L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38

Have you heard of this contest?

38 years ago, L. Ron Hubbard (the author of the science fiction classic Battlefield Earth) started a contest to help discover new authors. It is still running today and the judges are some of your favorite authors, like Brandon Sanderson, Nnedi Okorafor, Orson Scott Card, and more—really good authors are picking these stories.

Also, the contest is free to enter and judged blind, so each author and illustrator has an equal opportunity to win no matter their gender, race, or age. How cool is that?

The newest book, volume 38 also has some amazing extras: a rare short story by Frank Herbert the author of Dune, (we was also a judge!), L. Ron Hubbard, and David Farland as well as articles with tips for new writers.

Top 10 Writing Tips from Lindsay M. Chervinsky, author of The Cabinet

Writing isn't always easy to do. But a lot of successful writers have figured out some tips and tricks to help them to stay productive. Today, author Lindsay M. Chervinsky shares her Top 10 Writing Tips with us, plus an excerpt from her new book The Cabinet. Be sure to follow the tour for even more and leave your questions and comments along the way. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

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Top Ten Writing Tips

1. Never sit down to a blank page. When I need to start a new project, I pick up a pen (.38 blue G2 brand only!) and a white legal pad (never yellow!) and start outlining. That way, when I sit down to the computer, I can transfer over my outline and I never have to stare at a blank page.
2. Speaking of outlining….outline! Even if it’s just super simple, it’s so helpful to have a roadmap. I also find the process of jotting down notes sparks new ideas, helps me brainstorm where things should go, how to transition my argument, etc. I outline entire books, chapters, and even sections.
3. Leave yourself something easy to start with the next day. Writing works best when you can start with a quick win and get some momentum. Most days, I’ll end by outlining the next section, putting a few thoughts together for the next paragraph, or finding a quote that will kick off my next point and leave it for myself to flesh out the next day.
4. Find music for various moods. Most of the time I have a playlist with music from the 60s-80s and that works for me. I can write and read with those lyrics. If I’m having trouble focusing, I’ll put on a Yo-Yo Ma playlist. If I need to seriously get pumped up, I’ll put on salsa music. Because I can’t really speak Spanish, the lyrics aren’t distracting and the fast pace gets my fingers flying.
5. Tidy up your desk at the end of the day. I simply cannot write without an organized space (doesn’t have to be clean or bare, but just organized). I will use that organizing as an excuse not to write, so I try and take away that procrastination method.
6. Work in a space with a door that closes. My pup (John Quincy Dog Adams, pictured here) likes to hang out with me when I work. Most of the time he’s a good writing companion, but when he wants attention, he will nudge my arm with his nose. Nothing is more distracting!
   
7. If a section is proving to be particularly troublesome, try changing the font or writing it in an email to a friend. Sometimes when we take away the pressure to get the language just right, it actually flows better.
8. If a sentence is stumping you, I’ll give myself a running start. I will literally type “something like…” and then start writing out where I want to go. Usually by the end of that first sentence I’m actually writing and can just delete the beginning part.
9. Build in rewards. For small sections, I’ll reward myself with a snack, a walk, a quick episode of a TV show, a chat with a friend, etc. For larger chunks (like chapters), I’ll get a pedicure, see a movie, read a fun book, go out for a drink with my husband (pre-pandemic of course). When I turned in manuscript drafts, copy-edits, and final page proofs, we celebrated. I bought myself a pair of boots I had wanted forever, a nice dinner, or a mini-vacation or stay-cation.
10. Read as much as you can of all genres! It’s so inspiring to read amazing writing and bad writing helps you identify your own limitations as well. It will also use a different part of your brain and free up your subconscious to work through lingering issues.

The US Constitution never established a presidential cabinet―the delegates to the Constitutional Convention explicitly rejected the idea. So how did George Washington create one of the most powerful bodies in the federal government?

On November 26, 1791, George Washington convened his department secretaries―Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph―for the first cabinet meeting. Why did he wait two and a half years into his presidency to call his cabinet? Because the US Constitution did not create or provide for such a body. Washington was on his own.

Faced with diplomatic crises, domestic insurrections, and constitutional challenges―and finding congressional help lacking―Washington decided he needed a group of advisors he could turn to. He modeled his new cabinet on the councils of war he had led as commander of the Continental Army. In the early days, the cabinet served at the president’s pleasure. Washington tinkered with its structure throughout his administration, at times calling regular meetings, at other times preferring written advice and individual discussions.

Lindsay M. Chervinsky reveals the far-reaching consequences of Washington’s choice. The tensions in the cabinet between Hamilton and Jefferson heightened partisanship and contributed to the development of the first party system. And as Washington faced an increasingly recalcitrant Congress, he came to treat the cabinet as a private advisory body to summon as needed, greatly expanding the role of the president and the executive branch.

Read an excerpt:

At eleven thirty in the morning on August 22, 1789, a large cream-colored coach pulled up to the front door of Federal Hall at 26 Wall Street in New York City. Six matching, perfectly groomed horses pulled the elegant carriage with sparkling gold trim. The coachman, outfitted in crisp white- and red-trimmed livery, jumped down from the back of the carriage and opened the door. An elegantly dressed man with powdered hair stepped down with a portfolio of papers under his arm. He towered over his companion, Henry Knox, the acting secretary of war, and his slaves tending to his horses. His ornate coach and his imposing presence drew curious stares from strangers passing by on the street. He walked up to the front door of Federal Hall and was immediately announced to the Senate. George Washington, the first president of the United States, had arrived for his first visit to the United States Senate.

This was no ordinary meeting. Two years earlier, the delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia had agreed that the Senate would “advise and consent” on treaties and other questions of foreign policy. But in practice, how the president and the Senate would interact remained for the first officeholders to work out….

Available on Amazon and Harvard

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Lindsay M. Chervinsky, Ph.D. a historian of Early America, the presidency, and the government – especially the president’s cabinet. She shares her research by writing everything from op-eds to books, speaking on podcasts and other media, and teaching every kind of audience. She is Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies and Senior Fellow at the International Center for Jefferson Studies. Previously, she worked as a historian at the White House Historical Association. She received her B.A. in history and political science from the George Washington University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. She has been featured in the Law and History Review, the Journal of the Early Republic, TIME, and the Washington Post. Her new book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, was published by the Belknap Imprint of Harvard University Press on April 7, 2020.

The New Criterion recently said of her book, “Fantastic…Unlike many works of popular history, The Cabinet never feels like hagiography. It lacks the reverence of works like Joseph J. Ellis’ Founder Brothers or the revisionist obsequiousness that now greets Alexander Hamilton’s name on stage…Chervinsky exemplifies the public-history ethos in her new book. The writing is clear and concise…She takes what could have been a dry institutional and political history of the Early Republic and transforms it into a compelling story of people and places.”

When she isn’t writing, researching, or talking about history, she can be found hiking with her husband and American Foxhound, John Quincy Dog Adams (Quincy for short).

Readers can request a personalized book plate here: https://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/book-plate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmchervinsky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lchervinsky/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lmchervinsky

Website: http://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/

Lindsay M. Chervinsky will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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SA Cosby, author of My Darkest Prayer, on Character Creation

Character creation is an art. When the character pops into the author's head, it's like a seed that needs to be grown and nurtured and molded into the final product that you see on the pages. Today, SA Cosby is telling us about the creation of his character Nathan in My Darkest Prayer. There's also an excerpt for you to check out and then a great giveaway to enter. Be sure to follow the tour and also leave comments and questions for the author along the way.

Character Creation

The books that I like the most, that resonate with me have three major components. A strong plot. A great setting. Great characters. Of these things i think Character is first among equals. If you don’t have strong characters then your reader will have no one to whom they can relate. A strong character is less an avatar and more a guide for your readers. In my noir crime novel“MY DARKEST PRAYER” my main character and protagonist is Nathan Waymaker. Nathan is an amalgamation of several different character traits and a few people I’ve met in my life. Nathan is biracial man living in a small southern town called Queen County. He is a former marine and ex-sheriff’s deputy. He quit the force in response to the Sheriff’s dept. Not investigating the death of his parents in a road rage incident. Nathan works for his maternal cousin at the cousin’s funeral home. He moonlights as an unlicensed private investigator.

I intentionally made Nathan biracial because I wanted to make him a metaphor for the complex relationship between blacks and whites in the South. He is a symbol of the ultimate fear of racists and the dream of a society unfettered from racism. Of course that dream is just that. A dream. So Nathan is our guide through a torturous landscape of intolerance and prejudice. I gave him a military background because growing up I knew a lot of men and women in my small town who joined the military not only because of a desire to serve and express their patriotism but also as a way out of our poverty stricken hamlet. The military was a ladder out of perdition. I wanted Nathan to express some of that sentiment but in a respectful and sensitive way so that the reader could see themselves in his shoes when he left Queen County for the Marines. I chose the Marines because a good friend of mine had served for ten years and his stories about the martial mindset inspired a good deal of Nathan’s values. Finally I had him work at a funeral home because my day job is at a funeral home. I wanted to give people a glimpse into an industry that is often misunderstood. All these elements are in Nathan’s DNA. I hope they make him a good character and an interesting hero.

My Darkest Prayer

Whether it's working at his cousin's funeral home or tossing around the local riff raff at his favorite bar, Nathan Waymaker is a man who knows how to handle the bodies. A former Marine and Sheriff's deputy, Nathan has built a reputation in his small Southern town as a man who can help when all other avenues have been exhausted. When a local minister with grandiose ambitions is found dead, Nathan is approached by his parishioners who feel the local police are dragging their feet with the investigation. What starts out as an easy payday soon descends into a maze of mayhem filled with wannabe gangsters, vicious crime lords, porn stars, crooked police officers and a particularly treacherous preacher and his mysterious wife. Nathan must use all his varied skills and some of his wit to navigate the murky waters of small town corruption even as dark secrets of his own threaten to come to the surface.

Read an excerpt:

The Cove had once been a small biker bar with a clientele that ranged from convicted felons to soon to be convicted felons. Two years ago, the owner, Ricky Callipher, and his girlfriend had disappeared. The last time anyone ever saw them was after the bar closed one hot and sticky Friday night in June. They had been observed at the gas station at the corner of Rt.198 and Rt.14. Most people thought they had run out of town ahead of debts. Both legal and otherwise. Word on the street was they had run afoul of some boys who went by the regionally influenced sobriquet of the “Dixie Mafia.” The local grapevine postulated they would show up one day after the heat had died down. I didn’t think so. A week before Ricky and his lady had gone missing I ran into my friend Skunk in town. I knew Skunk sometimes did some freelance work for the Dixie boys. If they had sent Skunk after Ricky, you could probably cancel Ricky’s newspaper subscription.

Available on Amazon

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About SA Cosby

S.A. Cosby is a writer whose work has been published in numerous magazine and anthologies. His story "Slant-Six" received an honorable mention in Best Mystery Stories of 2016. His life experiences include being a retail manager, a bouncer, a forklift driver, a landscaper, a roadie, a construction worker, a mortuary attendant, and he once wore a cow suit when he worked for Chik Fil-A. He majored in English at Christopher Newport University and now lives in Gloucester, Virginia.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacklionking73/

Twitter: @blacklionking73

S. A. Cosby will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Pros and Cons of Being a Writer/Author by CB Samet, author of Gray Horizon

Welcome to the Name Before the Masses Tour for Gray Horizon by CB Samet. Today she is sharing her pros and cons of being a writer/author. Do you agree? Want to know more? Leave her more questions and comments. Be sure to also follow the tour. And of course check out the book before you download your copy and enter the giveaway.

Please note that affiliate links are present in this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Pros and cons of being a writer/author

Pros …
I love creating a world into which people can escape. Life is crazy and hectic and filled with the insecurities, uncertainties, and worries we battle every day. Novels allow us to escape our own reality and our own troubles for a short time. We immerse in an adventure and can be swept away by the trials and tribulations of a fictional character with whom we connect.

Writing is my own escapism. My daily stress is cleansed when I have those few minutes or hours to myself to write. The flow of ink onto the paper is a cathartic release as I build a story scene by scene. No matter how rough that first rough draft is, it is still something I created—born of my own hopes, dreams, frustrations, humor, despair, and imagination.

Transitioning from the first word to the printed product gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’ve published ten books now and the thrill of holding my own novel or knowing others are doing the same hasn’t subsided. The final product of a finished book transitions the intrinsic motivation of writing to an extrinsic satisfaction of seeing the fruits of my labor and knowing others are enjoying it.

I enjoy supporting the writing industry. I’m part of several author groups. I have read and given feedback on a dozen fictional works in 2018. I have done full review of books, and I have promoted other authors in my newsletter. Knowing how much reviews matter, I also leave a review (Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads, etc) on all books I’ve read and enjoyed.

I write in different genres. I get to enjoy creating series in different genres, but I stick to one theme: strong women overcoming intimidating obstacles.

Cons …

Marketing myself is hard. Getting people to take a chance on author whose name isn’t on a billboard or hasn’t had a movie made from her book (yet!), is hard. There is a great deal of competition out there and so many talented writers. My track record for awards and positive reviews lends credence to the quality of my work. My favorite review was a Readers’ Favorite reviewer on Whyte Knight who said, “CB Samet is a master of the craft.” Currently, Gray Horizon is in a book competition, and I hope to see continued positive feedback.

That’s it for the cons. I enjoy everything else about being a writer. When I stall for a while on one book, I work on a different genre in a different series. I’m currently working on book 4 in The Rider Files series and book 4 in The Avant Champion series as well as a paranormal romantic suspense novelette.

“She needed a hero so she became one.” –Robin Reed

Gray Horizon

Sworn enemies. A stolen nuclear weapon. And the clock's ticking.

When Dr. Lillian Whyte learns a nuclear weapon is on the loose in Europe, she collides with a ruthless mercenary from her past. Isolated from her husband, a former CIA operative, Lillian tries to covertly help track the weapon. As she he joins the race to stop the bomb, she is drawn into a deadly game of chase. Despite her efforts, those intent on global catastrophe remain one step ahead of her.

As Lillian faces the fears of her past and deadliness of the present, can she secure the future of the world?

Read an excerpt:

“Dr. Whyte,” a guttural voice greeted her.

Her blood turned frigid and her stomach lurched as her heart thudded against her ribcage. As long as she lived, she would never forget that deep German accent—the voice of one of her captors nine years ago in Kenya.

The one that got away.

She was fairly certain Ivan Kleist would have only one reason for tracking her down: revenge.

Springing from the bench seat, she lashed a leg out into his gut. She saw a brief look of surprise on his pale face before she took off in a sprint.

Why now? Nine years he had waited.

The calculating killer had waited until she was out of the United States and away from Sean to corner her. She dashed in the direction of her hotel. Would she be safe in the lobby? In her room?

She slung her purse over her shoulder. Her phone was in the outer pocket, but she would have to slow down to make a call. Not happening. She would not slow until she reached the hotel.

Could she beat him to the hotel? His legs were longer, but she was ten years younger. But he probably hadn’t already logged twenty-six thousand steps for the day, as she had.

From her peripheral vision, Lillian saw an enormous object barreling toward her like a freight train. She barely had time to brace herself before Ivan plowed into her. She felt like she had been tackled by a linebacker. His large arms encircled her as she sailed to the ground. They rolled through the grass, her body encased by his.

He was so large he could probably crush the life out of her with his arms. She gasped for air. He wasn’t crushing her, but his grip was immobilizing.

Grunting, he hauled her to her feet. “Settle down, hase. Little white rabbit.”

Lillian, still dazed and sucking wind after her sprint, hardly put up a fight as he dragged her into an alley. Looking around frantically, her eyes couldn’t focus long enough to see anyone within shouting distance. She clawed at his large hand blocking her mouth from screaming.

About CB Samet

Christina is a practicing physician, mother of two boys and a terrier, and wife to a caring and supportive husband.


“I grew up reading Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, and the Bourne books. I write seeking to create that level of action and intrigue but with female heroines. I love the quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ My novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.”

LINKS
Author Website
Amazon Author
Goodreads
Facebook

CB Samet will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Advice for Writers from Tina Hogan Grant, author of Reckless Beginnings

Welcome to the virtual book tour for Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant! So many readers are also aspiring writers, and they want to know what some of the best practices are to achieve the same level as their favorite authors. Today, Tina is sharing with us some of her best advice for writers. There's also a sneak peek into her latest book and a giveaway. Please be sure to let her know what you think both here and at other stops along the tour!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Advice for Writers

In order to improve your writing skills, you need to be adopting certain habits that over time become natural and a part of your everyday routine.

Quoted from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Habit – an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary.” Another way of saying this is: We do things from the force of habit.

I can’t emphasize this enough. In order to be able to write you need to be reading.

When you’re reading, slow down and take note of the writing style, the grammar, ask yourself questions – why do you like or not like the book? Is the book captivating? Were you drawn into the story right away? Does it have a good plot? Take note of the characters – are they descriptive enough – can you picture them? As a writer, read the book like a writer? Question the book like you would your own story. Learn from the bestsellers.

Like anything in life that we want to excel in, we need to practice and keep at it. Kobe Bryant didn’t become a superstar basketball player overnight. It’s the same with writing. Write every day, doesn’t matter what you write, just write. Write in a journal, write a blog, add something to the current story you are writing. If you are stumped on what to write, use a writing prompt.

When you have completed your story I encourage you to read it over and over and when you think you’re done, read it again and again. Trust me, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find and how much you want to change. I suggest reading it out loud or use a text to voice software.

When you’ve done all you can possibly do, it’s time to hand it over to others to read. I don’t recommend giving it to friends or family – they tend to be the worst critics, (afraid of hurting your feelings.) It’s best to give it to someone neutral. Listen to what they have to say and use the information.

I also recommend, walking away from your work for a week or two. Write something else, focus on anything but the current story. When you return with a fresh mind, you’ll be amazed by how much more focused you’ll be and I can guarantee, additional changes will be made.

Finally, have your work edited by a professional editor. There is nothing worse than reading a book that has constant spelling and grammar mistakes or simply doesn’t read well. Your reputation as a writer is out there for everyone to judge. An editor will be able to do the final polish and make it shine.

As a writer, more than likely someone is going to criticize your work. We can’t please everyone. The first will hurt, but we can look at in a positive way and grow from it. Take note of the critique, learn from it and expand your knowledge. then tuck it away and move on.

You’re doing something you love to do. You feel the passion to write. Embrace it, have fun with it. Get excited about your creation, the story, the plot, the ending. Don’t make it a dreaded chore – anticipate your next writing session and what you want to achieve. Set goals.

Reckless Beginnings

Tammy Mellows, a fourteen-year-old native of England, was shocked when her father and troubled older sister, Donna, moved to the States.

With her family now separated by divorce and divided by an ocean, Tammy felt helpless when she learned Donna had run away and couldn’t be found.

Thanks to her father insisting she stay behind in England to finish school, Tammy could do nothing for the next three years but pray that Donna would be found safe.

When Tammy’s lifelong dream of moving to the States was finally fulfilled, she had high hopes of looking for Donna. But with no leads and faced with turmoil in her own life, there wasn’t much Tammy could do.

After a forbidden secret love affair and a catastrophic dispute with her father, Tammy eventually meets Steven, settles down and has his child, only to discover he is a heroin addict. Thrown into a life of drugs and violence. Shadowed by his addiction, she becomes the silent and forgotten one. Living in fear of what Steven might be capable of and struggling alone to provide for her young son.

What consequences might she face if she leaves Steven? Is she ever going to find her sister alive? Will she have enough courage to conquer the impossible challenges of her twisted world and still come out on top?

Read an excerpt:

“What do you mean she’s gone, John?”

Who was gone? Tammy wondered.

Her mother became angry. “She can’t just disappear, John! Someone must know where she is!”

Glued to the railings, Tammy was dying to know who and what they were talking about.

Then her mother began to cry hysterically while she held the phone tight and screamed into it, “She’s still a child, John. She’s just seventeen. You should never have put her in that home! She isn’t an object you can just discard because she’s in your way. She’s your daughter!”

Tammy remembered how her heart sank to the floor when she suddenly realized they were talking about Donna. Her sister had run away and was now missing. She wanted to race down the stairs and snatch the phone from her mother’s hands and ask her father WHY? Why had he put her in that awful place?

Donna had written a letter to Tammy and Jenny, telling them how much she hated being in the home. How no one wanted her anymore and she was going to run away. Frightened by what she had read, Tammy showed the letter to their mother. As upset as she was by both the letter and the fact that Donna had written to her sisters and not her, Rose never believed Donna would actually run away. “I’m sure she’ll be okay. She just needs time to adjust. It’s all new to her. We have to trust your father’s judgment. He said this would be good for her. I have to believe that. She is a very troubled young girl and needs help,” her mother had told her. But she had run away, and now no one knew where she was.

Available on Amazon

Or from the author's website here.

About Tina Hogan Grant

Tina Hogan Grant was born in England and grew up in a small town on the Yorkshire Moors. She is the youngest daughter of science fiction author, James P. Hogan. After moving to California, she became a commercial lobster fisherwoman, fishing off the coast of Southern California for ten years with her husband Gordon.

For fourteen years, she’d had a notion of writing her debut novel “Reckless Beginnings”. But it wasn’t until the sudden death of her father in 2010 and a battle with breast cancer a year later that she made the decision to get it done. Seven years later, she finally completed it. She is now working on a sequel titled, “Better Endings.”

She currently resides with her husband in the small mountain community of Frazier Park in Southern California. Together they enjoy anything that involves the outdoors, fishing, hiking, kayaking and riding quads.


Website: www.tinahogangrant.com


Social Media Accounts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tina.Hogan.Grant.Author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaHoganGrant

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_hogan_grant/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinahogangrant/

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter along the tour will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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Meet Rachel McMinn, author of The Other Side of Loneliness

Rachel McMinn was born in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. She emigrated to the United States in 1998 where she currently resides on the Connecticut shoreline.

Ms. McMinn is an English teacher at The College and Career Readiness Center in Meriden, Connecticut where she teaches 9th-12th grade English and entertains her students with her British charm, sarcastic sense of humor and ridiculous projects (who wants to write a 30,000 word novel this semester?)

When she is not teaching or writing, Ms. McMinn enjoys spending time chasing her two year old daughter, running long distances for fun and enjoying warm sunny days at the beach.

The Other Side of Loneliness, is Ms. McMinn's debut novel and was inspired by the resilience and determination she has witnessed from many of her students in the face of adversity.

Rachel McMinn can be found on Instagram @authorrachelmcminn

Rachel McMinn on writing:

Rachel believes that a key to writing is to sit back and observe the world. Every person that you see is a potential character. The more you watch how the world interacts with each other, the more you're in tune with the characters and the more you will find to write.

Still feeling uninspired? Rachel likes to grab a coffee and then go for a walk. Caffeine wakes you up and then what you observe on your excursion may be just the inspiration that you need,

Also, write a lot. Whether it's in a journal or something you may share with others, the more you write, the better you write. 

Read a lot. Figure out what it is in the books that you love that makes you love them so much. Look for mentors to encourage you, as well.

Rachel McMinn on her own work:

Rachel works as an English teacher, which provides inspiration as she observes her students over the years. So many of them have had to face difficult struggles, yet are able to persevere. She draws from their strength and stories in her debut novel and believes we need to listen to the voices of the younger generation.

She is taking a short break from writing to conclude the school year and then hopes to work on her second novel. In the meantime, read more about her first one, The Other Side of Loneliness, here.

The Power of Springtime: Setting the Stage for 'Permanent Spring Showers' by Scott D. Southard

When you grow up in Michigan, you feel the seasons.

I know, everyone in different states will argue with me on this one, but we hit all the hallmarks in our mitten of a state, each time, each year. Snow in winter, check. Leaves in autumn, check. Summer at the beach, check.

It’s all here!

And when you grow up in such a setting, chances are your emotions will start to attach something to each of them. In autumn, I am reflective. It is a time for remembering. In summer, a little hyper and full of excitement. I’m usually more daring during those three months. And in winter, I always feel more peaceful, quiet like a light snowstorm. But, in spring, I get edgy.

Spring in Michigan is unpredictable.

You can’t help but feel that in the very air you breath. It’s almost as if the world can shift on a dime. It’s moody. It’s a time of change, of rebirth (but into what?). And when I set out to find a time period for the story that became Permanent Spring Showers, I couldn’t think of a better season. Because like the season, my story is passionate, unstable, dramatic, comedic, and never the same from chapter to chapter.

Permanent Spring Showers covers the lives of my cast during those three volatile months. The story begins with an affair.

In the morning, right before Professor Rebecca Stanley-Wilson is set to leave for a literary convention, her husband admits to having an affair… and to make matters worse it was with one of her college students.

This affair sets off a chain reaction that slowly begins to build over the novel. Rebecca, while in Chicago, has an affair of her own. But hers was with one of the up-and-coming painters of his generation. That evening of passion will inspire a work of art of such beauty and power that it will capture the attention of not just the art world, but the entire globe. This novel follows everyone associated with the work of art. From the painter and the professor, to a romantic, to an Olympic hopeful, to even an author determined to make an impact in literature, by any means necessary.

This may sound a little odd to say, but one of the fun things about writing in a season like spring is you get to play God with the weather. Many times in the tale, I will use a shift in the weather to represent what a character may be feeling, and sometimes the season is saying more than that character would ever dare say aloud. It’s a fun writing device, and I’m sure all of the English majors in the audience will have fun picking out what I do on the pages.

When I first worked on this story, I imagined the idea of creating a work around each season, encapsulating the feeling and vibe of that time within the work. I don’t know if the others will ever find the light of day, but I could not be more proud of this surprising and fun novel.

I hope you enjoy Permanent Spring Showers.

Permanent Spring Showers

by Scott D. Southard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Professor Rebecca Stanley-Wilson is having a very bad season. The ramifications of one torrid evening with one of the great upcoming painters of his generation, will not only be felt across her life but over the entire art world. Sexy, funny, and very surprising, Permanent Spring Showers is the tale of one very memorable springtime and how it impacts a group of unique artists and dreamers. From the the hopeful Olympian with the failing marriage to the writer who is creating a new literary movement (through outright manipulation) to the romantic wondering what he did wrong to drive away the love of his life, each tale walks the line between reality and fantasy. And waiting at the end of the line is a very important painting... and possibly the revolver used in the Lincoln Assassination.

Read an excerpt:

“You’re going to be fine, aren’t you, Steve?” A male voice with a British accent said behind me as I scanned the restaurant for the person I once considered my soulmate.

“Like warm applesauce,” I mumbled in reply, not bothering to turn around and face Vince.

Vince is my age and has a resumé an arm’s length long, painter, poet, performance artist, etc.; and he looks the part for all of those roles, from his black trench coat with the collar up to the tight shirt with an obscure artistic expression on it to the jeans with the holes that are a little too perfect. He has black hair, blue eyes, and from what every girl tells me, he is frightfully handsome. Hanging out with him can make a person feel like a pre-destined wingman, chosen by a maker never to be the center of attention. Oh, by coincidence, I met Vince at the creative writing course I mentioned earlier. He spent the entire time correcting the teacher and even once he stood on his desk screaming about romantic literature (I still don’t understand half of what he said), the whole class was sure he came in drunk that day, but he might’ve been acting. There is a lot of acting around Vince. Did I mention he’s pretending to be British right now? And no, I don’t mean RIGHT now, I mean for the last four months right now.

“Applesauce?” His accent rising a little in confusion.

I didn’t bother to say anything more to him because I had found her; and, shit, she still looked like a fallen angel.

Buy links

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Scott D. Southard is the author of A Jane Austen Daydream, Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, My Problem With Doors, Megan, 3 Days in Rome, and Me Stuff in addition to his latest release, Permanent Spring Showers. His eclectic writing has also found its way into radio, as Scott was the creator of the radio comedy series The Dante Experience. The production was honored with the Golden Headset Award for Best MultiCast Audio and the Silver Ogle Award for Best Fantasy Audio Production. Scott received his Master's in writing from the University of Southern California. Scott can be found on the internet via his writing blog “The Musings & Artful Blunders of Scott D. Southard" where he writes on topics ranging from writing, art, books, TV, writing, parenting, life, movies, and writing. He even shares original fiction on the site. His blog can be found at http://sdsouthard.com. Scott is also the fiction book reviewer for WKAR's daily radio show Current State.

Scott D. Southard will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a signed copy of his previous title: A Jane Austen Daydream (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. Follow along for more chances to win!

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'Write Books That Sell NOW' by Candice L. Davis, Anita Rochelle Paul, & Carol Joyce Dunlop

Blurb:

Learn the #1 way to quickly position yourself as a thought leader or expert in your industry!

Have you spent years thinking about writing a book to share your story or demonstrate your expertise?

Writing a book probably seems like too much work. But by showcasing your knowledge in a book, you can change more lives and build your business or side business at the same time.

The good news is that once you have a step-by-step system, like the one outlined in this book, it's not a difficult dream to achieve.

Savvy entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and professionals know that becoming an author is one of the most effective ways to land appearances on TV, radio shows, and popular podcasts. Adding "author of" to your bio can help you book prestigious speaking gigs and prove that you're the expert everyone in your niche is looking for.

This guide takes you by the hand and helps you identify the best idea for your book, shows you how to write it, and explains what to do to self-publish it and get people to buy it. (Hint: Recording yourself and transcribing the results isn't enough.)

Confused about where to start? This system will help you jumpstart your book.

Wondering how to increase book sales? These experts show you specific ways to sell more books.

Not sure how to use your book to create more professional opportunities? It's laid out for you here.

Feel like a used car salesman when you promote your own work? Follow the steps in this book to use social media in ways that win you fans who are happy to buy your book and your other products and services.

These strategies work for professionals in every arena from coaches and consultants to executives, small business owners, solopreneurs, and brick and mortar shop owners.

Increase your value as a speaker. Build your coaching or consulting business. Demonstrate your expertise in your niche. Earn free media exposure. Or simply share a life-changing story!

Read an excerpt:

WRITE THE RIGHT BOOK: 8 Steps to Take You from Idea to “The End” 

I looked up from my laptop to see a stunning woman walking toward my table in the coffee shop. Heads turned as she crossed the room, but she seemed not to notice. In a place filled with people dressed in their casual, work-from-home duds, she was the odd woman out. Topping six-feet in her designer heels, she was dressed for the corporate takeover of a fashion house. 

This prospective client had me sitting up a bit straighter before we’d exchanged two words. She owned the room without even trying, but the minute she smiled, I knew I wanted to work with her. 

“I have to tell you,” she said. “I’m not really a writer.” Perplexing words from a woman whose work I’d seen in national magazines, a woman I knew had already written and self-published a book and who was looking for help getting her second one ready for publication. 

As we talked, I realized she was right when she said she wasn’t a writer in the strictest sense of the word. What she meant was that she’d never set out to write for a living and that would never be her focus. The heart of her business was coaching, speaking, and teaching through her online courses. She wrote books as a means of reaching more people, positioning herself as an authority, and producing another income stream. Together, all those things made up a very successful business for her. 

I do consider myself a writer. Writing books is my passion, but

it’s only one of my passions and only one facet of my business. I’m just as passionate about my work helping other people write their books. If you’re a writer too, that’s excellent. All of this will be easier for you.

But for the rest of the world, for people who’ve never thought of themselves as writers, writing can seem like some mystical skill or special talent you have to be born with or spend decades mastering. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

You don’t have to be that person who earned an A+ on every essay in school. These days we have software to check our spelling and punctuation. They’re imperfect, but they catch most of what we screw up. More importantly, if you invest some time in a few specific pre-writing strategies, writing a book will be much like managing any other project. It’s really just a matter of following a formula. With that formula, you turn your ideas and existing content into real profits. Revision and editing will smooth out the rough edges.

Available on Amazon

Author Bios:

Anita Rochelle Paul is an author coach and independent publisher. She helps new and experienced authors self-publish high-quality, business-building books that don’t look self-published.

Candice L Davis works as a ghostwriter, book coach, and editor. She helps people get their ideas, experience, and expertise on the page, so they can write their books and enjoy the benefits of being an author.

Social media marketing pro Carol Joyce Dunlop teaches authors to use social media to make sure the right readers find their books—without spending all day online.

Carol, Anita, and Candice believe everyone has a story worth telling. Together, the “Write Books That Sell Now” team has helped dozens of entrepreneurs, professionals, and other experts become authors so they can grow their businesses and change more lives!

Story World: Why 'Visiting Lilly' is Based in Farnham by Toni Allen

Story World: Why Visiting Lilly is Based in Farnham

By Toni Allen

When I started writing Visiting Lilly I had no idea in what town it would be based, merely an idea in my head for the main thrust for the plot. Then, while outlining my first chapter, in my mind’s eye I saw Frankie’s house, and I immediately knew that he lived up near Farnham Park. I live close to Farnham, and I guess that something subliminal crept in and helped flesh out my character.

I was happy with this, the location was perfect. There are some reasonably large Victorian houses up near the park, and for Frankie to own a property like that suited his personality. Farnham Park is near to the town, but quiet. I already knew that for part of my plot line I wanted to include a country feel, and Farnham is in leafy Surrey, not completely rural, but not a bustling city of concrete either.

Having Farnham as the central location gave me the opportunity to include other nearby areas, and use my local knowledge to best advantage. Hence, when I wanted to give the Charteris family a huge property with land, it simply had to be a Queen Anne style house, because Farnham is situated on the border of Hampshire, and Jane Austen’s house is in the village of Chawton, close to Alton. The entire area is littered with spectacular Queen Anne houses, so when it came to writing Lilly’s backstory, it seemed appropriate that her father had a business in Alton.

On introducing my detective, Jake Talbot, I didn’t feel that he was born and bred locally. I wanted him to have been working in a tougher environment than Farnham, and from the way he started to speak, it became obvious that he’d moved down from London, for a quieter life, after family tragedies. London is only forty miles from Farnham, and this short distance to the heart of commerce, meant that I could easily have a character working in The City.

Farnham is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and Frankie’s family live over in Frensham, famous for its two ponds, Frensham Little Pond and Great Pond, which are run by the National Trust. Unfortunately Frankie’s family aren’t interested in the rare visiting bird breeds, or the rare native birds, which include the now endangered nightjar. If Talbot had heard the nightjar, which only flies at dusk and dawn, he would have thought the builders were out late with a jackhammer, because in the eerie forests around Frensham that’s what its call sounds like.

We’re very fortunate in Farnham because many of its old buildings have been preserved, so the town has a lovely old-world feel about it. Many buildings are Georgian and St Andrew's Church is among Surrey’s most important buildings, dating back to the 12th century. This delightfully old-fashioned backdrop, is ideal for Talbot and Frankie, who both have an avid interest in antiques, and for different personal reasons tend to yearn for the past. Visiting Lilly is a thoroughly modern story, with some extremely high-tech electronics at the heart of the mystery, so idyllic Farnham builds a strong contrast between location and the events that unfold.

Visiting Lilly

by Toni Allen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

D.I. Jake Talbot is a burnt-out British detective given a second chance to believe in love, friendship and the transcendent essence of the human experience. When he investigates a seemingly innocent visitor to a residential care home for the elderly he uncovers a dangerous family hiding a forbidden romance that mysteriously crosses the boundaries of time. The deceitful family does all they can to prevent Talbot from discovering their secrets surrounding an unsolved murder, family betrayal; at the core of which is a keenly intelligent, though somewhat mentally challenged young man who is fixated on an elderly woman being held captive by her own grandson. Talbot sets out to right the many wrongs done to the blameless, and in turn, rediscovers his own humanity.

Read an excerpt:

Jake makes notes

Chapter 17

Notes, yes, he should make notes, before all of the mad ideas popping into his head were zapped off into outer space. Time machine, bloody hell, he’d be interviewing little green men next, and scanning the airways for flying saucers. Placing his notebook on the table he tapped his pen up and down. Just make marks on the paper, words, anything, don’t think, write.

1) Frankie Hayward did not have a time machine … did he? Okay, so check it out. How? Good bloody question.

He drew heavily on his cigarette and stared down the street at people hurrying about their business. A young woman nearly slipped on the snow and fell. Instinctively he stood, ready to assist. Haste. Now there was a good word to write down. He sat and scribbled.

2) Two people were in no hurry to do anything. Why didn’t Keith’s parents report him missing? Where were they in all of this before they cried ‘murder!’?

3) See if there are any early psychiatric reports on Frankie. Mother said there were, Weissman alluded to them. Perhaps they would come with the files Weissman had promised.

4) How long has Lilly got to live? Stupid question, can’t be answered. Not long.

On better days he would have phoned Yates to run it past him. Suddenly there was only him, no sounding board, no second brain to fit the puzzle together. Closing his eyes, he smiled. So that was Weissman’s game. Now the only confidante he would have was Frankie Hayward himself. Oh, how clever, single him out and throw them together. Shit, was Weissman expecting him to go the same way as Keith? Involuntarily he shivered and hugged his coat tighter around his chest. Images of the headline sprang before his eyes, 'Stressed copper on leave disappears, alien abduction suspected.’

Get it on Amazon 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Toni Allen is a professional tarot reader, astrologer, author and photographer.

I’ve been a professional tarot reader for about 30 years, and an astrologer for about 25. Now, thanks to the internet, I have an International client database. My main website is creaking because I haven’t updated it for so long, but it’s still fully functional and full of lots of interesting information. www.toniallen.co.uk . A new build is underway, with lots of modern bits and pieces so that you can connect with me via Facebook and easily keep up to date with events that I’m offering readings at.

http://toniallenauthor.com/

https://twitter.com/listansus

https://www.facebook.com/ToniAllenAuthor

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Toni-Allen/e/B0045DUUNK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=undefined&sr=8-1

BN Author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/toni-allen

Booktrope: http://booktrope.com/books/

Toni will be awarding a free e-book of VISITING LILLY and a FREE TAROT CARD reading for one lucky commenter to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Follow along for more chances to win!

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Author Mercedes King on her Literary Influences

My Literary Influences

Authors are often asked, “Who inspired you?” A great question, since we are inspired by a variety elements. I’m sure most authors could say that their upbringing, former teachers, and life experiences have influenced their writing. Personal tastes, hobbies, and occupations also play a part. As an artist, I appreciate creative endeavors: Vermeer, Klimt, and Edward Hopper paintings tend to make my heart leap; I find coloring (with a new box of crayons) relaxing; and sometimes I catch myself daydreaming while staring at my lava lamp.

Another big influence for most writers is, understandably, other writers. It’s near-impossible to list all my favorites here, but there are a few notables.

Vincent Bugliosi. There I was, sitting in the dentist’s office one afternoon, hoping to distract myself from the torture to come, when I came upon a magazine article about the anniversary of the Tate-LaBianca murders masterminded by Charles Manson. Twenty years had passed (at that time, 1989) since the horrific slayings. Helter Skelter, a book written by prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, detailed the attacks and the trial that had followed. Numb and seeing pink unicorns after that appointment, I made my way to the library and spent the next four days engrossed. This book sowed the seed for what I wanted to do in life: explore the criminal mind and write about it.

Mary Higgins Clark. Long before I read Helter Skelter, my school librarian turned me on to MHC. I may not have been old enough yet for some of the adult themes in the books, but Mary Higgins Clark and her writing inspired me. The Cradle Will Fall and While My Pretty One Sleeps were among the first tales that stirred my own passions for writing. (And I’m sure most writers would be grateful for a career as long and prosperous as hers!)

Donald Maass. In the writing world, Donald Maass has a Brad Pitt-like celebrity status. Although he doesn’t write fiction (anymore), he is well-known for his craft books, most notably, Writing the Breakout Novel and The Fire in Fiction. (In his ‘free time’, Maass runs the Donald Maass Literary Agency, one of the best-known in the business.) His books and his workshops (which I’ve had the delight of attending) are as fabulous as they are maddening. Fabulous in that you can’t get enough of Maass’ insight into great storytelling; maddening in that it isn’t as easy to translate that know-how into your writing--but, with work, it can be done.

So with a gracious bow and a round of applause, I thank these literary heroes of mine, knowing that my life and especially my writing wouldn’t be the same without them.

About the book:

Historical Fiction
Date Published: May 27, 2014

Sixteen year old Emma Cartwright runs away from her family’s South Carolina rice plantation after a slave is beaten to death. Determined to join the fight against slavery, Emma enlists in the Union Army disguised as a young man. Nothing could prepare her for the sacrifices needed—and for falling in love for the first time.

Read an excerpt:

Emma could no longer raise her head or open her eyes. She tasted her own blood and withered under the sun’s brilliance. Her back and legs throbbed from the lashes with the leather belt. The scent of honeysuckle drifted to her nostrils, but Emma quivered with agony and trepidation. She fought the oblivion that threatened to engulf her,fearing it was death. 

Her heart searched for a prayer or a plea but nothing came. She wanted to cry out for her father, forgetting he was long dead. 

Someone snatched a fistful of Emma’s hair and held up her head. 

“Look!” Quinn said through gritted teeth. “Look at what you’ve done.” He touched his mouth to her ear. “Ain’t like he didn’t deserve it, though. Worthless wretch.” 

Emma tried again to focus on the scene. At first, through the narrow slits of her swollen eyes, all she saw was a row of brown feet, naked and caked with mud past the ankles, a sure sign that rice planting was underway. She couldn’t find or concentrate on their faces now, but she knew that among the clan of thirteen laborers, Basil’s mother and brother were there watching. Fear reverberated from the mass. Children cried and stirred, but no one moved or averted their eyes. George had insisted.

Buy link

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Mercedes King is an Ohio native and founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus, Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO). With a degree in Criminology from Capital University and a passion for writing, she crafted O! Jackie, a novel focusing on the private life of Jackie Kennedy. She has also written The Kennedy Chronicles, a series of short stories featuring JFK and Jackie before they were married and before 'Camelot'. Mercedes writes in a variety of genres, including historical and mystery / suspense. In fact, she's working on creating a new genre, 'modern historical'.

Her newest release, Plantation Nation, follows the journey of Emma Cartwright, a 16 year old Southern girl who disguises herself as a young man and joins the Union Army.

Visit her sites, OJackiebook.com or Mercedesking.com . Contact her at Mercedes 'at' ojackiebook 'dot' com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Website: www.mercedesking.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedes.king.1806

Twitter: @Mercedes_King_

Blog: http://mercedeskingblog.blogspot.com

Instagram: mercedes_king_author

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Rejection sucks, but does it have to? Thoughts by Maggie Thom, author of 'Tainted Waters'

Rejection Sucks... But Does It Have To?

By Maggie Thom

Rejection, even the word doesn't sound very nice. Unfortunately it is one of the harsh realities of the world we live in - someone is going to reject something that has to do with you. They're not going to like something you wear, you do, you say, you act, you write... The sad truth is that often we take it personally as being rejected, as not being good enough...

And that's what will keep you stalled.

First you need to look at what you consider rejection. Within the first three days of my book, Captured Lies being published, someone bought and then returned the ebook. My first reaction was, 'Oh my God, it's true, I'm no good.' It didn't matter that I had several other sales and people telling me how much they loved the book. Thankfully I didn't stay in that place of not being good enough, very long. All it meant was that my book wasn't for that person. Which is okay. Ironically at the same time this person was returning the ebook, I got a five star review on Amazon from another reader. Funny how the positive always loses out to the negative, right? I was excited about the five star but it was still overshadowed by the returned ebook.

We seem to be so programmed to look at the negative no matter how small or insignificant. What that meant for me was that I was allowing someone else to judge me and to determine if I was any good or not. And I was listening.

Once I recognized that, I was able to stop that. I reminded myself that it just meant my story wasn't what that person was looking for. It's no different than when I read a story and like it where others don't or I don't like it where others do. And that's okay. We all have different tastes, likes and dislikes. As an author, I know that my stories appeal to those who love fast-paced suspense/thrillers. So that is the audience I want to find.

If someone criticizes, judges or puts down my book I will see if there is anything constructive in what they are saying that I can apply to my work to improve my work otherwise I let it go. It's their stuff. Not mine. And if someone does criticize, judge or put down my writing, again it's not about me. Writing is something I do and I strive to improve it all the time but it does not define who I am. Someone's thoughts and feelings about my writing DOES NOT define who I am. It took me a long time to separate myself from that. In fact, it was getting to that point that was what finally gave me the impetus to leap into publishing.

Do not take the negative personally. Learn from what others says but remove the emotional attachment.

Remember your gift is something you do, it is not who you are.

What is your experience with rejection?

Suspense/Thriller
Date Published: April 2013

He didn’t commit suicide but who’s going to believe her...

Frustrated at being fired from her latest job and overwhelmed by her consolatory family, Sam decides to move to the family’s cabin at the lake. A place she hasn’t been since her dad committed suicide there, twenty years before. Or did he? Snooping is something she’s good at but someone seems to be taking offense to her looking too closely at what has been happening at the lake. What she discovers is shocking. Now she must uncover what’s real and what’s not. All that she learned growing up, may be false.

Keegan, who has recently moved to the area to finish his latest book, is also trying to find out if his grandfather, who’d passed away ten years before, died of natural causes or was murdered? The descendants of the four families, who own the land around the lagoon, are dying off.

Since Sam and Keegan are the only ones questioning the deaths, they find themselves working together to seek the truth. Are people being murdered? Who would benefit from their deaths? Why would there be barricades and armed guards at the north end of the lake? To stay alive, Sam and Keegan must find the answers and convince others, before more people are killed... including them.

Read an excerpt:

Was any of it enough to want to kill Sam? 

He supposed if she was digging up dirt on the guy that he’d paid to bury, maybe. Frustrated he shoved his hand through his unruly curls only to wince in disgust as he felt the greasy build up. He needed a shower. He took his laptop, quietly tiptoed to his bed, set it down and then went back for the case. Knocking it over, his air stick fell out. Annoyed that he’d missed it the first time, he shoved it into the laptop. Within a few minutes, he saw that Harry had made a few more phone calls that had downloaded before he’d grabbed it from the cabin. Deciding he might as well take a quick shower, he would then reset the stuff up and listen to it after. He clicked to close the program but the computer didn’t seem to respond. There was a little circle spinning on his screen but nothing was happening. Sam’s deep, endearing blow-out breaths were still steady. Not wanting to waste the opportunity and figuring he’d be back in time, he climbed in the shower. After knocking his elbows a few times, he realized that since they weren’t at the Ritz things like shampoo and soap weren’t a given. He scrubbed his hair, face and body as best he could with his hands, partly to stave off the chill of the cool water and partly to remove all the sweat and dirt clinging to him. Within a few minutes he was drying himself with a threadbare hand towel, which made him think the housekeeping staff or the owner had a hell of a sense of humor.


He’d been so deep in thought about all that was going on and the relief of finally being clean, that the sounds coming from the bedroom didn’t register for a few minutes. 

‘...heart attack...’ 

‘Sam...' 

‘...it’s done...’ 

He jerked on his pants, yanked open the door and dove for the bed, hitting the off button. That silenced it but the computer froze. His relief was short-lived when he realized that Sam's gentle snoring was also gone. Looking over his shoulder, with the bathroom light spotlighting her - she was sitting up, her knees drawn to her chest. Her eyes black obsidian, never leaving his face. 

“Uh...”

Book of the Year 2013 - Suspense and Thriller Turning the Pages Magazine

"I LOVED this book! It was fast paced and had me gripped from the start….. And talk about twists! Just when I thought I knew where this story was leading…… Bang!….. Plot twist!..." Orchard Book Club

"... Exciting story, loved the beginning introduction to Sam. She is a firecracker and had me chuckling... Another wonderful read from Maggie Thom..." Musing from an Addicted Reader

"...the book will truly keep you on the edge of your seat unable to pry yourself from it... Maggie brilliantly creates suspense and the atmosphere of unease..." The Most Happy Reader

"...What makes Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom stick out from the crowd is that you really don’t know exactly what you’re getting into..." The Queen of All She Reads

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Smashwords \ Kobo \ iTunes

About the author:

Award winning author, Maggie Thom, took the challenge and leapt off, leaving a fulltime, twenty year career in management, to write full time. After publishing her first suspense/thriller book Captured Lies, October 2012, she published her second novel, Tainted Waters, April, 2013. Tainted Waters went on to win 2013 Suspense and Thriller Book of the Year through Turning the Pages Magazine and Captured Lies won book of the Month through LAS Reviews (February 2014). She published her third novel, Deceitful Truths (The Caspian Wine Series - Book 2), March 2014. An avid reader and writer her whole life, she decided to break the monotony of wishing to be an author by making it happen. She is a wholehearted nature lover and likes nothing better than to take a book, hike to a remote spot by a river or waterfalls and read. Married to her best friend, she is learning that humor, love and patience help her navigate her way through her twins’ teen years. Her motto: Escape to read and Read to escape. "Maggie Thom writes a fast paced thriller laced with romance that keeps the reader interested and on edge!" InDtale Magazine

Links:

Website: www.maggiethom.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiethom2

Blog: http://maggiethom.wordpress.com/the-write-to-read/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+MaggieThom/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maggiethom2/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549592.Maggie_Thom

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