Hidden in Shadows Now Released onto Amazon Kindle!

I am so happy to announce that my new book, Hidden in Shadows is now available on Amazon Kindle and will be available in print form in the next few days.

This book has been a huge labour of love and a real enjoyment for me to write. I loved my main characters, Jenna and Kyle. It is really hard to leave them! I also fell in love with some of my supporting characters. I truly hope you enjoy reading this book.

It took a lot more time and effort to figure things out with this storyline, as it is my first mystery. Happy Reading!

 

Here is the synopsis for the story:

When she buys an old Georgian house, Jenna Mansfield thinks it’s the answer to all her prayers. She can start afresh away from her over protective family and the tragedy that led her to a nervous breakdown several years before. Ignoring the house’s reputation for being haunted, Jenna moves to Cornwall with high hopes for her future. The sexy builder she hires to renovate her new home captures her interest, but when strange events start taking place around her and rumours reach her ears, she is left wondering if her builder is harbouring a secret.

Kyle Tanner is furious when the house he wanted to buy and renovate to further his small building firm, slips through his fingers for the second time. He doesn’t expect the new owner to be interested in taking him on for the work, but she surprises him in more ways than one. Deeply attracted to his new employer, Kyle fights hard against the unwanted feelings she stirs in him and then the trouble begins.

Kyle and Jenna find themselves swept up in the mystery that surrounds Millington House and its ghostly residents. The past won’t stay silent and someone with a deadly secret lurks in the shadows. As events unfold, Jenna finds herself the target of a crazed killer. Can they uncover the truth before time runs out or will the past be forever hidden in shadows?

Guest Author - Renee Novelle

Author Bio: Renee' Novelle is preceded by a long line of published family members, including Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Poet Laureate of Kentucky Jesse Stuart.

As a child, Novelle was already gaining recognition for several of her works, and in her formative years, she continued this trend by earning local awards for her short stories and poems.

Inspired to cultivate her talent, Novelle pursued freelance journalism and has found placement of 75 of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her savvy, effective writing style to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love - fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes psychological thrillers, suspense, paranormal fiction, contemporary women's fiction, chick lit, and new adult.

Though she received her Bachelor's of Science in Communication, Summa Cum Laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She's an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes "no" as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life's problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you meant to be.

Calculated

Book #1 in the Discovered Series

An investigative journalist gets an unlikely tip from a mysterious informant. Dismissing it as impossible, she disregards the information and drops the story. Until the informant turns up dead, as predicted. 

Plunged into the murky waters of a seedy underground prostitution ring, this psychological thriller provides twist upon dark twist in a story that would ultimately pin the church and several government officials in the largest murder cover-up the city has ever witnessed. 

 

But is it true, or has the journalist merely been used as a pawn in a greater scheme? And how many people is she willing to sacrifice trying to figure it out?

Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EW6J7G6

Excerpt

Impatience took over and Ana couldn’t resist any longer. She turned her head to glance at the alarm clock. 5:03am. Exactly three minutes after the last time she’d checked. Pressing her fingers against her eyes, she released a long, loud sigh.

At that point, it had been over an hour that she’d been lying there, tossing around in her thoughts, urging her body to slip back into sleep. She’d tried to read a book, but hadn’t been able to focus enough to stay in the pages. Watching television hadn’t proven any better of a deterrent either. All that was left was to lay there in her silence – thinking, wondering, planning...willing hers eyes to just get even a little bit sleepy again. But she had no such luck

It frustrated her to the core that Mara and her insinuation of a good story had affected her like that. It’d been years since she’d become so intrigued she’d actually lost sleep over it. Never mind the threat of reassignment looming in the background as well.

Fuck it, Ana thought as she whipped off the sheets from her silk clad body. Might as well make use of the morning. Landing her feet on the floor, she made quick time of pulling her long hair into a braid and splashing some water on her face. Next she pulled on her sweatpants, then headed to the gym to work out her inner thoughts. 

When she arrived at the little facility her building provided, a quick look around confirmed she was the only one there. Just as she’d hoped, and exactly how she liked it to be. Smiling in satisfaction, she flipped on the television that was perched on the wall, and turned up the music on her iPod as loud as she could handle it. The multiple distractions would help her get through the extra mile she was planning to conquer. With chilled water bottle in place, she cranked up the treadmill to a nice brisk pace.

As her breathing picked up speed and her muscles began to warm, Ana’s eye caught a red flash along the bottom of the screen. Breaking News filled the bar, and the too-chipper-for-their-own-good reporters were suddenly getting serious. Since the volume was still muted, Ana couldn’t understand exactly what was going on, only that they were showing the wide stretch of river that ran along the outskirts of the city. She wiped the first beads of sweat from her brow, and used the remote to turn the volume of the television higher while simultaneously adjusting her music.

As the reporters spoke, home-video footage of something floating in the water rolled before her eyes. The camera zoomed in, the frame ever so shaky, and it became clearly apparent that the “something” was a person - face down with long brown hair spread out like a Catholic halo. It appeared another victim had been pulled out of the water; the count was quickly tallying up. A young woman this time, and possibly one who had gone missing the night before.

Ana’s pulse skipped a few beats as they replayed the video over and over. There was something familiar about the long, lean body. Slowing the treadmill to a stop, she ripped the ear buds from her head to give the segment her entire attention.

...it appears at first glance that the victim suffered from a deep cut to the throat, and received multiple stab wounds to the chest...

The beads of accumulated sweat turned cold on Ana’s brow. She immediately reached for her phone and dialed Kylie’s number.

“What the hell, Ana?” Came her friend’s groggy voice.

“Turn your TV on. Channel four. Hurry.” Ana said, eyes transfixed to the screen in front of her. “Recognize that face?”

...It’s thought the victim may be one of the young girls recently reported missing. The screen flashed candids of three possible women. All brunettes. All tall and thin. All roughly the same age. Among them was a photo of Mara, just as Ana had expected there would be.

But the body was too bloated and disfigured to be absolutely certain, and an autopsy would be needed.

... The body will be taken in for processing where officials hope to shed more light on the case in the near future. In the mean time, they’re cautioning residents to avoid....

“Did you see that?” Ana’s voice escaped in more of a demand than a question. “Please tell me I’m seeing things.”

“Oh my god...” Kylie whispered into the receiver, confirming the dread that was building in Ana’s stomach. “Do you really think it’s her?”

“I know for a fact it is.” Ana declared, the pull in her gut getting stronger by the minute. “The autopsy will confirm it.”

“So, what does this mean exactly now?”

“That maybe I should have been listening a little closer when I was talking to Mara.” She said with regret as she swiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “And maybe I should have asked more questions. There’s a story here, I’m sure of it now.”

“What are you going to do?” Kylie’s voice was decidedly more alert now.

Ana shook her head. “I have no idea.”

Though if she were to be truthful with herself in that moment, she’d already made up her mind. Ana flipped off the television, and left the little gym to get started.

For more information, to view pictures, read blog posts and see the upcoming release schedule, please visit the website at www.RSNovelle.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/rsnovelle

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00EWLOKIG

https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle

https://www.twitter.com/rs_novelle

Guest Author - Roshandra Simone

I am really pleased to interview Roshandra Simone as my guest author.

When did you start writing?

Seriously 2008, but i have naturally written all my Life.

 What’s the story behind your latest book?  

Alchemy is about two souls meeting due to a pathway that is similar.  Paths crossing so that something greater can occur that also is about love and karma to ‘meet’.  It is about the transmutation into the Alchemical changes of ‘gold’.  How ‘energies’ in one’s own aura reflects this chemical transformation of the spirit into the divine ethers.  She approaches this for enlightenment her thesis.  He approaches Alchemy for his escape into immortality. What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

When a ‘reader’ contacts me, when a book sells, when i know someone is actually reading my words and when the reader and i talk about the characters and the story.  I love that sharing.

What are you working on next?

Gothic Gates which i just launched the Short Story for Halloween for this series. 

Who are your favourite authors?

Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Keats, and Louisa May Alcott.  Toilken, R R Martin, Phillip Pullman ( The Golden Compass series) and C.S.Lewis.    I miss read this...i wrote this first LOL...I thought you asked me what are my Favourite book characters i wrote so far....So far in two books.  Novella Alleandrea, his Beloved is my Venus on a Half Shell.  I love this character, her world, mind and how her visions mixed with her feelings and her dreams are leading her to her Beloved.  The other character i just love is Dante’, a contemporary Goth that is Immortal that is in a world of the secret groups globally.  This character as i work with him further is so complex, dark light layered and of course in a Goth work which he has as his business franchise.   

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

I love art, theatre, reading other new authors, meditation, walking in nature, listening to classic music or jazz and horseback riding.  I love the Sacred mountains like Mt. Shasta draws me or the quiet forest with rivers or the ocean beach.

How do you approach cover design for your books?

Art and Character drives this.  I find or ‘buy’ an image that speaks to me or inspires me to be a visual doorway into the book story.  Now i do my covers immediately after the inspiration comes to me.  I feel my Book covers then ‘hold the idea’ of the inspiration and i am then ready to fill it with the writing.  I love designing the covers.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Chicago.  Church, Catholic grade school art was iconic and huge for me.  I also listened to Latin in the mass.  Even my penmenship was influence with a feeling of ‘writing’ and calligraphy.  Most of that really seemed to trigger my gifts of writing, articulation, and the ‘other worlds’.  Spiritual environments that are quiet or nature gave me this influence of the inner connection to the world of writing I would say.  I also day dreamed a lot so that was all part of it as well.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

I did a drama play in the backyard of my neighbourhood.  It was actually a young version of Taming of the Shrew.  It turned into a Punch and Judy puppet show.

What is your writing process?

Inspiration comes to me first of an idea or a character.  I then open up my lap top to let whatever that is ‘flow’.  I don’t think when i write and it sort of just comes in as a download.  I also put aside two periods a day for my alone time to follow up on new ideas or further current projects.  Two hours two times a day.  That does not count edit for completion of a book or blogging on it.

What do you read for pleasure?

The classics often, poetry, fairy tale myths with new twists, any kind of love story, mysteries, fan fiction, spiritual fiction/fantasy and historical nonfiction.  I also will get into reading up on a real historical character or spiritual / political leader.  Famous past artists, art periods, architecture and cathedral history also moves me into knowing them along with the complexity of the interchanging relationships of environment with persons.

 How much research goes into your books, and how do you tackle that?

I find myself doing research when i need to place my fictional characters into a location.  I always use real architectural buildings, will look up lay out floor plans for accuracy of my characters moving through a structure and i also look to the history of the period.  I research deeply into a background additional story for the reader.  I feel this makes my stories more ‘real’ and the reader can experience information that is factual.

Tell us a little about your writing style?

My writing style is highly romantic.  People say i write like an author of another time?  I also am writing with a distinct style that seems to trigger visions or energy for the reader.  People say it is very much of a magical feel and enchantment.  I would agree, this is how i feel when i am in my writing flow.  Do you plan and plot your stories, or do you just start writing them?  I never plan or write out a plot.  I allow it to guide me along with a key character.  I have had one character that came in a chapter of a previous book that just took me into ‘his story’.  That is my Book V and the Alleandrea novella.  I truly just let the ‘writing take over me’ with its flow along with how it makes me feel.   I trust that.  So far it has worked perfectly along with my enthusiasm as i ‘write’ i am too on the ride with the story.  I discover it as i flow with it.

 Have you ever had writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Not really but editing block for sure.  I have had moments where it is a very emotionally draining story; i do have to step away from it to let it sit.  When i am feeling clear, I can be more the ‘observer’ to the process of character. 

Describe a favourite scene in your current novel? 

The Costes Boutique Hotel, where Astin takes Alexia for lunch on a rainy afternoon in Paris.  The hotel is original from the `1600’s in Paris, and it is reportedly a ‘vampire’ hang out with a lot of ghosts, movie media folks now, and very avant-garde clientele.  They go to enjoy lunch; they stay for an afternoon delight.  He orders three dozen assorted shades of red roses for her.  They are extremely spontaneous and playful.  They are exploring ‘trust’ now and a ‘red silk cord’.  She wears it out of the hotel the next day as a belt on her honey beige silk camisole as he smiles at her ingenuity.  I loved writing those three chapters on their intimacy and trust. ( I am not into bondage but this wrote in such a wonderful visual along with a playfulness between them) What is the best comment you ever received from a reader?   One reader told me she loved how i ‘wrote, how i described my characters lives and details.  She added that she loved my books so much it was opening up ‘visions’ for her so much she could feel the weather in the books.  She told me she would be buying ever book i write.  That made my day for an entire week.   The worst or weirdest? Lol, on fan fiction, i got slammed, omg.  She was so upset that i had the character with two females while she wanted him to be with the original one.  I got slammed with her anger, point of view and the way she wanted me to write what the story was.  I smiled a lot after reader how passionately she felt.  LOL   Oh, one other reader on fan fiction, said my synopsis sucked?  I wrote her back to dialogue which turned into a very nasty but interesting interaction.  So far in the book world it is going well on my readers, but in fan fiction i had a few bumps.  All part of learning about who is reading you and why.

What else do you have in store for your readers?

Le Club, a series of 4 Ace Cards that are light dark underworld fantasy love test series.  Including the Oracle’ is part of that.  I also have my original four books that is called, Of Her Journey, that is my leaving my marriage when a vision came to me in Spain.  I put this series then into a fictional character being guided to begin her spiritual journey and from Spain to New Orleans.  I liked this a lot.  I want to publish this too.

 How did you come up with the hero and heroine for your latest book?

I wanted to do a book on Alchemy. For some reason the male character seemed to be pronounced as he was in Paris exploring the secret energy doorways of the past Alchemist Nicolas Flamel from the 1400’s.   It began with a clear vision of his sitting in a dark shadow of the cafe awning as a weather front came in. He sat there observing this female in the evening dash between traffic coming to the shelter of this cafe.  He was hidden in the shadows there quietly observing her.  I realized as i wrote the opening first chapter the stage was set for their mutual paths crossing along with a love romance neither planned for.  Part of the journey along with the mystery of the events they would go through.  

Why are your hero and heroine perfect for each other?

Great question.  First because they are the same but different sides of one gold coin.  She is very much into her visions, her intuitive side while he is mysterious drawn back into his own shadow side as a way he functions with occult areas.  He also was not expecting her to fall into his hands or life.  She is extremely independent as well, but on her quest.  He is sensitive, well mannered, intellectually well educated, she is extremely bright, spontaneous, free-spirited, but grounded.  They are very well suited but different along with learning how to exchange, balance but be who each are, which is whole unto themselves. 

Do you plan several books ahead or do you work on one book at a time? 

I work on a variety of projects while also going into fan fiction at times.  Right now i have three main works in process.  Ideas come to me when i drive too on how to expand the book series.  I let my heart guide me though.  I can only write what inspires me and i feel in love with along with enthusiastic. 

I would like to thank Roshandra for doing this interview with me. Please see below for details of her book and links.


An Adventure Love series of ALCHEMY is about the GOLD that is activated within a person on a path of Enlightenment. The occult pathway was 'his' path to escape his family connections. He was working with Alchemy. She came to Paris to work on research for her PhD thesis on Alchemy as a Pathway of Enlightenment and spiritual growth. This mystery of the old 'Alchemists, Art, Ley Lines, and Secrets guided both of them. The Golden Ring is the first of the series and ALL THAT GLITTERS is not GOLD and all that GLISTENS is the GOLD WITHIN. This Love Story opens a Love story neither expected but that ALCHEMY of their karma brought them together. They both make discoveries from different angles and a romance love story unfolding. Roshandra warmly writing on





Links for Roshandra Simone: http://www.lulu.com/shop/roshandra-simon/alchemy-the-gold-ring-by-rmsimone/hardcover/product-21195573.html

http://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Gold-Ring-R-M-Simone-ebook/dp/B00EXVKTXA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378390718&sr=1-1&keywords=Alchemy+The+Gold+Ring+by+R.M.Simone%27

Roshandra's BLOG  http://booksbyroshandra.blogspot.com/

Quote for the Week

I love this quote and it's been very apt for me lately. I have been growing a lot the last couple of weeks and enjoying every minute of it. My creative juices have been flowing and I found myself really enjoying what I have been creating. I think when life throws something unexpected your way, it is important to rise to the challenge.

When a cover for my latest book fell through not once but twice, I wondered what I was going to do. I couldn't find another cover that would suit my book and I knew a custom made one by a cover designer couldn't be done before my book was ready to publish. So I pulled up my sleeves and educated my self on cover design!

I guess  I am quite lucky as I have always had a knack for picking things up when it comes to using technology (my family say I have a gift!). I ended up with a cover that was more what I wanted than the pre-made one I was going to take and I enjoyed doing it so much. I never would have done it if it hadn't been for the fact it had become so necessary to try. I'm glad it did!

This week be creative. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it or that you're not good enough. Instead break some rules, do things different and try something new. You may be really surprised at the results!

Cover Reveal - Hidden in Shadows

I am really excited to reveal the cover for my new book, Hidden in Shadows, Haunted by the Past Book 1.

 

It took a lot more work to get this cover together for me and it took me on a really personal journey. For some reason, the two previous covers I was going to use for this book simply fell through. I couldn't believe it! I was getting closer and closer to the end of my book and it looked like my cover was going to be weeks behind it.

 

But I am not one to shrink away from a challenge! It was a challenge too, but one I was happy to rise to and what you see is the final result. I learnt so much in the past few weeks about not giving up and where there is a will, there is a way!

 

This cover is everything I wanted it to be. It shows the deep romance between my two characters, Jenna and Kyle, as well as the mystery and darkness in which they find themselves. There is a glorious ghostly twist to the tale and a killer on the loose. What more could anyone want!

 

This story has been a joy to write. I am in the final stages of writing the book and hope to have it ready to publish before Halloween. It will make a perfect Halloween treat to cuddle down on a dark night and read. This story has everything in it I love: romance, mystery, suspense, and ghosts! For me, that makes it perfect!

Guest Author - James DiBenedetto

I am really pleased to be able to interview James DiBenedetto today. This talented writer is now turning his dream series into audio books.

Author Bio:

J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve University, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.

He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.

The "Dreams" series is James' first published work.

When did you start writing?

I’ve always liked to write, but really in high school was when I started to really make an effort.  I let it lapse in college, but afterwards, I began again.  I wrote the first draft of what would eventually become “Dream Student” back in 1998 or so, and then it sat for over a decade until I came back to it and rewrote it from the first page.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

“Dream Doctor” on audiobook is my newest release.  Our heroine is Sara, who’s just starting medical school, she’s just been married, and also, she can step into other people’s dreams.  Unfortunately for her, this causes a lot of problems, because some of the dreams she visits aren’t very nice.

Who are your favourite authors?

Mark Helprin, Stephen R. Donaldson, Alastair Reynolds, Julian May, for a start.

How do you approach cover design for your books?

I’ve been working with a local artist (she used to be the graphic designer for the company I work at).  I give her an initial sketch of what I envision it to look like, and she turns that into something people would actually want to look at.

How much research goes into your books, and how do you tackle that?

Quite a bit.  For “Dream Doctor”, I’ve never been to medical school or had anything to do with the medical field, other than going to the doctor when I’m sick.  So I needed to do a lot of research to make Sara’s life in med school believable.  My biggest resource was a memoir written by a woman who went to med school in the late 1980’s (just shortly before “Dream Doctor” is set) and describing her experiences and the process of changing from a “civilian” to a doctor.

Describe a favourite scene in your current novel?

My favourite scene in “Dream Doctor” is Sara’s jealous freakout, after she steps into her neighbor’s dream and sees that her neighbour is dreaming about seducing Sara’s husband.  She’s never really been jealous before (or had anything to be jealous about), and it’s a very funny scene.

What is the best comment you ever received from a reader? The worst or weirdest?

The best comment for “Dream Doctor” was from a reader who worked in the health care field – they asked me if I was a doctor!  So the medical scenes were definitely believable and realistic!

What else do you have in store for your readers?

I’m currently working on the sixth book in this series.  Sara’s going back for her ten-year college reunion, and she’s also got some baggage left over from the fifth book to deal with.

How did you come up with the hero and heroine for your latest book?

They came more or less fully formed, right along with the basic idea for the stories – what would happen if you could visit other people’s dreams?  Sara was always the person with that gift/curse, and Brian was pretty much always her boyfriend.

Do you plan several books ahead or do you work on one book at a time?

I usually just work on one book at a time, but it’s funny – as I started the book I’m working on now, I’ve been thinking about the one after that, and setting some things up for it.  I haven’t done that before. 

What made you decide to turn your book into an audio book or were you approached by someone to make your book audio?

I hadn’t even thought about recording my books for audio, until my wife’s boss gave me the idea.  She’s close to legally blind, and she asked if the books were available on audio, and that got me thinking about it. 

Was the process hard? Did you enjoy it?

It’s been easy, and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.  I went through Amazon’s ACX (audiobook creation exchange) service, and they’ve made it about as simple as it could possibly be.

Did you have much say in who narrated your book and were you pleased with the results?

I had total say over it.  On the ACX service, you put your book up for potential narrators to audition for it, and you can also go out and search for one.  There are over 10,000 narrators on ACX, but you can narrow that down based on age, gender, accent, what genres and styles they will narrate, etc.  I ended up with 20 or so that fit all my criteria, and after I listened to all of them, I had five that I really liked.  One of those five responded back, because she had “a gut feeling” about my books.

I’ve been 100% thrilled with Heather (my narrator, Heather Jane Hogan)’s work.  It’s better than I could possibly have hoped.

How has the finished product been received by readers?

All the feedback I’ve gotten so far has been positive; they love Heather’s take on the books and the way she brings the characters to life.

Will you be making all your books available in audio?

That’s my plan.  The first two books are finished and for sale, and the third is in production now.  I think/hope Heather will do the fourth book in my Dream Series, and I’ve finished a fifth book as well.  I’m hopeful I can talk her into doing that one, too.

Please share any experience you had that you would like to share while you and your book were going through this process.

The first time I heard Heather narrating from the first chapter of my first book, I was just blown away.  And it was thrilling to hear my work brought to life.  It’s the next best thing to seeing them filmed as movies.

“I didn’t expect to be woken up by someone I don’t know dreaming about killing somebody. I thought I was done with that once and for all…”

But Sara’s not done with it. As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical school weren’t difficult enough, she’s started seeing the dreams of everyone around her, again. Before everything is said and done, those dreams might destroy Sara’s hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end her life…

“Dream Doctor” is the thrilling second novel in the Dreams series.

 

Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Doctor-Dreams-Book-2/dp/B00FKSFQH4/ref=la_B00BW6L9GK_1_2_title_1_audd?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380920497&sr=1-2

http://www.writingdreams.net

http://writingdreams.net/?p=800  (ten minute audiobook samples)

http://www.amazon.com/author/jjdibenedetto

I'd like to thank James for doing this interview with me.

Quote for the Week

My quote for the week is one day late this week because I was busy yesterday learning a new skill I didn't think I could master. Necessity is the mother of all invention and setbacks in my life certainly pushed me to find new ways of doing things! Sometimes you never know what you can achieve until you try. I am learning every day how much I love to learn in every aspect of writing and creating my books.

This week do something yourself that you don't think you can achieve. You may end up surprised at what you can do and how much you enjoy it. It may also open new doors for you that you never thought you'd step through. Have a great week!

Guest Author - A C Wilson

A.C. Wilson, is a pseudonym for Amanda Wilson Cornell. I felt that it would allow me more freedom as a writer. I live In Abilene, Kansas with my husband, Jesse and my two boys, Hunter (4 yrs) and Ty (1 yr). I grew up in Morrill, Nebraska where my family still ranches and farms in the panhandle. I have a Bachelors in Agri-Business and Finance as well as a Masters in Business Administration. I stay at home during the day with my boys and at night, I am an assistant manager for a local hotel in Abilene.

I started writing romance novels four years ago when Hunter was born. I have always loved to read and Historical Romance, mostly set in Regency England, was inspiring. Suddenly there were characters developing, evolving and speaking to me. I just started writing. I had no idea what I was doing. I let the characters tell their stories. I knew that I wanted my characters to be deeper than the flighty debutantes and random rakes of the time period. I wanted real problems to come to light.

My first novel is Rockwell's Lady, Historical Regency Romance, and was published July 2013. To Right A Wrong is another Historical Regency Romance, was just published September 1, 2013. I am currently working on a Contemporary Romance, Black Hills Angel, set to release December 2013.

I love to hear from my readers. Email or Facebook me!

 

 

Excerpt

  "I have accepted your protection, my lord. Anything you want of me is too little compensation." Her tone of voice had changed, reverting to the soft, huskiness that spoke of all things explicit. His eyes widened, his jaw firmed.

  Blackstone grabbed her elbow and pulled her off the road and into the stand of tall oak trees. Candace was so surprised she nearly tripped over her hem as she whirled around to follow. Stepping into the cover, Blackstone brought her up in front of him and backed her into the dense shadows behind a thick oak base.

  "Stop it, damn it, stop it! Yes, of course I want you, but not like that." He shook his head, searching for the right thing to say. Candace watched him, her body shaken. "The devil take it! I can't even speak when I am around you, Miss Green. You tie me up in knots and the more restricted I become the more contented I am." Candace drew in a shallow breath and tried to find a calming tone.

  "I do not mean to torment you. I do not know any other way to be with gentlemen." The breathless quality of her voice drew Blackstone to her. He stopped just inches from touching her.

  "That part of your life is over. You are never going back to that, I can promise you." He leaned forward, touching her face with his fingers. Tracing her jaw up to her ear and back again. She closed her eyes, giving into the tender moment. Leaning her head back against the trunk of the tree, Candace felt the warmth of his breath on her neck and her heart leaped in excitement.

  "Why wasn't someone there to protect you before this happened? Why in the Lord's name did someone not keep you safe?" It was a question all too familiar to her mind. The latter was one of the many uttered in the last year.

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Guest Author Interview - Lori Foroozandeh

I am really honoured to introduce this author and her book on my blog. She is one amazing lady who has the most difficult story to tell. It is hard to believe that this story is totally true. Lori is an inspiration to us all.

When did you start writing?

In 2003.  After I returned from Iran, everyone kept telling me that I should write a book that it would be a GREAT CATHARSIS!

What's the story behind your book? It involves a lot of facets of my life, e.g. childhood sexual abuse, lifelong struggle with substance abuse, domestic violence, living with bipolar and now PTSD.  But the focus of the story is moving to Iran with my Iranian husband (who turned out to be a terrorist), and then being put into a POW type camp the day after 911; where I was raped, tortured and starved x6wks.  I eventually escaped and went on to better my life which shows people there is good/great in everything we do if we can show people that we CAN TURN OUR LIVES AROUND.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Knowing that I’ve helped people, inspired them or motivated them to realize that they truly can change their life.

What are you working on next?

Unless I have another tragedy, I don’t plan on doing another book.  People have been telling me I should write a follow-up that includes my “getting better” chapter of my life……I’m still thinking about that one J

Who are your favourite authors?

Tom Clancy (I’m so saddened by his death), Stephen King and Ayn Rand

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

Loving and playing with my cats.  My son calls me the “cat lady”..lol.  I’m on disability due to the injuries I suffered in Iran so it’s hard to keep from being bored.  I’d love to sell the rights to my book for a movie or just get out from under it; so I can use the money to open up an animal shelter that treats animals and doesn’t euthanize them.

How did you approach the cover design for your book?

I didn’t know what I was doing, and I met this friend online, Debra Kamza who did my cover for FREE.  She did a beautiful job!

Where did you grow up and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Michigan.  I was adopted and that experience gave me the subject of the first part of my book, I was molested by my adoptive brother.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

Yes, this one J

What is your writing process?

Sadly enough, TOTAL RECALL.

What do you read for pleasure?

Lately I’ve been reading the new authors that I’ve been meeting online.  They really are fabulous authors.

Thank you, Lori, for taking the time to answer questions for us. Please see below for details of Lori's book and links if you are interested in purchasing her book and reading her unbelievable true life story.

Website: http://www.loris-song.com/

Blog: http://lorissong.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loris_Song

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lforoozandeh#!/lforoozandeh

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lori-Foroozandeh/e/B002NSC2DU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Discovery Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se-NTRWCJIU

 

Lori had heard rumors that the U.S. was going to be attacked on 9/11/2001. That was on September 9, 2001. She tried and failed to call home and give warning.

The news that all those rumors were horribly true came on September 11th 2001. That was when her husband suddenly announced that they had to go back to the
States in case there were repercussions.

On September 12, 2001, Lori and her husband were at the Shiraz bus terminal intending to catch a bus to Istanbul and from there to Heathrow and home to the
U.S.A. They were totally unprepared for the convoy of troop carriers that suddenly drove up and the armed men who came pouring out to take the hapless couple
prisoner.

There was no explanation offered. The men took Lori's husband one direction and she another, pushing them blindfolded into the back of the troop carriers with
other prisoners, mostly Iranian.

Who the armed men were was anybody's guess but they took their prisoners to POW camp in unfamiliar territory and there, Lori was held, tortured, raped, and
starved with them for over a month. Her husband was not to be seen again.

Lori was rescued with one of her fellow inmates by the girl's family and, after riding a llama for 1-2 days over mountainous terrain; she arrived at the Iran Immigration
center. By then, she weighed in at only 70 pounds, was still suffering from the many injuries she'd received at the hands of her torturers, and wanted badly to get
home to her family in the USA. Even then, she had to fight Iranian Islamic bureaucracy to have permission to go, as the husband was unavailable to grant it. In any
Islamic country, unknown to many western women, the husband or guardian's permission is always required for a woman to travel anywhere.

Lori had been married to Mohammad for 9 years and thought she could trust him but, since their arrival in Iran in 1998, his personality and behavior had changed so
radically as to make this most recent nightmare highly suspicious.

The events told here are true. It was no coincidence that this American citizen had been placed into a concentration camp. In fact, it raises many questions and
should be a caution to many!