Healing Notes

Welcome to Maggie Jaimeson's book tour.  Maggie is the author of Healing Notes.  Please follow her tour and comment often.  Maggie is giving away an autographed cover flat at each stop, and will award one $25 GC from either Amazon or Barnes and Noble to one lucky commenter.  Don't forget to leave your email address.  You'll have to leave it to win. You can find her schedule at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-book-blast-healing-notes-by.html

BLURB:

 

Forgiving yourself is the first step, but helping others forgive may be just too hard.

 

Rachel Cullen grew up in Scotland with a fiddle in her hand from the age of four. She couldn't imagine life as anything but a musician. When her husband brought her to America she was immediately embraced by the Celtic and Bluegrass communities. But after her divorce, Rachel's life is a mess.

 

A year of trying to prove to herself that she's woman enough for any man, and then a vicious rape while on tour with the band, leaves Rachel reeling. When she meets Noel Kershaw, an English teacher who is poetry in motion, she is definitely attracted. But he has a young child and he's suffering from his own divorce. The last thing Rachel needs in life is more baggage.

 

First, Rachel must reconcile who she is, what she wants, and how to get there. Maybe then she'll know how to be a part of the family she's always wanted.

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Claire crawled onto a stool on the other side of the island and smiled.  Neither of them talked for several minutes as they listened to the water in the pot heat.

 

“When I grow up, I’m going to play with Sweetwater Canyon all the time.”

 

“Are you sure you want to hang out with all us old folks?”

 

“You’re not all old. Well maybe a little old. But Kat isn’t old.”

 

Rachel smiled. “That’s true. She’s only seventeen.” And going on twenty-five it seemed sometimes.

 

“Oh, seventeen? That is old.” Claire put a finger to her lips and furrowed her brow. “How old do I have to be to play in the band all the time?”

 

“Probably at least eighteen.”

 

“But, you just said Kat—”

 

“Kat is different, because her mother plays in the band and can watch her all the time.”

 

“Well, you can watch me all the time. You can be my mother.”

 

Rachel gulped.

 

“Well, can’t you?”

 

“Can’t she what?” Noel walked in the room and lifted Claire off the chair in a big hug, swinging her around the room. “Can’t she what? She can do anything she wants.”

 

“See,” Claire leaned forward and looked at Rachel over Noel’s shoulder. “See, even Daddy thinks you can be my mother.”

 

“Whoa.” Noel set Claire back on the stool. “I’m not sure what I walked in on here.” He sent an accusing glance to Rachel. “You already have a mother, Claire.”

 

“I know. Not my real mother. My second mother. You know, like my friend, Megan. Her mommy and daddy got divorced and her daddy married a new mommy. So, Megan has two mommies now.  See?  Rachel can be my second mommy. Okay?”

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Maggie Jaimeson writes romantic women’s fiction and romantic suspense with a near future twist. She describes herself as a wife, a step-mother, a sister, a daughter, a teacher and an IT administrator. By day she is “geek girl” – helping colleges to keep up with 21st century technology and provide distance learning options for students in rural areas. By night Maggie turns her thoughts to worlds she can control – worlds where bad guys get their comeuppance, women triumph over tragedy, and love can conquer all.

 

HEALING NOTES is the second book in the Sweetwater Canyon Series of four books.  The final two books will be available in 2013.

 

Website: http://maggiejaimeson.com

Blog: http://maggiemeandering.blogspot.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Jaimeson/118916694787820

Twitter: @maggiejaimeson

Six Sentence Sunday: Yikes, She Goofed

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday. In this excerpt my heroine Kara makes a huge mistake.

Blurb:

Is it possible she’s finally found Her Kind of Man?

Ross Williams has been in love with Kara Cochrane since they were kids so when Kara's fiancé Brandon Miles cheats on her and calls off their wedding—Ross steps in to rescue the damsel in distress.

A heartbroken Kara just wants to get on with her life and hunky Ross provides her with a definite distraction—that is until she starts falling for him. Big time.

But a devastating family secret threatens to destroy everything that Kara holds dear—including her relationship with Ross.

 

SENTENCES:

Good golly the man felt good! He teased her lips with his, and Kara abandoned herself to his kiss. When he lifted his head she murmured, “Kiss me, Brandon.”

Ross stiffened. He dropped his arms and moved away from her.

“Don’t confuse me with Brandon Miles, Kara.”

Her Kind of Man is available at http://www.lachesispublishing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HerKindofMan as an ebook or trade paperback.

Sweet Saturday Sample: Fortuna

My sample today comes from my current WIP where we see my hero having some difficulty explaining the name of his farm to a new acquaintance. Rocky is a former professional wrestler.

At the conclusion of the service, a woman seated nearby made her way to them and held out her hand. “Welcome to Holy Cross. I’m Wanda Meadows.”

They shook hands with her. “I’m Rocky Brooks, and this is my fiancée, Aimee Sherwood.”

“Oh, you’re the people who bought Four Tuna. I read about finding the cemetery and the discovery of the property’s name. It made the front page of the local paper.”

Rocky shook his head. “It’s Fortuna, not Four Tuna.”

“Oh, I get it. It’s one word. Fourtuna.”

“No, Fortuna. For not four.”

Wanda beamed at Rocky. “That’s right. Fourtuna.”

Rocky gave up.

 

Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wrestler_Eddie_Edwards_in_August_2008.jpg

at http://flickr.com/photos/10542402@N06/2768591865
    

Fashionista Friday: Trending on Polyvore

Trending on Polyvore: Taken to Tassel by polyvore-editorial featuring post earrings

Mulberry studded heels
mulberry.com

Cole Haan leather boots
barneys.com

Anya hindmarch
my-wardrobe.com

Versace studded handbag
forwardforward.com

Kara Ross post earrings
charmandchain.com

Loren Hope vintage style necklace
maxandchloe.com

Women of Strenght Series

Adelle Laudan lives in Southern Ontario with only one of her four children still in the nest. She is known to write with a depth of emotion that at times surprises even her. Many of her stories incorporate her love of motorcycles and strong conviction to portray bikers as loving, caring human beings as opposed to the 'bad ass' persona given them. Women of Strength Series is a project near and dear to her heart. Adelle says, "If I can instill hope in even one reader who finds themselves struggling, what a blessing that would be." Adelle invites you on the many twists and turns her stories will take you. Be sure to hang on tight as it proves to be a ride you won't soon forget.

     

Coffee Time Romance reviewer says,

'Ms Laudan has taken three strong women and showed their lives, both good and bad. All three women are strong willed and fighters. Each finds a chance for love amongst the odds of their obstacles. Excellent characters and a varied story for each will have you running a rack of emotions. The only disappointment you will have is if you do not take the time to read Shani, Rosa, and Juliana's stories.'

More Info on these stories can be found HERE

 November's Woman of Strength

Kat is the envy of everyone. She owns a successful dinner club, an incredible lakefront property and she is beautiful. The statuesque blonde with ice-blue eyes commands attention wherever she goes. She has it all....or does she?

Kat has been harboring a deep, dark secret for quite some time. Little by little her ruse is unraveling. If she doesn't face her demon soon, she stands to lose everything, including her life.

Thank you Elaine for having me on your blog.

Please leave a comment and I will randomly pick one winner to receive  this calendar magnet for 2013 and a Women of Strength t-shirt. All names will go in a draw to win your choice of one of these three stories.

Please feel free to visit me on the next stop of my blog tour. You will find the schedule HERE

Website

Woman of Strength - Links to purchase as wells as Info on Contest

Blog

Facebook

 

Thank you so much for coming, Adelle. Readers, I've read her work, and I promise she doesn't disappoint. 

 

Elaine

Beyond the Book: Football Fever

Do you like football?  I sure do, especially since I married a former NFL player.  Violet Emerson, Elaine's heroine in A New Dream, here. 

Personally, I first learned about football when I was in high school.  I didn’t miss a single high school football game until my senior year.  After I graduated from high school, I went off to college and became a Clemson Tiger.  Then I got married, and my husband taught me to watch NFL football on TV. 

So, why do we devote sometimes an entire day going to a football when there are so many other things we could be doing?  First, we do it because we like the game.  We get a thrill out of watching the game and dissecting what everyone on the field should have done.  And of course that includes the coach!

Second, we do it because there’s a social aspect to it.  We get to see our friends and exchange news.  One of the most important social aspects is tailgating.  Have you ever done that?  On the day of my college football game we have a picnic out of our cars, vans or SUVs in the stadium parking lot.  Some people pick up a bucket of KFC, but others bring their grills and cook steaks.  If you can think of a menu, you can find it.  Many local restaurants have picnic baskets that you can pick up on your way to the game.    You see paper plates, plastic dinnerware, and in a few cases nice china.  Oh, and some people bring liquid refreshment.

Third, we get to live vicariously through the team and the cheerleaders.  For a few hours we can pretend we’re a star.

And fourth, it gives us a sense of satisfaction and tradition to participate in a fall ritual that’s been going on for many years. 

The team that I follow most closely is the Green Bay Packers.  It's no secret why. My sweet husband Matt McCallum was one of the best kickers the NFL ever had.

If you’ve never caught football fever, let me get you started.  First of all, buy a team jersey.  Then, pick up some hot wings, nachos, or whatever it is you like to snack on.  Invite as many of your friends as you can accommodate in your home, and then sit back and enjoy yourself.    

Blurb for A New Dream

What do you do when you lose everything?

After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.

Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager’s broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.

Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_30?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+new+dream+by+elaine+cantrell&sprefix=a+new+dream+by+elaine+cantrell

Reviews

Romance Junkies Read the full review at http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/contemporary/A_New_Dream.shtml 

RJ gave A New Dream a 4.5 and said, A NEW DREAM is a wonderful contemporary romance with heartwarming characters and heartfelt moments. Elaine Cantrell creates a beautiful, believable relationship with old fashioned values that adds sweetness to the story. All of her characters were likable with emotions and reactions that one can relate to. My favorite though had to be the hero Matt, who had to face a very difficult reality. His growth and the way Ms. Cantrell portrayed his struggles with coming to terms with the changes in his life was nicely done. This is one of the best inspirational romances I’ve read in a while.

Romantic Times gave a New Dream 4 stars and said,

Readers will love this touching and inspirational story in which a former football player learns to live his life under new terms after a tragic accident.  As he journeys toward a new dream he meets (Violet) and falls in love.

Me and the small hooman like football 2. I'm a Packers fan.

Secrets of a Dangerous Woman

Hello and welcome to p.m. terrell's virtual book tour.  p.m. is going to talk to us about the challenges of being an author.  p.m., thanks so much for including me in your tour.

 

My first book was published in 1984 and over the past 28 years, I have seen the industry change far more than I could ever have imagined.

 

When my first books were published, I could easily telephone book stores to schedule signings and they acted genuinely happy to have me there. With the multitude of authors now in the marketplace, it has become next to impossible to schedule bookstore signings, even though my publishers are traditional and unsold books are still returnable.

 

I have switched instead to speaking at libraries. Instead of sitting at a table, discussing my books with individuals passing by, I find myself with audiences that often number over a hundred. I speak about my writing and my work to an audience that doesn’t feel pressured to buy. Yet within a short space of time, I sell dozens of books.

 

This year for the first time I’ve tried blog tours and I am enjoying them immensely. A few years ago, I spent as much as eight months on the road with three or four appearances scheduled each day. Now I sit in the comfort of my office and reach readers from around the world. I miss the personal interaction, the smiles on fans’ faces, the handshakes. But I enjoy the comments left by readers and the wider interaction that often stretches to social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

 

At one time, I had difficulty convincing my neighbors that although I was at home all day every day, I was working. However, now that I have fourteen books in the marketplace and several more scheduled for release over the next eighteen months that is no longer an issue. Now when I see my neighbors, they no longer ask if I am writing another book; they ask me what I am writing.

 

I was told when my first book was published not to quit my day job. It was sound advice, as I’ve seen the sale of books ebb and flow. This year has seen my eBook sales reach four to five times my printed book sales; whether that is from more computer-savvy blog followers, I don’t know. My books are also available now around the world and I find when USA sales are down, sales may be up in France or Germany or the UK or India. Each country and each format is a profit center all its own and in order to succeed in this business, an author must now understand each of those revenue streams and how to maximize them.

 

I never have issues with writers block or creativity. My biggest complaint is I don’t have enough time in the day to write all that crosses through my mind. I love writing and I can’t imagine what else I would do if it was no longer available to me. The computer work I once did seems stale and uninteresting compared to the dangers and romance of the world in which my characters live.

 

I count myself as one of the luckiest people on earth because I can do what I love.

 

BLURB:  

In Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, Dylan Maguire is back in his first assignment with the CIA: to interrogate recently captured Brenda Carnegie. But when she escapes again, it's obvious she's had help from within the CIA's own ranks. With Vicki Boyd's assistance, Brenda is back in Dylan's custody. And now he must find out why some in the highest levels of our government want her dead while others are willing to risk everything to help her. And when he discovers Brenda's real identity, his mission has just become very personal.

 

EXCERPT:

Dylan and Sam stood in the wide, hushed hallway as they observed the interrogation room through the one-way mirror. Inside was a metal table in the center of the room with empty chairs on one side. Against the far wall was a counter that ran the length of the room, comprised of a sink and cabinets above and below the stainless steel countertop.

But it was the single chair on one side of the table, the side closest to Dylan and Sam that riveted their attention. The metal chair was arranged so they viewed the occupant from the side. The ankles were cuffed to the slat at the bottom of the chair while each wrist was cuffed to the chair arms. Thick copper hair hung in waves that reached to the person’s waist and obscured the face.

“That’s a woman,” Dylan said.

“Very observant,” Sam replied.

“Women cry.”

Sam crossed his arms in front of him. “Not this one. She’s not even close to breaking.”

“What’s ‘er name?”

“Brenda Carnegie.”

“Ah, a Scottish name…What is it you want me to do with ‘er?”

“Keep her awake, for starters.” He glanced at him. “It should be good practice for you. Use some of those interrogation techniques they taught you.”

“She’s got blood on ‘er.”

“Yeah.”

“You got a medical bag, do you?”

“I’m sure we can round one up.”

“What is it you want to know?”

“Who she works for,” Sam said as he picked up a handset beside the one-way mirror.

 

p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 16 books, including Vicki's Key, a 2012 International Book Awards finalist, and River Passage, 2010 Best Fiction & Drama winner. She is the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation whose slogan is "Buy a Book and Stop a Crook" and the co-chair of Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference & Book Fair. For more information, visit www.pmterrell.com.

 

LINKS:

www.pmterrell.com

www.pmterrell.blogspot.com

Twitter: @pmterrell

Facebook: Patricia M. Terrell

 

Six Sentence Sunday: Fire!

Welcome to my blog.  In today's six my hero has arrived at my heroine's house to find it on fire, and he can't find her anywhere.

Blurb:
Lesel Wolf has a secret, a dangerous secret she’ll go to any lengths to conceal. When she’s paired in a charity game with sexy marshal Andy Bryce, a man with secrets of his own, her carefully constructed world comes crashing down, and Liesel’s on a collision course with her past.

Sentences:

A solid wall of intense, voracious flames blocked the front door, but an outside staircase leading to a second-floor balcony was still passable.

 

He ripped off his shirt and tied it around his mouth and nose, then dashed up the steps to the balcony. Smoke billowed and swirled against all of the windows. He stared inside but the smoke prevented him from seeing anything. With no warning the window burst outward, spraying his chest with glass and barely missing his face. Hot sparks pelted his bare skin, raising water blisters, while small shards of glass worked their way into his skin.

buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Trust-Pretty-Wolf-ebook/dp/B0088346GK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350782102&sr=8-1&keywords=never+trust+a+pretty+wolf

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-trust-a-pretty-wolf-elaine-cantrell/1111345666?ean=2940014714136

 

Sweet Saturday Sample: What in the name of God happened on that mountain where they died?

Welcome to Sweet Saturday Sample.  Today's sample is from a work called Blue 52 which I submitted to the publisher a few weeks ago.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  In this selection, my hero is viewing the bodies of his father and mother. (Can't get into the back story about this part.  Too long and complicated.) The history books say his mother shot and killed his father who was the President of the United States.

 

He sucked in another breath and turned to his mother’s coffin.  Did she really deserve his regard? 

She didn’t look like he thought she would.  Death had treated his father kindly, but it hadn’t seemed to touch his mother at all.  She looked breathtakingly beautiful with dark hair, a flawless complexion, and rosy pink lips.  He had seen many pictures of her and watched every movie she ever made, yet he still hadn’t expected her to look so beautiful.  No wonder his father had loved her.  No wonder her fans had idolized her.

She had a serene expression on her face, not the expression of a woman driven to murder and suicide. He looked carefully to see if he could spot the place under her jaw where the bullet had gone in, but the morticians had done a good job; the only thing he saw was a faint discoloration.

The diamond and wedding band his father had given her still graced her finger.  Everyone always said how much they loved each other, and in the few dim memories he had of them they were always laughing and seemed happy. 

When he thought of them, he usually got a warm, safe feeling.  He could distinctly remember both of them sitting on the bed with him reading him a story before he went to sleep. 

A faint smile curved his lips when he thought of the time he and his mother had sneaked up on his father while he was asleep on the beach.  They had poured ocean water from a little sand bucket onto his stomach.  He had come awake with a roar and jumped up and chased them down the beach.  When he caught them, he had threatened to throw both of them into the ocean.  Instead, they had walked down the beach hand-in-hand and found a hot dog stand where his father bought everyone a hot dog.

Other memories clamored for attention, like the time his mother fell and broke her ankle.  He could still picture the fear on his father’s face. His mother had bitten her lip and hidden her face against his father’s shoulder.  His dad had hugged her and looked as if he was trying to take away her pain.

When they came home from the hospital, his father had carried her upstairs and stayed with her the entire evening.  Had some of his father’s aides fussed at him for missing appointments?  He thought he remembered his father bellowing at them and telling them to leave him alone.

What in the name of God happened on that mountain where they died?

Fashionista Friday: Stud

If you spend much time browsing fashion magazines or internet stores and blogs, you must have noticed that studded handbags are a hot fall accessory.  Here are I few I found at www.zara.com  that don’t cost the earth.

How do you like this one? It isn’t Valentino, but it sure comes close to one of Valentino’s popular designs. Get it for $99.90 at http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269200/870601/STUDDED%20TIGER%20CLUTCH%20BAG

 

I also like this bag. It too looks very much like one of Valentino’s popular styles, but it only cost $99.90 at http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269200/828294/STUDDED%20LEATHER%20CLUTCH

 

 I love this bag. It’s a neutral color, and look at clasp fastening. It’s a nice look. In fact, I think this one is my favorite. Get it too for $99.90 at http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269200/873037/STUDDED%20CLUTCH%20WITH%20CLASP%20FASTENING

 

 

 

The Sentence

Wind Over Marshdale

If you came for Beyond The Book please check back next week. Tracy Krauss is launching her book WIND OVER MARSHDALE on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Full of intrigue, romance, and plenty of surprises, see what’s hiding just beneath the surface in this seemingly peaceful town. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of cool free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Landing Page on Tracy’s Website

2. Buy the book at amazon.

3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the form with your name, email and purchase number.

It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.

 

About the book:

Marshdale. Just a small farming community where nothing special happens.  A perfect place to start over… or get lost. There is definitely more to this prairie town than meets the eye. Once the meeting place of aboriginal tribes for miles around, some say the land itself was cursed because of the people’s sin. But its history goes farther back than even indigenous oral history can trace and there is still a direct descendant who has been handed the truth, like it or not. Exactly what ties does the land have to the medicine of the ancients? Is it cursed, or is it all superstition?

Wind Over Marshdale is the story of the struggles within a small prairie town when hidden evil and ancient medicine resurface. Caught in the crossfire, new teacher Rachel Bosworth finds herself in love with two men at once. First, there is Thomas Lone Wolf, a Cree man whose blood lines run back to the days of ancient medicine but who has chosen to live as a Christian and faces prejudice from every side as he tries to expose the truth. Then there is Con McKinley, local farmer who has to face some demons of his own. Add to the mix a wayward minister seeking anonymity in the obscurity of the town; eccentric twin sisters – one heavily involved in the occult and the other a fundamentalist zealot; and a host of other ‘characters’ whose lives weave together unexpectedly for the final climax. This suspenseful story is one of human frailty - prejudice, cowardice, jealousy, and greed – magnified by powerful spiritual forces that have remained hidden for centuries, only to be broken in triumph by grace.

 

What others are saying:

Tracy Krauss has a deep talent. I am looking forward to more from her.

-        Tom Blubaugh, Author of Night of the Cossack

 

Tracy Krauss typifies all that is good in modern Christian authorship. She is consistently there for her readers and elevates her every effort.

 

-        Joyce Godwin Grubbs, Author From the Grassroots

 

Tracy’s characters are raw and real; her plots edgy and electric.

 

-        Lisa Lickel, award winning author of Meander Scar,  A Summer in Oakville, The Map Quilt and other inspirational novels.

 

There is plenty of intrigue and mystery to keep any reader's attention, but for lovers of romance, this one will make your heart pound.

-        Michelle Sutton, reviewer and author of more than a dozen inspirational novels

Author bio:

Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests.

 

FREE STUFF:

Here’s just a sampling of the FREE e-gifts from generous supporters:

-    a free copy of  25 Years In the Rearview Mirror - compiled and edited by Stacy Juba; Shoot the Wounded by Lynn Dove; Live Without Stress by Shelley Hitz; Alternative Witness by Pauline Creeden; and Writing Your Family Legacy and Reflections of the Heart, both by Linda Weaver Clarke

- a free first chapters of such best-selling books as From Spice to Eternity by Yvonne Wright; Angels of Humility by Jackie MacGirvin; and Silence by Barbara Derksen

- beautiful downloadable greeting cards by Brenda Hendricks; and poetry posters by Violet Nesdoly

- the ‘Fit Test’ by author and trainer Kimberley Payne; plus a chance to win an ‘amazon’ gift card courtesy of Ruth Hill

-          And much more!

All if you buy your copy of WIND OVER MARSHDALE  at amazon.com on Oct 16! All links will be operational on the ‘Landing Page’ at www.tracykrauss.com/ 

 

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Best Seller book launch’ has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com