tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123171492024-03-07T01:13:19.060-05:00The Daily DoodleWelcome to the blog home of Kathy Carmichael!Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-74954934697149316412012-02-01T12:02:00.002-05:002012-02-01T12:09:03.140-05:00Winter Wonderland Anthology featured today on The Readers Guide to ePublishing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYOk8tuIsFd_AKXWDIG0uWRhmNoUXjujVvj2RuYgKFKlRvK25xS3D-g_urvAcb4y6kxXsTqspHZlf2TZTWlVwjHW0dnz69_v-Ceh8zcsv55Dnvu3GBUEuok0otyIqktCsIQ49/s1600/winterwonderland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYOk8tuIsFd_AKXWDIG0uWRhmNoUXjujVvj2RuYgKFKlRvK25xS3D-g_urvAcb4y6kxXsTqspHZlf2TZTWlVwjHW0dnz69_v-Ceh8zcsv55Dnvu3GBUEuok0otyIqktCsIQ49/s320/winterwonderland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704215228451604290" border="0" /></a><br /><p><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" >The fabulous <span style="font-style: italic;">WG2E All-for-Indies Anthologies: Winter Wonderland Editio</span>n is featured today on the brand new <a href="http://thereadersguidetoepublishing.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Readers Guide to ePublishing site</span></a>!</span><br /></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">With this debut launch of our brand new <strong>WG2E All-For-Indies Anthologies,</strong> we’re treating you to a terrific, one-of-a-kind approach to the anthology concept.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">You’ll get a variety of genres all packaged together, with a variety of story-lengths too, as a wonderful way to discover authors new to you!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Plus, each WG2E Anthology is based on a different theme.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Here’s what we mean by that…</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">In our <strong>WG2E Winter Wonderland Anthology</strong>, we’re treating you to stories that yes, have a Winter Wonderland element, BUT definitely not in the average way.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">You’ll never think of Winter Wonderland in quite the same way. For example…:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“What’s goin’ on underneath all that snow?” for D. D. Scott’s A CUT ABOVE CRAZY</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“More than people wear goose down parkas in Winter” for Tonya Kappes BEAD OF DOUBT</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“There’s nothing like a sauna to thaw a cold spell” for Talli Roland’s MISTLETOE AND THE FIVE-YEAR ITCH</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“An Ice Queen can be much more than a very cold spouse” for Tamara Ward’s JADE O’REILLY AND THE ICE QUEEN</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“The flavors of Winter…as in Winter Green Mint, Anyone?” for Sibel Hodge’s THE S-WORD AND THE LADY GARDEN</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“Not only reindeer dance in the snow…unicorns do too” for Alicia Street’s SNOW DANCE</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“Breaking News: The All-Things Holidays Edition” for Lacy Maran & Kevin Michael’s NOTHING IS SACRED COMEDY’S GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“More than the Earth dies in Winter” for Patrice Fitzgerald’s TILL DEATH DO US PART</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“There’s ice on the tracks, but not the kind you might think…” for Kathy Carmichael’s MAYHEM ON THE WINTERLAND EXPRESS</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">“Not everyone loves pumpkin pie” for T.M. Souder’s DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Reading and Welcome to our WG2E All-For-Indies Anthologies!</span></p>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-20764625711859439452011-12-28T03:00:00.001-05:002011-12-28T03:00:02.468-05:00Kissing Kelli FREE on Kindle 12/28-12/29!<span style="font-size:130%;">Just in time for the new year, both KISSING KELLI and STUCK ON YOU have brand new cover designs. I'm very pleased with how they turned out :)<br /><br />To celebrate, for today and tomorrow only, I'm giving away KISSING KELLI on Amazon Kindle. If you haven't snagged a copy yet, now is your chance!</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"> <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004N627EY">Here's the link.</a></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD0DZceTmB-WGQzgjK0akUIvF4QKQ6BOt00z8KGn8734z2y8PTF2Otosh28ER09hmZ4K5weIWs9kvpt3eriFJ3I7ebjR_TdrSRC4Joty7USLziyr8BHSyJk984QF9nbOoyeA9/s1600/kk.newcover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD0DZceTmB-WGQzgjK0akUIvF4QKQ6BOt00z8KGn8734z2y8PTF2Otosh28ER09hmZ4K5weIWs9kvpt3eriFJ3I7ebjR_TdrSRC4Joty7USLziyr8BHSyJk984QF9nbOoyeA9/s320/kk.newcover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690962380555627186" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYOHum4QSZgQXA0jwIbgMnFLAhiLNOLccFEwGz0DLkzw-VxfQJWt2M7crAbtpf9gk3RJ-NClaIsBUK9dxxpumdF0JKngwlst5MTt9njZtu4U8-ou0GouHYX_XGOT2kxe4pOFh/s1600/soy.newcover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYOHum4QSZgQXA0jwIbgMnFLAhiLNOLccFEwGz0DLkzw-VxfQJWt2M7crAbtpf9gk3RJ-NClaIsBUK9dxxpumdF0JKngwlst5MTt9njZtu4U8-ou0GouHYX_XGOT2kxe4pOFh/s320/soy.newcover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690962570007383842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">What do you think of the new covers? I think it gives the Texas Legacy Romantic Comedy series a more consistent look. Will you miss the cartoon covers?</span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-76874758540660062232011-11-25T10:55:00.003-05:002011-11-25T11:17:48.267-05:00Your Magic Touch has a new cover!<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Magic-Touch-ebook/dp/B005R9II3A"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 469px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw8VgO8Pe0LzNY3fN8NT6JNSrK1gc9TIuBBtWDjPTrbUrrTL5O5OjSHfipWDzB9kmttItmWT1-aSYTw7C_8h-kBTt3scwNDx5muu2sCw0fYP_fk7zS2FgTGAGDamQrJ_8mmfP/s320/ymt.newcover.text.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678964150839461794" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I'm absolutely thrilled with the never cover for my romantic-comedy novella, YOUR MAGIC TOUCH. What do you think of the new cover?<br /><br />Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I had a particularly memorable one. Because my oldest son works in law enforcement, he only rarely is able to join us on the actual date of a holiday. But this year he was off work and got to come home. My youngest son (who's a creative writing major!), came home from college. Having a full house this year made me so very happy :) My oldest son even convinced me to try Angry Birds on my Roku. I agreed only if he would play it with me. We had tremendous fun -- so of course I'm now the newest addict of this delightful game.<br /><br />This week my Christmas-themed romantic comedy ANGEL BE GOOD hit the #1 spot on the Amazon Movers and Shakers Kindle list AND hit the Kindle Top 100 Bestsellers list AND the Top 10 Romance list. There was a whole lot of deep breathing going in my house, and it was from pure amazement and excitement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Be-Good-ebook/dp/B002YK45IW"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 218px;" src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa420/kathc2/angelbegoodcoverfinaltext.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I have much to be tremendously grateful for this year, and that especially includes you, my dear friends and readers. Thank you so much for helping make this a Thanksgiving I will never forget!<br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-56302968762872929422011-11-21T05:00:00.004-05:002011-11-21T05:00:05.844-05:00Guest Author: Marilee Brothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHI-miWU2ms_x6ikapM64TvvicR8jOqyPQodm5RzObPaq1TSPyuaI7zPbbWUB6hCcFQzxqlhBk9vpTPXChzys6WkTVRb_aB_tgCvo_3lEC8U07l1mXSV_RO2qZe9SNXRNnQ2D/s1600/1Low+Res+Color.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHI-miWU2ms_x6ikapM64TvvicR8jOqyPQodm5RzObPaq1TSPyuaI7zPbbWUB6hCcFQzxqlhBk9vpTPXChzys6WkTVRb_aB_tgCvo_3lEC8U07l1mXSV_RO2qZe9SNXRNnQ2D/s320/1Low+Res+Color.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674924926141219666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I'm so pleased that award-winning author Marilee Brothers has joined us today with a hilarious guest post. She has a new book out now, SHADOW MOON. It's the fourth book in her young adult paranormal series, Unbidden Magic.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Moon-ebook/dp/B0065QZVN4"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXap4y8o6w4rxgbHvsCzUK-AXHoZh2ESklD-jP5lyacMBQwJp-RP-_-pqN7-vJidLefrPVjZ-U1OZX197drlb9ppnqylhpFXDvLE_6S-oQITS0-Ck3QrLvifle5LCR_RspzUk/s320/Shadow+Moon+-+print.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674924655848359042" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><br /></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Most writers listen to music when they write. I’m no exception. However, it took a while to find my groove. I have satellite radio in my office with dozens of stations. What to choose? Semi-highbrow Classical Pops seemed appropriate. Surely, it would inspire me to create pages and pages of beautiful prose. Not so. After fifteen minutes, my eyelids began to droop. Time out for a nap. Jazz made me twitchy. Under the influence of New Age, I fought the urge to rip off my clothes, drape my body with diaphanous sheer curtains and twirl around the living room.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then I found Outlaw Country. Warning: if your idea of country music is Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney, Outlaw Country is not for you. No, I’m talkin’ Waylon and Willie. Johnny and June. Hank 3 and Shooter Jennings. I’m talkin’ cringe-worthy grammar like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">ain’t got none </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> she don’t love me no more, </i>along with some truly creative cuss words. I’m talkin’ real life, podnah. So, grab hold of that saddle horn and hang on tight.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s all there. All of life’s challenges. Religion. Relationships. Break-ups. Drinkin.’ Lots of drinkin’ songs like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">You Ain’t Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin’</i>.</b> Why, you may ask, would an author of young adult urban fantasy pick such an inappropriate and occasionally degenerate genre of music for inspiration? Killer question, indeed. Even though I write from the viewpoint of a teenage girl, I am the product of many years of living. Hopefully, my life experiences will help create a richer, more three-dimensional character. Oh, who am I kidding? I like to laugh and Outlaw Country makes me laugh.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Searching for a spiritual facelift? Here are a couple of songs for you: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Drop Kick Me, Jesus,</i></b><i style=""> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Through the Goalposts of Life<span style="color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">. I’ve Been Roped and Thrown By Jesus in the Holy Ghost </span>Corral.</b> <b style="">Heaven’s Just a Sin Away.</b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><br /></b></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Relationships are always tough, especially when the object of your affection is flawed—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Her Teeth Were Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">—</i>or a teenage romance, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Billy Broke My Heart</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">at</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears.</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>Can a man be too impressed with himself<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I Wish I Were a Woman So I Could Go Out With a Guy Like</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Me</b>. </i>Who could forget the following heartfelt ditty<b style="">, <i style="">There Ain’t Enough Room in my Fruit of the Looms to Hold All My Lovin’ For You.<br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><br /></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But, when love goes wrong, as it inevitably does on Outlaw Country, there’s a song for that. <b style=""><i style="">It’s Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night that Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long. You’re the Hangnail in my Life and I Can’t Bite You Off. If You Can’t Live Without Me, Why Ain’t You Dead Yet? Your Negligee Has Turned Into a Flannel Nightgown.</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><br /></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Family Values? <b style=""><i style="">You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly. Mama, Get the Hammer/There’s a Fly on Papa’s Head.</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><br /></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Feel a little naughty? These songs are for you: <b style=""><i style="">There’s a Party in my Pants and You’re Invited. How Can I Get Over You if You Won’t Get Out From Under Me? Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed.</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><br /></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.1in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Okay, I confess I’ve listed the most outrageous song titles I could find for this post. Most of the time, O.C. plays solidly good, old school, down-home country music that reflects America’s roots. And, they also feature wonderful new singers/song writers like Elizabeth Cook, Lucinda Williams, Jace Everett (he sings the True Blood theme, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Bad Things</i>), Elliot Randal and Kacey Jones whose song, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">222<sup>nd</sup> Wind</i> is featured on my website. So, give it a whirl. You might be pleasantly surprised.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:-.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:130%;">What inspires<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> you</i>? 80’s rock? Blue grass? Heavy metal? 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10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-.5in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A former teacher and school counselor, Marilee lives in Washington State and writes full time. Her books include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Castle Ladyslipper</i>, a medieval romance, <i>The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam</i>, winner of the 2010 Booksellers Best award for romantic suspense, <i>Moonstone</i>, <i>Moon Rise,</i> <i>Moon Spun</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Shadow Moon</i>, the first four books in the young adult paranormal Unbidden Magic series. Marilee is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Pacific Northwest Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Visit <a href="http://www.marileebrothers.com">her website</a>, <a href="http://bookblatherblog.blogspot.com">her blog</a> <a href="http://bookblatherblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:windowtext"></span></a> and follow her on Twitter and Face Book.</span></span></p>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-62471389119295399392011-11-16T10:30:00.003-05:002011-11-16T10:39:54.508-05:00FREE ebook for a limited time -- ANGEL BE GOOD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBomjHJCB6Xilv08FY41qNwNUP_4988HjbiepuJiuo30whdpiu7CGd_7AquofEGw4Q_bdTzzl5Sj5lWUkQ9Falox-VwRYkOnbRnumw7GP9avtdMT6lFfAy1A34Vds9eyS9UyS/s1600/angelbegood.cover.final.text.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBomjHJCB6Xilv08FY41qNwNUP_4988HjbiepuJiuo30whdpiu7CGd_7AquofEGw4Q_bdTzzl5Sj5lWUkQ9Falox-VwRYkOnbRnumw7GP9avtdMT6lFfAy1A34Vds9eyS9UyS/s320/angelbegood.cover.final.text.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675617452332233314" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My Christmas-themed romantic comedy ANGEL BE GOOD is<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Be-Good-ebook/dp/B002YK45IW"> free for a limited time on Kindle</a>, Sony and iTunes. I'm also pleased to say it just came out in trade paperback, too :)<br /><br />Red Adept Reviews gave it five stars and it was one of the winners of the Red Adept Indie Awards :)<br /><br />Here's a little about it:<br /><br />Romantic Comedy<br />Sensuality Level: Warm<br /><br />Miracles still happen in modern day New York when "Scrooge" (Nathaniel Danvers) meets "Heaven Can Wait" (Daphne), who has been sent to give him one last chance at redemption. ANGEL BE GOOD captures the essence of the classic Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and offers a touch of humor and romance. A perfect holiday feel-good read.<br /><br />"ANGEL BE GOOD is another heartwarming and funny tale from romance's latest and ever-so-talented romantic comedy author. Kathy Carmichael makes you laugh and makes you cry and always leaves you satisfied."<br />--Trish Jensen, bestselling author of Stuck With You<br /><br />"This is without a doubt one of the sweetest renditions of "A Christmas Carol" I've ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page. "<br />--Kathy Boswell, Managing Editor, The Best Reviews<br /><br />"...ANGEL BE GOOD is a read to fill your heart with warmth, and is filled with emotional scenes that have you laughing as well as bring tears to your eyes. Don't miss the inspirational message hidden between the lines of this romantic comedy."<br />--Carol Carter, Reviewer, Romance Reviews Today </span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-42899868800199839372011-11-14T14:57:00.002-05:002011-11-14T15:14:42.328-05:00Angel Be Good now in paperback :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGy1-xXEx7K_O5_67Sd0luQTvx8bfkjWJ2Z9Bq-4-hesF2K5nsAbw19HqYfQfvX40Ijqw9Ndm-BE2Ds-LTJ1G81XWnjoQr-yWrhIGbEr7cH8La8LzNSNN3WD12SGMMJt_0KxN/s1600/angel.cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGy1-xXEx7K_O5_67Sd0luQTvx8bfkjWJ2Z9Bq-4-hesF2K5nsAbw19HqYfQfvX40Ijqw9Ndm-BE2Ds-LTJ1G81XWnjoQr-yWrhIGbEr7cH8La8LzNSNN3WD12SGMMJt_0KxN/s320/angel.cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674943978991072146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Just in time for the holidays, Angel Be Good should be available in paperback at most retailers very shortly. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out :) It's already <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Be-Good-Kathy-Carmichael/dp/1466482109">available on Amazon</a>.</span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-31511630920653484492011-10-01T14:46:00.005-04:002011-10-01T14:53:35.691-04:00New Spooktacular Novella!! Your Magic Touch<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBt9bZOEYLGlgq3wEpMIQVAWej_lD9aAMycXob-yMXAyi7v_LJee6kMWeVYq7zlGQVFbgQKefoENpBS44qP_p8DI_XQOtPnuON_aaAJ4htlAaTRpX5Up1vsigO_TNJtPThYzR/s1600/yourmagictouch.copy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBt9bZOEYLGlgq3wEpMIQVAWej_lD9aAMycXob-yMXAyi7v_LJee6kMWeVYq7zlGQVFbgQKefoENpBS44qP_p8DI_XQOtPnuON_aaAJ4htlAaTRpX5Up1vsigO_TNJtPThYzR/s320/yourmagictouch.copy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658597519042317650" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I'm really excited because my new Halloween-themed novella, YOUR MAGIC TOUCH, is now available exclusively on Kindle.<br /><br />Here's the link to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Magic-Touch-ebook/dp/B005R9II3A">Your Magic Touch</a> on Kindle.<br /><br />I had so much fun writing this riff on gothic romance and I'm hoping you'll enjoy it, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A haunted mansion. Secret passages. Ghosts. A catacomb-like basement.</span><br /><br />In this gothic spoof novella, three elderly wizards must make a successful love match or they will be sent to the Olde Majiks Home. Their last attempt at matchmaking failed miserably and their magic is rusty. Are they supposed to forward a match between tabloid reporter Frannie Fielding and the mysterious Sinclair Haliday? Or is Frannie to be matched up with Sinclair's wealthy cousin, Harrison Haliday? If the wizards get it wrong, their dreaded fate will be sealed as will Frannie's.<br /><br />COMEDY SHORTS<br /><br /><b>Novella -- Approximately 106 print pages</b><br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-77017105068699743592011-09-24T10:08:00.003-04:002011-09-24T10:16:26.219-04:00Autumn is in the air<span style="font-size:130%;">I just finished a new novella, YOUR MAGIC TOUCH, which will be out soon and I'm celebrating the advent of Autumn with some special pricing on my ebooks!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vW97AhIvfYlGO03CS1lHRFa6j3EbYhc4hA0w5lT_yCaM0xKeAFyuxfv611-TPRcsRq6fl5eCoZE0YXJ_KeUBnCLiUrPFrIJaZw9WCp_diYtIiKV70e6eI3_kUOnE_xiT-W5Y/s1600/kissingkelli.redo.cover.a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vW97AhIvfYlGO03CS1lHRFa6j3EbYhc4hA0w5lT_yCaM0xKeAFyuxfv611-TPRcsRq6fl5eCoZE0YXJ_KeUBnCLiUrPFrIJaZw9WCp_diYtIiKV70e6eI3_kUOnE_xiT-W5Y/s320/kissingkelli.redo.cover.a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655928722616756354" border="0" /></a></span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >On Amazon Kindle:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Kissing Kelli (Texas Legacy #1) </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >FREE</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Stuck on You (Texas Legacy #2) only $.99<br /><br />Angel Be Good $.99<br /><br />Diary of a Confessions Queen $3.99<br /><br />Hot Flash $3.99<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Across most other platforms:</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Kissing Kelli (Texas Legacy #1) </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >FREE</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Diary of a Confessions Queen -- $4.99<br /><br />Hot Flash -- $4.99<br /><br />This special pricing won't last long, so snag ASAP :)<br /><br />I'll post more about YOUR MAGIC TOUCH soon. If you're curious about the cover, <a href="http://www.kathycarmichael.com/coming-soon/">click here to see it. </a><br /><br />I'm sending good wishes for each of you to have a fantastic autumn!<br /><br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-88364702091083189382011-09-16T21:33:00.004-04:002011-09-16T22:11:21.615-04:00Kimberly Llewellyn's new Urban Fantasy: Siren Call<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOdY4qBLkZUTcCvrGt8AwLkDyMH2EX7tM0-lBqfye8m8_y6CEyhospS-2R5-inVxNTr-2nkJS0Nvl5-AWqhaO6vtzgorfveG_Js1PO8NCInZ4tNtGzvhV1T0uFwDcIuemYtW7/s1600/sirencall.kllewellyn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOdY4qBLkZUTcCvrGt8AwLkDyMH2EX7tM0-lBqfye8m8_y6CEyhospS-2R5-inVxNTr-2nkJS0Nvl5-AWqhaO6vtzgorfveG_Js1PO8NCInZ4tNtGzvhV1T0uFwDcIuemYtW7/s320/sirencall.kllewellyn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653136904493328402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I was extremely fortunate in that award-winning author, Kimberly Llewellyn, asked me to read </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Siren Call, </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">the first book in her new Mermaid Catcher series, for an advance quote. What a fabulous read.<br /><br />Here's my Amazon review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Siren Call</span>:<br /><br />Sexy and Fun!<br /><br />Kimberly Llewellyn has done it again with this witty first book in her new Mermaid Catcher series. Siren Call showcases Llewellyn's in-your-face cheeky humor and the wonderful characters she's famous for. I kid you not, the book is worth the price simply for the wildly original and scorching hot "dimple scene." Highly recommended.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Siren-Call-Mermaid-Catcher-ebook/dp/B005MZGXFY">Click here to find it on Amazon.</a><br /> </span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-48047738900349281822011-08-23T03:26:00.000-04:002011-08-23T03:26:00.352-04:00Unveiling new cover for ANGEL BE GOOD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Be-Good-ebook/dp/B002YK45IW"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ2_XJ0CJcTLycEohZ3OcXJPtMtJ5ujxj99jwtgsr8sdqdmOqA3Ce0ABP54QmAsIiLp-9unu-Gm6e-utoqz08zyNNz9v-adYzJB6jeTMb77h54QyvAMuU2gH5gc1QUwmm51JV/s320/angelbegood.cover.final.text.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643887926404753202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br />I'm very excited about the new cover for Angel Be Good. What do you think?</span>
<br />Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-44114531332540283972011-08-17T17:06:00.005-04:002011-08-17T17:19:07.118-04:00Very exciting day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMePewjIEa91VP8od_4Pi0gU9lSPBy3pJhPWbxYobVD9wxD0JZYCq2z_LQTL8a0vi_2d6kInemR5lDrnQm1_ncpDh2hraTIvhnqupCxq8eHxn05cv24yXikVa9Ik2cKmjgMQv/s1600/HotFlash_front+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMePewjIEa91VP8od_4Pi0gU9lSPBy3pJhPWbxYobVD9wxD0JZYCq2z_LQTL8a0vi_2d6kInemR5lDrnQm1_ncpDh2hraTIvhnqupCxq8eHxn05cv24yXikVa9Ik2cKmjgMQv/s320/HotFlash_front+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641936498285112498" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hot Flash</span> has been doing fabulously on the Amazon Kindle site and even made #2 on the Movers and Shakers List this morning! I am filled with gratitude for the friends and readers who helped make this possible.
<br />
<br />I really loved writing <span style="font-style: italic;">Hot Flash</span> and do hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it!
<br />
<br />I posted a number of Jill's recipes on one of my blogs, but thought readers might especially enjoy this one:<a href="http://hotflashthebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/southwestern-rib-roast-with-vegas.html"> Rib Roast recipe from <span style="font-style: italic;">Hot Flash</span></a></span>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br />My thanks again to everyone!</span>
<br />Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-44480310127182903232011-07-29T15:36:00.003-04:002011-07-29T15:44:26.532-04:002 Books, 2 Blogs, 2 5-Star Reviews!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">I’ve been so immersed in writing commentaries for a writing contest, that I’ve been remiss in announcing these!</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">And believe me, I am THRILLED! </span><p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 books, 2 Blogs, 2 Five-Star Reviews!</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">KISSING KELLI</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa420/kathc2/kissingkellicoveramaz.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 259px;" src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa420/kathc2/kissingkellicoveramaz.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">*5 Stars* “This is another sweet and funny offering from author Kathy Carmichael, so if you’re looking for another beach read, I think you can’t go wrong with this one.” ~ Julianne Draper, <a href="http://www.examiner.com/books-in-tampa-bay/cute-and-sweet-texas-romance-by-kathy-carmichael-review">Tampa Books Examiner</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">STUCK ON YOU</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa420/kathc2/stuckonyoucovernew.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 269px;" src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa420/kathc2/stuckonyoucovernew.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">*5 Stars* "This is a must read for every hopeless romantic who likes a bit of humor with their romance. Funny, smart, sexy and disastrous. What more could a person need?" ~ Aimee, <a href="http://www.coffeetablereviews.net/2011/07/review-stuck-on-you-by-kathy-carmichael.html">Coffee Table Reviews</a></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-74412433720276189212011-07-29T03:00:00.002-04:002011-07-29T03:00:12.144-04:00Guest Author: Kevin Wallis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Surface-Things-ebook/dp/B004R1Q8X6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1311905408&sr=8-3"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pPUb7pV3rttyAEZYA4YkM6STrnVOJyx-Z4kuerKH89yjr8KnA9wAl-HX0ha3NEOMk9UvAx23P_Cw9snE9ODjuxSzEA8oBTOUo5RPS25mzF3AZr2CtjP0idxXNCEBe_dmgPUM/s320/kevin_wallis_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634587398003354450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm pleased to welcome guest author, Kevin Wallis!<br /><br />A homeless man trapped in a hell of his own making finds a reason to hope in "Redemption Song."<br /><br />A camping trip turns into a race for survival after the discovery of a bizarre artifact in "The Taking of Michael McConnolly."<br /><br />A man begins to question his sanity as patrons at a cafe begin to vanish one by one in "Charlie's Lunch."<br /><br />Over two dozen exceptional tales of terror from one of the emerging voices in the genre.<br /><br />"The Taking of Michael McConnolly" was named an Honorable Mention by Ellen Datlow's Best Horror of the Year.<br /><br />"An impressive, often unnerving, and always gutsy collection, Beneath the Surface of Things easily marks Kevin Wallis as a writer to Beware of with such stories as Redemption Song and No Monsters Came That Night. Every story showcases Wallis' determination to break through the so-called boundaries of dark fiction and explore disturbing and sometimes even eye-opening new worlds, some without, but most within. You owe it to yourself to look Beneath the Surface of Things."<br /><br />Gary A. Braunbeck<br />Bram Stoker and World Horror Guild Award winning author<br /><br />Author website: <a href="http://www.bardsandsages.com/kevinwallis">www.bardsandsages.com/kevinwallis</a><br /><br />The following excerpt is from the short story The Taking of Michael McConnolly.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">~~~~~~~~~ </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> 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0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" >As a kid, Michael McConnolly once rode an elephant at the circus. That may seem trite in the midst of a tale such as this, but as Brent and Mark rattled the earth with ear-shattering snores beside me—I wouldn’t be surprised if they had placed a bet on who could disrupt my sleep the most—I found myself thinking of this. He first told me of his elephant adventure as he and Mark lay sprawled across my college apartment’s floor after a Pearl Jam concert many years ago. The story had struck us just as the night’s beer consumption reached that critical point when perfectly timed gas and the lamest of jokes can double you over. And his elephant story—<i>I even got a certificate!—</i>damn near killed us. With the remnants of our cigarettes’ smoky trails hovering above us, we laughed until the alcohol clubbed us into the sleep of the drunk.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I tried to hear that laugh again—Mike’s natural, easygoing chortle. But my mind couldn’t find the tears of mirth that coated his face that night. All I heard was that other laugh, the one he had taken to his tent. My brain turned off the sound—protecting me, I guess, from what was to come—and I finally drifted into a restless sleep convinced he had been sobbing instead.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Sometime later—seconds, minutes at the most—I awoke to Zeke’s voice. “Mike’s gone.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I first thought he said “Light’s on,” like some drill sergeant who’d lost the stomach for any stereotypical Hollywood screaming. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “He’s gone, man. Get up.” Zeke walked out. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Hearing him that time, I rubbed sleep from my eyes and kicked my sleeping brothers. Their snores morphed into angry, lionish growls, but they sat up with a few more well-aimed shots of my foot.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “How you guys ever got laid, much less married, with noises like that, I’ll never know.” Blank looks met my quip, so I said, “Mike’s gone. Zeke sounds worried. We better see what’s up.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Five minutes later, with coats and boots clumsily donned and bladders hurriedly emptied, the six of us—my brothers and I, Zeke, Brody and Dan—stood by Mike’s empty tent. Zeke handed me the note he’d found taped to the outside of his own tent when he’d come outside to take a leak a few minutes before waking up the rest of us. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" >Something saw us take the amulet and it’s pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" >You don’t piss off things like this.</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></i><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" >It was written almost illegibly, a vast contrast from Mike’s usual neat, almost girlish script. A few inches down, he had scribbled some more, repeating his lunatic message from the campfire.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > <i>We’re not the ones. It doesn’t belong to us.</i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></i><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" >“Amulet?” Dan asked after I read the note aloud. “He probably doesn’t even know what an amulet is.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “So where’d he go?” Brent asked. More than anyone, he seemed annoyed at the interruption of his beauty sleep.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > The cry of the ivory horn answered him. It howled through the trees from the east side of the woods like a grief-stricken mourner. Our heads whipped towards the sound, then to the branch from which we’d hung it earlier. The branch was empty.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “Why’d he take the horn?” Brody asked.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “To call us for help,” Mark said. “He knows something we don’t.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “Listen to it.” I silenced my friends with my hands and traced the direction of the horn call. “It’s coming from the direction of the Geocache box. Maybe Mike’s putting the necklace back.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > We snatched flashlights, donned headlamps. Mark grabbed his GPS-equipped phone, and we took off through the forest. The beams spasmed ahead of us like strobe lights. I remember thinking that I was glad none of us had epilepsy, lest we start seizing from the light show. If I had known of the bloodshed to come, I would’ve saved my thoughts for something other than whimsical wandering.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > We reached the clearing where we had first found the Geocache in what seemed like seconds, although the hike earlier that day dictated that we must have been running for at least ten minutes. Except for the small-as-a-jockey but strong-as-a-racehorse Dan, none of us were exactly Olympians anymore—weekend warriors and beer-league softballers at best—so several more moments passed before we caught our wind enough to look around. Our breath fired into the cold air in visible puffs of exhaustion. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Zeke spoke first. “Blood.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Even in the darkness, I saw that he was right. It spattered the ground at our feet, dotting dead leaves, streaking fallen tree trunks. Our lights illuminated crimson until it glowed against the backdrop of the woods. Under the raised tree root where we had first uncovered the Geocache, the wooden box lay smashed into countless shards that looked like teeth floating in a puddle of bloody rainwater. The necklace was nowhere to be seen.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Mark put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed until I had to bite my lip to stifle a grunt of pain. “What the fuck, Mike?” he said, more to himself than to me. “What the fuck?”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I shone a light upon my little brother’s face, an act that would’ve earned me a blindside backhand under normal circumstances, but the pale shock I saw there assured me his thoughts were miles from my flashlight beam. I followed his gaze.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > The carnage wasn’t confined to the area near the Geocache box. No, a war had erupted in the forest. Our lights shone off trees shattered mid-trunk, great furrows ripped into the earth, and blood painting it all like a living fungus. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “Something tore this place apart,” Brent said.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > My eyes refused to stray from the unfathomable amounts of blood splashed across the land before me. “Goddamn, Mike, I hope you at least held your own,” I whispered.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > A scream ripped my attention from the battle site. It came from above, from the left, the right. It suffused me, burrowed into my skin and brain and fear until I knew but two simple facts. The scream was Mike’s, and it rattled with pain.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Someone spoke. It could’ve been any of them. “Guns.” </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > We rushed back to camp. Glock .40 cals and Ruger 9mm’s and Springfield Armory XD subcompacts—I understood none of their high-tech babble, but the clack of a fully loaded magazine slamming home, well, that I understood. I picked up a hatchet from the stack of firewood and tried to look like I belonged in this army. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Mike’s wail pounded the air again, panicked, wrought with agony. He was a tough man, old Irish tough; I’d witnessed him come out on top in more than a few bar fights. But this shriek had stripped away all the bravado and reduced his voice to that of a child facing the monster under his bed for the first time.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “Where the fuck is he?” I asked. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > Brent slid a cartridge into his Glock’s handle and said, “Do we stick together or split up?” His face was steel.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > “I think we’re armed enough to split up,” Brody said. He pointed to me and my brothers. “You three take that way, we’ll go this way.” He dictated directions.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I turned to gauge my brothers’ opinions, but Mark was already sprinting back into the woods, his pistol swinging at his side. It looked natural, organic, an extension of his flesh and bone. Brent and I followed him, our headlamps keeping him in sight, leaving Brody, Zeke and Dan behind.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > We plunged into the woods. The sounds of nature at midnight vanished beneath our gasping breath, the furious crunching of our boots over dead leaves and branches. It was like hurtling through a vacuum, a tunnel devoid of any sensation not linked to adrenaline and fear. Even the beams from our lights were flat, illuminating so little that our faces slammed into the ground more than once as conniving roots grabbed at our ankles. Only when my hand wiped blood from my eyes did I realize that branches had been whipping across my face.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I stopped in a clearing, bent over gasping, and cursed the pack of American Spirits I’d inhaled the previous night. “Hold up, guys,” I said. “Let’s figure out where we . . .”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > I was alone.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Georgia","serif"font-family:";" > </span></p> </div></div>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-43595155540850758072011-07-13T12:36:00.002-04:002011-07-13T12:44:52.980-04:00Chat with me tonight -- $10 gift card prize<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtGYAAkVaMBuNRNc-7wV-dQm_0-7Hi1PDC1WztexNwRP3q_OdKSgI60BOh69frsV0GAZM_LhS-2UWTE0xn1K6tsKbWdbaA8nH-2nKCCc4C1Pm7ayj3J48bXHLp8vG3IubrDdZ/s1600/stuckonyou.cover.new.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtGYAAkVaMBuNRNc-7wV-dQm_0-7Hi1PDC1WztexNwRP3q_OdKSgI60BOh69frsV0GAZM_LhS-2UWTE0xn1K6tsKbWdbaA8nH-2nKCCc4C1Pm7ayj3J48bXHLp8vG3IubrDdZ/s320/stuckonyou.cover.new.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628878734233982130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tonight I'll be chatting at <a href="http://romrevtoday.blogspot.com/2011/07/chat-wednesday-night-withkathy.html">Mo's Book Buzz</a> and I would love for you to come! Attendees will have a chance to win a $10 gift card for either Amazon or B&N! The chat begins at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. If you haven't attended an online chat before, Mo's Book Buzz is a great place to start because everyone is so friendly!<br /><br />I'll be discussing my new paranormal romantic comedy, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005342GQE">Stuck On You</a>.<br /><br />Here's the link to more information: <a href="http://romrevtoday.blogspot.com/2011/07/chat-wednesday-night-withkathy.html">Chat with Kathy</a><br /><br />Here's the direct link to the chat room: <a href="http://client0.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=102122.">Chat Room</a> (starts at 9:o0 ET) You don't need a password, so can leave that field blank, then click on the arrow where it says Room: and select Mo's Book Buzz.<br /><br />I hope you can make it!</span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-57509440050670348022011-07-12T03:00:00.000-04:002011-07-12T03:00:14.783-04:00Guest Poster: Melissa Foster<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a onblur="try 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unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today's Guest Poster is Melissa Foster. Featured below is an excerpt from her novel, MEGAN'S WAY. Click on the book cover to link to her book on Amazon Kindle.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Adaptation-progress-Festival-Generation-ebook/dp/B002LISR7C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310389933&sr=8-2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFmvnoktp3FzijujmB78fnVP9GHdudfbspGgyjq4IQJb3SknBKpQG6PLxBODZXTO-7n5zPKy-d762IDkcs5fRbCEfSEYJBD5UyyPDgVtjZtO3oOAEHxIDmGr1SGG0JwVNw2R5/s320/Meagn%2527s+Way+wIndie+Medal+275x350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628081770550723762" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">MEGAN’S WAY (Excerpt)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">by Melissa Foster<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Prologue</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Summer 1988</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan and Holly ran, weaving their way through the crowds of the carnival and hollering to hear over the thick cheer that permeated the festive evening. Two teenage boys looked them up and down as they passed. Megan yanked Holly by her arm and pulled her into a long shadow cast by the colorful lights that illuminated a rickety roller coaster. They huddled together, giggling. A moment later, the roller coaster whooshed by, sending them scampering through the mass of carnival-goers, engulfed in uncontrollable shrieks of laughter.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">A small red tent with a psychedelic sign that read “Psychic Readings! See Your Future! $3!” caught Megan’s attention. She dragged Holly to the entrance, and they peered into the smoky gloom as they parted the curtain of stringed glass beads, which clinked and jingled as they were pushed to the side. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Holly pulled at Megan’s sleeve, “Let’s get out of here.”<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan distractedly shrugged off Holly’s hand.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">She was mesmerized by the rush of the unknown, spellbound by the eccentric woman sitting within the darkened tent.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">A chill ran up Megan’s spine. The woman looked into her eyes and beckoned her forward. Megan reached behind her and grasped Holly’s hand, pulling her into the tent against her will. She reached into her pocket and, barely able to take her eyes from the old woman’s, fumbled to count her money and then shoved six crumpled dollar bills into a glass jar that sat on a pedestal by the entrance.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">The cacophony of the rides and the crowds seemed to fall away as a hushed stillness closed in around them, save for the crackle of the flickering flames dancing on their wicks. The girls’ hands trembled. They were equally scared and excited by the mystical old woman shrouded in veils. Several bracelets clanked and dangled from her thick wrist as she motioned for them to sit around the small round table. They startled when the old woman grabbed their hands with her rough, plump fingers, then she slowly and dramatically closed her eyes.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her hands tightened around theirs. The woman gasped a deep breath, and her body raised up and back, as if she were being pushed against the back of her chair. She held her breath, then let it out in a rush of air. Her hands fell open, releasing theirs. Her shoulders slumped forward, and her head followed. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Holly snapped her head in Megan’s direction and mouthed, “What the hell?”<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">The woman opened her heavily-painted eyes, which grew wide and laden with concern, and stared into Megan’s eyes. Megan felt riveted to her chair. The woman reached across the table and touched her hand, sending a jolt of energy up Megan’s arm. Megan pulled her hand away, frightened. The woman whispered to her, “Ah, High Priestess, my teen querent. She will need you, and you will know.”<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan’s legs trembled, her heart pounded in her chest. Her breaths came in short, clipped bursts. She and Holly turned wide, scared eyes toward each other. The woman moved her vision to the space between Megan and Holly. “Three of Swords pierce a heart. Against the background of a storm, it bleeds.” She closed her eyes again, and whispered, “I see death.” Her eyes slowly opened and she squinted, as if she were watching a scene unfold of a different time and place, her eyes darting without focus.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Then seeming to recite, she intoned, “Blood or poison will come: Transformation—passage—truth.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">The girls reached for each other’s shaking hands. Holly’s eyes welled with tears, her head visibly shook. Megan remained focused on each word the old woman said, unable to turn away.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">The psychic turned those same concerned eyes to Holly.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">They glazed over with a look the girls could not read. Fear? Hatred? Understanding? She pointed a long, painted fingernail at Holly and hissed, “Judgment asks for the resurrection to summon the past, forgive it, and let it go.” She lowered her hand and said, “One will be released,” then quietly, under her breath, “and returned after death.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">After a moment of panicked silence, the girls stood, sending their chairs flying askew.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Then they fled, running fast and hard into the chaos of the carnival, caught in a frenzy of fear and hysterical laughter. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">The psychic screamed into the night behind them. Her words trailed in their wake and echoed in Megan’s ears for days, “With this spell, I empower thee. I empower thee!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chapter One</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">2009</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan steadied herself against the cold porcelain sink, hoping the morning’s nausea would subside and trying to strengthen herself for the tough decision that had been wreaking havoc with her mind lately, and the choice that lay ahead. The familiar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Tink</i>, pause, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Tink</i>, pause on her bedroom window drew her attention. A confused cardinal had repeatedly gone beak to glass in recent weeks, as though trying to rouse her. As she tried to calculate the number of times she’d also awakened to nausea, the familiar surge of bile rose in her throat. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She clung to the toilet as if it were a security blanket. 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{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Mom?” Olivia’s voice carried down the hall. “Mo-om!” The single word stretched into two perfect teenage syllables. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan heard the drama in her voice and closed her eyes against her growing frustration. She knew that particular scream, the self-centered, in-a-hurry, where’s-my-stuff scream. She did not have the patience to deal with Olivia’s drama on this particular morning. She grabbed hold of the sink and pulled herself up. Her stomach lurched again, causing her whole body to clench. She prayed for some relief as Olivia’s voice came screaming at her again. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">“What!” she snapped back. She wished she could have been more patient with Olivia, but at that moment, she was overtaken by exhaustion, confusion, and anger. She wanted to kick something, to cry, to scream until she no longer had a voice—but her body was too tired to do any of those things. She had to pull herself together and get through the day. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;">Megan rinsed out her mouth and averted her eyes from the sheet-white face that reflected back at her. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“Never mind!” Olivia yelled from the hall. Her voice carried lightly, the tension from a moment ago gone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Thank God</i>, Megan said to herself. She made her way back to her bed and lay down, pulling the blanket over her head to shut out the light—and maybe life—for a moment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-65315596566717005062011-07-05T11:39:00.003-04:002011-07-05T11:45:27.041-04:00Happy 4th of July!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg0KMBBIcmnBE-R-kr7DYBUPEKeFxscaiYSEWM7T6-g8IGCi6rCLvkgzveiYod3ZknfIkTarwVmT1kXZQ0kdX4tC4GXimyiI643TlVsHaQIixHP_gz8sHOoVatEvQuCb-YBDl/s1600/2011+Bill+4th+of+July+-+13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg0KMBBIcmnBE-R-kr7DYBUPEKeFxscaiYSEWM7T6-g8IGCi6rCLvkgzveiYod3ZknfIkTarwVmT1kXZQ0kdX4tC4GXimyiI643TlVsHaQIixHP_gz8sHOoVatEvQuCb-YBDl/s320/2011+Bill+4th+of+July+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625894465031902402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My sister's dear friend, Jamie Galis, is owned by Bill the Angry Bunny. For Independence Day, Bill dressed as Uncle Sam. Thank you to Jamie for allowing me to post the photo!<br /><br />Isn't Bill darling?<br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-27994940957734218012011-06-30T16:34:00.008-04:002011-06-30T16:50:38.581-04:00Kissing Kelli e-Book Give-away!<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUkjn6Z9Tq2Smeiv0B8-ZH02WuCBKs76YpZ4PLyLXDYmUmHunE0fO3_H_zD9iWiCnaA90JizQcHzRw0nn-NMALYkt7qaN75MmnzSOnHyUWRnykaO-Me4kmI_yE2inEtvC-1Nq/s1600/image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624116038942368626" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUkjn6Z9Tq2Smeiv0B8-ZH02WuCBKs76YpZ4PLyLXDYmUmHunE0fO3_H_zD9iWiCnaA90JizQcHzRw0nn-NMALYkt7qaN75MmnzSOnHyUWRnykaO-Me4kmI_yE2inEtvC-1Nq/s320/image001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.weekinrewind.com/blog/2011/06/30/giveaway-five-copies-of-kissing-kelli-by-kathy-carmichael/">Click here</a> to visit WeekInRewind.com for a chance to receive one of 5 FREE Amazon Kindle copies of KISSING KELLI!<br /><br />Winners will be chosen on 7/7/11.<br /><br />On WeekInRewind you will find information about great free and bargain e-books, so you'll want to check it out!</span></div>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-38188043205673603842011-06-16T04:00:00.001-04:002011-06-16T04:00:06.320-04:00New book -- Goodreads Giveaway!Don't miss out on the chance to win the trade paperback of my new paranormal romantic comedy, <span style="font-style:italic;">Stuck on You</span>!<br /><br /><div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget11641"><!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled --><br /><br /><div class="goodreadsGiveawayWidget" style="max-width: 350px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 10px 15px; border: 2px solid #EBE8D5; border-radius: 10px;"><br /> <style><br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px;<br /> font-style: normal; background: white; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; <br /> text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;<br /> border: 1px solid #6A6454; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif;<br /> background-image:url(http://goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_button4.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596;<br /> outline: 0; white-space: nowrap;<br /> }<br /> .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_button4_hover.gif);<br /> color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;<br /> }<br /> </style><br /> <h2 style="margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; font-style: italic; font-size: 20px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; color: #555;"><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br /> </h2><br /><br /> <div style="float: left;"><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11714538"><img alt="Stuck On You by Kathy Carmichael" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2B-t3JDgWL.jpg" title="Stuck On You by Kathy Carmichael" width="100" /></a><br /> <br /> </div><br /> <br /> <div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;"><br /> <h3 style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;"><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11714538">Stuck On You</a><br /> <br /> </h3><br /> <h4 style="margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /> <br /> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/96089" style="text-decoration: none;">Kathy Carmichael</a><br /> <br /> </h4><br /> <br /> <div class="giveaway_details"><br /> <br /> <p><br /> Giveaway ends July 15, 2011.<br /> </p><br /> <p><br /> See the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/11641" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br /> at Goodreads.<br /> </p><br /> <br /> </div><br /> </div><br /> <div style="clear: both;"></div><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/11641" class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink">Enter to win</a> <br /> <br /> </div><br /></div><script src="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/11641" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-18969413272200132442011-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:002011-06-15T06:00:06.638-04:00Coffeemugged.net: The Great Indie Summer Read Giveaway!<a href="http://coffeemugged.net/the-great-indie-summer-read-giveaway/">Coffeemugged.net</a> is hosting a fabulous book giveaway. Over 100 books will be awarded! The contest runs from June 15-July 31, 2011.<br /><br /><a href="http://coffeemugged.net/CMSGA/CMSGA9.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 275px;" src="http://coffeemugged.net/CMSGA/CMSGA9.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-54001383636817825292011-06-13T04:00:00.007-04:002011-06-13T04:00:03.337-04:00Guest Author -- Sibel Hodge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6cEkO27gSTvSe821RSbLiTKVIL6N9V4UiXRJnGHmV7I6GG0RwDdLLO9jw-J9R0pKq15uFBEPnKurRSYNUBeHouMiiMJc2xK0yUWj7ca7iKASAJgDuVzPMxuvM3RkZZXSV8NR/s1600/headshot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6cEkO27gSTvSe821RSbLiTKVIL6N9V4UiXRJnGHmV7I6GG0RwDdLLO9jw-J9R0pKq15uFBEPnKurRSYNUBeHouMiiMJc2xK0yUWj7ca7iKASAJgDuVzPMxuvM3RkZZXSV8NR/s320/headshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615495793722858242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Today's Guest Author is the talented Sibel Hodge!<br /><br /></span><div style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Sibel Hodge has dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality, dividing her time between Hertfordshire and North Cyprus. She is a qualified personal trainer, sports and massage therapist, and writes freelance feature articles on health, fitness, and various lifetyle subjects. Prior to this, she also worked for Hertfordshire Constabulary for ten years.<br /><br />Her first novel,<span style="font-style: italic;"> Fourteen Days Later</span>, was short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize 2008 and received a highly commended by the Yeovil Literary Prize 2009. It is a romantic comedy with a unique infusion of British and Turkish Cypriot culture. Written in a similar style to Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes,<span style="font-style: italic;"> Fourteen Days Later</span> is<span style="font-style: italic;"> My Big Fat Greek Wedding</span> meets Bridget Jones. <span style="font-style: italic;">My Perfect Wedding</span> is the sequel to <span style="font-style: italic;">Fourteen Days Later</span>, although it can be read as a standalone novel.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fashion Police</span> was a runner up in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition 2010 and nominated Best Novel with Romantic Elements 2010 by The Romance Reviews. It is a screwball comedy-mystery, combining murder and mayhem with romance and chick-lit, and the first in a series featuring feisty, larger-than-life insurance investigator, Amber Fox. Written in a similar style to Janet Evanovich and Myron Bolitar, The Fashion Police is Stephanie Plum meets Harlan Coben.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Be Careful What You Wish For</span> is the second Amber Fox Mystery.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQlRmyCL6aCn-JUOpkoNdCE_4N5JUI5m-ox8K3JzBGPO5jxWx6yn7MOK4KPbGJdcnd4J1CGOWr3xTy_6gTN4mEKWVAsYePM1WXvE2ng97-RGhQz_6MkNWnr5-3d7nF7MzD1_0/s1600/Be+Careful+What+You+Wish+For+new.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQlRmyCL6aCn-JUOpkoNdCE_4N5JUI5m-ox8K3JzBGPO5jxWx6yn7MOK4KPbGJdcnd4J1CGOWr3xTy_6gTN4mEKWVAsYePM1WXvE2ng97-RGhQz_6MkNWnr5-3d7nF7MzD1_0/s320/Be+Careful+What+You+Wish+For+new.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615495997637491858" border="0" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br />About <span style="font-style: italic;">Be Careful What You Wish For</span>: </b></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:normal;">For fans of Janet Evanovich, Kate Johnson, and Gemma Halliday...<br /><br />Armed with cool sarcasm and uncontrollable hair, feisty insurance investigator Amber Fox is back in a new mystery combining murder and mayhem with romance and chicklit…<br /><br />Three deaths.<br />A safety deposit box robbery.<br />The boxing heavyweight champion of the world.<br /><br />Somehow, they’re all related, and Amber has to solve a four year old crime to find out why.<br /><br />As she stumbles across a trail of dead bodies and a web of lies spanning both sides of the social divide, it’s starting to get personal. Someone thinks Amber’s poking her nose in where it’s not wanted, sparking off a game of fox and mouse – only this time, Amber’s the mouse.<br /><br />Amber’s forced to take refuge in the home of her ex-fiancé, Brad Beckett, and now it’s not just the case that’s hotting up. So is the bedroom…<br /><br /><br />All Levi Carter wanted to be was the boxing heavyweight champion of the world, but at what cost?<br /><br />All Carl Thomas wanted was to be rich, but would his greed be his downfall?<br /><br />All Brad Beckett wants is to get Amber back, but there’s a reason for the ex word.<br /><br />Be careful what you wish for…you might just get it.</span></b></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Excerpt from </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Be Careful What You Wish For</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span><br /><br /> Vinnie Dawson stepped into the hallway with his thuggy mate from the boxing match. Vinnie wore a very expensive looking charcoal suit and a beige cashmere coat. His chubby fingers, resembling chipolata sausages, were encased in lots of thick gold rings. He shrugged out of the coat and Thuggy took it, draping it over his arm. Apart from the fact that Vinnie was older than Thuggy by about twenty years, they looked pretty much the same. Same big belly, same bald head, same evil eyes. The only differences were that Thuggy wore a pair of jeans that were so tight he looked like he’d been vacuum-packed into them, and he had a gap in his front teeth big enough to fit a bus through. OK, I take back all I said about owners not really looking like their pets.<br /><br /> ‘Well, well, well, Amber Fox.’ Vinnie’s pale eyes drilled into me. ‘I never thought I’d be crossing paths with you again.’<br /><br /> ‘I’ve missed you, too, Vinnie. Or should I say VD.’ I gave him my best I’m-not-afraid-of-the-big-bad-wolf smile. ‘How’s Lee?’ I tilted my head. ‘Got used to life on the outside now, has he?’<br /><br /> Vinnie did something that could’ve passed for a growl. ‘You’re not worthy to even mention Lee’s name.’<br /><br /> ‘That’s funny because I already did.’ I faked a smile so wide that my mouth started aching. OK, probably not a sensible idea to antagonize Vinnie “Hard-Nut” Dawson, but the sensible part of me had just vanished in a puff of smoke. Bad guys tended to bring out the sarcasm in me for some bizarre reason. Maybe I had a secret death wish, I don’t know. Sarcasm was good for putting up a front. If you were frightened or nervous or you just didn’t want to make yourself vulnerable by giving away your feelings, sarcasm was just the ticket.<br /><br /> Vinnie’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘What are you doing here?’ He pulled out a toffee from his pocket, slowly unwrapped it as he kept his gaze firmly locked on me, and popped it in his mouth. Thuggy took the wrapper off him and held it in his meaty fist. ‘Why is there a cop in your house, Letitia?’ Vinnie chewed as he waited for an answer.<br /><br /> Letitia frowned. ‘A cop? I thought you were here about Levi’s medical insurance.’<br /><br /> ‘I am. I used to be a cop,’ I told her.<br /><br /> Vinnie let out a long slow whistle. ‘Not a cop anymore, eh? So you haven’t got any of your little cop mates to back you up now, then? I must remember that.’ He stopped chewing and belted out a throaty cackle.<br /><br /> As if on cue, Thuggy did the same. I wondered if that was part of his job description: Evil throaty cackling must be required at a moment’s notice. Failure to do so will mean termination of employment and/or sudden, agonizing death.<br /><br /> My eyebrows headed north at the cackling. A pack of hyenas had nothing on these two. ‘Has Lee been up to his old tricks again robbing banks?’ OK, it could be a simple coincidence that Carl Thomas’s bank had recently been robbed before he showed up at Levi’s fight in the vicinity of Lee’s cousin, Vinnie. But I didn’t believe in coincidences.<br /><br /> Vinnie abruptly stopped cackling. So did Thuggy.<br /><br /> Addendum to job description: All evil, throaty cackling must cease and desist at a moment’s notice.<br /><br /> ‘Any more mention of Lee and you’ll be sorry. I have the memory of an elephant.’ Vinnie tapped his forehead.<br /><br /> I eyed his huge stomach, which was only slightly smaller than the Acropolis. ‘Just the memory of an elephant?’<br /><br /> Vinnie sucked in his stomach and glared at me. ‘Don’t think I’ve forgotten it was you who put him away.’<br /><br /> I pulled a mock horror face. ‘Ooh, I’m scared.’ Actually, my knees were shaking a little bit, but I wasn’t going to let on. Amber Fox rule number one: don’t let elephant-gut criminals intimidate you.<br /><br /> Vinnie gave me a superior smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘You will be. I think you should go now before my friend here takes a shine to you.’ He nodded towards Thuggy.<br /><br /> Thuggy smiled as well. It wasn’t a nice smile, either. It was the kind of smile that let you know he killed people for a living and enjoyed doing it, too.<br /><br /> I made a mental note never to use that kind of smile. It wasn’t very flattering.<br /><br /> I sauntered past Thuggy and Vinnie with a grin on my face. Luckily, they didn’t seem to notice my sauntering skills had gone downhill a bit because of my shaky legs.<br /><br /> This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I said I wanted an exciting distraction.<br /><br /> Be careful what you wish for.<br /><br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-13549197901425543862011-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:002011-06-09T06:00:02.635-04:00Wonderful visit to Louisville, KY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99RDlwYKNWw-11PmgyfjVYUoNhGcvO5sdr5xYBBYrj0Crv9Pyv2u1q0Jz7-mAPTCpmzH9Wdv-rLeI_1Z3MjKRNeMGf1xmMrGYXTJMt-cfXrg2Zp8ikT13xpJBHbH2GMe5A-BS/s1600/Louisville+and+Brooksville+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99RDlwYKNWw-11PmgyfjVYUoNhGcvO5sdr5xYBBYrj0Crv9Pyv2u1q0Jz7-mAPTCpmzH9Wdv-rLeI_1Z3MjKRNeMGf1xmMrGYXTJMt-cfXrg2Zp8ikT13xpJBHbH2GMe5A-BS/s320/Louisville+and+Brooksville+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615903264781796754" border="0" /></a><br />Last month I had a great time speaking at the Louisville Romance Writers. They are a great group of writers and I enjoyed meeting them!<br /><br />Speaking to LRW provided me with a wonderful opportunity to visit with my dear, darling, fun and fabulous friend, Anne Peabody Chism. She's pictured above in front of her awesome Clara Belle's Upscale Resale Shop in Louisville. Since I'm planning a book set around a resale/antique store, this was a perfect opportunity for me to do a little research (okay, to snoop!).<br /><br />This is her rocking chair nook. Doesn't it make you want to find a chair and start rocking?:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR_XAFRBKjSYWMBYB911dmka_llLjA6r9s1ibW6QeT5iqK-rTp-97hVCgzkX9se3GKsq-Wo5sdmnBSbT74buwKLTIr0svjSebRZqQtmrmfGlt4lv6spKMaRxdSB8XQbWeZR4P/s1600/Louisville+and+Brooksville+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR_XAFRBKjSYWMBYB911dmka_llLjA6r9s1ibW6QeT5iqK-rTp-97hVCgzkX9se3GKsq-Wo5sdmnBSbT74buwKLTIr0svjSebRZqQtmrmfGlt4lv6spKMaRxdSB8XQbWeZR4P/s320/Louisville+and+Brooksville+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615904582870116674" border="0" /></a><br />This photo speaks for itself:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF4tWEWeE-XkW4tw6ShvGFVTNzWcEBuauav8i-iVPTlQftxMK0aInb-mbCgyxZ2PeY-W1BW_k1xQXUuflzGBs-_5U27HM_in9ioMCzm5i-6jVBPE7hUYIwhiMzcHEXApN3_Y5/s1600/annesfeet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF4tWEWeE-XkW4tw6ShvGFVTNzWcEBuauav8i-iVPTlQftxMK0aInb-mbCgyxZ2PeY-W1BW_k1xQXUuflzGBs-_5U27HM_in9ioMCzm5i-6jVBPE7hUYIwhiMzcHEXApN3_Y5/s320/annesfeet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615905349951526354" border="0" /></a><br />I hadn't seen Sandie Melton in years and she's just as beautiful and young looking now as she was when we were in our twenties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnsJNe7obmhgUouaTzaVMAz6lhH7y86ZXVK1qkBHlSCYjMQK3GUdHzFtNnNqEejTLU9WAgn3iPBI0Il6u_z9njw4OcN0zkXIKczLc-d7QlY192tfrbAP9E6UYGiCzGLjgzkaQ/s1600/sandyandkc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnsJNe7obmhgUouaTzaVMAz6lhH7y86ZXVK1qkBHlSCYjMQK3GUdHzFtNnNqEejTLU9WAgn3iPBI0Il6u_z9njw4OcN0zkXIKczLc-d7QlY192tfrbAP9E6UYGiCzGLjgzkaQ/s320/sandyandkc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615920658952155442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Can't wait for my next visit to Louisville!Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-78073390213730422372011-06-08T18:00:00.000-04:002011-06-08T18:00:02.016-04:00May TARA Meeting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUwxgrMD8LvSO5ftxFrTijMdDvCGBscBHv4VUP5A0x6DjkJem4oVx41GfXx8331HmEs0BVXwKlN8Mr371T-8bsBN5x0hA4bYtMkgEX8dm1PZwWP-09TCdEaPTau3ykJgNcYzh/s1600/May+and+June+2011+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUwxgrMD8LvSO5ftxFrTijMdDvCGBscBHv4VUP5A0x6DjkJem4oVx41GfXx8331HmEs0BVXwKlN8Mr371T-8bsBN5x0hA4bYtMkgEX8dm1PZwWP-09TCdEaPTau3ykJgNcYzh/s320/May+and+June+2011+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615902036101708546" border="0" /></a><br />The May TARA meeting was lots of fun. Pictured above is Cheryl Wilson handing out bling. She gave a great workshop on description. Beside her is Anne Marie Carroll, TARA's new prez.<br /><br />Pictured below are Johnny Ray and Kristi Lewandowski.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5oXxLdz4muFmZf7-d8VbPVeu9Hw-nov3j_WBwociC-dnAIK3aMfijAMZ4pNmPnr9bLzcZhyphenhyphenWLmxKtEtqXoSpzZMfGiUIPLBc25DipTKabULpUBXmLBYEyaZjXbXV_bin6ccU/s1600/May+and+June+2011+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5oXxLdz4muFmZf7-d8VbPVeu9Hw-nov3j_WBwociC-dnAIK3aMfijAMZ4pNmPnr9bLzcZhyphenhyphenWLmxKtEtqXoSpzZMfGiUIPLBc25DipTKabULpUBXmLBYEyaZjXbXV_bin6ccU/s320/May+and+June+2011+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615902349443613138" border="0" /></a>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-68248921189303846292011-06-08T12:06:00.004-04:002011-06-08T13:19:21.209-04:00Every Authors' Biggest Fan -- Kat Boswell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh1TOCHtZTL51asg6-sAYUyX9O_FVybcMfGaIa8_szPwPEVpuZQugNeBwuw140GiiDLS6ZAi-DJr10B5eeCkn40jnVj3YOpTjU8eGX_RUmPbqkI2AkskphyphenhyphenCN54GH8QBApb4n/s1600/KatBosandKC.jpg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh1TOCHtZTL51asg6-sAYUyX9O_FVybcMfGaIa8_szPwPEVpuZQugNeBwuw140GiiDLS6ZAi-DJr10B5eeCkn40jnVj3YOpTjU8eGX_RUmPbqkI2AkskphyphenhyphenCN54GH8QBApb4n/s320/KatBosandKC.jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615881572236476690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">On my trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, I was blessed to stop by Kathy Boswell's home. She welcomed me graciously, fed me delicious steak, and let me hang out with her and her gorgeous children. After dinner, we walked to the pier near her home and watched a gorgeous full moon rise. It was a wonderful night!</span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-22962852693665100692011-06-08T04:00:00.000-04:002011-06-08T04:00:00.879-04:00New Paranormal Romantic Comedy -- STUCK ON YOU!<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGMYHml0ZdklKp8a8gOsfGod9ZvvlQ-JA3dzgZi9hn04kqdtJOJXmKnmSSxB1g-qBF3vfp7NsZ5rBMR7d3K1l15niGAWH7IXBSHiL0rtSFLXtMXgFLoU0bQE4SGY62vHepAcf/s1600/stuckonyou.cover.new.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGMYHml0ZdklKp8a8gOsfGod9ZvvlQ-JA3dzgZi9hn04kqdtJOJXmKnmSSxB1g-qBF3vfp7NsZ5rBMR7d3K1l15niGAWH7IXBSHiL0rtSFLXtMXgFLoU0bQE4SGY62vHepAcf/s320/stuckonyou.cover.new.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615523124395115842" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />STUCK ON YOU is now available on Kindle and Nook! Book 2 in the Texas Legacy Romantic Comedy series, but can be read as a stand-alone.<br /><br />Paranormal Romantic Comedy<br />Sensuality Level: Warm<br /><b><br />Talk about magnetic attraction!</b><br /><br />Accident prone is one thing. But electromagnetic impairment, too? Whenever Diedra Palmer's emotions run high, light bulbs burn out, watches stop and appliances go berserk. Between the accidents and the way everything around her breaks or goes wild, she's a total jinx.<br /><br /><b>Can two polar opposites...</b><br /><br />Alec Sparks works hard to maintain control. After his parents' divorce, he took on the responsibility for his clingy mother. Now he's an attorney and looks after his clients just as thoroughly. No wonder he doesn't want even more responsibility--and that's what Diedra would be. She's an accident waiting to happen, a disaster in every sense of the word. But when Alec must join forces with Diedre to help a couple in trouble, the nearly combustible magnetic attraction sends their senses soaring.<br /><br /><b>... ever become soul mates?</b><br /><br />Diedre likes her men in neckties and starched collars, all the better for mussing. And Alec Sparks is the starchiest man she's ever met. Trouble is, he's made it clear she can't have him. While Alec and Diedra work together, can they fight the heated desire flaring between them? <br /></span>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12317149.post-41217207617602756832011-05-14T09:00:00.000-04:002011-05-14T09:00:01.500-04:00Disney MGM Studio's & Epcot with family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXIfkqbklmnOAiJfShmHpPrt64l8yaxNmwOSNEqTSM_U56JXfNIth0g_zRmY14ksncKeXb7p2ygeSKq8JGUS0c1uWRZIELWPo0B00gkmwnTUDAs52ixD0z0t8G7sgNRAfJpqO/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXIfkqbklmnOAiJfShmHpPrt64l8yaxNmwOSNEqTSM_U56JXfNIth0g_zRmY14ksncKeXb7p2ygeSKq8JGUS0c1uWRZIELWPo0B00gkmwnTUDAs52ixD0z0t8G7sgNRAfJpqO/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606302235087841074" border="0" /></a><br />My sister, her husband and five children came to Orlando for a week during their spring break. We were lucky enough to be able to share their visits to both MGM and Epcot. We had a blast!<br /><br />Here's a few more photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHivZZ5AOyPP8N2TMHkQyD8CX8PpafGXXtkbMKS6BaRBTK5PZgD9uX_hT8W2xymB5M7_gyaPFMHApN7fcPGxXKzkyaC0B1qkGan2_K84JWxo5lf6EtHmVH9cpOg7sSePs-IKK/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHivZZ5AOyPP8N2TMHkQyD8CX8PpafGXXtkbMKS6BaRBTK5PZgD9uX_hT8W2xymB5M7_gyaPFMHApN7fcPGxXKzkyaC0B1qkGan2_K84JWxo5lf6EtHmVH9cpOg7sSePs-IKK/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606302721169287458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4AX6Gy8bf0XGytNq33iDofjrnHoEwyTYf8Z7a76mr-0AXbWyzXt1NWM_I37xuQYTiX2dgsXaWkUjdEJ5LOLgQwCgjm-rrWMkfWW492PMPOddAjwILuFdGkAjOwyKY-cKuj5u/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4AX6Gy8bf0XGytNq33iDofjrnHoEwyTYf8Z7a76mr-0AXbWyzXt1NWM_I37xuQYTiX2dgsXaWkUjdEJ5LOLgQwCgjm-rrWMkfWW492PMPOddAjwILuFdGkAjOwyKY-cKuj5u/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606303751407262002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbBUTKdxNcTpIOq9zSP6fhIm2vo5TkofkXFpjFkQDeg-svl5LsyL710JZxxstUyehaF9rFJV_lzKjlw44i6tEYsKye9yiMdHM32u7hwEaMtuaPmTgOjRE2KTTy4lB4QUNPnoy/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbBUTKdxNcTpIOq9zSP6fhIm2vo5TkofkXFpjFkQDeg-svl5LsyL710JZxxstUyehaF9rFJV_lzKjlw44i6tEYsKye9yiMdHM32u7hwEaMtuaPmTgOjRE2KTTy4lB4QUNPnoy/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606303397164850210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBpCb2x-zoLFGoGBiTcRXv7TuG8zkwkaDscehjvDih0NQN0eiUXuoNmc26TDROjD7cfq2CGOvMHx1cRZO9aO-oKsuKoay9od61CfOCIsie5rMCofdg95ZOXCyL9ZWpQuKn-Cu/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBpCb2x-zoLFGoGBiTcRXv7TuG8zkwkaDscehjvDih0NQN0eiUXuoNmc26TDROjD7cfq2CGOvMHx1cRZO9aO-oKsuKoay9od61CfOCIsie5rMCofdg95ZOXCyL9ZWpQuKn-Cu/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606303131684961170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K8MQctqRH81HNbaeo123njMr6TfK3PQH9cgvd3OgCac2W9-Qdtq6FghPG7O9BxcM-b4uXYRBVgc7rJxEom_NexeoaI6GSIDGXZKbeA8omiLepx_nEsakWzNAXuSLR1P2Q_xS/s1600/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K8MQctqRH81HNbaeo123njMr6TfK3PQH9cgvd3OgCac2W9-Qdtq6FghPG7O9BxcM-b4uXYRBVgc7rJxEom_NexeoaI6GSIDGXZKbeA8omiLepx_nEsakWzNAXuSLR1P2Q_xS/s320/2011+Abramo%252C+Stokers+in+Orlando%252C+Myrtle+Beach+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606304336598907154" border="0" /></a>Kathy Carmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706871107602614887noreply@blogger.com0