Great News

Good afternoon everyone.

I’d like to chat today about Poetic Monthly. I’ve recently joined them as a staff writer.





It’s a Poetic Monthly Magazine who reviews books, offers advertising and radio shows for authors and publishers. If you write poetry there is an excellent opportunity to publish your work through them, link your forums to the magazine and each month you will get a full page to yourself to post a "Poem of the Month" and a side bar for your forum to post events etc. The site is extremely author friendly and offers great opportunities.

For more information you can email Martin White, the president, martin@microcfw.com. Just mention that I’ve sent you along. It’s as easy as that.

Make sure you follow my blog for regular updates and to let us know how you got on.

Welcome to Ami Blackwelder

Good Morning.The suns shining and it's warm for a change so Ami Blackwelder and I will be on the patio, drinking tea and eating fresh scones.










Before you read her interesting article, here is a bit about her.

Ami has a BA in English from UCF and was first published at her University for a Best Fiction with subsequent Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest. She has written three spiritual books, an anthology of poetry, an anthology of short stories.


ENDANGERED WILDLIFE:

My novel The Hunted of 2060 is a science fiction romance, but at its core it tells a story of wildlife, and a foreign species growing to extinction, and how it feels to be hunted.






Some of the rarest animals in the world are still being hunted today. I live in Florida and some of the endangered animals in that state are: American Alligator, Swallowtail Butterfly, Whooping Crane, Key Deer, Bald Eagle, Puma, Green Sea Turtle, Monk Seal and many more.

In fact the list is 111 animals long in just my state alone. Astounding!

Sadly many of these endangered species are hunted for Asian delicacies and medicines. Tribal mentally dominates compassion and these poor creature are massacred in often violent ways.

It is not enough to have compassion and get angry. We must act now and protect our wildlife before there is no more beauty around us to protect.

Conserve Habitats
Make Space For Our Wildlife
Recycle, Reduce, And Reuse
Plant Native Plants That Are Local To The Area

Control Introduced Plants And Animals
Join An Organization

Make Your Voice Heard
Write Letters:
Addresses:
To a Representative: To a Senator:
The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name)
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 2051

Here is where you can find Ami
http://amiblackwelder.com
http://hotgossiphotreviews.blogspot.com

Welcome to Lorrie Struiff

Good Morning Lorrie.

Margaret, it’s so wonderful to be on your blog today. Thank you for inviting me.

You’re very welcome. Pull up an armchair, we’ll have a nice cup of tea and a scone, while you talk about what lead you to writing. I love your book cover by the way.





Thank you, I thinks its cool too! My whole writing career started with some nuts.

My Whacky Family

My writing career began when I decided I wanted to write for my family. Instead of the usual family tree, I wanted to write personality profiles of my kid’s great aunts and uncles, etc. I figured if my daughters and grandkid’s read about the time Uncle Nick hid on grandma’s garage roof to dump a bucket of water on Aunt Mitzie’s head for our annual Dunkin’ Day festivities, they would know them better other than dates of birth, death, marriage, etc. Well…I thought it was a great challenge.
I decided to take a creative writing course. After all, if my profiles were for prosperity sake, I needed to do them justice. Off I went to our Community College. I had fun and met some great people.
With my classmates, I’m afraid my whacky sense of humor took over. After all, I do have a lot of nuts on my family tree. The aunt that was married seven times, the uncle who was known as our town’s famous gigolo. Another uncle, when older, still loved his comic books and would put on his leather helmet with goggles, a blanket cape and run through the neighborhood playing Captain Midnight. And especially my dad who I still can’t figure out his weird rationale. He was the small town shoplifter. All the storekeeper knew he was sneaking the small items and kept a tab. Then they’d wait for me to stop in and pay for the items. Since he was such a fun, personable guy, they didn’t say a word to him. Besides, he did most of their accounting and-- without a calculator. He did it all in his head. Yep, we had or share of nuts.
When my classmates read my first submission, they laughed, and I took a deep dive into self-consciousness. I thought they were chuckling at me. I brooded for days. Then they read the story about my uncle who wanted his cremated ashes scattered over the Lithuanian Club grounds—he was so proud of her heritage-- and how I had climbed over their fence on a moonlit night to grant his last wish. Honest. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to be standing downwind when opening the container. Yes. Most of uncle ended up on me. Ick!
Then I wrote the short piece about arguing on the phone with a priest when my other uncle died. I mean, for goodness sake, my uncle was sitting at the dining room table across from me, stone dead, and the priest was telling me my uncle’s preplanned burial plot was already in use by the same uncle who had died the previous day and was now the corpse sitting at the table. Say what?
The class howled with laughter. That’s when the professor told me I have a talent for writing quirky humor and the class looked forward to my submissions. Whew. Good to know.
However, I digress. When the course was over I decided to dig in and learn more. I read many “how to” books such as all of the “Elements of Fiction” series and more. I started a critique workshop at the local bookstore and led the Waterfront Writers Workshop for seven years before I passed the baton. Meanwhile I was also on an online writing critique site, Critique Circle, and made many wonderful friends.
Yes, I still have my whacky sense of humor. So here I am today, a published author of short stories and author of the novella “Gypsy Crystal.”
Oh, and I promised my kids I’d finish those profiles one day soon. I’m also beginning to think that this nut didn’t fall far from the nut tree.
Oh, how funny. What a lovely story. So would you like to give the readers a blurb of your new release?
Instead of a blurb, let me tell you what you will find interesting in the novella.
Rita Muldova, my homicide detective has pure Roma blood. She wears a mystical crystal amulet that gives her the power to see in a dead victim’s eyes the last image he/she saw. What a career boost. Now, with the task force, she is hunting for the “Ripper,” a serial killer loose in her town that is targeting prostitutes. But, oh, oh, for this murderer, the crystal has stopped working.
A yummy FBI agent, Matt Boulet, has been on the Ripper’s tail since the killings started in New Orleans. He has a yen for Rita and they have a weird connection. Plus, Rita would like to jump his bones.
Rita’s mother, Anna, is a great seer whom Rita turns to in time of troubles, but Anna can’t offer Rita an explanation of why the crystal has stopped working. Anna does tell Rita the lore of their clan. Rita is both shocked and horrified of the tale.
Filled with gypsy customs and lore, the novella takes you on a wild ride into the mystical world of the paranormal with thrills and chills.
Now here’s a short excerpt.LOL
Chief Lipinski rose to his feet. “Back off, people! I have my orders, too. We follow Boulet’s plan. Hank, you and Sully hand out these sketches to as many girls you see walking the streets before Della and Rita start their rounds.”
Della nudged Rita. “Guess we get our ‘Sluts R Us’ duds out of mothballs.”
Rita nodded. She would follow orders, but too many unanswered questions floated in her mind. She raised her voice. “Since he’s such a big, strong, badass, who lived to provide the sketch?”
“Me.”
The way Boulet uttered that one word made her teeth click together.
Boulet tugged down the ribbed collar of his sweater. A red scar marred the cords in his thick neck. “My partner and I were doubling him. We were too late to save the woman. He nicked me first. While I was trying to stop bleeding, he took out my partner.” He studied the floor, then his eyes hardened as he made eye contact with everyone in the room. “But now I know this bastard, and I’ll be ready for him.”
“Sounds more like a personal vendetta,” Rita said.
“Yeah, that too.” His lips pulled back with an ironic chuckle. “More than you can imagine.”
For more details and reviews, visit my website at http://struiff.wordpress.com/
Gypsy Crystal is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.



Thanks for popping by Lorrie

Welcome to Louise Wise

Today I’d like to welcome Louise Wise. So sit back, pour out a cup of tea and let’s talk about you and your books. What drew you to write in your current genre?


My “current” genre isn’t the book I have out now. That was science fiction cross over to romance. My current now is comedy romance. I’ve found my niche with this genre.

I think it’s good to try out different genres as writers, but eventually we all seem to find a niche. How many novels have you written?

I have written about nine novels. Five of them are utter dire, and I only read them to show myself how well I’ve come on since!

LOL I hear you there. I’ve written a few stinkers in my lifetime to!

My first novels were straight romance, then I went to science fiction because I have an interest in astronomy. My current book (not out yet) is a chicklit.

Wow, astronomy. Do you incorporate your knowledge into your books?

I did with Eden, and another novel that isn’t published. I’m only interested in it though, I’ve no concrete knowledge. Eden took a lot of research and false starts before the plot line began to take shape.

I try not to plot too much, so tell me, how much time do you spent on it?

I tend to think about the plot and characters in my head before I put down anything on paper, but only about a day or two. I then write and play about with the characters and expand on the plot.

I think a lot of writers do that. I like to be out when I can, and find a place to write with my faithful laptop. Where do you do most of your writing?

Does that work?

Oh yes. In the summer I am always at the beach with my handbag size laptop, or in the park. Anywhere but at home. lol

I had thought about taking off in my car and finding a nice place to sit and write. But we’ve converted the garage into an office and I tend to go in there. It’s quiet, but used to get really cold in the winter. I bought a little fire for it now, and it’s nice and cosy – sometimes I don’t want to leave! I’ve recently bought a laptop and tend to sit with that on my lap whilst watching Coronation Street (an English past time!), trouble is though the kids now think the old computer is theirs!

I have an office, but my husband calls it my winter ‘fallout’ shelter. I’m only there when its cold and wet. It's a shame you don't live near me. We could be writing buddies on the beach!! I happen to be a Corrie fan to. Don't you just hate Tony and his mad arsonist mind lol
I know we touched on some of our writing disasters, but looking back, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever written? You can tell me, I won’t tell a soul!

Oh my, is was called The Haunts of Hannington House, says it all, doesn’t it? I think it started: It was a sunny day and Lucy was strolling through the meadow, her hair was the colour of corn, her eyes as blue as bluebells... ahhhh

LOL Oh dear. There was quite a lot of H’s in that title!!! So moving on, tell me about your latest release.







Eden was an experimental novel; I enjoy writing romance but wanted to add something different to the mix. It’s about three astronauts who explore a newly discovered planet. Their shuttle malfunctions and allows one of them, Jenny, to become left behind. But she isn’t alone. An alien man is there also, and doesn’t take too kindly to Jenny. It’s a sort of Robinson Crusoe and Cast Away type of book, only on a extraterrestrial planet inside of a desert island.

Mmm, I like the sound of Eden. What a great experiment. Here's a snippet. I'm hooked already.

Jenny plodded along, stupefied. The fingers circling her nape were biting and painful, but she barely noticed. The echo of the wolves’ howling was still too strongly embedded in her mind. Part of her knew Fly was leading her to her rape, and that part of her was going to allow it to happen because the other side was lying dormant through fear and exhaustion.
The corridor was laden with dirt and grime. Animal excrement, electronic debris lay in her path, but she continued to walk where she was urged. His cabin door was open, and he nudged her towards the bed.
While she sat nervously on the edge, he heated a metal canteen over a crudely assembled grill, wired haphazardly to a small accumulator. She watched as he stirred in the same beverage that she had yesterday morning. When it was steaming, he filled a cup and gave it to her.
He sat on a chair opposite, and observed her with his usual disconcerting stare.
She stared back, confused, until her fingers began to burn from holding the cracked cup. She pressed it against her lips, and it was only then that she realised her teeth were chattering.
‘You are not going to survive,’ he said finally using one of the small computers he had taken from the shelf.
She gulped a mouthful of the liquid, and tried to disguise the unwelcome tears that pooled in her eyes. Already he thought her a weak, pathetic female and, for some strange reason, she didn’t want to give him further evidence to think any worse of her.
‘How do you stand it,’ she asked quietly, ‘the endless howling, night after night?’
‘There is a worse sound, and that is no sound at all.’
She fell silent, acknowledging this and feeling her own loneliness magnify. A lone wolf from outside, or even inside the ship, howled. She closed her eyes knowing she would never be able to forget how close she was to being eaten alive.
‘Th-the wolves,’ she said, shuddering, ‘what are they?’
‘Wolves?’ He looked at her in confusion when the translator offered no other information other than describing the canine creature that lived on Earth.
‘It’s what I call the howling creatures,’ she explained. ‘Their noise is similar to the animals back home.’
‘The wolves dominate over every animal here, and I regard them as the natives. To you they may seem savage, but they have shown me intelligence not normally found in animals.’
How can your readers keep up with your news?

My blog is: http://louisewise.blogspot.com/

I’m also on Twitter wisebird2009

I’ll be sure to check that out. So tell me, how do you deal with rejection letters?

I’ve no time for them anymore. If you want a publishing deal these days you have to be in the right place at the right time and have the right agent (if you can get an agent). It’s both a matter of luck and catching the imagination of an agent, which after they’ve looked at their thirtieth ms in a day is going to be rare, let’s face it.

I was once told that agents look for reasons to reject because it is so much work to take on a new writer and they’d rather concentrate on their current list of authors. I go it alone now, and I haven’t regretted it!


Oh right, maybe that’s why it’s so hard to snag one! What's your advice about getting an agent?

Be professional, treat your proposal as if you’re selling yourself rather than a book. Search inside the dedications of books for authors thanking their agents to names, compliment them (they love it), DON’T criticise other writers or agents, but most of all be prepared to be turned down.

Yes, that’s good advice. If you start criticising a publisher you run the risk of getting blackballed. Most authors rely on critique partners for an extra eye on when they are writing. Who rely on and why?

I use a fantastic review site called youwriteon.com (it’s where I published Eden). It’s full of writers like myself, but their criticism can be harsh and also very valuable. I also use Cornerstone Literary Consultancy.

Can anyone join these sites?

Here’s a link for YWO: http://youwriteon.com/
It’s free registration, and yes anyone can join. I whole heartedly recommend it.

Cornerstones Literary Consultancy is different, they chose you. They don’t take on anybody, which when you realise that, gives you a boost. Agents, who were frustrated in rejecting work that was almost there, set it up. They are editing my latest novel (wished I knew about them before Eden!) They contacted me sometime before Christmas when I was sending out A Proper Charlie and getting nowhere – you do have to pay though, but I like to call it an investment.


Thanks for those. It's nice that we can help each other out with all this sort of information. My favourite part of writing is when the editing is over. What’s yours?

When I’ve the house to myself, and I’ve the radio on and I’m tapping away and it’s all coming out through my fingers without me having to think – bliss. That and typing The End at the bottom!

How do you get past all the frustrations that come with trying to be a successful writer?

I was frustrated before YWO took on Eden. It was so demoralising getting rejection after rejection from every agency. Even if you get an agent, there is no guarantee that they will find a publisher! That’s what happened to Eden. An agent had faith in the book, but nobody would take it on.

So did you use that agent to publish it then?

No, the agent did say she’d be interested in something else but I had nothing else to offer at the time. I’ve contacted her since I wrote Proper Charlie, but she’s moved on. It’s a shame, but no use in grumbling. YWO as well as being a forum and a review site became a publisher two years ago. They published Eden, did the art work and put it on Amazon, B&N etc. I have to do my own marketing so I suppose it is a little like self-publishing.

So, forgetting writing for a minute, what do you like to read?

A mixture. From Dean Koontz, James Herbert, to anything chicklit.

And now to my favourite part, what actor/actress gets your pulses racing?

Jonny Depp as Captain Jack.




And Hugh Grant.
















Great choices there. I rather like Hugh myself. Thanks Louise for popping in. It was nice to virtually meet you.

Welcome to Lauren Harvey

Today I’m please to Introduce Lauren Harvey today.





Pull up and chair, sit back with a coffee and enjoy the chat.
Good morning Lauren. It's so nice to have you here today. I write Romance and paranormals. I tend not to stick to one genre. Tell me, what drew you to write in your current genre?

Good morning, Margaret. I think it’s just a reflection of who I am. I’ve seen and experienced much in my young age, and I feel that my writing really reflects that. Call it simple, but I write stories based on my life and reality.

I wouldn’t call life and reality simple lol That’s quite a challenge and I also hear that you’re a multi published author. Well done on that. So how many novels have you written? Are they all in the same genre?

I’ve written 3 novels: Loving Her; Unbreakable Hostage; Imperfect. A fourth, Impeccable, is in progress. Imperfect is due for release in July, and the current WIP (Impeccable) is its sequel.
I classify all my work as contemporary fiction. Even though the majority of my work emphasizes GLBT themes and issues, I have my suspense novel, Unbreakable Hostage. Even the GLBT books are really stories that anyone can relate to, so I think contemporary fiction is a good blanket term for all of my writing.

Plotting!!! So many authors have different views about this. I don’t really spend too much time on it as my stories seem to evolve on their own. How much time do you spent on plotting etc before you start writing?

Does it make me a horrible person to say not much? LOL.

No, it really doesn’t. You can join my club

I always go into a book with a general idea, but I let the story write itself. So many times I’ve surprised myself as I write, and I like the idea of my writing having that kind of novelty or uniqueness.

Ah, I hear you there. Too much plotting just distracts me. Now I used to tap away on my laptop in the lounge, but I’m more organised these days and have my own office at home. So where can we picture you when you write?

Unfortunately, I need to hole myself away as one of my cats love to create “art” out of my computer wires. I have the strangest computer wire protection system out there! Being in a closed room helps too. I hate to be away from the outside world, but Teddy Roosevelt (the cat) just won’t let me work any other way!

LOL Teddy Roosevelt! What a fabulous name. My two dogs, Odin and Chester, settle at my feet for the day, usually around my feet so I can hardly move! Looking back I’ve writtena few ‘stinkers’ that thankfully have never seen the light if day. So come on, don’t hold back, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever written?

This is actually a really funny question. One of the pieces I dislike the most has helped me the most! When I was fourteen, I wrote an historical essay on the various roles women had throughout the American civil war. It was very rushed and only sent out the day it was due to be received.
Not only did that piece make honourable mention, it was published in an educational database and TWO literary textbooks! I still think it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever written, but others seemed to disagree. LOL.

Wow. I can’t say that would have happened to me lol Obviously it wasn’t as bad as you thought. So now I'm going to tuck my feet up on the sofa, while you talk about your latest release.

Unbreakable Hostage is my first attempt at a suspense novel. My publisher really encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone and to try my hand at something new. So, I did.

Well done on that. It’s hard to step outside of what you know.

It’s the story of Lareina Oliveira, a Ph. D. student in algebra. Stunning as well as smart, she quickly becomes the object of one of her classmates’ obsession. Unable to take her constant rejections, he eventually kidnaps her and hides her in an abandoned cabin in the woods by Yosemite.

She is held hostage and tortured for over two weeks. Lareina uses her wit, determination and knowledge of algebra to help her roommate, her family, and the LAPD find her. Due to the physical and emotional tortures she endures, there is great uncertainty that she will be rescued in time.

A modern damsel-in-distress story, Unbreakable Hostage has a great twist at the end where she needs to be the rescuer instead of the rescued.

I look forward to adding that to my TBR pile. I love stories with a twist.

My next book, Imperfect, is due for release in July and it is very different from Unbreakable Hostage. Stay tuned for news on that one!

Come back and tell us all about that one when it’s released. But for now, how can your readers keep up with your news?

I’m all over the web. My website, www.leharvey.com is a great way to find out more about me, my work, my books, etc.
You can also find me on:
http://www.facebook.com/leharvey77
https://twitter.com/leharvey77
http://harveyle.blogspot.com/
I’m on more sites than that, but I think that’s a good start! LOL

Now we will all get a few in our life time and they really are pants! Tell me how you deal with rejection letters?

They’re a part of the industry. You can’t go into this business thinking that you’re going to get picked up right away. It just doesn’t happen. I know that it has nothing to do with me personally, and I just carry on. I have been so fortunate to have been working with the publisher I’m with now. We’ve been working together for a few years, and it has been fantastic. I am one of the luckiest writers I know.

It’s very hard to get a publisher nowadays and I think that’s what irks me about celebrities writing a book and it getting published, it seems to be based on who they are. What do you think about it?

That’s a really tough one for me to answer. Sometimes they have incredible stories to share and their books can have a tremendous impact. Other times, it seems as though they use their status just to put their name on a cover. I guess you could say I’m really quite split. I think there are some fantastic books out there written by celebrities, and then there are some celebrities who just seem to make a mockery out of the literary world. It all depends on the person and book, I guess.

I do agree with you about that, Lauren. Most authors rely on critique partners for an extra eye when they are writing, I know I do. Who do you rely on and why?

With my publisher, since we’re a small house, we have a familial feel to everything. I really trust the other writers in our house to be honest, to edit my work well, etc. They trust me to do the same. Again, I’m really lucky. It’s a very positive and supportive environment. Not many writers have what I have, and I am extremely grateful for what I do have!

Mmm, I think I’ll have to look into your publisher a bit more! They sound great. So do you read the same genre’s as you write in?

I read almost anything I can get my hands on. I love a good suspense or romance novel. I’m also quite the history and science nerd.

It’s been so great having you today Lauren and now the coffee cups are empty and I’ve got to say goodbye. BUT.... before you go, What actor/actress gets your pulses racing?

Am I allowed to say this in public? LOL.

You can say whatever you like. There’s only hundreds of eyes reading it!

I have a few celebrity crushes or celebrities that I would love to see play my characters should my books ever become movies. I’d have to say my top two are

Jason Statham




Salma Hayek.














Laurens books are a great read. Thanks for dropping by, Lauren

Lorrie Struiff

Good Morning Lorrie.

Margaret, it’s so wonderful to be on your blog today. Thank you for inviting me.

You’re very welcome. Pull up an armchair, we’ll have a nice cup of tea and a scone, while you talk about what lead you to writing. I love your book cover by the way.





Thank you, I thinks its cool too! My whole writing career started with some nuts.

My Whacky Family

My writing career began when I decided I wanted to write for my family. Instead of the usual family tree, I wanted to write personality profiles of my kid’s great aunts and uncles, etc. I figured if my daughters and grandkid’s read about the time Uncle Nick hid on grandma’s garage roof to dump a bucket of water on Aunt Mitzie’s head for our annual Dunkin’ Day festivities, they would know them better other than dates of birth, death, marriage, etc. Well…I thought it was a great challenge.
I decided to take a creative writing course. After all, if my profiles were for prosperity sake, I needed to do them justice. Off I went to our Community College. I had fun and met some great people.
With my classmates, I’m afraid my whacky sense of humor took over. After all, I do have a lot of nuts on my family tree. The aunt that was married seven times, the uncle who was known as our town’s famous gigolo. Another uncle, when older, still loved his comic books and would put on his leather helmet with goggles, a blanket cape and run through the neighborhood playing Captain Midnight. And especially my dad who I still can’t figure out his weird rationale. He was the small town shoplifter. All the storekeeper knew he was sneaking the small items and kept a tab. Then they’d wait for me to stop in and pay for the items. Since he was such a fun, personable guy, they didn’t say a word to him. Besides, he did most of their accounting and-- without a calculator. He did it all in his head. Yep, we had or share of nuts.
When my classmates read my first submission, they laughed, and I took a deep dive into self-consciousness. I thought they were chuckling at me. I brooded for days. Then they read the story about my uncle who wanted his cremated ashes scattered over the Lithuanian Club grounds—he was so proud of her heritage-- and how I had climbed over their fence on a moonlit night to grant his last wish. Honest. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to be standing downwind when opening the container. Yes. Most of uncle ended up on me. Ick!
Then I wrote the short piece about arguing on the phone with a priest when my other uncle died. I mean, for goodness sake, my uncle was sitting at the dining room table across from me, stone dead, and the priest was telling me my uncle’s preplanned burial plot was already in use by the same uncle who had died the previous day and was now the corpse sitting at the table. Say what?
The class howled with laughter. That’s when the professor told me I have a talent for writing quirky humor and the class looked forward to my submissions. Whew. Good to know.
However, I digress. When the course was over I decided to dig in and learn more. I read many “how to” books such as all of the “Elements of Fiction” series and more. I started a critique workshop at the local bookstore and led the Waterfront Writers Workshop for seven years before I passed the baton. Meanwhile I was also on an online writing critique site, Critique Circle, and made many wonderful friends.
Yes, I still have my whacky sense of humor. So here I am today, a published author of short stories and author of the novella “Gypsy Crystal.”
Oh, and I promised my kids I’d finish those profiles one day soon. I’m also beginning to think that this nut didn’t fall far from the nut tree.
Oh, how funny. What a lovely story. So would you like to give the readers a blurb of your new release?
Instead of a blurb, let me tell you what you will find interesting in the novella.
Rita Muldova, my homicide detective has pure Roma blood. She wears a mystical crystal amulet that gives her the power to see in a dead victim’s eyes the last image he/she saw. What a career boost. Now, with the task force, she is hunting for the “Ripper,” a serial killer loose in her town that is targeting prostitutes. But, oh, oh, for this murderer, the crystal has stopped working.
A yummy FBI agent, Matt Boulet, has been on the Ripper’s tail since the killings started in New Orleans. He has a yen for Rita and they have a weird connection. Plus, Rita would like to jump his bones.
Rita’s mother, Anna, is a great seer whom Rita turns to in time of troubles, but Anna can’t offer Rita an explanation of why the crystal has stopped working. Anna does tell Rita the lore of their clan. Rita is both shocked and horrified of the tale.
Filled with gypsy customs and lore, the novella takes you on a wild ride into the mystical world of the paranormal with thrills and chills.
Now here’s a short excerpt.LOL
Chief Lipinski rose to his feet. “Back off, people! I have my orders, too. We follow Boulet’s plan. Hank, you and Sully hand out these sketches to as many girls you see walking the streets before Della and Rita start their rounds.”
Della nudged Rita. “Guess we get our ‘Sluts R Us’ duds out of mothballs.”
Rita nodded. She would follow orders, but too many unanswered questions floated in her mind. She raised her voice. “Since he’s such a big, strong, badass, who lived to provide the sketch?”
“Me.”
The way Boulet uttered that one word made her teeth click together.
Boulet tugged down the ribbed collar of his sweater. A red scar marred the cords in his thick neck. “My partner and I were doubling him. We were too late to save the woman. He nicked me first. While I was trying to stop bleeding, he took out my partner.” He studied the floor, then his eyes hardened as he made eye contact with everyone in the room. “But now I know this bastard, and I’ll be ready for him.”
“Sounds more like a personal vendetta,” Rita said.
“Yeah, that too.” His lips pulled back with an ironic chuckle. “More than you can imagine.”
For more details and reviews, visit my website at http://struiff.wordpress.com/
Gypsy Crystal is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.



Thanks for popping by Lorrie

Romance, what is it??

So in-between tour guests, I thought I’d take this opportunity to ramble on about romance. Even the authors, who don’t write about it, think about it. You do, don’t you! What exactly is this word that can make or break some relationships?

Firstly, look closer at the word. Right slap in the middle of it is ‘Man’!! That says it all really. But, do us women rely too much on our men to give us romance? What woman has strewn rose petals in the bedroom, taken her partner out of a meal by candlelight, whisked their partner away for a special weekend. Be honest, don’t we expect the man to do all this?

Little presents occasionally are lovely, but when did you actually give one to your partner? We expect flowers, choccy’s, but what do we give him. It’s all food for thought. I’m guilty of all the above, but I do try and fit the proverbial shoe on my foot, instead of it always being wedged on my husbands, occasionally. Even if he did complain, after I gave him a wonderful lavender massage by candlelight, that he smelt funny and the candles marked the ceiling with black soot.

Bless men!! You can’t live with them and expect romance all the time, yet you can’t live without them, or the romance that should be there.

What a conundrum. But that’s romance for you.