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.