GIVEAWAY TIP: I always have giveaways on my site. For January, I have the monthly giveaway at the bottom of this post where someone will win a $20 gift book(s) from Amazon, B & N, or the Book Depository. I will add options throughout the month to the Rafflecopter widget. Therefore, new chances to win will pop up all the time, so check back. Sunday evening, I add a new giveaway for The Young Adult Giveaway Hop and more fun! 

Now, on to check out the upcoming release by Julie Flanders.  What could be creepier than dark woods (in the cover) and old asylums? I'm not sure. This blurb has many dying to know what Detective Fitzpatrick discovers in Fairbanks. Congrats to Julie Flanders are on a cover and blurb that puts a chill up my spine!

Book Blurb: When Detective Danny Fitzpatrick leaves his hometown of Chicago and moves to Fairbanks, Alaska he wants nothing more than to escape the violence and heartbreak that left his life in pieces. Numbed by alcohol and the frozen temperatures of an Alaskan winter, Danny is content with a dead-end job investigating Fairbanks' cold cases. That all changes when a pretty blond woman goes missing on the winter solstice, and Danny stumbles upon some surprising connections between her disappearance and that of another Fairbanks woman three years earlier. Forced out of his lethargy, Danny sets out to both find the missing woman and solve his own cold case.

The investigation points Danny towards Aleksei Nechayev, the handsome and charming proprietor of an old asylum turned haunted tourist attraction in the Arctic town of Coldfoot. As he tries to find a link between Nechayev and his case, Danny's instinct tells him that Nechayev is much more than what he seems.

Danny has no idea that Nechayev is hiding a secret that is much more horrifying than anything he could ever have imagined. As his obsession with finding the missing women grows, Danny finds his own life in danger. And when the truth is finally revealed, the world as he knows it will never be the same.


Bio: Julie Flanders is a librarian and a freelance writer who has written for both online and print publications. She is an avid animal lover and shares her home in Cincinnati, Ohio with her dog and cat. Polar Night, a suspense thriller with a supernatural twist, is her first novel. It will be published by Ink Smith Publishing on February 7, 2013. Find Julie online at her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook. 

I met Jennifer Eaton online when I started following her blog almost a year ago. Back then, Jennifer made a statement on her blog that she would be published this year. It was brash and determined. I admire her for that. This month, Jennifer is celebrating this achievement. I knew that Jennifer and I are both dog owners, so I asked her to write about her furry family member. So, enjoy her post, check out her new releases and enter her contest to win a copy. 

A little over a year ago, my sister went into the dog breeding business.  It was important to her to keep one puppy in the family.  So like a stinker she put her favorite little yapper into the arms of my son.

Anyway, so now I have this super-peppy-pedigree-championship-line poodle.  She’s a great dog.  Really, she is.  I love her very much.  But now that she is old enough, my son has decided that he wants to do agility as a competitive sport. 

For those of you who don’t run in dog circles (and I didn’t know this until recently, either)  Agility is when dogs race through pre-determined courses with their trainer.  They do high walks like balance beams, tunnels, teeter totters, tunnels, jumping…  you name it.  They are judged on how quickly and correctly they can do these things.

But guess what?  That’s not that easy to do!  You need to go to school for it.

The other night, I was standing in the training center, dog treats in hand, and thinking:  “Training is a lot like writing.”  Yeah, my mind wanders to odd places like that.

Anyway.  Chloe needed to run through a tunnel.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, not for a one-year-old puppy.  It’s scary…  big dark tunnel and not knowing what’s on the other side. 

That’s a lot like starting a new novel, isn’t it?  You have an idea.  Your “muse” is calling you to start something new, but you are a little afraid, and aren’t sure if it’s really what you want to do.  So, instead of running through the tunnel, you run AROUND the tunnel.  You procrastinate.  Do dishes, vacuum, anything but actually take it on. 

But what happens?  No treat at the end of the tunnel, right?  So you end up back where you started from, facing down the long, dark, scary hole.  Your muse calls to you:  “Come on, it’s okay.  I have a treat for you.”  You take a step.  You write your idea down.  Hey, that wasn’t so bad, was it? 

Your muse calls to you again.  You wag your tail and take another step.  You might even outline the story.  You are in the tunnel, but you back out.  Whew!  Safe again. 

But your muse is getting ornery now, isn’t it?  It knows you have a plot outlined.  It knows you just need that little kick to get started.  So what does it do?  It crawls into the tunnel so you can see it. 

“Oh Muse!  There you are!” 

Feeling better about your idea, and not feeling so scared with your muse in the tunnel with you, you bark and wag your tail.  (umm, sit at your computer)  You hear the muse call again. 

“Maybe I can do it!”

Now you’re just as excited as your muse.  Mustering all your courage, you take a deep breath… and you race through the tunnel with reckless abandon!

And what waits at the end?  Your muse, happy and excited that you’ve completed your task, giving you a treat and tons of hugs and praise.  That would be your publishing contract and your rave reviews.

Was it hard getting there?

Sure it was, but what an adventure!

And you know what the best part is?  Next time you are faced with that new idea… you won’t be quite so afraid to run through that tunnel.

So what are you waiting for?  Whatever it is that you’re itching to do… take a deep breath and RUN THROUGH THAT TUNNEL.  There’s always a tasty treat waiting on the other side.

Jennifer Eaton lives on the East Coast USA with her husband, three boys, and a pepped up poodle.  She hosts an interactive website www.jennifermeaton.com aimed at making all writers the best they can be.  

Her Dystopian novelette “Last Winter Red” is available as part of the “Make Believe” Anthology from J.Taylor Publishing.  Her Christmas Romance “Connect the Dots” is available as part of Still Moments publishing’s “For the Love of Christmas” Anthology.  Both are available in ebook format from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com and Smashwords.

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It's Friday, and there's really no theme to this post. It's a veritable hodgepodge of things I want to share with you. 

1. I have a book signing for The Waiting Booth at a local Hastings store on Saturday.  My sweet sister is making gourmet cupcakes decorated with my book theme to hand to every person who purchases a book. If no one shows up, I'm going to gain weight. 

2.  November is my reader appreciation month. I'm giving away a $5 Amazon or Starbucks gift card every week. Leave a comment Monday-Friday (midnight CST) of this week, and you're in the drawing on Saturday. I appreciate you. I have surprises planned for December.

3.  I was interviewed about the Whispering Woods series at InterestTeen ezine at 

http://interestteen.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/interestteen-interviews-ya-author.html

4.  I don't have tons of books on writing, but I do own the one on the left. It is well worth studying.  James Scott Bell is the author and will be doing a FREE webinar next week. I will be at work  during the time of the webinar, so I can't attend the live one.  I've registered where I can access the recording later.

NOVEL REVISION: CRAFT A STORY READERS CAN’T PUT DOWN - Free Webinar with James Scott Bell- 12-04-12


Tuesday, December 4, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST 
 LINK TO REGISTER

Webinar  Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 
Event Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EST 
Event Duration: 60 minutes 
Cost: $0 – enjoy the free webinar! 

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the presentation and the materials for one year. The archived version will be e-mailed within seven days of the live event. 

5.  Do you belong to Goodreads? If so, you should check out of the reading groups, The Knights of the Round Table.    This reading group is currently reading Whisper of Memory.  I read a review today that made me feel all weepy and grateful. If you want to see what makes a grown woman tear up, you can read it HERE.


6.  On Goodreads, I also have a giveaway running for a copy of the print version. 

7.  I saw Rock of Ages last weekend.  I started the movie, and my husband saw Julianne Hough in the opener. No problem. Then she begins singing on the bus. Then other passengers begin to sing. I hear the groan from my husband. I look at him and see that it's accompanied by an eye-roll. 

Husband: "What is this? Really? A musical?"
Me: "Oh, please give it a chance."  


I'm glad he did. I wouldn't say it's the greatest movie of all time, but I enjoyed it.  I liked Rock of Ages more than I liked Prometheus (the last movie we watched together).  The soundtrack is great. 

If you are looking for the Spooktacular Giveaway, CLICK HERE. 

I'd like to introduce my friend, Sandra Jones. Sandra and I belong to the same writers' group, so I actually get to hang out with her in person. She's very cool as well as being a terrific writer. I'm glad you get to meet her today.

After reading about Sandra's tantalizing new release, leave her a comment or answer my question at the end and you'll be in a drawing.  One name will be drawn from all my blog commenters this week and receive a $5 Starbucks card or Amazon gift certificate. 

 I'll turn it over to Sandra!

Brinda recently asked me which of my characters I would most like to be trapped in an elevator with. Funny thing is, in my recent release MOONLIGHT MADNESS (Historical/Time Travel) the main characters ARE together on an elevator.

In the story, Tess Hartman, a modern American woman, is being pursued by one very hot Renaissance man, Rance Kingsley. The 17th century viscount is convinced Tess is bound to him by a curse as his soul mate and she’s the key to returning him to his own time. But first he has to convince her of that!

Here’s an excerpt:

“Get out of my elevator this instant!” she said, her teeth clenched tight.


He shook his head, smiling like a fox. Beneath his arm, Tess saw a number light on the elevator’s button panel. Nine. God, how long would that take?

She pushed against the unyielding bicep beside her and then tried to slip under his arm, but he pressed closer, pinning her with a hip. A rock-solid hip attached to a long, brawny leg. Gasping, she inadvertently breathed in his scent surrounding her with woods and spice.

“You lied,” he purred in her ear.

“I did not. What did I lie about?” Her pulse was trying to jump out of her skin.

“You said I did not cause thee fear.” His pensive gaze went to her lips.

“Well you don’t—didn’t. Until now. Let me out of here!” She could barely form a sentence with him so near.

“I will if thou wilt choose.”

“Choose what? Get off me! I’m warning you!”

With his legs spread apart, he made a perfect target, and Tess aimed her knee. But his hips rocked against her, narrowly missing her attack and grinding her harder into the elevator glass.


“Choose me. Choose to grant me a kiss or to allow me to be thine escort today. The boy said you are touring sites in Wales.”

“You’re insane!” she hissed. She turned her face

away from the soft locks of his hair. How had she allowed this to happen? At least the elevator was public. Someone would see them. Someone would help her if she called them.

If?

He eased back, tilting his head puckishly. “Aye. A lunatic. ’Tis been said before, and it may be true. But right now, if I am moonstruck, ’tis from thy doing.

Which will you choose, Tess?”

MOONLIGHT MADNESS

The Blurb:

While visiting Wales, Rance Kingsley, Viscount Waldenham, receives a warning that Spanish enemies will soon kidnap his daughter. Before he can aid her, Rance tumbles into a mysterious portal to the future. His only hope is to find his soulmate, the key to returning. However his curse continues when all signs point to Tess Hartman, a straight-laced teacher, as his match. After a cheating boyfriend, the only male Tess wants in her life is Dante, a troubled teen she would like to adopt. To bond with the boy, Tess brings him on a class field trip to Britain. But the Shakespeare experience becomes too real when sexy, eccentric Rance seduces her. When Tess falls for Rance's kisses and travels with him across four centuries, she's convinced he's made a mistake. How could she love a man who deceived her, separating her from everything she cares about, a man with MOONLIGHT MADNESS?

MOONLIGHT MADNESS is available now on Kindle for $4.99, all others January 18, 2013.

I've been patiently waiting for Ciara Knight's new release ever since seeing this cover. Wow. Then I read the blurb. Uh-huh. Now, I will finally get my hands on this one. Read the blurb and see if you are as hooked as I was.

Weighted (Prequel Novelette)

The Great War of 2185 is over, but my nightmare has just begun. I am being held captive in the Queen’s ship awaiting interrogation. My only possible ally is the princess, but I’m unsure if she is really my friend or a trap set by the Queen to fool me into sharing the secret of my gift. A gift I keep hidden even from myself. It swirls inside my body begging for release, but it is the one thing the Queen can never discover. Will I have the strength to keep the secret? I’ll know the answer soon. If the stories are true about the interrogators, I’ll either be dead or a traitor to my people by morning.


Download it today!

Smashwords

Amazon

Barnes and Noble  

Coming to other retailers soon.

Ciara writes to ‘Defy the Dark’ with her fantasy and paranormal books. Her debut novel, The Curse of Gremdon, was released to acclaimed reviews, securing a Night Owl Top Pick and five stars from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Also, book I, Rise From Darkness, from her debut young adult Battle For Souls series, secured glowing reviews and won July Book of the Month from Long and Short Reviews.

Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.



Ciara is extremely sociable so please feel free to connect with her at her blog, website, Twitter, Goodreads, or Facebook

Yeah...go on. Call me a crybaby. I really didn't want to read this book. It sounded too sad. Also, there's something about having so many good reviews that you feel you might be disappointed. That happens to me a lot with movies.

I bought this book while in Philly on a business trip. Mine is autographed. I thought, "Oh, this will make an excellent prize for a blog hop." Then, I never gave it away and packed it for our trip to the beach. I read it and then thought about reading it again. Umm-hmm.

Blurb from Amazon: 
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

So, I decided I had a new author crush. I listened to Looking for Alaska by John Green on the trip to Destin, FL. Then I read The Fault in Our Stars while on the beach. I hurried over to the bookstore and grabbed another John Green paperback since all my books are on my iPad these days. The characters in Will Grayson, Will Grayson are so real, and the humorous dialogue had me rolling. I'm sure I was very annoying to those seated in beach chairs on each side of me.  I listened to Green's book, Paper Towns during the trip home. I have it bad for the man.

There are many themes in this book: friendship, bullying, depression, and homosexuality. I think this book is brilliant.

Blurb from Amazon: 
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with . . . Will Grayson. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high school stage. Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of fans. 

Click here for a recipe.


My husband and I devoured the appetizer. Everyone else at our table kept saying, "But it's raw seafood?" And we kept explaining that the  marinade of lime cooks it, so it's not rubbery or slimy (like oysters). No one else would try it.

We left our beach vacation at the right time. It seems that after we left, Hurricane Debby moved in.

It was beautiful while we were there. I meant to do some writing while on the beach. I really did.

I never bought any ice cream, but the musical sound of the ice cream truck made me smile. He came through our neighborhood twice daily. I hope he made enough to pay for his gas. Who am I kidding? Those ice cream bars probably costs $5 apiece.

I'm excited to spread the word about Stephen Tremp's novel, Breakthrough. Stephen is offering a special event to readers for a free download. Breakthrough is volume one in The Adventures of Chase Manhattan series. I can't wait to read this tech thriller.

A scientific breakthrough of such magnitude it could radically alter the future of humanity—for better or worse—is in the wrong hands.


Breakthrough Book Giveaway: Stephen Tremp invites you to  join him on June 18-19th for his Book Giveaway. Breakthrough will be free to download from Amazon on the 18th and 19th HERE.  <- Click it to get your copy. If you don't have a Kindle, you can still read books on your computer. All you have to do is download the Kindle for PC software.

Visit the Synopsis and Reviews Page for Breakthrough.

REVIEWS:


Breakthrough is a fast paced thriller with more twists, turns and surprises keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end and wanting more. Suspense, intrigue, greed, betrayals and more, Breakthrough is author Stephen Tremp’s groundbreaking novel, which belongs on the New York Times bestseller list.
  –  Fran Lewis , Radio talk show host, and author of the Bertha Speaks Out series

Stephen Tremp has crafted a terrific page-turner filled with adventure, intrigue, action, and suspense. The characters are superbly crafted, the settings are richly described, and the plot is very well-paced. If you're looking for a highly readable adventure story, get this book. A perfect book for the beach or the ski lodge! – Amazon Reader 

A timely book that speaks to our generation with its technological breakthroughs and the struggle to use it for good or for evil. The concepts were well researched. What I liked most were the refreshing characters. Its time to read about new good guys with diverse personalities who somehow find a way to work together. Same with the bad guys. Lots of action with terrific character buildup combined with twists in the plot. Never a dull moment– Barnes and Noble Review 

Ciara Knight has a reputation for fantastic stories. She's announcing her next release today on my blog and many others. Take a look at this beautiful cover and tantalizing blurb!

Weighted is a young adult post-apocalyptic with paranormal elements. It is a prequel novelette to The Neumarian Chronicles,and will be released August 2012. Book I, Escapement, will be released in 2013.