Work in progress update: Borderland Bride

So, if you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that my WIP progress bar has been slowly rising. I say slooooowly as this has been a tough one. I type faster than I think usually but this unnamed WIP took a lot longer than usual. I've definitely been suffering from 'last release hangover'. The Angel's Assassin has had an amazing reception but this has also meant a lot of publicity opportunities and a lot of time spent not writing! Of course, the lead up to Christmas did not help and I'm still in the process of organising my HUGE Christmas giveaway (more to come on that soon!)

But it is finally finished and is now in the editing process.

And I have a title - Borderland Bride.

Release date will depend on my publisher but this will definitely be worth the wait. Where The Angel's Assassin was very emotionally draining and quite dark in places, this one includes plenty of light-hearted moments, particularly between the two very sexy brothers! *sigh* It's very difficult falling in love with two men at the same time you know! But for those that enjoy drama and romance, never fear, there are plenty of thrills, passion and desire!

Author Spotlight: Catherine Converse

Please welcome Catherine to my blog today! She is telling us a little about herself and her books - take a look.

Catherine Converse lives with her husband and four amazing children in beautiful Montana. She studied Business at Carroll College and graduate work in Marketing Communications at West Virginia University. Her love of writing took off in her years working as a marketing consultant using creative writing to sell. Now she uses it to take readers on an adventure, or to share her passions.

If not writing, seeking out readers, or musing on motherhood chaos, Catherine loves most to be playing with her family – indoors and out, and focusing upward to show God her gratitude for such a blessed life.

Website: http://www.catherineconversebooks.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 Two girls with opposing backgrounds join a secret intelligence agency located deep in the earth, where their psychic dreams are used to prevent murder. As the girls form a unique friendship, they begin to dream about the same serial case, triggering a chaos that spirals through the agency tunnels, and proves the lives they need to save are their own.

You can purchase The In Between on Amazon and check for updates on the next in the series, Fade To Silver, on the Facebook page

Non-US writers - applying for an EIN (Or US Tax for Dummies)

There are a few blog posts dedicated to this subject but I wanted to create a simple, straight-forward guide to apply for an EIN. The other blog posts are great if you have more complex questions but really all you need to do is make this damn phone call!

Very basically, you need this number if you don't live in the US and Amazon, plus other US based publishing companies, are witholding your tax from you. This amounts to 30% of your royalties so it is essential that you do it as soon as possible.

Anyone who is a 'sole-trader' or really working for themselves can apply for one. There is some confusion here, with people believing they have to go through the insanely complex process of applying for a ITIN or an Individual Tax Identification number which involves having your passport sent to Texas (apparently)!

If you do not want Amazon to withold 30% of your royalties, here is what you need to do:

Phone 

+1 267 941 1099 or from landline phone 001 267 941 1099

• I phoned at around 2pm GMT time and got through within 2 minutes.
• Press 3 (obviously check this is the right option) - Applying for a EIN as a foreign entity.
• Struggle to understand women on other end of phone (like me) and state that you are applying for an EIN as a foreign entity.
• They may ask if you have filled out a SS-4 form. You don't need to do this and its another complex process. I stated that it said on their website that I did not need to.
• Once I stated I was sole-proprietor, she agreed that I didn't need to. It seems that most are giving in at this point but if you come across someone stubborn, end the call and try again.
• Then starts the process of trying and failing many times to spell out my name, address and postcode. They will also ask for your phone number. Unless you are publishing under a business name, simply state that you are using your name when asked.
• *Note, try not to allow your accent to thicken as mine did. By the end of it I was speaking like the queen. This did NOT help matters.
• After stumbling along, you will be issued with an  EIN. Make sure you make a note of it, in several places if possible. And confirm it with the person on the other end. This took about 5 tries for us. 8 and A sound very similar to my ears in a US accent!
• You will also receive your EIN in the post at some point. The lovely lady stated it would take up to 6 weeks but it seems to vary.
• Lovely Lady finally warmed to me when I thanked her for her help in my ridiculous accent. Done!
• Now fill in the W8-BEN form. It looks daunting but if you're English, you're used to filling forms.  The instructions for it are here.

You need to complete a separate form for each publisher. Keep the alcohol handy.

Send off your completed forms with a cover letter:

-Amazon KDP: Attn. Vendor Maintenance, PO Box 80683, Seattle, WA 98108-0683, USA.
-Smashwords: Tax Compliance Dept., 15951 Los Gatos Blvd., Ste 16 Los Gatoes, CA 95032, USA.
-CreateSpace: 8329 West Sunset Road, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV, 89113, USA.


Drink that drink!

Author Interview: Jamallah Bergmen

What is your name (or pen name) and where do you live now?
Well my name is Jamallah Bergman and I live in Atlanta Georgia

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I’ve always loved to write since I was in my teens, writing about this and that and as I got older, my stories became more explicit. If I didn’t want to be a writer, I would more than likely became a chef since I do love to cook.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it what would you say?
My latest book “Special Kind of Woman” is a book near and dear to me because it took a very long time for it to come out (due to edits and pull backs on the release dates). 
This story deals with self-discovery and realization that you never know what the outcome might be when falling in love is not part of the plan.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Usually it depends, if it’s a really great idea and I’m really into the book, then it will take me a couple of weeks to at least a month. It just depends on how quickly and how short or long the story is


Do you have plans for a new book?
Right now, I have several ideas for story that I had started on but never did finish plus I have some that I am re editing on a story that I hope to have out sometime next year since the story is very sentimental to me.

What genre would you place your books into?
Mainly Interracial or Erotica Contemporary

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
It mainly a genre that I feel comfortable in, I have always been into interracial relationships plus the fact of two people from different races getting together is something that even though years and years ago was taboo, now at days is almost basically the norm. Plus the unity of two people in love regardless of race is a story that has to be told.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I have to say that my favourite one is “If Only You Knew” because it was my 1st book and also because the book has sentimental value for me. Basically I wrote it during a down time in my life, when I was thinking back to days gone by when I was young and had no responsibility. I had remembered during a time when I was in high school, a guy friend of mine who meant a great deal to me during a time when I was severally depressed and felt I never belonged. But this guy ( who honestly to this day has never known that I wrote this book with him in mind and will remain nameless) he always had a smile on his face, always made me laugh when I was down and always cheered me up daily. It was the boost I needed to come to school because I honestly dreaded even stepping into school. But I knew that if he was there, school would be worth coming to daily.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? Why are they your favourite?
My favourite has to be Brooke Langley from “The Lady of Gladstone Manor”, I wrote about her because in a way, she is me. I’ve had a lot of health issues that has caused me to have a lot of social issues. I never wanted to go out in social occasions especially when it came to coming out to meeting people. Brooke has dealt with a lot during her life having always hidden from the world, thinking that she would never be accepted whatsoever because of her looks. I like Brooke had to take baby steps and finally I was able to do just that as far as getting out in the world and meeting with some people. I was welcomed with open arms and I have to say that I have made some great friends because of it.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
Mainly I get my ideas from life experiences, that is how I wrote my 1st two books…I based them on myself and my life experiences. But other than life experiences, I basically get my ideas from either old movies ( I’m a big old movie buff) or from pictures of very handsome men.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
No routine, if a idea comes to me, I sit back and just let the ideas flow thru onto my laptop keyboard


Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
I mainly write the book and while I’m in the midst of writing, then I might come up with a title to the story itself.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
If I get stumped on a Name of a Place or a Character name, I will go and try to find a name generator or I’ll look for places names that no one has heard of before. Mainly I try to find a name that no one has used before when they name their characters and such.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
The women are more than likely to be somewhat shy and quiet in my stories but also some are strong and don’t take crap from anybody. The men have to be alpha males but also they have to be caring and sympathetic as well. I do like for my man to have a bit of emotion, especially when he tells the woman he loves how much he loves her.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I suffered one time with writer’s block and it lasted for about three in a half years….that’s when I had to sit back and do some soul searching and that’s how “If Only You Knew” came to be written.


Is there a certain author that influenced you in writing?
As of right now no there isn’t


What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?Right now any of the books from J.R. Ward….she’s an amazing author and a friend of mine got me hooked on her Brotherhood series of Vampires…..Zsadist is probably my favourite and when I read his story I literally was in tears. I think I’ve read the first three books three times each cause they were too good.


Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Normally they don’t because of the fact that they don’t stay true to the book, I can understand adding on a bit to make for more time in the movie but if you go and make a movie try and stay true to the book because people who read the book are going to expect what they read in the book to be on the silver screen. I think the two best that I’ve seen so far has been To Kill A Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice.


What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
Right now I am not in the midst of reading anything at the moment….I’ve been so busy writing I haven’t had time to sit back and read a good book in months.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
I don’t think so because honestly there is nothing better than sitting down and actually feeling the cover and pages of a good book.

Special Kind of Woman is available at the following book stores:
Amazon
All Romance
Secret Cravings
Bookstrand
_________________________________________________________________________


Jamallah Bergman was born in Jamaica Queens New York and first started to write small stories when she was around 13. It wasn't until she was around 15 when she started to write about
romance after she read her first romantic novel. It wasn't until she got older when she started to write erotica as well.

Jamallah writes about heroines who are full figured women since the fact that whenever she would read some of the stories she liked so much, she always wondered why there weren't many women like herself as the main character. So she started to write about heroines such as herself, full figured women who only wanted to be loved and show their love to the right man.

In Ms. Bergman's spare time when she isn't writing, she enjoys cooking and collecting cookbooks as well as Colbalt Blue Glass items. She resides in Atlanta Georgia with her teenage daughter who is very artistic as well and loves draw and make little movies as well.

Black Friday Blog Hop: Christmas Shopping the British Way

So today is Black Friday and I am taking part in the Black Friday blog hop. We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $75 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

And I'm also giving away a copy of The Angel's Assassin. To be in with a chance of winning, just comment below!
____________________________________________________________
While we're aware of the phenomenon of Black Friday in England, obviously we do not have it here because we don't celebrate Thanksgiving.

For us Brits, we fall into two categories when it comes to Christmas shopping. Those who do it in the January sales and those who do it in the week before Christmas or, if possible, on Christmas Eve. You think I'm kidding...

If you are ever unlucky enough to be in Britain during that week then here are a few rules you should bear in mind:

• British people queue. We love to queue and take great pride in maintaining our calm disposition while queueing. 
• Acceptable topics of conversation during a queue are the weather and how long the queue is. 
• Never express your aggravation at how long a queue is and always join the back of the queue. Don't edge forwards! People will take this as a sign of aggression.
• We love a bargain. It doesn't matter if its good quality or if we needed it or not, if its a bargain, we want it. Avoid discount stores and any shops with the sign 'sale' in it. 
• If you are shopping with a Brit then make sure you allow enough time to stop for a tea break. 'Nuff said.
• Avoid market days. These are not the twee country markets that people envision. They are a bustling pit of bargain hunters desperate to get their hands on the toys that will break straight away and the food that only has two days left on its sell by date.
• Do not underestimate the elderly. They will fight you for the last bit of broccoli. I know this from experience. 
• And finally, endure all of this with a stiff upper lip!

I hope you enjoyed my little peek into the world of shopping with the British. I do love our stoic ways dearly. Are there any traits I missed? What's Christmas shopping like where you live? Comment below to win a copy of The Angel's Assassin and to be in with a chance of winning those amazing grand prizes!

Book review: Bargain Bride, Billionaire Groom by Lelani Black

Bargain Bride, Billionaire Groom by Lelani Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I sat down to read this before bed, intending to read a few chapters and then read the rest the next day. Big mistake! I finally put it down at well past midnight when I reached the end!

Ms Black's writing is thoroughly absorbing and charming. Her descriptive language draws you in, paints a beautiful picture and totally entrances you without being tiresome or long-winded.

My only minor complaint is that I found Golden's feeling towards Jio slightly confusing when she demanded a proper marriage from him. I know she herself was confused at the time but I found her demanding this from him quite at odds with her personality.

That said, I loved that the characters were flawed, but still completely likeable. They both had a past and issues that they were still dealing with and their issues were realistic and not at all cliché.

This is a sweet, sexy and fun read. Ms Black described a beautiful world and I only wish I was really there!

View all my reviews

Author Spotlight: Susie M. Hanley

Today we meet Susie, author of Muse. Read on to find out more about Muse and its author.

In a world not unlike ours, Muses and their Guardians have walked alongside humankind since the beginning of time. From birth Muses assume they are just like everyone else. Not until their twenty-fifth birthdays do they discover their talents have a special purpose, and that Guardians, with their superhuman abilities, will help them in that purpose whether they want that help or not.

Shelby has worked hard to make a life for herself. Her parents died when she was young, and her husband left her with two kids. When her ex-husband comes back to town, he has more to say than just 'I'm sorry': he's a Guardian, and his new assignment is her. She is a Muse now, one coming into her own no matter how hard she fights it, and trouble stalks her wherever she goes. Her ex-husband can't keep up and, with their history, she doesn't want him to. To complicate matters, there?s another Guardian around when she needs help, and they are falling for each other. He has a dark past that?s trying to reclaim him, and Shelby is in the way. But she has to accept her Museness and figure out fast what being a Muse really means if she is to keep herself and her children alive.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Susie M. Hanley is a native Oregonian where she has always slept best curled up with a good book and the sound of the rain pounding against her window. Her love of worlds beyond her own led her to complete a degree in communication and cultures and to begin creating worlds of her own for others to enjoy. When not working on Shelby’s next impassioned quest, she can be found chasing her kids, cuddling her hubby, and randomly organizing everything into submission.

You can purchase Muse on Amazon.

The Angel's Assassin Excerpt

I love sharing little excerpts. I think they make stories in themselves. If you followed my blog tour, you may have already read this excerpt but if you didn't here is one from The Angel's Assassin. Enjoy!

He had never given a woman a gift before and he had felt apprehensive when giving it to her, but her look of delight had brought a warmth into his heart that he had never experienced before. He had only intended to get her something simple and warm but the gown had reminded him of Annabel, gold and sparkling. It had cost him plenty of coin, mayhap more than it was really worth, but he knew if he had the chance he would happily spend his entire fortune on pretty gowns if it garnered the same reaction.

But it wouldn’t be up to him. Nicholas had to remind himself of that. He was to protect her, naught more.

“Nicholas?” Annabel’s voice beckoned to him, curling around his heart.

He took a deep breath, sucking in the cool, crisp air, hoping it would provide him with the necessary courage to face her. Each moment in her presence was making it harder and harder to fight the sweet temptation of her beguiling kisses. His strength to resist was steadily waning, but he knew he had to be strong. It was not intended for someone like him to receive the honour of her affections. They were undoubtedly misplaced and she would realise that if she understood his true nature. But he could not reveal it to her, for she would surely send him away and then how would he fulfil his duty to protect her?

Turning around, he dipped his head to enter through the small doorway of the hut. Though it was dark, Annabel seemed to shine through the gloom, all available light glinting off her flaxen hair and golden gown. As she heard his footfalls, she turned her head, looking at him over her shoulder.

“Will you help me with the laces?”

As if he could say nay. “Aye.”

Moving to her side, she lifted her arm as he twisted the laces up her side with trembling hands. Annabel watched him as he did so, her bright eyes never leaving his face.

“Stop.” she said softly.

He halted, his jaw ticking as he clenched it. Unable to meet her doe-eyed gaze, he stared at the ties in his hands. Annabel twisted around to face him and he let the laces fall from his grasp. Her hand reached up and grazed across his jaw, drawing his eyes to hers. The milky expanse of one shoulder was just visible and his gaze darted down, drawn to the enchanting sight of bare skin.

Nicholas’ hand shot out before he had even realised was he was doing and it hovered above her shoulder, itching to touch it. The heat of her skin seemed to penetrate the gap and his hand shook with restraint.

“Am I so repellent that you cannot even touch me?”

He looked at her in surprise and noticed a hint of vulnerability dancing in her expression. “God, nay,” he rasped.

His hand closed the gap in a sudden rush of movement, pulling a gasp from her while he groaned at the feel of soft flesh under his hand.

Author Interview: Wally Wood

What is your name (or pen name) and where do you live now?
Wally Wood. I live in a small town in western Connecticut.


Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was 14 years old, wrote a comic essay for a class assignment, and discovered through my writing I could entertain my friends, other students—even adults. I’ve always thought of myself as a writer even when I was ostensibly something else (soldier, magazine editor).


What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it what would you say?
Getting Oriented: A Novel about Japan. The reader lives 12 days with Philip Fletcher, recently-widowed, recently-downsized, as he leads his first group of 10 American tourists on a tour of Japan. His charges have their own issues. There’s a high-powered career woman who finds far more than historic sights; a man who discovers a hidden interest in Japanese comics; a neglected wife and a Southern belle vying for attention on Phil’s futon; and a retired couple facing their deepest fears. The group travels from Kyoto to Hakone to Nikko to Tokyo, with (I would like to think) gradually rising tension over the behaviour of one of the guests.


How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
My non-fiction books (I’ve ghost-written 19 commercially-published business books since 1990) take between six and nine months. Fiction takes longer. Getting Oriented probably took two years, but it was spread out over eight or nine years because I was continually distracted by writing that paid money. My new novel, Mt. Koya, was a NaNoWriMo.com effort last year, so it’s taken me almost a year to put it into a semi-final form.


Do you have plans for a new book?
I’ve just finished the third draft of Mt. Koya. I have two other novels in different states of completion. When I finish Mt. Koya I’ll return to one of them.


What genre would you place your books into?
That’s a problem. I’d call Getting Oriented commercial fiction. I don’t think it’s “literary” enough to be classified as literary fiction. It’s not a mystery, or romance, or paranormal (not a body, a vampire, or a ghost anywhere). That makes it difficult for a bookstore to know where to shelve it. A good book without a genre is an orphan.


What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I didn’t decide. I have stories I want to tell and I do my best to write an interesting story without trying to squeeze it into the confines of a specific genre.


Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
My favourite so far is a non-fiction book I wrote with a client, Jerry Acuff: The Relationship Edge. Although we wrote it for salespeople, you can apply the techniques it teaches—how to build a strong, positive relationship with almost anyone—in many, many situations. I know they work because now I’ve done so.


Do you have a favourite character from your books? Why are they your favourite?
No. One of my problems with my early unpublished (and unpublishable) novels was that the main characters were far more interesting to me than to any reader. I think that’s because they were idealized versions of myself (and I find myself fascinating). There was not enough distance between myself as the author and the character. Readers rightly found the books self-indulgent and tedious.


Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
I don’t know. I speak enough Japanese to have led tours in Japan, and it seemed natural to base a novel loosely (very loosely) on that experience.


Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I am a full-time, freelance writer. I have an office in my house. I write virtually every day from 9:00 to 5:00 with breaks for lunch, laundry, tea, e-mail, snail mail, errands. We are able to listen to a totally non-commercial, local, classical music station, and the radio is on all day.


Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
It depends. I had all kinds of trouble coming up with Getting Oriented. (Wiser heads persuaded me that Found in Translation was a bad idea.) The title Mt. Koya existed before I began Chapter 1 of the new novel.


How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I look at lists of names and try to pick one that sounds like the character. I don’t invent place names. I believe it adds to a story’s richness when readers believe these imaginary characters move through real places. Except for fantasy or science fiction, I don’t understand the argument for inventing place names.


Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I try to write a complete biography of my main character(s) before I begin a book. I answer questions like: How does she feel about himself?  Little self-respect?  Placidly self-satisfied? Is she in or out of harmony with her environment?  Is this situation likely to change? Who are the most important people in her life, and how does she relate to each of them? What does she want that seems most unattainable?  What price would she pay to get it  Would she regret the bargain? What could she scarcely dare to part with?  What price would she pay to protect it?  How would she react if it were lost? What must she deny or disguise, even from herself, because she absolutely cannot deal with it? What does your character believe that is doubtful or absolutely wrong? Once you have interesting characters and put them in an interesting situation, you have a story.


Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I tell writing students that writer’s block is a symptom, not a disease. The disease, I believe, is fear: fear of failure, fear of shame, even fear of success. If you can figure out what you’re afraid of, the block tends to go away. Certainly fear can be incapacitating, but usually what you write is not going to harm you physically, so what are you afraid of? Failure? No piece of writing is ever as good your vision of it, but that doesn’t mean you are a failure.


Is there a certain author that influenced you in writing?
No one author.


What is your favourite book and why?  Have you read it more than once?
My favourite book tends to be whatever one I’m currently reading.


Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
I think it depends on the book and the movie. I thought the movie “The English Patient” was brilliant; I found the book unreadable. I thought Memoirs of a Geisha fascinating; I found the movie terrible. I don’t think I have a favourite or a worst transfer. A great book does what only fiction can do, which is something no movie can do. A great movie does what only film can do, which, with sound, colour, movement, and acting, no book can do.


What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it? (ebook, hardback or paperback)
I’m currently reading a paperback edition of The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud. I am thoroughly enjoying it.


Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No. “Printed books” includes text books, cook books, art books; I don’t think e-books are good substitutes.


What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Write every day. You learn to write by writing. Don’t invest in an MFA program. If you want to be a writer, learn as much as you can about psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, theology, economics and how people and the world actually works so you’ve got something to write about. Read the best stuff you can find.

_____________________________________
Wally Wood is a full-time professional writer and has 19 business books and one novel to his credit. He is a volunteer creative writing teacher in the local library and in a medium-security men’s state prison. He has M.A. in creative writing from City University of New York and a B.A. in philosophy and oriental studies from Columbia University.
You can download the first chapter of his novel, Getting Oriented, read the reviews of it, and click to order it from Amazon.com as either a paperback or Kindle version at his blog: www.gettingorientednovel.blogspot.com

New Release: The Island by Tammy Dennings Maggy

Thanks to Tammy for sharing this fab excerpt from her new release, The Island. Read on to find out more about this hot read and scroll down for an awesome excerpt!

After losing her brother in a fatal motorcycle accident, Quinn’s life spins out of control. Shutting herself off from friends and family in Michigan, she buries herself in her work, wishing for the pain to end. In her dreams she’s finally able to find the peace her heart craves on The Island. Driven to recklessness over a heartbreaking betrayal, Jacob races his motorcycle on a rain slick California freeway. Near death in the hospital, he’s given a choice. Stay on The Island or go back for a second chance at love. Destined to be together, but repeatedly torn apart, these two lost and melancholy people draw the attention of the Goddess Fate. As Quinn and Jacob’s lives hang in limbo, the soul mates are given a very special gift from the Gods, and the chance to finally have their love of a lifetime. ____________________________________________________________________

He said a silent prayer as he entered the room. Please, let this be a huge mistake. Jake can’t be the one here. It has to be someone else. Eric’s stomach churned and he struggled to keep down what little food he had eaten before he boarded the plane in Las Vegas. He had never seen his big brother look so small or helpless. The tears stung his eyes and blurred his vision a bit, but by sheer will alone, Eric held them back. It took several moments to comprehend the scene playing out in front of his eyes. The patient lying in the bed before him could’ve just as easily been a complete stranger, except for the long, light-brown hair. Eric would know that unruly mop anywhere. He stood frozen near the door, staring at the battered and broken body of his brother.

Jacob Hartley was wrapped head to toe in bandages, tubes, and wires. Machines surrounded the head of the hospital bed, whirling and beeping, keeping time with Jacob’s breathing and heartbeat. His face was barely recognizable, colored in various shades of black, blue, and purple. His eyes were hidden beneath severely swollen lids. Every now and then the respirator took over his breathing, just to give his body a little bit of rest. Oh my God! This can’t be happening. Eric approached the bed as his sister reached out for him. They clung to each other. Her body trembled against his, her fear coming off her in waves. He tried to continue to be strong for them both, but he was quickly losing the battle now that he was actually there.

Eric glanced around the room and found his mother, Katrina. She smiled as she stood up from the chair that was placed close to the bed. She was small in stature, but she looked ten feet tall to Eric as she walked toward Jacob. Katrina leaned over, kissed the one part of his stubbly chin not bandaged, and spoke softly near his ear. “Your whole family is here now, Jacob. I’m here, my son. Momma’s here. If you can’t come back to me, it’s okay. Your poppa’s there with you and he will show you the way.”

“Mom—Jake’s not going to die!” Maredyth’s red-rimmed eyes flashed with determination. “It’s not his time to go yet.” She reached for one of Jacob’s bandaged hands and clutched it tightly.

Eric knew he should try to hide his feelings from his sister, but he was struggling, really struggling to find even a spark of hope their brother would ever pull out of this. “Mare—”

“No! We can’t lose him, too. Pop’s been gone a year now. Are you telling me God would be so cruel to decide on a whim to take Jake away almost to the very day we lost our father?”

* * * *

“I’m right here my little girl. I won’t ever leave you. Jacob’s going to need all of us now. We have to convince your brother he has to fight his way back.” Michael Hartley approached the bed and looked down at his son, his middle child. “What were you thinking driving your bike at night during a storm, Jakey?”

“He wasn’t thinking clearly, Sarge. That’s the problem.”

Michael looked up at the blonde, heavily tattooed, and pierced young man leaning against the wall near the foot of the hospital bed. “You remind me a lot of him you know, full of piss and vinegar.” Michael chuckled softly to himself. “It looks like we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us here, Danny. Thank you for staying with him after the accident and dulling his pain.”

Daniel Quartermarsh moved to Jacob’s bedside. He nodded slowly and looked up at his partner. “I did what I could as soon as Fate let me go to him.”

“I know you did. I expected nothing less than if I was allowed to be there with you. It’s just hard to see one of my children in this state and not be able to fix it like I could when he was little.”

The younger angel smiled. “Don’t worry. We have a lot of ground to cover with him, and I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity for you to work your magic, Sarge. If Fate didn’t think we could handle it, she wouldn’t have entrusted Jake and the rest of them to us. Speaking of the others, I just checked in on Quinn. She’s throwing herself into her work again, but handling things okay for now. I left this world not even a month ago, and she’s not allowed herself to grieve for me.” He glanced down at the very battered and broken man in the bed. “Your Jake’s our priority this visit. Once we get him to The Island, we can work on getting Quinn there, too.”

Michael reached out and folded his arms around his wife. Katrina looked as beautiful to him at that moment as she did on the day they first met. He wished he could really hold her now, so she could physically lean on him during this horrible time with their son. Katrina took a deep breath and smiled. Michael knew she felt his presence with them, as always. “Your poppa’s here with us, Maredyth.”

Eric and Maredyth looked at each other and then back to Katrina with their eyes wide. Eric put his arm around his sister before addressing his mother. “I sure hope so, Ma. All of us could use him right about now.” Maredyth buried her face into Eric’s shoulder as he held her tight.

Daniel added his own angelic light and love to that already surrounding the Hartley family and smiled. “I bet the two of you visited each other’s dreams while you were alive, too.”

Michael kept his arms around his wife of over forty years and nodded. “Now and forever. I promised her I would never leave her, no matter what. Not even death can keep me from her and our children.” The elder angel sighed and his eyes filled with tears. “Jake has always been the free spirit of the family. I never worried he wouldn’t discover his path eventually. But now?” Michael shrugged and shook his head. “How did my son’s life get so out of control so fast?”
______________________________________
As far back as I can remember I have had two dreams: become a veterinarian and a world-famous author. So far I achieved the first one and have enjoyed a wonderful career as a small-animal veterinarian. But something has always been missing. I’ve never stopped writing; that has never been an issue. The problem was getting up the nerve to actually finish one of my novels and submit it to a publisher. What a scary thought to send a stranger something I had poured my heart into. Would they like it? Would they see the characters the way I saw them in my head? Writing For the Love of Quinn was like giving birth to my first child. I had to let my characters go to see if they would take off, and boy have they ever!

Jacob and Quinn’s story is far from over. They’ll pop in from time to time to check in with their friends and family in the next books in the Now and Forever series. They got their happily ever after, and now it’s time for the others to find theirs, too!

 Having grown up in Michigan and now living in Northern California, I have had the privilege to experience life in a small town and a big city. Everyone who I’ve met along the way has influenced my writing in one way or another. Their experiences as well as my own help make up the characters that I hold near and dear to my heart. Helping them find the loves of their lives as well as fulfilling a few fantasies along the way is just frosting on the cake!

Where to Find Tammy

Siren Bookstrand Author Page

Amazon Author Page

Behind Closed Doors Website/Blog

Not Enough Time in the Day Blog

Sassy Vixen Publishing Blog

Goodreads Author Page

Pinterest Page

Follow Me on Twitter

Facebook Author Page

Youtube Video Book Trailers

Flash Fiction: The Return

And now for a little flash fiction. This was inspired by my experience as an army wife as well as having my husband working away from home. This is for all those that are waiting, or have waited, for the return of a loved one.

I hope you enjoy it!
___________________________________________________________________

The Return

What if he no longer loved her? What if he had changed?

Seven summers at war was bound to change a man. Elizabeth chewed at her lip and peered anxiously out of the window of the keep. Her fingers dug into the cool stone as the flicker of a banner became visible on the horizon, swiftly followed by its bearer and several knights on horseback.

Her legs itched to run as her heart leapt into her throat. She could not tell which one was him at such a distance but she wondered if his eyes were on her window--watching for her.

Oh, how she prayed they were.

Gathering her skirts and pulling her shoulders upright, she carefully navigated the winding stairs and pushed through the busy hall. The whole castle was awash with excitement at the return of their lord and a feeling of anticipation pervaded the air.

Would he still think her beautiful? The passing of time had no doubt taken its toll. Running a keep--and defending it--was no easy task. Elizabeth hoped he would be proud of all she had done for his lands.

The thunder of hooves caused her stomach to clench as she heard them approach the gate. The portcullis rattled and Elizabeth pressed her nails into her palm, feeling the prickle of sweat on her neck. She tucked a strand of pale hair into her veil and adjusted it.

And there he came, as tall and as strong as ever in his chainmail. Elizabeth held her breath as the soldiers led their mounts through the muddy courtyard as the peasants greeted them with cheers.

His eyes. If she could only see his eyes then she would know if her husband had truly returned to her. His grey helm hid his face, though she could not mistake him. Elizabeth knew well enough the breadth of his shoulders and the pride of his stance. She had run her hands often over those broad shoulders during their first year of marriage. With only memories of that year to sustain her, she had imagined herself running her hands over them again many, many times these past years.

The soldiers stopped at the bottom of the steps and Elizabeth felt her legs twitch. She remained rooted. It would not do for her to lose her composure in front of the villeins. And what if he was not pleased to see her? She would do well not to make a fool of herself until she was sure.

Her gaze followed the movement of his body as he dismounted with ease. He pulled off his helm and Elizabeth’s pulse pounded in her ears. His hair had grown long but it was still thick and wavy. War had aged him. A little grey was visible on his temples and in his stubble, and she spotte lines around his eyes that had not been there before.

Elizabeth’s heart dropped. His blue eyes cast around the keep, a jaded look visible in them. His body appeared weary, his shoulders having lost some of that pride she remembered. Too much blood had been spilled in the Holy land. It was likely that blood had taken her husband from her.

Elizabeth watched as he handed his helm to his squire before turning to face the keep.

And her.

Her hands bunched until the prick of her nails became too much and she held her breath as his gaze came to rest upon her. A gentle grin spread across his face and the light returned to his eyes.

Elizabeth released the breath she hadn’t realised she was holding and smiled tentatively as he bounded up the steps to her side.

“Lizzie,” he murmured softly.

His hand came out and took hers; bringing it to his lips so that he could brush them over each one of her fingers.

Elizabeth shuddered as the coarse warmth of his hand leached into her arm and she was besieged by the memory of their love. She stared into his eyes, searching. A heat blossomed through her chest and she allowed her smile to expand.

“You have returned to me,” she whispered.

He captured her lips in a searing kiss, bringing her tightly into his embrace. “Aye, Lizzie, I’ve returned to you.”

Author Spotlight: William Stuart

Welcome to William Stuart, author of The Gemstone Chronicles Part One: The Carnelian. William is sharing a bit about himself and his book with us today!

William Stuart is a ten-year veteran of the US Navy Submarine Force, works in the animal health field, and is the proud father of his daughter Laura and grandfather of two wonderful grandchildren. When he isn’t working, he enjoys rock-hunting, playing softball, playing golf, and woodworking. He lives in the Greater Atlanta area with Lana, his lovely and adorable wife of twenty-four years

___________________________________________________

When Aidan and Maggie find a fairy cross while rock-hunting with their grandfather, it's just an oddity. But when they discover there is an elf imprisoned in the stone and set him free, they and their grandparents, Nana and Beebop, are attacked by some other elves and have to flee to the magical world of Celahir.

In Celahir, Findecano - the elf the children freed from the fairy cross - leads them on a quest to recover gemstones stolen from the Elven Bow by the Dark Elves. Without the restoration of the gemstones to the Elven Bow, the balance between good and evil in Celahir - and the human world - could tip toward evil.

You can purchase The Gemstone Chronicles on Amazon and Smashwords. Be sure to check it out!

Author Giveaway: An Inner Darkness by Eric R. Johnston

Following his interview yesterday, Eric is kindly offering readers the chance to win a  Kindle copy of his novel, An Inner Darkness. You can find out more about it below. You can enter by commenting on this post with your email address and via my Facebook page. 

Noremway Parish, founded 2,000 years ago by the Great Savior Ragas Moliere, is the last bastion of humanity after the war with the demons known as the Darkness. The continued existence of Noremway Parish is imperative to the survival of the human race.

A Forbidden Love

Teret Finley never thought she’d have children. When she took the oath to become parochial vicar, the keeper and teacher of the histories of Noremway Parish, she took an oath of celibacy, but that all changes when a pair of conjoined twins mysteriously appears in the parish cathedral. She becomes a mother to them, and with the help of the parish friar, Decon Mangler, gives them love and warmth.

Rumors begin spreading throughout the parish, rumors that could undermine their entire way of life as Decon and Teret grow close. Is Teret breaking her oath by caring for these children with Decon? There is one person who will stop at nothing until she finds out—Rita Morgan, the parish gossip.

The recent death of Mayor Tomias Waterman has sent the parish leadership into turmoil, and the sheriff, Franz Phoenix, has seized control, using Rita as his lap dog. He finds amusement in her gossiping ways, and puts her to use to tear down Decon and Teret, destroying the foundations of the society, and making room for his own brand of moral corruption.

Can Decon and Teret’s love survive? And if they are found guilty of crimes against society, what will happen to the twins?

An Inner Darkness is available to purchase on Amazon and you can find out more about Eric on his blog.
_____________________________________________________________________

Competition closes 27th November 2012. Terms and conditions viewable here.

Author Interview: Eric R. Johnston

What is your name (or pen name) and where do you live now?
I am Eric R. Johnston, and I live in Imlay City, Michigan (US)


Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
My earliest desires for what I wanted to be when I grew up centered on a couple of things that all seem to relate. I wanted to be an astronaut or an astronomer. I was really fascinated with the planets and stars, and hoped one day to go to the moon. With a love of science came a love of science fiction. That naturally branched out into fantasy and horror and all types of creative literature. I loved reading stories and novels, but it wasn’t until my sixth grade teacher read a story I had written and encouraged me by entering me into a writing competition did I realize that writing was something I had a real gift for.


What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it what would you say?
My latest book is called A Light in the Dark, which is the sequel to my novel An Inner Darkness. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which good and evil are fighting each other for what remains of the Earth—which happens not to be very much. The entire world is a desert wasteland. All the oceans are dried up; water is a very scarce resource.


A Light in the Dark is the story of Julian and Gaylen, who are both now adults. When we last saw them in An Inner Darkness, they were both babies, only a few weeks old, having both just undergone a major surgery separating them. They were conjoined twins. Gaylen, at the end of An Inner Darkness, is taken away and grows up apart from his twin. Julian has no idea he has a twin, while Gaylen wants nothing more than to be reconnected, emotionally as well as physically.


While Gaylen is struggling to find his way back to his twin brother, Julian is discovering things about his life that just don’t add up, that everything he had ever known was a lie. Everyone around him, it seems, has been corrupted by evil forces. It isn’t long before he is forced to become the leader that humanity needs to fight off the evil that threatens to destroy what’s left.


How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
About a year. I have the original idea, but I usually don’t start writing on it right away. I think about it, think about how to make it unique, how to write something that hasn’t been written before. Then I will write the first quarter of a draft and then read it over and see what’s working and what isn’t and then develop the novel further, expanding the characters  as I do so. And then I expand the novel from the inside out, letting the characters take me on the journey. Then when I have a complete draft, I will go over it several more times to flesh things out, make cuts where necessary, and make sure my characters are behaving in ways that make sense.


Do you have plans for a new book?
I am currently writing one called Dirge of Chronos, which ties into the story of An Inner Darkness and A Light in the Dark, in so much that a character from those two books is in this one. Additionally, this book’s story is a consequence of the ending for A Light in the Dark. So, in a way, Dirge of Chronos can be considered a third book in this series, but it could also be read easily as a standalone novel, and may possibly be the first book in its own series.


What genre would you place your books into?
Most of my books are Dark Fantasy, but I have one, Harvester: Ascension, that I consider Sci-Fi Horror.


What made you decide to write that genre of book?
This is the genre that I have always been drawn to as a reader, so naturally that is what I write.


Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
The combination of An Inner Darkness and A Light in the Dark are my favorites. Together they really form a single novel. It is the first book I wrote on my own. The first, Harvester: Ascension, was co-authored with Andrew Utley.  With An Inner Darkness and A Light in the Dark, I really tested my storytelling capabilities, since these are very complex stories with a wonderful cast of characters. When I had to leave these characters after completing A Light in the Dark, it was really a sad day for me.


Do you have a favourite character from your books? Why are they your favourite?
Julian from A Light in the Dark is my favorite. Many people ask if my characters are based on anyone in real life…and with the case of Julian I have to answer YES. He is based on ME. He is at times insecure, confused, unsure of the intentions of the people around him. Writing this character was really me exploring these aspects of my own life and personality.


Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
I try to think about stories that I read and make them original…often times by combining two ideas that do not seem like they would really go together.


Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I just write…but I usually don’t write unless I’m ready to write. If I’m not feeling inspired, I will edit instead.


Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
My titles change all the time throughout the writing process. I’m not settled on a titled until the work is done. However, I usually have a working to title to start with, but I am open to this changing.


How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Sometimes I will choose a first name that I like and think of a last name that sounds good with it, usually based on a rhythm.  Place names depends….in An Inner Darkness and A Light in the Dark, I just made up place names based on a number of syllables that I wanted in each name. In Harvester: Ascension, which takes place in the real world, I used real cities, primarily Detroit and New York City.


Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
No. The characters speak to me as I write.


Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I reread what I have and see where I can go from there. It’s amazing how many doors seem to open when you read over and evaluate what you’ve written.


Is there a certain author that influenced you in writing?
Stephen King is my biggest influence.


What is your favourite book and why?  Have you read it more than once?
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass. It came out in the fall of 1997, just when I was starting high school and really embarking on a journey of self-discovery. I started listening to music that wasn’t necessarily what my parents listened to, and reading more challenging books, including novels, history, and heavy-handed science. We had just moved into an old farmhouse that was spacious enough for me to have a place to be alone. I come from a large family, and it was the first time I’d ever had my own room. I have many pleasant memories of cranking up Metallica and reading Wizard and Glass, while going on this journey of self-discovery. In the novel, Roland Deschain details his own journey of self-discovery as a fourteen-year-old boy. I wholly identified with that. It was the perfect book for me at that time, and it will be with me always.
I have read it about 7 times


Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Sometimes. My favorite movie based on a book is The Green Mile by Stephen King. My least favorite is Stanley Kubrick’s version of The Shining. I hate this movie because the only thing it has in common with the book is the title and the character names—note that this is different than saying they are the same characters. They are not even close.


What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I am currently reading a book called Evolution’s Workshop: God, Science, and the Galapagos Islands. It is book that details the history and significance of the Galapagos Islands to our understanding of life on Earth. It is in paperback format.


Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
Eventually.


What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Don’t give up.  Just keep writing. You will improve constantly if you keep at it. And also, rejection is part of the business. Don’t take rejection personally.


____________________________________________________________________________

You can purchase Eric's books on Amazon.

Eric R. Johnston was born and raised in the Flint area of Michigan. He wrote his first complete short story when he was in 8th grade. It was a simple tale about a group of teenagers who try to conjure up the spirit of a recently deceased super model. The story bordered on sadistic and entered the realm of the obscene, but it was an interesting foray into the world of creative fiction.In college, he double-majored in English and History, taking an emphasis in American Literature and American History. He then earned a teaching certificate in secondary education, teaching Social Studies and English. Currently, writing and editing are his full-time job, but he substitute teaches a combination of long-term teaching assignments and day-to-day assignments. He lives in Imlay City, Michigan with his fiancee, daughter, and two step-daughters.