Guest Post: Author Daisy James @daisyjamesbooks

March 8, 20172 Comments

Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK
Release date: March 8, 2017

Publisher: HQ Digital UK

Genre: Chick Lit

Blurb:

A knight in a shining camper van!

Life is far from picture perfect for food photographer, Emilie Roberts. Not only has her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, he’s also stolen her dream assignment to beautiful Venice! Instead, Emilie is heading to the wind-swept Cornish coast…

Emilie doesn’t think it can get any worse – until disaster strikes on the very first day! And there’s only one man to rescue this damsel in distress: extremely hunky surfing instructor, Matt Ashby.

Racing from shoot to shoot in a bright orange vintage camper van, Matt isn’t the conventional knight in shining armour – but can he make all of Emilie’s fairy tale dreams come true?

I have to start by wishing Daisy a happy publication day!! Read on for a lovely guest post from her and more detailed information about There’s Something About Cornwall.

Guest Post:

First of all, a huge thank you for featuring my brand new release – There’s Something About Cornwall – on your blog.

Location is always very important to me when I’m writing. It’s almost as though it’s another character that requires just as much attention, just as much crafting, as any other. My first novel – The Runaway Bridesmaid – was set in New York. I enjoyed an amazing trip there a couple of years ago, for a milestone birthday, except, instead of spending five exhilarating days taking in the sights, because of Hurricane Sandy we ended up being there for eleven. Everywhere was closed, even the Broadway shows, so I grabbed a pen and some paper and started writing and my first published novel was born.

When I began researching my fourth book, I wanted my characters to have a fabulous backdrop for their story, so it had to be Cornwall. The scenery is so beautiful and diverse, not to mention the fact that the sun always seems to be shining. There’s Something About Cornwall follows Emilie Roberts, a food photographer, who takes a culinary road trip around the whole county as she works on a photoshoot for a celebrity TV chef working on her next cookery book.

Emilie’s epic journey starts in Padstow where she meets Matt at a beach party. He becomes a last-minute replacement driver for an orange-and-cream vintage campervan they’ve nicknamed The Satsuma Splittie. There’s plenty of stops along the way and lots of baking and tasting of the delicious Cornish food that is being photographed.

I wanted to showcase not only the local recipes, but also the wide array of artisan beverages that Cornwall is famous for. So, in Truro, they visit an apple orchard where Emilie photographs the Cornish Cyder Cake and Apple and Caramel Loaf, but they also indulge in a few pints of the local Scrumpy.

Apple & Caramel Loaf

During my research, I was amazed to find that vineyards flourish on south-facing slopes and fabulous white and rosé wine is produced in Cornwall. The county is also the only place in England that grows tea – Tregothnan Tea – it offers a whole new meaning to the label English Breakfast tea!

I also came across the Southwestern Distillery, run by Tarquin Leadbetter, which produces not only Cornish Gin but also Cornish Pastis. The pastis is a modern take on the classic French aperitif and the first of its kind created in the UK. It is made with gorse flowers foraged from the Atlantic clifftops and fresh orange zest finished off with a touch of liquorice root. Tarquin also grows his own Devon violets for use in his Tarquin’s Gin.

South Western Distillery
I hope readers will enjoy escaping to our southernmost county when they read There’s Something About Cornwall.

For a chance to win a book on the history of the much-loved, iconic camper van, a mug and a coaster, just follow Daisy James and retweet the pinned tweet. The prize will be drawn on 31st March 2017 (UK only).

Keep in touch with Daisy James on social media:

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Blog Tour: Something Missing by Glenice Whitting @GleniceW

February 21, 2017February 20, 201710 Comments

Goodreads|Amazon|Book Depository
Release date: December 11, 2016

Publisher: Madeglobal Publishing

Genre: Fiction

Blurb:

Two women, two countries. Serendipity, life, friendship

Diane, a young Australian mother meets Maggie, a sophisticated American poet, in a chance encounter. Everything – age, class and even nationality – separates them. Yet all is not quite as it seems. Maggie is grieving for her eldest daughter and trapped in a marriage involving infidelity and rape. Diane yearns for the same opportunities given to her brother. Their lives draw them to connect. This is the story of two unfulfilled women finding each other when they needed it most. Their pen-friendship will change them forever.

Welcome to my stop on the Something Missing blog tour! Though I haven’t had the pleasure of reading this yet, I’ll be making time for it soon. I have a guest post from the author about the inspiration behind the book. I also have a giveaway where one person will win a copy of the book! This is an international giveaway as well so everyone can participate.

Guest Post:

Q: How did you come up with the idea for this book?

Purely by chance! I’m definitely a late bloomer. During my early years I never dreamt I’d become a writer. However, fate intervened and eventually I leant to write about people and events important in my life. I wrote from the heart and was true to myself. Something Missing, is based on my thirty-five year pen-friendship with an older American poet. It was a chance to explore our unique relationship and eventually to understand my journey as a mature aged student. Something Missing, published by MadeGlobal Publishing, is the result.

The journey began when I left Malvern Girls Domestic Arts School at fourteen to become an apprentice hairdresser, and later, wife and mother. When I turned fifty, goaded by my American pen-friend’s well educated letters I went back to school to sit for my VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education). My results meant I was offered a place at Monash University to study for my Bachelor of Arts where my majors were English Literature and Sociology. At the end of my course, thinking I’d eventually work as a sociologist, I needed one more class to complete my literature major. The only course available to fit in with my day job was a night class in fiction writing. I wrote a short story based on my father’s life about a boy, a great-hearted German Grossmutter and a man caught between two worlds. That story was highly commended in the Judah Waten International Short Story Competition. It didn’t win but I was hooked. However, the story haunted me day and night and I decided to continue writing, but needed guidance. To study for a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing at TAFE (Technical and Further Education) was perfect and under the guidance of Australian author, Liam Davison, my story grew into a novel.

A play written in Ray Mooney’s class at TAFE, based on my hairdressing experiences, was performed during the Fertile Ground New Plays Festival. The result was acceptance into the Masters of Creative Writing at Melbourne University. During that time the manuscript of the novel was short listed for the Victorian Premiers Literary Awards and later won the Ilura Press International Fiction Quest. Pickle to Pie was launched by Ilura Press during the Melbourne Writers Festival.

Publishing the first novel meant I could apply to Swinburne University for a PhD by artefact and exegesis and to my delight I was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship. Here was my opportunity to learn the rules of the craft of writing and know why I was breaking them. I grabbed the chance. But what would I write? What would my next novel be about? Would I follow on with another German Australian story and use all those files and folders containing years of research?

Instead, I did what most writers do and wrote from the heart about something I felt familiar with. I decided to explore and record my thirty-five year pen-friendship with an older American poet. It would be the story of two countries, two women and the lies they told each other that led to truth. I titled the story, Hens Lay, People Lie and my PhD focus would be autoethnography, (using my own experiences as research) and epistolarity (interweaving extracts from letters, journals, newspaper articles etc). In my journal I wrote:

‘I am writing an epistolary, autoethnographic novel grounded in both feminism and post modernist paradigms with the aim of revealing women’s hidden stories in the hope of instigating social change.’

What lofty aims, but here was a chance to use our letters, interspersed with text, to explore the influence this elderly poet had on a young woman who unconsciously yearned for the education given to her brother and denied to her. And what did my elderly pen-friend gain from our correspondence? My journey had begun.

I began by introducing an older American woman’s voice in first-person narration; an elderly Australian woman in second person; and the young Australian mum in third person. The story had embedded dialogue, following author, Debra Adelaide’s example, where only the formatting and actions of the characters, rather than dialogue marks, reveal to the reader who is speaking at that time. The elderly Australian woman would reveal the pitfalls and joys of writing a novel in a humorous, tongue in cheek, style.

For four years I was caught up in a world where my mind kept bouncing backwards and forwards between my creative writing of this novel and the formal academic exegesis. After completing the PhD I took a long hard look at what I’d written, and following the suggestions of American author/editor, Cindy Vallar, I inserted quotation marks to all the dialogue. It then took a huge leap of faith and much rewriting to take the story from literary faction into popular fiction.

It was an invaluable lesson. To be a writer I had to be myself and write the way I really wanted to write, down to earth, uncomplicated and honest. I made both Maggie and Diane third person narration, threw in a handful of suspense and Voilà… Something Missing was born. I was so excited the day I received the email saying that Tim Ridgway of MadeGlobal Publishing loved the story and would I sign the contract etc.

It is every writer’s dream to hold their book in their hand. It gives them a chance to thank all the people who have helped along the way. There have been so many people I could list who have patiently and painstakingly worked with me through all the versions. However, there is an indescribable joy in being able to finally thank them formally, via the acknowledgment page, in the published reincarnation of the manuscript now titled Something Missing.

Thank you, Amy for hosting me at your site. It is greatly appreciated.

About the Author:

Glenice Whitting is an Australian author and playwright and has published two novels. She was a hairdresser for many years before she became a mature age student. It was during an English Literature Fiction Writing course that her great midlife adventure began. Rummaging through an old cardboard shoebox in the family home she found a pile of postcards dating back to the 19th century, many of them written in Old High German. The translated greetings from abroad introduced the hairdresser to her long hidden German heritage and started her on a life changing journey. She fell in love with the craft of writing and decided to pursue a writing career. Her Australian/German novel, Pickle to Pie, was short -listed for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. It co-won the Ilura Press International Fiction Quest and was launched during The Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival.

Three years as an on-line editor and columnist at suite101.com introduced her to web writing and resulted in an ebook Inspiring Women. Glenice’s play Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow was produced during the Fertile Ground New Play Festival. Her published works include biographies, reviews, numerous short stories and two novels. Her latest novel, Something Missing, published by MadeGlobal Publishing is about two countries, two women and lies that lead to truth. She completed the journey from VCE to PhD when she gained her Doctorate of Philosophy (Writing) from Swinburne University in 2013. Along the way she was awarded entry into the Golden Key International Honour Society for academic excellence. She currently enjoys teaching Memoir Writing and encouraging other women to write their stories. Glenice’s blog Writers and Their Journey can be found at her website.

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Guest Post: Author Barbara Venkataraman

February 16, 2017February 15, 20174 Comments

In celebration of Mystery Thriller Week I have a guest post from author Barbara Venkataraman about the plotting process, very interesting especially to a non writer like me!

About the Books:

Books 1-3 of the Jamie Quinn Mystery Series! Including:

“Death by Didgeridoo”-Winner of the Indie Book of the Day award. Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, still reeling from the death of her mother, is pulled into a game of deception, jealousy, and vengeance when her cousin, Adam, is wrongfully accused of murder. It’s up to Jamie to find the real murderer before it’s too late. It doesn’t help that the victim is a former rock star with more enemies than friends, or that Adam confessed to a murder he didn’t commit.

“The Case of the Killer Divorce”-Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, has returned to her family law practice after a hiatus due to the death of her mother. It’s business as usual until a bitter divorce case turns into a murder investigation, and Jamie’s client becomes the prime suspect. When she can’t untangle truth from lies, Jamie enlists the help of Duke Broussard, her favorite private investigator, to try to clear her client’s name. And she’s hoping that, in his spare time, he can help her find her long-lost father.

“Peril in the Park”-There’s big trouble in the park system. Someone is making life difficult for Jamie Quinn’s boyfriend, Kip Simons, the new director of Broward County parks. Was it the angry supervisor passed over for promotion? The disgruntled employee Kip recently fired? Or someone with a bigger ax to grind? If Jamie can’t figure it out soon, she may be looking for a new boyfriend because there’s a dead guy in the park and Kip has gone missing! With the help of her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie must race the clock to find Kip before it’s too late.

Goodreads|Amazon

About the Author:

Award-winning author, Barbara Venkataraman, is an attorney and mediator specializing in family law and debt collection.

She is the author of: The Jamie Quinn mysteries; “Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person”, “The Fight for Magicallus,” a children’s fantasy; a humorous short story entitled, “If You’d Just Listened to Me in the First Place”; and two books of humorous essays: “I’m Not Talking about You, Of Course” and “A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities,” which are part of the “Quirky Essays for Quirky People” series. Both books of humorous essays won the prestigious “Indie Book of the Day” award.

Coming soon, “Jeopardy in July”–the next Jamie Quinn mystery!

Author Website
Guest Post:

NOTHING TO SNEEZE ABOUT

Remember the last time you sneezed? There was that little itch that sent your nose into high alert. This could be the big one, you think, a real head-bobber, or it could be a tiny little nothing sneeze. Or it could be a false alarm. You just never know what to expect. There’s the build-up, then the sneeze and, finally, the feeling of relief. And then it’s over, or at least you hope so. I always sneeze three times in a row, but that’s just my thing, a little author trivia.

So, how is a sneeze like reading a mystery? Well, I’m glad you asked. Like a sneeze, the plot of a mystery starts out slowly, the tension gradually builds while the reader wonders, is something about to happen? Is this a clue? Is this a major plot development? Or is it a fake-out? For every build-up of tension in a mystery, there must be a release afterwards, a resolution to the problem and then a period of low-tension. In most books, this pattern will happen many times before the final resolution (the big sneeze!) which signals the end of the story.

Without conflict, there is no story, of course, so the writer wants to keep putting the characters in dangerous or stressful situations. A good writer keeps the reader on edge by dangling the prize in front of the protagonist and then snatching it away at the last minute, or by throwing roadblocks in the way. The author has to be subtle about it, so the obstacles vary constantly. Maybe the protagonist loses faith in herself, or is physically detained. Maybe someone she cares about has a crisis and she has to stop what she’s doing to offer help. Or maybe she’s sent on a wild goose chase or follows the wrong lead. She may wind up in physical danger, or some other kind of trouble.

Here’s an example of a best-selling mystery plot. The novel begins with the murder of a beautiful prosecutor in her apartment. The protagonist, also a prosecutor, was her co-worker, and is assigned the case. Nobody knows that the victim was the protagonist’s former lover (raising the stakes). The protagonist’s boss is up for re-election and the murder of one of his people is embarrassing. If he loses the election, the protagonist loses his job (raising the stakes some more). The election is lost and suddenly the protagonist finds himself accused of the murder. There’s lots of evidence to implicate him: calls made from his home to hers the night of the murder, a glass with his fingerprints on it, carpet fibers, etc. The courtroom drama raises the tension even further; taking many turns along the way. But the expert testimony proves unreliable. The protagonist learns the judge had a relationship with the victim and also that the judge, the victim and his former boss all took bribes from suspects. A crucial piece of evidence for the prosecution disappears and the judge dismisses the case for lack of evidence.

But the reader still doesn’t know who killed the prosecutor! Was it the protagonist? He’s the narrator, but is he reliable? Yes, he is, and he figures out who murdered his former lover…dun dun dun! It was his angry, betrayed wife who tried to frame him. Recognize the plot? It’s Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow.

The challenge for the mystery writer is how to build the tension to a crescendo and timing is everything. Think about that horror movie trick where the girl (and the audience) is terrified because we know something bad is about to happen. We’re on the edge of our seats, our hearts are racing, and, suddenly, something scary jumps out at the girl–and it’s just a cat. Everyone lets down their guard, shakes off the nervous tension and–WHAM–the bad guy/monster/psycho/alien then attacks the girl. That twist worked great the first time we saw it, but now we’ve come to expect it.

In my Jamie Quinn mystery series, Jamie is a reluctant family lawyer who keeps finding herself involved in murder cases. In Death by Didgeridoo, her disabled cousin is accused of murdering his music teacher; in The Case of the Killer Divorce, Jamie’s client is accused of murdering her husband, and in Peril in the Park, Jamie and her boyfriend are in danger from an evil jester who has already murdered one person. The tension rises and falls in each book while Jamie tries to figure out what’s really going on, while, at the same time, there are mysteries to solve in her personal life. Because these books are part of a series, the tension isn’t completely resolved at the end of each book. Certain story lines continue through to the next book and, in fact, each book ends with the first chapter of the next book as a teaser.

Now, I think you understand how a good mystery can be just like a sneeze. And who doesn’t like a good sneeze? It can be energizing and unexpected. But, at all costs, you want to avoid books which don’t have tension; the kind that go on and on, the ones you wish would hurry up and end already. They are like having the hiccups and nobody wants those!

Thanks to Barbara for joining me today!

Blog Tour: Combatting Fear by Sandy Vaile @Sandy_Vaile

February 12, 2017February 12, 20172 Comments

Welcome to my stop on the Combating Fear blog tour and a happy publication day to Sandy! I have a fabulous guest post from the author AND a giveaway for your chance to win a copy of the book.

Blurb:

How far would you go to save a child that wasn’t yours?

Mild-mannered kindergarten teacher, Neve Botticelli, leads a double life. At home with her paranoid father, she is a combat trained survivalist who lives off-the-grid.

When self-made billionaire, Micah Kincaid, storms into town in search of his four-year-old son, Rowan, he’s pushy, entitled, and stands for everything Neve despises.

But something far more sinister than a cheating estranged wife, is lurking in rural Turners Gully, and it has its sights set on little Rowan’s inheritance. It turns out there is one thing Micah and Neve can agree on, and that’s keeping Rowan safe.

As they work together to free Rowan, they glimpse beneath one another’s guises, and realise that falling in love could be even more dangerous than hunting deadly criminals.

Goodreads|Amazon

Guest Post

Hi, I’m Sandy Vaile, a motorbike-riding daredevil who isn’t content with a story unless there’s a courageous heroine and a dead body. When I’m not devising horrible things to do to fictional characters, I write procedures for high-risk industrial activities, mentor new writers through the Novelist’s Circle critiquing group, judge romance writing competitions, present literary craft workshops, and write the odd articles and blog.

I’ve been looking forward to dropping by for a chat with Amy, and to give you some insight into how I came to be here.

I imagine you can all relate to being side-tracked from your dreams by everyday life. Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. All through high school the plan was to become a journalist, but I moved out of home when I was 16 y.o., and then work, marriage and children all happened to divert me from writing. For more than a decade child-rearing magazines were the extent of my reading, and correspondence with pen pals the extent of my writing.

I was middle-aged when a friend insisted I read the Harry Potter series. I so loved the complex plot and diverse characters, that my inner creative being was awakened. The smouldering tinder only ignited further with each book I read, until I was desperate to write again.

Now, you many have guessed I’m not one to do things by half, so I didn’t bother starting with short stories or diary entries. No, I decided I was going to write a whole novel! Nothing to it, right?

So, I drew on my life experiences to come up with a few characters that stirred my curiosity, and formed the idea of a conflict. I wrote 60,000 words in the first six weeks. Now that’s enthusiasm! Unfortunately, the family eventually wanted to be fed and have clean clothes to wear, so I had to slow up a teeny bit.

It didn’t deter my focus though, because I’d already figured out one vital thing. The most important difference between a published and unpublished author is that one actually finished the book. So that was my first goal.

That first book represented a huge learning curve for me, because I’d left pesky little things like grammar and literary devices behind in high school, and had to learn them all over again. But learn them I did, and finish that book in nine months I did. It took another year before I felt it was polished enough to submit to publishers. Unfortunately, that manuscript remains in the figurative bottom drawer.

Now, this is the part of my journey where I learnt to embrace rejection, because there was a lot of it, but thankfully I was also tossed a few scraps of positive feedback along the way, and that’s all it took to keep me motivated.

When I saw an advertisement by Crimson Romance (a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster) for stories with gritty heroines who break stereotypes, I knew I had what they were looking for. And that’s how my first book, “Inheriting Fear” got picked up and sent into the wide world.

Now you are helping me celebrate the release of my second romantic suspense book, “Combatting Fear”, and I have to pinch myself now and again, just to make sure this high is real. (Ouch! Okay, it is.)

I’d love to hear about your literary challenges and loves.

Leave a comment on this blog and get 1 entry to win the “Combatting Fear” eBook. Subscribe to my newsletter and get 3 more entries.

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About the Author:

I’m Sandy and my motto in life is…
I’ll try anything once

To that end, I take every opportunity that presents and have a wealth of life experiences to draw on when writing.
These include riding a motorbike, skydiving, hot air ballooning, getting tattoos, swimming with sharks and turtles, and having the privilege to carry the Olympic flame.
The common denominator in my stories is courageous, gritty heroines who don’t especially need the strong heroes who sweep them off their feet, but when they do find Mr. Right, they’re not afraid to hold on tight.
My love of adventure and action sports started early, with 3-day eventing horses and cross-country running. Living in Papua New Guinea as a child meant lots of water sports, outdoor living and learning the local Pigeon English.

Connect with Sandy:

Facebook|Twitter|Website

Check out the other stops on the tour

Blog Tour: Uncoiled Lies by Liz Mistry @LizCrimeWarp @BloodhoundBook

February 4, 2017February 3, 2017Leave a comment

I’m the last stop on the blog tour for Uncoiled Lies and I have a fabulous guest post from Liz Mistry to share.

About the book:

Murder. Love. Corruption. DI Angus McGuire and the team are back and have their work cut out.
Murdered prostitutes and a turf war between local gangsters takes the investigation into Bradford’s Immigrant communities where tensions run high.

To make matters worse McGuire is juggling an illicit relationship with his boss’s daughter and has fraught family relations.

Who is The Old Man?

What is the link between three dead prostitutes and a long forgotten murder?

Will McGuire and his team get the answers they want or is the uncomfortable truth much closer to home?

Uncoiled Lies is the sequel to the best-selling, critically acclaimed, Unquiet Souls. It can be read as part of a series or as a stand-alone. It will appeal to fans of authors like; Angela Marsons, Helen H. Durrant, Mel Sherratt and Ian Rankin.

Goodreads|Amazon
About the Author:

As well as writing crime fiction, Liz is co-founder of and main contributor to The Crime Warp blog, which reviews all areas of crime fiction, interviews crime authors and participates in blog tours. She is the main publicist for the blog, using social media to promote our presence.

Liz is an ex teacher who has taught in inner city Bradford schools for over twenty years. Her husband of 27 years is Indian and they have three children. They live in inner city Bradford and Liz likes to use the rich tapestry of her life in Bradford, combined with her Scottish heritage, in her writing.

She is currently completing her dissertation for an MA in creative writing at Leeds Trinity University and hopes to graduate in December with a distinction.

Guest Post:

To Plot or Not to Plot… that is the question!

When the germ of an idea takes hold we writers jump up and down with sheer unadulterated glee. Great! – another yarn to explore, a tale to tell, a story to discover… but how does that germ of an idea blossom from a tadpole to a frog then into a handsome Prince in a (fairy) tale, to grip the reader by the throat with a ferocity that leaves them spellbound?

Well, for most of us writers, that’s the hard bit and I believe that the development of an idea into a full blown novel is a very personal thing for each writer. I’m one of those writers that likes to let the creativity flow as I write. I don’t do very much plotting ahead once I’ve got my idea. I tend to have a rough idea of the beginning and the ending, but like to work out the route from A to B as I write.

For me, in both my novels (Unquiet Souls, which was my debut and Uncoiled Lies, my sequel) a lot of my plotting was done in my subconscious – in those hours (I’m an insomniac) when I was trying to drift off to sleep, I was thinking creepy thoughts about ‘dump sites’, or how to kill off a character or how to slot in that final quirky little twist at the end that, hopefully, would confound the reader till the very last minute. These scenes were practically written in my mind before I even put pen to paper (or in my case fingertips to keyboard). Round and round they’d spin till I knew I just had to write the scene so I could move on to some other scene. Soon as I’d got it on paper (laptop) my mind was freed up to work on another aspect of my story. For Uncoiled Lies a lot of this plot cogitating was done whilst editing Unquiet Souls.

When I’m doing something mundane like shopping or driving I often have a brainwave. Maybe it’s the fluted music or sheer ennui, but there’s something about a quiet supermarket that provokes my sub conscious mind into full blown flights of fancy about my characters and the things they get up to. I’m also an obsessive eavesdropper and get a lot of ideas from overhearing other peoples’ conversations and then asking myself the ‘what if?’ question… ‘what if it was her brother who was cheating on her best friend?” What if, instead of shouting, she picked up a knife?” “What if he came home early and saw…?” The list is endless and with so many variables.

Currently I have loads of ideas gestating (or festering if you prefer) in the back of my mind and I know that some of them will become fully fledged DI Gus McGuire stories. I’ve already started on number three and have a rough idea of what numbers four and five will be… my subconscious throws up the ideas, I take a note of them and then let them do their thing.

That doesn’t mean everyone has to plot like I do. There is no hard and fast rule. I think the secret is to find what works for you and then go for it. My creative writing tutor, Martyn Bedford, from Leeds Trinity University gave me the best advice. He said ‘Just start writing. Get it all down and then edit.” Once I gave myself the freedom to do that I progressed quickly. But, if you’re a planner then that mightn’t work for you. I have friends who swear by writing a step by step breakdown of their plot and if that works for you, then do it. Only you know how you work best and only you can write your stories.

Make sure to go back and check out the other stops on the tour!

Blog Tour/Guest Post: Waiting for Aegina by @EffieKammenou @HelloChickLit

January 17, 2017Leave a comment

Welcome to my stop on the Waiting for Aegina blog tour! I have a beautiful guest post and info on the book for you today.

Waiting for Aegina
By author: Effie Kammenou
Release Date:
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

Book Two in The Gift Saga: The continuation of Evanthia’s Gift…

In 1961, five little girls moved into a suburban neighborhood and became inseparable, lifelong friends. They called themselves the ‘Honey Hill Girls,’ named after the street on which they lived. As teenagers they shared one another’s ambitions and dreams, secrets and heartaches. Now, more than thirty years later, they remain devoted and loyal, supporting each other through triumphs and sorrows.

Evanthia’s Gift follows the life of Sophia Giannakos. In Waiting for Aegina the saga continues from the perspectives of Sophia and her friends as the story drifts back and forth in time, filling in the gaps as the women grow to adulthood.

Naive teenage ideals are later challenged by harsh realities, as each of their lives takes unexpected turns. Now nearing their fiftieth year, Sophia, Demi, Amy, Mindy and Donna stand together through life-altering obstacles while they try to regain the lighthearted optimism of their youth.

Buy the Book on Amazon:

AmazonUS
AmazonUS

Guest Post

Inspiration

Inspiration can come from any number of sources – a life experience, a fleeting yet compelling observation, or perhaps an unforgettable dream. For me it’s been all of the above and then some. I believe every writer draws from personal experience and any creative person tends to possess keen observation skills.

My younger daughter is a graphic designer and art director. I can see her eyes light up when inspiration strikes. I may not understand what it is that caught her attention, but when she’s done setting up her shot and I see the final product of what she’s created, then I understand.

The same is true for my eldest who choreographs dance routines. She’ll hear a piece of music that speaks to her and it’s as though a light switch was turned on and I can see her eyes dancing as her mind begins to create.

The smallest seemingly insignificant moments can be the most inspirational of all. Each year my family and I attend the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. It’s a crowded park at that time of the year. Actually, it’s always pretty crowded, but during the festival there are lines of people waiting to sample food & alcoholic beverages from kiosks that represent dozens of countries. I was sitting on a bench waiting for my family and I noticed a young couple that was each sampling one of the offerings. It was apparent that the young man enjoyed what he’d tasted and he brought the wax paper clad pastry up to his girlfriend’s lips. He watched her eagerly, hoping she would enjoy it as much as he did and smiled when her reaction was the same as his. He then sweetly brushed off a flake of pastry from her bottom lip and gently kissed her. The whole exchange couldn’t have been more than fifteen seconds but it stuck with me. There was so much love in the young man’s gestures. I could see from that tiny slice of their life that he cared deeply for her and it moved me. I decided I would work that sweet moment into one of my stories. (Hint – It’s in Waiting For Aegina)

I began writing my first novel, Evanthia’s Gift, when my mother passed away. It had always been in the back of my mind to write, but I’d always dismissed the idea until this life-altering event and inspiration was born from grief. The story I had always played with in my mind grew from as simple love story to a family saga when I created a character that honored the essence of my mother’s heart and soul.

My mother like her mother before hernever wanted to leave this earth, and they especially didn’t want to leave their family. My grandmother, who we called Yiayiá, would say in heavily accented English, ‘Don’t forget me,’ years before she had to worry about dying. My mother promised to always be with us and watch over us. And I believe she has done just that. I’ve had several dreams since I’ve lost her. Ones that contained an important message. I’ve used those dreams as inspiration although I changed the details and used them in a different context.

In 2004 I reluctantly attended my thirtieth high school reunion. The committee chairperson, an old friend I hadn’t seen since those school days, contacted me repeatedly until I finally agreed to attend. I ended up having a wonderful time and reconnected with many old friends. We became a close-knit group, and twelve years later, we still get together. Because of this, the idea came to me to write a fictionalized story about a circle of friends who grew up together. I added these friends to Book One: Evanthia’s Gift as secondary characters, but in Book Two: Waiting For Aegina they are the focus of they story and each have their own subplot.

Although there may be bits and pieces of my friends in these women they are purely a figment of my imagination. I thought back to those days when we were young and idealistic and remembered what we all thought we would be doing with our lives years later. I expected to be a successful actor. There was a 1:1,000,000 chance of that! I was certain one of my friends would be a fashion designer and another a very important politician. Neither is the case in their real lives but my teenage ideals for them was inspiration enough for me to develop completely new characters with different histories, backgrounds and physical attributes from my friends.

I’m not sure where my next idea will come from—something I see in the newspaper or overhear at the dining table next to me when I’m out to lunch—who knows? There’s a world of possibilities out there.

About the Author:

Effie Kammenou

Bio:

Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d thought that, by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actress. Instead, she’s worked in the optical field for 40 years and has been the proud mother of two accomplished young women.

Effie is a first generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing, or posting recipes on her food blog, cheffieskitchen.wordpress.com, you can find her cooking for her family and friends.

Her debut novel, EVANTHIA’S GIFT, is a women’s fiction multigenerational love story and family saga, influenced by her Greek heritage, and the many real life accounts that have been passed down. She continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her recent interview with him was published in a nationally circulated magazine.

As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the book.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.

Member of Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association & Romance Writers of America

GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Visit all the tour stops below:

January 15th

Smokin’ Hot Reads Book Blog – Book Excerpt

January 16th

Hello…Chick Lit – Book Excerpt

January 17th

Novelgossip – Author Guest Post
Kristin’s Novel Cafe – Book Excerpt

January 18th

Steamy Book Momma – Book Promo

January 19th

Wonderfully Bookish – Author Guest Post

January 20th

Grass Monster – Book Review

January 21st

Book Lover in Florida – Book Excerpt
Rae Reads – Guest Post
Pretty Little Book Reviews – Book Promo

Blog Tour: Flesh Evidence by @MHollingdrake @Bloodhoundbook

December 18, 2016December 15, 2016Leave a comment

Goodreads|Amazon UK|

Publisher: Bloodhound Books

Genre: Crime Fiction

Blurb:

An explosive, edge of your seat, crime thriller

In Harrogate things are about to get weird.

Jars of honey containing pieces of tattooed flesh are the first clue in the search for the whereabouts of a missing fourteen-year-old boy. Then another boy goes missing and further jars of honey are discovered.

Serial kidnappings taking place in Harrogate and the culprit is unlike any other Bennett has dealt with before.

A number of leads seem to be going nowhere and the police are running out of time.

Can Bennett and his team catch a psychopath before any more damage is done?

This will be his toughest case yet.

For my stop on the blog tour for Flesh Evidence I’m bringing you an rather chilling extract. Matches that creepy cover quite well I think!

Extract

Prologue

7th August 1976

The heat of the long summer showed no sign of abating. The south-facing windows of the hospital trapped more and more of the day’s incessant heat; the waiting room seemed to grow increasingly claustrophobic as the air grew thick, warm and sticky, emphasising the indelible hospital aroma. Pamphlets full of advice for young parents hung as listlessly as the air from discoloured, cork-lined walls, each held at one corner by a solitary drawing pin of varying colour. Ian Dixon let his eyes follow them round the room. He counted the different coloured pins to alleviate his anxiety. It was then he heard his name disturb the silence. Butterflies shot through his stomach.

“You have a son, Mr Dixon. Congratulations!”

His heart raced as he moved towards the delivery room. There, cradled in Jose’s arms, was his first born, a son, Samuel.

Chapter One

Early August 2015

The keen edge of the blade ran diagonally across the white, stretched flesh, squeezing various sized, pomegranate-coloured beads of blood sitting precariously on the white skin’s surface. Some gorged and swelled more than others before bursting and running round the curvature of the arm. Other lines, now healing, criss-crossed near them. The muffled sound from taped lips and the twitching torso danced involuntarily to the music playing in the background, adding a certain frisson to the macabre pantomime.

It was always their eyes, no matter how young or how old, their eyes told the true story, like crystal balls projecting deeply within those dark pools, their torment and their fear. Those same crying eyes followed the tormentor as the tip of a tongue traced the sliced flesh, removing the remaining blood-filled beads one by one. The lips then moved away before coming together, savouring the metallic, sharp, bloody taste; for one person in the room, it was a perfect end to the day.

“You’re not sweet enough yet my young friend. Maybe it will take another week, maybe a fortnight but we’re in no rush are we? And the only thing you get from rushing is chance children!”

A smile moved across the blood-marked lips. “That’s my father’s advice you know and yes, I did have parents although I’m sure you might think only a bastard could keep you locked away from the world.”

Tears continued to fill the eyes that were now pleading and so alive as the throb of the youth’s pulse bounced along his sliced arm.

“You know I can’t release you, not yet anyway, you’re not ready.”

A gloved hand removed a rolling tear from the youth’s cheek. The blood-tinged tongue licked it from the blue latex before switching off the music.

“Time for you to rest and calm down.”

The light went off and the world was black and silent again.

Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour!

Saturday Shoutout: Guest Post with D. J. Swykert @djswykert

December 17, 2016December 16, 20162 Comments

For today’s Saturday Shoutout I have a totally fascinating guest post from author D. J. Swykert.

Unique DNA Search Catches the Grim Sleeper

The underlying theme in The Death of Anyone, Melange Books, poses the Machiavellian question: Does the end justify the means? Bonnie Benham, the lead detective in my story, has her own answer. But the legality of this question was answered in a real life courtroom in the California trial of a serial killer dubbed by the media: The Grim Sleeper.

Lonnie David Franklin, the Grim Sleeper, was caught because his son’s DNA was the closest match to DNA collected at the crime scenes in the database. Investigating Franklin’s son led them to investigate Lonnie Franklin. But there was no direct DNA evidence that linked Lonnie to the crime scene until they obtained a sample from him after his arrest. Lonnie Franklin was the first person in the U.S. to ever stand trial for murder based on this type of evidence, and its admissibility issues were thoroughly tested by defense attorneys.

Only two states at this time, California and Colorado, have a written policy concerning the use of Familial DNA in an investigation. The admission of Familial DNA, with its potential Fourth Amendment violations, has never been tested in court. The California trial of Lonnie David Franklin will become a landmark case for the future use of Familial DNA Searches by law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Lonnie David Franklin, AKA, The Grim Sleeper, was arrested on July 7, 2010. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged him with ten counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and special circumstance allegations of multiple murders in the cases. A grand jury indictment was issued on March 23, 2011. The Grim Sleeper has been resting comfortably in jail since his arrest awaiting trial; the large quantity of evidence in this case, some dating back thirty years, has caused a lengthy pretrial discovery. The trial was originally scheduled to begin the summer of 2014, but was put on hold. It was rescheduled for June 30, 2015, but that didn’t happen. On Monday August 17, 2015, at a pretrial hearing, the trial was rescheduled for October 14, 2015. Finally, in the spring of 2016, The Grim Sleeper was convicted. A long appeals process, which might ultimately end up with the Supreme Court, is expected.

I first heard of the technique while working as a 911 operator in 2006. It came up in a conversation with officers. I thought at the time it would make an interesting premise for a book. I began writing the mystery some three years later after leaving the department. I had just finished editing a first draft of The Death of Anyone in the summer 2010 when news of The Grim Sleeper’s capture in Los Angeles was released. I read with interest all the information pouring out of L.A. regarding the investigation and the problems confronting prosecutors. All of which are explored in The Death of Anyone.

In my fictional story Detroit Detective Bonnie Benham has been transferred from working undercover in narcotics to homicide and is working the case of a killer of adolescent girls. She is a straight forward investigator who describes herself as a blonde with a badge and a gun. CSI collects DNA evidence from the scene of the latest victim, which had not been detected on the other victims. But no suspect turns up in the FBI database. Due to the notoriety of the crimes a task force is put together with Bonnie as the lead detective, and she implores the D.A. to use an as yet unapproved type of a DNA Search in an effort to identify the killer.

The Death of Anyone is available on the Melange Books website and also on Amazon in Kindle and print, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and Kobo.

Bio:

DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator writing and living in the Cincinnati area. His work has appeared in The Tampa Review, Detroit News, Coe Review, Monarch Review, the Newer York, Lunch Ticket, Gravel, Zodiac Review, Barbaric Yawp and Bull. His books include Children of the Enemy, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington, Alpha Wolves, The Pool Boy’s Beatitude, Sweat Street, Justice in the Street, Nude Swimming and The Death of Anyone.

Social media sites:

Website: http://www.magicmasterminds.com/djswykert

Twitter: @djswykert

Facebook: David J. Swykert

Blog Tour/Guest Post: Shutter by Laurie Faria Stolarz

October 13, 20168 Comments

I’m so excited to be a stop for the blog tour for Shuttered by Laurie Faria Stolarz. Read on for info on the book and a fabulous guest post from Laurie.

ABOUT SHUTTER:

THE FACTS

• Julian Roman, age sixteen, is an escapee from the Fairmount County Juvenile Detention Facility.

• His parents, Michael Roman and Jennifer Roman, are dead.

• Julian is wanted for murder.
THE QUESTIONS

• Why is Julian Roman on the run?

• Just how dangerous is he?

• And who did kill Michael and Jennifer Roman, if not Julian?
Seventeen-year-old Day Baker views life through the lens of her camera, where perspective is everything. But photographs never tell the whole story. After Day crosses paths with Julian, the world she pictures and the truths she believes-neatly captured in black and white-begin to blur.
Julian is not the “armed and dangerous” escapee the police are searching for, but his alibis don’t quite add up, either. There is more to his story. This time, Day is determined to see the entire picture . . . whatever it reveals. Did he? Or didn’t he?
Day digs deeper into the case while Julian remains on the run. But the longer her list of facts becomes, the longer the list of questions becomes, too. It’s also getting harder to deny the chemistry she feels for him. Is it real? Or is she being manipulated?
Day is close to finding the crack in the case. She just needs time to focus before the shutter snaps shut.

Buy links: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Guest Post:

10 things I didn’t know about being an author before I became one

1. I didn’t know how much of a good investment high quality coffee would be.

2. I knew that writing could be isolating, but I didn’t know the value and importance of connecting with other writers both in-person and online. Attend conferences, teach workshops, go on writing retreats, organize panels at bookstores, schedule meet-ups to work or talk shop, etc., etc.

3. I didn’t know how much of a pen snob I’d become. Writers need to invest in high-quality pens and notebooks (and keep them handy at all times). It makes a big difference when scribbling down ideas or working through plot.

4. I didn’t know how much my work would mean to certain readers. Over the years I’ve had readers tell me my work has gotten them to love reading, saved their lives, changed their philosophical and religious views, helped them escape, inspired them to write, given them hope, taught them about courage, and helped them face their biggest fears.

5. I didn’t know that coffee shops could provide some of the best office space.

6. I didn’t know what an impact I could make as an author. After I had a couple of books published, I started making periodic visits to an all girls’ residential treatment facility to talk about my work, writing, and perseverance. On one of my visits, I hit huge traffic and arrived thirty minutes late (and I’m never late for anything, so it was super stressful). When I finally got there, a girl was in tears simply because she didn’t think I’d come and I actually did. She was so used to being disappointed in life, she cried to think I’d actually pull through.

7. I didn’t know that sometimes the best writing happens away from the computer. I’m frequently thinking of character and plot throughout my day, which is why keeping that notebook and pen handy is essential.

8. I didn’t know how beneficial it was to get away from the screen to get inspired. Sometimes when you sit down at the computer, the words just aren’t there. Taking walks, exercising, being active in the community, getting out with others, teaching, learning, experiencing…it’s all essential for writing.

9. I didn’t know how much the industry would change – the birth of e-Readers and book blogs, the death of Borders. There are now more online opportunities for marketing, but less shelf space at stores to carry titles. There are more opportunities for people to be published, but less certainty as to where publishing houses and authors will get the biggest bang for their marketing/advertising buck.

10. I didn’t know how grateful I’d be for my marketing degree.

ABOUT LAURIE FARIA STOLARZ:

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been named on various awards list.

Website|Twitter|Facebook
Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

10/10: Pretty Deadly Reviews – Review

10/11: The Irish Banana Review – Q&A

10/12: A Writer Named Charley – Review

10/13: Novelgossip – Guest Post

10/14: The Worn Bookmark – Review
Week 2:

10/17: Tales of the Ravenous Reader – Review

10/18: Bibliobuli YA – Guest Post

10/19: That Artsy Reader Girl – Review

10/20: In Wonderland – Top 10

10/21: Stuck In Books – Review
Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of SHUTTER (US Only)

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Blog Tour/Guest Post: Gamer Girl by Glynis Astie

October 11, 20162 Comments

Gamer Girl
By author: Glynis Astie
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Blurb:

Struck by tragedy at an early age, Meri Palmer escaped into the only world she understood. Within the virtual realm of online gaming, she lived a life filled with mythical creatures and thrilling adventures, where she was strong, powerful, clever, and beautiful—everything she believed she wasn’t in real life. As the years went by, her desire to cling to her cherished fantasyland only grew stronger.

But when Meri meets Morgan, equal parts gorgeous and goofball, she begins to wonder if the time has finally come to rejoin the so-called real world. Channeling the bravery of her fairy warrior alter ego, Meri slowly lets Morgan beyond the protective walls she’s built around her heart. Just as she finds a comfortable groove in an uncertain world, Morgan succumbs to insecurities of his own, leaving her lost and confused. Through her battle to regain her equilibrium, Meri will discover that even in reality, things aren’t always what they seem.

Will Meri win the battle raging in her heart and summon the will to rescue her knight in shining armor? Or will she give in to the fear and find her game over?

Buy the Book:

Amazon US
Amazon UK

About the Author:

Glynis Astie

Bio:

Glynis never expected in her wildest dreams to be a writer. After thirteen years in the Human Resources Industry, she decided to stay at home with her two amazing sons. Ever in search of a project, she was inspired to write the story of how, in only six short months, she met and married her wonderfully romantic French husband, Sebastien. The end result became her first novel, French Twist. As this was just the beginning of their epic love story, Glynis continued to chronicle their adventures in the sequel, French Toast, and the final installment in the series, French Fry. After she finished milking her life story for all it was worth, she decided to write straight-up fiction with Gamer Girl, which infuses her beloved chick lit with a hint of fantasy.

When Glynis is not writing, she is trying to keep the peace amongst the three men and two cats in her life, finding missing body parts (Lego pieces are small!), supervising a myriad of homework assignments and keeping a tenuous hold on her sanity by consuming whatever chocolate is in the vicinity.

Guest Post:

Gilmore Girls Gusto

The other day a friend posted this photo on my Facebook timeline and my first thought was how cool it would be to live your life channeling a little bit of each of these amazing characters from Gilmore Girls. (Okay, it wasn’t my first thought. My first thought was, “I have to buy this!” but close enough.) While I believe this mug captured memorable traits from each role, there were definitely a few essentials missing. Granted slapping this stuff on a mug requires brevity, but I’m a writer—and we tend to be wordy—so I thought I might share some of my own favorite things about this lovable cast.

Are you ready for the breakdown? Here we go!

Lorelai: I always had great appreciation for her wardrobe (nobody could rock high-heeled boots like her!), but she really captured my heart with her signature wit and her truly astounding ability to deliver an enormous amount of dialogue seemingly without drawing breath. She may have been impulsive and oh so impatient, but she balanced this nicely with her captivating smile and huge heart. Not to mention her capacity to put away copious amounts of junk food without any physical evidence. That being said, I want to dress, talk and eat like Lorelai.

Rory: Without a doubt the most well-read and smartest one on the list (she did beat out Paris for valedictorian after all), she also possessed the sweetest disposition known to man. Everyone—with the exception of Dean’s wife and an angry ballet dancer—loved Rory. She was also quite witty (inherited from her mother, natch), using her intellectual prowess to take her humor to a whole other level. If I had the chance, I would think, read and sparkle like Rory.

Emily: She clearly knew her way around a good cocktail, but she was also no slouch in the etiquette department. (Perhaps she felt the need to live up to good old Emily Post!) She may have been tough as nails, but she was graceful, determined and had amazing taste in jewelry. And that voice? So regal and imposing. I totally want to drink, take charge and enunciate like Emily.

Sookie: Though well known as the originator of the most delicious food in Stars Hollow and beyond (I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to reach through my TV to taste what she was making), it was her sunny demeanor that always stuck with me. From her infectious laugh to her hair-brained schemes, watching her on screen always made me smile. She was positively brimming with silliness, enthusiasm and love. If I could, I would love to cook, laugh and enthuse like Sookie.

Lane: The coolest chick around, she was adept at living a double life. Ever the dutiful daughter, she presented the perfect image to her domineering mother while she followed her love of rock, junk food and pop culture in private. She was dramatic, soulful and passionate about her music. It would be awesome to rock, feel and dream like Lane.

Paris: She was definitely no slouch in the dialogue department. Not only did she offer up some of the sauciest zingers ever written, she would make you cry with laughter from her deadpan delivery. She always overstepped, she gave an impeccable withering stare and she never took crap from anyone. She was, without a doubt, stark raving mad and absolutely hilarious. Given the opportunity, I would talk, stare and reduce people to puddles like Paris.

That does it for my take on these amazing Gilmore Girls personalities. Although, I do have one more thing for you. Here’s my take on a few other Stars Hollow favorites in convenient mug-sized descriptions. Enjoy!

GRUMBLE LIKE LUKE

MELT HEARTS LIKE DEAN

LOVE LIKE LOGAN

SMOLDER LIKE JESS

WORK LIKE KIRK

REASON LIKE RICHARD

WHINE LIKE MICHEL

ANNOY LIKE TAYLOR

INTIMIDATE LIKE MRS. KIM

SING LIKE PATTY

GOSSIP LIKE BABETTE

Find her here: