Friday, May 11, 2012

Weekly eBook Winner





Congratulations to the weekly ebook winners in Books We Love's annual Spring Fling Event!

This week's winner is James Van Hooser.

James wins his choice of any two Books We Love ebooks or Spice ebooks. He also receives TEN extra entries into the Kindle Fire drawing May 31. James, please visit our website http://bookswelove.net/ and make your two choices, then email the titles to bookswelove@shaw.ca

Remember, only subscribers to our newsletter are eligible to enter our contests, so if you're not a subscriber go here and sign up now. Find the entry form for Spring Fling there too!


Congratulations James!



Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Character who Keeps Coming Back


The character who keeps coming back; most writers have them. The book that can’t or won’t be finished--there's at least one on every writer’s hard drive. My particular dark horse always returns in the first warm weather, this year occurring in March. Her sweet German nickname is Blumchen and she’s here again, sucking up my waking hours. Needless to say, I’m reediting and reimagining scenes and conversations I’ve visited many, many times. I’ve journeyed to this imaginary world regularly, at least once a year, since 1986.

A complete reworking doesn’t take place every year, at least not since the first decade. Blumechen's is the first book I ever completed, although a satisfactory ending, I think, still eludes me. Like Constanze of my Mozart’s Wife, this young heroine insists on speaking in the first person, which both narrows and deepens her POV. It’s like writing pinned inside her dress. What's more, she belongs to the cast of characters already familiar to readers who are interested in Mozart and his circle of musicians, dancers, con artists, noblemen, Masons, and various stage-struck hangers on.

I’ve heard authors talk about having a “channeling” experience with their characters. There are many tales of automatic writing and spirit dictation, which sounded at first as if they should be taken with great handfuls of salt. However, after the experience I have had in writing this old and perhaps never-to-be-finished novel, I know channeling does happen. Ordinarily it takes a period of work to make your character dolls start moving independently, but in this case, it appears I was the vessel chosen by a voice from the past. She wanted me to tell me about the events of a single, intense summer, and I've tried to give her my attention.  She came at night, during a time when I was still working in an office, and kept me awake for most of the night. As you can imagine, this eventually lost me my day job, but that's all water under the bridge now.

So began this tulip-time, and now we're into green May and Blumechen is back again, stamping her little foot and calling for rewrites and editing. She insists I do my best work, despite the fact that the story is a humble “historical romance.” I hasten to add that it’s "romance" in the original sense of the word, in the way Romeo & Juliet or The Scarlet Pimpernel  or Wuthering Heights are "romances." I’m not using the modern commercial sense of the word with a happily ever after ending . I’m using the old-fashioned bloody insanity of a love affair, the madness which can so easily end in tragedy. IMO that's the true nature of the beast, and exactly what makes completing a tale of a hopeless passion so very, very difficult.

--Juliet Waldron




Juliet Waldron is the author of several historical novels set in the erotic, exotic18th Century:

Mozart's Wife
Genesee
Red Magic
All available from BWL







PAGAN GUEEN is free today and tomorrow in kindle! by Vijaya Schartz

Don't miss this incredible deal. Get PAGAN QUEEN for free in kindle today and tomorrow HERE. And since it's book 2, you should first read book 1, PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE (get it HERE). Book One features the very same main characters a few years later. The next books in the series will skip a generation and feature new heroes and heroines.

CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE SERIES:PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:
http://amzn.com/B007K1EGAM
806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland)

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.



As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

PAGAN QUEEN:
Download it free at:
http://amzn.com/B007Z8F7IA
810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

What the reviewers said:

"Schartz paints a realistic picture of life in a medieval castle, with all its smells, tastes, visuals, and feelings, and as always, all the primary, as well as the secondary characters are well-developed and interesting. I'm looking forward to the others in this series." Roberta at Manic Readers - 4 1/2 stars

"The exciting battles and period details also drew me in as did the intrigue surrounding Elinas' son trying to prevent him from marrying Pressine... I'm very much looking forward to finding out what's next for Elinas and Pressine when the series continues with the release of Pagan Queen." - 4 stars - The Hope Chest Review

Vijaya Schartz writes medieval in futuristic and fantasy settings as well as straight medieval historical novels and historical fantasy.  She also writes science fiction for women, with kick-butt heroines and romantic elements.

Find out more about Vijaya and all her books on her Amazon page HERE 
And on her website at:
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Ellie's Legacy by Ginger Simpson - Historical


Today, May 6th, is a free day on Amazon for Ellie's Legacy.  Although this book is a "previously published" work, re-releasing it through Books We Love gave me an opportunity to go back through and touch up parts that I've since learned needed some attention.  This book, previously Sparta Rose, was named the best historical read of 2009 by one of the most esteemed romance sites on the Web, Love Romance Cafe.  My reviews for SR have been positive, but I choose not to list any of them with this new version as I'm anxious to see how Ellie's Legacy fares.

  If you have positive suggestions for my further endeavors, please email me directly at mizging@gmail.com and let me know in private.  I'd prefer that method if you have issues with my writing.  I have no problem with constructive criticism, but I do take offense to the "snarky" types of reviews readers seem to be leaving these days as they do nothing to help me learn in this process of being an author.  Without readers there's no reason for stories, so I strive to bring you the best of me.  *smile*

Here's one of my favorite excerpts:


She walked to the counter. “I’d like to look at some of your sidearms please.”
One red brow arched. “Sidearms? Why Miz Roselle, what in the world are you going to do with a gun.”
“It’s a gift,” she lied. Her lips tightened into a thin line of impatience. She hated untruths. Why was everyone always in her business? First Ty, now Percy.
Men!
Percy moved to the weapons’ display case and gestured. “We have a large assortment. Will this be on your father’s account?”
“No, I’m sure I have enough money of my own.” She crossed her fingers and studied the guns in the new-fangled glass display.
“I’d like to hold that one.” She pointed to a shiny silver revolver.
Percy handed it to her. “It’s a beauty, just got it in this week. It’s one of those new Colts. A thirty-six caliber. But depending on who the gift is for, that big ol’ Colt might be a little too much. You might want to take a look at this new Smith & Wesson twenty-two caliber.” He gestured to another pistol.
Ellie eyed the blue plated weapon with rosewood grips and wrinkled her nose. “It looks so small in comparison.”
“Yes, but this one is a single action, seven shot model rather than the old cap and ball design. It’s much easier to load and fire.” Percy eyed her suspiciously, “Are you sure this ain’t for you Miz Ellie? If it is, I’m certain you’ll find the Smith more suitable to your abilities.”
A typical man’s attitude.
Her jaw tensed. When would people quit treating her like a child?
She held the revolver like an expert, measuring its weight and overall feel, but eyed the one to which he pointed, and then shook her head. The Colt was much more impressive. Its heavy weight wielded unbridled power in her hand. She turned and aimed toward the door just as it opened.
Ty Bishop.
“Whoa, don’t shoot,” Ty threw up his hands. His eyes widened. “Is that thing loaded?”
She quickly dropped the gun to her side, certain her face matched Percy’s hair. “No it isn’t, and what are you doing here?”
“A better question is what are you doin’ here. I thought…”
“I changed my mind, if that’s all right with you,” she snapped. “And why are you following me?”
“I’m not. Your pa sent me to pick up a few things he ordered.” With a huff, he turned his attention to the clerk. “Are they here, Percy?”
“Yes sir, Mr. Ty. Got those nails and rope in yesterday, same time as I got the new Colt Miz Ellie is holding.”
Ellie promptly laid the gun back on the counter. “I was just curious, that’s all.” She gave Percy a stern look then walked over to the yard goods.
“But…Miz Ellie, you asked…”
Ellie didn’t want him to spill the beans. “I came to look at material for a new dress, Percy. You must have misunderstood me.”
“But-but,” he stuttered. “You asked to see a sidearm.”
She forced a giggle and ignored the confusion on the clerk’s face. Ellie fluttered her eyelashes at him and waved a limp wrist in his direction. “Oh, Percy, you silly goose, why would I say that? I said I need some yardage—just a might longer than my arm. When you showed me the new guns, I didn’t want to appear rude.”

Thanks for stopping by, and kook for Sarah's Heart and Time Tantrums on their free days next Saturday.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Imagine being threatened and....

forced to give up your child. That's exactly what happened to me. Oh, I'm Vanessa Gleason, by the way.
In my wildest dreams, I never imagined giving up my daughter. Not for any reason. Not for any amount of money. But I did.
Let me start at the beginning. I’m Vanessa Gleason, formerly Sanford. I married Charles Sanford five years ago after a whirlwind romance. I met Charles when I worked at a law firm in Cleveland. He was from Cincinnati  and often had dealings with our law firm.
His charm and smooth talk soon swept me off my feet. It didn’t take long. From the minute I first saw him, I was attracted. Not just by his good looks, but they sure didn’t hurt. There was something about him. His attentiveness, probably. When he asked me to dinner the first time, well let’s just say I was more than a little flattered. Charles had quite a reputation. Not only was he wealthy, his came from a very prestigious law firm, and his name was very well known in society.
I couldn’t imagine what he wanted with me. I mean, seriously. I was nothing. A lowly secretary – okay executive secretary, but still, that was nothing compared to Charles.
After a year, he convinced me to leave Morgan, Wilson, & Howe and work for him. I didn’t have anything holding me here in Cleveland. My parents were deceased. I didn’t have any other family and not even any close friends. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Sanford, Pillar and Dunmore wasn’t just a prestigious law firm, they were the elite. The top. Not to mention, I’d get to see Charles every day, a fact he didn’t need to point out. I was already infatuated. I wanted to see where our relationship would lead. Seeing Charles on a daily basis as compared to his occasional visits to Cleveland would surely turn into something more permanent.
He showered me with gifts. Jewelry, artwork, flowers, you name it. He never showed up without something for me. He literally swept me off my feet. His attention and affection had me head over heels in love.
When he asked me to marry him, I didn’t have to think twice. So after a whirlwind, fairy book romance, we married. Charles’s mother, Mrs. Sanford, took charge of everything. From picking out my dress to the smallest detail of favors for the tables. After all, what did I know about planning a society wedding for almost a thousand people? I was more than willing to let her do it. Although, I would have liked to pick out my own dress. But, she was paying for it, after all.
Married life wasn’t much different than being single. Other than Mrs. Sanford convinced Charles I should quit my job. There was more than enough to keep me busy learning to run his home and volunteering with her and Joanna, Charles’s sister. Besides, Sanford women didn't work. It would look like he couldn't provide for me.
I didn’t mind. I was ecstatic. Finally, I was part of a family again and Charles certainly had a large house-twenty-five rooms, fifteen servants, cooks, butler, and chauffer. They soon became my friends, much to Mrs. Sandford’s chagrin. One didn’t fraternize with the help. Not that I had much time. Mrs. Sanford whisked me off to every charity event imaginable, not to mention the garden club and bridge club-something I never mastered.  All that and giving the servants orders filled my days. Evenings were spent at the club.
It was one constant whirlwind of activity and at first I loved it, but it wasn't a life I was used to and after a few weeks, I wanted  to just stay home and spend time with my husband.  Once I got pregnant with my daughter, I didn’t go as often.  Mrs. Sanford, who never missed an opportunity to criticize me, became more vocal, insisting we attend. I gave in, as usual.
After I had Alyssa, I flat out refused to go. For a week or so, Charles stayed home with me, but then his mother nagged and nagged. The next thing I knew, we were constantly arguing. He insisted I hire a nanny for Alyssa and go with him. I flat out refused. This was my daughter, and I was raising her, not a nanny. That’s when Mrs. Sanford really turned on the viciousness.  Nothing I did was right.
Charles went to the club every night. I heard through the grapevine, Emily Winfield joined him. Emily was the woman Mrs. Sanford chose for Charles. To use her words: ‘Emily was much more suitable for Charles.’ Well, they were welcome to each other as far as I was concerned. The nastier Charles got, the more I realized our marriage was a lie. Charles didn’t love me, probably never had. I’m not sure why he married me when he could have had Emily to begin with. Something about Emily being engaged to someone else, from what the servants said. So, I was just a pretty face for him to entertain his clients.
I didn’t care. I had Alyssa and that’s all that mattered. Until Charles asked for a divorce that is. That’s when my world fell apart. The divorce he could have. I didn’t care. But not my daughter.
To learn more you’ll have to read the book, available from Amazon

Excerpt:
Vanessa blinked back tears. The empty feeling inside wasn’t going to subside any time soon and hiding away in a hotel room wouldn’t change anything. Besides, tears wouldn’t bring Alyssa back. But, somehow, someway she was going to get her daughter back. What was her baby doing? Did she miss her? Was she crying? God, she missed her daughter. Missed their morning ritual—the loving and hugging and cuddling. Every day for two years, they started the day the same way.
At least they did until two weeks ago.
Never in her life had she felt such anger and pain. Tears burned her eyes, slid down her cheeks. Powerless to stop them, sobs shook her body. Gulping back the sobs, Vanessa looked around the small hotel room. Okay, so it wasn’t the Ritz, but it was clean and reasonably priced. Luxury wasn’t important. Never had been before and sure as heck wasn’t now. The important thing now was figuring a way to get her daughter back. Time to pull herself together and get on with life, find a job. Two weeks of self-pity was enough. Vanessa swung her legs over the side of the bed, went to the bathroom, and turned on the water for the shower. She needed a plan. Crying didn’t solve a darn thing.
The hot water ran down her gaunt body, and Vanessa lathered her tangled auburn hair. Was it only two weeks ago life seemed normal? How could things have changed so suddenly? But it wasn’t sudden. A divorce had been coming for a long time. She just never expected it to end without Alyssa. Vanessa shivered getting out of the shower and wrapped the towel around her. Her only chance of getting Alyssa back was to find a job, and to make a fresh start.
Showered and dressed, Vanessa caught her reflection in the mirror. High sunken cheekbones sat beneath green eyes that stared back at her with a vacant look. How had her face become so skeletal in two weeks? What happened to the woman, who had her hair done weekly, never appeared without makeup, and worked out every day? Not that she cared about all that pampering. None of that mattered, never really had. What mattered was her baby. Living without luxuries was easy. She’d done it all her life. But losing Alyssa left a hole in her heart. Never had she experienced such pain. Not even when her parents died. Losing her child tore her apart. Tears burned her eyes again.
Vanessa gulped back the tears and turned away from the mirror, straightened her shoulders and stood to her full five foot eight height. Through the years her height had afforded her many advantages, and she’d been proud of it. Not so long ago, it had given her confidence and security. Time to regain that confidence. She was down, but not broken. No other way to beat Charles and his mother to win custody of Alyssa, and beat them she would. She’d be darned if Mrs. Sanford was going to raise her daughter. Not in this lifetime.
Charles—what a mistake he turned out to be. Although he had provided well for the past five years, the past was over. He didn’t matter anymore. Hadn’t really mattered for a long time.
She brushed the hair from her forehead, smoothed her blouse and took a last look at the unfamiliar person that stared back at her.
“Time to get down to business, first thing to find a job.” Her voice in the empty room shocked her. It was the first time she’d spoken in almost two weeks.
Clutching her sweater tight to block out the wind, Vanessa hurried across the parking lot to the motel lobby and purchased a paper. Back in her room, she shivered, poured a cup of coffee, sat down at the small round table, and opened the paper to the classifieds. The settlement money from Charles was safe in an account, but she didn’t want to count on it to live. Besides, it wouldn’t last forever. It was time to do something for her, to feel worthwhile again, and that money was the start to getting Alyssa back. Vanessa smiled. Nothing would make her happier than beating Charles with his own money. But it would take a lot more than what she had to find a lawyer who could beat him.
Memory of signing the papers and taking the money invaded her thoughts. That sneering smile and hushed tone of Mrs. Sanford made her skin crawl, even now. The words would be forever implanted in her mind. “Charles has been more than generous in his settlement. You ought to be grateful, dear.”
Oh yeah, more than generous, but at what price? And grateful, for what? That they forced her give up her daughter? That Charles had threatened her? Mrs. Sanford’s idea of grateful and hers sure didn’t agree. And that dear, if she never heard that term again, it would be too soon, especially the way Mrs. Sanford said it. But they weren’t going to win. Not by a long shot.
Vanessa set the paper aside, closed her eyes and remembered how happy she had once been. How could things go so wrong? All she had wanted was to fit in, to be the perfect wife and part of Charles’s family. Quitting her job at Mrs. Sanford’s insistence was her first mistake. Filling her time managing Charles’s large house, fulfilling commitments at the club and volunteering with Mother Sanford and Charles’s sister, Joanna, was supposed to be fun. Fun, yeah right, nothing with Mrs. Sanford was fun.
Pushing the memory from her mind, Vanessa picked up the newspaper, circled some help wanted ads, and made a few phone calls. It didn’t take long to figure out Christmas Eve wasn’t the best day to look for a job.
Christmas Eve, God, she had lost track of time. Christmas, when she should be with her daughter. She had begged Charles to let her stay until after Christmas, but with his mother behind him, as usual, he refused. How could anyone be so cruel?
“What difference does it make what day it is?” He waved her off. “It’s over, the papers are signed. Take the money and leave before I change my mind.”
Vanessa left, knowing he meant it. She wouldn’t put anything past Charles Sanford these days. He sure wasn’t the man she married, or had she been so blinded by love to see the real Charles?
“But the fight isn’t over, Charles Sanford. Somehow, someway I’m going to win Alyssa back. No way is your mother going to raise my baby.” The choked sound of her own voice startled her. The thought of Mrs. Sanford raising Alyssa sent chills through her. No, that cold, unfeeling witch wasn’t going to raise her daughter.



Weekly eBook Winners



Congratulations to the weekly ebook winners in Books We Love's annual Spring Fling Event!

This week's winner is Joanne Altieri.

Joanne wins her choice of any two Books We Love ebooks or Spice ebooks. She also receives TEN extra entries into the Kindle Fire drawing May 31. Joanne, please visit our website http://bookswelove.net/ and make your two choices, then email the titles to bookswelove@shaw.ca

Remember, only subscribers to our newsletter are eligible to enter our contests, so if you're not a subscriber go here and sign up now. Find the entry form for Spring Fling there too!


Congratulations Joanne!



Sunday, April 29, 2012

PAGAN QUEEN has a cover!

BOOK 2 of the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series has a cover, with Jimmy Thomas, no less. It makes sense, since the cover for the first book, PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE featured him, and this novel features the same characters as in Book 1.

So, here it is. and you can enter a contest to win the book on my website, just click on CONTEST on the upper right at http://www.vijayaschartz.com and send me an email from that page. Hurry, because as soon as the book is out, the contest will be over.

Good luck!

Vijaya Schartz
Swords, Blasters, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Pick up Book One, PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE, on Amazon HERE.

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