tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136171992024-03-12T20:10:56.574-04:00Love with a Shot of AdrenalineThis blog was originally titled "Indulge Yourself: Read what you want, watch what you want, and live a life that makes you happy" because that's what I write about here.
But as author Natalie J. Damschroder, aka NJ Damschroder, who writes romantic adventure and YA adventure—heart-pounding fiction with kick-ass heroes and heroines who fall in love while they save the world (or at least one small part of it), it seemed prudent to bring this blog into my author world. Thanks for visiting!Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.comBlogger1264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-40588359515165169752021-07-28T00:30:00.003-04:002021-07-28T00:30:00.180-04:00Gabby Allan Brings Us the Rom-Cozy!<p>I have been a fan of Gabby Allan since long before she was Gabby Allan, and because I have carefully cultivated my contacts in the business of fiction (in other words, we live in the same town and I buy her tea every few weeks 😉) I got to read her debut mystery prior to its release, and it's everything I love most about her books. (I'm being a little cagey here, with oblique references to her <a href="http://mistysimon.com" target="_blank">alternate personality</a> 😁) The humor and fun are at the top of the list, with characters who feel real and yet completely unique, and just enough romance to make all the stakes mean something. </p><p>So without further ado *snicker* I am pleased to introduce GABBY ALLAN!</p><p style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>Hello, and I hope you’re having an amazing day! So excited to be here and so thankful Natalie invited me to hang with you for a little while!</p><p>I’m Gabby Allan, and I’m super excited to introduce my new series to you! It’s a rom-cozy—rom com and cozy mystery snuggled up on a beach drinking a Mai Tai! If you’re into that kind of thing, I think you’ll love this book and my characters Whitney Dagner and her cat Whiskers!</p><p>Thanks for giving me a look and have a great day!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496731067/much-ado-about-nauticaling/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Much Ado About Nauticaling" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5xgccWLRAnPfLlQPjCrme7-579WOCFtB8ZPFiycwTllQjsoFgogJ0JYvi1HJruYv3246coTqRN4OUHP2w8c2chbsEV8Ggsv9mL-LnOYVI4b38MGSV5_eVUifREmsnHLthXuzKQ/s16000/Much+Ado+Cover.jpg" title="Much Ado About Nauticaling" /></a></div><b>Whitney Dagner is your tour guide to a Pacific paradise that’s to die for—only to find it’s a place people are also willing to kill for—in Gabby Allan’s <i><a href="https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496731067/much-ado-about-nauticaling/" target="_blank">Much Ado About Nauticaling</a></i>, first in the Whit and Whiskers Mystery series.</b><p></p><p>After far too many years in the Los Angeles corporate world, Whitney Dagner has come home to Santa Catalina Island off the California coast to help her brother Nick run Nautically Yours, the family tourism business. Between gift shop shifts selling all manner of T-shirts and tchotchkes and keeping her feline Whiskers in fine fettle, she pilots the <i>Sea Bounder</i>, a glass bottom boat showing tourists the underwater sights of aquatic plants, marine life—and a murder victim?</p><p> The self-proclaimed “Master of the Island,” Jules Tisdale was a wealthy man with business interests throughout Catalina who was about to be honored as Person of the Year before someone strangled him with his own tie and tossed his body into the water. That someone appears to be Nick, who had a raw deal from Jules and no alibi the night of his murder. To clear her brother’s name, Whit will have to investigate Jules’ shady associates and not exactly grief-stricken family members—with the unwelcome help of Felix Ramirez, police diver and Whit’s ex-boyfriend, who’s looking to rekindle their relationship.</p><p>If you’d like a door hanger and/or a signed book plate for your book, drop me a line at</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-nIpECflIt9jYOpsVy8-1s3ci8xe3HGuqbfYkv4WhYZXxZJ7kmKTmDW6XfKyj3MFFETYESt5k91woYEcX8QKy7F6upxWrs9S0o1sPcVnb9Mi_QHFbGWEi2ar_LmrqVE-09p-zQ/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Door hanger and book plate" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-nIpECflIt9jYOpsVy8-1s3ci8xe3HGuqbfYkv4WhYZXxZJ7kmKTmDW6XfKyj3MFFETYESt5k91woYEcX8QKy7F6upxWrs9S0o1sPcVnb9Mi_QHFbGWEi2ar_LmrqVE-09p-zQ/w238-h320/Doorhanger+with+bookplate.jpg" title="Door hanger and book plate" width="238" /></a></div><a href="mailto:gabbyallanwrites@gmail.com"> gabbyallanwrites@gmail.com</a><p></p><p>You can find me lots of places, but here are a few to start!</p><p><a href="http://eepurl.com/bjDYYX" target="_blank">Newsletter signup</a><br /><a href="http://www.gabbyallan.com" target="_blank">Website</a> <br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GabbyAllanAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://bit.ly/2UWZida" target="_blank">Facebook Group Merry Sleuths</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3inb08R" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gabbyallanspeaks/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <br /><a href="https://bit.ly/3ioqHg3" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br /><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabby-allan" target="_blank">Bookbub</a> </p><p>Thanks for having me!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">About the Author</h3><div>After writing plays for her friends to act out as a kid, bad poetry in high school, and her high school Alma Mater song, Gabby Allan finally found her true passion—cozy mysteries. Being able to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time, and touch people’s hearts with her down-to-earth characters makes for the best job ever. This California girl now lives with her husband, daughter, and two insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwGtA2lWvlX7bIDygITk2oczHsf3eQ2w4e2hJ2KNs9TZlEQFBpyaPU9R6AUz33gep6SCNEsP5EKahNj-1wKCfle7gfUjf2hyphenhyphenpTK2-gdlq7YslSJdJlTj6EQxvD2MN-EBI2WbI-A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwGtA2lWvlX7bIDygITk2oczHsf3eQ2w4e2hJ2KNs9TZlEQFBpyaPU9R6AUz33gep6SCNEsP5EKahNj-1wKCfle7gfUjf2hyphenhyphenpTK2-gdlq7YslSJdJlTj6EQxvD2MN-EBI2WbI-A/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-29998587221108902772021-05-12T00:30:00.053-04:002021-05-12T06:38:04.583-04:00For Darker Paranormal Romance... Try Victoria Smith FREE!<p>If you like my books, some of the credit goes to Victoria Smith, one of my long-time critique partners. If you haven't read her before and like your paranormal romance creepy and dark, you can now try her FREE before her next book comes out!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Victoria-Smith/dp/1682916332" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Into the Fire cover; blue, with flames and a city and a woman's face." border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7d0GuBJ9byzVMnWaSje92WfR4aKGCJWIlviqgyWA8BGmQqSfyj_C8_K5It86o24_OTt4WVLXbtsCQ0b0F8lkA7-3uw4306CrxCl60hUlzL3odrcq83pa1PF9ihr5oq0-4akv8g/w200-h320/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><i>Into the Fire</i></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Victoria-Smith-ebook/dp/B073DL5NBM" target="_blank">Free digitally May 8 - 12, 2021</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>In Olivia Sanders’ world, people like her don’t survive very long. Special abilities are a threat to the corrupt government. </div><div><br /></div><div>Olivia and those with similar abilities struggle to keep their secrets as new laws threaten them daily. Though hiding isn’t enough for Olivia. A healer and firestarter, she works with the resistance to ensure the safety of the people of her sector, toiling in an unforgiving world without freedom or hope with the goal that someday they will find</div><div>both.</div><div><br /></div><div>Poisoned by someone she should never have trusted and betrayed by her godfather, the former governor, who is using disturbing methods to control the population and grow his army, Olivia is forced to seek help from Luke Jamison, the leader of the resistance. They join forces with his brother, Matt, and Jillian Derrick, a hard-as-nails woman leading a band of "undesirables" to safety.</div><div><br /></div><div>As conditions in the sector deteriorate and the death toll climbs ever higher, Olivia and Luke, along with Jillian and Matt, cling to the miracle of found love while facing the horror of a future without each other.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DL5NBM" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: white;">Buy Now!</span></a></h2><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Guide-Challenging-Fates-ebook/dp/B08TX52QQM" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shadow Guide cover; purple and blue and gold, with a tough-looking couple in front of a gothic-style house" border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfZUjwICR9fZ23dH9paiVL9INnElFzSyFq6CjYbH76mukBWtQ-71_AYQRgPxdJisi_l_i7dq5Bd04qOg3bYGUqudaURkwOisQqBhQemp5hYTv6IReqik36ntUwYUr2fiphYUZ5A/w213-h320/shadow.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">RELEASE DAY!! May 12th! </h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Guide-Challenging-Fates-ebook/dp/B08TX52QQM" target="_blank"><i>The Shadow Guide</i></a></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Guide-Challenging-Fates-ebook/dp/B08TX52QQM" target="_blank">Challenging the Fates, Book One</a></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">by Victoria Smith</h3><p>When evil comes for Alaina, bringing with it a destiny she can’t deny, can love stand against the forces of darkness?</p><p>When Alaina inherits her grandmother’s house, she gets far more than just the eccentric woman’s massive knickknack collection. Desperate for help with the increased paranormal activity around her, she calls the one person she thinks can provide it—despite the memory of the night he rejected her.</p><p>Patrick doesn’t want to get involved with Alaina and her demonic inheritance. He’s lost enough to the demons already, and so has she. If he refuses, she could be murdered just like her grandmother. Just like his wife and child. And he can’t live with that either. </p><p>Together they must find a way to restore the balance of good and evil, while coming to terms with emotions neither of them thinks they want.</p><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">About Victoria Smith</h3><div>Victoria Smith wrote her first romance at the age of nine and hid the story from her brothers to avoid being teased. Her mother recently found the folded notebook paper and, if you're lucky, one day she'll reveal the hero in that story. Now, she writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense and women's fiction - always with a happy, or at least satisfying, ending.</div></div><div><br /></div>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-57013832303930816272020-12-21T17:59:00.004-05:002020-12-21T17:59:44.732-05:00You Know What You Can Do with 2020...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcNoysKYNuIwFi92t_j-XxHK-JBYUzJcxyboustrBvEgyhyphenhyphenSJfB4uA9nYcaQdgevGREYYVQgxHFsQl2nwx1VAty_vVrndjjuEjiWQRnO6sm1XssbkLlrdNfFUoK4Qi2Fkjq8J3g/s4032/IMG_20201206_122056331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two tan and white cats lying in a bird of paradise pot." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcNoysKYNuIwFi92t_j-XxHK-JBYUzJcxyboustrBvEgyhyphenhyphenSJfB4uA9nYcaQdgevGREYYVQgxHFsQl2nwx1VAty_vVrndjjuEjiWQRnO6sm1XssbkLlrdNfFUoK4Qi2Fkjq8J3g/w240-h320/IMG_20201206_122056331.jpg" title="Cats in a potted plant" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cats at my day job.</td></tr></tbody></table>Hello there!<div><br /></div><div>I know. It's been a minute, as they say. I stopped having so much to say, and social media took over the little bits I did have. And, I mean, who blogs anymore, amirite?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, today I do. Because I wanna. Because I connected with people here once, and after a year where people struggled to connect (or connected too much—Zoom OMG), it seemed fitting to go old-school.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Let's see how much stale slang I can get into a blog post!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I wanted to post here because as much of a shitshow as 2020 was, nothing is all bad, and some things were really good. Like <i>Enola Holmes! </i>I loved that movie. And some of the final episodes of <i>Supernatural</i>. (We won't talk about which ones. We can each love our own.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Probably because there was so much less TV overall, I read more. I'm at 146 books and counting. Jim Butcher and Susan Grant both had two releases! I absolutely adored <i>King's Ransom</i> by Suzanne Brockmann and <i>A Cowboy to Remember </i>by Rebekah Witherspoon and ohhhh, <i>Relentless in Texas</i> by Kari Lynn Dell was the book of the year for me, so bittersweet because she died shortly after it was released. We are so blessed to have gotten the books we did before we lost her. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1aUrk1VflOVgoZxMcKRjX8o6jRxE95Gv8zvgZRz3fweVBUUUKvUlNF2D1fH1OtAhOPXbJDEKYmSh6V2DjsyrfRkbwTNjYRYZRQCSsl3LWvN3vfpXpf4iGHyy0AYWUCyQ5G0u1w/s500/51RLXrxeroL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cover for A Faire to Remember by Misty Simon" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1aUrk1VflOVgoZxMcKRjX8o6jRxE95Gv8zvgZRz3fweVBUUUKvUlNF2D1fH1OtAhOPXbJDEKYmSh6V2DjsyrfRkbwTNjYRYZRQCSsl3LWvN3vfpXpf4iGHyy0AYWUCyQ5G0u1w/w240-h320/51RLXrxeroL.jpg" title="A Faire to Remember cover" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something to look forward to!</td></tr></tbody></table>There's a lot to look forward to in 2021, too, including Misty Simon's new paranormal mystery series. (See the first cover at right, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH6Y853/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">preorder here</a>!) And <i>WandaVision, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, Loki, </i>and hopefully <i>Hawkeye. </i>Plus SO much other Marvel content! I know we can't expect it all to be great, but I am a huge MCU fan and love the direction they're taking things. Miles Morales, Kamala Khan... Though I have to say the next Peter Parker movie stresses me out with the way the last one ended.<div><br /></div><div>2020 may have been the year I traveled the least, but I still managed some. In January, I had one last quick visit with my brother and his family in Massachusetts when I brought Number Two to her internship in New Hampshire. And then...that was it for seven whole months! Until we went to pick her up in July. It was a bit of a blessing that she had the internship instead of being in school with the chaos of lockdown/quarantine. She was able to do her fall semester here at home, and will do the same for her final one before moving back to New Hampshire for work.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had to cancel our July vacation but with the "settling" of the pandemic in the summer, we managed a trip to Williamsburg to get a break. There's a lot of outdoors stuff to do where you can stay away from people, and I got a day on the beach, which kept my soul going as things ramped up again. (And by "things" I mean both work and COVID. So much simultaneous 👍 and 👎.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing that didn't stop: Writing! I hit 225,000 words this year. Yes, <i>exactly</i>. I took a writing break in December but wrote 205 words so I could hit that mark. 🤣</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a lot of new releases this year! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8CH1LK4MUObiQkHZPdLrXKRApFDWi33ZOXoWmX3qSQWy0EHAGduTonl2X5unraRfRl1Xg5j2uDzJ8FJkDm8C98fWNiMqtVTJ4lyFbDoQLU5KxD3TVJXOD6qEakvJy_vyjNTNdA/s2048/Secrets+Under+Siege.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secrets Under SIEGE cover, romantic adventure" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8CH1LK4MUObiQkHZPdLrXKRApFDWi33ZOXoWmX3qSQWy0EHAGduTonl2X5unraRfRl1Xg5j2uDzJ8FJkDm8C98fWNiMqtVTJ4lyFbDoQLU5KxD3TVJXOD6qEakvJy_vyjNTNdA/w213-h320/Secrets+Under+Siege.jpg" title="Cover for Secrets Under SIEGE" width="213" /></a></div><i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/secrets-under-siege-2/" target="_blank">Secrets Under SIEGE</a> </i>is the enemies-to-lovers sequel to <i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/books/romantic-adventure/hearts-under-siege/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hearts Under SIEGE</a></i>. <div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">It’s been 15 years since Conrad Dixson and Skye Burgeson were not-so-friendly competitors in training and five years since Dix dragged SIEGE from the rubble of corruption. When someone targets both of them personally and professionally, they struggle to overcome old trust issues and an attraction neither one has room for so they can work together to save both companies.</span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">As their investigation shapes a puzzle they can’t make any sense of, their feelings for each other become frighteningly clear. Dix doesn’t want to fall for the smart, clever, fearless woman who could be involved in crushing the business he’s put his entire life into protecting. And Skye is terrified that letting him in will threaten the life she’s built to honor her heroic brother who died in action.</span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">The journey leads them to a familiar enemy who’s been using prime and petty revenge motivations to cover his true purpose, escalating until threats to the people Dix and Skye love force them to face unacceptable decisions.</span></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6HqsMC5XFg9O4mvDnYDOyoPrABdn4M9BO5-fP5Vc2SjYtCvwYe3Y2aAbdF7mfE-glxzgRqvcwKb4hFkDL-I5xQvirdKZwLPl3tRpNWsraSd26ZIbH7Sgur4AisTAMKGnrIgoiQ/s2048/Phenomenal+Impact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Phenomenal Impact cover, free short story" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6HqsMC5XFg9O4mvDnYDOyoPrABdn4M9BO5-fP5Vc2SjYtCvwYe3Y2aAbdF7mfE-glxzgRqvcwKb4hFkDL-I5xQvirdKZwLPl3tRpNWsraSd26ZIbH7Sgur4AisTAMKGnrIgoiQ/w200-h320/Phenomenal+Impact.jpg" title="Phenomenal Impact" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div>After that came <i><a href="http://eepurl.com/dtKRtn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Phenomenal Impact</a></i>, a FREE short story that's very meta:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Oakley Commton has been cursed. After minor exposure to an unknown element mined from an asteroid, she’s suddenly aware of being a heroine in a Natalie J. Damschroder story. And she’s pissed. Learning you’re not in control of your own life would depress anyone. Plus, Damschroder writes romance, and Oakley can’t tell what trope she’s using. Friends to lovers? Alpha male? Forbidden love with the boss? The only saving grace is that when she’s assigned to a mission that could lead to her death—or worse—she knows the outcome will be success. Damschroder only writes happy endings. But she’s sure going to make it difficult to get there…</span></div><div><br /></div><div>All you have to do to get this story FREE is to sign up for my newsletter by clicking <a href="http://eepurl.com/dtKRtn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a>. You don’t have to stay on the mailing list if you really don’t want to, but I promise I don’t send much e-mail. It’s the best way to keep aware of new releases, in-person and online events, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Backstory:</b> I’ve been writing for a long time. Decades. And after I settled on romantic adventure, I noticed some commonalities popping up in my stories. Then, while reading a book by an author I love, I spotted her doing the same thing. Like, “someone says something about that in every book.” And I thought, “what if a character knew they were in a book by X author?” Okay, duh, X author would be me. I wanted to see what that would be like. So I wrote it. And it was so much fun. I hope my readers find it fun, too!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67gkasXjA5Fjthi6w0YJUzm6UFmFVH9AerHGIg5t5-yjiyo8Fu5JqbWnIudQSx-sdyFCndsNszzNceHHZqSu1hmMx_77Blj1dq13mHatpmpc6tiKWhfCa-6ZawI1a5mpEaZYMog/s900/TheReflectionOfHope600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Reflection of Hope cover" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67gkasXjA5Fjthi6w0YJUzm6UFmFVH9AerHGIg5t5-yjiyo8Fu5JqbWnIudQSx-sdyFCndsNszzNceHHZqSu1hmMx_77Blj1dq13mHatpmpc6tiKWhfCa-6ZawI1a5mpEaZYMog/w213-h320/TheReflectionOfHope600x900.jpg" title="The Reflection of Hope" width="213" /></a></div>Next came <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086Z2N5D1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Reflection of Hope</a></i>, the final book in my superhero trilogy, the CASE files. I think this could be my best book...</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">Vanessa Ripley (do not call her Vanessa) uses her rare combination of physical and mental super abilities only for consulting and training, staying out of the field after a catastrophic mission resulted in the death of a civilian. But now her old flame Evan Forgeron needs her help. His task force is this close to stopping the Citizens Against Superhero Existence (CASE), and he needs Ripley’s mental powers to do it.</span></div><div><span style="color: #ffd966;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">When Evan’s in trouble she can’t say no, even if getting involved with him again threatens to tear both of them apart. Then CASE’s mission becomes intensely personal, ripping open secrets Ripley never knew existed and putting a target on Evan and every superhero in the country. If they can end CASE, she and Evan may have a chance at a future together. But if they fail, it will take everything and everyone they love.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Note: All of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088K88DS6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The CASE Files</a> are in Kindle Unlimited!</div><div><br /></div><div>So that got us into May... LOL I spent most of the rest of the year finishing <a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/books/the-solars-duology/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Solars Duology</a> (which came out in October and November) and <i><a href="https://njdamschroder.com/phantom-power/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Phantom Power</a></i>, a YA sequel to Manifest Destiny that I never realized I was going to write until I did it. LOL</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/books/the-solars-duology/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Covers for More Than You Know and All You Can Handle" border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1080" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwf_gV2emww5dChJMLJmEUxILF_h3Fi3toTRkim5tLQ3DHFRoPWbI6rteArfVaVYBc5gTUyUo7J9VBl7E7nQOVyGs9sPMAIdCLOVZsjBBOEhoM4CHLvRkllw5bwhvsH-xcaemjA/w400-h326/Duo+for+newsletter.png" title="The Solars Duology" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">Two new stories set in a world where people have abilities connected to the sun…with frightening and dangerous side effects and challenges.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYraHXq47eIam0kf1s1QLz5rotavoWRtcNcdfXheJXkw3qhMzJOAm8cQnSGDHgbFNW7lDrseMP3VQR44b03vG1SJlqbK48huaOm2WD4K-xijSSyqS4HrzLUvPYU1vjbseqPjAeRQ/s2048/Phantom+Power+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Phantom Power cover" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYraHXq47eIam0kf1s1QLz5rotavoWRtcNcdfXheJXkw3qhMzJOAm8cQnSGDHgbFNW7lDrseMP3VQR44b03vG1SJlqbK48huaOm2WD4K-xijSSyqS4HrzLUvPYU1vjbseqPjAeRQ/w213-h320/Phantom+Power+Final.jpg" title="Phantom Power" width="213" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Keegan Belcastro has always loved a mystery, even when it got her into trouble. When research for a school paper leads her to a haunted mansion full of desperate phantoms, learning who they are and how they came to be trapped there evolves into a quest for their freedom.</span></div><div><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Shane Bitrec has been Keegan’s next-door neighbor and best friend for most of her life. High school graduation is going to mean big changes that she’s been trying to prepare for all year. But drifting away hasn’t been as easy as she thought, and when Shane gets involved in her quest, it disrupts more than just her independence. Confrontation gives rise to unprecedented feelings that threaten everything they’ve meant, or could mean, to each other.</span></div><div><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #ead1dc;">When transitioning the spirits to the afterlife proves more dangerous than Keegan expected, Shane’s constant presence becomes both a vital tool and an emotional minefield. Investigating the mansion’s darkly complicated history leads to Keegan becoming tied to the energy of the house and its phantoms. Their desperation threatens her life, and only Shane can protect her. But who will protect him?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Whew. Blogging is more tiring than I remember it being. But then, I'm nearly 50. (I've been saying that for at least a year. In 2 days I have to stop. 😜)</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, one last thing. 2021. I haven't set my specific goals yet, but here are a couple things I <i>know</i> are in store:<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">A Store</h2></div><div>Yes! A literal store! Where you can order signed, personalized print books from me at prices below the cover price, and maybe some other stuff eventually, too.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Adrenaline Shots</h2><div>My next writing project. These are my short romantic adventures. Some you may already have read. Like <i>Phenomenal Impact</i>, which gave me the idea. <i>Through the Void</i>, the ridiculously named (and soon to be re-named!) <i>The Tempest Turtle</i>, both of which were part of The First Sentence and The Second Sentence anthologies. But then there will be <i>Operation: Gratitude</i> and the one I'm working on now and the three-to-five others that already have ideas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Adrenaline Shots are short, high-stakes, romantic, quick reads that will be only 99 cents each. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Houseboys vs. Aliens</h2><div>I think I'll leave that one as is. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>Please, if you want to keep in touch, or follow my work, or hear about cats and stuff on an occasional, random basis, feel free to:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="mailto:info@nataliedamschroder.com" target="_blank">Email Me</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/NJDamschroder" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NJDamschroder/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, my other <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nataliedamschroder/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, my OTHER other <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NJDamschroderYABooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/njdamschroder/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="http://amazon.com/author/nataliedamschroder" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/natalie-j-damschroder?follow=true" target="_blank">BookBub</a>, or <a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/goodreads-64x64.png" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://eepurl.com/dtKRtn" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to my newsletter<br /><br />Visit my <a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/" target="_blank">website</a> (or my <a href="https://njdamschroder.com/" target="_blank">other website</a>)<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">And please, have a safe and healthy holiday season and bright, hopeful new year!</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pbeTLBuI31IUApDjBTI9a-yjjf-Myo7xcw49x86ytW4p3iZAFrAQAYHmM5cpx94hwc_Y2OPnK7FKakc9ientJCynoWU1ralCY44pdtFUt8d0fPvHm80DyZDWsSyuRk73ydCsEw/s755/Soulserieslogogradation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="755" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pbeTLBuI31IUApDjBTI9a-yjjf-Myo7xcw49x86ytW4p3iZAFrAQAYHmM5cpx94hwc_Y2OPnK7FKakc9ientJCynoWU1ralCY44pdtFUt8d0fPvHm80DyZDWsSyuRk73ydCsEw/w65-h49/Soulserieslogogradation.jpg" width="65" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div></div></div>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-25940671189078125742018-02-01T13:49:00.000-05:002018-02-01T13:49:03.258-05:00The Second Sentence is Available for Preorder!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iP8dISwaG4mDU4vXDj_o-mllhOmvv7sQHehe963BxXIm8MxB-zyfHI6PGfl9TRn3W-e9ZpgYxovt3OIoEa18QXyt45Iz9nUqqFyShImB5MgBYoWIMxPpQA5vP4Y5RiCQ5THLw/s1600/The+Second+Sentence+A+Collection+of+++Romance+Novellas+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iP8dISwaG4mDU4vXDj_o-mllhOmvv7sQHehe963BxXIm8MxB-zyfHI6PGfl9TRn3W-e9ZpgYxovt3OIoEa18QXyt45Iz9nUqqFyShImB5MgBYoWIMxPpQA5vP4Y5RiCQ5THLw/s320/The+Second+Sentence+A+Collection+of+++Romance+Novellas+Final.jpg" width="213" /></a>As you may recall, last year I embarked on a new venture with four other authors. Misty Simon, Vicky Burkholder, Victoria Smith, Allison B. Hanson, and I all started with the same first sentence to write five independent stories.</div><br />
It was really cool to see that while we wrote wildly different types of stories—from college students to married couples to space pilots—there were some overlapping themes and concepts. And of course, because they're all romances, they all end happily.<br />
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We loved it. So we made it A Thing. And on February 14, <i>The Second Sentence</i> will be released, and all five stories have the same SECOND (duh LOL) sentence. Later this year, we'll have <i>The Third Sentence</i>, and so on.<br />
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Here's the best part: Net proceeds will be donated to organizations dedicated to helping women in need, like Mary's Shelter in Reading, PA.<br />
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If you go to our <a href="https://firstsentencefiction.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">anthology website</a>, you can learn more about Mary's Shelter and even suggest additional organizations to benefit from the sale of these anthologies.<br />
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You can get <a href="http://books2read.com/TheFirstSentence" target="_blank"><i>The First Sentence </i>here</a>, if you don't already have it, and pre-order <a href="http://books2read.com/TheSecondSentence" target="_blank"><i>The Second Sentence </i>here</a>. (We can't do a preorder for Amazon, so keep an eye out for that release directly on February 14.)<br />
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Here's more about the stories in <i>The Second Sentence</i>:<br />
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<i>The premise: That if 5 authors start with the same sentence, they will all write vastly different stories. The results: A series! After the success of The First Sentence, we upped the degree of difficulty. These romantic novellas run the gamut of genres but all are inspired by the same SECOND sentence.</i><br />
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<b><i>Catch of a Lifetime</i> by Vicky Burkholder</b><br />
Maren spent her year above the waves searching for a mate before her father marries her off to a stranger. Then she meets the one. When Kai meets Maren, the water around them sparkles with magic. Then he finds out who she is. With family honor at stake, can they trust their love to the fates?<br />
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<b><i>Sing to My Soul </i>by Allison B. Hanson</b><br />
Ariah Bentley’s life is all about music, so of course she’s fallen for a musician. In the past, the guys she’s dated have pretended to be into her just to gain access to her record-producer father. She’s certain Jackson Slater is different. Not only has he asked her to move in with him, but she never told him who her father was. But could he still be using her to get to the top?<br />
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<b><i>Written in the Cards</i> by Misty Simon</b><br />
Lydia’s broken heart does not need to be at a Ren Faire, but her friend Penelope insists. Codpieces and men in tights shouldn’t do it for her, but when she meets a tarot card reader who seems to see right into her soul, she might just have to rethink this romance thing and see what the future holds.<br />
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<b><i>In the Heart of Chaos</i> by Victoria Smith</b><br />
When the residents of her small town begin exhibiting zombie-like symptoms, Mari will do whatever is necessary to survive. She meets up with Jason, the boy-now-man she has loved forever, and they work together to help their community survive. Along the way, they discover the feelings that had always simmered under the surface are real.<br />
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<b><i>The Tempest Turtle</i> by Natalie J. Damschroder</b><br />
Using time travel to right wrongs has filled Amaya and Brody’s lives for 12 years. But when they learn what The Charge, their employer, is really doing with the power they’ve tapped, everything changes. Their purpose. Their choices. And their feelings for each other.Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-38614174517757141412017-08-01T13:17:00.004-04:002017-08-01T13:17:49.801-04:00Soul Deep up for Cover of the Month<br />
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If you like the cover of my book, Soul Deep (The Soul Series Book 4), please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com! </h2>
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<a href="https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/826/" rel="dofollow"><img src="https://allauthor.com/book/big/997820170726212448.jpg" /> Click to Vote! </a></center>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-54373481113953569372017-07-27T16:25:00.000-04:002017-07-27T16:25:24.308-04:00Looking for Recommendations for Positive Paranormal StoriesHey, everybody! *waves* Remember me?<br />
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I don't like to be one of those people contributing to our ruin due to limited attention spans, but since this blog has been soooo stagnant, it's obvious I've also been corrupted by social media. I stopped having topics to talk about in this "long" form that I hadn't talked about before.<br />
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But today I was thinking about superheroes and mutants and other fictional extraordinary abilities and how I've felt about their portrayal in entertainment for a long time, and I thought, "that's way too big a topic for Facebook" and then I thought BLOG! So here I am.<br />
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I'm a longtime casual "super" fan. As in, I watched the X-Men cartoon with my husband when we first got married, and my brother and I played the Wonder Twins when we were kids, and I love "genre" TV and film and I write a lot of people with various kinds of abilities in my paranormal romances and YA.<br />
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There's been a trend I don't like over the past several years, not just with the whole "downside to being a superhero" approach that DC takes, but setting up an active negative societal attitude toward those types of characters. It used to be just the X-Men, but now it seems to be almost everything. As much as I loved <i>Wonder Woman </i>this year, I still felt empty when I left the theater because it was so bleak and lonely. That's one of the reasons I prefer Marvel (MCU, not TV), because they launched with Tony Stark fully embracing being Iron Man—and the world embracing it along with him.<br />
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Overall, the MCU still embraces the fun and adventure of being a superhero, even with its downsides, like in <i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> (which I loved!). But even Marvel got into the Sokovia accords and Civil War and using the premise that the world as a whole is against people with powers because we're afraid of them. I don't get why paranormal entertainment seems unable to get away from ostracizing people with extraordinary abilities. "People fear what they don't understand" is getting very tired, isn't it?<br />
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And besides...it's wrong.<br />
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Metaphor aside, let's look at how we handle the extraordinary people in our real world. People who have incredible talent like, say, athleticism or acting talent, or people who are really good at making "smart" accessible (Neil Degrasse Tyson, anyone?), or who create amazing things technologically or artistically. We revere them. We make them celebrities and toss pots of money at them. I mean, sure, we can't relate to them, but with social media and Comic-Con-type events and a million interview sources, we're trying pretty hard. We might not be able to fit into their worlds or become friends with them, but we're not running screaming from them or making laws against them.<br />
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Someone might say, "Yeah, but an actress can't hurt me with her acting the way someone with super strength can." Except...yeah, she can. She can use that talent to lie and rip your heart to shreds, or con you out of your life's savings. And despite the fact that athletes and Navy SEALs could do some serious damage to us physically, we don't treat them as if that's our first thought about them. Athletes get autograph and hug requests, not stones thrown at them.<br />
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I feel like as a society, if extraordinary people existed, we would look more to what they can do FOR us, not TO us. Take what's been happening this week. We are far more likely to react in fear and hatred toward people who can only hurt us emotionally, if at all, and celebrate those who display physical strength of some kind, for good or bad. We go after those who are vulnerable because we fear our own vulnerability. (Maybe. That's probably going way too deep for someone as shallow as I am and isn't the point of this post.)<br />
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THE POINT is...I want people to share! I want to find books, movies, and TV shows that celebrate people who have paranormal abilities, instead of shunning them, subjugating them, or otherwise forcing them into hiding so they don't get killed. I want fun stuff, light stuff, even heavy stuff where having abilities is a good thing.<br />
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Oh, and here's the big challenge: No vampires or shifters, please. I'm sure there are plenty of those that fit the other parameters, but they aren't what I'm looking for.<br />
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Ready...GO! :)Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-15580142058163041242017-07-13T13:04:00.001-04:002017-07-13T13:04:25.193-04:00Victoria Smith Announces Into the Fire!<em>I had the pleasure of reading this book before release, and let me tell you, if you enjoy dark, emotional, dangerous stories set in violent worlds where survival is everything, this is the book for you! Also..OMG with that cover. I love it!</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn_YflGfBKBdbFIGvwGL6p4X3_lqYB4cRZyoVyTTp1TFpAx4e-BTaGswBTxKUYjLP4cCFbKnrYOI3P8Qso_Y2gSvzG_wB-9cScirsyqDaqaA46W99_Ll6iZD8bk5Wuu5ZBLbHhA/s1600/intothefire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSIwIlWunW49cOz2m9sRSrL8obawTb_0sLaNEsxFSoRI3p6-RMCuNoaOZmssjO6KqM8l6O9HwHrgz3-HzuDlNcyxh_Cg4GfFS_Mr7TtgSrSyzvyo1PlTSp-mUttPJwtjl02w6Iw/s1600/intothefire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSIwIlWunW49cOz2m9sRSrL8obawTb_0sLaNEsxFSoRI3p6-RMCuNoaOZmssjO6KqM8l6O9HwHrgz3-HzuDlNcyxh_Cg4GfFS_Mr7TtgSrSyzvyo1PlTSp-mUttPJwtjl02w6Iw/s320/intothefire.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DL5NBM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498607000&sr=8-1&keywords=Into+the+Fire+Victoria+Smith" target="_blank">Into the Fire</a></h3>
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In Olivia Sanders' world, people like her don't survive very long. Special abilities are a threat to the corrupt government and those loyal. Olivia and those with similar abilities struggle to keep their secrets as new laws threaten them daily. Though hiding isn't enough for Olivia. A healer and firestarter, she works with the resistance to ensure the safety of the people of her sector, toiling in an unforgiving world without freedom or hope with the goal that someday they will find both.<br />
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Poisoned by someone she should never have trusted, betrayed by her godfather, the former governor, who is using disturbing methods to control the population and grow his army, Olivia is forced to seek help from Luke Jamison, the leader of the resistance. They join forces with his brother, Matt, and Jillian Derrick, a hard-as-nails woman leading a band of "undesirables" to safety.<br />
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As conditions in the sector deteriorate and the death toll climbs ever higher, Olivia and Luke, Jillian and Matt, cling to the miracle of found love while facing the horror of a future without each other.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DL5NBM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498607000&sr=8-1&keywords=Into+the+Fire+Victoria+Smith" target="_blank">Buy Now</a></h3>
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<b>Victoria Smith</b> lives in Central PA with her high-school sweetheart and way too many animals. She writes paranormal, urban fantasy, and dystopian—all with romance, because who doesn’t love a happy ending? She publishes with Liquid Silver Books and Soul Mate Publishing. Visit her at <a href="http://vickismith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">http://vickismith.blogspot.com</span></a>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-69137961891651288102017-07-04T11:14:00.001-04:002017-07-04T11:14:49.333-04:00The Power of RedemptionMany, many years ago, I read a series by Maggie Shayne that contained a really evil villain. Who got a story of her own. That I loved. I couldn't believe I could hate someone so much and then come to understand them and root for them to find some happiness. The skill she used to make me feel that way awed me, and I never forgot it.<br />
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So when an author I really liked announced the next book in her series would feature a character she'd set up in previous books as not very likable, I went "eh." But then I remembered Maggie Shayne, and I really do liked this author's books, so I bought, read, and of course loved it.<br />
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Unfortunately, not all readers have that touchstone of a reminder. This was proven to me with <i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/goddesses-rising/sunroper/" target="_blank">Sunroper</a></i>, the third book in my Goddesses Rising series. Marley was a woman who'd made a lot of mistakes in the first two books. I think <i>Sunroper</i> is the best of the three, that she becomes a very worthy kick-ass heroine who deserves her hero, but it's hard to overcome that "eh."<br />
<br />
And here I am trying to do it again. :)<br />
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<a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/soul-deep/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7AeMH2iFwJWDGoKikDlzE9GgYRI18boNZfezcIhUAV09MEzMl1zrduIgVyn9UIRQNe3kaq0baUboQE2yWQ_rNoVaR9Gcf0tqeNZ5rkRRvxBUW0EhdEcmKsNSNzmLtdQ_vsFakA/s320/souldeepfinal.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
At long last, I get to announce the release of the final book in The Soul Series, with <i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/soul-deep/" target="_blank">Soul Deep</a></i>.<br />
<br />
The hero is Tars Suinn, the villain from <i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/soul-of-the-dragon/" target="_blank">Soul of the Dragon</a> </i>(which is still free in digital form, FYI, and now out in paperback as well).<br />
<br />
Ten years has passed since the events in the first book. Tars has worked hard to make up for the choices he's made, and the consequences of his actions. But he doesn't believe in his own redemption. He's disconnected from the powers he used to wield, and the world is a colorless place.<br />
<br />
Until he meets Ke'an Oliviera. Series readers will recognize her from <i><a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/soulflight/" target="_blank">Soulflight</a></i>, where she was one of the abductees that Samantha and Rock Davis (along with Alexa and Ryc from SotD) rescued from Pike Laurent. Ke'an was still suffering from the loss of her fiancé, and though it has now been 15 years since he died, she still hasn't really moved on. Until she meets Tars, who defies what she thought she knew of the men like him.<br />
<br />
I knew back when Tars walked away from Alexa that he would need his own story. And I knew when Ke'an fought her way out of Pike's compound that she would need hers. And I freaking <i>love</i> the way it happens! (Note: I am not a plotter. I discover the story as it happens, just like a reader does, so I don't feel I can take credit for writing something that makes me happy. LOL)<br />
<br />
A lot of things come full circle in <i>Soul Deep</i>. Tars' redemption, sure, and Ke'an choosing to live a more dynamic life. But the past has to be resolved before the future can be happy, and Tars' story isn't just about him. It's about the man he betrayed, too. And because I write action-adventure, you know there are some dire straits and chases and battles and all that stuff. There's a megalomaniac billionaire with more resources than sense and a stalker who shows what can happen when you can't find resolution with your past. You'll see a lot of characters from the previous books in the series, too. Some have big roles, some cameos, but all fun.<br />
<br />
I really hope you'll give it a try! If you're not already a reader/fan of The Soul Series, you can find <a href="https://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/" target="_blank">links to all the book pages here</a>. Or, if you're ready to dive into <i>Soul Deep...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://books2read.com/SoulDeep" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Buy Now</a> (or click the preferred store link below)</h4>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0738ZDTX8" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Amazon Kindle" class="alignnone wp-image-1710 size-full" height="50" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kindle_logo.jpg" width="50" /></a> <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/soul-deep/id1253205112?mt=11" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="iBooks" class="alignnone wp-image-1708 size-full" height="50" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ibooks_logo.png" width="50" /></a> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-deep-natalie-damschroder/1126640070?ean=2940158612985" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Nook" class="alignnone wp-image-1712 size-full" height="55" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nook_logo.jpg" width="55" /></a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Natalie_J_Damschroder_Soul_Deep?id=TXopDwAAQBAJ" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Google Play" class="alignnone wp-image-1707 size-full" height="54" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/google_play_logo.jpg" width="54" /></a> <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/soul-deep-12" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Kobo" class="alignnone wp-image-1711 size-full" height="54" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kobo_logo.jpg" width="54" /></a> <a href="https://insideromance.com/products/soul-deep" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Inside Romance" class="alignnone wp-image-1709 size-full" height="50" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IRlogo.png" width="50" /></a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/732383" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Smashwords" class="alignnone wp-image-1705 size-full" height="50" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/book-button-smashwords-icon.png" width="50" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35518300-soul-deep" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Goodreads" class="alignnone wp-image-1706 size-full" height="50" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/goodreads50.jpeg" width="50" /></a>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-30245393386151186942017-06-30T15:11:00.002-04:002017-06-30T15:11:20.854-04:00Just Romantic Suspense Giveaway<a href="http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/p/jrs-holiday-giveaway.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1701 alignleft" height="281" src="https://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/suspenseinthesun17-1-300x281.png" width="300" /></a>I have a LOT of news coming over the next couple of days! Some really exciting stuff.<br />
<br />
But let's start with this <a href="http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/p/jrs-holiday-giveaway.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">giveaway</a> by Just Romantic Suspense! It includes a print copy of <a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/the-soul-series/soul-of-the-dragon/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Soul of the Dragon</em></a>, so if you've been patiently waiting for that, you can try to win it there.<br />
<br />
There are 30 books by 30 authors. The first winner gets to pick 10, and the other two winners split the rest. Click the image to go to the contest page to review the prizes ahead of time. The giveaway opens on July 15. Good luck!Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-43573908335935070612017-05-23T15:58:00.002-04:002017-05-23T16:12:05.966-04:00The First Sentence<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am really excited to tell you about my new project!</div>
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<br />
A couple of years ago, I was at a conference with a bunch of authors I know, hanging in the bar after all the workshops and events of the day were done. It was a nice bar. Comfy seats. Most of us don't ever drink, so this wasn't one of those "brilliant" ideas you think better of the next morning. It was still brilliant!<br />
<br />
We were all talking (probably) about how much of a bummer it is when you have a story idea you love and then you see an author—usually one more well-known than you are—with a book using that idea. Even though you KNOW that author wrote a totally different book than you would, because that's how it goes. You give 10 people a writing prompt and they'll all write very different things.<br />
<br />
And <a href="http://ww.mistysimon.com/" target="_blank">Misty Simon</a> said, "WE SHOULD TOTALLY DO THAT!!!!"<br />
<br />
And so we did.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Introducing THE FIRST SENTENCE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A collection of romance novellas</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/short-fiction/the-first-sentence/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDibCJlYhIZIaRxnF6-IcvgVHOnZsRoJ4nIvcMuMsiOeaCDGo0PZI1nrqpX0ZDfcThCPNw6x19VtuaJzlZSI5VDU3rYHoSeYYLxE7KJOIjcjO3FNdFBRRUrQGJmCgF2X9M5sbHsw/s320/The+First+Sentence+Final.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div>
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We ended up with five stories by five authors, all beginning with the same sentence. From new adult to contemporary, paranormal to futuristic, with a post-apoc style weather event thrown in, we run the gamut of romantic subgenres. These are emotional adventurous stories we had a ton of fun writing. And they are FREE!<br />
<br />
I probably should have mentioned that sooner.<br />
<br />
So go check it out, and stay tuned for The Second Sentence, which we're already working on! The degree of difficulty will increase each time, and you know you want to witness it! :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://books2read.com/FirstSentence" target="_blank"><span id="goog_2139538187"></span><span id="goog_2139538188"></span>Universal Buy Link</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072816QHD" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-first-sentence-anthology-natalie-j-damschroder/1126384212?ean=2940154363034" target="_blank">Nook</a> | <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-first-sentence-anthology/id1235437266?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-first-sentence" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/722945" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=iKTNDgAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google Play</a> | <a href="https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=2256298" target="_blank">24 Symbols</a> | <a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/348013101/The-First-Sentence-Anthology" target="_blank">Sribd</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35092443-the-first-sentence" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<i>The premise: That if 5 authors start with the same sentence, they will all write vastly different stories. The results: made of awesome. From contemporary to futuristic, these novellas have a little bit of everything, but most especially—love-filled happy endings.</i><br />
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<i>Rebound </i>by <a href="http://www.allisonbhanson.com/" target="_blank">Allison B. Hanson</a><br />
After wallowing in agony for weeks after a bad break-up, Reese is set up on a blind date. Reluctantly, he goes and meets the girl of his dreams. The only problem? He was at the wrong place and met the wrong girl. Now, desperate to find her, he scours the campus as fate weaves an impossible journey.<br />
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<i>Lost and Found</i> by <a href="http://ww.mistysimon.com/" target="_blank">Misty Simon</a><br />
When Mike Emory sees his ex’s post on social media that she’s looking for her lost dog, he’s out the door in a flash. Their break-up was not amicable, but he loved that dog and can’t imagine him on his own. Elsie Hews has been scouring the streets for hours when she runs into the last person she wants helping her—the guy who never seemed to think she was capable of doing anything herself. This is her dog, though, her baby, and she’ll accept Mike’s help to find him, then say goodbye again. Or that’s the plan, at least…<br />
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<i>Frozen Dreams</i> by <a href="ttp://vickismith.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Victoria Smith</a><br />
When a dangerous weather anomaly strikes, Jane will do whatever it takes to travel to be with her family. Even if it means getting stuck with her husband, Adam. Instead of talking to him about how they will never have a family, she took the chicken route and left, despite being deeply in love with him. Now they must face the storm and their emotions.<br />
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<i>Through the Void</i> by <a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/" target="_blank">Natalie J. Damschroder</a><br />
There’s only one thing Vix can do when she finds out about the secret life that has led to her husband’s coma—make that life hers. When she goes on her first mission through the void, however, she finds not only a new self-purpose, but her lost husband, as well. She did the impossible once. Can she do it again, and bring him home?<br />
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<i>A Real Boy</i> by <a href="https://burkholv.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Vicky Burkholder</a><br />
Jillian Night is on the hunt for inter-planetary kidnappers. Her bosses demand she have a partner, but Jillian has had enough of human ones. She prefers to work alone so Fleet assigns her one of the new androids. Zeus is a little too real for Jillian’s comfort and she finds herself attracted to him—until she meets the real man pulling the strings. Maybe having a real, live partner wouldn’t be so bad after all.<br />
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Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-13900545352076201612017-03-24T00:30:00.000-04:002017-03-24T00:30:03.831-04:00D.R. Grady Gives Us Trouble with Nerds!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdfcPmC047_1qw2jL0Dw1EIdIzPvVyQvsFKFPnhvW0B_aUYJ07OISqojOK9irkoi-bYoaN4NNLycQt18ydKjMlJ2vhMEQbfbi99G5uwzf8ZzFCj5zGm4vYHP-dTNRHfLOR4V3FQ/s1600/The+Trouble+With+Nerds+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdfcPmC047_1qw2jL0Dw1EIdIzPvVyQvsFKFPnhvW0B_aUYJ07OISqojOK9irkoi-bYoaN4NNLycQt18ydKjMlJ2vhMEQbfbi99G5uwzf8ZzFCj5zGm4vYHP-dTNRHfLOR4V3FQ/s320/The+Trouble+With+Nerds+cover.jpg" width="208" /></a><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Trouble with Nerds<br />
by D.R. Grady</h2>
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<i>Odd things keep happening to Dr. Sara Newton. She’s a soon-to-be-unemployed pediatrician with an alleged stalker, a hot cop on her heels breathing dire warnings, and way too much student debt.<br />
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It doesn’t help that the hot cop is Clay Morrison, her best friend’s older brother. The man has made her heart pound and her palms sweaty since puberty. The trouble is, he only interacts with her when he’s expounding on new security measures. He sees threats everywhere.<br />
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Clay Morrison is frustrated. He hates his new job, misses his Army Ranger days, loves his well-meaning, pushy family—and when did sweet Sara Newton grow up? She won't admit she has a stalker, and she won't keep out of his thoughts. He can only protect someone in denial for so long. No matter how attractive she is...<br />
<br />
Clay and Sara are circling each other, trying to meet in the middle. Then a brand new threat sends them in a completely different direction.</i><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ3CK1G" target="_blank">Buy Now</a>!</h2>
<b>Excerpt:</b><br />
<br />
The man in front of her grinned. In a twisted parody of a grin as he reached for her. She eluded with a slick move from Janine, but the man flowed with her. As though he had anticipated her action. This time she thrust forward to jab him in the knee, then followed through with a shot to the crotch. He dropped to the floor, grabbing at his damaged goods as she stepped over him to flee the small room.<br />
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And slammed into a solid object. The hard hands circling her arms weren’t friendly. This man’s gold tooth gleamed in the dimmed light, and the flash made her heart sink. To the catacombs. She spun, trying to break his grasp, as Greg had taught her.<br />
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His grip didn’t falter. Instead, he used his hold on her upper arms to sweep her off the rug and over the men all around them. She shrieked. Just because they wanted to keep quiet didn’t mean she had any intention.<br />
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Especially with fear now clouding her thoughts, because her heart thumped and sweat coated her top lip. She knocked her head into his chin and let out another scream. Putting as much volume into it as possible. He countered with a fist to her chin.<br />
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The blow snapped her head back, and blanked her mind as pain ratcheted up her jaw into her head. Everything blurred before she yanked up a hand and thrust two fingers into his eyes. Greg had warned there was no need to play fair in battle, so she jabbed at his eyes and used her aching head to free herself, head butting him whenever the opportunity arose.<br />
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Her feet were free so she aimed for his knees. Desperation and pain fueled her actions, no matter how cliche. The man laughed at her efforts. Red slashed across her vision as she thrust away her aches and the nasty taste in her mouth. At the clamoring of her common sense, yelling at her to shrivel into a sack of pleading.<br />
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She wiped blood off her lip as the images in front of her narrowed to this leering man with his ugly golden tooth. Maybe she wouldn’t win this, but she’d do her best to make Clay proud.<br />
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This time when she jabbed him, she did so with her medical expertise. She hit him in the solar plexus and then followed through with a blow to the nose. Next, the money shot. A swift knee to the groin. It was gratifying when he cried out, and crumpled.<br />
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Her success surged to her head. Triumphantly, she spun, right into the chest of the largest man she’d ever seen. This might be a gorilla pretending to be a man. He was hairy and needed to bathe, and he leered at her just like the idiot she’d just toppled.<br />
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Sara’s bravado faltered and scuttled away with a whimper as she stared at this person so much bigger than her. This is why guns had been invented. Because there was no way...<br />
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“Sara, run,” Clay bellowed.<br />
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Not about to disobey, she darted between the gorilla’s legs and slid across the rug. Her sweater caused drag, but she scrambled to her feet, and sprinted down the hallway. Away from the terror behind her. Her heart pounded in tune with her fleeing footsteps as her breath came in short, staccato gasps.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ3CK1G" target="_blank">Buy Now</a>!</h2>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipT2qs4mkNE0deS33PSiz8f4dE-w1daMHxtxQ27tnyJLM-L81L6Ta_T69MZTwiYUR6L2C58OXjCwlZm-c7A8HvHkubfCy9kQTl-O1PSjvFw4h3GIVOnLm_7xzczPNxyd9gl34_5g/s1600/D.R.+Grady+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipT2qs4mkNE0deS33PSiz8f4dE-w1daMHxtxQ27tnyJLM-L81L6Ta_T69MZTwiYUR6L2C58OXjCwlZm-c7A8HvHkubfCy9kQTl-O1PSjvFw4h3GIVOnLm_7xzczPNxyd9gl34_5g/s320/D.R.+Grady+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>About the Author:</b><br />
<br />
D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.<br />
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<a href="http://www.drgradybooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/drgradybooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007HR0ULS" target="_blank">Amazon Author page</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/drgradybooks" target="_blank">FacebookPage</a><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/114138197846185543554/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Other works by D.R. Grady</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Morrison Family Series:</h3>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerd-Marine-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B005LVODP6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Nerd and the Marine</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Corpsman-Nerd-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B006G0X60O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Corpsman and the Nerd</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerd-SEAL-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B0071NLHVU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Nerd and the SEAL</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerds-Pocket-Pets-Morrison-Family-ebook/dp/B007WSJMH0/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Nerd’s Pocket Pets</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Spice-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B008FNPN2O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Shadows and Spice</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Macys-Parade-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B009G0JL7I/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Macy’s Parade</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerd-Rising-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B009YHW15M/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Bad Nerd Rising</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Nerd-Falling-Morrison-Family-ebook/dp/B00NLD0YPO/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Bad Nerd Falling</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerds-Fire-Morrison-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B012NTNJ44/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Nerds on Fire</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nerds-Unite-D-R-Grady-ebook/dp/B01IVX5UP2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Nerds Unite</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Trouble with Nerds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Nerd who Spied Me</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Free Short Stories:</h3>
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Math Nerds and Mechanics</div>
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Tall Golf</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Me Series:</h3>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Me-Book-1-ebook/dp/B005TTY6BQ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Treasure Me</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Save-Me-Book-2-ebook/dp/B006TXDNC4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Save Me</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Me-Book-3-ebook/dp/B007K81LDK/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Trust Me</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Me-Book-4-ebook/dp/B00881A14I/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Heal Me</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Book-5-ebook/dp/B008RL103A/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Love Me</a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Dragon Chronicles Series:</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Chronicles-Book-One-Learning-ebook/dp/B00W83FCBE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Dragon Chronicles Book 1: Learning</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Chronicles-Book-Shifting-ebook/dp/B018OJZDUA/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Dragon Chronicles Book 2: Shifting</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Chronicles-Book-Healing-ebook/dp/B01CO7PB1Y/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Dragon Chronicles Book 3: Healing</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For additional buying options and updates, please visit her website-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.drgradybooks.com/">http://www.drgradybooks.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-41114678819277232152017-03-10T00:01:00.000-05:002017-03-10T00:01:03.769-05:00Tomatoes, Pickles, and a Whole Lot of Ivy!<a href="http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4892-hoedown-showdown.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fTAFh1PUtt51cFFlenNEvUuZTvCwKTkPj1eLXpgeu4Ng_qZZFl3-chyRxtCdCvYUbFCowrF5CZErgHaIJQuFvwba4PvU9bVRQv-JOI60ZXickaP0sa_aFmzcW6IMefeBu2PvYg/s320/HoedownShowdown_w11268_med.jpg" target="_blank" width="199" /></a><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Hoedown Showdown</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Final Ivy Morris Mystery</h3>
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With the Tasty Tomato Tournament just days away, the small town of Martha’s Point is all abuzz. This is the first year without a sure winner, and the competition is fierce to gain the judges’ approval, even before the tournament starts.<br />
<br />
But when Ivy finds one of those judges dead in a shed across the street, things go from bad to worse. All she wanted was seven glorious, kid-free days of messing around with her husband. Instead, she’s going to be tracking down a killer, staying out of the way of a pickle-obsessed farmer, and dodging the new cop who seems out for her blood.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4892-hoedown-showdown.html" target="_blank">Buy Now</a></h2>
<h2>
Excerpt</h2>
“Myrt,” I said patiently, as if talking to a small child. “First of all, this wasn’t the tomato crusher. It was Judge McIntyre.”<br />
<br />
I didn’t even get to the next part since she started wailing. “Oh, my stars! I’m never going to win the Tasty Tomato Tournament now! It’s the fiftieth anniversary, and I wanted at least one chance before I die! And now I will never win this! I’ll be a dead woman long before I can ever show my face again in the tournament! And this was supposed to be my year!”<br />
<br />
Not only was that a lot of exclamation points, but she also dragged the last word out until it sounded like a cat dying. I tried to calm her down by settling my hand on her shoulder. She shook me off while dropping her cane at her feet. With a ton of creaks and cracks, she knelt down beside him and started babbling about how sorry she was.<br />
<br />
“I don’t think you should touch him.” I said this while definitely keeping my distance. I did not want to touch him more than I already had. To be honest, it had been some time since I was involved in anything more than feeding and playing with my kids or running my store and being a wife. Occasionally I would help Ben with a case or two in his work as a private investigator, but it was more paperwork than anything else. I did not want to even know what had happened to the judge, much less who had done it. Ben was not going to be pleased. At all.<br />
<br />
“I’m so sorry, Mr. McIntyre,” Myrt said with her face close to his, her hand patting his chest. There was a crinkling noise, but she was still talking. “So very sorry. When Irma died last year in her sleep after winning her forty-ninth straight tournament, I thought I finally had a chance, and now I hit you, and I’m so very, very sorry, and I can’t believe I mistook you for a burglar.” She twisted her hands together like she was wringing out a dishtowel. And she was going to draw blood if she continued biting her lip in between babbling some more.<br />
<br />
I had few choices right now. I have to admit here that I had no desire whatsoever to call the police. I didn’t want to be involved in things. I had plans this week. This was not going to keep me from swinging from the freaking chandelier if I could.<br />
<br />
Of course, I could go across the street and call from the house, or have Ben call and then remove myself from the situation altogether. But that would be completely unfair to Mrs. Crandall.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t help myself. I let out a scream that would have brought down an opera house, something between frustration and fright because, at that moment, something furry ran against my leg before shooting into the bushes.<br />
<br />
In the end, the decision of what to do was taken out of my hands because the police came tearing up in the one marked car in town, screeching to a halt at the curb. A man in uniform was out of the car before I could blink again. And I’m glad I didn’t blink because I would have missed the way he jumped from the car and then did a forward roll across the front lawn as if he was in some crazy-assed shootout.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buy Link: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4892-hoedown-showdown.html">http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4892-hoedown-showdown.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Author Bio:</u> Misty Simon loves a good story and
decided one day that she would try her hand at it. Eventually she got it right.
There’s nothing better in the world than making someone laugh, and she hopes
everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She
lives with her husband, daughter and three insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania
where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from
readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com, or visit her on <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/misty.simon.18" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MistySimon" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-40347720454717255222016-09-06T00:30:00.000-04:002016-09-06T12:20:51.804-04:00Jody Wallace and I Talk About Cats, Ghostbusters, Prodigal, and...Other Stuff<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vGNuGitRkd_8p8T4ykfvlGuJxa-zbsSygrYEIgWNBpPyY_E_z-G7-r90D56QWBo0dMxEobKqfSDIYT4qZWpUtNKJfTkRyE0N4_3VqJzkaDqtNDmgGbHA22pDQj-d5u4Dd378xg/s1600/9781633757448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vGNuGitRkd_8p8T4ykfvlGuJxa-zbsSygrYEIgWNBpPyY_E_z-G7-r90D56QWBo0dMxEobKqfSDIYT4qZWpUtNKJfTkRyE0N4_3VqJzkaDqtNDmgGbHA22pDQj-d5u4Dd378xg/s320/9781633757448.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>If angels were aliens and sentient computers were good guys and the super hot Chosen One movie star failed to save the world and then got amnesia and there was an apocalypse...what was I talking about? Oh! PRODIGAL, book 3 of the Maelstrom Chronicles, is a gritty, action-packed, surprisingly humorous examination of the relationship between a kick-ass lady sheriff and the Hollywood hunk who nearly destroyed the world. Together, can they reverse the course of history?</b></span></blockquote>
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Buy Links: <a href="http://entangledpublishing.com/prodigal/" target="_blank">Entangled</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/2b20ktw" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2aY3K4z" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://apple.co/2bl4iQc" target="_blank">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2bbVniQ" target="_blank">Kobo</a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Please welcome today's guest, Jody Wallace!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
recently messaged Natalie (thank you for hosting me!) about what I should talk
about on her blog. Although she had given me a list of things to talk about on
her blog already – such as how to redeem “unheroic” characters from earlier
books, like Adam Alsing – I decided to run some other ideas by her anyway. Some
of the ideas she vetoed were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1)
Why in the world menopause has to be so difficult and gross.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2)
How Natalie should get a bunch of cats and set up a cat sanctuary now that
she’s soon to be an empty nester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3)
If I should crochet a toilet or a poop emoji as a blog tour giveaway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4)
If we should just post the conversation we just had about graphically described
lady issues and lose all our readers, because hey, we’d already had it, and it
was spelled correctly, and the work would already be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5)
If she wants me to crochet her a....saucy man part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6)
What she’s writing or publishing next (She’s working on three books at once!
While I can barely work on one interview at a time! Go Natalie!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7)
Why I can’t keep tomatoes alive on my back porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8)
If she lived beside me, would she come take tap classes with me or would she be
more of an adult ballet kind of gal? (She said I was “funny” and then said it
might sound less douchey if she just agreed to take tap classes with me because
ballet is a no-go.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx4al8E-whwKUFZj7ku5ui93wO4aWSzAOSRjBRzzf75h8tb_snaIhyphenhyphenchS1Y5t2bUbky4E_q_Z8ZlS4rSVOK76yxnohvN7-F5Nnmc3P8CI7NHYg4edEwV8moWeYMd7J0jcIefuwQ/s1600/ghostbusters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx4al8E-whwKUFZj7ku5ui93wO4aWSzAOSRjBRzzf75h8tb_snaIhyphenhyphenchS1Y5t2bUbky4E_q_Z8ZlS4rSVOK76yxnohvN7-F5Nnmc3P8CI7NHYg4edEwV8moWeYMd7J0jcIefuwQ/s320/ghostbusters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "tahoma" , "verdana"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Photo credit link:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1289401/mediaviewer/rm1199762176" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start; widows: 1;" title="Click to open in a new window or tab
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1289401/mediaviewer/rm1199762176">http://www.imdb.com/title/<wbr></wbr>tt1289401/mediaviewer/<wbr></wbr>rm1199762176</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">9)
How much we both loved the new <i>Ghostbusters </i>– okay, that would be a fun
article, but I guess it’s not great promo for a book I just released.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">10)
Does she think it’s low-class that we just have our box springs and mattresses
on the floor so the dang cats won’t climb up in the box springs and make a
bunch of noise while we’re trying to sleep? (She pointed out this question
didn’t go well with me nagging her about the cat sanctuary.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By
the way, the method I chose to redeem Adam Alsing, the failed Chosen One who
sort of caused the apocalypse in the beginning of the Maelstrom Chronicles
(ANGELI), was to give him complete amnesia and a role to play in saving the
world. PRODIGAL wraps up the three books in a semi-trilogy fashion. Other
authors may not have to take such drastic methods to redeem antiheroes, but I’d
never written an amnesia subplot before and I thought it was time to try one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oddly
enough, I have done my take on a “secret baby” plot, and the mother is the
heroine of PRODIGAL! PRODIGAL itself doesn’t revolve around the secret baby
issue, though. By this book, Claire is great friends with the wife (Sarah) of
her ex (Nikolas) and is completely happy for the three of them to split parenting
duties for the kiddo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
for why you should read this book since this is supposed to encourage you to
read PRODIGAL, I’d just say there are no people in here complaining about
menopause, there is a cat, there is a lot of adventure, love and excitement,
and I think people who enjoyed the new <i>Ghostbusters </i>will enjoy how strong and
confident the heroine, Claire Lawson, is, as well as how charming and perfectly
suited to her the hero, Adam Alsing, is. The two of them together—and how they
negotiate a romance while the world might be ending, is the core of the story
and the reason why I chose the post-apocalyptic setting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Plus I like to make
stuff up about monsters.</span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Prodigal</h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maelstrom Chronicles #3</span></h2>
by Jody Wallace<br />
<br />
<div>
<i>He nearly destroyed the world, but with her help, he can save it.</i><br />
<br />
Adam Alsing—at least that’s what they tell him his name is—has no idea who he is or why he’s huddled naked in the snow next to a mysterious silver pod. When a gorgeous, no-nonsense sheriff by the name of Claire Lawson rescues him, she explains the planet’s under attack—and he’s been missing for over two years. The problem is, what he doesn’t remember can kill them.<br />
<br />
Keeping the peace in her post-apocalyptic town is all the trouble Sheriff Claire Lawson can handle. Until the MIA Chosen One—the guy who could have prevented the apocalypse—interrupts her supply run. The Shipborn aliens want to study him, and what’s left of the Terran government wants to lock him up. But his charming demeanor and his desire to help, along with his sexy smile, has Claire fighting her better judgment to keep Adam around. For now.<br />
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Buy Links: <a href="http://entangledpublishing.com/prodigal/" target="_blank">Entangled</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/2b20ktw" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2aY3K4z" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://apple.co/2bl4iQc" target="_blank">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2bbVniQ" target="_blank">Kobo</a></h3>
Read the Excerpt below! Also, add the book to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31435812-prodigal" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> To-Read shelf!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chapter One</h3>
<br />
Claire flipped down the visor of the Humvee when the late afternoon sun nearly blinded her, reflecting off the white of the latest snowfall. She and two other loads of able bodies out of Camp Chanute were returning from a hardware- and tech-foraging mission to the mostly deserted city of Bloomington, Illinois. The long, straight roads, free of debris and stalled cars, didn’t lend themselves to ambushes—humans or monsters. Detritus littered the highways to the north, thicker as the roads approached Chicago.<br />
<br />
She didn’t make foraging trips toward Chicago if it could be helped.<br />
<br />
But the visor didn’t cancel out the glare. She blinked and squinted. Her eyesight had been enhanced by her Shipborn associates, enough to ascertain the flash of light wasn’t reflecting off the snow. For that kind of glint, it had to be a metallic object. <br />
<br />
An object that hadn’t been there when they’d driven this road this morning. She knew this highway well, and that huge field had dead corn in it. Nothing else.<br />
<br />
“Slow down,” she told the driver. “You see that?” <br />
<br />
Will shook his head. “I just see snow. Snow and old, dead corn. Maybe it’s one of the <i>Children of the Corn</i>.”<br />
<br />
“Shut up.” Not visible to the human eye, then. Claire flicked on the radio to talk to the supply truck. Dixie had the best binoculars. “Dix, what do you make on the right side of the road? Far midfield.”<br />
<br />
Static crackled through the speaker before Dixie’s response. “I don’t see any…wait. Huh. There’s a big silver thingamabob, but sugar, I don’t know what it is. Weather blimp or something? Could be Shipborn.”<br />
<br />
“That doesn’t make sense. Will, get us closer.” <br />
<br />
Will stepped on the accelerator, increasing speed until the object came into focus—sleek and silver, possibly some kind of vessel. No landing marks around it, but no snow built up on it, either. Didn’t look like Ship 1001 or its shuttles, which tended to be roughly triangular. More like a giant pill, so brightly silver it was almost white. Hard to see against the patchy snow. Was that a window? A door? <br />
<br />
The sun emerged from behind a cloud and sparkled on the metal again, obscuring the details.<br />
<br />
“I’m going to check it out. Hold position,” she advised Dixie before directing Will off road. <br />
<br />
When the Humvee thumped through the corn stubble that rose above the snow, she pressed a hand against the ceiling to keep from bouncing into it. A gentle rise ahead took them out of sight of the object.<br />
<br />
“Be careful,” Dixie chided over the radio. “Last time you went to check something out, that group of survivalist dregs from Chicago ambushed you.”<br />
<br />
Soul-sucking black shades and vicious flying red daemons, the most common varieties of the interdimensional entities currently attempting to destroy their planet, weren’t the only dangers on post-apocalypse Earth. The Shipborn had helped quell the worst of the human-against-human atrocities, but their code wouldn’t allow them to lord over the planet the way Claire sometimes wished she could.<br />
<br />
Her fellow Terrans could be a bunch of fucking idiots when they half tried. The planet was in shambles after the entity invasion that had begun in California over two years ago, making it increasingly impossible for the natives to police the masses and maintain any semblance of justice. That was why she and her team had set up a civilian settlement in Illinois instead of seeking the dubious safety of the Eastern states in the so-called safe zone.<br />
<br />
Claire shoved her coat sleeve off the blaster band around her wrist and opened the window. “Come on, Dix. Bygones. Respect the badge.” <br />
<br />
“Sure, Sheriff.” She could practically see the other woman’s dimples. “But I’m still telling Tracy and Mayor Newcome on you for not calling this in first.”<br />
<br />
“If I reported it,” Claire answered reasonably, “I’d just browbeat everyone into agreeing that I should check out…whatever it is. This saves time.”<br />
<br />
Both men in the Humvee with her chuckled. Claire might run Camp Chanute with military precision, but she didn’t insist on mealy-mouthed respect from her people.<br />
<br />
She sure as hell didn’t give any mealy-mouthed respect to anybody, so it would be hypocritical of her to demand it. She was a stubborn asshole according to her sister, and a foul-mouthed sourpuss according to Dixie, but she wasn’t hypocritical.<br />
<br />
They crested the rise almost on top of the silver object. About forty feet long, and narrow, with rounded ends. Couldn’t tell heads or tails on it. This close she didn’t see any doors or windows. The whole thing looked like a single piece of metal—no joints.<br />
<br />
“What the hell is it?” Will said. “Some kind of rocket?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know.” Tactanium, the non-Terran metal favored by the Shipborn, was pale silver like this thing, but not as glossy. The surface of the object was practically mirrored, and the bullet shape was completely unfamiliar. “Shit. Guess I need to check it out with a sensor array.” <br />
<br />
“You should have worn it in the first place.” <br />
<br />
“I hate the way it feels.” <br />
<br />
“I’ll wear it,” he offered. “I like talking to Ship.”<br />
<br />
“Nah, I got this.” The creepy little piece of advanced tech gave Ship 1001, the nosy sentient AI spacecraft that the Shipborn called home, access to her brain, and that didn’t always mesh with her plans. <br />
<br />
Will brought the Humvee to a stop a decent distance from the object. Claire and her deputies—really, most Terrans in general—relied on native tech for communications, transportation, and daily activities. Though she was favored by the Shipborn, having given birth to the current general’s daughter a year and a half ago, Shipborn tech wasn’t infinite. The Shipborn were cut off from their people now and trapped in the Terran system with limited supplies. That was what happened when you violated your society’s laws just to save some measly primitive planet.<br />
<br />
With a grimace, Claire plucked the translucent jumble of wires from an inside coat pocket and flipped down the visor mirror. Aligning the endo-organic end with the neural implant in her temple, she allowed it to squiggle beneath her dark skin. It sank into place inaudibly, but she felt the vibration of it in her skull. She nestled the rest of the wire around her short, tightly curled black hair like a crown.<br />
<br />
The crown that made her the Queen of Assholes, but hey, she got shit done.<br />
<br />
She focused the array’s nano-computer on the object, activating the scanning feature.<br />
<br />
It didn’t register. At all. No power source, no metal, no nothing. It was as if the object wasn’t there.<br />
<br />
“That is not good,” she said to her men. “Sensor’s not picking it up.”<br />
<br />
“A mirage?” Will suggested, staring through the windshield. “Light rays could refract off the snow.”<br />
<br />
“That is one solid-ass mirage.” Claire swung open the door of the Humvee, and the other two did the same. She hadn’t needed to give the order to free their tactanium blaster bands from their parka sleeves. <br />
<br />
A warning pinged on the sensor as the scan completed, presenting her with some information that was almost as worrisome as a vessel her sensor array couldn’t detect. “Folks, I’m picking up signs of entity activity. Past few hours.” <br />
<br />
“Shouldn’t be any shades here.” Will scruffed a hand over his chin. “Do you think this is one of those invisible shade hits?”<br />
<br />
“We’ll look for bodies,” Claire said grimly. A whiff of rotten garbage reached her, confirming what her sensor had already warned her about the shades.<br />
<br />
In the past six months, there had been a huge uptick of human bodies drained of life by shades in areas where no shades had been reported by Shipborn or Terran inspections. That shouldn’t be the case in the buffer zone. Daemon attacks, sure—those bastards could fly anywhere. But shade hordes crept along at barely a mile an hour on a good day, and remained in contact with larger bodies of shades. The primary shade hordes were tracked by both Terran military on the planet and the Shipborn from space, and there were no hordes close to Illinois.<br />
<br />
It was a mystery. Camp Chanute and other settlements had lost people—good people. Scouts, foragers, farmers. No scans, no searches, and no flyovers had been able to locate the shades responsible. It couldn’t be daemons or really perverse humans depositing the bodies from elsewhere, because the surroundings always evidenced molecular shade residue. Had to be shades, leaving traces on that spot, doing the killing.<br />
<br />
It was like the entities were picking off stragglers, people who ventured too far away from protected compounds. The problem was, once they ate all the loners, they’d go for the towns.<br />
<br />
“Will, warn Dix about the shade traces. Tell her she and the supply truck should head back to Chanute and raise a level two alert.” The laser rifle Jeep would be enough cover. Once they were inside the walls of Chanute, they’d be better equipped to deal with attacks from entities or more mundane raiders.<br />
<br />
The other deputy in the Humvee, Randall Barber, craned his neck, checking the sky for daemons. Will didn’t immediately obey. “Mayor Newcome won’t like you raising an alert without consulting her.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t care.” Claire scanned the skies, too, her enhanced eyes picking up nothing unusual. Clouds, birds, incipient snow—that was all. “My job is security. Her job is paperwork. Your job is to do what I say. Now go.”<br />
<br />
Will jogged back to the Humvee. <br />
<br />
“Greetings, Claire.” Ship spoke through the sensor array. “You’re using your array. Do you require assistance?”<br />
<br />
“Hold up,” she told Ship, trying not to be irritable. Unlike the Shipborn, who’d used their communications and sensor arrays their whole lives, she always had to adjust to Ship’s voice in her head. “We’re investigating shade traces in a place they shouldn’t be and a possibly alien object of some sort I’ve never seen before. I’m calling it a UO.” <br />
<br />
“I will scan the larger area,” Ship volunteered. “You must be protected from danger. You should value yourself more, Claire. You’re a mother.”<br />
<br />
Ship wasn’t the kind of sentient machine that waited to be told what to do. It wasn’t the kind that refrained from butting in, either. Or eavesdropping. Or nagging.<br />
<br />
“I’m doing exactly what Frances needs her mama to be doing,” she responded. “Protecting our people. This isn’t a high threat situation. The UO is just sitting here. But we do have shade residue.” She sent visuals of the object to Ship, orbiting the planet far above. <br />
<br />
“I will run it through my databanks. Do you want me to send aid?” <br />
<br />
“Hell, no, don’t send any Shipborn here. We picked up shade traces.” The risk was too great for the Shipborn themselves to venture away from the safe areas of the planet—or the sky—and lately the buffer zone no longer qualified. “We got this.” <br />
<br />
“As you wish.” The AI had taken a liking to Claire. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was Frannie’s mom and Niko’s ex, or because Ship was Ship.<br />
<br />
She didn’t return the liking, but she tried to hide it. Ship definitely had feelings, and Claire had hurt them more than once. Since Frannie lived on Ship with Niko and his wife Sarah part time, it wouldn’t do to have Ship get pissy with Claire.<br />
<br />
Scuffing her feet through the icy snow, Claire kicked around until she found what she wanted. She picked up a small rock and weighed it in her hand. It would do. With careful aim, she lobbed the stone at the silver vessel.<br />
<br />
It pinged off the metal with a high-pitched noise like a tuning fork. Claire gritted her teeth as the sound scraped across her nerves.<br />
<br />
“Well, that’s unusual,” Randall observed laconically.<br />
<br />
The noise swelled instead of faded. Soon it became so intense that she and Randall were stuffing their fingers in their ears.<br />
<br />
“To hell with this.” She raised her blaster band and let it heat up to a good level. The UO’s whine sang in her eardrum like the teakettle from Hell. She blasted the object with a white-hot bar of Shipborn’s finest laser weaponry.<br />
<br />
The beam pierced the silver tube, and the surface shimmered. Shivered. But it didn’t explode. <br />
<br />
It should explode. She liked it when things exploded. <br />
<br />
She shut off her laser and protected her ears. This damned silver object definitely counted as a thing that needed to be destroyed.<br />
<br />
“Ship, gimme another reading,” she shouted over the din.<br />
<br />
“I detect life signs approximately fifty paces in front of you,” Ship responded promptly. Even though the AI was in her head, she could barely hear it over the high-pitched resonance. “I do not detect any human bodies.”<br />
<br />
“Recalibrate your sensors on my exact location,” she yelled back. “You’ve got interference or something. Didn’t you see the pictures? There’s a forty by ten foot silver metallic object in the spot where you think you see life signs, and it’s hitting us with some kind of noise weapon.”<br />
<br />
They were forty minutes out of Camp Chanute. She didn’t need this kind of mystery so close to her home base.<br />
<br />
“The photograph showed a barren field, not an object. A forty by ten foot metallic noise weapon is not a device I have in my databanks.”<br />
<br />
Claire reviewed the images. Blank. “Why doesn’t it photograph?”<br />
<br />
She wasn’t sure it was a good idea to get any closer if the thing wasn’t showing up on sensors. <br />
<br />
Then again, she and her people were the ones on the scene, and it was their duty to investigate.<br />
<br />
Finally the deafening chime faded.<br />
<br />
“There is a life sign in the location of the object you think you see,” Ship insisted, more urgently. “It is a human life sign. It is fluctuating. The individual may require assistance.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t see anybody.” She gestured to Randall, sending him around one side. Could this be the answer to the shade hits in the buffer zone? Were they in time to save today’s victim? “Don’t touch anything.”<br />
<br />
Slowly she advanced. Her nose wrinkled involuntarily at the continued whiff of carrion and ozone. Her heart pulsed. “You smell the shades, right?” <br />
<br />
Was her sensor broken? Or her senses?<br />
<br />
Randall nodded. “Roadkill.” <br />
<br />
“There are no current entities in your area,” Ship assured her. “I have a tight focus on your proximity. You are twenty-five feet from the life sign, at a south-south-west diagonal.”<br />
<br />
That would take her to one end of the UO. Randall had reached one tip and peeked behind it. Wariness tightened her skin, and the chilly breeze on her cheeks faded to nothing. “Anything back there?”<br />
<br />
“Nothin’.” He waved toward the horizon. “Your shot passed through the vessel.”<br />
<br />
“If it’s a vessel.” Just because it had an aerodynamic bullet shape didn’t make it a ship. It could be—hell, she didn’t know. A Terran military gadget. A weather balloon. A time capsule. Most likely, though, it was an alien device, and that didn’t bode well. “Ship, are you sure the UO I described isn’t something your people’s enforcers might have? Like a bomb to blow us all up? If they’re supposed to make sure the Shipborn obey the rules, I can see why they’d come after you. You guys sure as hell aren’t sticking to code.”<br />
<br />
“As far as I can ascertain, the enforcers have made no move to investigate my crew’s code breaking. The beacons that mark this system as off-limits would have notified the enforcers of our continued violation,” Ship said. <br />
<br />
“Why would you know if they were coming after us?” She inched toward the UO, blaster revved and ready. “You talk about the enforcers like they’re so much more advanced than you that you wouldn’t stand a chance against them.”<br />
<br />
“I do not know,” Ship answered. “But it has been eighteen months and we are surviving unmolested.”<br />
<br />
“Unmolested by your homeland security guys… Wait a minute.”<br />
<br />
A crack appeared near one end of the ship, slowly expanding. Behind the crack was a blackness that churned like shades but…<br />
<br />
A large, pale human stumbled out of the craft. Naked. He landed on his hands and knees in the corn stubble and snow, gasping for breath. <br />
<br />
Blaster hot, she aimed at the figure, but no shades oozed out after him. The crack in the UO remained quiescent. The roiling of the blackness must have been her imagination. Now it just looked dark inside.<br />
<br />
“Hold it right there,” Claire demanded unnecessarily. The man didn’t stand up. He didn’t even lift his head. She scanned him with the sensor array, picking up elevated levels of testosterone and adrenaline—he was afraid.<br />
<br />
But he wasn’t dead. Was this going to be their first save from one of the mysterious shade hits?<br />
<br />
Randall jogged back from the other side of the capsule, instantly on guard against the stranger. He’d been an experienced hunter before the apocalypse, so he was good with guns, but he wasn’t exactly military.<br />
<br />
“Are you hurt?” she asked the stranger warily; he wasn’t the only one on edge. “Were you attacked by shades? Can you tell me what this silver craft is and how you got here?”<br />
<br />
The man didn’t respond. His shaggy blond hair clumped like it hadn’t been washed in ages. Muscles bunched and twitched in a body that seemed to be well honed, not malnourished. <br />
<br />
“I found your life sign,” she told Ship, transmitting the readings via her array. “It’s a naked ass white boy, and I think he’s deaf. Please tell me you’re getting these images, at least.”<br />
<br />
“Not deaf,” the man croaked. So he could talk. “Water. Please.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve got some in the Humvee.” Her sensors continued their probe, assessing the man’s physical condition. Ship would ID the fellow soon enough, but at least he spoke English. She didn’t have many translators at Chanute besides Ship, and using Ship to translate was a pain in everyone’s ass. Ship…paraphrased a lot. “Can you walk or do you need help?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know.” He rose, shaky and shivering. He stood over six feet, and every inch of him was lean, molded perfection. His cock nested in hair a couple shades darker than the clumps on his head, and not a single blemish marred the surface of his pale skin. In contrast to his impressive physique, he swayed like he was coming off a three-day bender.<br />
<br />
Claire found herself rushing forward to support him and barely stopped herself from grabbing his arms. He could have interpreted that as aggressive. She would have decked any stranger who tried to touch her, especially if she was naked. <br />
<br />
“Did you fly here? Is this some kind of escape pod?” she asked more politely now that she could be pretty sure he wasn’t about to attack. She’d grown more apt to help people since becoming sheriff. All that responsibility changed a woman. Arguably so did becoming a mother, but it wasn’t until she’d founded Camp Chanute along with the rest of her team that her obligations really sank in. “What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”<br />
<br />
“Where’d he come from?” Randall advanced from behind, closing in. If this guy was military, he was bound to react to that.<br />
<br />
He didn’t. He didn’t answer their questions, either. He stood there like an ashen pillar of flesh, shivering. His vitals read as stable on her sensor array, but his core temperature was lower than it should be. For obvious reasons.<br />
<br />
“Check out the inside of the UO, Randall. Carefully. See if he left his clothes in there.”<br />
<br />
Blaster hand aimed in front of him, her less than stealthy deputy tromped through the wide opening of the otherwise nondescript silver object. <br />
<br />
She was curious and worried about the UO, but she was more curious about the stranger. Where had he come from? Why was he naked? He didn’t seem shy about his body—and who would be, with a body like his? But he had to be miserable. “You realize it’s below freezing out here, right?” She shrugged out of her coat and thrust it at him. Winter air cut through her protective tactanium vest and fatigues, but she wasn’t the one who was naked and trembling. “Put this on.”<br />
<br />
Voice still rough and dry, he answered. “Thank you.” <br />
<br />
This close, she could assess him more carefully without getting disrespectful. He was definitely in good shape. His body looked like a fitness photo shoot waiting to happen, minus the oil, but this wasn’t the time and place to ogle. They both held onto the coat a minute—she was a little worried the weight of the parka would pitch him over on his face. “What’s your name?”<br />
<br />
At last he raised his head to look at her.<br />
<br />
Sea-green eyes in a perfectly chiseled face pierced her like the laser beam had pierced the silver UO. Through and through. She felt that gaze in her brain, her gut, and her knees. It zinged with energy. Heat flushed her skin but then dribbled away as recognition struck her.<br />
<br />
She knew that face. <br />
<br />
Everybody on the planet knew that face. <br />
<br />
“I don’t know how I got here,” he said. “I don’t know what my name is.”<br />
<br />
Claire swallowed the hard knot of anger that had risen at the very sight of him. <br />
<br />
“I know what it is.” She released the coat and took a hasty step away from this man, this man who everyone knew was dead. “Your name is Adam Alsing, and you’re a fucking idiot.”<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Buy Links: <a href="http://entangledpublishing.com/prodigal/" target="_blank">Entangled</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/2b20ktw" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2aY3K4z" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://apple.co/2bl4iQc" target="_blank">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/2bbVniQ" target="_blank">Kobo</a></h3>
<br />
<b><u>Author Bio:</u></b><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jody
Wallace writes sf/f romance, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. Her
Maelstrom series with Entangled Publishing (ANGELI, TRAITOR, PRODIGAL) is
post-apocalyptic science fiction romance about finding love during an alien
invasion. After growing up in the South in a very rural area, she went to
school a long time and ended up with a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Her
resume includes college English instructor, technical documents editor, market
analyst, web designer, and general, all around pain in the butt. She resides in
Tennessee with one husband, one Grandma, two children, six cats, and a lot of
junk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jodywallace.com/" target="_blank">Author Website</a> | <a href="http://jodywallace.com/blog/" target="_blank">Author Blog</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jodywallace" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JodyWallaceAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/jodywallace" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/104974/join" target="_blank">Newsletter</a></div>
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Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-89943742545287813582016-06-21T00:30:00.000-04:002016-06-21T00:30:27.621-04:00Sara Walter Ellwood Returns with Heartland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zTNSdcQoJiFoXn_jz-ZQAFu_nRAoDlz969Kt7S3b5SVbCXfFTJEiHbtgq3Xomt_CgIZbGr7EJZliiZKrFa3KKzGg34QKgdi63_w7DxgCO6jZLmGWLFHS9AqS7ESkq1wzDtdtdQ/s1600/Heartland_500x750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zTNSdcQoJiFoXn_jz-ZQAFu_nRAoDlz969Kt7S3b5SVbCXfFTJEiHbtgq3Xomt_CgIZbGr7EJZliiZKrFa3KKzGg34QKgdi63_w7DxgCO6jZLmGWLFHS9AqS7ESkq1wzDtdtdQ/s320/Heartland_500x750.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Heartland</span></i></b><br />
<i>Singing to the Heart</i> Book 3<br />
by Sara Walter Ellwood<br />
<br />
Releasing June 21, 2016 in both ebook and print<br />
<br />
Sex, drugs, and country music. That was the lifestyle for Emily Kendall, a Texas girl who hit it big on the country music charts—until she found herself pregnant and battling addiction. Now out of rehab and seeking a new life for herself and her unborn child, Emily returns to her hometown of McAllister. The last thing she’s looking for is trouble, no matter how good it looks in uniform…<br />
A widower, single father, and former Army Ranger struggling with PTSD, Sheriff EJ Cowley has his own demons to battle while keeping folks safe. The last thing he needs is a troubled celebrity speeding through town in her bright red Maserati. But when someone from Emily’s past threatens her safety and the peace of McAllister, EJ has no choice but to protect her. And soon both will learn there’s more to the other than meets the eye. And that wounded hearts can love again…<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt:</span><br />
“I’m sorry, but I can’t ride you right now.” Emily kissed the horse above her nose, and Tink nuzzled her cheek. “We’ll go out tomorrow. How about that?”<br />
<br />
“I remember when you rode that horse everywhere you went.”<br />
<br />
Startled by the deep voice, she turned. EJ Cowley leaned on the top rail of the fence, and from the look of it, he’d been there for a while. He’d changed out of the brown uniform of the McAllister County sheriff’s department. She couldn’t help looking him over. Dressed in worn boots, faded jeans, a blue western shirt, and a brown Stetson, he epitomized every sexy cliché existing about how a cowboy should look.<br />
<br />
Her heart sped up at the way those clothes fit him. Which irritated the hell out of her. She turned back to her horse and stroked her long face. “What are you doing here?”<br />
<br />
“My sister-in-law watches my son while I’m at work.”<br />
<br />
She stilled. Had she been quasi-lusting after a married man? Hadn’t he married Raquel Marshall? She glanced over her shoulder at his left hand. No ring. But then a lot of cowboys didn’t wear their wedding bands when they were working. The risk of getting it caught on something was too great.<br />
<br />
Despite his clothes, he must have come off duty as the county’s ticket-happy sheriff not too long ago. She patted Tink’s shoulder. “See you in the morning, girl.” As she headed toward the man, who was not hiding the fact he appreciated what he saw, she guessed he wasn’t still married, but she’d been around the world a few times and knew not to take a man’s blatant interest as proof of anything. “You have a son. How is Raquel these days?”<br />
<br />
She was close enough to notice his gray eyes had turned as haunted as a gravestone when she asked about his wife. He looked to the left, toward his brother’s house, and from the way a muscle twitched in his jaw, he must have gritted his teeth.<br />
<br />
“She committed suicide two years ago today.”<br />
<br />
“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” she stammered. What else had happened to the people she’d once considered friends she was unaware of? “How old is your little boy?”<br />
<br />
He took a deep breath and met her gaze again. She studied his eyes as they moved over her face. God, he had the most fascinating eyes. They weren’t truly blue, but the gray was an odd shade. Too light to be slate, but too dark to be silver. They reminded her of her great-grandmother’s pewter candleholders.<br />
<br />
“Two.”<br />
<br />
As silence engulfed them, she turned to head for the gate. She had no idea what was up with the sheriff, and she didn’t like her desire to ask. EJ Cowley may have filled her schoolgirl fantasies, but she wasn’t the wide-eyed kid who crushed after the local cowboy-turned-soldier.<br />
<br />
“Emwee?”<br />
<br />
At the sound of her name, she glanced past EJ to the porch. Johnny stood there with his toy lightsaber and x-wing. She promised to play a video game with her brother. “Well, it was good seeing you again, EJ.”<br />
<br />
She was halfway across the drive when his voice stopped her. “By the way”--He cleared his throat--“I lost your ticket...”<br />
<br />
Stopping in the middle of the driveway, she looked over her shoulder at him. His face puckered as if he’d eaten a lemon soaked in vinegar. He took his hat off and ran a hand through his short hair. The setting sun turned the tresses a gleaming gold.<br />
<br />
“You lost it?” Damned if she’d make it easy on him. “After going through all the trouble of stopping me a mile away from home?”<br />
<br />
Setting his hat back on his head, he cleared his throat again and stood with his feet apart. He gave a quick jerk with his head in the affirmative. “Can’t find it anywhere. No ticket. No proof. You’re off the hook.”<br />
<br />
Holy crap, he was gorgeous, and heat flooded her to pool in her belly. She turned, not wanting him to see the way he affected her, and headed for the porch, then lied through her teeth. “Good, because I’ve already tossed it.” She had every intention of paying the fine, but she was glad he lost the ticket. No decent cop would lose a ticket. Maybe he did it out of remembrance of their childhood friendship. Or was he as attracted to her as she was to him?<br />
<br />
With an inward shake of herself, she didn’t let a possible answer formulate in her muddled brain. She couldn’t be anything to him. <i>You’re pregnant with another man’s child and don’t need the added stress!</i> At the door into the kitchen, she ruffled Johnny’s hair and turned, ignoring her self-admonishment. “See you around, EJ.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah… See you around.” He tipped his hat and turned on his heel to amble toward his extended cab Silverado.<br />
<br />
From inside the screen door, she watched the way he filled out the backside of his Wrangler’s and muttered, “Hell yeah, I hope so.”<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you’d like to see more excerpts, <a href="https://sarawalterellwood.wordpress.com/singing-to-the-heart/heartland-book-3/heartland-excerpts/" target="_blank">check them out here</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy Links:</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/29486" target="_blank">Kensington</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Heartsong-Book-Walter-Ellwood-ebook/dp/B015VA3O8S/" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heartland-sara-walter-ellwood/1122713773?ean=9781601834911" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/heartland/id1052617000?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a><br />
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sara_Walter_Ellwood_Heartland?id=-SOeCgAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/heartland-36" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author:</b></span><br />
Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up. She also dabbles in the paranormal genre with her The Hunter’s Dagger Series, which was previously published under the pen name Cera duBois.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Author Links:</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The other books in <i>Singing to the Heart</i>…</span></b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Heartstrings</i>, Book 1, and <i>Heartsong</i>, Book 2, are also available in ebook and print!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Heartstrings</i></b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartstrings-Heartsong-Book-Walter-Ellwood-ebook/dp/B00IGFX7BA/" target="_blank">on Amazon</a> | <b><i>Heartsong</i></b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartsong-Book-Sara-Walter-Ellwood-ebook/dp/B00VZZM6A6/" target="_blank">on Amazon</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For other vendor links and book information <a href="https://sarawalterellwood.wordpress.com/singing-to-the-heart/" target="_blank">check out my website page</a>.</b></div>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-26083372116693899772016-06-10T11:58:00.000-04:002016-06-10T11:58:55.934-04:00Those Damned Teenagers, or, Get Your Own Damned Sunflower Seeds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFamsvY_STIkl61x2lizSABliKFbkel1hRdlgIKTGYXLIGwtzQep__wY4JZVTL8yuHh-ouGDzBIqSKywqIE2Dzj0l47K3I4C330wNYqxZNuOQiynul1j3isQ1XoDvw5LrXqyDb9A/s1600/DSC04366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFamsvY_STIkl61x2lizSABliKFbkel1hRdlgIKTGYXLIGwtzQep__wY4JZVTL8yuHh-ouGDzBIqSKywqIE2Dzj0l47K3I4C330wNYqxZNuOQiynul1j3isQ1XoDvw5LrXqyDb9A/s320/DSC04366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Laverne, because I can't find Shirley's photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spring, the time of birth. We successfully kept Laverne, the prolific mama mourning dove from nesting on our ladder this year by taking down the ladder. We put it back up after we were sure she'd nested somewhere else, and a few weeks later...Shirley was back. You remember Shirley, she was the high-strung robin that nested on the ladder with Laverne a couple of years ago. So now we have to wait for Shirley's eggs to hatch before I can do the gutters. Again.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we also have a starling family running around. There are two adults and two fledglings. The fledglings have this horrible screechy call and it's pretty non-stop. My husband noticed them on our feeder one day, and how the parent was feeding the fledglings. I explained that after they fledge, it's a learning period where they still get fed by the parents. He was like, "but they're so BIG." I joked that they're just like today's teenagers/twenty-somethings: perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, but still demanding the parents do it for them.<br />
<br />
That was a couple of weeks ago. Today, they were running around outside my window again, with a change in dynamic. The parents were eating seeds off the ground...and NOT feeding the "youngsters." Which are now easily twice the size of the parents.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not a passionate birder. I retain knowledge (I think) from my summer as a naturalist intern and my zoology class in college. I started to think these "fledglings" are cowbirds. The brown-headed cowbird is a parasite. It lays its eggs in OTHER birds' nests, and the cowbirds, being bigger and more aggressive, can often cause the other babies to...well, you can imagine. But the coloring is definitely more starling than cowbird, so maybe they just look so much bigger because they haven't molted yet or whatever. Or maybe the parents did such a good job with the feeding that they grew really big.<br />
<br />
I felt really bad for the parents, though, because they looked pretty done with the whole thing. Kinda like human parents, in a lot of cases. :)<br />
<br />
(I tried to get photos/video, but they've disappeared. I know if I keep waiting to post this, they'll never show up. So here's my cat watching a chipmunk instead. :) )<br />
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<br />Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-50055949525871607172016-05-19T13:37:00.002-04:002016-05-19T13:38:26.292-04:00Upcoming Author Events<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Natalie at Cupboard Maker Books" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-977" src="http://nataliedamschroder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSC04376-300x225.jpg" height="225" width="300" /></div>
<br />
I don't know how I managed it, but I have a SLEW of appearances happening this year. I mean, I already did <a href="http://www.yapabookcon.com/" target="_blank">YAPA Con</a>, an author panel and a meet and greet for the <a href="http://www.dcls.org/" target="_blank">Dauphin County Library System</a>, and a booksigning at <a href="http://www.cupboardmaker.com/" target="_blank">Cupboard Maker Books</a>. But wait! There's more! If you're hoping to meet me and get signed copies of my books, I have three opportunities for that! And if you just want to hang with me (and other authors) online and have a chance to get cool prizes, I have three opportunities for that, too! :) So here are they are, in chronological order:<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ljslanc" target="_blank">Lady Jane's Salon, Lancaster</a><br />
May 22, 1–4 p.m., <a href="http://www.thecatsmeowmanheim.com/" target="_blank">The Cat's Meow</a>, Manheim, PA</h4>
I'll be reading from my latest release, <a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/the-color-of-courage/" target="_blank"><em>The Color of Courage</em></a>, and will have some giveaways and books for sale. Other authors also featured are <a href="http://mistysimon.com/" target="_blank">Misty Simon</a>, <a href="http://www.olivianight.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Olivia Night</a>, and <a href="http://www.lydiamichaelsbooks.com/" target="_blank">Lydia Michaels</a>.<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/273029943036957/" target="_blank">Celebrate Dragons Month<br />
</a>May 23, 9–10:30 p.m. EDT on Facebook</h4>
I'll be helping to celebrate the release of Jamie K. Schmidt's new book (and dragons, of course) with a few other guest authors. Come by for chatting about dragons and dragon shifters, books, and probably hunks. That's how these things tend to go. :) And there are always prizes!<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1711979065681352/" target="_blank">Romance Writers Gone Wild</a><br />
May 26 & 27 on Facebook</h4>
This party actually goes on ALL WEEK LONG. Each day will feature authors in different romance genres. I'll be posting on Thursday (as a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author) and Friday (as a romantic suspense author). But stop in every day and see what's going on! Individual authors will be giving away prizes, and there are several "grand" prizes to be won, such as Kindles and gift cards.<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.cupboardmaker.com/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2016/06/11/1434/15%7C16/ya-book-signing.html" target="_blank">YA Book Signing</a><br />
June 11, 1–3 p.m., Cupboard Maker Books, Enola, PA</h4>
For this in-person booksigning, I'll be wearing my YA hat as <a href="http://njdamschroder.com/" target="_blank">NJ Damschroder</a> and signing the two books in my Fusion Series, including the new release, <a href="http://njdamschroder.com/shadow-mission/" target="_blank"><em>Shadow Mission</em></a>. I'll be joining <a href="http://gabriellagill.com/" target="_blank">Gabriella Gill</a> and <a href="http://www.tomtancin.com/" target="_blank">Tom Tancin</a>. Come on by!<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://aaronsbooks.com/romance-saturday/" target="_blank">Romance Saturday</a><br />
June 25, 2 p.m., Aaron's Books, Litiz, PA</h4>
Meet 9 local romance authors as they sign and discuss their books. Authors include NY Times bestselling Megan Hart, Vicky Burkholder, Sara Walter Ellwood, Natalie J. Damschroder, D.R. Grady, Patty Taylor, Gerri Bowen, Allison B. Hanson, and Brandy Ayers. There's quite a mix of subgenres; check out details <a href="https://aaronsbooks.com/romance-saturday/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Hope to see you around!</h4>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-62177413227426452872016-04-07T09:02:00.001-04:002016-04-07T09:02:05.169-04:00"Firsts" in a Long Career<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/the-color-of-courage/" target="_blank">The Color of Courage</a></i> was released yesterday by <a href="http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/the-color-of-courage/" target="_blank">Soul Mate Publishing</a>. It's my 22nd published novel, nearly 16 years after the release of <i>Hunter's Song</i>. After so much time and so many books, it's kind of amazing that I can still celebrate firsts with number 22.<br />
<br />
<b>1. My First Superhero Book</b> (also the first in the series).<br />
I actually wrote it 10 years ago, before the current boom of superheroes in TV and film. I've always loved superhero romances, but I wanted, as usual, to be different from everyone else. I'm not sure if I managed it, especially now that superheroes are all angsty and stuff. Mine have to deal with everyday problems like bill collectors and a-hole exes and day jobs, because it's not like saving people earns you a living. Of course, that's all on top of battling someone who is determined to take them down, and Daley, the heroine of TCoC, also has her personal insecurities and a complicated love life to deal with.<br />
<br />
<b>2. My First Urban Fantasy</b><br />
Because of the way publishing works, Goddesses Rising was published before <i>The Color of Courage</i>. So to everyone else, it's not my first urban fantasy. But it's the first one I wrote. The first story that strayed from the romantic focus. The romance is strong, of course, it always will be in what I write, but it's not traditional. We're talking more <i>Elemental Assassins </i>(Jennifer Estep) and less <i>Superhero Central </i>(Julie Kenner). There's also more action and external conflict, and more personal internal conflict than there is romantic conflict.<br />
<br />
<b>3. My First First Person POV</b><br />
Again, <i>Full Fusion</i> and <i>Shadow Mission</i>, the books in my <a href="http://njdamschroder.com/" target="_blank">YA series</a>, were commercially available before <i>The Color of Courage</i>. But I wrote TCoC first. Why first person? Because that's how the story came to me. Ian, Daley's boyfriend, breaking up with her in scene 1, and Daley not seeing it coming. Her superpower is being an empath, seeing emotions as colors in a person's aura. But she can't see emotions that are about <i>her</i>. So that just had to be written from Daley's point of view. (I have to admit, it's hampering <i>me</i> now, because I'm craving Dev's POV in <i>The Light of Redemption</i> but I'm telling Harmony's story and Dev is just a part of it. A big, powerful, awesome part. :) )<br />
<br />
This book is an incredible value, at 92,000 words and only $2.99. You can buy it <a href="http://amzn.to/1X9k66P" target="_blank">here</a> or read the opening scene <a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/the-color-of-courage/the-color-of-courage-excerpt/" target="_blank">here</a>. But read on for an exclusive excerpt!<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
Mr. Mustache drove us out to about twenty yards from the wreck, then idled in a little closer before cutting the engine and dropping anchor. The closer we got, the more frenzied the dog became. The woman appeared to be unconscious, possibly from a head injury. Her blond hair was matted with blood.<br />
<br />
“Can you calm the dog?” Summer asked me in a low voice. I was already trying, building my bubble and projecting it outward. The dog’s fury was too intense, though, and we were too far away.<br />
<br />
We studied the scene for a minute, riding the boat up and down in the chop.<br />
<br />
“Let me see if I can summon her.” Kirby lifted both hands and concentrated. The woman rose a couple of inches, but then stopped. Kirby shook her head.<br />
<br />
“She’s caught. I don’t want to rip a leg off or something.”<br />
<br />
“We have to go closer,” I said.<br />
<br />
“I know, but—”<br />
<br />
“I’ll get in the water.” I’d already moved toward the side of the boat when Trace put his hand on my arm.<br />
<br />
“That dog will tear you apart.”<br />
<br />
I crouched in the bottom of the boat to avoid tipping it. “I can calm him. Animals are simpler, I’m sure I can do it quickly. Then you come in, go under, and untangle her. We’ll drag her to the boat. The dog will probably follow, swimming. He won’t be much danger in the water.”<br />
<br />
Trace didn’t like it. His anxiety and fear were growing, as were all of ours. We shared a bad feeling about this, but had no idea how to prove it was a setup, or prepare for it, or stop it. We could only rescue the woman.<br />
<br />
He nodded, once. I stood, adjusted my flexi-shield and double-checked that my boots and gloves were secure to my suit, and dove in.<br />
<br />
I’d scuba-dived before, but I’d never gone in the water with my suit. The water moved around me, but didn’t touch my skin. The suit held air and buoyed me immediately to the surface, which was good, because the flexi-shield made me feel like I could breathe, but its filters closed as soon as there was no airflow. Any air trapped in the shield wouldn’t last long. I’d have to surface to breathe.<br />
<br />
I gave the others a thumbs-up and started a slow breaststroke toward the dog. He’d stopped barking for a moment when I went in the water, but started up again when I swam toward him. Spittle flew off his jaws. His feet scrabbled at the fiberglass under them, his weight shifting with the force of his anger. I could see his teeth, clean and sharp, and was glad my suit would protect me. From being shredded, anyway.<br />
<br />
I treaded water a few feet from his face and wished the flexi-shield had sound-dampening qualities. Kirby wanted to get upgrades, now that we had Auberginois’ money. Maybe that was a feature we should ask for.<br />
<br />
“Okay, Charm, stop daydreaming and start working.” I concentrated on calming the dog again. My bubble touched his fury, pushing it back. But it wasn’t diminishing. It was like it sank deep into him, and my bubble bent around his body but would go no further. His behavior didn’t change. If anything he went more wild, the sharpness of his bark becoming shrill, almost panicked.<br />
<br />
I concentrated, moving my arms and legs only enough to stay afloat and in one place, trying to force his emotion to change. Sweat trickled down my right temple. My jaw started to ache, and then my frustration began to affect the bubble of calm.<br />
<br />
Trace and Summer were calling at me to turn back. I was about to when the dog yelped, did a rearing half-twist, and fell into the water behind the boat. He didn’t resurface.<br />
<br />
I wasn’t sure if I had caused that or if something else had, but it didn’t matter. I dove back under the water as best I could, trying to see where he’d gone. There was no thrashing shape, no teeth about to grab my leg. I bobbed back to the surface as a splash sounded behind me. It was heavy, probably Trace. I set out for the woman, and a moment later he passed me, his dark shirt telling me he’d shed his suit.<br />
<br />
Adam would kill him.<br />
<br />
I saw why he’d done it immediately. The suits were virtually airtight and kept us afloat. Trace dove deep, his hands trailing over the woman’s torso and legs. He could stay down, his endurance allowing him to hold his breath for long periods. I watched him work to untangle some kind of line. The dog was still nowhere in sight. Then an odd movement caught my eye. The woman’s hand had risen out of the water. I lifted my head. She was looking right at me, her malevolence on par with Gino Scarengio’s on the ledge. I froze, my blood far colder than the water around me. She was with CASE.<br />
<br />
“Trace!”<br />
<br />
But he couldn’t hear me. He didn’t have his shield on, so he had no com.<br />
<br />
The woman grimaced and lifted her hand higher out of the water. Then I realized that was supposed to be a grin, and she was holding some kind of trigger. I screamed Trace’s name again and dove, but the stupid floating suit kept me from getting to him. She hung in the water, drifting as he untangled the line, and he had no clue anything was wrong.<br />
<br />
I bobbed. Her thumb started to clench on the button. I dove again. Trace had stopped trying to untangle her and stared at the line stretched across his hands. He turned to me, his eyes wide, and I realized what he held. Some kind of waterproof primer cord.<br />
<br />
She was going to blow us up.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/the-color-of-courage/" target="_blank">Buy Now!</a></div>
Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-1645918713467796862016-03-18T11:22:00.001-04:002016-03-18T11:22:26.313-04:00Fun with Quarterly Reporting, or, Yay, Spring!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/romantic-adventure/aftershocks/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IDa39TZMI6Y2BV0EtWeLsO9w8Kl030MoaHWLU3toWDKSDyFHtAshVPVzTV8B_icnrHO9ImA4CVqUwG2Omaa7J3kzibYsBSpJI3GpcMaU4VN7518-ixOJDvqhqOMhTjgj100Imw/s320/Aftershocks+Final.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's <i>Sweet Home Alabama</i> meets <br />
<i>National Treasure</i>. Who will Zoe pick?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How's everyone's 2016 going so far?<br />
<br />
I have to say, mine has started SO much more satisfyingly than 2015 in its entirety.<br />
<br />
In 2015, I only had one new book release, plus a short story. Okay, sure, I also re-issued three books and a short story or two. And I wrote 150,000 new words and edited over 2,000 pages. But for the entire year, I felt as if I wasn't getting anywhere.<br />
<br />
This year has been so different! I have TWO new books out already, <i><a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/romantic-adventure/aftershocks/" target="_blank">Aftershocks </a></i>and <i><a href="http://njdamschroder.com/shadow-mission/" target="_blank">Shadow Mission</a></i>. And a third should be coming out next month, my first Superhero book. It's all very exciting!<br />
<br />
I have a book on submission. So far, it's getting praise but the publishers don't know "how to position it" in their list. Story of my career! LOL<br />
<br />
A new series is in development, a romantic suspense I'm enjoying writing. In fact, all the writing I've been tackling (the next Soul book, the next Superhero book, the third Fusion book) has been fun, even the parts that I ended up discarding. I just wish I had more time to tackle all of them!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world Roxie's part of is <i>so </i>much more <br />
complicated than she knew.</td></tr>
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The winter has eased up faster than normal, too. We had 70-degree days in early March, and I have to admit, I like daylight savings starting so early and giving me more sunshine in the evening. It shines into my office window, and the difference in my energy levels and mood are incredible.<br />
<br />
And now stuff I look forward to is looming close enough to matter. Writing retreat in May. Family reunion in July. Vacation in August. Nephew's wedding in September—the first wedding in the next generation. It's enough to make me feel old. LOL<br />
<br />
Outside my window, mini daffodils I planted last year have sprouted, and my dwarf lilac bush has budding leaves.<br />
<br />
This is the second-best part of the TV season, when the "drought" hiatus—when EVERYTHING is in reruns—is over and we're about to hit the final stretch when every show pulls out all the stops. Plus, some shows return (<i>12 Monkeys </i>and <i>Orphan Black,</i> yay!) and the fun movies are coming to town. (Though I confess nothing is making me super-excited this year. Which could be good. They might exceed my expectations.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So what's making you happy on the cusp of the vernal equinox?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
(If you'd like to read excerpts of my new releases, you'll find <i>Aftershocks</i> <a href="http://nataliedamschroder.com/romantic-adventure/aftershocks/aftershocks-excerpt/" target="_blank">here</a> and <i>Shadow Mission </i><a href="http://njdamschroder.com/shadow-mission/shadow-mission-excerpt/" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!)Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-73951832284688973852016-01-01T13:54:00.003-05:002016-01-01T13:54:50.284-05:00Ending the Year With...A Little Bit of Desperation (Plus a Cover Reveal!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was the first New Year's Eve that we had no kids in the house. It was anticlimactic. We didn't do anything differently, really. We made party pizzas (tradition) and watched some TV. Talked to the girls, who were together up in Boston, cuddling on the couch while they watched <i>Friends</i> and waited for the ball to drop. (My heart squeezes.)<br />
<br />
I did some work after dinner, then tried to write enough to make my goal for the year. Which didn't exist until this month, and then became something I was both determined to achieve and almost incapable of, for no good reason. What I mean is that reaching the goal was certainly doable, but I kept letting other things get in the way.<br />
<br />
My local writing chapter holds a 50/50 challenge twice a year. We write 50 words a day for 50 days. I always try to keep that going through the end of the year, and I <i>almost</i> succeeded. October 12 through December 24, I didn't miss a day. And then Christmas. Which wouldn't have derailed me except for the side trip to urgent care for Number One (she's fine) at the end of the evening, and then it was 10:00 and I had to watch <i>Doctor Who</i> and I...forgot.<br />
<br />
So I skipped a few days. And then ennui. BUT I am stubborn and competitive, even against myself, so for two days I wrote 500 words or more on five different projects, finishing on the couch as the ball dropped. (Okay. Just after the ball dropped. Those last 200 words, and of course they counted, they always count if I write them before I go to bed.)<br />
<br />
It was difficult and a bit desperate for no good reason, but I'm thrilled to be able to say I wrote 150,046 words in 2015. And it gives me a target for 2016, because I only finished two novels in 2015 (plus a novella and a short story, and I did finish revising a few things, and published 7 books, but still) and I want to do more this year.<br />
<br />
What else did I do in 2015?<br />
<br />
Edited/revised 2,236 pages of my own work. Which is a modest number, since some of those were single spaced.<br />
<br />
Edited 856 pages of fiction in a professional capacity.<br />
<br />
Critiqued 1,199 pages of fiction for friends.<br />
<br />
Read 118 books (Goodreads calls it 100, but boxed sets throw everything off.)<br />
<br />
DNF (did not finish) 42 books. Wow! That seems like a lot. Let me check... Yep, previous years were 17, 21, 25, and 27, with one other outlier at 44. There were a <i>couple</i> that just weren't up to scratch, with poor editing or writing, but most were a matter of taste. There are things I don't like to read about, no matter how well done. So that isn't a reflection on anything except that maybe I tried a bunch of stuff outside of my normal comfort zone, and that's a good thing, right?<br />
<br />
Saw 30 movies. 15 at the theater, two that I DVR'd when we had free pay cable, and 12 on DVD/Blu-Ray. I also binged 11 TV shows.<br />
<br />
So that was a pretty good year. Okay, want a cover reveal? I just got this cover a couple of days ago, and now I'm really excited to release the book, which is good because my goal for January is to get through revisions, edits, and publication. Ready? Here we go!<br />
<br />
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<br />Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-82973532848435397532015-12-23T08:49:00.000-05:002015-12-23T08:49:07.259-05:00Those Birthday Numbers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how old I am today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have never been bothered by my birthday. Ever. Thirty and forty were kind of awesome, actually. Being bothered by progression of the calendar is so pointless. And everyone does it, and I <i>always </i>have been one who doesn't like to do what everyone does. I hate generalizations. All of them. ;)<br />
<br />
So I don't know why today's number strikes so hard. Not in a bad way, really, except that it's an odd number. I realized I hate odd-number ages four years ago. I was interviewed as part of an article in the local newspaper's Sunday magazine. When I read "Natalie J. Damschroder, age 41," something squirmed hard inside me. I did NOT like seeing that number in print.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't because OMG I was getting old. It was because it was an odd number. I freaking LOVED being 42. (Also, it amused me that the magazine, <i>NEXT</i>, was for retired readers.)<br />
<br />
But I don't like 45.<br />
<br />
I get super-annoyed whenever my body betrays my sense of uniqueness and makes me cliché. Like when everyone told me your body starts to fall apart after you turn 30. I scoffed, of course. Like my body knows our arbitrary numbering system and has any clue what date it is. And then of course things started going wrong. Slip on ice and slam my knee to the pavement...and still can't kneel six months later. Tear a labrum in my shoulder that gives me horrendous headaches for two years until I figure out what's wrong and avoid things like carrying diaper bags on that shoulder.<br />
<br />
So what does 45 mean? When I look at it this way, it's pretty neutral. I'm the age my mother was when my daughter was born. I'm 10 years away from a senior citizen discount. It would be really hard to get pregnant right now, unless I desperately did not want to, and then it would probably happen in a snap. (It can't, but I did know a woman who got pregnant at 48.) I'm a very analytical person, and I can't analyze this feeling.<br />
<br />
OH! I just figured it out. I am no longer "in the demo." You know, the most important people in the world to those who measure consumption. Mostly of entertainment, but also of other products. The upper number is a little fluid. In fact, for TV ratings I think it's 49 now. But you know how when you take a survey and they do an age breakdown at the end to measure demographic data? One of them typically ends in 44.<br />
<br />
THAT'S why 45 bothers me. That and it's odd. So no one be surprised if I start accidentally saying I'm 46. (I did that when I was 43, so that made me 44 for two years, but in the opposite of the way people usually do it.)<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-61518895619508526832015-12-04T11:50:00.000-05:002015-12-04T11:50:03.640-05:00I Don't Know Why They Would Steal the ScannerDreams are weird. We all know this. Sometimes they're weird in a make-sense kind of way, or we at least know their influences. Like, Wednesday night I dreamed I was part of the Flarrow team (you know, from this week's <i>The Flash</i>/<i>Arrow</i> crossover). Dreaming about Oliver Queen requires no analysis.<br />
<br />
This morning, right before I woke up, I had a head-scratcher.<br />
<br />
I was shopping in Kmart. (I never shop in Kmart.)<br />
<br />
I was at the checkout, using the self-checkout. (I do always use the self-checkout.)<br />
<br />
The scanner unit had a small flatbed scanner as part of it. You know, the kind for home use. That's a little weird, right? I didn't need to use that, though. I was just scanning and bagging stuff. But I'd set a folder and something else, maybe a pad or something, on top of the flatbed scanner part because it was convenient.<br />
<br />
At first, the checkout area was quiet, and no one was waiting for me, so I wasn't rushed. (I'm always rushing, though. I don't like to do things slowly.)<br />
<br />
This family comes up, and then the lines all fill up around us. The wife shoves my stuff off the scanner. Sends it flying. I'm like, "What the hell are you doing? I'm using this." She gets all belligerent.<br />
<br />
So then the father and mother start scanning their stuff while I'm trying to finish scanning mine. The kid is like 10, just hanging around. The guy was short (my height, which is very short) and balding and the wife is dumpy with a bad haircut and a screechy voice. I'm trying to get them to stop and yelling for security. They're all up in my face and aggressive. Finally, I find the help button on the checkout and a manager comes over.<br />
<br />
So I tell her what's happening, a couple of women in line say they were witnesses and what I was saying is absolutely true. A couple of other employees come over. They take my stuff and the receipt unit and tell the witnesses to come back to the office with them. They don't say anything to <i>me</i>, the person being robbed or whatever you'd call it.<br />
<br />
When I'm like, "why her?" I realize the witness-woman is woozy and they want to let her sit down. I collect other stuff and realize the family is not only gone, they took the flatbed scanner.<br />
<br />
Ohhh....kay.<br />
<br />
We're all back in the office, and the manager is praising me for not laying down and taking it, and I'm saying how I hate confrontation but sometimes you just have to do it—and thinking about how the situation will make a topic to blog about later—when I wake up.<br />
<br />
WTH was that?!Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-11814206233695029102015-12-03T00:30:00.000-05:002015-12-03T00:30:03.796-05:00An Interview with Madeline from Chasing the Painted Skies by Ryan Jo Summers<b><i>Welcome to today's guest, Ryan Jo Summers! She's giving away a free pdf copy of her book to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave your name!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Painted-Skies-Ryan-Summers-ebook/dp/B0189B2PB8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Chasing the Painted Skies</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Ryan Jo Summers<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Painted-Skies-Ryan-Summers-ebook/dp/B0189B2PB8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><b>Buy Link</b></a></div>
<br />
Raven Koynes is a woman in hiding. Years ago she escaped to remote Gull Island Light Station, nestled far away in Lake Superior. She has carved out a life of peace and solitude for herself. Until famed nature photographer Sebastian Knight arrives--in the height of a nor'easter storm--to document the beauty of Gull Island. Unsavory treasure hunters also blow in with the storm, determined to find missing cargo from a sunken ship. And they are positive Raven knows where it's stashed. A power outage from the storm traps everyone at her keeper's cottage, fellow prisoners of the storm.<br />
<br />
Between her attraction to handsome Sebastian and the unwelcome advances and threats of the hunters, Raven is pushed to her limit. Help arrives in the form of a stray German Shepherd Dog, who takes an immediate protective interest in Raven. He becomes her constant shadow and listening ear as she sorts out her growing--and conflicting--feelings for Sebastian.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Sebastian came to the island looking for treasure as well, in the form of photographs. While he isn't so sure about missing cargo, he only needs to look at Raven Koynes to know he's found his own valuable treasure. One he hopes he can hang on to if she learns about his mysterious secret.<br />
<br />
Now that Madeline the resident ghost has found out, it's probably just a matter of time until Raven does too. And with the storm and power outage, no one is going anywhere any time soon.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Interview with Madeline Jane Bissette</b></div>
<br />
<b>What is your full name? And what can you tell us about yourself? </b><br />
<br />
Madeline Jane Bissette. I am seventeen years old, born August 1854 and died February 1871. <br />
<br />
<b>Did you just say you died in 1871?</b><br />
<br />
Yes, my youngster sister, Constance, and I were playing up in the light tower. Papa used to get angry with us, but sometimes we didn't care. It was a beautiful day to be up there. Mama had wanted me to milk the cow as my brother, Jacob, who usually handled that, had gone off with Papa and my other brothers to gather more wood. It had been an especially hard winter. It must have been getting late as we heard Mama come out calling for us. Constance raced for the stairs, slipping on the ice on the widow's walk. I grabbed her, but slipped too. She did manage to grab the railing, but I hit an icy section and fell over the edge. (dusts off hem of gown) And that was that.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes,...er...I suppose it would be. How tragic. So what have you done since then? Since 1871? It has been a while.</b><br />
<br />
Mainly I just stay out of the way. The people who have come and gone at the house don't interest me much. Not anymore. I like the one who calls herself Raven. She reminds me a lot of Mama. I tried to be her friend and tell her about my mama and sisters, but I don't think she really understood.<br />
<br />
<b>What are your thoughts on Sebastian?</b><br />
<br />
He is a handsome man. (smiles wistfully) Chester Douglas—he used come over sometimes from the mainland to help Papa—was handsome like that. When I was younger, he'd bring me penny candy. Then one summer he brought me flowers. Papa wasn't too happy about that, but Mama said it was all right. Then Chester started finding all sorts of reasons to come over that had nothing to do with Papa. (giggles) He'd make my tummy feel like it had butterflies all inside of it. Mama said that was all right for a boy to do. We'd go off into the woods or behind the barn and kiss. After Sebastian arrived, I could tell Raven wanted to kiss him just as I used to like kissing Chester. Sebastian made my tummy feel like it had butterflies in it, even though he was older than Chester, and I could tell Raven felt the same way. And he protected her from those bad people. He tried to at least, doing the best he could.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, Madeline, tell us about the bad people.</b><br />
<br />
Well, they were not the first people to come to Gull Island with bad intentions. Mama had a word for people like that: miscreant malefactors. Mama always liked to use two names for describing people. It was sad and lonely when she and Papa and my sisters and brothers all left our home and Gull Island later in 1871.<br />
<br />
However, when these three showed up looking for the ship's cargo by tearing up my island home and getting nasty with Raven, I knew I had to get involved. Sebastian had his own ideas on keeping Raven safe, so I was just helping him actually. Letting him know I was in his corner. (gives big sigh) But I'm not sure he understood that. As much as I liked Raven and Sebastian, I never felt they really understood me. Not until later on, when I really had to work to get their understanding. (gives another wistful sigh) Sometimes adults can be so...dim at times.<br />
<br />
<b>Okay, Madeline, our time is closing out. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. Is there anything else you would like to add?</b><br />
<br />
Just this—it's lonely being what I am; ghost, spook or any of the other names I've been called. I would have liked to spend more time with Chester and maybe take a picnic or boat ride off the island one day. But I never had that chance. (pauses, with somber, faraway expression) I imagine being with someone all the time that made those butterflies in your tummy would be a lovely experience. That is my wish now, for everyone to find that special person, like my Chester, who puts those tickly feelings there and makes you want to smile all the time, and spend their life with them.<br />
<br />
<b>Well said, Madeline, and thank you.</b><br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
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<b>About the Author:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina author who specializes in writing romances with a twist. Love stories blended with inspirational, paranormal, suspense or time travel—or several at once. She also writes non-fiction for regional periodicals. Ryan's dad is a songwriter and his aunt wrote poetry, so she claims she came by her writing skill honestly. Apparently it's in the genes.<br />
<br />
Her hobbies include bird-watching, houseplants, poetry and yard work. She loves to gather with friends, hike in the forest with her dog, paint ceramics and canvas, and work on wiggly word find puzzles. She lives in a 1920 cottage with a menagerie of pets. Living in the mountains, she dreams of the shore and frequently uses the water as scenes for her stories. More about Ryan Jo can be discovered at her website or her blog.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ryanjosummers.com/" target="_blank">Website</a><br />
<a href="http://summersrye.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Jo-Summers-author-page/312875648810797" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<b>What inspired you to write this story?</b><br />
<br />
In 1989 I found a photo in a calendar that resonated with me. It was just a rocky outcropping with an old tree and lots of fog. It was probably taken in the fall, around Minnesota or someplace on the Great Lakes. I still have that photo, matted and framed. Eleven years ago I moved from the Great Lakes to the mountains and yearn for the water. Inspired by that photo, this book was written, over years, in stages, with new parts added with each rewrite. The treasure hunt was added last, about 2 or 3 years ago after I spotted a van at a stop light reading Coynes Plumbing on the side. Koynes=treasure. So the heroine's last name was changed to incorporate the treasure idea.<br />
<br />
<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
<br />
My problem child that I've been working on steadily for two years. It's a whole lot of things, or as I refer to it, a hot mess, Romance, quantum fiction, women's lit. The other thing I am itching to start is a short novella about meeting and falling in love at a dog park. It's going to be a humorous short story.<br />
<br />
<b>Typical day?</b><br />
<br />
Up early (I have pets, there is no sleeping in with hungry beasties), work on writing stuff/marketing stuff until early afternoon, then go to "day job," which is a second shift thing. Come home, catch up on emails from the day and things that require immediate attention. Repeat next day. Not a lot of variety in my life, which is okay. For a change of pace, I take my dog to the dog park or go see friends.<br />
<br />
<b>Personal question—favorite music?</b><br />
<br />
Lots of stuff. Country, old stuff and traditional mostly, Christian. Orchestra. Jazz is okay too. Old rock on occasion. I don't care for rap or head-banging screaming stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>Favorite drink?</b><br />
<br />
Coffee. Herbal tea when it's cold out. Milk, especially chocolate.<br />
<br />
<b>Favorite flower and color?</b><br />
<br />
Lilacs and blue. Three of the rooms in my house are painted shades of blue. And I have several lilacs planted about the place.<br />
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<b><i>Thanks again, Ryan Jo, for being my guest today! Remember, one lucky commenter will win a pdf copy of the book. So don't forget to say hi!</i></b>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-32493416743675164682015-11-28T10:28:00.001-05:002015-11-28T10:28:44.620-05:00The Incredible Shrinking TBR Pile<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOH6gmk2V2Joy9_92M1-R161k-trhmVePPIl2VJJJg5VRL2WxOrEaUAyeRTvXnG59OKJ1qYJTO5fYWwXdWNWR6xmL8DJNjDJmsciznq0CzxWaW7j3d6CY-FheiKEPMWWoTrd35A/s1600/UtM+stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOH6gmk2V2Joy9_92M1-R161k-trhmVePPIl2VJJJg5VRL2WxOrEaUAyeRTvXnG59OKJ1qYJTO5fYWwXdWNWR6xmL8DJNjDJmsciznq0CzxWaW7j3d6CY-FheiKEPMWWoTrd35A/s320/UtM+stack.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not my TBR pile. It's just a picture <br />of books. I didn't feel like getting my camera <br />and taking new pictures. #lazy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I started writing, back in the early 90s, I was targeting Harlequin series romances. But to decide which series I really wanted to write for, I subscribed to several of them. I couldn't read as fast as I received them, so the piles grew and grew.<br />
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Eventually I narrowed it down and canceled some of the subscriptions. Then I started attending conferences, where you get free books (and in the case of the RWA National conference, LOTS AND LOTS of free books) and buy books at special booksignings.<br />
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And my TBR pile has been massive ever since. Because I keep going to conferences, but also because I don't stop <i>buying</i> books. Authors I love, stuff that sounds interesting...if I have an addiction, it's books.<br />
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Every so often, I weed out my TBR pile. Books I got free or even bought to help someone out but aren't things I like to read. (Historicals are the first to be weeded, for example.) <br />
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I'll also go on binges where I'll try all the books that I've had lingering because I don't think I'll like them. Sometimes I'm surprised, which is awesome. Sometimes there are personal triggers that override good writing—storylines or characters that I don't care for. So these binges can end up pulling a bunch of books off my TBR.<br />
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And then there are the very rare binge-reading-sessions where I plow through book after book because that's my main relaxation activity. I had one of those recently, and it led me to a scary place: a small TBR pile.<br />
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My Kindle used to have 6 pages in the "To Read" folder. I'm down to two! That's, like, 10 books! It almost started a panic attack, except I turned to my print TBR shelf and I've been concentrating on that lately. I got a little caught up in the ease of reading on the Kindle. So I have a couple dozen print books, which makes me breathe a bit easier.<br />
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But let me tell you, I cannot WAIT for my birthday. After insisting that I don't want anything and being badgered for a while, I give in and say to just get me an Amazon gift card. That's all I need! My wish list has over 40 books on it. I'm also paying a little more attention to the books being promoted all over my social media and stuff.<br />
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Top of my "yes, please" list is romantic adventure and paranormal YA (no vamps or shifters, though). So if anyone has any suggestions, please post them in the comments!Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-31624082425462728042015-11-18T12:02:00.002-05:002015-11-18T12:02:26.127-05:00Meet the Characters from This Week's Select Contemporary Releases!<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtIagK8g9CS72tbaZNBSBKOKNb_zxFQD7lirttnOuBjqmJcjEwwUEzwpvZ6551vybpgytROqbY9MGOHMOMuhIOr8viYINovs6NWI9_Em5LJjD9_xAHmacvhcBw2cxtCY4Iin41w/s320/If_You_Believe_In_Me_500_final.jpg" width="213" /></div>
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My Christmas-reunion-military-hero-small-town-heroine novella got a new cover and blurb for this week's re-release. Most of you who'd be interested in such a story probably already read it. (If you haven't, <a href="http://bit.ly/134Ci9C" target="_blank">check it out here</a>!)<br />
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So please let me introduce you to my fellow releasees this week! Below, we introduce the characters with some Dating-Game-style questions. You can read the tables turned in my <a href="http://eepurl.com/bGzdjX" target="_blank">newsletter</a> and see how the guys answer their heroines.<br />
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We're also having a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/186380381704238/" target="_blank">Facebook party</a> Thursday evening. Come chat with us and comment to win prizes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7zPLIS0F1Gt3QteDRxHicqw4L5Iu3PlRaVnF1flbhAz5MJ1saXHfYWKa16LD03pz1bxLtPIYUuNkVzwIS9p4AXAwx9BjvAthddXWH9LZBaXsEsuTueN3Pp4xPxZjmTDwbvdgmA/s1600/HowToFallCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7zPLIS0F1Gt3QteDRxHicqw4L5Iu3PlRaVnF1flbhAz5MJ1saXHfYWKa16LD03pz1bxLtPIYUuNkVzwIS9p4AXAwx9BjvAthddXWH9LZBaXsEsuTueN3Pp4xPxZjmTDwbvdgmA/s320/HowToFallCover.jpg" width="214" /></a><br />
<b><a href="http://rebeccabrooksromance.com/books/" target="_blank">How to Fall</a></b><br />
by Rebecca Brooks<br />
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Chicago math teacher Julia Evans has always played it safe, but when an impulse trip to southern Brazil introduces her to a gorgeous Australian traveler, she’ll risk her heart for a week in his arms—if his secrets don’t tear them apart.<br />
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<b>Blake:</b> If you could incorporate any fantasy into your real life, so you could have it whenever you wanted to, what would it be?<br />
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<b>Julia:</b> We come in from outside. We've been swimming, and you smell like salt water and sun. We have places to be—we're supposed to meet friends, or your production team, or whatever. But you don't care. You lay me down on the bed. Do you remember that first time we were in an actual bed, in the hotel in Rio? You kissed me like you'd never been so hungry. As your tongue slid down, you stopped to look up at me and that's the fantasy—the real-life fantasy—that gets me every time. It's the look in your eyes when you know I'm about to be screaming your name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK45m-lczUFb9jzZwvWNG4tRL1WA5_5aKNDPjbi2Ll18USNa74Iydb_X4n6AAHoUpnrKcaJkHjbowp96u_viXrsT54EPjTOyqWi-dEMmXQt2B1t-IDTvv7tOX0hRVB71jCvKZOBg/s1600/Second_Chance_Christmas_1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK45m-lczUFb9jzZwvWNG4tRL1WA5_5aKNDPjbi2Ll18USNa74Iydb_X4n6AAHoUpnrKcaJkHjbowp96u_viXrsT54EPjTOyqWi-dEMmXQt2B1t-IDTvv7tOX0hRVB71jCvKZOBg/s320/Second_Chance_Christmas_1600.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.ellenbutler.net/" target="_blank">Second Chance Christmas</a></b><br />
by Ellen Butler<br />
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Prominent DC attorney Emma Taylor is pulled away from a promising date the week before Christmas to pick up her ex-fiance from the ER after a bar fight. She’s in no mood to re-open old wounds, but it’s Christmas and she can’t just leave him alone and injured.<br />
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<b>Colton to Emma:</b><br />
"All of your suits are at the cleaners, and you have to meet with a new client on the weekend. What do you wear?"<br />
"Seriously Colton, <i>all </i>off my suits are at the cleaners?"<br />
"Yes, all the suits are at the cleaners. What do you wear?"<br />
"Why are all of my suits at the cleaners? I'd never be that disorgainzed, you know that."<br />
"Emma, it's just a game. Answer the question."<br />
"Nope. The question is silly. It would never happen."<br />
Colton rolls his eyes. "Fine, the house burned down. All of your clothes are now ashes. What do you wear?"<br />
"Why did the house burn down? Did you leave the coffee pot on again?" Emma points an accusing finger at him.<br />
"Emma!"<br />
"Okay, okay, I'd call up Linda, my personal shopper at Nordstroms and tell her to put aside a suit, two blouses and shoes. I'd pick it up on the way to the office and change when I got there. Satisfied?"<br />
"You're such a lawyer." Colton sighs.<br />
"I know, but you still love me." Emma gives him a big smacking kiss on the cheek and a satisfied grin spreads across his face.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnollDL2ixe2fuFWGw_y9lA2E4m8tIPTTzoJ1oLoACCnjOUhEGNVUnX0pjBOvV7ZUR34Mu4ixJSrupcvlrzeBQA6k0gA-1QZiV8RuYLsMmMk5lFY8qKQDO4-CiqJcZnlaI1lmIg/s1600/HIDDEN_AWAY+COVER_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnollDL2ixe2fuFWGw_y9lA2E4m8tIPTTzoJ1oLoACCnjOUhEGNVUnX0pjBOvV7ZUR34Mu4ixJSrupcvlrzeBQA6k0gA-1QZiV8RuYLsMmMk5lFY8qKQDO4-CiqJcZnlaI1lmIg/s320/HIDDEN_AWAY+COVER_500.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.jenniemarts.com/home.html" target="_blank">Hidden Away</a></b><br />
by Jennie Marts<br />
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The only one on Cherry’s side is the sexy sheriff, Taylor Johnson—but she’s been hiding a secret that could rip their new family apart…<br />
…and secrets have a way of revealing themselves.<br />
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<b>Taylor:</b><br />
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What is something no one knows about you that would be a surprise to the people who know you best?<br />
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<b>Cherry:</b><br />
I love to read romance novels. I know I can come across as tough and sarcastic, but inside I'm just a ball of mush when it comes to romantic gestures. I know I've made plenty of mistakes in my life, and I love to read romance stories about second chances, because I really believe everyone deserves a second chance at finding love and happiness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUZ8D1PkUIXz08zdxwn1DG8lff379PT3yoKgVoK5Ajfj56VTbgK3SLcsCXARxM2xvneSFtPuuuxC0BmZbRsDhqVeyEnrnEXj5pdsSUdBBiSNZb6nVx2ppom7xhgshH1M9O9oSmQ/s1600/Priya_in_Heels_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUZ8D1PkUIXz08zdxwn1DG8lff379PT3yoKgVoK5Ajfj56VTbgK3SLcsCXARxM2xvneSFtPuuuxC0BmZbRsDhqVeyEnrnEXj5pdsSUdBBiSNZb6nVx2ppom7xhgshH1M9O9oSmQ/s320/Priya_in_Heels_500.jpg" width="213" /><br />
<b></b></a><b><a href="http://www.ayeshapatelwrites.com/p/priya-in-heels_7.html" target="_blank">Priya in Heels</a> </b><br />
by Ayesha Patel<br />
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Medical resident Priya lives life by cultural expectation, but when she falls for an American heartthrob named Tyler, her entire world unravels, leaving both wondering if love truly can conquer everything.<br />
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Priya Patel strives to be the perfect daughter for her traditional Indian parents. With her medical residency underway, she faces the inevitable pressures to marry an Indian man of her parents' choosing. She's perfectly content to do so until the Irish-American musician down the hall gets her attention and destroys everything she has worked so hard to build.<br />
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Tyler O'Conner can't stop thinking about the beautiful doctor who treated his sprained ankle in the ER. But between weekend band gigs, an intense workload at NASA, and trying to lower Priya's barriers, he doesn't expect to fall in love...with a woman who is meant to marry another man.<br />
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Priya struggles to maintain her relationship with her parents, to be their source of happiness, but falling for an American might be the one thing that unravels their world and leaves her in tattered pieces.Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617199.post-82469506275149641242015-11-13T12:04:00.000-05:002015-11-13T12:07:24.169-05:00Remembering the Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O-9FO21AlSjuUcn8-bIPY3U_GXmJOW6eM305OiicPEG19FGtstMISZFhzve-MsvEmULOX2gHrTw882oEzgjptlVpvsBglX3n9XQBLTh_OZvdhTEh7eodhJItPAY-YCIOFbHEJw/s1600/512uhBl76GL._SX323_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O-9FO21AlSjuUcn8-bIPY3U_GXmJOW6eM305OiicPEG19FGtstMISZFhzve-MsvEmULOX2gHrTw882oEzgjptlVpvsBglX3n9XQBLTh_OZvdhTEh7eodhJItPAY-YCIOFbHEJw/s320/512uhBl76GL._SX323_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>I have been in this business—novel writing, specifically, but all the stuff that goes with writing and publication—for a really long time. Decades. I've written a lot of books, and lived through all the ups and downs of being a published author, with lots and lots of industry changes along the way.<br />
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I've also had the opportunity, through my services as an editor, copyeditor, and proofreader, to work with someone special. And I'm so excited that his book is now available for purchase.<br />
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Being immersed in the world of romance writing, I've met, mentored, and been mentored by a LOT of authors. Being a part of a community like that makes you feel like anything is possible. And it <i>makes </i>anything possible. It also makes it hard to realize that there are people out there who would love to write but don't have the community. The structured support. The education that seeps into you even when you're not looking for it.<br />
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That's why working with Dave has been special. He knew nothing about writing or publishing when we met, and was an absolute sponge. It was so much fun to see his work deepen and strengthen, and to share his journey over the years.<br />
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Dave has amazingly<i> </i>unique story ideas, and he has trusted me to give him advice on craft and business as we worked together on five books. His dream has been to share those stories and characters with others, and now he can do that with <i>Diana's Magic, </i>which is now available for purchase.<br />
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It's been a long time since I first held a book with my name on it and knew the words inside came from me. It's almost as exciting to share that with someone experiencing it for the first time. :)<br />
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I hope you'll check it out!<br />
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<b>About the Book</b><br />
Seeking to inspire problem students and build character, new elementary teacher Sarah Carter seizes upon an innovative class project for the school’s annual spring art show. At the same time, she struggles with a private personal tragedy. While coping with bullies, introverts, vampires, and school bureaucrats, Sarah strives to complete the project, support the encouraging growth of her students, and achieve closure with her impending loss. But the outcome is far different from anything she could have anticipated.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1lnaxV6" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/1PG3uC1" target="_blank">Amazon paperback</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dianas-magic-david-a-hicks/1122915222?ean=9781478762225" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>Natalie J. Damschroderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.com2