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Showing posts from November, 2016

Everything You Need to Know About HUNT THE DAWN

Book 2 of my Fatal Dreams, HUNT THE DAWN, will be out in just under a week! I'm so excited for the world to meet Lathan and Evanee. About Lathan... Tattooed: Check! Rides a Motorcycle: Check! Tortured by his ability: Check! Painful past: Check! Hearing Impaired: Check! Hunting a serial killer: Check! Melts into a puddle of goo around the heroine: Check! Here's a bit more about the book... Out of darkness and danger You can't hide your secrets from Lathan Montgomery-he can read your darkest memories. And while his special abilities are invaluable in the FBI's hunt for a serial killer, he has no way to avoid the pain that brings him. Until he is drawn to courageous, down-on-her-luck Evanee Brown and finds himself able to offer her something he's never offered another human being: himself. Dawns a unique and powerful love Nightmares are nothing new to Evanee Brown. But once she meets Lathan, they plummet into the realm of the macabre. Murder

Katie Ruggle: Fun with SWAT

While I was working for the police department, one of the most fun tasks was helping out at ERU training. A couple of times a year, I’d drive a minivan full of volunteers to the house or farm where the Emergency Response Unit (SWAT) was holding training. The officer who’d created the scenario (something like the beginning of an improv skit) would let us know what the situation was and what role we’d play. Although I’ve been assigned roles such as Hostage, Reluctant Cult Member, Woman Hiding in Closet Unbeknownst to Guy Holding Gun in Other Room, and Dead Person, my favorite part to play was one of the “bad” guys. Give me an Airsoft rifle and let me hide in the trees, and I’m content (despite my huge and irrational fear of ticks). I liked talking with the negotiators, too. It reminded me of writing dialogue (well, my half of the conversation, at least). When I was playing a cult member who’d started to doubt the leader’s teachings and just wanted to get out, I was sending m

Berserker Warriors: Truth or Myth? (by Asa Maria Bradley)

A 6th century Swedish bronze plaque with Odin and a berserker wearing a wolfskin. (Werner Forman/Universal Images Group/Getty Images) I've been fascinated with Norse mythology ever since my grandparents gave me a children's picture book based on the Icelandic Sagas. Growing up in Sweden, I learned even more about my Viking forefathers (and mothers ;-) ) as I studied history and archaeology in school. In seventh through ninth grade (what we in Sweden call högstadiet or highschool), my history teacher noticed my interest and gave me books to read outside of class. This is when I first learned about the berserkers, Odin's fierce warriors who could whip themselves into a battle frenzy that made them feel no pain and allowed them to become such superior fighters that they always defeated their enemy. Viking Warriors Book 1 A double 2016 RITA finalist In my contemporary paranormal Viking Warriors series, immortal king Leif and his band of warriors have been sent back

Happiness Is...Hallmark

Who here watches the Hallmark Channel?? **waves hand furiously** It seems like everyone I know is a fan of the channel just like me and never more so than this time of year.  Well, last week, I made this announcement: Needless to say, I am THRILLED!!  I know it is just optioned and nothing is written in stone yet, but a girl can hope, right??  I mean, talk about being thankful and a dream come true!  I promise to keep you all posted on any updates and as soon as I know something, you will too. In the meantime, if you have NOT checked out The Christmas Cottage, I highly recommend it.  BUY LINKS: Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1LGHfpt B&N:  http://bit.ly/1Rc43CG iBooks:  http://apple.co/1IhSdGX Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1NW7Y2Z I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Casa Authors

Shane Galen This Thanksgiving I'm so thankful for my health, the health of my family, and my wonderful readers. I love going to work every day and writing stories I love and hope my readers love too! Jane Ashford I'm so grateful for the beauties of nature, which always revivify me. That's me peeking out from behind the gorgeous leaves. : ) Terry Spear Having fun with decorating and photograph and family fun. Wild turkeys in Omaha, Nebraska. Have a great one! Happy Thanksgiving. Linda Broday I'm so blessed with all God has given me. I have food, a warm bed, and family who care about me. This is far more than so many people have. I'm also blessed that I can write stories that touch readers' hearts. Blessings on you and your family!  Samantha Chase I am thankful for so many things in my life - my family, my friends, my health - but this Thanksgiving I am especially thankful because it is the first time in...35 years that

Linda Broday: How Thanksgiving Was Born

The pumpkins have lost their toothy grins and scary faces. It’s time to get on to the next holiday—Thanksgiving. But do you know how the holiday came to be? I doubt few people do. So here’s some Facts: Although President George Washington set a day aside to give thanks and prayers, it wasn’t made official and the leaders who came after him nixed the idea due to their interpretation of the separation of church and state. In 1846, Sarah Hale who was the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, began a letter-writing campaign in favor of making the last Thursday in November National Thanksgiving Day. The idea gained favor and President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation making it happen. However, following presidents changed the day to various ones they favored. Can you imagine the confusion that led to? It was pretty bad. It wasn’t until 1941 that legislation was introduced in Congress to firmly establish the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day and it

What's in a Cover?

I’m so pleased with the cover of my May book, Nothing Like a Duke . Did you see the cover reveal at USAToday ? It’s a new look for me, and the colors are gorgeous. The Sourcebooks art department has outdone itself on this one. I like it both because it’s beautiful, and because I know how a cover can draw readers to give a book a chance. Which led me to wonder, what attracts me to a shelf in a bookstore or a page online and makes me want to check out a particular title? There’s a bit of magic about design, I think. The whole-greater-than-its-parts that just makes you reach for the book. As my artistic friends over at Corvid Design say, “You can't just throw a couple of figures in there, slap a title on it and go.” Color is obviously important, and especially the combination of colors that catches the eye amid the many choices offered. Do art schools have classes on that kind of thing? Probably. I was always over in the English Department. : ) Once the

Puppy Love

If you follow me on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram (and you should! Come on over!), then you already know my struggle. I mean, news! Exciting news! I have a new puppy! I wasn't really planning on getting a new puppy at this time. I have a Pembroke Welsh corgi. Like Queen Elizabeth II, I love my corgis. But one was enough. And that one, Kylie, is pretty old. Kylie is sixteen. She sleeps almost all day, and when she does move, you can see the effort it takes her. But she has been my devoted companion and the joy of our house since my kids were little. They're all grown up now. But I still have my Kylie. The plan was to let Kylie live out her days in peace and then hold off on dogs for awhile. I married young and started a family right away. I thought, how nice to not have anyone to care for, for once in 26 years. But then my daughter got a puppy, Henry. And Henry came to visit Kylie. And Kylie, who never liked other dogs in her youth, was suddenly up and running