Countdown, Zumba, and Other

It's definitely time to countdown!! In exactly one week from today, Secrets of Jenkins Bridge will be released! And I'm completely ecstatic. My sweet baby will go out into the book world for all to see. So I'm a little scared, too. But, I keep in mind that I can't please everyone. And that's okay. I believe in this one wholeheartedly. I'm setting up a blog tour (well actually resuming the one I had begun back in February) and as soon as all dates are finalized, I will post the schedule up on my side bar.

I kept hearing about this wonderful thing called Zumba. You know, the dancing exercise videos. The class that seems to have overtaken nearly every major gym. It looks fun, but there is NO way I will get up there and do this in a gym. I love to dance. And I've put on some weight (UGH), so I decided to go ahead and give this a try in my own home. (This way I can become proficient before doing it in public and making a horse's butt of myself). I just began it today and I have to say it is the most invigorating fun I've had in a long time. And mind you, all I'm doing is learning the dance steps. I'll probably be sore tomorrow, but that won't stop me from jumping in front of that TV and doing it all over again. I figure within one month, I should have all the dance steps down, and with that 5-10 lbs lighter (I don't dare wish for more than that). Then, I can move on to the next dvd in the series.

Other news? Not really much. I'm nearly finished with my rough draft of Boneknapper (that pesky end that seems to elude me). I'm bouncing some ideas for future books (As if my list of ideas isn't long enough). Fleshing out a couple of new books. My son's last week of school this week, so it's time to find him some things to occupy him besides the computer.

But, that's about it. How about you? Got plans for this summer?

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Six Sentence Sunday

 Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday. I'm beginning to like this. And I enjoy reading others' sentences too.

This is a little further into the story at the same accident scene. Mitchell's partner, Gladys Freeman, has realized she knows the victim (my heroine and Mitchell's high school love).

"... It’s the widow whose husband drove off that bridge a few months ago.” Gladys pointed toward Jenkins Bridge, the old wooden-covered overpass in the distance.

     An icy chill ran up his spine. Gladys moved aside, giving him full view of Katherine Delaney. She may be battered and bloody, but Mitchell could never forget her face, her high cheekbones, or the tiny, turned up nose. Shit.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Please Welcome Juliette Springs, Author of Sarim's Scent for Friday Fun Facts!!!

Today, I have Juliette Springs, one of Soul Mate Publishing's newest authors and I'm excited she's willing to share with us five fun facts about herself!

 

Welcome aboard Juliette!!

 

 

5 facts about myself no one may know (at least my co-workers don't..lol):

 

I do not like watermelon or sausage (horrible because I am from the South) I'm not a big fan either, but I'm originally from the North.

 

I can't dance.

 

My hand -eye coordination is terrible. Playing video games freak me out. 

 

I love 80's music.

 

I'm shamelessly addicted to reading. In the past, I've read a book a day (including the last Harry Potter book which I started on at 8 p.m. and stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish it).

 

Lol, I know all about late night reading sessions. Thank you for sharing with us.

 

Juliette's new release, Sarim's Scent is now available for purchase at Soul Mate Publishing

 

 

Be careful what you look for...

 

 

All her life Victoria wanted to meet her missing, father….certain he had the answers she was seeking. Fueled with thoughts of anger and revenge it wasn't until her mother's death she embarked on the journey to find him. Her journey leads her into the arms of her childhood friend, Ivan-the only man she lets close to her heart. He understands her and has always been her confidant. But would he  continue to be if she revealed all of her secrets and the real reason she's searching for her father. 

 

Ivan was weary of living a lie. Unable to walk away from family obligations, he's been forced to deceive the only woman he's cared about ….who, he realizes, is his mate. Ivan knows he's doing the unforgivable and it’s just a matter of time before she finds out the truth.  He can't resist the chemistry between them nor deny the sensuous passion he experiences with Victoria.

 

A heated encounter seals the fate of Victoria and Ivan. After discovering the true depth of Ivan’s deception, Victoria must ldecide if she can truly trust Ivan and trust that the mate’s bond they share is enough to protect their relationship... from her father’s wrath and Ivan’s ex-lover.

 

Thanks again! 

Juliette Springs

The darker side of romance

www.darkersideofromance.com

Follow me on Twitter @JulietteSprings

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Six Sentence Sunday

Thanks for stopping by and reading my six sentences! This is from Secrets of Jenkins Bridge set to release on June 6th at Soul Mate Publishing.


Detective Mitchell Donovan and his partner Detective Gladys Freeman have just arrived on the scene of a car accident near Jenkins Bridge. Across the street is where Mitchell's mother died in a car wreck fifteen years earlier.

He hadn’t been out here in fifteen years. Not since his mother’s death. She’d careened off the road opposite to where they stood now. The white Cadillac that’d hung up on the tree trunk precariously near the rising river flashed through his mind.  The paramedics hovering over her dead body as they tried relentlessly to revive her …

Mitchell’s fists clenched at his side.

To read other fabulous six sentences from participating authors, click here.



AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Fun Fact Fridays: Kathy L Wheeler, author of Quotable, is in the house!

Welcome Kathy, my fellow SMP author! I'm so glad to have you here today.

Tell us, What five fun facts are you willing to share?

Fun Fact Number 1: As a child, I was a bossy-introvert (is that an oxymoron?) I was not cute, I was not precocious. Those adjectives belonged to my two sisters, respectively.

Fun Fact Number 2: I have a minor degree in vocal music. I love singing show tunes. Not the classics so much like Cabaret, but odd songs from Jekyll & Hyde and Wicked. Particularly, duets. I love duets. It takes the pressure off of being the only one in the spotlight. In fact, I did two 40 minute shows at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival. 2000 was 11 show tunes, that did in fact include Cabaret, songs from Sound of Music, Titanic, and Evita. In 2001, it was 9 duets with my friend, Terry Stafford. Unforgettable, Beauty and the Beast, How Do You Keep the Music Playing…

Fun Fact Number 3: I’ve only been writing for a few years. I did not start as a child like so many others. It was a google prompt that kick started it. And now I have nine completed manuscripts. Three under contract, three to self-publish. One under consideration, one more ready to be submitted—soon.

Fun Fact Number 4:  I would live in France. Or London. I love the rich history, the culture, the atmosphere. Mais oui, I would live in France.

Fun Fact Number 5:  I love musical theater. In fact, when I stumble upon something I love, I turn into OCD. I’ve seen Phantom of the Opera 6 times (NYC, OKC, Tulsa, Houston, Denver, London). Wicked 4 times…you see where I’m going with this?

Lol. I do this with movies! It was fabulous to have you here, Kathy.

You can find Kathy and her new releases:

http://klwheeler.com
The Wild Rose Press - The Color of Betrayal - June 13, 2012
Soul Mate Publishing - Quotable - June/2012
Soul Mate Publishing - Maybe It's You - 2012

http://kae-elle-wheeler.com
currently available on amazon.com: The Wronged Princess - Book I
The Unlikely Heiress - Book II - May 25,2012
The Surprising Enchantress - Book III - July 1, 2012 

GENNA LYNDSEY is not a people person.  A short, too-skinny, wild haired waif, with crazy hair and sturdy nerdy glasses who lives through books.  So it’s lucky she and her best friend own their own bookstore.  Her college days taught her that dating was too unreliable to depend on others.  It was then that she started resorting to obscure quotes to shield herself from others who ventured too close.

RICK JOHNSON, Fraud Insurance Claims Investigator, is assigned to look into an unusual number of claims filed by one Genna Lyndsey.  He suspects the owners of sabotaging their own property for insurance money.  Instead, his investigation uncovers an adorable introvert determined to keep everyone at bay, while someone else resolves to put her out of business—no matter how great the risk.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Inner and Outer Conflicts Are Major Keys

All fabulous books have the key ingredients: memorable characters, tantalizing plots, and some great conflicts ranging from romance to death rays. Without one of these, there is no story. Or at least an interesting one.

Inner conflict: What is going on inside the character emotionally. It could be overcoming a past relationship, his/her childhood, learning to stand up for him/herself etc. Inner conflict helps show our characters as 3 dimensional. We get into their head. It's also intertwined within the plot.

Outer conflict: What is going on outside in the character's world. A murder, a budding romance, a fire, a kidnapper, a car/train/plane/boat accident, power struggles at a company, etc. This helps propel the story along. An outside conflict ratchets up the stakes a character(s) is up against, making their goal harder to obtain.

Here are a couple examples from The Swan Cove Murders

Lena's internal conflicts: One year prior, her fiance (Earl) was brutally murdered. At the beginning of the story, she's still grieving and at the same time, she's feeling guilty for her love of his brother, Nicholas. She's tugged between the dead and the living. And she's hating Nicholas because he's attempting to take away her home.

Lena's outer conflicts: First, her and Earl's home is about to be taken from her by Nicholas through court.  Second, the judge orders her and Nicholas to reside in the home together for 30 days. Third, the ghost of Earl's accused murderer is communicating with her.

All of these conflicts are essential to the story and of course Lena's outcomes as well.

I recommend a great book on conflict: Conflict, Action, and Suspense by William Noble. This book stays close at hand when I'm writing and editing. You can purchase it at Amazon for a reasonable price.


AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

First Loves Blog Fest

Today is the First Loves Blog Fest! And I'm willing to share with everyone my first loves: first person, first movie, first book, and first band/singer.

And if you want to hop on the First Loves band wagon, just go here to sign on up and blog about your first loves.

My first true love: His name is Shelby. I chased him throughout our entire middle school days. All three years. Finally, in eighth grade at a school dance, he finally said he wanted to date me!! I thought he might have been humoring me that night just to shut me up, but alas come the next day at school he talked to me, carried my books, and walked me to most of my classes. The next year, however, he set his sights on the next girl and I walked away broken hearted. I'm glad now for it all happening.

My first love of a book:

My first love of a band: It was Duran Duran. Yup, I went gaga for those guys. I bought all the teen magazines and hung every picture I could get my hands on all over my bedroom wall. My fave song from them?
Here it is:

My first movie: Hands down, it was Footloose. And I still watch it to this day!!



AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and my great friend (and second Mom)

 Happy Mommy's Day to the Moms of the world :) I have two great Moms.

Here's my mom, who has raised nine children, helped out with lots of grandchildren, and is my best friend. And somehow, she stayed sane. I love you more than words could say, Mom. Thank you :)

My other 'mom' I consider a second mom and a very close friend of mine. She's been there through a lot of hard times, cheering my writing career on, giving me encouragement, and loving me for being me. Her name is Sherry Martin-Cantrell. And she'll probably kick my butt for putting up her picture, but it's all good :)

Two of the greatest Moms in the world. Hope you Moms have a wonderful and blessed day.


AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Friday Facts: I have Rebecca Heflin, author of The Promise of Change

It's great to have you here Rebecca! So, tell us five facts about yourself.


I'm a Pisces


I was a ballet dancer in my former life


I have a shoe fetish


I love old classic movies (think Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn)


I'm crazy about Jane Austen, including fan fiction

A ballet dancer, huh? I do admire you. And a shoe fetish to boot! I'm a sucker for Cary Grant too. It was great having you here today. Check out Rebecca Heflin's The Promise of Change at Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

You can find Rebecca:
Website: http://www.rebeccaheflin.com/wordpress/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RebeccaHeflinBooks

Sarah Edwards loves stability, but now finds life has other plans for her. Divorced, bored, and twitchy, she’s convinced her impulsive, sometimes irrational decisions are the sign of a mid-life crisis, and the contradictory actions and emotions are giving her family and friends mental whiplash. Her abrupt resignation from her job is the final straw. But a two-week trip to England seems the perfect pick-me-up for this Anglophile and Austenite.

Enter Alex Fraser, a.k.a. the Earl of Rutherford, who although a member of the lucky sperm club, prefers to be known for what he’s accomplished, rather than a fate of birth. Despite his family’s disapproval, he is determined to work in his chosen profession of acting. He’s always preferred casual flings with beautiful women who have no illusions of marriage. That is until he literally bumps into Sarah in an Oxford pub.

Despite an idyllic week together, Sarah gets cold feet and returns to the states determined to come back down to reality. A year later, the realization of Sarah’s life-long dream unexpectedly brings Alex back into her life, in what she believes is an ironic twist of fate. Will Sarah’s decisions leave her life in shambles, or will they lead to the promise of change?

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Wednesday's Philosophy

I thought today would be a great day for a little inspiration from Timon, Pumba, and Simba.

I couldn't help myself. Hakuna Matata!!!  (I didn't post two videos on purpose. Just can't figure out how to delete one of them lol)

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Release Date for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge-June 6th

I missed the sign up for Six Sentence Sunday, lol. That'll teach me to read the rules beforehand.

So, in place of that, I'll give you a small excerpt of Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, which is set to release on June 6th!

Mitchell let go of Katherine’s hand and slipped his notepad from his pocket, fidgeting with the paper’s corner.

“Where have you been for the last fifteen years?”

“Katherine ...”

“Doesn’t really matter now, does it?” The sarcasm oozed from her lips.

“I guess not.”

“Maybe it should. Maybe you left more behind than you realize.” How would he react to finding out he was a father? Maybe he already was one? For all she knew, he could have a family complete with a wife. Peeking at his left hand folding and unfolding the corner of the paper, there wasn’t a ring. Not even a white line where one may have sat.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming June 6th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Friday Facts

Back to the regularly scheduled program, but with an added day. I'm changing up my blogging schedule a little.

On Sundays, I'm going to join in the Six Sentence Sundays.

On Wednesdays, I will do my regular blogging.

On Fridays, I thought it would be fun doing some facts about me. And if I can get some of my author friends to join in (and promote their books of course), I will schedule their Friday Facts too!

So I will start with mine:

1) I'm very much afraid of the water. Well, particularly deep water. I will not get in it unless the boat is on fire. I haven't tried a cruise...yet. But, I'm willing to try.

2) My favorite animal is a penguin. They are just so adorable with the way they waddle around.

3) I usually kill all plants (unintentionally) except for roses. I find that so strange, but they are the only ones that grow for me. I even have new roses (I never planted) that seem to have come from two different rose bushes. Like a cross breed of sorts.

4) My husband and I have been married soon-to-be 14 years next Wednesday. He's swears it's been 100, lol.

5) Taking care and raising a 5 month old baby is not the same at 39 as it was at 16. When I was younger, I had tons of energy. I know, don't say it. I'm not all that old. I'm just saying the metabolism has slowed a bit. I have to find ways to raise it back up before J.J. begins to run around my house and I have to chase him!





AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming Soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Insecure Writers' Group

It's halfway through the day and I realized AFTER I posted my X Y Z post that today was Wednesday. Duh!

Mine this month is still not having a release date for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge. Not so much that exactly, but getting my name and books out there. I really planned this one to be out long before now and I'm just worried that what little followers I have right now are saying, "Blah blah blah." I wanted to keep up the momentum after The Swan Cove Murders came out. I know now that wasn't happening with all the edits. But, I'm afraid it's going to be like starting at square one again. Or is it like that with every book? I mean, I know I'll have to promote and all. That's not the issue. It's my followers being able to believe in me.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming Soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

X, Y, AND Z

I'm kinda shoving the last three together in one blog post (Insecure Writers' Group is tomorrow). These, in my opinion, can be the hardest of all to blog about. I was thinking of doing the weird rare word and definition.

So, let's give that a try. I found unusual animals - one for each letter.

Xenop: This is a tropical rainforest bird (I've never heard of it)

 Now, we get a little more weird :)

Yapok: an amphibious opossum of South Africa.

But, of course, this next one is my absolute favorite! I want one for myself (You know, the little girl who wants a pony thing?)

Zebrinny: a male horse crossed with a female zebra.

I had a blast doing the A-Z challenge. Next Monday is A-Z Challenge Reflections


AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming Soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes - May 1st through May 31st

This is it! Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research is finally here! I know I haven't finished the A-Z challenge, but I promise to finish it off by Thursday. In the meantime, this diversion from the challenge is well worth it. There are lots of great items up for auction: vacations, breakfast with various authors, jewelry, handmade crafts from authors, audio books, books, ebooks, did I say books???, "Once in a Lifetime Experiences", a category listing for readers and one also for authors with promo packages, ereaders, and even some stuff for the KIDS. And that's just the beginning. Go to her auction site to check out everything. Ladies, this is like Ebay, but a million times better!! You can even buy tickets for some drawings that are being held: i.e. for ereaders and a Macbook Air. The list is so incredibly long, you just have to go check it out for yourself. I'm going to have a HUGE blast with this one, even if I don't win.

PSSSS....yes, even I have something up there being auctioned: The Swan Cove Murders along with a three chapter critique in any Romance Genre. And Soul Mate Publishing is also auctioning off a Kindle Fire along with over 25 ebooks on it including my new suspense, Secrets of Jenkins Bridge. And my fabulous sister authors at Soul Mate Publishing are auctioning off some great treats!

As I said, it's for a GREAT cause. Diabetes affects so many people young and old. It would be awesome to find a cure for this disease and that's where the money will go, to research in finding that cure.


AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming Soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge