Friday, August 31, 2012

#BookChat MALDENE by Mark Anthony Tierno

Synopsis:
Maldene is a world of fantasy and science, a world of fantastic creatures, characters that range from the crazy to the wise, and home to many astounding secrets.  It is also home to the most villainous evil known:  Miro (Pronounced MY-RO).  It is said that even the gods fear Miro, though they aren't saying why, and stories of this evil wizard go back many thousands of years.

The Maldene series spans several continents of this giant Earth-swallowing world, crosses to other dimensions, and later on in the series other worlds and even far distant periods in its history.  But it all begins in the first book (currently published as Volume I and Volume II), in which we follow Sabu, Eldar, Sindar and their companions on a search for secrets, destiny, and discovery of what REALLY goes on in the world.  Three different continents, journey to a second world, the Sea of A Thousand Islands, Tedelnosho (The Great Whirlpool), the mysterious King who is the only one willing to stand up to Miro's forces, over a dozen main characters, several alien races (from the sea-going Thirdocians to the avian-evolved K˙ecians), and this is just the first book, as but the first chapter in a story that spans several books.
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How I came to write this book:
This book evolved in my mind from the germ of an idea to adding in different elements over the years. I'd always wanted to do the ultimate villain, and I loved fantasy and SF, of which this story combined both.  Finally, while in the course of helping my mom care for my dad (he had Parkinson's Disease), my grandfather's old house burned down, the insurance money from which gave us some breathing space and allowed me some time to start into writing my epic.  Just the writing of it did a lot to raise the bleak atmosphere that had settled upon the house and family.

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Behind the scenes with the author:
I wrote this book under pretty bleak conditions.  My Dad got Parkinson's Disease when I was in High School, so by the time I started this little epic he was pretty bad off. Could barely walk without falling, looked like a walking corpse.  I was helping out my Mom full time while beating myself up about my own lack of employment (my mom would say, "You have a job, taking care of us").  When the Eaton Canyon fire took out my grandpa's old house (he'd been dead for 20 years but my mom never had the heart to sell the place) that brought in some relief in the form of insurance money. While now helping my mom also clean up the mess left by the fire, I began to write.  And write.  and write.  Now my Dad was saying "when you gonna get a publisher?" in the same tone of voice a parent would scold "when you gonna get a job), and my mom was always trying to sneak a peak over my shoulder to see what I was up to.  It lifted the general spirit of the house, more so because what I was working on seemed to be somewhat brilliant by all accounts.
My Dad never lived to see my first book published.  My kom lived long enough to see it published under my now-former publisher then see me do a reading in a library.  She passed away before I found out that my old publisher was a waste of time.

What readers are saying:

Rupa Dore, reader:  "A world beyond time... an adventure beyond imagination"

Charles Saunders, copywriter and author (taken from a review on his site):  In the preface to his two-volume epic, Maldene, author Mark Anthony Tierno invites readers to imagine "a giant, Earth-Swallowing sphere, swaddled green with the color of life, the glare of its giant blue star glistening off its atmosphere in colorful, almost aurora-like bursts of light... a planet all filled with magic, mystery, and utter strangeness."  It takes a big imagination to envision a story equal to such a setting. Tierno, a Californian who holds advanced degrees in physics and mathematics, has created a story that fills a huge sprawling canvas upon which numerous nations, deities, sorcerers, thieves, and warriors vie for glory- although more often than not, mere survival will suffice.

-Mark Anthojny Tierno
www.maldene.com

Maldene: Volume 1 and Maldene: Volume 2 are on Amazon

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Meet #Sexy Sable from Dariel Raye's Dark Sentinels Series #CharacterInterview


Sable is a ultimate alpha, a shifter and a Sentinel, born to protect their pack. The life of a Sentinel is fraught with danger and often lonely, but Dariel has agreed to let Sable talk to us here at Rachelle's Window! Yay!

  Nice to meet you, Sable. Why do you think Dariel chose to write about you first in the “Dark Sentinels” series? Hadn’t really thought about that, but probably, knowing her, because I’m the calmest, most level-headed one in the bunch.

Interesting. How do you think you came to be so calm? Well, I didn’t say I was calm, but I’m the calmest. There’s a difference. It’s just my nature, I guess. I’m a Libra. That might have something to do with it  (grins and winks his left eye). Don’t want to misrepresent. A wolf is a wolf.

Sable, I’ve read some of “Dark Sentinels,” and I know you and Syreena lost your parents when you were just cubs. That had to be extremely hard. How did you manage? Well, day to day, it was hard. I had to learn to hunt and find shelter early. We were small, and I had my sister to protect.

The other adults didn’t help you? No. There’s kind of an unwritten law that Sentinels are born to protect – not to be protected, no matter how young we are. It’s the same reason none of the adults want to mate with us. They’re afraid their offspring will be sentinels, and that would mean facing danger and possible death all the time. It’s just second nature to us, though.

Well, I bet you have much better luck in your human form. Does it make you angry that your own pack would shun you? Not angry – just sad sometimes. On the other hand, if it hadn’t been for the stupidity of my native pack, I never would have met my Akila. (stands suddenly and begins looking at pictures and other objects)

Oh, I can tell you're really into Akila. Getting restless, huh? A bit (sheepish smile). Not used to being still long, especially not just talking about myself.

I understand. So, it’s not that you mind talking about Akila? What’s she doing today? Don’t know. Haven’t seen her. Guess that’s another reason I’m feeling a bit agitated.

Sit, sit. (pats the cushion) Come closer.... I don't bite.  Sure (glances at watch) Speaking of Akila, I need to...

Just a couple more questions, okay? No prob.

Can readers expect to learn more about you in other “Dark Sentinels” books? Yes. I can’t elaborate much or Dariel will be pissed with me, but yes. Book one was just an introduction.

That’s good. I look forward to getting to know you better in the series. So, what do you think made you care so much for Akila? Mmmm. Everything. She’s caring, honest, sexy as hell, passionate, and protective. I’d never had anyone besides my sister feel protective towards me. That’s a real turn-on.

So, you’re protector of your pack, right? Right. What kind of reaction do you expect from them about Akila? Ah! (exasperated sound) Not good. They wouldn’t want me around if I hadn’t spent my life keeping their sorry asses out of slings, so I’m pretty sure their reaction won’t be good. I don’t guess Dariel will mind me saying we’ll deal with that more in book two (stands, smiles, and extends his hand for me to shake it.) 

 Well, it's sure been nice having you, Sable. I know it's hard to keep a manly, alpha, studly, sexy, wolf man like you on a leash, so I'll... ah... just let go of my hand. Bye!

 Be sure to check out Dark Sentinel's Book Trailer here.

Sable: Dark Sentinel is available at Amazon

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

#AuthorInterview Jen Talty and Dark Water


1. Hi Jen Talty, glad to have you on my blog today, I hear you have a new book coming out. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Dark Water is a follow up to my book In Two Weeks. I hadn’t planned on writing a series, but when readers started sending me emails on how much they loved Frank Harmon and wanted to know when his book was coming out I had to revisit the story and see what was going on with Frank.

In the first book, Frank was a supporting character. He was a protégé to the Hero (Jared Blake) and he was so much fun to write. He kept Jared on his toes, but never got in the way. I think I secretly had a crush on Frank it must have shown in the writing, which is why readers responded so positively toward him, so I had to dig deeper into his character to find his story. Here is the blurb for Dark Water:

Lacy DeGeorgio never imagined she'd have to be responsible for anyone but herself. She's strong, stubborn and fiercely independent. She needs no one. She's a woman determined to do things her way, on her own. But when a freak boating accident takes her sister Hannah's life, Lacy finds herself not only back in her hometown of Lake George, New York, but in a custody battle for her eleven-year-old nephew, Andy. Just when things couldn't get any worse, pesky State Trooper Frank Harmon starts showing up, tearing down all her defenses, making her want things she's never wanted before. She'll trust him with her nephew, but can she trust him with her heart?

New York State Trooper Frank Harmon is a man of honor and duty. He's always done things by the book, believing the law always works in favor of those who uphold it. Until the day he took a domestic disturbance call at the DeGeorgio trailer, and even though he knew something bad was about to happen, he had to walk away. Two days later, he pulled Hannah DeGeorgio's body from the icy cold waters of Lake George, changing his life forever. He sets out to make sure Hannah's killer is brought to justice and in the process makes a home for a family he thought he never wanted.

2. Sounds like a real thriller and a romance with sparks. What genres do you like to write in? Do you pay attention to genre rules or bend them?

I love to write Romantic Suspense. I’m fascinated by the darker side of human nature and often ask myself ‘what would cause someone to cross a line they thought they would never cross’? My business partner, NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer has taught me the 3 rules of rule breaking: 1) Know the rule 2) break the rule and 3) have a good reason for breaking the rule. So, I pay attention to the rules, but I have been known to break a few, but I understand why it was important to the characters or to the story that the rule be broken.

3. That's the kind of questions I ask myself. What kind of books do you like to read? Which authors influenced you?

I love to read suspense, science fiction and novels that would be considered dark. The author that has influenced me the most over my entire career as a writer has been my business partner, Bob Mayer. I was a fan of his work long before I meet him. I was lucky enough to take a weekend retreat from him and that is how we began working together. Authors like Sandra Brown, Allison Brennan, Laura Benedict and of course Stephen King have influenced the way I write.

4. Are you a character driven or plot driven writer?

I look to plot first—suspense tends to lend itself well to the ‘what if’ question. Dark Water, the what if was: what if the only way to save your nephew was to come back to the one place you swore you’d never ever return to? It’s a simple question, and really isn’t the bulk of the story, but it gives me a place to start. From there I focus on character. Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist and how do they fit into my story question?

5. Do you have any advice for writers who are just starting out?

The best advice I ever got was from Bob Mayer, of course. Read. Write. Read. Write.

6. I agree. Reading is an extension of experiencing. Who is your favorite character?

I don’t really have a favorite character—I love them all, of course, I wrote them. However, one of the most fun character’s I had writing was Travis Brown from Jane Doe’s Return. He was so much fun because he was so different from any other hero I had ever written. I tend to fancy Alpha Males and Travis is more of a Beta Male. He also had a unique ability. He was very limber due to his days in the gymnastics team in HS. It made for one very funny scene right before the hero and heroine make love for the first time. Loved that scene!

7. Ha, ha, I bet. Okay, who was your most difficult character?

The most difficult is the heroine in a book that will be released sometime next year titled Legacy of Lies. Katie Bateman has an attitude the size of Texas and I find it hard to tone her down, but I have to, or she comes off too harsh and unlikeable. The problem is, she’s very opinionated and not afraid to say exactly what is on her mind. This tends to get her in a bit of trouble. She is sort of harsh and unlikeable in the beginning and during the course of the book she learns sometimes its better to keep your opinion to yourself.

8. Hmmm....you don’t have to tell us, but who in your life did you pattern him/her after?

Well, probably me!

Thanks a lot, Jen, for telling us about your writing and your penchant for Alpha Males. To find out more about Jen, please visit her sites:

Write It Forward Blog: http://writeitforward.wordpress.com
Cool Gus Publishing: http://coolgus.com



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

#BookChat Whether I'll Live or Die by Stacy Eaton




Synopsis

“It sounded so simple in theory; ready... aim... fire... but what actually transpired was so much more.”

Officer Nicole Nolan holds the gun steady in her hands, knowing that life will be forever altered once she pulls the trigger. Her position as a small town police officer is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is her job, her career and her life.

Amanda stands where protection does not exist. With several failed relationships behind her, Amanda turns a blind eye to the possessiveness Josh displays in order to sooth her desperate need to be loved. As the mental abuse turns violent, Amanda must deal with the denial and embarrassment of being a victim once again. With her emotional and physical health siting on the edge, she must fight to regain control of her life.

A gripping story with one final destination, but will it be life or death?

*** A Portion of the proceeds will be donated to Domestic Violence Centers ***


From the Author:

I have felt the hand of Domestic Violence in my life. I deal with it every day in my job as a police officer. It is a tough subject that few want to tackle, but it needs to be spoken about. Victims need to understand they are not at fault. They need to know they can get help and get away. They need to know that there are people who will help them.

Whether I’ll Live or Die is a very intense novel that will bring to light the nasty parts of domestic violence; the fear, the embarrassment, and the self-blame.  It will show you what a young victim goes through while at the same time showing you how a female police officer must deal with it in the legal sense.

It is not a light hearted love story, no fairytale romance here. This is what real life is like in the hands of an abuser.


What Readers are Saying:

“I could not put this book down until I finished reading it. Whether or not you have ever gone through mental, verbal or physical abuse, this book will strike the cord somewhere deep inside, it will make you feel the pain and anguish of the people brought to life in the story. The book will also give hope. Hope that no matter what the circumstances are, life does not have to stay this bad. It can change and be different. This book helps to learn to protect ourselves (whether you are a man, a woman or a child) against the situations anyone can come across when they expect it the least.” Reader…Tatiana L.



Links:
Twitter: @StacySEaton

Monday, August 27, 2012

#AuthorInterview Christian #Author Paulette Harper


Today I'd like to welcome Paulette Harper, a Christian author who has written mainly non-fiction but has two fiction books in the works. Paulette, would you like to introduce yourself to readers?

[Note Paulette's Interview is deleted because a blogger claims copyright to an interview Paulette wrote. The post was furnished to me by Paulette as part of her virtual blog tour, and not copy/pasted from her site as she claims.]

Note: I, Rachelle Ayala, welcome bloggers to copy and paste any of my interviews, book promos, reviews, and publicity material as posted on this blog. You're welcome to tell the world about me and my books and the authors I promote and support. Kindly backlink to my original post. That's all you have to do.

People can purchase copies of Paulette's books on Amazon using the following links


About the Author
Paulette Harper Johnson, an award winning author, writing coach, and speaker, seeks to inspire women from all walks of life.  As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Paulette’s desire is to empower, influence and cultivate women to move forward while dealing with issues that hinder women from becoming all they are created to be. Her topics are biblically sound and pertinent to the needs of today’s women. 

Paulette is a wife, mother, grandmother, Bible teacher, radio host, writer and the owner of WNL Virtual Blog Tours. Her years of marketing her own self-published books have created a special talent in her—her ability to sell a product well. Not only does she specialize in marketing strategies, but also serves as the publicist for P.F.L. Publishing.

She has been mentoring and teaching women for years though seminars, workshops and conferences. Paulette Harper Johnson serves in ministry as an Elder with her husband Sr. Pastor Tony E. Johnson at Word of Faith Worship Center in Bradenton and North Port FL.

Ministry Book website: www.pauletteharper.com

Saturday, August 25, 2012

#BookChat Tan - A Story of Exile, Betrayal and Revenge by David Lawlor



SYNOPSIS:
‘Peelers have a knack for hitting you where it hurts; broken nose, bruised ribs, a few loosened teeth...no more than a rapist deserved, Sergeant Coveney and District Inspector Webber had said. Proper order, too - except the lad was no rapist, and Webber knew it.’

It’s 1914 and Liam Mannion is forced into exile for a crime he didn’t commit. He flees Balbriggan, the only home he has ever known and travels to England, where he enlists and endures the torment of trench warfare in France. Five years later he’s back in England, a changed man, living in the shadow of his battlefield memories. Liam finds work in a Manchester cotton mill but prejudice and illness soon see him destitute. Starving and desperate, he enlists in a new military force heading to Ireland - the Black and Tans - and is posted to the very town he fled as a youth.

While he has been away Liam’s childhood friends have joined the republican cause, while his brother has allied himself to the Crown forces. Liam must wrestle with his own conflicted feelings about duty to the ruthless Tans and loyalty to his friends. The potent combination of ambition, patriotism and betrayal collide, forcing him to act as he comes face to face with the man who spread lies about him all those years before.
WHY I WROTE TAN: I've always been interested in this era of Irish history (1919-1921). My grandfather was very 'active' in this period fighting the British. The Black and Tans wre a notorious group of British soldiers who went to Ireland fresh from their experiences in France during World War One. They brought the brutality of the trenches to Irish towns and villages.I thought it would be intriguing to write a story from the perspective of someone who became a Tan...what their motivations were and what were the conflicts.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
David Lawlor's descriptions of violent combat battles are exceptionally compelling. However, he didn't lose sight of the fact his book was a historical fiction. Lawlor brilliantly introduces the family. Other characters including friends and women are perfectly woven into the story. It's a beautifully written novel in which to entertain and learn about this period of Irish history. - Mary Crocco book blogger
An entertaining and historical page turner, with many surprises awaiting along the way - Jedwardian
I especially liked the portrayal of the women throughout. They are given time and substance; very engaging, likeable and credible. The fighting scenes, also, are riveting. At one point I thought Lawlor himself must have experienced the ordeals. I would love to see this story made into a movie. Here's one who would pay to see it. - Thomas Hollywood
This is an excellent read, it is well-paced, has memorable characters and is a catchy story. The author doesn't use history as an easy win for his storytelling, the heroes and villains of this piece are carefully constructed, and he manages to link the subtleties of the individual's struggle with war, peace and heavy-handed policing with the similar struggles of the fledgling nation. - Colleen Connolly
If you have a free day, and you fancy a roller-coaster ride from your armchair, put this one on your list. I didn't want to put it down. - EM Moran
BEHIND THE SCENES: There was a point in the story in which a main character dies that I found rather difficult. I didn't want to let him go but felt that he had to be sacrificed for the flow of the story. I thought about making his death very heroic but in the end opted to make it more prosaic. There's a scene in the movie Saving Private Ryan in which one of the patrol members - the medic - is shot and dies, despite the frantic efforts of his mates to save him. There was a terrible gasping panic in the man's voice as he died and I tried to convey that terrible sense of hoplessness in my character, too. I think the manner of my character's death was a 'success' in that respect and I have Steven Spielberg to thank for it.

Friday, August 24, 2012

The Heartbeat of New Orleans, Alexandrea Weis #GuestPost


     The rhythm of the resurrecting city of New Orleans is reflected everyday in the unified heartbeat of its determined residents. And no matter the devastation, New Orleanians will continually fight to hold on to their beloved little bastion eight feet below sea level. Like the memory of a first kiss, the warmth of New Orleans pervades your soul and forever becomes a part of you. To travel among the wide oaks and antebellum homes of the Garden District makes for beautiful postcard pictures, but it does not give you a true indication of what it means to be a New Orleanian. You have to immerse yourself in the old world atmosphere and varied traditions of the people of this town in order to understand them, and, hopefully, become one of them.
     You need to dine in the myriad of exceptional restaurants and take part in a heated discussion about where to find the best bowl of gumbo. Spend a Monday morning drinking coffee and chicory in an old uptown kitchen while learning how to cook the perfect pot of red beans and rice. Experience the wrong way to eat a muffaletta sandwich, the right way to shuck an oyster, and the only way to eat a beignet. And you will always have to remember that if your food isn’t boiled, blackened or fried, it just ain’t cooked.   
          You will want to traverse the different sections of the old city divided not by points on a compass, but by proximity to the Mississippi River or Lake Pontchartrain. Because no one in the Crescent City could ever tell you where to find the south end of town, but they could recite by heart the neighborhoods along the bend in the river. From the Bywaters to the Irish Chanel, from Lakeview to the infamous Ninth Ward, so many smaller sections alive with their own unique histories make up this city. Each part of New Orleans has a rich heritage based on the struggles of its French, Spanish, Irish, African, or Italian founders.
     Then head over to Canal Street, where the local term “neutral ground” was created in the early 1800’s. In those days, the wide thoroughfare was first used as a common market area between the feuding French and Spanish occupants of the city. Take a streetcar ride down legendary St. Charles Avenue to see the world renowned Audubon Zoo. Along the way, soak up the different styles of Victorian, Greek Revival, and Colonial architecture represented by some of the city’s finest homes. Let the soothing rocking motion of the streetcar ease your cares, as the sweet scent of magnolias streams in from the open window beside you. At the end of your streetcar ride, walk the broken cobblestones of the French Quarter, and take in the alluring sights of the tightly packed Creole cottages. Listen for the seductive sounds of Jazz music resonating around you, the smell of great food hovering in the air about you, and let your imagination linger on the romantic wrought iron balconies above you. Make your way to Jackson Square and take in the tall spires of St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in the continental Untied States. Walk through the adjoining Cabildo Museum, where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. Stroll on over to the Moonwalk, by the edge of the Mississippi River, and enjoy the calliope music coming from the Delta Queen Riverboat. After you have learned to bargain like a pro with the vendors at the French Market, then saunter down the shady sidewalks of Esplanade Avenue. The street made famous by Tennessee Williams and his tale of hidden desire. Finally, let yourself wander the narrow alleys of St. Louis Cemetery Number One, where you can visit the above ground tombs of famous former residents Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen, and Paul Morphy, the chess phenomenon.
     But there is another, more important, criteria for being an ingrained member of this eclectic southern city. You have to learn to appreciate life. Not the day-to-day hurried existence that shortens the lives of stockbrokers and businessmen, but the easy lust for the fulfillment of the senses. For everything about New Orleans is tailored to the forgotten art of self-gratification. In these days of such soulless existence, it is a heartwarming relief to find a place unashamed of its abundant way of life. No one in New Orleans regrets the way they live, they only regret when they have to leave it.
     So the next time you think about my hometown, don’t linger on the unforgettable disasters of our past. Instead, revel in what makes our city unique, shamelessly flamboyant, and stoically unapologetic for its transgressions. New Orleanians have moved on from Katrina. Despite the numerous media attempts to bury the residents under clouds of negative press and dim outlooks, the people remain resilient. Because they know that when Mardi Gras is over, crawfish season is right around the corner. We may have paid a heavy price for our time in paradise, but we know that somewhere up in the heavens, someone is answering our prayers. After all, the Saints did finally win the Super Bowl.       

Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Her popular second novel, Recovery, won the Gold Medal for best romantic suspense from The Reader’s Favorite Book Awards 2011, was named best Romantic Suspense novel by the Spring 2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Awards, and was a Finalist in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Wards in 2012. Her fourth novel, Broken Wings, won best Contemporary Romance by the NABE Pinnacle Book Awards in 2011, and is a finalist in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards for Contemporary Romance in 2012. Her fifth novel, The Secret Brokers, was released in May 2012. A permitted wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.
 Readers can find out more and connect at:

Alexandrea Weis Author Page

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Rachelle, Do you always write A**hole Males? #AuthorInterview

News Flash: Lucas Knight, from Rachelle's Work in Progress, is taking over Rachelle's blog today!!! Let's hope he doesn't change her password. Take it away, Lucas.

Lucas: So, Rachelle, you hip with me? I mean, I wanna know. Why do you always write A**hole males?

Rachelle: I wrote you, didn't I? You tellin' me you're a jerk?

Lucas: Ah... no, but my predecessors, let's see here, King David. Whoa! Cruel and insensitive. I'm just reading the reviews. Arrogant, callous and unloving.

Rachelle: That's hardly fair. The man was living in what, 1000 B. C.

Lucas: Right, and he gets multiple wives. Princesses, serving maids, you name it. I'll have to agree with the reviewers. How the heck do you make a polygamist a romantic hero? [scratches head]

Rachelle: Pretty simple. Michal loves him and that brings out the sweet side of him. Might have taken her entire lifetime, but winning over a difficult man like that? Many women couldn't rise to the challenge.

Lucas: Couldn't or wouldn't? Is that what she wanted, a challenge?

Rachelle: Perhaps, but she also knew David when he was a young serving boy, playing music to calm her father, so I suspect she saw the goodness in his heart. And of course, his love for God no doubt played a role in her admiring him.

Lucas: Didn't hurt that he was a hero who killed Goliath. But seriously, your next dude, Crazy Man?

Rachelle: Name's Dave Jewell and he's a CEO of a successful startup.


Lucas: Hmmm.... not sure I like him at all!

Rachelle: Dave's a special case. He suffered great trauma. It takes a special woman to break through and care about him.

Lucas: You mean a criminal?

Rachelle: Did you read the draft or not? Jen's not a criminal, geez. She just has a shady past to hide.

Lucas: Mmm... mmm... mmm... sure she does. Okay, not gonna give away the plot, but I heard some of your beta readers hated him.

Rachelle: Sure, a CEO has to make quick decisions and be in control.

Lucas [spits his coffee]: That man is about the most out of control character. What was he thinking?

Rachelle: Hey, you don't know him like I do. Any more questions?

Lucas: Well, let's see, there's your husband.

Rachelle: Excuse me? Why're you bringing him in?

Lucas: Just sayin'.

Rachelle: He's got a stressful job, okay? Not like you, high on endorphins all day long. So he gets a bit difficult.

Lucas: A bit? Wow, talk about denial. Tell me, why do you like difficult men, er I mean alpha males?

Rachelle: Nothing personal here, but you're too nice. And you know what that means? You'll be nice to other women too.

Lucas: Oh ho! I think we're getting somewhere. Some women like difficult men because they're insecure. They figure they're the only one who can put up with him, so no one else will try. Is that it?

Rachelle [squirms]: Being difficult isn't enough. He has to be powerful, unobtainable, strong, and decisive. You know, an alpha male.

Lucas: Code for jerk.

Rachelle: So, Lucas. Tell me why you think you're not an alpha.

Lucas: Cuz I'm a sweetheart and when I love a woman, I treat her like a princess. And you're wrong about me being nice to everyone. There's nice and there's NICE. But I ain't no doormat. You heard me tell Maryanne she couldn't ignore me and then act like I'm at her beck and call.

Rachelle: That's true. You have your principles.

Lucas: Exactly. And I think those unobtainable men are really insecure. They're playing the male equivalent of hard to get. Doesn't make me respect them.

Rachelle: I prefer to think of them as tortured souls.

Lucas: Hey, whatever floats your boat. Anyway, I'm strong and supportive, decisive and loving. I don't think these concepts are antithetical.

Rachelle: You're a smart man, Lucas. That's why I trust you with Maryanne Torres.

Lucas: Thank you, she's mighty special to me, too. You aren't going to show them my handsome face?

Rachelle: Here's how Maryanne describes you while watching you sleep:
Lucas’ face exhibited a day’s growth of beard. Interesting how his beard was reddish brown, but his hair curled dark brown. Eyebrows and eyelashes were thick and lush, also dark brown. His nose flared at just the right angle, and his lips combined a rakish upper curl with a luscious lower lip. The top part of his chest lay exposed, tempting her to touch.
Lucas: Why didn't she touch?

Rachelle: You'll have to ask her. Story's not finished yet, so no more sneaking peeks into her mind.

Lucas: Just be kind to her, will you?

Rachelle: Sure. I'll try. That's why I created you, Mr. Knight.


Title: Hidden Under Her Heart - coming 2013

Protags: Maryanne Torres & Lucas Knight

Logline:  Raped and pregnant, a young nurse seeks justice while holding onto a shameful secret.

Blurb: Maryanne Torres has sworn off sex. Intent on finding a marrying man, she joins a church youth group.

A party at her pastor's house turns into a drinking binge, and Maryanne is raped.

Lucas Knight's only concern was winning the Ironman Triathalon until the morning he finds Maryanne bloody and unconscious in the church parking lot. He becomes the prime suspect, even though Maryanne cannot identify her attacker.

Maryanne wants justice but the identity of her rapist is hidden in the baby she plans to abort.

A trap is set. Lucas races to clear his name and keep Maryanne's secret from drowning her and her baby.



Wednesday, August 22, 2012

#BookChat Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It by Whitney Boyd



Synopsis:
Mikayla: Cute Canadian college girl turned world-famous, super- sexy pop-star practically overnight. And still figuring out if she belongs in this celebrity wonderland.
Jordan: The only genuine guy in all of L.A. Law student, and extremely attractive. Also happens to hate the Hollywood celebrity scene.
Matt: Stupid, lying, money-loving ex-boyfriend trying to get back into Mikaylas life and ruin every hope she has with Jordan.
Kurt: Personal trainer, confidant and only true friend Mikayla has in her new life. Questionable fashion sense included.
Cheryl: Completely psychotic manager.
The next three months? Happily ever after with Jordan. Or social and career ruin with no hope of ever finding true love...
From the Author:
I wrote this book because I've always had the secret dream of being the next Britney Spears except for just one problem. Wait... make that three problems. I don't dance. I can't sing. And I'm not a sexy blonde with a killer smile. So, I did the next best thing. I became a fictional Britney Spears by writing this book! Genius, right?  My novel is based on my life, people I'm close to and lots of pop culture due to my slight addiction to People Magazine. If you like romance, follow the celebrity scene or just want  fun story full of secrets and an unconventional ending, this is your book!
What Readers Are Saying:
     - "It was like reading US Weekly, only not as trashy and better written."
     - "It is a modern Notting Hill, told from the celebrity point of view. Instead of following the struggles of the commoner, dating the celebrity, we follow the celebrity, worried about the commoner."
     - "If you ever want to slip into Jessica Simpsons life vicariously, this is the book for you!"
     - "Boyd's characters were so full of personality and quirks that I couldn't stop laughing, crying, and wanting to punch multiple someones.... I. LOVE. this book!" 
     - "Thought it would be a predictable book, but the author kept making turns that kept me from putting the book down."
Behind the Scenes: The ending of the book was different in my first draft than my last. At first I was a bitupset with my editor and absolutely HATED all her suggestions. I thought that it needed to be the way it initally was, and was disappointed that she wanted some changes. However, as I kept writing and rewriting the story, my characters became so much deeper and more developed and I discovered things about Mikayla, the super star, so that the ending my editor wanted actually made sense. I love how the story turned out, so, as much as I hated editing it, I am extremely glad it became what it did. TANNED would not be the same book without it. 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Triberr in 5 Easy Steps

What is Triberr? Simply put, Triberr is semi-automated retweeting of blog posts by a group of people working together.

Triberr is a website that collects blog posts and Tweeps into a group called the Tribe. Tribes are groups of bloggers who post on similar topics and are happy to share the posts of other bloggers.

As you can see from the graph (found at the Triberr site), using Triberr extends your blog tweets beyond your followers, but into the streams of all their followers too. And this is a big thing! Because, guess what? Blogging in isolation is about as interesting and productive as navel gazing.

Okay, I'm going to show you how to join and work with Triberr in 5 easy steps.

1. Get a Twitter account. Go to Twitter.com and register for an account. Connect your Twitter account to your tribe. You may have more than one twitter account, but you may only connect a single Twitter account to a single tribe. Here I have chosen to connect my one twitter account to all my tribes.

2. Start Blogging and find the RSS Feed for your blog. RSS Feed is an xml document that tags blog content so that a computer program can read it and figure out the URL, tags, content, date, etc. All you need to do is find your blog's RSS Feed. For Blogger, or Blogspot users, it is: http://[blogspot-url]/feeds/posts/default 
Wordpress users can download and install a plug-in that sends their posts to their Triberr account  http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/triberr-wordpress-plugin/ 

Connect your blog to a tribe. You can be a member of different tribes and connect different blogs to different tribes, but you may only connect a single blog to a single tribe.
I chose not connect my Facebook account, because I did not want to flood my Facebook page with tweets.

3. Join a Tribe. You can start your own tribe or find a thriving tribe to join. The best tribes consist of members in the same interest are who are willing to retweet each other's content. So for example, if you are blogging about ancient civilizations, it might not work to be in a tribe of science fiction enthusiasts. My tribe is "Indie Authors"


4. Login and Tweet. Once you're in a tribe, log in every day that you posted to your blog (if not more often). You will see your Tribemate's posts come into your "Home" screen. Click the "thumbs up" and then the Orange button that says "Approve?". Once Approved, it will change colors and be queued into your Twitter feed
You can set your posting interval to make sure you don't flood your tweet stream.
5. Stay in the Tribe. As of June 28th, Triberr is now limiting tribes to be no more than 30. I have recently had to ruthlessly remove nonparticipating members, even when they were my personal friends, to make room for better teammates.
Your tribemates can easily see if you've been sharing or not. You can also remove yourself from a tribe if you find they are not a fit. There are no hard feelings either way. So what are you waiting for? Jump into Triberr and watch your blog grow. I started in April (see intro post) and watched my blog traffic go from 10-20 a day to 200-300 a day.

So that's it! I hope this blog post has been helpful! You can visit me at my blog, Rachelle's Window

Rachelle Ayala is the author of Michal's Window, a provocative love story involving King David. Available at AmazonBarnes &Noble, and Google Play

-- this post was reblogged from Author Tonya Kappes Blog July 12, 2012

Monday, August 20, 2012

#CharacterInterview from Run, River Currents by #Author Ginger Marcinkowski

Author: Ginger Marcinkowski
Book Title: Run, River Currents
Release date: August 6, 2012
Describe the main character of your book in three sentences or less (including both strengths and weaknesses):
 Emily Evans is 27 years old, carrying around the anger and guilt of being sexually abused as a child by her father and emotionally abandoned by her mother. In her mind, she can see herself being a rebellious woman, ruining all of her relationships, but is unable to stop her self-destructive ways, even though she hears the comforting refrain of her grandfather’s voice ensuring her that she is not alone in her battle. She is torn between anger and grace, seeking the peace she’d known as a child before her abuse began.

In what ways do you believe your readers will identify with the main character? What brings his or her story “home”?
Pain is inevitable in every life, whether it is physical, emotional, or sexual. Readers will be able to empathize with Emily because they will see themselves in the way she denies her pain. She covers it with attempted abuse of a child, with alcohol, with anger, with hateful words, with her cattiness, and with her fists. We’ve all been there; had those feeling of wanting to “get back” at someone. The reader will feel the main character’s anger from the first page and will rejoice with her on the last page.
In addition, spouses and friends will be able to better understand their loved ones who were abuse victims—realizing where their (often twisted) perspectives of life, God, and relationships are coming from. This is not meant to excuse wrong behavior but rather to understand how and why they “got there,” and the story of how one woman ultimately moved out of that place, by the grace of God and His persistent love despite her rage and rebellion.

Describe an important point of your main character’s story (OR) Please provide a blurb from your book that you feel provides a strong sample of your book’s overall tone.
            Emily’s anger is pertinent to the story, first, because of how it affected her throughout her life and, second, in that she was finally able to let it go. Anger is an emotion that provokes her actions. When she released her anger, she was finally able to secure the peace she’d been searching for.
Standing over his casket, Emily stared down. Her father’s stories and his lies didn’t matter anymore. He’d droned on and on…his father beat his mom, killed her, went to prison. He’d said Denny would never be a man, never make anything of himself. That much was right, Emily thought. Who cared about his story. Her mother’s either. The effects of their actions coursed through her like an electric current. Emily drew back, her face muscles relaxing. She let her left hand linger at the edge of the casket, sliding her fingers back and forth on the cool surface. Her right fist began to ball. Without looking around, she lifted her arm up and away from her body. She drew in a long, hard breath, her muscles trembling, and then lunged forward, punching hard into his face.
The force sent her father’s head cracking to the left, his lower jaw separating from his skull as though they’d never been attached. His nose pushed upward, making him look like a pig. A trickle of clear fluid began to drip from it. “You’ll never be dead enough,” Emily whispered. “Never.”

What message or feeling would you like for your readers to take away from your book?
I’d like the readers to understand that they are not alone and that there is hope in every situation. I want them to feel the hope Emily feels as the story ends, that she will be able to move on with her life, and even though the past events will never change, she can change her future. Despite dark years of Emily’s life that the book covers, I’m ever the optimist. J

What part of the book was the hardest for you to write? Why?
Because so many of the scenes are based on true events, writing the scene of Maureen’s impending death was the most difficult. To see a self-centered mother realizing her mistakes, admitting them to Emily, looking for her own redemption in her daughter’s eyes while her daughter is struggling with the anger she has for her mother—that was a tough, tough scene.

Purchase links—
Twitter handler:@grm5grm
Email: grm55@me.com



­­Biography
Ginger Marcinkowski was born in northern Maine along the Canadian border which plays a prominent character in Run, River Currents. She is a daughter of divorced parents and one of eight siblings.

Her debut novel, Run, River Currents, was published in August 2012 and was a 2012 semi-finalist in the Association of Christian Fiction Writer's (ACFW) Genesis Awards.

Ginger has been a public speaker and visiting lecturer for many years. She has been a professional reader for the James Jones First Novel Award ($10,000 prize), and is currently a judge for the East-West Writer's Contest. Her works have been awarded honorable mentions and she has placed in several writing contests. She is looking forward to writing full-time in 2013.
Blog: http://noveltravelers.com/