Guest blog by Christoph Fischer (@cffbooks) on PUNK ROCKER

I’m very happy to announce an upcoming release, which will include two stories from author and friend, Christoph Fischer. PUNK ROCKER, a new book dropping May 15th is the brainchild of author, Bren…

Source: Guest blog by Christoph Fischer (@cffbooks) on PUNK ROCKER

Guest blog by Christoph Fischer (@cffbooks) on PUNK ROCKER

Reblogged on WordPress.com

Source: Guest blog by Christoph Fischer (@cffbooks) on PUNK ROCKER

OFFBEAT

 

OFFBEAT

Love and Music In Texas Book 5

 

by

USA Today Bestselling Author Nikki Lynn Barrett

 

Name of cover designer: Robert Barrett

Official genre of book: Contemporary romantic

 

Life is full of choices… 

 

Right before she turned sixteen, Taryn McAllister made several rebellious choices, one which led her to become the drummer for a major teen sensation country star. After a deadly accident, she made another choice – to get back on the wagon and play drums again, no matter that it took adapting because she’s confined to a wheelchair.

Now another set of choices is thrust upon her. After reconnecting with her estranged best friend, Taryn is offered a chance to play drums for a local Texas band ready for the Nashville move. Her once strong confidence is shaken, and she’s torn between her love of music and the reality that it might not work out.

Chris Roland made a string of bad choices, and it’s left him feeling numb. Now he’s playing the drums temporarily for his sister’s band, but he knows this isn’t the life for him. Problem is, he doesn’t know what direction to go. He knows what he doesn’t want, but can’t decide on what he does want.

And then he meets Taryn, the feisty drummer who could be his replacement. He’s relieved for a chance to break away….that is until he gets to know her. And while he’s getting to know her, she’s helping to open up a part of his soul that was long dead and buried.

It’s high time to make the right choices. It’s just a matter of deciding what choice is right.

 

“Okay, I’ve got the book.” Chris wrangled himself away from the woman’s arm. “Alice, have you met Taryn? She’s playing drums for Baby Stetson. We managed to steal her away from Kyra Sanders.” His eyes met hers, and Taryn knew right off the bat this made him uncomfortable.

 

 

Ah. This must be one of his casual sex partners. Fan-friggin-tastic. Taryn gave Alice a long glance. She could see why Chris was attracted to her. Alice had long, dark hair, big breasts, and plenty to offer. So what the hell did he continue to see her for if he could get things from women like Alice?

“Really? You play drums?” Alice didn’t hide her shock.

“She’s one of the best drummers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Moving around Alice as she continued to gawk, Chris settled in the chair again, then slid the book over to Taryn. “Pick your poison.”

“Don’t let Kyra hear you say that,” she giggled as she searched the book for Kyra’s song listings. Then she realized Alice still lingered. “It’s nice to meet you, Alice.” She stifled a laugh at the woman’s look. She must not get rejected often. The feeling lasted for less than a minute before Taryn’s insecurities crept in.

Not that she’d ever had a lot of success rates with men, but now she had a lot more stacked against her.

“Yeah, nice to meet you, too.” Alice faked it. She made it obvious. “You played drums for Kyra Sanders? Like seriously?”

“For three years.”

“Nice.” Alice brushed it off, then faced Chris. “Call me sometime. Soon. We need another good time.” She practically purred before sauntering off, swaying her ass as she moved.

“Taryn-” Chris started.

“Let me guess. She’s one of your casuals,” she said at the same time, flipping the pages of the book back and forth in her hands.

“Was,” he corrected.

“Was?”

“Yes. Was. I don’t want to be that person any longer.” He reached across and covered one of her hands. Taryn froze. The way she reacted to his touch scared her.

“What kind of person do you want to be?” Her voice cracked. Damn, she needed water.

“The person who gets and keeps your attention,” Chris said softly.

“But-” She darted a glance towards the way Alice went.

“Don’t, Taryn. Don’t look back at her and compare. I know you are. I didn’t even remember her name until Melody said something about it being the girl who works at the inn. I know, it sounds bad as I say it.”

Yeah, yeah she was. Damn him for figuring it out.

 

 

I’m an avid lover of books. I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first “book” by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I’ll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.

Northern Lights, Southern Exposure: A Yankee’s Thoughts on Living in the South

 

I’ve been on a Sally Mann kick lately. In the span of a few days, I binge-watched a recent CBS Sunday Morning segment, then a documentary about her life and photography. And if that wasn̵…

Source: Northern Lights, Southern Exposure: A Yankee’s Thoughts on Living in the South

“Punk Rocker” Interview with Mark Barry

As some of you already know, I’ve contributed to an anthology called PUNK ROCKER, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology. PU…

Source: “Punk Rocker” Interview with Mark Barry

INTRODUCING COVER FOR THE SEVEN YEAR DRESS

 

Reblogged on WordPress.com

Source: INTRODUCING COVER FOR THE SEVEN YEAR DRESS

INTRODUCING COVER FOR THE SEVEN YEAR DRESS

 

I’m thrilled that my soon to be released book, The Seven Year Dress, is in the final stages. I received the cover design today and wanted to share it. And also to introduce you to Peter and C…

Source: INTRODUCING COVER FOR THE SEVEN YEAR DRESS

Unwrapping Noel by Jennifer Theriot

UNWRAPPING NOEL

 by

Jennifer Theriot

 

GENRE: Women’s Contemporary Romance

COVER DESIGINER:  The Graphics Shed

EDITOR: Diane Rinella

Noel Calabrese hates Christmas as much as she hates her life. While in the Napa Valley on a business trip, she meets Leon Hallas. Could this sexy, silver fox be her ticket to happiness? Will she learn to trust again?

Unwrap this steamy little romance about second chances and self-worth, complete with a palindrome…

 

Click here to hear an excerpt of Unwrapping Noel by Jennifer Theriot.

 

Audible review 5✯ by Anna Salamatin (March 22, 2016)

 

“Smexy Christmas” 

Would you listen to Unwrapping Noel again? Why?

Sure, it’s a true to life story line. Noel could easily be one of my friends or colleges.

What did you like best about this story?

It’s about mature, adult people with life experiences under their belts. They are dealing with stuff that life really throws at you.

Which character – as performed by Sara Gordon – was your favorite?

She really brought Noel to life for me. I felt her emotions.

I also liked how she portrays Anna, and brings her out of the shadowy side lines so to speak.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it in one day.

Any additional comments?

This is a captivating, emotional, and romantically erotic romance about not just finding love, (after a devastating betrayal) but finding THE LOVE, and having the courage to trust again. … Noel’s story just spoke to me.

 

 

Sara Gordon

How long have you been narrating audio books?

A: Since June 2015

What made you decide to do this?

A: I took a voiceover class as I was very interested in animation and commercial voiceover. Audiobooks were something that we touched upon in class and was intrigued by the process.

Is it hard to ‘get into character’?

A: It depends. Some days, external events happen that can kind of dampen the day, but when I get in the booth, it’s pretty easy. Knowing the characters and knowing yourself is what makes it smooth.

Are there any characters you’ve narrated that you identify with?

A: There is something I can relate to in every character I’ve done, but not one in particular that I identify with wholly.

What are your favorite genres to narrate?

A: Children’s books. They are so much fun and you can let your imagination go and try new voices. It gives you a license to be larger than life. Those characters can be anything and you have to decide, if say the character was a tree, you know, what would a tree sound like?

Are sex scenes difficult for you?

A: A little. While I do work from home, it can still feel a little strange and awkward. You have to plan things out about breaths and if it makes sense to keep it during the editing process or is it becoming too breathy and what not. Sometimes I can hear people in the apartment next to me and I wonder, ‘Can they hear me?’ Ha ha, I’m not as open in my own sexuality sometimes and I think that’s the hardest part about doing sex scenes. But, like anything else, when you remember that you have a job to do, you make it work.

Is there any genre you don’t narrate?

A: At this point in time, not really. I’m open to almost anything.

How was it working with Jennifer Theriot? 

A: Absolutely wonderful. She was very quick to answer any question as well as generous and patient during the process of recording, editing, and reviewing each audio chapter. It was a great experience.

Do you have a career aside from narrating?

A: I am a singer and actor in New York. To help pay the bills, I’ve had many “day jobs”, mostly as a nanny or in retail.

Any favorite authors you’ve worked with?

A: The authors that I’ve worked with have been great! This is actually only my second audiobook but I’m excited to keep going and maybe one day record something for a book or author that I admire.

How important are strong female characters to you?

A: Very important. I like female characters that are well rounded, strong but still vulnerable, and hopefully not one dimensional. When you have well rounded characters, that’s what creates a relatability- a way to connect better to them and the overall story. We need more of that for female characters because women are not one dimensional. Representation in every form is important.

Do you narrate both male and female voices?

A: Yes. Sometimes I try to record the male voices in the morning when I’ve almost just woken up and my voice isn’t warmed up. It’s lower then and the sound just seems more realistic.

What does Sara Gordon do for fun? What are your hobbies and interests?

A: I love to paint, sing, and visit family in Brooklyn. I used to do races and half marathons and such and now I’m starting to get back into it.

Does your ‘significant other’ (if applicable) support your narrating career?

A: While it’s not applicable for a significant other, my family and friends are very supportive of my work and what I want to do with my life.

 

Jennifer Theriot hails from the Great State of Texas. She is a career woman, working as CFO of a Texas based real estate investment firm by day and does her writing at nights and on weekends. In her limited spare time, Jennifer enjoys being outdoors; preferably somewhere on a beach curled up with a good book. Spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching a baseball game and enjoying a good bottle of wine are usually on her to-do lists. She’s mom to three grown children and ‘MiMi’ to three (soon to be four) grandkids – all of whom she adores!

Her best-selling Out of the Box Series, OUT OF THE BOX AWAKENING, OUT OF THE BOX REGIFTED, OUT OF THE BOX EVERLASTING and TOCCATA OBBLIGATO~SERENADING KYRA are currently available on Amazon.com.

Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon ✯ Facebook ✯ Authorgraph ✯ Blog ✯ Google+ ✯ YouTube

 

THE CROWN PROPHECY

Continue reading “THE CROWN PROPHECY” →

DEFINED by OTHERS

Chapter One

Defined by Others

 

 

 

I sat in Pete’s office after the video ended, staring at the
screen with her frozen image. The illness that eventually took her life left
her looking gaunt and ravaged. When her coffin was lowered into the grave the
day before I was left feeling as if with her body, her casket, her illness they
were also burying that which makes life an adventure and with that much of my
youth and perhaps some part of my future.

 

As I stared at her face my mouth felt dry, my hands had a
slight tremor mimicking my lower lip, and not even in my thoughts could I quite
find a word to define this moment, to describe my feelings. I burst out crying
in loud, wracking sobs and I heard the door open. Through my heavy tears the
contact lenses swam and moved in my eyes, making everything seem a blur. I felt
the hand on my shoulder before he handed me the tissues. 

 

“Can I get you something Anne? Anything? Water? Coffee?” he
asked.

 

I blew my nose and composed myself as best I could.

 

“Water, ice cold water would be nice.” 

 

“It’s a little early, but I can offer you something stronger
if you’d prefer,” he said as he walked toward a bar in the back of his office.

 

“No, thanks. Water with ice will be fine.”

 

The musical clink of the ice cubes against the glass was the
familiar tone made only by fine crystal. I recognized the Baccarat pattern; it
was the same as the crystal in my parents’ home. He hesitated and cleared his
throat before he spoke again.

 

“I know speaking ill of the dead is in very poor taste, but
Amanda was not a nice person. I am bound, as her attorney, to follow her
instructions to the letter. You can watch what is obviously a pretty nasty
recording as many times as you wish, but when you are done I need to destroy
it, in front of you. Then I am to hand you a box, and again you are to open it
in absolute privacy, so preferably not in this office. Can I suggest I destroy
it right here and now? I have pliers and I can smash the flash drive into
nothing.”

 

“It really is not at all what you imagine. She was even nice
and apologized in it. She could be an absolute bitch, but my tears and sadness
are not for her.”

 

“Oh, I see. How’s your dad doing?”

 

“Better.”

 

“We were all surprised to see you at the funeral. I actually
expected to fly down to Florida and hand all this to you there. She left a nice
expense account for that. How long have you been in town?”

 

“Just a few days. Mom assumed they’d be flying up for
Thanksgiving. They are so afraid Obama will get re-elected after the Romney
tape that they wanted to vote in person.”

 

“He might win you know. Although you would not know it in
this town by the Romney signs everywhere.”

 

“Signs can’t vote.”

 

“Spoken like a true Democrat.”

 

“Yeah, yet another choice where I absolutely failed my
parents.”

 

“Don’t knock yourself, I do not think any of us live up to
parental expectations.”

 

I drank the ice cold water and nodded my head at the screen.
No words were needed as he closed the file and Amanda’s face disappeared from
the screen.

 

He pulled out the flash drive and reached into a drawer. He
crunched and cracked the flash drive so viciously that I knew he too had fallen
prey to one or more of Amanda’s nasty games.

 

“I think it is pretty much done. If you are not sure, why
don’t you shoot it?”

 

“That is not a bad idea.”

 

We started to laugh in unison. I did not recognize it at the
time, later though it became clear that we bonded, laughing over the nasty
remains of a common enemy. I gathered my things, including the package Amanda
had bequeathed me, and Pete walked me to the car. 

 

“It would only be a conflict of interest to offer help in
anything regarding Amanda, so if you need any help with your parents’ home,
don’t hesitate to call me. Do you still have the card I gave you yesterday at
the funeral?”

 

“It is such a small town, Pete, even if I lose the card, now
that everyone knows I’m here it will be hard to avoid me.”

 

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home since everyone
in town knew I was there, there was no sense in driving into the city to get
what I needed. I had already put a nice dent in Mom’s pantry and Dad’s bar. I
had been there well over a week, trying to understand what I had missed, how I
had not known about Frank. Then Amanda died and curiosity got the better of me.
What did Alison say?  Her voice echoed in
my mind;

 

‘Enemies always attend each other’s funerals. I guess it is
a way of knowing they won …’

 

Well, we weren’t always enemies, and sometimes it is the
good and healthy memories that make someone attend a funeral. Amanda was the
first of us to die. At forty-seven it seemed too young to bury a contemporary.
Once she was diagnosed, it was only a matter of time. In fact, it was pretty
amazing she lasted as long as she did, money it seems, can buy you time if
nothing else. And in 2012, time can mean science and technology might just come
up with some medication or medical treatment that changes everything. 

 

Unfortunately, it had not worked for Amanda, but so far it
had worked for my dad. This last stroke seemed to be the first time he had an
untimely health issue, with no easy fix in sight.

 

Amanda fought hard for a good two years and then lost; the
image of her greenish skin color and emaciated body made that perfectly clear.
Her beautiful heart-shaped face was gaunt, and her eyes were sunken in the
video. However, the voice was the strangest and most unrecognizable trait. Was
it karma to go so slowly and with so much suffering? Our shopping carts
collided, and I was startled by that as much as I was startled by the tone of
her voice. 

 

“Hi Anne.”

 

“Connie? I did not see you at Amanda’s funeral yesterday. I
just thought you were not in town.”

 

“I don’t like funerals, so I sent flowers, I saw the
comments and pictures everyone posted on Facebook.

 

Frankly I was surprised you were there.”

 

“Facebook? People posted pictures from the funeral? I have
some friends in Florida who use it but I personally avoid social media; I did
consider it as a tool to spy on my kids.”

 

“Most people in town use it in a very public way.”

 

She looked at me in the oddest way so I had to ask.

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

She sighed, loudly the way a parent or teacher does when
exasperated that a kid cannot give the right answer or tell the truth.

 

“You really don’t know do you?”

 

Small town gossip and now combined with the use of
cyberspace, I could only assume was not a great combination. I began to feel
uneasy and wondered if it had anything to do with Frank. I decided to disregard
the thought. I simply could not imagine that whatever Connie was referring to
was of any serious consequence to me.

 

“You know Connie, my dad is really ill, I am just here
getting the house in order for my folks and trying to figure out the best way
to help get them settled in

 

Florida full-time.” 

 

“I am really sorry about your dad Anne. We really need to
talk; it’s about Frank and… well it’s about Frank. I can go over to your
parents’ house tonight, I’ll bring a nice dinner.” 

 

This time I could easily and clearly find the word, THE WORD
that defined the moment; dumbfounded. In a small town gossip travelled like
wildfire; at least in this small town it did, but mom had assured me no-one
knew about Frank. I was not sure what to say, but Connie’s abrupt manner did
not give me much of a chance.

 

“I…” 

 

“Believe me, this is just as uncomfortable for me as it is
for you, but we really need to talk. Simply put, it is about Frank and Mike.”

 

I learned at a very young age about the moments that define
us in life and how sometimes they feel as concrete as a ton of bricks falling
loudly and painfully on top of us. This was one of those moments; not at all
like the subtle hidden moment when Pete and I laughed together. So my mother
was wrong and if my Frank’s problem was involved with Connie’s Mike. Well,
there it was and it made sense now the smartphones were clicking away at the
funeral. It was my turn to sigh, this one was a sigh of defeat.

 

“At what time tonight?”

 

“Is seven okay? Like I said I’ll bring dinner.”

 

“You really think we’ll be hungry under the circumstances? I
asked perhaps in a tone too sarcastic and maybe even with a touch of cruelty.

 

“Fine, I’ll bring wine she answered.”

 

“I nodded robotically, I started to pile food into the
shopping cart, and as the salesclerk rang it up I noticed that I had chosen all
of my husband’s, Frank’s favorite foods.