12 Days of Christmas #INDIEBOOKBLOWOUT

Regan Worth

It's the FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS!  I wonder what Hanover's going to give me. Not that he's my true love or anything...there's no such thing as far as I've ever seen...but gifts make me happy.

You can make someone happy for only 99 cents!  All of our Dime Store Novels are on sale for 99 cents through the holidays, including Angels in Hell's Kitchen, which I highly recommend because my Daddy is a supporting character. Another great thing about Angels in Hell's Kitchen is that the writers have its sequel nearly done. And I have seen tears and laughter more than once as they've talked to me about it.

INDIE BOOK BLOWOUT
A bunch of other ebooks are on sale for 99 cents too in the Indie Book Blowout. There are books that appeal to every taste -- from frightening to humourous, from romantic to suspensful.

REASONS WHY AN EBOOK MAKES A GREAT GIFT
Day 1: No shipping required

Remember, even if you don't have an ereader, you can read an ebook on your smart phone. You can also get Kindle for PC for FREE from Amazon.

MY GIFT LIST
If you've been following my story, you know I see ghosts and I can tell you, those ghosts have stories.  My special holiday gift list includes the following books (hint hint, Hanover):
Soul Search
Haunted Bedtime Stories
Mind of a Mad Man

Holiday Shopping



Mary O'Malley

It's that time of year...families gathered around the Christmas tree, singing caroles, drinking eggnog -- Hanover and Regan are certainly doing their fair share of that.

I don't know about you, but one of the things that stresses me out at the holidays is finding just the right gift for the people I care about. Maybe someone you care about likes to read....or maybe you need a break from all the holiday stress and need to treat yourself to a book.

That's why we've decided to lower the price of each and every Dime Store Novel ebooks to only 99 cents through January 1st. It's our gift to you, our readers.

Best Seller for a Day Deals

We'd also like to encourage you to buy the books of other indie writers this holiday season. Here are some other books on sale this week for only 99 cents.

Best Seller for a Day

Three years ago, one horrific night changed his life forever. And now the wolf soul that was invoked to save him is taking over his body, day by day.

Can he master his animal instincts in time to discover who is stealing children's souls before the delicate balance we all depend upon is shattered?

Or will he reject the one woman who can help heal his body and his soul?

I happen to know that Soul Search is excellent because one of our writers hijacked our blog to talk about it.

Bonus Buys
Some other great bonus buys on sale this week are:

Tsunami Blue
With her badass rain boots, her faithful dog, and the ability to predict the monster tsunamis that have reduced the Earth to a series of islands, Kathryn "Blue" O'Malley isn't afraid of much. Cut off from all society, she takes to the airwaves as Tsunami Blue, hoping to save something of humanity as the world around her crumbles. But Blue should be afraid, because her message reaches the wrong ears. . .

Gifts of Blood

A dying brother. A young man with golden planes of light on his back. A blind chess wizard. An insane angelic kidnapper in flamboyant red leather. A town with more secrets than stoplights. A cat that talks to spirits. Waking up with eyes the color of moonlight. 

Before her world tilts towards impossible, Caspia Chastain thinks the only strange thing about her is that she sometimes draws the future. Only her brother Logan, fighting his cancer diagnosis, knows what she can do. When she draws a man surrounded by brilliant light, dark wings, and frightening symbols, she can only hope the vision won't come true.

But when a stranger named Ethan appears, determined to protect Caspia and her brother from dangers he won't explain, she's not sure what to think. Strangers almost never come to Whitfield. They certainly don't follow her around, frightening her one moment and treating her like glass the next. And they certainly don't look exactly like the subject of her most violent drawing.

Fated

Everyone thinks that they know the story of Caesar's demise, however in "Fated," we discover the truth.
Told from Brutus' perspective, critics are heaping praise upon "Fated"...

What the Heart Wants

Do dreams foretell the future? Are there soul connections that go deeper than love?

He can sense her emotions at any place and time. Their bond is powerful but a mystery. One thing he does know: She's plagued his dreams for months. Maybe even longer.

Being involved with a celebrity is the last things she imagined...or wanted. Can she forget the pain from the past? Can he let go of his fears?

The best news of all...Soul Search is an IBC Bestseller of the Day. That means 

anyone who buys one or more of these books can enter the drawing to win a kindle AND have their purchase price for the bonus buys rebated.  To do this, just go to the Bestseller for a Day website : http://www.bestsellerforaday.com/Bestseller_for_a_Day/Home.html and fill out the form found on the right hand side. 

The Buck

Swampy

I's done my share of huntin', no doubt 'bout it. I hunt gator, coons, whatever comes my way. When I's young, I had to hunt. Y'uns see I growed up in the swamp. Ain't nutting to eat in the swamp 'cept you hunt it.

'Course I don't hunt now. No need. And it ain't right to hunt jes for sport an' leave the meat out there for the crows. 'Cause those gators 'an deer 'an coons. They have souls too. I knows it 'cause I seen 'em.

So I mights be the last person you'd spect to share a poem like the one. But it got me when I read it...got me right here where my heart lives. 'Cause I's looked in eyes like that before and I's seen deer leap.

The Buck
by Rachelle Reese

 Blood stains your fur
a final mark above your heart
its rhythm silenced
Death glazes your eyes
a lifeless window
now your soul has leapt away
I wish I'd seen you soaring
soul and body joined
between the naked trees
instead

Leaving the Ghosts Behind - An Interview with a WWII Vet

If you're following the tour, you probably just came from Gracen Miller's blog. After you leave a comment, continue the tour by visiting Sherry Ellis's blog.

It's me again. I seem to be getting more face-time than the Dime Store Novel characters lately. If you're here to read about them, scroll down...I hope you do...but first, I hope you read my interview with Lawrence Kennon, a WWII vet who I feel blessed to have as a friend.

Lawrence agreed to let me interview him as part of Blog Tour de Troops.
When you finish reading my interview with Lawrence, make sure to leave a comment to receive a free ebook copy of the latest Dime Store Novel The Reunion for you and a troop. Robyn M. Ryan gave it a great review...read it here.

Rachelle: Lawrence, you told me you served in WWII. Can you tell me where and when?

Lawrence: 1941 to 1945. European theatre of operations. I was stationed in Great Britain. You need to know that I was in the Army Air Corps. We had no such thing as the air force then. General Hap Arnold organized the Air Corp as part of the army and I was in the heavy bombardment...4 engine bombers. He saw the need for air power during the war. We didn't have any and he saw the need for it, so he worked with Pres. Roosevelt and organized the Air Corps which later became the Air Force.

Lawrence Kennon - Air Corps

Rachelle: Can you tell me a little about your role there?

Lawrence: Our main task overseas ...or main orders were...we flew up into the North Sea from Great Britain and flew around in the North Sea and jammed the German radar...that was our main task. We had to fight fighters off so that our other planes could go in and bomb them. I didn't know that until later -- the details, that is. I just knew we were jamming their radar. You see, we had the Norton bomb site to let us drop bombs acurately, but the Germans had it too. It was highly secret, but they had it. All they did was reverse it and they could shoot us down just like we could bomb them.

Rachelle: That sounds dangerous. Which mission do you remember most?

Lawrence: We went down into Germany. The orders were to bomb a little town – Dresden, I think it was. We came back out..well...we thought we were clear...but  we were shot down with anti-aircraft fire. We abandoned the plane, jumped out in parachutes, went into the North Sea and I was picked up by Air Sea rescue, which was stationed in France. They took me back to France and kept me a couple days out, then sent me back to Great Britain, where they assigned me to another crew...another plane.

I shall never forget Air Sea Rescue's code name that day was Colgate. We used words like Colgate, Pepsodent, Lucky Strike, Camels. But I remember the code name that day was Colgate.

There were 8 crew members that day. Seven of us were picked up. We never knew what happened to the 8th. He was a good boy. A friend.

Rachelle: Do you want to talk more about the war, or should we talk about your trip to Washington?

Lawrence Kennon - Now

Lawrence: Let's talk about the trip. The trip to Washington, for me, was a real experience. It was really a good trip. It was organized by a group called Honor Tour.

Rachelle: Was it all WWII vets?

Lawrence: Yes, but from different branches. Our group met in Poplar Bluff and we rode a coach to St. Louis, where we boarded a plane that flew us to Baltimore. From Baltimore, we took a coach again to Washington DC. They put us up in the Drury Motel, fed us all our meals and Saturday we spent the day visiting the different memorials. I was impressed with all of them, but mostly with the World War II memorial. It's really a fabulous thing – 50 columns, each named after one of the states. IT has 40,000 gold stars...each star represents 100 people who lost their life. That's a lot of people, isn't it? *shakes head sadly* War is obscene.

It's built in 4 sections, Pacific on one side and Atlantic on the other. There are eagles on each section...I think there were 4...they weigh 2 ton a piece. Can you imagine that? Each state's name is on a column with a big wreath. 

The other thing that impressed me tremendously was FDR memorial. That one is built in 4 sections, each representing a term inoffice. I think that's why I was impressed with it. That was my time. He died while I was in Great Britain fighting, so he was my president. The other thing that was really fascinating was the Navy museum...all of the navy from the beginning up until the present day. Every school student should have to go through that. *chuckles*

Rachelle: What made you smile on your trip?

Lawrence: *grins* There was a 3-star general who had served in Afghanistan. He was due to go back again soon. He asked me why we wore off hats tilted off to one side. I said, "It's because that's the way the ladies like them." He chuckled at that.

Another funny thing was when I saw a lady and her husband. She was British -- I could tell that by her accent -- and she asked me where and when I had served. I said "A little town called Tring." Her husband said "That's where we live. Right by the runway." Can you imagine that?

Rachelle: What was the most moving experience of your trip?

Lawrence: We watched the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery is very moving...very impressive. Those soliders who do that...they devote their entire life to bein absolutely spotless and perfect. They change the wreath on the unknown soldier.

Rachelle: It sounds like you enjoyed your trip.

Lawrence: It was a great trip for me. *touches heart* I've been carrying some ghosts around with me all this time...50, 60 years. I finally left those behind. Some of my friends who died over there...I never could bury them. This trip, I did. When I went to Arlington Cemetery, that's when I really...really I don't know how to say it. I just accepted the fact that my friends had died and that was it. I had closure on it. I buried them. I'm grateful I had that chance.

Rachelle: I am too. Lawrence, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I hope more veterens are able to go on the Honor Tour. They deserve it!

I'm grateful for the freedom to live my life as I want to. It's people like Lawrence and all the men and women serving today who risk their lives for my freedom. After you leave a comment, continue the tour by visiting Sherry Ellis's blog.

Death Seeker - Conclusion #coffinhop

The car is dead. Damn it. I know I'm not far from where we camped, but far enough. And heels on gravel doesn't work.

But what other choice do I have? It's not like there's cell signal out here and I have the jeep anyway. Dumb jeep. What is that sound? A woman screaming? Great. Just terrific. I'm out here in the middle of nowhere with a dead jeep and a serial killer or something on the loose. What was it that mouthy goblin said? "Something more wicked than me? Yeah right...well, it could be more wicked, but that's not saying much because I am NOT wicked.

Footsteps. Ba-ba-ba-doomp. Close. A shadow. Big...YEOWLLLLLL. Claws and teeth. I scream. It swipes at me. "My face! Do you know how hard it'll be to cover up a scratch like that?"

Never let it see your fear. Daddy. Battle as an equal.

I crouch low and back away. It watches me, eyes glowing silver in the moonlight. "Nice kitty. Just let me get back to my jeep. I won't bother you."

It crouches lower and lets out a low growl. I back away a little faster.

It springs and pins me to the ground. Its eyes glimmer. It bares diamond fangs and flexes its claws into my shoulders.

I grab a fistful of fur and pull as hard as I can.

The thing yowls.

I yowl back. "You think I don't know how to cat fight? I went to Catholic school."

Its diamond fangs lurch toward my neck.

*Thud* One furry creature becomes two --  on top of me -- wrestling. Gnashing teeth, flying fur, yowls and growls. I cover my face and try to roll away, but every way I roll they seem to follow.  Their claws dig into me. One of them shrieks – a horrid keening. And then everything stops moving. There is silence...no weight. I open my eyes.

A brown wolf stares down at me with golden eyes...ferocious, shadowed, but joyful. The wolf runs away into the darkness before I can say "I know you."

Coffin tour hoppers -- leave a comment and receive a FREE Mind of a Mad Man ebook.

And keep following the tour Coffin Hop.  

If you haven't visited my friend K.F. Kirwin's blog, you should. She has some very personable ghosts.

Death Seeker - Part 6 #coffinhop

Regan Worth

And now we lay here side by side, our legs entwined, our souls intermingled. He is sleeping and I wonder if he seeks Death in his dreams. I hope not because after what we had together, I'm sure he'll be disappointed. The sky is dark now. A tiny silver crescent hangs on the horizon. A big bug buzzes at my ear. I swat it away, but then it's back again.

"Go away," I whisper.

"Go back," it buzzes in my ear. "Hanover is frantic and Toledo's worried."

I hold up my hand and snatch its wings. I bring it forward and see its orange and yellow patterns. A moth fairy. I let it go and rub my fingers together to get rid of the dust. "Go away. I'm fine."

"Toledo said to tell you there are things out here even more wicked than you. She said you should come back now before they come find you."

"I'm not wicked. I ....how would they come find me? I have the jeep."

"How do you think?" The moth melted into a floating mouth. It opened wide. I peer through jagged teeth into a deep velvety cavern.

"Oh no. There is no way I'm traveling through your realm."

"Then drive the jeep. She says you have until dawn." Orange and yellow wings sprout from the corners of the mouth. It twists back into a fuzzy-headed moth and flies away.

I stare at the sleeping man – a boy really, but who's counting? I don't want to leave without waking him...without knowing his name or where to find him. I kiss his forehead. He doesn't stir. Damn. I would fall for a deep sleeper.

I find a scrap of paper...a receipt from some dress I bought or something. I scribble my name and phone number on it, along with a note that I had fun. What else can I do?

I leave him lying there, his head cradled by dirt. I long to hold it until morning, but I have other longer bonds. I get in the car and turn the key. The engine roars alive. I drive away.

Comment to win a Mind of a Mad Man ebook. Remember to include your email address.

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

Death Seeker - Part 5 #coffinhop

Regan Worth

I see shadows I don't understand in his yellow eyes. "Death? Why would you want to find death?"

"Because of what I am. Unwhole. Misshapen."

I reach forward and touch his stubbly cheek. "You are not misshapen. You are .... handsome ... no, that's not the word ... compelling."

"I am a mutt." The man moves my hand away. "Undeserving of even death."

I try to catch the giggle between my teeth, but it escapes. "I'm a mutt too. My daddy was Irish and my mother Chinese."

He grasps my hand. "That's how you know death. It took your mother."

Stupid tears fill my eyes. One starts to trickle down my cheek. I thought I was done with this. It's been a hundred years since I saw her lying there with a bullet through her heart.

He wipes a tear away...a gentle finger this time, instead of a claw. "I lost mine too. A hunter shot her."

He gathers me close to him and sits me down. We lean together against the rough wall. We smoke the pipe and he tells me stories of extinction. A planned extermination. I remember Hitler from the times I worried about age and wonder if he might be as old as me.

"When you say True Bloods, what do you mean?" I ask.

He strokes my face. "Never mind. It's just old stories."

"Then let's make new ones."

He pulls away. "No new ones. Nothing to pass on my sadness."

I giggle. "Stories, not children. I am far too old to have a child."

He strokes my face. "How old are you, Death?"

I grin. "Much older than I look."

"Good." He takes my face in his hands and kisses me hard. "Then you're experienced."

...to be continued tomorrow.

 Comment to win a free Mind of a Mad Man ebook. Remember to include your email address.

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

Death Seeker - Part 4 #coffinhop

The pale hairs on my arms are standing straight up. I should be afraid, but instead I want to draw him closer, feel his snarling teeth against mine, throw my head back and howl. All these things I want to do, and more.

He leans his face toward my head and sniffs. "You smell like death." His breath is hot next to my ear.

"We've been camping. I haven't had a bath in like a week."

He backs away. I feel relief and regret. Damn it. I repulse him.

His eyes dart back and forth. His own hair stands on end. "Why do you smell like death?"

"I don't know what you mean. I told you I haven't showered. Look, does it matter? I mean, I barely know you. I should be going. Thanks for the smoke." I start to walk to the car.

"Stay." A command more than a request.

" Why should I? No one talks to me like that." And yet I want to.

"Because I need to understand your scent so I can find it."

"Find what?"

"Death."

...to be continued later today

Comment to win a free ebook of Mind of a Mad Man. Don't forget to include your email address.

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

And don't miss our twitter book launch party for The Reunion and books by 2 other authors at 5 PM EDT today for more giveways. Use the #bookchat hashtag to party with us.

Death Seeker - Part 3 #coffinhop

Regan Worth

"Seriously? You're a frog hunter?" Just my stupid luck to run into someone as obsessed as Hanover.

The snarl bursts into a roar, deep and constricted by a throat unaccustomed to laughter. "Why would I hunt a dull thing like frogs?"

"Because they're extinct...well, almost. But then the scientists found some and Hanover thought they might be...um....something other than frogs."

"Two puffs and you're already high? Have you even smoked before?"

"Of course I have. And I'm not high." So I'm lying a little. At least I'm not seeing spirits yet.

Except for me, Princess. Be wary.

I cover my ears. "blablablablablabla."

Cold fingers pry my hands away. This is not an ordinary man. He's.....

I turn my head toward Daddy's breath and stare him down, hoping my anger shows in my eyes. "I told you to go." He disappears, but I figure he's not far off.

"Who are you talking to?"

I turn back to the man and notice he is standing. "Give me another hit."

"Are you sure you're up to it?" He uncloaks his eyes to meet mine. They are golden and ferocious. Not bloodshot like I had expected.

"I'm up for anything." 

He touches my throat with his index finger. His fingernail is longer than mine, filed in the dragon-lady style my mother wore. "Anything?"

to be continued...

 Comment to win a free Mind of a Mad Man ebook. Make sure to include your email address.

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

Death Seeker - Part 2 #coffinhop

Regan Worth

Definitely a man. Maybe even good-looking under all that grime. Hell, what've I got to lose? Besides, his accent's cute. British? "My name's not Ridinghood, it's Regan. It might be Halloween, but I'm not exactly wearing a costume."

He turns around. "I call you all Ridinghood." His eyes are cloaked by heavy lids. His voice is rough.

"Whatever. Can I have a drag or not?"

He offers the pipe and shrugs. "No fur off my back."

I inhale the smoke deep down into my lungs, savoring its reminiscent burn. "Nice flavor. Where I come from, we say No skin off my teeth."

"And do your kind have skin on their teeth? No wonder you can't stop flapping your gums."

I look him over. Yes, definitely good looking, even if a little rude. "So why'd you come here...to the middle of nothing, I mean."

"To be away from your kind."

"Bad relationship, huh?" Just my luck. I find a good-looking man in the middle of nowhere and he's soured on women.

"Can I have my pipe back?"

"Oh, sure." I take another quick hit and hand him the pipe. "What's your name?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. I'm just curious...making smalltalk."

"Don't." He takes another drag.

"Well, what do you want to talk about then?"

His lips roll up like a dog snarling. "Extinction."

....to be continued tomorrow

Comment to win a free ebook of Mind of a Mad Man. This is not a game of chance. Everyone who comments wins an ebook. Make sure to include your email address.  

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

Make sure to visit my friend K.F. Kirwin to learn about haunted spots in Tuscon, AZ.

Death Seeker - Part 1 #coffinhop

Regan Worth

Stupid frogs. Stupid hot, wet India. Not that New Orleans is cool or dry, but at least there's something to do there, especially on Halloween. What I wouldn't give for a glass of...well...anything. I'd even settle for one of those skunky beers they serve at that pub in that last town we passed.

Sure Hanover'll be pissed that I took the jeep, but what else could I do? I can't exactly walk to town, can I? Besides, he's almost out of smokes too and probably won't even notice until his hand comes out of his pocket empty. Silly Hanover and then he'd be bumming one off me and griping about the menthol.

*sniff sniff* Can that be what I think it is? No way, no how, not here in the desolate frogland. Probably some nasty native plant that impersonates the glorious scent of dragon smoke. No, wait. I see smoke. A small and delicate tendril over near that hovel. I'll just stop the car and go investigate.

Poppy smoke, my nose is sure. I mean, it's been a long time, but there are some things you don't forget. The taste...the sweet burn at the back of my throat....the shimmer in the air....so yummy. I'll just follow the scent. Heh heh...Hanover says I can't track. If something's worth tracking, I can track it.

Stupid rocks. Damn heels. Sure, Mary would say "I told you so." She always says, "I told you so." But I look short without heels...and short legs are NOT attractive. Besides, you never know when some suave guy with an opium pipe will pop up in the netherlands.

Ummm.....so not attractive, even derelict. I'm not even sure that shape is a guy. It could be an old woman huddled there under furs in the dead moist heat. I should walk away. 

Yes you should, princess.

 

"Quiet, Daddy. I'm old enough to make my own choice. Been old enough for longer than you walked this realm. Besides, it's not like anything has killed me."

Yet.

"Whatever, Daddy."

I turn away from Daddy's ghost and approach the shape crouched against the wall. It's back is to me. "Um, excuse me Ma'am ...or Sir. Would you mind sharing a bit of the poppy?" It doesn't turn around. I can't believe it's ignoring me. I mean...acting like I was invisible. Maybe it can't hear. I don't want to touch its grimy....ewww what color is that anyway?... But the dragon calls....mmmmmmm the dragon smells so good. I touch its shoulder softly. "A little poppy? I can pay for it, of course. I'm no freeloader."

"What'll you pay with, Ridinghood?" a deep voice roared. "What could you possibly have that I would want?"

...to be continued tomorrow

  

Don't forget to leave a comment to win a Mind of a Mad Man ebook. Make sure to include your email address in the comment.

And while you're out trick-or-treating, be sure to visit the other authors on the coffin hop.

If you haven't visited K.F. Kirwin's blog, you should. She writes ghost stories..I think she and Regan can both speak to ghosts.

A Note from a Ghost

Mary O'Malley

There is so much history here in India. Did you know that the Indians burn their dead along the Ganges river and then bathe in the waters the next day? I didn't know that either.

I know you can't all be here hunting frogs with us, but you can experience India on a virtual tour with my friend Pepi. Follow Pepi Smart Dog on his Virtual Tour of India.

What's this? A note? Hmmm. That looks like my Daddy's writing. Strange...he's been gone for years. The note says Regan has gone off on her own in the jeep. Wouldn't you know it. She has no common sense at all...traipsing around India by herself. I'd better go tell Hanover.

Did you hear that yowl? It sounded like a big cat. Just terrific. I hope it's not tangling with Regan.

"Hanover!"

"Ahhhhh.  Dag Gummit, Mary. Don't walk up on a man like that when he's tracking, I could have shot you."

"Regan's missing."

"What? What do you mean Regan's missing?"

"Daddy left me a note on my transcription pad."

"If O'Malley's worried, she must really be in trouble. We'd better take the jeep and go find her before that big cat does."

"We can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Regan took the jeep herself."

Are you enjoying the IBC Blog Tour de Force? I hope so because we love having you drop by and read about the realms. We love it so much that my daughter Mary decided that everyone who comments on the review of Soul Search will also receive a free ebook copy of The Reunion the latest book in the Dime Store Novel series.




Duncan O'Malley



We have more tricks and treats in store for you next week. We'll be participating in the Coffin Hop along with a lot of other horror writers. But Dime Store Novel isn't really horror, you say?

Isn't it? Have you been to the Nightmare Realm yet? I didn't think so. But, you see, I have and someday I'll tell you all about it.

However, next week, we're going to let you in on another kind of horror. Each day there will be a new episode of a story involving Mary's best friend from childhood, Regan Worth. I know...you think she's safe in India hunting frogs. But believe me. I've known Regan a long time -- I was best friends with her father -- and I can tell you, Regan can find trouble anywhere.

Plus, every person who comments on an episode will receive a free ebook copy of Mind of a Mad Man. There are plenty of ghosts in that book -- and Regan isn't the only one who sees them.

See you here....on the Coffin Hop.

Review: Soul Search

Rachelle Reese

I'm back with news. Not news of Hanover, Regan, Toledo, and Mary, unfortunately. They seem to have lost contact with the world. No, my news is about a book I read and enjoyed: Soul Search, by Amber Scott.

Soul Search is about a werewolf you can't help falling for, a missing boy, his mother, and a woman who is best friends with a ghost. I genuinely cared about the characters the moment I met them. Amber Scott  surrounds her protagonists in mystery and draws you step by step into their complicated hearts.

Although set in Victorian times, Soul Search is far from Victorian. Several scenes made me blush. And one (no spoilers here) made me want to put down the book and well....you get the idea. This book is one werewolf tale that is not for children.

The plot is inventive and the ending was shocking. Although this story was resolved, Ms.Scott did leave the door open for a sequel. Will we see any of these characters again? I hope so because I'd like to know how they solve their new dilemma.

I'm glad I took the time to join Grant and Leigh on their Soul Search and that I found another author who can carry me away to a different time, a different place, a different story.

Hanover Fist

 Keep your eyes open, your ears tuned, and your nose to the wind. That's the advice Swampy gave me when he taught me how to track. I wonder if he knew I'd be sitting in the mountains of India, watching for frogs in the middle of the night.

The researchers we talked to said we don't stand much of a chance now that the monsoons have passed, but that's even more reason to try. The frogs show up during monsoon season. Hmmmm. Could it be because the monsoons are caused by Khrou-ach? How many brain cells does it take to make the connection between the God of Storms and monsoon season?

So we missed monsoon season. There's always next year....if I'm unlucky enough to still be around. And if not, the girls can take care of it. Maybe not Regan, she's not much for the tropics, but Toledo and Mary are definitely troopers.

Toledo actually seems to be enjoying the trip, nibbling on herbs she's never seen before, digging up roots, and chatting with the local fairies, of course. We don't seem to be able to go anywhere without them showing up.

For that matter, Mary doesn't seem all that bored. She's not much for sitting out with us at night, but she talks to the local folk in their own language and writes a lot of notes. She's jabbering on about another book. I suppose she'll expect me to read it. Maybe when I retire. I only wish.

What's that noise? A cat yowling? Great...my luck it'll be a mountain lion.

Gone

Regan Worth

Gone, baby gone. Love is gone...
Actually it's us that's gone. To India. To track down frogs. Whatever. All I know is it's hot here. My hair is a disaster and the air stinks like vomit. But Hanover's on a quest and so here we are, tracking down frogs to see if they're minions of Khrou-ach. Geeesh!  It's hard to even find a decent cocktail.

If I make it sound dismal, it's because it IS dismal. And guess what....a week here and we haven't even come across a single ribbiting being. Not one. So I said, "Come on, Hanover. Let's give up this mess and go to Afganistan, partake of a little poppyseed."

Can you believe he said NO!? He's becoming an old fuddy-duddy. Back in the day....well, no, even then he didn't smoke the poppy. But I did...oh yes, I did. And I inhaled...deeply.

Now...don't be startled. I know my face is not familiar...that I'm not one of the characters who usually blog here. The truth is, I'm not one. I'm one of the authors of Dime Store Novel and I've hijacked the blog for the day. Why? you ask.
Because I came to ask to borrow the blog and found them all gone. Mary's laptop was open to Hanover ramblings about frogs and Hanover's typewriter held a single sheet of paper that reads:

It seems as if the Storm is organizing

Whatever that means. For me it means I had to hijack the blog to share my thoughts on a book I just read, Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles.  Because I liked this book so much, I am joining an effort along with other independent writers to make it a Bestseller for a Day on Amazon.

One thing I really liked about Nearly Departed is that it kept me guessing the whole way through. I read a lot and find that I can often guess the ending about halfway through. As I read Nearly Departed, I made as many wrong guesses as right -- and never predicted the who, how, and why behind the disappearing girls.

I also really enjoyed the quirky characters, particularly Harvey. He made me smile in the opening scene and by the end of the book, he'd done a bunch of things that tickled me. Not that he was the only fun character. Violet's two kids both worried and thrilled me because I saw so many other kids I knew in them.

Let's not forget romance. Violet is not involved in a love triangle -- its a different geometric shape that keeps on shifting throughout the story. Yes, Ann Charles even keeps you guessing at the love angle.

Have I intrigued you? I hope so because I'd hate for you to miss out on this great read. The best news is, you can get it for your Kindle or Kindle Reader app and start reading it now Nearly Departed in Deadwood . Why wait?

And while you're there, you might want to check out these 99 cent bonus books -- discounted 9/28/2011 only.Get a rebate for your purchase price by visiting http://bestsellerforaday.com and enter to win a Kindle.

Just some new frogs -- or so they say

Hanover Fist

I picked up the newspaper today, just as I do every day. Not much there...until I got in deep. Then I saw the headline that made me shudder -- Scientists Discover 12 New Frog Species in India.  So what, you ask? They're only frogs, you say?

Wrong. Not all frogs are what they seem. In fact, in my experience, most frogs are minions of Khrou-ach the storm god. If you doubt me, just listen next time it rains. Why else would they make a racket like the off-key hymns of worshippers, devout but tone deaf. I know, Whiskey Joe, I can't sing worth a hoot either, that's why I don't try. But these frogs, these worshippers of Khrou-ach, are obnoxious. And now I've got 12 more species of them to investigate.

Come on, girls. We'd better get packing. India's a long way off if we travel by air -- and that's how I intend to travel this time. I'm too old to realm-hop. You heard me, Mary. I said no....Damn.

Dime Store Novel News

Mary O'Malley

What happened to August? I can't blame the missing month on a realm adventure, so I guess I'll just have to confess. We've been busy releasing The Reunion, lining up interviews so people know it's out there, and getting helping the writers with the sequel to Angels in Hell's Kitchen. I guess that's as good of an excuse as any for dropping off the face of the earth for a month.

First, the book launch. The writers decided to release The Reunion in ebook format soon. The print version will be available later this month. As Toledo said in her blog a month ago, The Reunion is kind of her coming of age story. I also make a brief appearance, but I'm young and silly in this one, so don't hold it against me. You can buy The Reunion for Kindle at Amazon and for various other formats at Smashwords.

As for interviews, you can listen to the writers talk about how they write our stories on their interview with John Rakestraw tomorrow at 10:30 AM Pacific time. The interview will also be available for listening later on if you are busy then.

On Monday, September 5th, you can read more about the writers on Morgen Bailey's blog.

Finally, I want to say a little about Striking Angels...get you revved up for its release (which is still several months away, I think). Striking Angels continues a story very important to me. In fact without it, I wouldn't be here at all. The writers will be dropping teasers throughout the upcoming months, so watch for them here, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

That's it for now. 

The Reunion - My Coming of Age

Toledo Cats

In March of 1921, just after the yellow daffodils had finished their happy waves and drooped, papery brown from low-bent stems, my life changed forever. The secret Mama divulged one night, as we walked home from a birth, gave me insight into who I am  and what I could never be. It also signalled the end of my carefree youth.

It was not easy for me to tell the story of that night and the events that followed, but the writers encouraged me, told me it was essential that the reader understand that part of the story before they could read about our other adventures. And so I told it.

I wanted to tell other stories first, -- like stories of the adventures Hanover and I had when we were young. But those stories will come later because we really didn't know why our lives could not be ended by mundane accidents. We didn't understand and didn't care that we did not have the same limitations of time and space as the other children. We certainly didn't know about "passage" and so the writers thought it would be best to skip ahead and tell the story of my passage to who I would become.

They have finished writing. The artist has finished the last drawing. I have read the story, cried my eyes out, and approved. So now the countdown begins. Soon, very soon, you will live my life.