Thursday, March 31, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

From My Pen to Your Ears: The Cavanaugh House Audiobook



Elizabeth Meyette shares her first audiobook experience with The Write Way Café.  

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card below!

I was startled when I listened to the first audition for my audiobook version of The Cavanaugh House. The narrator read one of my characters, Italian cop Marty D’Amato, like Sam Spade from The Maltese Falcon. You know, like a 1940s Bogart detective, all wry out-of-the-side-of-your-mouth: “Okay, Bugsy. I’m a copper, ya see…” Holy smokes. I didn’t see this coming when I decided to create an audiobook.

The process of creating an audiobook was vastly different from writing or publishing that book. On the upside, the writing, editing, revising, editing, revising…had been completed. On the downside, I had a huge learning curve.

As a hybrid author, I had already learned the process of publishing my own book. My first two books, Love’s Destiny and Love’s Spirit, were traditionally published, so I just had to hand them over to my editor (not as easy to surrender your baby as it sounds) and editing, formatting, cover art, uploading, and some marketing were all taken care of for me. Not so as an indie author. I slogged through blogs, devoured online articles and took copious notes at conferences to learn the process of self-publishing. When I was ready, I released The Cavanaugh House, and it has been very well received.

Then I decided to publish The Cavanaugh House as an audiobook. I used ACX.com which is the audiobook self-publishing arm of Amazon. I had used Amazon’s CreateSpace site to publish my ebook and POD (Print on Demand) versions and found it very user friendly. Because I had gone through the process with The Cavanaugh House as an ebook and POD, I felt prepared. But publishing an audiobook follows a very different path. 

After setting up my profile on ACX, I uploaded a scene for auditions. Selection of this scene is critical because I wanted to include several voices in order to hear how the narrator would read them (see above). I was amazed at how many interpretations there were of my characters! One narrator read them all in a breathy, sexy way that made me feel like I was being seduced. I narrowed the field of the readers I liked and listened again. One stood out above the rest—Amy McFadden. She nailed my protagonist Jesse’s attitude and personality.

I sent her the contract and we set dates for her First Fifteen Minutes reading and the Full Final reading. When I heard the First Fifteen Minutes I was convinced I had chosen the perfect narrator for my book. Once again I was handing my baby over to someone else to care for. But this was different from handing Love’s Destiny and Love’s Spirit over to an editor. Instead of someone telling me what to do, I was the one telling someone else what to do.

I became the director. I wrote detailed notes about each character including what I thought their voices sounded like (sweet soprano, alpha-male bass, etc.) or I referenced characters in movies as examples (Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada). I was thinking about my novel in an entirely new way. Amy, a professional actress, appreciated the director’s notes, but cautioned me that how I heard characters in my head would not be the same as how they sounded in the audiobook. She was wise to tell me this. All authors cherish their characters having lived with them for months or years. We do hear them speak in a certain voice. 

Words can’t describe how I felt when I started listening to the Full Final reading. Tears streamed down my face. Rich came into my office, looked at me, and realized that my smile meant they were tears of joy. My heart swelled with happiness as I listened to my characters come alive in a whole new dimension. See, I’m so besotted there are at least five clichés in this paragraph. I can’t find the words—clichés will have to suffice.

The process of listening to 10 hours and 34 minutes of my book was wonderful, but also grueling. It wasn’t like listening to a book for pleasure; I had to attend to every word. Any place needing a correction required that I go back to the exact minute and second into the chapter, note the time, write the correction I wanted, and send the list to Amy. Fortunately, she did an amazing job, so there were not too many corrections needed.

Jesse and Joe, Marty and Maggie, have lived inside my head for years. I’ve heard them laugh together, yell at each other, whisper sweet nothings and sob in each others’ arms. I know what they sound like, and now thanks to Amy McFadden, so will my readers…uh, listeners…hey this is a whole new audience!

Now my audiobook is available and I am celebrating with a giveaway on my website. You can enter it below!

Elizabeth’s books are available on:      Audible           Amazon         iTunes


Visit Elizabeth at:

Website       Blog       Facebook       Twitter       Goodreads       Pinterest




When Jesse Graham unlocks the door to the deserted house she inherited from her Aunt Helen, she doesn’t realize she’s unlocking secrets that had lain dormant for years. Reeling from a broken engagement to acclaimed musician Robert Cronmiller, Jesse wants to leave the city where her name is linked to his in all the society pages. Her best friend Maggie, aka Sister Angelina, convinces her to take a job at a private girls’ school in the pastoral Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Anticipating a quiet, revitalizing life in her aunt’s deserted house, Jesse is instead thrown into a maze of danger. Questions about her aunt’s death lead Jesse to investigate events surrounding it and the people involved, but she uncovers a web of deceit that reaches far beyond the occurrences of over two decades earlier. Still dejected from her broken engagement, Jesse finds it difficult to trust anyone, even her self-absorbed mother. Joe Riley is irresistible, but secrets obstruct involvement with him until Jesse can solve the secrets of the Cavanaugh House. Someone doesn’t want those secrets unearthed and will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep them hidden.


The Cavanaugh House excerpt:
This house held secrets.  Secrets that wafted through rotting window sashes on the winter wind. Secrets that spiders wove into webs anchored between the ceiling and walls. Secrets that scuttled on the feet of cockroaches across stained kitchen linoleum and scurried into its cracks. Secrets that peered from holes in the baseboard from glinting mouse eyes. This house held the secrets close to its bosom where they had slept for decades. No one had disturbed these secrets in all the years the house sat decaying from neglect. There was no reason to, and there was no desire.



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Tuesday, March 29, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Tuesday Special: Jami Gray and PSY-IV Teams #1

Jami Gray


Welcome to the PSY-IV Teams, a group of ex-military psychics, who are uniquely qualified to deal with unusual danger.  In HUNTED BY THE PAST, Cyn Arden, a reluctant psychic faces a psychopathic killer in a deadly game where the past determines her future.


HUNTED BY THE PAST
PSY-IV Teams #1

Sometimes death is the only way to out run the past…

Changing the past is impossible, a fact ex-marine, Cynthia Arden, understands all too well. Struggling with the aftermath of a botched mission, a panicked phone call brings her home to face a killer’s game. Unfortunately, the distracting Kayden Shaw returns as well, the one man she thought would stand by her, until he chose his job over her.

To survive, will Cyn risk her heart or lose the man she loves and her life?

MuseItUp Publishing         Amazon     
Smashwords      Barnes & Noble   
iBooks         ARe            Kobo


Excerpt:  
     Even at eleven at night, the heat still hung around, refusing to give up its hold.  This far north though, it was bearable. There were lights shining behind various cabin windows and the faint sounds of music drifted to us as we made our way to the parking lot. Sitting under one of the few lights was a standard black SUV, right next to my Jeep. The locks popped and Delacourt dumped her bag on the back seat. Closing the door with a muted thump, she turned around and leaned against the SUV, then crossed her arms, and studied me.
     Not fidgeting was difficult, but I managed. Between the night and the dim light, it was hard to read her expression, as it played peek-a-boo with the shadows.
     “Flash wanted me to approach you about joining PSY-IV before that last mission. I refused.”
     Nerves tightened and my stomach dropped at her unexpected statement, the impending conversation not the one I had envisioned. Uncertain where she was going with this, unsure I wanted to follow along, I kept my emotions locked down and out of my voice. “I’m sure you had your reasons.”
     “Maybe.” The night settled between us, and she said, “Do you think rank overrides humanity?”
     A strange, unexpected question considering who was asking. What the hell did she want from me?      “Excuse me?”
     “If you’re going to work for me, we need to clear the air. The last thing we
need on this operation is for what happened to come back and bite us in the ass. You blame me.”
     Folding my arms, I kept my mouth shut. There was no way to answer that without lying.
     “You blame me,” she repeated, softer now. “And you have a right to, but I blame you, too.”


Coming Soon…

TOUCHED BY FATE, PSY-IV Teams #2

Trusting him with her secrets is dangerous. Trusting him with her heart could be fatal.


As a specialized consultant for the Department of Defense, Risia Lacoste understands the bargaining chip of a well-kept secret. When her current assignment threatens to unearth her deeply buried skeletons, she’s forced into a high-stakes game of lies and loyalty where even her ability to foresee the future can’t predict the winner.

Darkness lies under the skin of every man, and PSY-IV Team operative and touch empath, Tag Gunderson, has the demons to prove it. Scarred by betrayal and disillusionment, he’s not Risia’s top pick for a partner in the game, but he’s all she’s got.

As the game draws them deeper into a pit of intrigue and their list of enemies grow, will Risia trust Tag with more than her secrets or will his demons destroy them both?



About Jami:  Jami Gray is the award winning, multi-published author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, and the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, PSY-IV Teams. She can be soothed with coffee and chocolate. Surrounded by Star Wars obsessed males and two female labs moonlighting as the Fur Minxes, she escapes by playing with the voices in her head. 

You can find Jami at: 

Website   
Amazon   
Goodreads   
Facebook  





Friday, March 25, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe
If we try and fail, we have temporary disappointment. If we don’t try, we have permanent regret.
- Bern Williams

Thursday, March 24, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

An Interview with Joanie MacNeil

The Write Way Café welcomes author Joanie MacNeil, who was inspired by historical romances but found her niche in contemporary romance.

Thank you for having me on your blog.  It is a pleasure to be here.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance?
     I must have been about nine or ten when I first thought about writing an adventure story set in Africa, with my friend and me as the central characters. Nothing ever came of it.
     When I think back, the idea of wanting to write never really left me. I thought about writing again in my teens, and again later, when my children were small.
     Later, and new to reading romance, I was inspired by historical romances. I was hooked on these fantastic stories of adventure, escapism, gorgeous heroes, and of course, romance. I convinced myself that writing those stories wasn’t for me. Other people wrote books. Not me.  And where would I begin?
     A few years later, I enrolled in a freelance writing course at the local evening college; though I enjoyed the course, I realized freelance writing wasn’t my thing. One evening, our tutor spoke briefly about romance novels—the more she spoke about writing romance, the more interested I became. Why not have a go at writing romance? I was an avid romance reader after all. I had nothing to lose and a lot to learn. However, preferring to write shorter novels, I chose contemporary romance.
     That journey, from reading my first historical romance to writing my first contemporary romance novel took about five or six years. Another four or five years slipped by before the second novel I wrote was accepted for publication. My first book is hiding in my external hard drive, awaiting resuscitation. It is unlikely that will ever happen.

What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do?
     At lunchtimes, I used to sit on a bench by the creek, which meandered through the university campus where I worked. There, beneath the shade of beautiful old trees, I’d escape with my lunch and notebook and a head full of ideas, to plan elements of my story. I remember trying to choose just the right names for my characters. They had to sound just right for the hero/heroine I had in mind. Eventually I tossed most of what I’d so thoughtfully outlined. In those days I was more a panster than a plotter – now I like to think I am a bit of both. I did keep the names though.
     I researched glaucoma and other eye diseases, and related issues, and phoned the Blind Society as it was called, with specific questions; I researched miscarriage and associated issues.
     I also knew of particular services around campus at the time, so incorporated similar elements in the story.
     This novel was one of my earlier works, number four or five, I think, and has been published previously. I have modified it a little, given it a new name of Sapphire Kisses, and it was released earlier this month by Canadian Publisher, Books We Love Ltd.

Where did the idea for your story come from?
     I wanted to write something different for me: a hero who wasn’t quite so perfect and had to accept and learn to deal with his imperfection, as he saw it.
     I settled on glaucoma, as that worked best for my hero and the story I had in mind. I also knew someone around that time who was losing his sight, though not from glaucoma. He mentioned a couple of his experiences which I added in for my hero.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
     The setting, on the Sapphire Coast, New South Wales, Australia, was in an area I’d visited many times and its isolation was perfect for the book.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself?
     My characters aren’t based on anyone in particular, though my heroine probably reflects some of my conventional thoughts at the time.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
     I am lucky to have my own space, a room set aside for my writing den. If necessary, I can close myself away, or play music while I write. I now have a large screen computer, with reference and other books, at my fingertips.
     Lately, the little birds outside my window have been very entertaining, twittering away, or arguing amongst themselves. They flutter amongst the shrubs and pot plants, splashing and drinking the water, and generally enjoying the sunshine.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
     Early contemporary favorites were several of Sandra Marton’s series. Her novels are fast-paced and filled with tension and her larger than life characters always appealed. I tended to prefer stories set in the US for the most part.
     My favorite author is Barbara Erksine. The first novel of hers I read was Lady of Hay. I was hooked. It is the medieval and/or historical settings which intrigue me and how well she weaves past and present into a fascinating and thrilling story. Her excellently crafted stories have been favorites of mine for a very long time.

What are you working on now?
     I am excited to be working on something new—the first story in a series or sequence of novels, connected by either a common theme, characters or settings. Each will have its own title and will be a stand-alone read. I am still planning the details and am looking forward to the project. At this point, I anticipate there to be at least three stories.
     As well, I am revising two of my earlier published works. One of these is my first published novel, which was the second book I wrote.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre?  Which one and why?
     Earlier in my career I toyed with the idea of writing a time travel, and though I’ve made a small start, I haven’t worked on it for ages. I suspect it’s my interest in medieval settings that appeals to me. I visited ancient ruins in Scotland and the Hebrides years ago and found them fascinating. My character/s would have to go back in time.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be?
     Photographer/photo journalist, travelling to some amazing places.



     Alexandra Jordan doesn’t anticipate the challenge ahead of her when she agrees to spend the summer as a research assistant for acclaimed author, David Meredith, who is gradually losing his sight.

     David feels threatened by her presence in his home, his sanctuary, the only place he can be independent. He is determined to prove he doesn’t need help and wants Alex out of his life. She is equally determined to do the job she’s been paid to do. Once he accepts Alex isn’t like other women, her beguiling ways soon intrigue him…until he discovers her secret.

Amazon 


About Joanie:
    Australian romance author, Joanie MacNeil, writes short contemporary romances: a blend of sweet, sexy, heart-warming stories about new love and second chances. Some of her tales may make you smile.
     Home, family and friends are important to Joanie, and she has blended these elements into some of her stories.
     She is a member of the ACT Writers Centre, Australian Romance Readers Association; Canberra Romance Writers, and Romance Writers of Australia. Joanie looks forward to attending their annual conference, and has done so every year since 1999.
     Travelling with her own romantic hero is one of her favourite things. When she’s not on the move visiting exotic and interesting locations, or family interstate, she enjoys creating her own romantic stories, reading romance, going to the movies, having coffee with friends, participating in aqua aerobics, catching up with her daughters, and her lively little grandsons and their parents.

Website     Facebook     Twitter: @JoanieMacneil



Tuesday, March 22, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Tuesday Special: Jo Grafford - Designed for You

Jo Grafford


Despite a string of personal tragedies and setbacks, Jillian Lang's interior design company is an enormous success. If she doesn't count the cyber stalker who hounds her daily… 

Knowing she can’t keep up with her fast-growing list of bids and contracts without help, she reluctantly breaks her number one personal rule of "don't depend on anyone" and hires an office manager. Not only does Holland Sparks do an incredible job of running Lang Interiors, he provides a much-needed buffer between her and the cyber stalker, while steadily chipping away at a thousand barriers in her heart she’s erected to keep men out. 


When the stalker suddenly moves his game from the cyber world to the real world, Jillian discovers no one in her immediate circle is exactly who or what he claims to be. Not her landlord. Not even her two brothers. 


Will Holland be the one man she can turn to, or will his own secrets be reason enough to scrap her designs on the man of her dreams?


AMAZON KINDLE US

AMAZON KINDLE CA
AMAZON KINDLE UK
BARNES & NOBLES NOOK
ITUNES
KOBO



An award-winning author from St. Louis, Missouri, Jo has served as a corporate trainer, junior college finance instructor, and high school business teacher. Along the way, she discovered the only thing she enjoys as much as teaching is writing. Especially writing romance!

In her stories, the stakes are always high and there's nothing her heroes won't risk for the brilliant, sassy women they love.

A typical day finds her with her laptop balanced on her knees, a caffeinated beverage within reach, and a cat snoozing nearby who dreams of taking over the world.

Jo writes across the genres and is presently writing three series:

For You Series - heart pounding contemporary romantic suspense
Lost Colony Series - the epic historical saga of the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island
Vikings Saga - a collection of fantasy novellas

When Jo's not writing romance, she's reading it. She adores alpha males, strong-minded women, humorous sidekicks, diversity, Vikings, dashing lords, vampires, zombies, cyborgs...you get the idea.

She loves to stay in touch with readers on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Amazon. Plus you can read free chapters of all her books on Wattpad. To receive a free copy of one of her bestselling stories, visit JoGrafford.com to sign up for her newsletter.

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Friday, March 18, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe
Don't forget - no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.
- Charles de Lint
Thursday, March 17, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

My Use of Poetic License in A Woman of Courage by Marlow Kelly

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Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!

The Write Way Café welcomes author Marlow Kelly, who explores the role of women in society and how their roles differ from country to country, and from time period to time period.   

The Honour, Love and Courage series consists of three novellas set in three different timelines, medieval Scotland, Victorian England, and early medieval Ireland. During my research for these stories I focused on the role of women in society. How were they viewed? What rights did they have? And what were their lives really like? 


I won’t bore you with all the details, but as you can guess a woman’s lot was a hard one. In the end I concluded that it all came down to property. After the Norman conquest of England women were owned, first by their fathers, and later by their husbands. It got so bad that by the turn of the 19th century, some men actually sold their wives at cattle markets. 

But there are exceptions to every rule, and despite being born with the disadvantage of being female; strong, independently minded women did exist. My research uncovered impressive historical figures like Theodora, a 6th century prostitute who became empress of the Byzantine Empire, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 12th century queen who owned most of France and ruled England in her son’s absence. 

For my final book, A Woman of Courage, I studied my own ancestry. Although I was born in England my parents were both Irish. And so I looked to the history of Ireland. It seems that before the Tudor conquests, in the 16th century, women were not owned by their husbands. They owned property, and had the right to study and become poets, healers, brehons (lawyers). But could a woman ever rule her people?

There are Irish texts dating back to the early medieval period (400 – 800 AD). These manuscripts are a little sparse on details, but they do list all the important events. Here’s a quote from the Annals of Ulster for the year 848. It will give you an idea of how brief the monks were:

“848 AD
A great snowfall on the Kalends 1st of February.
848 AD
Fínnechta of Luibnech, anchorite and formerly king of Connacht, died.
848 AD
Tuathchar son of Cobthach, king of Luigni, died.
848 AD
Mael Sechnaill won a battle against the heathens at Forach in which seven hundred fell.”

Given that the Irish wrote everything of importance down they must’ve written about the women in their world – apparently not. They mention queen consorts, but there is no reference to women ruling in their own right. We only know they existed because of one extraordinary woman – Grace O’Malley.  

We know about Grace because she lived in a turbulent time when the English were trying to subjugate the Irish. Grace, of course, resisted the invading forces. It is because of letters from the English governor, Sir Richard Bingham, that we know so much about her. In 1593 Grace even travelled to England to meet with Queen Elizabeth I, as an equal.

Was Grace O’Malley an exception, or were there other queens; ignored by the monks that wrote the annals? Personally, although I have no proof, I feel the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I’m convinced Irish women rose to the top just as Theodora and Eleanor had done. In a society where women were educated, property owners it stands to reason that they were also queens. That is why I used some poetic license and made Fianna, my heroine from A Woman of Courage, the queen of her clan. 

A Woman of Courage is on sale for $0.99 from March 11th – 24th.

A Woman of Courage coverThe Wild Rose Press       Amazon       Nook       ARE


With her home destroyed she is forced to revisit her past and prove once and for all she is a woman of courage.

When an injured Fianna Byrne turns up at Connell O’Neill’s gate twelve years after their separation he knows this could be his last chance to find happiness with the woman he loves.

False accusations against Fianna had strained relations between their clans and forced Connell, under Irish law, to divorce her. 
Their disastrous three-month relationship left Fianna pregnant and heartbroken. She has avoided Duncarraig and her ex-husband ever since.

But with her home obliterated by the Vikings, Fianna must face her past in order to save her son, and prove once and for all she is a woman of courage.


Excerpt

Twelve years ago she’d been Connell’s wife. His devastating rejection of her, after only three months of marriage, and their subsequent divorce caused a pain so real it twisted her insides. The hostilities that ensued after their separation, followed by an uneasy truce when she found she was pregnant with their son, Lorcan, made it prudent to restrict her contact.

During their short marriage he had weakened her in a way no other man could. She’d transformed into a woman so overtaken with lust she’d been blind to everything, including his true feelings. With Connell all her instincts, control, and intellect became like overcooked oats, a sludge that thought of nothing except him.

Her breath caught when her former husband strode out of the large central house, marching toward her. His long limbs and easy stride accentuated the rippling muscles of his legs. Every movement emphasized his grace and strength. He was still tall and broad, with long, smooth, black hair and a black beard to match. He would have been too handsome, too pretty, if it hadn’t been for his large crooked nose. That imperfection added to his allure, making him more appealing. Her pulse quickened, and her body warmed with need. She forgot her reason for being here, forgot everything except him. Damn it. Even in her injured state, with everything she had endured, he still had the ability to turn her mind to mud.

 
About Marlow:  After being thrown out of England for refusing to drink tea, Marlow Kelly made her way to Canada where she found love, a home and a pug named Max. She also discovered her love of storytelling. Encouraged by her husband, children and let’s not forget Max, she started putting her ideas to paper. Her need to write about strong women in crisis drives her stories. You can visit Marlow at www.marlowkelly.com

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Tuesday Special: Rosalie Redd

Rosalie Redd



The Betram ritual, when the full moon occurs on the summer solstice, is a sexual rite—and a requirement—for all unbonded Stiyaha of age. The irresistible urge to mate drives their inner beasts. Some succumb and transform, while others hide behind masks. None can escape the compelling need.

For Leonna, Betram offers one night of freedom from a destiny she doesn’t want. Eager to participate, she’s drawn to a formidable male whose tenderness burrows into her soul. Despite discovering she’s below his status, she is caught up in their passionate frenzy, and loses her heart to a male she can never have.

Though reluctant, as an unbonded male, Prince Nicholai must participate in the Betram ritual. Because he fears harming anyone he gets close to, he dons his mask and vows to stay in human form. What he doesn’t expect is the intensity of his hunger for a certain honeyed female hidden behind a disguise. As much as he longs to forget her, he can’t, for she’s unforgettable.

Amazon       Kobo       Nook       iTunes


About Rosalie:  

After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She writes Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance inspired by classics from the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres layered with a good, hot dose of romance.

Her debut novel, Untouchable Lover, won or was a finalist in several contests sponsored by local chapters of Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing. When not at her computer, you can find her at Jazzercise, waterfall collecting in the Pacific Northwest, or relaxing with her husband and their pesky cat, Snookums.


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Monday, March 14, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Night Shifts: 8 Shapeshifter Romances

Lynn Crandall


Wolves and cougars and dragons - oh my! There's more to love than meets the eye with these eight hunky heroes of the night. Count on these shapeshifters to know just how to break out of the mold - in bed and out of it.

Secrets: When homeless cats start vanishing into thin air at Michelle Slade’s rescue organization, Cats Alive, she’s determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Casey Mitchell, a secret were-lynx drawn to Michelle, helps investigate the odd circumstances and uncovers a diabolic design on her life. Will these two lonely souls find true love … or lose everything?

Other books in the bundle:
The Cougar’s Pawn by Holly Trent
A Certain Kind of Magic by Jessica Starre
Creatures of the Moon by Kristine Overbrook
Love’s Prey by Envy Augustine
The Nymph’s Labyrinth by Danica Winters
Secrets of the Sky by Jaye Shields
Dragon Heart by Susan Arden

Amazon          Crimson Romance          Kobo



Lynn Crandall lives in the Midwest and writes in the company of her cat. She has been a reader and a writer all her life. Her background is in journalism, but whether writing a magazine or newspaper story or creating a romance, she loves the power stories hold to transport, inspire, and uplift. In her romances, she focuses on vulnerable, embraceable characters who don't back down.

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Friday, March 11, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe
Actions speak louder than words, but words sometimes get all the attention.
- Susan Gale
Thursday, March 10, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Caroline Clemmons Releases Kindle World Novel

The Write Way Café welcomes author Caroline Clemmons. She shares her experience stretching her skills in writing a Kindle World novel.
Caroline Clemmons


MY NEW RELEASE, AMANDA’S RANCHER, A KINDLE WORLD NOVEL

This is my first experience with writing for a Kindle World. The one I’m part of is Debra Holland’s Montana Sky Series. I am a fan of Debra’s books and am thrilled to have been included in her Montana Sky Series.

Another first for me is writing a book set in Montana. Most of my books are set in Texas except for one novella in Georgia, Long Way Home, and a novel in Colorado, The Surprise Brides: Jamie.

Writers have to keep stretching and engaging in new forms of their craft so they don’t go stale.  I’m freely admitting that this book about ate my lunch. While I had read Debra Holland’s books, I had to reread her Mail-Order Brides of the West to jot down all the names and descriptions. I believe I have portrayed them true to her books.

When the world is one I’ve created, I have the setting and characters firmly in my mind. While I remembered the characters from Debra’s books, that didn’t mean I could describe them. I also had to visualize the setting she’d laid out. Fortunately, one of the other authors in the world, Lou Nelson, worked with Debra and created a map. What a help!

Believe me, I did stretch myself with Amanda's Rancher! I worried so much writing this book that I about made myself sick. However, my beta readers told me it’s a great book. Readers have received it well and my Amazon rating is great so far. You can imagine my relief! I always want my books to be great reads, but I never know how they will affect other readers.

My story in this world is Amanda's Rancher. Here’s the blurb:

Amanda's RancherOne desperate young woman.
A chance meeting.
A life-changing outcome.

Growing up in a brothel, Mara O'Sullivan battled public disdain and contempt, but always remained kind-hearted and gracious. After testifying against vicious bank robbers, her life is threatened and Mara must find sanctuary far from everything she knows.

One train ride changes her life as she fatefully meets a half-sister and a niece she never knew existed. But when circumstances end her sister's life, Mara makes a promise that she'll raise her niece as her own and take her sister's place as Preston Kincaid's mail-order-bride. As Mara and Preston grow closer, their marriage no longer seems like a ruse, but a relationship of love, passion, and desire.

Mara's past comes back to haunt her and she finds herself in danger—will her new husband forgive Mara's deceit and protect her as his own?

Here’s an excerpt of Amanda's Rancher:

They reached the church and Preston jumped down from the wagon and came around to help her alight. With a smile, he lifted Iris high over his head before he set her on the ground. Her giggle brought tears to Amanda’s eyes.

That was the first time she’d ever heard her daughter make the girlish sound. Iris had smiled, spoken, but never laughed until she met Preston Kincaid. For that alone, Amanda would be the best wife she knew how to be.

Inside the church, Mrs. Norton handed Amanda a bouquet of daisies secured with a white ribbon. The interior was plain with wooden benches and an altar raised one step above the rest of the floor. Although there were several windows, none had stained-glass as did the churches she’d seen in Georgia.

The minister was waiting at the front of the church and wore a black frock coat and matching string tie. His brown hair and beard were thickly streaked with gray. He stood at a simple lectern with what looked like a Bible in one hand while he conversed with another man.

Amanda was surprised only one other person besides Reverend and Mrs. Norton were in the sanctuary. She’d supposed Preston had many friends in the area and thought at least his ranch hands would attend. The second man turned and proved to be an older version of her groom who came forward to greet her.

Preston cupped her elbow. “Amanda and Iris, this is my father. Most folks call him Tom, but I call him Papa.”

Amanda smiled at the handsome man who must be around fifty. He was tall, but maybe an inch shorter than his son. Silver sprinkled the same dark hair. “May I call you Papa, too?”

He beamed his pleasure and his blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’d be honored. And in the absence of your father, may I walk you down the aisle?”

“Would you? I’d be ever so grateful.” She laid her hand on his arm. Nerves had set in and she needed his support or her knees might give way.

Preston said, “Iris, why don’t you stand with me while my papa walks Mama to meet us?”

Iris shook her head. “Mommy, not my old mama?”

Preston frowned. “Old mama?”

Panic sent bile into her throat that threatened to choke her. Don’t throw up on your wedding dress. “Perhaps you remember my mother recently died.”

Sympathy shone from his blue eyes. “Of course.” He took Iris’ hand in his and strode to the front.
Mrs. Norton began playing the piano. She nodded toward Amanda. Papa Kincaid gently led her up the aisle.

Walking toward her husband, Amanda was conscious of Preston’s stare, as if he could see into her mind and knew her for an impostor. Although he held Iris’ hand, the intensity of his blue gaze unnerved her. She wondered if he was disappointed or if he were as numb as she.

Thankful for the presence of her future father-in-law beside her, she tightened her hold on Mr. Kincaid’s arm.

In response, he patted her hand her where it laid on his sleeve. Without looking at her, he whispered. “Steady as you go. We’re almost there.”

Iris gave a tiny wave and Amanda couldn’t resist smiling at the child. The little girl truly was a blessing. Focusing on Iris gave Amanda a target she could face.

When they reached the front, Mrs. Norton ceased playing. Preston took the bouquet from Amanda’s hands. “Iris, would you hold this for Mommy so she and I can be married?”

Iris looked at him adoringly and reached to receive the flowers. Reverend Norton opened his Bible and began the ceremony. Preston took Amanda’s hands in his. She was conscious of his calluses, but also of the size and strength of his palms dwarfing hers.

When the minister indicated, Preston slipped a ring onto her finger. This new one belongs to me, even if my groom doesn’t know my true name.

After the ceremony, Preston brushed his lips gently against hers.

Iris clapped a hand across her mouth in surprise then said, “Mommy? That man kissed you.”

Preston knelt eye-to-eye with her. “I’m your new Daddy, remember? Mommy and I were just married and now I can kiss her whenever she says it’s okay. Do you think you can call me Daddy?”

Iris nodded. “Are you gonna kiss me too?”

He smiled broadly. “I certainly am.” He leaned forward and gave her a loud smack on the cheek.

The child giggled. Twice in one day this kind man had made Iris happy. Amanda owed Preston all her wifely devotion.

Amazon

I hope you’ll give Amanda's Rancher a try and let me know how you like it. If you like it, please leave a review on Amazon! Positive reviews are so helpful to authors. Many venues won’t let us promote unless we have a certain number of 4 and 5 star reviews.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Caroline:

Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling and award winning author of historical and contemporary western romances. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.

Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys family, reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, and getting together with friends. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, WattPad, Shelfari, and Pinterest. Subscribe to her newsletter here to receive a FREE copy of the novella Happy Is The Bride.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Tuesday Special: Ellen Parker and Killer Thrillers

Ellen Parker


Killer thrillers cover
Love saves the day in this quintet of thrilling romantic suspense novels you won't be able to put down. Indulge in the sheltering embraces of a few good men (and women!) with these taut and compelling tales of intrigue:

Atonement: A rash of unexplained suicides in the sleepy town of Eider, Iowa, draws McIntire County deputy Nicolette Rivers into a devious killer's twisted plot. A former marine sniper suffering from PTSD, she hides her own deadly secrets from everyone but detective Con O'Hanlon, who is more than willing to help cover up the fallout. But is he too late to prevent Nic's dark, downward spiral? Or is Con the one man stronger than her demons?

The White Carnation: The last person disgraced reporter Faye Lewis wants back in her life is Detective Rob Halliday, the man she blames for ruining her career and breaking her heart. But when she finds an old friend murdered, he's assigned the case. Can they set their troubled past aside and work together, or will the Harvester serial killer and his cult followers reap another prize?

In the Shadow of Pride: When Lexie Trevena's matchmaking friends accidentally place her smack in the path of a terrorist who intends to use her as his pawn, the only person who can help her is Special Agent-in-Charge Luke "Mac" McNeil - the man she holds responsible for her husband's death.

Saving Maggie: Reporter Maggie's psychic gift incites a serial killer to play games with her, and this madman seeks her death to bind them together forever. Only detective Joshua Tyler has the power break this bond in time - that is, if she can make him believe her.

Hiding Places: Mona Smith is on the run to avoid getting mixed up in some dirty business with a drug kingpin. Will she find escape or more trouble in unexpected savior Linc Dray's arms?

Amazon        Barnes & Noble


Raised in a household full of books, it was only natural that Ellen Parker grew up with a book in her hand. She turned to writing as a second career and enjoys spinning the type of story which appeals to more than one generation. She encourages readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both. When not guiding characters to their “happily ever after” she’s likely reading, tending her postage stamp size garden, or walking in the neighborhood. She currently lives in St. Louis. You can find her on the web at: www.ellenparkerwrites.wordpress.com or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ellenparkerwrites.



Friday, March 4, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe
I am a part of everything that I have read.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Thursday, March 3, 2016 | By: The Write Way Cafe

Writing Disabled Characters by Barbara Bates

Author B.L. BatesThe Write Way Café welcomes author of AsterIce, B. L. Bates, who discusses disabilities, diversity, and complexity in writing more interesting stories.

One of the things we've been told as writers is, "Write what you know." But what if you want to include a disabled character in one of your stories, and you're not disabled. And you don't know much about the disability you want to use.

Why would you want to include a disabled character in your story?

Why not? The disabled are people, too. We have wants, needs, hopes, and fears, just like the non-disabled. It's the same as asking why to include a person of a different ethnicity, religion, nationality, or with some other quality making her different from you.

Diversity. Complexity. More interesting story ideas. One or all of those mentioned can be used as a rationale.

But, if you're going to include a disabled character in your story, where and how will you research the disabilities and the people who have them? In order to make the character believable, you have to know something about disabilities and the people who live with them. Their lifestyles, the adaptations they use, Where they turn for help. The way they do daily living chores. How they get from place to place. And that's just scratching the surface.

This brings us to another writing lesson, "Research what you don't know."

So, where do you research disabilities and disabled characters?

That's a good question. While there are different ways to approach this question, let me suggest my favorite.

Over the past months, because I am a member of the physically challenged (I'm totally blind), I've written a course describing the adaptations used by the disabled, the procedures they use in day-to-day activities, and suggest places to garner more information about the disabled. And the course includes ways for you, the non-disabled writer, to take part in activities where, for a while at least, you can pretend to be disabled.

For a short course like the one being offered on the Savvy site, I can't possibly cover all the disabilities, so I've chosen three: Visual, hearing, and mobility challenges. (Or, if you're not politically correct, blindness, deafness, and paralysis requiring a wheelchair.) I'd suggest taking a selection from each.

Why would you want to experience being disabled? Because it allows you to feel the same emotions as your disabled character. You can get to know the aggravation and  frustration of not being able to do simple tasks without adaptations or someone to aid you. And it allows you to feel victory and success when you accomplish these simple tasks while pretending to be disabled.

My course is structured so you can investigate, and develop your own methods of researching other disabilities.

Why would you want to try being disabled, you may ask. Another good question. Let's go back to the "Write what you know" lesson. If you know how it feels to drop an object and not be able to see to find it, you can better show your character's frustrations of sweeping something across the floor searching for the darned thing. If you pretend to have a hearing challenge, you can better appreciate how it feels when your character's daughter asks why you didn't come outside when she fell off her bike and screamed for Mommy. And, if you act as if you're confined to a wheelchair, you'll be able to show the appreciation your character feels when someone holds a door open for her or helps her over a piece of damaged pavement. It's putting yourself into your character's shoes, or wheelchair.

Being blind for over thirty years has allowed me to develop characters that have emotional, physical and mental disabilities, both minor and major, that help and hinder their development. Sometimes, the disability is not known at first, or is hidden. It can be hidden by circumstances, or by the individual herself. For even in real life, people lie about the fact they're disabled because of the stigma they think is attached.

In my book, AsterIce, the first book of the Ice Trilogy, each of the four POV characters has a disability, but their disabilities are minimized in this first book. The disabilities play a bigger role in the second book (not yet published), and provide part of the explanation to the conclusion of the trilogy.

Do the disabilities form a major factor in the trilogy? Not really, but they're there to show people can overcome their limitations, and function as productive individuals; because or in spite of their challenges.

Disabled individuals can play an important role in any story, if you have the courage to use them. Those of us with disabilities are human, just like you non-disabled. We also have hopes, fears, joys and frustrations. Take a chance and use a disabled character in your next story.

My class -- 'Pardon, is my Disability Showing? Writing Believable Disabled Characters -- An Interactive Approach' starts on the Savvy site on March 14. Register at:
http://ce.savvyauthors.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventId=2684
Why not join us?

AsterIce cover by B.L. Bates
An alien enemy too small to  see. Too vicious to fight. Too determined to stop. Is humanity doomed?

Four determined humans; two brothers and their wives form the core of the defense against an alien virus. Introduced as a nutritional drink as 'Water from the Gods', well before its true nature is known, it becomes  available worldwide. Then, its deadly effects are revealed.

But earth's entire population has been infected. Can our heroes find an answer to save humanity?  


Amazon general (includes Audible audio book)

Kindle        Print       Barnes and Noble       ARE     Waterstones       Books a million


About the author: B. L. Bates' writing  falls into the speculative fiction field, though threads of romance, crime, and mystery often sneak in. Her  engineering degree taught her to use the physical world as a springboard, but after becoming blind due to a head injury, fantastical and magical aspects tend to creep in. Acceptance and separateness have become part of her stories, heightening the conflict.

She lives in Massachusetts with her husband. When not writing, she can be found reading, cooking, or enjoying the outdoors.

She can be found on the Internet at  www.BarbaraLBates.com and www.BarbaraLBates.com/polad.