Friday, September 21, 2012

You're A Brave Woman, Nicole.


A handsome US Marshal held her heart, but a monster held her life.

Seized By Darkness





Will's hands landed on her shoulders and suddenly she found herself facing him. Through her thin shirt her skin warmed under his touch.

His brow lined with furrows while he studied her.

“You’re not nothing. You’re a strong, brave woman who has put her life on the line not only to save herself, but her son and Susie and hundreds of others. If your parents were here, they’d tell you how proud they are of you.”

Her laughter sounded evil to her own ears. “Proud that I was made to be a whore.”

Will’s skin flushed with crimson anger and his fingers bit into her skin as he shook her. “You’re not a whore. You never were. I don’t want to hear you call yourself that again. Do you understand, Nicole?”

Staring into the depths of his rage, she swallowed. Will truly understood her torment.
She looked down, blinked back the hot tears welling up inside her, and nodded.

Will’s grip relaxed and his hands slid over her shoulders to her back. He held her in place and stepped closer. The feel of his body meeting hers, chest to chest, thigh to thigh, sent Nicole’s pulse racing.

He was just comforting her she thought. Will didn’t love her. She’d be a fool to think he ever could.

With her head against his chest, she closed her eyes and listened to the rhythm of his heart. She recorded the feel of his hard muscles and the way his breath felt against her hair. She inhaled the mixed floral scent of the fabric softener he used and his spicy cologne. A smile tucked at her lips.

Oh, how she wished there could be something more between them. A wild thought popped to mind. A night together? One she could remember and cherish in the years to come while she slept alone.

No. That had to be the worst idea she’d ever had. While her body would thank her a hundred times over, her heart couldn’t take the rejection that unquestionably would happen in the moments after. Somewhere over the last two months, she had fallen for Will and loving him was a mistake.

She leaned into him. One more minute of bliss and then she’d let him go.

Will’s massage replaced the tension in her back muscles with tender comfort and sent hopeful tingles up her spine, acknowledging that a bond had formed between them.
He sighed against her head. “You know, this isn’t the best idea.”
Nicole braced herself against the ache surrounding her heart. Either Will knew how she felt about him and didn’t feel the same way or he also knew there was no future between them.

“You’re probably right.” Sighing, she pulled back and was captured by the storm in his eyes.

Will’s gaze dropped to her lips and just like hers, his heartbeat went wild under her palm. Afraid she’d miss the moment, she didn’t blink.

“Oh, hell.” Will lowered his head and his tender lips brushed across hers.





Seized By Darkness is available on Amazon and at B&N in both paperback and digital.

I hope enjoy!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Beginnings, Blogs, and Books

September 20, 2012

Today, I welcome Selena Fulton. Let's see what she has to say.



Thanks, Autumn.

When it comes to that part of the week where I normally post a blog, I pull up a blank document. And stare at the screen. And freeze. What do I write about today?

You’d think a writer would have no problem blogging, and maybe for some it’s easy. After all, blogging seems a lot like talking. I like to talk. Got into trouble all the time for talking in school. In fact, in fourth grade my poor teacher moved me all over the classroom, trying to find someone I wouldn’t talk to. She couldn’t.

I digress.

So to get past my writers blogging block, I pretend I’m talking to a friend. I try not to think that my blog will be out there…for the world to see…
::shudder::

Sometimes when I blog, I think “Does anybody care what I write?” Um, well if they didn’t, why would they read it? Moreover, if you don’t think anyone wants to read what you write, why are you writing a book?

Would you believe, many writers have the same kind of doubts about their books? We write a book, falling in love with our characters. We know our story by heart, yet when we have to talk about it, whether it be pitching it to an agent or editor, or submitting via email or snail mail, the moment of reckoning comes and we freeze. Our mouths go dry and our heart beats a staccato rhythm. What if I’m not good enough? What if they hate it? What if???

Self-doubt will kill you before you get out of the starting gate. It’s like going on that first date. He’s the Prince Charming, and you’re the Ugly Duckling. Am I right? Are there others like me out there in cyberspace? Those writers who are kind of shy, wondering what will tickle the fancy of the reader, reviewer, or blog enthusiast?

I’ve been asked, “How do you decide what to write?” Well, an idea for a story pops in my head. Sometimes it comes from a dream, or something I see on TV or the Internet. I mull it over in my mind, thinking about who these people are and why they want me to write their story. I think about them while I’m driving down the road, going grocery shopping, or cleaning the house. Like a Polaroid photo, the story comes into focus.
In the case of my novella, Never Let Go, I love reading time travels, and wanted to take a stab at writing one. I have always been intrigued with the time period of the American Civil War, and have even dressed up during re-enactments. I love the antebellum dresses and wondered what it would be like for a modern woman to suddenly be thrust into another century. Her language and mannerisms would be different, as well as her clothing. What is acceptable behavior of our century would seem odd, even brash to a man of the 1800’s.

So as I close my blog about blogging and writing and ask, “What do you think makes a good blog? What kind of content interests you as a reader? Better yet, what kind of book interests you? Are you drawn in by the cover, the back blurb, or maybe it’s name recognition of your favorite author?


In my time-travel novella, Never Let Go, my modern heroine has been devastated by her unfaithful husband. She grows a tough skin and moves on, deciding she’s done with men and makes no bones about it. Yet, deep inside, she’s still an old-fashioned girl, longing to be loved by an old-fashioned man. A man who will come and sweep her off her feet, a man with honor and commitment. Unfortunately, she also believes such a man no longer exists.

My hero, on the other hand, finds this modern woman disturbing. Her hair is cut short, she wears indecent clothing, and her brash language is anything but ladylike. Couple that with her absurd talk of being from the future, he wonders if she is insane too. Yet there is a vulnerability about her that draws him in.

Find out how their love spans the barrier of time and they find a way to share a life together. Visit thewildrosepress.com or click on the link below.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4884

Want to know when my next story comes out? Follow me my blog at selenafulton.wordpress.com or Facebook.



NEVER LET GO BLURB:

Kendra Prescott, a high-powered Atlanta real estate broker, is sent England to coax the owner to sell a beautiful cottage. Family portraits line the stairway, and Kendra finds one man, Benjamin Sheffield fascinating. Too bad he lived almost two centuries ago.

In eighteen sixty-three, Benjamin Sheffield escaped England because of a trumped up murder charge. He came to America to disappear in the vast Western frontier, but is delayed by a little thing called the War Between The States.
When Kendra falls and loses consciousness, she wakes up in the middle of Civil War torn Georgia. She doesn’t know what happened to the cottage, but when she sees Ben, she realizes he is the key, her only chance of returning to her own time. Trouble is, now that she’s met him, she isn’t sure she wants to.







About the Author

Selena Fulton was born in a small town in Indiana and moved to Florida as a teen. Now that their daughter has grown, Selena and her husband are empty nesters – if you don’t count the cat! She enjoys camping, morning strolls along the seashore, making jewelry, and reading.

Selena discovered her love of writing at nine years old, when she wrote her first poem, and has been writing ever since. She worked on her school newspaper where she created a poetry section, which still exists to this day.

A multi-published author, she belongs to First Coast Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Ancient City Romance Authors. She believes in “paying it forward” by working with fellow authors in her critique groups.

Come check out her out on Facebook or go to her blog at Selenafulton.wordpress.com, because it’s all about the journey…

Sunday, September 16, 2012

September 16, 2012

I’m late for a blog post. What do I do? What could I say that would be of interest to my cyber friends?

Hmmm..

Okay. I live in adventure valley, or so my mother always called it. There is rarely a week that goes by without something happening that will fire up the valley’s grapevine. Some times the news is horrendous; a fire, an accident or someone has taken sick. Then there are times when the news is wonderful; a couple got engaged or married, a baby is born or the news breaks and there will be a new baby, or a writer comes out of her closet and everyone learns she is writing romance. GRIN.

I love the happy weeks.

The valley’s grapevine news leads to drama and drama is what great plots are crocked full of. At my recent book signing a reader asked, “Where do you get your ideas from?” If you’re a writer reading this post, I’m sure you’ve had the same question asked of you. If you’re a reader, I’ll tell you what I told her. “All I have to do is look at the world around me and I get bombarded with ideas."

This week in adventure valley, my pastor did an act instead of his usual sermon during worship. It was hilarious, IMO, and got his biblical point across. I felt like clapping afterwards and yelling BRAVO! I think half the congregation did, but the other half might’ve had reservations about his approach to convey God’s message. If I was writing inspirational novels, I would certainly build on this scenario.

Maybe something like this…

Pastor Mark’s aftershave preceded him into the tiny sanctuary. “Jacob, what in the world were you thinking?”

Jacob finished snapping his robe and straitened its shoulders to fit the hanger before turning to face the senior pastor of this little Lutheran church, which he had hoped would be the place of his calling. That was until he had his wacky idea and instead of doing the sermon as he had written, he acted it out . By Pastor Mark’s tone he had just committed blaspheme. “Half the congregation was falling asleep. I thought I’d changed things up a bit.”

“We don’t change things up here. As soon as service was over, Lyondell Carson, jumped me.”

“Are you okay?” Jacob ceased his brow in playful concern.

“Don’t think I’m an old fool young man." Pastor Mark shook his finger at him. “Lyondell is the church council’s president. He is not happy with what went down here today. The council follows his lead on every decision."

“It sounds like the council members need to remember who they represent, the congregation.”

“Don’t be daft.”

A soft knock on the doorframe turned their heads.

Jacob’s heart leaped in his chest, staring into eyes as blue as the spring sky outside.

A shy smile tugged the woman’s pink lips before she turned her gaze to the older man. “Pastor, I’m sorry, to interrupt.”

“What is it, Maggie?”

“I just wanted to tell Pastor Jacob how much I enjoyed his sermon.”

“You did?” Jacob stepped around Pastor Mark and extended his hand. Electrical charges pulsed up his arm as she placed her delicate hand in his. “Thank you.”

“I truly hope the council approves your stay with us.”

He could get lost staring at this women’s angelic face. “Thank you, again.”

She pulled his hand from his. “I better go. The children are waiting.”

Children. Jacob’s heart throbbed once and dropped to his stomach. She was married?

He watched as she backed away and then stepped into the threshold himself to watch her walk down the church aisle. “Who is she?” he asked Pastor Mark.

“Lyondell Carson’s daughter. She teaches the pre-school Sunday class.”


And so the story begins...



There's only a few days to enter my Will You Be In My Next Book contest. It's easy. Just sign up for my newsletter and email me at autumnjordon@yahoo.com with PICK ME in the subject line. I'm not sure if I'll kill you off, but you never know. Send me your name. I'll pick one name before my next newsletter which is due out September 20 and announce the winner then. Tell your friends too!follow me and you're entered. One lucky winner will win a beautiful Autumn scarf.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Welcome Guest Nancy Jardine

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thank you for inviting me to your blog today, Autumn. I’m always delighted to pop in to new places. I’d like to pose a question for you, and your readers, to explain my reasoning for writing my first historical novel, The Beltane Choice.




What fascinates me about Celtic Britain?

I’m honoured to have lived virtually all my life in Scotland, a country that’s steeped in history. A few hundred yards from my house there will be something still visible on the landscape that’s been there for a very long time. Perhaps it’s the nearby ruins of Hallforest Castle, built in 1296, a square keep which had six floors and is now the most fantastic crumbling shape. Or it could be one of the many Bronze Age standing stone circles.

I moved to Aberdeenshire, Scotland, more than twenty years ago and set about visiting as many of the local ancient monuments as I could. I became particularly fascinated by the scattered-stone ruins of an Iron Age hillfort fortification that sits just below the summit of Mither Tap, the most prominent peak of the range of hills called Bennachie (pronounced Ben-Ah-Hee) which lies about nine miles away from my home village. Mither Tap pokes up, a proud conical peak, though it is only 518 metres (1699ft) high, the range dominating the skyline because of the flatness of the surrounding terrain. The name Mither Tap is said to be very ancient, and possibly has an ancient religious significance it being a mammary shape, and the various stone circles surrounding the hills having particular alignments to it. I was delighted to also find out at the time that Bennachie was a prime contender for the Battle of Mons Graupius – a fierce battle waged between the Roman Army and the Celtic tribes of the north led by a Celtic chief named Calgacus.

Before then I knew a bit about the Bronze Age in Scotland, though little about the Iron Age. As a history graduate, that was a shocking admission. I set out to learn what I could. I absorbed information about Celtic hill forts, comprising of varying numbers of roundhouses. I tried to envisage what the one at the top of Mither Tap might have looked like, though failed at first. Imagining the surrounding stone wall of the hillfort was easy but what lay behind the wall? I couldn’t comprehend how, perhaps as many as ten, wooden roundhouses could have sat so high up, bared to the elements.

The construction of a typical Celtic roundhouse was intriguing. I learned which materials might have been used for the central pole and roof timbers. What might have been a typical central height was determined by the local cropping of a timber slender, sturdy and tall enough. It was also determined by man power and tools available to set and maintain it in place. Wattled walls, and inner partitions, were made from hurdles of woven wood-strong and suitably pliable for the bending necessary in the weaving process - the daubing of clay, dung and straw an effective draught proofing.

Sadly, my knowledge was gained from books as there is no reconstructed Celtic roundhouse anywhere near my home.

1994 brought some excitement. An Iron Age crannog building over Loch Tay was being undertaken, with expertise from underwater archaeologists! It took a while to open to the public but it was 2001 before I stopped in at The Scottish Crannog Centre. It was wonderful to experience the sensations of living in a Celtic roundhouse perched over the waters of the loch.


The visit topped up knowledge of Celtic Scotland and tied in well with my teaching since I was fortunate to teach about the Celtic/ Roman period in my primary classes. We tried as many Celtic building and craft task as was possible and had a heap of fun!

My historical novel, The Beltane Choice, set in Celtic Britain was conceived, though I chose to set the story in the border areas between Scotland and England. Naturally I had to include a Celtic hillfort, and I also felt a pressing need to include a stop at a crannog dwelling for the main protagonists in the story. You might guess why!

The Beltane Choice ends a few years before A.D. 83 when Agricolan surges to the north east of Scotland took place, the Battle of Mons Graupius documented as happening during this time of Agricolan campaigning.

I find it fascinating that Mons Graupius has been translated as a place of a conical hill. Sadly, there are other contenders for the site of Mons Graupius and Bennachie is not necessarily the current firm favourite, yet, as a novelist I prefer to think it is an excellent site for the battle. A sequel to The Beltane Choice has been started, and the action just might culminate in, or be centred on, Mons Graupius. And…it might just happen in Aberdeenshire, at Bennachie.

My novel…my choice!

My thanks to you, Autumn, for allowing me to visit today and to witter on about my passion for Celtic Britain. 

Blurb for The Beltane Choice:



Can the Celtic Tribes repel the Roman army? AD 71

Banished from the nemeton, becoming a priestess is no longer the future for Nara, a princess of the Selgovae tribe. Now charged with choosing a suitable mate before Beltane, her plan is thwarted by Lorcan, an enemy Brigante prince, who captures her and takes her to his hill fort. Despite their tribes fighting each other, Nara feels drawn to her captor, but time runs out for her secret quest.

As armies of the Roman Empire march relentlessly northwards, Lorcan intends to use Nara as a marriage bargain, knowing all Celtic tribes must unite to be strong enough to repel imminent Roman attack. Nara’s father, Callan, agrees to a marriage alliance between Selgovae and Brigante, but has impossible stipulations. Lorcan is torn between loyalty to his tribe and growing love for Nara.

When danger and death arrive in the form of the mighty Roman forces, will Nara be able to choose her Beltane lover?

Bio:
A former Primary teacher, Nancy Jardine lives in the picturesque castle country of

Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with her husband who feeds her well or she’d starve! Ancestry research is one of her hobbies, as is participating in exciting events with her family which drag her away from the keyboard. In her large garden she now grows spectacular weeds, which she’s becoming very fond of!
Author Links: http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com http://nancyjardineauthor.weebly.com http://facebook.com/nancy.jardine.56 Twitter @nansjar
The 5 star rated - The Beltane Choice - is available from: http://bit.ly/SViLCQ ; http://amzn.to/Rqg7yY ; http://amzn.to/UdT8v0
Book Trailer for The Beltane Choice: http://youtu.be/igJmfBoXRhQ
Other books by Nancy Jardine:
Monogamy Twist – a history mystery contemporary romance http://amzn.to/wwaGCv
Book Trailer for Monogamy Twist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJVzbrkJQzA

Take Me Now- a contemporary fun read: http://bit.ly/MQJXvw amazon.com: http://amzn.to/R3ysrU
Book Trailer for Take Me Now: http://youtu.be/stDC4Yhm2r0

Saturday, September 8, 2012

The Lovers of Seized By Darkness


My name is Nicole. It is not Katrina. That is the name Gorgon Novokoff calls me. I’m a victim. I’m also a survivor. I never thought I could kill someone but…
For eight long years, the monster controlled me. Owned me.

He told me over and over, that I was his, I would not escape and I would never be loved by another man. I wouldn’t let myself believe him. I couldn’t if I ever wanted to see my family again.


I bore him a son. Let me tell you there is nothing stronger than a lioness protecting her cub. It was that instinct that caused me to kill. Or so I thought.





I’m team leader for the U.S. Marshal’s C.U.F.F. unit, William Haus. Looking for revenge on behalf of a childhood friend, I won’t stop until I take down every human trafficking scumbag. Gorgon Novokoff and his family top my wanted list, operating right here in northeast USA.


Every man and woman who work for the Russian Mafia family I consider lower the snake’s belly, including Katrina, Gorgon’s mistress. They say the devil is beautiful. His mistress is doubly so. I’m worried. Why? Because I'm drawn to her.









Hello. I'm Autumn Jordon, the author of SEIZED BY DARKNESS.

The idea for this story came to me years ago when I walked into my local post office and on the bullentin board saw tucked among the flyers for church socials and postal information a poster of a missing young girl, age 16. Her smiling eyes haunted me. I wondered wherever she was, did she still smile? I swear I could actually feel her strength. I prayed the girl whose picture I saw survived her ordeal and was returned safely to her family. I knew right then I had to write a story about a kidnapped victim and my muse went on its way. Of course, I write romance, so the victim had to grow up and there needed to be a hero. I think Will is the perfect match for Nicole. I think you will too.


SEIZED BY DARKNESS is now available on Amazon and B&N in both paperback and digital download. I hope you’ll follow the links and read more about the story and enjoy the sample.



Follow Autumn Jordon on twitter and on Facebook or visit www.autumnjordon.com


Join my newsletter @ www.autumnjordon.com and enter my contest to be a character in my next book. Winner will be selected on September 20th, 2012. Read my July 18th, newsflash for details.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mystical Press

Friday September 7, 2012

Greetings and Salutations!

Many thanks to Autumn for hosting us on her blog today! We’ve got some really exciting news to share with everyone so grab that cuppa and let the blogging begin!




September 1-15th marks the official
Grand Opening of Mystical Press Services!!!
This means 50% Off all our classes
and services through September 15th!
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How do we do that? I’m glad you asked!


Mystical Press is the culmination of an idea that came from two authors and professionally trained editors—Arial Burnz and AJ Nuest—where we help authors bridge the gap between the form rejection letter and publication. In fact, we believe in this venture so passionately, our tagline is “Helping authors achieve their dreams.”



At Mystical Press our primary goal is to help writers. As authors, we understand the frustration of not receiving constructive and useful feedback, the aggravation of navigating the murky depths of the publishing industry and that, sometimes, authors just need a place to vent. Well, we’re here to tell you, the insanity can end!

Like-minded individuals can gather online at Mystical Press to work one-on-one with professional editors who help authors prepare their manuscripts for submission. Whether you are looking for a Manuscript Evaluation, Submission Evaluation, or a full story edit, we will give you honest, encouraging feedback and work diligently with you on your story to make sure it’s ready to land on an editor’s desk. No project is too big or too small and all receive the same precise attention to detail.

Perhaps your submission is ready but you need assistance with smaller editing projects like a query letter and synopsis? Have no fear! Mystical Press is here! We offer a full edit of query letters and synopses with comments and suggestions that come directly from AN EDITOR! TAH-DAH!

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