Announcement!

For two days only...drumroll, please...Ride for Rights, my historical young adult novel is FREE  on Amazon. 
That's all I wanted to say about that. LOL. For those of you who don't know what's it about,  here is the blurb:

In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone. 

From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert. 

Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?


For those of you who do go to the page and download it free, would you mind giving the book a "Like" and  taking the time to tag it?

In other news, Dog Tails is $1.99 for the month of August and back up to its original $2.99 next month. 

Thanks, all! Happy reading! I'll have more books out there soon. :)

The Road Back by Liz Harris

I give this book major points for uniqueness, in story, setting, and ending. It's also very heavy on grief, how people handle it, and things parents can do wrong. At least, that's what I felt as I read this.

Patricia  has been living in the shadow of her brother her entire life. Her brother was her father's pride and joy, but he suffers seizures. Some part of her father blames her for it and no matter what she does or accomplishes, she isn't as good as what James could have been or the situation would have been better had James been there. This aspect; her father, got pretty sickening at times. But it happens. Mega dose of reality.

So when she travels to Ladakh with him, a place her remembers fondly from the war, she feels like the golden child for the first time ever, but then she falls in love with Kalden, their "pony boy."

First of all the fifties and sixties... We're talking different cultures, countries, and colors here. And this is your plot. I found it a weak plot considering the length of the book, but I appreciated it all the same. You can imagine her controlling father is not going to react well. The main question is how is Patricia going to  handle it?

Kalden meanwhile, is the fourth son, and they get nothing. He has to be a monk. How can a monk love a woman?

Very rich in descriptive details. If you want to travel to Tibet or the Himalayas and don't have the funds or the time, this is the book for you. As I said above, I appreciated the parenting/grief story line.

I especially liked the scene in which Patricia finally woke up to something about herself...
"That girl had been so certain that after years of being in the shadow of her father's love for her brother, she had stepped out from that shadow and been seen for herself..."

I appreciated the unique ending as well, but I have to admit, in the end, I did not like Patricia and I was disappointed with her and her choices, that she never really stuck up to her father. Three bikes.

Joanne Stewart Talks About Making Sacrifices

Please welcome Joanne Stewart as she talks about sacrifices. We've all made them. Here's how she incorporate it into a book:

"Have you ever made any sacrifices for your family? I’m what is currently being called a stay-at-home mom. Personally, I think that’s the PC term for housewife. It’s old fashioned, and people who work outside the home sometimes smile at me funny when I say it. It used to bother me to tell people I don’t work. Truth is, I do. I work for my kids, but shh. Don’t tell them that. They’re spoiled enough. ;)

I’ve dedicated my life to my family. As a parent, sacrifice comes with the territory. It starts when they’re those tiny, adorable little babies. You’ll do anything for them. When I had my first, I quit school to stay home with him. At the time, my husband was also going to school, and I made the sacrifice. I stayed home so my husband could finish his degree.

When the kids are really small, you give up small things. Like sleep and going to the bathroom alone (okay, so this one runs into toddlerhood). Heck, sometimes even showering on a daily basis. Definitely privacy. When my kids were under three, I got used to someone banging on the bathroom door or simply barging right in. Sometimes I’d leave the door open completely. I’d just gotten so used to it. Funny enough, now that my kids are teenagers, I still don’t go to the bathroom alone. Nowadays, my Chihuahua, Tiger, has to be in the bathroom with me or she scratches at the door until I’m finished.

My heroine, Emma, is the same. She made sacrifices for her family. Being the oldest child, she grew up helping her mother take care of her little sister, helping her take care of the house. Her father left them at a young age, and Emma stepped up to the plate to help her mother keep their family together. At fourteen, she got a job to help pay the bills. When her mother began to get sick, she once again picked up the slack. She helped take care of her ailing mother and took over watching her sister. At twenty-two, her mother died, leaving her guardian to her then sixteen year old sister. Before the story opens, her sister dies in a motorcycle accident, leaving her guardian to her six month old niece.

For Emma, sacrifice has ruled her entire life. She spent her life taking care of everyone else. Now she has to risk the only family she has left when she discovers her niece’s father has no idea he has a child. Her sister took his choice away from him. Emma knows what it’s like to grow up without a father, and she wants what’s best for her niece. Even if means the possibility that Dillon will want sole custody.

So, what about you all? Have you to make any sacrifices in your life? Were you sorry you made them? Me? I’m not sorry I made mine. I’ll be honest. I’m a believer in things like fate and synchronicity. Looking back, my whole life brought me to this moment. So I honestly can’t regret any part of my past, good, bad or indifferent. It’s all what led me here."

Blurb:

They can't forget the past, but is it enough to create a future?

When an accident leaves her guardian to her six-month-old niece, Emma Stanton must return to her small hometown of Hastings, Montana to find the one man she's spent the last eight years trying to forget. She and Dillon had grown up together--he was her sister's best friend. But that hadn't stopped him from sharing a kiss with Emma that had followed her through the years. Now, not only must she break the news of her sister's tragic death to Dillon, but she must risk the only family she has left and tell him he's the baby's father.

Wealthy nightclub owner Dillon James has been used for his name and money one too many times, so when he comes face-to-face with Emma Stanton and her gorgeous lips, he's determined to keep things light. All he wants is to be the father his daughter needs, to make up for not being there for her and her mother. But spending time with Emma, as she shows him the ropes of caring for his daughter, is wearing down his defenses. Perhaps it's time he took a chance on love.

If only he can convince Emma to take a chance on him...

Excerpt:

He hesitated, his eyes flicking to hers. He waited until Emma gave a nod of encouragement before taking her. He held Annie out in front of him for a moment, looking lost and awkward, clearly out of his element.

“Hold her against you like this.” Emma made a cradling motion with her arms, showing him how to hold the baby against his shoulder.

Dillon pulled Annie gingerly against his chest, tucking one arm beneath her bottom and resting the other on her back. Except for their eyes, the two couldn’t be more different. Dillon’s skin had been darkened by the summer sun, whereas Annie’s was pale, creamy porcelain. Being huge like he was, Annie looked like a doll in his arms. He had biceps bigger than her. Yet, somehow, they looked perfect together.

“God, she’s so small. I’m almost afraid I’m going to break her.” He stared at Annie, awe in his voice and reached one large finger up to stroke a soft, chubby cheek.

Emma smiled. “I don’t think we have to worry about that. You were a pain in my butt, but I’ve never known you to be a bully.”

One corner of his mouth lifted, amusement lighting his eyes when his gaze flicked to her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Annie leaned back in his arms and the two of them regarded each other. Dillon smiled. When she laid a chubby hand against his mouth, he opened his lips and pretended to eat her fingers, making, “nom nom nom” sounds, eliciting a hearty giggle. That heart-stopping grin spread across his mouth and awe illuminated his eyes.

Emma’s heart ached, tears burning behind her eyelids. Father and daughter together at last. A bittersweet moment. After seeing them together, she knew she made the right decision coming here. She wanted Annie with her father, but the thought of losing her broke Emma’s heart in two. She couldn’t imagine not seeing Annie’s smiling face each morning or not rocking her to sleep at night. For the first time in her life, she’d be totally alone.

Wrapping her arms around her middle, Emma turned to stare at the fireplace along the far wall. The orange and gold flames danced along the small pile of logs. If she were lucky, she’d convince Dillon to share custody. It would mean rearranging her entire life. They’d have to share visitation, and she’d likely have to move back to Hastings, but those were small details. She’d do anything to keep Annie.

Links:

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Playboys-Baby-ebook/dp/B008RPKBMM

Website: http://authorjmstewart.com
Blog: http://jm-stewart.blogspot.com/

A Poem from Lorraine Nelson

A friend of mine sent me a poem one day and I liked it so much, I asked her permission to post it on here. Please, welcome Lorraine Nelson and her poem, Peer Pressure.

Chris and Sam, Lorraine's Son and Grandson.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure can be such a wonderful thing

If it makes you strive to do great things,

But the wrong kind of pressure is not very smart

If you find that your life is falling apart.

Don't get into drugs, smoke, or get drunk.

It leads to a life where your future is sunk.

Reality becomes such a meaningless word

As your world becomes troubled and seems so absurd.

Life is what you make it, and it truly will be

Fulfilling and happy if you prepare properly.

A good education is a must, it is true,

But be careful to train for a career that is you.

It's nothing repulsive to base our success

On hopes, dreams, and talents as we give it our best.

It's work and commitment…a responsible you…

That's what it takes to make dreams come true.

So if you find yourself tempted to do what you ought not,

Remember your goals. Self-confidence is taught…

By truly believing in what you want to achieve.

Do it for you! That's the basis you need.

© 1994 Lorraine Nelson

Lorraine Nelson lives in rural New Brunswick, on the east coast of Canada. Always a bookworm, she’s read many novels of romance and mystery over the years, finally deciding to put her pen to work at writing one. “To write romantic suspense is my dream job, although my mom says I was born with an avid imagination and pencil in hand, crafting stories from an early age.”
 
I am mother to three wonderful boys, grandmother to four fantastic grandsons and two beautiful granddaughters. I live alone with an independent yet affectionate tomcat. Now my children have grown and have lives of their own, I have time to indulge my passion for writing. When not at the computer, you can find me spending time with family, gardening, baking and, of course, reading.

This is me. This is who I am and I'm loving it!

Find her on Facebook

Please Welcome Fantasy Writer Aurora Martinez

Today, I'm sharing with you an excerpt of an up and coming fantasy novel. Please give Aurora a big welcome.

"As a fantasy writer, I want to take people into a unique world.  In my novella, Child of the Loch, we are transported into the mythical land of the Loch and follow Josephina McDonnell on her journey to become Queen. She faces love, betray and magic.

Excerpt:

Prologue

As the King, lay wheezing his last breaths, he contemplated his kingdom’s future. His fastest messenger had just been sent to the far west and would be riding past the borders of the Lochoan lands. The journey would take the messenger further than anyone had ridden in the last years of King’s rule.  Only one had made the arduous trek that had traveled through all the lands of his allies, leaving a trail of tears and sadness to a destination far beyond the pale, pink, rising sun and the blue rain clouds of the Loch.

The King squeezed his almond shaped eyes tight against the physical pain. He was so ravaged by the illness that no one would recognize the King, a ghost of his former self. Now, only his amber eyes were a distinguishable sign of his royal line. 

The King had once been the handsomest man in the kingdom but now his pale, lined face contorted again and again as tremors took him. Clumps of salt and pepper hair fell from his inflamed pink scalp whilst fever blisters popped oozing water and lymph into jaundiced eyes, shut tight; flakes of pasty skin peeled from his dry lips like dried corn husks. 

The King’s endured every moment of the physical pain of his illness without complaint, but it was the heartache that was unbearable and made him cry out to the God of his forefathers.  He longed for the days when he ruled with his beloved Queen and his son, the Prince, a shadow of them both. 

The King could not escape the thoughts of his beloved son, a mirror of himself when he was healthy. Both men were hard-headed, amber-eyed and so unforgiving of each other, that it seemed that there never could be reconciliation. What transpired could not be undone and the now exiled Prince was far away in presence, mind and spirit.  For this, the King waited, begged, and prayed for death to come and sweetly end his pain. He needed it to release him from his bonds, but not before bringing the Prince home to the Loch.

The many years since the Prince had been banished passed with prejudice. The slow, steady decline of the once strong King was unexpected in the view of the long lives of his predecessors. Many believed that his illness came from mourning the loss of the Loch’s only heir. They knew that the King’s broken heart still bore the weight of the Queen’s death at the hands of a rival years earlier. However, not one person could begin to fathom the true reasons of the King’s illness. Test after test drew the answers and confirmations needed from the royal physicians. It was not grief that had stolen the spry King’s health but poison from magic of darkness or herb of the vine that took its hateful vengeance upon his body. 

There was no antidote of herb or spell. The cure for one could cause another to slaughter him more rapidly and excruciatingly. The priests and apothecaries knew that the long list of poisons or black magics in the Loch that caused the King’s symptoms would all end horribly with the much-loved King cold and maimed in his grave. He would be unrecognizable to all who knew him and no hope of recovery. The King’s death warrant was signed, sealed and awaiting its hour of designation. The King was a slave in his own body, mastered by the unnamed venom that flowed throughout his skeletal body.

Imminent death has a way of boomeranging the thoughts of a life once lived and regrets harp like old women. The King again reflected on the hard truths that brought him here. He dwelled on the perpetrator of this horrific act of treason that would leave his kingdom heirless and without a future in its wake.

 “My heir is gone and I’m to blame,” galloped through his departing mind.

 Where had the time gone? It had been far too long since he last saw his boy, a man now, with a grown child of his own. A grandchild he had never seen face to face or held in his arms. How much had he missed in his arrogance and how could he get the rightful heir home in time to take the crown?

He stole a hard look outside his door that was flanked by relatives already fighting amongst themselves for their piece of what the King would leave behind.  The King laughed bitterly at their pettiness, knowing in heart that only the true heir could rule the Loch with the love and justice that she deserved. 

He fingered the photos in his ashen right hand and stroked the cheek of the young, dark-haired woman with his thumb. Another spasm grabbed him rigidly.  In his left hand, his grip tightened on the scroll marked in the family seal pressed into black wax crushing and crinkling the paper written in a shaky hand. The King was fading and he felt the last of himself disappearing into obscurity, soon he would see his ancestors and his God. No magic good or bad could touch him in the Land of Light.

The King called for another page, one who would go to his most trusted and truest friend, Chian, the Sovereign of the Ogres in the Western Wood.  There was no time for one page to make the journey alone, though they would both travel through the Western Wood; the King knew his time was ticking down and nearly gone. Death waited by his beside, as a constant companion.

The King pressed the photo and the scroll into the page’s solid, strong hand and his grasp fell weakly from the page’s wrist.  The young man gathered his bounty, bowed low and ran for the door.  He mounted the waiting horse and set off for the Western Wood at a dash.

Barely conscious the King urged himself on, garnering the final bits of his strength.  He only needed to be strong enough for his son and the hope he carried with him to make it back to the Loch. The King would set it right, even if he never lived to see the outcome. The race for the crown was on.

 “Come quickly, my son, for you hold the key to the future of the Loch,” he thought as he faded into the black, praying for his trusted pages’ safe journey and quick return. The King’s gurgling breaths could be heard throughout the castle and every subject loyal to the kingdom wept for the King’s impending death."

Author Bio:

I have always been a writer. When I first learned to write in Kindergarten, I wrote about pigs that "groo" wings and became "butterfys." I knew way back then that I would have a love affair with writing. Over 20 years later, that love flows over into writing novels, blogs, reviews and poetry. Come visit me on my blog.

YOU CHOOSE my cover art!

I think by now many of you know I'm doing a huge relaunch in September. The first of those relaunches is Maiden Behind the Mask. It is relaunching September 3rd and I have until then to decide....old cover or new? Actually, let me rephrase that....YOU have until then to decide!

Leave a comment with your cover art preference for this historical romance novel. Which one grabs your attention and doesn't let go? Which one is more appealing? Which one says, "READ ME?" YOU vote!

And a random commenter will receive an Ebook copy of the book when it is relaunched!

First, the blurb:
When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling.

However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever.

Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.

And now.... cover one?

Or cover two?

YOU decide. Leave a comment below. Thanks for participating!

Salvaged by J.S. Marlo

Woman scuba diver. An old Ford Model T. A missing heiress. A grissly mass murder of an entire family. A sexy man named Hauk.

Is there any wonder why this was one of my favorite books to edit????

Star Fisher is one of the best in her field. When called up to help investigate an underwater mystery, she get more than she bargained for. Turns out some nightmares she's been having sorta go hand in hand with the strange Model T and the facts her new coworkers are uncovering.

Hauk is starting to have some feelings for the lovely blonde diver, and they aren't very boss-like. When someone begins fiddling with their tanks and setting off bombs, he means to save her and get to the bottom of both mysteries--the old ones and the new.

One murder leads to another... one cover up leads to a greater cover up.

Suspense. Sex. Love. Underwater Adventure. This is a must read. Available here