Summer Reads Day 9

Claudette Melanson writes & edits in Guelph, Ontario, with her husband Ron and four bun babies: Tegan, Pepper, Butters & Beckett. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and an MA in Literature. She's wished to be a Vampire since age five. She hopes to one day work full time as an author, since there are many, many books living inside her head.

In her spare time she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and reading vampire stories....along with other great fiction. She is also very interested in good health and is an advocate of Ketogenic eating, using whole and natural foods. Her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee, cashew flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond, coconut or cashew flours.

Future dreams include writing many more books and spending more time with her son Jacob. Her biggest dream is to make Universal Halloween Horror Nights a yearly event with hubby and son. A Rabbit Rescue fanatic, she also hopes to help rescues all over the world save many innocent lives.

Q&A With the Author:

5- Is there a message you would like readers to get out of this book? What is it? Yes. Being different is perfectly okay. You need to be who you are without worrying what other people think about you. Also, if you’re one of the people who thrives on being mean to others, simply put, you suck. Just stop it. Why don’t you worry about your own life, instead of needing to put others down to feel good about yourself. Being mean to a fellow human, making fun of them, bullying them—that’s NEVER okay. Oh, and vampires are people too! LOL

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Could Maura's life get any worse? ...turns out it most certainly can.

Isolated and sheltered by her lonely mother, Maura's never been able to make friends. She seems to drive her classmates away—except for the odd times they pay enough attention to torture her—but she doesn’t understand why. Maura considers herself to be a freak of nature, with her unusually pale skin and an aversion to the sun that renders her violently nauseous. Her belief is only worsened by the fact that almost everyone around her keeps their distance.

Even her own father deserted her before she was born, leaving Maura alone with her emotionally distant mother, Caelyn. Even though Maura is desperate for answers about her unknown parent, Caelyn remains heartbroken and her daughter can’t bring herself to reopen her mother’s wounds. Or is there a more sinister reason Caelyn refuses to utter a word about her long-lost love?

When a cruel prank nearly claims Maura’s life, one of her classmates, Ron, rushes to her rescue. Darkly handsome & mysteriously accepting, Ron doesn’t seem to want to stay away, but Maura is reluctant to get too close, since her mother has announced she’s moving the two of them to Vancouver…nearly 3,000 miles away from their hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

If life wasn’t already challenging enough, Maura begins to experience bizarre, physical changes her mother seems hell bent on ignoring, compelling Maura to fear for her own life. Vicious nightmares, blood cravings, failing health and the heart-shattering loss of Ron—as well as the discovery of a tangled web of her own mother's lies—become obstacles in Maura's desperate quest for the unfathomable truth she was never prepared to uncover.

Awards

2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for YA Mystery

2015 RONE Award Finalist for YA Paranormal

2015 New Apple Top Medalist for Young Adult Ebook


Chosen as one of 400 for the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for 2014!!!

Rising Tide will sink its fangs into you, keeping you awake into the wee hours of the night

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Snippet:

A dream sequence

My vision was blurred, and the light in the room was too intensely bright. The same headache I’d been plagued with that afternoon pulsated through my skull. I made every effort to shut it all out and focus on that face. The long dark hair told me it was Ron before I could fully make out his features in the haziness that was my sight. When my vision sharpened, he smiled at me, but the softness in his eyes held the hard edge of worry.

“How are you feeling?” He kept his voice barely above a whisper, which meant he knew how sensitive my hearing was. Maybe he knew what was wrong with me. I was hurting all over…my throat burned like a bonfire, and the rest of me was so cold, I was sure they must be transfusing me with ice water.

I tried to speak to him, to demand a diagnosis, but I was too weak to utter a single word. Caelyn appeared then, cooing over me protectively and imploring me to save my strength and keep quiet.

My eyes were drawn to a shape in the doorway of my hospital room. There was someone there, a tall, hulking human filling up the space. He—it had to be a man given the size—was shrouded in darkness. I could make out no discerning features whatsoever. A nurse pushed past him, only because he moved to allow it. Funny, even when she was right behind him, I could make out every detail about her. It was as if all the darkness in the room were reserved, solely, for this unknown stranger.

The nurse brought in a blood bag. Although I couldn’t remember any accident or see any bandaged wound, my brain tried to ferret out a reason for a blood transfusion while she was hooking up the bag.

While watching her, my eyes switched focus, glancing over at the liquid in the bag. Deep, dark crimson. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My mouth was like dry desert sand, my throat the merciless sun burning over that desert at high noon.

A rattling gasp tore up through my chest, and my body convulsed. I was sure I was dying. My blood must’ve had some horrible disease tainting it, and the transfusion’s purpose was to dilute the infection.

Ron put his hand on my chest to hold me down. He seemed troubled, but other than that, much too calm for the gravity of the situation. “Relax,” he said to me with that same softness to his voice, “you just need blood, Maura.”

He reached out and nodded to the nurse. She stopped what she was doing and took the bag down, placing it in Ron’s hand. He tore open the bottom, in a practiced manner, and held it to my lips.

“Drink, Maura. It’ll help you faster this way.”

As shocked as I was by this turn of events, I complied. In all my waking hours, nothing had ever tasted better. And even though I knew what was happening was not what was supposed to be happening, in my dream I tore the bag from his grasp so I could gulp its contents down faster.

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Summer Reads Day 8

Having been raised in Arizona, Laura L. Walker and her husband whom she met at Northern Arizona University think it's a great place to raise their six children. Laura and her family enjoy camping on beautiful Mt. Graham, reading, and learning history together. At the end of the day, Laura loves to curl up with a good book or write one of her own. The Matchup is her second novel.

Q&A With the Author:

15.    What is your favorite part of writing?

I have two favorites: (1) Getting into the zone where the words come at such a rapid pace that my fingers struggle to keep up with my thoughts and (2) Rereading parts of my writing during the revision process and feeling amazed by the words that appeared on the page.

6.     Do you have any advice for other writers?

There are limitless opportunities in the publishing world. Don’t let a rejection letter get you down. Whether you publish traditionally or independently, learn as much as you can both about writing and publishing/marketing. It will serve you well.

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The last thing Valerie wants is to work for Gage Logan. But Valerie's husband walked out on her and her children. Now she needs a job. Gage, on the other hand, has just taken custody of his four-year-old son and is swamped trying to balance his career, be a daddy, and fix past mistakes. Together they discover that when it comes to their faith and each other, it's all about second chances.

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Snippet:

           “Are you dating Valerie or what?”

              “Or what,” Gage retorted.

              “You sure you don’t want to tell us what’s going on?” Pierce pressed. “Because we could find out from her brother just as easily.”

              Gage released a long-suffering sigh. “Are we back in high school, guys? Valerie is Zach’s babysitter, remember?”

              “Then why did you bring her?”

              Because I’m crazy about her and her kids. Because I’m trying to make a huge change in my life and I’m scared out of my wits about doing it. Because she’s been my anchor in this storm.

              “Because I love her.”

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Summer Reads Day 7

Rachelle is the award-winning author of ten books, including The Soldier’s Bride (A Kindle Scout Selection), Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things, Veils and Vengeance, and Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology. Her novella, “Silver Cascade Secrets,” was included in the Rone Award–winning Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection.
Rachelle loves laughing with her husband while raising five children and dozens of chickens on a little farm in rural Idaho. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in music. 

Q&A With the Author:

5.    What is your favorite part of writing? I love each part when I’m in it. I love it when I’m excited and brainstorming a new idea! I love it when I’m writing like a speed-demon with that first draft just flowing from my fingertips. And then, I love it when I’m polishing and revising because that means I’m almost done with another book.

6.     Do you have any advice for other writers? Read a ton! Read lots of different books as well as those in the genre you’re writing in. Attend writing conferences and classes. Write because you love it, because the story must be told, because the characters are keeping you up at night. Fully accept that after you write, you will spend a lot of time editing, fixing, rewriting, and honing your craft. Keep writing!

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Love can be a very dangerous thing. 

At least it seems that way to Adri Pyper, the premier wedding planner in Sun Valley, Idaho. When one of her clients dies mysteriously, Adri takes the advice of the local detective and swears she will stay out of the investigation . . . this time. Luke Stetson's involvement in the case, along with the possibility of a kiss between the two, should be enough incentive to keep Adri out of trouble. But when a dog-themed wedding is almost ruined by a suspect, Adri and her assistant, Lorea, are thrust into private eye mode. When poison enters the picture, even a reluctant sleuth can’t steer clear of danger.

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Snippet:

I had just hung up the phone with the caterer when Gladys breezed in the doorway. She wore a purple muumuu with red hibiscus flowers. I guess red and purple do work together sometimes—at least the outfit suited Gladys.

“Good morning,” I said.

“It is a wonderful morning,” Gladys replied. “I’ve just stopped by to invite you to my wedding. I can’t believe I’m getting married today!”

“Oh?” I tried to get the right intonation of surprise to show up in my voice. I was definitely surprised, but it looked like Gladys wanted me to be happily surprised, and excited for her.

“Yes. Hank and I are just so in love, we decided, why wait?” She spread her arms out, and the purple muumuu fluttered with the movement.

“Well, that’s wonderful. Where will you be married?”

“At Hank’s place. He lives just outside of Hailey and his yard is lovely.”

“Oh, backyard weddings are perfect this time of year.” I struggled to come up with something to say and quiet my inner wedding-planner voice from chanting what I’d learned while working at Bellissima, the premier wedding design boutique in San Francisco, California. Don’t be hasty with your dreams. Design your future in detail.

“We’re inviting just a few close friends and family, but I wanted you to come since you gave us so many wonderful ideas.”

I choked on the credit she’d given me. Hopefully word wouldn’t spread too far that I had helped with this impromptu wedding. “That’s very kind of you.”

“So you’ll come?”

“Uh, what time did you say?” Now to decide if I should go to the wedding or hope that I already had something planned. Luke would probably bail me out if I begged, but the eager look on Gladys’s face was hard to turn down. I also needed to find a way to ask Gladys a little question about the information she’d shared with me yesterday.

“It’ll be at six-thirty. I’m so glad you can come. Make sure you bring a date.” She took both my hands in hers and gave them a little squeeze. “Here’s the address.” She handed me a purple index card with the details handwritten on the lines.

I lifted my cheeks into an uber-fake smile. “I wouldn’t miss it. And, uh, I wondered if you could help me with something for Lily’s fiancé?”

Gladys’s expression changed, and the keen look returned to her eye. She was a gossip; I could almost see her antennae go up. “Yes, that poor dear. I’d do anything to help.”

I bit my bottom lip. Now how could I phrase the question so it wouldn’t look like I was the gossip? “Well, I’m trying not to step on any toes, but I wondered, when did you hear that Lily would be testifying in the custody case?”

Gladys scrunched her brows together, probably wondering how her answer would help Tim. “It was just the other day. I took her over a bag of my homemade bath salts to congratulate her on her engagement.” She looked at me expectantly.

“Oh, that was nice of you. Homemade gifts are the best.”

“Yes, well, this bath salt recipe would work great on that Idaho-potatoes-and-crafts website you have.” Gladys put her hand to the side of her mouth. “It’s my own secret combination. Works like a charm every time and leaves you feeling delightfully refreshed.”

I couldn’t be surprised anymore by Gladys. Not only was she having a shotgun wedding at the age of sixty-something, but she seemed savvy enough to understand the workings of my Mashed Potatoes and Crafts website. How in the world did she even find out about the site?

Check out what all the fuss is about at www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com

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Summer Reads Day 6

Marni Graff is the award-winning author of The Nora Tierney English Mysteries, with three in print, ebooks and on Audible. She also writes The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries, also in all three formats, which is based on her real work as a medical consultant for a NY movie studio.
She also writes a crime review blog, Auntie M Writes (www.auntiemwrites.com). A member of Sisters in Crime, Graff is Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press, and mentors the Writers Read program in Belhaven, NC.

Graff has been published in nonfiction, essays, poetry, and wrote for seven years for "Mystery Review" magazine. She is a frequent contributor to multiple magazines revolving around crime fiction.

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Trudy Genova has the best job a nurse could have: working as a medical consultant for a movie studio in Manhattan means no more uniforms, bedpans or white shoes. She's working with a womanizing actor, teaching him to fake a heart attack, when he dies right in the middle of taping--but not before pointing his finger accusingly at Trudy.
When detectives view Trudy as a suspect, she swings into action to clear her name, to the chagrin of NYPD detective Ned O'Malley. Soon the bodies mount up and Trudy realizes she's put herself in jeopardy. Based on the author's real work experience as a medical consultant, this is the book her mentor and friend, P D James, insisted she write.

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Snippet:

Great. Dueling egos today and on top of that, I had to work with Griff Kennedy, my least favorite actor. He’d come on to me a few times too many. The ladies man seemed to think any female should be happy to be groped by him. Several weeks ago I’d found myself alone in the rehearsal room with him after turning down yet another invitation for a drink after work. He’d had the temerity to fondle my breast as he tried to change my mind.

I’d shouted loud enough for the U-5’s outside the door to hear: “Hands off, slimeball!” That line, plus a knee in the right place, had stopped him in his tracks and he’d left the rehearsal room to a series of titters from those lounging outside.

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A Gateway to Hope book tour with author E.C. Jackson

Twenty-one-year-old Neka is a bit of an introvert, she also happens to be stunningly beautiful.

When she discovers her friend James is about to be dumped, she sees the perfect opportunity to escape from her quiet life. Can she summon the courage to leave it all behind?

 

James Copley comes from a ruthless family. It’s rubbed off. Years ago, he disengaged from his brother’s smear campaign, but now his father has offered him an ultimatum, “Get married or lose your seat at the table.” Plotting to stamp his design on the family business, he proposes to a woman, even though he doesn’t love her. But his carefully laid plans start to unravel when she leaves him on the day she’s due to meet his family. Could years of planning his comeback vanish with her departure?

A possible solution comes in an unexpected form: Neka. She’s not only a friend, but the daughter of his benefactor. And she’s right there, offering to support him. But will her support stretch to marriage? He attempts to win her over to his plan but collides with her powerful father who wants to leverage the situation for his own gain.

In their fight for survival and love, they are forced to face some uncomfortable truths.

Can they overcome thwarted dreams and missed chances to find true love, or does forcing destiny’s hand only lead to misery?

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E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years, she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals. Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years led naturally to her current endeavor, writing inspirational romance novels. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.

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