Making an Enchanted Escape

We're moving into those cold days of winter so this is a great time to start finding some fresh reading material for those long, cold days when all I want to do is curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a great book. And what would be better than a tale of knights battling for honor?

My guest today is award-winning paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, whose tales of Dragon Knights never fail to capture the reader's attention. Mary lives in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows she will return some day. For now she syas she lets the worlds she once created in her mind come to life in her stories. 

Let's let Mary tell us about her latest book, A Highland Moon Enchantment:

  

I’ve returned home to Scotland and the Dragon Knights this holiday season.

When the O’Quinlan brothers entered the story in Dragon Knight’s Axe, Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3, I knew each would demand their own story. Desmond O’Quinlan kept tapping my shoulder (and yelling in my ear), requesting a rematch with Dragon Knight, Alastair MacKay. Apparently, he had unfinished business with Alastair for leaving his sister, Fiona. In truth, I sensed a deeper meaning behind Desmond’s foul mood and growing anger at the Dragon Knight. However, Ailsa MacDuff will become his greatest challenge, and the real reason for his bitterness will be exposed.

The light of a Midwinter feast and the glow of a Highland full moon will weave its magic over these two warriors.  

Thanks, Mary, let's get a blurb:

Irish warrior, Desmond O’Quinlan has never surrendered his heart to any woman. He has no wish to have his soul tortured by love. Yet, the moment he locks gazes with Ailsa, his fate is destined for an adventure he never fathomed. He may have battled alongside a Dragon Knight, but his greatest challenge will come from within his own heart.

Ailsa MacDuff, a warrior among her clan, has no desire to have a man chain her to a life of obedience. However, that is before she meets Desmond. The temptation to allow this warrior inside her heart is a risk she dares to take, but one that could lead to a future of emptiness and sorrow. 

When betrayal looms from within, the battleground of love is no match for these two warriors. Can the power of a Highland full moon be strong enough to unite or destroy them?

Naturally I was so intrigued by these characters I wanted to interview them: 

Desmond, tell us what you want most out of your life?

“I reckon I have found what was missing, which was love. I did not seek it, believing I had everything I wanted back in Navan. When I encountered Ailsa, she opened a part of me that I had locked away.”

What is your biggest victory so far?

“To be accepted by the people on the isle of Ailsa Creag. One day, my wife shall rule the isle, so I worried they would not wish to have an outsider stand beside her. Yet, I was wrong. They have accepted me as one of their own and made me a leader, as well.”

What is it about Ailsa MacDuff that first drew your attention?

“Her eyes. She held me captive with one look. I deemed she could see straight into my soul.”

Ailsa, what made you become such a fighter?

“The isle of Ailsa Creag has always trained both—men and women. Some of the men are chosen to become part of the Fianna. They are a group of men who serve other chieftains in Eire and Scotland and help to maintain order on their lands. We are an ancient people—one that I am proud to serve. ’Tis in my blood.”   

What is it about Desmond that frightens you?

“There is naught that scares me about my husband. In the beginning, I feared he would not wish to remain on our island.” Desmond leans near and whispers in her ear. “Apparently, he has assured me again that he will not leave.”

What is the one thing you want to keep hidden from him?

“We have nae secrets between us.” Alisa cheeks turn a rosy glow as she quickly averts Desmond’s stare. “Though I have yet to tell him the news about a bairn…”

Would you like to know more? Here's how you can buy A Highland Moon Enchantment:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0767QVJBX/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-highland-moon-enchantment-mary-morgan/1127176325

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-highland-moon-enchantment/id1294140045?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-highland-moon-enchantment

Thank you, Mary, for being my guest and introducing us to Desmond and Ailsa.  Any questions or comments for Mary?

Get Busy Writing

Normally on Wednesdays, I like to preview a new book or books that I've found interesting and talk to either the authors or the characters. This week I am doing something different. Every so often I like to address those who would like to go from being a reader to a writer. 

Today I am going to focus on the goal of writing itself. As  a writer I am constantly being told by others that they would love to write a book but they don't know what to do about it. Or they say they have so many stories in their heads but they don't know where to start. I had that conversation with someone just yesterday and my advice to him was what I say to everyone:

Just start writing.

Whatever it is you want to stay, start putting those words on paper or typing them into your computer or onto your phone or ipad. But how? Sometimes the most difficult part of writing something new can be that first line. Those blank pages staring back at you can be quite daunting. Believe me, I've been there so many times. I know what you're thinking:

How do I make a good start?
What do I say?
What will make the most sense?
What will grab the reader?
Do I want someone to even read this?

My answer to all those questions and worries is something a wise old news editor once told me:

 Don't worry about them. Just write what's in your head. 

Don't worry about making it perfect the first time. Just start. You can always fix it later. As I've heard Nora Roberts say at a number of writing conventions, "You can't edit what you haven't written." And having written so many bestsellers, she is definitely someone to take writing advice from. She also says if you want to make money at writing you have to treat it like a job. You have to constantly work at it and not just wait for the muse to strike. Again -- good advice. 

If your life story is what you want to write, if you want to tell the story of someone close to you, if you have a fiction story you've been kicking around in your head, STOP THINKING! Start writing. Just like you go to work every day, work at your writing and your book or story will get finished.

One of the things I have done at the end of nearly every year is to take stock of the things I accomplished in that year as well as make a goal list of the things I want to accomplish in the next year. Every year I look back at both lists. When something doesn't get finished, it often moves forward to the next year. One of the fun things I've discovered as I look back is how many things did eventually get accomplished -- even if they were moved forward several times. 

I have a little sign above my desk that says "Just Do It." And that sometimes gets me back on track. But if you're starting out, the point is, the books and stories will never get finished if you don't start writing them. Put those first words down on a piece of paper. Type them into your computer. Just get them down in written form. Now is as good a time as any. 

You alone can make 2018 your year for writing that book or that story. Get busy writing now and you may be calling yourself an author by 2019. 

Get Away to a New Romance

December always finds me looking for new authors to read and this year was no different. Of course, I am always looking for a good romance novel and my search introduced me to both as I discovered author Larry Farmer and his newest book.  Larry is the guest in My Writing Corner this week.

He tells us he was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas, a town on the southern tip of the state near the Gulf of Mexico.   He says he grew up with old school values on a cotton farm. He attended Texas A & M and joined the Corps of Cadets there. He eventually quit in join the Marines. He also served in the Peace Corp in the Philippines. After traveling around the world he eventually settled in Switzerland where he married and raised two of his three children. He now works for Texas A&M and he says he finally has the time to reflect on his life and its meaning... and to write about it, and we're glad he does!
His newest book is Seeing Gail Again, and we can see some of that past experience come to life.

Here's the blurb:

Jericho, just out of the Marines, returns to his roots in Texas only to face the anti-war movement that demonizes all Vietnam vets. He needs to sort through his life away from all that, and in his travels he stumbles upon a Shangri-La called the Lake District of England. There is peace and serenity around those lakes. And a girl—a beautiful, soulful girl he meets while working in the restaurant of a luxury hotel.

Gail is deep and intellectual, a mother-earth type who gives him peace inside. But when the Yom Kippur War breaks out in Israel, he abruptly leaves her and goes to help the beleaguered Jewish state while seeking his Jewish identity. Yet neither Jericho nor Gail could ever forget the depth of their love… 

Will meeting again, years later, resolve the feelings that never left them?

Naturally I was curious about these two characters so I had to ask Larry to tell us more about them both. 

Why did Jericho feel the need to get away from Texas after coming home from Vietnam?

Jericho felt the ravages of combat in a controversial war. Then came home to the war at home, the Age of Aquarius vs traditional America one. Trying to settle back in to normal life, the way America had changed, the riots in the streets, the stigma of being a 'baby killer', plus the corruption of politics with Watergate going on, made Jericho feel a need to heal. To find himself. 'To find his head.'

What touches him most about the Lake District?

The serenity, remoteness, and the genteel population.

What first attracts him to Gail?

She had an air about her. Self-confidence, depth, maturity, and a soulful personality.

Why would he want to leave her?

To spend one's life as a secular Jew in a gentile world, assimilated but still a chord of difference in outlook and heritage. Even awareness of a stigma of this heritage. The Yom Kippur War broke out in Israel and suddenly an awakening of Jewish heritage and pride broke through in Jericho. A defensiveness for the underdog on top of that. And to see a people willing and able to fight for themselves, after he experienced the antagonism and shame America, especially the Aquarian Age America, seemed to feel toward those who believed in America's ideals as well as seeing the dangers lurking in the world, especially through the Communist belligerence during the Cold War.

What haunts him about her?

Her soulfulness and idealism. The passion that broke through from her relationship with Jericho.

Now let's focus on Gail. What attracts her to Jericho?

An irresistible independence in him along with self-confidence. And he truly believed in his ideals and causes. A seeker. Someone that needs to know answers to complicated aspects of life, cultures, and history. This longing to find himself. Sturdiness mixed with compassion and ideals.

How did meeting him change her  life?

Gail has spent her entire life feeling different than everyone around. Looking for her place in life, but also secretly longing for her knight in shining armor. Someone strong, but deep and sensitive. And there he stands, suddenly, from the most unlikely places. A Marine Cowboy from Texas. An irresistible allure once she got to know him. The opening to new horizons and understanding that the world wasn't as black and white as even her ideals sometimes believed. He broke the mold, but fit the dreams. She opened up to new worlds because of him. And found that her own dreams were attainable in the knight he seemed to be.

What does she want for her future?

Companionship of the soul. Nurturing of the heart. A life simple but with depth.

Doesn't that just make you want to dive into the story and not stop until you've read the whole thing? I'm ready to read! Here are the buy links:

The Wild Rose Press
Seeing Gail Again Larry Farmer (paperback) -- from the publisher The Wild Rose Press


Amazon and Kindle

Barnes and Noble

Barnes & Noble -- From Nook -- Seeing Gail Again

Kobo

From Kobo --  Seeing Gail Again ebook by Larry Farmer - Rakuten Kobo

I-Books
From I-books -- Seeing Gail Again - Books on Google Play

Thank you, Larry, for being my guest and introducing us to  Gail and Jericho.  Any questions or comments for Larry?

Romantic December Reading

The holiday season means I get to shop for books, both to give as gifts to friends and for my own personal pleasurable reading.  That means discovering new authors or the latest books by authors I already enjoy. Either way, I figure I am the ultimate winner as I get to go through the latest books that have just come out.


A new romance release that definitely caught my attention comes from author Donna Simonetta, who is the guest today in My Writing Corner.

Donna is a Maryland author who says she is living her dream life. She worked in business for years and got her MLS and then went to work in a library and now she has become a published author. She says her husband is her real life romantic hero so it sounds like her dreams really have come true. She writes contemporary and fantasy romance and her newest book is  A Sweeter Spot. The story sounds like good holiday romantic reading:

Magda knows a 28-year-old shouldn’t run away from home, but Rivers Bend is the ideal escape. Helping out her best friend will get her away from her uber-wealthy, controlling grandmother and duplicitous ex. She doesn’t expect the quirky little town to feel so much like home. Add in hotter-than-the-sun Jeff and his daughter, and leaving seems as unthinkable as it is inevitable.

Raising Sam alone, Jeff knew he wanted her to grow up in his supportive hometown. The arrival of a feisty new tenant sends Jeff's world spinning. Magda fills a void in his life that he’d like to make permanent.

Will love triumph over the most powerful woman in the country, and can they figure out how to make this happy-for-now in Rivers Bend into their happy-ever-after?

Want more? Let's get excerpt!

“Being cheated on is no fun. It happened to me once. Up here,” he tapped his forehead. “You know it’s not your fault. But here,” he tapped his chest over his heart. “You feel like it has to be your fault – like you could’ve done something to prevent it. But you couldn’t have. It’s all on him, Maggie. Not you.”

She picked a dandelion, whose flower had turned into a puffball, and blew on it, scattering the fluff to the wind. “Maybe. Maybe not. But thanks for the support.”

She pushed to her feet and took a couple of steps toward the river. Jeff rose and followed. 

How could he be so angry at a man he didn’t even know? How could this Pierce jerk have slept around on a woman like Maggie? And the prick had even made her doubt herself in the process. It was written all over her anguished face.

He stood behind her and gently kneaded her shoulders. He turned her to face him and cupped her face in his big hands.

“This Pierce guy is the biggest fool on earth to go to someone else when he had you at home, Maggie.”

She blinked away tears, and he felt his heart constrict. Before he could think it through and decide it was a really bad idea, Jeff dipped his head and captured Magda’s lips in a gentle kiss.

If you want to read more, here are the buy links:

Amazon:

https://www.amzn.com/dp/B01N1S1K06/

TWRP:

http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4862-a-sweeter-spot.html

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sweeter-spot-donna-simonetta/1125338511?ean=2940157374921

Amazon UK:

http://amzn.eu/14pwrnP

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-sweeter-spot-1

And here are the links if you would like to get in touch with Donna:

https://www.facebook.com/donnasimonettaauthor

https://twitter.com/donna_simonetta

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15422407.Donna_Simonetta

https://www.amazon.com/Donna-Simonetta/e/B06X415TWW/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-simonetta

Thank you, Donna, for introducing us to your new romance. Any comments or questions for Donna:

Romancing the West

As we move toward the gift-giving season, time gets shorter for reading but longer for looking for gifts. For me, the idea of giving good books to friends and family can pay off in more ways than one. It gives me an opportunity to shop for myself... in addition to shopping for others.  That means I get to visit all my favorite book stores and look around for any new ones that might have opened in the last year and visit all my old familiar favorites... just in case.

But best of all, the search the search not only means finding new the latest books by my favorite authors, but discovering new authors as well.  My guest today in My Writing Corner is Canadian author, Cat Dubie, author of a new Historical Western just published this month by The Wild Rose Press. Being a fan of romance and Western history, this one goes immediately on my "to be read" list. The title is The Queen of Paradise Valley, and it sounds like a story I want to curl up with on a snowy day.

Diana Rennie, daughter of a wealthy rancher, attempts to persuade mystery man Del Russell to leave his grievances behind and forgive her father for past mistakes. Her careful plan goes awry and results in a shotgun wedding and a prison sentence for Del.


Four years later, Del is back in her life with a vengeance—back for his rightful share of Diana's ranch, back to prove he isn't the criminal she thought he was, back to finish what the two of them started years ago in a passionate daze. And he isn’t going anywhere, no matter what beautiful, treacherous Diana does or says to try to get rid of him. 

Want to know more?  I certainly do.  Let's get an excerpt:

     She released a small sigh. 

     "What were you just thinking?" He stood behind her. 

     She felt his heat and turned, rubbed her cheeks, then her arms. "The cows out there. I imagine they're dead, each and every one. And it's all your fault." 

     "Everything's my fault. Can't you think of something new?" 

     "There is nothing new. How can there be when the entire world outside has ceased to exist?" She swept a hand across her brow. "I'm going to my room." 

     He scratched his jaw. “Shutting yourself in your  room will only make your cabin fever worse. Don’t you  get bored?”

      Damn, how bored she was! “No. Never.”

     “Feel like a diversion? A game. Chess, poker—”

     “Real poker? For real stakes?” She studied his face. And then wished she hadn’t, for his eyes had a smoky  quality that gave her goose bumps.

     A familiar half smile. “I never play pretend at  anything.” 

If you would like even more, here are the buy links:

The Wild Rose Press  

Amazon   

Barnes & Noble  

Indigo   

Kobo

Goodreads 

If you would like to contact the author, here is how you can reach Cat:

My blog: https://catdubie.blogspot.ca

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorcat.dubie.7

twitter:  @CatDubie        https://twitter.com/catdubie

Thank you, Cat, for being my guest today.  Any comments or questions for Cat?

The Joy of NaNoWriMo

Today I am taking a break from discussing reading fiction to turn my attention to writing it. For the past five years November has meant a month or four solid weeks of writing every single day. As a participant in NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month, I have struggled along with everyone else participating to start and finish writing a 50-thousand word book. That's an average of 1667 words a day and that's no easy task. At times I have found myself only able to get 300 words done and then had to write 2000 words the next day.

So why put myself through this exercise? Part of it is just to know I can still get a story written quickly.  Part of the reason is also to help me establish a routine of good daily writing habits. And part of it is simply the joy of letting myself go and having an excuse for losing myself in the story. With my focus on my story I find myself seeing everything around me in terms of the story I am writing and that not only helps to keep me going, but it also helps me establish some new patterns or get back to old techniques that worked to keep me writing in the past.

Facing a blank screen or empty pages every morning can be daunting, but NaNoWriMo makes me focus. New scenes must be written every day and that means I have to get off the internet or not take the time to research something at the moment.  I have to sit down at the keyboard and work on dialogue or describing a setting. It means taking steps to develop my characters either in description or ringing them out in the storyline. (which is what I much prefer doing) 

The other thing I love about this month is that I know many of my writing friends are attempting the same thing. We are all in this together and there are writing sprints I can take part in or writing rooms I can visit online and use as further encouragement to keep me going.

But I think the main thing I enjoy as a writer is the sheer joy of watching the story unfold in my head and then on the written page. I can't wait until to reunite with my characters and visit whatever special setting I am using (this year I am using the Northwest since I just visited there) 

So that is where I am heading now -- to a deserted beach on the western Washington coast where I have left my heroine walking along while she is being watched by a dark presence.  What will happen? Well, that's the fun of writing the story. Her fate is in my hands. And I only have a week and a half left to figure it all out.

Some Thoughts on Setting

Several months ago I began writing with a group of published authors on a blog we named Novel Concepts. The idea was that a group of eight of us would work together to write a series of short stories that we would publish online every week as a blog.  The novel concept was that we would end each weekly story with a choice for the reader and let them choose what the next part of the story will be.

So far the stories have been great fun.  The first one was a reunion among friends along the Gulf coast who faced down old romances, confronted lingering problems and even found new romance. Our last story was the fun tale of a best selling romance writer who dies and begins haunting the last person she ran into at a romance conference - a fan who happens to be a male romance writer.

Now we are off and running again, starting our newest story with a young woman who meets a sexy hunk on a tubing adventure down a mountain in Washington state.  I am looking forward to writing my part next week.  I get the opportunity to pick up on a chance meeting and voters have already decided how the next installment begins. The characters are intriguing and sound like fun to write so I am excited about taking them farther along in the relationship. Again, the readers get to decide where the story goes next.

But mostly I am pleased that I get the opportunity to write about one of my favorite settings, the Northwest.  Home to my first and second romantic suspense novels, Deadly Messages and Shadows from the Past, I am always ready and happy to set a story there.

Perhaps that is also why I am also working on this year's NaNoWriMo project with a setting in the Northwest, along the Washington coast where I spent several days last month. Needles to say, I immediately fell in love again with that area. On the Sunday when we arrived I was able to sit outside our cabin and enjoy a long afternoon of sunlight and ocean air.

But the next day, the storms moved in and what writer can resist a log cabin on a cold windy day when the rain is pouring down outside and the logs are burning in the stove, warming up the cabin?

With no internet to distract, no television available, what else can you do but write? And that was exactly what I did -- coming up with an idea for a story about a woman trying to escape her violent ex-boyfriend only to be confronted with a nosy ghost and a sexy new man who is trying to escape his own personal demons.

Setting can be every bit as important to a writer and the story as characters and plot, I've decided. To bring the reader into the location can be every bit as important as making the characters come alive and getting the reader invested in the plot. I almost have to feel my setting when I write, which is probably why I usually stick to locations I know or have at least visited.

And that is really one of the reasons why I am looking forward to that story on Novel Concepts next week. We ran into snow at the base of Mt Rainier as we drove south through the Cascades and I am certain it will help me as I describe the special feel of the Northwest and take the readers along with me too.  Again, the first installment is up, and I'll be moving the story along next monday at
http://novelconcepts1.blogspot.com

A Romantic Return to Laguna

When you find a book you enjoy by an author with a style that you like reading you're always ready to look for that author's next book -- at least I know I am. That was why I was so pleased to see the latest book from author Claire Marti. I thoroughly enjoyed her romance, Second Chance in Laguna, so when I saw that she had a new book out -- At Last in Laguna, I was immediately intrigued and just had to check it out.

 Claire tells us started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After she graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, she got sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress. But finally she decided to follow her heart and are we readers pleased that she did! She now focuses on two of her passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.

 At Last in Laguna, is the next story  in her Finding Forever in Laguna Series from the Wild Rose Press.
Here's the blurb:

 Alyssa Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend, Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister, she’s off limits. After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together? 

 Want more? Let's get an excerpt:

      What was his deal this morning? She’d give him the cold shoulder if it killed her.
      And it just might.
      He’d rejected her, so why was he opening doors, hovering, and acting like a pest? Practically breathing down her neck. She could swear he’d sniffed her. Sniffed her. He couldn’t conceal his awareness. If he were so attracted to her, he would’ve agreed to her proposition, right? Since he’d shot her down in flames, he could at least have the decency to ignore her today. Rude, infuriating man.
      Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the center. Sunlight streamed through the abundance of windows and along with the high ceilings imparted a feeling of freedom and  space, perfect for the planned occupants. Because they’d decided to wait to obtain her input for the more specific room layout, the building’s interior remained a shell. She’d add to her brother’s amazing design and ensure Tearmann House’s beauty and serenity.
      Serenity. What a concept. Ha.

Want more?  If you do, At Last in Laguna is now available.  If you would like more information on Claire, here is her contact information and the buy links: 

Website:  www.clairemarti.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMartiAuthor/

Twitter:  @clairepmarti

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8203678.Claire_Marti

Buy Links:

·      Amazon:   http://amzn.to/2xrKCpo

·      The WildRose Press, Inc.:  http://bit.ly/2w27jjL

·      Barnesand Noble: http://bit.ly/2x3bzPt

·      Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/at-last-in-laguna

·      iBooks:  http://apple.co/2w03OWX 

Comments or questions for Claire?  Thanks, Claire for being my guest today and bringing us another wonderful romance from the shores of Laguna.

A Ghostly Tale from the South

Halloween might have passed, but that doesn't mean we are ready to stop reading spooky stories -- especially if they contain sexy vampires! Those are always high on the reading list and this week author L. A. McGinnis provides just such a book.

From the first time she picked up a book, L.A. was hooked on reading. By the time she left elementary school, she’d finished every volume in the C. H. Campbell library, forcing the poor librarian to order more Norse mythology. When she wasn’t running through the woods or rescuing animals, she could be found curled up in the backyard with a book, escaping to even greater adventures. But Laura dreamed of the day when she’d tell the really, really big story, the tale of growing up in the American twentieth century. But between riding horses and driving fast cars, somehow her teenage years flashed by. 

Realizing that everyone has to grow up, she walked into a classroom at KSU and began studying Chaucer and Shakespeare and Old English, and once again fell in love with storytelling. Eventually, her creativity came full circle, and as she changed from artist to mother, the dream of the Great American Novel was put on hold by all the other things that big life demands. Then one day her son challenged her, so she began writing again. to her delight, discovered that she loved it, perhaps even more than she had before. After pecking out a longer-than-life YA novel and a somewhat convoluted apocalyptic horror manuscript, she finally found a genre that she adored. 

She says she hopes you enjoy Shadows of Ghosts, the story of Logan and Ian. Let's find out more about Shadows of Ghosts!

Driving to South Carolina to claim an inheritance from a total stranger didn’t figure into Logan Dean’s long term plans. But she'd be a fool to pass up an opportunity, and her mother didn’t raise any fools. Now she's a pawn in a vampire war and fighting to stay alive. Thankfully, she’s discovered an ally in mysterious Ian Grant. As her feelings for Ian grow, Logan comes to realize if she wants the love she deserves, she's going to have to fight the demons of her past.

For over a hundred years, cynical Ian Grant swore to never love another woman. But from the first time he saw Logan, he knew an ancient part of his history had come back to haunt him, and the one thing he doesn't want becomes the one thing he has to have.

That sounds like I need to read more!  Here's an excerpt:

     “Why were you talking about me?” Logan countered.

     Ian walked toward her, but she didn’t back away, fueled in part by curiosity, but mostly because nobody pushed her around. When his golden eyes locked on hers, a strange, sweet feeling swept through her.

     The man simply…dazzled. With his fallen angel beauty framed by hair the color of copper and a body that flowed as gracefully as smoke. But it was those eyes, she decided, eyes as gold as Midas that did it for her, slanted above a smile as dangerous as a predator’s.

     A wondrous feeling blew through her, like she’d missed him, like her heart had been broken a thousand times and now was finally whole. He was how home smells when you don’t even know how much you’ve missed it until you come through the front door and there it is. Waiting for you.

     “Who the hell are you, Grant?” She managed, as he stopped a few inches away. The fierceness of his gaze set off another sensation, and as need curled through her, she reeled. It was as if she knew. Knew what his mouth tasted like. Knew his weight on her body. Because she’d felt them before. Staggering forward, Logan found herself caught by capable hands. “Oh God, what’s happening to me?”

     Warm breath feathered her ear. “You’re curious, aren’t you? You feel it, don’t you?” Logan stood helpless, held in place not by him but by something inside her that made it impossible to leave. And when he reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, a gesture so tender, yet so achingly familiar, she couldn’t breathe. “You always had the most beautiful hair.”

     “What kind of games are you playing, Grant?” Logan managed.

     “Unfortunately for us, Miss Dean, this is not a game.” Clouds covered the sun, cutting off the nimbuses that fractured the gloom, plunging the room into shadow. 

     It was a sign, she thought, of something momentous. Or at least, she was going to take it as a sign, which meant pretty much the same thing. Right about then she realized they weren’t alone.

     “What the hell is going on here, Ian?” Face burning, she stepped away from him immediately. Busted. Robert carefully looked between the two of them, a growing awareness on his face.

     Grant smoothly took over. “I just drove out to see Bart’s old place. I’d hoped Miss Dean might be interested in selling.” Just like that, he became completely detached. Gone was any trace of whatever had happened between them. The moment felt stolen, instead of real. He didn’t want Robert to know. Know what, she wasn’t sure, but she did remember Robert’s final words yesterday…get the hell out of here, Ian… 

     Her legs were still a little shaky, but as the distance opened between them, her bearings came back. Fine, she thought, two can play at that game.

     “Mr. Grant was explaining to me his plans for Aviemore.” She felt Grant’s jolt of surprise behind her. “I’m afraid I’ve…” she went on sweetly, “…fallen in love with the old place, too. So, of course I can’t sell.”

    It was a small victory to see that coolness crack for a second. “Then I believe I won’t waste any more of your time.” Footsteps echoed down the empty hall.

     Logan held up a hand to Robert. “Give us just a sec, will you?” She waited on the porch until Ian opened his car door before calling out. “Why did you come out here, Grant?”

    “You don’t want the kind of answers I’ll give you, Miss Dean. Trust me.”

     She bit back a laugh.  “Yeah? Well, sometimes those are the only kind you get.”

If you want to read more, here are the buy links:

Amazon

The Wild Rose Press

B&N (Nook)

ITunes

Kobo

Bookstrand

If you would like to get more information on L. A., here is her website:  www.LAMcGinnis.com

Thanks, L.A. for introducing us to your special world!  Any comments or L. A.?

A Story for The Ages

When you are travelling, as I have been doing for the past two weeks, you are always looking for a good book to read to escape to another world while you wait for airplanes or (in my case) ferries to your next destination. Naturally I always enjoy a good romance, but when it is mixed with danger and intrigue, that sounds like just the ticket for some engrossing reading.  

This week's guest in My Writing Corner presents just such a book as author Maureen Bonatch visits My Writing Corner with her latest release, Evil Speaks Softly.  It's perfect for my October theme of all things spooky.

Maureen grew up in Pennsylvania, where she still lives. She says it's because she likes the four seasons, along with hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernating in the winter time. She also enjoys reading and writing paranormal and fantasy romance, and she shows us her skill  with her newest book. She tells us she is a "seat of the pants" writer, who finds her characters demanding their stories be told, and we're glad she is telling them!

They were never supposed to meet. Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.

They were never supposed to find love. 

Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead. They’ve broken all the rules. 

Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

Need more? Let's get an excerpt!

“I met this strange man at the bar last night. He told me some really weird

stuff.”

            I paused. When she remained silent, I continued. “He said it was related to my writing.” She watched me with the fascination of one who desperately wanted to look away but couldn’t. As if a deer blinded to the oncoming headlights, she was fixated, trapped. “He said to talk to you.”

I searched her face. I knew my Grams. When resignation settled on her features a knot clenched in my stomach from either fear, or the excitement of validating Gage didn’t fabricate the story. Perhaps he wasn’t crazy.

            Grams slowly closed her eyes and opened them again. “He found you?”

            I nodded.

             She turned to stare out the frosted window where the birdfeeder sat frozen over from the recent snow. “I can’t believe he took that risk. Watchers are never to approach the Recorders. It could totally upset the balance.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth.

             When she used the same terms as Gage, my anxiety elevated. I expected her to deny his claims and then we’d laugh about the incident. “Grams, please tell me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I took a deep breath. “Some weird things happened last night. Occasionally I notice unusual things, but it’s an old house and I have an active imagination, but this time it scared me.”

Here are the buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Speaks-Softly-Nightwalkers-Maureen-Bonatch-ebook/dp/B0755QWHG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504657747&sr=8-1&keywords

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5292-evil-speaks-softly.html?search_query=maureen+l+bonatch&results=7

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/evil-speaks-softly-maureen-l-bonatch/1127092799?ean=2940158562211

And here is how you can reach Maureen:

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Maureen-L.-Bonatch/e/B00KHY1KK8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbonatch

Blog: http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Website: http://www.maureenbonatch.com

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/1AV4L

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maureenbonatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenlbonatch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3103486.Maureen_L_Bonatch

Contact Info: mbonatch@yahoo.com