The Return of Catesby by Bob O'Connor - Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from The Return of Catesby, by Bob O'Connor, currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and pick up your copy of the book at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-8206-1.

August 27, 1865
Today Marcia wanted to hear what happened in Washington City. She had known when I came in the house that I was disappointed. I am sure it showed on me because I was very disappointed.
I told her that I wanted to get to tell my story, but that Major General Lew Wallace had other ideas. “The government needed someone to convict. They chose Captain Wirz. He was no knight in shining armor, but my friend Allen said Captain Wirz repeatedly asked the Confederate government officials in Richmond to help him get more food and medicine. But they ignored him.”
“Catesby. I am proud that you were asked to go. It is out of your hands now. You did your best. You always do your best. That’s why I love you!”
Marcia, as usual, was right. There was nothing more I could do. I wished Captain Wirz the best, but knew in my heart that he was in big trouble.

Rachel Rueben Rocks!

Recently, Rachel and I sat down for a chat on our monthly radio show. We never take the time to really talk about ourselves so Monday, May 13 was our day to shine. We had a wonderful time, and we even talked a little bit about our books! We didn't ask all the questions we had prepared, so we decided to share them on our blogs. These are the questions I had for Rachel. Enjoy!

When did you first realize you'd been bitten by the writing bug?

I was about 17 when I decided to take my first adult writing class. I did this because of boredom because I wasn’t learning anything interesting in school and out of sheer curiosity.

What made you decide to publish your own work?

After getting 40 rejections for my children’s book Escape of the Dodos, I got weary and decided I was through with rejections. At the time, I was writing my YA novel, Kindle, had just become wildly popular and Amazon was giving writers who published with them, a 60% royalty rate which is killer compared to the industry standard.

What have you learned from this experience?

I learned how hard it is to create a book from conception to birth LOL! I also learned a lot about the publishing industry and how it really operates. It’s not all queries and editing as some authors foolishly believe.

What prompted you to write Eternal Bond?

I began Eternal Bond in 2007 when Stephenie Myer’s book Twilight was being made into a movie and felt I could do better, to make a long story short, I ended up doing a Mark Twain and walked away for 5 years.

How much research did you have to do for Eternal Bond?

I did a little online research regarding the Middle Ages and the black plague but nothing extreme. I was more focused on delivering the best story I could. I don’t think people really care about whether women wore long open sleeves or kirtles. Research is nice but only if it enhances the story. If you’re stopping a fight scene to describe the red velvety drapes, something is wrong!

How long did it take to write Eternal Bond?

Embarrassingly enough 8 years. 1 year to write it, another 6 to ignore it and one year to pick up the pieces

and completely rewrite it.

Is it more important to write to trends or write what interests you?

As I proved with the whole trying to mock Stephenie Myer thing, I can’t write according to the trends no matter how hard I try. I have to write what’s on my heart.

When you aren't writing, how do you spend your time?

What’s this free time thing you speak of? Just kidding. Currently, if I’m not freelancing, I’m reading about self-publishing or taking a blogging course. Writing and learning to make a living at it has become my life 24/7.

If you had it to do over, would you pursue your career differently?

I probably wouldn’t have given up so soon after high school. I most likely would have hung in there and gotten more aggressive but I didn’t know any better. I figured if I was getting rejections, that it meant I wasn’t any good. I now know that the publishing industry publishes only publishes what the current trends are and rarely ventures out of that.


Rachel Rueben had no intention of becoming a writer, but after numerous attempts at being normal she gave up and became an author. Her first novel Hag made it to #10 on the Amazon’s bestseller’s list in its first month. Her next project includes a series of supernatural books called, The Eternal Bond Series due out in the fall of 2013.

Rachel is a blogger, freelancer, and content contributor to several writing blogs. The first three chapters of Eternal Bond are currently available on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/9639612-eternal-bond-chapter-1

Karen Writes Murder and More!

Recently, I had Karen Vaughan on my show to talk about her work. Her newest book, Daytona Dead, just came out and is marvelous! Of course, she, Christina Giguere and I chatted about so much else, we didn't get a chance to ask one another all our important questions. We decided to turn it into a blog sharing opportunity instead! Below are her answers to my questions, as well as the excerpt she read on the air.

Karen writes murder.
Why? I always liked the C.S.I and police dramas on T.V and in books. I love the clue gathering and why is the guy dead in the first place.

What other genres might you consider?
Romantic suspense and contemporary romance are 2 areas that also interest me. I am working on a story that I want to send in to Tirrgear involving a girl a guy and a bucket list. It is a complicated relationship in that he loves her even though he is decidedly gay but really wants to fulfill one wish for her to get married as she is sick.

There is a lot of humor in your books. Shouldn't murder mysteries be 'serious'?
That is so old school—cops have a bit of gallows humor anyway and I don’t think I can do serious.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I am not sure it was a conscious thought I did it as a way of therapy and to entertain myself never thought of a career.

What inspired your books?

A friend of mine had been married to a guy named Lou. I also didn’t know what to do with Lauras ex from OVER HER DEAD BODY. When Joleen and Lou were going through a nasty divorce she asked me to kill him off.  Solved 2 problems, a plot that would work for me and therapy for my friend. Dead Comic standing was inspired by my experience as a comic

Did you have to do a lot of research for your books?

For Daytona dead I picked your brain for Florida facts and for DEAD COMIC STANDING I researched serial killers and watched a lot of stand-up routines













If you had it to do over, would you pursue your career differently?

Not really I am having a blast but I would have edited DEAD ON ARRIVAL a bit better and gotten a distribution package for it. I don’t find it getting a lot of love.

What is your writing/ work schedule like?


I try to aim for writing 3 days a week and promote 1 or 2 and take care of life in between

DAYTONA DEAD

Prologue --Blood on the Grille

The moon was high and a thousand stars appeared in the Florida sky. The sunset had been glorious, a flaming orange glow with pink undertones.

 Lou had taken up photography as a hobby since moving to the Daytona Beach area. Lou, a Canadian, had been lured to the area by a guy on the Dudes seeking Dudes website. Having broken up with his long time love, Richard, he had been itching to leave Toronto behind, along with a broken heart and ten years of bad memories. His marriage to Laura had died on Speaker’s Corner and it was time to leave the crap and the cold behind, in favour of a warmer climate and palm trees.  Ironically, Laura, the ex, had written him a glowing letter of reference for his work visa. He had applied via an online job search engine, and told his internet paramour he was heading to Florida to make a go of his career and a new life south of the Mason Dixon Line.
So today after putting in an eight hour shift, he went home and grabbed a shower and changed into beach shorts and a clean T-shirt sporting the slogan Just Grill Me. He had invested in a Digital SLR for taking some great landscape shots to post on Face book. He found that he loved photography and if his life as a chef sputtered, now he had a back-up plan.

Before meeting up with his new guy, Gary, he headed off to the beach to take some shots of the area. While Daytona was not the prettiest beach in Florida, Lou found some of the scenery to be rough, yet photo-worthy.  He was leaving the beach when he spotted what looked to be a vintage 1940’s Chevy, black as the abyss. The car looked like something out of a film noir gangster flick. Either way the car was a real beauty. He set up a few shots and started shooting. He didn’t stay long as this was encroaching on a seedier part of town where hookers plied their trade and bums wandered around with liquor bottles and another night of brown bagging their hooch and begging before passing out in an alleyway.

He was on his tenth picture when a gravelly voice yelled out behind him.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, asshole?”

Lou jumped back at the sound and turned around to see the meanest looking S.O.B. he had set eyes on, since his father’s last drinking binge a few years earlier.

This guy looked huge and a tad ornery, even in the moonlight. “Well boy, what’s wrong? Cat got yer tongue? If ya don’t say something soon, I may just beat it out of you."

“Just admiring your car man; it’s a classic.”

The big mean dude seemed to warm some at the compliment but reverted to his menacing stance quickly,  “Thanks. She is a beauty isn’t she? How long were you skulking around my car? You didn’t touch her did ya?”

Lou began to sweat.  This guy was getting way too intense over a car. He tried backing away but the bigger man was getting in his face about the whole deal. Finally Lou started to run and the guy backed off. Then he heard the engine start and looked behind him. The car was coming right at him!
Holy shit!! What did this asshole want? “It’s just a freaking’ car dude; damn”; Lou was incredulous that this guy was going ape-shit over a set of wheels as nice as they were.
He ducked down an alley, around the corner and thought he was safe. Then he heard it again. He looked to his left and the son of a bitch was still coming for him.

Lou took a deep breath, and promised himself that if he ever got out of this mess he’d start getting in better shape. ‘Dude you’re barely thirty six and you run like an old man.’ The car was catching up to him, it wasn’t stopping either. For whatever reason this shithead wanted him dead!  For the life of him, Lou could not figure out what had gone wrong. He felt the bumper hit the back of his legs sending him flying in the air. He came down with a thud on the hood of the car and his head hit the windshield before he rolled off the car, and was dragged under the front wheels of the car. The car backed up and left the body where it lay; somewhere in Lou’s pocket, a cell phone was ringing.

Part of Chapter 7 Laura's run in with the creepy cop

Plans for the next day included getting some of our pictures saved on a CD, so I could clear the card in my camera. So I figured I might as well develop the ones from Lou’s camera.  I was at a Kodak kiosk doing just that, when I felt the hair on the back of my neck prick up, so I whipped around to find the creepy cop behind me.

“Ok, this is getting old really fast. Do you have an odd fixation with following tourists around? Or are you just being a jerk?”

“Mrs. Fitz, dear, no need for a meltdown. I just happen to be at the same photo kiosk as you “

“Ya, I bet!”

“Oh my, someone is paranoid.” he laughed, “Maybe you really are guilty of that guy’s murder and used the road kill scenario as a cover up. Maybe, you staged it to divert attention. I may have to take my thoughts on this to the detective on the case.”

People were staring at us and backing away out of the store. The police officer was in his civvies and couldn’t do anything at that point.  He was grinning evilly, thinking he was getting the better of me.

I stood straight up, “Too late Fife, we’ve been cleared of all charges so don’t even go there.”

His weasel-like face turned bright red, “Quit calling me Fife, my first name isn’t even Barney! It’s Dave, Dave Meecham. With that he turned and stomped away from the kiosk.

Okay, so now my would-be stalker had a name, should I need to use it?  I continued to copy the photos from my card and printed off the ones from Lou’s SIM card.  I went to pay for my pictures and the clerk looked at me oddly.

“What do I owe ya?”

“Um, six dollars.” She was clearly rattled by clash with the creepazoid.

It’s okay, dear, I’m not going to rob or kill ya. There’s no need to be nervous. My friend who just left is highly delusional…thinks he’s a cop or something. Most people have a thing for FBI or the CIA. He just wants to be at home in Mayberry with Andy, Aunt Bea and Opie”

The counter clerk laughed, took my money and moved on. I walked out with my photos and CD and Lou’s hard copies.

Find Karen on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Vaughan/e/B004PRN7ZO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1369017967&sr=8-2
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/karen-h.-vaughan
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/karenvwrites

"Crippled by Love" - excerpt

Another of my works in progress - Crippled by Love

Ian Yarrow is rich and reclusive, hiding himself away from the rest of the world. At least that's what Cynthia Marshall is told when her boss at the newspaper sends her to do an in depth article on him for the society section of the paper. What she finds surprises her, a handsome young man in a wheelchair. His self-confidence gone, he withdraws from those around him, erecting walls and roadblocks in order to protect himself. Cynthia has some hard questions for him, a few he doesn't really want to answer, but getting to the truth is the only thing that will set him free.

“Something about you girls with the fiery locks that makes a man weak,” he sighed.

“All me.” She tossed her short hair. “Well, some highlights, but the red is all me.”

He wasn't staring at her hair. She was wearing a flimsy T-shirt and no bra. He could tell by the way her breasts jiggled when she moved. He was mesmerized.

“Hello? The face is up here,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Instead of covering her breasts up, the crossed arms popped them up and outward. Her nipples seemed to chastise him for looking at them. He couldn't help it, he was fascinated. She was beautiful, intelligent, confident and very much her own woman. She'd put up with him when he was acting like a spoiled child, then turned around and gave him one of the best nights of his life.

She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Excuse me! When I need you to stare at my tits, I'll tell you. I think you'll do a bang-up job. You seem to be talented in that area already.”

“Sorry,” he grinned apologetically. “They're very nice tits, Cynthia. Extraordinary, in fact.”

“One pair is tits is like another.”

“You say that because you have them. See, when you're on the receiving end of tits, not sporting a pair, you notice the differences. Some are perky and pert, round and firm—the compact model. Others are saggy and well worn, the sedan model. Then there are those that are extra round, excessively pert, ultra soft, and firmly delicious—the sporty model. And those are what you have.”

“I've got sporty tits?” She didn't know whether to be flattered or horrified.

“Oh, yeah.”

“Thank you. I think? Is that a compliment?”

“It sure is from my perspective.”

“Which is what?”

“The perspective of a man who's strongly attracted to you.”

“Why do you date married women?”

“Why would you ask me a question like that? I just told you I'm attracted to you.”

“Why?”

“Why what? Why am I attracted or why do I date married women?”

“Both.”

He sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. “They don't expect a commitment. They don't want anything but the sex and to feel desirable for a little while.”

“And me? You told me Thursday, you'd do anything with the right equipment.”

“An exaggeration. Once in awhile, I indulge in some naughty, meaningless sex with a willing female—married or not. It's not every night, not even every week. We have a mutually satisfying encounter. Is that a crime?”

“But why me? I mean, you've done super models and trophy wives. I'm not like any of those women. For one thing, my parts are all original.”

“I don't know, Cynthia. There's something about you....”

“What? What is there about me?”

Frustrated, he leaned back on the chaise, arms crossed. “I don't know. You excite me like no other woman I've met. I don't understand it. There's just something about you....”

He was angry that he couldn't put his feelings into words. That had never happened to him before. He could always say what he thought.

“What is there about me? What? I need to know, Yarrow, before this can go any further.”

“You look past the chair and you see me—me! You don't pretend to like me because I'm rich. You argue with me and make me angrier than anyone else I've ever met, then you show me that somewhere under this worthless set of legs, there's still a whole man.”

Frustrated beyond words, he levered himself upward and got into his chair. It took him a lot longer than he liked. It was hard making a strategic retreat when he had to move his legs with his hands, but he did it with all the dignity he could muster. He was headed toward the door when her voice stopped him.

“At least now you're being honest with yourself.”

He bridled at her remark. “You think I'm dishonest?”

She walked over to him, gazing into his remarkably expressive eyes. “I think you lie to yourself about a lot of things. It's easier to lie than see the truth.”

“What do I lie about?” His tone and demeanor were defiant.

“About not wanting commitment. About the fact that sex is meaningless to you. But when you talk about how irritated I make you, you're honest. And you're honest about your attraction. When you finally put the thoughts into words, you were honest about that too.”

“So, what's your opinion of all this honesty?”

“I haven't decided yet,” she said with a secretive smile. “I'll be sure to tell you when I do.”

She strutted out, swinging perfect hips and a heart shaped ass at eye level. Sometimes being short paid off. Admiring the view, he watched her until she reached the stairs. He couldn't follow her up, but he could stare at her as she climbed the stairs. Was it his imagination, or was she purposely adding an extra swing to those fabulous hips? He laughed softly, his lopsided grin pulling at his lips as his eyes devoured her, his imagination running wild.

Dear God, she's amazing! Maybe soon I can do more than just....

“If you like my ass so much,” Cynthia called down the stairs. “Maybe you need to ask yourself what you can do to earn it. Goodnight.”

For more of Dellani's books, check out Indian Summer, Lone Wolf and The Ninja Tattoo on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

© Dellani Oakes

The Excursion – Ruth Davis Hays

Our last Fantastic Blog Hop stop is once more in sultry Florida where we visit the home of Ruth Davis Hays for a final time. Ms. Hays has another special guest visiting and this one makes us all a wee bit nervous. He's behaving (for now) and agreed to sit down and chat. Welcome, sir. Tell us about yourself.

I am Dharromar Weiss. Some may call me the anti-hero from The Translations from Jorthus series.

What is your biggest fear?

If this is confession time, I will admit to having an intense dread of a certain underground creature known as a Rokworm.

What would you give up everything to have? 

Haven’t I already given up everything? Wait, perhaps the answer to that would be - vindication. That would be a worthy last request.

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made and are you going to be able to rectify it?

Betraying someone who trusted me. That remains to be seen.

What food would you never eat? 

I think I already ate it. One does do strange things in order to survive.

You've dressed to impress. What are you wearing? 

The garments typical of Culetan, a human city on the western side of the continent Verdaillia.  A loose sleeved tunic, jerkin, and leggings. I prefer riding boots, and my cape is a necessity. Of course, I keep my sword close at hand. One never knows what will happen. 

What one thing have you found unattainable thus far in your life? 

Validation for being alive.

What is about to change for you? 

I may loose my freedom or my life at any moment. Circumstances have ripped me from a well plotted life, and I smell chaos on the wind.

Where do you live? 

I reside, for the most part, in a transdimensional manor house with an anchored door on Jorthus, in Byton Grove. It is my area of safety; untouchable by the uninvited.

Who are you?

That’s a tricky question. I could say that I am a lord. Or I could say that I am a bastard. Both would be accurate. Some call me daemon. Others call me changeling. I am fae. That is all I will attest to at this time. 

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I see what I was taught to see by “loved ones”:  unworthiness and disappointment. 

Who do you hate and why? 

Everyone. Not all for the same reasons.

Gods below, this conversation took a turn for the morose, didn’t it? Forgive me. Questions about myself inevitably lead to dark places.

The Excursion - A Review

Book three of Ruth Davis Hays' 'Translations of Jorthus' series is even more exciting than the first two – which I totally loved. Well, I fell in love with this one too.

Picking up where Book Two, The Convergence, left off, Hays follows her wonderful characters through this fast paced fantasy.

In the seeming safety of Calder, in the heart of a volcano caldera, Lilith and Keinigan once more find themselves facing great danger. This time, they have some new friends:

Trevalin – an honorable knight with an intricately crafted silver hand, fights by their side.

Rachel – a girl from Earth, has somehow traveled to Jorthus.

Hamlin – a simple peasant has found his way to Calder, running away from his home after committing a crime.

The only one missing from their number is Dharromar, Lilith's former lover and mysterious, dark assassin.

As the planet Quorrelles draws near, life on Jorthus is threatened. Nightmare creatures of unknown origin have overrun much of the country, slaughtering all in their path. It is up to the companions to fight these creatures and find a way to open a portal to distant and dangerous Quorrelles in hope of finding a way to save Jorthus from disaster.

Hays has woven a wonderful tale rich with beautiful imagery, creating a fantasy tapestry for the reader. Her characters are wonderfully well rounded and endear themselves to the reader. One can even find sympathy for the dark and chaotic Dharromar. Although he's the baddest of the bad boys, there's something about him that makes us cheer his successes.

I must say, my favorite character is Keinigan, the faerlin thief. He's come a long way from the wayward pickpocket of book one, The Dawnstone Tale. Though he's grown a lot, he has more to go.

I highly recommend all three of Ruth Davis Hays' books: The Dawnstone Tale, The Convergence and The Excursion. I can't wait for the next book so I can once more travel in the world of Jorthus.

Five Golden Acorns

© Dellani Oakes

And So It Goes....

April is almost over and with it, the Fantastic Blog Hop draws to a close. It was fun as well as a learning experience. We learned that we're not nearly as organized as we like to think we are. We also learned that putting together a multi-level blog hop isn't the easiest thing we've ever done.

But it was fun. With a little luck, it boosted our sales a little. Honestly, selling even one book or getting even a handful of new followers, we'll deem it worth it. I know, maybe that's setting my expectations low, but none of us had any idea if it would work or not. I guess when we get our royalty checks, we'll know for sure.

I worked with an exceptional bunch of ladies and I'm proud to say I was a part of the Fantastic Blog Hop. Who were our Hoppers?

Crimson Kildare

Kat Marlow

                                   

             

Dellani Oakes

Karen Vaughan

                                                                   

 











                                                                                                               

Rachel Rueben

Ruth Davis Hayes

Ladies, it was lots of fun and we will do this again! Next time, we'll know more what we're doing. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. I'm pleased and proud to call you friends and sisters of the heart! ~ Dellani

Eternal Bond - Rachel's Vampires Don't Sparkle

Our tour bus has chugged its way back to Cleveland to get a glimpse of Rachel Reuben's upcoming book, Eternal Bond. You think vampires are glittery and sweet? You won't after you read this!

Eternal Bond Excerpt

Taking the only road out of town, Clara went as quickly as she could.  Her nervousness and glee made her heart race as she briskly walked out of town and out of Lester’s life.

There was only a small glow of light left from the sun, putting the landscape in shadows.  Soon, the only thing illuminating her path would be moonlight, and she cursed herself for not bringing a lantern.  Only ten minutes into her journey, the cobblestone road ended.

Realizing she had reached the city limits, she continued on the dirt road straight into the countryside.  This was a harrowing journey for someone who had never left Norwich in her whole life.  She remembered all the stories told to her about witches and thieves who would victimize night travelers.  Nonetheless, breaking this hex was more important than anything, so she pressed onward into the dark countryside.

It wasn’t long before everything was covered by a blanket of thick darkness.  In near blindness, Clara struggled to keep herself on the road.  It took almost an hour before she gained confidence and suddenly the night didn’t seem so terrifying.  Just as Clara was starting to feel good, she heard rustling in the grass just next to the road.

Stopping in her tracks, she heard it again.  Not knowing what to do, she stood there completely still hoping it would just go away.  That’s when she heard the sound of growling directly next to her.  It was a wolf that and it had been stalking her for a distance.

In sheer terror Clara bolted, only further convincing the wolf that she was prey.  Running, she screamed as loud as she could before realizing it was no use.  Trying to wear her down, the wolf casually galloped behind her.  Just when it seemed Clara was doomed to become a chew toy, her salvation came in the form of a sign post which she ran smack into.

Dazed, Clara tried to get back up, but soon discovered her leg was dislocated.  Seizing the opportunity, the wolf pounced, grabbing her by the back of the neck.

Desperate, Clara picked up a stone and started hitting the wolf.  In this demented frenzy she not only killed it, but mauled it.

Within minutes, it was over and the victor stood in silence, hovering over the battered carcass.  Casting the stone aside, she slowly circled the body dragging her mangled leg behind her.

Taking notice of the blood on her hands, she smiled and licked her fingers.  In this euphoria she found herself delighted by her own savagery and in that moment Elizabeth ceased and Clara reigned.

Author Bio:

Rachel Rueben went to school to become an administrative assistant but instead, wound up an author.  In her defense, she tried freelance writing, virtual assisting, and blogging to pay the bills, but creating worlds was her one and only passion.

This past summer, Rachel entered the sacred order of authorhood with the release of her first novel “Hag” which made it to #10 on the Amazon’s Women’s and Girl’s Literature list.

To find out what Rachel is up to you can check out her new site at: http://www.rachelrueben.com


She continues to blog about her publishing journey at: http://www.writingbytheseatofmypants.com

You can also find Rachel on Twitter @RachelRueben

And catch her on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorRachelRueben