BOOK V ~ THE EPISTOLARY by r.m.simone’ Novella

The EPISTOLARY by r.m.simone’ PART OF BOOK V Saga..

PRELUDE to BOOK V

BOOK Reveal Cover REVEAL …BOOK V, The Epistolary by r.m.simone’ Prelude The Epistolary … and so it begins….

Within the darkness sits waiting this moment of the Kiss that brings forth the Spirit of the Soul into the Darkness of the eternity. Of the Soul that is VOID of Light of the Self. It is this Spirit that is carried within the heart beating of the Beloved that Kindles this Awakening.

I have gone through such an Awakening.

This is my story…

Her Anima of her Soul resides within the blood coursing through her body beating, ever so beating like the caged birth within her own Golden Cage. I had to drink of her… She awakened the blood lust within me that was carefully sleeping within this dark cavern of myself. Now, I sought redemption and forgiveness of this Love and its Union once again.

Awaiting in the darkness was my Penance…

 

V

BOOK V The Epistolary by R.M.Simone’. http://www.amazon.com/R.M.Simone/e/B00DPNBM6K https://www.facebook.com/pages/BOOK-V-by-rmsimone-Saga-Novellas/622193344573595 Book LAUNCH event::: cover…http://www.amazon.com/R.M.Simone/e/B00DPNBM6K

Blog:: https://booksbyroshandra.wordpress.com/

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BOOK V Saga by R.M.Simone’ Launches in Three Installments. Two Novellas with the Saga introduces the reader to BOOK V

Book V – The Epistolary by r.m.simone’ Novella

The reader is introduced to the story of this SAGA by way of the EPISTOLARY. It is an older form of literary book style that allows the reader to enter the MIND of the key character, the story and other characters voices. It is shared from the ‘JOURNAL’ excerpts of the Key character and three other major characters to this BOOK V.

“V” as he is known, is an Immortal Vampire that is of a Royal House or Mansion of France and this Bloodline carries within it this type of race that are BORN this way.

Where did these two rare breeds of vampires originate from? Atlantis is the back story for that setting. France is a key grid location for this cosmology to unfold within the four key bloodlines of vampire immortals. The Blue bloods that all have a legacy and investment here on Gaia Earth.

The Sage is HIS LOVE Story to his TWIN that is realizing her soul connection to this man and slowly coming to understand this Cosmic Love bringing them back together into this now lifetime.

It begins in the Past and moves in timelines to when they meet and then they part. It gathers time, complexity and truth about his own race of beings. The role vampires play into this time of Awakening. The planet is awakening into a new light form and this means that the darker areas of all shadows and lower dimensions are being impacted by this light coming in and from within Sophia Gaia herself. How? Through the LEY LINES of the LIGHT GRID that are meridians of energy and power that the dark elite control and the humanity here on the planet are victim to the hidden agenda. They are food, for the darker side of that agenda. The changes going on is part of how “V” has his own Path, His Mission and his LOVE for his time is coming.

Much needs to awaken, be set right and the scales of change BALANCED in a Cosmic Way.

He is not like other vampires; not all vampires are immortals and only a rare handful actually Become a SHINNING ONE. .

The series of this SAGA goes… Novella Alleandrea, His Beloved by r.m.simone’ INTRODUCES you to the LOVERS through the eyes of Alleandrea, his Beloved Soul Mate and TWIN Love.

The Epistolary introduces the reader to “V”, his thoughts from his JOURNAL and The Doctor, Alexandria, and his beloved Alleandrea.

BOOK V is 745 pages and will be introduced in THREE INSTALLMENTS so the reader will move through how this STORY OPENS through “V”…. Vampire IMMORTAL and Becoming a SHINNING ONE

With warmest regards. Roshandra, R.M.Simone’ warmly writing on and from the Heart of this matter. This story is near and dear to my heart for many reasons.

For CURRENT BOOKS by R.M.Simone’ on Amazon.com for ‘e books’ and LULU.com for Paperback Books or Hardcover Copy BOOKS.

http://www.amazon.com/R.M.Simone/e/B00DPNBM6K

Roshandra warmly writing on

Eros and Psyche * Love stories

http://booksbyroshandra.blogspot.com/ BLOG

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https://twitter.com/roshandrasbooks TWITTER

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/booksbyroshandra PAPERBACK and HARD COVER COPY BOOKS

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http://booksbyroshandra.webs.com/ Secondary WEBSITE with MUSIC to BOOKS

Author ~ R.M.Simone’ Bio…

Writing Love Stories

R.M.Simone’

by Roshandra

Eros and Psyche

Twin Loves

Soul Mates

Immortals

Angels

Fallen Angels

Vampires

Fantasy

Adventure

AWAKENING

ASCENSION

Documentaries and Videos on Awakening

Clearing the Grid Ley Lines, Places of Power.

Bio

Writing is my PASSION

I love my Love stories, Fairy tale myths and Adventures into other Realms.

Words flow off my finger tips through my lap top, pen, or my consciousness of my thoughts that just FLOW.

My Writing seems to ‘trigger Visions’ and in the way I write, landscapes open.

My form is very romantic of times past with sensitivity to words chosen.

My theme is of True Love.

Of the Heart.

Some say also that i seem to have a close resemblance to Louisa May Alcott of Concord Massachusetts and her writing gifts. I don’t know but 11 years ago when i was in Boston with a client’s feng shui I was doing for her business, she and her husband took me on some sightseeing tour of the region. I had them take me to Concord and i made a ‘bee line’ to Sleep Hollow Cemetery after dark, we opened the gates and drove in, and i navigating without ever being there Right to the GRAVE SITES of Author Hill. There was the grave of Louisa May Alcott. I saw huge tubes of Light over 11 feet high over their graves at night. All I can say is my ‘gift’ of articulation and writing seems to be of something in my nature and maybe with a past connection to other lives when I WROTE then too.

She was a transcendentalist as were here friends that wrote some amazing works of literature.

Louisa May Alcott

Roshandra

December 2012 Shasta

I merely WRITE on and have Stories bubbling up in me all the time

My Grandmother was a story teller too and of English decent.

It is a ‘gift’ and I explore it copiously through this Art and Medium.

I also LOVE Art, Architecture and Cathedrals, Sacred Geometry, Nature, the Saints and Theater.

I travel now and offer Gatherings with my teaching work on the Grid Ley Line energies, Art and also on Ascension of this time we are experiencing of the Nature of our LIGHT.

I also OFFER and do BOOK SIGNINGS merely INVITE me and set one up….

I have a beautiful grown daughter on her own I LOVE to pieces…parental note and smiles

I LOVE animals and riding Dressage. My kitty is a car travel with her mistress beautiful companion.

My dogs i have shown and have American and Canadian championships on many Old English Sheepdogs which is my breed. Now though I FOUND another breed of a darling female black Scottie to come into my Life.

Love is GOOD

LOVE LIFE better, smiles as my own LOVE Story is writing itself now.

I Adore meeting my Fans of my BOOKS and I merely WRITE ON.

All my Stories and BOOKS are ORIGINALS by me Roshandra Mitchell Simon

Romance Fiction and Eros Psyche Love stories

my Other Books are also created from my counseling work and guidance and are

PRACTICAL Wisdom and KNOWLEDGE and information I ‘teach’…

Roshandra, warmly writing on.

 

 

Interview and spotlight With Aurrora ST. James

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Aurrora ST. James, and now I get to share the interview with all of you! *Squee* This was so much fun!! I also have the cover and an excerpt from her new release Gavril of Aquina to share! You are in for quite the treat!

Interview:

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Aurrora St. James and I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, dog, and cat. I write historical fantasy romance and paranormal romance with heroes who must overcome personal adversity to win their heroine. They’re tough, fierce, and lethal, but for their woman, always caring and tender. I love to write romance!

   2. What has been the toughest criticism you’ve been given as an author. What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism, believe it or not, was that I write porn, along with the implied thought that I should be ashamed of myself. Or that a book was hard to get into. What those comments taught me, was that my books aren’t for everyone (in the case of the porn) and to pay attention to pacing, especially in the beginning.

The best compliments I’ve received are when people say that they can see and smell the story, as if they were really there. That the characters felt like real people to them. Or that they ask questions a week or two after they read it, because they are still thinking about the characters. That makes me feel really good.

I’m thrilled to say that most people seem to really love my books.

     3. What do you do when you are not writing?

Not writing? What’s that? I read like a madwoman. I love to read almost as much as I love to write. Occasionally, I play a hidden object game as well. They’re great for taking my mind off things.

    4. How did you choose the genre you write in?

I’ve read paranormal romance for a long time and always enjoyed it. Recently, I’ve started to read medieval romances and highland romance. I love both. In the case of my new series, Lords of Magic, the hero actually picked the setting. His story came to me pretty much complete, including his kingdom and his people. I hadn’t planned to write medieval fantasy, but now that I have, I love it!

    5. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Ugh. Marketing. I do a lot of promotion on Facebook. I’ve joined a number of Facebook parties to reach new readers and post teaser cards which have a snippet of the book’s text. I also hand out bookmarks everywhere I can, talk about my books, and generally annoy anyone nearby. I also try to get my bookmarks out to upcoming conferences across the US for readers to take a look at.

One new trend I am trying is Facebook marketing. They can target audiences close to your book genre, you give them an amount you want to spend and how long to post the ad, and they show the ad on the timeline of people who meet your target audience. I’ve heard from fellow authors that this works well.

     6. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

The majority of each book is my imagination. However, some of the characteristics of different characters or scenarios are based on life experiences. For instance, the police captain in Set in Stone loved to twirl things in his hands. (Pencils, brooms, etc) My dad has that same characteristic and once broke my grandmother’s lamp by accident.

     7. What project are you working on now?

I am working on Stefan of Caeli. It’s about a dragon shifter who searches for his mother and unexpectedly gets captured by her people and thrown in the dungeon to be tortured. While there, a woman is tossed into the cell beside his. But is she a spy? Or an innocent victim of these odd people?

     8. If your book were made into a movie, who do you picture playing each characters part?

Let’s see. If Gavril of Aquina was made into a movie, I would have Minka Kelly play Shyla (even though Amy Lee was her photo inspiration) and Chris Hemsworth for Gavril.

     9. My little girl is helping make the questions and she wants to know if you like ice cream.

I love ice cream! I can’t eat chocolate, so vanilla and strawberry are my favorites.

    10. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you! For my readers and fans, I appreciate you so much. You’re the greatest and I love being able to bring you characters that I hope you enjoy as much as I do. And if you haven’t read my books, I hope you take a chance on them.

Also, I love to hear from my readers. So feel free to contact me. I answer every email. (Unless you are from the Middle East and trying to hit on me even though my Facebook page clearly says I’m married.)

Excerpt:

Gavril squatted before her, noting that she had removed the spit from the fire and eaten. She left the hare by the coals to warm and plenty remained, yet he couldn’t muster an appetite. His breath rushed out in a white cloud as he skimmed a finger lightly down her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She shivered again beneath his touch. It was colder here on the mountain than their solitary blanket could warm.

He swore.

He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t.

When he was king, he might not have worried about her comfort. Parties, banquets, women, and liquor claimed him then. He’d been too wild to worry about comfort other than his own. But the man he’d become cared. Without another thought, he tugged off his boots, lifted the blanket, and slid in behind her. He shifted his big body against her and pulled her close.

He told himself he would stay just long enough to warm her up. Then he would move back to the other side of the fire and keep watch through the night.

He told himself she was better off being a little bit cold than being held by a man like him.

He told himself he was a fool.

No woman had ever felt so good in his arms.

Gavril slowly stroked her arm as he thought back over her story. She had suffered. But if she hadn’t come to Aquina, they never would have met. And that he couldn’t think about. If he were honest with himself, he wasn’t ready to part from Shyla.Otherwise, he would have walked away, regardless of the danger to himself.

Shyla shifted, pressing her sweet bottom against his hips, as she settled into his embrace. Gavril thought he might die as his body immediately reacted. Blood shot to his groin, making him hard in seconds. It took all of his control not to roll her onto her back and kiss her right then, starting something he shouldn’t—something he couldn’t—finish. Only his sheer will not to cause her more pain held him back.

With a ragged breath, he pulled the blanket about their shoulders, wrapped her in his embrace, and shared his warmth.

She sighed, her body relaxing against his as she absorbed his heat. Her hand settled over his, wrapped around her waist.

Gavril closed his eyes. In the two years since his return to Aquina, he hadn’t dared to dream of a future. He’d kept his thoughts firmly on surviving. On scratching out a living as best as a deposed king was able.

With Shyla, all that changed. Having her in his arms was like heaven itself. He felt like a man. Not a street urchin or a king. Just a simple man with a beautiful woman who stirred his body, mind, and if what she said was true, his magic. He felt lust rising sharp and hot, and, for the first time in years, a desire for… more.

He dreamed of lying before a hearth with her, snuggled as they were under a blanket, their bodies perspiring from an intense round of lovemaking. He dreamed of waking with her in his arms as the sun came through the shutters. He dreamed of growing old with Shyla in his embrace.

And he wanted that life like he’d never wanted anything before.

Gavril rubbed his thumb against her soft hand, savoring that small touch. He craved it like a dying man. In a sense, he was. He was dying of loneliness. Shyla’s simple kindness of taking him in eased that need inside him. Though he knew it was wrong, he soaked up every touch, every smile she offered.

As if she knew his need even in her sleep, Shyla wound her fingers with his and lightly squeezed.

He breathed deep, smelling the cinnamon scent of her hair, and allowed himself to relax. Heat from her body seeped into his skin.

With Shyla tight against him, wrapped in his arms, Gavril slept.

This looks like a fantastic read. I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us today, Aurrora ST. James! I had a blast!!

Musings Of A Mom

My kids have been giving all sorts of material lately with the funny things they say and do. My 8 year old daughter has been on quite the kick out doing her 11 year old brother at every turn. She literally had me and several others laughing out loud in recent days. I decided this is all to good to keep to myself, so I am going to start sharing every so often. It is my hope that you too will have a laugh out loud moment as you read these stories.

This image was taken in Disney at Mickey’s not so Scary Halloween bash.

Disclaimer: Princess Merida is not one of my children 🙂

And now for the funnies! I have two stories for you today.

Story One

Yesterday I paid for a custom dress I commissioned several months ago for my daughter. When Brooklyn got home from school I told her, “Leona is starting your dress.”

Brooklyn looked at me with a skeptical expression on her face, and said, “Just now? I thought she was almost done.”

I grinned, and said, “She could not start on it until I paid for it.”

Brooklyn sighed and shook her head. Then she said, “Bout time mom. Geez, how long does it take to pay for a dress.”

I could not help but crack up laughing at the little stinkers observation 🙂

Story Two

Last Saturday I baby sat my 2 year old niece so my sister could go on a date. The guy was new so my kids had never met him. Flash forward to the end of the night:

Brooklyn is sleeping on the couch and my sister comes in with her date. I pick up Brooklyn’s shoes and coat then move to put them on her as I tell Ricky to get ready to go home. I gently wiggle Brooklyn and tell her it is time to wake up to go home. She remains asleep. I turn to my sister and say, “It is so hard to wake her up.” Lifting one of her feet I slip her boot on.

My sister’s date says, “I can carry her out for you.”

Brooklyn snaps her head up and her eyes fly open. She says, “I can walk.”

Flash forward: We are in my car now pulling out of my parking space.

Ricky says, “He seemed nice mom.”

I shoot a sideways glance at him. “Ya, he does.”

Ricky smiles then says, “I mean he even offered to carry munch (AKA: Brooklyn)  out for you.”

I chuckle. “Ya, that was nice of him.”

Brooklyn’s voice comes up from the back seat. “But it was never going to happen!”

LOL, that’s it for today. I hope you had a laugh as you read 🙂 I would love to hear your own funny stories! Feel encouraged to leave them in the comments!

Spotlight for Heart in Hand by Franny Armstrong

Heart in Hand is the first book that Franny Armstrong has published with Three Worlds Press. Franny likes to write about heroines with a tough edge and Heart is Hand is not different, she combines romance, mystery and suspense, and a little humor, in her work. Never one to have a dull moment, she writes to entertain and keep you on the edge of your sear. All she asks is that you sit back and enjoy the ride!

Tagline: Together, they must battle an invisible killer, or die.

Daphne Wilcox is a tough as nails cop, determined to stop the Heart In Hand killer. She has a history with Bryce that she can’t fight. She left him because he was a daredevil, and she keeps her feet on the ground, working by the book.

Trigger is her canine partner, ready to give his life for her.

Detective Bryce Ramsey softens her edges. Framed for murder, he must depend on Daphne to prove his innocence. He still loves her, and can’t help but want her back.

Can the two of them get over their past to work together and find the killer, or will one of them lose their lives to the serial killer out to ruin them?

Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00TY4YHAW

Other formats available March 4^th at Three Worlds Press:   http://www.threeworldsproductionsllc.com/?page_id=65

Excerpt:

Since becoming a cop, she seldom had reason to dress up. She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she wanted to look nice for Bryce, watching sensual pride glow in his eyes when he saw her. She’d put on an emerald lace bra and G-string panties, along with garters and black nylons that stopped at mid-thigh.

Frustrated that she couldn’t do up her zipper, she finally gave up. She brushed out her long, amber-brown hair one more time, leaving it down. Checking her makeup, she nodded in satisfaction. The eyeliner made her baby-blue eyes stand out. She regretted that she had to give in and ask for help.

Opening the door to the hall, she called out. “Bryce?”

“Yeah?”

“I need you for a second.”

“Sure. I’ll be right there,” he said, still in his bedroom.

Taking one last glance at her room to make sure to leave it tidy, she turned off the light and walked to the kitchen to wait for him. While she’d put the dishes away, she heard a long, slow whistle.

A twinge in her back stopped her from putting a glass in the cupboard. Bryce stood beside her in an instant, taking the glass and finishing the job, to her annoyance.

Then she caught his scent, freshly-washed male: shaving cream, soap, and laundered clothes. For once, Daphne remained speechless.

She kept her head down and stared at the counter, her fingertips touching the edge but staying completely still, waiting…

“You wanted me?”

“I never said that!” she protested, then realized what he meant. “I mean, I need help doing up my zipper, that’s all.” Her face flushed with heat, which only stirred her temper.

He slowly began zipping her up, moving her hair away from the nape of her neck, his fingertips brushing over her delicate skin. His warm breath whispered over the sensitive skin on her neck, and she shivered.

Thinking he’d finished, she pulled away, but he’d blocked her in against the counter and spoke close to her ear.

“Wait. I have to finish with the clasp.”

“Hurry up,” she snapped, her voice throaty and sexy.

When he was done, he stepped away and went back to his room, leaving her shaking with need.

“One of these days, I’m going to kill that man!” she grumbled. All week long, Bryce made subtle passes at her, but then he’d simply walk away like nothing happened. It drove her crazy!

Clearing her throat, she yelled, “Hurry up, we’re going to be late!”

“I’m ready and waiting for you,” he said, leaning on the doorjamb.

Rolling her eyes, she picked up her coat about to put it on, but he took it from her and helped her into it.

“Since when do you have manners?” she grumbled.

“I’ve always had them. I just never used them.”

“Don’t I know it?”

Turning to Trigger, she bent over to pat him.

“This is one party you’re going to have to miss, pal. Sorry.”

“Lucky dog,” Bryce said as they walked to the front door.

“Why?”

“Because, you’re always nice to him. You’re seldom nice to me.”

“You don’t deserve it. He does.”

Bryce slipped on his coat and shoes, and followed her outside to the SUV. She insisted on driving and barely waited for him to buckle up his seatbelt before she barreled down the road at a fast clip.

“Why don’t I deserve it?” Bryce asked.

“Because,” she said, leaving no room for discussion.

“Tried without a jury. Nice.”

“You’ll get your jury in the new year, Ramsey. One trial at a time.”

Franny Armstrong Bio

Franny Armstrong is a mother of three and a grandmother of four. Her husband supports her imagination and has the patience of a saint. She’s been writing since she was a child, creating plays to act out in front of the neighborhood children. .She charged them five cents admission to join her in the family garage for the play.

Since 2002, after a serious breakdown, Franny had to express herself on the computer since she couldn’t speak, everything coming out gibberish at that time. She’s slowly healed to the point that she can function fairly well. Writing was the best medicine for her, and still is.

Franny loves to write about rainforests and Caribbean islands rather than about cities. Her characters are well rounded and share her wacky sense of humor.

Heart in Hand is published by Three Worlds Press. For more information on this book or their other works please visit: Three Worlds Press.

Spotlight on Cowboy Up 2

Saddle Up with the best-selling authors who brought you Cowboy Up… And fall for Six more Cowboys ready to steal your heart!

Good Ride, Cowboy by Allison Merritt

Sometimes all you need is one good ride to clear your head.

Thanks to her ex-boyfriend, Sommer Allen’s life is in shambles. She’s headed home to Courtland, Texas for her sister’s wedding, but when a quick stop a gas station ruins her plans, she’s left stranded and at the mercy of a handsome cowboy.

Perry Glidewell is on his way back to Texas after winning another championship in the arena versus a bull. When he finds Sommer having a meltdown in the middle of a parking lot, he knows he can’t leave her alone. Since her hometown is near his, it makes sense to hit the road together.

Sommer never imagined falling for a cowboy. His manners and gallant attitude win her over quickly, but with her future uncertain, she’s not quite willing to give her whole heart to Perry. He’ll do whatever it takes to break the walls around Sommer’s heart, because beneath her tough-talking exterior, he sees she’s the type of Texas girl he’s always dreamed of.

Cowboy in Waiting by Leslie P. Garcia

She’d buried a hero. She wasn’t looking for another. But her cowboy in waiting was far from a hero…

Diana Salas Chester is a rancher’s daughter and a hero’s widow. There isn’t a lot she can’t do, from raising her daughter Gwen to facing down the loss of dream after dream. Then a birthday celebration goes wrong, and Diana winds up in Border Patrol Agent Ray Bennett’s bed. Not many of her acquaintances approve of Ray “Baby” Bennett. Is he just the cowboy she’s been waiting for?

Ray Bennett spent his life running away from the demands of his cowboy brothers and the ranching life. When he wakes up in bed with his Border Patrol partner’s sister, he doesn’t want the complications. But suddenly the choice isn’t his to make.

The Heartbroken Cowboy by Melissa Keir

Love isn’t found at the bottom of a bottle…

Johnson O’Neill joined The Heartsong Ranch to escape his addiction. Stress causes him one night at a friend’s wedding to fall off the wagon and into the arms of the woman of his dreams.

Debra Donahue lost her husband to alcohol then pulled herself up by her bootstraps becoming a million-dollar selling real estate agent. One night with a sexy cowboy and a bottle of whiskey, Debra falls hard.

Can an alcoholic cowboy and a broken-hearted woman find love despite their fears? Or will the bottom of a bottle claim another happily ever after?

Cowboy in Trouble by Autumn Piper

A cowboy on the run and a girl on the rebound make for a messy fling.

Colby may be having the worst day ever. He wakes up at gunpoint, “hired” by a stranger to do a new job he doesn’t want. Worried the load he’s hauling is contraband, he walks off the job once he’s out of sight of his new employer. Running may not be his best plan, but he needs time to find a way out of this mess.

Delta’s day starts off rough when her pickup stalls on the side of the road. Lucky for her, a handsome cowboy comes along and works mechanical magic on the poor old truck. They strike a deal: he’ll help her out around the farm in exchange for a place to lay low for a few days. He turns out to be handy in all the right ways. A real keeper…not that she’s interested in keeping a man right now. She can afford a rebound fling, but nothing more.

Besides, once Colby gets rid of the crime boss breathing down his neck, he’ll hit the trail. A rodeo circuit cowboy from Oklahoma wouldn’t want to stick around on a little farm in Colorado. Or would he?

A Cowboy’s Heaven by Sara Walter Ellwood

From the hell of lost love, can they find heaven together?

Katie Chester is alone in the world. After losing her husband and then her parents, she’s left to run Heaven, a thousand-acre ranch encompassing nearly an entire Montana mountain. She rents out a suite of rooms, but ends up with a boarder who shakes her to her foundation.

When Pennsylvanian ex-Army doctor Collin Kirkpatrick lost his wife a year ago, he lost his world. He needs to escape the pain, and where better than in an isolated town in the West? He answers an ad for resident doctor in Evansville, Montana, but is surprised to find Heaven and the angel residing there.

But can they leave their grief and pain in the past to blaze a new path into the future?

Cowboy Proud by D’AnnLindun

She left town to chase her dreams… He stayed and ignored his… Can they find their dreams together?

All Madeline Harper ever wanted was to escape the tight fences of Black Mountain, Colorado. Nothing would stop her from pursuing her goals–not a devoted boyfriend or infant son. Leaving everything behind, she landed her dream job as a Western Girl jeans model. Her sister’s wedding is the only thing that can entice her home. What she learns upon her return shakes her to the core…and changes everything.

For the last five years Shan Ellis’ life has consisted of taking care of his son and being a cowhand on his parents’ ranch. He scarified everything to be a single dad. College.A career.Girls.Now, the one woman he can’t forget is back in town. Can he take a chance, and risk his heart, or steer clear and never know what might have been?

Kristine Raymond

Today I have the honor of interviewing the lovely and talented Kristine Raymond. I had a great time picking her brain and learning more about her writing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

a) I’m a hopefully middle-aged, married woman who lives in Kentucky with my wonderful husband and lots of furry, four-legged children. And I write.  Nothing much more exciting than that.

2. What do you do when you are not writing?

a) Promote my books, make teasers, make swag, attend signings…you get the picture.  Right now, almost all of my spare time is spent doing something book-related.

3. Do you have a day job as well?

a) I do.  I work part-time.  I have great admiration for the authors who work full-time jobs and also publish.  I have a hard enough time doing on my schedule.

4. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

a) I wrote my first word Labor Day weekend of 2013.  I finished Here to Stay eighteen days later.

5. How did you choose the genre you write in?

a) I’ve always loved the Old West.  I grew up watching westerns on T.V., and even lived in Arizona for a few years.  There’s something about that time period that excites me, so it was kind of natural for me to write about it.

6. What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his creator?a) I never really thought about it.  I would hope that all of my protagonists would like me and the personalities that I created for them.  As far as hanging out with me, well sure!  Who wouldn’t?  lol

7. Where do you get your ideas?

a) I don’t know.  And I’m not answering this glibly; I really don’t know.  They just come to me.  I’ll think about a character and what they might do in a certain situation, and then I’ll expand from there.

8. Do you ever experience writer’s block?

a) All the time!  Too often for my liking.

9. Do you work with an outline, or just write?

a) I have a general idea of what the story will be about but then I just write.  I let the characters take me where they want to be, even if that means that my original idea changes.

10. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

a) I think that all books have influenced me, whether I liked them or not.  The written word is fascinating to me.  It can create such magnificent ideas and adventures in the mind.

11. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

a) The biggest challenge was believing in myself enough to actually do it.  The rest was just like anything else new…you learn as you go.

12. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

a) As far as publishing it, no.  The story itself I could probably re-write ten times and still not be completely satisfied.  There are always new ideas that come to me where I say, “I should have had the character do this or say that.”  It’s no good second-guessing your work.  You have to have confidence that the story you wrote was the best it could be at that time.

13. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

a) I’m still trying to find the best ways to market, and I’m not even sure that there is a ‘best’ way.  Marketing, like anything else, is fluid and you have to be willing to adapt to the changes.  I do a lot of promoting on social media, and attend books signings throughout the year to try and expose myself and my books to different audiences.

14. Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

a) Nope, not yet.  And since I anticipate self-publishing all of my books, I don’t think that it will be a problem.

15. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

a) Dancing in the Dark, book six in the Hidden Springs series, is Rusty’s story.  He’s been a minor character in the five previous books so I thought that it was time for the readers to get to know him better.

16. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

a) The plotlines are all imagination.  The characters may just have bits and pieces of their personalities based on real people,

17. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

a) Wow, that’s a hard one.  There are a lot of scenes that I like.  I’d have to say the kidnapping scene in Here to Stay is one of my favorites, only because it was my first time writing something that was supposed to be heart-pounding; something to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.  I’m pleased with how it turned out.

18. How did you come up with the title?

a) The titles come to me the same way that the stories do.  Sometimes just out of the blue, but mostly, I think about what the story will be about and try to come up with something that fits the plot.

19. What project are you working on now?

a) Well, I’m working on Dancing in the Dark.  I also have a secret project that will be announced in a couple of months.

20. If your book were made into a movie, who do you picture playing each characters part?

a) I’m kind of out of touch with the up-and-coming actors and actresses of today.  If it were left up to me, I’d probably end up casting Harrison Ford as Sam.  lol

21. What led you to write this book?

a) There will be eight books in the Hidden Springs series.  Natural progression led me to this one.

22. Will you have a new book coming out soon?

a) I’m hoping to release Dancing in the Dark sometime this spring.

23. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

a) I might, sometime in the future, revisit Hidden Springs to see where the characters are in their life but for now, I’m content to leave things as they are.

24. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment

a) I can’t think of any really tough criticism that I’ve received, except maybe for a negative review.  The best compliment is any time someone tells me that they’ve enjoyed one of my books.

25. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

a) Do it!  Write!  Learn all you can from other authors and then do it your own way.  I’m not saying to disregard other peoples’ advice but it’s really easy to get caught up in comparing yourself with how others write.  What works best for them may not work for you, and that’s okay.  Listen to your inner voice.  You know what works best for you, so take the plunge and do it!

26. Which character speaks the loudest, to you? Do any of them clamor to be heard over the others?

a) My characters don’t speak loudly to me; it’s more like their stories do.  I have five story ideas competing for attention in my brain right now.

27. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

a) Thank you.  I mean that; thank you for choosing my books over all of the others out there and taking the time to read them.  I hope that you enjoyed them enough to feel like your time was well-spent.

28. Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

a) Nope!

29. Do you prefer fuzzy or tube socks?

a) Aloe socks.  I have dozens.

30. Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

a) I don’t see the point.  Besides, one of my dogs usually ends up rearranging the covers during the day anyway.

31. Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?

a) Daily, if I’m going out in public that day.  If I’m staying in, then it might be a couple of days.

32. Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

a) Not too often but people who don’t do the speed limit, as in they drive too slowly, drives me nuts!

33. Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

a) My motto is, if they leave me alone, I’ll leave them alone.  Except when it comes to black widow spiders.  I’ll squish them every time!

Kristine has several books out for your reading enjoyment! Here are the details 🙂

 HERE TO STAY

Amazon – U.S. – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GH4GCQ4

CA – http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00GH4GCQ4

AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00GH4GCQ4

UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GH4GCQ4 

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-to-stay-kristine-raymond/1118482510?ean=2940148153306 

Kobo – http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/here-to-stay-10 

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Here_to_Stay_historical_western_r?id=ogD2AwAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heretostay-1720948-158.html

HEARTS ON FIRE

Amazon – US – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HIOO7NC

                CA – http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00HIOO7NC

                UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HIOO7NC

                AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00HIOO7NC

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-on-fire-kristine-raymond/1119586369?ean=2940149441921 

Kobo – http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hearts-on-fire-8

Google Play –https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Hearts_on_Fire_historical_western?id=4NWeAwAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartsonfire-1720952-158.html

ABBY’S HEART

Amazon – US – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGUOJD0

                CA – http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00IGUOJD0

                UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IGUOJD0

                AU –https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00IGUOJD0

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abbys-heart-kristine-raymond/1119586437?ean=2940149442102

Kobo – http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/abby-s-heart-2

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Abby_s_Heart_historical_western_r?id=d9eeAwAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-abby039sheart-1720953-158.html

A CHANCE ON LOVE

Amazon – U.S. –http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR5W690

CA – http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LR5W690

AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00LR5W690

UK –http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LR5W690

Barnes & Noble –http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-chance-on-love-kristine-raymond/1119945456?ean=2940149764747

Kobo –http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-chance-on-love

Google Play –https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_A_Chance_on_Love_historical_weste?id=fdoBBAAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-achanceonlove-1720954-158.html

A WILL OF HER OWN

Amazon – U.S. –http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R9PN54C

CA – http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00R9PN54C

AU – http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00R9PN54C

UK –http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00R9PN54C

Barnes & Noble –http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-will-of-her-own-kristine-raymond/1120947273?ean=2940149909698

Kobo –http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-will-of-her-own-1

Google Play –https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_A_Will_of_Her_Own_historical_west?id=lrTjBQAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awillofherown-1720955-158.html

Thank you so much for stopping by today, Kristine!

The Dreded Filtering!

I wrote this pot for Three Worlds Press’s blog about a month ago but want to share it here as well. Filtering is a big issue that can really weigh down your pros. This post explains what filtering is and how to fix it. I hope you find it helpful.

Filtering

By: Amanda Siemen

As an editor the one thing I see in almost every manuscript submitted for publishing is filtering. So what is filtering?

Filtering is a pesky thing that weighs down a story by separating the reader from the POV character by placing a screen between them. This is dangerous because it separates the reader from the story and often leads to telling.

Let me show by example.

Lisa saw a man walk by the window and became scared. She realized she was trapped when she noticed the door knob turning. Looking around she saw a baseball bat and decided to pick it up. She moved near the door and prepared to swing. When the man entered she recognized him as her husband and dropped the bat with relief.

The above paragraph is full of filtering. I have highlighted the filtering words so that they can be easily identified.

Now look at the same paragraph without the filtering:

A man walked past the window. Lisa’s pulse quickened. Who could be out there? The door knob rattled and Lisa swallowed hard. She glanced around searching for a way out. Trapped, Lisa picked up an old baseball bat from against the wall and moved nearer to the door. Lifting the bat she prepared to swing. The door opened and Lisa dropped the bat, relief washing through her. “Bob, thank God it’s you.”

Not my best piece of writing but it illustrates the idea. In the second paragraph the reader stay’s right there with Lisa. It is more engaging.

Authors should look for the following types of words in their manuscripts and clean them out whenever possible.

To touch

To wonder

To realize

To watch

To look

To seem

To feel

Can

To decide

To sound (or sound like)

To know

To notice

To be able to

To note

To experience

By searching for and removing filters authors will bring their stories to the next level. This is because when filters are removed the story becomes more engaging. As a bonus removing filters also tends to remove telling.

Important Announcment

I would like to make everyone aware that after putting some thought into my future as an author I have decided to make a small change to my name. The common use of my name, Amanda Marie, diminishes my identity as an author, so I have decided to create a unique identity. To that end I have selected Amanda Mariel as my author name. All of my accounts and covers will be changed over during the next few weeks to reflect the new name. It is a small change but sets me apart. Thank you for your continued support. Watch for the next book in the Scandalous Times series!

Highland Storm by Victoria Zak-Review

Highland Storm is one great read! It has everything a reader could want: dragon shifters, highlanders, romance, passion, danger, twists, and flawed yet enduring characters. Conall and Effie are so well written that they feel like real people despite the fact he is Dragonkine. I found myself emotionally involved in their story very early on and rooted for them to the end. This book is well written and full of twists that had me crying, laughing, and all emotions in-between. This is highland dragon shifters at their best! I strongly encourage anyone who loves a great love story to pick this up and get reading-you will not be disappointed!

Blurb:

A long forgotten Ancient kingdom has been awakened and threatens to change the Dragonkine world forever.

Can passion weather the dragon’s storm?

The only true pleasures in life Conall Hamilton yearned for were to marry a good woman, raise a family, and hide away into seclusion to live a normal life away from battle and war, not an easy task for the Dragonkine warrior and Clan Douglas’s second in command. Assigned to investigate an allied clan, he vows upon his return to marry his love, Effie. That’s until the Dragonkine warrior finds himself accused of a crime he did not commit, murder. Imprisoned, he must find a way to escape not only to save his own life but to save the life of the woman he loves.

In time the past will catch up with you…

Effie Douglas is a survivor. Though not born a Douglas, Effie leaves her old life behind to seek safety within Clan Douglas. For five years Conall Hamilton has been her secret lover and savior, helping her pick up the pieces of her damaged past. Hiding the true nature of their relationship from their clan had become a burden for the red-headed lass and now she desires more. She wants Conall’s name. When Effie is summoned home, she is plagued with unwanted memories, treachery, and new found information that will change her life forever. Will Effie have the courage and strength to weather the storm that rages around her?

I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of Highland Storm: Amazon

Dawn Brower is here revealing her smexy new cover!

Short Blurb

Gemma confessed her love to Liam and he walked away. Now, years later, she doubts Liam could love her. Can she trust this newfound love?

Long Blurb

Lady Gemma Kemsley is in dire straits. Her cousin Alfie inherited her father’s estate upon his death. He quickly bled it dry of funds and is turning his lecherous intentions toward her. Alfie wants to have complete control over her inheritance. Without Alfie’s approval she can’t marry. She only has one option—run away and live with her best friend in America.

When his sister begs Liam Marsden to help Gemma he reluctantly agrees. He has a past with Gemma he’d rather forget—involving a failed attempt at betrothal and her professed love. When he sees Gemma again he realizes he can’t ever let her go. Instead of sending her to America he uses the old betrothal agreement to marry her.

Gemma doubts Liam truly loves her. Can he convince her of the veracity of his love or will he lose her forever?

Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. There is nothing like a nice glass of wine and a good book to relax with at the end of the day.

There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet. If you want to contact Dawn you can visit her webpage at http://www.authordawnbrower.com, her facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DawnMarieBrower, on her blog http://dawnbrower.wordpress.com or her twitter page at www.twitter.com/dawnab33.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us, Dawn!