A TO Z - MURDER & OBSESSION

MURDER & OBSESSION

IS MY a TO z THEME!

I'm taking places, characters, scenes, and other interesting items about my book and I give a brief explanation with a very short snippet from the book. 

Enjoy!

MURDER & OBSESSION

        Light and love seem a fleeting moment in the frozen north of Alaska. Despite his personal experiences with evil, Detective Steven Quaid is determined to hold on to that light amidst the darkness. Accused of murdering his fiancée, Detective Quaid flees incarceration to track down the culprit. He might survive the wilderness, and a savage bear attack, but another man's insidious obsession could finally prove more powerful than this dedicated detective.

My A to Z Subjects

A - Anaktuvuk
B - Big Lake
C - Coldfoot
D - Deadhorse
E - Escape
F - Fairbanks
G - Grizzly
H - Hypothermia
I - Investigation
J - Juggernaut
K - Knife
L - Little Diomede
M - Murder
N - Nome
O - Obsession
P - Provideniya
Q - Quinn
R - Research
S - Sleeping Lady
T - Tlingit
U - Unusual
V - Villains
W - Writing
X - X-Factor
Y - Yolanda
Z - Zazzy

WIN

My Book Blog Tour for Murder & Obsession
is in full swing

I'm guesting with Michael Di Gesu

Need Some Intrigue?

But it all started with Denise Covey
& 
Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!
___

While here today

Please welcome Sylvia Ney

another author highlight from the

IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here! 

Sylvia agreed to an interview!

Why did you choose this story for the anthology? 

I actually wrote the first draft for this story several years ago. It had a slightly different plot with gaps. The bones were there, but I wasn’t happy with the details. Then, I saw the call for submissions to this anthology and I wondered if I could make it work. I pulled it out of the drawer, fell in love with the story all over again, and the holes filled in themselves.

I see you write a lot of nonfiction and romance. Is WIN a romance as well? 

No. While I may choose to continue David’s story one day, and explore his future relationships, this tale focuses on the society driven by technology in a parallel universe.

Several of your stories, including WIN, have centered on the lives of teachers. Is this on purpose? 

It’s not really on purpose. I’ve been a teacher most of my life. So, I suppose it’s natural for me to approach things as a teacher, and therefore my characters become teachers of a sort as well.

Coming May 3, 2016

Preorder HERE

WIN

Tagline: 

     The connection is everything.

Blurb: 

 Seventeen year-old David Masters has grown up in almost complete isolation, despised by those around him. He is smart, determined, and compassionate. Now, an act of terrorism threatens the lives of millions. Can David help the society who shunned his very existence? Or is all hope for humanity lost? Find out in “WIN”. 

Sylvia Ney is a freelance writer, editor, and speaker. She regularly contributes to newspapers, magazines, and other anthologies. Some of her recurring publications include Houston Family magazine. Southern Writer's magazine, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Sylvia is a member of the Texas Gulf Coast Writers and the Bayou Writers Group in Louisiana.

 To learn more, visit www.sylviacney.com

Thanks, Sylvia and congratulations!

Do you have a manuscript in a drawer that might fit the next anthology?

THE HAUNTED

My Book Blog Tour began this week

I'm guesting with Denise Covey

Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!

____

But here I have

Melanie Schulz, author of The Haunted

from the IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here

Thank you, Yolanda. for having me here today; 

it’s always fun to discuss all things bookish.

My pleasure, let's get started.

1. As a writer of alternative fiction the IWSG anthology was a perfect fit, did you find the challenge easy? 

Yes and no. Writing with prompts, even as minimal as they were for this anthology, has always been a challenge for me; that’s why I don’t enter more contests. The stories I write always begin somewhere inside of me; I can’t write any other way. But, as it turns out, I already had the stirrings of this story when the anthology was announced, so in the end, I was able to write it, or rather it wrote itself.  

2. Where did the idea for Haunted come from? 

I really can’t answer that without giving away the ending. Let’s just say I wanted a particular group of people to have a voice. You’ll know what I mean once you read the story.

3. What is it about an altered universe that you appreciate?

 It gives us a chance to see the world that would’ve or could’ve been. The tagline I gave this story is: Sometimes the best things in life are the things you never got to have, and that’s what this altered universe let me do; it let me give back that best thing.  

4. Please tell us about the UBook or Newstead project. 

The Newstead Project was my first novel and the first novel in the Newstead Saga Series. Five years of my life went into developing this story. There’s some serious love there. And it’s that love of all things Newstead that led me to invent Ubooks, a patent pending new way to enjoy reading. I listen to music when I write; it takes me to that deeper level I need to be at in order to get into the character’s heads. I wanted that same experience for my readers. And now they can have it. Ubooks, in essence, are books on video, set at reading speed, augmented with scene enhancing music. And best of all? They’re free and able to be viewed on all your devices. Check out my YouTube Channel  to see the latest releases. 

Wow, what an amazing idea!

Thank you, Melanie!

Your story The Haunted - is remarkable. 

Thanks for sharing your journey.

What do you think folks, music and reading

 combined - do you listen to music when you write

 or when you read?

***

The Haunted

Melanie Schulz

Tagline:

     Sometimes the best things in life are the things you never had.

Blurb:

For five years Andy has been consumed by nothingness. Her life was fine—normal even—and then suddenly it wasn’t. No one knows why, least of all her. Desperate for answers, she seeks out yet another psychiatrist, not knowing that psychotherapy has nothing to do with it, not when the problem is that you’re being haunted.

Excerpt:

“Your dream bothering you again?” he asked, knowingly.

Andy closed her eyes and held on tighter.

He kissed her again. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m here.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she breathed, shaking her head. “Nothing does.”

John pulled back to look into his wife’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay—do we need to call your doctor?”

“The only doctor I have is an ob-gyn, and I don’t think she’ll be able to do anything about this.”

John shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it’s a hormone thing.”

Andy raised her eyebrows. “Do you really want to go there?”

“Hormones are powerful things, Andy. They can make you do all sorts of weird shit.”

“Like dream your husband’s dead?” There is was; she’d said it.

His face softened. “Is that it—is that what happened?”

Andy looked past him to the sky beyond. His hands cupped her face and brought her focus back to him. “I’m not leaving you, ever. Even if I die, I promise to haunt you.”

Andy frowned. “Don’t say that.”

“What? It’s true. You can’t get rid of me; face it.”

Andy shuddered; she didn’t know why.

***

Melanie Schulz is planted in upstate New York with her husband and three kids on a smallish plot of land she likes to believe is a farm. She plays at being a writer, same as she plays at being a farmer, and nurse, and overall enjoyer of this thing called life. One of the things she enjoys most are people who delight in discussing all things listed above. Join in the conversation at:

Website    Blog    Facebook

RAINERS

My Book Blog Tour begins today
I'm guesting with Denise Covey
Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!

____

But here I have

Sandra Cox, author of Rainers

for the IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here

to answer a few questions!

1. As a writer of fantasy and paranormal romance the IWSG anthology was a perfect fit, did you find the challenge easy?

The easy piece was the word count.  I usually write fifty-five to sixty thousand words per story, so five to six thousand was great. The fact that I have wanted to do an alternate universe story for a long time was the icing on the cake. 

 2. Where did the idea for Rainers come from?

Besides an alternate universe, I also wanted to do something on the order of zombies without the gross factor. They are just a bit too gruesome for me. One of the effects of the Rainer disease on pubescents is an indigo liquid that streams from the infected child’s mouth and nose. When I originally wrote the story, the liquid was a lavender color…until the hubby commented that the color made it sound more like a disease the Easter bunny would have. At that point I switched to Indigo. Grin.

  3. What is it about an altered universe that you appreciate?

Altered is the key. Your universe is what you make it. In my personal altered or parallel universe, I’m a NY Times bestsellerJ  

 4. Please tell us about your other writing projects.

Love, Lattes and Angel, the third in the Mutant Series, comes out in April.  FYI, until April 3^rd, Love, Lattes and Mutants is free and Love, Lattes and Danger is ninety-nine cents. 

Thanks, Yolanda. Great questions.

You're so welcome, Sandra. Rainers is a great story and one I hope you'll continue!

***

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee and enjoying a good book. She's a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast. 

 Facebook     Twitter    Blog    Website

COMING MAY 3, 2016

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Tagline: 

     Save his world or save her own.

Blurb:

Out hiking, Harper Reese tumbles into a parallel universe where a nightmarish virus has infected the sphere’s pubescent children. While there she encounters bad boy Noah Tanner who’s got problems of his own. 

Now, they must work together to track down and destroy the source of the disease before it travels to her world and infects her twelve-year-old sister.

***

Have you ordered your copy?

Do you think it's possible to write zombies minus the gross factor?

FOLDS IN LIFE AND DEATH

Why Cherie Reich Wrote “Folds in Life and Death”
for
Parallels: Felix Was Here
the IWSG Anthology!

Four elements inspired me to write “Folds in Life and Death”: 1. the IWSG anthology contest, 2. the Curse of Tippecanoe, 3. my fascination with origami and paper magic, and 4. the grief I felt by the on-the-air deaths of Allison Parker and Adam Ward.

Despite insecurities, I couldn’t pass up the chance to submit a story. The genre of alternate history spurred me to think up ideas. The perfect one hit me while showering.

In fifth grade, I learned of the Curse of Tippecanoe. According to legend, Tecumseh had his brother place a curse against Harrison and future presidents elected in years with the same number as Harrison (1840). The curse ended when Reagan survived an assassination attempt, but my mind whispered an intriguing question: What if Reagan had died and what would happen to the new president elected in 2000?

From an early age, I’ve been fascinated by the art of paper folding. Paper planes fly. Paper frogs hop, and paper cranes’ wings flap. A simple piece of paper could transform into anything. The idea of paper magic isn’t new, but I enjoyed putting my spin on it in another short story (“Paper Lanterns” from the anthology Mayhem in the Air), and I revisited its world for “Folds in Life and Death.”

On August 26, 2015, WDBJ7 news reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were gunned down on live TV. I never had the honor of meeting them, but I have met people who’ve worked for WDBJ7 because it’s one of my hometown TV stations. Some events hit you harder, and this story gave me a chance to work through my emotions.

Without one of the four, the story wouldn’t have been the same. It’s interesting how these things work out.

COMING MAY 3, 2016

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Tagline: In 2001, the Curse of Tippecanoe strikes again.

Story Description: Allyson Moore loves using her gift of paper magics. With precise folds and an incantation, she brings paper creatures to life.

But being a Paperist has its downsides too. She sees spirits, but she can’t revive them. She folds paper lanterns to release souls, but she can’t stomach sending another family member from this earthly realm.

The Curse of Tippecanoe, conceived nearly two centuries before, claims her brother, the President of the United States. She must journey to Washington, DC to be with her orphaned niece and nephew, but nothing—not even magic—can prepare her to see the brother she hasn’t spoken to in two years and release his soul to the sky.

About the Author: Cherie Reich owns more books than she can ever read and thinks up more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn’t stop this bookworm from trying to complete her goals, even if it means curbing her TV addiction. A library assistant living in Virginia, she writes speculative fiction. Her books include the paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. She is a member of the Virginia Writers Club, Valley Writers, and Untethered Realms.

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Congratulations, Cherie!

Love the premise.

Have you ever used an alternate history to write your stories?

Will you now?