Your Summer Reading Pics

Hi Everyone,

Ms. Spitfire has the vapors and won't be able to join us today. But she sends her regards, and wanted to ask, "What is on everyone's reading list for the summer?" So if you have a moment, let's share!

Thanks!!

Friday's Special is...Touched By An Angel!

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL by Sharon Donovan

On the eve of his wife’s death anniversary, Charles is as restless as the coming storm. Surrounded by the stillness of the Mojave Desert, he contemplates suicide. But just as he is about to jump, he hears the sweet voice of his wife, telling him it’s not his time. But when Charles meets Emma, whose resemblance to his wife is hauntingly striking, he is drawn to her. And when they discover their spouses have died on the same day and are buried side by side in the same cemetery, a spiritual bonding occurs that neither can deny. Is this fate—or is Cupid shooting arrows from the sweet hereafter?

To buy Touched by an Angel from White Rose Publishing, a subdivision of The Wild Rose Press, CLICK HERE

Click to visit, Sharon's website.


Excerpt from TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL


As the sun disappeared behind the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the sky blended into a menagerie of pale peach, rich magenta, and deep indigo. Charles thought of all the sunsets he’d seen with Jill. All those good times, better times. She should be here to watch the sunset with him. Why wasn’t she? Why did she have to die? He felt so betrayed. Life wasn’t fair.

White hot fury bubbled up inside him until it erupted like a quaking volcano. Pulling off to the side of the road, he hopped out of his vehicle. He stared up at the heavens and shook his fist at God. He wanted answers. He needed answers. Angry and frustrated, he bellowed at the top of his lungs.

“Why did you take my Jill from me?” his voice echoed across the canyon. “How could you take the love of my life away? How could you? How could a loving God do something so cruel? I love her! I want her here with me! I want her back!”

The air carried with it the scent of a coming storm. Thunder exploded in the distance. A desert storm was closing in on the Mojave. The wind rippled through the surrounding Joshua trees. The mournful cry of a desert thrasher sliced through the night. Charles was as restless as the approaching storm. He looked down. The hillside gave way to steep ravines, tumbling down over rugged cliffs to the valley below. The only thing separating him from a drop of several thousand feet was a mound of crumbled rock. He took a step closer.

Just as he was about to jump, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky. He thought he saw Jill. Pellets of hard rain pounded on his back, soaking him to the bone. He blinked several times, but whatever he’d seen was gone. Thunder exploded in the sky, the sound ricocheting through the heavens. Over the rumbling, he heard Jill’s sweet melodic voice. “No, Charles. Don’t jump. It’s not your time.”


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Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL. Or, pop in and chat with Sharon!!
What other scenic sites should Charles visit to see his Jill?


Sharon Donovan lives with her family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has a certificate from Bradford Business School and a certificate in medical transcription from the Community College of Allegheny County. She was a legal secretary in the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Due to diabetic retinopathy, she lost her vision several years ago.
Painting was her passion. Devastated when she could no longer paint, she took several classes in creative writing and memoir workshops. And through the darkness, a new dream resurrected for a brighter tomorrow. Motivated by new insight, instead of painting pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.

Thursday's Special is...Cut Short!

CUT SHORT by Leigh Russell

You have been warned.
Don’t go near the park.
When a frenzied killer begins slaying young women in parkland in the sleepy town of Woolsmarsh, newly promoted Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel knows it is only a matter of time before the gruesome discovery of another naked corpse.

What began as a straightforward murder investigation is now a desperate hunt for a serial attacker whose bloodlust is spiraling out of control.

But Steel is already battling demons of her own. Her relocation to Woolsmarsh isn’t going as planned, her relationship with her boyfriend is in tatters, and now threatening messages suggest an old adversary is back to settle a score.

As the park monster continues to strike, the grisly trail begins to take some unexpected turns and Steel is drawn deeper into a deadly game of cat and mouse and a horrifying realization that she might be the predator’s ultimate kill.

To buy Cut Short from No Exit Press, CLICK HERE

Click to visit, Leigh's blog.


Excerpt from CUT SHORT


That afternoon, the DCI decided to bring John Drew in and ‘have another go,’ as Peterson put it. Pleased to leave her desk, Geraldine led the way up the stale smelling concrete stairs. This time they didn’t find the suspect alone. He peered round the door wearing nothing but a crumpled Tshirt and boxers and protested loudly when they pushed past him to see the dark-haired girl from the flower shop lying sleepy-eyed on the sofa, naked above the waist, her short denim skirt hitched up her thighs. Angela Waters’ boyfriend hadn’t wasted any time finding comfort in his loss.

‘What do you want?’ he growled.

‘Get dressed, Mr Drew,’ Peterson replied. ‘We’re taking a trip to the station. We’d like to ask you a few more questions.’ The girl rose unsteadily to her feet, tugging at her skirt. She yanked a dirty T-shirt over her head.

‘You arresting me?’ Johnny Drew demanded.

‘You arresting him or what?’ the girl repeated sullenly. Her speech was slurred.

‘Shut it, Millie,’ Drew snarled. She hung her head, glaring up at the detectives through her dark fringe.

‘You arresting me then or what?’ He struck a defiant pose, legs apart, hands on hips.

‘We’ll arrest you for wasting our time, if you don’t get dressed now,’ the DS answered.

‘Beat it, Millie,’ Drew shouted over his shoulder as he disappeared into the bedroom, muttering about privacy, Peterson on his heels. The girl slammed the front door so hard the windows shook.

The suspect sulked in the car all the way to the station.

In the interview room, Peterson went in hard. ‘You like beating up girls, don’t you? It gives you a kick. That’s right, isn’t it? Makes you feel powerful.’

Drew wasn’t cowed. ‘What’s it to you?’ he countered, gazing levelly at the DS. ‘None of your fucking business, that’s what. I want a lawyer.’ He leaned back in his chair, folded his arms and stared at Peterson. They left him to kick his heels while they sorted out a brief. Once they reassembled, Peterson resumed. Geraldine felt confident that if Drew was guilty the sergeant would crack him, but she wasn’t convinced they had the right man.


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Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of CUT SHORT. Or, pop in and chat with Leigh!!
What kind of interrogation tactics would you use on Johnny Drew?

Wednesday's Special is...Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle!

CYNTHIA'S ATTIC: THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE (Book Four!) by Mary Cunningham

Imagine the fun of meeting your twelve-year-old grandmother! Cynthia's Attic Series offers young readers an adventurous glimpse into the lives of Cynthia and Augusta Lee "Gus" as they travel through time from a magic trunk in Cynthia's Attic.

(From Gus’s perspective)

Maybe I should introduce myself. My real name's Augusta Lee, but if you're not looking for a kick in the shins, just call me Gus. I’m twelve years old (almost thirteen!) and the *star* of the series, “Cynthia’s Attic.” My best friend, Cynthia and I have traveled through time in three books so far, and have been real busy flying off to some scary castles in Europe for book four, Cynthia's Attic: The Magician’s Castle. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to give you a sneak peek! I’ve just returned from a finding Cynthia’s great-granddaddy, Beau Connor in Louisiana, and did I get a surprise! Someone, other than Cynthia, returned home with me.

To buy The Magician's Castle or another book in the Cynthia’s Attic series, CLICK HERE

Click to visit, Mary’s blog.


Excerpt from CYNTHIA'S ATTIC: THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE

Cynthia had an attic. Not just an ordinary attic. Cynthia's attic was magic.

Cynthia and I came into the world just three months apart. We grew up on the same quiet, sycamore-lined street, our friendship as close as our houses. Fifty years earlier, our grandmothers were best friends. However, we didn't realize the extent of their friendship until after our experience in Cynthia's attic. This is the story of one of our great adventures...the way I remember it.


1864: The young woman paced. Be patient, Kathryn. He will get the letter and he will find you. It must happen quickly. Forces beyond her control were working to keep her there…keep her from her one, true love. Sebastien. Please, hurry!

Footsteps approached. She grabbed the book and flew up the basement steps of the castle.

1964:

Chapter One:

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah…

"An-neeee!" I reached Cynthia's bedroom moments after the Beatles record began blaring.

"This is just like the gramophone I saw at the circus, Gus, only you don't have to crank it! What's it called?" Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Gramophone? She sounds like my grandmother. "It's called a record player, Annie, but, you're making too much noise! We can't let anyone know you're here. Not yet." I shut off the record. Too late.

"Who are you?" Suzette, arms folded, foot tapping stood in the doorway.

"She's with me, Suzette." This was bad. The last person I wanted to see was Cynthia's cranky older sister. "Her family is just visiting and, uh…Cynthia and I said she could hang around with us since she doesn't know…anyone…" My voice cracked.

Fortunately, Suzette didn't care enough to stick around and ask more questions. "Whoever you are…no more noise! I'm trying to practice." She stormed out of the room. "Pests."

I slumped onto the bed, head in hands. This is just a preview. How was I going to explain-away Annie's appearance? Or…disappearance. Now, where did she go?

"Wow, Gus! Look at all these clothes!" Annie flew from the closet, arms loaded dresses.

Oh, no. Cynthia will have a fit when…if she gets back from 1914. "Please put those back, Annie. Cynthia never lets anyone touch her clothes." I had to get through to her. "One day I got soaked in a rainstorm. Would she let me borrow a shirt and a pair of shorts? Nooo. I had to sit by the heat vent until I dried!"

Annie looked unimpressed with my lecture, but I continued, anyway.

"Cynthia could show up any minute and I, for one, don't want to hear her scream at the sight of wrinkles in her "precious wardrobe." I knew that my friend’s imminent return was wishful thinking because Annie had to get back to Beau's 1914 farm, before Cynthia could hope to travel home.

I unfolded the note that had appeared in the trunk moments after my return to the attic from my last trip through time.

Gus.
Gabriella is sending the medallion so Annie can use it to travel back. Keep her hidden until it gets there. I'll see you soon, if I don't get food poisoning from Grandma Sam's dumplings. Ha!
Your friend, Cynthia.


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Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of the second book in the Cynthia’s Attic series: THE MAGIC MEDALLION. Or, pop in and chat with Mary!!
Where and when could Gus and Cynthia pop in to create the most chaos?



Author, Mary Cunningham, makes her home in the beautiful mountains of West Georgia with her husband. They are parents of three creative children, and a delightfully witty sixteen-year-old granddaughter.

She got the idea for her children’s mystery series, Cynthia's Attic, through a recurring dream. After realizing the dream was set in the attic of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began. She has completed three books in the series and is working on a fourth, Cynthia’s Attic: The Magician’s Castle, due for release Dec. 2009.

Co-writer of a women's humorous lifestyle book titled, Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), she’s a member of SCBWI (Southern Breeze Chapter), The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.

In between editing and getting her twelve-year-old characters, Cynthia and Gus in and out of trouble, the author enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains.

Tuesday's Special is...Chasin' Mason!

CHASIN’ MASON by Stacey Joy Netzel

When his father announced his engagement to a gold-digger with a lying, scheming fourteen-year old daughter, seventeen-year old Tripp Warner left Warner Ridge Ranch and never looked back. Until the day he got the phone call that his father had died unexpectedly.

Reggie Reed lives with her guilt every day but can't quite work up the courage to track down the son of the man who raised her as his own. When Tripp shows up at his father’s funeral eleven years later--and a hell of a man to be reckoned with--he has no interest in her too-late apology. Worse, they’ve inherited half shares of the family ranch—but only if they work together to catch Mason’s Gold, the stallion a young Reggie let escape and made sure Tripp took the blame for.

Tripp proposes a secret competition to the beautiful witch who stole his life: whoever catches the stallion first gets the ranch all to themselves. It sounds simple, but once they’re out on the range, tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat and nothing goes as either of them expects.

To buy Chasin’ Mason from The Wild Rose Press, CLICK HERE

Click to visit, Stacey's website.


Excerpt from CHASIN’ MASON


“I expected you hours ago,” she said, exasperation heavy in her tone.

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Hardly,” she said with a delicate snort.

Yet her eyelids lowered as her gaze swept down and up, taking stock of the comfortable tee shirt and jeans he’d worn for the long drive from Galveston. Something flickered in her eyes; something hot he instinctively recognized as more dangerous than a rattle snake. She shut it down quick and lifted her chin so her cute little nose stuck in the air.

“And now that I can see there’s no danger to Grandma, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Her bare feet whispered across the floor toward the stairs. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Shut up. Don’t go there. Don’t—

Her right foot hit the bottom stair, her nightgown swaying with the enticing movement of her hips.

“What about you?”

She paused and turned. “What?”

Hooking one thumb in the front pocket of his jeans, he took slow, measured steps across the floor. Tension spread through him like the flush sweeping across her pale skin. Her fingers tangled in the material of her gown, tugging the hem lower as he came to a stop in front of her. Unfortunately, she also succeeded in lowering the neckline. The thud of his bag dropping to the floor made her flinch.

Tripp lowered his tone. “You said there’s no danger to Nana, but what about you?”

“Th—”

Her voice cracked and her throat muscles worked fast. He dropped his gaze to the rapid pulse beating at the base of her neck.

“I’m f-fine.”

He lifted a hand to the rosy skin of her neck; felt her life beat beneath his finger tip. Anticipation hummed along his nerve endings, making him excruciatingly aware of every shallow breath she took. “Fine doesn’t begin to cover it, Princess.”

When he slid his fingers into her silky hair to rub the back of her neck, her eyelids lowered, then closed. Her hands rose to press against his chest. God, he was pretty sure he hated her, and yet he damn sure wanted her. It was the craziest thing. He shifted closer, slid his other hand over the curve of her hip to press against the small of her back, leaned in to inhale the evocative scent of peaches. The heat of her skin burned through the thin, satiny material of her nightgown to warm his hand where it rested along her spine.

His mouth hovered above her moist lips, his unsteady breath mingling with hers. He started to close the distance.

“You hate me,” she whispered, her hands fisting in his shirt.

“Such a strong word—hate,” he murmured, even though he’d just thought it.

Forgoing her mouth, he lightly brushed his lips over her smooth cheek with its charming freckles. It wasn’t enough. With the hand buried in her hair, he angled her head to give him access to the delicate column of her neck. He pressed his tongue to her pulse, licked, then sucked gently. She made a small noise deep in her throat. His body throbbed in response as his arm curled tighter around her waist.

“You…d-don’t like me, then.”

Stubborn witch wouldn’t let it go. That hadn’t changed. He worked his way back to her mouth. “Do you like me?”

Her violet eyes opened and locked with his, making his heart thump hard.

“Don’t mess with me, Tripp. Please.” The sincerity in her voice was astounding.

“Who’s messing?” he asked, making light of her plea while brushing his thumb over her lower lip. He wanted to taste her so bad, and she just wouldn’t shut up.

“You’re going to take the ranch from me—this isn’t playing fair.”

The reminder of what was at stake in this game was just what he needed. He lowered his head to whisper against her mouth. “Like you played fair all those years ago?”

In a heartbeat, she stiffened and shoved against his chest to be free. Tripp held on; let her see who held the control now.


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Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of CHASIN’ MASON. Or, pop in and chat with Stacey!!
What’s the next move in this chess match?



Stacey Joy Netzel fell in love with books at a young age, so for her it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them. A member of RWA and WisRWA, she credits not only her parents for encouraging her dreams of becoming a published author, but also the very talented friends she’s made in WisRWA since joining in 2004. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and kids, a couple of horses, and three barn cats. When not writing and living life in general, she loves to read and watch movies—Happily Ever After’s a must.

Cliffs Notes-They're Not Just for College Anymore...

From the desk of Ms. Sally Spitfire...

My dearest Suzy-Q,

Suzy, you know that one of the main reasons that I decided to work in publishing is that I've always loved to read. Really loved to read. Do you remember middle school when you sat me down to let me know that reading during recess was a sure way to miss out on a lot of new friends? Then in high school, you would try to keep me from bringing a book to football games...

Well, I got my wish. I have a job for which I am actually required to read. All the time. Not only do I need to be "well-read" in terms of current popular authors and best-sellers, but I also have to read all of the books for which I am doing the marketing. And Suzy, let me tell you, it is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I simply adore the fact that the "work" I often take home is reading. How many people can say, "Yeah, I'm reading a historical romance about the St. Valentine's Day Massacre... it's for work..." The flip side is that a great deal of what I read is either a) not good (especially when I'm asked to give an opinion on unpublished manuscripts and proposals) or b) not the genres of literature that I enjoy. There are days when all I really want to do is sit down with the new John Green young adult novel or a classic that I've still yet to read like The Confederacy of Dunces but instead I have something for work that--like it or not (and more often not)--I have to read by Monday...

Poor, poor me.

Sorry for the short letter, Suzy, but this week I have five things I have to read for work and I didn't crack a single one over the weekend... time to start playing catch-up...

Lots of love,

(Ms.) Sally S.

Interview with John Grisham

For your weekend entertainment, the Book Roast team has uncovered an interview with John Grisham. International reporter and ace detective, "ril," is said to be behind this. For now, its origin is a mystery waiting to be uncovered. Much like the remains of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony in Egypt.

Truth or Dare: The Most Evil. The Most Fun!

Happy Anniversary, Dearest Evil!

The last round. Well, it does have to be more challenging...

:-)

EE, no choices this time. We are in the final round.

Dare:

* Karoeke, please. Sing it. Post it.

Dearest Evil, You've been a terrific sport!!! Thank You (for everything!)

:-)

Truth or Dare: Even More Evil. Even More Fun!

Happy Anniversary, Dearest Evil!

If you are just joining us, this is part 3 of 4 of our internet version of Truth or Dare. Please join us in having fun, and celebrating EE's third year in the blogosphere!

EE, Please select one question or one dare.

Questions:

* Have you ever been arrested?

* Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?

* In what ways is your dog better than the White House dog?

Dares:

* Join blip.fm and dedicate a song to the minions. (Post the details in the comments)

* Post a picture on your blog of your dog posing with one of the books in your library.

* Write a haiku about your waist.

Ready? You have three hours until the final installment of Truth or Dare.

Truth or Dare: More Evil. More Fun...

Happy Anniversary, Dearest Evil!

We hope you are having as much fun as we are!

:-)

Now, on to your next set of questions and dares. Please select either one question or one dare.

Questions:

* How many degrees do you have?

* What sport, if any, did you play in high school?

* What is the best advice you've given Evil Junior?

Dares:

* Post a picture (on your blog) of you measuring your waist.

* Go over to the Query Shark blog and make corrections to Janet's corrections on one of the last five queries, then come back over here and let us know which one you did.

* Write a 100 word superhero story, starring yourself.

Ready? You have three hours until your next Truth or Dare assignment...

Truth or Dare: More Evil. More Fun.

Happy Anniversary, Dearest Evil!!

The only way you will ever get published...is to buy THIS! and buy it NOW!

(Or, if you want a nicer cover, like the one below, double the amount and send it to ri--- err, anon.)

When you're finished buying a copy for yourself and copies for all your friends (hey, a friend bought one for me, and I CAN'T WAIT to read it!), grab yourself a snack and get ready for our internet version of

Truth or Dare!

This is how the game will work. Every three hours, a new post will go up, with some juicy questions and dares. Evil Editor will select a question, or a dare, and we will sit back and laugh.

Please post jokes, well-wishes, recipes, questions, and anything humorous in the comments section. Be polite, but don't be boring. Be sensitive and kind, but not dopey. Be sizzling and sparkling (wait, that's my dinner and wine!)...

EE, are you still there? Don't go hiding at/in/on your blog. We have ways of fetching you back here.

EE, please select one question or one dare. You have our complete attention...

Questions:

* Have you ever met a minion in person?

* Do your friends in publishing know that you have a thriving business in self-published books?

* What is the first initial of your dog's name?

* Have you ever harbored an erotic fantasy while trimming your muttonchops? If so, please describe.

Dares:

* Make up an entry for Wikipedia about were-dingoes.

* Reveal your waist measurement.

* Have Evil Junior come over and say hi in the comments.

Ready? You have three hours until your next Truth/Dare session begins. Extra credit here may mean leniency in later posts...

If you are feeling sorry for EE because we are having fun at his expense, you can click here to lay down your love.

Wednesday's Special Is...The Privateer!

THE PRIVATEER by Danielle Thorn


The reign of piracy is over in the Caribbean, or so it’s believed until diamonds are discovered in Brazil. Despite the cover-up, Captain Julius Bertrand begins to hear whispers. The Spanish guardacostas are dumping log books, and a new French pirate is on the prowl. Distracted by an avaricious woman he could never love, and the beautiful Kate O’Connell who doesn’t need him, he tries to untangle the web of mysterious cargo someone in the New World wants kept secret. When Bertrand’s pirating past returns with the explosive force of a sweeping broadside, he finds he must sacrifice everything his respectable life has brought him, in order to save what matters most.



Buy THE PRIVATEER


Visit Danielle Thorne









Excerpt from THE PRIVATEER:


"You were saying? Lyne?"

"Yes, this Lyne fellow. Repugnant. Murdered every captain he captured."

"Dreadful," Kate encouraged, wondering what this had to do with Captain Bertrand.

"He had a hand in that, he did," Moore said.

"Bertrand sailed with such a man?" asked Kate, her eyes large.

"Oh no," the surgeon assured her. "He made possible the capture, you see. Provided information that did the fellow in."

"And he’s a merchant?"

"Ah, yes," said Moore. "He ships sugar and brings in other commodities we could not do without."

"I see. So he is not a pirate or anything like that?"

Moore’s glance told her she had used up his patience. "No, but he has connections and has sailed in these waters all his life."

"But no sinister connections," Kate finished dully, but here Moore’s eyes gleamed and he gave a furtive glance through the louvers. "No one quite knows," he whispered.
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Answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of THE PRIVATEER, or stop by and chat!


Say something in pirate talk. Arrrgg!