Friday, April 27, 2018

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Iuliana Foos


Author Iuliana Foos stopped by to share the release of her latest book that was released on April 11th by Soul Mate Publishing (my new publisher!) Take it away!

Hello, and thank you for hosting me today.

The first idea for Bloodline Origins sparked in my mind thirty-four years ago. I was a teenager, visiting Dracula’s Castle, back home, in Romania. Once I got over the cold stone walls, dark corridors and dingy rooms, my imagination went in overdrive. It was the first time I started to speculate how the world would be if vampires were real.

I strongly disagreed in my mind with the concepts I witnessed in movies and books for the last three decades.

Just like humans, my vampires are good and bad, driven by different motives. Some are creatures of the night, some blend in with us, unbothered by daylight.

The origin of vampires I always thought it to be out of this world. I never believed in curses or undead, but I was always fascinated with life beyond our loved blue planet.


So I combined the two and it is why vampires in my ‘Bloodline’ trilogy are of alien descent. Some of them are bloodthirsty, some protect humans, but they all fall in love and live lives led by passion.


Back Cover Blurb:
Determined to turn her fantasy into reality, Ana starts her journey to become a vampire. Along the way, she learns the truth about their secret society, discovers her prestigious bloodline and falls in love.

Not all vampires are accepting of humans and war looms in the shadows. An ancient tome reveals the vampires’ alien descent and sparks war.

An army bent on eradicating her coven’s existence threatens her new world. Survival or annihilation will be in Ana’s hands. 


Buy Links      
Amazon    Amazon UK     


 
More About the Author
Born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, Iuliana Foos currently lives with her husband in San Antonio, Texas. When she doesn’t daydream or write, she enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee and playing online multi-player games, hoping one day to have a white sanded beach as her backyard. Becoming a traditionally published author has been a life-long dream turned reality. Connect with her here:




Website     Facebook     


Friday, April 20, 2018

Dragon Quests by Ron A. West

I had the opportunity to assist a Canadian gentleman who was looking for guidance with writing his new book. He contacted me due to my history of writing stories set in Scotland, and which included dragons. (Did I mention I LOVE dragons?)  I suggested an editor, and said I would be happy to help him with a cover...for a price.

Long story short, Kathy Rothenberger got him through the first edits, but a problem with his word processing software had him asking me to look through it. 

VERY long story short, I reformatted the story, added some dialog suggestions, and created the front and back covers. The book is finally out in both ebook and print (my first experience with Lulu.com and its print on demand software).

The Story:

DRAGON QUESTS moves through the centuries with the youthful Johnathan/Ianatan, Wizards, Crusader Knights and the shape-shifting dragon clan Draco, following their war with the Wyverns.

Actions take place through ancient and contemporary Europe, Canada, Scotland and Israel in the passing of times. There are young captured dragons to be rescued from a Wizard’s spell.
With puzzles, for hidden gold, for a magic sword, a religious relic, and the resolution of a murder occurring in Dragon Quests.



A Free Excerpt:

The conference call was connected, and put on speaker. Mr. Ronaldson and his grandson, Ian, were both on the Ontario connection.
Everyone introduced themselves, and then, Lora acting as coordinator, explained that the Pendregans were interested in perhaps, visiting the castle. They outlined their intent with Alex’s permission, to perhaps do a search for articles, such as religious relics they had been led to believe might be hidden there. They explained briefly that they’d received information that had turned up just recently, from their long dead ancestor, an Oberon Pendragon. There were only some rather vague directions for locating the relics on the castle site. Perhaps Alex could accompany them, all expenses paid, of course, for a few days, or even a week or two?
The reference to the name ‘Pendragon’ struck both Alex and Ian into quick looks at each other, they stopped, thoughtful and quiet for a moment.
“Hello? Are you there?” 
Covering the phone, Alex Ronaldson expressed puzzlement to Ian, “Pendragon? Oh, at first, ‘Pendregan’ didn’t sink in. But Pendragons, arriving in Aerie! That may be cause for concern there, if the way isn’t properly cleared. What relics? None in Aerie, or the castle, as far as any have told…not even the dragons had ever even hinted at anything of the like, and they’ve been about near forever.”
Ian shrugged. “Might be interesting though, eh?” he whispered.
Alex continued the call, “Sorry, we were conferring.” Alex declined any visit, citing his health, but he suggested that perhaps, if they might wait until school was out for the summer, his teen-aged grandson, Ian, just might take the trip again, as he had old (he thought, verrry old), friends there.
“Give me a couple of days to talk to Ian and his parents before deciding anything, then I’ll get back to you. As for any search,” he agreed, “as long as there was someone present representing my interests, to keep me informed.”
He added with a laugh, “so that the castle ruins are not damaged. I’ll certainly have to talk with him and to his parents, and he might have plans already. Ian usually keeps quite active in sports leagues over the summer, but we’ll see, and we’ll be in touch.”

Lora placed a call to Lunette late the next day. “I received another call back from Mr. Ronaldson. It seems that Ian Ronaldson, the young man on the conference call, the one that deciphered the location of the treasure, will happily accompany you, and be glad to act as a guide and intermediary with the townsfolk, if needed, if you can wait until school’s out in a couple of weeks or so. He knows the lay of the land and should be an asset. He seems to have a curious and investigative mind, from what I’m told. I’ll pass on their location and phone number in Niagara on the Lake, and leave the rest to you two, to arrange things with the Ronaldsons. Stay in touch, don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help.”

Dragon Quests is good, clean fun...an adventure spanning many countries, with unusual characters and beasties. Author Ron A. West was a joy to work with. He would love to hear what you think. Please give it a look!

Buy Links:

Amazon    Amazon CA     Amazon UK




About the Author
Ron had always dabbled in writing anecdotal short stories and had written dozens of poems, many of which were whimsy. Flirting with writing a book, he'd never found 'the' story.

One morning at breakfast he mentioned to his wife a Southern Belle, that he'd had a dream about their grandson finding a young dragon in a dungeon cell. Her response was the three words too seldom exchanged by older married couple. “Write it down.”
And now Ron has.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Writing a Series by Michele Drier


Author Michele Drier stopped by to share tips on writing: 

Specifically, How to write a series. Take it away, Michele!

Series are difficult to write.

There’s always a balance between too much back story and too little. Too much clogs up the plot, runs the risk of an information dump and gives readers the ability to skip chunks of the book…not what a writer wants.

Too little can leave the reader adrift in a world of people he or she doesn’t know, with relationships undefined and situations without resolution. It’s as though your friend is telling a joke and cracking up and you sit there thinking “What’s so funny?” Your friend looks at you and says, “I guess you had to be there.”

I’m at that stage now in the tenth book in the Kandesky Vampire Chronicles. The series has seen a lot of turmoil, murder, violence and love. In addition to the overall theme of the series, that of love and commitment between women who are 21st century Southern California professionals and the vampires they love, 500-year-old Hungarians, there are gulfs so wide they may not be bridgeable.

As the tension unfolds and the emotions get resolved, the characters must live in the contemporary world, solving contemporary world problems for their stories to work.

So far, they’ve been attacked by other vicious vampire families, broken up a sex-trafficking ring, discovered how the Iranians used Chernobyl to store nuclear waste, survived kidnappings and murder plots, assassinated thugs and mobsters from Chechnya and halted international weapons -running.

Well and good. Lots of action, car chases, bomb plots interspersed with scenes of hot sex, emotional arguments and angst about what being a vampire means (not aging, never gaining weight opposed to never being out in the sun and giving up the foods you love).

Now we’re in the middle of #10. I know the love plot, it will include a character turning into a vampire and a wedding. The family will be working to curtail the Russian incursion into the West because they live in Ukraine, the vulnerable place that’s constantly in Putin’s sights. And their fortune depends on having free trade and information across Europe and the Americas.

What I don’t have is a title. This is a tad awkward. Usually the first thing I do, even before I begin writing, is to give the book a title. As a pantser, writing to the title gives me a road map for the plot. And from the title also comes the cover. I work very closely with my cover artist and she reads most of the book before she begins the design.

I have some things in mind, but nothing has resonated. SNAP: Saving Kiev. SNAP: The Final Love Story. SNAP: All for Love.

Something will finally click, I know, but for now, critique partners and beta readers have to cope with SNAP: #10. Not catchy, no hint as to the plot, no clue about the action. And worst for me, no idea for a cover.

There’s been discussion lately in various writers’ groups about what’s a good number for a series. Some lean on the “less is more” side and say three, a trilogy, makes a perfect series.  Some recommend seven. And then there’s Laurie King, whose 21st novel about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes will be out in June. And Lee Child with Jack Reacher and Janet Evanovich with Stephanie Plum. Upwards of 20 books in the series.


At this point, I’m planning on #10 as the last in the Kandesky Vampire Chronicles and it will be out late this summer. But once I have a title and write the resolution, will that pesky vampire family nag at me to continue their story?

More About the Author 
Michele Drier was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series. She is the president of Capitol Crimes, the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime, and the co-chair of Bouchercon 2020. Her Amy Hobbes Newspaper Mysteries are Edited for Death, (called “Riveting and much recommended” by the Midwest Book Review), Labeled for Death and Delta for Death, and a stand-alone thriller, Ashes of Memories, published in 2017. Her paranormal romance series, The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, has consistently won awards and was the best paranormal vampire series of 2014 from the Paranormal Romance Guild. The series is SNAP: The World Unfolds, SNAP: New Talent, Plague: A Love Story, Danube: A Tale of Murder, SNAP: Love for Blood, SNAP: Happily Ever After?, SNAP: White Nights,  SNAP: All That Jazz, and SNAP: I, Vampire. Connect with her here:


*note from Nancy Lee badger: Happy Friday the 13th!

Saturday, April 7, 2018

A NEW RELEASE! With Every Breath

My Opportunity Falls series is getting larger, now that another release day is here!
With Every Breath is the third book in my Opportunity Falls series. The series started in New York, then followed two New Yorkers to New Hampshire. This book is set mainly in New Hampshire (with an important side-trip to Boston).

Book Blurb
A quirky college town, an injured hiker and his beautiful rescuer. Assumptions pull the new lovers apart. Barely surviving two stalkers, a murder on campus, heartache, and hypothermia, their race up a mountain during a snowstorm keeps the pace rolling in this hot, spicy adventure-filled romance.

FREE Excerpt 
“You live on the mountain?” Jacob asked.
“I rent a small cabin,” Destiny replied, then added, “My home is quiet and private. I enjoy my solitude. Plus, it comes with heat and hot water. I have a washer and dryer, so when I get you out of those clothes I can…” Destiny’s face burned with the heat of total embarrassment. She stopped, spun toward him, inhaled, and spoke a bit slower.
“What I meant is, you can change out of your clothes and I’ll throw them in the washer. I have a big robe that might fit you while you wait.”
He chuckled at her mortification, the first sign he seemed to understand his effect on her.
“I know what you meant. A hot shower and a chance to rest before I continue on will do me a world of good. I’ll be forever in your debt.”
He gave her a big smile, and her toes curled inside her boots. She couldn’t help returning the smile with a big one of her own. He suddenly gasped, his lungs sucking in air, as if they’d failed to get enough oxygen.
Rushing toward him, she batted at a few loose hairs tickling her forehead and placed a hand at the open ‘V’ of his shirt. He coughed, hard, as if his throat constricted more each second.
“Are you all right?” Should she slap him on the back? His backpack stood in the way, so she rubbed her hand over his chest hairs in a soothing, circular motion, while she debated what to do next. His eyes mirrored her concern. Why did she feel guilty all of a sudden?
“I’ll be okay,” he groaned, “I just need to catch my breath.” He closed his eyes. The tension between them thickened with desire, and for some reason it felt wrong. Jacob was obviously years older than the boys she dated, and he said he worked at the college. He wasn’t kitchen help, like her. He was highly educated, well-dressed, and sexy as Hell. More importantly, he was injured, and in pain.
Get over this silly infatuation and help the guy off the mountain. Drool later.
She reluctantly turned away.

Regular Retail Ebook Price: $3.99
SALE PRICE for April  $.99


Amazon     Amazon UK     NOOK


iBooks     KOBO    Amazon PRINT






and don't miss Book #1 and Book #2...



Friday, April 6, 2018

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Sydney Jane Baily



Author Sydney Jane Baily stopped by to share An Inconceivable Deception, which is Book 4 of her Defiant Hearts Series. Take it away, Sydney!

My book was released on January 1, 2018. This is a stand-alone novel, the 4th Book in the Defiant Hearts series. Come meet the Bostonians in the Victorian period of 1891. Besides the rest of the Defiant Hearts series novels and novellas,  I have written medieval and Georgian romances and am currently working on a Regency.

Book Blurb from An Inconceivable Deception:
She has loved and tragically lost. Or has she?
With her marital status a mystery, high-spirited Boston society girl Rose Malloy slips into private sorrow. That is, until a new man coaxes the light back into her sapphire blue eyes and successfully captures her fragile heart.

When the past resurfaces, bringing intrigue and danger, Rose finds her world falling apart for the second time in her young life. Keeping secrets is no longer an amusing adventure. Can Rose prevent further heartache not only for herself but for the man she loves – or will her future be destroyed by an Inconceivable Deception?

Free Excerpt: 
Rose smiled at his banter. William Woodsom was a known flirt, nearly as bad as she used to be. Yet somehow, they had never had even the briefest of attachments. She had always been interested in someone else.
Before Finn. And after him, she’d felt nothing.
“Does it really?” she asked, tilting her head. “Has Maeve Norcross grown tired of you already?”
He raised an eyebrow but gave no indication she’d hit a sore spot. “Have you been keeping track of my attachments?”
Rose did not blush; after all, she had no designs on him. “So she has discarded you?”
“What an awful way to put it!” William protested, with mock indignation. “Discarded like an old stocking.”
However, he didn’t deny it.
Rose gave an unladylike shrug. “I am returning to the ballroom now. The luster will be restored momentarily.”
William laughed. “You shouldn’t walk around by yourself.”
“I sought to avoid too many family members.” She glanced away, having said too much.
“Being the only offspring has its privileges,” he offered.
Hm. He always struck her as someone who enjoyed his privileges and he had many. Yet she was not the type to fall at a man’s feet. She’d never given up the smallest part of her heart, neither before nor since Phineas. She didn’t intend to start with the likes of Woodsom.
They were nearly at the bottom tread when he rushed a step ahead, abruptly cut in front of her, and turned to face her.
“What are you doing?” Rose asked, grinding to a stop, their faces inches apart.
“I’m going to kiss the prettiest girl at the Tremont.”

Buy Links

Amazon     Barnes  & Noble      Apple      Kobo      Smashwords




Author Bio:

Sydney Jane Baily writes historical romances, including the Defiant Hearts series set in America in the late 19th century, as well as delving into the medieval world, the Georgian, and the Regency period. She believes in happily-ever-after stories for an already challenging world.

Born and raised in California, she has traveled the world, spending an inordinate amount of time in the U.K. where her extended family resides, eating fish and chips, drinking shandys, and snacking on Maltesers.

After obtaining degrees in English literature and in history, besides writing novels, she has spent time as a copyeditor, cat snuggler, website designer, production editor, mother of two, and faithful friend to her dog, among other endeavors literary and not. Sydney currently lives in New England with her family--human, canine, and feline.

You can learn more about her books, read her blog. Connect with her here:

WEBSITE    Facebook     Facebook Author page     Twitter  @sydneyjanebaily