tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15386573606321949852024-03-04T23:22:01.855-08:00Keeper of the TomesWriter of fantasy, science fiction, and sometimes romance of various lengths. Disney, yoga, music, fun.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457246579770157609noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-88365898389400986132018-07-30T03:00:00.000-07:002018-07-30T03:00:09.563-07:00BORN TO LOVE WILD Blog Tour<P>BORN TO LOVE WILD
<br>A Paranormal Romance Short Story Anthology
<br>Stars and Stone Books</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPq5yVCxdZj3KA-ltuM42_wZcVT8-02fnW4bk8AWiX5hI1G2wPDLePrDd3KN1-czi9vg9CEXsv41Rr4yDqPV0CKpcFW5TYX9FViPsCD68wEF9LuatQP-ohLJaCrGDqx1l6XagdZyLZeY/s1600/Born+to+Love+Wild+Digital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPq5yVCxdZj3KA-ltuM42_wZcVT8-02fnW4bk8AWiX5hI1G2wPDLePrDd3KN1-czi9vg9CEXsv41Rr4yDqPV0CKpcFW5TYX9FViPsCD68wEF9LuatQP-ohLJaCrGDqx1l6XagdZyLZeY/s400/Born+to+Love+Wild+Digital.jpg" width="250" height="400" data-original-width="1000" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<P>Featuring: USA Today Bestselling Author Traci Douglass, Cara McKinnon, Sheri Queen, Pepper McGraw, M.T. DeSantis, Read Gallo, J. Bigelow, and Andie Biagini.
</P><P>~Buy Now:
<br>-<a href=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FGBQ82L/ target=_blank>Kindle</a>
<br>-<a href=https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/born-to-love-wild/id1400567574 target=_blank>iBooks</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/born-to-love-wild target=_blank>Kobo</a>
<br>-<a href=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Traci_Douglass_Born_to_Love_Wild?id=IFRgDwAAQBAJ target=_blank>Google Play</a>
</P><P>~<a href=http://starsandstonebooks.com/born-to-love-wild target=_blank>Anthology website</a>
The Born to Love Wild authors all came together to answer some questions about their stories for the anthology. Here, they discuss things that help them get into a story—whether that is a song, ritual, spark of an idea, or something else.
</P><P>Andie Biagini – “Water Temperature”
<br>An engineering student and a cryptozoologist. One of them can talk to sea monsters, but it’s not who you think.
</P><P>I think “send M.T. half of a story and hope she’ll tell me what happens next” counts as a ritual at this point, yeah?
</P><P>J. Bigelow – “Focal Point”
<br>Sometimes a wizard from Sweden needs help from a medium from Michigan.
</P><P>I always go to my favorite bookstore which has a café in it. I usually get the same drink which tells my brain that it’s time to write.
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis - “Forever Love”
<br>To find a chance… A chance to find…
</P><P>The idea for Forever Love just kind of hit me. I was at a complete loss about what to write for this anthology. Paranormal isn’t something that comes easy, so I was really testing my limits. I don’t know where it came from or how it got to me, but one day, the image of a fae dance was just in my head. I wrote the story in a few days after that initial image.
</P><P>Traci Douglass – “Blood Strong: A Blood Ravagers Novella”
<br>One guardian demon in love. One witch with a secret crush. One evil threatening their newfound connection.
</P><P>I don’t really have anything. As long as I’ve got my laptop, coffee, tunes, and an Internet connection, I’m good to go.
</P><P>Read Gallo – “The Flying Saltines”
<br>When a river falls in love with an ordinary person will New York City survive?
</P><P>Nope. No rituals. I write anytime, anywhere.
</P><P>Pepper McGraw – “Full Moon Shenanigans”
<br>The full moon’s coming and it’s time to embrace the wildness within.
</P><P>As this is the third story in the Shenanigans series, it was fairly easy to get started. I just indulged in my main ritual when writing a series – I re-read the previous two stories to refresh my knowledge of the characters I would be writing about and to kind of get myself into their mindset. This has been a writing ritual of mine from the very beginning. If I get stuck in a story, I go back and re-read. If I’m starting a new story in a series, I read the one right before it. Starting a book completely from scratch—now that’s the real challenge!
</P><P>Cara McKinnon - “A Change of Heart”
<br>She’s a hybrid shifter who’s not supposed to exist. He’s a wolf who was born to protect her. But her secrets force him to choose: his mate, or his pack loyalty?
</P><P>Even though the initial ideas for this story came together easily, it was still a pain in the butt to write. I definitely needed my Sunny app (it plays recordings of ocean waves and rain) to drown out distractions and help me focus.
</P><P>Sheri Queen - “The Robinson Agency”
<br>Some are born with the gift to see into the future. Others create their own destiny.
</P><P>I was inspired by the tongue-twister of my great-great aunts’ names that gave me grief as a child. It was something that used to make me laugh when messing up saying their names really fast. That’s what made me create the sisters with an air of comedy to them.
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/authors target=_blank>CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS</a>
</P><P>Connect with Stars and Stone Books:
</P><P>-<a href=http://starsandstonebooks.com/ target=_blank>website</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40582115-born-to-love-wild target=_blank>Goodreads</a>
<br>-<a href=https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks target=_blank>Twitter</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-16066665549574687132018-05-04T03:00:00.000-07:002018-05-04T03:00:07.643-07:00The Love at the Edge of Seventeen Authors Talk About Their Characters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1uUs5OHyR8Q5Pdp7CkGGF3EQ4SjIY15sEqA49QBH79m-boQ7myMTQdGDXW5vBd1ROCUbHBxBbad3Y7C7xb_2QjllyQqgR-BUcZURsT-y4fMMFVwnaVn31qChhqxGTTV6noT50hPHnow/s1600/YA-3D-Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1uUs5OHyR8Q5Pdp7CkGGF3EQ4SjIY15sEqA49QBH79m-boQ7myMTQdGDXW5vBd1ROCUbHBxBbad3Y7C7xb_2QjllyQqgR-BUcZURsT-y4fMMFVwnaVn31qChhqxGTTV6noT50hPHnow/s400/YA-3D-Book.jpg" width="339" height="400" data-original-width="1356" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<P>LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
<br>A YA ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY
<br>Stars and Stone Books
<br>Featuring: M.T. DeSantis, A.E. Hayes, Serena Jayne, Cara McKinnon, Mary Rogers, and Kylie Weisenborn.</P>
</P><P>OUT TODAY!
<br>-<a href=https://www.amazon.com/Love-Edge-Seventeen-Romance-Anthology-ebook/dp/B07C941HM7 target=_blank>Kindle</a>
<br>-<a href=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen/id1366600945?mt=11 target=_blank>iBooks</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen-serena-jayne/1128556527?ean=2940159159991 target=_blank>Nook</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen target=_blank>Kobo</a>
<br>-<a href=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cara_McKinnon_Love_at_the_Edge_of_Seventeen?id=LNhSDwAAQBAJ target=_blank>Google Play</a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-qw5jprNxJ3uJRJP7x_JyuT1Ls8obe4yTgXTQYR9X69dRxG8JXVlZbxS9KGLQ7SZKAAtkQNcvmL_b_2xKtEDiWHZywG2x_ncNa0vrfXXjLOBK-o-oaftiNJi4hb_vxYP_gAIwx2J-jw/s1600/Spring+18+Digital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-qw5jprNxJ3uJRJP7x_JyuT1Ls8obe4yTgXTQYR9X69dRxG8JXVlZbxS9KGLQ7SZKAAtkQNcvmL_b_2xKtEDiWHZywG2x_ncNa0vrfXXjLOBK-o-oaftiNJi4hb_vxYP_gAIwx2J-jw/s400/Spring+18+Digital.jpg" width="250" height="400" data-original-width="1000" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
</P><P>Q&A
<br>For our blog tour, we asked our authors to talk about their characters. Did they have a favorite? A least favorite? How did they pick the names? Was it hard or fun?
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis, “Be Null, My Heart”
<br>Jaqi, Emma’s best friend, is my favorite. She’s the confident person I wish I’d been in high school, and she’s not afraid to call people “bat dung,” instead of something with more curses in it. Claire, the popular girl, is my least favorite. Yes, I know, disliking the popular girl who treats the main character like crap, how original. But I wrote her to be unlikable. So, I did a good job, at least from my perspective.
<br>As for my character’s actual names, I just picked names I like. Emma’s parents and uncle, though, have superhero names, too. Those were a lot of fun.
<br>-Styrene (Emma’s dad – manipulates plastic) – I actually took this name straight from the plastics world (thanks, Google). Basically, I searched for types of plastic, read a list on Wikipedia, and liked Polystyrene, minus the poly. I also learned about thermoplastics, if Wikipedia is accurate on the subject. If you liked high school chemistry but don’t remember much of it, check it out. It’s cool.
• <br>-Belvedere (Emma’s mom, heightened senses) – She’s essentially the watchdog of the group. Belvedere is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “a summer house or open-sided gallery, typically at rooftop level, commanding a fine view.” I kind of see her as the one standing on a rooftop and keeping an eye out. Also, the word belvedere sounds badass.
• <br>-Remberandt (Emma’s uncle, memory manipulation) This one was the most fun. Emma’s uncle has the ability to manipulate memories, hence the “rember” part of this name. When I was writing, I thought about how the word “remember” would combine nicely with Rembrandt, the artist. Thus, Remberandt was born—the memory manipulating crime fighter who likes to spew random art facts at people.
</P><P>A.E. Hayes, “Her First Fever”
<br>I love Madeline – she is strong and independent, and she doesn’t rely on a boy to help her fulfill her dreams. She can be her own person without needing to date, but she can still open up to love. However, I identify with Johnny’s rough exterior and smart-ass banter, even if he is not always likeable. But “not always likeable” doesn’t equal “least favorite” to me. I don’t think I have a least favorite, to be honest: everyone in this story serves a purpose, and no one is specifically awful as a human being.
<br>Since “Her First Fever” is such a personal story for me, I used two names I know very well, as they are… well, the easiest way to explain it is that Madeline and Johnny are friends and protectors for me, and they serve the same purpose for and to one another in the story. My memoir, Shattered: Memoirs of an Amnesiac as well as my follow-up collection of essays, Villain: The Voices of Shattered reveal a bit more about who Madeline and Johnny really are in real life.
</P><P>Serena Jayne, “Dead Man’s Party”
<br>Xander’s parents are my least favorite characters, because they put their dreams ahead of their son’s. Shay and Xander are my favorites. I love that their relationship evolves from a strong friendship.
<br>Xander’s first name was inspired by the character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His last name was chosen to show his Russian roots. Shay’s name fit with her character, especially paired with her last name, Sinclair. Sometimes I change the names of characters during the course of writing, but Xander and Shay’s names stuck.
</P><P>Cara McKinnon, “Three Jagged Pieces”
<br>I don’t have favorites. All three of my protagonists are special to me in different ways. But least favorite would be Sam’s parents. There’s nothing I hate more in this world than people who use love as a weapon for control, guilt, and shame.
<br>Character names either come to me in a fit of genius or are like pulling teeth. There’s no in-between. Noah and Sam were easy to name. Ava was much harder. I spent probably two or three hours going over popular baby names from 2000 until I settled on Ava.
</P><P>Mary Rogers, “The Crayon Thief”
<br>My favorite is Randall! By far, Randy. I mean, when you’re writing a romance hero, you want to fall a little in love with him yourself, don’t you? Randy has all the requisite romance hero traits, but he’s also someone who is sensitive, and kind. Not afraid of people who are not like him.
<br>I was on the phone with my friend Susan when I was thinking of a name for my character who became—wait for it—Susan. Yeah, I’m brilliant like that. Randall came from an article I read that morning, and Tessa is just a fun name. Cindy came from another article, and Mueller—well, you may have heard that name recently.
</P><P>Kylie Weisenborn, “Now I Am”
<br>Well it’s pretty easy since I only have two characters – Annalyn is my favorite. And she was actually much weirder and heavily accented in my first draft, so you’ll see I toned her down a bit.
<br>There’s not too much method to my madness when it comes to naming characters, I pick mostly based on how they sound out loud and how easily readable they are. I changed Carter’s name a bunch of times (he was Gavin for a long time), but Annalyn’s was pretty easy for me to decide on.
<P>It's never easy to go through the fraught transition into adulthood, but the teens in this anthology have more to deal with than most: super powers, magic, illness, and prejudice against sexual orientation and gender identity. Fortunately, they all find love at the edge of seventeen.
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis – “Be Null, My Heart” Teen love…with superpowers.
</P><P>A.E. Hayes – “Her First Fever” Can a smart, stubborn girl look past the things she desires the most in life to help out her annoying, enigmatic biology partner – even if helping him comes with an emotional price?
</P><P>Serena Jayne – “Dead Man’s Party” Despite formidable evidence to the contrary, Xander was magic.
</P><P>Cara McKinnon – “Three Jagged Pieces” Boy meets girl meets boy.
</P><P>Mary Rogers – “The Crayon Thief” The last time they talked, he stole her crayon. Now he wants to take her on a date. But why?
</P><P>Kylie Weisenborn – “Now I Am” Annalyn is dead…so what is she waiting for?
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/authors target=_blank>CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS</a>
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38901569-love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen target=_blank>Add LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN on Goodreads</a>
</P><P>~<a href=https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks target=_blank>Follow Stars and Stone Books on Twitter</a>
</P><P>~And check out the <a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen target=_blank>anthology website</a>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-19569559641821362402018-03-29T10:02:00.000-07:002018-03-29T10:02:50.911-07:00Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: Between Venus and Mars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZLONS4W-lkSESx8iculTLvrABV4I4uxqdByI2tTXMuZNp3RgNunoRUcp8C1C_7-pAneHYiaOPcG9V1CiXr9NvAmkOcljYxmhvTazGKgXwZIIDQHcNJ5sQlfwKr6xs7hUlkghynPKpFQ/s1600/BookCover_Between+Venus+and+Mars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZLONS4W-lkSESx8iculTLvrABV4I4uxqdByI2tTXMuZNp3RgNunoRUcp8C1C_7-pAneHYiaOPcG9V1CiXr9NvAmkOcljYxmhvTazGKgXwZIIDQHcNJ5sQlfwKr6xs7hUlkghynPKpFQ/s400/BookCover_Between+Venus+and+Mars.jpg" width="269" height="400" data-original-width="850" data-original-height="1266" /></a></div>
<P>Title: Between Venus and Mars
<br>Author: S.C. Mitchell
</P><P>Book Riot Challenge Category: one-sitting book
</P><P>I signed up to review this book for a virtual tour with <a href=http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com target=_blank>Goddess Fish promotions</a> over on my <a href=http://kitnkabookle.blogspot.com target=_blank>book blog</a>. As it turns out, my boyfriend decided to put modular shelving in our closet the other night, and I had some free time. I figured I’d start this book while he worked and finish later. Either the shelving took him a really long time, or I flew through this. Whatever the case, it was done in one sitting.
</P><P>I’ve been on a science fiction kick lately. Science fiction romance is probably my favorite romance subgenre, so this was such a treat. Between Venus and Mars didn’t disappoint my scifi addiction. In addition, the romance plot was beautiful, and the humor was hilarious. Zana is the bff I never knew I wanted. She’s smart, quick on her feet, and curses like a sailor. Kyle is hot and protective without being over bearing. He’s also got a superb sense of humor on him. Together, they were an award-winning couple.
</P><P>The world (or should I say universe) Mitchell built was really interesting. Earth has been abandoned for hundreds of years. It’s only inhabitants now are livestock and sentient kangaroo-type creatures. Zana travels there to bring back animals for her starving people to both eat and care for. Kyle is accidentally summoned, naked, to Earth by Zana touching the Soul Mate Tree, a mystical tree that unites people who are meant to be together. Poor Kyle just happened to be in the shower when love called. From cover to cover, Between Venus and Mars kept me entertained with snappy dialogue, fast-paced action sequences, and sweet-and-spicy romance. It’s really no wonder I finished it in one sitting.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-66691326444963779762018-03-17T05:28:00.000-07:002018-03-17T05:28:01.248-07:00Saturday Seven: Books I Geek Out With<P align=center>Saturday Seven
</P><P>Hosted by <a href=http://www.longandshortreviews.com target=_blank>Long and Short Reviews</a>
</P><P>Wednesday was Pi Day, a holiday I celebrate without shame. So, here are seven books to get your geek on.
</P><P>-Geekerella by Ashley Poston
</P><P>-Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
</P><P>-The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash
</P><P>-Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
</P><P>-Dating on the Dork Side by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance
</P><P>-I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maureen Goo
</P><P>-The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris
</P><P>What books do you geek out with?
</P><P>Come say hi on <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-61038212379054041152018-03-10T08:48:00.000-08:002018-03-10T08:48:22.285-08:00Saturday Seven: Books I Enjoyed as a Kid<P align=center>Saturday Seven
</P><P>Hosted by <a href=http://www.longandshortreviews.com target=_blank>Long and Short Reviews</a>
</P><P>In honor of the new A Wrinkle in Time movie hitting theatres this weekend, I give you…
</P><P>Seven books I read as a kid and loved.
</P><P>-A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (my all-time favorite book)
</P><P>-Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede
</P><P>-Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
</P><P>-The Hermit Thrush Sings by Susan Butler
</P><P>-The Fifth of March by Ann Rinaldi
</P><P>-Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
</P><P>-Cinderella 2000 by Mavis Jukes
</P><P>What book did you love as a kid?
</P><P>Drop me a line on Twitter <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>@desantismt</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-45629244478228225092018-03-08T06:31:00.002-08:002018-03-08T06:31:43.852-08:00Read Harder: HEART OF IRON by Ashley Poston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRMUhT45ImZ0zvw9ZFta1h0kd_htGa8ODEOBMAS46rd7hjb9OdzEuXEVcvUoO2U0zIdcCXlWU1qkXWXU4FIISCT7DcneJyzKBJ0TofhA3GNls_gAayWiEC7Cg5k0_udBPs4bGefRlFg/s1600/Heart+of+Iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRMUhT45ImZ0zvw9ZFta1h0kd_htGa8ODEOBMAS46rd7hjb9OdzEuXEVcvUoO2U0zIdcCXlWU1qkXWXU4FIISCT7DcneJyzKBJ0TofhA3GNls_gAayWiEC7Cg5k0_udBPs4bGefRlFg/s400/Heart+of+Iron.jpg" width="265" height="400" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35181314-heart-of-iron" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Heart of Iron (Heart of Iron, #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498506185m/35181314.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35181314-heart-of-iron">Heart of Iron</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4279769.Ashley_Poston">Ashley Poston</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2313312125">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Read Harder Challenge: new-to-you ya or mg series<br /><br />I first heard of Ashley Poston when Geekerella came across my radar. A modern Cinderella retelling about a geek girl and a movie star steeped in fandom? Yes, please. I read Geekerella very soon after discovering it. It wasn’t the geekily ever after/all my dreams came true I hoped it would be, but still, I enjoyed it. Poston went on my watch list.<br /><br />At the beginning of February, Goodreads sent me the new books from authors you’ve read email for the month. Poston was right at the top with Heart of Iron. The premise looked intriguing, so I decided I’d try it when it came out at the end of the month.<br /><br />And I’m glad I did. I’ve been on an intensive world-building kick lately, and Heart of Iron delivers in spades. The political setup of the universe, the descriptions of ships and planets, the entire goddess mythology—it was all so well done. Going in, I didn’t realize this was a series. Based on that and from the description, I expected a first-person narration from Ana with many declarations of undying love set against a scifi background. What I got was so much more than the romance I thought. Ana is just one of many points of view in this complex and brilliant tale. Everyone has something to lose, down to the most side minor characters, and the ending left me startled breathless at how this could even happen.<br /><br />The characters in Heart of Iron are so real. Even D09, the Metal who supposedly cannot feel emotions (who can obviously feel emotions), is exquisitely three-dimensional. Ana’s crew is family, if not by blood, and their bonds are felt so strongly. Side note: I really want the captain’s hair.<br /><br />Rob goes through such a transformation in this story, dealing with hard truths and really finding his own. I wanted to kill his mother and, for that matter, all the villains. They were terrible, horrible people I got behind hating easily. The lengths some of them went to…I won’t spoil. Just be prepared to glare a lot.<br /><br />So, now that I know this is a series, I’m eagerly anticipating the next one. <br /><br />And for my dopy moment of the month, I totally did not realize this was an Anastasia retelling until I saw something on Twitter. So, if you enjoy this, also read the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, which I realized were retellings before reading them. Carry on.<br /><br /><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5838868-m-t-desantis">View all my reviews</a>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-91794646748863493302018-03-05T05:43:00.000-08:002018-03-05T05:43:19.652-08:00Cover Reveal for LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN!<P>It’s cover reveal day! (squeals like Anna from Frozen)</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e0mlrNg7UIfonS50Gp9_lZAXDTcVlVpe61UU9SGc9D4X7tuVvSvNHU97qEiKnZsPMekS_DCKg1pJZRoZicwgS66r5urR_sAjcZ0nmZ5fnCF7_I3HjNl7geTbrtlGFkizqDTwmbAD-l8/s1600/EDGE+OF+SEVENTEEN+wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e0mlrNg7UIfonS50Gp9_lZAXDTcVlVpe61UU9SGc9D4X7tuVvSvNHU97qEiKnZsPMekS_DCKg1pJZRoZicwgS66r5urR_sAjcZ0nmZ5fnCF7_I3HjNl7geTbrtlGFkizqDTwmbAD-l8/s400/EDGE+OF+SEVENTEEN+wrap.jpg" width="287" height="400" data-original-width="1147" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<P>LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
<br>A YA ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY
<br>Stars and Stone Books
<br>Featuring: M.T. DeSantis, A.E. Hayes, Serena Jayne, Cara McKinnon, Mary Rogers, and Kylie Weisenborn.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiUK7E16yFiJB4n50MR3jYFIVu5U7uD1PcWLzqGuiUNEeyHvpzbCUit0GdtpWLKH_atru2UCpP9F04qyrVBP9BFwulYvBBUDehEWL2ZHhQFeTm30htK4KU85u0MpKATZ7dKLUPWm4uF0/s1600/Love+at+the+Edge+of+Seventeen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiUK7E16yFiJB4n50MR3jYFIVu5U7uD1PcWLzqGuiUNEeyHvpzbCUit0GdtpWLKH_atru2UCpP9F04qyrVBP9BFwulYvBBUDehEWL2ZHhQFeTm30htK4KU85u0MpKATZ7dKLUPWm4uF0/s400/Love+at+the+Edge+of+Seventeen.jpg" width="250" height="400" data-original-width="1000" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<P>It's never easy to go through the fraught transition into adulthood, but the teens in this anthology have more to deal with than most: super powers, magic, illness, and prejudice against sexual orientation and gender identity. Fortunately, they all find love at the edge of seventeen.
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis – “Be Null, My Heart” Teen love…with superpowers.
</P><P>A.E. Hayes – “Her First Fever” Can a smart, stubborn girl look past the things she desires the most in life to help out her annoying, enigmatic biology partner – even if helping him comes with an emotional price?
</P><P>Serena Jayne – “Dead Man’s Party” Despite formidable evidence to the contrary, Xander was magic.
</P><P>Cara McKinnon – “Three Jagged Pieces” Boy meets girl meets boy.
</P><P>Mary Rogers – “The Crayon Thief” The last time they talked, he stole her crayon. Now he wants to take her on a date. But why?
</P><P>Kylie Weisenborn – “Now I Am” Annalyn is dead…so what is she waiting for?
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/authors target=_blank>CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS</a>
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38901569-love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen target=_blank>Add LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN on Goodreads</a>
</P><P>~Attend the <a href=https://www.facebook.com/events/1996064327319283/ target=_blank>Facebook release party</a>
</P><P>~And check out the <a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen target=_blank>anthology website</a>
</P><P>Find Stars and Stone Books online:
</P><P>-<a href=http://starsandstonebooks.com/ target=_blank>website</a>
<br>-<a href=https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks target=_blank>Twitter</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-3575246178834963332018-03-03T06:33:00.000-08:002018-03-03T06:33:17.179-08:00Saturday Seven: Series I Want the Next Book in RIGHT NOW<P>Saturday Seven
</P><P>Hosted by <a href=http://www.longandshortreviews.com target=_blank>Long and Short Reviews</a>
</P><P>Seven series for which I have grabby hands for the next book
</P><P>-The Akata Witch series by Nnedi Okoraafor (ya/mg fantasy)
</P><P>-The Wayward Children series by Seanan Mcguire (dark fantasy)
</P><P>-The Upside-Down Magic series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins (children’s fantasy)
</P><P>-The Thousandth Floor series by Katharine McGee (ya dystopia/thriller)
</P><P>-The Heart of Iron series by Ashley Poston (ya scifi retelling)
</P><P>-The Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen (adult historical mystery)
</P><P>-The Adventurer’s Guide series by Wade Albert White (middle grade fantasy)
</P><P>What series do you love? Tell me. Feed my reading addiction…
</P><P>Also, come hang out with me on <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a>.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-92096557944345647752018-02-19T14:09:00.000-08:002018-02-19T14:09:38.788-08:00Read Harder: THE PLOT IS MURDER by V.M. Burns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RCrPkZWPyOyzvw49GTjQoQx-I8Pip3iC6cCIG0-WGhrrZhVOpiwiaXwx5C10o_QSE_m-LS_uQJ79fcoxR5ZvmGTGgo13hKfdgDE1MIWdO_tSQWgFRrDRZHnnTGoBGBTziYUk0TrpNg/s1600/The+Plot+is+Murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RCrPkZWPyOyzvw49GTjQoQx-I8Pip3iC6cCIG0-WGhrrZhVOpiwiaXwx5C10o_QSE_m-LS_uQJ79fcoxR5ZvmGTGgo13hKfdgDE1MIWdO_tSQWgFRrDRZHnnTGoBGBTziYUk0TrpNg/s400/The+Plot+is+Murder.jpg" width="266" height="400" data-original-width="316" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34488844-the-plot-is-murder" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Plot Is Murder (Mystery Bookshop, #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488988824m/34488844.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34488844-the-plot-is-murder">The Plot Is Murder</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16534140.V_M_Burns">V.M. Burns</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2284697416">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Read Harder Challenge Category: a mystery written by a person of color or lgtbq author<br /><br />I’d had The Plot is Murder on my TBR since before it hit shelves. Burns and I are both graduates of Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program, and I love seeing my fellow #shuwpf-ers become published authors. Throw in that this is a charming cozy mystery about a book lover who wants to open a bookstore, and you had me at hello. Mysteries aren’t my most common reading stomping grounds. The ones that grab me are light on the violence and of the following type: a). British in nature (i.e. Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series); b). involve music/theatre (such as Joelle Charbonneau’s Glee Club books), and c). about books—hence, The Plot is Murder.<br /><br />And Burns did not disappoint me. There are books! And Samantha Washington, our resident bookshop owner/protagonist, is a character I can get behind. Her voice is sharp and fun while also being heavily emotional. She’s still struggling with her late husband’s death, and opening her bookstore is the dream she wants to come true in his honor. Unfortunately, dead bodies don’t want the dream to succeed. But some amateur sleuthing combined with old-fashioned determination are on Samantha’s side.<br /><br />And then there’s the clan of old ladies who are dead-set (pun intended) on helping Samantha solve the case. They are a riot and surprisingly useful in the murder-solving department. They know their strengths. When they decide to go somewhere, they are on the clock and doing whatever they’re best at to get info. It was a joy to watch this gaggle of gals participate in the case.<br /><br />A bonus with this book is it’s Michigan setting. Being a new resident of the Great Lakes State—and having an S.O. who grew up here, moved for work, and has now moved back—I’m now interested in books set in my new home turf, as it were. Though, I asked my boyfriend and googled the book’s setting of North Harbor. The boyfriend says it’s not a real city, and google didn’t find it. Despite this, The Plot is Murder set me smack dab on the hand. Michiganders, you know what I mean, apparently.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5838868-m-t-desantis">View all my reviews</a>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-90054595506653471932018-01-30T14:16:00.000-08:002018-01-30T14:16:02.205-08:002018 Read Harder: Level Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1moBTx8juuinG2Fy21-PXzJ8y57ATdzSogJqLCS5tRtHHs77kkIk6r74y0IQe6kFpZ_im6fNICG7ye0bOcauzgI6_1rrhilofb-5XHMFnzdWy6wlddUpo79zLPv1HfRBKepam44EFA/s1600/Level+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1moBTx8juuinG2Fy21-PXzJ8y57ATdzSogJqLCS5tRtHHs77kkIk6r74y0IQe6kFpZ_im6fNICG7ye0bOcauzgI6_1rrhilofb-5XHMFnzdWy6wlddUpo79zLPv1HfRBKepam44EFA/s400/Level+Up.jpg" width="250" height="400" data-original-width="297" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27068944-level-up" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Level Up (Fandom Hearts #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444456504m/27068944.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27068944-level-up">Level Up</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6777.Cathy_Yardley">Cathy Yardley</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2275653119">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Book Riot Read Harder Category: A romance novel by or about a person of color<br /><br />I had a very tentative book for this category. So when Book Riot sent out its list of books that would fill this requirement, I looked to see if there was something better/more interesting. A little ways down the list, I encountered Level Up. Given my propensity toward geeky romances, this struck me in all the right ways. I snagged it and read.<br /><br />And I’m so glad I did. Level Up is adorkable with a capital K. Independent game creating office romance—yes, please. Tess and Adam’s relationship is so natural. He’s a gamer. She’s his very quiet, very introverted roommate, who also happens to work with him. She gets more social and grows a voice. He notices her…and that she’s a her. Sparks. The fandom references had me giggling like an idiot, and I laughed out loud many times. The chemistry is natural, and the circumstances that bring them together are wonderfully fun.<br /><br />I enjoyed this so much that I went on to read book two, One True Pairing, and book 1.5, Hooked. I finished Level Up a few days ago and have been putting off writing my post—professional procrastinator here. Then I saw book 3, Game of Hearts, is out today, and I thought it was fitting to do my post. So, here it is.<br /><br />Final note, the company where Tessa and Adam work has pickles in its name. I’m there.<br /><br /><br /><br />
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Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-34348348670046450062018-01-23T12:55:00.001-08:002018-01-23T12:55:46.766-08:00Read Harder Challenge: THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX24Awv3gowMvXJt-CiixGfDRf1BR7rQz3gM9E3b6rMLkdtz6ucDlk6-lmmO87rOeH2dTeuMDYpSgP5f-dmp-04U684lAT-kOB7zaEJ28kTPxvcFyhTk8bxacSVS6pBictsTWHwGkpDQ/s1600/The+Bear+and+the+Nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX24Awv3gowMvXJt-CiixGfDRf1BR7rQz3gM9E3b6rMLkdtz6ucDlk6-lmmO87rOeH2dTeuMDYpSgP5f-dmp-04U684lAT-kOB7zaEJ28kTPxvcFyhTk8bxacSVS6pBictsTWHwGkpDQ/s400/The+Bear+and+the+Nightingale.jpg" width="268" height="400" data-original-width="318" data-original-height="474" /></a></div>
<P><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingale" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470731420m/25489134.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingale">The Bear and the Nightingale</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13922215.Katherine_Arden">Katherine Arden</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2269336668">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge Category: A book set in or about one of the BRICS countries (Russia)<br /><br />I put this book on my to-read shelf toward the end of last year. I may have had plans to read it sooner, but when I caught wind of Read Harder and saw the BRICS countries category, I put it off until this year.<br /><br />In a few words—beautiful, lyrical, haunting. From page one, Arden swept me into Russian myth and folklore. So many fascinating things. So much going on. So expertly woven into history in a plausible way. The Goodreads blurb says this book is for fans of Erin Morgenstern’s THE NIGHT CURCUS. I didn’t fall head over heels for this quite like I did for NIGHT CIRCUS, but Arden’s lush descriptions, rich story, and real characters drew me in.<br /><br />Vasya (Vasilisa) is the wild-child heroine I can’t help but cheer for. The lengths she goes to in order to protect her family tugged at my heartstrings. Watching her grow stronger through the story was a treat, and her ending left me satisfied. It was what I wanted before I realized I wanted it. And there are sequels, THE GIRL IN THE TOWER and WINTER OF THE WITCH, which continues Vasya’s story. I’ll have to read it at some point.<br /><br />Other authors I’d recommend after reading Katherine Arden: Alice Hoffman (THE RULES OF MAGIC), David Mitchell (SLADE HOUSE)<br /><br /><br /><br />
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Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-32482002041922442682017-11-29T16:41:00.000-08:002017-11-29T16:41:07.167-08:00WWW Wednesday 11-29-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s1600/www+wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s400/www+wed.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
<P>Hosted by <a href=https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ target=_blank>Taking on a World of Words</a>
</P><P>To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
</P><P>• What are you currently reading?
<br>• What did you recently finish reading?
<br>• What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
</P><P>-What are you currently reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4eyxM9U3Qt7EXyRNfk0fYY8-J1et0qFl0YP7PQ0bouf8wa7KL-FaRs35MfWOpn9GRUaOXsggI3lM1FyB9fXMxvBeAfjjOmQdU3DYTjAcMEwWNwZANfdLkRLUO5Ubj74ITu2wwZLRQ/s1600/Slade+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4eyxM9U3Qt7EXyRNfk0fYY8-J1et0qFl0YP7PQ0bouf8wa7KL-FaRs35MfWOpn9GRUaOXsggI3lM1FyB9fXMxvBeAfjjOmQdU3DYTjAcMEwWNwZANfdLkRLUO5Ubj74ITu2wwZLRQ/s320/Slade+House.jpg" width="257" height="320" data-original-width="318" data-original-height="396" /></a></div>
<P>Slade House. I’m not enjoying it as much as I thought I would, but it’s good and not too long. So, I’ll plow through.
</P><P>What did you recently finish reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLYhsY-vuaqHL8EbS5qMN53OC0xcgIeCfl31wKS8MrdqktzPALYrgqv3_Sh1RnJkAZ_8idI3y6VkaoZDPJh3DoNoSSIm-yN0eRJrhlzdgIz_ec7XtY1iTcQjYAli1Ou-PSkPprsaOQ/s1600/Surviving+Demon+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLYhsY-vuaqHL8EbS5qMN53OC0xcgIeCfl31wKS8MrdqktzPALYrgqv3_Sh1RnJkAZ_8idI3y6VkaoZDPJh3DoNoSSIm-yN0eRJrhlzdgIz_ec7XtY1iTcQjYAli1Ou-PSkPprsaOQ/s320/Surviving+Demon+Island.jpg" width="195" height="320" data-original-width="289" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I finished Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton. I didn’t realize it was paranormal romance from the blurb. PNR isn’t my usual stomping grounds, so I didn’t get as invested as I might have.
</P><P>I started and gave up on Super Sad True Love Story last week. It wasn’t working for me right now, but I might try it again sometime.
</P><P>What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapEmQALLjd-IqO1yLfDDOB2ulGZPN5l8GNfaTV-RVrOF6CKqu01OhGYK99_Y73H0ouIyRaqpsHwY4CCQsWs5WaPQpFCoE1949eUR_VdZJIPYQgpTRH_VYXj_AZ6BfHUP6_SLo2r-feg/s1600/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapEmQALLjd-IqO1yLfDDOB2ulGZPN5l8GNfaTV-RVrOF6CKqu01OhGYK99_Y73H0ouIyRaqpsHwY4CCQsWs5WaPQpFCoE1949eUR_VdZJIPYQgpTRH_VYXj_AZ6BfHUP6_SLo2r-feg/s320/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a>
<P>Still waiting for this to make its way my way.</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P>Love at the Edge of Seventeen, a YA romance anthology featuring my story “Be Null, My Heart,” is coming next April! If you love romance, young adult lit, or both, <a href=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/744799824/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen-ya-romance-anthology target=_blank>please consider backing the project on kickstarter</a>!
</P><P>Shares also appreciated. 😊</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P> As always, thanks for dropping by my blog. Feel free to hunt me down around the web at my frequently used <a href=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16611979.M_T_DeSantis?from_search=true target=_blank>Goodreads</a>, my somewhat-used <a href=https://www.facebook.com/desantismauthor target=_blank>Facebook</a>, and my hopefully to-be-used-more <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a>.
</P><P>Also, check out my stuff on <a href=https://www.amazon.com/Deanna-Dee/e/B00T88WP6M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1423236096&sr=1-1 target=_blank>Amazon</a>.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-44198934765687738592017-11-25T13:36:00.001-08:002017-11-25T13:36:33.144-08:00Check out CAN'T BUY ME LOVE!<P>An author friend of mine has a story in an anthology. Check out Bridie Hall’s “Romancing the Princess” and the other six stories in this awesome anthology!</P>
<P align=center>CAN’T BUY ME LOVE</P>
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<P>Seven romantic tales of love where royalty, celebrities, and passion meet. A case of mistaken identity, protecting the one you love, or proving you aren’t all about the money...these tales will entice and thrill.
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BSXNGK target=_blank>Buy CAN'T BUY ME LOVE on Amazon</a>
</P><P>A Royal Pain by Abigail Drake
<br>Getting shot in the bottom saving a visiting royal turns out to be the best thing to happen to, impoverished socialite, Chloe Burkhart in a long time, especially when the prince’s very handsome, very sexy bodyguard, Nicolai, comes to her aid.
</P><P>Caught by Him by Tammy Mannersly
<br>Blockbuster movie actor, Brody Nash doesn’t quite know what to make of the gorgeous woman precariously perched on his neighbor’s gate, but as they start to get to know each other better, he begins to wonder if she might just be the one for him.
</P><P>Romancing the Princess by Bridie Hall
<br>A commoner, Sebastian, and Princess Alixandra are set to get married until he begins to wonder if fitting in with royalty is worth sacrificing his principles. Love rules all. Or does it?
</P><P>All My Memories by Grea Warner
<br>The possibility of reconnecting with an unrequited love leads country music star Finn Murphy on a journey of memories in this special prequel to the Country Roads series.
</P><P>Me and Tillie by Lisa Hahn
<br>1950s musical film star Oren Cooper returns to Broadway to find new inspiration. Unexpectedly, that inspiration comes in the form of Tillie Parker—his childhood friend’s little sister and an up-and-coming ingénue.
</P><P>Defending Demma by Melissa Kay Clarke
<br>When faced with an unsavory past, can Demma St. John, rising new starlet, trust ex-Marine Ryker "Digger" McMillan with her secrets and her heart?
</P><P>His Royal Typeface by Stephanie Keyes
<br>When all is lost, love can be found. Will Prince Asher Tarrington's unique font design be enough to salvage a royal family and set the tone for true love?
</P><P>EXCERPT FROM ROMANCING THE PRINCESS
<br>Usually, he left before the morning shed light on the consequences of his actions. This time, his insides squeezed at the thought he’d never get to wake up next to Alix again. It wasn’t fair.
</P><P>“It’s been …” Alix glanced at him and then dropped her gaze. “Well, I need to go through the customs. Boarding will start in half an hour.” Her voice was croaky. It pained him that he couldn’t tell whether from fatigue or emotion.
</P><P>She leaned into him, soft and supple, and it took his breath away. His arms came around her reflexively. Her bed hair was a stark reminder of what they’d been doing minutes before calling a taxi to take them to the airport.
</P><P>“This was real, right? I didn’t just dream it?” Seb said.
</P><P>He couldn’t quite catch what she murmured into his chest.
</P><P>“I’ll miss you,” he blurted.
</P><P>She looked up, opening her mouth, but then she pressed her lips together and dropped her gaze to his chest. He forced her face up with his finger under her chin. He kissed her forehead, her cheek and eyelids, her chin and lips, and felt the bitter taste of goodbye intruding on their intimacy.
</P><P>His mouth on hers seemed to have unlocked something in her because she finally whispered, “I’ll miss you, too.”
</P><P>When she stepped away, he reached to push a strand of her hair from her face, but her eyes—miserable and dark—flitted to his for a second and then she was gone, walking away from him, and then running, her purse swaying from her shoulder behind her.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-31872056820409647022017-11-22T09:59:00.000-08:002017-11-22T09:59:40.181-08:00WWW Wednesday 11-22-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s1600/www+wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s400/www+wed.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
<P>Hosted by <a href=https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ target=_blank>Taking on a World of Words</a>
</P><P>To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
</P><P>• What are you currently reading?
<br>• What did you recently finish reading?
<br>• What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
</P><P>-What are you currently reading?</P>
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<P>This popped up in a Book Riot email. The title caught my attention, so I grabbed it. I’m only a few pages in, but so far, I’m curious.
</P><P>What did you recently finish reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jS6q3aPeFKbFB6C_ds91Q9Cld3icXpWogTFRbE-dfMf9lgzabD6dV7W1n30Pkef3V0XIuDbPQ4ibrrNkyItWSuRDR-fSkleE037-gCvNiCYRRdt0bKiEknw-ni8Z39d0X_Sy3VDw4w/s1600/The+Master+Magician.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jS6q3aPeFKbFB6C_ds91Q9Cld3icXpWogTFRbE-dfMf9lgzabD6dV7W1n30Pkef3V0XIuDbPQ4ibrrNkyItWSuRDR-fSkleE037-gCvNiCYRRdt0bKiEknw-ni8Z39d0X_Sy3VDw4w/s320/The+Master+Magician.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I closed on The Master Magician and the Paper Magician series. Very much enjoyed the series.
</P><P>I came down with a pretty crummy cold this past week. And apparently, when I’m sick, I binge read romance novels. So…</P>
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<P>I finished off the Las Vegas Sinners series, which I started a year or two ago. These are hockey romances written by Katie Kenyhercz, who I went to school with, and they are the perfect blend of swoony and fun. Perfect for feeling good when one is sick.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbpRSlXyzt1OkVjLZhSoVRlXPlzIgajN41zDVfOkZo8YUdw5jjz6_4R8aPRJBRwPLHf8zKMK4t9EnmurMCPFIGEmpQgYY0DPA8oiss6kTMogAXzd00J1Dcbt-SNwWLYQAloON3quNyQ/s1600/Jilted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbpRSlXyzt1OkVjLZhSoVRlXPlzIgajN41zDVfOkZo8YUdw5jjz6_4R8aPRJBRwPLHf8zKMK4t9EnmurMCPFIGEmpQgYY0DPA8oiss6kTMogAXzd00J1Dcbt-SNwWLYQAloON3quNyQ/s320/Jilted.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNWLkuZ5AfWW5THBDhTivvSxUsOlUTo5dfcVB9GIyexoStEEqEw4rDRIkU5o84RPg68Ry13mOuR9Z5bc525pNJWL8PpZiuqtFy6cLfWR0hOHViTw0kZSDno3CSjUHnzyqPNQwKjBLeA/s1600/Sex+in+the+Sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNWLkuZ5AfWW5THBDhTivvSxUsOlUTo5dfcVB9GIyexoStEEqEw4rDRIkU5o84RPg68Ry13mOuR9Z5bc525pNJWL8PpZiuqtFy6cLfWR0hOHViTw0kZSDno3CSjUHnzyqPNQwKjBLeA/s320/Sex+in+the+Sticks.jpg" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I also read the first two books (of what I assume will be more) in the Love Hurts series by Sawyer Bennett. These are as swoony as the Las Vegas Sinners with a lot more heat. Looking forward to more.
</P><P>What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XtSpCsUveWOvZPeBv5P0sNdKSom1sIw7Mrcu_MsjsprN0_xmx8rQtnrrDsVlBSElmQFWXSG6yntS9A4wTz35xrGKwR0F-WmMsk_4ftezi-2DJl1UFFHzoeRo6Y8ScVFq0jEZkXpcbg/s1600/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XtSpCsUveWOvZPeBv5P0sNdKSom1sIw7Mrcu_MsjsprN0_xmx8rQtnrrDsVlBSElmQFWXSG6yntS9A4wTz35xrGKwR0F-WmMsk_4ftezi-2DJl1UFFHzoeRo6Y8ScVFq0jEZkXpcbg/s320/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I actually have a few other options lying around, but as I haven’t decided which will be next, Magnus Chase is still my stand-in here.</P>
<P>~Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P>Love at the Edge of Seventeen, a YA romance anthology featuring my story “Be Null, My Heart,” is coming next April! If you love romance, young adult lit, or both, <a href=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/744799824/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen-ya-romance-anthology target=_blank>please consider backing the project on kickstarter</a>!
</P><P>Shares also appreciated. 😊</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P> As always, thanks for dropping by my blog. Feel free to hunt me down around the web at my frequently used <a href=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16611979.M_T_DeSantis?from_search=true target=_blank>Goodreads</a>, my somewhat-used <a href=https://www.facebook.com/desantismauthor target=_blank>Facebook</a>, and my hopefully to-be-used-more <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a>.
</P><P>Also, check out my stuff on <a href=https://www.amazon.com/Deanna-Dee/e/B00T88WP6M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1423236096&sr=1-1 target=_blank>Amazon</a>.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-33601737551713100272017-11-15T10:09:00.002-08:002017-11-15T10:09:53.740-08:00WWW Wednesday 11-15-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s1600/www+wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s400/www+wed.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
<P>Hosted by <a href=https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ target=_blank>Taking on a World of Words</a>
</P><P>To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
</P><P>• What are you currently reading?
<br>• What did you recently finish reading?
<br>• What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
</P><P>-What are you currently reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKjnf2ZIc51KjFPxvZKb7ZRXTpdMLqs6Qn_PkXlY8wknU9mjhm8akD8Idfl2dKiJFCuHL_LVedb4ZTO0B1iuH4x9Jz6jxO1Kq9FZtjVK9qQ-v5qcwtQsyv5RUlpwdoZqOd-uFgpmi6Q/s1600/The+Master+Magician.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKjnf2ZIc51KjFPxvZKb7ZRXTpdMLqs6Qn_PkXlY8wknU9mjhm8akD8Idfl2dKiJFCuHL_LVedb4ZTO0B1iuH4x9Jz6jxO1Kq9FZtjVK9qQ-v5qcwtQsyv5RUlpwdoZqOd-uFgpmi6Q/s320/The+Master+Magician.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>The Master Magician is the third book in the Paper Magician trilogy (which, incidentally, has four books in it according to Goodreads). This is such an interesting fantasy concept, and I’m glad I got the chance to read these books.
</P><P>What did you recently finish reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRQooWuHfsj7c083szEzlG1NhspxVpQEwTLTbxVJ2qhMX_qbP5e7qh8hgZIFsZ-jjJr8kIzDchkGTIyRYuJrVLy5hytHbDVEw7axFNv_rHn_qHQeCzPhXt2Bkzuwirr24gLNfFNByzw/s1600/The+Glass+Magician.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRQooWuHfsj7c083szEzlG1NhspxVpQEwTLTbxVJ2qhMX_qbP5e7qh8hgZIFsZ-jjJr8kIzDchkGTIyRYuJrVLy5hytHbDVEw7axFNv_rHn_qHQeCzPhXt2Bkzuwirr24gLNfFNByzw/s320/The+Glass+Magician.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAh0o4wwHSp17CUgbNTG21T1bfrLzFax_F-j0ckGW58ZFB6j9SrRXE72h2k9H3s3iV0yLPcdVlbpbLs7j_DaSM7ouyjHn0jUAIS2nwYx1pRWqPmZ0-u53NHwl43X6Sp6O0O9_opuXWQ/s1600/The+Paper+Magician.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAh0o4wwHSp17CUgbNTG21T1bfrLzFax_F-j0ckGW58ZFB6j9SrRXE72h2k9H3s3iV0yLPcdVlbpbLs7j_DaSM7ouyjHn0jUAIS2nwYx1pRWqPmZ0-u53NHwl43X6Sp6O0O9_opuXWQ/s320/The+Paper+Magician.jpg" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>Paper Magician and Glass Magician. Enjoyed both.
</P><P>What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6GiZ299j-rGy7n31Ta8e42aienHt9MuV97jkWbGkWx6nuuRGOipcd21sBuQEPnVNYnbeKlUHKXBoZpozPcnWCauAWbEO50d-Gg4MuSJhprDGzlJYvckPYOdhcDY3NEqWXesMirpJDA/s1600/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6GiZ299j-rGy7n31Ta8e42aienHt9MuV97jkWbGkWx6nuuRGOipcd21sBuQEPnVNYnbeKlUHKXBoZpozPcnWCauAWbEO50d-Gg4MuSJhprDGzlJYvckPYOdhcDY3NEqWXesMirpJDA/s320/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>This, unfortunately, still hasn’t found its way to a reading nook near me. I suppose continuing to post it here is my attempt at undying optimism.</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P>Love at the Edge of Seventeen, a YA romance anthology featuring my story “Be Null, My Heart,” is coming next April! If you love romance, young adult lit, or both, <a href=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/744799824/love-at-the-edge-of-seventeen-ya-romance-anthology target=_blank>please consider backing the project on kickstarter</a>!
</P><P>Shares also appreciated. 😊</P>
<P align=center>~~~</P>
<P> As always, thanks for dropping by my blog. Feel free to hunt me down around the web at my frequently used <a href=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16611979.M_T_DeSantis?from_search=true target=_blank>Goodreads</a>, my somewhat-used <a href=https://www.facebook.com/desantismauthor target=_blank>Facebook</a>, and my hopefully to-be-used-more <a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a>.
</P><P>Also, check out my stuff on <a href=https://www.amazon.com/Deanna-Dee/e/B00T88WP6M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1423236096&sr=1-1 target=_blank>Amazon</a>.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-68323380189842258152017-11-08T11:26:00.001-08:002017-11-08T11:26:28.098-08:00WWW Wednesday 11-8-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s1600/www+wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s400/www+wed.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
<P>Hosted by <a href=https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ target=_blank>Taking on a World of Words</a>
</P><P>To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
</P><P>• What are you currently reading?
<br>• What did you recently finish reading?
<br>• What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
</P><P>-What are you currently reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eODMXs_2PzyjVzuib2QPRyhV84D6cYmnBfZPTAJRSGm4E29hC49INnGctcnJv-qWRu7RUeCzW7QlEk0WwI73UK3pY4OTylnbcIIwrF4YL7pEzNdAH5fsuX74yrUj2BvSy-1W5nCw5A/s1600/The+Paper+Magician.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eODMXs_2PzyjVzuib2QPRyhV84D6cYmnBfZPTAJRSGm4E29hC49INnGctcnJv-qWRu7RUeCzW7QlEk0WwI73UK3pY4OTylnbcIIwrF4YL7pEzNdAH5fsuX74yrUj2BvSy-1W5nCw5A/s320/The+Paper+Magician.jpg" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I finally picked up The Paper Magician. I’ve had this one on my to-read list for a while and never got to it. But I’m here now and liking it so far.
</P><P>What did you recently finish reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoJbpJfooRLvUvNSZ91qk1-XrxHVmBwg7WBAX5K_J2JNyfmVP-0IkG-8-ZgGJPDivib6VpEDIXdiHvfbty0gbocXHJmIuqEY6g0thTjWW7e9Atd8BWGLvsb5OeDq8eAXpMrACRFXujw/s1600/Upside-Down+Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoJbpJfooRLvUvNSZ91qk1-XrxHVmBwg7WBAX5K_J2JNyfmVP-0IkG-8-ZgGJPDivib6VpEDIXdiHvfbty0gbocXHJmIuqEY6g0thTjWW7e9Atd8BWGLvsb5OeDq8eAXpMrACRFXujw/s320/Upside-Down+Magic.jpg" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHMVL-8o0iEzyri438fL5hgXRqrhNGQtSdVKbrzXsziOEAgX4giMgg_Y6zZdo0MNq_J41UCr-LBckYs4Q0vSrO40uISsAGQQGK8G_LzeV1PHKGgL5uQwSXoFO0hKq-RG2qIYifMoeFw/s1600/Showing+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHMVL-8o0iEzyri438fL5hgXRqrhNGQtSdVKbrzXsziOEAgX4giMgg_Y6zZdo0MNq_J41UCr-LBckYs4Q0vSrO40uISsAGQQGK8G_LzeV1PHKGgL5uQwSXoFO0hKq-RG2qIYifMoeFw/s320/Showing+Off.jpg" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMrF4Ii3P5GJcyM8TP8hl-XUWPhijF17jKX7W4rX6-1m0V03j2LOtJY-srWMzXTvyBGoQH5xrLqqTW47Dql82OXOZ-9FKzzCR5FAigvlvz_H1iytLQEZ8jqpqyEy8orLpX2cV7ZCtgQ/s1600/Sticks+and+Stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMrF4Ii3P5GJcyM8TP8hl-XUWPhijF17jKX7W4rX6-1m0V03j2LOtJY-srWMzXTvyBGoQH5xrLqqTW47Dql82OXOZ-9FKzzCR5FAigvlvz_H1iytLQEZ8jqpqyEy8orLpX2cV7ZCtgQ/s320/Sticks+and+Stones.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I’ve also been meaning to read the Upside-Down Magic books for a while. They are achingly adorable, and I look forward to more of them coming out.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD140bwBcdbSwckBpDsI88XOhbaSIuCpI7FpwsFYZekTbJqwUplVxCo6CfI3XoNg_fXDUab-YOOJ9vfuUpZL18s3dk08Uxl5UIe4CcGT08S44kr_N3kCAevhVqlfb5adGIwS5mI8hSwA/s1600/The+Accidental+Keyhand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD140bwBcdbSwckBpDsI88XOhbaSIuCpI7FpwsFYZekTbJqwUplVxCo6CfI3XoNg_fXDUab-YOOJ9vfuUpZL18s3dk08Uxl5UIe4CcGT08S44kr_N3kCAevhVqlfb5adGIwS5mI8hSwA/s320/The+Accidental+Keyhand.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>The Accidental Keyhand has also been sitting on my to-read list forever. I didn’t like it as much as I thought based on the blurb, but it was an entertaining read, nonetheless.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBMsF5N8q_SC0vvlTeu-l_6kUkIeDO0SusEhyphenhyphenCkItrMVb-KKgF4VU3ovvbLKi9LLQjgH27CbED4eukh7qoHlpgHvDISQD9gq0EHIwRJsxqQ9tX-Dc1S73sXWhQsIOVfUG0BswPV-Qjw/s1600/The+Witches+of+Cambridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBMsF5N8q_SC0vvlTeu-l_6kUkIeDO0SusEhyphenhyphenCkItrMVb-KKgF4VU3ovvbLKi9LLQjgH27CbED4eukh7qoHlpgHvDISQD9gq0EHIwRJsxqQ9tX-Dc1S73sXWhQsIOVfUG0BswPV-Qjw/s320/The+Witches+of+Cambridge.jpg" width="207" height="320" data-original-width="308" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>Lastly, the book I was reading this time last week—The Witches of Cambridge. This is a lighthearted book about love and friendship and a little bit of tragedy that touches the heart in unexpected places. Recommend.</P>
</P><P>What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz5tRYr2V46FVbF_Q4I6hbcSozA-5zX3QdFcH5tS0qsnbOns10FrOPFL1lkotmCQX74klbrnrx70In-xmTHO2-cnbbzhQoyMrRFjtyAiLIAxG40nTSchs8Uz0s4zvhOzHYBmMG2o0UQ/s1600/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz5tRYr2V46FVbF_Q4I6hbcSozA-5zX3QdFcH5tS0qsnbOns10FrOPFL1lkotmCQX74klbrnrx70In-xmTHO2-cnbbzhQoyMrRFjtyAiLIAxG40nTSchs8Uz0s4zvhOzHYBmMG2o0UQ/s320/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I’m still holding out to get The Ship of the Dead as my next read.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-89279804548858469592017-11-04T06:37:00.000-07:002017-11-04T06:37:22.792-07:00I'm in another anthology, and I need your help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtTxf15qS-LUjnvotgmLs2e9HgiIs0HEuwtfv0rVxPNqsfUoZTByWHdxXeg92iwAoDK1GH6d_aJrDoNVJb1suHLV-vUKuncfnJAR4-CPUfcQdWAacZABW-Ra8C395sXCPNINH8Vxr5gc/s1600/Kickstarter+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtTxf15qS-LUjnvotgmLs2e9HgiIs0HEuwtfv0rVxPNqsfUoZTByWHdxXeg92iwAoDK1GH6d_aJrDoNVJb1suHLV-vUKuncfnJAR4-CPUfcQdWAacZABW-Ra8C395sXCPNINH8Vxr5gc/s400/Kickstarter+Header.jpg" width="400" height="225" data-original-width="1400" data-original-height="788" /></a></div>
<P>LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
<br>A YA romance anthology
<br>Coming April 2018 from <a href=https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/ target=_blank>Stars and Stone books</a></P>
<P>I’ve got another story coming out with Stars and Stone Books! So excited to say “Be Null, My Heart,” a superhero romance, will appear alongside nine other amazing stories in this anthology of young love in springtime. Please support me and my fellow authors by <a href=http://kck.st/2yXGT0E target=_blank>backing the anthology on kickstarter</a>!</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0SCylibas4pCJtK0mdu9lRDlEN6a9ykBH3MVHw8eUdvx-fdRJh6A2gUUc3JP9usf1iHwXdiYQPXAu3fa0iGn6TzmWY_oZH4q7MpLEGUJAztBlex7RSTIoucYeff2ETOaYrBQeSzYK2A/s1600/Spring+18+Cover+Reveal+wrapping+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0SCylibas4pCJtK0mdu9lRDlEN6a9ykBH3MVHw8eUdvx-fdRJh6A2gUUc3JP9usf1iHwXdiYQPXAu3fa0iGn6TzmWY_oZH4q7MpLEGUJAztBlex7RSTIoucYeff2ETOaYrBQeSzYK2A/s400/Spring+18+Cover+Reveal+wrapping+paper.jpg" width="287" height="400" data-original-width="1147" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<P>Spring fever has infected the teens in these 10 stories, leading to hijinks, drama, misunderstandings...and maybe even love.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4aQ3qqHrLxpRsC6hIMLecUz7qOgZxH0dJ2NFPsvxkUvB8xZvTyphd9WEPbtD6p1gsjN3KiKsAIeFnlH5l554JhJFGGnwVqnfN9pkhRFH6LcufqSYCgjJGYehCw1rIMM03Sk0qWvBzCk/s1600/Spring+18+Book+Promo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4aQ3qqHrLxpRsC6hIMLecUz7qOgZxH0dJ2NFPsvxkUvB8xZvTyphd9WEPbtD6p1gsjN3KiKsAIeFnlH5l554JhJFGGnwVqnfN9pkhRFH6LcufqSYCgjJGYehCw1rIMM03Sk0qWvBzCk/s320/Spring+18+Book+Promo+1.jpg" width="320" height="213" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div>
<P>Stars and Stone Books
<br>Magic makes the heart beat faster</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-43287290691718470652017-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:002017-11-01T09:00:03.944-07:00WWW Wednesday 11-1-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s1600/www+wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0aGMPkfSyJDd0GsvzthusPAjqUUDGRCNat7MIvWFuOQcbi6vWk3f7vDw0txqkedUXyB_eOaHRdYBdzjNrhG8P-51NlynZrVEssPGP3GXwFYGu-koe963G-2-sr8SHfvktM5CcIXL0Q/s400/www+wed.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
<P align=center>WWW Wednesday</P>
<P>Hosted by <a href=https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ target=_blank>Taking on a World of Words</a>
</P><P>To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
</P><P>• What are you currently reading?
<br>• What did you recently finish reading?
<br>• What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
</P><P>-What are you currently reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfwbZmkYElXWrAQZD3FzWmWwEkPZJT_8PwKuiE2hmOtJbQzJszy04cGqNraxhav4jeZ2jKSS5ZADC4_tra_ZCwGSug9_DcTKb5Li4v2DgzP-u-gZ8H_DKRSdCwc7mYcK4BHFjYSGLfQ/s1600/The+Witches+of+Cambridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfwbZmkYElXWrAQZD3FzWmWwEkPZJT_8PwKuiE2hmOtJbQzJszy04cGqNraxhav4jeZ2jKSS5ZADC4_tra_ZCwGSug9_DcTKb5Li4v2DgzP-u-gZ8H_DKRSdCwc7mYcK4BHFjYSGLfQ/s320/The+Witches+of+Cambridge.jpg" width="207" height="320" data-original-width="308" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I’m a little over halfway through this, and so far, I’m enjoying it. The story follows a few characters, each with some kind of romantic struggle, and there’s some underlying threat/relationship between them all that I’m interested to unearth.
</P><P>What did you recently finish reading?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1oyQg05WZFvsekQ_KBh_L7AnM698frcEHetEougwfRQHMApcAUlkSnhUs7UTYwJiSxUOv4qbycJQzymmBn0GPKkgxXWD3eKx16TbP5cW9NlXycj5cWZuEoIyfTuVphbLC7gkIGztTQ/s1600/Every+Heart+a+Doorway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1oyQg05WZFvsekQ_KBh_L7AnM698frcEHetEougwfRQHMApcAUlkSnhUs7UTYwJiSxUOv4qbycJQzymmBn0GPKkgxXWD3eKx16TbP5cW9NlXycj5cWZuEoIyfTuVphbLC7gkIGztTQ/s320/Every+Heart+a+Doorway.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>This was incredible. A story about kids like Alice who aren’t dealing with being ejected from their rabbit hole? Yes, please.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO_tZZLEU0Q8XdLhwA7VzBBg-I76ChASHAwD-A4MAdg97aj5oGdmxnqYiIMLgLvUr0EG36S4hZtNVpny75GaJjvsNjHeliA8wswonopGpEdTMdh59KB4sah5z6ccFgKqVg1iAvmVkHQ/s1600/Down+Among+the+Sticks+and+Bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO_tZZLEU0Q8XdLhwA7VzBBg-I76ChASHAwD-A4MAdg97aj5oGdmxnqYiIMLgLvUr0EG36S4hZtNVpny75GaJjvsNjHeliA8wswonopGpEdTMdh59KB4sah5z6ccFgKqVg1iAvmVkHQ/s320/Down+Among+the+Sticks+and+Bones.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>Same as above. This was wonderful. I’m very much looking forward to more in this series.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj_5iIfwpDsMRAebUeR4IVEZrwZW4XW7Ta0A81YWP1sZV6ad6ZETBepFuypsgBZGuXP1eAOZtqIWpuYflZ9MuBoyrXEdbGF4Ib6GLwCZmomJEg42zllGcZ3ReFQ_NJzzKbDTw3Cb7UQ/s1600/Caraval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj_5iIfwpDsMRAebUeR4IVEZrwZW4XW7Ta0A81YWP1sZV6ad6ZETBepFuypsgBZGuXP1eAOZtqIWpuYflZ9MuBoyrXEdbGF4Ib6GLwCZmomJEg42zllGcZ3ReFQ_NJzzKbDTw3Cb7UQ/s320/Caraval.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>I wanted to love this and didn’t. After reading The Night Circus a few months ago, I’ve really been into atmospheric fantasy. This just wasn’t as atmospheric or magical as I’d hoped.
</P><P>What do you think you’ll read next?</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS427M-GZR5ReyXiRf00zeBZDLll0Echwjm4Op9_5S-JsCh8UN0122fycgd2shqrjulmzF3nMBjtLUq2S8fAhIyJieEWCaU1k50AsEbpinaSxrWFMPckEMkI-2vZRDTxcgFPNeVAB3Q/s1600/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS427M-GZR5ReyXiRf00zeBZDLll0Echwjm4Op9_5S-JsCh8UN0122fycgd2shqrjulmzF3nMBjtLUq2S8fAhIyJieEWCaU1k50AsEbpinaSxrWFMPckEMkI-2vZRDTxcgFPNeVAB3Q/s320/The+Ship+of+the+Dead.jpg" width="211" height="320" data-original-width="313" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<P>Waiting to get my hands on this one. Riordan’s best series yet, in my humble opinion, and I really want to know how it ends.</P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-79600758320763285422017-08-04T03:00:00.000-07:002017-08-04T03:00:23.653-07:00The Authors of LOVE ACROSS THE UNIVERSE WERE INTERVIEWED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-lqIM6su5JWx2-Y93WKp-8udbDZSguc8HpCUA7ICKO2zib2BP2tEkYFT4zra60mFHTbXunTWxpC-Jt230ol3NyDTJJFBfdTRKUeXwga_ILFYOXM0IHu5JSkHe7T2ffdvtoqcUWPHR8/s1600/Love+Across+the+Universe+Banner+540+x+200.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-lqIM6su5JWx2-Y93WKp-8udbDZSguc8HpCUA7ICKO2zib2BP2tEkYFT4zra60mFHTbXunTWxpC-Jt230ol3NyDTJJFBfdTRKUeXwga_ILFYOXM0IHu5JSkHe7T2ffdvtoqcUWPHR8/s400/Love+Across+the+Universe+Banner+540+x+200.png" width="400" height="148" data-original-width="540" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>
<P>The authors of Love Across the Universe sat down and answered a series of questions about writing, science fiction, romance, and more.</P>
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<P>One of the things that working writers recommend to newbies is to not have anything “precious” to them that they must have in order to write. Fixating on a certain pen or a certain program sets you up for being completely unproductive if your chosen item is missing or not working. But with that said, writers do tend to gravitate toward certain rituals, items, software, etc. We asked the Love Across the Universe authors to share some of theirs.
</P><P>Elsa M. Carruthers—“All B+ut You”
<br>I use my Alphasmart for first drafts and just write in snippets.
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis—“The Princess of Sands”
<br>Not really. I have limited vision, so I use a screen reader, but that’s more of a necessity than a ritual.
</P><P>Traci Douglass—“A Dream to Build a Kiss On”
<br>Not really. Just give me my music, my coffee, and my computer. I’m good.
</P><P>A.E. Hayes—“Tristan’s Tryst”
<br>I cannot write unless I have a full cup of iced coffee and a bottle of water next to me. If the coffee runs out, I have to stop, get up, and make more. I also need to use my MacBook to do my work—it’s older, and the keys are wearing out, but I can’t imagine writing on any other device.
</P><P>Serena Jayne—“You Only Love Once”
<br>I work best when I am in the habit of writing regularly. Whenever possible, I join writer friends for sprints. I’m a slow writer, if I get more than 300 words in a twenty-five minute session, I do the happy dance. One of my goals is to train my Dragon Dictate software to get words on the page faster. Lately, I’ve been using index cards for plotting. As I come up with new ideas as I write, I add things I want to include in future scenes to the cards.
</P><P>L.J. Longo—“Breathless”
<br>I love Scrivener and when I sit down to work seriously (as in not taking notes in office or dictating/tapping in memopad on my phone) I’m only using that software. As someone who plots very lightly, has extensive notes, writes out of order, and re-writes to revise, I have a lot of documents to keep track of and I need a program that can hold them all within easy reach for me to be productive.
</P><P>Oriana Maret—“Renewal”
<br>No rituals. Rituals, for me, might clog my process. As an aspiring professional writer, it’s my job to stay open to craft and the everyday tasks involved with writing. Some tasks I “like,” others I don’t, but I need them all. If I engaged in ritual—and locked out the possibilities that come with learning—I might miss something that could help sharpen my skillsets.
</P><P>Cara McKinnon—“The Pirates and the Pacifist”
<br>I’ve tried so many things over the course of my career so far, and nothing has really stuck. The only thing that has consistently worked is to do my writing at my desk instead of elsewhere. Although it is fun to take the laptop out to a coffee shop, I am far more productive at home in my PJs, listening to the “Sunny” app on my phone to block out extraneous noise, and writing in good old MS Word.
</P><P>Sheri Queen—“Red Sand”
<br>I use what’s on hand to get started—index cards, small notebooks, etc.—and transfer my notes to Scrivener.
</P><P>Mary Rogers—“Breakfast on Pluto”
<br>I have tea, constant tea. I have blue pens, and not black. I don’t like pencils. I like things in their place. I call it organized, my husband calls it annoying.
</P><P>Emmerite Sundberg—“Fluid”
<br>I used to. I had my sacred writing pencil. No one else could touch it. I used individual sheets of college-ruled paper because I didn’t like the finality notebooks implied. I had a few writing helpers, two Playmobil figures. One was a painter, the symbol of creativity, the other a guy wearing a loincloth and sporting green hair. He was the symbol of chaos. You really can’t write without a little of both. However, when I started writing less at the whim of “the muse” and more for finishing novels, I did away with all those comforts. I still have my chaos and creativity on my desk, though. Can’t go too overboard.
</P><P>K.W. Taylor—“Reprogramming”
<br>I always have to have a comforting beverage nearby—water, tea, coffee—and there usually needs to be at least one cat in the room. I also have to be able to look out at least one window, even if it’s nighttime, in case I feel stuck and need to take inspiration from nature for a moment. I’ve used the same brand of laptop for over twelve years, and I guess it would take a lot for me to switch brands if this one kicks the bucket!</P>
</P><P>Get your copy of Love Across the Universe now!
</P><P>-<a href=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JSHCGC/ref=cm_sw_su_dp target=_blank>Amazon</a>
<br>-<a href=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/love-across-the-universe/id1262908251?mt=11 target=_blank>Ibooks</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-across-the-universe target=_blank>Kobo</a>
<br>-<a href=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Traci_Douglass_Love_Across_the_Universe?id=GN8tDwAAQBAJ&hl=en target=_blank>GooglePlay</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-59361119034858790822017-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:002017-08-01T06:00:07.306-07:00Release Day for LOVE ACROSS THE UNIVERSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-lqIM6su5JWx2-Y93WKp-8udbDZSguc8HpCUA7ICKO2zib2BP2tEkYFT4zra60mFHTbXunTWxpC-Jt230ol3NyDTJJFBfdTRKUeXwga_ILFYOXM0IHu5JSkHe7T2ffdvtoqcUWPHR8/s1600/Love+Across+the+Universe+Banner+540+x+200.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-lqIM6su5JWx2-Y93WKp-8udbDZSguc8HpCUA7ICKO2zib2BP2tEkYFT4zra60mFHTbXunTWxpC-Jt230ol3NyDTJJFBfdTRKUeXwga_ILFYOXM0IHu5JSkHe7T2ffdvtoqcUWPHR8/s400/Love+Across+the+Universe+Banner+540+x+200.png" width="400" height="148" data-original-width="540" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>
<P>LOVE ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is out today!
</P><P>Read on for an excerpt from my story, “The Princess of Sands”
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<P>The Princess of Sands
<br>M.T. DeSantis
</P><P>Genre: Science Fiction Romance
</P><P>Publisher: Stars and Stone Books
</P><P>Date of Publication: 1 August 2017
</P><P>ISBN-10: 0-9977081-8-2
<br>ISBN-13: 978-0-9977081-8-9
<br>ASIN: B071JSHCGC
</P><P>Cover Artist: Carrie Miller
</P><P>Book Description:
<br>The solar panel that powers the Sand Palace Hotel on planet Andala is failing. The hotel’s tyrannical owner will go to any length to secure a new panel, including arranging a marriage for his only daughter, Eliara Desanthar. Unable to reconcile marrying to benefit her father, Eliara sneaks aboard a ship in the castle’s landing bay, ready to make her escape.
</P><P>But this ship is no ordinary vessel. It carries Prince Randroth of Belmret, who is on a diplomatic mission to Andala. When Eliara accidentally tries to hide in the prince’s chambers, Randroth vows to protect the terrified but beautiful girl, even if it means destroying relations between the two planets.
</P><P>Unaware Randroth is her betrothed, Eliara returns with him to Belmret, where fun-in-the-sun, deep passion, and trapping revelations await.
</P><P>And the truth might not set them free.
</P><P>Excerpt:
<br>The door of Randroth’s chamber slid open with a nearly silent hiss. “About time,” Idgmet said in his nasal voice and shuffled inside. He wore a one-piece bright lavender jumpsuit, complete with silver trim. Belmret fashion had done some odd things over the years, but this was the strangest. Idgmet fixed Randroth with a quizzical stare. “I hope you are not wearing that to meet your bride-to-be?”
</P><P>Randroth tugged on the simple black trousers and adjusted the blue tunic he wore, a match for Andala’s oceans. He’d chosen the outfit purposefully to appeal to Desanthar—blue for Andala’s oceans, black because it would let the blue stand out. He would only get one chance to make a good impression. This was not the time for Idgmet’s idea of style.
</P><P>“In fact, I am,” Randroth said.
</P><P>Idgmet made a noise in the back of his throat, either distaste or disdain. A line appeared between his perfectly trimmed silver-painted eyebrows for only a second before the squire schooled his features. “Very well. I didn’t come to discuss your clothing, much as the topic needs addressing. Your father wishes me to remind you how crucial the securing of this union is.”
</P><P>“Does he?” Randroth couldn’t keep the derision from his voice. This marriage had come suddenly and without warning or reason, at least none Randroth could detect. Belmret was not poor and, thus, in no need of a financial alliance with the riches of Desanthar’s tourism business. For all his money, Desanthar was not royalty, and so the wedding was not for political gain. In short, there was absolutely no reason why Randroth had to wed now, and to a girl he’d never met. “And did my father happen to explain to you why it is so important? He left out those details when discussing it with the son who is to be wed.”
</P><P>“You know how much Belmret’s safety and future mean to your father.” Idgmet delivered his rote response in a flat tone. The underlying meaning was clearer than Belmret’s lavender oceans. There was still no reason for the union, or at least no reason Randroth’s father would disclose.
</P><P>“I do.” Randroth folded his arms. The shirt pulled a bit at his shoulders. He’d filled out some since last wearing it. “But safety with not even an implied threat is not a reason to force marriage upon your child.”
</P><P>“All due respect, Your Highness.” Idgmet held up the pointer finger of his left hand. His silver nail polish exactly matched the trim of his suit and his eyebrows. “I do not have time to argue about this. We must disembark.”
</P><P>Randroth blew out a breath. There was no winning. He would leave the ship, meet Desanthar’s daughter, and wed in three days. “Very well.”
</P><P>Idgmet spun on one heel. When he reached the door, it opened. He shuffled through, leaving Randroth to sulk in a most unprincely manner. All his life, Randroth thought he’d marry for love, like the princes and knights in the book of fairy tales he kept beside his bed. Whenever royal life got to be too much, he had read one of the old tales as a reminder of how his life could be. He should have known reality could never resemble fanciful stories in books, especially in matters of love. It wasn’t fair.
</P><P>But then, what in his life was fair? He was a prince. Royalty did what needed to be done. Randroth straightened, squaring his shoulders and closing his eyes to collect himself. He drew in a deep breath and let it go slowly. If he must wed Lemswurth Desanthar’s daughter for some undisclosed reason, he would do it, sands be his witness.
</P><P>The chamber door hissed open.
</P><P>Randroth expelled the last of his breath in a huff. And if he had to put up with Idgmet’s impatience, he would do his best not to strangle the squire. “I said I would be right there.” He opened his eyes.
</P><P>Idgmet wasn’t in the doorway. It was a girl. Her blonde hair fell in a mess of waves to her waist, and a faint pink colored her cheeks.
</P><P>A tugging sensation pulled at Randroth’s heart. She looked like someone in trouble. He stood. “Are you all right?”
</P><P>The girl jerked. Her head snapped up and around. She blinked wide green eyes at him, and the pink in her cheeks drained to a terrified white. She lurched backwards.
</P><P>“Wait!” Randroth rushed to the door and captured her delicate wrist between his fingers. She trembled under his touch. Or had she already been trembling? “How did you get on this ship?”
</P><P>The girl opened and closed her mouth. “I…” She swallowed with an audible gulp. “I need to get off the planet. My father…can you help me?”
</P><P>The tug now tried to yank Randroth’s heart in two. One end pummeled him with duty and responsibility. He was supposed to stay on Andala and meet Desanthar’s daughter. In the other direction, there was still no reason for the marriage. The truth crumbled Randroth’s sense of duty. Forget trouble, this girl had the look of a caged animal. She ran, maybe for her life. He couldn’t leave her to fend for herself.
</P><P>“Of course I can,” Randroth said.
</P><P>Relief fell over the girl’s face like a curtain. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
</P><P>A chill ran through Randroth at the gratitude in her voice. An iron determination followed. Whoever this girl’s father was, Randroth would do anything in his power to protect her. He pulled her into the room until the door slid closed. “What is your name?”
</P><P>“Eliara,” the girl said.
</P><P>“A lovely name,” Randroth said. It fit her well. He bowed his head. “I am Prince Randroth of Belmret, at your humble service.”
</P><P>Eliara’s emerald eyes widened. “Prince?” She lurched into a bow. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I—”
</P><P>“It is nothing.” He tipped her chin up with one finger. A current like electricity seemed to spark where his skin met hers. The current spiraled into a desire to pull her closer, feel her delicate body against his. “Please,” his voice rasped with the desire coursing through his blood, “call me Randroth.”
~Buy LOVE ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
</P><P>-<a href=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JSHCGC/ref=cm_sw_su_dp target=_blank>Amazon</a>
<br>-<a href=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/love-across-the-universe/id1262908251?mt=11 target=_blank>Ibooks</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-across-the-universe target=_blank>Kobo</a>
<br>-<a href=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Traci_Douglass_Love_Across_the_Universe?id=GN8tDwAAQBAJ&hl=en target=_blank>GooglePlay</a>
</P><P>And find me around the internet:
</P><P>-<a href=https://www.amazon.com/M.-T.-DeSantis/e/B00T88WP6M/ target=_blank>Amazon</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.facebook.com/desantismauthor/ target=_blank>Facebook</a>
<br>-<a href=https://twitter.com/desantismt target=_blank>Twitter</a>
<br>-<a href=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16611979.M_T_DeSantis target=_blank>Goodreads</a></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-39175569904467565892017-06-20T03:00:00.000-07:002017-06-20T03:00:24.898-07:00Cover Reveal for Love Across the Universe!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love
Across the Universe<o:p></o:p></span></span></b>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Genre: Science Fiction Romance<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Publisher: Stars and Stone Books<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: August 1 2017<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ISBN-10: 0-9977081-8-2<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ISBN-13: 978-0-9977081-8-9<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ASIN: B071JSHCGC<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">13 Stories of
Science Fiction Romance Set on Intergalactic Shore </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">#spacebeachlove</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Summer love is summer love, no matter the planet. Climb aboard your
spacecraft or time machine and travel across time and space with these
thirteen tales of love on beaches in the future and among the stars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Includes stories by USA Today Bestselling Author Traci Douglass, Cara
McKinnon, Rhonda Jackson Joseph, A.E. Hayes, Sheri Queen, M.T. DeSantis, L.J.
Longo, K.W. Taylor, Mary Rogers, Elsa M. Carruthers, Emmerite Sundberg, Serena
Jayne, and Oriana Maret.</span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2rX1cda">Amazon</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35384385-love-across-the-universe">Goodreads</a> <a href="http://starsandstonebooks.com/love-across-the-universe">Stars and Stones</a></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/traci-douglass/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Traci Douglass – “A Dream to Build a Kiss On”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Can passion bloom between a bookish botanist and an analytical android?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/cara-mckinnon/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Cara McKinnon – “The Pirates and the Pacifist”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Kai doesn’t believe in violence. Sam and Dek believe the ends justify the
means. Will passion be enough to bridge the gap between the pacifist sent to
broker galactic peace and the space pirates hired to keep him away at all
costs?<b><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/a-e-hayes/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">A.E. Hayes – “Tristan’s Tryst”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>One mysterious being. Two lovers who find her. Can this threesome handle
the heat of this scorching summer?<b><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/sheri-queen/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Sheri Queen – “Red Sand”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>If she can only save one thing, which will it be—the red beaches of Mars
or a love she can’t imagine living without?<b><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/m-t-desantis/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">M.T. DeSantis – “The Princess of Sands”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Secrets and lies. Can they be each other’s freedom?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/l-j-longo/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">L.J. Longo – “Breathless”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>The manager of a resort planet and the head of its secret defense unit
team up to save the guests—and discover danger is a potent aphrodisiac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/k-w-taylor/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">K.W. Taylor – “Reprogramming”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Alex didn’t want to be marooned on an alien planet with a robot, but it
may just be exactly what she needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/mary-rogers/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Mary Rogers – “Breakfast on Pluto”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Doing the right thing isn’t always what’s best—but sometimes it pays
off. A chance meeting of two people unaware of their destiny with each
other results in a bond too difficult to break, but even duty has its
boundaries. Will love help them break free—and will love be enough?<b><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/elsa-carruthers/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Elsa M. Carruthers – “All B+ut You”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Lou is looking for the right guy and finds him where she least expects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/emmerite-sundberg/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Emmerite Sundberg – “Fluid”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>She’s everything she’s ever wanted but with one flaw – they can’t
actually touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/serena-jayne/"><b><span style="color: #be492c;">Serena Jayne – “You Only Love Once”</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>Carpe diem the hell out of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #e36c0a;">Oriana Maret - “Renewal” </span></b><b><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></b>She’ll brave the arms of destruction to shed the arms that betrayed<b><span style="color: #666666;">.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #be492c;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/" target="_blank">STARS AND STONE BOOKS</a> </span></b> <b><span style="color: #be492c;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35384385-love-across-the-universe" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> </span></b> <b><span style="color: #666666;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-66294367827349507862017-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:002017-05-08T12:08:02.210-07:00Where are the #CrazySpringLove Ladies Going Next?<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-600" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/new-cover.jpg"
alt="Crazy Little Spring Called Love" width="1500" height="2400" /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="
http://amzn.to/2n5DNkm">
<strong>Amazon</strong></a><strong> </strong><strong>| <a href="
http://apple.co/2nxyNFn"
>iBooks</a> | </strong><a href="
http://bit.ly/2n5bjLM
"><strong>Kobo</strong></a>| <a href=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crazy-little-spring-called-love-cara-mckinnon/1126301903?ean=2940157452957>
<strong>BN</strong></a><strong> </strong><strong></h3>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The authors of the stories in Crazy Little Spring Called Love (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVFBDCG">order here</a>) sat down to answer some questions for their readers. For links to the full list of interview questions, teasers, and more, visit <a href="http://starsandstonebooks.com/2017/04/21/crazy-little-spring-called-love-blog-tour">the blog tour page</a>.</em></p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Question 8: What's Next?</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://tracidouglass.net">Traci Douglass</a></h2>
<img class=" size-medium wp-image-1082 alignright" title="" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=188&h=300" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" srcset="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=188&h=300 188w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=376&h=600 376w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=94&h=150 94w" alt="traci" width="188" height="300" data-attachment-id="1082" data-permalink="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=1082" data-orig-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg" data-orig-size="640,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{" data-image-title="traci" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=188" data-large-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/traci.jpg?w=640" />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blood-vowed/id1206621441?mt=11">BLOOD VOWED</a>, book three in my Blood Ravagers series, just released on April 13th, so I’ve been busy touring with that the past couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I have two proposals out to continue two different series with two different publishers, and another two requested full contemporary romance manuscripts in with editors of another publisher as well. And I hope to continue writing more mythology inspired short stories for these anthologies as well, if readers like them! Lots of irons in the fire. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get all the latest news and updates (plus fun contests and subscriber-only giveaways)!
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sheriqueen.com">Sheri Queen</a></h2>
<img class=" size-medium wp-image-1083 alignleft" title="" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=188&h=300" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" srcset="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=188&h=300 188w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=376&h=600 376w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=94&h=150 94w" alt="Sheri" width="188" height="300" data-attachment-id="1083" data-permalink="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=1083" data-orig-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg" data-orig-size="640,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{" data-image-title="Sheri" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=188" data-large-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sheri.jpg?w=640" />
I’ve started book two in my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/BOUNTY-HUNTRESS-Hotel-Paranormal-Sheri-ebook/dp/B01M226DL7/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1480277825&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=sheriqueen01-20&linkId=fe4b5fef14309777a7289ae40aba4480">Sleepy Hollow Hunter</a> series, which I aim to have out by the end of the year. I’m also jotting down ideas for the anthologies. I’m also very busy with some marketing classes I’m taking online, as well as participating in some promotional gigs for <em>Bounty Huntress</em>, book one in my Sleepy Hollow Hunter series.
<h2 style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://mtdesantis.blogspot.com">M.T. DeSantis</a></h2>
<img class=" size-medium wp-image-1084 alignright" title="" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=188&h=300" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" srcset="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=188&h=300 188w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=376&h=600 376w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=94&h=150 94w" alt="MT" width="188" height="300" data-attachment-id="1084" data-permalink="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=1084" data-orig-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg" data-orig-size="640,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{" data-image-title="MT" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=188" data-large-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/mt.jpg?w=640" />
I’ve got a small army of fantasy novels in the works. Aside from those, I have a satirical science fiction story about a human woman, a human-looking man, and a green alien who have to travel the universe to save the English language. And, who knows? Maybe there’s a story for a future anthology wandering around in my brain somewhere…
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://caramckinnon.com">Cara McKinnon</a></h2>
<img class=" size-medium wp-image-1086 alignleft" title="" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=188&h=300" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" srcset="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=188&h=300 188w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=376&h=600 376w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=94&h=150 94w" alt="Cara" width="188" height="300" data-attachment-id="1086" data-permalink="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=1086" data-orig-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg" data-orig-size="640,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{" data-image-title="Cara" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=188" data-large-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cara.jpg?w=640" />
I am finishing up the third book in my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Magic-Fay-Skye-Book-ebook/dp/B06Y6GLQQG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1492712959&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Fay+of+Skye+series%2C+Memories+of+Magic">Fay of Skye series, <em>Memories of Magic, </em></a>which will be out in mid-May. The genre is a mash-up of fantasy, romance, and alternate history set in a late Victorian Era with open, acknowledged magic. I am also prepping for more of these seasonal anthologies and starting revisions on the first book in a contemporary fantasy series starring a Latinx kitchen witch.
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com">L.J. Longo</a></h2>
<img class=" size-medium wp-image-1085 alignright" title="" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=188&h=300" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" srcset="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=188&h=300 188w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=376&h=600 376w, https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=94&h=150 94w" alt="LJ" width="188" height="300" data-attachment-id="1085" data-permalink="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=1085" data-orig-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg" data-orig-size="640,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{" data-image-title="LJ" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=188" data-large-file="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lj.jpg?w=640" />
So much. I’ve got my first series book coming out in May or June which also happens to be an F/M fantasy romance. It’s called “Taming the Tiger” and it’s not nearly as sweet as “Seaweed and Silk.” I also have “The Scarf” coming out soon in an anthology called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Owned-Alpha-Manlove-Maia-Dylan-ebook/dp/B071YBRMGG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1492713059&sr=1-1&keywords=owned+by+the+alpha">Owned by the Alpha: Manlove Edition</a> released by Evernight Publishing which is also set in Tovar but is more of a detective noir. I have a ton of free stories I’m going to put on my website because there isn’t really a home for them. There’s more longer works in the future as well, but I don’t have dates for those yet, so you’ll all just have to follow <a href="https://gracefulindecency.wordpress.com/">my website</a> to find out what I come up with next. Hint: not were-bunnies. Probably.
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/mary-rogers/">Mary Rogers</a></h2>
I am working on my full-length novel "The Last First Time" and outlining a series about Balsam Island.
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/elsa-carruthers/">Elsa Carruthers</a></h2>
I am working on my presentation for an upcoming academic conference, finishing up an essay on <em>Stranger Things</em>, to be published in November, revising my novel, Heathen Row, (featuring Rena, Nate, and Duke, yay!), and I have some poetry and short stories due to be published in June.</P>
<P>There you have it. And don't forget to enter the giveaway to win an ebook of the anthology, an Amazon gc, and books by some of the #CrazySpringLove authors!</P>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fa3faf931/"rel="nofollow" data-raflid="fa3faf931" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_w5dji4iv">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-911530461275247422017-05-03T05:40:00.000-07:002017-05-04T05:45:25.693-07:00It's release day for Crazy Little Spring Called Love!<P>It’s finally here!</P>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-600" src="https://gracefulindecency.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/new-cover.jpg"
alt="Crazy Little Spring Called Love" width="1500" height="2400" /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="
http://amzn.to/2n5DNkm">
<strong>Amazon</strong></a><strong> </strong><strong>| <a href="
http://apple.co/2nxyNFn"
>iBooks</a> | </strong><a href="
http://bit.ly/2n5bjLM
"><strong>Kobo</strong></a>| <a href=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crazy-little-spring-called-love-cara-mckinnon/1126301903?ean=2940157452957>
<strong>BN</strong></a><strong> </strong><strong></h3>
<P>This delightful fantasy romance anthology features eight magical stories inspired by the awakenings and renewal of springtime. If you love gods and goddesses, fairies, djinn, druids, mermaids, witches, sirens, and magic of all varieties, this is the anthology for you!
</P><P>Authors: Traci Douglass, Sheri Queen, A.E. Hayes, M.T. DeSantis, Cara McKinnon, L.J. Longo, Mary Rogers, and Elsa Carruthers.
</P><P>Traci Douglass - "When Hermes Met Eos"
<br>One night. Two star-crossed immortals. Will their vibrant connection survive beyond sunrise?
</P><P>Sheri Queen - "The Girl with a Broken Wing"
<br>A story of courage and sacrifice--and finding love where you never thought to look.
</P><P>Cara McKinnon - "Love at Dawn"
<br>Sometimes mortals need a little push from a god and goddess to fall in love…
</P><P>M.T. DeSantis - "A Hunt for Love"
<br>Can a djinn and a clueless guy beat the clock, avoid the curse, and maybe even find true love?
</P><P>L.J. Longo - "Seaweed and Silk"
</P><P>A mermaid: hundreds of miles from her home on the ice, on a ship with a troll, a goblin wizard, and a pack of wolves. What else can go wrong? Oh, right. A flippin’ sea monster.
</P><P>Mary Rogers - "Spring Fling"
<br>A druid's bargain gives Carson revenge against his former lover Carrie--at the price of her memories of them together. But did she truly steal his magic all those years ago? Or was the real theft his heart?
</P><P>Elsa Carruthers - "Welded"
<br>Welding Witch, Rena, is on the run. She's not looking for love, but all the magic in the world couldn't keep the sparks from flying when her rivals, Nate and Duke, find her.
</P><P>A.E. Hayes - "A Siren's Song of Spring"
<br>She is sworn to sing men to their deaths. Until one sails into her heart.
</P><P>Hop on over to the <a href=https://www.facebook.com/events/2062183134008615 target=_blank>Facebook Release Party</a> for a chance at prizes from each author as well as a grand prize! I’ll be giving away a copy of the first book in my Games of Love geeky romance series, CRITICAL HIT-ON.
</P><P>~<a href=https://starsandstonebooks.com/crazy-little-spring-called-love/ target=_blank>Publisher Website</a>
</P><P>~<a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34686292-crazy-little-spring-called-love target=_blank>Goodreads Page</a></P>
</P><P>Happy release day, fellow Crazy Spring authors! And to celebrate, we're having a giveaway. Enter to win an ebook of the anthology, an Amazon gc, and books by some of the #CrazySpringLove authors!</P>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fa3faf931/"rel="nofollow" data-raflid="fa3faf931" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_w5dji4iv">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></P>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-50363041431013230862017-04-03T10:00:00.000-07:002017-05-03T05:33:19.671-07:00Feast Your Eyes on A Crazy Little Spring Called Love!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">CRAZY LITTLE SPRING
CALLED LOVE</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Eight Magical Stories of Fantasy Romance</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Stars and Stone Books</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Featuring: Heather
Bythesea, Elsa Carruthers, M.T. DeSantis, Traci Douglass, L.J. Longo, Cara
McKinnon, Sheri Queen, and Mary Rogers<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/traci-douglass/">Traci
Douglass - "When Hermes Met Eos"</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">One night. Two star-crossed immortals. Will their vibrant connection
survive beyond sunrise?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/sheri-queen/">Sheri Queen -
"The Girl with a Broken Wing"</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">A story of courage and sacrifice--and finding love where you never
thought to look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/cara-mckinnon/">Cara McKinnon
- "Love at Dawn"</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes mortals need a little push from a god and goddess to fall in
love…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/m-t-desantis/">M.T. DeSantis -
"A Hunt for Love"</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can a djinn and a clueless guy beat the clock, avoid the curse, and
maybe even find true love?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/l-j-longo/">L.J. Longo – “Seaweed
and Silk”</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">A mermaid: hundreds of miles from her home on the ice, on a ship with a
troll, a goblin wizard, and a pack of wolves. What else can go wrong? Oh,
right. A flippin’ sea monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/our-authors/mary-rogers/">Mary Rogers –
“Spring Fling”</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">A druid’s bargain gives Carson revenge against his former lover
Carrie–at the price of her memories of them together. But did she truly steal
his magic all those years ago? Or was the real theft his heart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://starsandstonebooks.com/crazy-little-spring-called-love/crazy-little-spring-called-love-authors/">CLICK
HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">STARS AND STONE BOOKS: </span><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">http://starsandstonebooks.com/</span></u><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">GOODREADS:</span><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34686292-crazy-little-spring-called-love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2062183134008615/">https://www.facebook.com/events/2062183134008615/</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">TWITTER:</span><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks">https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks</a></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">ANTHOLOGY WEBSITE:</span><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">http://starsandstonebooks.com/crazy-little-spring-called
-love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1538657360632194985.post-77603358145460917852016-12-02T06:06:00.002-08:002016-12-02T06:06:17.697-08:00An Apple A Day, or New Flash Fiction Published Today<P>Happy Friday!
</P><P>And it is a lovely day for me. A piece of fiction I wrote two years ago (almost two and a half years) is finally seeing the light of day.
Thank you to Mirror Dance for picking up "Purity," which I composed for an apple-themed reading during grad school.
Apple? you say.
</P><P>~<a href=http://www.mirrordancefantasy.com/2016/12/purity.html target=_blank>Read it and find out</a>
</P><P>And while you're at it...
</P><P>~<a href=https://remixtmag.wordpress.com/2016/09/12/volume-one-issue-8-edited-by-ezzy-g-languzzi/ target=_blank>Here's a poem I forgot to post about that involves family, explosions, and outer space</a>
</P><P>Last but not least, happy December!</P>Mary DeSantis, Editor/Story Whispererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18207560013680468072noreply@blogger.com0