Monday, December 29, 2014

HAPPY HOGMANAY from Nancy Lee Badger

Hogmanay…a strange word to this American writer. 

 “What did he say?” I said to a friend the first time I heard the word. Until recently, I mistakenly assumed it was the Celtic term for Christmas.

Nope! 

Hogmanay is a celebration of the new year, as close to our ‘watching the ball drop’ festivities and the Rose Bowl Parade wrapped up in one lovely holiday.

So, I am taking a moment to wish you all a very HAPPY HOGMANAY and a very, very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just to wrap-up my activities in 2014, here are what books I released:






Nancy Lee

Friday, December 19, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger Welcomes Author Kathryn Royce-Martin



One author's journey : The Prophecy Series - Kathryn Royce-Martin
Hi everyone, my name is Kathryn Royce-Martin and I'm here today to tell you a little about myself and my debut novel Prophecy Unravelled. Before I start, I wanted to say a big thank you to Nancy Lee Badger for having me as her guest.

So, to begin,  you should know that I'm addicted to rugged, sexy heroes, in my books that is, as long as there's also a strong and beautiful heroine supporting them, however, trouble along the way is a given and so much fun to write!

Just to let you know a little about myself, my family came to Australia from the U.K. in 1962. We lived in the migrant hostel "Silver City' for a short while, while my father looked for work. Someone told him that there was work in Geelong and we journeyed on the train to stay briefly with the friend of a friend for a while until we were able to purchase a home.

Being the youngest of three children, I would spend hours as a young child making up stories in my head.  I always asked for a book for Christmas and remember the first time that I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. My family wasn't particularly well off so I had to wait for my birthday for the next in the series and Christmas for the next and so on. This was the beginning of my lifelong love of reading.

At secondary school, I was one of those nerds who loved the Library! I also loved English classes, especially when we were given a reading task or a prompt to write to and I won a number of awards for my stories.

Now, I'm all grown up, well maybe! I only read what I enjoy. If a story doesn't grab me within the first few pages I find it hard to continue reading, that's what I aspire to in my writing, to grab the reader from the outset.

My claim to fame is that I went to school with Isobelle Carmody - Of Obernewtyn fame...
Oh, and I've met Richard Dean Anderson at OzComicon!!!!! :-)

I've thought about writing a manuscript for many years, but put my writing aspirations on hold several times during my life for a variety of reasons, not least of which was a lack of confidence that my work would be good enough for others to read

So, to that end, I located and undertook numerous online writing courses with the wonderful Terry Spear. With Terry's help and encouragement both my writing and confidence improved.

Once again I began work on my novel, this time with a clear picture of my goal and the storyline in my head. My final inspiration to actually knuckle down was watching The Adventures of Merlin, although that had a most dissatisfying end and I vowed that my stories would always end happily, one way or another.

So, inspired by an image of my favourite Knight, Sir Gwaine, played by the Irish actor, Eoin Macken, Prophecy Unravelled began to flow onto the page with a working title of The Golden Stone. I connected with Eoin on Twitter and shared my inspiration with him. He was very supportive and it was enough, with everything else, to make me determined to have my manuscript published.

The characters grew as I wrote. I always knew that I wanted the story to revolve around a heroine, but in the end, several of the main characters shared the limelight with Tarienne. Tarienne evolved into a  complex blend of fierce and vulnerable, a powerful, yet sensual and loving Fae princess who becomes the glue holding the men she cares about together during their difficult quest to return the balance of magic to the Kingdom of Therin.

Before Prophecy Unravelled was finished, I'd edited the entire manuscript around 5 times. My beta readers were amazing, providing suggestions and constructive criticism and finally it was finished.
So here I am, excited that I achieved my initial goal and well on the way toward finishing Secret Alpha, the next story in the Prophecy Series.

BLURB
Prince Aidan’s life was mapped out. He would be the King of Therin when his father died. He would protect the people, lead the army to fight for the Kingdom and he liked to think that he would be remembered for his skills as a warrior and strategist.

The arrival of Tarienne at Castle Therin changed everything. In the space of three years, she had managed to turn his world upside down, challenging everything Aidan believed in.

Charged with protecting Prince Aidan so that he could fulfill a prophecy that he knew nothing of, Tarienne didn’t expect to become friend and confidante, nor be part of a ruse, feigning courtship with the classically handsome Prince. Despite her relationship with Aidan, the passion that Daien, Aidan’s dearest friend and one of the King’s Guards, ignites within Tarienne from the moment they meet, complicates her life at court.
Can she keep her magical abilities a secret, maintain the pretence of loving Aidan, convince him of his role in the prophecy, and, make the breathtakingly handsome warrior, Daien, aware of her interest, all under the ever watchful scrutiny of an unforgiving King, who is vehemently opposed to magic?

EXCERPT:
Tarienne called out, her heart pounding with terror as she searched the battlefield for Aidan and Daien, unable to find them in the aftermath of the bloody conflict. Her stomach churned at the sight of broken and bleeding bodies strewn across the battle field. The river ran red with the blood of the dead and dying. Her face dripped with tears, shed for the soldiers she knew, their limp, lifeless bodies, crumpled on the muddy ground. Never to return to their loved ones. Was anyone left alive?
Suddenly she spotted him, the lifeless body of Daien, his battle garb slick with his own blood, his brown eyes open, empty of the warmth and laughter that had lived there. She cried out, rushing to him. She almost slipped in the slimy mixture of blood and mud as she navigated around the corpses. The stench of death threatened to overwhelm her as she sank to her knees at Daien's side. Her body racked with sobs as she grasped at his now ice cold hand. She flung herself over his chest, "NO, NO, NO." She screamed and couldn't stop.
Tarienne woke in a cold sweat, her heart pounding. Sitting bolt upright in bed, she fought to retain the contents of her stomach. Her breath coming in short gasps, it took her a few moments to realise it had been a nightmare. Not real. She shivered despite the first shafts of warm sunlight peeking through the edges of the heavy curtains that covered the thick glass windows. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shook her head to dispel the disturbing images. A tear escaped, trickling down her cheek. It felt too real.

If you'd like to read more 
you can purchase 
Prophecy Unravelled at: 



You can also connect with me on

Or follow my WEEKLY BLOG on Wordpress:

What's next?:
What's next for me? Well, I'm currently writing the second book in the Prophecy series, entitled Secret Alpha. This follows the story of the wolf changeling, Tere from Prophecy Unravelled. 

I'm also working on a time travel romance with a working title of Second Chances, that deviates from my usual paranormal genre but began forming in my brain a while ago. I took the opportunity to put pen to paper, so to speak, recently when I had a bit of a brain freeze about  Tere's story which is now all moving along nicely, evolving into a suspenseful tale of hardship, love and loss. Tere's story is at times heart wrenching, the tale of a young cub raised in violence and fear, whose strength and compassion rises against all odds.

Next will be Raef's story, Tarienne's brother and the Crown Prince of the Fae Kingdom of Darewood. Raef is a powerful and handsome Fae warrior who has a dark secret that he fears will drive away the only woman he has ever loved...stay tuned. :-)

About the author:
Kathryn's love of reading and writing started in her school years, where she earned many awards for her poetry and short stories. On leaving school, Kathryn put aside her dream of being a journalist, opting instead
for the more stable choice of a nursing career. When fate brought her to a job in a Library, her dreams were rekindled, but put on hold to raise her family. She contented herself with reading widely, always searching for new authors' works to devour. From Narnia to the Lord of the Rings, magic, shifters and highland romances, her printed book collection is one of her greatest treasures, although she also loves to read works downloaded to her kindle. She has undertaken many online writing courses.
Kathryn works full time as a Librarian in a University Library in Victoria, Australia. She lives with her husband, grown-up children, two dogs named Daisy and Milly, an aging Chinchilla x Persian cat, called Matilda and a canary with the perplexing name of Roy.

Friday, December 12, 2014

MK McClintock-A Home for Christmas GIVEAWAY

I asked MK McClintock to stop by and share a few tidbits that would interest my readers. Since I live on the east coast and she is way out west in Montana, it is refreshing to get into another writer's head. Let's start off with this:

I used to be a bit of a daredevil, which included participating in such crazy activities as skydiving and cliff jumping. I’m terrified of heights. When I was younger, I wanted to be a K-9 Cop.





Dearest Reader,

What a beautiful time to be alive. I used to bemoan that I was born in what I believed to be the wrong century. I truly thought—and still do—that I would have done quite well in the 18th or 19th centuries. Yes, life was indeed rougher and so unpredictable, but aren't they still? I suppose it is the simplicity of life back then compared to how it is now. There's so much noise everywhere that I constantly feel the need to escape the din. That's not always easy, but for me, it is necessary. This is one reason why I choose to live where I do. Montana is often a forgotten place with a somewhat sparse population considering the land mass. The winters can be long and brutal with barely a hint of sun, but I wouldn't change a thing about it.

When the lakes, mountains, and parks empty of tourists, that's when I find true solace. Without that solace, I could not write. I could not create.

As Gloria E. AnzaldĂșa said, “Why am I compelled to write? . . . Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me."  This is also why I prefer to write historical fiction. Not to say that I will never write a contemporary, but historicals feed my soul in a way that a contemporary story never has.

My newest work of historical fiction is A Home for Christmas, a collection of three short stories, each one featuring a character who is in search of a new home. That wasn't my intention when I began to write the stories, but a home is exactly what they find. Their journeys may not be easy and their stories may not have all began with sunshine and roses, but they each find their own solace.

Whether you’re a writer inspired by the season and eager to write your first or tenth book, or if you’re a reader looking to curl up by the fire with a good story, may you each enjoy a season filled with possibilities, hope, and the fulfillment of dreams.  
-MK McClintock 



MK McCLINTOCK
Writing stories of love and adventure from another time.


Bio
MK McClintock spins tales of romance and adventure inspired by the heather-covered hills of Scotland and the majestic mountains of home. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, she lives and writes in Montana.

-2014 RONE Award-Nominee for Alaina Claiborne
-Crowned Heart for Excellence from InD'Tale Magazine for Blackwood Crossing and The Montana Gallagher Collection

Learn more about MK by visiting her website at http://www.mkmcclintock.com or blog at http://www.booksandbenches.com.

Genres: historical romantic westerns, historical romantic mysteries, western short stories

Contact & Connect
            

Glacier Park-October

A Home for Christmas
Short Story Collection
By MK McClintock

A collection of three historical western short stories to inspire love and warm the heart.

Praise for A Home for Christmas
"The cold nips at your face and delicious Christmas cake leaves you wanting more."
- M. Ann Roher, Author of "Mattie"

“If you like the 1800's, like I do, you will love these stories!”
-Diane Holm, The Reader’s Cove, Amazon Vine Reviewer

“I really enjoyed these charming historical fictions CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN, TETON CHRISTMAS and LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH! . . . Ms. McClintock is a very descriptive writer, I could feel the surroundings!”
-Nicole Laverdure


CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN
In search of family she barely knows and adventure she's always wanted, Katherine Donahue is saved from freezing on a winter night in the mountains of Montana by August Hollister. Neither of them expected that what one woman had in mind was a new beginning for them both.

TETON CHRISTMAS
Heartache and a thirst for adventure lead McKensie Stewart and her sister to Wyoming after the death of their parents. With the help of a widowed aunt and a charming horse breeder, McKensie discovers that hope is a cherished promise, and there is no greater gift than love.

LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH

Lily Malone has never had a real family or a real Christmas. This holiday season, she might get both. From an orphanage in New York City to the rugged mountains of Colorado, Lily sends out only one wish. But when the time comes, can she give it up so someone else's wish can come true?

Settings: Montana, Colorado, Wyoming
Christmas Short Stories/Western

Book Links

Excerpts from A Home for Christmas


Copper Point, Montana Territory—December 1879

"Alone now, surrounded by a peace she rarely experienced, Katherine pet Crockett in front of the hearth. The fire flickered, causing the flames’ shadows to dance over the log walls. The scent of yeast drifted from the rising loaves of bread waiting on the kitchen counter. Quiet surrounded Katherine and Crockett as they enjoyed a few moments alone before the others woke."

-from CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN

_____________________________________________


Wickliffe, Wyoming Territory—December 22, 1892

"The sun shone from the brilliant blue sky, kissing her skin and brightening the freckles scattered across her nose. McKensie Stewart closed her eyes, breathed in the frosty air, and spread her arms wide. She stood on the side of the snow-covered road where the stage coach had dropped them off and relished in the wonderment. They had finally arrived in Wyoming." 

-from TETON CHRISTMAS 

Look for the Wycliffe Hotel's Famous Coffee Cake recipe at the end of the book.

_______________________________________________


Cotter’s Gulch, Colorado—December 1868

Dear God. Please help me find a family. Love, Lily.
The forged wheels whirred and ground against the iron rails as the small window of the train car opened up to the vast landscape of the American West. Miss Abbott told her the same stories over and over again, promising that a new life waited. She wasn’t sorry to see the dingy city disappear four days ago, and she hoped to never see it again. Those memories she wanted to leave far behind."

-from LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH


Book Giveaway
Enter to win one of 3 copies of 
A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: 
Short Story Collection
1 print edition (US only) and 2 e-book editions
Giveaway ends 12/31/2014

Enter HERE 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Diana Cosby-a Passion for Writing And Helping our Veterans

Diana Cosby combines her passion for writing and charity work to help our troops with the release of An Oath Taken, the first book in The Oath Series.

Many of you know that I love volunteering my time and energy in helping to make a positive difference in others’ lives.  As a military brat, a retired Navy Chief, a former military wife, and a mom of three children who have served in the military—two in the Marines and one in the Army, all who have served in Afghanistan—I understand the demands on members of the military and the impact on their families. 

Upon return from combat duty, many Veterans face challenges including depression, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, suicidal thoughts, brain injury, as well as physical issues incurred during deployment. I wanted to do something that would make a difference and help these Veterans.  

So, I will be donating 100% of my proceeds from the first week of sales of 

An Oath Taken (8 December 2014 – 14 December 2014) 

to veterans’ charities and causes that support military service members and their families.

I shared my idea with my editor, and then asked if she could notify me of my royalties after the first week of sales for An Oath Taken. My editor’s response brought tears to my eyes. Kensington Publishing Corp. would gladly do as I asked — and make a matching donation.  I'm awed by my publisher’s generosity, more so that I know the money raised will go toward making a positive difference in military members’ lives.

It’s hard to deploy and leave ones family, friends, and miss the holidays, more so for those who are placed in harm’s way.  But, it’s also a tremendous challenge for the family members left at home wondering every single day if their loved one is alive.  And when the family is reunited with their soldier after a dangerous tour of duty, regular family difficulties may seem overwhelming.   Many military families need support to stay strong as their soldier receives proper treatment, which is one of the functions of the military charities I support.

Education, proper diagnosis, and treatment are the key to good physical and mental health.  I sincerely hope that my 100% donation from my first week of sales of An Oath Taken, combined with my publishers matching contribution, can help returning Veterans as they continue their on-going fight in overcoming personal battles on the home front.

Thank you all for your time, and may God bless our troops and their families!

Sincerely,
Diana Cosby


A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense.  Her award-winning MacGruder Brother books are available in five languages.  Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world.   With the release of her 6th book in the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, she’s now preparing for the release of the 1st book in her new Scottish medieval The Oath trilogy, “An Oath Taken,” which will be available on December 8th, 2014.  In addition, she’s excited about the upcoming release of The MacGruder Brothers e-Boxed Set on February 24, 2015!

Nancy Lee: Thank you for stopping by and sharing this opportunity for readers to buy a great book AND help veterans. As the daughter of a Navy veteran and the mother of an Army veteran, I salute you!

Diana: You are very welcome! I look forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

Learn more about Diana and her books at www.dianacosby.com




Friday, December 5, 2014

Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra presents THE COIN

Nancy: Author Marie Elena Alonso-Sierra stopped by to share her latest release, THE COIN, a Romantic Suspense/Thriller. Enjoy the FREE excerpt AND leave a comment for the GIVEAWAY!
Welcome!

Excerpt
Gabriela took it and averted her face, pretending to look at the passing view.  Richard wasn’t fooled.  He knew she wasn’t watching her surroundings.  “Gabriela.  We have to talk.”
“Like hell we do,” she answered, without turning her head.
“Yes, we do.  You can’t go on like this all day, pretending I don’t exist, biting my head off every time you answer my questions.”
She shrugged in answer and kept staring out the window.  They passed an ancient chimney stack from an abandoned perfume factory and rounded their way up past the old railway station.  As they climbed higher, the traffic became thicker with tourist buses, cars with foreign plates, and impatient locals.  They would be crawling along before they ever reached the road turnoff.
“Listen.  What happened last night shouldn’t have—”
“You’re damn right it shouldn’t have happened,” she told him viciously.  “And it won’t happen again.”  She turned sparkling, angry eyes at him.  “Last night, I was a fool to allow you to even touch me.  And you, chivalrous person that you are, took full advantage of a weak moment.”
He ground the car gears as the car crawled even slower, inching its way around a traffic circle with an iron sculpture of a rose cradling a perfume bottle in its center.  The fragile hold on his temper snapped.  “Damn it to hell, Gabriela.  Do you think this is easy on me?  I’m a man who’s always taken what I’ve goddamn wanted, without asking permission.  Look at me, for God’s sake.  For the first time in my life, I’m considerate of a woman, careful not to wound your damn moral sensibilities.  I’ve never given a shit about what the opposite sex has thought of me, or wanted, or whether my actions have pleased or hurt.  I’ve never been in love, Gabriela.  Do you think I enjoy feeling weak and vulnerable?  Do you?”
“No,” she admitted, and looked down at her hands.  She couldn’t fool herself.  She was lashing out at him to better protect herself against her growing attachment, her irrational love.  It was her only defense.
“I love you, Gabriela,” he said, and felt her wince at his words.  “I’m sorry about last night, but I don’t regret it happening.  I’d be a hypocrite if I told you otherwise.”  He shifted to first and managed only an inch.  “What’s done is done.  That’s no reason for going at each other’s throats for the remainder of the day.  Can we at least act civilized toward each other until I can have Maurice finish things off?  That way, I’ll finally be out of your hair and you can go back to your life the way it was.”
Outside the car, life seemed to be pulsating.  Inside, it was holding its breath.  “My life can never be the same again,” she said low, with heartrending sadness.
Richard clenched his jaw, recognizing the truth in her statement.  What comfort could he offer?  The situation could never be repaired.  He was in the same shoes.


GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment for a chance to WIN
a Signed print copy 
OR “Authorgraphed” Kindle version 
OR epub version of The Coin; bookmark; rack card.
*USA residents only
**You MUST include contact info (This blog does not collect reader info)
Book Blurb
The cost of this coin might just be too high... When Gabriela finds a mysterious coin in the French Riviera, she is thrust into a struggle between governments, terrorists, and madmen, all seeking vital information she doesn't know she has. Richard, the intelligence officer assigned to protect her, has all he can do to keep her safe--and keep the stirrings of his heart from endangering them both.

Where can readers buy your book?
Smashwords     Amazon     iTunes


                                              Author Bio
Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a full-time novelist based in North Carolina. With Cuban roots, she has lived in many countries, including France, the setting for her first novel, The Coin. She speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German, and reads Latin, Middle English, and old French. She holds a Masters in English literature, specializing in medieval romances, and is currently an active member of the Carolina Romance Writers. She loves to hear from her readers, and always hopes to open a dialogue with her fans.Connect with the author here:



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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

And the Winner is...


The Blog Tour celebrating the release of
My Dark Highlander
has ended

I am proud to announce that the winner 
of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is 

Angie D.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment, 
'liked' me on Facebook, followed me on Twitter, 
or posted a tweet. You are appreciated!


Nancy Lee