Tuesday, March 31, 2015

APRIL for A-Z ONLY


Two of my blogs Defining Ways  &  4covert2overt A PLace In the Spotlight  will not be available for hosting and promotions during APRIL.

Will be Blogging from A-Z  and I hope you swing by and read my short posts, or join the fun, it is a great way to connect with other bloggers worldwide. The Linky is up to 1,600+ and it will not close for about 2 days... it is a fun challenge and the key is remember, KEEP IT SHORT... so you can visit tons of blogs and get return visits.

My blogs are numbers 471 and 472 out of over 1,500 so far...

If you want a SPOTLIGHT , Guest post or interview after April feel free to let me know.



 

Random Musings of a Constant Quiller: TOP TEN post by AUTHOR MCV EGAN

Random Musings of a Constant Quiller: TOP TEN post by AUTHOR MCV EGAN: About the Book: A word, a single word defines a moment for Anne. She needs to find a new one when her spouse leaves her at the age...

BLOGGING FROM A-Z starts tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4covert2overt will be participating on BLOGGING FROM A-Z and will not feature SPOTLIGHTS or guests during the Month of APRIL. Guests will be hosted @

thebridgeofdeaths.tumblr.com

& 

ishistorytheagreeduponlie.blogspot.com

My theme this APRIL is
MOVIES that stayed with me for better or worse.
 
 
 

Interview with ACROSS THE POND author and Vietnam War Veteran Michael McCormick

Captionless Image


4.0 out of 5 stars War is a Crime, March 30, 2015
 
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Across The Pond (Kindle Edition)
War destroys of that there is no doubt. War is a terrible crime and the Vietnam War was one of the worst crimes. Across The Pond is based on the individual’s destruction. From the young guy who feels his patriotic duty is to fight for his country to the broken individual who is not welcome back.
The narrative is lean and to the point, but it leaves the reader with no doubt of the horrors of war and the individual struggle of a young guy trying to find himself after experiencing Vietnam.
The introduction by the author of Born On The Fourth of July is interesting and it encourages all Vietnam Vets to tell their story.

Tell me a little about yourself and your background?

I grew up in Ohio, USA. I was not a very good student, but I was good with horses. I am writing a few short stories now.

Which writers inspire you?
 
Hemingway, Steinbeck.

What was you life like before becoming a writer?
 
Pretty much the same.

 
When did you decide to become a writer?
 
Soon after the Vietnam war.

 
What is your book about?

My novella is about a young American man who fights for his country during the war in Vietnam, only to be rejected by the very society that sent him to war in the first place.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

My personal experience as an infantry squad leader and Silver Star Medal recipient during the Vietnam war.

Describe your writing in 3 words.

Lean, Powerful, Emotional.

Are the characters in the book based on anyone you know?

Yes, my characters are all based on real people I knew or know now.


What projects are you working on now?

I am writing some short stories.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, March 30, 2015

The Accidental Wife.............Some accidents are meant to happen…

About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?


Book Links:
Goodreads I Amazon.in I Amazon.com

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.

This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.
Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.
It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.
Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.
Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.
He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?
A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”
He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”
“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.
His heart sank. Not Deepika.
“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Contact the Author:
Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads




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Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead

Goodreads

Amazon


INTERVIEW with TIFFANY SHAND author of Denai Touch


tiffanyshandblog.wordpress.com ~ @twitter ~ facebook





·         What is your book about?


It’s a mix of paranormal romance, fantasy and mystery. See blurb


·         What inspired you to write this particular story (and/or series)?

I’ve always written stories for as long as I can remember. After I first discovered paranormal romance, I was inspired to write the kind of story that I would enjoy reading. The

·         Do you need visual media to describe people or places? (Some authors use pics. out of magazines)

Yes, I keep a scrap book of pictures of people, clothes and places that are like and use it to sometimes visualise different scenes.

·         Favorite snack when writing.

Chocolate of course!

·         Do you have a Muse?

Definitely! I think my Muse gets very frustrated if I go a while without writing sometimes. Or if I’m busy doing something else, I usually hear her nagging me to write something.

·         Once a character is fully developed do you set them free or do they still dance around your mind?

They usually still dance around in my mind. I don’t think any character ever truly goes away even after you don’t write about them anymore.

·         What project(s) are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my second novel Denai Bound, which is the second book in my Excalibar Investigations Series.
 
 






Memoir / Autobiography IF YOU LOVE THIS FARM by AMANDA FARMER

 
The story  chronicles the story of our move to Minnesota as a family when we are teenagers to farm together. The first year’s catastrophic crop failure sets off a determination by our father to totally control our circumstances and leads to 12 years of struggle by my younger brother and I to leave the farm. Interweaved into the story is our life as Mennonites and the influence that has upon our lives.





Author Bio: The author, Amanda, grew up on the farm and worked together there with her family until the age of 29. She now lives with her husband on a hobby farm in southeastern Minnesota. They have one grown daughter. Amanda holds a Master’s Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and currently works in that profession.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
FIND AMANDA EVERYWHERE
 
Website
Blog
 
 




Book Genre: Memoir, Autobiographic

Publisher: Archway Publishing
Release Date: July 2014
Buy Link(s):
 
 
 




 
Schedule


March 15 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
March 17 - Spotlight at Deal Sharing Aunt
March 19 - Spotlight @ Tea and A Book
March 24 Author Interview at Author C.A.Milson's Blog
March 25 -Guest Blog at My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews
March 28 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books
March 30 - Spotlight at 4Covert2Overt - A Day In The Spotlight
April 1 - Reviewed at Confessions Of The Perfect Mom
April 3 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
April 6 - Reviewed at The Voluptuous Book DivaApril 7 - Spotlight at Jody's Book Reviews
April 9 - Spotlight FictionZeal
April 13 - Reviewed at Debbie Jean's
April 15 - Spotlight at My Life, Loves, and Passions
April 17 - 5 Things I Know For Sure at CAT Magazine

- See more at: http://www.vbtcafe.com/2015/03/if-you-leave-this-farm-by-amanda-farmer.html#sthash.k7f6edeL.dpuf

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Shadows of the Past: Guest Promo (LXXV) Defined by Others

Shadows of the Past: Guest Promo (LXXV) Defined by Others:             It's my great pleasure to invite in the  spotlight a dear cyber friend and author                              Maria Catali...

Humorous Chick Lit with a Dash of Murder/Mystery

 
Date Published: March 1, 2015


My name is Izzy. I drink too much, am clumsier than a newborn foal, and my brain-to-mouth filter often malfunctions. My daredevil husband killed himself in a parachuting accident five years ago and my best friend Jack has decided it’s time I jump back in the dating pool. He’s perfectly happy to throw me in if I don’t listen. Just when things in the dating world start to heat up, my grandma dies. Only her knitting group of Jessica Fletcher wannabes is sure it’s murder. I’m not convinced but I’m always up for a bit of excitement as long as it doesn’t lead to a night in jail. Well, more than one night anyway. Will I miss my chance at love because I’m chasing imaginary killers? Did someone really kill grandma or am I and my merry band of geriatric thieves imagining things?





Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem

D.E. Haggerty

 
Excerpt

 

“Excuse me,” I say as I try to catch the bartender’s attention. The bartender, however, is more interested in the young girls prancing around than in me. I sigh and lean onto the bar ensuring that the girls are visible. “Excuse me,” I say again, but this time I use a sultry voice – or at least that’s what I’m going for. The bartender finally looks my way and I smile when I see his eyes immediately lured to my cleavage. Gotcha! “Tequila shot with a beer chaser, please.” He jumps to fulfill my order, but nearly trips as he attempts to maintain eye contact with my bosom and reach for the tequila bottle at the same time.

I hear someone chuckle beside me and turn to see a hotter than hot piece of male specimen staring at me. I immediately feel my face burn. The bartender saves me by slamming my drinks down in front of me. I grab the tequila shot and quickly down it before latching onto the beer to soothe my burning esophagus. Good thing I have lots of practice or I would probably spit the beer out like a college freshman during rush week, although I may have coughed just a teensy bit.

Sufficiently fortified, I turn to the man again and notice him watching me. He raises an eyebrow. “I tried that trick earlier,” he says, tilting his head towards the bar, “but the bartender didn’t seem impressed with my assets.” I look him up and down. “You look pretty hot to me,” I say and then slap my hand over my mouth when I realize my comment probably sounded like some lame pick-up line.  “Sorry.” Is it possible for my face to spontaneously burst into flames?  “Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain can stop it.”

The man laughs and shakes his head. He reaches out to shake my hand just as a loud, obnoxious bell rings. “That’s my cue,” I say as I jump off the barstool. I wobble a bit, and hottie reaches out to steady me with his hand on my elbow. I gasp as a current of pure electricity moves through my arm. I startle and nearly trip in my heels.

I manage to steady myself and smile at Mr. Dreamboat before going off to search for Jack. Before I can find him, I catch sight of another cocktail waitress. I grab a glass of red before locating Jack, who is surrounded by women who are obviously on the prowl. To the casual observer, he seems to be reveling in the attention, but I see his eyes frantically search the room before landing on me. I immediately stalk forward, grab his hand, and pull him away. 








D.E. Haggerty
I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. Although I’ve been a military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between tennis, running, traveling, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my fifth book.
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Martha Emms Cognitive Dreamer: Welcome M.C.V. Egan, Author of DEFINED BY OTHERS

Martha Emms Cognitive Dreamer: Welcome M.C.V. Egan, Author of DEFINED BY OTHERS: Author bio: M.C.V. Egan is the pen name chosen by Maria Catalina Vergara Egan. Catalina was born in Mexico City, Mexico in 1959, the s...

FACEBOOK PARTY and Denai Touch is now available in print and on Kindle

 








 

DEATH GRIP by Tracy Sherwood

War hero Kat Hartley is home from the Middle East, struggling to return to her life as a wife and mother. But Kat is locked in a battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that threatens to destroy her and her family. Imprisoned by shame after helplessly watching her fellow soldier die in a fiery Humvee explosion, Kat can’t escape his terrified eyes. They haunt her daylight hours and torment her sleep at night. However, Kat is held in the clutches of a darker secret. The doomed soldier was also her lover…and the husband of her now-widowed sister.

Kat will never truly be free until she confronts the guilt over her past. But can she conquer the enemy within that holds her in its death grip? It’s a fight she must win at any cost. Or lose what matters the most.

 
 
 

Tracy Sherwood had two great aspirations--to be a screenwriter and to become an author. When Tracy was five, she worked at creating her first book, "Ragmop the Mischeivous Dog" (based on the misadventures of her sheepdog, Gulliver). Even then, she considered writing a serious business. Her heroes at the time were characters who pushed the boundaries to discover what was on the other side.

But her real inspirations have been her mother, a college lecturer in English, and her father, a former Marine and internationally reknowned cartoonist. They both instilled a passion for the arts and the fighting spirit to pursue a writing career.

Tracy's debut novel, DEATH GRIP, is influenced by the plight of returning military women expected to resume their demanding roles as wives and mothers while struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, DEATH GRIP, is for the survivors of any tragic event and their loved ones who suffer along with them.

Tracy is a Pushcart Award nominated writer whose work has appeared in literary magazines and book anthologies. She is also a prize-winning screenwriter.

 
 
@
 
 

Friday, March 27, 2015

Quest for More...: Shake off the definitions... (Book Review - MCV Eg...

Quest for More...: Shake off the definitions... (Book Review - MCV Eg...: Defined by Others Author: MCV Egan MCV Egan's 'Defined by Others' is the story of Anne, a 47 year o...



MAGIC of BOOKS PROMOTIONS PRESENTS Jamie Brumfield


♥ Romantic Road ♥ a Romantic Suspense Novel by Blair McDowell

Romantic Road Blog Tour


Romantic Road
Author: Blair McDowell
Title: Romantic Road
Release Date: January 28th, 2015
Genre: Romantic Suspense


When Lacy Telchev buries her husband she finds herself in treacherous waters. Igor, much older than Lacy, had secrets. Suddenly Lacy is being chased across Europe by men who believe she can lead them to those secrets. Evading her pursuers with the aid of a chance acquaintance, the handsome and mysterious Max Petersen, Lacy travels across Germany, Austria and Hungary, to a shattering discovery in Budapest.

Along the way, she meets three women from Igor’s past. As Igor’s story unfolds through them, Lacy is less and less certain who her husband really was. Who can Lacy trust? Will she survive to find out?

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EXCERPT

“Where is it? Just tell us where it is and you won’t get hurt.” The taller man loomed over her, his face expressionless, a mask.

“Where is what? What are you talking about? Who are you?” Lacy began to be annoyed. That was better than being scared. “Can I see your badges again?”

The second man stared hard at her though dead-looking flat grey eyes. “Mrs. Telchev,” he said, his voice low and menacing, “we mean you no harm. But you must tell us where he hid his manuscript.”

They knew her name? Icy tentacles of fear slipping down Lacy’s back. She shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

At that moment the red and white lights of a state police vehicle rounded the curve coming toward them. Seeing the blocked road it stopped. Two uniformed officers got out and approached the two parked cars.

“You’re blocking the road. What’s the trouble here?”

The taller man spoke.  “No trouble, Officer. Sorry about the way we’re parked. I’ll move the car immediately. The lady was pulled over here and we just stopped to see if she needed help.”

He flipped open his wallet and showed the officers the same ID he’d shown Lacy.

It seemed to mean something to the policemen.

Lacy opened her mouth to say something and then thought better of it. What could she tell the police? These men wanted a manuscript from her but she didn’t know where it was? Or what it was about? Or even if it existed. That it involved her dead husband? No. She wouldn’t say anything. Not until she knew more.

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AUTHOR BIO

Blair McDowell wrote her first short story when she was eleven and has never ceased writing since, although only recently has she been able to return to her first love, writing fiction.  During her early years, she taught in universities in the United States, Canada and Australia, and wrote several highly successful books in her field.

Her research has taken her to many interesting places.  She has lived in Europe, Australia, the United States and the Caribbean and Canada, and spent considerable time in still other places, Iceland, the Far East, and the Torres Strait Islands off the coast of New Guinea. Now she travels for pleasure. Portugal, Greece and Italy are favorite haunts.

Her books are set in places she knows and loves and are peopled with characters drawn from her experiences of those places.   The Memory of Roses takes readers to the Greek Island of Corfu, where a young woman finds her future while searching for her father's past.  In Delighting in Your Company, the reader is transported to a small island in the Caribbean, with a heroine who finds herself in the unenviable position of falling in love with a ghost.  The setting for Sonata is the city of Vancouver, with its vibrant multicultural population and its rich musical life, and the heroine is a musician who finds herself in unexpected danger.

In her most recent release, Romantic Road, Lacy Telchev, is pursued along Germany’s famous Romantische Strausse as she follows clues left by her late husband in order to solve a mystery that she doesn’t understand, while being chased by dangerous and cunning adversaries.

She hopes her readers will enjoy reading these books as much as she enjoyed writing them.

Blair is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of America (Greater Vancouver Chapter),  the Romance Writers of America (Women's Fiction), and The Writers’ Union of Canada.

AUTHOR LINKS: WWebsite | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+


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GIVEAWAY


Romantic Road Blog Tour

Blair is offering e-copies of Romantic Road to 2 winners of the Rafflecopter.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


Romantic Road

Mystery, Romance, Suspense ~TEARDROPS KNOW MY NAME by DALIA FLOREA


Someone is stalking, fashion photographer, Linda McNair and turning her world upside down. She has no idea who it could be. Is it an old boyfriend? Someone in the industry? A complete stranger? The only thing Linda knows for sure is her stalker has to be stopped. Her life may depend on it.

When Linda meets Detective Sean Gregory, one of New York’s finest in more ways than one, stories unravel, revealing secrets, lies and betrayal that nearly destroy her, breaking her heart into a million tiny pieces.

Linda tries to resist Sean’s affection, but she can’t help wondering if he’s the right man who can put the shattered pieces of her heart back to together.

 
Author Bio 
   
Dalia grew up in Queens, New York and now makes her home in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. Her debut Mirrored reached the Top 100 Bestseller’s list in Women’s Detective Fiction. She is a voracious reader who enjoys writing fiction stories with a mixture of mystery, suspense, and romance. When she isn’t crafting suspense romance, she enjoys reading, attending live music concerts, and visiting wineries.
 
 
 
        

 

Thursday, March 26, 2015

INTERVIEW with Kellie Larsen Murphy, author of A Guilty Mind and Stay of Execution

·         Describe your writing in three words. Straight-forward, suspenseful, descriptive (at least, that’s what I’m shooting for!)
 
·         Do you have specific techniques you use to develop the plot and stay on track? After I’ve written the first draft, I will go back through the book, chapter by chapter, and create a timeline and outline. In this way, I can fine-tune any inconsistencies and weed out action/characters unnecessary to the plot. I don’t formally outline when I start a book although I always know how the book will begin and how it will end (who the bad guy(s) is/are!).
 
 
·         Was there any research involved in your work? I’ve had to do some research in both of the Cancini books. In the latest, Stay of Execution, I studied up on DNA and loosely used real-life actions in Virginia (re-examining old evidence with new technology) as a backdrop for the plot.
 
·         Favorite snack when writing. I love to munch on a homemade trail mix with almonds, granola, raisins, dried cranberries, wasabi peas, pretzels, and peanuts. Yum!
 
 
·         Is the Thesaurus one of your best writing friends? Yes, primarily because I have some favorite words. I tend to overuse them in early drafts and it’s only when I read over my work (especially out loud) that I hear them.
 
·         Who gets to read your drafts before they're published? I am so lucky to have a team of six beta readers. We meet for structural and plot issues. I also have family to read very early and very rough drafts. While my mother may still love everything I do, my sister and daughter will not only edit, but leave detailed comments. The best critics are those who can tell it like it is (in a loving way). After I get through all those readers, then I will submit to an editor. And then I revise and run it through one more reader. I’ll repeat until I’m satisfied.
·         What project(s) are you working on now? Right now I’m working on the third book in the Cancini series. My favorite detective is back in DC, investigating the violent murder of a young priest.
 
·         Where can readers find you and your book(s) online?  Both of my books are available online through the major book retailers Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Apple.
 
Kellie Larsen Murphy is the author of A GUILTY MIND and STAY OF EXECUTION, the first two books in the Detective Cancini Mystery series. She has written for several mid-Atlantic magazines and resides in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, four children, and two very large, very hairy dogs. She would be happy to hear from readers through her website,