Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Alicia Dean - Haunting at Spook Light Inn: A World of Gothic - Oklahoma

Step back into the days of the classic Gothic Mystery romances like "The Shivering Sands" by Victoria Holt, "Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier and “Hunter’s Green” by Phyllis A. Whitney. A new series from authors all over the world features novellas in the style of these old-time stories. Check out the “A World of Gothic” series here:

Our Gothic series includes authors from, and stories set in, Scotland, Greece, Ireland, Texas, Florida, France, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, which is where mine is set. My contribution to the series is titled “Haunting at Spook Light Inn” and is based on an actual spook light phenomenon that appears in Northeastern Oklahoma, only a few miles from where my sister and brother-in-law live. To help with researching the book, I took a road trip to the area with my friends, Kathy and Krysta. My sister Ruth drove us out to ‘spook light road.’ We didn’t see the light, (Well, Kathy and I thought we saw it, but we’re not sure. And the two naysayers with us claim we didn’t, so I guess I’ll say we didn’t…), but we had a good time, and it was helpful for getting a feel for my story.

NOTE: Many of the stories, including Haunting at Spook Light Inn, are on sale for only 99 cents each!

Blurb:
Amidst a blizzard, paranormal debunker Camille Burditt arrives at Devil’s Promenade in Oklahoma to research a supernatural 'spook light' phenomenon for her latest book. There she encounters a ghostly being, which she dismisses as a figment of her imagination. But as the apparition becomes too persistent to deny, Camille realizes the woman’s ghost is quite real—and that her demise was not accidental.

Declan Rush—the inhospitable, reclusive owner of the inn where Camille is staying—is linked to the deceased woman, but he is less than forthcoming. Despite his unfriendliness, Camille is oddly drawn to him, even though she suspects his connection to the spirit might be that of killer to victim.                                            

When another suspicious death occurs, Camille intensifies her investigation. She has precious little time to ferret out the truth. Not only is her book deadline looming—she's desperate to discover if the man she’s falling for is a murderer.

Excerpt:
      Right at ten p.m., I put on my coat, boots, scarf and gloves then pulled open the front door. I went around back and keyed in the code to the garage door. The door slid open, and I climbed into a golf cart. I headed down the drive, appreciative of the thick plastic that somewhat blocked the wind. Even with the protection, I was chilled by the time I reached the road.
     I parked on the shoulder and snuggled into my coat. Above me, ice-coated tree limbs drooped heavily. A howl rose in the distance. I looked around but saw nothing. Of course, coyotes and mountain lions were sneaky. They wouldn’t be parading around in plain view. From what I’d read, they kept mostly away from civilization. Even though this area was hardly what I’d call civilized, it wasn’t the wilderness either. I was certain whatever had made that sound was a safe distance away.
     A three-quarter moon hung in the sky surrounded by a spattering of stars. Beautiful. I didn’t see stars like that in Miami. I focused my attention back to the end of the road. From my understanding, the best spot to see the light was just to the left of a cell tower. I could see the red lights of the tower. I studied the area left of it.
     In my peripheral vision, a brief glow appeared. I whipped my head around. A translucent, but not quite human form, wafted above the ditch on the side of the road.
     I gasped, and a tremble shot up my legs. It’s not real, whatever I’m seeing, it’s not real.
     The figure floated toward me. I lifted the plastic, keeping my gaze on the glow.
     What was it?
     Not the light. It wasn’t in the right spot nor was it the right shape.
     I blinked. Still there. Oh God…
     I screwed my eyes shut tightly. When I opened them, the glow was gone.

Amazon buy link:

Bio:
Author Alicia Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 10, she wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who shared the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals. She is a freelance editor in addition to being an editor for The Wild Rose Press.
Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching (and rewatching) her favorite televisions shows like The Walking Dead, Dexter, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, Vampire Diaries, and The Originals. Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.
Find Alicia here:

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Friday, January 6, 2017

KARMA - The Principle of Cause and Effect


                   The Twelve Laws of Karma:

Karma, the Hindu and Buddhism principle of cause and effect, is a lifestyle promoting positive thinking and actions. It also employs self-reflection to fix problems in our lives. As your read them, see how simple, but credible they are. Can you relate to any of to them? Notice how the symbols, like the endless knot and the ying and yang, interlink to represent cause and effect.

1. The Great Law
Whatever we put out into the Universe will come back to us. This is also known as the “Law of “Cause and Effect.”

Endless Knot Symbol
2. The Law of Creation
Life does not happen by itself, we need to make it happen. Surround yourself with what you want to have in your life and be yourself.

3.  The Law of Humility
We must accept something in order to change it.                               

4.  The Law of Growth
When we change ourselves, our lives follow suit and change too. The only thing we have control of is ourselves.

5.  The Law of Responsibility
We must take responsibility for what is in our lives. It’s a Universal Truth that we mirror what surrounds us, and what surrounds us mirrors us. 

6.  The Law of Connection
Past, Present and Future are all connected. Neither the first step nor the last one is of greater significance. They are both needed to accomplish the task.

7.  The Law of Focus
One cannot think of two things at the same time. If we are having rewarding positive thoughts, it is not possible to have negative ones.

8.  The Law of Giving and Hospitality
Our behavior should match our thoughts and actions. If we believe something to be true, then sometimes in our lives we will be called upon to demonstrate that truth.

9.  The Law of Here and Now
One cannot be present if they are looking backward. Old thoughts, old patterns of behavior, and old dreams prevent us from having new ones.
 
10.  The Law of Change
History repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path.

11.  The Law of Patience and Reward
The most valuable rewards require patience and persistence.

12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration
Rewards are the result of the energy and intent we put in them. Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole.


Wednesday, January 4, 2017

AUTHOR DEBRA DOGGETT ~ "Training Tess"

 Debra Doggett explains in her own words 
how she became interested in historical writing:

I used to tell people I got a history degree because I didn’t have to take math classes for it. That was only part of the reason, but back then being a history nerd didn’t give off the best aura. Even my dad said he didn’t understand how I could take those classes because history was boring. It was one of the few things we disagreed on. Growing up, my hero was James Michener. It wasn’t only that he could write like nobody else, but he wrote history. His work inspired me, and one day I plan to write my own historical epic. My first attempt at dipping my toe into that goal was Training Tessa. I set this story in Renaissance Italy, one of my favorite time periods. It gave me an excuse to dig back into that time and place, making the writing fun. One of the biggest reasons for it, however, was the way sensuality permeated art, and life. Yes, there were lots of naysayers, but artists in particular began to look at the human body as sensual. That concept fit well with the story. I hope the story fits well with you.

Debra's Bio:
Debra Doggett has been writing since childhood. Keeping stories in her head while raising three daughters, pursuing her BA in History and working as a museum professional has kept the writer inside her alive. She has also written, performed and directed for the stage, her second love.

My author links:
Amazon Author:
Goodreads:

Blurb:
Meretessa Brexiano believes in love. Her heart yearns for a true bond with the man she weds. She also believes she can change her fate. Refusing the marriage her father has arranged, she strikes a bargain with a man she hopes can teach her the art of seduction. Nicolo da Parma is a businessman with a reputation as a connoisseur of women. Their sensuality is the palette he has painted on since his youth. This time, however, he may have struck a bargain which costs more than he planned. Training Tessa might be the greatest challenge to his own heart Nicolo's ever had.

Excerpt:
 
     Nicolo reached a hand toward her. “Seduction is a slow process, Tessa, a process which begins with you. It begins in here.” He tapped her forehead. “Do you even know what your own body looks like?”
      She moved, grateful for even a small space between them. “That’s ridiculous! Of course I know what I look like. I see myself every day.”
      “Ah, but do you really see? How can you tempt a lover with a body you are not even aware of?”
      Before she could protest, he swallowed up the small, safe distance. Strange sensations stirred within her, leaving her without the ability to form the words she knew she should be saying. Nicolo’s fingers untied the lace along her bodice. He slipped the thin scarf through his hand with a sensual caress that made her shiver. What would those fingers feel like against her skin? As his hand slid over her shoulder, his fingers nudged her dress down, letting the fabric glide to the top of her breasts. He leaned in close and for a moment she thought he might kiss her. Tessa wondered what his lips would feel like, what they would taste like.


Friday, December 30, 2016

REALISTIC WRITER RESOLUTIONS FOR 2017

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR WRITING ~ This tops the list for almost all writers. We resolve to make more time for writing every year, but it’s so easy for life to distract us. We rationalize we have other tasks and chores to do for our kids, our husband, friends, or family. If we wrote only 500 words at day, we would have 15,000 words in a month. One thousand words would net us 30,000, quite an admirable word goal. Don’t feel like writing? Research, writing exercises, outlining, reading for information, and editing also count as part of the writing process since these activities propel us forward.

READ, READ, READ
~ Not only do we need to read in our genre to stay on top of the latest trends and to study other writers’ styles, structure, plotting, voice and pacing, but also we need to read outside our comfort zone. We need to delve into a memoir, a nonfiction book, editorials, the newspaper, and anything we don’t normally read. This will give us a new perspective when we sit down to write again.

GET ORGANIZED ~ Organize your writing space. File that pile of papers you were going to take care of. Clean out your emails. Clean up your hard drive. Back up your data. Review and update your blog, website, Facebook page and Twitter account. Set a timetable for writing a certain project and determine how you’re planning to track your progress.

SET REALISTIC GOALS ~ Stop beating yourself up when you don’t accomplish what you planned. Stop comparing yourself to other writers. Set realistic goals. Maybe you will only accomplish one novel per year. However, you might want to try writing a seasonal short story, or an opinion or a blog piece as well.

EXERCISE ~ Good health is important. Get plenty of rest and find some activity where you can get exercise: swimming, walking, golfing, tennis, zuma, dancing or any other activity that takes you away from the keyboard and gets you moving.

                                    Have you made your New Year’s resolutions?
                 If so, share on of those in the comments below. Happy New Year!