Author spotlight and excerpt: The Man with the Green Suitcase by Dee Doanes

THE NIGHT ISN'T OVER - EXCERPT

Gerald

As soon as Gerald’s head hits the pillow sleep comes to him. One side of his mind senses someone is in the bedroom staring at him from across the room. One the other side of his mind, dreams float closer to him like ocean waves on a shoreline. Whoever is in his room steps closer to the bed. Gerald can tell that the person is irritated. Gerald isn’t scared. He knows instinctively the person won’t hurt him.

“Damn!” a male voice curses. Gerald instantly recognizes the old man’s gravely voice.

Suddenly, Gerald feels a burst of energy coming from the side of his bed—from the old man. The energy pushes down on Gerald, heavy like a weight. He sinks into the bed until he falls out of the bottom and lands feet first inside a very bright room. He squints and covers his eyes because it’s so bright. There’s a large window completely filled with the sun. It’s as if the room is sitting directly inside a ray of sunshine. The old man is outside the window, his face is glowing, the wrinkles moving, alive with beams of sunlight. His chest also emanates with sunlight. The green suitcase is next to him and the pieces of red and white fabric sticking out of it glow like fireflies at dusk on a summer night.

Gerald asks, “What’s going on?” The old man doesn’t answer. He asks again. There’s still no answer. The old man’s unblinking eyes stare back at him.

Gerald looks at his hands and the rest of his body. He’s infused with the sunshine coming from the old man. The entire room is a piece of sunshine. Gerald isn’t sure what this place is. He looks around the room. There’s a brown sofa with an Oriental rug in front of it. A woman encircled in darkness is on the floor digging through the old man’s green suitcase, oblivious to Gerald standing there. The sunshine doesn’t reach the woman and Gerald can’t see her face, so he leans in to see her better. She throws shirts, underwear, and other items in a big pile onto the floor. The woman gets up and turns toward him. The sunshine begins to penetrate the darkness surrounding her, like a spotlight. It moves up her arm, her chest, and just as it gets to her face, the woman disappears.

Then the room becomes dark as if a switch has been turned off. But, Gerald is still bright with sunlight. He walks carefully across the room to see if the old man is outside the window or if the mystery woman has reappeared in a different part of the room. Once again, Gerald hears the same laughter from when he was awake in his office. It’s not the old man’s voice. It gradually gets louder until it sounds like it’s playing on surround-sound speakers. Then, Tony appears directly in front of him sitting on the brown sofa, sunlight spotlighting him.

Tony laughs, flashing his white teeth in a sarcastic smile as he says, “Bankruptcy is bad, but you’ll be okay. Bankruptcy is bad, but you’ll be okay.” His lips move over and over again repeating the phrase like a skipping CD.

Gerald covers his ears and screams, “Shut up!”

Tony keeps on, “Bankruptcy is bad, but you’ll be okay.”

“Nooo…damn you!” Gerald runs toward him, charging with balled up fists. His fist connects with Tony’s face. He feels the bones in Tony’s cheek beneath his knuckles. The bones crack like walnut shells. The sunlight from Gerald’s fist slices through Tony’s cheek and Tony evaporates into the air.

Gerald screams, “Come back! Come back, you bastard!” Breathing heavily like a wild beast, rage seeps from every pore of Gerald’s body. He walks back and forth hoping Tony will come back so he can beat the crap out of him.

After a few minutes, he calms down and that’s when the room brightens again. A light breeze blows across his face. Gerald looks back at the window. It has disappeared along with the old man. Gerald looks at his hands and body and sees that the sunlight has left his body. He looks to see if the old man will reappear. He doesn’t. He’s by himself.

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Dee Doanes is the author of The Man With the Green Suitcase, her first fiction novel.

She has previously published short stories and poetry. She has a deep passion for writing and has been writing since the age of five.

Doanes has a background in copywriting, communications, and social media.

She’s active in several charities and conducts a youth poetry workshop for the Atlanta Writers Club Youth Writing Camp, and is the former co-chair of the Writing in the Schools Program for Georgia Writers.

Doanes lives in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys spending time with her daughter and parents. Doanes’ mother encouraged her to read and to be creative while growing up. In her spare time she enjoys attending writing events and workshops, fitness training, collecting art, world travel, and gourmet cooking.

You can purchase The Man with the Green Suitcase on Amazon.

Author Interview: Brian Collier

What is your name and where do you live now?
Hi there!  My name is Brian Collier and I live in the southern part of the United States.


First off, how has your week been?
Oh, you know, my week has been full of adventures!  Ok, maybe not so much but that’s fine.  I enjoy life and if it includes work and mundane home errands, such is the way of things.  I’ve been able to get some writing done and also do some other creative stuff too so I can’t complain.  


Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
Oh, this is where I get to have a little creative fun and make up all sorts of things about myself!  What?  Oh, I can’t do that?  Well, darn.  In that case, I suppose you’ll get the mundane details of my life :)  For starters, I have a wonderful family that fills my days with memories. When I’m not spending time with them, I’m usually writing, losing myself in all sorts of different worlds and stories. I focus on multiple genres so I never get bored. As much as I enjoy filling my days with tales though, I also like to get away from the keyboard from time to time and when I do, I can usually be found reading, doing something outdoors, or being creative in other ways.  I’ve been writing most of my life, starting with scribbles in grade school and working my way to more cohesive stories, but I didn’t start getting really serious about it until a couple of years ago.  


Please tell us about your current release.
My latest release is an erotic romance novella released by Pink Petal Books in October 2012 called “An Enchanting Surprise”.  It was part of the Boys of Summer erotic romance anthology that was first released in July 2012.  This novella is a heated romantic tale involving a gardener and an Olympic athlete.  Here’s a little teaser about the story:
Skie Wilson is a simple girl with simple tastes. Give her the job at the Cambridge Inn, her outrageous best friend, some puzzles, and a beer, and she's good to go. Of course, the one thing missing from that mix is passion and heat—the kind that makes her heart race, her toes curl, and her body tingle.

Jaded by a cheating fiancé, Skie has avoided commitment ever since. No man has caught her eye enough to make her change her mind, at least not until the Spanish Olympic team arrives for a summer of training before the event. The scorching hot athletes offer quite the temptation, with their sweat-glistened muscles and taut bodies, but one sinfully sexy triathlete captures Skie’s attention the most. Will she hide behind the safety of the inn’s “no fraternization” rule, or will she let her hair down and have a little fun?  You’ll have to read the story to find out ;)


Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
Oh yes, absolutely.  Skie was a great character to write because she was strong but vulnerable, shy yet willing to experience life more.   I’d love to take her romantic story further.   Also, I absolutely adored her best friend.  When I chose that character, I wanted someone different from Skie and I fell in love with her personality.  One day I know I will write her love story also.  


What genre would you place your books into?
An Enchanting Surprise falls under the erotic romance genre but I don’t limit myself to only that one.  I also have a dragon story that falls in the fantasy genre – it was released in October 2012.  I tend to concentrate on the genres of fantasy, paranormal, paranormal romance, erotic romance, and young adult.  


How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
This is always one of the hardest parts of writing for me.  I never start out with character names because I hope that as their personalities flesh out, they will choose them for me.  Of course, that doesn’t always happen and when that’s the case, I start bouncing a bunch of names around in my head until I settle on one.  Even then, they sometimes get changed during the editing stage.  Places I just sort of jot down, playing with word and letter combinations, until I find something I like.


Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
When I first start a new story, I do sketch out in my mind the character traits envision my characters having but often times the characters themselves adjust that image or I decide to adjust it myself based on how the story is flowing.


Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I have suffered from “writer’s block” and it is a frustrating thing to experience, especially if the story was flowing really well up to that point.  Since I work with multiple genres, I always have more than one story in-progress at any given time so when writer’s block sets in on one, I just switch to another.  If that doesn’t work, I may pull myself away from my writing for a bit and work on marketing or administrative tasks.  If worse comes to worse, I pull away from all aspects of writing for a bit and concentrate on something else creative.   Usually my blocks don’t last long as a result.


What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
The first piece of advice I would give a new writer is to have lots and lots of patience.  Once a story is completed and you submit it for publication, every else that happens after that moves slowly.  First it’s waiting to hear back, then it’s the editing process, and then publication process.  All in all, it takes a lot longer than one would initially think.  The second piece of advice would be to have an open mind.  As writers, we fall in love with what we create but sometimes there is still room for improvement.  The editing process will often flesh that out but it can be a painful process sometimes.  You have to trust that your editor(s) know what they are doing and be open minded enough to consider their suggestions.  I often say that the hardest part of writing is the editing process and I think it’s true.  The last piece of advice would be to write what you like.  If you do that, your work will often reflect the passion you felt about it and that can often improve your voice and style.  

Find out more about Brian and his books on his blog or Facebook page.

You can buy his anthology and novella from Pink Petal Books, ARe and Amazon.

Review: Capturing Bliss by Nicole Hurley-Moore

Capturing Bliss by Nicole Hurley-Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love novella length stories for when I want a quick, satisfying read and Capturing Bliss delivers. It is beautifully written with lovely descriptive language and realistic dialogue that feels 'medieval' in tone. Naturally, the story develops quickly due to it's length but it doesn't feel forced or rushed. The chemistry between Bliss and William was wonderful and sensual in places. Their first night together is romantic but sexy.

I expected a little more anguish when Bliss finally reveals that she is not Ivetta but William's reaction was not what I expected and, actually, it was really heart-warming. Hurley-Moore introduces the story in the present day and ends it beautifully in the present day where we get to see the ongoing prosperity of the Reynard family both in love and life.

This is no dramatic tale but lovers of a happy ending, well rounded characters and lovely writing will enjoy this. You will finish it with a smile on your face.

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Finding Hope by Krystal Shannan

Welcome to Krystal, who is sharing with us her beautiful cover for Finding Hope. Check it out below!

FINDING HOPE | Pool of Souls Book 2

Warning: The plot thickens with a passel of pissed off Olympians, but Ares and Aphrodite are in for a double dose of trouble! More Olympians join the mix in Finding Hope: Pool of Souls Book 2. A jewel addict, a kick-ass possibly-virgin huntress, and an insatiable ancient oracle are just a few. But don’t worry; Ares and Aphrodite are still front and center.

Addison Connelly has given up on men. She is disappointed yet again when her best friend tries to play matchmaker, and the match falls flat…or does it? Her friend knows all Addison needs is a chance, a little hope, and maybe a dropkick in the right direction. With an extra push from Aphrodite, will this lonely soul learn to trust again? Or will she run from the only man who could make her happy?

Adrian Colter, Nashville Police Detective and certifiable bachelor, puts his foot in his mouth in a big way when his roommate’s fiancé tries to match him up with her best friend. After making a horrible first impression, can he earn the trust of a woman who won’t speak a civil word to him? 

Adrian isn’t the only one trying to earn the trust of a beautiful woman. While Ares fights to rebuild the trust he lost thousands of years ago with the Goddess of Love, his parents do what they do best —show off their greed and selfishness. Will he find the hope and forgiveness he so desperate seeks or will his parents destroy his chance at happiness?

Check out Krystal's books on Amazon and find her on Facebook.

Book Tour Stop: Accidental Affair by Leslie McKelvey

Welcome to Leslie, who is stopping by today and sharing an excerpt from her new release, Accidental Affair. Be sure to comment as Black Velvet Seductions is giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate!

Jack Vaughn is sure his life is over as he tumbles down the wooded hillside onto the deserted two-lane stretch of asphalt. Years of work ended with a single gunshot. Yet, it’s not over. 

A good Samaritan stops to help him, despite the danger he poses to her. 

Laine Wheeler knows better than to stop for strangers on the rural Montana highway near her home, but her conscience won’t allow her to leave an injured man behind. 

What she doesn’t know is the man is an undercover ATF agent tasked with infiltrating a domestic terrorist group. His cover has been blown and helping him will put her life in danger.

Though there is an instant attraction Jack knows that beginning a romantic relationship with Laine would be both unfair and unwise, yet the farther they run the harder it gets to ignore the feelings that are surging between them.
______________________________________________________________________________

~ Excerpt ~

“All my life people have told me I’m a lucky SOB,” he said. “I guess they’re right.”

“About the lucky or the SOB?” she asked. A small smile lifted the corners of his generous mouth, and Laine found her gaze drawn there, almost against her will.

“Both,” he replied with a ghost of a chuckle.

She blinked when his finger traced from her cheekbone to her jaw.

“Every time I get in a situation where I should be a goner,” he began, “I somehow manage to get out of it. It may be by the skin of my teeth, but somehow I manage.”

Laine gulped. His touch was feather light, like an errant spider web brushing her face. “That’s a good quality to have in your line of work, I’d imagine,” she said, her voice hardly more than a breathy whisper. She cleared her throat. “You’ll live longer with a skill set like that.”

“This is one scrape I wouldn’t have gotten out of without you.” He pushed her braid back over her shoulder.

When he rose, Laine felt very small standing next to him. It wasn’t that he was so much taller than she was, it was just him. She had no doubt when he entered a room people turned to look. His presence, his aura, was tangible, as tangible as his physicality. She stared at the cleft in his chin, unable to move her eyes any higher.

Jack put a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. He looked down at her, and there was such warmth in his silver gaze she couldn’t help but smile.

“Your husband was a very lucky man,” he whispered as he lowered his head. “And so am I.”

______________________________________________________________

Biography
Leslie McKelvey has been writing since she learned to write.  Her mother still stores boxes of handwritten stories in the attic.  Leslie read her first romance at 12 and was hooked.  When her high school Creative Writing teacher told her she needed to be a novelist, she decided to give it a try.  Finally, at the ripe old age of...forty-something...her debut novel, Accidental Affair finally made it into print through Black Velvet Seductions Publishing.  The publisher has also contracted two more manuscripts, which will follow Accidental Affair shortly.  The next story slated for release is Bear’s, so for all of you who fell in love with Jack Vaughn’s best friend, get ready.  The 6’8” FBI agent saves wildlife photographer Beth Drummond’s life and loses his heart to her in the process, a journey that tests the boundaries of loyalty, friendship, and love.

Leslie is a war-veteran who served with the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War, and she was among the first groups of women to work the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.  During her five years of service she was stationed at NAS Miramar (yes, Miramar used to belong to the NAVY) and was an F-14 Tomcat mechanic.  While in San Diego she spent time on the carriers USS Independence, USS Ranger, USS Lincoln, and the USS Nimitz.  The final two years of her enlistment were spent on Guam and her squadron frequently deployed to Japan and the Middle East.

She learned everything she knows about firearms and tactics from her police officer husband, who is a weapons expert and firearms instructor for one of the most highly-respected law-enforcement agencies in the world (and one he wishes her NOT to disclose).  He is her biggest supporter and her unpaid consultant on everything law-enforcement and weapons related.  She has three boys, the oldest of whom will soon be wearing the uniform of a United States Marine (SEMPER FI!).  She spends her off-time (kidding...WHAT off-time?) reading, taking pictures, and sending lead down range (that's shooting, for those who are unfamiliar).  One of her favorite scents is the smell of gunpowder in the morning....

You can purchase Accidental Affair on Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes and Noble. Find out more about Leslie on her blog.

Excerpt: The Gemstone Chornicles Book 2: The Amethyst by William L. Stuart

Today William Stuart is sharing with us an excerpt from Book Two of The Gemstone Chronicles. Enjoy!

The Gemstone Chronicles Book Two: The Amethyst

Ch. 1

     “There was another terrorist attack this morning in Paris, France. A suicide bomber struck during a huge summer music festival…”

The newsreader’s voice went silent as Nana used the remote to change the channel on the television. She stopped at another news channel and the anchor was reporting a multiple shooting in New York. She tried another channel and the news there, though of a local Atlanta variety, was just as depressing. With nothing but bad news, she turned the television off, looked over at her husband Beebop, and sighed.

“I wonder if what the kelpie said was true about the Drow extending their influence into our world. It just seems that as each day goes by, our world gets more violent and darker – and from what you told us about your conversation with the kelpie that would be consistent with the goals of the Drow.”

She was referring to the not-so-mythical water horse that had tried to drown Beebop and their granddaughter Maggie during their unplanned visit to the magical world called Celahir.

Beebop looked up from his breakfast of eggs, sausage links, homemade biscuits, and grits, and wiped his mouth on his napkin.

“I have to believe what the kelpie said was true. It had no reason to lie to me and, since we had its bridle, it was bound to me. Still, that whole episode seems a really bad dream. Left to their own devices, I think that humans are basically good, but they can also be cold, cruel, and heartless when given sufficient motivation. Where that motivation comes from is anybody’s guess. Is the influence from the Drow, greed, despair, or just from human nature? That is the million-dollar question.”

“Speaking of the Drow and Celahir, I wonder how Findecano is progressing with his quest. It has been almost three months since we left him to continue on with his journey.”

Findecano was the elf that had been trapped in a chiastolite fairy cross stone. Nana and Beebop’s grandchildren, Aidan and Maggie, had freed him from his prison – against their grandparents’ wishes. Findecano’s quest was to recover the stolen Elven Bow gemstones. Beebop had retrieved the first of those stones – a beautifully smooth, oval cabochon carnelian. Findecano had left them back in the human world and continued on his quest searching for the next missing stone – the Amethyst.

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t underestimate him. He is very driven to recover the gems stolen from the Light Elves. I believe he thinks the theft is his fault, since it was on his watch that they were stolen.”

He paused for a moment, thinking about the gemstones, Findecano, Celahir, and their grandchildren.

“When are the grandchildren going to be out for the summer?”

“Do you miss them as much as I do?” Nana asked. Beebop nodded and she continued, “Their last day of school is next Friday. If I know Aidan, he will be expecting us to be there to pick him up on that Friday and bring him back here with his sister in tow.”

“Have you talked to Laura about how they are going to spend the summer?” Beebop knew that every summer for the last fourteen years, Aidan had come to stay with them for almost the entire vacation period. It had been a little tough when he was younger and they had to work, but a summer camp with swimming lessons had helped a lot. Not only did he have a healthy activity to do, but also had learned to swim and how to make friends in new places. Maggie had not gone to the camp when she got old enough, so she had not learned to swim as well as Aidan. Now that Nana and Beebop were semi-retired, perhaps they could get her into swimming lessons this summer. However, Aidan was almost fourteen and Maggie was ten, so they knew that at some point the grandchildren were not going to want to spend summer vacation with their grandparents. Nana and Beebop hoped to milk it as long as they could, though.

“I did ask her about it the other day and as far as she knew, they were planning on coming as soon as they got out, but she was supposed to confirm that and let me know. I think she and Mike were planning on going camping, but I haven’t heard from her yet.”

Beebop smiled in anticipation of the children’s visit. They had always been close, but had grown even closer since their visit to Celahir. Something about facing danger together tended to do that. Beebop still had fond memories of his time in the Navy aboard the submarine. He knew that you make friends that have a very special bond when you face dangers together. During their first visit to Celahir, they all faced death on a number of occasions, and those experiences had really forged that strong bond between them.

“I am going to the workshop to work on your china cabinet as soon as I clean up the kitchen. What do you have planned for today?” Beebop asked, changing the subject.

“I was hoping to do some antique shopping this afternoon. I heard that a new store has opened near here and I want to go check it out. Would you like to go with me?” she asked.

“Sure – if we can drive the Corvette. I need a couple of hours in the workshop and then I will take a shower and we’ll go.”

“I promise not to buy anything big so we can drive your mid-life crisis,” Nana replied impishly.

Beebop grinned at her, got up from the table, and carried their empty breakfast plates into the kitchen and set about cleaning up. Nana left him to his chore and she went into the office to look at her food blog stats and plan her next blog post.

About the time that Nana and Beebop were eating breakfast, Aidan and Maggie were waking up from sleeping late. It was their custom since it was Saturday and they did not have school. Or, more accurately, Aidan was sleeping late. Maggie had been awake for a while, and, when Aidan finally opened his eyes, he saw his blonde sister sitting patiently at the foot of his bed.

He sat straight up, instantly awake, and asked her irritably, “What are you doing in here this early on a Saturday morning? I wanted to sleep late today!”

Maggie answered back just as irritably. “You did sleep late. It is almost nine o’clock. Besides, I had the dream again, so I slept at the foot of your bed. I don’t know what the dream means except that Findecano and the other elves need our help and I don’t know how to help them. I wish summer vacation would get here so we could go to Nana and Beebop’s. They will know what to do.”

“Mom hasn’t said whether we could go for the summer or not. She and Dad may not let us go right away. They want to go camping,” Aidan said, irritation still in his voice.

“They have to let us go. I will go crazy if I keep having this dream and if I try to tell Mom and Dad, they will think I have lost my mind or that I am making it up. I can tell Nana and Beebop about it,” Maggie complained.

“You should tell Mom and Dad. We should tell them everything that happened,” Aidan said quietly. “I know that they will think we made the whole thing up or that we have gone insane, but I still think we should tell them.”

“If we tell them, they will think that we play too many video games and that is why we are having nightmares,” Maggie answered seriously.

Aidan grunted, stifled a yawn, got out of bed, stretched, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He trundled off to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his hair. Maggie got off the foot of the bed, sighed and wished the dream would just stop.

The dream always started the same way. She was walking in Celahir with Aidan, Nana, and Beebop. She could see, in a foggy kind of way, Findecano, Alatariel, Luthien, and Lotheth, their elven friends from Celahir. They were in a forest, and she could hear birds chirping and see the sun shining. Her family was laughing and joking as they walked and she could see the elves turn to look at them and laugh, too. Then, suddenly, the sky turned dark, lightning flashed, and rained poured from the sky. They dashed into the trees and took shelter under a huge chestnut tree. Chestnut trees are supposed to provide protection during storms, which is why they took shelter there. She could see her family standing under the tree laughing, rain dripping from their hair. She could see the elves, too, but instead of them laughing, they had looks of terror on their faces as they were swept up in a dark cloud and disappeared into the blackness of the storm. She always woke up right after that, never knowing what had happened to her friends. She did not think that the dream was what really happened, but it told her that her friends were in great danger in Celahir. Maggie knew that she was probably receiving these dreams because she had learned some telepathic abilities using her quartz crystal the last time they were in Celahir. She wore the quartz on a silver chain around her neck during the day and left it on the nightstand by her bed at night, so the stone was always near. She knew she should probably get rid of it, but the idea of not being able to see what might be happening to her friends made her keep it. The thing she did not know was whose thoughts she was receiving and that scared her. Maggie also knew that if Findecano and the others were not able to recover all of the gemstones stolen from the Elven Bow, then the Drow would win and darkness would reign over Celahir and, perhaps, the human world, too. She wanted to tell someone besides Aidan, but her parents would not understand and she never had a chance to talk to Nana and Beebop without one of her parents being around, so it was driving her crazy. She did not sleep much because of her dream and it was beginning to show. She had dark circles under her eyes and, though she and Aidan were both good students, schoolwork was not a priority right now. Luckily enough, school was almost out and then she and Aidan would go to their grandparents’ house and she could tell them everything. She sighed again and slowly shook her head as Aidan came back into his room.

“Let’s go get some breakfast. I’m hungry.”

Maggie nodded her head and followed him down the stairs to see what their dad had prepared for breakfast.

* * *

     Beebop worked on the china cabinet he was building for Nana. It was almost complete, but he still had to build and install the cornice for the hutch. He set up his table saw and miter box and began to cut the crown molding that would finish off the piece. Once he had cut the pieces to length and mitered the corners, he attached them to the top of the hutch. He drove in the last finishing nail and stood back to admire his handiwork.

“Not bad, Beebop!” he muttered to himself.

He looked at his watch and realized that a little more than two hours had passed, so he hurriedly cleaned up the shop, put away his tools, and headed to the house to take a shower.

After he showered, he shaved, leaving his white beard neatly trimmed. He had grown the beard during their first trip to Celahir. While there, his beard had gotten somewhat long and he thought it had made him look like some kind of deranged prophet. Nana had teasingly called him Whitebeard the Pirate while in Celahir. Once he trimmed it, though, he decided that he liked the look and he decided to keep it. Nana liked it, too, so that made it all the better. He dressed in jeans and a polo shirt and put on his walking shoes. He gathered his wallet and keys and was just about to close his closet door when he remembered his jeweler’s loupe was in his valet, so he put it in his pocket. Since he and Nana were going antiquing, he might be able to use it to find a treasure. He smiled to himself and headed downstairs to find his real treasure.

He found Nana sitting at the computer in the home office, putting the finishing touches on her latest blog post. She had made shrimp creole the previous night, photographed the dish beautifully, and posted it to her very popular web site. Of course, the best part was that he got to eat it! She got up from the chair, grabbed her purse, and kissed him lightly.

“How goes the china cabinet?”

“Construction is complete. I just have to paint it – as soon as you decide what the color is going to be.”

“I can’t decide whether to have it distressed black or a creamy white. I think it will help if we go antiquing. I might get some inspiration. Let’s go find some treasures.”

Beebop smiled at her enthusiasm, took her hand, and led her out the door to his car.

______________________________________________________________

When Aidan and Maggie find a fairy cross while rock-hunting with their grandfather, it's just an oddity. But when they discover there is an elf imprisoned in the stone and set him free, they and their grandparents, Nana and Beebop, are attacked by Dark Elves and have to flee to the magical world of Celahir.

In Celahir, Findecano - the elf the children freed from the fairy cross - leads them on a quest to recover gemstones stolen from the Elven Bow by the Dark Elves. Without the restoration of the gemstones to the Elven Bow, the balance between good and evil in Celahir - and the human world - could tip toward evil.

You can purchase the The Gemstone Chronicles on Amazon and Smashwords.

Promo opportunity for Romance/Erotica authors

Hi everyone, I've been working with fellow romance author, Krystal Brookes on a romance Facebook page for a while and we've finally decided to branch out into blogging in an attempt to bring readers and writers together in a fun way. We wanted less in your face promotion and more fun! So we're sharing some hot, hot, hot excerpts from some of the most talented authors around, the best pics of the week, author interviews with a twist and various other exciting things to come, along with some giveaways.

We're also very aware that there's limited exposure out there for those that write erotica and steamy romance. Whilst we very keen to cover all ends of the romance spectrum because we ourselves love both clean and smutty stuff, we also want to create a place where it's ok to share the naughtier side of romance. While my stuff verges on the sensual side, I will be sharing some of my more heated moments on the blog.

So if you're a reader, drop by for a bit of fun and some great snippets and if you're an author we have loads of promo opportunities going, from featuring your book cover, to author interviews, to excerpts and giveaways. Check out the fun at Love, Lust and Lipstickstains!

Author Interview: Pippa Jay

What is your name and where do you live now?
My pen name is Pippa Jay, and my home town is historical Colchester in the UK.


First off, how has your week been? Manic! I've had my three little monsters home from school for the holidays, so keeping them fed and entertained doesn't leave much room for anything else.


Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I never really thought about becoming a writer because I wrote all the time so I saw it as something I already was. But being a published writer only became an aspiration a couple of years ago.


Did you have any say in the title / cover of your book?
My contract for Keir gave my publisher the power to change the title, but they didn't do so. As for the cover - not really. I filled in the usual cover art questionnaire, but the final cover was nothing like I expected. That's been a good thing though - it's proven very popular.        


Is there a part of the story you really liked but had to remove, and if so, could you tell us why?
I had to remove an exchange between my two haemovores and their biomechanoid companion. I hated taking it out because it said so much about those three minor characters, but it wasn't moving the story forward, and myself and my editor had been charged with removing 5K from the total. So it was an obvious section to cut. But I'm planning to use it in another story, so all is not lost!


Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I love all my characters and want to work with them again! There's a folder full of story ideas for Quin - the female MC from Keir - and I originally intended Keir to be book one of a five book series. I also have plans to write a collection of short stories for several of the subsidiary characters, because I think they all deserve a turn and have something to say.


What does your protagonist think about you? Would they want to hang out with you, their author and creator?
Lol, I'm not sure he'd want to hang around with me after everything I put him through, and what I still have planned for him, bwah-ha-haaaaaa!


What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I've always been a scifi fan, so it wasn't even a conscious thought or decision, just what spilled out of me. The romance snuck in when I wasn't looking.


How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Character names usually come to me after I've decided their appearance, personality traits and their destiny in the story. I've used anything from baby naming books, random name generators, foreign languages and words collected from CAPTCHA for character and place names. Bet you never thought those annoying 'prove you aren't a robot' things could be useful. ;)

Can you describe the feeling you had when you saw your published book for the first time?
I cried - I'm such a sap. It's a bit different with an eBook because you don't have a physical copy, so I actually had an early copy on my Kindle before release. I think it was more when I could see it up on Amazon and other sites, and it hit me that people could really buy and download it that the reality sank in. I was petrified, excited - I remember feeling a bit sick. All the euphoria and equally paranoia got to me. Would people buy it? Would people like it? And I was officially an author, which was just awesome.

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Outcast. Cursed. Dying. Is Keir beyond redemption?
For Keirlan de Corizi--the legendary 'Blue Demon' of Adalucien--death seems the only escape from a world where his discolored skin marks him as an oddity and condemns him to life as a pariah. But salvation comes in an unexpected guise: Tarquin Secker, a young woman who can travel the stars with a wave of her hand.
But Quin has secrets of her own. She's spent eternity searching through space and time with a strange band of companions at her back. Defying her friends' counsel, Quin risks her apparent immortality to save Keir. She offers him sanctuary and a new life on her home world, Lyagnius.
When Keir mistakenly unleashes his dormant alien powers and earns instant exile from Quin's home world, will she risk everything to stand by him again?  

You can purchase Keir here and find out more about the book on Facebook. __________________________________________________________________
Mum to three little monsters, scifi author, devoted The Rasmus fan and Sith in training. Happily settled in historical Colchester with my husband of nineteen years, I continue to roam the rest of the Universe inside my head.

Author Spotlight: Sheena L. Smith

Please welcome Sheena, who is my author spotlight for the day. Stay and find out a little more about Sheena's work and herself.

1: What is the title of your book?

“Life Simply Put: 18 Simple Words for an Abundant Life” by Sheena L. Smith

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

It came from me thinking and wondering what would I tell my 6 children about life. What have I learned can help an individual have a great life. What’s important to know about life, about treating others, about being happy.

3: What genre does your book come under?

It is under non-fiction: self-help, personal transformation.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

It would have to be someone funny and adventurous. Maybe Jennifer Aniston.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

I hope that by reading it you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

My book is self-published. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapter/Indigo and other book venues all over the world.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It is a short book therefore, it didn’t take long to write. What took the time, was laying it out and deciding upon the perfect pictures and quotes to go with each specific word.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

The Secret, Law of Attraction, Power of Intention are other books that my book my somewhat be compared to, although mine is more simply put.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired to write this because of my 6 children that I treasure and would love for them to be happy with their choices and lives. I have also had a lifelong dream to write a book one day. I decided there’s no time like the present. I have a much longer book in mind –actually in rough but I knew that I needed to “learn the ropes” so to speak because I am teaching myself everything that needs to be done with my book due to limited finances. I’m happy to be learning that anyone can write a book if they are creative enough and persistent it can all come together.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Many are using my book as a great gift for their family members and friends because it is heartfelt and unique. I am honored that it is an Amazon Best Seller and I have recently won a Gold Seal for Literary Excellence from my publisher.  

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"Life Simply Put" is a mothers view on 18 Simple words for an Abundant Life.  It is the authors hope that through reading this book you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth. May you always give and get respect and know that you matter! Relieve Stress - Live your best life - Be good to yourself!

This is the kind of book you may read through all at once then during different times in your life you may reread various sections to reflect on decisions and life choices for the pursuit of your happiness and well being. You are responsible for your own happiness. Make choices that will honor your spirit and bring you joy. Are you searching for words of inspiration and encouragement? Look no further than this book. It may lead you to an abundant life.

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Sheena loves meeting others and enjoys helping adults and children, alike. Her paths in life have led her to a blended career life, which allows her to work with both children and adults.Sheena writes online articles on health and a variety of other topics. She is also a licensed Brain Gym ® Instructor. She works as a Special Educational Assistant.

To find out more about Sheena you can visit her blog here and her book is available to pucharse here.

Book tour interview: For Love of Sarah

Please welcome Hazel Statham who is stopping by on her blog tour today and talking about her new release, For Love of Sarah. 

Be sure to comment as Hazel will be awarding winner's choice of either a Cream Coin Freshwater Pearl necklace or a digital copy of DOMINIC or HIS SHADOWED HEART (international giveaway) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

What is your name (or pen name) and where do you live now?
I write under my own name, Hazel Statham and I live in an area in the UK called The Midlands - Staffordshire to be precise.  It is an area known for its pottery industry with such well-known names as Wedgewood, Dolton and Spode etc.  I have lived in the city all my life and live in a quiet residential area with my husband and our lovely Labrador, Mollie.


First off, how has your week been?
In a word, hectic.  Our grandson came to visit for the day yesterday and he and Grandpa did nothing but squabble like two naughty children all day, plus Mollie just had to join in their wrestling matches, which created even more mayhem – it was hilarious!   On the downside, we have been very worried about my daughter’s foal who suddenly became very ill but, thankfully, due to the quick actions of our vet, is now well on the road to recovery. As with all young animals, foals are susceptible to all manner of strange illnesses and Willow is no exception.  Now she’s trotting around the field with all the other horses.  It was very worrying at the time but now she’s back to her usual cheeky self.


Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
I am now officially retired, although, I haven’t gone out to work for the past nineteen years.  Previously I worked as an accounts officer and prior to that a personnel officer.  I started writing at the age of fifteen and have written on and off ever since. I don’t know exactly what prompted me to write my first book at such an early age – I just found myself putting pen to paper and so started my first novel.  Of course, everything had to be written in longhand as I didn’t own a typewriter then and there were certainly no signs of computers.  My passion was for historical novels as it is now and I immersed myself in creating my own historical world.


Please tell us about your current release.
My new release it titled FOR LOVE OF SARAH.

Here is a brief blurb:-      How many times can a heart be broken?  How many times can love be denied?  Sarah and Alexander were destined for each other but after just four short weeks of marriage, their lives were torn asunder.

     Alexander, Earl of Thorne thought he had found his ideal mate but, when Sarah absconded shortly after their marriage, his world came crashing down.  Now, five years later, he discovers her in a remote Yorkshire village.

    Sarah had thought she was safe, but when, severely injured in a freak accident, her husband is thrust once more into her life, she fears her dark secrets and the fact she has a son, will become known.  

    Despite her own desperate longings, she continually repudiates Alexander’s efforts of reconciliation. However, fate conspires against her, and when her home is made uninhabitable by floods, she and her young son are forced to accept his aid and return to her former home.

   Discovery threatens and, despite her breaking heart, she plans to leave Alexander’s life.  What is this secret that makes it so imperative that she should abscond from him yet again?  Can two broken hearts cleave and emerge victorious or will life's cruel forces tear them apart forever?  

Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?
Believe it or not, I had just the first six words my hero utters at the beginning of the first chapter, “Why now?  Dear God, why now?” and it grew from there.  Later came the details of the accident that threw my hero and heroine together after five long years apart and so the story began.  I checked the facts of Alexander’s injury with a doctor before taking it any further to make sure my storyline was feasible.  Apart from that, I listened to my characters and let them dictate the course of the story.


What was your favourite chapter to write and why?
I think it is the penultimate chapter when the villains are thoroughly dealt with and all is satisfactorily revealed. I took great pleasure in plotting their downfall and I wanted it to be thorough and complete – it was!


What was the hardest part of writing your book?
About half-way through the book I began to doubt its validity.  So much so that I asked a fellow author to read it through.  In just a few short days came the message, “If you don’t finish this book and tell me what Sarah’s secret is, I’ll strangle you!”  I had two possible scenarios in mind and wanted to make sure I chose the right one – the other I will save for another story.


Are your books available as eBooks? Were you involved in that process at all? Do you read eBooks or is it paper all the way?
Yes, all my books are available as eBooks.  I’m very lucky that my publisher produces them as eBooks and paperbacks.  Two years ago my husband bought me a Kindle and I am hooked.  It goes everywhere with me including hospital and holidays – how else can you carry so many books with you (I currently have 108 on mine)?  At first, I resisted joining the digital age and clung to my paperbacks but now I love my eBooks too.  Of course, paperbacks still have their value and I am steadily working my way through a large bookcase full of historical novels.


Did you have any say in the title / cover of your book?
The title is wholly my own and was decided on early in the writing process, but my publisher produced the cover.  I am, of course, allowed some input, but the final decision is their’s.


How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
It varies greatly.  DOMINIC (one of my earlier books) took just three months as he just strode onto the stage and demanded he tell his own story, but the depth of emotion in FOR LOVE OF SARAH required a lengthier process and I think it took almost a year to write.


Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
I have gained inspiration from many different sources.  All it needs is a line from a song, a dream, or as in this case, just six words from a film to set the creative thoughts in process.  I usually have some idea where I want the storyline to go but I leave the final decision up to my characters.  Sometimes inspiration comes at the most inconvenient of times, for example on a ten hour flight across the Atlantic when I was desperate to find something to write on but could find nothing.  As soon as we arrived at our hotel in Florida, I dragged my husband out in search of pen and paper.  I’ve never travelled without them since!
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How many times can a heart be broken?  How many times can love be denied?  Sarah and Alexander were destined for each other but after just four short weeks of marriage, their lives were torn asunder.

   

Alexander, Earl of Thorne thought he had found his ideal mate but, when Sarah absconded shortly after their marriage, his world came crashing down.  Now, five years later, he discovers her in a remote Yorkshire village.

  

Sarah had thought she was safe, but when, severely injured in a freak accident, her husband is thrust once more into her life, she fears her dark secrets and the fact she has a son, will become known.  

  

Despite her own desperate longings, she continually repudiates Alexander’s efforts of reconciliation. However, fate conspires against her, and when her home is made uninhabitable by floods, she and her young son are forced to accept his aid and return to her former home.

   

Discovery threatens and, despite her breaking heart, she plans to leave Alexander’s life.  What is this secret that makes it so imperative that she should abscond from him yet again?  Can two broken hearts cleave and emerge victorious or will life's cruel forces tear them apart forever?  

~

Excerpt

“There is no man with whom I live. I am thought to be a widow by the villagers.”
   
“A widow? By God, you would feel so, in fact, if I were able to leave this accursed bed. He would find no place to be safe from me!”
   
“There is no one,” she cried, her voice rising to the verge of tears.
   
“Then he has left you,” stated the earl, coldly. “Taken what he desired and left you to bear the consequences alone. Or did he discover your duplicitous nature and decide he would not play the fool to your deception?”
   
“My nature is not at all as you suppose, sir. I merely fell prey to a circumstance that has blighted my life.”
   
“Infidelity and desertion are definitely circumstances that blight your life, and those who are associated with you. When I sought your brother, it was reported that he had gone to India. Even your grandfather is in ignorance of your whereabouts. I thought you may have flown to him, but when I looked for you there, he had no more information than I and the poor man is desperate for knowledge of you.”
   
And if he should have that knowledge, he would disown me and his life would be in ruin. “It is best that you and he should forget my existence. I have built a new life far removed from your world.”
  
“You are still my wife, Sarah!”