Friday, May 27, 2011

Tattered Pages Welcomes Author Brenda Whiteside!

Brenda has been writing all of her life in one way or another, from the captions on her childish artwork, to teenage psychedelic scrolls, to her current novel.

After publishing several short stories, she turned to writing novels. Regardless of the length of her story, the characters drive her forward, taking her on their journey of discovery and love.

Her life is blessed with three creative soul mates. Her son, a singer/song writer, lives with his lady in a far off western town in the pines. Brenda and her husband, an excellent photographer, live in Minnesota, a nature wonderland that captured her heart eighteen years ago. They share their home with their dog, Rusty, who creates joy (and is the smartest dog in the world).
Glad to have you here, Brenda. With the recent evolution of the e-publishing industry, tell me, have you ever considered self-publication?
Only recently. There used to be a stigma to self-publication, but there are quite a few success stories floating around right now. It sounds like a great deal of work and that may keep me away from it for a while. I need to get many more stories down on paper before I try it. But if I have some books where normal avenues are not working, I would have no qualms about going the self-publication path.
What are you working on now?
I’m having a lot of fun with a contemporary western novella. It’s strictly a lighthearted, entertainment read. I’m doing the last of my edits on an historical YA romance. This book takes place in 1945 and has more to say, would also be enjoyed by an older audience. And then I’m in the early stages of my contemporary romantic mystery.
After finishing a manuscript, do you take some time off or dive right in to the next story?
What’s time off? Since I started this rollercoaster a little late in life, and there’s a plethora of half-baked ideas bumping into each other in my head. I can’t take time off even when I take time off. My husband says I don’t know how to relax. Over the last couple of months, I’ve been writing three stories at the same time. I didn’t think I could ever do that, but decided to try it and had fun. One sort of bullied the others out of the way a few times, but the other two weren’t totally ignored. And even when I’m not at my keyboard, I’m writing in my head. So, no, I don’t take time off!
What are you reading now?
I love to read but besides what my critique partners write, and what I’m editing, I don’t have much time. I do keep something on my nightstand and read for a few minutes before I fall asleep. I just finished To Kill a Mockingbird, which I read so many years ago for the first time that I didn’t remember it. Great book. I started reading The Time Travelers Wife last night. Verdict is still out on it.
Who is the one person that most influenced your life?
I can’t give you just one. Can I give you a few? Joan of Arc for refusing to deny who she was and what she fought for. I read about her when I was ten years old and I was touched. My father for his entrepreneurial spirit. Writers need that spirit. My son for his creative work ethic and hardheadedness about his beliefs. My mother for never meeting someone she didn’t like and her outgoing personality.
Do you have critique partners or belong to a writers group?
Both. I belong to Romance Writers of America and the local Midwest Fiction Writers. I meet one Saturday a month with a group of ladies, there are five of us, and we are in all stages of our careers. One weeknight a month, I meet with another critique partner. We do a one on one that has been invaluable. I can’t imagine writing without critique partners. I credit them with the growth of my abilities and for getting published.

Does your husband read your work? And if so, what’s his reaction?
I don’t let him read it until it’s completed. He gets impatient with me about this. But I think he can’t possibly be unbiased, and I don’t want to be influenced before I get it all done, my way.
Favorite Cocktail?
Mojitos – but I have to be on the beach, baking in the sun, in Cancun.
Do you have any pets?
We have a dog that is half Red Heeler and half Golden Retriever. We call him the smartest dog in the world. He thinks he’s human. He helps carry groceries in from the car, helps me put away paper towels in the cupboard, helps carry laundry to the laundry room and brings in the newspaper every morning. He also thinks it’s very important to keep the squirrels out of the back yard.
Read below for the excerpt and blurb for Brenda's latest release, Sleeping with The Lights On, available now from The Wild Rose Press. 


After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

Excerpt:
“When do you go back to Vegas?”
Carson hesitated. “In a day or two.”
“You sound rather vague.” And still allusive. What could be the big secret about this charity gig he couldn’t divulge?
“I have a few more things to find out. I’ll be out of here as soon as I get all my questions answered. It’s complicated.”
We’d reached the edge of my apartment complex.
“Carson, honestly, how complicated can a gig—”
Pulling me around, we stopped, facing each other. My head said run like hell, but my legs wouldn’t respond. Mushy from wine or Carson and moonlight. I couldn’t be sure which.
“Have lunch with me tomorrow, darlin’.” His fingers slipped from mine to gingerly brush along my forearm. The moonlight caught in his eyes. “Another hour of your time with a long lost friend?”
“Yes.” My voice went all husky and come-hither. I wanted to kick myself for being so easy.
“Good.” Grasping my hand again, he led me toward the door. “What’s the address of your office?”
I struggled to shake off the moon shadows and to remember where I worked. Once inside the building, I took a scrap of paper from my purse and wrote the address.
“I’ll walk you to your door and say goodnight,” he said, tucking the scrap of paper in his pocket. “Unless you want to have me in for a goodnight drink.”
I didn’t answer. If he’d only known the extent of my uncertainty at that moment, a little persistence might have made me cave.
“Okay, then—” His mouth gaped.
I followed his bewildered look to my apartment door.
TRAMP

Contact Brenda on the web at:
www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Thank you for visiting AJ's Tattered Pages, Brenda. It was a pleasure having you!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tattered Pages Welcomes the very talented, multi-published...

Whoo Hoo! Laura, it's such a pleasure to have you here! Thanks for visiting with us today!
Let me start by thanking AJ for hosting me on her blog today—it’s great to be here!
Tell us how your writing career began.


Sure, well, in one way, I’ve been a writer my whole professional life.  I’m a historian by training and have published two non-fiction books in American history.  But my fiction writing career began about three years ago following a head injury.  When the worst of the migraines passed, I had a pretty intense desire for creative outlets, including fiction writing.  (I also took up the guitar during this period too!)  My neurologist said that when a brain has an injury, it compensates by creating new neural networks around the injured part of the brain, and that can sometimes create new interests or even personality traits.  So, who knows if that’s really what accounted for my newfound interest three years ago, but that’s when I completed the first draft of what became Forever Freed, my novel-length paranormal romance that releases this Friday, May 20, from The Wild Rose Press.
Wow! That's an incredible story. So, tell me, what do you feel is the most important lesson you  learned in your path to publication?

Most important lessons?
1) Write, write, write some more, and then keep writing.  Write through writer’s block. Write through rejections. Write new stories even while trying to sell old ones.  I think of writing as a muscle—it needs exercised frequently to keep it in shape!
2) Not everyone’s going to love my writing.  And that’s okay.  I mean, I want people to love my stories and characters because I do, but it’s not realistic to think that your writing will appeal to every editor, agent, or reader.
3) The business of marketing is as important as good craft and compelling characters and plots if you want your book to get maximum attention, exposure, and readership.  And the marketing and promotion side of things takes a major time commitment.

I've learned this recently myself. Promotion is key. So, of your published works, tell us which story is your favorite and why.

Ugh, I can’t pick! I love all my stories for different reasons!  It would have to be a tie between Forever Freed and Hearts in Darkness, my contemporary romance that released three weeks ago from The Wild Rose Press.  I’m totally in love with the hero of Hearts and its premise, but Forever Freed was my first, and the hero Lucien Demarco’s loneliness and yearning resonate with a deep, not-often-uncovered part of myself.

That first manuscript always holds a special place in our hearts, doesn't it? What are you working on now?

I have several projects in different stages. I'm beginning final edits on a women's fiction manuscript I completed in January. I'm glad I gave it the time to simmer, because now I'm really excited to come back to it! Soon, I expect to receive first round edits on the first in a four-book fantasy romance series I sold to Entangled Publishing based on the Greek Anemoi (directional wind gods associated with the seasons). North of Need will release in November 2011. Then I need to get on to writing book two in the series!

You are a very busy woman! So, aftering finishing a manuscript, do you take time off or dive right into the next story?

Usually I need a few weeks to recuperate and shift gears—this is more true if the finished project is a novel and not a novella—those don’t take the same amount of transitioning.  I actually wrote Hearts in Darkness as a procrastination boondoggle in the middle of working on my women’s fiction, which turned out to be the most non-cooperative manuscript I’ve ever written! LOL  So I went from writing one, into writing the other, and back.  After I finished Forever Freed, I took a good month off to recuperate and fill up on sleep because I mostly wrote that manuscript from about 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. for about 11 weeks straight.

I LOL. Yep, we write whenever and however we can, don't we? Do you have critique partners or belong to a writers group to help with all these projects?
I am uber lucky to have both!  My best friend is my primary critique partner.  Lea Nolan writes YA paranormal, has a great agent, and is about to shop her first series (everyone send your collective good lucks out into the universe for her!).  Plus, last summer, my state RWA chapter formed a critique group and I was lucky to get one of the 12 initial spots.  We meet once a month and critique a chapter from four members’ works in progress each time.  Those ladies have become some of my closest friends and, because they now know my writing so well, I totally trust them to offer feedback on anything I’m writing.  Both experiences—with Lea and the Maryland Critters—have made me a huge fan of critique parters/groups.  I think it’s key to the writing experience to get the input of other writers, as opposed to friends or family or readers, because writers are going to be able to bring that critical eye regarding things like craft and pacing and characterization and prose that non-writers often don’t know to critique.
Okay, now for some Fun...
Does your husband/signficant other read your work? And if so, what's their reaction?

Not usually. Though my husband is an avid reader, he trends towards non-fiction, and, within fiction, isn’t interested in the kind of supernaturally stuff I like and write at all.  However, he will read if I really press him, and he’s a totally fantastic copyeditor!

Jay Leno or David Letterman?
LOL John Stewart!

Favorite cocktail?
Oh, geez, I have the alcohol tolerance of an infant! I tend to be a fruity drink kinda girl.

What are your hobbies?

Honestly, since I’ve gotten into the writing, it is my hobby! It’s the thing I want to be doing with my non-work, non-family time, anyway!  And now that I have so many writer friends, writing is even more reinforced as not only a job but a source of friendship, camaraderie, and entertainment for me. And I love it!

Any pets?
Yep! I have a German Shepherd / Collie mix named Jackson.  He’s nine years old and cute as hell but totally bad!
Here's more about Laura,
     and keep reading below for the excerpt and blurb to Forever Freed...

A multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong.  Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with the supernatural.  Though an avid fiction writer as a teenager, a career as a historian took her in other directions until recently.  Now that Laura’s inner muse has awakened, she’s constantly creating new story ideas!  Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day. 

Blurb for Forever Freed...

My heart may not beat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not broken.


After an isolated century mourning the murder of my long-ago family, I crave the irresistible scents of joy and love that radiate from my new neighbors, a single mother and her young daughter. I’m starved for their blood, and for the healing respite from my ancient grief that will accompany drinking down their life-giving emotions. Now to lure them in.
But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear or reservation—talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and calling to the forgotten man in me. They lure me in.
Aw, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can…

And here's the excerpt (and hang on to you hats, ladies, this is a good one):
We walked the avenue for a few minutes and before long found ourselves in Cadillac Square, a large oval plaza in the middle of downtown. Samantha pulled herself on top of a table and rested her feet on the attached metal bench below.
I sat next to her and watched her lips and throat work while she ate. The tightness in my jeans finally forced me to look away.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try some? It’s really good.”
I glanced back to her and found her smiling. “No. Thanks, though.” I tried like hell not to focus on her long pink tongue.
“Oh, come on. Are you really going to make me eat alone?” She held the ice cream closer to my face.
I smiled in defeat. It appeared I was going to have to eat some ice cream. When I still didn’t take her up on her offer, she tilted the cone towards me and touched it to my nose.
I flinched. I didn’t know what facial expression I wore, but it set her off laughing with abandon. She laughed so hard she almost dropped the cone. It was irresistible. I had to join her.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Here…” She held up a napkin and wiped the cold cream off my face. The smell of her radial artery set my mouth to watering, and I longed to lean forward and lap at the slender length of her exposed wrist.
I smiled and looked at her intently. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Samantha.”
She shivered. “Oh really? How is that?” The flirtation in her voice was unmistakable. And enthralling.
Before she even saw me do it, I scooped some of the offending cream on my finger and wiped it messily across her lips and chin. She screamed and laughed. I swallowed hard at the soft feel of her lips.
She turned to face me on the table. When our laughter settled, I sat holding my cream-covered finger up in front of her. She used the soiled napkin from my face to clean off her own. Then she saw the ice cream still on my hand.
“Sorry, that was my only napkin.” I grimaced at the ice cream and Samantha huffed. “Who doesn’t like ice cream? Do you want me to get rid of that for you?” She met my eyes and arched one eyebrow.
The mild scent of her adrenaline intrigued me. “Please,” I said quietly, observing her with interest.
She grabbed my hand by the wrist and pulled it down to her face.
I gaped at what she intended to do but was so captivated my finger was in her mouth before I’d grappled with whether or not to allow her to do it. My brain exploded with the sensation. Ah, Cristo. So warm. So wet.
Her pulse beat through her tongue. I fought not to gasp out loud. My eyes stung as blood threatened to rush in, as happened when I fed or felt threatened or aroused. It took all my concentration to will the blood away.
“There,” she whispered as her lips slid off the tip of my wet finger. Her heart thundered in her chest. The blossoming scent of her arousal was mouthwatering. “All better.”
And check out her fabulous book trailer (copy and paste the click the link)...


<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/guWmcq3qSVs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Do yourself a favor and check out Laura's releases. You won't be disappointed! Here are all the places you can find her on the web:

Website: http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com
Blog: http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/laurakayeauthor
Twitter: @laurakayeauthor
Publisher Website: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=800
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3703867
Thanks for joining me today, Laura! Congratulations on all your fabulous projects!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tattered Pages Welcomes Sue Fineman with her latest release The Mitchell Money

Hi Sue and thanks for joining us today. It's a pleasure having you here!

www.amazon.com/onthelam/dp/b004vn3t50

Tell us how your writing career began.
I had just retired from my day job and started sketching the floor plan of a house, a long-time hobby.  As I drew the plan, I wondered who’d live there.  What was their story?  The title and the premise of the book came together quickly – a man takes early retirement and moves himself and his wife to the hills outside Maystown, Arizona.  They live in a tiny motor home on the back of the property while their new home – which she designed – is being built.  Then he dies and she discovers he hid their money.  He’d never allowed her to work during their marriage, so she has no marketable job skills.  She’s scared, alone, and nearly broke, and if she doesn’t find the money soon, she’ll lose everything. 

As the other characters appeared to me – the surly rancher down the road, the starving boy who looks just like her dead husband, and the town gossip who wants to marry the rancher – I wrote the story.  And THE MITCHELL MONEY emerged. 

www.amazon.com/ontheedge/dp/b004y1or3m
Do you stick to one genre or write across lines?
I write mostly romantic suspense, some with light paranormal elements like ghosts, visions, or past life experiences, and women’s fiction.  Everything I write has some mystery or suspense in it.  Subplots.  Strong supporting characters.  Some humor.  I’ve tried writing straight romance, but I don’t have the voice for it.  And I just can’t write without subplots!

Of your published works, which story is your favorite and why?
I’ve written close to thirty books, so I have a lot of favorites.  I absolutely fell in love with the characters in THE MITCHELL MONEY.  Gary is the most unlikely hero you’ll ever want to meet in the beginning, but he turns out to be such a great guy in the end. 

Have you ever considered self-publishing?
Not until recently, when some friends shared their success at self-publication.  So I’m experimenting with it right now.  I put the three books in the Gregory Series on Amazon and BN.  The first book, ON THE RUN, was published briefly in 2006 under another name.  ON THE LAM and ON THE EDGE are the other books in the series.  Each of these romantic suspense novels features a Gregory brother – the macho brother, the wounded brother, and the troubled brother – and they all have touches of humor.  If you liked Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson together, you’ll enjoy these books.  They’re only 99 cents each.  

www.amazon.com/ontherun/dp/b004vt5m4u
I have so many books sitting on my closet shelves, if I went through a traditional publisher with each one, I’d be at least 90 before I got them all out there.  I love working with The Wild Rose Press.  They’ve created a safe, supportive atmosphere for their authors, their editors are wonderful to work with, and their covers the best in the business.  But I’m too old to wait months to go through the submissions / editing / publishing process with each book.  So I’m doing it both ways.

Do you have critique partners or belong to a writers group?
I belong to FTHRW and Elements of RWA, I work with a critique group, and I also have two critique partners.  They’re all great people, and I learn something different from each one.  Their on-going friendship and support keeps me sane and focused.  This business can be an emotional roller-coaster, frustrating and ego-boosting at the same time, and it’s important to have people around you who understand and give you the encouragement you need to keep writing.
Sue's lastest release, THE MITCHELL MONEY, is now available at The Wild Rose Press.
Excerpt:  (Joe is Gary’s attorney son, and Johnny is Rachel’s dead husband’s bastard son, the starving boy she found on her doorstep.  They’re all living at the ranch, and Rachel is trading her cooking for Gary’s investigative skills.  In this scene, there’s a rogue cat in the area, a wounded animal who’s killing pets and terrorizing small children.)
Gary wasn’t in bed ten minutes when he heard the cat yowl out by the ravine.
Joe came in. “You heard?”
“I heard.” Gary walked to the window. “Must be a rogue. I don’t like it coming this close.”
“I don’t either,” said Joe. “I’ll get a hunting party together this weekend. The cat must be old or hurt. It’s looking for an easy meal.”
Gary heard something brush against the door and turned to see Rachel standing there in her robe. The nightlight in the bathroom cast enough light to see the fear in her eyes. “Bouncer has to go out,” she said. “Is it safe to go out front?”
“Not by yourself.” Gary took the gun from the nightstand, checked to make sure it was loaded, and followed Rachel and Bouncer downstairs.
Joe followed them with his rifle. Gary stood in a dark corner of the porch, scanning the dark hills, looking for any sign of movement. He spotted the rogue cat about a hundred yards from the house. Joe already had a bead on it. Gary spoke quietly. “Wait for a clean shot, son.”
A low growl came from Rachel’s little dog. “Hold on to him, Rachel,” Gary said. She was less than ten feet from the porch. The cat must be desperate to come this close.
Rachel reached down to pick up Bouncer and Joe’s first rifle shot rang out. He fired again, and Gary flipped on the flood lights. Rachel stood frozen, holding the dog in her arms, as Joe walked past her and out to the big cat lying near the driveway. He fired one more shot, as Gary had taught him, to make sure the animal was dead.
Gary walked out to Rachel and put his arm around her shoulders. She was shaking, and so was the dog, so he pulled them close and rubbed her back. “It’s over.”
Joe called, “Looks like he got caught in a trap and chewed part of his foot off. It’s a mess. That’s why he couldn’t hunt. The guy who set the trap should be shot.”
They’d had discussions with other ranchers in the area about setting traps. Some said it was necessary, but Gary disagreed. It was like setting out poison. You never knew what you’d kill or injure, and a wounded animal was always more dangerous than a healthy one. If they couldn’t hunt for their food, they had to find it in other ways.
Gary still had his arms around Rachel, and it felt so good he didn’t want to let go. Johnny came outside to examine the cat, and Gary stayed right where he was, holding Rachel’s soft, warm body in his arms, with the little dog shivering between them.
He didn’t want to stop holding her, but he needed to make a phone call, so he walked inside with Rachel and called the police station.
Ten minutes later, an officer came out, followed by a pickup and a car. The pickup was driven by Harvey Spinnaker, who did skinning and taxidermy. In shooting the cat, Joe had earned the pelt, if he wanted it. One look at the car and Gary groaned. He stood in front of the house wearing pajama pants, slippers, and a T-shirt. Rachel stood beside him, wearing a robe. Great time for the town gossip to show up.
Mavis ran from her car, past the dead cat and police car, straight to Gary. “I just heard. Is everyone all right?” As Mavis pawed at Gary’s arm, Rachel backed up a step or two. He glanced at her and tried to push Mavis off him. Rachel’s lips twitched with suppressed laughter.
“Let’s get you inside, where it’s warm,” said Mavis. “Why, you’re not even dressed.”
“Why are you here?” Gary asked.
“To help, of course.”
“Joe,” Gary yelled, “Mavis wants to help.”
“Okay, but there’s a lot of blood.”
Mavis put her hand on her chest as her eyes widened. For a minute, Gary thought she might faint. Then she caught sight of Rachel and that sharp nose went up a notch, along with one eyebrow. She eyed Rachel as if she was something to take out with the trash, but Rachel smiled. The smile didn’t have any warmth, but at least she was polite.
Fighting an impulse to escape into the house and lock the door, Gary stood back and watched the two women. Mavis extended her hand to Rachel. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Mavis Bidwell. Gary and I have been close friends since high school.”
Rachel took Mavis’s hand. “Rachel Woods. It’s nice to meet one of Gary’s old friends.”
Mavis stiffened and scanned Rachel from head to toe, and Gary knew the gossip would be flying tomorrow, if not tonight. The way Rachel was dressed, it was obvious she was living at the ranch. Did Mavis think he was sleeping with Rachel? Did he care what Mavis thought? Not if she kept it to herself, but she wouldn’t. She never kept anything to herself.
Ignoring Mavis, Rachel asked, “Gary, would you like me to make a pot of coffee?”
“No, Joe should be finished soon, and if I drink coffee now, I’ll be awake all night.” He took Rachel’s arm and steered her toward the porch steps, hoping Mavis would magically disappear, but he should have known better. She followed them onto the porch and into the house. It was late, he was tired, and now he had to deal with Mavis.
“Go on up to bed, Gary,” said Rachel. “I’ll take care of the boys.”
Boys?” said Mavis.
“Joe and my son, Johnny.”
Mavis cocked her head and Gary could almost hear the wheels turning. “Your son? I thought you had daughters.”
“And a son. Here he comes now.”
Johnny came in wet and shivering. “Go upstairs and get in the shower,” said Gary. “Right now, before you freeze to death. Is Joe about finished?”
“The cat is on the pickup and he’s talking to the cops. Oh, there’s a car out there that needs to be moved. The pickup can’t get around it.”
Rachel and Gary both stared at Mavis. “Oh, yes, well, I’ll go move my car and I’ll be right back.”
“Go home, Mavis.” Gary knew he was being rude and he didn’t care. “It’s late and I’m too tired to play host.”
“Perhaps Mavis would like to come out for dinner one night,” said Rachel. Her eyes sparkled and Gary could have strangled her on the spot.
“I’ll call you, Mavis,” said Gary. “Goodnight.” He held the front door open.
Slamming the door behind Mavis, he turned his anger on Rachel. “I’ll thank you to mind your own business.”
“She’s the one, isn’t she, the one who wants to marry you?”
“Nobody in their right mind would marry that woman.”
“You’re no prize yourself.”
Unable to allow her to have the last word, Gary said, “Some women think I am.”
He thought he heard her say, “I can’t imagine why,” but she said it so quietly he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. Gary clamped his jaw closed, walked upstairs, and went back to bed.
He punched his pillow, trying to get comfortable. “Alice loved me,” he whispered to himself. Or at least she used to, but years of grief and loneliness had changed him. It didn’t matter if he’d make a poor husband now, because he didn’t intend to marry again. He had a good life, and he was happy.
Wasn’t he?


Sue Fineman is a grumpy old lady who lives with an even grumpier old man in a small town in Washington State.  She writes mostly romantic suspense, women’s fiction, and light paranormal romance novels.  Although she doesn’t write comedy, there’s a little humor in everything she writes.

You can read the first chapters of THE MITCHELL MONEY, ON THE RUN, ON THE LAM, and ON THE EDGE on Sue’s blogsite:  http://suefineman.blogspot.com/
THANKS FOR BEING MY GUEST, SUE!
COME BACK ANY TIME!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

THE FIRST REVIEW IS IN!
JEZEBEL'S WISH RECEIVES FOUR STARS!
And in celebration, Tattered Pages is hosting its first ever...
MAY-HEM CONTEST!
(see details below) 
Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3
Jezebel has returned home from Chicago to heal, not from a physical trauma, but from a mental one. Hiding the true depths of her trauma is a task that seems beyond her capability. Compounding her distress is the fact that her mother recently sold the family home and moved to a small ranch. Jezzy doesn’t like the situation at all and is afraid of horses. As if that wasn’t enough, her mother is trying to fix her up with the local vet, Matty.

Matty sees Jezzy as a puzzle to unravel. His teasing pushes her out of her comfort zone, into bonding with one of the horses and into a relationship that is so supportive and unwavering that she cannot avoid comparing it with her previous one. Ms. Nuest does a great job showing that Matty and Jezzy are a perfect match.
It was somewhat hard to like Jezzy at first because she was so hurt and angry with herself. I liked the way she pushed back against Matty’s teasing and the wonderful way she opened her heart to the beautiful horse who befriended her. I especially liked Jezzy for wanting to know for sure what her deceased fiancé was up to before she closed off that part of her life, even though Matty, the sweetest hero ever, offered Jezzy a way to completely forget.
Ms. Nuest does a great job of handling a heroine who is both deeply depressed as well as determined to recover her life, even if she avoids reaching out for help at first. Matty is a great classic hero, steadfast and willing to stand by Jezzy no matter what she decides.

MAY-HEM CONTEST PARTICIPATION AND RULES
Contest runs through May 31st.
Each time you enter, increases your chances of winning!
Friend or Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, comment on this blog, write me a review!
Each time your name will be entered into the drawing where you will have the chance to win a
 GIFT BASKET FULL OF FABULOUS PRISES!
(Candles, bath accessories, chocolate, books, jewelry
and a bottle of bubbly to share with your significant other!)

All entries count, but the more you do, the better your chances of winning:
Comment on blog - 1 Entry
Like or Friend me on Facebook - 1 Entry
Tweet me - 1 Entry
Review Jezebel's Wish - 5 Entries
Purchase a copy of Jezebel's Wish in either print or e-book format - 10 entries
No limit to the amount of times you enter!

Keep track of your entries and email me before June 1st at: ajnuest@yahoo.com

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/ajnuest
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466
The Wild Rose Press: http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3
Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/3b89ogb

LET THE MAY-HEM BEGIN!