila is alerted to a blue-eyed wolf stray, he draws her into a world she never imagined, and passion she can never let go.
DARIEL RAYE is an animal lover, animal rights activist, musician, and award-winning author of powerful paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy with IR/MC (Interracial/Multi-cultural) alpha male heroes to die for, and strong heroines with hearts worth winning.
GENRE: PARANORMAL
Introverted flight attendant Veronica Mills had no idea her life would change on a sunny San Diego layover. After more than six months of e-mails, occasional phone calls, and pictures, she gained a friend and confidant. For the first time in years, she felt comfortable enough with a man to share stories of disastrous dates and everything from the dangerous to the mundane.
For her, the feelings went further than platonic. But was she willing to risk a possible lifelong friendship for the uncertainty and pitfalls of a sexual relationship? Not that he’d indicated an interest in anything more.
A.C. NIXON From the moment my mother’s friend gave me a box of Harlequin Romances, I was hooked. No more Nancy Drew for me. It was all about finding love and happy ever after.
Between then and now, I’ve done a plethora of things, enjoying most of them. Well, they sounded good at the time. I’ve served in the military, worked with explosives, spent three months as a singing waitress in Interlaken, Switzerland, and enjoyed many a moments pretending to be someone else on stage.
Eventually I found my prince, but he wears camouflage instead of a crown. My court comprises two cats that can’t quite comprehend I’m the queen.
GENRE: PARANORMAL
A Viking with a thirst for blood. A naïve but powerful African princess. A vengeful sibling. Spirit possession. An engaging paranormal saga. And it’s only the beginning…
JAXX SUMMERS aka Janice Ross was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s travelled in her mind and dreams.
GENRE: PARANORMAL
A captivating historical experience that travels across time delving into the struggles of two women, with shared lineage, who turn to voodoo for retribution.
DORMAINE G was born in Long Island, New York where she lived most of her life. As an adult she liked to travel out of the country though her favorite places to explore were her fantasy worlds as an author. She may be a nurse by profession but her heart has always belonged to writing. As a young child she spent many Saturdays in the library nurturing her love for books. There she discovered her fascination for the science fiction genre, through books, movies and graphic novels.
GENRE: PARANORMAL MYSTERY
Noel Kennedy hears screams inside her head, but the screams aren’t hers. Noel recognizes the frantic pleas as those of the young woman she mentors—Zarah Fisher.
LINDA C. MIMS resides in a popular suburb 30 miles south of Chicago with her husband and dog, Alexis. There, she’s working on the next in the “A Kennedy Circle Mystery” series. When she’s not writing, Linda can be found testing new recipes, tending her prize winning gardens, and tweeting author support for an indie writing community that she belongs to.
GENRE: ROMANCE
Shane Sinclair, a professional football player who does not like, entertain or talk to reporters, even when he is mandated to appear for the press conferences. Shane has his reasons for his stance, which strengthens when a reporter blurts out that his father had passed, and he was not informed yet. The only reporter that gave their condolences was one of the lone female sports reporter, Diamond Reeves. Although, Shane kept his stance about the story-hungry reporters, Ms. Reeves wiggled her way through his defenses and Shane finds that he needs to maneuver past hers so that their odd friendship can go to the next level. Shane’s ex-fiancé does not take the break up easily and sets out to cause havoc for the new couple and herself.
XYLA TURNER is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning romance author. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a dedicated educator. Outside of reading, Xyla likes to spend time with her family and travel as much as her schedule permits.
GENRE: ROMANCE
What do you do when a crush turns into full blown love, but your object of affection might not feel the same? What if the one you yearn for happens to be your best friend?
DANIELLE BURTON is a native Detroiter and multi-genre novelist with deep appreciation for Black love. She’s penned several novels, a few available online, but Excuse Me, First Love is the first on her publishing journey. She has a knack for creating complex characters and then getting them into plenty of trouble. From sweet and heartwarming, sexy and scandalous, to dark and twisty, Danielle’s stories have a way of reaching down into your soul and evoking each and every emotion you have stored there.
GENRE: ROMANCE
Spencer steals from the wrong man, unleashing danger into her life. A danger Sione knows well from his violent past. Discover how Spencer and Sione get caught in a web created by one common enemy.
RACHEL WOODS writes complex, multicultural stories centered on strong women in jeopardy, fighting for love and their own lives.
When not writing, this read-a-holic can be found listening to audio books, reading the Book of Jeremiah, or scouring soap opera blogs. Rachel resides in Houston with her three sock monkeys.
GENRE: ROMANCE
Ivy needs protection from her son’s father. Luke needs a second chance. To save her son, Ivy must betray a very dangerous man. If she testifies, will she and Luke live long enough to get what they need?
L.J. TAYLOR The oldest of six children, L. J. Taylor grew up in New York City. As a child, she escaped her noisy siblings by voraciously reading every book in her parents’ collection and every romance novel she could check out of the public library. Her tastes later expanded to include classics, spy novels, and thrillers. Inspired by the stories she read, she began writing poetry and song lyrics and even tried to write a fantasy novel at the tender age of 13. She began writing novels as an adult during National November Writing Month in 2007 and has been chugging along ever since. When she’s not writing, L. J. practices law in Miami, Florida.
GENRE: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
An undercover investigation against a vicious rebel group, suspected of trafficking conflict diamonds, is jeopardized. FBI agent Camille Blackwell and CIA agent Marc Fulton must find the rebel leader before he finds Camille.
JA’NESE DIXON pens tales of romance in various subgenres. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
She is an avid reader and coffee drinker, who also loves to run, cook, and craft. Her ultimate goal as a writer is to give you a little “staycation” with every story.
GENRE: SCI-FI ROMANCE
Lela and Zion are bound souls, destined to live eternity together. For these lovers, death is not an end, but a fateful beginning.
N.D. JONES lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. She is a dedicated educator, committed to equitable and excellent education for all students. N.D. has served in the role as teacher, department chair, and professional development teacher specialist, supporting the learning of students and the professional growth of teachers.
GENRE: SCIENCE FICTION
She was born to rule. He was born to serve. Together they will set the world on fire!
SEVEN STEPS I have been writing for as long as I can remember. One of my mentors (you know who you are) often reminds me of my first foray into the world of literary fiction. It was a lively story about a bee’s journey to find a pot of missing honey. He says that I have improved since then. I think that he’s right.
I am a working wife and mother, as well as a devoted owner of a beautiful cat named Rosie. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, thrifting, and anything that reminds me of my childhood.
GENRE: THRILLER
Two orphans making it in the hood. Then the street life killed her brother. Her life in danger, Michelle was scared, and had no skills, but she had a score to settle.
LORI JEAN GRACE Growing up I preferred to hang out with my dad and his friends, watching them play cards or dominoes. Mostly they talked long $h*t, told lies, and exagerations. At a very young age I learned the art of truth fabrication—otherwise known as spinning yarns and creating alibies.
Later, I lived, or experienced, many of the struggles I write about in my books.
SUPPORTING BLOGS
MURDER IN VAIL by Judy Moore
MURDER IN VAIL
by Judy Moore
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Sally Braddock’s serene lifestyle atop a mountain in Vail, Colorado, changes drastically each year when her three spoiled children and their spouses visit her – and her money – for Christmas. They live off their trust funds, which are disappearing quickly, and spend most of the holidays bickering and hitting up their mother for money.
This year, Sally makes an announcement that sends her children into a tizzy, an announcement so extreme that it pushes someone in the house to murder. The storm inside the house is matched by a raging blizzard outside, and the family finds themselves snowbound with a killer.
Thunder cracked and lightning lit up the room. She pulled the covers up to her neck, clutching the sheets. She lay still as a statue, paralyzed by the storm. Even with her entire family in the house, Sally felt afraid. The storm made the house feel so unnatural, so eerie.
Lying in bed, dreading the next bolt of lightning, Sally’s mind went immediately to the disaster of a dinner. I wish I hadn’t lost my temper, she thought regretfully. I wanted to break the news gently, not scream it at them. She remembered the shock and hurt in their faces and felt guilty. She needed to find some way of making peace, of calming everything down.
Another crack of lightning pierced the winter night, this one very close, and illuminated the room. Suddenly, she thought she saw the doorknob begin to turn. Then it stopped. Then it started again. Probably one of the kids, she decided, but the way it started, stopped, and then started again disturbed her.
“Is someone there?” she called out. The doorknob stopped turning, and she thought she heard footsteps scurrying away.
In January Jen Selinsky sat down with Judy to interview her, her books and everything author related. Visit Jen’s website to find out more about Judy.
Judy Moore writes primarily mysteries and thrillers, as well as lighter family fiction. A longtime news writer, editor, and magazine feature writer, her fiction and nonfiction work has been published in numerous national publications. Her novels are published by BTGN publishers. A lifelong Florida resident, she is a former tennis pro and sports writer, so her stories sometimes have a sports backdrop. Her novel “Somebody Killed the Cart Girl” is a golf mystery, and her “Murder in Vail” is set on the ski slopes of Colorado. Her Christmas anthology “Christmas Interrupted,” contains three popular novellas: “Airport Christmas,” “The Holiday House Sitter,” and “The Hitchhiker on Christmas Eve.” An earlier novella, “Birds of Prey,” and her new novelette “Football Blues,” are also available on Amazon.
Writing the Mystery – Howdunit?
When writing a cozy mystery, you need to decide upon crime scene details even though interpersonal relations and not forensic investigations are your story’s focus. Here’s an example of what this m…
Source: Writing the Mystery – Howdunit?
M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧ 