The December Chill Paranormal Book Party

Join us at the Facebook December Chill Paranormal Book Party 

hosted by

Debbie Christiana and Carole Ann Moleti

5pm 12/5/14 to 5pm 12/6/14 (Eastern Standard Time)

Our guests will be stopping by for an hour or so (at least). We'll be chatting about our new and old stories, writing, and whatever. Yes, there will be giveaways!

Author Guest List

Friday

Gianna Bruno   7 pm

Lissa Trevor  9 pm

Saturday

Kathryn Orzech  10 am

Mark Cassell 12 pm

Andrew Richardson 3 pm

Zrinka Jelic  4 pm

We'll be chatting for as long as we can all stay awake-and there will be prizes and giveaways.

Not on Facebook?  Join the Twitter party using hashtag #ParanormalBookParty

Welcome Cathy McRae Talking About The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride

Shortly after joining Soul Mate Publishing, I met Cathy McRae. She's here to talk about her new book The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride, which is Book 3 in The Highlander’s Bride series. Check out this beautiful cover.

Buy Link

Cathy enjoys weaving tales of romance in the Highland mists. Her stories feature strong heroes and feisty heroines in pursuit of their happy-ever-afters in medieval Scotland. 

When not writing, Cathy can be found curled up in a chair with a book or enjoying the outdoors with her corgis and newest member of the family, Freki. A member of RWA and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, she is currently working on another Highland romance novel and planning her next trip to Scotland.

Set in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 1300’s, The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride brings together two young people from different clans who risk everything for a chance to love.

Returning home after a ten-year absence, Ryan Macraig falls for a fiery, red-haired lass from the wrong side of the firth. He can’t ignore his need to see her again, even knowing she must be a hated Macrory. Gilda Macrory trespasses Macraig land, but haunting memories of the young man she once met there draw her to the forbidden place. Learning he is Laird Macraig’s son threatens her dreams, for her father would never agree to a marriage between his daughter and their enemy’s son.
With pirates raiding the coast, bad blood between the Macraig and Macrory clans could cost Ryan and Gilda their love—and their lives.

Here's an excerpt:

Even in the moonlight, Ryan saw the deepening shade on her cheeks and knew she blushed.
She lifted her chin. “Ye ogled my legs!”
Ryan nodded his head in agreement. “Ye have verra pretty legs.”
Gilda drew back with a hiss of breath. “Ye are a rogue, Ryan Macraig!”
“We have already agreed on this, aye?”
“This meeting tonight ‘twas for the clansmen to decide what to do about the pirates, not for ye to seek me out in my home.” Gilda crossed her arms beneath her breasts, shoving them to the squared neckline.
Ryan mumbled the first response that came to his suddenly awkward tongue. “I dinnae know ye would be here.” His tone remained reasonable even as he fought the dryness in his mouth.
“Dinnae stare at me like that.” Gilda dropped her hands as she spun away, and Ryan’s concentration returned with a snap.
“I dinnae know how to act around ye, Gilda Macrory. I know our parents are nae likely to agree for us to meet, but I am willing to ask. To do this right.”
Gilda slowly turned, lifting her gaze to his. “To do what right?”
“To talk to ye. Listen to ye laugh. Watch yer eyes change color when I vex ye.”
Gilda’s quick grin told him he’d scored a point and he smiled. “I am good at vexing ye, aye?”
“Aye.” Her expression remained puzzled. “Do ye like to be around me? No’ just to ogle my legs?”
This time Ryan laughed. “I will ogle yer legs any chance I get. I cannae lie to ye. But, aye. I like being around ye.”

* * *

Wow, that sounds like a great read. I love the way you've woven the accent into the dialogue. I know how difficult that can be--especially when you're editing! Thanks for stopping by.

Check out Cathy's website for information about the two other books in the series that look pretty interesting to me, updates, writing and author posts, and her thoughts on gardening and dogs. You can also follow her on Facebook.  She would love to hear from you!

The Widow's Walk Has Been Published

It's here! The Kindle edition is out now, and the print version will be forthcoming in the next couple of months.

Buy Link

Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted. By their own ghosts. The Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Mike, Liz, and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were Mike and Liz doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?


Check out Andrew Richardson's preview/review.

I've created a special page right here on Blogger to keep in touch with readers. In addition. Soulmate Publishing has created an author page as well.

On Goodreads? Check my profile here.

On Pinterest? Check out my pins.

Facebook?

Twitter?

Check out my Forum

Some Thoughts on the Eve of the Publication of The Widow's Walk

Now that I have finished the final edits on The Widow's Walk (and my doctoral paper, but that is another story), I have time to sit and think back on all the people who've helped me get this novel--and the entire series--launched.

I started writing Unfinished Business as short story back in 2006! While opening up a summer cottage, pulling off dust covers and vacuuming up dead flies, the inspiration for a story about a woman finding a trunk of antique clothes and the aftermath came to me. Two days later, the story was done. I missed all the Fourth of July festivities, and my husband was really pissed. But as all writers know, when you've got the inspiration you've got to go with it. So, that's the first thank you. John has read every draft of both Breakwater Beach (the novelized version of the Book 1) and of The Widow's Walk. 

It took until 2011 to find an editor, by the name of Rayne Hall, who was willing to publish Breakwater Beach as a novelette. She'd been working me on it since 2007 as the moderator of the Professional Author's Group, and the stars converged. Thank you, Rayne, for a wonderful Christmas present that year.

But before I got to that point, there was Barbara Gordon, at Anticipation Workshops in 2009, who took the time to help me get both the historical and British details correct. And Andrew Richardson, my critique partner since 2005, who has also read just about every piece of fiction I have ever written, if not all of it. It was a thrill to meet him and his lovely wife, Emma, on my trip to England this summer for LonCon.

Breakwater Beach is Liz's story, The Widow's Walk is Mike Keeny's story. As such, the input of male writers is critical to avoid mistakes like a seaman marveling over the details of a Victorian gown. Nope, they'd be more interested in cleavage than the emerald green slubbed silk, bustled high in the back, with matching shoes. Thank you, John Blackport for many such insights. And for your unending exuberance about The Widow's Walk. I will never forget your last comment: "If all romance was like this I'd read a lot more of it."

Going even further back there is Oliver Waite, who helped me sink the boat in Breakwater Beach. A racing sailor, he was able to enhance that scene as I could never do. Despite the fact that I grew up on and around all types of boats, I was never on one that sank.

I owe my love of the sea, of sailing, and of Cape Cod to my father, Frank Moleti, with whom I spent many days on the waters of Long Island Sound and on Cape Cod. There was that  particularly memorable Whale Watch out of Provincetown that was so rough, even he--US Navy veteran--had white knuckles and was looking for the life jackets. I wish you were still alive to share this with me, Daddy. You too, Gramps. Alexander Bruno was the captain of The Sea Mist, a wooden cabin cruiser that my mother was on while pregnant with me. And from which my Uncle Mickey tossed me into Long Island Sound off Half Moon Beach at age 4-without a life jacket--since I needed to learn to swim.

They're all gone now, looking down on me, I fancy, very proud as they always were of the first born daughter, grand daughter and niece who they assured every day of my childhood that I was going to go far in life. I learned to be strong, and brave, and independent at a time when all girl were supposed to be playing with were Barbie dolls. If you knew them as I did, you'd be able to see a little of each in the male characters. And Liz and Mae don't take no shit from no one. For that, I credit growing up in The Bronx (but that also is another story).

Frank Moleti on the Seamist II
circa 1980

I just came in first in a swimming race, about age 12.

Welcome Debbie Christiana Talking About Twin Flames and Forever Flames

When I thought of who to ask about hosting the cover reveal for The Widow's Walk the first person that came to mind was Debbie Christiana. Like me, she writes paranormal romances. And we've participated in many promotional events through our RWA chapters, Colony and CTRWA, such as Fiction Fest and the Nutmeg Book Festival.

It turns out she has a new release as well, so we are doing a blog swap/hop! She's here to talk about her new release. When you're done reading this, hop over to Debbie's blog to see the gorgeous cover for The Widow's Walk.

In honor of the paranormal, we're giving away two downloads of Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts. All you have to do is stop by both both blogs by September 19 and say hi for a chance to win.

Welcome, Debbie!

Thank you, Carole, for hosting me today.  I’m excited to be here because last month I released a revised edition of my debut novel, TWIN FLAMES and it’s companion novella, FOREVER FLAMES. I’m currently working on the third and final installment of the series.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is why reincarnation? My mother introduced me to the concept. She found it fascinating and had books about it all over the house. I shared in her fascination and by the time I was twelve or so, I was writing short stories that involved people discovering they had lived in a previous time.

The more I learned about the rebirth concept; more interesting facts came to light. During client regressions many therapists found that birthmarks are often sites of injuries endured in a past life, as are chronic areas of pain in certain parts of the body. Something experienced in past life can cause certain fears or phobias in a current life.

After college I got married, moved to a different state, worked, had three kids, and my writing got put on the back burner.  As my kids got older and I had some free time, the stories stirred around in my head again, but nothing concrete. I wanted to write a reincarnation story. I had read a few good fiction novels about it but there wasn’t a huge selection. But it wasn’t coming together.

Then one winter afternoon at the end of yoga class our yogi read something of inspiration to us during Shavasana (final relaxation). I thought it was so beautiful that I asked her for a copy. After hearing these wise words, I had my story.

On Finding The Pieces To The Puzzle by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

“There must have been a time when you entered a room and met someone and after a while you understood that unknown to either of you, there was a reason you had met. You had changed the other and he had changed you. By some word or deed or just by your presence, the errand had been completed. Then perhaps you were a little bewildered or humbled and grateful. And it was over.

Each lifetime is the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. For some there are more pieces. For others the puzzle is more difficult to assemble. Some seem to be born with a nearly completed puzzle.

But know this. No one has within themselves all the pieces to their puzzle. Everyone carries with them at least one and probably many pieces to someone else’s puzzle. Sometimes they know it. Sometimes they don’t. And when you present your piece, which is worthless to you, to another, whether you know it or not, whether they know it or now, you are a messenger from the Most High.”

I believe Rabbi Kushner gave me one of my missing puzzle pieces and I’ll be forever grateful to him.

****

She’d never met him before, or had she?

The last thing forty-year-old Natalia Santagario expected was to be sitting on a Manhattan barstool, ogling a man she’s never met, but swears she knows.

He didn’t know her at all, or did he?

The mysterious dark-haired woman at the end of the bar stops twenty-eight-year old Marc Tremonti in his tracks. His head says she’s a stranger, but his heart tells him otherwise.

Together they embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.

Marc’s aunt Mariella, an expert in reincarnation, persuades them to relive their past to help explain their enigmatic attraction. As they open the doors to their past lives, they discover they have been lovers for hundreds of lives, are connected by an ancient bond, and are considered Twin Flame soul mates. But their reunion in this life is complicated by an almost ex-wife, a temporary bout of amnesia and a mischievous and meddling ghost with its own agenda. Will their strong connection find a way to bring them together? Or is this the lifetime they must go their separate ways?

Sometimes the past won’t stay where it belongs.

Marc and Natalia are settling into parenthood, but can’t shake the feeling of déjà vu when it comes to their new baby.

Sensing they’ve been a family before and something horrible happened, they journey back in time, through hypnotic regression, to eighteenth century Belgium. Here they relive a shocking lifetime that challenges their love more than any other, and brings repercussions back into their present life.

Last time, remembering their past lives brought Marc and Natalia together, this time it may tear them apart.

OMG, I have to read Forever Flames now!
Where can I get it?

Twin Flames at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Forever Flames at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

  

How can readers connect with you to find out about numbers three and four?

www.debbiechristiana.com

Facebook: Debbie Christiana, Author

Twitter: @DebChristiana

Thanks for swapping and hopping with me, Debbie.

Now remember, hop over to Debbie's blog to see the The Widow's Walk cover and excerpt. 

And for a chance to win a download of Haunted:Ten Tales of Ghosts, Twin Flames, or The Widow's Walk say hi on both blogs by this Friday and we'll get certificates out to the lucky readers. 

The Widow's Walk Will Be Released in Mid-September

I spent much of the flight back from London (and Lon Con) doing another round of edits and they are now in the hands of editor Janine Giordano. The tentative release date is September 17, and the cover (soon to be revealed) is gorgeous.

While I was in England, I visited Surrey and some of Elisabeth's haunts (pun totally intended). And really enjoyed the Victoria and Albert Museum where Liz spends some time acting normal while being fueled by a possession.

Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted. By their own ghosts. The Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Mike, Liz, and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were Mike and Liz doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?

I'm in the process of setting up release week events and a cover reveal so please stay tuned. But I've posted an excerpt here.

It wasn't until Liz placed her hand on the banister and started up the steep staircase to the roof that Elisabeth's needling eased. Like an addict in the throes of withdrawal, just the promise of being up there, Elisabeth's spirit once again united with a body communing with her long lost sea captain, offered relief.

Cold air blasted as Liz pulled open the door. Ice crunched under her feet as she stepped out onto the widow's walk. Steel gray waves capped with frigid white foam danced under the leaden sky. Frosty air filled her lungs. Tiny ice crystals blew off the bay and melted on her cheeks. Ghostly kisses ran down her neck like tears, dampening the neckline of the dress.

Elisabeth took control of her tongue. "Green was always your favourite colour, my love. Our son's birthday is coming. Almost a year since you last came to me. Pray tell, will you return once again?" Elisabeth's longing, her anguish, released itself into the wind. 

A gust carried his response, a whisper for only her ears. "Stay here, in our house. Honour my memory by living your life. 

Stay tuned for more information abut the cover reveal, release day events, and special prizes, contests and discounts. You can subscribe here or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

If you'd like to read an excerpt adapted to the short story format, check out "Breakwater Beach" in Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts.

Toil, Temptation and Trouble Blog Hop

To celebrate the release of Toil, Temptation and Trouble, four new urban fantasy shorts by Mocha Memoirs Press, fellow author Amy Braun and I have teamed up to spotlight each other and our work. In addition to the ongoing MMP Christmas in July Contest, there are some goodies in store for those readers who leave a message both her and on Amy's blog so read on.

Welcome, Amy!

Tell us a little about yourself and "Call From The Grave."

I’m a Canadian urban fantasy author who started writing when I was in middle school. I’ve always had a passion for reading, loving how words could take me to another world or another reality, making me feel like I was part of someone else’s adventures. It was kind of an inevitability that I started thinking about creating stories. I started with fanfiction, moved onto helping other writer friends with their work, played with my own imagination. A few years later, I realized how much I loved it. Writing brings me a joy I can’t even begin to describe. I honestly can’t picture myself doing anything else. I started my career professionally a couple years ago, and currently have one story out, Call From The Grave, but will have three other short stories coming out before the end of the year.

What do you write?

I’ll read basically anything that catches my interest, but I’ll always be an urban fantasy girl. If there are ways to mix monsters, demons, gods, genetics, magic, or superpowers into modern day life, I want to write about it. A lot of my work involves two main characters, typically siblings or close friends, one of whom is snarky and the other who is more reserved, working together to fight (and sometimes lose) impossible battles. I love dark, gritty writing, sarcastic dialogue, building new realities and worlds, and fill my work with hardcore action. The stuff I read is the stuff I want to write.

Where do you get your writing inspirations?

Honestly? Anything and everything. One of my best friends said I have an overactive imagination, and he could not have been more right. Ideas just seem to form in my head. I’ve taken inspiration from everything from comic book covers, to episodes of Supernatural, to my favourite authors. Usually it’s the details that catch my attention. I see or hear something that interests me, and I build on the “What if... ?” that follows.

What is the background on "Call From The Grave?"

When I read the submission guidelines for Toil, Trouble, and Temptation, I knew I wanted to challenge myself. I’ve always found stories with necromancy and raising the dead to be interesting, so I decided to give that a try. My original idea was to place my main character in a world I didn’t typically write: the 1920’s. It seemed like I had a great idea at the time– my character, Tessa, would have a quirky accent and would take revenge on the mobsters who killed her mother. I thought it was great. Then I started writing it, and it turned into a bunch of pieces I couldn’t fit together. I couldn’t get the setting right and there was too much melodrama. I tried to force it, but that didn’t help the situation. So I stepped back, didn’t think about it, then let the inspiration come on its own. Skip the dead mother thing, go straight to danger. What if Tessa was forced to summon a dangerous spirit? Say, someone who had been an assassin before their death. After I got that thought, the story practically wrote itself. I played with the idea of what it might be like for a necromancer to summon a spirit, how draining it would be and how she would essentially have to watch over it. I’m grateful my original idea didn’t work out, because I came up with something so much stronger and more suited to my style.

Excerpt:

A hard metal gun barrel pressed into the back of my head. I glanced at the two muscle-heads behind me, wishing I had another power to send them flying. But alas, they were still alive, so my powers were useless. Ciro moved out of the corner of my eye, and I forgot all about the beefcakes pointing guns at my head. 
The silver-haired man scrutinized me, clearly unimpressed by what he saw.  
“You’re the necromancer?” 
Time to play dumb. 
“What? What are you talking about? What’s a necromancer? Who are you people?” 
Ciro stared at me, trying to see if I was lying. I hoped that was what he thought. I didn’t want any part of his gang or wicked plans. I’d rather be seen as what I was on the outside: A skinny, curve-less eighteen year old with long orange hair, blue eyes, and a face covered in freckles.  
Apparently, that wasn’t good enough. 
He took a step forward and loomed over me.  
“I’ll tell you this once. Do not lie to me.” 
I weighed my options. Tell the truth, and be forced to do some black magic. Lie, and get shot. In the end, I decided to stay quiet and let him talk. He was the big boss here anyways. 
“All you need to understand is that I know what you are, Tessa Sterling. And you are going to perform a spell for me.” 

Okay, I'm hooked. So ladies and gentlemen, don't forget to enter the MMP contest. But to sweeten the deal, I've got some more urban fantasies to share. Leave a comment both here and on Amy's blog (where she is featuring me and "The Ultimate Test," for a chance to win a free download of  Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft (features my urban fantasy "Mishmash Magick") or Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance (features "Dance with the Devil").

We'll announce the winners at the end of this week.

New Short Fiction: The Ultimate Test by Carole Ann Moleti

Mocha Memoirs Press is celebrating its birthday in the month of July 

My story is included in the four new titles in the Toil, Trouble, and Temptation line


The Ultimate Test was the first horror story I've ever written. I recall having a long discussion about it with my long term critique partner supernatural horror writer Andrew Richardson, who gave me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement. I scared myself by embracing all those dark thoughts. Since then, I've dabbled on the dark side with "The Dhampir's Kiss"in Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires. And of course, Boulevard of Bad Spells and Broken Dreams is a very dark urban fantasy heavily based on Santeria. Mishmash Magick in Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft and "Dance With the Devil" in Seer: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance are short excerpts of Boulevard adapted to a short story format.
  Of course, most of my fiction has a basis in real life—and I certainly have seen my share of real life horror riding ambulances and working in the ERs of hospitals in The Bronx, Harlem, and Washington Heights. I'll leave you to figure out what's real and what's not.

I'm very grateful to Nicole Kurtz of Mocha Memoirs Press, who accepted this story within a hour of submission. It had been shortlisted for at least two anthologies in the past that either folded or ran out of space.

Caution: This excerpt is mild but the story might be disturbing to sensitive readers.

The Ultimate Test

The sweet, floral essence of magic swirled through the botánica. Candles flickered in front of a riot of statuary.
"Muy buenas, mi amor." A shriveled woman hoisted herself from a chair in the corner and hobbled over.
"Hola, Señora." Aramis handed over a list of the herbs she needed. 
"¿Tu eres santera?" The woman's gnarled finger traced down the list. Her eyes narrowed to read the tight English script. 
"No. I study herbology. Las plantas." 
"One who use these do more than study, mi amor." The lines in the crone's face deepened with a broad smile. "Una bruja, tu estas." 
"Not only witches use herbs." If she associated with anyone who practiced The Craft, they would all be subject to discipline. Memories of wise women being brutalized and dragged from their homes tickled her brain.
"No ten miedo, mi amor. I no tell. Las santeras help las brujas. Somos hermanas. Sisters." She gestured Aramis into a chair and lowered herself into a seat.
Her attention focused on a bowl of cloudy water beneath the icons. She picked up Aramis' hands rubbed the palms. "Vengeance. You seek vengeance."
"Yes." Aramis followed as the woman wandered around the shop collecting several packets and tiny brown bottles. 
A pencil scratched as the santera totaled the order on a scrap of paper. "To aid you, burn this candle until it's done, then return to me so I can finish it and give you further instructions. $75.00."
Aramis took the black jar. The wax pillar inside swam in murky liquid that bubbled at her touch. She left a $100.00 bill on the
counter.

Join MMP's July Birthday Bash contest

Sign up here for the  MMP Newsletter to enter

Gift #1-New fiction! Four new titles will launch our TOIL, TROUBLE, AND TEMPTATION line.

Go to my Facebook page for the latest news on The Ultimate Test and the three other titles

Gift #2- MMP GIFT bag. It will include the following:

1.     A sample of MMP  books (both horror anthologies, a science fiction title, two erotic romance titles, and a fantasy title).

2.     A MMP tee-shirt.

3.     A MMP journal to write down your own inspiring ideas.

4.     Starbucks® coffee

5.     Other surprise goodies.

6.     All will be contained in a MMP cloth bag.

Gift #3-Black Friday sale in the summer-All Christmas and holiday stories are .99!

Gift #4-Sizzling Deals for HOT summer nights-All erotic romance titles are $2.99 or LESS!

Gift #5-Select science fiction, fantasy, and horror titles are $1.00 or 0.99.

$.99  or $1 Horror, SF, and Fantasy titles:

Drink My Soul by Rie Sheridan Rose

Descent into Madness by Michael LaRocca

Still Another Day by Janet Eckford

Dragon’s Champion by Wynelda Ann Deaver

Huntress by Siobhan Kinkade

The Soul Cages by Nicole Givens Kurtz