I’m doing the hippity-hop-happy-Snoopy dance for my dear friend, Carmen Stefanescu, who is celebrating a book birthday with her new release, Till Life Do Us Part. She’s brought along a thought-pondering post with a topic that plays into her novel. Garb a cup of coffee or tea and mull it over. And while you’re pondering, be sure to check out Carmen’s release through the links below!
~ooOOoo~
Mae, thank you so much for having me as your guest today. I’m thrilled to be here, and excited to share my latest release.
Till Life Do Us Part
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Mystery, Suspense, Reincarnation,
Release date: 9th June 2016
It’s not my intention to lecture on a complicated topic but I’m sure there is no one who, having a sense of personal or collective responsibility, won’t wonder, at a certain moment in their life, what will happen to them after their physical death— why they were born and why must they die. Why life is so unfair for some and easy for others.
Is there or is there not a spirit? What is it? Is it mortal as our physical body or immortal? At one time or another we will be touched by the passing of of our mother, father or some other beloved person. We want to know if we will meet them again and, if we do, when and how—their physical body was left in a flower-covered grave in a cemetery, or was burned to ashes.
Since ancient times people have wondered if something remains of a human being after physical death. Philosophers divide into two categories according to their beliefs. One is that of materialists, who believe all we have is our life here on Earth. Nothing follows after we pass. Our name lives on in the memories of others.
The second category includes idealists. They believe there’s more than the physical body—an immortal component that doesn’t disappear when we die. They call this component the spirit or soul and have tried, unsuccessfully, to find the place it resides in the human body.
I, too, have pondered these questions regarding the mystery of our lives. The immortality of the soul is the topic of my writing. Shadows of the Past, Till Life Do Us Part, as well as the upcoming Dracula’s Mistress, all tackle this idea.
Is it my fear of death, the fear of “nothingness?” Perhaps. But I am sure Antoine Lavoisier’s statement that “nothing is lost, nothing is gained, all is changed and transformed continually,” can apply to immortality of our soul, too.
BLURB:
Barbara Heyer can hear the voices of dead people. They whisper of their deaths, seek comfort for those left behind, and occasionally even warn her about future events. But when Barbara’s brother, Colin, is accused of murder, it will take more than her gift to prove his innocence.
Becoming smitten with the handsome investigator, Detective Patrick Fischer, is a serious complication given his assignment to her brother’s case. Barbara senses there is something far deeper—and perhaps much older—than the surface attraction between them. Could that be why she’s visited by a mysterious woman named Emma in her dreams? Could past life regression tie all the seemingly unconnected events together?
Barbara and Patrick must overcome heartache to find the truth to save Colin, and perhaps themselves.
Excerpt:
Barbara drove home in a state of utter mental and physical exhaustion. So many things had piled up on her in only one day. Her head throbbed and her soul was heavy. What had the spirit, Kathleen, wanted to tell her? Why did she mention Colin’s name?
Coincidence nagged at the back of her mind. The time when the girl had regained consciousness, according to the doctor, seemed to fit the moment when the spirit stopped talking to her in the car.
The joy of having brought peace into the hearts and minds of Alfie’s family was shadowed by what the spirit implied. Colin has some explaining to do. I can’t believe he would kill someone, she thought. It’s impossible. He’s a good, quiet kid. It must have been a malicious spirit, pulling my leg. And, what about her own attacker? That despicable man. Could there be a connection? He mentioned the name Kathleen and made threats. She must keep her windows shut and locked from now on.
/././././././././
“Detective, please, don’t think I’m raving, but I have to ask. Do you know someone called Mabel?”
The man riveted Barbara with his dark blue eyes for a moment.
Barbara cringed inside. He’ll rebuke me.
The man passed a hand over his face and nodding, he answered, “Yes, I know a Mabel. My… my wife.”
“How long ago did she pass away?”
In a voice that was more than a little surprised he asked, “How on earth did you know she’s dead?”
“She’s here,” Barbara replied in a small voice.
His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. The steel in his voice was hard to miss. “What? What are you talking about?” He spun round and looked at the apparently empty space behind him.
Tell him I no longer suffer, Barbara heard Mabel’s voice.
Detective Fisher was still staring blankly around him.
“She wants me to tell you she no longer suffers. She hopes you’ve found in your heart the power to forgive her for committing suicide… for jumping off the bridge.”
The detective looked straight into Barbara’s eyes. The grief she saw in them was almost palpable.
Purchase Till Life Do Us Part from:
Solstice Publishing
Amazon
Author Bio:
Carmen Stefanescu resides in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble – the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.
Teacher of English and German in her native country, and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression by escaping in a parallel world, that of books.
Several of her poems were successfully published in a collection of Contemporary English Poems, Muse Whispers vol.1 and Muse Whispers vol.2 by Midnight Edition Publication, in 2001 and 2002. Her first novel, Shadows of the Past, was released in 2012 by Wild Child Publishing, USA.
Carmen joined the volunteer staff at Marketing For Romance Writers Author blog and is the coordinator of #Thursday13 posts.
You can stalk the author at the following haunts:
Blog
Twitter
Pinterest
Facebook
Goodreads
Google+
Amazon Author Page
Purchase Till Life Do Us Part from:
Solstice Publishing
Amazon
Sounds intriguing. Love the subject matter, the excerpt, and the trailer was awesome. Adding this to my TBR list.
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Thank you, Sue!
I’d like to know, after you read the story, whose destiny you will find more interesting – Barbara’s or Emma’s?
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Thanks for visiting to check out Carmen’s new release, Sue. She always comes up with such an interesting blend of paranormal, history and present day. I loved the trailer, too!
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Thank you, Mae, for your kindness and making me feel welcome! I really appreciate it!
For sure we were friends in another lifetime.
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That’s a lovely thought 🙂
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Big congrats to Carmen on her new book release! I am so excited for her. Mae, I’m glad to be doing the snoopy dance with you, Carmen, and Daisy lol.
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Thank you, Flossie, for your sharing Mae’s and my joy!
You, Daisy and Mae make me feel less of an intruder in your world.
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I totally agree. It’s wonderful to gather around and support her. I’m happy to be sharing with you and Daisy, too!
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I hope Carmen had a fabulous release day for her new story. I’m glad to have been involved with you, Mae, and Flossie, in showing off her lovely new book.
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You are a treasure, Daisy. Thank you for your kindness and good thoughts!
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I completely agree, Daisy. It was great to be sharing Carmen’s release day with you and Flossie, too. I’m looking forward to starting her novel this weekend!
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I’m seeing that cover a lot recently. It is absolutely beautiful.
Sounds like a great read, Carmen.
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I just finished it and left my review on Amazon (waiting for it to show up *grumble*) It was wonderful!
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I try to do the promoting that’s why you see it.
If you love a bit of history, romance, ghost talking, past life and murder mystery, then you will enjoy Till Life Do Us Part.
Thank you for commenting on my post!
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And I forgot to tell you that one of the characters is called – Emma!
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Sounds very enticing to me… enjoyed the trailer too!
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Most grateful to you for reblogging my post!
Yes, if you enjoy ghost talking, a bit of history with a sprinkle of romance and a drop of murder mystery…. then you’ve found the right story.
I am glad the trailer caught your attention. It’s my modest attempt.
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I know how much time and effort it takes to create a trailer. 🙂
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I just finished reading it. What a superb blend of ghostly mysteries and detective fiction!
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Reblogged this on KC Books & Music and commented:
If you like stories like Medium, Ghost Whisperer, etc… You’ll probably love this… I know, I do!
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Thanks for the reblog, Kev. I know that Carmen will appreciate that additional exposure. You’re the best!
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Anytime! 🙂
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Great snippet and I love the cover. Congrats to Carmen on the release and I hope it does fabulously 🙂
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Oh, thank you! From your mouth to readers’ ears!
I am so glad you enjoyed the snippet.
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Thanks so much for visiting and support, Carmen. I’m so excited for her, and the release is wonderful!
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Nice to meet you Carmen and I enjoyed the post very much. I love the supernatural and paranormal romance. Also…that cover is great. Did you have the final say?
sherry @ fundinmental
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Yes, it’s a cover perfectly fitting the content. I had the final say with my publisher, though I feared that people wouldn’t be attracted as there’s no nudity on it. You know what I mean.
I am so glad it captured your interest. Thank you for leaving a comment!
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It’s an intriguing supernatural read, Sherry. And I’ve got to agree with you about the cover…I think it’s extremely atmospheric!
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This sounds amazing! Another to add to my ever-growing TBR list. Great excerpt!
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It kept me up reading late last night, Julie!
I’m glad I keep building your TBR 😀
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Thank you, Julie!
I hope the multi layered story won’t disappoint you.
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