Author, author... Sweetwater Springs Christmas

As one of the contributing authors of Sweetwater Springs Christmas, please welcome a guest post by...

 Linda Carroll-Bradd

Behind The Scenes of Writing For An Anthology

By Linda Carroll-Bradd

Early this summer I was thrilled to be invited to contribute to a Christmas anthology of western historical stories set in Debra Holland’s Montana Sky world. In addition to being one of Debra’s editors, I enjoy her series of sweet historical romances. The eleven participating authors did a bit of brainstorming to make sure we didn’t duplicate on names or professions, and checked a fact here or there about details where our stories would overlap. Then we retreated to our writing spaces to create the collection of stories that became Sweetwater Springs Christmas.

My original plot involving a female doctor coming to town to receive training didn’t work because Debra has that role already planned for a future book. But she said we could tie the short story to any of our current works. Several other authors have series set in Montana or nearby and they made their connections. I have a contemporary novel that released in October, Rekindled Dreams, that is set in Montana so I made the heroine of Wishes On A Star an ancestor to the hero in the contemporary. The tie-in may be one that only I appreciate but it’s there.

Because 1895 is the latest in the 1800s I’ve ever set a story, I jumped onto Google and Wikipedia to start checking out the early 1890s. I studied inventions, historic events, clothing fashions, etc. My minor in college was Women’s Studies so I knew women were involved in rallies and speeches forwarding the cause of women’s suffrage during these years. Based on information included in a journal found in Rekindled Dreams, the heroine was from a ranching family who help found her northern Montana hometown.

So how did women’s suffrage and an isolated ranch fit together? I made Richelle Quaid the youngest child and only daughter in the family, somewhat pampered, and Daddy dotes on her. The family is wealthy enough that she has attended academies and finishing schools and traveled to stay with relatives in other parts of America. Raised with only brothers, she’s outspoken so she can be heard and is adept at ranch skills and chores. Her counterpoint, hero Landon Howard, is a rancher and horse breeder who is visiting Sweetwater Springs to bring a horse to be used for stud services. Because the boarding house in town was already reserved (by characters in someone else’s story), my hero had to know someone in town with whom he could stay. So I made Landon friends with the banker and his widowed sister who wishes she could monopolize his time. A bit of fun there.

Sweetwater Springs Christmas released November 18^th and already has some nice reviews on Amazon. A print version should be available next month in time for Christmas shopping. The participating authors are: E. Ayers, MJ Frederick, Debra Holland, Paty Jager, Jill Marie Landis, Linda MacLaughlin, Trish Milburn, Bev Pettersen, Tori Scott, Cynthia Woolf…and me.

Blurb for Wishes On A Star:

Free-spirit Richelle Quaid is outspoken, confident and a little bit spoiled. She sets tongues wagging with her bloomers and bicycle but also catches the eye of visiting rancher Landon Howard. An incident with her bicycle causes his prize colt to bolt into the cold Montana night. As Richelle and Landon track the animal together, they can’t fight their growing attraction. Will a wish made on a star foretell their future?

BUY LINK:  http://amzn.com/B00G06W3SA

BIO:

As a child, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about characters having exciting adventures in places far away. Upon reaching a landmark birthday, she decided to write one of those romances she loved so much. Easier said than done. Perseverance paid out and twelve years later, she received her first call from a publisher and a confession story was published. Now Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor, and many have a tie to her previous home of Texas.

Linda currently lives in the southern California mountains with her husband of 34 years and their two much-loved dogs, Shiba Inu Keiko and terrier mix Phoenix.

FIND LINDA HERE:

www.lindacarroll-bradd.com

http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Carroll-Bradd-author/440814942635289

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806413.Linda_Carroll_Bradd

https://www.amazon.com/author/lindacarroll-bradd

Author, author... Wildcard by Jamie Wyman + Giveaway

 

.... read all about it !!

Welcome, so great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Jamie. I’m a total geek who loves fire, circus history and chai. I live in Arizona with my husband, our 8 year old daughter and two feline overlords. When I’m not writing, I’m probably gaming with friends.

Do real life events find their way into your stories?

Occasionally. Nothing big, really. Sometimes it’s one line that is sortof a personal Easter egg. For example, in WILD CARD, I mention Cat Sharp playing roulette. She bets on 8 and it lands on 19, the adjacent slot. That actually happened to me in Vegas once. There are other little things, throw-away lines that are meant for my friends to catch. I try not to use actual events, though, as major scenes or plot points.

Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?

Yes. Again, though, it’s always a small nod with a walk-on extra type character. I don’t base main characters on people I know, because those characters usually come to me with very specific personalities and physical descriptions already in place. And I keep any resemblance limited. Maybe a first or last name, or a particular pattern of speech. The best example of this I can think of is Cat’s geriatric landlady Mrs. McIntyre in WILD CARD. I based her physical appearance and dialogue on both of my grandmothers, and gave her the last name of one of my dearest friends.

 

 

Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?

Nope. Every story is its own song with different inspirations, beats, quirks and melodies.

 

 

When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?

During the day while my daughter is at school. Sometimes at night after dinner. I try to keep weekends open to spend with my family.

 

 

How do you feel about marketing your book?

It’s very weird and unnatural to me. Part of me feels like Katniss Everdeen trying to get through all of her Capitol interviews. Haymitch is sometimes in my ear saying, “Try to be likable, sweetheart.” On the other hand, I love Cat, Marius and all the characters in WILD CARD and could talk about them til I’m blue in the face. So that part is pretty easy.

 

 

What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?

Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter. That’s my trifecta.

 

 

Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?

I prefer to have something finished that I can offer rather than just a synopsis pitch.

 

 

Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?

I like to play in several sandboxes. Horror, Urban Fantasy, Romance. I go where the stories guide me.

 

 

Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?

No. The characters are separate people. However, I feel like an actor in that I am able to inhabit that character and draw on my own experiences to have empathy for what they’re going through. If it’s a particularly visceral scene, this leads to me bleeding profusely on the page, but I think the book is better for it.

 

 

Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1)      Favorite Male Actor  - Tom Hiddleston. My love for him is unholy and well-documented.

2)      Favorite vehicle – Gypsy wagon. The kind that you associate with circuses.

3)      Favorite way to relax -  Drinking chai and playing games with my friends.

4)      Favorite ice cream – Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby

5)      Favorite outfit – T-shirt and pajama pants. Accept no substitutes.

And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)

Hawaii! I’d have a commune in Hawaii with all my friends and family. We’d surf and laugh and game and spin fire and drink fruity things with those little umbrellas in them all day long.

 

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: Jamie@jamiewyman.com

Twitter: @BeeGirlBlue

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Wyman/245049885569291

Website/blog: www.jamiewyman.com/bloggery

Amazon author page:  amazon.com/author/jamiewyman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18716477-wild-card

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

WILD CARD is available now from Entangled Publishing. 

 

 

 

Synopsis: It was bad enough that gods gambled with human souls, but Catherine Sharp's soul just had to be won by the Greek goddess of Discord, Eris.  As if working a dead-end tech support job didn't suck the life out of her as it was.  Now, Cat finds herself performing random tasks for the goddess in her free time.

 

But when Coyote, the Native American trickster himself, claims to have won her own soul in Mayhem's weekly poker game, Cat wants in on the action.  With five sneaky gods upping the ante, Cat needs to find a way to collect the winning chips that could save her soul.

 

Marius, a handsome yet irritating satyr with his own debt to Eris, might finally come in handy for something.  If they play their cards right and work together, Cat and Marius may just get their freedom back.  If they don't kill each other or fall in love first.

 

 

 

WILD CARD is available now from Entangled Publishing. You can buy it here:

 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18716477-wild-card

 

Amazon Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Card-Entangled-Jamie-Wyman-ebook/dp/B00G8BTSZS

 

Barnes & Noble Buy Link:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-card-jamie-yman/1117252913

 

 

 

Excerpt:

 

“Bugger all, you are a lousy date!”

“This isn’t a date,” I contested. “This is a job. Nothing more.”

“You could do worse than a date with me, Catherine.”

I snorted. “Not by much.”

“Do you honestly find me so repellent?” His face drawn in a mockery of disappointment, Marius stretched out his arms in a move that was equal parts pining for attention and putting himself on display. Once more, I humored the idea that for all of his personality flaws and inhuman traits, he sparked something in the deeper reaches of my interest. Maybe it was the sleek line of his shoulders in that suit. Or the silky thickness of his hair. I skimmed over our past, wondering if I’d ever seen it down rather than in a ponytail.

I shook my head and stopped pondering. This was Marius. I’d never seen beneath the glamour, but I knew it was there. I wouldn’t deny that he was attractive, but I couldn’t accept that what I saw was reality. Still…

“You’re all right,” I conceded, looking away and letting my stare drift over the crowd.

“All right?” Dropping his arms, he chuffed indignantly.

“Darling, I do believe I must fetch you a dictionary as your vocabulary is sorely lacking. I am better than all right. I am spectacular. I am an Adonis. Tantric sex in a suit, is what I am. And it wouldn’t kill you to pay me a compliment. Here, allow me to demonstrate. You are stunning, Catherine. You sparkle with the delicate fire of a star. A vision of grace and beauty that would make Aphrodite herself fume with envy.”

Abashed and red-faced, I looked away. With a hooked finger he picked up my chin and drew my attention back to his too sincere face.

“I am truly the luckiest of men to have the honor of escorting you tonight.” He placed the faintest of kisses—little more than a breath and the brush of his mustache—on the back of my hand.

“May I have the pleasure of sharing a dance with you?”

My stomach fluttered. I wasn’t snowed by his pretty words, but the intensity of his stare gave me pause. Could he mean it? Could I actually be entertaining the idea that Marius was anything other than a bother?

I blew out a breath I hadn’t realize I’d been holding.

“Sure. Why not? Nothing better to do.”

 

 

*****

 

 One last thing before we let you leave us today.  I love to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.

 

My husband is the cook, but I have a simple recipe for one of my favorite alcoholic drinks. It’s our Ohana take on Butter Beer from Harry Potter. You will need a pint glass (frosted mug is also very nice with this), your favorite root beer, Frangelico and Buttershots.

First, pour 1 shot of the Frangelico and 2 shots Buttershots into your pint glass. Top off with your favorite root beer. (I recommend A&W or Teddy’s for this as it’s smooth and creamy.) Stir. Enjoy.

 

*****

Giveaway:  $25  ThinkGeek Gift Card

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Author, author.... The Hanging Tree by Michael Phillip Cash + giveaway

...read all about it !!!

 

 

Today I have the pleasure of hosting

 Michael Phillip Cash

 

 

Hi and welcome !  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank you for having me.  My name is Michael Phillip Cash and I’m the author of 3 novels called Brood X: A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion, Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island and The Hanging Tree: A Novella.

 

When did you start writing and were you always interested in being a published author?

Been writing stories since I’m 5.  I’ve been writing screenplays since 18, and I’ve been writing novels since I’m 30.

 

 

What do you think is or has been the hardest part of getting published? 

I’m a do-it-yourself kinda person and went directly to createspace.com to self-publish my works.  I am in control creatively and financially of the material and it has been a really rewarding experience.  I highly recommend it.

 

What inspires you to write? 

There is nothing better than watching an audience be captivated by your tale.  I love reading and watching ghost shows and hauntings of history.  I have also been greatly inspired by Quentin Tarantino and his ideas of revisionist history.

 

 

Do you plot out your stories or just wing it? 

 

Just wing it!  The characters talk to me and tell me where they want to go.

 

 

Do you have any other stories in the works? 

 

Yes!  I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream and putting together a fantasy novel.  It’s called Schism: The Battle for Darracia and it’s an epic fantasy about searching for one’s strength and identity.

 

 

How does your family feel about your writing?

 

  They are totally supportive! And they are the biggest critics of my work.

 

 

When you aren’t writing, do you do anything fun?

 

 I’m a sucker for good movies.  I love taking my wife and kids out on adventures.  And I love Vegas anytime of the year!

 

Fun Five Favorites:: 

Favorite color: Green

Favorite food: Cheeseburgers (No bun)

Favorite sport: Football – go Jets!

Favorite movie genre: Found Footage / Documentary

Not-so-Favorite honey-do list item J: Dinner with the in-laws!  Same with lunch.

 

 

How can our readers find you?

Website/blog: www.michaelphillipcash.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelpcash      @michaelpcash

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelPhillipCash/info

Email: michaelphillipcash@gmail.com

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Phillip-Cash/e/B00CEAC3VS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1384280927&sr=8-2-ent

  

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

My new novella just recently came out called The Hanging Tree.  It’s available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kindle.

 

Seventeen year old Arielle is at a crossroads in her life. 

 

Disenchanted with her father, she is testing the boundaries of his trust by dating someone he does not approve.  Under the moonlight sky in Long Island, Arielle and her boyfriend meet beneath the infamous hanging tree.  The couple's destiny is rooted to the five spirits in the tree whose lives and deaths are determined by an ancient curse. 

 

Will her future be determined by the past or will Arielle's choices alter the course of her life?  

 

 Available now at Amazon

 

 

Excerpt:

The bark bit into the delicate skin of Arielle’s back. Stars twinkled above her, dancing in the reflection of Chad’s eyes.   “Stop, really.  Stop.” She pushed at Chad’s shoulders as he resisted her, his lips caressing the side of her neck. “I don’t want to.”

 “Arielle, you promised,.” Chad whispered, assaulting her lips. “I thought you said you love me,” he wheedled.

Arielle looked at the leafy canopy. “I do. I really do, but I...I don’t know if I want to do this.  Especially here,”  she added practically.

Chad wheeled away, clearly annoyed, and bounced to his car door. The car was his pride and joy, a gift for his eighteenth birthday, a Camaro, light blue and totally awesome.  It was a chick magnet, and for a minute he wanted to share that with Arielle. They had been dating for almost six months, and he was more than ready to take it to the next level. It wasn’t his first time, and there were plenty of girls interested in him if Arielle wasn’t. Pulling a pack of cigarettes out of the console, he flipped a Zippo expertly, lit his cigarette, and inhaled deeply.

Arielle walked over and leaned against the car door nearby, moving close to him, trying to feel his moist body heat in the cool summer air. Crickets chirped nearby, and they watched traffic pick up on the road to the left of them.

“Looks like the movie ended,”  Arielle offered up some conversation.

Chad nodded but didn’t respond. The silence stretched before them, anxiety building in her tight chest. She loved him, but this was big, huge; she just wasn’t ready. She considered the spreading oak tree before them. Everybody was mad at her, everybody in the world. She knew she was going to be in hot water with her dad that night. He was pissed when she had walked out. She looked at Chad’s profile in the dark, his features limned by the streetlamp. He was tall with sandy blond hair worn long and loose. It caressed his high cheekbones, and he was always brushing it from his warm, honey eyes. When he looked at a girl, she felt special. Well, he wasn’t looking at her now, so she tried again. “They say the tree is haunted.”

“I’m not afraid of ghosts,”  Chad declared, his wide mouth scowling.  He wanted to punish her. There had been the promise for so long; he wanted to tell her to put up or he was out of here. She was one of the prettiest girls in the school, with hips that moved so gracefully he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The pale oval of her face gazed up at him, and he brushed her soft lips with his finger. She had the bluest eyes fringed by black lashes. Those eyes lit up with pleasure, and she rubbed her cheek against his knuckles. Picking up a light brown curl, he twined it around his fingers.

“Where’s your penknife?” Arielle asked



 

Book Trailer:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RoP5u7uiWU

 

*****

 

Michael it was a great pleasure to have you here with us !!  Please come back and see us anytime, especially when the next great novel releases !!!

 Thanks for having me!

 *****

 

Michael is giving away 5 signed copies of The Hanging Tree. 

 Enter via Rafflecopter below.  

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 


*****

Readers, make sure to get your copy of The Hanging Tree along with Michael’s other releases.  You won’t be sorry.

 

Until next time, happy reading !

Krista

Author, author... Spotlight on Underneath It All by Cassandra Carr

...read all about it !!

UNDERNEATH IT ALL

by

CASSANDRA CARR

Blurb:

Professional hockey player Rob D'Amico is confused when he's chosen to take part in a reading program for inner-city students. While athletes are role models, he tends toward the gregarious and playful side, rather than a studious bent.

Despite the lack of funding plaguing her inner-city district, every day kindergarten teacher Alaina Rossa ensures her students learn something to prepare them for life. At first she's unsure how a hockey player will help her achieve that goal.

When Rob visits Alaina's class for the first time, they welcome him with open arms, despite the lack of even the basic supplies for their education. He takes it upon himself to get the students what they need, sweeping Alaina up in the excitement.

As time goes by and she learns more about Rob, Alaina finds her heart opening to him. Is it possible her soul mate could be found in a world so different from her own? And for Rob, the last person he thought he'd find forever love with was an elementary school teacher wearing clothes permanently stained with finger paint. But when you're playing for keeps, sometimes you have to get a little dirty.

Buy links:

Amazon     Amazon UK    Smashwords

Author bio:

Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning erotic romance writer with Ellora's Cave, Sybarite Seductions/Twenty or Less Press, Decadent Publishing, Siren Publishing, and Loose Id. She lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra is the co-founder of two successful group blogs, Romancing the Jock and Dirty Birdies, and participates in several others as a contributor. Currently Cassandra also serves as president of Western New York Romance Writers.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website, "like" her Facebook fan page, follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.