CELEBRATION TIME!

This week, I had the honor of having my novel, SHE'S MINE, chosen as winner of the January Clash of the Titles!! It's so exciting because this is a competition where readers choose which book they'd most like to read based on the cover and a brief blurb. So not only did my blurb catch interest, but the beautiful cover designed by my talented artist daughter, Tiffany Doherty, is also a winner! (you might be able to tell by all the exclamation points that I'm a little excited about this award!!!)


As I've mentioned before, Naultag - the fictional setting of SHE'S MINE - is based on the area of Massachusetts where I live and grew up. At one point, Sean takes Caitlin to a restaurant called Claudia's. Here's an interest tidbit of trivia: a friend, and former childhood babysitter, used to own a restaurant in town. She's always been supportive of both my writing and our family perennial nursery business. So I named the diner in my book after her - Claudia. Here's what the real restaurant looks like:

I'm excited to share more of my part of the world with readers. Look for more posts in the future with photos of the central MA region. And be sure to check out Clash of the Titles blog for more clashes each month. You may find a new favorite author. If you haven't yet bought a copy of SHE'S MINE, what are you waiting for?!! Hop over to Amazon and get it for your Kindle or in print.

Author Spotlight - Dana Pratola with a NEW RELEASE!!

I met Dana Pratola on Facebook. Though we've never met face-to-face, I consider her to be a friend. Two years ago, I had the joy of reading the first novel in Dana's Descended series, Descended ~ Jett. It is a fabulous novel! I absolutely must read Sebastian, because the third in the series just released and I want to read them all! 

Descended ~ Aaro released on New Year's Day. It's the third book in the 4-part Descended series. Aaro Highlander, like his “brothers,” is a special breed—not quite angel, not quite human—with spectacular gifts, deep running passions and strength of character that makes him the ideal man for our heroine, Darcy.

This part of the journey reveals prophetic secrets unknown to the other men (Jett & Sebastian) until now. While searching for a serial killer, they also await the discovery of the fourth of their kind to come together for a greater purpose. (oooh, can you feel the anticipation?!!)

Here's an excerpt to wet your appetite:

George didn’t bother to conceal his irritation when Aaro approached. He crumpled his napkin and dropped it next to his plate. “You’re food isn’t ready yet?”

Oh, how Aaro loved arrogant blow-hards. He grinned, and pulled out an empty chair. “No. So I’ll just sit with you guys for a minute. You don’t mind, right?” he asked George, then turned to Darcy.

He caught the quick snicker she tried to mask with a delicate cough and a sip of iced tea. She was something. Reaching onto her plate, Aaro stole an olive. He didn’t like olives, but it served to move her eyes to his face where he could send her a not-so-subtle wink.

George made a show of tugging up the sleeve of his Armani shirt to look at his three thousand dollar watch, even though there was a wall clock mounted less than five feet away.

“You have to get back to work,” he said, signaling their waiter for the check.

Aaro took Darcy’s hand, rubbing her wrist with his thumb. Her breath caught, an action that was mimicked by her pulse under his touch. “Do you have to leave so soon?”

She nodded, dumbly, as the waiter set down the leather check folder, thanked them for coming, and strode away. George stood, pulled a money clip from his pocket and slapped down a wad of cash, without seeming to count it.

“In that case, let me say goodbye,” Aaro said.

He leaned from his chair to hers, sliding his hand beneath her sleek ponytail and behind her neck, gently pulling her toward his waiting mouth.

The touch of her warm, flavorful lips had him pressing closer, flexing his fingers against the smoothness of her neck, resisting the desire to slide his hand down her back or to open her mouth to his probing tongue.

He’d thought he knew what he was doing. He’d meant for it to be a sweet peck on the lips, just a harmless show—

No he hadn’t. He’d meant it to be hot and searing, meant it to put that pansy, George, in his place and let him know he would never kiss Darcy like this, never evoke the response she was giving now. Only he didn’t expect his own response to be quite so urgent. Didn’t expect it to induce visions of clearing the table off with one swipe and taking her there in a crowded restaurant.

And he certainly didn’t expect the absolute silence when he reined himself in enough to back slowly away, brushing his thumb over her flushed cheek. Darcy’s eyes shimmered with heat, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she reached for her drink.

But, George didn’t give her time to sip. Moving around Aaro’s still recovering form, he took Darcy by the hand and shuffled her outside.

Aaro sat there a few more seconds, working out in his own mind what just happened. He felt…possessive. What was that about? He swallowed, hard, and looked around. Every eye in the place was focused on him, including Kate’s, her cheeks deep pink as she fanned a white cloth in front of her face.

Embarrassed, he tried a half smile as he walked back to the counter. He’d never been out of control in public before.

“So, that steak done?”

Kate chuckled. “Yes. And it’s on the house.”


Ready to buy it and read it all? Of course you are!! Pop over to Amazon, or click the book photo/name in this post Descended~Aaro

And be sure to visit Dana Pratola online to learn about her other novels, and keep up-to-date on future books. You can find Dana on Facebook, Twitter (@DanaPratola), Goodreads, or at her website, Dana Pratola ~ Author.  

Author Spotlight: Interview and Give Away

Today I am honored to have Ruth O'Neil as a guest on my blog. Ruth has been writing for over 20 years and has published hundreds of articles. Ruth is offering a GIVE AWAY of one of her books to one lucky reader. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win the Ruth O'Neil book of your choice. 

1)      When did you start writing? What was the first story you remember writing?

When I was nine I wrote my first story called "The Hunchback Bug." My mom allowed me to use her typewriter. I felt proud as I sat at the dining room table pounding away at the keys. When I was done I asked if I should put my name, age, and date at the bottom. She thought it was a good idea.

Later on that story came up missing. I never knew what happened to it until my mom passed away. Dad gave all four of us kids our baby books that Mom had meticulously kept up with from the days we were born. Inside were treasures of all kinds: hair, reward certificates from school, honor roll certificates, report cards, and…my story. She had kept that story all those years, safely tucked away so it wouldn’t get lost or damaged.

I still have it today.

2)      What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Helping other potential writers. I want to see others see their writing dreams come true. I have witnessed more than one person cry when they hold their book in their hands for the first time. There is nothing like that feeling!

3)      How many books do you currently have available?

I started a series of novels, What a Difference a Year Makes. The novels are all stand-alone with different characters. But over my life I’ve seen that so much can happen in a year. I wanted to do a series, but I get frustrated when I buy a book and it’s the second or third in a series and I haven’t read the previous ones. With my series, order doesn’t matter.

Belonging

After the death of her father, painfully shy and introverted Shelly finds her world turned upside down. She is forced to speak with people and she may even have to move from her comfortable apartment. Sorting through her father’s possessions at his house brings back many memories, including how they would research her mom’s genealogy so that in a way, she could get to know her mother’s family, who are all deceased. Shelly wonders why her dad never researched his own family and she never remembers any family events. Why? She begins a journey that takes her to places she never dreamed. Throughout the entire story, God nudges Shelly to get out of her comfort zone. That’s easy for some, but for Shelly it may almost be impossible.

Get your copy of BELONGING on Amazon: http://amzn.to/12W4JZ9

Come Eat at My Table

Karin Miller has a need to feed everyone. One of her twin daughters always teases her about it, while
the other daughter, Faith, realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Faith’s suspicions are confirmed when she is assigned a project in school that forces Karin to talk about her past. Most people have pleasant memories from childhood, but not Karin. Instead, she has a lot of secrets that she has managed to keep hidden for twenty years. These secrets have contributed to her vulnerability and lack of self-esteem. Her husband tries to convince her to talk to their girls about it and let it out. Would it be good for the girls to learn more about their mom and why she is the person she is? Until Karin faces her past, she and her family cannot face their future.

Everyone has things in their life that form who they are. It’s Karin’s past that has formed who she is. This is a story about perseverance, love, and especially forgiveness. We can all take the bad things
that happen in our lives and turn them around to benefit those with whom we come in contact.

Get your copy of COME EAT AT MY TABLE on Amazon: http://amzn.to/136NHap

4)      Which book(s) inspire you the most?

That’s like asking which child is my favorite. I think different books inspire me at different times – depending on what I’m going through at the time. I think it’s great that different authors can have an effect on me when I need it.

Keep in touch with Ruth at her blog, Real Life is Better Than Fiction 

And don't forget to leave a comment on this post, with your email address in a safe format (example: username (at) internet server (dot) net) to be entered for a FREE book. Deadline is Friday, 12/19/14 at midnight EST.