Readers! Give to our Heroes and get a book

A year ago I did this event called Give a book, get a book. It was successful and we sent hundreds of books to our active military stationed overseas.

Now, I want to do something to thank our returning heroes, our Veterans. In particular, I am running to raise funds for an organization called Heroes Project who help Veterans with PTSD by getting them active again, by helping to provide them with workout equipment and gym fees, and more.

Since I'm also an author and I have some books sitting in a cupboard I thought, "Why not give a book for a donation?"

So, here I am asking you to spread the word and to help. If you haven't read one of my books, but would like to, or have a friend who hasn't read one of my books now is the time.

I have 15 copies of KILLER BUNNY HILL, 5 copies of CONNECT THE DOTS, and 5 copies of PHISH NET STALKINGS.

For every $25 or more donation you make to my Run for Heroes page then send me a comment I will send you one of the above books at my own cost.

If you want a particular book or want it signed to someone just leave that in the comment.

It's simple. Make a donation to thank our heroes at the link above, leave me a comment that you did so, tell me which book you want and voila!

As soon as I confirm the donation the book will be in the mail. Thank you for your support for our American Heroes!

This offer is good only until I run out of the books listed above.

Halfway point of Dewey Read-a-thon

I've made it twelve hours into the Dewey 24-hour read-a-thon and I'm still kicking. However, I have to change up the pace. I need a couple of quicker reads. I'm going to read a couple of shorter books, something around 200 pages.

How goes it with all you other readers? Have you caught some cat naps? Got those healthy or unhealthy snacks and loads of caffeine to keep you motivated?

Say hi and thanks to the cheerleaders!

My next books will be a couple of older books written by Elizabeth Lowell.

Here's a little about the Fever:

Lisa Johansen had been raised around the world in the most primitive cultures her anthropologist-parents could reach. Finally they sent her back to the United States to find a husband. But Lisa wanted something more…

Ryan McCall had been raised with the best his wealthy father could provide. Now his father impatiently awaited the arrival of grandchildren. But Rye wasn’t interested in any of the well-trained beauties his father kept sending. Rye wanted something more…

In McCall’s meadow, both of them find the fever that burns through flesh all the way to the soul. But can that fever survive the civilization beyond the meadow’s timeless beauty?

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Next up is Dark Fire. Here's a liitle about the book:

Cindy McCall wanted only one thing—to be loved for herself rather than for Big Eddy McCall’s fortune.

Trace Rawlings never knew his father or his mother, but he had made a home for himself in the beautiful, treacherous cloud forests of Ecuador.

When Trace accepts a job guiding Cindy McCall safely through the wild forests, he believes he is being paid only for his local knowledge. Cindy believes she has hired Trace for his skill. Both are wrong.

When Big Eddy’s deception is revealed, Trace and Cindy have to fight to hold on to what they found deep in the cloud forest--the dark fire of love.

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Ready, Set, Go!

Let's get this Dewey Read-a-thon started.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

1) I'm reading from my home in New Hampshire where the sun is shining bright today.
2) All of them. This year I am reading the lasted novel from several of my favorite authors.
3) Oh! I've got these wonderful protein bars that I have stashed in the refrigerator ready to go.
4) I'm a writer as well as a reader. My next novel, At Face Value should be released sometime this summer.
5) This is my fourth read-a-thon. The thing to remember is that you are not in it alone. Get on Twitter and facebook. Check the 24hourreadathon site to see what is going on. And remember to thank those cheerleaders. When you feel your most exhausted and think you can't keeo your eyes open...walk outside for some fresh air.

End to a fantastic Dewey Read-a-thon

The curtain is closing on another terrific Dewey Read-a-thon along with the curtains in the bedroom. Time for a much deserved nap!

Before I get some breakfast and crawl under the covers, I want to thank the coordinators, the cheerleaders, and other readers of the Dewey Read-a-thon for the encouragement and the boosts throughout the 24 hours. Your tweets and comments really kept my mind on the goal and my eyes wide open. Okay, maybe half open.

It was exhausting and fun, and unbelievably I cannot wait for the next one.

For those of you who didn't participate in the event, please, check out the Dewey Read-a-thon website for information on the event and how to sign up for the next one.

We can never have too many readers!!

Little things like this make me glad I'm a writer

It is always nice to hear from a reader, get their feedback on a book that they've read. It's especially nice when you receive a quick email from a new reader.

Check out what I found in my email yesterday.

I recently won some of your books in a contest. I finally read all of them and really liked the books.

I especially liked the story in Killer Bunny Hill. I like the way you wrirte and how the characters relate to each other. Thanks for sharing them with me.

A new fan,
Joy

Thank you, Joy and all the other readers out there who take the time to write your author. It is always a pleasant surprise and very much appreciated.

Wouldn't this make your day?

I return home from having breakfast with a friend yesterday morning and I find a fun message that put a smile on my face and made my day. Check it out.


You Are AWESOME!!! I got my books yesterday. We went out of town for a couple of days so they were probably there Tuesday. Thank you so much! I'm very excited about reading them! I love books! They smell so good! OMG! That's sounds totally nerdy doesn't it?

Thank you so much, again!


Tell me that would not put a huge grin on your face.

Send books overseas

In honor of our military men and women overseas, I am doing a book giveaway.

This giveaway is a "Give a book, get a book." You have to give me a book, any NEW book you have sitting around and I in turn will give you a NEW copy of CONNECT THE DOTS. If you've already read CONNECT THE DOTS let me know and I will happily exchange one of my other books for a book you send.

"What am I going to do with the books you give me?"

I have friends in the military and I know they could use a good book to read so I am going to send all the books I collect to the military.

This is a "Give a book, get a book" giveaway and should be a lot of fun.

Come on fellow authors, readers, and bloggers. . .you know you have a book you can give away!

All you have to do is give away a book to get one and help our military folks overseas.

Here's what you need to do. Either leave me your email here as a comment so I can contact you or email me by going here Contact Denise and sending me a note saying you want to give a book away.

We'll exchange information and I will send you a copy of CONNECT THE DOTS.

Or, if you are local to New England and like to get up early on a Sunday then I invite you to join me for breakfast on Sunday morning between now and May 29th. Join me at Panera in Bedford, NH between 7 AM and 9 AM and exchange a book with me right then and there.

I will be doing this giveaway until May 30 or until I run out of books. On Memorial weekend I will ship the books to our military men and women.

BTW - You are not limited to donating just one book. Thanks to some terrific friends and bloggers, I have received a box of books from several people. As thanks, I sent them one of each of my books.

I really hope you pass this "Give a book, get a book" giveaway on and help me send some books to our military friends and family.

Thanks,
Denise

Authors, book bloggers, and readers - help our troops out

In honor or me finding a box of books and our military men and women overseas, I am doing a book giveaway.

This giveaway is a "Give a book, get a book." You have to give me a book, any NEW book you have sitting around and I in turn will give you a NEW copy of CONNECT THE DOTS. If you've already read CONNECT THE DOTS then let me know and I will happily exchange one of my other books for a book you send.

"What am I going to do with the books you give me?"

Such a good question. I am not going to read them. I am going to give them away.

I have friends in the military and I know they could use a good book to read so I am going to send all the books I collect to the military.

This is a "Give a book, get a book" giveaway and should be a lot of fun.

Come on fellow authors, readers, and bloggers. . .you know you have a book you can give away!

Now that you know about the giveaway, all you have to do is give away a book to get one and help our military folks overseas.

Here's what you need to do. Either leave me your email here as a comment so I can contact you or email me by going here Contact Denise and sending me a note saying you want to give a book away.

We'll exchange information and I will send you a copy of CONNECT THE DOTS.

Or, if you are local to New England and like to get up early on a Sunday then I invite you to join me for breakfast on Sunday morning between now and May 25th. Join me at Panera in Bedford, NH between 7 AM and 9 AM and exchange a book with me right then and there.

I will be doing this giveaway until May 25 or until I run out of books. Then on Memorial weekend I will ship the books to our military men and women.

I really hope you pass this "Give a book, get a book" giveaway on and help me send some books to our military friends and family.

Thanks,
Denise

Dewey Read-A-Thon Day

Twice a year Dewey's Read-a-thon hosts a real live read-a-thon. Bloggers read and post about what they read and encourage other participants. They arrange for cheerleaders to boost your reading and encourage you to not give up in those last 5 hours. There are mini-challenges throught the 24 hours and even prizes.

If you don't blog, don't worry about it. Visit here and share what you have read, what is keeping you going (like Cheetos, Mountain Dew, delivered pizza), what's your goal, and what's next on your list. Go sign-up at Dewey's Read-a-thon and let me know and we will keep each other awake and motivated for the next 24 hours.

Think of it - reading, reading, and reading!

It starts today at 8AM east coast time. So, if you've got a few books that have been on your reading list, or in your to-be-read pile then pull them out, grab a comfy chair, a good lamp, and a whole lot of snack food and start reading.

Now, you don't have to stop doing everything so if you have to go out to eat with your hubby or do some laundry then do it. Just take a book with you. While your date is boring you to death you can sneak off to the ladies' room and read a page or two. OH! E-books would be a great way to deal with that pesky date. Just set it on your seat while he chatters on about his work or his manliness.

Last time I think I finished 4 books, which isn't a lot, but like I said you can still do other things in between books.

My goal this time is to do 5 books. Hey! It's an improvement.

I'm starting my marathon with Carolina Moon and Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts.




Now I have to go to my Saturday morning lesson, but while I'm driving there I will be listening to an audiobook.

HAPPY READING!!





We've reached hour 9 and I've finished my first 2 books. WOOT! Not bad for someone who had to go shooting before she got to get cozy in her chair and a couple of good books.

Thanks to the cheerleaders for stopping by and leaving me notes of encouragement.

My next two books are a couple more by Nora Roberts. Hm...there must be a theme to this reading. I'm going to finish the Three Sister's Island Trilogy for my next two books. Next up:














A little over 8 hours left.
Whew! How goes the reading?

What has helped you stay awake, keep you reading? Did you prop your eyelids open with toothpicks? Splash your face with cold water?

Do you have a pile of junk food wrappers on the table sitting next to you?

Me - I took a break and made some spicy chili. I've switched chairs to give my hiney a rest. I haven't reached for the ceffeine yet, but that may be soon.

Right now I'm sucking on little jelly-filled raspberry candies. Ahh! SUGAR!

But the good news is. . . I've finished my first 4 books. YIPPEE! Now I'm going to get up and stretch, and yes, get some caffeine, and go find my next 2 books.

Keep up the good work. Keep reading!


Two hours left and we're almost there!



Can you believe you've been up for almost 24 hours? Can you believe you've been reading for almost 24 hours? Time flies when you're having fun!


Yea me! I have surpassed my goal.

How about you? How'd you do?





Finished Janet Evanovich's latest novel. Currently reading Tess Gerristen's latest release.















Last Read-a-thon Post:

I did it! This is my second Dewey Read-a-thon and the second time I managed to stay awake and read. Of course, my hiney is now flat, and I probably stink but can't tell from the morning breath related to all the junk food I ate to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. What exactly is bushy-tailed?

Oh! I'm also a little loopy and wired since I have now surpassed the hours of awakeness into the 27 hour mark. AND oh-my-gosh! I need food, real food.

Thanks Dewey's Read-a-thon for hosting a real live read-a-thon. I look forward to participating in the next one.

Thanks to all the cheerleaders! Your words and poems of encouragement were terrific motivation. You all deserve to have your pom-poms bronzed.

I have one favor though. Can you email us past participants to let us know ahead of time when the event will be? That way, little blonde flakes like me don't notice the event at the last minute. :-)

I will even donate a couple of books as prizes for the next Dewey Read-a-thon!

Support your local author

I want to discuss the topic of supporting your local author from several different points. First, do you know who your local authors are? How do you find the local authors?

I will be the first to tell you that I as a local author am probably standing on my rooftop shouting to the world, “Here I am! Read my book!” Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but if you ask my neighbor she’ll tell you I asked her to paint me a sign (she’s a painter/artist) that says “Denise Robbins – author lives here.” You think I’m kidding?

My point is that most local authors are truly trying to shout out their names so look around, read the calendar section in the newspaper, do a search on the web for your area, check out the local writing groups, or even ask the local library or bookstore.

Now that you’ve located a local author or twenty, how can you support us?
I’m going to look at this from two perspectives, the first being from a reader and another author, the second from the viewpoint of a local business.

As a reader and an author, the number one thing you can do to support your local author is to buy the author’s book. Even if you don’t read romance or science-fiction, buy the book and give it a try. If you can’t bring yourself to read a horror story, but want to support your local author then buy the book and give it to a friend who does like horror.

Okay, you bought the book and read it. Now what? Write a 5-star review. It doesn’t have to be longwinded and detailed, just tell everyone why you liked the story. Did the author capture your attention from the very first page? Could you not put the book down even when it was one in the morning? Maybe the descriptions were so vivid you thought you were actually seeing the story come to life. Whatever reason you have for liking the book, write a quick one sentence or small paragraph and submit the review at Amazon.com, BN.com, even your local newspaper book section. As much as we authors like shouting about our books, it’s even more fun when a reader makes a little noise for us.

A few other things you can do to help your local authors include telling others to read the book. Tell your librarian and local bookstore managers that they should carry the books or even suggest the library or bookstore host a book event with the author.

When an author you have discovered has a book event, attend. Even if you already have the book, go and take a friend. Tell the audience how much you enjoyed the story and encourage them to buy the book. Heck, buy another copy and have the book signed by the author. Then give your original copy to a friend. Remember, the best marketing is word-of-mouth.

As local author and a reader, I do all of the above and more. I arrange as many book events as possible, am always willing to, and like to invite other authors to participate in events with me. Group events are a lot of fun and give the readers more opportunity to meet more local authors. Spread the word by including others.
When you write a press release for an event you are attending, mention the other authors’ names and what they write. Always suggest to a host that if that would like to do another event in the future that you can recommend some other authors.

Attend another author’s event. This evening is the perfect example. I will be going to Elaine Isaak’s book event at the Milford Toadstool this evening after work starting at 7:00 PM. Yes, I will buy a copy of her book!

As a local businessperson you can do all those things and a little more. You don’t have to be a bookstore to host a book event. Doe a local author come into your bagel shop or your pizza joint on a regular basis? Ask the author to have a book signing at your shop.

What’s the benefit?

Well, as my friends who own a bagel shop can tell you, “It’s a win-win” situation. People who come in for their Saturday morning bagel will buy a book. People who are going to your shop to get a book will buy a bagel or a cup of coffee or perhaps a glass of wine if the event is at a local winery. It’s exposure for both the author and the business owner.

Bookstores and libraries are a different matter…they sell /lease books. Why would they not want to sell a local author’s books? Or host a local author book event? Even if you carry just one copy of the book at a time when a reader asks the author on the street where she can buy a copy, the author can tell the reader to go to your location. There’s a no-brainer.

Bookstores and libraries host all kinds of events, why not a “Meet your local author night”? I bet people who visit the store or the library on a regular basis would be thrilled to know they have an author living right down the street. The first time a man I met in a restaurant found out I was an author he couldn’t believe it. He was even more aghast when he was driving home with his wife one day and saw me in my yard planting some of my flowers. He yelled out the car window, “I can’t believe I live down the street from a real live author!” That, by the way, is no exaggeration.

Many bookstores or libraries host book clubs. Why not host a book club that reads local author books? Invite the author in to the meeting so the readers can ask questions. Reading is great but it makes it so much more enjoyable when you meet the person behind the words.

I hope this little editorial has helped inform you as a reader, a local businesssperson, or author as to what you can do to help support your local authors. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to post them here.

24-HR Read-a-thon Reading List

You've signed up for the 24-HR read-a-thon, marked your calendars, and now it is time to make a reading list.


With four days left before the Read-a-thon, have you identified your read-a-thon stack? Even if you don't get through all of them or if you end up reading more thab the beginning stack, you'll want to know what you are going to read so you don't have to search the day of.

I have created my pile for the read-a-thon from a stack of books that I have been collecting. These are older, out-of-print books written by one of my favorite authors, Iris Johansen. If I run out, no problem, I have more in my overflowing library.

Here are the titles of the books you have to look forward to me blogging about this Saturday: (all authored by Iris Johansen)

1. Last Bridge Home
2. Tempest at Sea
3. Blue Skies and Shining Promises
4. York, The Renegade
5. Return to Santa Flores
6. Touch the Horizon
7. Stormy Vows
8. Wicked Jake Darcy
9. Everlasting
10. And the Desert Blooms
11. 'Til the End of Time
12. The Spellbinder
13. Notorious
14. White Satin
15. Always

What are you going to read? Share your reading stack here.

On my way to get a haircut. . .

Last night I stopped off to get a bite to eat as well as a Perfect Margarita before I went for my haircut. While at the restaurant, I worked on some edits for another author's manuscript.

I am not one who can do edits on paper. I have to have my laptop. There I sat with my small laptop at the corner of the restaurant's bar where there is good lighting editing.

I wasn't even two bites into my salad when a man, dare I say older man, comes up and starts talking with me. I am a native Mid-westerner and now live in New Hampshire and we are friendly sort of people so when he asked me questions about my computer I answered his questions. When my steak arrived I hoped he would have been polite and left me to my meal and my edits. Nope! That was not to be the case.

He chatted on until the waitress caught my eye and rescued me. Unfortunately, that only lasted a few minutes because after she walked away he returned and asked if I wanted to eat at his table. I politely declined stating that my meal had already been delivered and I had some work to do.

OH! Do you think he would understand that. No! In the back of my head I screamed for him to scoot along and let me eat my meal in peace. All the while cursing myself for being too blasted nice.

When his meal was delivered by the manager, he finally went about his meal and allowed me to eat my now cold steak.

Ahh! But the time there was not a total waste. While I sat there attempting to choke down cold meat, two gentleman slid into the bar stools to my right. You know how it is when you go to restaurants and tables are close together. You just cannot help but hear the conversation.

I won't go into all the details, but suffice it to say, right before I left to get my hair cut, the one guy asked the other how classes were going. The younger man seemed to be happy with his college courses but not thrilled with the English/Reading classes.

He said something to the effect of, "I just can't get into reading. Nothing is interestig."

DING! I could so relate to what this man said. As I went through school I never enjoyed reading the stories the school picked out. I think it was a matter of I HAD to read them and did not want to read them because I actually LOVED to read. I wanted to read what I liked and what I chose.

Anyway, I felt for this guy and as I packed up my laptop and bag, I remembered I had a copy of Killer Bunny Hill in it. DUH! Any good author carries a copy of their latest novel around with them. You just never know who you might meet.

So, I pulled out the book, scratched my signature on the inside very quickly and handed it to him. I said, "Here maybe this will make you want to read more." Smiling, I turned to leave then spun back. "Oh, and yes, I wrote that book."

The would be reader and the other gentleman with him thanked me and asked if I had an email so they could let me know what they thought. Alright, so sometimes I can be a flake and forgot all about the stash of bookmarks I carry until then. I whipped one out, handed it to him, pointed out my website URL and told them, "I would love to hear what you think."

They thanked me again and I wished them a nice evening and happy reading.

My hope is that one or both of them truly do read the story and that the gentleman who is in college might start liking to read just a little bit more.

I have a new fan!

I can honestly say that when I took on the endeavor of writing my first book I never imagined that I would receive emails or letters from readers telling me how much they liked my books.

I have to tell you, it is the greatest feeling in the world to come home after a long eleven-hour day at work, like this past Tuesday, and find an email from a reader that starts out with the words “You have a new fan!”

That alone made my heart stop, do a little spin, and then jump into overtime.
You all know me by now, I just have to share it with you and say thanks to Kim for taking the time to send me a note. There is no greater pleasure! Thank you.

OH! My favorite line in Kim's email and from everyone is "I could not put it down."


Denise,

You now have a new fan! I had to email you and let you know I just finished your wonderfully fabulous book Killer Bunny Hill. It was a great read. I started it on Sunday night and just finished it on my lunch hour today. I could not put it down.

Besides Lake Mary, FL we also have in common the fact that I grew up in New Hampshire! My parents have a second home in Freedom, New Hampshire, which is about 1/2 hour south of Conway, NH. I loved spending my summers there and winter weekends there - swimming in the summers and skiing in the winter.

Well, I am going to hit my local library and see if they have any of your books there. If not, I'll be definitely going to the store to buy them.

Thanks again for sending me Killer Bunny Hill. LOVED IT!

Kim

By the way, Kim did go to her library and checked if they had a copy of It Happens in Threes, but they did not and she let me know the next day.

What?! How could that be? :-)

Not to worry. Kim and I have a plan. I am sending Kim a copy of each book for her to donate to her library so others can read them. Then in December when Connect the Dots is released the library will know they have to get a copy for my local fan.

PS - Kim, if they don't get the copy of Connect the Dots right away you let me know.

Happy readers and glad to be seen!

One book club looks for a change of pace in reading KILLER BUNNY HILL.

About two weeks ago, I received a very nice email from a woman in a book club from upstate New York. The following is a snippet from that email.

Hello from upstate NY,

I would like to enter the drawing for an autographed copy of your new book, KILLER BUNNY HILL. Our book club is composed of nine retired ladies. We meet monthly at a little restaurant for lunch and book club meeting. great fun.

We could definitely use some excitement this summer and your book sounds like an exciting read. Thanks for a change of pace.

This email put a smile on my face and made my day! Her group sounded so fantastic, I did one better. I emailed the very nice woman back and offered to send nine copies of KILLER BUNNY HILL for her book club.

The other day, I came home and found another surprise in my email from the ladies of this upstate New York book club. I received a picture of six of the nine ladies all holding KILLER BUNNY HILL in their hands.

How amazing and sweet is that!

On the first Monday of each month, these wonderful readers get together at a local restaurant where the owner pulls out all the stops by reserving and setting up a round table with a white table cloth for them. In September, the book club will be together again to discuss KILLER BUNNY HILL and maybe splurge for the rice pudding that the restaurant is known for.

For the record, I LOVE rice pudding! With a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. I wish I could be there! Who knows, maybe they will email some questions or set up a call to talk about the book and their feedback.

Thank you, ladies, for the picture. Happy Reading!

One of those feel good days as an author

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of signing over 50 books to readers who took the time to send me an email telling me they wanted to read my latest novel, Killer Bunny Hill.

I took pictures of the virtual book signing I did from my living room.

Of course, my kitties, Mischief and Mayhem are avid readers so they had to help.
Mayhem is the beige kitty guarding the postal envelopes.


Mischief is the grayish kitty helping me pick out the bookmarks to put in the envelopes.

Of course, I didn't show you the "real" pictures of them helping me because they would be embarrassed if I showed them fighting over who would do what to help.


This last photo shows you the result of the virtual book signing minus the 9 books I signed for a group of retired ladies in a book club. At that point, I was starving, and had just seen an infomercial for French Toast. I packed up the book club's books and signed them while at my favorite bagel place in Manchester.

The really nice part of sitting at a place like Big Easy Bagel where you are friends with the owners and some of the patrons, when they see you signing books they get just as excited as me and want take one with them.

Lori and Cathy already had a copy of the book. . .that's how I keep myself in bagels. :-) Two of the patrons, one of whom I knew, and another who was on her way to the airport picked up a copy from me. How cool is that?

The best part is that while I sat there eating my egg and cheese sandwich on a wheat bagel, one of the other patrons who had picked up a copy from me the previous week reported that his wife loved Killer Bunny Hill and read it in one day. Now that is the kind of feedback I like to hear!

This evening when I returned home after 10 hours at work, I received emails from several of the readers who received their books today and were all excited to get it. Heck, they even thanked me for the bookmark!

Saturday and today were feel good days for me, an author. Thanks everyone for the smile on my face!

Have you been reading this week's Book-A-Week Challenge is The Rasner Effect by Mark Rosendorf?

I have! I even burnt a grilled cheese sandwich because I got caught up in the story. After reading Mark's suspenseful story don't forget to return here on Sunday, July 12 to see an interview with Mark and post back a comment or question.

Mark is looking forward to hearing from the readers. . .while I am looking forward to asking questions.

Mark's website: http://www.markrosendorf.com/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Rasner+Effect&x=9&y=29
B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Rasner+Effect

Blurb:

Rick Rasner escaped death in a New York City bridge explosion - but he couldn't escape becoming an unwitting participant in a top secret military experiment.
When the Duke Organization, a group of ruthless killers, set off a violent explosion, they wiped out Rick Rasner's life as he knew it.

Many years later, as he still struggled to remember any shred of his former existence, he put a new life together - as a therapist in the Brookhill Children's Psychiatric Residence, a facility for troubled urban teens.

Brookhill's policies, set by head director Katherine Miller, seemed brutal and oppressive. She bullied the therapists too - Rick's meek personality left him incapable of handling her attacks. He developed an unexplainable bond with fifteen-year-old patient Clara Blue - something about her conflicted, volatile personality struck a cord deep inside his psyche. Rick wanted to help her and the other patients, yet met with non-stop opposition from the staff.

The Duke Organization resurfaced, searching for Rick Rasner. When they found him at the Brookhill facility a bloody hostage situation ensued. The lives of both Rick and Clara were about to change - but for the better or worse?

Disgraced mercenary Jake Scarberry was forced out of the witness protection program and back into action - after the Duke Organization. An unpredictable chain of events result between Jake, Rick, and the Duke Organization - and Clara Blue.

This complex psychological suspense/thriller will leave you questioning exactly who to root for in a battle of good versus evil.

Reading Midnight Rainbow in Book-A-Week Challenge

Last week I posted a discussion topic about books that have influenced authors and Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard was mentioned by several. I decided we would include this book in our Book-A-Week Challenge.

As this is a holiday week, there will be no author interview posted on Sunday, but maybe we can get Linda Howard on another week about another book.

What we can do is share with each other what we think. Did the book influence you at all? If you had previously read the book and re-read it now, did it affect you the same?

Blurb: Taken captive in the middle of a conspiracy of international proportions, wealthy socialite Jane Hamilton Greer finds hope in government agent Grant Sullivan, who finds his mission complicated by his feelings for Jane.

Where to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Rainbow-Linda-Howard/dp/1551661535

Great End of Day Message for an Author

The other day I worked way too many hours at my day job. . .again. I got home about 10 PM and the only thing I did was hug and kiss my kitties, and check email before dropping off to la-la land for about 5 hours.

In my email, I received a very pleasant surprise that put a smile on my face. Here is what I received.

Hello,

I recently won your book “It Happens In Threes” on a contest site.
I just wanted to let you know that I received the book and absolutely
loved the story, characters and just the whole book. Thank you so much
for such a great read. I will be getting more of your books!!!!

Again, Thank you or the opportunity to read a new author (for me)!!!

Jo Ann

Thank you, Jo Ann, for a great end of day message! It means a lot when someone takes the time to share their feedback.

Summer Beach Reading List

Didn't we hit summer yet? Isn't summer when a lot of people say they read? You know, while on vacation sitting on the beach, they pull out a great book and tune out the world.

Okay, well, I read all the time, but I have been told that people build a "To-Be-Read" pile just for their summer vacation.

So. . .let's help those vacation readers select great BEACH READS.

Share what you recommend. But here is the kicker. Let's make this TRULY summer beach reads. Share only those books that take place in the summer and at the beach. Maybe even have a beach scene on the cover. You know, where you see sand, ocean, a beach chair, a big floppy straw hat, maybe even an empty bikini on the sand.

I'll start the list. Okay, I do have to recommend my book It Happens in Threes because yes, it takes place all around Hawaii and Florida in the summer, and yes, it has a cover with a girl in a bikini holding swim fins on the beach . Truly my idea of a summer beach read.

Here's another with a great cover. Lynda Curnyn's book, Killer Summer, has a bikini lying in the surf on a sandy beach.
Quick blurb: Three Friends. One Dead Body. The summer they'll never forget…
Check it out: http://www.lyndacurnyn.com/?ob2=ob4&ob4=ob9&ob13=5

One of my favorite author, Linda Howard, has a new book titled Burn that will be a great summer read. The cover has a woman lying on the beach in a bikini. http://tinyurl.com/mwturq
Quick blurb: Money certainly changes Jenner Redwine’s life when she wins a lottery jackpot. But it also costs her plenty: Her father rips her off and disappears, her fortune-hunting boyfriend soon becomes her ex, and friends-turned-freeloaders give her the cold shoulder when she stops paying for everything.

Books you remember and influenced you

Have you ever read a book you never forgot? Maybe it impacted you personally or maybe it just let you slip away from the world for a couple of hours at a time and at the end you were bummed the story was over?

Let's talk about some of our favorite books and why they are on your favorites list. How did a book impact your life?

I'm going to start with my friend and critique partner Nora LeDuc. Her latest novel, titled Murder Came Calling, was just released. Now, I have read all of Nora's books, minus the ones that are no longer in print. BUMMER. But, Murder Came Calling is my favorite of hers.

Why?

Because of the heroine, Annie. She's strong and vulnerable. Intelligent but unworldly. She cracks me up! Put her with the hero and Sam, and you just never know what will happen.

I am so glad this book made it into print! Congratulations, Nora! www.noraleduc.com

Linda Howard had the most impact on my reading and writing career.

How?

It was when I read All the Queen's Men by Linda Howard that I fell in love with romantic suspense and wanted to write my very own.

The idea of a heroine involved in undercover operations floored me, intrigued me, and made me want to be a super secret agent. Don't laugh! This happened when I was well out of my teen years, so this was not a young girl's fantasy of "I want to be a ballerina." :-)

Afetr I read All the Queen's Men, I started writing my first novel, It Happens in Threes which was published this year.

See what reading a good book can do!

Born in Fire by Nora Roberts was a smash hit for me.

Why?

The heroine, Maggie Concannon, was a glass artist who made works of art using a technique called glass blowing.

Yeah, so.

So. . . I had never heard of glass blowing. But Nora's description of how it was done and the visual images of the art she painted in her words made me research it. Then you know what I did?

What?

I took a glass blowing class. I found a place in Newburyport, MA and took my very first glass blowing class in the middle of winter. I made three glass paperweights. They may not necessarily be a work of art, but they are beautiful to me and every time I see them I'm reminded of how I got there. And for the record, I have taken several classes since. Last year, I made glass Christmas trees. Okay, so I'm not exactly talented, but I have fun and I can say I made that when I point to the tilting glass tree sitting on a bookshelf.

Who said genre fiction does not make you think?? Whoever did (and you know who you are) is so completely wrong and I am positive proof.

I could go on and on! I will stop for now and give you all a chance to share the books that have impacted your life or have been memorable for some reason. I'll share more later.