Books and Authors: Meeting Jennifer Owen Davies at the New England Au...

Books and Authors: Meeting Jennifer Owen Davies at the New England Au...: As many of you know, I attended the New England Author Expo, orgainsed by Christopher Obert of Pear Tree Publishing , as a blogger....

Author Karen Maffeo

After attending the New England Author expo at Danversport last week I met some really great local authors, and one of them was Karen from Maine.


A little bit about Karen  Maffeo.

Karen Maffeo Creamer of Wells, Maine has just published her first novel, One Brave Thing. She has been a lifelong lover of and reader of books, and now she is also the author of one!

Her book is about a young woman whose dating life starts off on the wrong foot. Bad luck and naïve choices complicate situations and make her relationships so much harder. Bebe wants to get married someday so she forges ahead, adapting her approach, learning from her mistakes, and overcoming obstacles to reach her goals.

Since 2010, Karen has written a novel annually in November as part of National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org). One Brave Thing is a product of this practice!

Karen celebrated 25 years of marriage to her husband Bill this June, and is the very proud mother of a son and a daughter, Anthony and Isabelle. She is a Registered Nurse Health Coach and Reiki Master Teacher. She blogs at kwrites.com, karencoaches.com, and has a photo blog at wellsbeachblog.wordpress.com. You can reach Karen at kmcwrites@gmail.com. 

                                                 

1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND SO YOU ASPIRE TO WRITE LIKE HER?

​Toughie! The first names that come to mind are Lisa Scottoline, Anita Shreve, Elizabeth Berg, and Kate Braestrup. I have enjoyed (and in many cases, LOVED) every book I have read by all of these authors. I know that if I see any of these names on the cover, I will be happy reading their book. I would love it if people think of me as an author like that!

2. HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH YOUR IDEAS?

I never have trouble coming up with ideas. I have hundreds of ideas all the time. I have trouble coming up with the time to act on them.

3. HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN and WHAT IS YOUR GENRE?

So far, I have written 4 books, one of which I published this year, ONE BRAVE THING. The genre for this book, and 2 of my others is fiction. One is non-fiction.

4. BEING A BUSY MOM, HOW DO I MANAGE MY WRITING?

It's a challenge to find un-spoken-for time! I work full time and have a husband and two kids (one grown and one still growing). I am always struggling to fit it all in. One thing that helps me is participating in National Novel Writing Month every year in November. I discovered through this practice that structure is my friend! And that I can do ANYTHING for 1 month!

5. YOU ARE A SELF PUBLISHED AUTHOR. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL TRY TO SUBMIT TO A TRADITIONAL PUBLISHER?

As of today, there is a publisher in New York that is looking at my book. That said, I love having 100% control over my work, and it would be hard to give that up. We'll see.

6. ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?

Yes! Sign up for NaNoWriMo 2016! It's free. Here's the website: nanowrimo.org. Also, if your computer is unreliable, try writing in Google Docs. It backs up automatically every few seconds and you can access your work from any computer or device that can access the internet.

7. WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY?

Reading and writing are my favorite things to do. I also knit sporadically. I love making SoulCollage cards. I like to watch cooking shows on TV with my daughter, and reality shows with my husband. I like to talk about writing and travel with my son. I love anything metaphysical (rocks and crystals, reiki, oracle cards, and such). Oh, I write several blogs: kwrites.com karencoaches.com and wellsbeachblog.wordpress.com

8. HOW DO YOU COPE WITH STRESS?

I have a daily meditation practice, which helps immensely. Also, I LOVE the ocean, sitting at the ocean, walking at the ocean. It is truly the cure for what ails me.

9. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING AN AUTHOR?

The best part is that I have fulfilled a dream I've had since childhood: to write a book.

10. WHAT I SEE HAPPENING FOR MYSELF AS AN AUTHOR IN 2016: I will continue attending book expos, giving readings wherever I am asked to go, getting another manuscript ready to publish (goal: February 2017), continue meeting other authors, and writing about it all in my blog.

WAYS TO CONNECT:
my blogs (also mentioned above) kwrites.com karencoaches.com wellsbeachblog.wordpress.com

My Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/k.m.creamer.author/ and https://www.facebook.com/metaphysicalnurse/

My email address: kmcwrites@gmail.com

R.J.Davies Mornix

I would like to welcome author R.J.Davies Mornix to my blog this morning to talk about her latest release!

                                             My book is called "Maddox Files: Back to Business"
                                                                       

                                                                       

Rhonda
26 year old Dice Maddox living in Toronto, Ontario struggles with her failing love life and a career she doesn't love deciding to get back into a business she was once good at. Ryan Winters her first client was a confirmed bachelor until he had a small car accident, a woman named Lily Winters claims to have been married to him for 6 months. Digging deeper into Lily Winters, Dice soon discovers that she isn't who she says she is but wait what is she? a demon? an alien? will Dice Maddox first case back be her last?


Short Bio: R. J. Davies Mornix dreamed of being a published author since she was eight years old. She has always been a fan of science fiction and fantasy. She grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, had lived in Toronto for a few years, where she met her husband, Dave Mornix, who has been her biggest fan and supporter. She now lives back in Sault Ste. Marie with her husband, two sons, Davey and Denziel, and their two cats, writing plots, conversations, and scenes in ratty notebooks, napkins, and slips of torn-up, coffee-stained envelopes. When asked why she writes, her answer is, "It's a need, really, like breathing ... I have to do it."


     
                                                       

Rhonda
http://www.rjdaviesmornix.ca/maddox-files--back-to-business.html

Maddox Files: Back to Business
This book is the first in a series of books to come! Click here to meet the Characters for this book and recurring in the books to come.
rjdaviesmornix.ca

                                                     

   

it's available in eBook, Soft Cover, Hard Cover
and it's available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Balboa Press, Barnes & Noble, Indigo/Chapters/Coles, Kobo
it's a private investigation/science fiction



                                         

                                         

ALERT--- Author Interview

                                                                               MY BIO

Debbie De Louise is a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. Her mystery romance novel, “A Stone’s Throw” was published November 2015 by Limitless Publishing. Her first novel, “Cloudy Rainbow” received an honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest self-published awards. She was awarded the Lawrence C. Lobaugh Memorial Award in Journalism from Long Island University/C.W. Post where she earned a B.A. in English and a M.L.S. in Library Science.  A member of the Cat Writer’s Association, she has published articles in Cats Magazine, Catnip (Tufts University Veterinary Newsletter), and Catster. Her short mystery, “Stitches in Time” was published in the Cat Crimes Through Time Anthology. 

                                                                    

She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats and is currently working on a second Cobble Cove mystery and a standalone suspense novel.

My second book was “Cloudy Rainbow,” a paranormal romance featuring a cat and a virtual séance. I self-published this book through Booklocker.com. My current novel is “A Stone’s Throw” published by Limitless Publishing, and I am working on the sequel as well as a new standalone suspense novel.



                                    

I love interviewing authors and today I have the greatest pleasure in talking with Debbie De Louise....

1. When did you start writing? I’ve been writing since I was young, but my first published works were articles that were published in the late 1990’s. My first published short story was in an anthology published in 1999, and my first book was published in 2008.

2. What genre do you write and why? This isn’t an easy question. It’s hard to define a particular genre for my works. All of them include romance and mystery. “Cloudy Rainbow” was classified a paranormal romance, while “A Stone’s Throw” was considered a cozy mystery. I see my new standalone, tentatively titled, “Sea Scope,” as a mainstream novel of suspense.

3. How do you plan your story before you start writing? I’m a pantster which means I don’t create detailed outlines or character sketches beforehand but work with a flexible one as I write. I start with a general idea, and then the story develops as I go.

4.How long from the idea of the next book until completion? It usually takes me two months to finish a first draft, and my novels tend to be 80K or higher. It takes a few months longer for me to edit and revise it, so the total time is usually around 4 to 6 months before I am able to submit it to a publisher.

5. Do you use Beta-readers ? Yes. I’ve had some very nice fellow authors read my rough drafts, and they’ve been immensely helpful providing useful feedback.

6. What are the pro's & con's of the publishing world today? The pro’s are it’s a great feeling to know your work is being read especially when you get good reviews and comments from fans. It’s also fun to create characters and plots that come alive. I always enjoy reading my own books as I write them. The con’s mostly consist of the effort involved in marketing and promoting the book after it is published and, of course, finding a publisher or agent to begin with because the field is very competitive and people are reading less books today.

7.If you could interview another author who would it be and why? I’m a fan of Nora Roberts and believe she’s a very down-to-earth person despite her success. I think I’d like to interview her.

8. Tell us about your books and the characters? The theme of Cloudy Rainbow is death but not in a negative way but in a way that is a part of life. It touches upon reincarnation and something known as soul transfer that I read about in a Greg Isles novel. The main character, a computer programmer, has lost her fiancée in a tragic accident. She is also losing her old cat. I wrote this right after I’d lost my cat, Floppy, and the cat in this book is named after him. I won’t give away much more, but there is a new romance that develops in the story for the main character and a virtual world. The timeline moves back and forth through time as the plot connects.
 

A Stone’s Throw is about a librarian whose husband is killed in a hit and run accident and who decides to visit his old hometown to see if she can locate his family who were estranged from him for unknown reasons. She travels to the small upstate town of Cobble Cove (fictional name) where she meets a newspaper publisher, also widowed, who she falls in love with. As the story develops and she meets the other quirky residents and ends up accepting a job to work in the town library, some strange events occur that lead her to wonder if her new lover had something to do with her husband’s death.

9. What does the future hold for you? I wish I knew. I’m hoping to continue writing. I’ve already finished a sequel to “A Stone’s Throw” and hope to write a few more books in the series if there’s enough interest. I also hope to publish “Sea Scope” and would like to find an agent to represent it. I want to continue to build my fan base and eventually write full time after I retire in about ten years, so it would be great to get some titles behind me by then and a good number of followers.

                                                       



Connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-De-Louise/e/B0144ZGXPW/

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.wordpress.com





Here are the buy links for a Stone’s Throw:

Buy links for A STONE’S THROW:

Amazon U.S.: KINDLE: http://amzn.to/1MjaJgN

Amazon Australia: http://bit.ly/1Sdh82D

Amazon Canada: http://amzn.to/1SdheHi

Amazon U.K.: http://amzn.to/1QutXBW

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1nQPyv4

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KGYHep

Also available on iTunes and Ingram



Buy links for CLOUDY RAINBOW:












Booklocker.com (paperback and ebook – pdf only): http://booklocker.com/books/3754.html

Amazon (paperback only): http://amzn.to/1Tv3xBv   
             

                                                   

If you want to know more about Debbie, she will be at   THE VINEYARDS OF ALLEGRETTI RELEASE PARTY . There are prizes up for grabs swing by!

NEW RELEASE!!!

Way, back in 2011, I made the decision to enter the Mills and Boon New Voices competition. I had never entered a writing contest before and had no real clue what was required, but I took a risk. I knew the story I wanted to write it was one of those plots that circulate every now and again inside my brain more than on paper. Anyway, I wrote my four thousand words and sent it off. I had a lot of fun reading everyone’s entries and felt overwhelming how under-prepared I was for the talent of everyone else. It was wonderful to feel part of something that everyone was excited and passionate about and connecting with other authors sharing our stories was brilliant.

My story didn’t get picked, but that was alright. I knew one day I would re-write it and finish the story that I envisioned for Vivian King and Michael Allegretti.

On Friday, April 22^nd, 2016 The Vineyards of Allegretti the full story was born! This is my fifth book and my second adult romance. I always find when starting a new project that the demons of self-doubt perch themselves on my shoulders, and I felt them linger for so long making me question if I could pull this story together and then head bent and tapping away the story flowed for me.

                                                                   

                                                         

Blurb

Photos of an intoxicated and out-of-control Vivian King, taken after a night in Paris, are splashed across the tabloids. Her memories of the night are vague. Suspended from college, her only choice is to return home to Michael Allegretti, the man who broke her heart four years ago. He holds the key to her frozen heart and her financial independence. This time, Vivian isn’t leaving until she’s claimed them both and given Michael a taste of his own medicine.

However, Michael Allegretti has plans of his own and will not allow the family's vineyards to be divided. When a disastrous business venture risks the vineyards falling into the wrong hands, he decides to use every trick in the book to keep what he has worked so tirelessly for, even if it means settling for a marriage of convenience.

With the mafia involved, plus a psychotic ex-lover, Vivian risks not only losing her heart but her life as well.

Excerpt!

“No one touches what is mine.”

He hissed the words out as she stared up at his obsidian eyes, the whites so bright and the iris intense and captivating. Vivian noticed small lines next to them and his brows dipped, making him look tormented. She arched her body against his chest and inhaled the exotic citrus scent that was Michael. His hand wrapped round her waist as he pressed against her. He was breathing heavily; so was she. She smoothed her finger across the seam of his lips, and he closed his eyes. Stepping up, she kissed him gently and in a second, the flame that had been stoked burst into a roaring fire, devouring her. His hands held her face as he gave her a hard, punishing kiss back and when that wasn’t enough, he pushed his tongue inside, tasting every corner of her mouth.

Michael released his hold on her face as the kiss deepened, moving his hands to the top of her jeans to stroke the soft skin under her camisole with his thumb. Without resistance to his caress, his hand climbed higher and skimmed over her flat belly to reach for her breast. Shivers rippled through her body. When his fingers bordered the lacy bra, she broke the breathtaking kiss, gasping for oxygen. Still his hand explored and brushed over the tip of her sensitive nipple, causing her pulse to soar.


                                                                 

                                                          

“Michael, you must stop. We’re in broad daylight—please, someone will see.”

He lowered his head and nipped her lower lip with his teeth. Ignoring her, he continued kissing and licking her neck down to her collarbone, and she clutched his shoulders as delightful sensations burst in her stomach. As the passionate onslaught continued, she was beginning not to care, but knew his reason for this display was because he was angry, nothing more. That cold awareness made her push him away.

Michael let her go, and he adjusted his shirt but his eyes devoured hers.

“You belong to me Vivian, don’t forget it. If you want your money, play by the rules or be prepared for the rules to change. You won’t be working in the field tomorrow and it has nothing to do with what happened today.  I didn’t want you to be exhausted and arranged for my friend Carla who is a dress designer to show you some outfits. I have picked out a suitable outfit for the engagement party, but you need to try it on and she will discuss your wedding dress. From next week on, you will work in the winery in the greeting center, helping with the tours and from there, we’ll see. I can be nice Vivian but don’t make me the enemy! ” And just like that, he walked away, leaving her shaken to the core.

I'm always looking for feedback and love to hear from readers. Let me know if you buy a copy what you think  of the story and the characters.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON USA

AMAZON UK


The Vineyards of Allegretti book trailer!

BOOK TRAILER

                                                              

Romance author Holly J. Gill Highlight

                            Hello, and thank you, Jennifer,for having me over on your blog.

It is always a pleasure to have a fellow author and Brit appear on my blog, thanks! Tell us a little about yourself...

Introduction

Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Holly J. Gill an indie author of the adult contemporary romance Innocence, about a young woman who has lost her path in life, having nothing left and scared for her unborn child, until a sweet young man saves the day, only all is not, we presume. I also have an erotic series called Desires, having so far five books out of the series about a sex club. Free your imagination! I am a wife, mum and nana, and love to write in my spare time although since my publisher closed their doors last September my book writing has become a business and find myself discovering a whole new world.

Interview

Being a mum of 3, a grandmother and you work? full-time??, how do you find time to write? do you have a structure to how and when you write?

My children are now adults, making me feel old, although I’m only 41. Yes, I’m a Nana to twins, Thea Louise and Jacob Luke who are 14 months old, I love those two little monkeys, being a Nana is special and the love is so different, they always make me smile even if I’m in a foul mood lol. I work in a care home, two days a week that are 12 hours shifts, very tiring though, but means I have more time for family, friends and writing. I try to structure my days so I make the time to dedicate to the characters twittering in my head.

2. How did you start your career in writing? You have loved to write since you were in school I read somewhere, did you start writing short stories, enter competitions or dive right into writing a novel? 

I did start writing short stories as a child. The only time I enjoyed school was when the teacher said essay. I beamed, grabbing my attention immediately, although stipulated to me to reduce my word count, I always thought teachers were meant to encourage? Either way, I’d write a short story then once marked take it home and finish it, it carried on into my adulthood, writing when I could around my small family, this was when the stories turned into novels. I write because I enjoy it, a hobby something to keep my mind occupied.

3. Ideas for stories, where do you get them from and do you write a plot outline for each story? Keep notes on research or character development?

Good question, ideas I have no idea they come from nowhere, I can see an image, hear a tune and that’s it the novel begins. No notes or plots, I write down research such as a place, to make it more accurate but otherwise, the characters take hold and I write what they want me too.

4. How long does it take you to write a story from beginning to end?

Depends on my private and work life, if the characters are talking well, then weeks, my recent novel which is with my new current editor was written in three.

5. Love or hate editing?

                                

This I struggle with, as my problem is stepping away from the characters and becoming a reader. I find it hard and need guidance.

6. You were signed with Secret Cravings Publisher like me, how did you find the transition from being signed to be self-published? 

Scared, worried, daunting, and thankfully due to the wonderful family at SCP I mailed many for advice on what I needed to do to become self-published, they all are brilliant. I still find being an indie author scary, alone and always discovering new things. So much to learn.

7. The future for Indie writers where do you see it going?

Gosh I have no idea, for me I’m just going to keep writing and doing what I love until one day my imagination dries up, but then I have fifty books written in draft I could start re-working on them.

8. Best marketing tip for authors?

Promote, promote, promote.

9. Advice for aspiring writers?

Stalk authors, find out what they do, and ask questions. Do your homework don’t be afraid to ask questions.

10. Do you ever see yourself attempting a different genre than romance?  

Oh yes, I have touched on paranormal and action.

I would love to include a little about both erotic and sweet adult series, if you would like to send me a couple of lines on them and some pictures....

Innocence Series: Adult Contemporary Romance, with sexual tension

The series will come as:

Innocence

Innocence of Love

Breaking Innocence

Return to Innocence

Blurb for book 1

Calvin Edwards has everything he could dream about— perfect lifestyle, running the family real-estate company back in London. He takes a holiday up north to visit his parents only to find a young pregnant woman attempting to take her life. Wishing to help, Calvin becomes a friend to her, only fears he’s out of his depth. Just when he thinks he can do this his past resurfaces, sending his life crashing.

Kacey is pregnant and her life is out of control with nowhere left to go. She descends on her mum for one last chance for help, only to have the door slammed in her face. At her wits end, she is alone, scared, and helpless until Calvin comes along. He becomes a dear friend giving her kindness, something she thought no longer existed in the world. Only she finds what she’d pushed to the back of her mind through selfish pain is back. Her past with all its mistakes has come back to life!

                                                         

Excerpt

“What and you’re Mr. Perfect?” she growled.

“No, far from it, but I would not cheat on my girlfriend and certainly not one expecting my baby. I am sure we could have found some way around any difficulties and compromised,” he said, honestly.

“Well, you don’t know anything about me or my life, and I think you should just walk away and forget you even saw me,” she roared.

She turned her head away noticing her staring back down at the river.

His heart skipped beats. He rolled his tongue over his teeth, followed by biting down on his lips, eager to think of something to say.

“I cannot do that. I mean, look at you,” he said desperately. He stepped forward.

“Yeah, pregnant with no-one wanting me, what is there? My baby is better off coming with me,” she said distraught.

Calvin became more worried that she was about to jump. Clearly, the girl was in a bad place.

He watched her release one of her hands from the rail. “No, please, no…don’t do it. Look I can help,” he said panicking. He reacted quickly rushing forward to stretch his hand out to grab her if she went. Only he was feet away from her and had no idea how much weight the rotten wooden bridge would take. His heart beat overtime in his chest. He held his breath, stopping himself close to the embankment before he fell in the river. He feared she was about to jump.

“Please, I can help you,” he had to convince her, what she was thinking or attempting to do was wrong and he could try and help her give her support, tell her anything just to get her of the damn unstable bridge. Calvin had no clue what he was saying or what to say, but what he did know was there was a pregnant vulnerable girl thinking about taking her life.

“I have nothing, no home, no friends, and no money. I slept rough last night,” she screamed. “So don’t fucking tell me what to do. Go home and live happy…I have nothing to be happy about,” she snarled.

                                                     

Desires series: Erotica, BDSM, kinky romance.

Desires

Touching Angel’s Desires

Desires’ Secrets

Embracing Desires

Dan’s Desires

Desires—a place where fantasies are made flesh and dreams become real. From BDSM to being a dog, Desires can provide it with bells on, if that’s your kink.

Stacie Clifford’s only desire is to regain her sexual confidence after her recent escape from an abusive marriage. She joins Desires looking for re-education in the joys of her body. There is only one condition; her contract states emotional attraction between tutor and student is forbidden. Stacie is fine with that; her heart is so battered she has no desire to give it to anyone else.

Then she meets her instructor, Dan. Instantly attracted, at first Stacie thinks it will help to make her sexually comfortable with him. But when she realises she is falling in love, she can’t tear herself away, contract or no. Stacie knows that, no matter how kind and caring Dan appears, he’s just doing his job. Can Stacie overcome her own Desires and walk away?

Excerpt

She looked away from him, staring at the chocolate mousse on the table. She smiled as she imagined covering his cock in it.

“I do actually,” she replied sitting up to look at Dan. “I quite fancy trying out the feast.”

“Oh yes? Do you want to go downstairs?”

“Nope, I want to stay right here.”

She climbed off the bed to get the brown paper bag that contained the items she had bought earlier. One by one she placed the lace handcuffs, blindfold and ticklers on the bed. Dan’s eyes widened as Stacie picked up the lace handcuffs and climbed onto the bed on all fours. She crawled her way up to Dan, her breasts swaying. She grabbed his willing hands and he moved them up above his head to the headboard. Stacie put the cuffs on him and reached to get the blindfold. She tied it tightly round his eyes and sat back. He looked vulnerable and delicate.

Stacie climbed off the bed and admired his helpless body. He was wearing only his trunks, the bulge of his burgeoning excitement evident. She headed over to the table picking up the chocolate mousse, and then climbed back onto the bed, kneeling close to Dan.

Stacie licked her lips, looking at his eager face. She tightened her bottom, feeling her arousal already running wild around her body. Stacie moved closer, pressing her lips against his chest. She held her head up to watch his reaction. He shifted under her, and his lips parted slightly. Stacie moved her body up so her mouth was in line with his. She pressed her soft moist lips against his. Dan responded, kissing her back. She pulled away.

“No,” she told him, with a tsk of disapproval. Stacie wanted full control of everything, including his reactions. He stopped instantly.

Stacie kissed him again, moving her lips around his, caressing them. She tasted his lips, then dipped her tongue into his mouth feeling her body responding with pleasure. Stacie took hold of his bottom lip to bite it lightly, nibbling her way along.

                                           

Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Smashwords

ITunes

Links to Holly

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HollyJGill

Blog: http://hollyjgill.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hollyjgillauthor

Website: http://hollygill.wix.com/hollyjgill

Local author new release.

One of the best parts of being a writer is meeting other writers, I simply love it. Especially, when you meet someone who shares your passion and love of creating the story and characters with the same obsession. I am delighted to have my friend Jennifer Smith back on my blog talking about her latest release The Rare Pearl.



       

Author's Bio

Jennifer W Smith lives in a leafy New England town with her husband, two children, blue-eyed cat and newly adopted dog. Jennifer’s love of traveling the world, and experiencing the journey as well as the destination, has landed in her debut novel, Flying Backwards. Her previous career as a flight attendant inspired this romantic adventure. Jennifer is currently working on the Broken Water novel series where she will take her readers on an unexpected journey.  Set in New England, this new series is a fantasy adventure based on a little known, but compelling, scientific notion. Jennifer also loves reading, jigsaw puzzles, art, yoga, historical research, and downtime with her family.


          

Broken Water Series: The Rare Pearl (Book 1)

In 1989 a hidden discovery found in a tiny New England coastal town sends 23 year-old Harmony Parker into an evolutionary altered realm. She uncovers a secret that not only connects her to this other world but could explain why her family members have mysteriously drowned throughout her life. Eager to find a way home, she solicits help from Kodiak Night, a conceited underwater treasure hunter. Kodiak knows this is a dangerous request, but he’s willing to risk his life in exchange for the rare pearl ring Harmony wears. This leaves her no choice but to surrender her heirloom. Harmony must complete her journey across alternate terrain, fight sea-monsters, and resolve the conflicting feelings she has for Kodiak. She will be tested—facing deep-rooted fears and struggling with awakening abilities she must learn to control. When her abilities are exposed, she’s pursued as an asset by an unexpected adversary which endangers those she comes to care for. All the while, the water god watches Harmony as her unique abilities have also roused his interest.

Author’s Note

My imagination is continuously weaving plots whether I’m folding laundry, walking the dog, or driving the kids to practice. One of the fun things about being an author is when one of my many creative ideas comes together, especially when a particular idea develops into a story. In The Rare Pearl for instance, I had already planned the Aquapopulean race in my mind but wanted to give validity to the origin. When I searched the internet for information on evolution I came across the Aquatic Ape Theory. As I read through this fascinating theory I was thrilled to build the factitious Aquapopulean race I had conceived on the support of a concept already studied by scientists in the field of anthropology. This set the foundation for the Broken Water Series.

Another fun aspect to writing is where the inspiration comes from. I’m often inspired by historic events and the diverse locations I travel to. I like to use authentic places to help the reader better connect to the story. I used the Wentworth-by-the-Sea hotel in this story because it’s inspired me for decades. This building has an amazing past and has housed many famous guests, my favorite being the sharpshooter Annie Oakley who was hired to teach female guests to shoot. This hotel closed in 1982 when I was ten years old. As a kid, taking long drives with my folks along New Hampshire’s scenic coast, I’d stare in awe at the turn of the century hotel. As the years passed, I saw the Wentworth fall into disrepair and it weighed heavy on my heart. I always wondered what she had been like in her heyday and wished the building would be saved. The Wentworth with its tumultuous history, elegant architecture, and grand setting is one incredible source of inspiration I had to write about. Giving my characters Harmony Parker and her relatives a connection to the Wentworth’s history helped fuel this series. I used the hotel’s tragic event in 1989 when eighty percent of it was torn down as a climactic scene in The Rare Pearl. I took the snapshot in the front of this book not long afterward the teardown, when only the original facade remained. Like many great stories with tales that rollercoaster from splendor to tragedies to happy endings—the same goes for the Wentworth-by-the-Sea. She was eventually purchased, refurbished and reopened in 2003. After the reopening I finally got my chance to step foot inside the building for the first time and stay as a guest—it left me giddy. The rooms, décor and service were top notch bringing her into a new era, but I found myself wondering about the days long ago and what kind of stories she could tell if her walls could talk.

If you would like to read the first chapter for free, go to www.JenniferWSmith.com

                                 

Jennifer W. Smith’s other adult fiction novel is mainstream romance, Flying Backwards.

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AUTHOR BLOG

Guest author on board!

Welcome to Guest Author D. L. Cocchio 

                                  D. L. Cocchio is fascinated by all things mystical and magical. Born and raised in New Jersey, she weaves these topics into all of her stories. The author of four novels, Cocchio has a degree in Psychology and Education. A former elementary school teacher, she now works in the business world by day and is an author by night. She is currently working on Book 2 in The Psychic Circle Series. Debbie lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and a crazy black and white cat. She is available for author events such as book talks, panel discussions, school visits, and signings.

                                                               

The Psychic Circle

Book 1 of the Psychic Circle Series

Souls Entwined

Sixteen-year-old Rachel’s psychic world is shaken when Billy introduces her to telepathy and astral travel, awakening her desire for more spiritual adventure. She can’t get enough. Together with a teenage shaman, a healer, a psychic and a witch, they form “The Psychic Circle” to secretly explore the paranormal.

Romance blossoms between Rachel and Billy as they realize they have such a strong connection. Could Rachel possibly have found her soul mate? But when Rachel’s best friend becomes jealous and causes issues using black magic, it can sabotage her chance at having the true love she’s been yearning for.

Now Rachel must decide if she should fight fire with fire in order to protect and pursue this obvious soul connection. After all, all’s fair in love and war, right?

Books Available:

The Psychic Circle ~Souls Entwined (Book 1)     So You Wanna Read Tarot?                                     Be Careful What You Wish For (Book 1)             Magic By Moonlight (Book 2)

 

What inspires you to write?

I have always loved to write, ever since I can remember. As a kid, I would spend most of my summers reading and writing. I think it was a great escape, being able to create a fantasy world. Mostly, I am inspired by places I visit and people I meet. I tend to be able to weave a story around the things that interest me. They say to write about what you know and love, so I do.

How did you come up with the story of a psychic circle?

My friends and I started a meditation group where we would practice meditation, learn about tarot cards, crystals, energy, and whatever else a member would bring to the group. It was all about experimentation. Some of our experiences were wild and crazy. We thought that no one would ever believe some of the incredible stuff that happened to us. Well, I kept a journal of our meetings and it lead to my book.

Are all of the adventures in the book true?

Many of the adventures are true. Some of the experiences that we had together blew our minds. They were incredible. I am hoping that readers will learn to be cautious and protect themselves when exploring the psychic realm. It can be tons of fun, but also can be dangerous.  The romance between the two main characters is purely fiction, though- what is a young adult book without romance?

Will the saga continue?

I plan on writing two more books in the Psychic Circle Series. I am hard at work writing book two. I will post more on that as it develops on my website: http://www.dlcocchio.webs.com.

What was your favorite book growing up?

I think I read the entire mystery section of the local library in about two summers. I loved the Nancy Drew type books. In high school, my favorite book was Lord of the Flies.

What is a book on your To Read Bucket List?

I have been meaning to read something like Switched by Amanda Hocking. I came across her blog and wanted to check out her writing. I love to read the YA genre.

Do you have a favorite author?

Some of my favorite authors are: Alyson Noel (Immortal Series), Kelley Armstrong (Summoning, etc.), Addison Moore (3:AM Kisses series), Jennifer Armentrout (Lux series and Wicked Trilogy) and Cait Tiernan (Sweep Series).

If you were stranded on an island, which book would you want with you? Why?

I would probably want to have a classic like Swiss Family Robinson. It might give me some survival ideas and provide good reading.

What advice to you have for writers?

To keep on writing, rewriting and rewriting some more. That’s what perfects your work. Let friends read it and comment. And most of all… never give up!

What is your hobby?

My hobbies are reading and writing, of course. And I enjoy doing crafts.





                                                                   

LINKS

Website: http://www.dlcocchio.webs.com

Twitter: @dlcocchio

Email: debbiecocchio@yahoo.com

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/dlcocchio

Blog: http://dlcocchio.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dlcocchioAuthor