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Elizabeth McKenna

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Category Archives: Meet the Authors

Meet Author Joe Siccardi

12 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Authors, Christian, Romance

Today, I’m welcoming Joe Siccardi, author of Heaven Shining Through. Thank you for stopping by, Joe!

All about Joe . . .

Joe Siccardi has been an editorial writer, editor and publisher for 52 years and posts a blog at https://wisdomfromafather.com/. As he states, “I’m the ordinary Joe walking along this journey called life and sharing it with you!” He is the proud father of five children, 18 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. He currently lives in Dover-Foxcroft, after life experiences in Paterson, Totowa, Ogdensburg and Newton, NJ; Belvidere, IL;  Toledo, OH;  Washington, DC; Laurel, MD; and Seneca Falls and Willard (Romulus), NY.

How did your life as a writer begin?

As a sports writer.

What makes you feel inspired to write?

My readers.

How did you come with the idea for your current story?

It started as a social media experiment.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

Seat of my pants.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

Samantha’s dealing with grief … because I went through it.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t necessarily write sequentially. Sometimes I start in the middle and fill in front and back … other times the end and work backward … and sometimes sequentially.

What is your usual writing routine?

I don’t have a “routine.” Deadlines drive me.

What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

Being satisfied I produced something of value for readers.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Stephen King because of his mind. (I would have loved to had met Rod Serling for the same reason.)

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Be true to yourself.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’m actually not a vociferous reader.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

I enjoy travel … especially visiting my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. My “centering place” is the ocean.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I don’t really have a “bucket list” but would love to visit Alaska by car and drive around Hawaii’s islands.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I have a sense of humor. I am definitely unpredictable. You never know what my ensemble will be — next in the closet usually works for me.

What do you have in store next for your readers?

I am working on expanding the novella into a novel. I may try to put together an inspirational book for Christmas.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

Everybody has a story to tell. Why not them?

Book Title and Genre: Heaven Shining Through, Christian Romance/Relationships

Release Date: March 2018.

Self-published through Xulon, 64 pages

Synopsis:
Samantha is dreading her return home. Throughout her life, she had a rocky relationship with her mother – and now her mother is all she has left. Through a nostalgic look back, Samantha recognizes the presence of God in an ordinary life.  She learns more about herself as a wife and mother who has had her share of sorrow and blessings. As her faith increases, she is able to see her mother through new eyes, leading to reconciliation … and is reminded of that every time she sees Heaven Shining Through.

Website/blog/social networking links:

https://www.facebook.com/joe.siccardi

https://wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com/

@revblt (twitter)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39704566-heaven-shining-through

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Meet Author Faye Hall

13 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

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Tags

Australia, Authors, Erotica, Historical, Romance

Today I’m welcoming Faye Hall, author of steamy historical romances set in Australia. Thank you for stopping by, Faye!

All about Faye. . .

Faye Hall is a published author of Historical Erotic Romance novels and e-books.

Faye’s passion-driven, mystery-filled books are set in small townships of North Queensland, Australia during the late 1800s. Her novels bring something symbolically Australian to her readers, from Aboriginal herbal remedies, to certain gemstones naturally only found in this part of the world.

Her books tell of a passionate connection between the hero and heroine, surrounded and threatened by deceit, scandal, theft, and sometimes even murder.

These romances swerve from the traditional romances, as Faye aims to give her readers so much more intrigue, whilst also revealing the hidden histories of rural townships of North Queensland.

Faye finds her inspiration from the histories of not only the township she grew up in, but the many surrounding it. She also bases most of her characters on people she has met in her life.

Faye was able to live her own passion-driven romance, marrying the love of her life after a whirlwind romance in 2013. Together they are raising their nine children in a remote country town in northern Queensland, Australia.

How did your life as a writer begin?

I started writing at a young age, mostly just poems and short stories for my parents.  I was always telling them stories, and they encouraged me to write them down.  At high school, I began to take writing more seriously.  My senior English teacher laughed at me when I told him I wanted to be a writer.  He told me I would never be good enough.  His words stirred me so much that I just wanted to prove him wrong, and I’ve been pushing myself ever since.

How did you come with the idea for your current story? 

Indulgence & Temperance is book number 2 in the Sins of the Virtuous series.  I needed to come up with a story that represented gluttony. and I remembered watching a show once about mobsters in prohibition era of America who ran clubs that supplied laudanum.  That gave me an idea for some of the plot.  The rest came from the stories my Father told me of the old supply routes in Queensland – it made me wonder just how many people used those routes to escape the law and travel north.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I always have a very rough outline, usually brief character descriptions and a direction I would like the story to go in.  Once I start writing, though, it is very much ‘seat of your pants’ kind of stuff.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favourite scene to write was when Daniel finds William changing into the priest’s clothes.  He thinks he is finally going to find where his once business partner has taken his sister.  Their confrontation is interrupted, and Daniel is taken and restrained in the hotel for attacking the priest.  Though he tries desperately to explain his actions and reveal the truth, no one believes him.  He is helpless to stop William or to go after Beth.  It’s such a heartbreaking part of the book, and it was so wonderful to write.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

I love gardening, and my husband and I have a beautiful pergola out the back with hanging baskets, as well as a green house and small bush house to potter in or have a glass of wine under or both.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I love singing songs from the 70s, usually very loud, which would be fine except I can’t sing – ha ha.  I also have a huge love for tattoos.  Last count, I have nearly 50.  I got married in a black and red velvet wedding dress.  Our photo went in the paper and there were all these beautiful white dresses, and my husband, myself and our kids all dressed in black.  It was very cool.

What do you have in store next for your readers? 

There are still more books to come in the Sins of the Virtuous series.  Hopefully 7 all up.

Indulgence and Temperance by Faye Hall

Would you abandon the woman you love for your own indulgence?

Beth Meridian has returned home, hoping to leave her sordid past behind her and settle into a quiet life. When her childhood friend, Hannah Raeburn, offers her a place to stay, Beth knows it won’t be long until she runs into Hannah’s brother, Daniel. What she doesn’t expect is for him to reignite feelings deep in her heart, reminding her of the kiss they shared before she left town.

Daniel Raeburn’s past is scandalous, his sinful indulgences allowing him more wealth than he could ever need. Still, he wants more, and his gluttonous appetite for wealth and women leads him to buy into a partnership at the local hellfire club.

When Hannah goes missing, Beth and Daniel follow her trail through the Australian outback. Witnessing the womanizer Daniel is, Beth flees on a cattle train headed north. Desperate to explain his actions, Daniel follows her.

Arriving in the small town of Jarvisfield, Daniel is shocked to learn that Beth is now the owner of the largest cattle company in the area. He’s even more shocked to discover that the preacher controlling the town, and stealing from the townspeople, is his once business partner William Maxon. He’s convinced this man is also responsible for his sister’s disappearance. When he learns William has Beth picked out as his next victim, Daniel knows he must do whatever it takes to make her listen to the truth. But she has no interest in hearing anything he has to say.

Faced with losing the two women he loves, Daniel is forced to choose between their freedom and the possessions and wealth he has hoarded over the years. But even if he gives it all up, he still might lose everything.

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

Genre(s): Historical Romance

Excerpt

“What would you have me do? Pretend that this man chasing my sister is genuine and not some money-grabbing monster?”

“You don’t know him,” she tried again.

“Neither does she,” he said, his voice raised. “And neither do you.”

She went to walk past him, following Hannah’s direction out the back of the house. He reached out, his hand on her forearm stopping her.

“I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, Beth,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded as if understanding. “I understand that you love your sister. So do I. I shan’t just sit back and watch her walk into a trap. Nor shall I stand by and watch as her brother robs her of a chance of what may be happiness.”

“How dare you presume to know what I want for my sister.”

She pulled away from him. “I dare because I grew up with you. Every time your sister wanted to do something you always had to interfere.”

“She is naïve,” he told her. “Had I not taken control of her life, heaven knows what would have happened to her.”

She raised her brow. “I understand you need to protect Hannah against lecherous men. That doesn’t explain why you had to be her constant chaperone when she was meeting up with me.”

He lowered his gaze. “I needed to go with her.”

“Do you think that I would also take advantage of your sister?” she asked. “That I have prolonged our friendship only so I might get my claws into her fortune?”

He shook his head, his gaze cautiously rising back to hers. “I know you would do anything for my sister, Beth.”

“Then why did you need to follow Hannah everywhere we went?”

“I did it for you,” he whispered, the words being dragged from him.

“What?” she asked.

He smiled softly. “I played chaperone for my sister so I might be able to see you,” he repeated. “In the hope that you would notice me.”

“All you ever had to do was ask,” she whispered. Approaching him, her lips gently fused to his.

His hands went to her upper arms, pushing her away. “What are you doing?” he asked. Trying desperately to grip onto what remained of his control, he reminded himself that being here with this woman so intimately was far from appropriate. No matter how much he desired her, he couldn’t afford to succumb to such passion. Not there, and certainly not now.

She shook off his hold, her fingers hesitantly going to the buttons of his shirt. Slowly, she began undoing them one by one. “Do you remember the last time we saw each other before I left town?” she asked.

His hands went to hers, stilling her movements. “The image of you that day…” His words drifted off. He didn’t understand why she was acting this way with him, but he couldn’t deny that her movements were ripping at his restraint. He had always hungered for this woman, but now that she was there with him like this, he couldn’t help but wonder why. “Why did you send for me that day?” he asked, his words strained.

“I wanted to see you before I left town,” she muttered. Shaking off his hands, she continued unbuttoning his shirt. “Do you ever wonder what would have happened had your sister not arrived?”

Connect with Faye Hall

Website https://www.faye-hall.com

Blog http://www.faye-hall.info

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faye-Hall/174774709247649

https://www.facebook.com/faye.hall.3363?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6882637.Faye_Hall

Tumblr http://fayehallauthor.tumblr.com/

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fayehallauthor/

Flipagram http://flipagram.com/fayehall79

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoS8vLrlO0XZT80xTuJnrkA/videos

Buy Links

http://beachwalkpress.com/faye-hall/

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00DPIMSMW

https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/faye-hall/id1104960880?mt=11

https://www.kobo.com/au/en/search?query=Faye%20Hall&fcsearchfield=Author

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Faye%20Hall%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

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Meet Author Rival Gates

26 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

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Tags

Adventure, Authors, Epic, Fantasy, Interviews, Magic

Cover RevengeToday I’m welcoming Rival Gates, author of Mandrean Revenge. Thank you for stopping by, Rival!

All about Rival . . .

Rival Gates has lived extensively in both Canada and the United States. He currently resides in Nebraska, USA. The son of an editor and English teacher, he began planning his series during his teen years. The Sapphire Chronicles took shape in his mind and manifested themselves into the first book in the series, Quest for the Red Sapphire. It was released in 2013 and caught the attention of readers. The following year, The Sapphire Crucible was published feeding the appetite of the growing number of fans of the series. “Crucible” answered many questions and raised others. Now the newest installment of the chronicles is out in Mandrean Revenge where Gates takes us once again back into the fray.

1.  How did your life as a writer begin?

I began by entering essay contests in grammar school and writing the scripts for all the class plays.  Writing was something I always enjoyed doing.

2.  What makes you feel inspired to write?

Reading inspires me as does absolute silence when I can just let my imagination wander.

3.  How did you come with the idea for your current story?

After making the first two books I decided to have Lord Mandrean live through his fight with Linvin.  Then I thought, If I was Lord Mandrean I would want some payback.  How could I hurt Linvin the most?  The story just came together from there.

4.  Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I definitely outline and storyboard my book before I write it.  Then all the details are worked out and I don’t have to worry about leaving a part out of the story.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA5.  What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene is the part where Necromancer visits Mandrean in the bath.  Necromancer can’t refuse his orders but he can insult him.  For Mandrean’s part, he can order Necromancer around but cannot do anything about his attitude.  It makes for a hilarious scene.  You have two evil people who hate one another trying to belittle the other.

6.  What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t have any sound around me at all when I’m writing.  There can be no distractions or I will lose the flow.

7.  What is your usual writing routine?

I sit down and read over the last few pages I wrote.  That gets me in the writing mood.  Then I check the outline to see what I need to touch on.  Everything lines up in my head and I start writing.

8.  What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

I want to reach the best seller’s list.

9.  Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J. K. Rowling.  She turned her dream into something amazing that the whole world could appreciate.

10.  What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Find yourself a good beta-reader.  This is a person who will read your work and look for inconsistencies in the story and other errors.  They have to be hard on you or they won’t catch mistakes your readers might.  It makes all the difference in the world.

11.  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I would really like to read the entire series by David Eddings.  I read “Pawn of Prophecy” about a year ago and have wanted to read the rest of the series.  He was a great writer and I love his style.

12.  How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

Writing is how I spend my free time.  I have an office dedicated to my writing and I closeout the outside world so I can create an imaginary one of my own.

13.  Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Meet Jonathon Rhys-Davies in person.

14.  Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I still like some cartoons.  I believe Doritos should be a food group.  I yell at the T.V. during football games as though they can hear me and will do what I say.

15.  What do you have in store next for your readers?

I don’t want to give anything away but the next book is called “Repercussions Abound” and basically that whole mega-happy ending thing doesn’t happen for anyone.  Everyone loses in some way.  It’s a brutal climax to this part of the story but a necessary one.

16.  Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

I purposely wrote a shorter book this time out to see what the response would be.  We will wait and see if people prefer the long ones or the shorter one.

Cover RevengeMandrean Revenge

It has been more than 2 years since Linvin Grithinshield returned from his life altering quest with the Red Sapphire as his prize. Apart from surviving the regular assassination attempts he thought life had returned to normal. Far to the north in the Mandrean Empire, however, trouble was festering. In spite of Linvin’s best efforts, Lord Mandrean the 13th survived their confrontation and has been plotting his reprisal. With his empire on the verge of revolt he needs a show of force to display his dominance. Dispatching Linvin in front of his subjects would fill that role most handsomely. With the help of his evil Necromancer, Mandrean kidnaps Linvin’s Uncle Anvar. The elderly elf is the closest family Linvin has remaining and has been a father figure to him for much of his life. The emperor promises to release Anvar only after Linvin has surrendered himself for execution. Though Mandrean’s word has slight credibility, Linvin is given a terrible decision to make. With little choice Linvin sees no other option but to set out for the empire. He cannot delay as Anvar’s life will expire at the first frost of fall. That will become more troubling by the obstacles he faces along the way. Can Linvin reach the empire in time to sacrifice himself in Anvar’s place? Will Lord Mandrean kill them both? Or maybe, just maybe, Linvin can pull another miracle and save them both. One way or another, blood will be shed.

Excerpt

A scribe sat in the alcove to record the events of the meeting.
“The first order of business,” he recited, “is the Lord of
Diplomacy’s report.”
A well-dressed gentleman came forward from the crowd. “My
liege,” he stated with a bow, “there is disturbing news about the
Unclaimed Territory. With neither Sartan nor the empire legally
permitted to introduce combat units into the disputed region, a
potentially volatile trend has emerged. Settlers from the Kingdoms
of Romadon, Rador, Valia and even the empire have begun settling
in the fertile region with little to be done about it. Now that you
have withdrawn our forces from the region, we have no leverage in
the zone.”
“How is that a concern to the empire?” Mandrean inquired
while accepting a drink from a servant.
“Sire,” stated the lord, “our informants tell us that Valia for
certain and perhaps each of the others has secretly promised
protection to the settlers as an enticement to move there.”
Mandrean had heard every word but was, after all, a man of
slow wit. Realizing that the significance of the information was
indeed lost on his master, the lord elaborated.
“Do you not see the implications for us, Sire? If that prairie is
settled and these nations provide protection, it is an underhanded
method of claiming the territory. Once the farmers are in place,
these kings need but only claim that there is a danger to their
people and send armies to protect them. They would appear to the
world to be innocent lambs but are in fact preying wolves. We
would be forced to either accept their annexation of the region or
fight three powers. The issue must be scrutinized.”
Mandrean grew agitated when the issue was brought into
perspective. “That land should have been ours years ago,” he
insisted. “Are you sure of your facts?”
The lord shuffled his papers and looked away. “We are certain
that the settlers are squatting and that they are doing so in
increasing numbers. As for the support guaranteed by the other
factions, we have one spy’s report from Valia and no others.”
“So this threat is little more than speculation at this time, is it
not?”
The lord became less at ease. “Sire, I truly believe that my
concerns are valid on this matter.”
“Fine. Then find out how correct they are, and report back to
me with something more definite. I am not inclined to mobilize our
forces without good reason.”
Snickering was heard from the gallery after the statement. The
sound set the emperor into a tizzy.
“Who laughed?” he yelled. No one spoke. The hall was silent.
“If I find that fool, he will be dead.” Still, no one spoke.
Seeing that his point was made, Mandrean returned his attention
to is Lord of Diplomacy. “What else have you?”
“Your regional commanders have been briefed on the other
matters, and they will address them in their reports.”
“Then waste no more of my time talking,” Mandrean told him.
The lord returned to his seat.

Book Buy Links

Purchase “Quest for the Red Sapphire”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1npYd0S

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1mSIAkT

Purchase “The Sapphire Crucible”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1lGfOVN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1n8o0yN

Purchase “Mandrean Revenge”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L9c76S

Barnes & Noble : http://bit.ly/1QYOL2y

Connect with Rival

Web Site: http://www.rivalgates.com/

Blog: http://www.rivalgates.com/blog

http://rivalgates.tumblr.com/

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1qqrjiB

Twitter: RivalGates1

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When Luke is arrested for the murder of the head coach of his club softball team, Emma and Grace go up against cutthroat parents willing to kill for a chance to get their daughters onto a premier college sports team.

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