Nora Carpenter is a trainee assistant physician, a part-time diner chef…and a witch. Hiding from the memory of a traumatic rape – fueled by prejudice over her eccentric reputation – she keeps herself to herself. Hard work, study, and a cold shoulder to any guy that crosses her path, seem like her best defense. 

But when Nora starts having vivid dreams about a compelling, mysterious stranger with dark curls, sexy eyes and a charming Irish lilt, her defenses seem to be breaking. He says he is her soulmate – that he has conquered many centuries to contact her. Can this be real? Or is she going mad? Nora tries to fight the gentle seduction that threatens to thaw her icy façade. But when she’s forced to come face to face with real evil she must call on all her magickal resources, including her lover from another life, to save her. 

In an adventure outside of time, Nora learns that you cannot run from your destiny. 

His eyes sparkled with humor as he held out his hand to her. “Climb up, darling. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Familiarity colored his voice as if he greeted an old friend. Nora knew she’d have remembered a dark-eyed hottie with curly hair and a wicked smile. Better yet, the bright green and yellow wagon he stood on was definitely memorable, especially with its fanciful drawings on the side and the two draft horses in the traces. Was she remembering part of a movie or a story Nana told her? That was it. Nana was part Romany Gypsy.

Still, it didn’t make sense if she was in the story and the unknown man spoke English. Part of her wanted to take his hand and step up into the wagon to take off with him. At times, he looked into her eyes, not only as if he knew her, but also liked what he saw, which made his invitation tempting, very tempting.

The man dropped his hand. “Oh, I see you’re still not ready, my Nora.”

“How do you know my name?”

The man jumped down from the wagon, startling her, invading her space. His face filled her vision. She had to admire his strong jawline, and the crinkles around his eyes when he smiled caused her heart to beat faster. Her lips turned up naturally in response.

“Nora, Nora, how could you have forgotten me? I have loved you through several lifetimes and searched for you in each of mine. My life was desolate until I found you in a dream.”

She was dreaming. That made sense.

“Nora, Nora.”

Why did he keep repeating her name? He said her name as if he knew it well, without a blink or a hesitation, not like those fraternity guys trying to hit on her who could never quite remember her name, calling her everything from Nadine to Noreen. One even called her Norad, which she promptly informed him stood for North American Aerospace Defense Command. As she recalled, her would-be Romeo stumbled away, muttering, "bitch” loud enough for her to hear.

Men never worked too hard to romance her. Her purpose in attending college was to get an education, enabling her to obtain a decent job. A good portion of the girls who came to school felt the need to cut loose by skipping class, drinking too much, and having sex with guys they didn’t know or couldn’t remember. Often those same girls flunked out in less than two years. As a scholarship student, she needed to keep her grades up.

Why didn’t she know his name?

Author Info & Links
Rayna Noire is an author and a historian. The desire to uncover the truth behind the original fear of witches led her to the surprising discovery that people believed in magick in some form up to 150 years ago. A world that believed the impossible could happen and often did must have been amazing. With this in mind, Ms. Noire taps into this dimension, shapes it into stories about Pagan families who really aren’t that different from most people. They do go on the occasional time travel adventures and magick happens.

www.facebook.com/AuthorRaynaNoire

www.twitter.com/raynanoire

www.raynanoire.weebly.com

http://www.amazon.com/Rayna-Noire/e/B00J8XP14A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Blurb
Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can't tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn't the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl's ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

Summoned is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

 

Find out more at http://www.summonedtheseries.com

Cover Design: Kris Wagner https://www.facebook.com/digitalgunman

Model: Adam Jakubowski https://www.facebook.com/LadyJakubowsky

Photographer:  Marcin Rychły https://www.facebook.com/karrdepl

 

Author Bio

Rainy Kaye is an aspiring overlord. In the mean time, she blogs at http://www.rainyofthedark.com RainyoftheDark.com and writes paranormal novels from her lair somewhere in Phoenix, Arizona. When not plotting world domination, she enjoys getting lost around the globe, studying music so she can sing along with symphonic metal bands, and becoming distracted by Twitter http://www.twitter.com/rainyofthedark @rainyofthedark. She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Blurb:
It should have been a normal drive home from work for Maggie Connors. However, a freak rain storm had other plans for her when the bridge she crossed, in her car, collapsed plunging her into the river below.

Para Rescue man, Jake Madison wasn't looking for a life changing event, but he got just that when he saved Maggie's life.  He couldn't get the red hair beauty out of his mind but was determined to give her back the courage she lost in the traumatic event.











EXCERPT


Love Over Troubled Waters (Emergency Calls Series)
by LaNora Mangano

Chapter 2

Jake Madison hopped aboard the helicopter with his crew, Cal and Scott Hartford and pilot Ben Davidson, who worked at getting them off the ground. Jake’s blood pumped fast throughout his body. He loved the rush and excitement that this job gave him. For him, it was not just a job but a calling to his very soul. He envisioned and prepared his mind for what the rescue would entail by praying that it would be a search and rescue call and not a search and recovery call.

What would they discover once they got to the first extraction point? Would they even find the woman in the torrential downpour that was still strong enough to push their helicopter sideways? His stomach flipped, like it always did when the bird hit a pocket of air and seemed to drop one thousand feet before Ben recovered control. Jake blew out a breath, trying to calm his roiling stomach. How he kept his food down when that happened amazed him.
     As the helicopter dipped and weaved, Jake focused on releasing his pent-up tension.

“It’s going to be tough to keep this baby still once we get to the extraction point, so you’ll need to do the best that you can to get those people out of danger as fast as you can,” Ben shouted over the roar of the rain and the helicopter blades.   Scott squinted. “Whoa, look at that!” He pointed at the trees where bicycles raced down the river like some amusement park ride as the water crashed into and over the embankment while picking up more debris in its path. “Last week, that was nothing more than a creek.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Wait, I think I see her over there!” Jake noticed the water pattern swirling around what appeared to be a bright yellow raincoat caught in a tree. When a woman’s pale face turned and looked up at them, Jake checked his harness one last time and put his helmet and mic on his head. “That’s her! Ben, can you get me closer to the right crest over there? I’ll lower down just over her and then try to get this vest and harness around her.”



Cal began working the mechanical winch that lowered Jake out of the helicopter. Jake held the vest and harness in his arms, while the extra harness was latched to the spare line he was also pulling along with him. As he got lower, he could see the woman.

She looked up at him and then quickly down at the rapid waters as if she was searching for something. Or someone. Jake’s breath caught in his throat. Even though he only saw her clinging to the tree limb, what if there’d been someone else with her when the bridge collapsed?

Jake pushed a button on the device leading to his mic.

"Any confirmation of another person in the water, Ben?”

“Negative, Jake.”  The pilot responded. 

“Copy that. Better make sure the medics are ready.”

Even from this distance, Jake could see blood flowing from an ugly gash on her forehead.

Jake was just about to toss the vest and harness to her, when he was unexpectedly swooped up and away causing him to swing violently in the air. Jake looked up and saw that the helicopter was fighting a strong gust of wind.

“Sorry ‘bout that, Jake. Let’s try it again.” Ben’s calm and steady voice came through the mic and piped into his helmet.

Jake turned his attention back to the woman in the water and prepared to toss her the vest as soon as he was closer. “Almost there,” he shouted down to her. “I’m going to throw you this life vest. It just goes around your body! It will keep you from going under! Do you understand me?”

She looked up at him with terrified eyes and nodded . . .
Jake took a big swing and threw the vest her way. The pull of the updraft caused his aim to go wild. All he caught was water. “Come on.” He reeled in the vest, swung it again. This time it landed a couple feet from her grasp. The woman clung to the low-hanging branch for dear life as she eyed the vest.

Jake could see the hesitation on her face. but all she needed to do was just grab on to the vest.

“Can you get me closer, Ben?” Jake spoke into his mic

“Negative. Too many trees,” came the immediate response.

Jake watched as the water thrashed against her  preventing her from wrapping her lower body more firmly around the tree.

“You’ll have to let go of the tree to get the vest!” Jake yelled down. “Once you hook the vest around you, I can pull you out. I can then help you into this harness! But you have to reach for it! Can you do that?”

The woman clutched the tree branch. She let go of one arm and reached outward. Floating debris knocked into her and she gripped the tree again. He could tell she was scared and he wasn’t sure of how long that tree would stand up against the powerful surging undertow. It had already eaten away most of the bank and left the tree roots exposed. More erosion, and the entire tree would fall into the river and most likely directly on top of the woman if he couldn’t get her to act faster.

Jake, we just got an ID on the woman from SWPD dispatch. Someone caught her license plate number before the car submerged. Her name is Maggie Connors.” Ben’s voice sounded in the mic again. Jake didn’t waste any time. “Maggie! Reach for the vest!”

She angled her head up at him and their eyes connected. He willed her to trust him to get her out of the water. He didn’t say anything else, just pleaded with his eyes.  She reached out with both hands and grabbed the vest.
   
“Yes,” he yelled as she struggled to get her arms through the arm straps and secure the other around her waist knowing that the vest would keep her afloat. Now that she was loosely latched to the harness in Jake’s possession, he was able to keep her from floating down river. All he needed to do was drag her out from under the tree so that he could get to her and put on the second harness for the scoop part of the plan.

“Hang on, Maggie, just hang on and—”

The loud snap had him whipping his head to the right in time to see the branch that Maggie had been clinging to snap and fall into the river. Right on top of the line holding Maggie above water.

“Maggie!” He swiped the hair and water from his eyes and strained to see through the branches in hope of finding her still above water. Nothing but swirling river.

Then he saw her! And his heart sank. The massive branch was making her into a human bobber. As she dipped below the surface, she’d kick her way back to the surface. She was fighting to stay afloat but with her vest connected to the line that was attached to an unsteady helicopter, she was in danger of drowning. No time to come up with a new plan. Jake did the only thing he could think of. He reached up, released his harness, and fell.

Bio:
I was born and raised on the South side of Chicago, Illinois during my early years then moved to the suburbs and lived there until my husband and our children relocated to central Indiana.  I've been exposed to many personality types and several interesting situations.  All of which provided opportunities to create heroes, heroines, villains and fictional towns to place my creations. 

I started reading romance novels in high school when a friend introduced me to a Harlequin book. I thought  it was so refreshing that I bought another one, then another one and read them every spare moment I had. This was also around the time I developed a passion to write my own stories and I've been writing ever since.

I write romantic suspense.  Half of my novels are part of a 3-5 book series.  I've written a couple of contemporaries and I wrote my first paranormal that was contracted in 2013 and will be published in Summer 2014.

I have way too much fun creating people and building situations for them that has lead me to accomplishing my true goal.  Publishing.
    
If you have aspirations of publishing a book, I encourage you to take steps towards making that happen.  A great start is to look up your local Romance Writers of America (RWA) chapter and attend a couple of meetings to see if it's for you.  This organization has helped me to learn not only the business of writing but the craft as well. 

For more information about my upcoming books, please visit:
www.findinglanora.weebly.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lanora-Mangano/527909407268248

Please pick up a copy of Love Over Troubled Waters at Amazon.com Beginning March 22 2014

Blurb
Loving Nate is Leah's story of falling in love with Mr. Perfect. Leah falls fast and hard, losing all sense of reasoning. Love can do that to a gal, especially when the guy is as smooth as Nathan Moore. Loving Nate is about Leah's journey of falling in love, when she should have been standing in love.


Excerpt
I’ve decided to provide two very different endings to this novella. Have you ever made a decision and wondered whether or not it was the right choice? Or perhaps you made the right choice because you knew that the alternative would’ve been disastrous? This is my gift to readers. Regardless of Leah’s final choice, I wanted readers to be able to reflect on the possibilities.

The Storyline of Loving Nate

Loving Nate is a story about a young woman who falls in love when she should’ve been standing in love. I open up this tale with an acknowledgement/dedication to someone named “Superman”. A bit of advice that I received from this man was to never fall in love – stand in love. Over the years, I’ve considered this lesson of sorts, even thinking back to when I was in a similar situation like Leah.

Leah meets the perfect man, when she literally runs into Nate. She is swept away and is beyond help. Sadly, Nate knows that Leah is weak for him. He takes advantage of his effect on her, as she allows him to drift in and out of her life. Nate is the type of man that knows how to carry himself with a confidence level of perfection. He is totally irresistible! Leah is easily led.

My personal experience was not as shameful as Leah; however, I’ve known a version of Nate. Like Leah, I marveled at how impressive his charms were and lusted for his excellence. Where my experiences part ways with Leah is that I eventually pulled away when I realized that this man might have a hidden life. I paid attention to the red flags, putting an end to a situation that was sure to rip out my soul.

I always wondered what would’ve happened if I had remained in Leah’s situation. Therefore, Leah’s journey is a hypothetical journey. I also considered something that many women might contemplate – what ifs. After taking Leah on a roller coaster romance, I offer an alternative ending for reflection sakes – walk away or fight for love. After you’ve given your all to a relationship, do you ever consider the pros and cons of leaving, especially if total heartbreak seems inevitable? That is at the heart of Loving Nate.

LOVING NATE REVIEW


Janice G. Ross has poured her soul into Loving Nate and it shows. Normally, I’m not a fan of first person narration, but it works for this novella. I’m not sure third person could have worked as well.

Leah is a woman on an upward career swing. Her well-deserved promotion makes her both confident and cocky, which is one reason she doesn’t question the smooth talking, handsome charmer, Nate. The other reason is she wants to believe he’s everything he pretends to be and a few extra things she’s added in. In the fact, Leah is no different from any other woman who has fallen for a too good to be true man.

Author Ross does something most of us wish we could do, have alternate endings to the same tale. Author Pearl S. Buck once stated that somewhere in the middle of a great mistake things could be remedied or changed. You decide what Leah’s ending is.

Strangely, I have mixed feelings about this tale because there is so much heartbreak in it, but it is well worth reading. Two thumbs up!

Listen to the entire playlist at:  
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7izl3hl62IDHD1Wf1A9iQZzBJjW9L-HM

Janice was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s travelled in her mind and dreams.

Janice is an author. She enjoys writing about social issues and personal experiences. Janice’s debut release was entitled Damaged Girls. She uses the three books in that series to detail the effects of different forms of abuse, discussing issues that are known to be taboo. Her next release, Jumping Ship, is a dedication to her country of birth and an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series – due out in 2014. It’s poised to be a colorful and emotional experience of life, love and family. As of present, she is also a contributor to a short story collection – Just Between Us, Inspiring Stories by Women. And lastly, Loving Nate is a novella about the realities of losing one’s self to love.

Janice enjoys reading. And is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.

Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors through social media. She hosts a weekly show, Cultural Cocktails, on the largest social radio network, Blog Talk Radio.

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

GoogleBooks

 Smashwords



Website: www.culturalcocktails.com

Talk show: www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails

Blog http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com &

http://myculturalcocktails.wordpress.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/JGRWriter

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Cultural.Cocktails

&

https://www.facebook.com/jgrwriter?ref=hl

Google+https://plus.google.com/104579627944902429382/posts/p/pub?partnerid=gplp0

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pub/janice-ross/58/691/894/

LOVING NATE TOUR SCHEDULE:

http://fabulosityreadsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/03/tours-stop-schedule-loving-nate-by.html

 Tell us about yourself:

I write mysteries, romance and contemporary fiction for adults, teens and children. All of my characters, no matter what the genre or audience for the book, are at a crossroads in their lives - a fork in the road. The theme of my website is Characters at a Crossroads. I've been writing stories since childhood and also worked as a newspaper reporter for several years. I love to read books as much as I love to write them!

What was your first book?

My first published adult novel was the mystery/romantic suspense book Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, about Kris Langley, an obit writer who stumbles across a 25-year old unsolved murder. She becomes obsessed with solving it and during her investigation, she falls for the victim's nephew. I enjoyed writing this book as it draws upon my newspaper background as well as my interest in Greek mythology. Diana Ferguson, the murder victim, was an artist inspired by mythology and there are clues to the mystery in her paintings.   

Describe your first break.

My first break came when I was 17 years old. I had written a young adult novel called Face-Off, about battling teenage brothers who are forced to co-captain the same high school hockey team. I entered it in a contest for teenage writers and it won the contest, so it was published by a major publisher. I recently re-issued it over 20 years later, and it is available in print, e-book and audiobook formats. Hearing the book I wrote as a teenager narrated as an audiobook over two decades later was a really neat experience.

What is your favorite genre to read? To write?

My favorite genres, both to read and write, are cozy mystery, romantic suspense, sweet romance and romantic comedy. I find those genres perfect for entertaining, escape reading.

What makes a protagonist interesting?

I think it's important to have a flawed protagonist. In real life, people aren't perfect, so characters shouldn't be perfect either. They should make mistakes and grow in some way by the end of the book or through the course of a series. I like to place my characters at a fork in the road where they can either continue in the same familiar direction, going nowhere, or find the courage to venture into a new direction. For example, Cassidy in my mystery novel Sink or Swim is a personal trainer who competes on a reality show. Once the reality show ends and she loses, she needs to decide whether she will finally pursue her dream of going into business for herself, and also take a chance on romance, or keep working around the clock for a boss who goes against her values. I think what makes characters interesting is that decisions aren't easy for them. It's nerve-wracking to make big changes in real life, and it's nerve-wracking in my books also.       

What is the best thing about being a writer?

It's hard to pick just one as I love the whole experience. The best things are being able to work from home, write the stories that excite me, and hang out online with other authors who are pursuing the same dream.

What is the worst thing?

The worst thing is seeing a bad review. I understand that one book cannot please everyone and I respect when someone takes the time to tell what they liked about the book and what they didn't in a fair way. It is frustrating when someone writes a review in an insulting way where they attack the author.  Just because a reader doesn’t like a book doesn’t mean that no one else will or that an author should be ridiculed.   

Pantser or plotter?

I am definitely a plotter. I write a thorough outline and refer to it as I write each chapter. It isn't written in stone, though. Sometimes I will change things or expand upon a scene, and if that affects the story line in an upcoming chapter, I'll just make notes in the margin. 

What do you see the direction of your future writing taking? What can we expect next? Give us a little taste.

I have been finishing up a romantic comedy/sweet romance novel about a theme park Cinderella, called Fooling Around With Cinderella. It's almost done and I can't wait to share it with readers. I plan to write some short stories and novellas featuring minor characters from the book. I also have a mystery novel in progress, called Sign of the Messenger, about a psychic healer who is tracking a serial killer. I always thought the latter novel would be the start of a series, but lately I have felt like writing something lighter, hence the theme park romances.

Just for fun

Cat or dog person?

Cat! I love my cat.

Favorite food?

Chocolate chip cookies with walnuts.

Favorite book?

The Harry Potter series.

Favorite movie?

Return of the Jedi.

Favorite vacation destination  (you just have to want to go there)

Disney World. My husband and I have been to the Disney parks in Florida, California and Paris.

Blurb:
Should we dig for the truth when Pandora's Box is a coffin of buried secrets? For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson's killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, not only does she fall in love with Diana's sexy nephew, but she must also fight to stay off the obituary page herself. A unique blend of literary mystery, cozy mystery, and romantic suspense. Get in on the secret - join thousands of readers in discovering who killed Diana Ferguson.

Excerpt:

Cheryl came up behind Kris.  Her voice sounded sad and tired.  "Please don't tell my mother too much, even if you're making progress.  I don't want to raise her hopes."

Kris glanced back at Irene, who hunched on the couch, turning the locket over in her hand.  "I'll be careful with what I say.  My aunt would've been eager, too."

"How was your cousin killed?"   

"She was strangled, kidnapped by a neighbor while walking alone.  We were  twelve."

Cheryl heaved a sigh.  "I'm sorry.  I remember reading about that.  It happened locally, didn't it?"

"Yes."

"I know you're a terrific writer.  I couldn't have been happier with the business story.  I'm just concerned about my mother."

"I understand," Kris said.  "I won't let you down."

She trudged out to her car and brushed off her windshield.  She waited behind the steering wheel as the defroster warmed the interior. Not knowing Diana's whereabouts must have tormented Irene.  Kris's family had agonized over Nicole's disappearance.  As one day blended into the next, Nicole had seemed further and further away. 

Finding her was worse.

Kris had learned a new phrase that May, a litany that surged back into her mind, drumming to the beat of the windshield wipers.  If only.

If only it hadn't rained the afternoon Nicole had disappeared.

If only she hadn't climbed into the car with Randolph Coltraine.

If only Aunt Susan had been home when Nicole called for a ride.

Kris swallowed the metallic taste in her mouth.  If only I didn't trick her.

She chose the long route home, driving fast. She hadn't driven in New York and had forgotten the thrill of a climbing speedometer.  Her first week back, she'd landed a speeding ticket. 

  Kris skidded onto the Fremont State College campus, her tires kicking up tufts of snow.  She passed dorms, tennis courts and the library before parking in front of the deserted baseball field.  White trees cast shapeless shadows across the broad expanse of snow.

A chunk of ice slid off the roof, hitting the front window.  Kris jumped, her hand to her heart.   

"No one's out there," she murmured, gazing into the woods.  "Not now."

But once.

Beyond those trees, Diana had lain dead. 

Police had crowded the scene, their search over.

Middle-aged reporter Dex Wagner had scribbled in his notebook. 

Twenty-five years ago today.

 

 Stacy Juba loves to write stories about Characters at a Crossroads: individuals who are finding themselves and getting on the right life path after overcoming obstacles. Her goals are to entertain readers of all ages as well as inspire them. She has made numerous bestseller lists including GalleyCat’s Barnes & Noble Bestsellers and GalleyCat’s Mystery and Thriller Bestsellers. Stacy has written about reality TV contestants targeted by a killer, an obit writer investigating a cold case, teen psychics who control minds, twin high school hockey stars battling on the ice, and teddy bears learning to raise the U.S. flag. She has had a book ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. Browse her website www.stacyjuba.com for more information on her mystery, romance, and contemporary fiction books for adults, teens, and children, guest author features and resources on how to build your own “character,” and for her book/product reviews and advocacy relating to Type 1 Diabetes.

Social media: Website: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301

Twitter https://twitter.com/stacyjuba

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2988212.Stacy_Juba

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/stacyjuba/

Buy sites:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Five-Years-Ago-Today-ebook/dp/B003U4WVKA/ref

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-five-years-ago-today-stacy-juba/1017979048?ean=2940011980930

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Twenty-Five-Years-Ago-Today/book-fc55-OLdikey2hFgy_jaDA/page1.html?s=ujwec_jtbU2U134hnmDkXA&r=7

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_3?asin=B00B8VUQM2&qid=1359725371&sr=1-3

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/twenty-five-years-ago-today/id643229089?mt=11

It is snowing outside in my locale, but it doesn’t stop me thinking about spring. One of the first things I do to get ready for the spring is start my garden seedlings. Too bad, I can’t get nature to turn off the snow and get with the spring program, but I can get a jump on gardening inside with eggshells.

1.       Save your empty egg carton to hold the eggshells.

2.       Tap the top of the shells to preserve as much of the shell to serves as a pot.

3.       Remember to rinse out the shell and let it air dry overnight.

4.       Fill it about ¾ full of potting soil.

5.       Push in one seed only. Cover lightly with soil.

6.       Moisten soil. Don’t overwater

7.       You can drape Saran wrap over it to speed up the germination process. This turns it into a tiny hot house. Place it near a window.

8.       Once the seedling is well established and the chance of frost is gone, plant it shell and all. The calcium within the shell nourishes the seedling and gradually breaks down overtime.

9.       If you live in a cold climate, plastic milk cartons serve as tiny hot houses in the garden. Cut off the bottom of the carton and place it over the plant. Keep the cap off during the day to balance out the heat.

What do you to get ready for spring?

Writer Wonderland is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to pick out your favorite spring seeds or books of your choice. Three free books on the side bar will be awarded to three separate winners. You have to comment to win prizes.

Blurb
Florida investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, has lived in the shadow of her legendary father long enough. To prove herself she needs to find the “Big” story.

She found it.

Now it may kill her.

After Whitney receives a lead pointing to the world’s first cloned human, now a small child, she vows to unravel the truth. However, sifting through the facts proves to have dangerous results, including death threats and murder.

When Whitney is nearly killed, but is saved by undercover FBI Special Agent, Blake Neely, he refuses to let her get in the way of his own objective—at least not right away.

Caught in a lethal game between a billionaire obsessed with genetic perfection, his hit man’s thirst for retribution, and a Colombian drug lord fresh out of prison determined to make Blake pay for his twin brother’s death over a decade ago…

Can they save an innocent child before it’s too late?

Faced with tough choices, with deadly consequences for many—Whitney soon realizes that sometimes a story becomes more than just a story.

Villain Interview:  Meet Nathan Shaw From REFLECTION About the Character Billionaire biotech company owner, Nathan Shaw, will do anything, including murder-for-hire to keep his clone (a small child) concealed from outsiders. The child is more than an illegal experiment, she’s a genetic copy of his deceased lover.

Kim Talks to Nathan Shaw What one word best describes you?

Nathan: “Distinct.“

What are you passionate about these days?

Nathan: “What I have been passionate about most of my life. Genetics and cloning. I do not understand why people recoil at the idea of human copies—healthy manufactured humans.“

You were one of the first companies to clone animals almost thirty years ago. Would you consider cloning humans?

Nathan: “Of course if it was legal in this country. Hopefully, it will be one day.“

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Nathan: “I was Las Vegas Man of the Year six years running and made the cover of Time magazine, twice.“

You just won a huge lottery what is the first thing you’d buy?

Nathan: (Glances at the wall clock) “Apparently, you haven’t done any background on me. If Miss Steel was conducting this interview, at least she would have done her homework first. I own ShawBioGen, a seventy-five billion dollar Biotech company. The last thing I need is money.”

Who should play you in a film?

Nathan: “John Malkovich. Brilliant actor. I heard he gave a stellar performance portraying serial killer, Jack Unterweger, on stage in Vienna.“

Who is your favorite author?

Nathan: “Elmore Leonard. I enjoy his realism writing style.“

Do you play any sports?

Nathan: “No, I run a couple miles daily to keep in shape.“

What would we find under your bed?

Nathan: (Glances at the clock again) “If you are going to continue with this silly line of questioning, we are done here.”

Ok, then…what is something you want people to know about you?

Nathan: That I have done a lot of good in my life. I’ve donated millions of dollars a year to food banks and homeless shelters around the country and will continue to do so. I’ve also put millions into healthcare and scientific research.“

Tell us about your greatest achievement.

Nathan: “There have been so many but I can’t discuss my greatest at this point. Instead I will say…developing medications that cure diseases and improve lives. In particular, genetic illnesses and recessive disorders that devastate families. Apparently, you didn’t read my company’s press kit. You really do remind me so much of the lovely, Miss Steel.”

What was the scariest moment of your life?

Nathan: “When my sister died of Menkes Syndrome, a dreadful disorder that affects copper levels in the body, leading to copper deficiency and extensive neuro-degeneration of the brain and eventual death. Like most children with Menkes, they die within the first decade of life, usually infancy, as Katherine did. She’s the reason I began my research work into genetic disorders.“

Is there a piece of advice that you have received that has really stuck with you? If so, what was it?

Nathan: “The first rule of business. Employees are replaceable.”

If you could apologize to someone in your past, what would you say?

Nathan: I don’t apologize. I have nothing to apologize for. I do, however, have a message for FBI agent, Blake Neely, and the lovely, Miss Steel.”

And what’s that?

Nathan: “Don’t get too comfortable…you are replaceable.”

That sounds like a threat.

Nathan: (Smiles)

About the Author
Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.

Her debut thriller, http://www.amazon.com/Kim-Cresswell/e/B00B5LKAXAREFLECTION, has won numerous awards. UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013), Silicon Valley's Romance Writers of America (RWA) "Gotcha!" Romantic Suspense Winner (2004) and an Honourable Mention in Calgary's (RWA) The Writer's Voice Contest (2006).

LETHAL JOURNEY was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003).

Her action-packed thrillers have been highly praised by reviewers and readers worldwide. As one reviewer said, "Buckle up, Hang on tight!"

Kim recently entered the True Crime arena. Her latest story about accused Canadian killer, Cody Legebokoff, will is featured in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press which debuted in December 2013. Her short story collection, Real Life Evil - A True Crime Quickie releases in January 2014.

Reflection Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflection-Kim-Cresswell-ebook/dp/B00B5HRBZE/ref=sr_1
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 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6898395.Kim_Cresswell?from_search=true