HAUNTINGS FROM THE BEYOND …..

Autumn leaves stir with a gentle rustle. A figure appears. Booted feet glide across the fallen leaves, yet all is silent. Moonlight dapples through the hollow as the unshadowed figure awaits.

A lace cuffed hand reaches into glowing silk breeches and pulls out a time piece. The figure shakes his head. He turns, freezing a stare through the towering maple and oak trees. He steps down the glenn toward the rushing water. The Hudson River gleams, reflecting shimmers of moon beams. 

Hooves crunch the fallen leaves, and a chestnut horse snorts as it appears in front of the figure. Its rider, headless, turns his shoulders from side-to-side.

The figure's head jerks. The faint call of his name pricks his ear. It beckons louder, but it's not coming from the headless horseman.

"Appear to us," chants a female voice.

"Washington. We call to you. Make yourself known." The misty words carry on the winds into the hollow.

Washington raises a transparent brow. He turns toward the horseman, bows, and vanishes.

He reappears in a dimly lit room. Faces the medium, Tara, and speaks. "Why have you summoned me from the great beyond?"

"A Twenty-first century writer wishes to speak with you." She glances toward a gentleman to her right. "Michael. You requested a chat with our esteemed guest?" She lock's her eyes on the ghost. "Washington Irving this is Michael Di Gesu'.

Washington bows his head. "A pleasure, sir. What is it you ask of me?

Michael swallows hard, The gulp magnifies through the silent room. "The pleasure's all mine. I, too, hail from NYC, and was raised not far from Tarrytown, NY. So I feel a special bond with you. Your two famous tales hold deep in my heart."

Washington bows his head again. "It pleasures me to know that my tales are still well received young, sir. However, I must bid you farewell. I have an urgent meeting with the Headless Horseman." He waves and elegant hand. "Farewell ye authors of the future. May you never compromise your writings for gold."

And with that parting message, he dissolves into a fine mist. It lingers for a moment and as last dissipates. Tara's eyes flash open.

"What happened?"

"You just contacted Washington Irving! IT was so awesome!" Angela pipes.

Tara shivers. "I did?" She snaps her head toward Gwen. "You do the next one. I feel almost violated."

HAPPY Pre-HALLOWS EVE, Everyone. Today is a DOUBLE blog hop! Thankfully my entry matches BOTH criteria ... For the FROM the GREAT BEYOND BLOG HOP hosted by Angela Brown, Roland Yeoman, Gwen Gardener and Tara Tyler,

AND …

HAUNTING …..

WRITE … EDIT … PUBLISH …
HOSTED BY DENISE COVEY

I hope you all enjoyed my 401 word entry. If you haven't figured out by now, today's From the Great Beyond hop is about bringing back the ghost of a favored author or celebrity. Lots of fun prizes too! SO HOP around and COMMENT on everyone's blog!

AND,  HAUNTING…

Write a chilling, scary, fun Halloweens story of your choice. Denise is offering a $10.00 gift card for best entry. SWEET!

SO PLEASE drop by BOTH hops and join in the FUN….  Could you ask for ANYTHING MORE!

Have a HAUNTING DAY!!!!! Insert GHOSLY LAUGH…. 

CHANGE IS OFTEN FOR THE BEST ….

Hi, all,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend and managed some fun free time. I did make to Florida safely on Friday afternoon and had a restful weekend catching up on sleep and visiting friends. Two days and 24 hours of driving really does take its toll on you.

A change of scenery is often needed. After my accident and several months of healing, I finally am feeling more like myself. Viewing the rolling ocean waters and basking in the sun and cloudless skies is definitely good for my psyche.

So if you feel in a rut, why not take a drive into the country. Autumn is a beautiful time of year to absorb the beauty of the turning foliage and appreciate the last of the comfortable temps before they drop to below freezing and nature falls to sleep for the season. Cloudy skies, icy winds, and crystalized water will keep us hibernating for many months. Thankfully I will be safe for another six weeks in the south. OH, but driving back to Chicago in mid December will be quite the journey. I hope I'll be ready for it.

But why worry about that now, right? It's a sunny and a GORGEOUS 77 degrees today. Can't wait to take my power walk along the beach later!

I have only until Friday to enjoy the beach, then off for another CHANGE… The top of the ANDES MOUNTAINS in Bogota, Colombia… Man talk about a scene change … LOL.

I hope to be posting from there with pics…. But it depends on internet service. I'll be staying in private homes, so who knows…. But at least I hope to get SOME writing done…. Maybe? Yes,… is must. LOL.

I have two other reveals coming up next week, so please stay tuned for those. Wonderful authors with more for us to read…. YAY!!!!

Have a great Monday everyone! AND… Happy pre Halloween! Don't forget Thursday's the day…

What have you planned?

DO YOU HAVE COURAGE? HOW MUCH STRENGTH DOES IT TAKE ….

Hi, All.

Another Friday and the weekend is revving up… In the north where the temperatures have dropped and the winds are gusting chilling air, you may want to stay in and curl up with a good book. It doesn't take too much courage to "think twice" about going out.

But it does take an amazing amount of courage to write a novel and even more to write a series. Today it gives me great pleasure to review Carrie Butler's newest novel, COURAGE. It is BOOK TWO of the Mark of Nexus series…

For those of you who relish in paranormal romances you will absolutely go ape over this book. I, myself am not into gushy romantic stories where the heroin's always on fire and waiting for the muscled hunk to satisfy her. Enough already. Give us a STORY that we can sink our teeth into. Dudes don't mind romance if there is action and intrigue.

Butler has totally roped me into to the world she has created. A mysterious secret society … world balance between three races of super beings … and passionate, well rounded characters who are believable. Strength with flaws. Even super beings can be human, and we are treated with a gamut, sucked in by the riveting prose.

Even though this is the second book in the series, the reader can easily follow the story. The KEY elements of STRENGTH (The first novel) are blended in flawlessly.

It takes a certain type of person to face up to their destiny. Whether good or bad, we wake to a new day and crash head on into our lives.

But what if the stakes were set too high? Would you be able to cope? Within your heart and soul, you'd find the answer. Sometimes strength isn't enough. Wallace, the main male lead, has all the strength in the world, but what good is it if fear debilitates you.

Etched lines crisscross the face of a young woman staring into a mirror. Her lower lip trembles as she asks herself these very same questions. Who is she?

Rena.

She sets her jaw, brushes the streaks of honey-gold hair away from her eyes, and splashes cold water onto her face. As she turns, the bloodline band tattooed around her right arm reflects from the mirror. After one exceedingly long breath, her chest tightens.





It is time ...

Time to face her fear ...

Time to mend broken ties, and join forces with the person she hurt the most ...

Time to live up to her destiny ...

Will she have the courage?

Only time will tell ….

This reviewer very rarely gives five stars. But COURAGE has all the elements of a FIVE star novel. Thank you Carrie for treating us with such an intricate and fulfilling story. I can't wait for your next book!

I hope you all enjoyed my review with a bit of creative licensing.  Please drop by Carrie's blog and congratulate her. She is such a talented and special person. ALL THE BEST, CARRIE!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Here are all the links …

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQRW7FS

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/courage-carrie-butler/1117074690

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/364060

Carrie Butler
Author of the Mark of Nexus Series & Co-founder of NA Alley
Owner of Forward Authority(Design Services)  

Link to tour page … http://www.grapevinebooktours.com/2013/07/tour-signup-courage-by-carrie-butler.html
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Raina Campbell

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HEADING SOUTH…. REALLY SOUTH …

Hi, All,

Happy Wednesday. Today it's a very CRISP, sunny day here in Chicago. I like to give you all a special thanks for all the support you are showing for our blogger buddies during each one of my intros. Seems like EVERYONE is coming out with a new book… YAY, YOU!

I hope to SOON join the ranks, but nothing is definite yet. What is definite is that I have managed to get through the ordeal with my accident from nine weeks ago… to the day. My wrist hass mended, but I still need to SLOWLY build up the strength. I am NOT afraid to look in the mirror anymore; the angry scars are fading and my hair has grown over the NASTY spider one, crawling on top of my head.  A spidery leg does reach down onto my forehead, but in time it should fade more. At least I hope so.

The main thing is I am happy again. I have my life back. Thank you all for you prayers and warm wishes. I could never have healed this well without them!

Tomorrow, before dawn I will be heading south the Florida. Two long days of driving will bring me back to blue, sunny skies and warm breezes. I have a small design job there which I will start and finish after I get back from … SOUTH AMERICA!

I had planned this trip a while back with a friend and since the flights are reasonable and we'll be staying with his family, how could I possibly refuse … right? So, I mainly will be in Bogota, Colombia, sipping DELICIOUS Colombian coffee and watching the wonderful people while sitting at a neighborhood cafe'. I hope to do lots of writing while I am there, but I'm not sure about the internet connections. SO from Nov. 2-25th, I may be scarce from the blogosphere. I will have scheduled post and visit whenever I can.

In Florida I will have access, so I'll surely be around. I get back on the 25th of Nov. and will be in Florida for an additional few weeks to finish up my job. Then back home to FRIGID Chicago for the holidays. Brrrrr.

I had to give you all a heads up and let you know. I do have plans to see PK Hrezo and if any of you are in the ORLANDO area during these weeks PLEASE let me know so we can grab a coffee.

I met with Nicki Elson and her charming sister yesterday and had a blast. Also spent MANY happy hours with Melissa Bradley at Argo Tea on Saturday. SO life is GOOD…. Thank God.

May you all have a wonderful Day. On Friday I have a book review, you won't want to miss. So I hope to see you then….

DOORWAY TO ANOTHER DIMENSION ... IMAGINE ...

Hi, All.

What would YOU do if you mysteriously drifted into another dimension? Another world. Imagine. How would you handle it? Would you TAKE CHARGE of the situation? OR, shriek, and faint dead away?

Throughout time, we have read of such stories. Many of us have written books about this very thing. But have any of you ACTUALLY believed it? Considered it COULD happen?

We are often faced with the paranormal. I, myself have encountered ghosts on more than on occasion. This is not something I take lightly. I'd like to think anything is possible.

Even, if a young woman, trapped in an ancient castle, ends up forced through a doorway into another world.

A world enchanted. 

A world with black knights restless for war.

A world where an unsuspecting heroine is ordained to be an ELFISH princess.

A world to be discovered ...

The Vanished Knight

by

Misha Gerrick

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I know you want to know more, so here is the BLURB ...

Since the death of her parents, Callan Blair has been shunted from one foster family to another, her dangerous secret forcing the move each time. Her latest foster family quickly ships her off to an exclusive boarding school in the Cumbrian countryside. While her foster-brother James makes it his mission to get Callan expelled, a nearby ancient castle holds the secret doorway to another land...

When Callan is forced through the doorway, she finds herself in the magical continent of Tardith, where she’s shocked to learn her schoolmates Gawain and Darrion are respected soldiers in service to the king of Nordaine, one of Tardith's realms. More than that, the two are potential heirs to the Black Knight—Nordaine's crown prince.

But when the Black Knight fails to return from a mysterious trip, the realm teeters on the brink of war. Darrion and Gawain set out to find him, while Callan discovers there is more to her family history than she thought. The elves are claiming she is their princess.

Now with Darrion growing ever more antagonistic and her friendship with Gawain blossoming, Callan must decide whether to stay in Nordaine—where her secret grows ever more threatening—or go to the elves and uncover the truth about her family before war sets the realms afire.

I hope you get a chance to drop by Misha's blog and wish her well. She does so much for our community and this is her debut novel... 

ALL THE BEST, MISHA!!!

If you’d like to contact her, feel free to mail her at warofsixcrowns(AT)gmail(DOT)com, Circle her on Google Plus or follow her on Twitter. If you'd like to see her writer-side (beware, it's pretty insane), please feel free to check out her blog. You can also add The Vanished Knight onGoodreads.

Links: 

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

All Romance Reads

Amazon France

Amazon Germany

THE GAMES WE PLAY ....

Throughout our lives we play many games. As children we learn many of life's lessons through game playing. We learn math. We learn reading. We learn sportsmanship. We learn how to WIN. We try to learn how to lose gracefully. But as we mature, game playing takes on a different tone.

It can be seductive. It can by exciting. It can be dangerous ...

It can even lead to death.

How many of us have crossed the lines in perilous game playing? As our curiosity leads us down paths to unknown situations, sometimes we can get BURNED ....

On one moonlit night, a young woman enters a smokey nightclub sensing the evil within. The smoke clears. A loner, forced into a corner by a gang, is in need of assistance. His handsome features contort as a glimmer of fear streaks his face like a dull razor.

She steps in and charms her way through the wall of testosterone. Little did she know that moments later she would be chased by this ruthless band of not so merry men.

Who is this mysterious stranger?

Will she escape?

 Who will be the winner of this TWISTED game? ...

I know I'd like to find out! 

Just in time for Halloween, here's the cover of the latest installment of E.J. Wesley's Moonsongs series, Dragon's Game! (New Adult - speculative - Novelette)

You can learn more about Dragon's Game, the Moonsongs books, and E.J. HERE. 

Be sure to add Dragon's Game to your Goodreads shelf. And for a limited time, you can catch up on the entire Moonsongs series for just .99 cents (regularly $2.99). Moonsongs Anthology 1 (books 1, 2, & 3) is on sale October 15th - 20th at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Available Monday, October 22nd!

ALL THE BEST, EJ! I'm really looking forward to reading the whole collection!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

BOOKED MY TRIP AND LEAVING NEXT WEEK .... THIS WILL BE SOOOME ADVENTURE! ...

Hi, All,

Happy Wednesday! Well as you can see time is really speeding by. Already mid October! The leaves are finally turning into the beautiful golds, reds, and oranges throughout Chicago. I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather. At least those of us who live up north.

For the first time in years, I had decided to book my next trip through a travel agent. They really do know what's best. I decided to try this new agency that had just opened last week. Apparently they are new to Chicago, but have been in business for many, many years.

As I walked in, Bianca greeted me with a big smile. She was so incredibly knowledgeable about all the options for my trip. I knew I wanted to go to Paris. I haven't been in YEARS. SO I am really looking forward to going.

She made all the arrangements. Flight, hotel, entertainment. What I just had to visit. I wanted the full Artist's treatment. I plan to spend a week in the Louvre alone, just to absorb. LOL.

She glowed when I told her how I'd loved the Impressionistic movement in 1890's Paris and how awesome it would be to see the incredible works of art created at that time.

As she handed me all my itinerary, she winked and grinned like a Cheshire cat. It surprised me at the time, but I guess that's just her way. I must admit though, I had the weirdest feeling. Like she was keeping some amazing secret from me. I had wondered what it could be. I still do even now.

Funny. I never really looked over the thick manilla envelope she had handed me as I left. Perhaps now is a good time to review it, since I still have a week before I leave. Don't you think? Now where did I leave it? Oh, yes. On my desk.

"Geez, this is odd. I'm not leaving from O'hare or Midway..."

"WHOA! What the ....?"

"I haven't a clue where that is? I've never heard of that airport."

"Now this is ridiculous? I have to shop at a vintage store and buy what?!!! I think Bianca's lost her mind ...."

"... and she has me scheduled to have lunch in Montmartre with who?! Renoir AND Monet?! Now this chick has really flipped. I need to call her. Like NOW."

"Hello, Bianca. This is Michael Di Gesu'. I've just looked over my itinerary. And ... What gives?"

"I'm sorry, Michael. Is there a problem with the arrangements? You did say you wanted to go to 1890's Paris, right?"

"Ah, I don't understand. What do you mean by go to 1890's Paris? I just came in to book a trip to Paris."

"Yes, but you had mentioned the impressionists and how you wished to soak up impressionistic art. What better way than to visit Paris at that time, right?"

"I still don't understand. You're freaking me out here."

"Michael, calm down. Breathe. Obviously you do not understand how our travel agency works. We book time travel trips. Any place. Any time period. Past or future."

"Uh, you do what?"

"Time travel trips. It's all the rage. We've been doing it for over a hundred years now."

"I-I see. So, I am going to visit Paris during the 1890's ... and have lunch with Renoir and Monet ... right? Okay ..."

"Correct. You will also have dinner with Cezanne.  He is a real treat. You'll just love him. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. This is one of my absolute favorite trips. Plus, as an artist yourself you will have so much in common with them."

"I-If you say so ..."

Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc.

By

PK Hrezo

Where would you go? ...

Welcome everyone to Pk Hrezo's Cover reveal and blog hop! I am honored to help Co-host this event. SUCH FUN!!!! Imagine the possibilities?! ... And what about this cover?! ... FANTABULOUS!

I hope you all will be able to visit other bloggers and see where they chose! This is a hop after all... Scroll down to the linky for the other participants.

Now.... here's the skinny on Pk's novel ...

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated

We are a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. Family-owned and operated, we offer clients one hundred years of time travel experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first. 

Anxious to attend a special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds? 

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Conference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.   

Scheduled launch date: 11-12-13. MARK your Calendars!!! It's easy to remember... so clever, PK.

PK blogs regularly at PK HREZO: Fearless Fiction http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/PKHrezo  @pkhrezo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpkhrezo 

Website http://down-the-rabbithole.com/

I hope you all enjoyed my bit of fun....  I've got to say, though, coming up with new and inventive ways to fool you guys is quite the challenge. LOL.

And a special Congrats to Nick Willford for his two year blogoversary! All the best, Nick... And he is giving some major prizes. Three complete copy edits... UNBELIEVABLE...  Drop by his blog to enter! It's amazing!
1st prize: Novel of up to 100,000 words proofread and copyedited.
2nd prize: Novella or short stories up to 30,000 words proofread.
3rd prize: Short story/ies up to 10,000 words proofread.

Have a wonderful day!!!

GLOBAL UNREST ... WHAT NEXT? ...

Paralleled universes or time travel ... Is it possible? Could two or more worlds actually exist at the same time? It's an intriguing thought, and one that many scientists have explored for centuries.

As global nations vie for power, another war breaks out. But nothing would or could prepare our nation for this ...

Sparks fly ...

Our planet shakes ...

The earth splits ...

People from another dimension arrive ...

ESCALATION

by

Stephen Tremp

What would you do?

Find out ...

Follow Chase Manhattan. Perhaps he has the answers ...

I know I'd like to find out more! Wouldn't you? This is Stephen Tremp's finale' to an amazing trilogy. Congratulations Stephen on completing your series. This looks AMAZING. 

Here's a teaser blurb to wet your appetites...

In Escalation, the final installment to Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Trilogy, a seemingly innocent discovery in Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes, becomes a Pandora’s Box—opening doors to other unexpected and unpredictable realities such as parallel universes, time/space travel, and an evil hitchhiker from another dimension.

Stephen Tremp

Author: Breakthrough Series

http://stephentremp.com/

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I hope you all have a great weekend. Please drop by Stephen's blog and wish him well!

BIRTHDAYS AND BLOGFEST! ... IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE! ...

HI, Everyone,

Today is THE Norse gods BLOGFEST... In honor or my cyber sis, SIV Ottem's birthday and her new release, Secrets of the Ash Tree, she is has created this blogfest....

So first HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!!!!!!! I'd also like to inform you all that it happens to be another blogger buddy's birthday, too... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROLAND!!!!!!

Also, today, our NINJA CAPTAIN, ALEX is hosting a bang up event, so make sure your drop by there to help celebrate. Not to mention all of us who are part of the fest.....

I decided that I truly related to one Norse god in particular. Baldr- son of Odin. I chose Baldr because of what he represented. As the god of light and peace, he was noted for his inner beauty and sweet nature. He was loved for his kindness and caring of all creatures.

Sadly though, his life ended tragically ... like most in Norse Mythology. He and his mother, Frigg had a premonition of his death in their dreams. Distraught, Frigg traveled throughout the lands and had all the creatures great and small in all walks of life promise they would never do harm to her son. Only one refused: the mistletoe. She didn't stress too much, because what harm could mistletoe possibly be. Right? Enter, Loki, god of mischief.

Through Loki's treachery he found out that the mistletoe hadn't vowed. Loki blended the mistletoe into an arrow and tricked Baldr's brother, Hohr, into shooting it at Baldr. He was killed instantly. This act was the first to trigger the battle of Ragnarok... the beginning to the end of their magical world.

Thanks for joining me today for the FEST... I hope you get a chance to visit the other sites .... HAVE a blast on this very special HUMP day!

ONCE MORE THE SECRET IS REVEALED ... OR IS IT? ...

Hi, All,

Happy Monday! 

Today it is my great pleasure to be the first host of my cyber sister, Siv Marie Ottem’s, Secrets of the Ash Tree book blog tour! Tour dates and hosts are listed on my side bar.For all of you who are not familiar with Siv’s book, let me enlighten you ...

We are all acquainted with Greek mythology in one form or another and their wonderful stories. 

Well this year Siv has created a truly unique and exiting novel featuring NORSE mythology. How cool is that? 

So I have written something very special to introduce you all the world of the Norse gods. Aren’t you wondering how did it all began? I know I was ...  

Blistering heat erupts in the bowels of Muspellsheimer, as red, hot, flaming tips of blinding light reach north toward the misty arctic blue-white waters of Niflheir. 

Within the barren vortex of Ginnungagap, sparks flash and a thunderous crack echoes throughout the atmosphere. A shimmery, silver vapor veils the layers of splintered ice. 

A river of boiling water washes away the ice and awakens the broad figure of the giant, Jötunn. Massive arms stretch and a guttural roar ruptures from his core as a human man rips through his left armpit. Smoldering blood flushes out another figure ... a human woman.

A second roar, more excruciating than the first, fractures the frigid surface and from his Herculean legs, the frost jötnars emerge followed by a brown and white speckled cow. 

The first, Ymir, suckles, Auðumbla, as she licks the salty ice and releases the first Norse god, BỨri.

Time has yet to exist, but in the meantime BỨri fathers three sons, Odin, Villi, and Ve’. With the frost giants determination to dominate, Odin, Villi, and Ve’ slay Ymir and all but two of the frost giants. They drown in a river of blood.

The three young gods decide to create a world for humans to inhabit. Their natural affection for mankind added to their passion for a visually pleasing environment. Each begin to slice the flesh of Vmir and fashion the earth.

Within a breath, the glistening ruby blood of Ymir turns into sapphire, emerald, aqua, and cobalt crystalline waters, creating the oceans, lakes and rivers.

As the collection of bones mount, Odin sculpts the mountains and Villi and Ve’ use the pearly white teeth for boulders, river rocks, and pebbles.

Next, they lift the skull upward and create the sky, placing a dwarf at each corner to secure it in place.

For protection from jötnar, they transform Vmir’s brows into walls. 

As a final touch, Odin creates time by placing two brilliant orbs in chariots. “The sun and the moon will forever circle the sky,” he says with a broad smile. He turns toward his brothers. “But who will drive the chariots?”

Odin begins his quest through the world of the jötnar and discovers two charming and attractive young giants, Söl and Măni, named after the sun and moon. “How appropriate!” He beams at the brother and sister. “You shall drive my chariots in the sky.”

The playful siblings amuse Odin, but the responsibility is to great to leave to chance, so he creates two magnificent, silver wolves from stardust. He places Hati and Sköll in the sky to pursue the youths and devour them if they ever shirk their duty.

With the human world finally finished, Odin joins his family, and the rest is Norse mythological history ...

I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of the birth of the human and godly worlds in Norse mythology.

To Celebrate the release of her book, ‘Secrets of the Ash Tree,’ Siv Maria Ottem is taking the Norse Gods with her on a blog tour from October 7^th- 14^th. Make sure to stop by her blog and see what kind of Birthday Giveaways she is raffling off!

Secrets of the Ash Tree

By Siv Maria Ottem

~~~In the realm of the gods and fairy tales the mystery of life is an endless path with many secrets to be discovered. Some secrets are like dreams, just waiting in darkness hoping to get into the light.

‘Secrets of the Ash Tree’ is the story about Liv, a young woman who discovers her true nature through the unraveling of hidden secrets. Her adventures begin when she digs up a chest that was buried by her father under the old ash tree in her garden. What she finds inside the chest changes her life forever.  Liv discovers one secret after another and is thrown into a world full of dangerous and strange creatures, mighty Norse warriors and perils beyond her belief. What started out as a fairy tale in her father’s journal was to become her legacy, a guide line to survival, and a map to the world she was about to enter. Each day, each mystery, each encounter will ultimately reveal her true destiny and behind the edge of a sword awaits a young god who is willing to share that destiny with her.

Available in Hardcover, softcover, kindle:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ash-Tree-Maria-Ottem/dp/1490708790/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379498108&sr=1-2

Amazon kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ash-Tree-ebook/dp/B00E5Y79PQ

Barnes and Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secrets-of-the-ash-tree-siv-maria-ottem/1116186245?ean=9781490708799

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18259193-secrets-of-the-ash-tree?ac=1

Thank you all for stopping by. I hope you get a chance to support Siv on her blog tour. It truly is a magical book! I was honored to illustrate the cover for her ... 

WHAT LURKS BEHIND AN AUTHOR'S MEMORIES? .... CAN YOU GUESS? ...

All is quiet on this crisp morning. Sunlight filters through the trees as bumblebees dart from flower to flower. Each petal a work of art captured in the moment.

Sara’s intricate strokes of dewy melon mirror the scene. A cool chill races up her spine. She lifts her eyes and stares into the tranquil setting. Something dark had been present, but only a doe and her fawn nuzzle the bushes. Sara smiles. I must’ve been imagining it.

She glances downward at her newest creation. The smile from a moment ago contorts and her lower lip quivers.

In the distance, the sun is high over the mountains of Idaho, and bright wildflowers grace the banks of a flowing waterfall. But the canvas portrays a misty, charcoal sky and flowers that bleed red. 

Sarah’s mouth opens into a silent scream as her eyes focus on two sinister orbs, glowing from a shadow hidden in the trees ...

*     *     *     *     *

Dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete once more. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction. 

A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body. 

“I am coming for you, my angel.” A mirthless laugh escapes his turned up lips.

His hands drip with sweat as his beating heart keeps in time with each step.  A breeze catches his cloak, masking his eyes for a brief moment. The fabric settles at his feet. But something has gone awry. He jerks his head back an forth.

“WHERE IS SHE?” His shrieks resonate throughout the forest. All the woodland creatures scurry in terror. 

Within several heart beats, a pitch shadow looms over the cabin. “She had escaped me,” he roars. The door crumbles. He moves like a panther sniffing through every nook for its prey.

In the back room he locates her art supplies. Muslin draped over a large canvas piques his interest. He delicately removes the covering as a lover would strip away a lacy camisole.

He backs away. His eyes gleam and his ego swells. “I knew we were connected, my angel.” He bows. “I accept your gift.”

In one swift movement, he snatches the painting, leaves the dwelling, and heads outside. He leans the treasure against a large oak. 

As he reaches into his pocket, a smirk crosses his lips. A match ignites and he tosses it onto the wooden front porch. 

“It is time to celebrate.”

Memories of Murder

by

Yolanda Renée

Well today's the day! Yolanda's new book is now available! This is the second in the series. Her first book, Murder, Madness, and Love is the amazing introduction to Yolanda's thrilling world. It's best to start there... Here's the blurb: My first for Yolanda.

Sunlight blazes on an empty canvas.

Arctic winds gather snowflakes on a frosty window ledge as a statuesque form appears. She moves past a table littered with papers. Headlines splash news of murder, but it's the photo of another young woman with features mirroring her own that draws her attention.

A different headline peeks from underneath the Anchorage Times.

Wealthy Businessman Dies in Car Crash ... BLACK WIDOW SUSPECTED!

Graphic images swirl through her head and a tear rolls down her cheek. She drifts toward an easel and a trembling hand dips a sable brush into a palette of paint.

The Westminster doorbell chimes. The brush slips and blood-red paint stains the floor. 

Detective Steven Quaid waits. His Tlingit, Indian features carved from granite, mask his Irish passion ...

Will he arrest her this time? 

All fingers point to her guilt. 

But, is she guilty of this cunning plot? Or, just a victim of circumstantial evidence?

The door opens ...

His eyes lock on hers ... 

His heart races ...

Hers skips a beat.

I hope you enjoyed the intro and blurbs. I really enjoyed working for Yolanda. She truly is a thrilling writer and her stories are so gripping.

Now back to Memories of Murder ...

Blurb:

Decades ago, the seeds were planted …

Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction. 

A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body. 

A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.

In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice? 

Only two things stand in his way ...

His greed ...

And ...

Detective Steven Quaid. 

**********************************

Amazon link ... available now!

~ Memories of Murder excerpt

You can find Renée here: 

~ Defending The Pen ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~

TIME ... OUR FRIEND or ENEMY ...

Hi, All,

Welcome to another edition of the INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP. Over the past two years, this humble group has flourished into an amazing support system. Thank you, Alex. Without your vision none of us would be meeting the first Wednesday of every month.


For those of you who are not familiar with this group, please drop in, Alex has created a page especially for this group. So visit there to sign up!

As I travel through the blogosphere, on more than one occasion a blogger pal is apologizing for cutting down their time to work on their various projects. I, myself have limited my time blogging over the past three years I've had my blog. But lately it was an accident that have kept me from all of you. Thankfully I am well enough to type at normal speed. But time will always be an issue for all of us.

I've given a great deal of thought to this. Time has amazing power. What one does with it can be crucial to their lives. But, as we all know TIME is a double edged sword. It limits us. We have deadlines to meet, families to take care of, bills to pay ... Harnessing this fleeting moment to accomplish what we need and desire is not for the faint of heart. And what do we do? Add more to our already packed schedules.

I learned a great deal from my forced down time. I learned there really is no control over it. So why fight it or feel anxious about it? WHY drive ourselves crazy plotting unrealistic goals that we know we can't possibly manage? Why do we stress over it?

The answer is quite simple. We're human. So once we realize this, we can actually start to breath again. Focus on one or two important aspects of your day and accomplish what it is you set out to do. For me it was healing. I focused on getting better. The rest of my day fell into place. I worked on one or two projects for my clients a week. My work got done. I didn't stress because that was all I was capable to do.

Now that I'm better. More opportunities seem to be opening to me. The new publisher I created the logo for has contacted me for another. Yesterday I sent the final proof, and she loved it. She told me that agents are sending manuscripts to her! So my logo will be seen very soon. This new publisher is growing... Which means opportunities for all of us in Y/A and N/A. If you have an ms you'd like to submit, please do so... It my be just the right TIME to get in on the ground floor of something AMAZING. I plan to send BG to them by the end of the week. They are so open to it because of my illustration and design skills. Let's hope they feel the same about my writing. I honestly believe they will.

Just click on this logo and SImon will transport you to BookFish Books. They have an wonderful anthology for magical Y/A. Once upon a mid summer's night ... and they are looking for four to seven authors. There is still time to submit to that and for open submissions. So what do you think of Simon? Isn't he fun? My newest creation. LOL.

So now for the rest of this week, I will be sprucing up my query, synopsis, and first three chapters. However I am allotting myself two hours to blog each day. I need my peeps and want to visit as many of you and support you during your anxiety. It's time for TIME to become my friend. As they say TIME heals all wounds. Whether it be from a physical injury, heartbreak, rejection, or writer's blog. Each new day is a beginning. Stay focused. Be positive. And most of all TRUST in yourself. At times we are our own worst enemy. Don't let TIME become yours. Greet time like an old friend with respect, love, and most of all, patience.

I wish you all a wonderful day. It is now time for me to send you all a BIG CYBER HUG! Time for me to get back to my selected work for this day.

Thank you again, Alex for creating this group. We all need to feel each other's strengths and even their weaknesses because we realize then that we are not alone. The ups and downs of life happen to us all.