It's here! SEVEN OF CUPS is on sale NOW!

It's here! SEVEN OF CUPS is on sale NOW! AND, a fresh CONTEST!

Yes---SEVEN OF CUPS is on sale NOW in re-release ebook format at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ ! The second novel in the Magical Mysterious Sisters series, this book features Selene's younger sister, Izzy, and her own experience with the magical, mysterious, romantic, and murderous happenings in Fort Bedford, Florida. You won't want to miss it! Here's what reviewers say about SEVEN OF CUPS:

"A year ago Izzy’s life-love Sean was murdered. He was the only man whom until then she had thought she could find happiness with. Now, finally, she’s begun seeing Brian intimately, despite the feud his grandmother still carries against Izzy’s family from decades earlier. Izzy’s sister Selene is a powerful witch who had joined forces with the man who later became her lover to combat the town’s serial killer menace last year, and in the process had come into her powers more fully.Izzy works as waitress at her sister’s restaurant and when a suave and handsome stranger arrives, radiating waves of trouble and recording notes constantly, Izzy’s instincts go on high alert. She denies the metaphysical and witch-like gifts her sister Selene possesses, but still she recognizes the danger presented by this new individual and determines to guard against him.

Seven of Cups aptly blends a suspenseful plot line and background from an earlier installment in the series with the paranormal element and steamy sensuality to create a page-turner, readers will find captivating. Joanna K. Moore has a fine gift with plotting and character development. In Seven of Cups her weaving of the plot themes is especially emphasized, and excellent. This is a good all-round read for readers looking for an excellent story with heat and passion, mystery and paranormal activities as well."

---4.5 Kisses from Two Lips Reviews

AND! To celebrate, we're having a SEVEN OF CUPS contest at my author blog, http://www.joannakmoore.blogspot.com/ ! Winner receives a FREE PDF COPY of SEVEN OF CUPS! What do you have to do? Simple. Pick a number between 0 and 50. Email it to jkmoorebooks@aol.com . The person closest to the winning number will be the winner! Winner will be announced at my blog on Monday, Sept. 3rd, 2007, so get your entry in asap! Good Luck to all entrants!

Meanwhile...I'd love to hear from readers of both THREE OF SWORDS and SEVEN OF CUPS. Email me at the above address, and let me know what you think of the Sisters!

Until next time,
Hugs,
Joanna K. Moore
www.myspace.com/joannakmoore
http://www.joannakmoore.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm giving away another free, autographed copy of my romantic suspense novel, "Midnight Angel". If you haven't read or received a copy of my book yet, please sign up!

All you have to do to enter your name in the drawing is simply leave a comment to the contest blog post on my personal blog (www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com) and follow the instructions there!

Thanks so much for playing! =)
DRAWING WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 7th!

Hidden Shadows - New book, New author

I'm new here to the Wild Rose and wanted to say hello to everyone and introduce myself. I'm Lauren Hope, I'm writing for the Crimson Line, and my first novel, Hidden Shadows is on it's way to being released! It's a tale of loves, lies, and murder that I hope you'll enjoy.

**With a failed marriage and bitter betrayal tucked in her suitcase of baggage, Jenna Gregor is admittedly cynical and pessimistic concerning men and the prospect of a lasting relationship. When Bennett Aston sweeps into her life like a sturdy gust of wind, she jumps to defend herself at every angle from his easy confidence, southern charm, and unnerving good looks.

But in the shadows of Jenna’s past lay deep secrets. And there, a mad woman lurks in the darkness, ready to ruin all Jenna holds dear. As life as Jenna knows it begins to unravel, she finds herself in a tangled web of lies, suspicion, and murder. She must look deep inside herself to find the courage for forgiveness, trust, and self-acceptance. Only then will she discover love, redemption, and ultimately, survival.

http://laurenhope-booknews.blogspot.com/

ANGELIC VOICES is Available NOW!

Come check it out! Deanne looks great on the Climbing Rose page.

Woot!!

I hope you'll enjoy getting to know Deanne. I'm seriously considering growing her up a few years and giving her a novel of her own.

Let me know what you think!

ANGELIC VOICES by Deb Logan

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press - Climbing Rose

Rating: Sweet

Length: Rosette

Price: $1.50

Genre: Contemporary YA

YouTube

See me on YouTube...LOL

http://www.youtube.com/user/miwidenhaag

Michelle Chambers-Ripples in the Water

Local girl; local news

Absolutely thrilled to have had my first interview. Fingers crossed it helps with sales.

Michelle Chambers- Ripples in the Water

Read an excerpt from Ripples in the Water:

The coach door having been thrown open now rattled hard in the wind. Its passenger, undaunted by the thought of any discomfort, battled the blustery weather.
“Davy, are you all right? What happened?” he called above the shriek of the storm.
“I'm fine, my lord,” Davy shot back. “Something spooked the horses.”
“What was it?”
“Some dead animal or other I think. It's still there in the middle of the carriageway.” He nodded towards the sprawled, black, mass.
Seizing the lighted wick the Earl of Hawkridge edged towards the shapeless form. “Be careful, my lord,” Davy yelled. He tightened his grip on Mistral’s reins.
The light parted the darkness, and revealed the still figure of a woman lying on the highway. Lord Hawkridge hastened forward, and dropped to his knees. Anxiously he felt for signs of life. A low moan escaped her lips. She was alive. Though barely, he thought. Oblivious to the rain lashing down on him he removed his cloak, and draped it over the faintly trembling body. She moaned again, and in one swift movement he‘d scooped her into his arms, and brushed past Davy’s stunned countenance.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Davy exclaimed. “It's a woman,” he said, concluding the obvious. “What’s she doing out here, in the middle of nowhere, and at this ungodly hour?” He hastened after Lord Hawkridge.
Lord Hawkridge placed the woman in the warmth of his carriage and stared down at the bruised face partially covered by dark tendrils of her hair. She was so slight he marvelled how she’d thus far survived the bitter weather.
“I do not know, Davy,” he said giving answer, though more to himself than his coachman. His hand instinctively recoiled from the woman’s hair as she moaned again, and turned her amber coloured gaze unexpectedly onto his. Something stirred deep within him. A feeling he’d long forgotten; a feeling he’d not experienced with anyone since Anne-Marie. Anne-Marie. Lord Hawkridge briefly closed his eyes. How long had it been, since her death?
Fear widened the woman’s eyes still further as recognition seemed to dawn in their depths. “No,” she screamed. “No.” She clawed frantically at the face above hers, her nails leaving their mark. Lunging past Lord Hawkridge she reached for the coach door eliciting an oath from him in his surprise.
“You little fool,” he ground out, and pulled her roughly back to him. “Would you kill yourself?” She struggled feverishly in his arms.
“Let me go,” she cried.
“Be still.” His terse command cut through her bewildered brain, shocking her into silence. Her defiance short-lived she sank wearily against his chest the tiniest of sobs rising in her throat.
“Let me be,” she pleaded softly. “Please…let me be.”

My Lab Partners story released today

I'm really excited that my short story via the Vintage Line has released today. I want to thank my wonderful editor, Anna, for her patience and hard work to see this come about. She provided valuable insight on the blurb for which I approved. May I give you that blurb? Okay.

Leroy Doyle, a college chemistry major and track star is on the verge of scholastic probation after flunking calculus. As he enters his sophomore year he can't afford the distractions of having a girl friend, but that changes once he meets Jody Stinson. A chemical engineering major and the smartest student in the sophomore class, she is beautiful, arrogant and not very happy about being forced into being his lab partner. But Leroy senses there is more to Jody than she portrays to the outside world. Her treatment of him only serves to fuel his interest and despite her barbed remarks, he strives to win her heart.

I thorougly enjoyed writing this story and like the characters.

Review for Words

I was delighted to see a review for "Words" from Long and Short Reviews:

This is an intriguing story by Terry Odell. It is told from the perspective of both the husband and the wife —- a pair of newlyweds. It is amazing to see what can be done in just six pages. Ms Odell is indeed a skillful storyteller.

You can read the rest here

It's especially pleasing, since this was the first piece of writing I ever published, and I'm grateful to The Wild Rose Press for getting me started.

Two New Stories Released Today!

It just doesn't get any better than this -- I have not one, but TWO new rosettes being released today! I'm so excited, I can keep it in!

Here are my new stories, released just this morning:

Pregnancy Cravings

Patrice would do anything for her pregnant friend, Cathy, even if "anything" includes running to the convenience store daily to indulge her cravings. On one excursion, Patrice meets Joey Sousa, the cashier at the store. Their attraction is undeniable, but awkward: he thinks she's pregnant, she thinks he's dating someone else. Will the misunderstandings keep them apart, or will their chance meeting give birth to happy ever after?

Magic

For fifteen years, seven friends have gathered for a vacation at Lake Wentworth, NH. This year is no different -- except this time, Cass Edwards has trouble looking at her best-friend-since-forever Ben Wilson as just a friend. Can two people in search of a future find it in a mutual past? Will love strengthen the bonds of their friendship or destroy them?

Thanks for letting me share my great news with you.

New Review of "Love of My Heart" by Bess McBride from The Long and Short of It Blogspot

I'm excited to post my new review of my debut novel, a Faery Rose, "Love of My Heart" by the Long and Short of It Blogspot http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/

Review: Love of My Heart

Love of My Heart by Bess McBride

Aggie has done what no mental health therapist should do. She's fallen in love with her mysterious client, Bill. Aggie has recently purchased an old Victorian house on a hillside overlooking Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Washington; where she finds an old photograph of a Victorian era couple and a love letter written in 1885. The letter speaks of another love that can never be'that of Louise, the daughter of a wealthy English family, and her Irish lover, William. Heartbroken, Aggie soon begins to dream of the forbidden love between Louise and William, but in her dreams, William's face mirrors that of her beloved, Bill.Bill is in love with Aggie, and he can't figure out how to get close to her. If only he hadn't entered her professional doors as a client. How is he going to fix this?

"Love of My Heart is a beautiful, romantic story with a mild supernatural bent. The two main human love interests are Aggie, a therapist who is attracted to her client and is torn between her needs as a woman and her profession's Code of Ethics, and Bill, who has secrets that he won't let out in therapy not the least of which is his own attraction to Aggie.

The secondary supernatural romantic plot centers on past lovers, Louise and William. Louise lived in the house that Aggie now owns and is instrumental in getting Aggie to listen to her heart by drawing Aggie into her dreams to re-live Louise's romance with William way back in the 1800's.

Due to the style of how the paragraphs of this book are presented, it was a bit jarring at times when it came to POV shifts or time shifts. If you can anticipate this style, then you will find it easier to enjoy the nuances of this romance story.

The author has a good handle on how it was to be a woman living at home back then; where daddy's word was law. Love was not enough to withstand the strictures of a prejudicial society and I was very frustrated and angry on Louise's behalf. Yet, I felt satisfied with the strengths she showed when she exercised the only options she was capable of for those times.

I found William O'Brien's love for Louise to be quite poignant and continued to be amazed at his steadfastness as I read the letters he wrote to Louise and in time, his old landlady. Best of all, was his yummy Irish brogue. I could well understand Louise's being attracted to a man with a sexy accent.

The best part of this story is that true love endures. The author gives the reader a HEA that ties up all the loose ends, even the supernatural. Interestingly enough, she wrote the course of Louise's and William's romance in a way that could mirror real life; decisions we make along the way affect our future in surprising ways.

I enjoyed reading about how a man and a woman from two diverse families, influenced and manipulated by the ghosts of the past, find love in the future. Ms. McBride has an incredible turn of mind."

Wish me luck on my next release, "A Sigh of Love," coming soon from The Wild Rose Press.

Bess McBride.
"Romances for the Shy Girl in All of Us"
http://www.bessmcbride.com/
www.myspace.com/bessmcbride
Love of My Heart available now from http://www.thewildrosepress.com/
A Sigh of Love coming soon from http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Twilight's Kiss given a top pick Rose by Romance Reader at Heart!

I'm so excited and thrilled to announce that TWILIGHT'S KISS has been given a top pick rose from Romance Reader at Heart, from reviewer Anita Hartsell! Thank you so much, Anita! ! This has really made my Sunday! I'm going to be on cloud nine for a very long time! :)

Here's a bit of her review, to read the review in its entirety click on the link below,

Romance Reader at Heart Reviews

A fascinating tale, TWILIGHT'S KISS is a wonderful romance that captivates as it spins its magical tale of love and destiny. Exciting vampire staking action and many surprises makes TWILIGHT'S KISS a book you can't put down. It also makes it easy to recommend this book to everyone that enjoys passion and excitement.

Anita Hartsell

Thank you again, Anita!

~Marly

Competition: What makes you think of summer?

Blurb:

When Sandy Perkins encounters an awkward customer, sparks fly. Making matters worse, the 'customer' later reveals himself to her as new boss, Matt Walker.

Can Matt heal the rift with Sandy to help thwart the evil stalker threatening her life? Will Sandy finally allow herself to fall in love again?

To win a PDF copy of It Happened One Summer, let me know what song makes you think of summer? Post at my blog to ensure your entry:

http://www.lynetterees.com/blog/

Good luck!

Which authors have influenced you?

To be a great writer you need to be a good reader. I'm often suspicious of the kind of folk who claim not to read but say they are good writers. I got to thinking, who has influenced my writing the most over the years?

Now, I can't just say it's any one particular author, more an amalgam of many.

The first author who made a huge impression on me as a child was Enid Blyton. I credit Ms. Blyton with being the person who made me the avid reader I am today. I enjoyed tales of The Famous Five and The Secret Seven, Six Bad Boys [and a book that probably wouldn't get published today, The Three Golliwogs.]

From Enid Blyton, I progressed to Irish author, Edna O'Brien. I was a tender seventeen years of age when I went to visit my Swedish penpal, Anna Enliden, in Jonkoping. The only English books they had in the house were by this author. I think Anna's mother must have been studying her texts years back in college. I was immediately hooked on Girl with Green Eyes and The Countrygirls. What I loved about both books is that there were written in the first person and were way ahead of their time. They were originally published in the 60s and probably the forerunner for Chick Lit as we know it today. O'Brien was scandalised in Ireland at the time and book burning parties took place by local priests. Even the author's own mother took a black marker pen to her books!

Fancy having such an impact on society!

Next, I progressed to the works of Jackie Collins. Okay her books are sexy and full of raunch, but so are Edna's to be honest with you. They're just not so in your face as Jackie's! Although Jackie's books have sex in them, I don't think there is that much and they're not that graphic, that's not why I read them anyhow. Believe it or not, it's her plot and characters that keep me on the edge of my seat turning page after page. It's hard to believe she's almost seventy years of age.

If there was one author I would love to be compared with, it is this lady. She is so ballsy. Sometimes I think she writes like a man. I love the way she brings in organised crime and villains to die for. She never writes at the computer, always in longhand.

I wouldn't be surprised if she carried on writing until her dying day!






Another influence of mine has been Rosamunde Pilcher. She of The Shell Seekers fame and Winter Solstice. I love the way she paints pictures with her words. I feel that I can see the surroundings she conjures up whether it's on the Cornish coast or the highlands of Scotland.

My most recent influence has been, Karen Rose. She writes mystery/suspense. I love the way she goes into the thoughts of her villains. I have tried this myself for my most recent novel and it's really brought the plot to life!

I think writing like this gave my novel a whole other dimension. I don't know as I write this, if the book will be accepted for publication, but I feel it's my best work yet.

Opening our minds to new styles of writing is good for us as authors. I watch The Richard and Judy bookclub and sometimes choose works by authors I have never heard of before and have been surprised to discover a new author whose work I might not have otherwise tried.

So, my question to you is: which authors have influenced you?

My 1st Climbing Rose!

My first Climbing Rose, Corn Maze, has been released!

Here's a quick blurb:

Twelve-year-old Hannah Barnes is just like all the other girls in her small Georgia town, except for one little detail. Hannah’s best friend—make that her only friend—is a ghost. When the annual Sweet Pea Festival arrives, Hannah discovers the secret to freeing Lilah from her earthly bondage. Hannah has a decision to make. Will she help Lilah move on, or will she hold on to her best friend?

Corn Maze is available here!