Times a Tickin’ . . . Kim Cox #RRBC

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m happy to host my RRBC sister, Kim Cox, with her latest release, Before We Wed. She’s brought along a great post, pics of her pups (I’m such a sap for animals) and a fun surprise freebie. This is Kim’s first appearance on my blog so I hope you’ll make her (and her pooches) feel welcome!

Times a Tickin’ . . .

Hello from Asheville, NC!

My three dogs love to run around and act crazy, playing and tackling each other. They are truly my best friends. We have two West Highland White Terriers (Westies), named Scooter and Harley, and one gray and white Yorkie mix, named Candi. I found the Westies for my husband who is a stay-at-home husband and chainsaw artist. Now he has a Harley and a Scooter. He really loves that little joke. Candi, we inherited from my mother-in-law. She’s the sweetest of all.

In All This Time, Jenny has Angel, a five-year-old basset hound. We used to have a sweet little dog with that name. I still miss that little pup. She belonged to my brother-in-law but lived with us for about five years.

See the little innocents (yeah, right) below:

Pups Relaxing Inside

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Pups’ Playground

It’s so hard to get them all to look at me at the same time.

So, I guess by now you’re wondering about the heading line, Times a tickin’ – That’s the clock ticking for the 48-hour special I have for you. And here it is . . .

All This Time will be FREE for the next 48 hours only to those who have the password. That’s right! I’ve put a bonus link at the end of Before We Wed—my newest release.

Click this LINK to purchase Before We Wed, scroll to the end of the book, read the instructions, and click the link to get your FREE book. The link at the end of the book will take you to Instafreebie where you’ll enter the password. The password is the 5^th word in the first paragraph of Chapter 13 of my book, Before We Wed.

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That’s it! Easy peasy.

But hurry, because this special bonus only lasts for 48 hours. Already have a copy? Get it for a friend. You can’t beat getting 2 books for the price of 1.

Reviews are coming in for BEFORE WE WED from readers

“Wow! What a ride.”

“…so engrossing that I couldn’t put it down”

“Sarah and Jon have a wonderful complementing dynamic.”

“I enjoyed the plot, strong characters, and mind boggling mystery.”

“A great love story with loads of action and steaminess. VERY RECOMMENDED! 5 Stars”

Before We Wed (Book 2) Style & Profile series

Just as Sarah Martin and Jon Clayton say their vows, the police crash the wedding to arrest the groom. Jon is terrified and Sarah is heartbroken. Thankfully, their friends support them emotionally and help find Jon an excellent attorney.

Is Jon truly innocent, and does he have no idea how the damaging evidence found its way into his business? Are there more sinister people involved? Will Sarah find the evidence she needs to clear him, or will she find out he’s fooled them all? If someone else is framing Jon, who is it and what are their motives?

Click this LINK to get Before We Wed

All This Time (Book 1) Style & Profile series

Marriage of Convenience, Best Friend Romance, with someone trying to kill Jenny and ruin her life:

Can Jenny and Trevor make a life together while uncovering a common enemy? Treachery, Greed, and Psychosis threaten to tear it all apart.

At thirty, Jenny Morgan’s biological clock is ticking. But as a fashion magazine CEO with a busy schedule and no significant other, her wish is unlikely to come true. When her father receives a potentially terminal diagnosis, he longs for a grandchild before he dies. Jenny’s only immediate available option is her single co-worker and best friend, Trevor Drake.

Can she really trust him to be a good husband?

To read more about the books, click the following titles: All This Time or Before We Wed

And don’t forget . . .

Once you’ve loaded Before We Wed on your Kindle, iPad, Nook, computer, etc., scroll to the end, click the link to get your FREE book. The link will take you to Instafreebie where you’ll enter the correct password. The password is the 5^th word in the first paragraph of Chapter 13.

Here’s that link one more time: Click this LINK to get Before We Wed

Drop me a line. I’d love to hear about your pets and that GREAT book you just read. Until next time, have a great day.

Why do you love to read? What are your favorite books, genres, and authors? I’d love to know.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Contact kim@kimcoxauthor.com for offer.

Welcome A.M. Manay with She Marches Through Fire #Vampires #NewRelease #RRBC

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Mae Clair

I’m delighted to welcome A.m. Manay, sister author with RRBC to my blog today. She’s here to share some background on her newest November Snow novel. I’ve already read the first two books in this series and have pre-ordered book 3, She Marches Through Fire, which releases in just a few days. The amount of world-building Anne Margaret has put into this series is phenomenal. Highly recommended by moi. 🙂

In the meantime, please say hello as Anne Margaret shares some background about a unique setting in her books…

~ooOOoo~

“Sanctuary Setting”
by A.M. Manay

In both She Lights Up the Dark and the forthcoming She Marches Through Fire, November hides in the basement of an historic church in Oakland, California. Churches have a long history as places of sanctuary for those hiding from persecution or arrest, so I found it thematically appropriate to make a church November’s place of refuge. The church is based on the one I actually attend, which continues to be a beacon for social justice even as its membership has dwindled since its heyday following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. I wonder if the internet sleuths among you could identify it based on the details in She Lights Up the Dark . . .

The sanctuary building of my church was constructed in 1913, and the heating system is thus based on century-old technology. The basement chamber where November and company hide is part of that system. A furnace heats steam, which is sent into coils that form blocks of copper tubing several feet deep. An enormous fan the size of a bedroom blows air past those heated coils. The hot air fills a half-height chamber, then it rises through vents into the sanctuary above. This photo is of that short chamber, where November and company hide.

dark basement room of old church

As you can see from the photo, the accommodations for November and her companions are not exactly lavish. It’s dark and damp down there. The ceiling is criss-crossed with old pipes and sharp bits ready to scratch the unwary and to test the efficacy of tetanus shots. The space is littered with old, rusting equipment.

And yet, unsightly as this basement room is, it keeps us warm every Sunday in real the real world, and it protects my characters in the pretend one.

It’s a testament to my characters’ desperation that no one complains much about their hiding place’s physical condition. Otherwise, it would be hard to imagine Luka, in particular, choosing to rest somewhere so beneath his station in life.

In She Marches Through Fire, November and Luka wind up spending the day beneath the church having just survived an enormous vampire brawl, a car chase, and a multi-vehicle collision at high speeds, after weeks of the enemy constantly nipping at their heels. That’s probably about what it would take to get me to sleep down there. How about you?

To find out just how much November needed sanctuary, pre-order your copy of She Marches Through Fire, arriving March 28th.

Title: She Marches Through Fire (November Snow Book 3)
Series: November Snow
Author: A.M. Manay
Cover design: A.M. Manay
Release Date: March 28, 2017
Genre: Supernatural fantasy

Mini-blurb:
Psychic vampire November Snow must battle grief, injury, and her own family as she fights evil on all sides. She seeks a cure for the poison sapping her strength and a fairy weapon as powerful as it is dangerous to wield. When it is time to save the innocent and gain justice for her maker, will she find the strength to march through the fire?

EXCERPT:
Luka woke, and his body jerked as he registered the presence of the silver bindings holding him helpless on the floor. He looked up at his companions: Pine, Hector, Raina, and Gul.

“Oh, dear,” he commented bleakly.

“Tide has turned a bit, you worthless bastard,” Hector said, unable to resist the urge to needle the man he despised.

“Indeed, it has,” Luka admitted. “The wheel of fortune does turn. One day at the top, and the next . . . Well, here we are. Are you going to torture me, Hector? Make me beg for death?” he mocked, widening his eyes in fake fear.

“He wouldn’t stoop to your level,” Pine replied tensely.

Luka looked from Pine to Hector and back again before a grin spread over his face without reaching his eyes. “My, my. How deliciously perverse. Whatever will your Grandma Hazel say? Did you know she used to keep a werewolf head mounted on the wall of her bedroom? You have to do some kind of special magic on it so it doesn’t turn back into a human one when the creature dies. I’m not really familiar with the details. At any rate, it was quite the conversation piece. Do you suppose she still has it stashed somewhere? In some ratty storage facility in suburban Nevada or something? Can you imagine? That would make a very special episode of Storage Wars, don’t you think?”

“Shut up, murderer,” Hector said, his hands balling involuntarily into fists. His knuckles glowed white against his brown skin.

“And speaking of murderers, dear Pine, has Hector told you how old his father was when I so cruelly had him slain?” A cloud crossed Pine’s face. “He hasn’t? Well, that should make for an interesting tale, indeed, but I don’t think you’ll much enjoy it. Might give you bad dreams. You know, if fairies slept.”

“I know how old Carlos was when you murdered his family and stole his childhood,” Pine managed to reply, in a voice that shook more than he’d intended. “You’re vile.”

“Tell me, Hector, do you mutts still leave your defective children to the elements? Poor little cripples who’ll never turn— freezing to death in the snow, or burning up with thirst? Mauled by vermin? Pecked at by razor-beaked birds before they even expire?” Luka had dropped his pretense of jocularity, his fangs now peeking out of his snarl.

“Enough,” Raina declared. “I need to see to November, and I may need Luka’s help. Savita may need him as well, if Greg will allow it. Nobody is torturing or killing anybody today.”

“What’s wrong with November?” Luka asked, the hostility suddenly gone from his voice, replaced by concern bordering on fear.

“I told you, William shot her,” Raina said impatiently.

“So, you pull the bullet out, and she heals. What’s the problem?” Luka asked, increasingly agitated. “Even a baby can take a bullet or three.”

Gul and Raina exchanged a look. “William poisoned the bullet, which shattered in her leg,” Gul finally explained. “Some exceptionally strong werewolf toxin. I believe you’re familiar with it, since he got it from one of yours,” he added pointedly. “It would be quite helpful if you could give us the antidote.”

Luka looked stricken. “I had plenty of it. In the house. Before it burned to the ground.”

“That is highly unfortunate,” came Gul’s understated reply. “For both of you.”

SHE MARCHES THROUGH FIRE is available for pre-order at most booksellers

Welcome John W. Howell with My GRL #Action #Suspense #RRBC Author

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m delighted to participate in the relaunch of My GRL, a pulse-pounding adventure novel by John W. Howell, and the first book in his John J. Cannon series. I’ve read all three books, and they are an adrenaline-packed punch!

Announcing the re-launch of My GRL

My GRL

The cover is new and the book edited once again to enhance the experience. What is really nice is the price has been cut for the introduction. You can buy the kindle version for a special introduction price of

$0.99

Here’s the blurb.

John J. Cannon successful San Francisco lawyer takes a well-deserved leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. He is unaware that his newly purchased boat had already been targeted by a terrorist group. John’s first inkling of a problem is when he wakes up in the hospital where he learns he was found unconscious next to the dead body of the young woman who sold him the boat in the first place. John now stands between the terrorists and the success of their mission. Amazon for the kindle version

Here is the link to Amazon for the Kindle version

Here is the link to Amazon for the Paper version

Check them out and read the first few pages on Amazon.

Also, you can check out John Cannon’s other two adventures, as well as, the new My GRL at John W. Howell’s Author Page

his-revenge-front-final our-justice-front

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Author Bio

John began his writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive business career. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. His first book, My GRL, introduces the exciting adventures of the book’s central character, John J. Cannon. The second Cannon novel, His Revenge, continues the adventure, while the final book in the trilogy, Our Justice, launched in September 2016. All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

John lives in Port Aransas, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.

Are You Ready to Join? #RRBC #SpecialToday

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Mae Clair

You’ve heard me talk about Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC) before. You’ve hear me bang gongs, blow trumpets and babble incessantly about how much I love being a member of this fantabulous organization. It’s the ULTIMATE social media platform for small press and indie authors, hands down.

And guess what?

Today only, you can join at a discounted price. Normal membership dues are $25.00 for a year, but today you can sign up for the discounted price of $20.00. That’s a paltry sum for the amount of support you’ll receive as a member.

Want to meet new authors?

Want to discover new books?

Want to have your own books read and reviewed by other club members?

Most of all, do you want to be part of an author community where the key word is SUPPORT?

As with most things, the more you participate in RRBC the more you’re rewarded through friendships, reviews and support.

Hmm…I do keep harping on that word “support,” don’t I? It’s there for a reason. It’s the backbone on which President, Nonnie Jules, has built her organization.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, thinking of joining, now is a great time to take the plunge.

Still not sure how the whole thing works? Check out my RRBC page, and my blog post Let’s Talk Book Clubs which explains the workings of RRBC in a nutshell. Then hop over to the RRBC sign-up page, and tell them Mae Clair sent you! We’d love to have you as a member.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME…IT’S ABOUT US!

Welcome Nonnie Jules, President of Rave Reviews Book Club and Rave Writers–International Society of Authors

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Mae Clair

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Hoy, boy! Do I have a special guest for you today, gang! I am honored to be hosting Nonnie Jules, the woman whose vision became Rave Reviews Book Club. Please welcome the president of RRBC and the founding member/president of the Rave Writers International Society of Authors! I’m thrilled to have her here today for an awesome Q&A and personal post!

Banner logo for author Nonnie Julies, president of Rave Reviews Book Club

How long have you been writing?
This will sound cliché, but I really have been writing all my life, at least since the 3^rd grade. I became a published author in 2012.

How many books have you authored? Please share the titles of up to three.
I have authored 3 books, and co-authored one. The titles are “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND,” and “SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS.” I can’t list the co-authored title because the question asks that I list only 3, but I’m sure you can find it…it is one of my favorites.

Do you have a writing schedule?
Yes, in my mind and in my dreams. Running an organization as streamlined and professional as RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB, consumes so much of my time, that none of you could even imagine my life. It is so extremely important to me that we succeed here, and also, that we do it in a manner conducive to the way that I live my life. I spend truly almost my every waking moment devoted to this club and the success of our members, and because of that, my own writing time has suffered. That being said, this year I have vowed to adhere to a strict writing schedule and so far so good. I won’t share it yet, though. Let’s see how it goes.

You’re a member of RAVE WRITERS – INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (RWISA). Why do you think you were accepted into this exclusive group?
Well, if you want honesty, I was accepted because I created it. BUT, if I had not been the founder of this amazing group, I would hope that my acceptance was based purely on my dedication to the perfection of writing, in all areas.

Modesty aside, what separates your writing from the millions of other writers in the world?
Believe me, I have no problem being honest about who I am, and my abilities, as everyone else should feel. I’m not sure that I can answer that question right now, so let me think on it. I do know that I can tell the pants off of a story. In plain English, I’m a good story-teller, but I can’t say that separates me from the other good story-tellers out there. I mean, I’m in awe of so many of our members and their writing, that sometimes they can make me feel as if I don’t belong alongside them. Gwen Plano, Peggy Hattendorf, Rhani D’Chae, John F., Beem Weeks, Wendy Scott, Rea Nolan Martin…and there are so many others that I have yet to read, that I just feel deep in my heart their work is going to be so enjoyable for me, too. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into some Jan Sikes, Mae Clair, John Howell, A. M. Manay, Yvette Calleiro, Natalie Ducey, Ron Yates, and even more that I haven’t listed (so please don’t be offended if I missed your name…I still want to dig into your work!) Shirley Harris-Slaughter’s first book was so detailed, I was blown away, and Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko, has me wanting to live inside her head, because of her book LEGENDS. I mean, these people leave me awe-struck!

If you could spend a day picking the brain of one author, who would that be?
If I could spend the day picking an author’s brain, it would have to be RHANI D’CHAE’S. Why? Rhani leaves me speechless with her story-lines! I read her books and I’m left wondering, “Now who could think of something like that?” She also works with a deficit in that her eye-sight is slowly leaving her, yet her writing in her books, is almost impeccable.

Are you a die-hard INDIE writer who loves having complete control of your work, or, if you were offered a publishing contract today, would you sign on the dotted line?
I am such a control-freak (I’m sure none of you have ever noticed this), that I just can’t imagine giving up control of my work. Now, as most of my peers have responded, it would have to be a darned good contract, but I’m going a step further in saying, I’d still have to be in control of my writing, my covers, etc. It’s not about the money with me.

As an author, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself spending all my waking moments in my writing room, after having found THE MOST PERFECT and THE MOST EFFICIENT person to run RRBC and all its affiliates. Let’s all pray on that for me.

What is the ONE tool that has been the most beneficial tool in the marketing of your books?
How else can I answer this other than to say the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB has been IT for me! There is no way that my books would have been read and reviewed as they have been, or garnered the attention that they have, without the support of this organization behind them. I’m shocked that so many others didn’t credit the club for the same reason. C’mon, let’s give credit where credit is due.

Name one writer that you know of, member or non-member of RRBC, who you feel should be added to the RWISA Roster of elite members? Why?
D.L. Finn is high on my list right now, and I think she will be there soon. Her writing, just in one of her books that I’ve seen…can anyone say “flawless?”

What is the one piece of advice that you could share that would be most valuable for those aspiring to not only be writers, but those aspiring to be great writers?
READ, READ, READ and stop believing all the hype! If you can’t or won’t read, then I don’t trust that you can write. AND, I’ve said quite often, some of us are so quick to believe every “good” review we’re given, and then we’re shocked when an honest one rolls around. We get upset and the truth stings. Learn to discern which reviews you should take to heart and those that should be thrown out with the trash. Believe it or not, more people are telling you that your book is good (when it’s not) because they’re afraid of sharing their honest opinion publicly, for many reasons. Rest assured, I am not one of those people. Ask around.

Do you believe that writers who churn out several books a year are really putting out quality work?
Unless it is all they’re doing, eating, sleeping, drinking, and peeing words, no, I don’t believe that it is quality that’s being churned. I have noticed some that put out books so quickly, simply because they’d like to be able to profess that “I’ve written 15 books, etc.” In their minds, they think having several books published, makes them more credible as a writer. Again, people, stop believing the hype. I’m sure of their reason, because every time they speak, they’re quick to share with you that magic number.

If you had promised your fans a book by a certain date only to find that your book wasn’t the best it could be, would you go ahead and publish your book just to meet that self-imposed deadline and deliver as promised, or, would you disappoint your fans and shelve the book until it was absolutely ready? No matter your reason, please explain why?
You know, I once wrote a poem called “We Live, We Learn, We Grow.” When I published my first novel, I was trying to meet a deadline…I failed at meeting that first deadline, but I came pretty close to the second one. I didn’t know any better at the time, but let me share this, I am re-editing that book as we speak, and will be replacing it shortly with the un-rushed version. I got it. I took my own advice that I’m always sharing, and I’m big enough to say that since I first published, I’ve Lived, I’ve Learned and I’ve Grown…immensely! Mind you, if I weren’t presiding over this extremely busy book club, these things would have definitely been done a lot sooner. So, you see, I’m so busy making everyone else’s books grand, that I’ve forgotten I need to take the time to do the same for my own.

In your opinion, what makes a book “a great book?”
To me, a great book is one with a storyline so good, so well-written and so well-told, that I want to see it on the big screen! Notice I’ve highlighted the so well-written part of this.

If you received a review of your book which stated that there were editing & proofing “issues,” what’s the first thing you would do? And the second?
Let me give you all the steps. The first thing I’d do, would be to thank the person who was sharing this info with me, then immediately head to find some of their published work, to ensure that they were credible. Remember, I always say, there are some you should take to heart, and there are some you should ignore. Reason being, if you can’t write and all of your published work is a mess, you can’t critique anyone else’s work. I’ve seen some horrible reviews given to some books and the reviewer couldn’t write to save his/her on life. Do you think I’m taking to heart their opinion of my work? NO! Moving on, the next thing I’d do, would be to head to re-read my own book, from start to finish. IF I did find that there was some validity to their claim, I would begin the work of the re-edit. IF the hiccups that were pointed out were so bad that they might affect the enjoyment of the read for another, I would pull it immediately until it was completely ready. As I said, I’m a MUCH BETTER WRITER now than I was when I first published and am not at all ashamed to say, that I’m going thru some re-edits as we speak.

~ooOOoo~

I hope you enjoyed Nonnie’s interview and post. I encourage you to check out her books:

IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC

“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help But Love

SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS…YES I SAID IT!

Connect with Nonnie on Twitter (@NonnieJules)
Or her blogs:
Watch Nonnie Write
Books by Nonnie

Thank you for supporting our RWISA RAVE WRITERS-INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS Members! Please follow and support the entire tour by visiting 4WillsPub.

Cover Reveal: A Desolate Hour by Mae Clair #RRBC Author

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Mae Clair

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Happy Monday, everyone! I’m kicking off the week by doing a cover reveal for A Desolate Hour, the third and final book in my Point Pleasant mystery/suspense series focused on the Mothman of urban legend.

Book cover for A Desolate Hour by Mae Clair shows a small town overlooking a river at night, full moon overhead, cover in wash of green red and black with white lettering

A DESOLATE HOUR
Book 3 in the Point Pleasant Series
Genre: Suspense/Mystery
Length: 79,000 Words
Publisher: Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Underground Imprint
Publication Date: July 18, 2017

BLURB:

Sins of the past could destroy all of their futures . . .

For generations, Quentin Marsh’s family has seen its share of tragedy, though he remains skeptical that their misfortunes are tied to a centuries-old curse. But to placate his pregnant sister, Quentin makes the pilgrimage to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, hoping to learn more about the brutal murder of a Shawnee chief in the 1700s. Did one of the Marsh ancestors have a hand in killing Chief Cornstalk—the man who cursed the town with his dying breath?

While historian Sarah Sherman doesn’t believe in curses either, she’s compelled to use her knowledge of Point Pleasant to uncover the long-buried truth. The river town has had its own share of catastrophes, many tied to the legendary Mothman, the winged creature said to haunt the woods. But Quentin’s arrival soon reveals that she may have more of a stake than she realized. It seems that she and Quentin possess eerily similar family heirlooms. And the deeper the two of them dig into the past, the more their search enrages the ancient mystical forces surrounding Point Pleasant. As chaos and destruction start to befall residents, can they beat the clock to break the curse before the Mothman takes his ultimate revenge? . . .

~ooOOoo~

This book was challenging for me, the hardest of the three to write, but I’m pleased with the way it turned out. If you’ve been following the series, all those questions about the Mothman are finally answered with the conclusion of this novel. Caden Flynn is back, along with other regular characters, Eve, Katie, and Ryan. There’s also a few new ones you’ll be meeting and one character, who had a minor role in A Cold Tomorrow, is now front and center.

I hope you’ll join me for the conclusion of the trilogy.

A Desolate Hour is now available for pre-order from all major book sellers. Pre-orders help tremendously with a book’s launch, so both the Mothman and I would be highly jazzed should you like to place an order now. 😀 Just click here to pick the bookseller of your choice.

And if you happened to miss books 1 and 2, the purchase links are below.

A Thousand Yesteryears (Book 1) is on sale for .99 until February 4

A Cold Tomorrow (Book 2)

Welcome Joan Hall with Unseen Motives #RRBC Author

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Mae Clair

Hand writing a letter with a goose feather Happy Thursday, blogging friends! Today, I am delighted to welcome fellow Story Empire member and Rave Reviews Book Club author, Joan Hall. This is the first time Joan has been featured on my blog, so I hope you’ll give her a warm welcome. She has a new release (which I’ve read and highly recommend) and also took the time to answer a few questions for an interview. So, let’s get down to chatting with Joan…

Thanks for visiting today, Joan. I have a number of probing questions for you. 🙂Let’s start with plotters and pansters. I think even plotters often veer from their outline during the writing process. When you finish a novel, how closely would you say the end product resembles your original concept — 100%? 50%? Something else entirely?

I call myself a “planster.” I have a general idea of how I want the story to go and end, but doing a detailed outline would take the fun of writing away. Unseen Motives ended as I planned, but as I began writing, it took some unexpected turns. I planned for it to be a stand-alone novel, but ideas for two other books came as I began to write. I would have to say the finished novel is 75% in line with my original idea.

Isn’t it wonderful how those other books crop up and start whispering “series?” In the case of Unseen Motives, I’m happy to see where the next books in the series take you, as I’m a big fan of mysteries. What is it that attracts you most to that genre?

I’ve always been fascinated with unsolved mysteries and intrigued with the idea of being a private detective. Of course, I want to solve the mystery!

I can relate to all of those! How did you choose your title?

I wrote this with the working title Willow Lake, and later changed the name of the town to Driscoll Lake. I played around with titles such as Hidden Intentions or Ulterior Motives, but there are countless books with those titles. I used a thesaurus and came up with Unseen Motives along with titles for books two and three, Unknown Reasons and Unclear Purposes.

Excellent choices! Without giving too much away, tell us a bit about your favorite scene.

A scene near the end (where the mystery is solved) was probably one of the most exciting ones to write, but there is a scene with Stephanie (the protagonist) and Matt (who becomes her love interest). He confesses something about his background and why he feels guilt over the death of his wife.

Both Stephanie and Matt were wonderful characters. When you’re not writing, what else do you do? Do you have any guilty pleasures (fave foods, TV shows, silly distractions) you’d like to share?

Living in Texas, I’d have to say Mexican food is my favorite. I’m not much of a TV person, but I love MASH reruns. I own all eleven seasons on DVD and often watch a show before going to sleep at night. Sometimes to take a short break from writing, I’ll play solitaire online

I remember having incredible Mexican food during a visit to Arizona. I love it too, but it’s not as authentic in the east. 🙂 Oh, and MASH. That was a fabulous show! How about pets? Pets and writers seem to go together like peas in a pod. What can you tell us about yours?

I love animals and have three pets – an outside dog named Maggie and two cats, Tucker and Little Bit. Tucker is the inspiration for the cat Whiskers in Unseen Motives. Little Bit is a black tailless Manx and I featured him in a story I wrote for a Halloween Anthology. What’s Halloween without a black cat? Both cats tend to “hover” when I’m writing and Little Bit often climbs in my lap. They just don’t understand that Momma is working!

LOL! I wrote a book review for Amazon last week and before I could click “submit,” my cat, Raven, walked across my keyboard and erased the whole thing! I had to redo it from scratch. Cats just don’t care what’s going on when they want attention.

Okay, a few quick questions:

Dream vacation gifted to you by a fairy godmother: A trip to the Australian Outback.

Favorite season: Autumn

Favorite type of music: Classic rock, especially music of the sixties and seventies.

Favorite musical group or singer: I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was six years old. A big highlight was being able to see Ringo Starr in concert a couple of years ago.

Casual or dressy: Casual. I could live in blue jeans.

Mountains or beach: Mountains. I love to get away from the Texas heat and humidity!

I bet it was great seeing Ringo in concert. I feel in love with the Beatles as a tween and plastered my bedroom walls with photos of Paul McCartney. I think he was one of my first crushes.

Thanks for visiting with me today Joan. Before you leave, please share the blurb for your newest release.

Book cover for Unseen Motives by Joan Hall features close-up of a window surrounded by brick and vines

UNSEEN MOTIVES

Things aren’t always what they seem…

Stephanie Harris is no stranger to mystery and suspense. The author of several best-selling thrillers returns to her hometown of Driscoll Lake twenty years after her father’s suicide when her great-aunt Helen dies.

She hopes to settle Helen’s affairs as quickly as possible and leave behind the place where she suffered so much heartache. Soon after her arrival, Stephanie stumbles upon information that leads her to believe that all is not as it seems.

When she digs deeper into secrets long buried, she begins to receive warning notes and mysterious phone calls. The threats soon escalate into deliberate attempts to harm her. Stephanie soon finds herself caught in a web of deceit and danger.

Who doesn’t want her to stay? And why? What are they afraid she’ll learn?

Undaunted, Stephanie searches for clues about the scandal surrounding her father’s death. But discovering the truth places her in the path of a cold-blooded killer.

Purchase Unseen Motives Here

AUTHOR BIO
Joan Hall has always enjoyed a good story. Some of her earliest memories are of her mother telling stories of family history and folklore. Joan developed a love of reading, frequented the school library, and spent countless hours immersed within the pages of books.

At age ten, she realized she wanted to become a writer and began to scribble stories on pieces of paper. At age seventeen, she wrote a short novel and started writing another one. After high school, she set aside her desire to become an author for several years. However, the passion for writing never left her.

Joan likes to create character-driven fiction with strong, determined female leads and male characters that are somewhat of an enigma. Her favorite genre is mystery and suspense—often with a touch of romance.

When she’s not writing, Joan likes to take nature walks, explore old cemeteries, and visit America’s National Parks and historical sites. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats and a dog.

Connect with Joan at the following haunts:
Website
Blog
Twitter (@JoanHallWrites)
Facebook
Goodreads
Newsletter Sign-Up
See all of Joan’s books here

Welcome #RRBC Spotlight Author, Marlena Smith

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Mae Clair

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Colorful banner for Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author Blog Tour Host Hello, my friends! Today, I’m pleased to take part in my first Spotlight Author post for the Rave Reviews Book Club. You’ll be seeing more of these on my blog as I participate in showcasing authors in this fabulous club. Today, the limelight is on Marlena Smith, who is on a week long tour and is here with an engaging post about bucket lists. Please comment and make her feel welcome! Take it away, Marlena…

~ooOOoo~

Welcome to Day 4 of this incredible “SPOTLIGHT” Author Blog Tour! (By the way, that’s “incredible” because of RRBC and my fantastically supportive blog tour hosts!!) I’m so happy you have joined us on the tour!

With a show of hands, who has a BUCKET LIST? I imagine there are some exciting things on those lists! Things you want to accomplish, places you want to see, people you want to meet.

Now, what about my fellow authors? Do you have a special Bucket List, one that is geared towards your writing? Well, you should!

I’ll be honest, it wasn’t until recently that I stumbled across this fun idea. I felt like it was a must for me! So today, I am sharing with you some of the things on my Writing Bucket List for the upcoming year (or two!).

old style fountain pen resting on top of papers with writing and the words My Bucket List in foreground

Devote more time to my personal blog. – Post more reviews, host more guests, share more about my life and my writing.
Devote time to my Freelance site. Build my portfolio, build my readership, make things happen.
Publish THE POWER OF LOVE in the spring.
Have a book signing. Meet readers. Make new friends.
Get my very first book review.
Publish an inspiring, thought-provoking article in a magazine. Maybe even more than one.
Give back to those that have impacted my life. (This includes my family and RRBC.)
Visit South Carolina and California, both of which are locations for my YA Romance Novel, A MOMENTARY GLANCE. (Of course, I’d love to just visit these places, too!)
Go on a Writer’s Retreat, completely isolated, surround by nature.
Publish A MOMENTARY GLANCE by the end of 2017.
Attend local Author events.
Step out of my comfort zone, do something crazy, and write about it.
Travel and explore this beautiful world, so I can be inspired.
Write & publish a poetry book.
Publish a cookbook. (Would love to do this as a fundraiser project for Relay For Life.)

I do hope you enjoyed today’s post. I greatly appreciate you stopping by! Please share your thoughts. I would love to hear items that fall on your bucket list.

~ooOOoo~

BOOK BLURB:
All she wanted was a fresh start.

Eight months ago, Scarlet made the choice to leave the prison she called home, and to escape the man that put her there. She had made a new home for herself in the small town of Belmont, Montana. The abandoned apartment was far from luxury, but she was better off, away from her past life.

She never expected to meet Lucas, the local hero and town’s only doctor. She didn’t expect to enjoy the small town life. She didn’t expect her past to catch up to her.

Will she risk it all? Risk revealing her secrets at a chance of love? Will she be forced back into the life she hated? Will she gain control of her own destiny?

Available Spring 2017!!

~ooOOoo~

Author Bio:
Author Marlena Smith is a true Southern Belle at heart. Her home has always been in Alabama and she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Growing up as a preacher’s daughter, faith and family played a large part in her life.

Her earliest memory of writing was that of 2nd grade when she was selected to attend the Young Author’s Conference in her home state. Little did she know then that her future was being mapped out.

Today, Marlena is an Author, Freelancer, Book Reviewer, Researcher and Secretary of Rave Reviews Book Club. She may wear many hats, but her passion remains with writing. That’s where her heart is and that’s where she feels she belongs. She has several works in progress, including an upcoming short romance, THE POWER OF LOVE, expected to be out in Spring 2017.

Until then, you can check out some of Marlena’s writing in the RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER’S SOUL ANTHOLOGY, available on Amazon.

Find Marlena online at:
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Website

The Writing Year That Was…

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Mae Clair

The year is drawing to a close. In a short while, we’ll be bidding 2016 goodbye. I’m excited about starting new projects and setting new goals in 2017, but it always helps to look back over the previous year. 2016 was a tough one, but it was also very good to me. Many thanks, my friends, for taking the journey with me. Here’s my personal look back, and a wish to all of us for continued success in the year ahead!

Holiday thank-you card surrounded by open fountain pen, and red and green decorations . Gold ink

WRITING
I wrote and delivered three manuscripts—two full length books, and one short story. Not too shabby for juggling a writing career with a full-time job, but I will be more than happy to wave goodbye to contract deadlines.

RELEASES
A great year! Book one of my Point Pleasant Series, A Thousand Yesteryears released April 26, and book two, A Cold Tomorrow, released December 20. Tucked in-between, my short story, The Lady Ghost, was part of Macabre Sanctuary, a free anthology of Halloween-themed stories that released on September 30. That book is still free, so if you haven’t grabbed a copy yet, don’t miss out!

RRBC
I kicked off 2016 as a brand new member of the Rave Reviews Book Club, an experience that has been a highlight of my online journey. Not only did I discover great authors and fabulous books, but I’ve made many wonderful and supportive friends as a result. And talk about fun! The Back to School Blog Block Party was the standout for me, but there were plenty of exciting events taking place throughout the year. Please see my RRBC page to learn more about this fantastic club and how it can benefit you. I’ve already renewed my membership for 2017.

BOOK OF THE MONTH
Myth and Magic was a RRBC book-of-the-month club selection in May. I picked up many new reviews as a result and was able to participate in a club discussion regarding the novel. Can we say “jazzed?” 🙂

BOOK SIGNINGS
I did two local book signings this year (one in April and one in October), and although neither resulted in a plethora of sales, I did sell copies, and had a lot of fun in the process. I also got to network with a number of other local authors and made some great connections.

STORY EMPIRE
What started as brainstorming ideas about promotion with a few other authors, evolved into a full blown website. I’m delighted to be part of this fabulous online group which also includes Staci Troilo, Craig Boyack, Harmony Kent and Sandra Cox. If you aren’t a member of the Empire, we’d love to have you follow our blog where we talk craft, writing, books, and even run off-the-wall promos. Look for more from the SE group in 2017. We’re always dreaming up something!

BESTSELLER STATUS
For the second year in a row, I hit bestseller status on Amazon, this time with
A Thousand Yesteryears, which peaked in the paid store at #1 in mystery/thriller/suspense paranormal and #1 in sci-fi/fantasy magical realism. Yes, I took screenshots. Ranking higher than Stephen King, for however brief the stay, had me floating! If you haven’t read A Thousand Yesteryears yet, now is your chance to pick up a copy for .99c for a limited time.

READING
I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge at 50 books this year, thinking I wouldn’t read as much as normal with my contract deadlines. I ended up reading 82, which proves I can’t keep my nose out of a book, I guess. My reads come from a mixture of mainstream novels, novels written by friends and RRBC members, plus others I stumble across on Twitter or book blogs. As a member of RRBC, I’m required to read 4 books a year by other member authors. in 2016, 30 of my 82 books were RRBC reads.

RAVEN
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my cat, Raven, adopted the end of September. Cats are curious creatures, and yes, she gets into many things she shouldn’t, but she’s a joy. And boy, has she grown! That’s her at the right on Christmas Day. Notice the new toy in the background (just one of many). Like a typical cat, she’s more interested in the box. She does, however, have a “Santa mouse” that she loves. 🙂

TOP TWELVE
For those of you might not know, 12 is my favorite number. Just recently, I discovered A Thousand Yesteryears made book reviewer, Jennifer Thomason’s, top twelve reads of 2016! I was thrilled to find my novel included, especially given the amazing talent in the group. You can see all twelve books on Jennifer’s blog, Dandelions Inspired. If you love to read, click “follow” while you’re there. I think Jennifer probably reads more than anyone I know! And if you’re an author, check out the review submission guidelines on her blog. She’ll give you a fair shake.

LYRICAL THRILLS
Like camping? Like to read? Lyrical Underground tagged me on Facebook this week, alerting me they’re doing a giveaway to celebrate A Cold Tomorrow. I wouldn’t mind having these goodies myself. Hop over to see what they’re giving away! I love that they’re always doing something.

BOOK SALES
My best year yet!! I’ve heard it usually takes several years to see results, and I’ve finally reached the point where that’s happening. Hopefully, I can continue to build on that momentum going into 2017 and beyond. A HUGE thank you to everyone for the support you’ve shown me. You have made my author’s journey a blessing.

Wishing you all a fabulous New Year! Cheers, and let’s head into 2017 together!

Announcing the Rave Reviews Writers’ Conference and Book Expo #RRBC

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Mae Clair

Hey, gang! If you’re a regular follower of my blog, you know I’m a member of the Rave Reviews Book Club, RRBC for short. I’ve written several posts in the past about this great community of indie and small press authors that have banned together to support each other through social media, networking and reviews. I’m coming up on a year membership renewal and I’m looking to another great year with RRBC. If you’re not familiar with how the book club works, please see my post Let’s Talk Book Clubs which is RRBC wrapped up in a nutshell.

What I really want to share with you today is something that RRBC founder, Nonnie Jules, and many dedicated members have been hard at work organizing—The Rave Reviews Writers’ Conference and Book Expo, taking place December 1-3, 2016.

Now before you start saying “Oh, I’d love to attend, but I’m not a member,” or “I’d love to attend but I’m sure it will be too far for me to travel,” you need to know two important facts:

The RRBC Writer’s Conference and Book Expo IS OPEN TO EVERYONE! That’s right, you don’t have to be a member to attend, and,

RRBC is hosting a virtual conference, so there’s no need to worry about expensive plane tickets, putting miles on your car, or dumpy hotel rooms.

What goodies can you expect? Check out this fabulous list:
Visit author booths
Attend conference sessions and workshops
Browse books for sale
Mingle and network with other writers and readers
Visit vendor booths
Have fun, enjoy yourself and learn at the same time

Some of the sessions being offered include:
Blogging for Success
Building your Author Platform
Formatting Made Easy
Book Blurbs Do’s and Don’ts
Marketing 101

There’s even a free bonus session on cover design! So grab your laptop, tablet, computer or smart phone and join in.

closeup of laptop with RRBC conference logo displayed on screen To see all of the workshops and sessions that are being offered, as well as to obtain pricing and register for the event, visit the official Rave Reviews Book Club Writers’ Conference and Book Expo website through the links above.

The registration deadline is November 23rd, so if you hadn’t gotten wind of this exciting event before, you’ve still got time to act.

And should you decide to join this uber-supportive group of authors (heck, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t), please tell them Mae Clair sent you. You can find the membership link here.