Welcome Anita Davison

Note from Ginger: I'm doubly thrilled to have one of my very favorite authors on board this month.  This wonderful lady has opened my eyes to English history and all the fascinations.  I'm happy to host her as I've read her work with enthusiasm and great interest.

Trencarrow Secret by Anita Davison

Victorian Gothic Romance

I was born in London, a city which has a unique atmosphere; a sense of time passed that I connected with, even when I was young. When the other children on the school trip coach were throwing the contents of their lunch boxes at each other, I was staring out of the window at the ancient buildings, imagining men in wigs and heeled shoes coming out of coffee houses and climbing into sedan chairs on the cobbles outside St Pauls Cathedral.

Strangely it was walking through Paternoster Row with a dear friend, discussing books of course, when the idea for the story of Trencarrow Secret came to me. One requirement of modern writing, is you cannot simply write a story, it has to be categorised, put into a box so it is instantly recognised. My critique group, and my agent, say time and again that romances are the largest market in the fiction genre. In an attempt to break into the world of traditionally published authors, I chose to step outside the world of Restoration London and into the heads of characters of another era. I haven’t managed it yet, as Trencarrow Secret is published by a small company, but I still have some stories to tell which may make it.

Isabel Hart evolved, beginning as a Jacobean character, she turned into a Regency one, eventually finding her own time in late Victorian England. Her reserved character belonged in the rigid, uncompromising days of the British Empire, and I gave her strong reasons for seeing life as many of us do when we are young; in black and white, where right and wrong are clearly defined and there is no blurring of the two. Trencarrow Secret is a love story, and during one fateful summer, Isabel discovers that marriage is no fairytale, but an enigmatic and unique bonding of a couple which may appear unsatisfactory to outsiders, but each comes with its own chance of success.

Isabel’s romantic illusions are dispelled and she comes to realise that people, even those closest to her, are flawed and make mistakes. She has to find the capacity to forgive and move on – and to continue to love them anyway because that’s what families do. Through her unique relationship with her brother, David, Isabel struggles through revelations, self doubt and danger before she finds her soulmate.

The Hart's summer home in Cornwall is a house I have visited often -  also the village of Marazion and St Michael's Mount have not changed much since the late 19th Century, which made them easy to portray realistically. I tend to write about places I know so I can portray them with a level of credibility.

Writing historical fiction is complicated and challenging, but my spirit lives in the past and I cannot imagine myself writing anything else.

Trencarrow Secret is scheduled for release on 10^th June 2011

Available here: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/

Trencarrow Secret Blog:  http://trencarrowsecret.blogspot.com

Anita’s Blog: http://thedisorganisedauthor.blogspot.com

Culloden Spirit coming September 2011 from MuseItUp Publishing
Blog: http://cullodenspirit.blogspot.com

Welclome D.M. Slate

Hello!  My name is Danyelle and I write under the name of D.M. Slate.  I’m 29 years old, have two beautiful children, and am married to my high school sweet-heart.  We live in Colorado and enjoy all types of outdoor activities. 

I’d like to start off by thanking Ginger for giving me the opportunity to drop in and say, “Hi” to all of her fabulous readers ~ I’m super excited to be here!

I’m often asked what inspires my writing, and for me it’s always something based on a real situation or instance.  For example, in my first sci-fi horror novella, Day 94, the story was based upon a disease epidemic, and I started writing it when the outbreak of swine flu was first starting to hit.  I simply imagined what my family and I would be doing if we were quarantined to our home, and then the rest just took on a life of its own. 

How far would you go to protect you children in the face of disaster? 

How many rules would you break doing it? 

Would you risk your life in order to save theirs?

This is the scenario that Joslin and Grant find themselves in when a meteor smashes into earth just outside their city limits, unleashing an air born disease pandemic that threatens to infect everyone, everywhere.  When they find themselves stranded in the frigid Colorado winter without food, electricity or running water, the family faces the biggest obstacle they’ve ever encountered: survival…

Here’s a quick excerpt from the story:

I sit awake in the solitude of my basement, next to the wavering light of our last candle. The windows have been boarded tightly shut, blocking any trace of light. The small fire is our only source of heat. My children are asleep several feet away; it’s comforting knowing they’re safe, for now. In the silence of the night it’s easy to reminisce about the life we lived, not-so-long ago.

Things changed so rapidly. It feels like an eternity that we’ve been barricaded inside our house. I close my eyes to welcome sleep, but visions of the past three months play in my head like a marathon of madness. I open my eyes and glance down at the journal in my lap. To me it means the world; it’s our story of survival. The notebook’s open, and I stare down at the blank page. The only writing is the heading at the top – Day 94. My heart aches as I wonder how many more entries I’ll be able to make.

Come check out Day 94 and my other stories on my website:  www.dm-slate.com

Note from Ginger:  I read this book and really enjoyed it.

Welcome Ann Cory

My sweet/sensual historical romance Angel with a Blade is available now from Ellora’s Cave – part of the Blush Line, as well as on Kindle. I enjoy writing women heroines and historical romance, so combining the two for this book just made sense. For more stories in various genres that I write, please visit my website http://www.anncory.com. And I wanted to say a quick thank you to Ginger for allowing me to be a guest! She’s a lovely hostess.

I hope you enjoy the blurb and excerpt below.

Blurb –

Using rune stones as her guide, natural healer Rebecca travels to aid those who need her. Armed with her basket of tonics and a sword, she travels to her next destination, Blatsfort, England. At first glance, a handsome gentleman stirs her desires and makes her question the solitary path she has chosen.

But their sweet exchange turns sour when the gentleman is poisoned by men seeking to rob him of his fortune. Unable to deny her growing affections, Rebecca gathers her sword and all her courage, knowing in her heart she was meant to save him.

Excerpt –

Rebecca cursed herself for knocking over the lantern. She hadn’t wanted to wake Raumont or attract the men’s attention. At least she hadn’t started a fire. To her relief, he stayed asleep.

After righting the lantern, she moved back behind the door. Her arms and legs trembled, making it difficult for her to keep her balance.

The floor of the hallway creaked and she heard the men whisper to one another. Horror struck her. Why hadn’t she turned out the light? Not only had she captured their attention, she’d led them right to the person they planned to kill. And here she was supposed to be helping.

A figure entered the room while the other one stood in the doorway.

“Well, would you look at that, Edward. The old fool is sound asleep.”

“I wonder what made the noise.”

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter now. This couldn’t be easier. We’ll slay him now, grab the money and torch the place.”

“You’re a goddamn genius, Barton.”

Fear turned to anger in an instant. She refused to stand by and let anything happen to Raumont. Whatever irrational feelings she had for him fueled her courage.

Rebecca stepped out from behind the door and let it fall closed. Her sword hissed as she pulled the blade from its sheath.

The men turned around, eyes wide, lips pursed.

“Who are you? Some long lost nephew?” exclaimed the blond-haired man. He pulled his sword from the belt around his middle and raised it high. His dark-haired partner followed suit as he too brandished his sword. If they thought raising their blades would deter her, they were dead wrong. She knew how to use a sword. Her mother had taught her the importance of defending herself. Though she’d never killed anyone, she’d gotten herself out of some unpleasant situations.

“My identity is not your concern,” she replied, making her voice low and raspy. “I’m curious who you are and why you’ve come uninvited.”

The dark-haired one put his hand up. “I’m Barton and this here’s Edward, my business partner. You’re mistaken, young man, we were invited. By Raumont himself. We’re old acquaintances of his.”

Rebecca clicked her tongue. “I doubt that, seeing how he’s sound asleep. Why are you here?”

“We’re here to talk business. Are you his personal bodyguard or something?”

She smiled. If she wasn’t mistaken, he didn’t act nearly as confident. “Something like that.”

“We’d appreciate it if you’d leave us alone with Raumont,” he insisted. “Your presence is unnecessary.”

“I’ll have to decline your kind request. I’m not leaving.”

The man’s green eyes turned dark. “Then you won’t walk out of here alive.”

Rebecca held her head high. “We shall see.”

Hand on the hilt of her sword, she parried and lunged, narrowly missing the dark-haired man’s throat. Again she lunged and again she missed. Her lack of rest since the start of her journey didn’t help.

With a grunt, both men came at her, their swords aimed low to the ground. She leapt as their swords swiped air. Rebecca landed, rolled to her knees and dove to the side. They gave her little time to recover before they stalked forward, backing her into the corner. The points of their swords came too close for her comfort and the one called Barton managed to draw blood along her forearm. She refused to give up or show weakness.

Jaw clenched, she struck forward. Her sword circled and connected against one sword and then the other, the steels clanging together so loudly it became almost deafening. She took a step back out of range of their blades and then parried. Sword tight in her grip, she moved like the wind to strike. 

Welcome, Maryann Miller

First I want to thank Ginger for hosting me today. It is always fun to visit other blogs and meet new folks, and I always enjoy it here at Dishin' It Out.

I thought I would share the back-stories and excerpts from my new short story collection, The Wisdom of Ages, that was just released by Books We Love Publishing Partners (http://bwlpp.com/)

 The first story in the book, MAYBE SOMEDAY, was inspired when my husband and I were on a road trip, and I saw an old black man sitting under a tree watching the cars go by. The story was one of those rare gifts from my muse, and came to me in one great rush that needed little rewrite or editing. The story placed third in the Page Edward's Short Fiction contest in 2004. Here is an excerpt:

Samson sat in the meager shade of the small Mimosa tree that graced his front yard, watching the traffic on old highway 79.  Granted, there wasn’t much, but every now and then a shiny new car would pass, heading toward the resort Samson knew was somewhere down the road. Or a car full of teenagers would zoom by, the boys laughing and tossing their empties out the window. And as many afternoons as he’d spent out here, it never failed to surprise Samson how much things had changed. On a good day he could count up to a hundred cars going by. Times used to be when one donkey cart coming down the road was cause for celebration. 

* * * * *

The second story, THE LAST SUPPER, was also inspired by real people. I don't know what it is about old men and their stories, but this one came to me one day when I was having lunch with my husband at a diner - I simply have to stop meeting these other men when I'm out with my husband. That day at the diner, I saw two older men at a nearby table, and I could tell by the way they interacted that they had a long and close friendship. I got to wondering what that friendship was like, and that wondering took me in an unexpected direction.  Here is an excerpt:

Mel stood in the doorway of the diner and glanced around until he spotted Rube at a table in the corner. Damn long way for an old man to have to walk. But then, maybe Rube had picked it on purpose. They both kept saying how much they needed to get more exercise.

So how’s it hanging?” Mel asked when he’d crossed the room. He folded his walker and leaned it against the end of the table, then eased his stiff body to the seat.

Rube made a so-so gesture, “It’s just a pisser now.”

Mel laughed at his friend’s joke, made more amusing to him by the fact that he didn’t have an enlarged prostate. The only good news he’d gotten this year from Doc Nelson. So if he was to meet the right woman and she was willing, he could possibly even get it up without the aid of a pill. Maybe Sally’d oblige an old man, he thought as she approached the table. God knows they’d joked about it often enough.

* * * * *

The third story, THE ONE O'CLOCK NAP was also inspired by a real person. A friend of mine from church shared his frustrations with getting old and having health issues that limited what he could do. It made him feel helpless and worthless, which is such a common challenge to us all as we age and have limitations. The title came from his comment that he hated his daily One O'clock Nap because that was time lost forever and he didn't have that much time left.  Here is an excerpt from that story:

Tom Franklin opened his eyes and didn’t know where he was. This wasn’t his office, but that was the last place he remembered. He’d just swiveled away from his desk to try a hook shot with a paper-ball and missed. Then he’d reached down and...

Nothing.

He turned and saw the steel rails of a hospital bed. Beyond the rails, he saw his daughter, Bettianne. He wanted to touch the tear trickling down her cheek, but something prevented the movement.

“Oh, Dad,” She squeezed his shoulder. “You scared us.”

What did she mean? His mind screamed for an explanation, but his lips refused to form the question.

* * * * *

I just love it when stories present themselves the way these three did. It doesn't happen all the time, so we sure need to take advantage of when they do. My husband just wishes they wouldn't come in the middle of our dates. LOL

* * * * *

Author Bio:

     As a journalist and author, Maryann Miller amassed credits for feature articles and short fiction in numerous national and regional publications.  Play It Again, Sam, a woman's novel and One Small Victory, a suspense novel, are electronic books available on Kindle, Nook, and other e-book reading devices. One Small Victory is also available in trade paperback. A mystery, Open Season, is a new release in hardback from Five Star Cengage Gale. A novel for young teens, Friends Forever, is available as an e-book and in trade paperback. She has also written several screenplays and stage plays and lives on some acreage in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her husband, one horse, two goats, two dogs, four cats and whatever wild creature wanders through the property.

  

Website: http://www.maryannwrites.com
Blog : http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/maryannwrites
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Maryannwrites
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/551516.Maryann_Miller
 

Welcome Pat Dale

Hello, everybody. It’s nice to be here. And thanks, Ginger, for inviting me to drop by today. Before I say anything else, I’d like to remind anyone who has not read it yet, Ginger Simpson’s SHORTCOMINGS is a fine YA read. Not just for YA’s, but for adults as well. There’s a lesson in there we can all use.

I’ve got a couple of books out so far this year so I’ll say a few words about them, and then my next Muse It Up publication is coming up next month. I’m really excited about sharing it with the readers of the world.

SLEEPING WITH HER ENEMY was released by Muse in April. It tells the story of a woman who’s suffered enough tragedy for one lifetime but, as life is wont to do, she gets hit with more trauma when she tries to get up off the floor again. First Ana Henry’s hubby was killed in a wartime accident in Afghanistan, and then her son was killed in a hit and run accident in front of their new home in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Now she’s bonded with Dan Morrison, a widower with a young daughter, Sherry. Their love blossoms but when Ana finds a car hidden at his home that’s identical to the one that killed her boy, she has to ask if she’s been sleeping with her enemy.

CROSSED LINES is the twisted tale of a woman writer, Jane Rivers, who writes a fake story designed to eliminate her cheating hubby and his sexy colleague without having to kill them herself. Abandoned as an infant, she’d been abused by a foster father but managed to escape from that horror and grow up to lead a fairly normal life. Until good ol’ John-boy starts playing patticake with sexy Samantha Fellowes. Her psycho-drama progresses well, but there’s more afoot than Jane realizes; as she discovers at the end. CL is available in trade paperback or eBook from Whimsical Publications, and if you choose to read it alone late at night, you’re on your own. You might want to close the drapes and lock the doors. hehehe…

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL is a romantic family saga set in northern Nebraska, and will be released by Muse in July. Buddy Wilson’s teaching career traps him in a community where infidelity, illegitimacy, and incest seem the norm. He escapes from his unfaithful wife only to be caught up by his growing obsession with Robin Blaik, a younger woman he’s befriended. When their relationship grows too hot to cool down, they must face demons from their common past. The novel tells a story set in contemporary times that reads like it had come from this region’s pioneer past.

If you’re a romance reader, you might want to drop by www.patdale.net or www.patdaleromance.weebly.com and check out my other published romances. My latest work is in mystery and suspense, and I’ve got several books coming out over the next year. Also, I have a ‘tween novel for middle grade boys, ZACH’S AMAZING DREAM MACHINE, due out from Muse in September, and BLUE STREAKS, an erotic science-fantasy novella that Muse will release in November. Another family saga, this one a chiller. THE EVIL WITHIN, will make its way out in January, also by Muse.

Well, Ginger, that about ties it up for me today. I don’t know about you but I feel awkward when I talk about my own writing. I’d much rather be spouting off about the writing world or about the future of ePublishing. Or about just about anything else I can think of. But I cover lots of those topics on my blogs so I’ll close by thanking all your readers for coming by and listening to me. If anybody cares to check out my blogs, I’ll list the sites below. Happy reading, everybody!

Pat Dale

Comment at:

www.patdalesblog.blogspot.com or www.patdaleromance.weebly.com

Email me at: patdale@charter.net