Top 10 Things a Cowboy Should Have

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome author Erin Bevan to the Power of 10 series. Today, Erin chats about ten cowboy essentials and her new release, Wedding Day.

Here’s Erin!

erinbevan In honor of my new release today, Wedding Day, I decided to list the top ten things (in my opinion) a cowboy should have. (I mean, besides a sexy body!) Here we go!

1. Hat- he isn’t a true cowboy if he doesn’t wear a hat, right? Right!

2. Jeans-Tight ones!

3. Boots- Preferably with a little mud on them. We need to know he isn’t just playing the part.

4. Belt- He’s got to have something to hold those pants up, right?

5. Pearl snap shirt-or flannel-or some kind of shirt with buttons. Or, maybe, shirtless would be even better!

6. Spurs

7. Chaps

8. Horse-These last three go together, don’t you think?

9. Lasso- I’ll be honest; being able to lasso something is hard work. I’ll give the cowboy some slack if he can’t lasso, but at least know how to tie one.

10. Great manners. No sense in having a big strapping cowboy if his behavior stinks.

Some things I didn’t list that could definitely help would be a good smile, which includes a nice set of teeth, great abs, strong legs, and the list could go on forever.

What do you think a cowboy should have?

weddingday

Blurb

Famous Bull Rider Dallas Day met Cassie Bailey briefly in high school, but her plain looks and quiet personality left no lasting impression on him. Cassie, however, couldn’t say the same about Dallas.

Their paths cross again ten years later when Dallas is home recovering from an injury, and Cassie is the only veterinarian who volunteers her services at the home-town rodeo. She’s jump-starting her new practice, and every eligible man within a ten-mile radius is trying to land a date with the attractive vet.

Dallas’ older brother bets him that, even with all his charm and fame, Dallas can’t land a date with the reserved lady vet. Not one to turn down a challenge, Dallas makes it his mission to win a date with Cassie. After seeing her, he realizes they’ve met before, but he doesn’t remember her being so pretty. His persistence pays off, but when Cassie finds out about the bet, their new love is put to the test.

Excerpt

“Is there anything I can help you with?” A deep voice asked from behind her.

“No, I think we have it.” She hopped down from the pen. Glacier blue eyes locked with hers. She would know his eyes anywhere. Her heart quickened just as it did the first time she’d ever laid her gaze upon him, and a tingling sensation shot through her.

Dallas looked older than she remembered, broader, gruffer, but still sexy.

Tucker, you have Tucker.

Where was he, anyway? In her haste to get ready, she’d forgotten to call him.

“Dallas? Yeah, we can use a hand.” Chevy still fumbled with the lock. “Can you come over here and help me with Knuckle Head? Dr. Bailey wants him to walk around so she can get a closer look.”

“I really don’t think that’s necessary–”

“I would love to help. That’s why I’m here.” Dallas jogged to the front of the bull and grabbed the lead rope with his left hand. A plastered cast circled his right wrist and rose halfway up his forearm.

She turned to Spencer and furrowed her brow.

Spencer stared back at her and displayed her pageant winning 2005 Miss Frisbee smile, her thumb up in the air. Some friend she was.

Dallas and Chevy led the bull out of the pen while she observed the bull’s gait.

“Let’s get him over by a water hose. I want to get a closer look at his foot.” She pointed toward a washing station and followed behind the men as they led the bull, sure to steer clear of Knuckle Head’s hind legs in the event he wanted to kick her.

From her position, she had a clear view of Dallas’s backside. Everything appeared to be as tight as she remembered, which did nothing to settle those distracting tingling sensations.

Focus.

Bio

Erin Bevan was born and raised in Southwest Arkansas. She spent her teenage years working for her aunt at the local gas station flipping burgers and making milkshakes, dreaming of the day when something better would come her way, and it did in the form of a five foot six, one hundred and fifty pound engineer.

Fast forward ten years later, she found herself stuck inside an apartment in South Korea while her daughter went to preschool and her husband went to work. Alone and unable to speak the local language she turned to books for a friend. After reading a few hundred in such a short time, she decided to try her hand at writing one.

That first one sucked, but by the fifth and sixth book, Erin started to get the hang of this writing thing. Getting the first contract in the mail was a dream come true. Now, with three babies at home, she squeezes in stories one word at a time, one sentence at a time, one day at a time.

She’s a full time mom, a full time wife, with a little writer sprinkled in whenever she can get the chance. And the laundry? Well, it’s best not to open the washroom door!

Where to find Erin…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Indulge Your Passion

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have Wild Rose Press author Ashantay Peters chatting about her multi-act life and her latest release, Déjà Vu All Over Again.

Here’s Ashantay!

ashantaypix

I’m one of those women who has reinvented herself over and over. For example, in high school I worked part-time in retail, after graduation I moved to office clerk and then to secretary. I didn’t begin college until I was in my early thirties, working full-time while taking a full class load. No, I wasn’t crazy, but I often felt like I was losing my mind!

After college, I entered the HR field, and I spent most of the rest of my professional life hiring, firing, and talking benefits and payroll. Well, except for a stint in risk management. And I did shift from corporate to government then back to corporate again. And ran a retail store in the middle there, somewhere. Oh, and managed a small transit system.

I didn’t plan to jump around so much, but as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

Now that I’m retired, I wonder not how I got everything done, but why I pushed so hard. Retirement has meant a huge reduction in available income, but I find that many of the things I “needed” have fallen away. So too the activities that “had” to be done.

And, bonus – I get to use life experiences in my books. That boss no one likes? Killed him off in book four. The best friend who wasn’t – book two. And then there’s the woman who regrets that her first marriage failed – and wishes she could have a do over. Book six. We all have stories, right?

All that being said, I’d advise anyone planning to retire soon to examine your life now. If an event or activity doesn’t bring you joy, maybe it’s time to let that stuff go. Have you always wanted to travel somewhere? Don’t wait! Go now! But most important, indulge your passion. Live your dreams.

As Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Embrace change. Accept life.

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Blurb

Rock star Jack Reed has secrets. He’s kept his first marriage to a girl he met at Woodstock, and their son, under wraps for decades. Now his child has tracked him down wanting answers. Former hippie Sally Ford never fully recovered from Jack’s betrayal of their family. She believes he put his career first then and will again, leading to another shattered ending. Jack and Sally’s first meeting is combustible. Can they confront their past and overcome a history of deceit and manipulation to find peace and love?

Bio

Ashantay Peters loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth.

She lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, a happy transplant from the much colder (and flatter) Midwest. She loves to hear from readers! Give her a holler via her blog and she’ll get back with you as soon as she comes in from gardening or takes a break from writing her next book. You have her solemn promise that she will not stalk you.

Where to find Ashantay…

Website | Blog | Amazon | Twitter

Joanne here!

Ashantay, thanks for sharing your varied experiences and excellent advice. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.

Spotlight on Claire Gem

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to feature Claire Gem’s writing journey and her books: Phantom Traces and Hearts Uncloched.

Here’s Claire!

clairegem Writing isn’t a hobby for me, nor merely a career dream. Crafting stories, and all that go with them, is a passion. And the reason why I don’t need to be on an anti-depressant medication.

When I was in the seventh grade, my English teacher, Nancy Prather, gave the class a creative writing assignment. I don’t even remember now what I wrote about. But I can tell you this: when Ms. Prather handed out the papers and I discovered I’d scored an A+, a tiny spark ignited in my chest. When she stopped me on my way out of class to say, “You have real talent. I hope you’ll pursue your writing,” that spark burst into flames.

Flames that simmered low and slow throughout the next forty years. There simply wasn’t time in my life to seriously pursue a writing career until about eight years ago, when I turned fifty. The kids were grown, my “day-job” (which has nothing to do with writing) was firmly established, and I finally had the time to make up stuff.

And so I did.

The process of sending out those first queries was as painful, and as frightening, as childbirth—maybe more. Yet not as excruciating as the rejection letters. The first fifty of them.

But I am not a quitter. I can do this, I thought. If not talented, then persistent, and stubborn as hell. I’d finished my third, unsold manuscript when I let a friend who loves romance novels take my draft of PHANTOM TRACES with her on vacation. She came back raving about how much she loved the story, and wondering why I hadn’t been offered a contract on it. Three days later, I was.

Soul Mate Publishing signed me for Phantom Traces three years ago, and I’ve never looked back. Since then, I’ve secured another contract for a contemporary romance with a different publisher. But I have one tiny, little flaw as an author: I’m a control freak. Which is why I chose to go Indie on my latest release, HEARTS UNLOCHED.

I was lucky enough to find an awesome copy editor/proofreader, Joyce Mochrie. I had my same beta reader take the manuscript on vacation (she loved this one even more than the first!). My sister is a graphic artist, as well as a published author in her own right, and she designed my unbelievable cover. All the pieces are in place. I feel like a 747 jet sitting on the end of a runway, one whose pilot just got the go-ahead for take-off.

So buckle your seat belts, readers. Here we go!

heartsunlcohed

Blurb

A psychic interior designer reluctantly agrees to renovate a sexy investor’s abandoned hotel on a lake rumored to have once been the mob’s body dumping ground.

Interior designer Kate Bardach loves her single girl’s lifestyle—living in Manhattan and spending weekends at her lake house. She’s passionate about her career, reinventing old buildings. But there are some projects she can’t take on because of the spirits trapped there. Kate is psychic—she sees dead people.

Marco Lareci is one of Wall Street’s most successful investment brokers who’s achieved all of his life’s goals—except for finding his soulmate.

His latest project, an abandoned resort on Loch Sheldrake, needs a savvy designer to transform the crumbling complex into a boutique hotel. When Marco meets Kate, he can’t believe his luck. She’s the perfect match for his business and his heart.

Marco’s body excites Kate even more than does his renovation project. But the haunting there, a bonafide poltergeist, affects her on an intensely personal level. Kate’s aunt disappeared from the place fifty years ago.

Will the spirit doom Kate and Marco’s love, or drive them closer together?

PHANTOM TRACES_505x825 (2) A history professor in a tweed jacket, a cheeky Goth chick, and a pipe-smoking, book-hurling ghost. Put them all together in an antiquated library and, well…

Professor Jack Wood’s silver-streaked hair definitely ages him, and he can thank Killer Dawn for that. He won’t be falling into the love trap again anytime real soon. But this new librarian has him curious, with her head-to-toe black Goth garb, piercings, and a defiant attitude to match. Definitely not his type of girl, but still…

Abigail Stryker’s got her work cut out for her. The last two librarians didn’t last a month before airborne books chased them off. But Abby’s determined to make her new life a go-and to stay as far away from older men as possible. Once was enough. Might be tough to do when the library’s best patron is none other than dreamy-eyed Jack Wood. And it seems the eccentric ghost may have taken a shine to her as well.

Available in eBook, Paperback, & Audiobook

Bio

Claire Gem turns the paranormal genre on its ear by combining the elements of gothic horror, mystery/thriller, and contemporary romance into a genre she calls New Gothic.

Claire loves ghost stories, and has done her homework when it comes to exploring the world of paranormal phenomena. She holds her certificate in Parapsychology from Duke University’s Rhine Institute of Paranormal Studies. Her obsession with cemeteries, a severe case of taphophilia, has served her well—some of her best stories were born while exploring an old graveyard. She also loves abandoned places—asylums, crumbling hotels, places far out in the woods where only the fairies dare to venture.

Although she most definitely believes in ghosts, she doesn’t suffer from nightmares. They are simply midnight musings for her next gothic novel.

Happy Release Day!

A Multi-Act Life

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have author Charmaine Gordon chatting about her multi-act life and her latest release, Together, Again.

Here’s Charmaine!

charmainegordon “The time has come,” the walrus said.

And here I am so happy to be visiting with you again.

This is a wonderful day. Why you may ask? The answer is I woke up. A simple task like rising, gazing out the window, and a sniff of fresh air. YIPPEE! This woman is raring to go. I tiptoe out not to wake the sleeping honey and what do I see? Five cats waiting to be fed. They tumble and mew toward the kitchen. This is not a bad way to begin a full day. All my 85 years have been filled with the care of someone or something. As a small child, the only girl among many boys, I learned to cook and to sew. My intention was to dance,sing and act but back in the dinosaur days, girls were secondary.

As an Air Force Wife of a pilot during the Korean war, women were forever pregnant including me-count ‘em-six. The men returned from Temporary Duty in far places with the military band playing, flags flying. The joke was, “What’s the second thing you’ll do when you get home?” The answer was, “Take off my parachute.”

Moving along, we moved to NY as civilians and I gathered my dusty talents and began an acting career in daytime drama, on stage, and movies having the best time of my life because it was mine alone. Sure I came home and made dinner for the family and loved up the dear husband but those hours were mine. Picture lunch with Anthony Hopkins “Call me Tony”, dancing with Harrison Ford during a break in Working Girl, Chatting with Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction. Yes, it all was for real until twelve years passed and my voice stopped working. A catastrophe. No more acting.

How many acts have I been through? Many, I do believe. This act started with an idea and I wrote a book without knowing how. To Be Continued is the title. Vanilla Heart Publishing offered a contract and six years later, I write every day with a pile of books to my credit.

Together, Again is my latest.

togetheragain

Blurb

A wealthy couple, no children in sight, answer the door one day to find a replica of the woman living there, titian hair and all. Charlie is her name and so begins the story. Years later Charlie’s young twin sisters , now seventeen, are rescued by the same couple with a big heart. It’s a tale of love and hearts that keep on giving.

Excerpt

“The portly lawyer presented his case to the most important critical judge and jury. In an attempt to bribe his lovely wife, he removed the elegant strap heels from her slender feet. The massage he’d perfected over their many years of marital bliss brought a skeptical frown between her perfect eyebrows.

““Stuart, speak now or forever hold your piece. Save the tricks for the bedroom.”

“Dimples appeared in his cherubic cheeks. “Guilty as charged, Eleanor.”

“Puzzled, she unwrapped a truffle, dark chocolate with a coconut filling and let the sweetness melt in her mouth before a quick chew and swallow. She pulled her husband’s head down kissing his parted lips to share the chocolate taste.

““Don’t distract me too much. I have to cover more ground before I cover you.”

““Move on, Stuart.”
“As you know, the twins have been texting me for a while. They wanted to call but the school doesn’t allow phone calls and they didn’t know if you are, what they refer to as, ‘into texting.’ I text back right away and always say whenever they want to leave there and live with us, they are welcome. So just before I left the office, I received a text saying Help. They are so ready to leave like now. Their words, my love. We leave very soon.”

“She jumped to her bare feet and paced the study. “I’m excited but worried at the same time. What about Elizabeth? Maybe she won’t let them go.”

““I have my ways, sweetheart. I’ve been investigating her past for a long time and now I have enough information to send her away. But that’s not my intention. She’s evil to have instigated Charlie into doing what a young girl had to do to protect her mother. No more will Elizabeth get away with it.” He rose and gathered her in his arms. “And now please allow me one more truffle before you chase me to the bedroom to have your way with me. Ring for Edgar to hold all calls. Sean should walk Lord and Lady before going home. We are not to be disturbed.” Heading toward their private section of the expansive home on Lake Shore Drive, Stuart paused. “Our Labradoodles are aging, Eleanor. It’s time to order two more from the breeder. What color would you prefer?” He closed and locked the bedroom suite.

Eleanor Alfred eyed her husband while she dropped the silk dress to the floor. “Is that what you’ll say when I’ve no longer aged to perfection? What color should I order?” She smacked him across his shoulder.

Where to find Charmaine…

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Joanne here!

Charmaine, your posts and comments inspire and motivate me. Best of luck with Together, Again.

A Woman Finding Her Voice – The Vancouver Blue Series

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome Canadian author Jo-Ann Carson. Today, Jo-Ann shares Books 1 and 2 in the Vancouver Blue Series. I enjoyed reading and highly recommend Black Cat Blues.

Here’s Jo-Ann!

Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful blog Joanne. It is an honour to work with you. Your friendship and support is a blessing.

My latest release:

Black Cat Blues

blackcatblues A nightmare waits in the alley . . .

Stabbed in an alley behind the Black Cat Blues bar, private investigator Jimmy Daniels clings to life just long enough to tell Maggy Malone a secret.

Maggy, a curvy blues singer with a sultry voice and a razor sharp mind is starting her life over after a lousy marriage. Reluctant at first to get involved with a murder, she tells no one the secret. But when the murderer stalks her, she changes her mind.

Maggy teams up with Jimmy’s brother, Logan, a handsome suit with a tidy view of life. They figure out the killer is looking for gold buried on Gabriola Island by the notorious, cult-leader Brother XII.

The body count rises. Will Maggy catch him? Or will she be his next victim?

Black Cat Blues is the first story in the Vancouver Blues series. If you like Indiana Jones and urban noir, you’ll love this story, which combines all of their best traits in a fast-paced, captivating and sensual, romantic suspense.

If you want adventure and romance in your life, buy Black Cat Blues today.

About the Vancouver Blues Series

Vancouver is a multi-ethnic, international city that still has a wild-west flavor. Nestled between the rugged, coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean it is stunningly beautiful. It used to be one of Canada’s secret jewels, but Expo 86 and the 2011 Olympics thrust it onto the international scene. It’s growing at an exponential rate and like a gangly teenager who wants to stay a child, but can’t, it’s experiencing growing pains.

I wanted to write stories that captured Vancouver’s urban vibe and unique culture. What I came up with is the story of a blues singer who’s had a rough life and is finding her voice.
The sequel launches April 18th:

Ain’t Misbehavin’

AintMishehavin_CVR_MED (2) A naked alderman, a haunted trattoria and a love that can not be denied.

When the manager of the Black Cat Blues Bar, singer Maggy Malone, witnesses a murder in her favorite trattoria, her life is upended. Known as the Naked Alderman, the victim is a controversial politician who wants Vancouver to be known as the greenest city in the world. He’s also the lover of Maggy’s best friend. Despite his noble ideals, his head ends up in the pasta.

The last thing Maggy wants to do is chase another murderer. She’s worked hard to keep the Black Cat afloat and sort out her life, which is complicated by two, hot men, and acts of sabotage at her dock community on Granville Island.

But when the body count rises, Maggy decides to catch the killer.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is the second story in the Vancouver Blues series. If you like ghost stories and urban noir, you’ll love this book, which combines all of their best traits in a fast-paced, captivating and sensual, romantic suspense.

Bio

joanncarson Jo-Ann Carson has lived most of her life on islands off the west coast of Canada, surrounded by snow covered mountains, lush rain forests and pristine beaches.

Growing up, she dreamed of traveling the world like James Bond, searching for relics like Indiana Jones, and finding true love, so it’s no surprise that in her Mata Hari Series she combines elements of adventure, danger and steamy romance.

In her Vancouver Blues Series she slides into the realm of Urban Noir and explores the dark side of the city. These books are mainstream suspense with strong romantic elements and are very-Vancouver.

Wanna Connect (and get a free book)?

Thank you for reading about my Vancouver stories. If you would like to know more about me, check out my website which has all my social media links and/or sign up for my newsletter. All new subscribers are sent a free e-copy of my first book, Covert Danger, the story of a single woman living a double life.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to spotlight author Tema Merback/Belle Ami and her books.

Here’s Tema/Belle Ami!

First off, thank you Joanne for giving me this opportunity to air my dirty laundry, well not all of it. I have to save something for those titillating sex scenes.

Every writer’s journey is fraught with humorous anecdotes, stumbles, pitfalls, and miracles. Yes, it is a journey that perfectly mirrors this adventure we call life, and just like life, you better hold on tight, because as the country western lyric says it’s going to be “one Hell of a ride”.

I have always been a writer, or at least dabbled in it, whether it be speeches, short stories, poetry, screen treatments, it was my sideline not my profession. However, my serious journey began in 2010, when I published In the Face of Evil an historical novel based on my mother’s survival of the Holocaust; I should say self-published, as no one showed any interest in doing it for me. Much of that was due to the lack of editing, and not knowing the publishing business. It took me three years to write, and a stack of rejection notices wasn’t going to stop me from publishing it. Call it beginners luck, but that book became a Finalist in the National Jewish Book Awards. Not bad. Imagine if I would have had it professionally edited? To this day it is one of the highest rated books on Amazon and Goodreads, not easy to maintain with those angry trolls that cruise the virtual world and live and breathe to contribute those abusive one and two star reviews. Anyway, after toiling, suffering, through one of the darkest times in human history I definitely needed to write something lighter, less taxing on my psyche.

Just around that time I read this little book entitled Fifty Shades of Grey. Well, it doesn’t get lighter than that. Not a particularly well written book, but it definitely held my interest. I began to study the romance genre, reading voraciously, everything from paranormal to BDSM. Oh, my goodness those sweaty nights of reading, who wouldn’t be hooked. I was literally infected with the romance germ and the only cure was for me to pass it on through my writing. In February 2014 I self-published (at this point I was fairly turned off by the publishing industry) my first book in the Romance/Sexy/Suspense genre The One, which became the first in my The Only One series. In June, I published The One & More, bringing me to my upcoming release with Soul Mate Publishing One More Time is Not Enough coming March 2016, keep your fingers crossed on that not written in stone date.

ONE MORE TIME IS NOT ENOUGH (2)-1

What I’ve learned along the way could fill a book, however, I have no interest in writing that one. Suffice it to say, I’ve spent a lot of money on poor editing, PR, advertising, the list goes on-and-on. I’ve tried the self-publishing route and it has not worked for me. Yes, I’ve sold books in a vacuum, despite myself. What I wanted was a home, a place to hang my hat. Fellow authors to communicate with, share ideas, brainstorm, all of which had been lacking in my creative world.

My goodness, what an inspiration it is to finally develop a writing family. I have a notebook filled with review site possibilities, book tour companies, rafflecopter events, marketing tips, and a whole slew of new Facebook and Twitter friends. I’m learning what works and what doesn’t work, from writers who’ve walked barefoot over the burning coals and are kind enough to share, preventing me from burning my Tootsies. My thanks you to all who have come before and who continue to be an inspiration. It just keeps getting better, and the future looks ever so bright. I’ve just finished another book, working title No Way Out, tweaked my genre from Romantic/Sexy/Suspense to Romantic/Sexy/Thriller and can’t wait to see where the road will lead.

Where to find Tema…

Amazon | Twitter | Facebook

Where to find Belle Ami…

Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

A Single Thread

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have Canadian author Katherine Prairie sharing her love of science and her recent release Thirst.

Here’s Katherine!

Katherine Prairie (2) I read through the many marvelous stories here about authors who took chances and created second, third or even fourth acts in their lives, each focused on something different. It gave me pause, because although I too have shifted my focus, I feel as though my writing is simply an extension of my life, rather than a change. Let me explain.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a scientist. I was curious about everything, and I wanted answers! I thought about medicine, chemistry, physics, but it was geology that intrigued me, and I studied mining geology first, but ultimately went to work in the oil and gas industry. I loved computer programming and I soon found my niche as a computer modeling specialist on international projects. If you’re keeping track, you’ll see that I’ve already switched three times – mining geology, petroleum geology and geological computer specialist!

I spent almost twenty-five years in the petroleum industry, but not without a few more changes. I added a graduate degree in engineering hydrology, completed advanced training in computer programming and database design, and moved onto project management. I also created a year-long training program for a local college, taught workshops, wrote technical manuals, published a computer programming book and developed computer models for clients from too many industries to count, all while running a consulting company. To be honest, I’m not sure how many acts that covers!

When I finally decided to step away from the petroleum industry, I did so with a heavy heart. I loved the science, but I was ready to slow down a little. In the quiet that followed, I started writing mysteries instead of technical manuals and when I found a way to weave science into my storylines, I once again found my niche. And the Alex Graham mystery series featuring a mining geologist was born.

I’ve moved through many acts, but throughout it all runs a single thread – my love of science. So to me it feels more like one richly layered act that hasn’t completely played out yet.

My advice is to be fearless and follow your passion because it will take you down a most interesting path. And if you’re lucky, instead of closing each act and starting again, your career will simply evolve into a unique expression of all your experiences.

thirst

Blurb

Explosive violence rocks Canada’s Slocan Valley after the shooting deaths of three teenagers in a bombing attempt at the Brilliant dam. A joint US-Canada military force locks down the area to protect dams critical to both countries but martial law incites more violence.

Geologist Alex Graham refuses to let politics stand in her way. She evades military patrols to slip into a restricted zone in her hunt for a silver mine to claim as her own. But her plans are derailed by an intentionally set fire that almost takes her life.

Someone wants her out of the Valley.

When Alex discovers a gunshot victim in an abandoned mine, she fears she could be next. But she’s never been one to wait for trouble to come to her and she tracks a suspicious man seen once too often in the lonely mountains.

All eyes are on the dams, but the true threat lies elsewhere.

Buy Links

Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (United States)

Bio

Katherine, a geologist and IT specialist, stepped away from the international petroleum industry to follow her passion for writing. An avid traveller with an insatiable curiosity, you never know where you’ll find her next! But most days, she’s in Vancouver, Canada quietly plotting murder and mayhem under the watchful eye of a cat. She is an award-winning presenter and the author of the thriller THIRST.

Where to find Katherine…

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Joanne here!

Katherine, I’m impressed by the rich tapestry of experiences you have seamlessly woven together. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.

Combat Your Writer’s Block – 10 Tips

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m thrilled to welcome Soul Mate author Kim Hotzon to the Power of 10 series. Today, Kim shares her best tips for combating writer’s block and her latest novel, Hands Full of Ashes.

Here’s Kim!

writersblockhotzon All writers, from time to time, experience the dreaded block. I’m not referring to the chopping block (though it may as well be) but rather ‘writer’s block’. This is a condition otherwise known as a withering, about-to-be dried up landscape once it descends upon a writer’s corpus callosum, kind of like a dust cloud. Writer’s block is a loathsome annoyance, and there are plenty of images of the greats (think Hemingway) who’ve demonstrated various coping skills by swigging unlimited bottles of wine or whiskey to dredge up something from the recesses of their dusty skulls.

If you find yourself suffering from this malady, don’t stomp on your keyboard just yet. I’ve devised a list that may assist you (and myself for that matter) in keeping that pesky condition at bay.

Switch your routine

People who write tend to be creatures of habit. A certain time of day may normally fuel your productivity but let’s face it, we all need a change once in a while. Leave your table, couch or desk behind. Find a nice park bench or cubicle at the library. Do you find that sentences and paragraphs come flying at you just as your head hits the pillow? Maybe your most creative sparks fly at night when you’ve been writing during the day. Switch your schedule as much as possible and net those wandering thoughts when they appear.

Engage with people

Books come alive with characters. If you’re having difficulty with dialogue, or with the advancement of your characters’ relationships, spend time interacting with people. Writing can be a solitary pursuit but sometimes you’ll need to do a bit of research before your writing can continue. Because characters are often inspired by someone you know, engage him/her in conversation and learn more about his/her personality traits. Details go a long way in making characters three-dimensional and believable to your story.

Imbibe in one of your vices (within reason)

winerose Maybe you’re developing a hum-drum mood, or stuck in stagnation. Loosen up. It’s okay to have a glass of wine (just not a keg, mind you) to ease your mental straitjacket. Go buy a decadent dessert. Do something to reward yourself. You should avoid criticizing yourself and your work. All work and no play is never a good idea. Just don’t get lost in your playground every day.

Read in the genre you’re writing in

If you’re plowing through a science fiction novel while trying to write historical romance, your linguistic word building may lead you in the wrong direction. Read what you’re currently writing to get a sense of vocabulary and setting details. If you find you keep reading certain genres and the one you’re writing never evolves, you might want to re-consider switching to a new genre. Your story, if you’re passionate about it, will not leave your head. If it does, you may not love it as much as you want to.

Recall your past angst

Delivering powerful, emotional scenes requires the ability to convey emotions into words. That’s where your own recollections of exciting or traumatic events will help. Tap into a time that made you feel fear, anger or joy. What caused those feelings? Who was involved? Taking a trip down memory lane may ignite a chain reaction of memories that could serve you well in constructing that next chapter.

memorylane

Plot your story

Okay, you’ve got a rough storyline idea with characters meshed out. You’re 20,000 words into your manuscript and then . . . the cobwebs resume clogging your skull. This can be frustrating and cause you to toss your work into the trash pile or at the back of a drawer. This stage of writer’s block can be overwhelming. Take a step back and plot your storyline out on a piece of paper. You had a great idea to start with and your idea is still a good thing. Sometimes a visual marker or graph can help you strategize and construct further plot points. Think of this approach as being similar to following a recipe. Once you see how far you’ve moved along in your manuscript you may feel your motivation resume. Or, as an old familiar saying instructs us, “it’s easier to see where you’re going if you’re eyes are open”.

Keep notes handy

A while ago I finished a time travel manuscript. Moving between time periods and getting different historical facts correct was dizzying. I found keeping a notebook handy for all my spontaneous reminders and fact building came in handy. Sometimes I need a reminder when to include a landmark detail or when my character is going to say something specific to move the story along. With so much information swirling in an author’s mind small details can quickly be forgotten. Write stuff down as you think of it.

Apply humour

bellylaugh Humor is one of the best strategies for coping with anything in life. Writing requires so much internal, right-brain thinking it can become exhausting. Humor, either for yourself, or introduced in your writing, can unleash a floodgate of ideas and a new perspective. A good belly laugh is always appreciated – by the writer and the reader.

Visit local writing groups/classes

Beyond engaging with a neighbor, store clerk or random person, spending time with people who ‘do exactly what you do’ is a proven winner. Who else knows better the issues you’re dealing with? Need motivation, inspiration or advice? Your fellow writers will provide a support system with tangible and constructive feedback. Can’t get to a local writer’s group? Join one online, there are several. Google your options and reach out to other writers.

Think of writing as a job and not a hobby

All people with jobs have tasks to perform and most have deadlines to meet. Writing is no different. Begin with a schedule and set a goal. Even if you only manage to carve out 250 words a day, you’ll have a thousand words completed in a few days. Keep an eye on your word count, but don’t become a slave to it. The purpose in moving forward and being productive is to form a writing habit that works for you. Don’t compare yourself to other writers who seem prolific with their daily word count. Seeing something on paper, or computer screen is far better than staring at a blank page. You may consider joining NaNoWriMo or engaging peer support. Instituting challenges will help you achieve your writing goals.

Writing is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. It is also one of the most difficult. Without a doubt, writing a novel requires talent, effort, and perseverance. The most successful writers are the ones who don’t give up. So assemble a notebook, your laptop, pick a time of day, a location, and begin plotting out your next chapter.

Blurb

Olivia promises to fulfill her dying husband’s wish – to scatter his ashes around the world. Wading through grief and depression, she journeys to a remote orphanage in Uganda. Living amongst the children in their threadbare surroundings, she vows to fight for the children’s lives as she begins to fight for her own. While Olivia develops a passion for humanitarian work, the lonely director of the orphanage develops a simmering passion for her.

Just as time begins to heal the wounds of her heart, Olivia learns the truth of her husband’s unimaginable betrayal. She flees to the tiny country of Rwanda where her soul is reawakened with a startling new love. Olivia realizes that love always comes with a price when she is faced with a decision she thought she would never have to make.

Surrounded by the rugged beauty of Africa, Olivia is determined to find true love while learning how to survive in a region left torn apart by civil war.

Bio

kimhotzon Born in beautiful British Columbia, Kim developed a passion for writing at an early age. Her interest in people led her all over the globe, including a two year stay in Japan and a humanitarian trip to Rwanda.

She loves to write romance stories with a twist, usually involving a dangerous and dramatic backdrop. Her first novel, Hands Full of Ashes, was inspired by her trip to Africa.

Kim spent many years teaching young adults with learning disabilities at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and she currently resides in the sunny Okanagan with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found plying the local ski hills, or getting lost in her kayak in the surrounding lakes.

Where to find Kim…

My Mind, Body, Spirit Transformation

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

Today, we have Dr. Ellen Albertson sharing her inspiring journey to wellness.

Here’s Dr. Ellen!

drellen Today I love my body. I’ve stopped worrying about it and started enjoying it. My body is a marvelous temple, a vehicle that transports me through life and facilitates emotion and pleasure.

But it wasn’t always like this. At first, I believed the path to wellbeing was weight loss. I thought that obtaining the “perfect” body would solve all my problems. But focusing on weight WAS the problem—blocking joy, personal growth and connecting with my genius and passion.

I was a weight loss warrior/worrier focusing ridiculous amounts of time and energy on weight and helping my clients do the same thing. Counting calories, restricting food, following rigid meal plans, beating myself up for eating a cookie, exercising excessively and weighing and judging people, FOR WHAT?

Trying to control my body was destroying my life. I was addicted to exercise. If I didn’t work out I freaked out! I ran away from problems and uncomfortable emotions and punished my body for not being “perfect”. No one knew because I looked “great.” Besides, as a personal fitness trainer I worked in the insane fitness industry where grueling workouts are glorified.

My daughter, Aly hit puberty. Distraught by her changing body, she started mirroring my dysfunctional, body hating behavior. Going clothing shopping was worse than root canal. She’d emerge from the dressing room in tears because nothing fit. Her behavior was a powerful wake-up call that roused me from my self-centered, self-loathing trance. To help her, I had to make peace with my body and food.

I started therapy and learned to safely connect with feelings and emotions. I confronted fears and questioned many long held beliefs, including my ridiculous fear of fat and view that everyone could and should strive to have a perfect, thin body. When thoughts like, “I feel fat” crossed my mind I crossed examined them. For example, I was out on a winter walk when I started feeling heavy. I realized I felt fat not because of body weight, but because I was wearing a bulky coat to stay warm.

Gradually my body stopped being a dumping ground for all that was wrong with my life. Movement and eating became joyful again. When I looked in the mirror instead of flaws and imperfections I saw beauty and glimpsed my soul. I realized my body was not my masterpiece, my life was.

That’s when I discovered Self-compassion, learning to treat yourself the way you would a good friend. I was working on my doctoral dissertation and wanted to provide women with something more than flat abs and a sexy bum. My dissertation chair suggested I offer meditation. Initially, I was uncomfortable with the idea because I didn’t meditate. Years ago I had meditated and been passionate about spirituality, but life and my quest for the perfect body had crowded out space to expand my soul.

The minute I said yes to meditation doors started opening. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) agreed to be on my dissertation committee. I studied extensively with Kristin and eventually become a Mindful Self-compassion teacher. MSC changed my life. As I meditated and practiced self-compassion I started to fall in love with my Self. The drive for perfection was replaced by self-acceptance, and the nagging, critical voice that had haunted me disappeared.

When things were difficult in my life I used to automatically say, “I feel fat”, restrict my eating and go for a run. Now when things are difficult I give myself what I need to feel better. I’ve stopped struggling and started flowing. Each day is an opportunity to see what there is to see, feel what there is to feel and know what there is to know. And difficulties are just doorways to grow and glow.

Today, My life is filled with passion, purpose and meaning. Sometimes it’s a hot mess, but now I can accept and handle it. I love and care for myself deeply, and I’m able to use my gifts of healing, insight and intuition to help others heal and live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Here’s what I want to leave you with:

Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are. When life feels heavy, harmonize the dance of your life with the song in your heart and flow with grace, beauty and ease.

thediabetic

Bio

Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Wellcoach® and Reiki Master. The Glow & Grow Coach, Dr. Ellen teaches women how to harmonize the dance of their lives with the song in their hearts and flow with grace, beauty and ease. She’s passionate about helping others let go of who they think they’re supposed to be & embrace who they are.

The former online Nutrition Expert for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and The Abs Diet, Dr. Ellen has helped thousands of women overcome negative body image and weight issues and enlighten body, mind, heart & spirit. After working for two decades in the diet industry and struggling with food and weight issues, she broke free from the body perfection trap. She discovered self-compassion, and transformed her life and coaching practice.

An expert on women’s wellbeing, Dr. Ellen has appeared on Extra, The Maury Povitch Show, the Food Network and NBC World News and has been quoted in Psychology Today, Family Circle, Eating Well and USA Today. Dr. Ellen’s articles on health and nutrition have appeared in Self, Better Homes & Gardens and Good Housekeeping. She is the author of 4 books including: Hawking God, Food as Foreplay: Recipes for Romance, Love & Lust and the soon to be released The Dietitian & The Diabetic: How to Help Your Husband Defeat Diabetes without Losing Your Mind or Your Marriage.

Where to find Dr. Ellen…

Facebook | Twitter

giftbox Click to get your free gift from Dr. Ellen ~ The Catapult Your Confidence Kit. It contains a workbook, guide and MP3 designed to help people shift their mood and build self-love and self-worth.