2014-09-21

Downton Abbey's new season is starting this week (in the UK).



Here's a preview:




And if you need to wait for the new season to be aired in the US, you can listen to the main theme song (beautiful piano performance) to get back into the right mood.



All the best!

- Raum 

2014-09-10

Wrong Place, Right Time, by Brooke Williams. Welcome to the Cover Reveal!


As the bumbling town TV traffic reporter, Kate Covington is a constant source of entertainment, but Kate sticks with her dead end job because of her love for news anchor Brian Schaffer. When Brian spontaneously runs off to marry his high school sweetheart, Kate panics and quickly follows.  
She finds herself in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, desperate to tell her best friend how she feels before he makes a huge mistake and marries the wrong person. The mistake, however, is all Kate’s. As the scorned bride runs back down the short aisle, Kate quickly realizes she just interrupted the wrong wedding.  
The would-be groom, Chad Leida, explains the predicament Kate has caused him…he needs to marry before turning 30 in order to inherit his family fortune…and he no longer has a bride. When Chad asks Kate to marry him and promises her a million dollars for a year of her time, Kate isn’t sure what to do.  
She has a great deal of debt to her name due to caring for her ailing grandmother, but she also doesn’t want to let go of the idea of love and marriage going together. Kate’s impulsive decision changes her entire lifestyle…and her ideas about love.  
From Las Vegas to San Francisco and even to the Midwestern city of Omaha, Kate learns that even when she turns up in the Wrong Place, sometimes it is at just the Right Time.  


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Release Date: December 9 , 2014

Book Trailer:



IMG_8272PCPV Brooke Williams is an award-winning author and freelance writer. She has written hundreds of articles as well as several novels, including Someone Always Loved You and Beyond the Bars. Brooke has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College, with a double major in Mass Communications and Religious Studies. She has twelve years of experience in radio broadcasting, both behind the scenes and on-air. She was also a television traffic reporter for a brief time. Brooke and her husband Sean married in 2002 and have two daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie.  
 
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2014-09-08

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 
― Albert Einstein



Thank you for the opportunity to introduce my first book Crosswinds, which was released on Aug. 29, 2014 by The Next Chapter Publishing. I’m N.R. White, and after 30 years of writing stories for the newspaper I finally listened to what others have been urging me to do for years by putting my talent as a storyteller into book form. Although the Crosswinds series is a work of fiction, the story is based on real events – and in some parts of the series – real people.

Writing fiction is a lot different than writing for a newspaper. For starters, 750 words is the average length of most newspaper stories. You learn to write tight and get the “who, what, where, when and how” in the first three paragraphs. There’s not a lot of opportunity to paint with a big brush. I found writing fiction extremely liberating insomuch as it provided a large canvass to paint in detail that you can’t do in newspapers due primarily to space limitations.

In the mid-1990s, I spent two years covering a story that not only sent my career rocketing in an upward trajectory, it changed my life. While covering the birth of the white buffalo in Janesville, Wis., I spent three to five days a week meeting people from all over the world fascinated with the Native American legend — and prophecy that foretold the white buffalo calf woman’s return. Among the hundreds of journalists that covered the story, Native American chiefs, spiritual leaders and elders allowed me to take part in many of the ceremonies that were held on the farm.

While my newspaper coverage was picked up by the wire service and published in papers around the world — and I received numerous awards for the work — I knew deep inside there was a bigger story that I was meant to tell. Primarily, how to explain in a meaningful way why the white buffalo calf prophecy is relevant to them. For nearly two decades I was haunted by this, but had no idea what I should do, or how. Then I encountered a crosswind in the form of a high school classmate I hadn’t spoken with in nearly 40 years. As I was writing Crosswinds, all the questions that had kept me from moving on this project were answered with each word as I typed.

Taking a fictional approach to telling the story allowed me to paint that big picture with lots of detail that brings the characters to life. And through the characters, allows the readers a better understanding how a legend that predates recorded history has a tremendous impact on the events that unfolding today across the world. I couldn’t have done that if I had a non-fiction, journalistic approach.

Crosswinds is the first in a three-book series. The second book, Wind Speaker, picks up four years later as Bobby is leaving the Navy. Wind Speaker is anticipated to be released in 2015.

To learn more about the series (as well as updates on the ongoing story line), follow my author’s page on Facebook at N. R. White as well as my author’s blog at nealwhite.blogspot.com. I always love visiting with readers and welcome your questions.

Thank you for taking the time to introduce me on your site and thank you very much for introducing Crosswinds to your readers. As a first-time author, I am greatly honored that you chose to feature Crosswinds. I hope we can do this again soon.

2014-09-04

Cover Reveal for...
Lincoln Ladies
by Suzy Duffy

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Release Date: October 30 , 2014

Lincoln-Ladies-3D-Paperback-2 Kate Kavanagh is happy raising her daughter and focusing on work, but when the girl moves to New York for a fantastic job and ends up moving in with her philandering father, things get complicated. Her best friend, Madeline Stein, has been a career girl all her life. As a single mom, her job defines her, so when she loses it, Maddy needs to find something or someone else to make her forties fun. Portia Kavanagh hits New York with a bang, but she’s so hungry for adventure she bites off more of the Big Apple than planned. Portia retreats to what she thinks is the sanctuary of her father’s home and soon discovers she’s not the only one in the family with an overactive appetite. Kate and Maddy find themselves leaving their lovely hometown of Lincoln, outside Boston, for the fertile and romantic hills of Tuscany. However, blue skies, rich wine, and charming Italians bring the women a whole new world that they have to maneuver with the grace and style of a Lincoln Lady. Portia’s high-octane life in Manhattan comes at a price, too. Out of the millions of men she could have, she chooses the only one she’s meant to avoid. Her quandary: Has she made a mistake of epic proportions or found the one in a million? This is a story of three fantastic women on a journey of self-discovery. With more ups and downs than a Florentine fairground, the ladies survive love, loss, and fresh pasta by laughing at life and using a doggie bag. There are lots of thrills and spills along the way, but in the end it’s all about friendship, attitude, and walking off that fabulous food. Come on an adventure and enjoy the ride with the lovely Lincoln Ladies.  

suzyduffySuzy Duffy is an international and #1 best-selling author. She writes laugh-out-loud, life-affirming stories about women from five to ninety-five. (Sometimes she writes about men, too, but only for comedic purposes, and pets—if they’re funny.) Her books have won numerous awards and critical acclaim. They’ve been published in Norwegian and German, and she gives 10% of her royalties to www.FOBH.org   Her New England trilogy includes:
  Wellesley Wives – September 2012
  Newton Neighbors – September 2013
  Lincoln Ladies – September 2014

Praise for Duffy:
“Five Star rating . . . An all-American heart-warming romantic comedy.” “Suzy Duffy . . . I had wondered who would be filling Maeve Binchy’s shoes . . . EXCELLENT . . . Highly Recommended.” “Duffy isn’t just a good writer, she’s a darn good storyteller, too—a rare combination.” Suzy is Irish and currently lives in Boston with her husband, five children, and one dog. She was recently a guest speaker at the Sydney Writers Festival in Australia. She loves connecting with readers, book clubs, and writer’s events.

Giveaway!   
We are doing a very special giveaway for this release of Suzy's latest book.  As this book deals with mother's and daughter's, we would like to have you place a picture of either you and your daughter/mother or your ideal picture of a mother and daughter doing anything at all and paste it on her Pinterest wall.  Suzy will pick the winner for a very special prize! Good Luck!

Be sure to sign up for the rafflecopter giveaway below as well!


Connect with the author
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2014-09-03

Today's writing tip comes from Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (1896-1940). His works are the paradigmatic writings of the "Jazz Age", a term he coined. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. 


Here's the writing tip:

Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke.

You can read The Great Gatsby online:

The Great Gatsby (complete)

Happy writing and happy reading!

- Raum

2014-09-01

Welcome to Twelve's trailer reveal!

Twelve Banner

Goodreads page:
Here are the trailers and buy links for the first two books:

  • MORE
Buy links - Amazon | Barnes & Noble | TWCS | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

  • The Guardians -
Buy links - Amazon | Barnes & Noble | TWCS | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

Summary

Ava Michaels is gifted, powerful, and — whether she likes it or not — part of a plot to take over the world.


It’s only been a few months since Ava Michaels discovered she has ties to an ancient people living in the shadows of the human world, despite their superior gifts and abilities. A select few don’t like hiding, however, and think it’s time to take control. 


Now Ava’s caught up in a conspiracy in the works before she was even born. In fact, her birth was an integral part of the plan. She’s one of the Twelve, the most powerful Race ever created, and they were created for a purpose.



Turns out, Ava doesn’t like being told what to do.



All she wants is to start a new life with her boyfriend, Caleb Foster, but before they can even think about that, they must join forces with former enemies, seek out some powerful new friends, and figure out what exactly the Twelve, and their power-hungry leader, are up to.



Then, they have to find a way to stop them.   



TM FranklinAbout the Author:
T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. An Emmy-Award winning Seattle TV news producer, Franklin is the author of the award-winning YA adventure, MORE, and its sequel The Guardians. In addition, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short stories A Piece of Cake and Window. Her new YA romance, How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You, is Franklin’s first love story without a paranormal element, although she believes love is the best kind of magic.
TWELVE, the final installment in the MORE Trilogy will be released October 9, 2014. 

The Giveaway:

The Trailer:


Enjoy!

2014-08-29

Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled series, returns with the first installment of the Legal Briefs series!



The Legal Briefs Series will consist of:

OVERRULED coming April 2015


​Summary

A Washington, DC, defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing—with his southern drawl, disarming smile, and captivating green eyes, he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him, and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him. 

Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan. 

Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart, the mother of his beloved ten-year-old daughter. Jenny is getting married—to someone who isn’t him. 

That's definitely not part of the plan. 

*** 

Sofia Santos is a city-raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions. 

But when Stanton, her "friend with mind-blowing benefits," begs her for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi, to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves. Her head tells her she's crazy...and her heart says something else entirely. 

What happens when you mix a one-stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage, and a gun-toting Nana? 

The Bourbon flows, passions rise, and even the best-laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.
​

​SUSTAINED coming winter 2015



Summary

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight. 
When you’re a defense attorney in Washington DC, you see first-hand how hard life can be and that sometimes the only way to survive is to become harder. I have a reputation for being cold, callous, intimidating – and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me - I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will get you off. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming – and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room and am knee deep in a damn compost pit. 

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be hard, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that – that I know how to do.


APPEALED​​ coming early 2016​ 



​Summary

Kennedy Randolph was the girl next door. The last time I saw her she was a shy, awkward teenager in a high school graduation cap. Now she’s a prosecutor – the opposing attorney in my next case.

And boy has Kennedy changed. 

She’s stunning, self-assured…and wants to crush the most intimate – and prized – parts of my anatomy beneath the heels of her Christian Louboutins.

Life isn’t always fair – tragedies strike – I understand that better than most. But I’ve never let that stop me from living a fulfilling life. I set my goals high and then I reach them. 

Now my sights are set on Kennedy.

Every argument, every objection just makes me want her more. The problem is - she knows it.
**

You never forget your first. Brent Mason was the first boy I ever loved – the first boy who broke my heart. 

And he hasn’t changed a bit.

He still looks like he stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue, still pretends to be oblivious to the hell his friends put me through in high school. 

I’m not a lovesick social outcast anymore. I’m a Washington DC prosecutor and my winning streak is long. I think it’s time to put Brent through a little hell of his own. 

Still, a part of me wonders if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom – and each fiery exchange brings me one step closer to finding out.
***

Will Brent and Kennedy end up in bed – or in contempt of court? APPEALED is a sexy, irreverent romance about first crushes, second chances and the final verdict of the heart. 


2014-08-27

Today's writing tip comes from Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936). He was an English writer, lay theologian, poet, philosopher, dramatist, journalist, orator, literary and art critic, biographer, and Christian apologist. 


Here's the writing tip:

Listen respectfully to the very best advice, and then...

One of his most famous work is The Innocence of Father Brown. You can read it online for free:

The Innocence of Father Brown (complete)

Happy writing and happy reading!

- Raum

2014-08-22

I love Downton Abbey because of its fascinating historical setting and because of Maggie Smith's perfect interpretation of Lady Violet.

Here's something funny while we wait for the new season. The first episode is expected to be aired within a few weeks in UK (September 2014).

  • Downton Abbey Personality Quiz: 



Aren't there many fabulous characters to choose between?


One among many pearls: “Don’t be defeatist, dear, it’s very middle class.”


  • Downton Abbey season 5 sneak peek:



Enjoy!

- Raum

2014-08-20

Anniversary Killer is a mystery/detective story, published by The Writers Coffee Shop. Alex Allred is ready to tell us more about the inspiration behind her new novel:



"Anniversary Killer was originally written almost two decades ago. I was living in Westerville, Ohio when an unusual crime occurred. Yes, just as the character Allie Lindell lives in Westerville, it is a real place with many duck crossings, a lot of rain and, on one fine day, a place of murder.

Like most of my neighbors, I was stunned to see the gorgeous home on the lake burning to the ground. In the days that followed, more and more details came out about the home owner and some rather curious facts about his past. Two things played into these happenings. First, I did know the family of the man whose home had burned down. I knew about a previous murder connected to that man, the crazy details of that murder, of gambling debt rumors, and of his love for his dog. Second, my father actually worked as an obituary writer. True to the character of Allie Lindell, I grew up reading and enjoying obituaries. Can you enjoy an obit? Yeah. In the sense of appreciating the accomplishments and history of another person’s life, there are some really interesting obituaries out there!

As I learned more and more about a business partner who was found murdered in a corn field next to set of burglar tools and wearing a ninja suit … well, come on! As a writer, there was that initial, “No way!” moment and then I knew what I needed to do. You can’t make this stuff up! While nuggets of truth were stolen from the headlines, Allie Lindell and her life as a frustrated (though happy) stay-at-home mom took over the storyline. To this day, Allie is one of my most favorite characters. She makes no pretenses about being brave, super athletic, or even terribly clever (which she is). Rather, she pokes fun at her unexplainable infatuation with death and murder, acknowledges her penchant for lying, and continuously wrestles with why she can’t just be content to sit and watch Disney reruns over and over again with her two young daughters. 

But excites me most about Allie’s character and what makes this a different kind of detective series is that Allie is gay. When I pulled this series out (and dusted it off), I asked The Writer’s Coffee Shop what they thought about making Allie gay. She would have the same relationship issues, same financial woes, and same mom guilt-trips as straight Allie only she just happens to be gay. I’m proud to say that everyone loved the idea. While Anniversary Killer is the third in the Allie Lindell series (check out Roadkill and Sweetbreath), we still had to go back through and change/tweak relationships. It’s no mystery to those who know me that much of Allie’s life is taken from my own, so it was funny when my husband learned he was now a lesbian. Yes, honey, and you’re far more agreeable now!

I’m also super pumped to tell you that the Allie Lindell series is in the “treatment” phase in L.A. for a possible run as a television detective series. There is a giant question mark hanging over it but it’s still hard for me to contain myself at the idea of Allie being on screen. With her sister, the policewoman, and her super K-9 dog (who secretly pacifies on a pillow at night); her sidekick and always the smart-ass, Sandy, a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch; and a nosey but lovable neighbor, it’s a fun cast. Allie’s partner, Rae Ann and her two daughters, Krissy and Kelli, “keep it real” with arguments and diaper changes. I will definitely keep you posted on whether it becomes a TV pilot but you can be sure more Allie stories are coming your way. Oh, and if you know of any really good obituaries … please send them my way."

Thank you, Alex!

Anniversary-Killer-Hi-Res-Cover
ISBN e-book:  978-1-61213-262-4
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH
Full Summary 

One o’clock and all’s . . . well, not so well, but what’s new in the world of Allie Lindell? Almost a year to the day, Mickey Callahan’s business partner was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the head and nothing but questions surrounding his murder. Now, Mickey is convinced that the same people are out to get him. After a sloppy kidnapping attempt, no one takes him seriously until the body count starts to grow. While the part-time sleuth and full-time mother of two had promised to stay away from murder and mayhem for a while, Allie can’t resist the mystery that practically ignites in her own backyard. The Allie Lindell saga returns with the third book in the series and more drama than ever as Allie continues to struggle to remember the love of her life and partner while trying to keep her head above water as she wades through the underworld of gambling, race horses, and murder.

aallredAlexandra Allred is a former national and professional athlete turned adventure writer turned humorist and novelist. She’s often been called the next Erma Bombeck with a grudge. Her annual Christmas letters, which have frequently made the news, could make the Grinch weep with joy. For a taste of holiday glee, see http://www.allredgreetings.blogspot.com Allred is a writer of fiction and nonfiction alike, but is most proud of the Allie Lindell series. Several close friends from her sports background and personal life have been the source of inspiration for the books. And just like Allie Lindell, Allred grew up with a father who taught her the love of reading a good obituary column. Allred writes for Waxahachie Daily Light newspaper, continues to testify in Washington D.C. on behalf of children with asthma and our need for clean air, and she’s never too far from her gym in Midlothian, Texas. You can always drop her a note at www.alexandratheauthor.com.

"Another humorous Allie story, and it was nice to see her sister joining the gang."  - Andrea Goodreads Review
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