Welcome, Author Tina Pinson!

Today I am so happy and thrilled to have author Tina Pinson visiting! I can’t wait to hear about her new book, “When Shadows Fall,” Book One in her brand-new “Shadows” Series, presented by Desert Breeze Publishing.

Regina, first, let me say thank you for inviting me to your page and making me so very welcome.

RA: As an author what makes a book great in your eyes?

A great book, a truly great book, catches a reader’s interest and imagination then carries them into the story. So far, one can almost feel themselves in the storyline. A great book, takes one on a journey, transporting them to new worlds, new realms, with characters they learn to love and sometimes hate. A great book stands the test of time and criticism.

RA: Tell us a little about what you’re working on.
I am, of course, editing to get the next installments of the Shadow Series ready for print. Shadowed Dreams is slated for release in Nov. So I am also praying readers fall in love with my characters and story in When Shadows Fall. I am also working on a sequel to Touched By Mercy, a take on Taming of the Shrew called, Tamed By Mercy and another little story, a speculative fiction, Demon Chronicles. I have a few other stories to work on, but that’s where my energies have been vested as of late.

RA: What is the hardest scene you had to write in this piece?
Death scenes can be tough, emotionally draining, but I also had an attack scene to write and those can be hard.

RA: Let’s talk about the book you’d like to promote today. How did you come with the title and where can we find it?

When Shadows Fall, the first in the Shadow Series, was actually the full title, but the book was nearly a 900 pages sooo, had to cut it down. But the whole idea behind the name has to do with the shadows that come into our lives and how we walk through them. The opening poem from the stories heroine, Rebekah, hopefully says a lot about the meaning behind the name.

Life is a mixture of joy and sorrows. Where darkness and light mingle to cast shadows upon your soul. These shadows, often fleeting, touch us far deeper than their hazy essence ever deemed possible.

Some bring a happiness that shelters one in peace like the calm after a storm. Others bring a distinct source of pain. Pain that envelopes the spirit in a fog. It holds you and drags you on a seemingly endless downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, oft times, wrought and nourished in your own mind.
There’s the shadow of a smile, the cooling shadow of clouds on a hot summer day; the shadow of tree limbs dancing on walls in the moonlight. The long shadow of a man cast across a barren land, carried on the wings of a prayer — like a dream he means to possess.
There’s the shadow of memories, some dear, some not soon enough forgotten. The shadow of sorrow and the shadow of death, boring your heart and mind — lingering long after the soul has been seared.
There’s the shadow of a kiss, and the shadow of a hand across a weary brow. Whatever they are, in whatever form, know that shadows will come, and fall where they may. However they touch you, it is my prayer that you will have a hand to hold, and a hand to guide, When the Shadows Fall.

RA: What was the first reaction when you got a glimpse of your cover art?
It was very pleased, my cover artist, Caina Fuller, really listened to my vision and brought it to life on the page.

Please give us a blurb and excerpt.

Blurb:

As the Civil War rages, Rebekah fights to keep her world intact. But loss and sorrow has seeped into her heart and mind. She sets her sights on Oregon, praying this new Eden will allow her a place of peace and a place to put her life, and that of her son’s, back together again. She travels to Independence, Missouri ready to take the train west, but is denied the opportunity to join the train because she is woman alone. Matthew battles his way through one fight after another, all the while thinking of Rebekah. The woman who holds his heart. He longs to help her west, but fears his biggest battle lies ahead of him. Will Rebekah open up her heart to him and allow him to be the one to hold her When the Shadows Fall?

Excerpt:
Matthew’s voice was soft, and appealing. Too appealing. His closeness, and the warmth radiating from his body, caused her heart to thrum. Rebekah decided to go in.
Robert had been gone and thought dead for over a year. How easy it would be to fall into Matthew’s arms. Let him comfort her like he’d done when she was a girl. They seemed like such strong arms. But she wasn’t a child anymore. She was a married woman with a child and a sick husband who needed her.
Her first love could be nothing more than a precious memory. Her heart grew heavy. She turned and was about to take her leave when Matthew asked about Robert. “If you’d rather not talk about it, I’ll understand. I only wanted you to know if you need anything, I’m here for you. I’ll help in any way I can.”
“That’s very kind. Things are okay for now. Besides, I couldn’t expect you to help the enemy.” She stood still, afraid to face him. Afraid of the concern he’d show.
“Rebekah, if you love him, and he cares for you, he’s no enemy of mine.” His reply was tender. He caught her shoulders, turned her to face him. “I mean that with all my heart.”
Rebekah nodded. He meant it. Her eyes misted. Her tears were building. If she fell into his arms, it was wrong to even think it, but… would he hold her close? Or had time changed everything? Still, she wasn’t his to hold anymore. In reality she never had been, though she wanted to be. Did he wish it were different? She wished they could go back, but they couldn’t. She had to accept that she would never be his, and be grateful for the chance to see him again.
“I should go. Can I walk you to the house?”
Raising her head, she found his gaze in the moonlight. “You go on. It’s such a lovely evening I think I’d like to stay longer. I’ll look for you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight then.” Her heart lurched as she considered him leaving. She wondered when he’d have to say goodbye. Perhaps for forever.
“Goodnight,” she whispered as she watched him cross the yard to his horse and swing his tall body effortlessly into the saddle.
“Goodnight,” he called again. She waved, and watched him disappear into the darkness — melding with the shadows on the road. Then she went to the bottom of the oak, and kneeling, tenderly brushed the ground where her old friend lay.

RA: Now the fun stuff; Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Oh my goodness, I have so many and if you found out about them I’d really feel guilty. LOL  Sometimes I like to get up and sit down with a cup of hot tea flavored with cream and honey, and watch the world go by. Sometimes I like to stay in bed and veg and might not get dressed til afternoon. Hot baths are nice and so are chocolate covered donuts, my hips especially thank me for those and pretty much any chocolate covered dessert out there.

RA: Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.

I like to garden. If I could stop killing off some of my plants I might like it more. I can veggies and preserves. I like to sing and draw.

RA: If you didn’t have to worry about counting calories or fat, what’s the first food you’d reach for?

Hmm. The first? Well, I love homemade biscuits slathered with butter and honey. I love cheesecake and lemon tortes. And of course chocolate.

RA: Since you write romance, fess up. Have you ever read the “Grande Dames” of the genre like Jane Austen, Barbara Cartland, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts? What do you really think of their books?

I have read the “Grande Dames”. And must say they have their formulas down. So much so, I can pretty much tell you how it will turn out and that begins to take the thrill of story away for me. As for Jane Austen, though, I’ve only started to read her works.

RA: If someone read any of your work, what book would you recommend they start with and why?

Wow! Well, I would like to say the first one in print. But my first one in print was self-pubbed and riddled with errors. But the story was still good. I did go on to redo that after I’d learned a bit more. So, I’d have to say read any one of my books, I’m growing in my craft with each one. I hope. When Shadows Fall is the first book I ever finished. So it is very dear to me. I love the characters and want people to do the same. I hope they fall in love with the story.

RA: Thanks for spending a bit of time with me, and all of us at Romance Novels @ReginaAndrews’ Blog, Tina! Best wishes for continued success.

                       
And here’s a brief biography of Tina, plus all her links and contacts.

 

Biography, Links and Contacts
Tina Pinson resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They are blessed to have three sons, and five grandchildren with one on the way.

Tina started her first novel in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories.

In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched By Mercy were published through Desert Breeze Publishers.

When Shadows Fall, Shadowed Dreams, and To Catch a Shadow, the first three installments of the Shadow Series about the Civil War and the Oregon Trail, will be available through Desert Breeze May 2012, November 2012 and June 2012 respectively.

My website — http://www.tinapinson.com/
Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook– http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103

Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.
When Shadows Fall http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a
Touched By Mercy – http://ning.it/9OJZ5r <http://ning.it/9OJZ5r>
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul

Amazon:
Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall

Barnes & Noble
Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall

Christian Books Distributors
Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall

Thank you again, Tina! Now, let’s hear from everyone out there.

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Follow-up with Authors Nike Chillemi and Barbara Robinson

  

We’ve spent the last few days chatting with authors Barbara Robinson (left) and Nike Chillemi (right). They were nice enough to answer a few more questions!

First, Nike asked Barbara:

Barbara, Although I love Gotham (NYC), I envy you so much because you live in Florida. I know you’ve spent a good deal of time in the Keys. I love Key Largo. Do you have a favorite Key and why?

And here’s Barbara’s answer:

Key West is the only Key I’ve spent much time in, but I’ve heard Key Largo is great. I’d like to visit it one day instead of merely driving through it to get to Key West. Key West is the big tourist attraction, but I’ve heard the other Keys are pretty laid back and not as crowded. If Nike ever retires with a Florida beach house, I’d love to accept her invitation and bring the strawberry shortcake. We’d sit out on the deck and listen to the roar of the surf while we enjoy it.

Then I got up the courage to ask our authors a few questions. Here’s Nike’s answer

1. Where did you come up with the inspiration for your work? Not just this recent book, but for your writings as a whole?

Nike:  I’ve been writing for a long time. As a teen I penned the usual poetry with angst. My poor, dear parents had to suffer through me reading those truly bad poems to them.

2) How has your sense of yourself changed since you became a published author? PLEASE elaborate   (Lots of writers, especially women, would find this really interesting.)

Nike: I think I have more confidence now then I did before I was published. I doubted that I could be me, the real me and be accepted in Christian publishing. But I have been accepted, warts and all. It’s been a great blessing to me. I love my readers, who have supported me with such loyalty.

3) If you didn’t live where you live now, how would your writing be different? Please explain (if possible)

Nike: I have several places I’d love to live. Saratoga Springs, NY, Quebec City, Canada, and Montauk, NY. I’d bring a crime wave to the area to be sure. Although I don’t live in Montauk, I’ve spent quite a bit of time there and I’m plotting a contemporary story there.

4) About the adage that writers should adhere to the theory of ‘write what you know’: please share how you feel about that.

Nike: I agree whole heartedly with “write what you know.” I only write about settings that I know quite well. Sanctuary Point is a fictitious village on Long Island, NY. However, I know Long Island quite well. I write about the type of people I grew up with, or met along the way. The dialog I write are words I’ve heard before…that resonate with me.

5) If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be and why?

Nike: If I had a magic wand and could change something…I’d cause the church to get into a love mode. I’d want the entire church to start loving…as Christ commanded us to.

6) Most fun memory? Most fab writing moment? Most favorite get-away-from-it-all activity? (Okay, sorry, that was 3!)

 Nike: One of my best memories happened when we visited my grandmother and grandfather. My grandma baked bread. When it came out of the oven it smelled so good. I hurried to the kitchen and I saw my grandfather standing behind my grandmother at the stove. He had his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, holding her close. They turned around, saw me, and smiled. My grandmother gave me a slice of warm bread slathered with butter.

                                               

What beautiful and thoughtful answers. Thank you so much, Nike, you are amazing!

And here are Barbara’s answers:

1)   Where did you come up with the inspiration for your work? Not just this recent book, but for your writings as a whole?

Barb: Life experiences provide fodder for my writing. My mother, father, friends, and family have all provided inspiration, but most of all, my inspiration is God-given.

2) How has your sense of yourself changed since you became a published author? PLEASE elaborate (Lots of writers, especially women, would find this really interesting.)

Barb: I’m still the same old me, and I love to write just as much as before I was published. I have grown as a writer since publication though, and I hope improvement shows with each book published. Like with anything else in life, practice helps. Being published doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. You still have to work just as hard to promote, write, and market your work. I have made many new friends through writing and grown closer to God in my studying His Word and writing devotionals and Christian fiction. So, the main thing that has changed with my sense of self with publication is it’s afforded me a closer walk with God and allowed me to serve Him with my writing.

3) If you didn’t live where you live now, how would your writing be different? Please explain (if possible)

Barb: I enjoy writing about places I’ve lived or visited during vacations, so if I lived elsewhere my fiction would be set in different areas. I feel writing about places I know makes the story more realistic.

4) About the adage that writers should adhere to the theory of ‘write what you know ‘ : please share how you feel about that.

 Barb: In a way, I feel it’s true, and that’s what I do, but in another way, writing is also about discovery. It’s a process of self-discovery as well, and involves research when you decide to write about what you don’t know. I do feel people who have lived in a place and know it inside and out can do a better job of writing about those places. In fact, I feel I do a better job of writing about what I know because it comes more naturally, but that doesn’t mean I can’t write about what I don’t know. I can research and learn and have fun researching.

5) If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be and why?

Barb: I’d change the violence and evil that seems to have overtaken the world, but I’m a mere human being without the power to achieve such a task alone. Only God can accomplish such a feat, and He will when He’s ready, in His own perfect timing. It’s heartbreaking to hear of abused children and women, robbery, and murder. If I had such power, I’d change the world to a peaceful, nonviolent place, a paradise like God intended in the first place, so there would be no pain, no heartache, tears, sickness, death, and evil, only love for one another and happiness.

6) Most fun memory? Most fab writing moment? Most favorite get-away-from-it-all activity? (Okay, sorry, that was 3!)

Barb: My most fabulous writing moment was winning first prize for a short story in fiction-writing competition because it made me realize I could keep writing and write books, not just stories. Though, if I thought about this one long enough and wasn’t rushing this question, I’m sure I’d write something different, to be honest.

My most favorite get-away-from-it-all activity is spending time in a Tennessee mountaintop cabin, standing on the deck and looking out at the clouds and treetops, feeling closer to God and being filled with a deep sense of peace and contentment.

Oh Barb, thank you for your wonderfully beautiful answers, you are incredible.

 It has been such fun to visit with both of you. I feel really blessed that I got to know you better. Now friends, what questions do YOU have for Barbara and Nike?

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Welcome, Authors Sadie and Sophie Cuffe

Today I am so happy to welcome authors Sadie and Sophie Cuffe, a sister writing team from Maine. Their book, “Faith in the Shadows” is published by Desert Breeze Publishing. The generous authors will be giving away a copy of “Faith in the Shadows” to a lucky guest who comments on their visit today. Welcome, Sadie and Sophie!

 

First, tell us a little bit about yourself:
We’re sisters who live on a small farm in Unorganized Territory in Downeast Maine. We’ve always been close in heart, though not always close geographically. Now in our “later empty nest” years, we have the opportunity to share a home and a career. That may seem like too much of a good thing but, in a sick way, it’s like a marriage. We’re very different (think type AAA and zzz) in a lot of ways, so we like to think we compliment each other in our strengths and weaknesses. And living in an all-girl home (except for our dog, Henry) has its creative challenges and humorous benefits.

Tell us about your latest book:
Faith in the Shadows is an inspirational romance set in the year following the American Civil War. It features Hawk, a blinded war veteran, and Alice, a Yankee farm gal who struggles with self-worth issues because of a facial birthmark (port wine stain).
When they meet, Alice is all about caring for stable groom, Hawk, like one of her orphaned lambs on the farm. Hawk is angry and independent, so he bristles at her attempts to befriend him. Yet it’s Alice’s life experiences at being patronized that give her the emotional keys to Hawk’s deepest conflicts.
Their feelings and fragile friendship are shredded because Alice’s fiancé sticks it to Hawk every chance he gets. Selfish and manipulative, Joshua’s a guy you love to hate, because he’s good at being bad. He knows what he wants and he’s not afraid to go after it with everything he’s got, enjoying the collateral damage he causes along the way.
But sometimes struggle and conflict are what’s needed to kick-start the heart, and Hawk resurrects his self-respect when he stands up to Joshua and becomes Alice’s champion.
Unfortunately, Joshua knows about the skeletons in Alice’s closet and where all the bodies are buried in Hawk’s fragile psyche. He uses their secrets against them and, in a desperate attempt to break Alice free from Joshua’s clutches, Hawk risks his neck to save her.
Alice is livid at Hawk’s white-knight bravado, but sees in it, a brash reflection of her own stubbornness. Can she and Hawk face the truth about themselves and their future, or will Joshua succeed in getting rid of Hawk and claiming Alice for his bride?

Where do you get ideas for your books?
Ultimately, God gives us all our ideas (although we take full responsibility for the weird ones). But He gives them to us in a thousand ways: from articles we read in the paper, from the epitaphs on old gravestones, from conversations with people we meet, from our warped-and-sometimes-scary imaginations, from asking “what if?”, and sometimes from seeing some small image — like a toddler imitating an adult, or an older couple walking hand-in-hand on a beach.

In three words describe your writing.
Rural, shotgun, sisterhood.

How do you get to know your characters?
We both bring opinions (sometimes strong) about our characters to the writing table and bounce ideas off each other. Sophie’s fixated on details (middle names, birthdates, and what they ate for breakfast on July 10, 1999). Sadie’s happier coloring outside the lines and letting the characters run a bit wild. (Who knows what they’re wearing or where they live, let’s put ‘em in the ocean and see if they know how to swim).
Since we come at it from both directions, we can have a character who cramps up because she goes to close too the cliff to take a photo of maybe a whale, maybe a submarine, gets hauled in by a seventh wave and, because she ate a monster bowl of Fruitloops for breakfast with too much milk, she gets wicked stomach cramps and…
Seriously, we get a rough idea of what our characters are about (emotionally, physically, and Spiritually), then we start writing. The characters evolve a lot through dialog played out in our minds (yes, it’s the scary “we hear voices in our heads” scenario. When they start telling us to do something besides write it down on paper, we’re in BIG trouble), and through letting them make choices which don’t mirror our own at critical junctures in the plot. We do have to be careful with our physical descriptions and names as we both tend to like the same physical type of hero.

Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Very much so. Our faith is an integral part of who we are and something we live out every day. We don’t put it on the shelf when we write and, even if we’re not writing something overtly Christian, it manifests itself in our choice of words, our sense of right and wrong, and our confident hope and positive view of the future, regardless of the condition of the world.
Our faith also gives us a strong conviction of writing stories that help others. We made a pact never to write anything our grandmother, mother, or daughter couldn’t and shouldn’t read. Our belief is — if we can’t get the point across without using a swear word, or build the suspense without in-your-face violence, or rip your heart out without gratuitous sex, then we need to learn our craft better so we can become the writers we need to be to honor God, our families, and our convictions. We’re not there yet, but we’re trying to improve and put our best effort.

Our website:  www.cuffesisters.com <http://www.cuffesisters.com/&gt;   We invite our friends to follow our “posts” and “comments” for our blog “Off the Cuffe” and for our author interviews “Complimentary Cuffes.”

purchase links for FAITH IN THE SHADOWS:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-225/The-Wainright-Trilogy-Book/Detail.bok
http://www.amazon.com/Wainright-Trilogy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0067D6N6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321791291&sr=1-2 <http://www.amazon.com/Wainright-Trilogy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0067D6N6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321791291&amp;sr=1-2>
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wainright-trilogy-book-one-sadie-cuffe/1107396596?ean=2940013446342&itm=2&usri=faith%252bin%252bthe%252bshadows <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wainright-trilogy-book-one-sadie-cuffe/1107396596?ean=2940013446342&amp;itm=2&amp;usri=faith%2bin%2bthe%2bshadows>

Thanks so much for the visit, Regina.  We look forward to seeing you in our neck of the woods real soon!  Sadie & Sophie

Thank you both so much for visiting today! Best of luck with your writing careers!

 

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New Year, New Resolutions…New Writings! And a New Contest!

Happy New Year, Friends!

If you’re like me, you have resolutions for 2012. Here’s a quick list of mine:

1) Be more promotionally-active! This includes follow-up, like letting you know “Light of the Heart” is up in the Predators and Editors Poll

Here’s the link: http://critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml

I’m in the link called “All other Novels”

Click on “Light of the Heart” and then you will get an email in your box which you have to confirm — just by clicking — and then the voting is complete.

There are a couple of steps, but all in all, it’s pretty easy! Thank you for helping out!!!

2) Stay in touch with cyber-friends and colleagues
I can’t tell you how I cringe when I see it’s been 2 or 3 months since I’ve been in contact with my virtual friends and writing colleagues. They have been there for me through everything. I don’t know what I would have done without them! And I want to thank them for that! More than that, I vow to be there, actively, for them in 2012.

3) Branch outside the box and travel beyond the comfort zone. As a writer, especially one who is in the midst of a nine-book series, it’s easy to let all your other writing go…but then, how do you grow? Take a pledge with me now to cultivate your own garden and see what you can do that’s outside of the realm you ever imagined — writing-wise. I’ll bet it’s so cool!
Leave me a comment and let me know!

 

 

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“Praise of the Heart” Sterling Lakes Book Three Arrives Sunday!!!

COUNTDOWN TIME!!! So Exciting! “Praise of the Heart” arriving Sunday Jan 1, 2012

http://bit.ly/v34ZJs

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Welcome Book Three, Sterling Lakes Series: Praise of the Heart Jan 1, 2012

CRISIS MODE – so FANTASTIC…this new book in the Sterling Lakes Series arrives Sun JAN 1…WOW and wow wowhttp://bit.ly/v34ZJs

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Cover Art for “Praise of the Heart” Arrives!

I am delirious about the cover for my new book, “Praise of the Heart” arriving January 1, 2012!!!! Thank you Jenifer Ranieri, you are amazing! And thank you Desert Breeze Publishing and Gail Delaney, plus the fabulous Danielle Thorne, a wonderful editor!!! Not sleeping tonight!!!! Here’s the Link: http://bit.ly/v34ZJs

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Welcome, Anne Patrick, Author of “Kill Shot”

Today I’m so happy to welcome award-winning author Anne Patrick, who has a new release from Desert Breeze Publishing entitled “Kill Shot”. Welcome, Anne!

About “Kill Shot”:

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister’s killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Excerpt

The steel door creaked as she pushed it open, the sound echoing throughout the metal building. “Mr. Urlik?” She waited for her eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before stepping all the way inside. A wide stream of light from the door spread out in front of her. “Mr. Urlik. Are you in here?”

Kory heard a sound a few yards in front of her. She quickly scanned the area. Three rows of huge metal shelves lined the interior. She inched forward, peering around the corner of the second row. Mr. Urlik lay on his side, facing her, clutching his chest. His eyes were opened and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. A heart attack? She ran to him, knelt down on the cement floor, and took his hand. It was wet, slimy. She looked down and saw his hand covered in blood. Her eyes shifted to his chest. A large crimson stain spread across the width of his white shirt from a small hole near the center. He was breathing erratically. Experience told her a bullet had pierced at least one lung and he didn’t have much time. She immediately pressed the heel of her right hand against the wound.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Where’s your cell phone?” Hers was in her backpack but she didn’t want to waste valuable time digging it out.

“No time. Get out.”

“Who did this, Mr. Urlik?”

He grabbed her right hand and squeezed it tightly. “You were right — no accident.”

His hand went limp.

Kory felt something in the palm of her hand, looked down and saw it was a key. She shoved it into her jeans pocket. A whizzing sound buzzed past her, followed by the unmistakable clink of a bullet ricocheting off metal. She instinctively threw herself over his body as another bullet struck metal. Kory felt for a pulse. There was none. She lowered her hand to his chest and felt under both arms and along his waist. I thought all PIs carried guns. Just my luck this one didn’t.

She scrambled to her feet, as more shots ricocheted around her, and dove through an opening on the first row of shelves. A piercing pain sliced through her upper arm as she took cover behind some boxes. They wouldn’t shield her from the gunfire but they would conceal her presence while she figured out how she was going to get out of there. She paused long enough to grab her cell phone from her backpack, wishing she hadn’t when another bullet tore through a box beside her. She ducked lower to the floor.

Kory ignored the throbbing in her arm and slithered along the floor toward the back of the building. As a child, she and her sister, Callie, had often accompanied her grandfather to the warehouse where he worked on boats as a hobby. She remembered a back exit that led to the side parking lot and nearby woods. If she could reach the door, she had a chance of getting out of this alive. She looked down at the tear in her shirt, drenched with blood.
This isn’t good!

Kill Shot: Book One Wounded Heroes can be purchased at most online bookstores or from my publisher – Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-227/Wounded-Heros-Book-One/Detail.bok

Anne’s Bio: Anne Patrick is the author of more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem & Faith, including the award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash, Lethal Dreams and Sabotage. When she’s not killing off people or falling in love with dashing heroes, you can find her surfing the web or spending time with family and friends. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she now makes her home in Kansas.

To learn more about Anne, please visit her website: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com or blog: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com .

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Welcome, Author Shawna K. Williams!

Today I am so very happy and thrilled to welcome author Shawna K. Williams! She’s here to visit and to discuss the release of her new book, “The Good Fight”, from Desert Breeze Publishing. Welcome, Shawna!

 

How did this story come to you?

After the release of No Other, my debut novel, I had several readers ask me if the sequel, In All Things — which was already under contract based on a proposal — was going to be about Roger, Jakob’s rival in No Other. When I told them that it wasn’t, they expressed disappointment. While writing In All Things, however, his character crept in unexpectedly, and in a rather profound way. He was hardly present throughout the book, but his name and the impact he’d had on Jakob in the previous book kept coming up. When In All Things released, once again I had readers asking me if I was going to write a book about Roger. As I looked at certain elements of the story, I realized that the relationship between Jakob and Roger wasn’t quite finished, and that it would also serve as the cohesion in a three book series if I chose to write another book. Furthermore, Roger was a rather interesting character with a unique angle from which to explore. So, here it is. The Good Fight is the third book in what I’ve dubbed, “The Series I Didn’t Intend to Write but My Readers Made Me Do It.”

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There are a few. First, judgmental attitudes come in all sorts. In the story Pennye has been a victim of this, but she’s also just as guilty. When she first meets Roger her reaction is to clump him into a category and her reaction toward him is affected by the judgments she made.

The second is to understand that when we give our lives over to the Lord, we are transformed into something useful and beautiful, imperfections and all. Regret is a powerful emotion and can often dominate and define a person’s life. God takes our experiences though — good and bad — and turns them into wisdom. They become something to use for His glory, and thus He removes our regret by bringing us to the realization that, in Him, we are a new creature, molded from the old. Our past is the clay from which we were made. But we can let go of the shame of that past, embrace Grace and rejoice in the beauty God creates as all things work together for His glory. This is a theme that runs through all of my stories. It’s something that I firmly believe in.

 

 

Cover blurb:
Roger Talbot’s life is defined by his devotion to public service. Having just successfully prosecuted a brutal murder case, Roger turns his attention to discovering the shady dealings of Niles Parker — the town’s former mayor, Roger’s old boss and the father of the woman Roger almost married.

 

Pennye Carrington ran away from Port Delamar with plans never to return. However, learning that her brother had murdered a family member of a famous movie star changed those plans. Pennye comes back with the hope of bringing stability to a family in disarray, but facing the torment of her childhood may be more than she can handle.

 

Roger’s mission to bring down Niles Parker and Pennye’s desire to keep her brothers out of trouble create a middle ground, where two people who couldn’t be further apart, embark on a danger-filled journey of discovery to find themselves and each other.

Can you tell us about your other books?
I have four books that are published and one that’s about to be under contract. Three of my books, including my latest release are a series. As I mentioned, the series doesn’t have a title though because initially it was only going to be two books.

All three of these books center round the small, but growing town of Port Delamar. It’s a fictional town based on Baytown, TX — the area where my husband grew up. The themes of these stories revolve around forgiveness and acceptance. There’s a tapestry woven in how the characters’ lives intertwine, and tragic events lead to good. I’m not so sure there won’t be other books in the future that tie into this town and these characters.

I have another book called Orphaned Hearts. It’s a Christmas story, but enjoyable for any time of year. It also has a similar theme of acceptance (mainly of ourselves). The story is very much about seeing the beauty within. It was inspired by my granddad, who grew up in an orphanage during The Great Depression.

What are you working on now and what’s next for you?

I edit for two publishers, so at the moment I’m playing catch-up on some work, but I’m about to sign a contract for a sequel to my Christmas story Orphaned Hearts, which released last December with Desert Breeze. This new story doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s about Caleb as a grown man, and the baby girl of the family who almost adopted him when he was a boy. Good thing they didn’t.

I’m also working on a story called Memoirs of a Ghost Town. It’s literary fiction, and it blends a contemporary story with one set in the past. I’m unsure right now as to where I’ll pitch it. I need to finish it first.

Parting comments:
Regina, thank you so much for hosting me. I love your books. I’m a little behind on reading your latest series, but everything I see about it looks wonderful, so I’m looking forward to the holidays and having some free time on my hands.

I’m hosting a contest to win a free Kindle and a $25 Amazon gift certificate. If you’re interested, details are here: http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/2011/10/kindle-giveaway-with-new-book-release.html

For more about me:

http://www.shawnakwilliams.com/

http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/shawnakwilliams

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1059888544&ref=tn_tinyman#!/pages/Shawna-K-Williams/236629884245

About Shawna K. Williams:
Shawna K. Williams is an inspirational novelist who loves telling a story through flawed characters – the only kind she can relate to. She also likes a good dose of nostalgia, which is why many of her stories are set in rural America during the first half of the 20th Century. However, being a fan of other genres, including Science Fiction and Suspense, she has a few surprises planned for future works.

When not writing, Shawna spends time with her husband and three children enjoying life on their ranch. She’s also an avid reader, book reviewer, blogger and jewelry designer.

Note from the host: As many of you know, I work for a high-end national jewelry retailer. So of course I noticed Shawna’s gorgeous necklace when she forwarded her photo for this post. I asked her about it, and the answer? Yes! She made it herself! Shawna, you are a wonderfully multi-talented individual!! Please come back again soon and visit. Best of luck with your new book!

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Welcome, Author Tina Pinson – Eleventh Stop in the 2011 Summer Blog-String Fest!

Today I am just delighted to welcome the amazing individual and fantastic author Tina Pinson to the Summer 2011 Blog-String Fest! Tina is an accomplished author and has a wonderful sense of humor. Her writings and her posts are always so interesting. Thank you so much for visiting and welcome, Tina!

Just Breathe.

I’ve just had one of those extraordinary weeks. You know… the kind everyone dreams of?

Okay maybe not…

My week could have been better. It started off great. After singing with hubby at church, we rested and had a wonderful day together. Then while cleaning my teeth like a good girl, a chunk of my back molar broke off. OOOh Yay.

I decided I could handle the pain since it wasn’t too strong and of we didn’t really have the money to bother with it. Then Monday, I woke up with a touch of a headache, by the end of the day it had blossomed into a full-fledged migraine. It lasted through the night into the next day taking any chance for a decent night’s sleep along with it. And if that wasn’t enough… my tooth began a dull throb.

The migraine subsided, but the tooth ache hung on and I decided to call a dentist.

Can I just stop here and say UGH… Dentists are not big in my vocabulary, even though it seems I’ve spent quite a bit of time there. And because we are new transplants to Arizona, I didn’t even get to go to my usual dentist.

So I looked on the internet, and called around for an opening, then spun the wheel and headed out to meet my new best dental friend. After getting through a series of xrays (I have a horrible gag reflex so I really love those little film cards in my mouth) and a bit of prodding with the dental pick, I was told that I needed a few thousand dollars-worth of work.

Some crowns and a couple of fillings add up to a few thousand. Amazing. I am in the wrong business.

And boy was I excited. I was looking forward to setting in that ol chair, leaning back with mouth open waiting for the stab of a needle so my mouth would go numb, and I would get to listen to the whirr and hiss of all the drill and such.

But alas, I had to wait. First, I had to meet with a specialist so he could ascertain if I needed anything else. And guess what?

He found another two thousand in the form of root canals to tack on to the bill.

We moved to Arizona because of the economy and still trying to get caught up, so you imagine that this news overjoyed me.

I wanted to cry. I thought about running down and buying a few lottery tickets or maybe go hunt for a money tree.

Instead, I decided to do something constructive to take my mind off everything. I sat down to work on my stories.

I found that every cog in my head was clicking on the beat. I was so focused. Everything came together. The flow was precise, the editing went well and my characters were following my lead.

I was pumped.

HAHAHAHAHA…. NOT

Nothing was coming together. My thoughts were all over the place. My characters were rebellious. I’d start looking at one story and move onto another one because I couldn’t focus. I was ready to pound my head with the keyboard

So I did what many of do… (Throw my computer across the room and watch it shatter on the far wall in little pieces)

Okay so… I didn’t do that.

Actually I stopped what I was doing, turned my mind off as best as I could and breathed.

Just Breathed.

In through the nose and out through the mouth. One… two… three… four… Slowly, I took long deep breaths to clear my mind. And with each breath… I prayed.

In writing, like life, we can get over run with thoughts and frustrated because nothing seems to be working in our story lines, it’s then we need to stop and simply breathe.

Breathe and let the Author of our life and imagination infuse us with peace and clarity.

Life is going to happen. Things don’t always go as planned, when it doesn’t go quite the way it should, I hope you’ll give yourself the break you need and Breathe.

Just breathe.
*****

Here’s where you can find Tina and her writings:

For In the Manor of the Ghost
Desert Breeze Publishing

HTML, LIT, PDF, PRC
Barnes and Noble
Nook
Amazon
Kindle Edition
Sony Reader Store
Sony e reader
All Romance Ebooks
Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket
Books On Board
Adobe Digital Edition
OmniLit
Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket
Apple ibookstore
iPad, or iPhone/iPod Touch with upgrades to have ibookstore app access.
Borders Estore
kobo

Touched By Mercy

Sony Reader Store

Amazon

All Romance Ebooks
My website — http://www.tinapinson.com/
Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook– http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103
Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.
Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/0rgkm
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul

Amazon:
Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w

Barnes & Noble
Touched By Mercy—available soon
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767

Christian Books Distributors
Touched By Mercy – available soon
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9

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