Meet Annabelle, a ghost whisperer

Even skeptical detectives need a little otherworldly help. . .

     Annabelle Lawson hops a train to Reno to escape a marriage to an older man. Alone and nearly destitute, she spots an advertisement that might change her life. If she can use the dreams that haunt her to land a job with the mysterious Treymane PSI Agency, she might be able to buy a ticket home to Kentucky.

     Agent Cole Swansby is an up and coming detective for Tremayne PSI. There’s only thing that can sink his career: if the boss discovers he’s a skeptic. He’s under tremendous pressure to solve a case before the president of Midas Mining comes to town.

     Cole can’t solve this case without otherworldly help and Annabelle is just the woman for the job. As they’re drawn deeper into the mystery of the woman in green, they may not be able to banish the ghost without losing their hearts. To each other.

Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome Blaire Edens and Annabelle Lawson from A Ghostly Wager, part of The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly anthology. First up is Annabelle.

Where are you from? Kentucky and I’m trying desperately to get back there.

Tell us a bit about A Ghostly Wager. It’s the story of how I used the one skill I had to land a job and fall in love.

What did you think the first time you saw Cole Swanson? Good heavens. I’m in trouble.

Hmm. There's clearly a story in that response. What was your second thought? He MUST hire me.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? I don’t know about love but Cole cut a fine figure.

Hmm. Besides that he fills out a pair of jeans well, what what do you like most about him? Not only is he smart, he’s the kindest man I’ve ever known.

Aww. How would you describe this smart, kind man? Delicious.

Now we're talkin', sister. How would Cole describe you? Sassy. A tornado in a yellow dress.

Excellent. What made you choose working in a special investigations office for a career? Desperation. With my Papa constantly in the drink and determined to marry me off to a man twice my age, I had to work with what I had. That happened to be the ability to talk to ghosts.

What is your biggest fear? Not getting back to Kentucky in time to see Granny one last time.

Yeah, those Grannies sure have a way about them. How do you relax, Annabelle? With a cup of tea.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Dorothea Brooke in Middlemarch. I’ve read that book at least a dozen times in the last ten years. I can really identify with her because her life unfolds in such an unexpected way, just as mine had.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Screw your courage to the sticking place and we’ll not fail.” My late mother loved that line from Shakespeare’s MacBeth and whenever I’m afraid, I repeat it to myself for courage.

A young woman who talks to ghosts and quotes Shakespeare. Outstanding. Thanks for spending time with us, Annabelle. It's Blaire's turn now.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? I love old movies. My favorites tend to be ones with very strong writing. I love Gaslight, with Isabella Rosselini and Charles Boyer. It also features a young Angela Lansbury, who is my favorite actress. As far as story structure goes, it’s impossible to beat Casablanca because it has everything: love, conflict, dark moments. It’s perfect and timeless and if I’m struggling to figure out story structure for a specific project, all I have to do is re watch the movie and I can get back to work.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I’m from the mountains of Western North Carolina. Because of my husband’s job, I haven’t been able to live there all the time and when I’m in some far-flung location, I miss the mountains and home so much. For I can certainly empathize with Annabelle when it comes to desperate homesickness. If you’d like to see LOTS of photos of my hometown and the mountains that surround it, come see me on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/blaireedensauthor

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I work with several publishers and each one is different. As far as advice for new authors, I’d say find publishers that BELIEVE IN and LOVE your work. That’s a must. If you’re an aspiring author and want more details, feel free to email me at Blaire AT BlaireEdens DOT com.

What project[s] are you working on now? What project am I NOT working on? Ha. I have several releases coming up in the next few months so I’m working on polishing and editing those and I’m in the early stages of writing three new novels for 2017. I’m very good at overextending myself.

The project I’m most excited about is the release of the first book in my Carolina Crypto series. It’s contemporary paranormal that pits two investigators again the Lizard Man, a reptile/mammal hybrid that haunts a South Carolina swamp. It’s steamy (literally and figuratively), sassy and *hopefully* full of adrenaline.

You can find out about all my projects, past, present and future here:

www.blaireedens.com

If you like ARCs, (and really, WHO doesn’t like free books?) you can go here and submit an application to receive my latest books for FREE in exchange for honest reviews. (Not every applicant gets every book but STILL. FREE BOOKS are very possible.), go to: https://goo.gl/IwvFHb

What's up next for you? My next release will be Carolina Crypto: The Lizard Man Affair on September 19. It will be followed by the Frenzied: A Great White Story. It’s a *very spicy* shifter with a hot lifeguard, a schoolteacher and some unscrupulous scientists.

Blaire brought an excerpt from A Ghostly Wager:

Anna took a deep breath and looked out the small window that faced Sierra Street. She chewed on her bottom lip. “I dream things.”

“We all dream things.”

“These dreams are different. People who have passed visit me in my dreams. Every night.”

“Who are they?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know them.”

“Do they scare you?”

“They did at first but now, after four years of facing them every night, I’ve gotten used to them.”

“They talk to you?”

“They want me to take messages to their loved ones.”

“Do you oblige them?”

“I don’t know how I would ever find the people they’re looking for but they keep coming back anyway.”

“You’re sure they aren’t ordinary nightmares?” She wouldn’t be the first woman who’d been driven insane by the life she was forced to live here in the West.

She shook her head vigorously. “They’re not the same. Not at all. The people that visit me in my dreams are real.”

Cole reminded himself that he didn’t believe in ghosts. If ghosts didn’t exist, the living couldn’t communicate with them. Simple logic. But this woman seemed honest, earnest and for a sliver of a moment, he believed her, or at least believed she believed the dead talked to her. “Are you a widow?”

“He died in the Fire of 1875.” Her voice quavered a bit and she wouldn’t meet his eyes. The woman in front of him was lying.

“You came from Virginia City?”

“Got here last night.”

Something about her story didn’t make sense. Maybe she just looked young, but he couldn’t imagine that she was married six years ago. Even in this godforsaken corner of America, girls didn’t marry at eleven or twelve.

“How old are you?”

Anna flinched and her eyes went wide. “Twenty-three. I look young for my age. People tell me that all the time,” she said with a nervous giggle.

There was more to this story. While Cole might not strictly believe in the mission of the Agency, he was a damn good detective and he smelled a rat. She was running from something. He’d bet his paycheck on it.

“What’s your real story?”

“What on earth do you mean?”

He leaned back in his chair and looked directly at her. “Level with me and I’ll consider hiring you.”

By the way she exhaled and dropped her shoulders, he knew he’d hit the nail on the head.

About our guest:

Blaire Edens lives in the mountains of North Carolina. She grew up on a farm that’s been in her family since 1790. Of Scottish descent, her most famous ancestor, John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Guardian of Scotland, was murdered by Robert the Bruce on the altar of the Greyfriars Church at Dumfries.

She has a degree in Horticulture from Clemson University. She’s held a myriad of jobs including television reporter, GPS map creator, and personal assistant to a fellow who was rich enough to pay someone to pick up the dry cleaning. When she’s not plotting, she’s busy knitting, running, or listening to the Blues.

Blaire loves iced tea with mint, hand-stitched quilts, and yarn stores. She refuses to eat anything that mixes chocolate and peanut butter or apple and cinnamon. She’s generally nice to her mother, tries to remember not to smack her bubble gum, and only speeds when no one’s looking. She’s the award-winning author of Wild About Rachel, The Witch of Roan Mountain, and The Fairy Bargain.

Stalk Blaire on the Net at:

Author Home

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

To purchase A Ghostly Wager and other stories from The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly, go to: www.mybook.to/GoodBadGhostly

The Good, the Bad, the Ghostly #1

     For the next few weeks Wild Women Authors is will entertain a diverse group of authors who recently put their imaginations together and created The Good, the Bad and the Ghostly. We couldn't be more pleased for the opportunity to present them on WWA. Today, Charlene Raddon and Burke Jameson from A Ride Through Time are with us.

First, a blurb:

     P.S.I. Agent Burke Jameson travels to Eagle Gulch, Colorado to investigate a report of ghost activity at a house where a murder took place in 1881. When his vehicle carrying his P.S.I. equipment dies, and a riderless mare appears, he mounts up, hoping the horse will lead him to her fallen rider. What he finds is a whole new life beyond his imagination.

     Clorinda Halstead believes she’s a widow. After all, she was the one who shot her husband, Horace, on a violent night in 1881. He deserved it, the jury concluded. Living with the town marshal and his wife, all Clori wants is to be left alone. Then a stranger, Burke James, joins the household and nothing is ever the same again.

     How did Burke find his way through time to the year 1881, and who is haunting the lovely but distant Widow Halstead? Can Burke find the ghost of Eagle Gulch without his P.S.I. equipment? And how will he ever choose between going home to his own time and a life of love and happiness with Clorinda?

As usual, we'll begin with author Charlene's favorite character, Burke Jameson.

Where are you from? Denver, Colorado, but I grew up in Eagle Gulch.

What did you think the first time you saw Clori Halstead? Wow! She was pretty, mysterious and intriguing. Because she didn’t seem to like me, I had to win her over.

What was your second thought? She was afraid of men.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? No, but close.

What do you like most about Clori? That she had been strong enough to stand up for herself and do what was necessary to save her own life.

How would you describe her? Delicate but strong, introverted, fearful, unconfident.

How would Chlori describe you? Probably as a busy body who wouldn’t leave her alone.

What made you choose Psychic Specters Investigations as a career? I’ve been fascinated with ghosts since I was a teenager. I visited a haunted house and was chased away by a terrifying specter. Ever since, I wanted to go back and teach that ghost a lesson.

What is your biggest fear? That I’ll let Clori down and fail to exorcise her husband who is haunting her.

How do you relax? I like to fish but rarely have time for it. My work is my recreation.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Sherlock Holmes because his methods were so clever and ahead of their time.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Never let a specter see that you are afraid.

We thank you, Burke, for taking time away from your work to visit with us. We'd like to chat with Charlene now.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? Give Your Heart to The Hawks by Win Blevens gave me a fascination for heroes of the past when it took everything a person has to survive day to day. Ride The Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson because of her use of detail, and A. B. Guthrie, whose wonderful stories of the old west inspired me to write my own.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? In my novel, Tender Touch, I used experiences from my first marriage which was abusive. In To Have and To Hold, I used stories my mother told me of living in a dugout.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I’m self-published now. I started with Kensington Books, then Tirgearr Publishing, but decided to try it on my own.

What project[s] are you working on now? A novella for another sort of anthology.

What's up next for you? I have a book nagging me to get going on it about a lady heart surgeon who gives up her profession and retires to a ranch in Montana. She explores a ghost town on the property and finds she can go back and forth into the past there.

To learn more about Charlene Raddon and the stories she creates, go to:

charraddon@pobox.com

http://charleneraddon.com

http://charleneraddon.blogspot.com

http://silversagebookcovers, com

https://www.amazon.com/Charlene-Raddon/e/B000APG1P8/

A Man in Uniform

. . . Kari Phillips has sworn off alpha men, thanks to a childhood spent raising four sisters while her dad served in the Air Force and her mom was unable to cope with his deployments. Vowing never to follow in her mom’s footsteps, Kari has become a driven, successful attorney. On her way to Tokyo to rescue her best friend’s wedding, she meets a cocky F-15 pilot headed to the same ceremony. When he finagles a seat next to her on the flight, she vows if he gives her any grief, she’ll shove him out of the emergency exit without a parachute.

. . . Major Steve Shorner, a patriotic warrior fulfilling his lifelong dream as a fighter pilot, is finding it tough to live down a couple of practical jokes. Before he heads to Tokyo to be his buddy’s best man, Steve’s commander assigns him to a no-win project in Japan, and links the outcome to Steve’s tryout for the Thunderbirds, the AF’s elite demo team. But after a chance meeting with a beautiful redhead at the airport, Steve acquires a new goal—convince the sexy, workaholic lawyer to bend her rule against military men.

Adhering to the adage 'there's nothing like a man in uniform', Wild Women Authors welcomes CJ Matthew and Major Steve Shorner from CJ's upcoming release A Major Seduction. As usual we'll begin with Steve.

Where are you from? I was born and raised on the family ranch in the great state of Texas. Right now I’m stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force base in North Carolina.

Tell us a bit about A Major Seduction. The story starts out when Kari and I met at the Atlanta airport on the way to Tokyo. She was going to be the maid of honor and leaving early to rescue her best friend’s wedding. I was on TDY before standing up for my buddy as his best man at the same wedding.

What did you think the first time you saw Kari Phillips? Obviously the woman is beautiful, but loaded down with carry-ons and a huge garment bag? I figured she could use a lesson in efficient packing. 

Clearly you've never packed for a wedding, Major. And your second thought? After I overheard the phone conversation between Kari and one of her sisters, I realized we were headed to the same ceremony and I’d better not step out of line. Too much.

What do you like most about Kari? Besides how beautiful she is? Kari’s smart and funny and a terrific friend.

How would you describe her? She is tall and sexy, red hair, smart as a whip, driven but when she relaxes she has a great sense of humor, and she’s real thoughtful of others.

That's nice. How would she describe you? She says we’re alike when it comes to commitment to our careers. She noticed my buzz cut right away and it put her off. I know she likes that I’m taller than she is. Tells me she likes my smile and dimples.

What made you choose flying for the Air Force as a career? Once I’d flown in a small plane as a youngster, I had no other choice. Had to learn to fly and keep flying. I’m honored to be in the front seat of a Strike Eagle and go where my country needs me.

What is your biggest fear? Snakes. I can’t abide snakes.

Been there. How do you relax? Top of the list is dancing with Kari. I also like working out, running. Love having a beer with buddies, football.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Got to admire Jack Reacher. The man can handle himself, and he’s handy with weapons. Mostly he can think his way out of a problematic situation.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? One AF trainer told us: after a mission, a pilot needs to review his actions. Acknowledge and learn from any mistakes. Resolve to do even better next time.

This has been great, Steve. Thank you. We'd like to talk to CJ now.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? I love reading contemporary romance, especially Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Nora Roberts. I watch so many films it’s hard to pin down one or two. I try to file away as much as I can of the parts and scenes in movies that I especially like.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? For this novel especially, my first, I drew heavily from personal experience. I grew up an air force brat and we lived in Tokyo for several years. To bring me up-to-date on the air force, I toured SJAFB and interviewed several pilots and a WSO. From there, it was fun to weave a fictional love story set in Tokyo.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? My books are self-published. I wrote the first version of A Major Seduction in 2008 and in 2014 I signed with a literary agent. But in spring of 2015, I decided to self-publish all the books I’d written over that period: 5 stories in my Dolphin Shore Shifter series, 1 Romantic Suspense in the Paladin Group series and now I’m releasing the first book I ever wrote, book 1 of the Colonel’s Daughters quintet, A Major Seduction.

Gotta admire a woman who doesn't give up. What project[s] are you working on now? I am writing book 2 of the Paladin Group, Survival Reboot. Looking forward to finishing book 2 of the Colonel’s Daughters quintet, Compromising the Captain, set in London, Paris and Las Vegas.

Sounds great. What's up next for you? I’m developing a fantasy time travel series.

CJ brought along an excerpt for A Major Seduction:

     As the airport security line slowed, Kari’s cell phone rang somewhere deep in an out-of-reach pocket. The tote bag shoulder strap took another dive and abruptly stopped its fall with a heavy jolt on her elbow. What was it with this bag? Now, with every movement, the bulky monster bumped into her knee.

     Kari stopped. Bending over to dig for her phone, she followed the “New York, New York” ringtone. “Damn it,” she whispered.

     “Need some help?” A deep voice rumbled from somewhere close. She glanced up. Way up. And stared. The man…gorgeous. A magazine model? Maybe not with that blond hair cut extremely short. Uh-oh. Possibly the first strike against him. He looked military.

     As an air force brat, she knew how frequently men with domineering and controlling traits joined the service. Her own mother had been hard-pressed to cope with her dad, the Colonel’s, overpowering personality. Since Kari was determined not to follow in Mom’s footsteps, she simply avoided men in uniform.

     Still, she had to admire the man’s strong chin and classically handsome features. Her gaze slid down to broad shoulders, trim waist, then stalled. Darted back up. Whoa, his eyes were the exact color of warm chocolate.

     Wait…here was half a strike. His eyes were framed by impossibly long lashes. Unfair, wasted on a male.

     He met her gaze, smiled, and said, “Could I help with the bag while you find your phone?”

     Her heart cart-wheeled. As his smile grew, a deep dimple appeared in each cheek, punctuating his full lips. Wow, a tall, helpful man with sexy dimples. Her phone quit ringing. Kari felt the telltale warmth of a blush spread across her neck and up her face.

     Locating her cell, she shook her head at her tall neighbor. “Thanks. I’ve got it now.” Seeing the picture of her baby sister, Deborah, on the screen, Kari punched Recall.

     Since the hunk behind her only scored one and a half strikes, she surreptitiously completed her inventory and reached her verdict: the man was a total hottie. But what about the drastic buzz cut? If it wasn’t military, he might be law enforcement. Not worth the risk.

Major Seduction: Pre-order for Release date: October 14, 2016:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KCX0EUK

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aZEHhv

To learn more about CJ Matthew and the stories she creates, go to:

Website: www.cjmatthew.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJMatthew

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

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/CJ-Matthew/e/B013PUB3NO/

Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14216343.C_J_Matthew

Meet Morgan D'Arcy

For the next few days, Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back Linda Nightingale and Morgan D'Arcy from Linda's latest release out of the Wild Rose Press, Morgan D'Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody.

Tell us a bit about Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody. Rhapsody is a collection of short vampire fiction, told in first person by Yours Truly. Each story gives a glimpse of a different period in my life, spanning the years from the late 1900s to today. They are love stories. I loved each of them in my own way—and still do. Time waits for no man.

A short bit about each story is the following:

Devil’s Waltz: “At times, Amber looked as if she’d dissect me, given the chance.“

Night Moves: “Beware those who walk the Battery late at night. That stately old mansion with its face turned away from the sea, the beautiful one with a Greek portico, has dark secrets.”

Sunrise, Sunset: “Each of us, at some time, wishes to stand naked in passion’s temple and face deepest, darkest desire—to be an innocent victim to lust.”

Intermezzo: “The DBS wasn’t the most comfortable place to have sex, but it could be done.”

What made you choose the piano for a profession/career? When you live as long as I have, boredom is a constant danger. “Boredom had caught me at the bottom of a bleak winter evening, and boredom in my hands was a time bomb that would explode. The question was merely where and when.” (Sunrise, Sunset). I’d always loved the piano, and in self-defense I turned to a remedy that has become my rescue over the years. Playing and learning is easy for me, and I began performing. The rest, as they say, is history, but I love what I do and enjoy giving people pleasure.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a pianist or do something different? When the years take away this persona, and I must become another person, I shall miss the piano. I have never regretted my decision.

What is your biggest fear? That the woman I love will reject me, and I shall wander eternity never having found that one in a million selfless emotion…true love.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? My co-star and sometimes villain, Lucien St. Albans, would be angry if I didn’t say, “Oh, Lucien, of course. He’s a very complex character, and a powerful man not only because he is Chief Councilor of Les Elus, the ruling body of the Vampyre. Ladies, he is tall, dark, and handsome with a Latin accent in the purest definition, as in Ancient Rome.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? ‘Stay away from that woman. She’ll be your downfall.’ This was an attempt to save my mortal life, but I was mesmerized by Dominique du Montcleare, my vampire mother. Had I listened—I’d be dust in my grave.

We thank Morgan for spending time with us. 

To purchase Morgan D'Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody, go to www.thewildrosepress.com

Meet Chicago Psychiatrist Matthew Moi

This week Wild Women Authors welcomes JM Maurer and psychiatrist, Dr. Matthew Moi from JM's latest release Seeking Hope. First up is Matthew.

Where are you from? I was born in France. My family and I moved to Chicago during my early childhood years. Been there since.

Tell us a bit about Seeking Hope. I should first tell you that getting to where Jess and I are now has been a journey. I admit it. I did my share of arranging for our paths to cross, but, in the end, our love for each other prevailed. I knew all along what I wanted, and what I wanted was her.

     Now that we’re together, I want something I’m not sure Jess will ever be ready for. I’ve hinted about it with her, but she’s not reacting positively—at all. She’s still working though letting go and leaving her past in the past. But in light of recent events, I need to push my desires aside. What I need now is to keep her safe and find the prick who has threatened to kill her.

What did you think the first time you saw Jessica Winters? It would be inappropriate to discuss my thoughts on the first time I “saw” her, but the summer evening when her softball team played mine, I can tell you about that—the way she walked into the batter’s box, the way the gold flecks in her eyes lit up the sky, the way she knocked in the winning run, sending the softball flying right past me. The softness of her skin as she shook my hand at the end of the game rocked me as if a million volts of electricity were barreling throughout my body, zapping me alive. 

Well, gee. And your second thought? I wanted more.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? Long before Jess and I had made physical contact, I’d had the pleasure of reading her master’s thesis, which, by the way, was a bit too much for her advisor to digest and the reason for it coming to my attention. The subject area was right up my alley. And after absorbing her findings and combing through the mounds of data she had collected, I knew I wanted her in my life, at the office, in my arms, and in my bed. Forever.

     But after our face-to-face contact, where she didn’t exactly see me eye-to-eye, I was angry. Angry that I couldn’t make her mine. Not at the time. No, I had to be patient, give her time to heal. She’d gone through a lot—a nasty divorce, a miscarriage, the death of her mother. She was fragile, barely existing under the dark clouds of depression. Truth be told, I’d been secretly in love with her for years.

You obviously know Jess well; what do you like the most about her? She’s a natural caregiver. She’s someone who thinks first of others, last of herself. She’s warm, affectionate, quirky, and intelligent. She can’t cook to save her life. It’s okay. I keep her fed, and in more ways than one.

How would you describe her? Anxious but determined. Beautiful inside and out. She isn’t out to impress anyone. I’m proud she’s come so far, tackling her anger and her fears like a true champion, learning to smile again. I adore her smile. Yeah, I love her smile the most.

You are special, Matt. How would she describe you? Loyal. She’d say she knew from the first day she looked at me, that moment she walked into my sister’s room in the ICU, seeing the man in a business suit at her new patient’s bedside—with his messy hair, his heated and sultry stare, his…sexual comments—that I was not going anywhere. At least, not anywhere without her.

What made you choose psychiatry/sex therapy as a career? With my mother being a psychiatrist and my father a surgeon, when my sister and I weren’t being toted around by our au pair, we were either sitting in on a lecture at the university or engaged in whatever happening was going on at the hospital. It wasn’t until my first human sexuality class during my undergraduate years, and then subsequent involvement with research in the field, that I knew what I wanted to do.

What is your biggest fear? It can be an all-encompassing, traumatizing, and paralyzing experience, especially when the woman you love—the same woman who stops my heart with her smile, restarts it with her touch—has a death threat out on her. But believe me, I will protect her at all costs. Even if that means I have to keep a secret.

Wow. How do you relax? Relax? Unless she’s in my arms and our doors are locked, I have no time for rest. The Chicago Police are working the case, but they don’t have the emotional attachment to her that I have. And I won’t rest until this sick individual behind the boxes is rotting behind bars.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? My wife. Are there others?

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? From the great Albert Einstein: A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new. The advice I take from that? Open yourself to new experiences, new opportunities. It’s not the mistake itself but what you learn from the mistake that counts. In other words, fear not the mistake; fear never having done anything that would lead to never making one. As Jess is learning, fear isn’t always a bad thing.

     What is bad is that my time is up. I do, however, want to thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure. I know I can speak for Mrs. Maurer when I say we wish you all good health, abundant happiness, and much love.

Thanks, Matt. This has been a real treat for us. Now we'd like to talk to JM.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? Having published my first two novels in 2015, I’m newly published, so I can’t exactly say a particular book or movie has impacted my career as a writer. What I can say is that I love that bubbly feeling I get at the end of a movie or book when the characters have fought like hell for their happily-ever-after and finally get it.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Seeking Hope is the final installment in the Emerging From Darkness trilogy and is a love story that explores themes of depression, anxiety, and trust with the intrigue of true love, sex, and marriage. In an effort to gain better psychological health, Jess fights to climb out from under the dark clouds that have taken control of her life. I’m not sure one particular event in my life impacted this story; there are most likely many. I’ve had my share of ups and downs, experienced significant loss, and fought to reach a goal where the odds were stacked against me. Like Jess, I still fight. I think that getting knocked down and getting back up is partially what life’s all about.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I am self-published and proud of it. Not that I wouldn’t take notice of a traditional publication offer, but it’s not something I’ve been at all focused on. I like to write. I work hard to produce quality stories, and I listen carefully to my editor’s suggestions. My focus is on my writing and getting to where I want to be, not the speed at which I get there, or through which portal I get there.

What project[s] are you working on now? I’m working on a Christmas story, which may or may not be ready for 2016. I’m too much of a perfectionist to release anything before I’m ready, and life gets rather busy in and out of my household.

What's up next for you? Before I get to that, I want to thank you for having us. It’s been a pleasure. As for what’s up next…Food! Like Jess, cooking doesn’t rank high on my list of fun things to do.

But I’d love to know what you’re cooking so tell me your favorite recipe at: jmmaurerauthor@gmail.com

Come hang with me on social media.

Website: http://jmmaurer.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMMaurer1

Goodreads: bit.ly/GoodreadsJMMaurer

JM brought along a blurb from Seeking Hope, Emerging From Darkness Book 3

I’d been given promises in the past, all of which were broken.

Inevitably, they broke me.

I wouldn’t let those broken promises stop me from believing in new ones, though.

I couldn’t.

Matthew Moi was different.

His dimpled smile and witty sexual banter has held me spellbound since day one.

Falling in love with him came easy.

Marrying him—a dream come true.

Now, he wants something I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for.

As I struggle, he faithfully remains at my side.

Through it all, his protective nature shields me from an evil I didn’t see coming.

Together, we have it all—love, passion, trust.

Apart, the possibilities are endless, even death.

Note from the author: Seeking Hope is the final book in the Emerging From Darkness trilogy, and as such, is not intended to be a standalone. The trilogy reads as: Seeking Love, Seeking Redemption, & Seeking Hope.

Follow Jessica and Matthew’s captivating and steamy love story from the beginning—start the trilogy today! Seeking Love (Book 1) is currently FREE!

and is available at:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HQU6B22

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seeking-Hope-Emerging-Darkness-Book-ebook/dp/B01HQU6B22?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seeking-hope-jm-maurer/1123600085?ean=2940152945317

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seeking-hope/id1120300183?mt=11

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=VeuODAAAQBAJ&sticky_source_country=US

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-seekinghopeemergingfromdarknessbook3-2052848-149.html

Welcome a New Author From Class Act Books

. . .When her father is sent on an assignment to Kenya, Gabrielle Madsen goes with him. There she meets Josh VanNess and his twin sister, Chris. Gabby is drawn to Josh, and he to her, but she isn't aware of just how strong their attraction is until the pair take her on a night trek through the jungle.

The twins have a secret and once Gabby learns it, it will change her heart and her love forever. . .

This week, Wild Women Authors welcomes Juanita Aydlette and Gabrielle Madsen from It's In The Blood, Juanita's latest release out of Class Act Books. First up is Gabrielle.

Where are you from? I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana

What did you think the first time you saw Josh. I thought that the heavens was missing an angel—those green eyes and mountains of muscles attracted me like a magnet.

Good one. And your second thought? I know this sounds crazy, but I thought, he must need glasses, cause I'm not a beauty queen.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? For me, it was.

What do you like most about him? I felt that he could read my soul. There was no pretense about him. His hair smelled good, too!

How would you describe Josh? Besides the most beautiful thing that God put on this earth, I thought he was bull-headed, possessive—which I liked, and pretty sure of himself.

Also a good one. How would he describe you? I think he needs glasses, cause he said I was beautiful.

What made you choose botany for a career? It wasn't an easy thing to do, because I like a few things. Working with animals has been most fulfilling, but plants bring joy and surrounds one with incredible beauty also.

What is your biggest fear, Gabby? Not accomplishing at least one of the things that I set out to do. I want to discover a new species of plant, own a ranch with as many types of animals as I can, marry Josh and start a family of my own.

Ambitious, aren't we. How do you relax? Planting flowers, watching TV, or just making sure my Dad takes care of himself.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Tinker Bell. It's all about the magic.

Ain't it just so. What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Education first and everything else will fall in place. I didn't do it in that order, but things worked out anyway.

Thanks, Gabby. Based on the synopsis provided by Juanita, this looks like a fun story. Now we'd like to talk to her.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? There's quite a few. I've always liked movies that contain magic and fantasy; Alice & Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia, even Babe. I want to create my own characters and take them on a unique adventure if I can.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? First I must say, that, I wish I did have an event to happen to me as it did in my novel. I'm from Louisiana, and I've been told stories about voodoo and spells since I was young. I believed most of them.

Tell me a little about your publisher, including what influenced your decision to submit to them. Class Act Books is under new management. Anita York is the new CEO. I was actually submitting at random to publishers who wanted fantasy/romance, or romantic elements in a story. So far, I think she's great. She's made me feel very welcome, she's sticking to her schedule as she promised and she has a great staff.

What project[s] are you working on now? I'm almost finished with Blood Ties, part two of It's in the Blood, and takes place seven years later. I'm also working on a paranormal mystery, and a true story. That, I don't want to disclose too much about.

What's up next for you? I want to retire as a writer. Maybe someone will like one of my stories and want to make a movie about it. So on August 15^th, I'm asking all manics to go to www.classactbooks.com for a print copy of It's in the Blood, or Amazon.com for an e-book. If you like it, leave a comment on my Facebook page, the Class Act Books Facebook page, or on my website, www.thesouloffiction.com.

This has been great. To learn more about Juanita Aydlette and the stories she creates, go to:

http://thesouloffiction.com/

https://www.facebook.com/juanita.aydlette

https://www.facebook.com/Class-Act-Books-279355422086332/?fref=ts

Twitter: @Juanita Aydlette

Here's an excerpt of It's In The Blood:

A rustling of leaves in the distance brought an instant hush in the air. No monkeys chattered. No insects buzzed. Total quiet. Josh immediately grabbed my hand to keep the flashlight pointing toward the ground. The sound of twigs breaking and crunching leaves inched closer. It accompanied a low snarl. My body became rigid and he cupped his hand over my mouth just as I gasped. Yellow, glowing eyes pierced the night and moved directly toward us.

“Looks like the mountain found Mohammed,” Mike whispered.

The flashlight went off. I hurdled into the air and crashed into a patch of scratchy brush. totally blinded by the night, I whimpered and hid my face between my knees. While hearing the most extreme growls and clashing of teeth, I couldn't move. I could only pray that it would stop. Cries of pain pierced my eardrums over and over. The growling, snarling, and loud thumps sent my mind into orbit. Josh. Where are you?

Minutes later, something brushed my arm and my teeth clinched. My lungs inflated and I held my breath, only to learn that if was Chris. How on earth did she find me?

“Be quiet, we don't know how many are out there,” she said.

“Where are the guys?” My voice vibrated as I whispered.

“I don't know. Mike pushed me to the ground and told me to stay still. Then I could hear him moving away.”

“And Josh?”

“He can take care of himself. He and that lion are old enemies.”

“What?”

A sharp pain ricocheted across my temples. I put my face down again, feeling my body go into convulsive jerks. Were they trying to defend themselves against a lion? In the dark? For a brief moment, my fear became anger, then fear, then anger again.

“What is it with you, Chris? How can you be so damn calm? I'm going crazy here.”

My head spun with a menagerie of horrible visions, and my whispers turn to low, choking sobs. I pictured them being torn to pieces, then the lion, or lions, wold come back for us. Our bodies would be totally consumed and scraps of our clothing would all that was left to identify us.

The sounds of the violent fighting came to a sudden halt. The snarls became less audible and they moved quickly away. The leaves rustled in our direction. Chris and I embraced, waiting for the night stalker, waiting to feel the pain of our limbs being torn from our bodies, and our screams instantly silenced by the jaws of the mighty beasts. Even knowing death is near, I guessed it was best not to see it coming head on.

“Chris, where are you?” The voice rang musically in our ears.

“Mike?”

“Just keep talking, baby, and I'll find you.”

“Where's Josh? Is he okay?” I blurted out between sobs.

“Bruised and bitten, but he'll live, as always.”

I wailed and cried, realizing that we had escaped with our lives. Chris held me close to calm me down as my tears stung my bug-bitten cheeks.

Let's Do an Earthquake with Author Chrys Fey

. . . An Internal Affairs Investigator was murdered and his brother, Donovan Goldwyn, was framed. Now Donovan is desperate to prove his innocence. And the one person who can do that is the woman who saved him from a deadly hurricane—Beth Kennedy. From the moment their fates intertwined, passion consumed him. He wants her in his arms. More, he wants her by his side in his darkest moments.

. . . Beth Kennedy may not know everything about Donovan, but she can’t deny what she feels for him. It’s her love for him that pushes her to do whatever she has to do to help him get justice, including putting herself in a criminal’s cross hairs.

. . . When a tip reveals the killer's location, they travel to California, but then an earthquake of catastrophic proportions separates them. As aftershocks roll the land, Beth and Donovan have to endure dangerous conditions while trying to find their way back to one another.

. . . Will they reunite and find the killer, or will they lose everything?

This week, Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back author Chrys Fey who awhile back treated us with a peek at her fabulous thriller Hurricane Crimes and now has brought Beth Kennedy from the sequel to Hurricane: Seismic Crimes, a recent release out of Wild Rose Press. We've been waiting for this one--and it looks like a beauty. Let's get into this by starting with Beth.

Where are you from? Orlando, Florida.

Tell us a bit about Seismic Crimes. [It] is the sequel to Hurricane Crimes (a novella) and takes place after Hurricane Sabrina hits Florida. This story reveals my love story with Donovan and the intensity of hunting down a killer. But Chrys explains it so much better.

What did you think the first time you saw Donovan Goldwyn? I thought he was an idiot. I mean, he was driving a car in hurricane-force winds, and he crashed it. Into a tree. At that time, though, I didn’t actually know who was driving the car. 

Excellent. What was your second thought? That I had to help him, so I braved the storm to get him out of his wrecked car. The rest is, as they say, history.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? Definitely not. The first glimpse I got of him was through a car window. He had a gash on his forehead, and I was afraid for him. Moments later, I saw his violet eyes, and I have to admit that my heart did stutter.

For a self-defense teacher, that's quite an admission. What do you like most about him? He is fiercely protective. To the point where it can set my teeth on edge, but knowing it comes from a place of loves makes it tolerable. Mostly. He’s also the most caring man I’ve ever known, aside from my father, and the most passionate. Donovan makes me blush from love and lust. His mysterious side keeps things interesting, too.

Aww. How would you describe him? My previous answer sums him up perfectly: protective, caring, generous, passionate, mysterious, and a complete adrenaline junkie.

Good match for a capable woman whose goal is to help others take care of themselves. How would he describe you? Strong, stubborn, (stubbornly strong?), and he’s often been quoted (by Chrys) as saying I’m “one of a kind.”

What made you choose being a self-defense instructor as a career? In high school, a girl I knew was raped and murdered. My friends and I were afraid for our lives, so we took self-defense classes. Afterward, I liked how strong and confident I became and turned into an assistant teacher. With my parents’ help, I opened my own studio. My goal is to help every man, woman and child defeat domestic abuse and to know how to defend themselves.

What is your biggest fear? Snakes. Period.

Us, too. Hope that's not foreshadowing. How do you relax? I curl up on the couch with Donovan. A cold beer and a movie…nothing gets better than that.

Amen, sister. Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Ripley from Alien. A woman who can take on monstrous aliens is my kind of woman!

Another big amen. What is the best piece of advice you ever received? The advice I got from Detective Thorn when I went undercover in a drug dealer’s house is definitely the best so far. I had never done anything like that. I didn’t know what to expect, so I felt much better after he walked me through things. Until I was in said house and face-to-face with Viper.

Well. We can't go farther without reading an excerpt, which Beth was kind enough to bring along for us:

The moment she realized Buck was shooting under the cars to hit her, the tire she hid behind blew. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to make herself smaller by pressing her body into the SUV. The Morse code of bullets hitting metal started up again. She could've sworn she felt the SUV shaking with the continuous beat of bullets slamming into it, except the shaking was below her feet. It started gentle but as soon as she noticed, it became violent.

Earthquake!

She fell backward and struggled to get back up. Her body bounced up and down and rolled from side to side simultaneously, which told her the quake's epicenter was close. The origin could've been beneath the hotel for all she knew. A light came crashing down from the ceiling and slammed into the concrete floor with such power it exploded into a trillion stars. Glass shot out in all directions like the Big Bang. Beth screamed and covered her face with her hands as tiny pieces of glass bit the skin on her arms.

She fought onto her hands and knees and hugged the tire to keep from falling over again. The intensity of the tremors grew. The concrete below her feet didn't feel solid anymore. It felt alive, as if two gigantic gophers burrowed through the earth. The truck behind her slid with the vicious shock waves and bumped into her, pushing her roughly into the tire. She let out a cry of panic.

Wow. This has been great, Beth, thanks for visiting. We'd like to yak a bit with Chrys.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer and why? Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb inspired my romance writing because she is obviously the Queen of Romance. Who better to be inspired by? I love to watch movies when I write. A few movies that have inspired me are The Impossible, 2012, Hours, Twister, and Volcano.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? The hurricane that hit before SEISMIC CRIMES begins was based after Hurricane Frances that hit Florida in 2004. All of my experiences with that storms in in Hurricane Crimes. But there was an experience from Tropical Storm Fay that I was able to add to SEISMIC CRIMES. This scene involves a catfish that swam into Donovan’s smashed car thanks to the flood waters. In real life, I saw a catfish swim up to my front door. I think this adds a bit of much-needed humor to my story.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I found The Wild Rose Press by researching where I could submit a romance story—Hurricane Crimes. I was desperate to get something published, so I put all of my hopes into an email and sent off a query letter. When I got the request for my MS, I was amazed and honored.

What project[s] are you working on now? Right now, I’m working on Book 4 in the Disaster Crimes Series and a couple of TOP SECRET projects. ;)

What's up next for you? The prequel to 30 seconds, which is titled 30 SECONDS BEFORE, should be coming out later this year (release date TBD). My editor/publisher currently had Tsunami Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 3) and I’m waiting to hear the verdict. Contract or no contract. My fingers are crossed, because I feel Tsunami Crimes is the best book of the series.

This has been a great experience for us and we thank Chrys Fey for spending time with us. We can't wait for Tsunami Crimes to come out.

To purchase Seismic Crimes, go to:

Digital: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / KOBO / The Wild Rose Press

Print: Amazon / The Wild Rose Press

To learn more about Chrys Fey and the stories she creates, go to:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter