Friday, October 30, 2020

Autumn Countdown Blitz: BEAUTY AND THE WOLF by Marina Myles



Marina Myles studied Creative Writing and English Literature at Southern Methodist University. During her college days, she was fortunate enough to have been a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Now she lives in Arizona with her family and her adorable Maltese.













A Union Of Curses

Isabella Farrington's marriage was hasty. For all her new husband's riches, Lord Draven Winthrop is whispered about, avoided, and feared. Yet Isabella is drawn to Draven's dark good looks, his strength, the charm he can turn on as easily as she can blink. The impoverished daughter of an Egyptologist, she knows there are rumors about her, too, and the amulet she wears. Nothing more than superstitious babble...

But when Isabella returns to Draven's remote coastal manor, she senses there is something more at work in the grim gardens of Thorncliff Towers than superstition. Draven is passionate and seductive, but he has a brutal, uncontrolled side too, and a history of secrets. To live in peace she must discover the reasons behind a gypsy curse and a mother's scorn. Especially when she learns Draven believes his sweet young bride is doomed to a fate even darker than his own...


       


Q&A With the Author:

1. What is your favorite Autumn Time activity?

a) My favorite Autumn activity is decorating the house. I still have things from when my girls were little -- jeez, I can't believe they are 19 & 23 now! I also love making homemade orange/cranberry bread. 

2. What is one of your writing quirks?

a) One of my writing quirks is to re-read all my material on different devices. An iPad, my cell phone, and then I'll read it on my husband computer. (His screen is a different size.)

3. Which of your books was your favorite to write? And why?

a) I think Cinderella and the Ghost was the most fun to write. It's the final installment in the series, and I love that I got to bring the timeline around, full circle. Beauty and the Wolf takes place in the nineteenth century, and then Cinderella and the Ghost takes place in modern times, with the heroine going back to the past...to what ignited the "curse" we see throughout the series. Besides, Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale!

4. Who is the person or group of people who most support you in your writing? What have they done for you?  

a)  My critique group has been invaluable. We call ourselves the Savvy Scribes and we've been together for almost ten years. What is great about this particular group of ladies is that we aren't afraid to be truthful with one another. We are free to say, "What you wrote sucks." Or "You killed it!" 

5. What is your trick for getting past writer's block? And what advice would you give to others who are struggling?

a) Writer's block can show up for lots of reasons. My advice is: take time away from the computer. A day, a week, whatever you need to clear your head. When you dive back into your story, read it straight through and I bet you'll be able to continue with it.

6. Autumn time has its own set of foods/flavors. What is your favorite Autumn comfort food?

a) I adore anything pumpkin & cinnamon flavored...muffins, lattes, and spice cake!!  

 



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Thursday, October 29, 2020

Autumn Countdown Blitz: ONCE AND FUTURE WIFE by Clarissa Kae



Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she's explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.


~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Blog ~ Instagram ~


Immortal men like Rhys Glyndwr belong to forgotten fables—along with his reincarnating wife—but instead, they haunt the mind of a modern scientist, Isla Belle Thorne. Like an old blanket, visions of the healer servant and his wife, the daughter of a duke, have comforted Isla Belle, the only constant in her unstable childhood.
When her mother is hospitalized for a mental breakdown, Isla Belle fears for her own health and keeps the visions a secret. As Isla Belle starts her new job at a renowned medical organization, she comes face to face with Rhys—the same man from her visions.
 
She’s told an impossible tale of a love that death cannot kill. Surrounded by science but faced with an implausible legend, Isla Belle must decide what to believe and what to leave behind.



Q&A With the Author:

1. What is your favorite Autumn Time activity?

a) Reading (naturally), horse back riding in the middle of the day (instead of early in the morning because it’s so darn hot) and camping but more than anything enjoying soups!!

2. What is one of your writing quirks?

a) Drinking fountain soda, 75% diet dp with 25% regular dp in a styrofoam cup, of course. My latest thing is to be on a zoom with one of my author wives

3. Which of your books was your favorite to write? And why?

a) This might be the worst question because whatever my WIP is, that’s my favorite. The excitement is still there (the story hasn’t reached the terrible toddler tantrums yet)

4. Who is the person or group of people who most support you in your writing? What have they done for you?  

a) This is a tough question. I feel like there’s not ONE person but rather a village. My family (husband and three daughters) help out with day-to-day encouragement but there’s also an inner circle of writers that I lean on (and sometimes heavily). There’s an emotional aspect of writing that only other writers can truly understand. Those dark moments are when I cling to them.

5. What is your trick for getting past writer's block? And what advice would you give to others who are struggling?

a) Writer’s block (for me) exists when I’m just “over” the story. This happens to every story and every writer (although we all deal with differently). Sometimes I force myself to write just a sentence. I’ve also tried to reward myself “if I finish this chapter, I can ____"

6. Autumn time has its own set of foods/flavors. What is your favorite Autumn comfort food?

a) Any and all soups. Nothing is better than soups.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Autumn Countdown Blitz: UNMASKING THE DUKE by Donna Hatch



Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

  Facebook ~ Website ~
Amazon ~
Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
 


The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister, the Countess of Tarrington, throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation. 

Taking comfort behind her disguise, she dances with a charming masked gentleman, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. 

No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she could ever love.




~  Amazon  ~ 
  




Q&A With the Author:

1. What is your favorite Autumn Time activity? I love walking through places where trees and shrubs turn those lovely shades of burgundy, gold, and orange, and I also love those evenings when we sit around the fire pit outside and roast marshmallows or just chat.

2. What is one of your writing quirks? In order to write, I need to listen to soft, new-age-type of instrumental music--nothing with lyrics or percussion. I can write to silence but music is much better.  

3. Which of your books was your favorite to write? And why? The Guise of a Gentleman was the easiest to write; it felt like I just ran around after the hero typing what he did and said. A close second was Unmasking the Duke, for pretty much the same reason, but also I relate with the heroine; she's clumsy, shy, and gets migraines. I don't have an older sister, though.

4. Who is the person or group of people who most support you in your writing? What have they done for you? The Beaumonde chapter of RWA has been critical to my writing success because I strive for the most possible historical accuracy and they are a great resource for information and pointing me to reliable sources.

5. What is your trick for getting past writer's block? And what advice would you give to others who are struggling? Sometimes I just need to step away and take a break. If that doesn't help, it's often because I don't know the characters well enough or they don't have enough goals, so I develop their backstory. Usually, I learn something about them that helps with secondary goals or more compelling motivations that helps me continue writing.

6. Autumn time has its own set of foods/flavors. What is your favorite Autumn comfort food? Spiced caramel apple cider is the best Autumn comfort drink, and my favorite autumn foods are all the soups that I don't make all summer long. My favorite is potato soup with cheese and ham. Yum! It's a tradition to serve that to my family before we go trick-or-treating. 

  

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Autumn Countdown Blitz: THE WATCHERS-CAPTURE THE WIND by Deidra Eden




Deirdra has spent the last decade captivating audiences of all ages with her novels and fairy tales. Her specialty is paranormal theology that delves into documented historical phenomenon and natural disasters of biblical proportions.



Dark secrets about Azrael’s life and death are revealed which prompts Auriella to break off their engagement and leave Azrael alone on an island of massacred Watcher kin.

In order to prove his loyalty, Azrael sets out to retrieve stolen Starfire from the Legion before they destroy the human race and create their own dark kingdom.Poisoned and stripped of his powers Azrael has no choice but to accept the help of an old enemy with questionable motives.
His haunting past and old wounds resurface when he discovers a book of Watcher genealogy listing not only his family, but Aura’s linage along with her three sisters of power, including his dark and beautiful former fiancée.

A few remaining good Watchers must face the fallen Watchers of old along with the Demon God, Moloch, to reclaim Starfire. Azrael must choose his side and prove his loyalty once and for all.


Auriella and Azrael are about to face their greatest battle as all the Watchers of the Earth gather to the Eastern Sanctuary to face Erebus and his army. In her first mass warfare, Auriella leads her Watcher kin against invading hordes, human trafficking pirates, Shadow Queens, Shadow Lords and their wolves, and even Erebus himself. Between war plans and raids, Auriella balances wedding plans and brides maids. With old friends and new friends, and each Watcher with their own mystical gifts and unique personalities, Auriella prepares intricate battles against supernatural foes. Auriella and Azrael will soon learn that their forbidden marriage will risk more than just the safety of Starfire.


Auriella and Azrael must travel across Asia and Europe to reach the Inner Sanctuary, the only place they will be safe from the legions who hunt them. Auriella keeps a journal and records stories from the lives of the Watchers who are charged with guarding her to safe passage. Traveling to the legendary land of Ophir, they retrieve the golden wedge of Ophir which is a key to open the portal of the Inner Sanctuary.Betrayed by a Watcher who was sent to protect her, Auriella is captured and comes face to face with the Shadow Queen Hazella. After being tortured by the Legion, Auriella must choose her own death. Unbeknownst to King Erebus, the Shadow Queen, Hazella, offers Auriella a quick, but painful death which will ultimately keep Starfire out of the hands of the Legion.With time running out, Auriella realizes she must be her own hero, and without her powers, find hidden strength from within to save more than just herself. 


Q&A With the Author:

1. What is your favorite Autumn Time activity?

Hikes in the mountain.

 

2. What is one of your writing quirks?

Since I am a graphic designer as well as an author, all the sentences have to look aesthetically pleasing or I will re-word. I'm also a lyricist so all the sentences have to flow as well.

 

3. Which of your books was your favorite to write? And why?

Probably my last book. I feel like I become a better writer everytime I write. 

 

4. Who is the person or group of people who most support you in your writing? What have they done for you?

My husband helped me overcome barriers to writing, my father-in-law and dad both edited, my book manager has saved the day so many times, and my developmental editors did a lot of painstaking work to make the books ready to read.

 

5. What is your trick for getting past writer's block? And what advice would you give to others who are struggling?

I don't believe in writer's block. That thing people call writer's block could signal that creative energy is to be devoted elsewhere, or that you are in the winter of your creative cycle which is not a bad thing. For more on this see my book Time Management for Creative People

 

6. Autumn time has its own set of foods/flavors. What is your favorite Autumn comfort food?

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Get two and put cream cheese in the middle for a yummy cookie sandwich.





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Monday, October 26, 2020

Autumn Countdown Blitz: THE WATCHERS by Deirdra Eden




Deirdra has spent the last decade captivating audiences of all ages with her novels and fairy tales. Her specialty is paranormal theology that delves into documented historical phenomenon and natural disasters of biblical proportions.



The Watchers” are supernatural beings in human form, charged with protecting mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, some of these Watchers go bad. 

Deirdra Eden’s The Watcher’s Series is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl’s discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions. 

In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity.


Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old. Auriella’s new life as a royal protector is in shambles. The new king ignores her warnings of a Shadow Legion invasion and he is determined to marry her off. Ghosts from her past, the discovery of other Watchers, and a handsome Scottish warrior throw her off guard and weaken her emotional defenses. Caught in a web of secrecy and betrayal, Auriella struggles to control and protect the devastating power of Starfire. A terrible truth and a fateful choice will lead her to her destiny as the fabled Lady of Neviah, or could shroud the entire world in eternal darkness. 

Filled with action, romance, drama, and comedy, Hidden Fire is an addicting read that you won’t want to put down.

The Watchers Series has been described as Braveheart meets Supernatural. The mythology for the series is based on many theological texts from dozens of sects with correlating themes. Ancient writings include the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Traditional Apocrypha, the Pearl of Great Price and the Kabbalah. The Watchers are supernatural beings in human form whose duty it is to protect and guard mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, as the Book of Enoch mentions, some of these Watchers go bad. 

Although the mythology is based on these texts, Deirdra Eden's The Watcher's Series is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl's discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions. 


Auriella joins the ranks of the Immortals, but Azrael has vanished in the depths of war. She is forced to choose between love or loyalty when the druids charge her with finding Alamar, an unruly Watcher who can control the seas. Though witty and charming, Alamar and his blood thirsty friends can’t be trusted. Now, it’s a race against time to find Azrael before he is killed, and Alamar before he is recruited by the Shadow Legion.

“Deirdra Eden has surpassed her earlier achievement in this daring tale of struggle between good and evil forces that exist in every universe.” Mark F. Cheney, author of MARK OF THE JAGUAR 

“Thought provoking and full of action, I didn’t want to put the book down! I really loved the symbolism and it was a fantastic read.” Mary G. – age 15


Q&A With the Author:

1. What is your favorite Autumn Time activity?

Hikes in the mountain.

 

2. What is one of your writing quirks?

Since I am a graphic designer as well as an author, all the sentences have to look aesthetically pleasing or I will re-word. I'm also a lyricist so all the sentences have to flow as well.

 

3. Which of your books was your favorite to write? And why?

Probably my last book. I feel like I become a better writer everytime I write. 

 

4. Who is the person or group of people who most support you in your writing? What have they done for you?

My husband helped me overcome barriers to writing, my father-in-law and dad both edited, my book manager has saved the day so many times, and my developmental editors did a lot of painstaking work to make the books ready to read.

 

5. What is your trick for getting past writer's block? And what advice would you give to others who are struggling?

I don't believe in writer's block. That thing people call writer's block could signal that creative energy is to be devoted elsewhere, or that you are in the winter of your creative cycle which is not a bad thing. For more on this see my book Time Management for Creative People

 

6. Autumn time has its own set of foods/flavors. What is your favorite Autumn comfort food?

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Get two and put cream cheese in the middle for a yummy cookie sandwich.





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