Cover Reveal: Back To You By Priscilla Glenn

Title: Back to You

Author: Priscilla Glenn

Release date: October 20, 2012

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Adult with mature YA cross-over appeal

Links to find the book: 
 Amazon
 Goodreads



Book Description:

When Lauren Monroe first laid eyes on Michael Delaney back in high school, she had every reason to stay away from him; within minutes of their first encounter, his volatile actions confirmed his notorious reputation. But Lauren saw something in him that caused her to question his bad-boy persona, and against her better judgment, she took a chance. She had no way of knowing that the unlikely friendship they formed would become so important to her.

Or that it would end so painfully.

Eight years later, when Lauren begins her new job at Learn and Grow Day Care, Michael is the last person she expects to see. Refusing to revisit the hurt and confusion of their past, Lauren vows to keep her distance from him. But staying away from Michael proves to be more difficult than she thought, despite her lingering grief and her instincts for self-preservation.

As Lauren and Michael recall the friendship that changed them forever and the events that tore them apart, will they finally be able to heal? Or will the ghosts of Michael’s past prove to be too much to overcome?

About the author:


Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three beautiful children. She has been teaching English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels for the past eleven years. Glenn has written three books, although Back to You is her first published novel. Her guilty pleasures include great books, good wine, anything chocolate, and Robert Pattinson :) 

Twitter 

Cover Reveal: Release By Nicole Hadaway

Release

Nicole Hadaway

Publication date: January 4th, 2013
by Visionary Press Cooperative

“The ends justify the means”...

For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.

For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.

Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. But just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends? 

Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10139393-release

AUTHOR BIO
Nicole Hadaway:

As a lawyer, Nicole Hadaway knows all about bloodsuckers and deals with the devil.  She currently lives in Texas where she pens such tales involving the supernatural, featuring her heroine, the vampire Miranda Dandridge.

Author Links:

Website: http://dandridgehouse.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3100376.Nicole_Hadaway

Cover Reveal: Wolf Spell By M.R Polish

Blurb:

With a death starts a new beginning...
Eighteen-year-old Esmerelda thinks she’s just a normal girl, but all of that changes the day of her mom’s funeral, when a warlock, intent on using her special powers, kidnaps her. Powers she didn’t know existed. Thrown in the middle of a magical battle, Es struggles to learn her magic while fleeing both vampires and warlocks, at the same time, hunting for the witches that can help defeat her advisory. The only problem is that they are dead.
Thankfully, she has the help of Jarak—her Guardian—who quickly captures her heart, but she wonders if she can win his? Just when she thinks Jarak is the one for her, Ian appears with daggers drawn to save Es from a vampire attack. Ian is cocky and rude, but there is something magnetic about him—something that attracts her to him. With her heart torn between two men, she faces the foes that are out for her blood. Can Es do the unthinkable and awaken them from their graves before time runs out?


Author Bio:

 If I am not producing magic potions, traveling to far off lands and falling in love with mythical creatures, then I am awake - tripping over toys, chasing my kids and conjuring ways to unknowingly booby trap our house for my husband. (Yes its unknowingly, I swear I never placed the tiny plastic army man in his path for him to find in the dark of midnight!) I love my husband and my four wonderful children (all of whom help with the booby traps!) We are Nevadians and are happy, although I envy and miss the beautiful mountains of Idaho. I love writing Young Adult and Adult, Fantasy and Paranormal with Romance, although you never know what could show up in my books!

Just Good Friends: Interview + $30 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Rosalind James Author Interview

Your series is called “Escape to New Zealand.” Why New Zealand?

I spent 15 wonderful months living and working in New Zealand, and fell in love with the country. The beauty and diversity of the landscape (not to mention the seascapes), the Maori culture and its integration into the country’s life, and, perhaps more than anything, the people: modest, good-humored, unfailingly polite and hospitable, and so very funny. I think everyone would like to escape to New Zealand—I know I did!

On the same note, why did you decide on rugby players as heroes?

In New Zealand, being an All Black (a member of the rugby team that represents the country in play against other nations) is the absolute pinnacle of achievement—what every boy longs to be. But what’s different is that the players are expected to be model citizens off the field as well. These young men face so much pressure and are under such a spotlight—it’s a completely different environment from the U.S. sports world. The combination of superb athletic achievement and celebrity with the expectation that you’re still a “regular Kiwi joker” or a “good bloke” makes for fascinating hero material.

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I’ve just finished my fourth book, Just for Fun. They are all my favorites while I’m writing them! Here’s how they fall out for me:

Most cathartic to write/favorite hero: Just This Once

Snarkiest banter/most interesting research (Maori hero): Just Good Friends

Funniest/easiest to write: Just for Now

Sexiest/most heart-tugging: Just for Fun

Do you see yourself in your heroines? Which of them is most like you?

There’s something of me in all my heroines. Most like me: absolutely Hannah, in Just This Once. People say “write what you know,” so I did! That book has a fair amount of autobiography in it. The funny thing is that some reviewers haven’t liked her as well as my other heroines (I try not to take it personally!). They’ve thought her emotional issues should be resolved once she meets our wonderful hero. If only life worked that way, huh?

Least like me: Kate, from Just Good Friends. I wish I were that confident and tough.

What surprises your friends about your books?

That they’re so steamy! 

When did you begin writing?

I’d been a marketing writer for 10 years, but I never had a thought of writing fiction. I was on holiday in New Zealand with my husband almost exactly one year ago, and I had a story unfolding in my head as I so often do. For some reason, instead of telling myself to stop daydreaming, I let the story continue for days. I asked my husband, "Do you think I could write a book?" and being the great guy he is, he said, "Of course!" So I

had him stop the car in Te Kuiti and bought a notebook, paper, and a pen. It was Oh So Scary to write the first sentence of “Just This Once.” But within two weeks, I was writing six hours a day on top of my regular job, and I knew this was all I wanted to do. 

How long did it take to complete your first book?

Six weeks, while working at my “real job.” (I finished the book and quit the job.) I think up/write/edit a book in about three months, but that's because I've been a professional writer working to deadline for so long--writing my own stories is so much more fun, it's just a matter of keeping up on paper with what's in my head.

I notice that you’re self-published. Did you try the traditional publishing route first? Any advice for other writers considering self-publishing?

I queried agents for about 3 months with "Just This Once," and got requests for more of the book from a few agents and one publisher. One day in June, I heard back from a very prominent agent, who'd requested the full manuscript, that she really enjoyed the story, but that "New Zealand rugby" would be too tough of a hook. An hour earlier, I'd heard from my doctor, who said, "I'm referring you to the oncologist, because we can't tell what your tumor is." My first thought was, thank God my children are grown. And my second was, thank God I have had the chance to find out what I wanted to do in life, and to do it. The one thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want to die without publishing my books. And the other thing I knew for sure was that "New Zealand rugby" was a GREAT hook! I finished writing "Just for Now" two days before going into the hospital and started editing again seven days after surgery. I decided that I still didn't want to die without publishing my books, so within a month, I’d published all three! And by the way: I’m not dying anytime soon, unless I get hit by a truck—lots more time, I hope, to write lots more books!

We’re living in a wonderful time when you can see for yourself if your book has “sales appeal” or not. Why not give it a try and see? The risk and cost are low--professional editing and cover design, an author website. The dream, of course, is to get that lucrative publishing contract—but whether or not that happens, doing it this way is working great for me so far, and I’m so very thankful to have the opportunity to share my work with so many people.

What have you learned from writing and publishing your books?

Life is all about taking risks. Anything that’s worth doing is going to be scary. The trick is to feel the fear and go ahead and do it anyway. Fall in love, write a book, pursue your dreams. That’s the underlying theme of my books, and my life.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. – Helen Keller


Link to Purchase Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/rosalindjames

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Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway : Hollywood Holiday By Sasha Summers

All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Jen’s only Christmas wish: Hollywood falling back in love with her. Meeting ex-Marine Gunner was a bonus. She likes that he isn’t impressed by celebrities or the movie biz. She likes that he’s funny and sweet … and drop-dead gorgeous. And she loves that he has no idea who her alter-ego is: Jen Fleming, Hollywood bad-girl and paparazzi target number one. Why ruin an amazing affair when he’s leaving after the new year?

But the closer they get, the harder she falls, and the more she wants to tell Gunner everything. Especially once he shares his secret with her.

Her new Christmas wish: Gunner accepts and loves her for who she really is.




Interview with the Author:

1)When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

 I’ve always loved to tell stories, or to give a detailed play-by-play of a movie I’d seen (oftentimes to the dismay of the listener as I spared no detail!). I started writing as a kid and loved it, but never thought of it as a ‘job’. Heck, I still don’t think of it as a job – I think of it as a privilege.

2)What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

I’m not sure I have one. I’m kind of a boring writer – computer, music – I’m good. J

3)What inspired you to write your first book?

 Life. My first published book really helped me deal with a lot of ‘stuff’ that was going on. Poor Claire (Hollywood Ever After) was put through the ringer. But telling her story helped me, too.

4)Do you have a specific writing style? 

Nope. I write 1st person contemporary and third person romantic fantasy… And 3rd person sci-fi and 1st person YA – so – I’m kind of all over the place. 

5)How did you come up with the title? My awesome, fantastic, brilliant, and supportive publisher’s came with the Hollywood titles and I’m so glad they did – LOVE THEM!

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

 Hmm, Everyone deserves love.

7)How much of the book is realistic?

 I’d like to think it’s a real-life fairy tale. That’s what I strive for – everyone needs an escape now and then, right?

8)Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

 No, not really. I might use some of the emotional ‘stuff’ I’ve gone through, but not actual experience – so far anyway… 

9)Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

Oh yea! Sometimes my characters won’t talk to me (I know that sounds strange) and writing becomes a bit more challenging than I like it to be.

10)Do you ever experience writer’s block? 

YEP! But I keep writing. Some of the pages are absolute garbage, but you can’t edit or tweak a blank page.

11)Do you work with an outline, or just write?

 I mostly just write. Sometimes I go back an outline or design one if I’m having ‘flow’ problems, but I’m more of a seat-of-your-pants kind of gal.

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

No. I’ve been very lucky and InkSpell has taken amazing care of me and my books!

13)What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

 What has been the best compliment? There are times when I just know I’m the worst writer ever… Or I’ll get a bad review. But when I get a good one or a reader contacts me because my books touched them… WOW– EPIC!

14)Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? 

Thank YOU for making 2012 this amazing year and making my dreams come true. I am humbled that you picked my books when there are so many amazing books out there. I hope my stories never disappoint.

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Cover Reveal:Deeper We Fall By Chelsea M.Cameron

Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M. Cameron 

 Publication date: January 12th, 2013














Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to try and forget the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen. He loves "To Kill a Mockingbird" as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. She must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache. 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16157294-deeper-we-fall

About the Author

Chelsea M. Cameron:

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is. 

Author Links:
Website: http://www.leftandwrite7.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752359.Chelsea_M_Cameron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelsea-M-Cameron-Official-Author-Page/304422529610919
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chel_c_cam

Teaser Reveal: The Dollhouse Asylum

Valentine's Day 2013 will mark the release of the full-length trailer of The Dollhouse Asylum, which will come with a wicked fun giveaway as well.  The Dollhouse Asylum will be released through Spencer Hill Press in October 2013.

Cover Reveal: Shadow Time By Jen Minkman

 Cover Reveal: Shadow Time By Jen Minkman

 Title:Shadow of Time

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Author: Jen Minkman Cover Designer: Jen Minkman 

Expected release date: January 1, 2013

 

Link to find the book: http://www.nwelsaturay.com/jenminkman/english/shadowoftime/index.html

Book Description:

All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship.

But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?

Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.



About the Author:

Jen Minkman (1978) was born in Holland, in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. When she was 19, she moved between The Hague, Salzburg (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Cambridge (UK) to complete her studies in intercultural communication. She is currently a teacher of English, career counsellor and teenage coach at a secondary school in Voorburg, Holland. She tries to read at least 100 books a year (and write a few, too!). She is a published author in her own country, and translates her own books from Dutch into English for self-publication.

In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.

Cover Reveal:Trapped By Ella James

Trapped is book two in the Here Trilogy (YA Sci-Fi Romance)

Release Date: December 2012


Link to Here, book one: Amazon
Tiny link to Here, book one: Tinyurl
Link to Ella's site: Blog
Ella on FB: Facebook
Twitter: author_ellaj






(CONTAINS SPOILERS - DO NOT READ BEFORE READING HERE):
When Milo Mitchell falls for the beautiful, tuxedo-clad guy she found wandering her family's rural Colorado property, she never dreamed he was a scout from another galaxy, or that their relationship would leave him with an impossible choice: eradicating humankind, or initiating the end of his own people.

Nick's job is finding the elements his people need to power their elaborate interweb of minds. Being a scout means he is capable of traveling to other planets on his own. It also means that, unlike The Rest, he has access to primitive feelings and individual desires. For eons, he was part of the whole, but when he encountered Milo, his obsession with her changed everything.

Nick's partner, Vera, is capable of independent thought, but not compelled by it. She is satisfied with her existence as one of The Rest, and she won't agree that humans are worth sparing; not when their planet has a precious cache of the gold her people need so badly.

While Vera tries to force Nick into endorsing an Earth invasion, working behind the scenes to tie his hands, and the Department of Defense lays a trap for them with Milo's mom as bait, Nick and Milo are waging their own war - against a primal desire that can only lead to one thing: heartbreak.

Promo Blitz: Doorknob Society by MJ Fletcher

Title: The Doorknob Society
Author: M.J. Fletcher
YA Urban Fantasy/ SteamPunk/Paranormal
Date Published: February 9, 2012

Synopsis: 

Chloe Masters’ world changes in a heartbeat and all she 

did was touch a doorknob. When she was young Chloe’s mother vanished. Wracked by feelings of abandonment and anger she lost herself traveling with her father’s magic act, where illusions were part of her everyday life. Yet everything changes when they are pursued by a mysterious man in black out to kill her father. Touching a doorknob activates abilities 

she never knew she had and she finds herself thrust into 

a world of ancient societies and secrets.

When her father disappears it is a race against time to 

find answers before she loses what’s left of her family. 

Now Chloe must choose who to trust, the man who will do anything for her or the one she can’t stop thinking about.

EXCERPT:


I grasped the knob and twisted it. The feeling that ran through me were amazing; the turn of the world beneath my feet, the dance of the planets through the universe and the taste eternity on my lips as it all opened up and poured through me. I pushed the doorway open and the glow of a portal bathed the kitchen in its welcoming light.

“You did it.” Jess seemed impressed and surprised, her eyebrows arching.

“Noooo!” Gran’s scream startled us both as she came hurtling into the room, crashed into the island and crumbled to the floor. Blood poured from a gash along her hairline. She tried hard to get to her feet but it was no use. She had spent all her energy and finally slumped in defeat to the floor.

Her head lolled to the side and with a terror-filled glare that sent chills up my spine, she whispered, “Run.”

Cover Reveal:The Midnight Spell

Cover Reveal:The Midnight Spell

The Midnight Spell - Publication date: February, 2013

Best friends since kindergarten, Adam and Christy have always been the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas.  The other kids call Adam gay and Christy a witch.

On both counts the bullies are right.

Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome football player Ian seems to be going nowhere fast and her witch puberty is making her life miserable.

When a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, the best friends realize that finding a boyfriend is the least of their worries. Soon Adam and Christy will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597181-the-midnight-spell

AUTHOR BIOS

Rhiannon Frater:

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies trilogy (The First Days, Fighting to Survive, Siege,) and the author of three other books: the vampire novels Pretty When She Dies and The Tale of the Vampire Bride and the young-adult zombie novel The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters. Inspired to independently produce her work from the urging of her fans, she published The First Days in late 2008 and quickly gathered a cult following. She won the Dead Letter Award back-to-back for both The First Days and Fighting to Survive, the former of which the Harrisburg Book Examiner called ‘one of the best zombie books of the decade.’ Rhiannon is currently represented by Hannah Gordon of the Foundry + Literary Media agency. You may contact her by sending an email to rhiannonfrater@gmail.com.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.rhiannonfrater.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2310121.Rhiannon_Frater

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhiannon.frater

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhiannonfrater

Kody Boye:

Kody Boye was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho. Since his initial publication in the Yellow Mama Webzine in 2007, he has gone on to sell nearly three-dozen stories to various markets. He is the author of the short story collection Amorous Things, the novella The Diary of Dakota Hammell, the zombie novel Sunrise and the dark fantasy novel Blood. His fiction has been described as ‘Surreal, beautiful and harrowing’ (Fantastic Horror,) while he himself has been heralded as a writer beyond his years(Bitten by Books.) He currently lives and writes in the Austin, Texas area.

Author Links:

Website: http://kodyboye.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2775292.Kody_Boye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kody.boye

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KodyBoye

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Enchanted Frost

                                                   Enchanted Frost

Blurb: 

The wedding is off, and the groom-to-be is no longer. Prince Kian has left Feyland, trying to forget Breena and all memories of her. Failing to fight off the human affliction known as love by himself, he seeks the magic of the Ancient Realms, to forget his love for Breena, to become truly fey, strong, stoic, and cold...just as the son his mother the Winter Queen had always wanted.  

While Kian has disappeared, Breena is left ruling Feyland and still in the beginning of rebuilding. Her heart aches for Kian, but now because of the Wolfstone, Logan and all the wolf fey's magic has been restored.  

And a werewolf let loose with full fey magic is an enchanted Feyland to behold.  But could Logan's newfound magic and role in Breena's life be enough for Breena to forget Kian?

About the author:

Kailin Gow is the author of over 100 books, with the majority of them for young adults. Her most popular series are:  The Frost Series, PULSE Series, Desire Series, Wicked Woods, Steampunk Scarlett Novels, and more.  A full-time author, she is also a producer, having worked in radio, television, and film.  She grew up in Southern California, lived in Texas and England, and had traveled extensively around the world. 

Links:

Website: www.KailinGowBooks.com
Blog: http://KailinGow.Wordpress.com
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KailinGow
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/KailinGowBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KailinGow
Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Series-Romantic-Fantasy-Adventure/dp/1597480525/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353907283&sr=8-1&keywords=Enchanted+Frost

Review: Rise of Seven By Melissa Wright

Memories and magic recovered, Frey is restored to the throne. But as she works to regain control of the North, a small silver dagger nearly brings her end. She raises The Seven of her guard and proves her abilities in order to secure her position. But another attempt on her life, from what appears to be fey, reveals not all are pleased with her return. If she could only figure out the force behind the attacks, she might be able to relax enough to decide what to do about her other problem... Chevelle.






MY OPINION:


*A copy of the book was provided to me by the Author for review*

Lovely cover...!! (Ah..!! I know they say - don't judge a book by its cover...but...well...first impressions are important...aren't they..??)

Its a fast paced and well written book. There is constant action that keeps the reader engrossed. I haven't read the last two books of the series but I still found the book interesting.The story isn't dragged and there is no period of stagnancy. The characters are well written and well woven into the story.

The story was full of unpredictable twists and turns which made it all the more interesting. The ending was perfect too. It wasn't predictable...but...it was just right ! 
On the whole a nice and enjoyable read.

My Rating:

Blog Tour: Deadly Pleasures By Mary Firmin

Mary's Story on Writing


        My darling husband, Bill, bought me the publishing package for Deadly Pleasures as a Christmas present in 2010. He went crazy and ordered all kinds of services, and he loved doing it. What he, or I, did not know is that he would pass away in his sleep six months later. The editing, choosing a cover, and all the things that go into a new book actually saved me from spiraling down into a deep depression. I had to keep moving. I had to do the work whether I felt like it or not. Now, the book is out and doing quite well. I have done TV interviews, radio interviews, newspaper and blog interviews. My only wish is that he could be here to be a part of all this.
My plan is to write a Trilogy of Deadly books, using some of the same characters. Right now I am trying very hard to get back to my second book, Deadly Secrets which is about half finished. The synopsis is complete, and I am ready to continue writing, but with all the promotion and interviews on Deadly Pleasures, it is hard to find the time. I have to again revert back to the Harold Robbins theory, which is “Put some Ass Glue on your chair and do not get up until you have written 5-10 pages.” When I do this, I produce.
Early on, in my writing, I had to drag myself away from the computer because I had so much to say. I researched Voodoun Fire, my first writing attempt, to death. I spent every waking hour obsessed with writing. In order to keep my marriage and family intact, I had to come up with a better system. Since I am a night person, I chose to work at night. I promised myself to get up and go to bed after three hours, and sometimes I did. Since most of writing is re-writing I am fortunate that I like to re-write. Getting that new idea out onto a blank page is very hard for me, it is like giving birth. It was only when I convinced myself that everything did not have to be perfect the first time I wrote it down that I eased up on myself. I don’t know if I expected Ernest Hemingway to imbue my spirit and guide me down the path of the perfect sentence, but it definitely did not happen.
I have consciously chosen to make my writing as invisible as possible so that my readers may glide over the words and see only the picture I am trying to paint, or feel the feeling I am trying to evoke. If I can do that I think I will be a good writer. I love to read the writings of the great Masters but I know I will never be a writer like those people. First of all the cadence and manner of speech was different from the way ours is today. I mean, how well would those guys do on Twitter? I rest my case.
I hope I have reassured at least one person out there that you do not have to be perfect in your writing, but you must START. After you have written
your words down on paper it will all come together like a giant jigsaw puzzle with words instead of pieces. I wish you all the best of luck with your writing –but above all have fun.

 Mary Firmin



                                     
    Book Description: Megan Riley has bigger things to worry about than the fact that her neighbor has just been found dead. Her engagement has just ended, and she is once again on a quest to find Mr. Right-or at least Mr. Right Now. Tired of emotional ties and ready for a new adventure, Megan and her three best friends make a fateful decision. They hire hunky stripper Michael Harrington as their timeshare boytoy-unaware he is the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. Suddenly, they find themselves involved in a complicated murder investigation led by a handsome detective who is focused only on finding the twisted serial killer before he strikes again. But who will be the next to die? Megan, the hardworking real estate agent; newly divorced Kathleen; Alex, married to a wealthy businessman; or Rachel, the spurned wife of a hot Hollywood screenwriter? Following her own investigation, Megan takes a wild ride through L.A.’s bondage parlors, hidden sex clubs, and the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous; soon she discovers that her quest for adventure has abruptly transformed into a dangerous game of life and death. 

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About the Author


 Mary Firmin was born in the North of England, emigrated to Canada, then traveled to Florida where she owned and operated an Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She moved on to Santa Monica, California where she worked in Real Estate Sales and eventually became Vice President of a large firm on the West Side. She began her writing career by attending many classes at local colleges, including UCLA, and then moved on to private writer’s groups. As active members of a Southern California Yacht Club, Mary and her husband traveled up and down the California Coastline for years, and spent many days on Catalina Island. Upon moving to the Desert, Mary wrote a society column for a Palm Springs newspaper. It is from these experiences she forged her characters and the story of Deadly Pleasures. This book is a fun, casual read with a little romance, some deviant sex, and a sick serial killer. It is sure to keep your attention to the very end. Mary’s loving husband, Bill, passed away this year. She has three children, one gorgeous grandchild and lives in Rancho Mirage, California. Mary is now working on her second book in this series, Deadly Secrets.