HURRICANE CONTEST!

We're getting a big storm this weekend on the East Coast, what better way to celebrate than with a contest?

So, charge up your phones and ebook readers today this way you have it ready if the power goes out.

After you've done that. Comment here, say hi, and I'll enter you to win BOTH my novellas from Tease Publishing: Wild & Wicked and Chance of a Storm.

That's it. Simple and easy!

I will pick a winner after 12PM EST Saturday 8/27!

Good luck!

(and P.S. I'm working on #3)

Q&A Thursday - Interview with Sherri A. Dub

Thanks for joining us Sherri!

Comment with your name and email and Sherri will pick one winner to receive her e-book Witch Ball

Enjoy!

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I started writing as a young girl, in journals and school poetry contests.

I always loved going to the library and finding new authors and types of stories.

When I was 20 years old I won the Golden Poet award in California, and was hooked.  I knew this was what I wanted to do.  However, because I also love Archaeology, I followed that career path in college.

My first type writer was a Smith Corona word processor.  Today, I use an HP computer and the software, WriteWayPro.

Turning 42, I was nearly finished with my second novel, and had been submitting to agents and publishers whom were interested but not picking me, when I had to step back and look at what I wanted out of my writing life.  I wanted to get out of the slush pile and into the hands of readers.

This year, I decided to self-publish with the encouragement of my husband and several writing groups.  On April 21^st, 2011 my wedding anniversary, I published Goddess Cottage a paranormal romance, on all E-book formats.  I chose Bookbaby.com to use for my publication needs, and I have never looked back.  I love their cover artists, too.

Recently, on July 23^rd, 2011 I published my second paranormal romance The Witch Ball.

I don’t expect to get rich, but I wanted to get out there and begin my career.  My third book will be out on October 31^st of this year.  You can view my website for details: http://www.sheropatra.com

Next, I’ll shop around for an agent.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing…etc.

I love writing.  I find it soothing, exciting and an essential part of my life.  I don’t mind pitching, as I fully stand behind my writing.  And, I love working on queries, because it helps me to have a clearer vision of my work.

That being said, I know I have to find an agent, editors and publishers to advance my career in a positive direction.  But, the part I find most annoying isn’t any of those chores.

To me, contests are very difficult.  While bragging rights would be ideal, some contests aren’t accomplishing what they should, and they are very costly to invest in.

For instance, when I entered my first paranormal romance (Goddess Cottage) into RWA’s Golden Heart contest (twice), the most frustrating part of the process was the fact that my work was being judged by such a scattered array of judges that I’d truly have to have luck on my side for great scores.

What I mean is, I’ve entered and due to the process of 6 separate judges scoring 1-9, I’ve received completely different scores.  I’ve received 4 high numbers and two terrible numbers that won’t allow me to advance.  The odds are worse than Vegas numbers, that you’ll actually get a group that can assess your manuscript in an equal light.  Therefore, those two bad numbers or judges, who may have zero writing credentials and are just a volunteers, are going to ruin your chances of winning.

I know there are many contests out there, but I’m an RWA member and it was always my dream to win a Golden Heart.  However, I’ve come to realize that until it is judged by all published authors, agents or publishers, I really didn’t stand a chance at having a solid representation of fair scores.

So, for me, contests are the worst part of a writing career.  I’d love the recognition, but is the pricey process really worth it?  I don’t think so.

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

Barbara Michaels aka Elizabeth Peters is the woman whose career I’d love to parallel.  First, she’s not just an awesome writer with fantastic novels of mystery, romance and adventure.  She’s also an Egyptologist.

She interacts with her fans, too, doing many promotional tours that coincide with her love for Egyptology and her own Amelia Peabody series about a female Indiana Jones type adventurer, in Egypt.

I love that kind of commitment to her work, fan base and her own passions. 

She’s very admirable to me, and her published works are always a delight that I read and re-read when I need a strong go-to book to occupy my mind.

Visit Sherri online: http://www.sheropatra.com/

Teaser Tuesday! Featuring Betty Carlton

Today's Teaser Tuesday is with Betty Carlton!

Enjoy!

Betty Carlton is a relatively new writer. Haling from the southern USA. Betty lives with her husband and their faithfully stubborn beagle. She has written three novels at Sizzler Editions, Mine Alone, The Kincaid Way and His Fifteenth Victim. Also on Amazon she has a couple of self-published works. She writes what she calls "a different type of romance story, which has been referred to as dark and irresistible, but always a Happy Ending." To repay the all the help and advice she received from other writers along the way Betty has started a blog called http://bettyandfriends-wip.blogspot.com/ where she showcases other authors and the new pieces they are working on.

Blurb:

His Fifteenth Victim: a story about Understanding.

Brad eliminated evil people. His fifteenth victim lined up in his scope’s cross hairs. The pieces did not fit and he needed to understand why.

Sandra would become his living victim instead, until all questions were answered. To save her life she needed to learn to trust him a hundred and ten percent. The easy way or the hard way he would see that she understood.

His Fifteenth Victim: a story about Forgiveness.

An accident results in a serious change of directions for them both. With new eyes, Brad discovers things making him question his own decisions about Sandra and himself. Is the one executing just or more evil than his targets? Who does the forgiving?

His Fifteenth Victim: a story about Love.

The excerpt:

Brad has already been paid and maneuvered Sandra's roommate to be out of town for a few days, so no one would be missing her right a way. He has picked the spot. Hiding in the weeds he waits:

For most people today was a perfect May day. Sunny and warm a get outside and enjoy the weather day. He picked the spot. It would happen at the intersection of Stillmore Road and Valley Lane.

She would need to stop at the stop sign there before turning onto Valley Lane. It was Tuesday and today was her night to get off early. He could expect her between five and five-thirty.

Just in case, she was early, he already was kneeling in the bushes and watching the road. When two vehicles came and neither not bothered to stop, he wished for a moment he was a police officer and could dispense tickets.

The quietness agreed with him. When no more vehicles came the birds began to chirp to each other again. Ten minutes later not having moved a muscle, he heard a car as it sped up the road toward the stop sign. It gave no indication it intended to stop either. The squealing brakes surprised him. He thought maybe the driver did not know the road and the stop sign surprised him.

The cry of pain from an animal made him stand up. The fool driver had hit a dog and sped away.

What kind of low-life hurts an animal and not stop to help it.

There in the middle of the road a golden-haired dog lay dying. The poor dog's body jerked a few times and flipped over dead. Before he could do anything another car came up the road. He ducked. It was her's.

He placed the rifle and aimed. The sound of brakes squealing again filled the air as she slammed her brakes on. He heard the thump as she rolled over the dog's body.

Through the rifle's scope he watched her stop the car and get out. She walked back to the dog in the middle of the road. She went over and touched him. Brad could hear her start to cry.

“Oh, doggy I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you.”

She apparently thought she was the one that killed the dog. And she began sobbing. She picked the dog up and stroked its head. She begged the dog's forgiveness. Struggling to stand with her burden she walked to her car's passenger door. The burden of the dog dead weight caused her to struggle, but finally she opened it. She placed the dog on the seat. When she stood back up: she was his.

The cross line of the scope was dead center. He had his shot. She sniffled. She still was crying. His finger cautiously let go of the trigger and he lowered the weapon. Something did not feel right. Moments later he watched her blue car turned right and moved down Stillmore Road out of sight.

He needed a new plan.

****

She never saw him. He followed her all day from the moment she left the apartment. While she drove to work, through her break, through lunch at the small diner on the corner, and through the trip home with the stop at the grocery stop where she purchased a rotisserie chicken for dinner, milk, and two rolls of toilet paper.

“No, no, no. Come on you stupid car.” She slammed her fist against the steering wheel as the vehicle slowed to a stop. She closed her eyes to block out the sea of red anger she felt as she continued to beat at the wheel.

Finally reason and balance returned. She was laughing at herself. Every one does it and it usually doesn't do a thing. But, she did it anyway. Getting out she moved to the front of the car and raised the hood.

“Yep, the motor's still there.” That statement was the total of her mechanical expertise. She knew an engine when she saw one.

“Can I...”

She screamed and turned. Then she burst out laughing.

“I'm sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come up.” With heart still racing she eyed him up and down hoping he was friendly.

Teaser Tuesday! Featuring Dawne Prochilo

Today's Teaser is from Dawne Prochilo!

Dawne Prochilo is a multi selling erotic and contemporary romance author of six novels, two more being released later this year, a freelance online writer and blog queen. She oversees eight blogs daily, is the administrator of seven facebook pages and groups and loves promoting other authors.

When We Meet Again can be found at Secret Cravings Publishing.

http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/DawneProchilo.html

http://secretcravingspublishing.mybigcommerce.com/products/When-We-Meet-Again.html

Book Blurb:
How many of us wish we could turn back the clock? Go back to one specific time that would change our lives forever and it would be exactly how we wanted it.


Brynn Saunders has wished that for over two decades and while she can't change her life, a strange twist of fate is giving her a second chance at her one true love.


Teaser:

When We Meet Again

Dawne Prochilo

When he got in the truck he asked, “So, where to?”

“Hmmm,” she thought, nibbling on her lower lip. “Not much to do around here.”

He started the truck, “Well, we’ll find something.”

As he pulled out of the parking lot, Brynn remembered a park on the other side of the town and directed Ethan where to go. It was dark and the park was empty, so they parked near the entrance.

He removed his seatbelt. She followed suit and readjusted herself to be more comfortable. She turned to face him and sat with her legs bent beneath her. 

She could still make out the contour of his face even though it was dark. Even though she could barely see his eyes, she knew they were gazing at her. She shifted a little and Ethan leaned in and kissed her. He placed his hand under her cheek and his fingers entwined with her hair at the nape of her neck. He pulled her closer to him and into the heated moment.

His mouth was so sensual she could’ve stayed here forever. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she inhaled with exhilaration. She met each of his tongue strokes with a feverish desire of her own tongue. 

She leaned over the center console of the front seat and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kisses were becoming so deep and intense that before Brynn knew it, she was sitting on his lap in the front seat. She needed to be closer. His arms wrapped around her waist and she was running her fingers through his hair.

“You can’t be very comfortable,” he said when their lips finally parted.

“I’m fine,” she said breathlessly and swallowed.

“Are you sure?” he asked, trying to reposition to give her more room. He put his arm under her bent knees that were dangling over the console into the passenger seat. He tried to pull her body more onto his lap.

“I’m fine, really,” she said, smiling in the darkness.“What are we doing?” he asked her. “Are we going to stay here, park and make out all night?”

Just then a vehicle coming up the street shined its lights on them. She squinted at the bright intrusion.

“Not exactly a lot of privacy here,” he said holding his free hand up to shield the car’s lights from her vision. 

“So I’ve noticed,” she smiled. “Well, I guess it depends on how much privacy we need.”

She kept running her fingers through his hair and he laid his head back on the headrest. He shut his eyes enjoying the tranquil moment and arousing caress. 

“Oh, babe, that feels so good,” he moaned and began lovingly stroking his hands over her waist. His hand was under her cotton shirt, touching her flesh. It felt so warm and smooth; Ethan thought he’d lose himself in her softness. 

“I’ve been thinking about this night and moment forever,” she admitted and stopped touching his hair. “It’s almost surreal.”

He raised his head and looked at her. She appeared so innocent, with a hint of alluring charm. Her presence captivated him. 

For a moment, Ethan was twenty-four years younger and they were up on Hannaford Hill. Her soft body and sexuality hadn’t changed, it became more enhanced, and he felt his own enhancement growing in his jeans. He shifted again.