CONFUSION REIGNS IN MYSTERY, EVERYWHERE IT'S YOU, BY C. B. SALEM

EVERYWHERE IT'S YOU

by C.B. Salem

C.B. Salem will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $20 Amazon/BN GC.

EVERYWHERE IT’S YOU Blurb:

Legal investigator Kristina Andersen has been drugged.

It started when she came into work and was tasked with finding the firm's biggest client: the intense, enigmatic pharmaceuticals billionaire Landon Tatum.

She'd just had a sexy encounter with him while working a birthday party undercover at a seedy strip club the previous night. Now he's missing, and she needs to find him.

Problem: the drug coursing through her veins makes it so every man she sees looks like the man she's looking for.

And that's just the start of it.

EVERYWHERE IT’S YOU Excerpt:

Keeping his eyes on hers, he took a brief sip of the champagne. Probably had to hide his distaste. “Have I seen you before?”

She shook her head. “I don’t believe so, Mr. Tatum.”

Even knowing it was coming, her breath caught in her throat. Listen to that. Mr. Tatum. Like she was a nervous English servant. What was the matter with her? Her brothers would have laughed up a storm. Hell, Anna would have laughed in her face.

“You know my name.” It was a statement, not a question.

Her last night’s self licked her lips and shrugged. “I suppose so.”

“That seems a bit unfair.” He leaned forward almost imperceptibly, closing the gap between them so that she caught the briefest trance of his scent. A warm shiver eased down her spine. She was more into this than she wanted to admit. “What’s your name?”

And here—thankfully¬—she’d loosened up a bit. She said the words in her head as she heard them aloud. “Do you want my stage name or my real one?”

That wasn’t a bad line. She’d snapped out of it quickly enough, anyway. Tatum smiled full-on now, and the effect was half charming, half-titillating. “I didn’t realize the women wearing your outfit got on stage.”

“Not tonight,” she bluffed, her voice low and throaty. She’d really been getting into it, hadn’t she? More people needed to watch themselves flirt in Recall to see how ridiculous they were. “But maybe if you come back another night you can see me up there.”

Buy On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Everywhere-Its-You-C-B-Salem-ebook/dp/B00UXK9HQU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Author Bio:

C.B. Salem lives, writes, and dreams in Chicago. When she isn’t reading or plotting the next scene in her book, she enjoys cooking new dishes and having quality cuddles with her two dogs: Murphy and Oliver.

Website: www.cbsalem.com

Twitter: @cbsalem

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cbsalem

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-blast-everywhere-its-you-by-cb.html

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BRUNO X, PSYCHIC DETECTIVE, BY MICHAEL SHELDON

THE VIOLET CROW

by Michael Sheldon

Michael Sheldon will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $10 Amazon/BN gift card.

THE VIOLET CROW Blurb:

How do you solve the ultimate mystery, where the murder victim has no identity and there’s no physical evidence? You go psychic—deep psychic—and hire Bruno X. Sure, you’re going to have to put up with some Yiddish trash talk and recycled borsht belt shtick. But he’s the only one who can who can stop the crime spree in the ordinarily placid Quaker community of Gardenfield, New Jersey.

Follow Bruno X in Michael Sheldon's fictional debut, THE VIOLET CROW as he fends off rabid journalists and feckless politicians; untangles webs of deceit in Professor Littlejohn’s Deviant Behavior 101 class; reveals why the Quakers are still fighting over decades-old military medical experiments; and finally, uncovers the secrets of the biotechnology firm whose symbol is The Violet Crow.

THE VILOET CROW Excerpt:

Introducing Gardenfield and Chief Buddy Black

The borough of Gardenfield is home to some 35,000 peaceful souls nestled in the friendly confines marked by Tiny’s Package Store to the north, the J. Kilmer Pub to the east, Lillian’s Tavern to the south, and the Tiki Lounge to the west. A Philadelphia suburb, it is a prosperous community with colonial roots and a variety of pretensions, including a prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages within Gardenfield proper. In fact, thirsty Gardenfielders simply have to drive past the town limits on any of the major roads, in order to enjoy a beer or a cocktail.

Buddy Black was not a drinking man by habit. Nor was he averse to dropping by a tavern from time to time, to see what the locals were up to and let off some steam after work. Tonight he made a beeline for Lillian’s. It had been a while. Lillian greeted him at the door. Rail thin and dyed blond, she appeared to be in her 60s and to subsist on nothing but whisky, cigarettes, and conversation. She welcomed Buddy with a hug. “Hi, hon. Nice to see you again. She’s expecting you.”

“How could she be expecting me? I only decided to come here 10 minutes ago.”

“We read the papers, too, y’know.”

“I’m that predictable…?” The Chief freed himself from Lil’s embrace and headed for the bar. “Daisy, did you really know I’d come here tonight?”

The woman behind the bar was dressed in tight jeans and a low-cut flower-print top. She was busy polishing a wine glass, and didn’t look up until she’d finished her task. Then she flashed a smile that was warmer than Lil’s rather spectral hug. “Buddy! I haven’t seen you since—what?—Bay of Pigs. It’s about time you came to see me.” Without asking she opened a bottle of Rolling Rock and set it down in front of the Chief.

THE VIOLET CROW Buy Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Crow-Psychic-Detective-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00XKJA9FY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-violet-crow-michael-sheldon/1121924355?ean=9781504014090

Michael Sheldon, Author

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Michael was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey. His father was a dentist, which accounts for his sense of humor. His mother, a Jewish mother without peer, instilled in him the idea that the world doesn’t owe you a living—and a love of raw oysters and dry martinis. His training in the craft of storytelling came from reading the masters beginning with Chaucer and Rabelais, through Sterne, to MacDonald and Westlake.

http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Sheldon/e/B002ONJDVI

https://www.libertyislandmag.com/creator/misheldon/home.html

http://msheldon.com/

https://twitter.com/TheVioletCrow

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-blast-violet-crow-by-michael.html

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FUN AROUND THE USA FOR THE FOURTH!

We live in a great country, but lets don't take ourselves too seriously on this holiday weekend. Sure, I'm as proud of our country as the next person, but I thought at this time when everyone is high on being patriotic we might have enjoy poking fun at some of our country's outdated laws. Some of these may have been repealed, but most haven't because they've never been challenged. some make you wonder at the reason they were put into law. Others make you wonder who's checking.

Ready for a smile?

Alabama
Boogers may not be flicked into the wind.
You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time. (this is not the only state with this law!)

Alaska
It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.
While it is legal to shoot bears, waking a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited.

Arizona
Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs. (Not clear is this is cannot or may not.)

Arkansas
The Arkansas River can rise no higher than to the Main Street bridge in Little Rock. (In case of flood, does someone try to arrest Mother Nature?)
A man can legally beat his wife, but not more than once a month.
Alligators may not be kept in bathtubs.

California
Women may not drive in a house coat.
No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour.

Colorado
It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence.

Connecticut
In order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce. (Jacquie Rogers needs to know this for her Facebook group, The Pickle Barrel Bar and Gazette.)

Delaware
“R” rated movies shall not be shown at drive-in theaters.

Florida
When having sex, only the missionary position is legal.
A special law prohibits and unmarried woman from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing. (See Jacquie Rogers' fun story about this law, SINGLE GIRLS CAN'T JUMP, here for more smiles.)

Georgia
No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket if it is Sunday. (I told you)
It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroners office.

Hawaii
You may only have one alcoholic drink in front of you at a time
Coins are not allowed to be placed in one’s ears.

Idaho
You may not fish on a camel’s back. What's more, in the City of Boise, you may not fish from a giraffe's back.

Illinois
You must contact the police before entering the city in an automobile.

Indiana
The value of Pi is 3.(Math professors are shuddering.)
If any person has a puppet show, wire dancing or tumbling act in the state of Indiana and receives money for it, they will be fined $3 under the Act to Prevent Certain Immoral Practices.

Iowa
A man with a moustache may never kiss a woman in public.
One-armed piano players must perform for free.
Kisses may last for no more than five minutes.

Kansas
The state game rule prohibits the use of mules to hunt ducks.
If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed. (Think about it. This is not the only state with that law.)

Kentucky
One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once.

Louisiana
It is illegal to gargle in public places.
It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
Biting someone with your natural teeth is “simple assault,” while biting someone with your false teeth is “aggravated assault.

Maine
You may not step out of a plane in flight.
After January 14th you will be charged a fine for having your Christmas decorations still up.

Massachusetts
It is illegal to go to bed without first having a full bath.
A woman can not be on top in sexual activities.
No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.

Michigan
It is legal for a robber to file a law suit, if he or she got hurt in your house.

Minnesota
The land of 10,000 lakes declares mosquitos a public nuisance. (Here, here, I approve.)
It is illegal to stand around any building without a good reason to be there.
Citizens may not enter Wisconsin with a chicken on their head.
A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head.

Mississippi
A man may not seduce a woman by lying, and claiming he will marry her.

Missouri
Though clotheslines are banned, clothes may be draped over a fence in Columbus

Montana
It is illegal to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.
It is a felony for a wife to open her husband’s mail.
In Montana, it is illegal for married women to go fishing alone on Sundays, and illegal for unmarried women to fish alone at all.

Nebraska
It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.

Nevada
It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.

New Hampshire
You cannot sell the clothes you are wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
Any cattle that crosses state roads must be fitted with a device to gather its feces.

New Jersey
It is illegal to wear a bullet-proof vest while committing a murder.

New Mexico
Idiots may not vote.
State officials ordered 400 words of “sexually explicit material” to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.

New York
Fine of $25 can be levied for flirting.
It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun.
The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless they both agree to it.

North Carolina
Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields.

North Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.

Ohio
Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes in public.

Oklahoma
People who make “ugly faces” at dogs may be fined and/or jailed.
Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.

Oregon
Babies may not be carried on the running boards of a car.

Pennsylvania
A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.

Rhode Island
No one may bite off another's leg.

South  Carolina
It is a capital offense to inadvertently kill someone while attempting suicide.

South Dakota
No horses are allowed into Fountain Inn unless they are wearing pants.
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.

Tennessee
More than 8 women may not live in the same house because that would constitute a brothel.
It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.

Texas
It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
It is illegal to milk another person’s cow.
A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.

Utah
It is a felony to persistently tread on the cracks between paving stones on the sidewalk of a state highway.

Vermont
Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.
At one time it was illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole.

Washington
The harassing of Bigfoot, Sasquatch or other undiscovered subspecies is a felony punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
It is illegal to pretend that one’s parents are rich.

West Virginia
Whistling underwater is prohibited.
Roadkill may be taken home for supper.

Wisconsin
State Law made it illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese.

This pie is under arrest for not having cheese

Wyoming
You may not take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit.

Have a great weekend....and God Bless The USA!

COVER REVEAL FOR McCLINTOCK'S RELUCTANT BRIDE

I’m pleased to be able to share the cover of my next book with you today. McCLINTOCK’S RELUCTANT BRIDE is finally complete. Well, I say that but it still has to make the rounds of my critique partners, beta readers, editor, formatter, and be uploaded to the various sites.

The official Facebook Launch Party will be Thursday, July 16 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm EST. In the meantime, here’s the cover.

The girl on the cover represents Nettie Sue Clayton. She is a shy, sweet teacher with a beautiful singing voice. She’s the younger sister of Stella Clayton from O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE.  Nettie and her family have just moved to McClintock Falls in the Texas Hill Country to be near Stella and her new husband Finn O’Neill.

Nettie’s father has taken over the barbershop in McClintock Falls and the family is elated he has a safe indoor job which doesn’t tax his lungs. After thirty years as a coal miner, the man deserves a break. Nettie loves their new home, the nicest in which the family has ever lived. In addition, she is all set to take over as teacher in the local school. She believes her life is almost perfect.

Josh McClintock is a charming rogue. By day he works hard on his family’s ranch. By weekend, he plays hard with his drinking buddies and carouses with the women who flock around him. His father, Austin McClintock, has just purchased the ranch adjoining theirs at a foreclosure and Josh reckons that place that soon will belong to him. He figures his life is about perfect.

Yes, friends, I turn these characters' lives upside down. Bwahahaha. 

I hope you'll join me on July 16th from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm EST for the Facebook Launch Party.

MAIL ORDER BRIDE STORIES--FACT AND FICTION

Would you become a mail-order bride?

Many of the western historical romances available are mail order bride stories. I enjoy them, but that’s because they’re fiction and I know they’ll have a happily-ever-after ending. ☺ In real life, that was not often the case.

The Civil War (what a misnomer!) decimated the male population, especially in the eastern part of the United States. Men who managed to survive often had lost their land, their homes were destroyed, and families scattered. Because they had no home to which they could return, many went west looking for land, gold, and adventure. That left too many women for the number of marriageable-aged men. No wonder women who wanted a home and children signed up as mail order brides.

Chris Enss has written several books on real mail order brides. The one I have is HEARTS WEST, fifteen true stories of women who ventured to marry a stranger rather than remain where they were. Many faced extenuating circumstances that meant they had no way to support themselves. Others lived in a home where there were too many mouths to feed and not enough income.

Some of the stories in HEARTS WEST end happily, some do not. Reading them is interesting because they are genuine. Like many authors, I write of mail order brides for whom life is more kind--at least by the end of the story.

One of these is TABITHA’S JOURNEY, one of the Stone Mountain Texas series. Tabitha is a mail order bride to avoid being forced to marry an odious man. She takes her friend’s place and sets out for Texas. The problem is, her prospective groom doesn’t appreciate being passed along without his permission.

This novella also appears in WILD WESTERN WOMEN RIDE AGAIN with novellas by Merry Farmer, Sylvia McDaniel, Callie Hutton, and Kirsten Osbourne. Ms Osbourne’s story is also a mail order bride—sort of.

Jacquie Rogers and I have mail order bride stories in our duet books MAIL-ORDER TANGLE. We are writing about sisters on another project due out the week after Christmas. Three other friends and I have a group release planned for October 1^st. Also mail order brides.

Why are these stories so popular? I think it’s the “fish out of water” aspect of a woman striking out to a new setting and having to adjust to everything, including the man she plans to marry. I have to admit they are fun to write--work, but still fun. In addition, I enjoy reading mail order bride books.

I repeat, would you have become a mail order bride?

YEE HAW! WE'RE RIDING AGAIN!

Thanks to those of you who purchased the first WILD WESTERN WOMEN box set last fall (that set is still available). The five of us in that box set enjoyed such success that we created another edition called WILD WESTERN WOMEN RIDE AGAIN for the same great price of 99 cents for five novellas. Even those like me who abhor math can figure out the price is less than 20 cents for each novella. The difference is that this time the box set is available only at Amazon.

Here are the novellas in WILD WESTERN WOMEN RIDE AGAIN:

USA Today Best Selling Author Kirsten Osbourne

Mail Order Mischief

When Elizabeth Miller agreed to manage a mail order bride agency eight years before, she'd had no idea that it would leave her lonely and isolated. She has secretly loved one man for almost a decade, and she is about to give up on marrying for love entirely. When she receives a letter from a man in Fort Worth looking for a bride, she considers becoming a mail order bride herself, because by doing so, she could be close to her sister. She doesn't want to be alone for the rest of her life.

Bernard Tandy agrees to work for Elizabeth after his life is shattered. As he slowly heals and picks up the pieces, he gets to know his beautiful employer. As the years go by, he realizes he is falling for her more and more, but he knows his place in life. When she insists on taking a trip to Fort Worth to check out a potential groom and see her sister, he knows he can't send her alone.  Will he be able to survive the long train ride to Fort Worth without letting his feelings show? Or will Elizabeth somehow convince him that they are meant to be? 

USA Today Best Selling Author Callie Hutton

Daniel’s Desire: In the Shadow of War (also available as a single title)

When Confederate soldier, Lt. Daniel McCoy makes his escape from a Union prison toward the end of the Civil War, his only thought is to get as far away from enemy territory as possible. But he doesn’t count on saving young widow Rosemarie Wilson’s life from an infected leg wound.  

Rosemarie has no use for Rebels soldiers, having lost everything, including her husband, the last time they came to her home. However, Daniel has not only saved her life, but is sticking around to help with the farm and her three young children until she recovers. 

With Union soldiers searching for him, every day that Daniel remains puts him in danger. Or is it the beautiful, feisty widow who has captured his heart the greater risk?

Best-selling Author Caroline Clemmons

Tabitha’s Journey (also available as a single title in the Stone Mountain series)

Would you become a mail-order bride?

Tabitha Masterson is certain whatever awaits her in Radford Crossing, Texas will be better than what her brother and that awful William have in mind for her in Boston. After her father’s death, her brother becomes a tyrant. She escapes to begin her new life in Texas, but trouble can’t be far behind. She believes if she’s married when trouble arrives, she’ll be safe. But her fiancé is reluctant to accept her as a substitute for the mail-order bride he’d courted.

Bear Baldwin is crushed when he receives a wire notifying him that the woman with whom he has corresponded for almost a year has passed him off to her friend. Do the two women believe he’s like an old shirt to be handed down? His mother urges him to give the substitute fiancée a chance, but his pride is stung and he hasn’t decided.

Best-selling Author Sylvia McDaniel

Scandalous Suffragette Brides: Abigail (launches a great new series)

Women Wanted – Feisty, Head Strong Women Need Not Apply

In New Hope, Texas women like children, are to be seen and not heard. Their only job in life is to marry, procreate and be a loyal, obedient wife. Thus the shortage of available women. Until, Abigail Vanderhooten is unexpectedly called home, her head filled with ideas of changing the world where a woman can own a business and have a bank account. This little rebel is determined to bring the town’s laws into the nineteenth century, even if it means sacrificing her reputation.

Jack Turner likes being the mayor in a small, quiet western town where the biggest rabble rousers are cowboys on Saturday night. Everything is about to change when Abigail Vanderhooten, a tiny sprite of a woman returns to town, ready to take on the local laws. While trying to keep the town from splitting apart, he’s surprised how her strong spirit captivates him. And he’s shocked when she manages to worm her way into his bachelor heart, with her controversial ideas of women earning a living the same as a man.

With a woman’s revolution brewing, will Jack be forced to run her out of town, before he has a chance to convey how she’s changed him. Or will Abigail give up on New Hope, Texas and return to Boston?

Best-selling Author Merry Farmer

Trail Blaze

Darcy Howsam has one last chance to be a respectable woman and to have a secure life: traveling along the Oregon Trail to become a mail-order bride for a miner in California. But when the man who paid her way to meet him at Ft. Laramie takes one look at her and rejects her, demanding his money back, Darcy finds herself alone and desperate…. That is, until handsome stranger, Gregory Quinlan comes along. Greg isn’t looking for a wife, but love has other plans.

These are fun stories, some with action and danger. Don't miss out on this good reading box set. Want to grab your copy? Here’s that link again at Amazon.

 Thanks for stopping by!

DID YOU STUDY? HERE'S A QUIZ

Friends and I met this week to have what we call our “techie day” where we discuss new trends in marketing. 

Readers not associated with writing and publishing would be surprised to learn how much time and expense authors spend marketing and choosing and buying covers as well as hiring editors, formatters and other people to help with publishing each release. If you think $3.99 or $4.99 is too much to pay for an e-book, please consider how much time and effort goes into producing that book—to say nothing of the hours and hours of writing.

Since you’re reading this, maybe I’m preaching to the choir. One of the friends at the marketing meeting this week had an email from a reader accusing her of “milking” her readers by charging $3.99 for the second book in a series after the first was free. I have read this book series and, in this case, readers received a genuine bargain because the writing is superb, the book is professionally edited, has a professional cover, and is professionally formatted and uploaded to all sites.

At the same time, I recently gulped when I had to pay $12.98 for an e-book version of a selection for the book club to which I belong. (While I did read the book before the meeting, it turned out I didn’t even like the story or the author’s voice.) 

So why would someone complain about paying $3.99? I think the reason is that some people only like free books and others never pay over $ .99 for a book.

My questions for you are:

1)      How much will you pay for a book from an author whose work you enjoy?

2)      How much is too much for an e-book?

3)      What’s the most you’ve ever paid for an e-book?

4)      How much will you pay for an author whose work you’ve never read?

Let me hear from you.

By the way, if you haven’t picked up your copy of O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, McClintocks book two, you can find it at most online vendors including Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by!

GUEST POST FROM ALICE ORR -- AND A NEW RELEASE!

Hi There – My Name is Alice

A Guest Blog Post by Alice Orr

I grew up in Northern New York State twenty-five miles from the Canadian border. I thought everybody had snow fall several feet at a time in winter and a field of flowers my grandmother called an English garden in summer.

I was an only child until I was nine but I didn’t mind because I had Grandma who told stories and baked biscuits. And after she was gone I had a flashlight and books to read under the covers until long past bedtime.

When siblings finally did come they were like beings from another solar system. I was waiting for puberty and they were waiting to have their diapers changed. I might have been lonely if not for my imagination which was heavily populated and very active all of the time.

I was mostly with adults until I went to school and that made me sort of an odd bird there. My kindergarten teacher slapped my hand when she caught me writing on the blackboard. I didn’t care because writing was about words and knowing words got me to books where my imagination played more joyously than ever.

That happened about the same time I was suddenly old enough to go back outside after dinner. I’d play Kick the Can with the neighbor kids until an adult voice hollered from one of the porches for us to stop the clatter. Then we’d play Hide and Seek until other adult voices called us home.

We lived on a one-block street but that one block was a world for me. I knew every tree and every bump in the sidewalk and every person in every house. It was a small world but a cozy one and I already knew I loved feeling cozy.

Alice and Jonathan's wedding photo

That’s why in my present-day life my favorite way to relax after an intense day of laboring in the story fields of my imagination is to hang out with my husband Jonathan. We get cozy together on top of the comforter he calls our blue beach. We chat and laugh and snack and binge watch TV.

We tell each other about our work sometimes but mostly we talk about family or what’s on the news or make private jokes that never fail to set us chuckling. We reminisce too. We’ve been with each other forty-three years so we share lots of memories – like the beautiful one in this photo of our hippie-style wedding day.

On Sunday we go to church a few blocks from our apartment and afterward we brunch at someplace or other in the neighborhood. I have a Bellini and Jonathan has a Mimosa and we talk some more because a long marriage is really a long conversation.

My favorite quotation is “Fall down seven times. Get up eight.” Because I know that when falling down and getting up again grow tiring – as they inevitably will – you can always take a welcome rest on a blue beach.

RR

Alice’s new novel is A YEAR OF SUMMER SHADOWS – Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series Book 2. It launches today along with summer and is available at amazon.com/author/aliceorr. This is a good story to enjoy under the covers or on a blue beach.

Alice Orr – www.aliceorrbooks.com. www.facebook.com/AliceOrrWriter. www.twitter.com/AliceOrrBooks.

JUSTUS ROUX #INTERVIEW #NewRelease #GuiltyTour @Justus_Roux

Readers, today please welcome Justus Roux to the blog. She agreed to an interview before I relate her new release, a romantic suspense titled GUILTY PLEASURE.

Caroline: Tell readers something about where you grew up and about yourself.

Justus: I grew up in Detroit, Michigan then moved down to Adrian area. Presently I’m making plans to move to Phoenix AZ, hopefully later on this year. Now that my kids are all grown up I really would like a change of scenery. I have a brother and a sister. I’m been married to my husband for 29 years. We have three children. My oldest son lives in Kansas. My youngest son is going to college and lives with us. And my daughter goes to school in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I was pretty much a bookworm in school, but I was into music as well. I have never been considered a jock. Sports have never been my thing.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Justus: I love romance books. I read from a wide variety of authors, so it’s hard to pick favorites.

Caroline: What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

Justus: I love listening to music; it always relaxing me. I read. I watch my favorite T.V. shows. Play the occasional video game. My husband and I go to auctions.  As far as hobbies go I love to create odd artwork and I’m big on the steampunk thing (I gave this hobby to one my characters).

Caroline: Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Justus: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Caroline: I love that quote! How long have you been writing?

Justus: This side of forever, just kidding. I’ve been writing for at least twenty years.

Caroline: Sometimes it does seem like forever, doesn’t it? Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Justus: I have my own office to write in. This is my space. I can write through pretty much anything, though I do prefer quiet.  I work on a PC, my poor wrists would take a beating if I worked on a laptop.

Caroline: I agree and love being in my little office. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Justus: When I write a novel I’m a plotter, but for a short story I’m a panzer.

Caroline: Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Justus: I use elements of real events or people for inspiration. I think all writers do this to one degree or another. What you experience can’t help but to influence what you write.

Caroline: So true. Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?

Justus: I write six days a week. I always have at least one day where I spend the entire day with my husband and family.  I write about 10 pages a day, more if story is really flowing. The most I have written in a single day was 30 pages.

Caroline: Sounds like a dedicated professional. What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Justus: Enjoyment and escape.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Justus: I love what I do and I will keep writing until I can’t anymore. My long term plan is to just keep writing and see where it leads. I would like to try my hand at several different genres.

My dream is get published by one of the big publishing houses and become number one on the New York bestseller list, but isn’t this the dream of every writer.

Caroline: I agree that I love what I do and will until I can’t write anymore. I’ve been with a NY house and prefer self-published, but I would love to make NYTimes list. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Justus: I’m currently working on “Say Love” which is the 31^st book in my Master Series.

Caroline: You do write a wide range. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Justus: Don’t ever give up. Rejection will happen. Bad reviews will happen. Just keep writing and perfecting your craft. If writing is what you truly enjoy, don’t ever give up.

Caroline: Good advice. Share a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.

Justus: I love steampunk artwork, jewelry, etc. I am trying my hand at creating some steampunk artwork.

Caroline: That sounds like fun. Share something about you that would surprise or shock readers.

Justus: I’m an open book. I pretty much put all out there.

Caroline: I know you write several series. Is GUILTY PLEASURE part of a series?

Justus: GUILTY PLEASURE is a single title book.

Caroline: Can you give readers a blurb about GUILTY PLEASURE?

Justus: Nicole frees herself of an abusive relationship and makes a fresh start in Chicago. Her new roommate Monica makes her feel at home right away, and Nicole is excited about starting her career as a paralegal. She meets the handsome defense lawyer Michael Lyons, whom she will be working with. Their attraction is immediate and intense, and she finds herself falling in love with her new boss.

Just as it seems Nicole’s life is finally going right, a series of brutal murders plague the Chicago area. As the number of these murders escalates all the evidence begins to point to Nicole’s new friend Adam Matthews or her lover Michael Lyons. She refuses to believe that either could possibly be capable of committing these brutal murders. Yet, by closing her eyes to this possibility, Nicole could be making a deadly mistake.

Caroline: Intriguing. How about an excerpt from GUILTY PLEASURE?

Justus: Nicole felt like her stomach was in knots.  She shouldn’t be this nervous, hell she knew what she was doing. She graduated the top of her class. Yet, her underlying insecurity always crept in.

She went up to the receptionist’s desk. She tried to picture what Mr. Lyons must look like. She pictured a middle-aged man, with maybe a bit of a beer belly, balding, but had a look of confidence about him.

“Hello, I’m Nicole Fisher, I’m Mr. Lyons’ new paralegal.”

“Hello Nicole, I’m Emily, Mr. Lyons is expecting you. Please follow me.” Emily led Nicole down the hall. “This will be your office.” She gestured to the room off to the side.  She headed to the room down the hall. She knocked once then entered.

“Mr. Lyons, Nicole Fisher, your new paralegal is here.”

“Thank you, Emily.”

Nicole was almost speechless when the chair turned around and the most gorgeous man she had ever seen was sitting there. He was nothing like she pictured. He had to be in his mid-thirties, his dark eyes were mesmerizing. His dark hair emphasized those dark eyes. When he stood, she noticed he certainly filled out a suit well. 

“Is it Mrs. or Ms. Fisher?”

“Ms. Fisher, but you can call me Nicole.”

He smiled warmly at her. Almost taking her breath away.

“Well then, you can call me, Michael. I was very impressed by your academic record. And you certainly impressed our human resource gal. So welcome aboard. I will give you your first case to begin researching for me. It’s a pretty easy case. The murder weapon was found in his possession, etc. What I want to try to do is lessen this asshole’s sentence.”

“Excuse me…”

“Not everyone who comes through these doors is innocent, but they have paid good money for me to take the sting out of their punishment. I would prefer that all of them were innocent, but being a defense lawyer you can’t always be doing the righteous thing. I hope this isn’t a problem for you, Nicole.”

“Of course not, Sir. Everyone is entitled to a fair trial.”

“Exactly. I wanted to start you off with something a little easy at first. Let you get your feet wet. Here let me show you to your office.”

She followed Michael to her office. Damn, this man smelt wonderful. She quickly pulled herself together when they entered her office. She had to be professional and not act like some love sick teenager.

She had to admit that her office was pretty nice. It, of course, was nowhere as nice as his, nor did she expect it to be.

“I had Emily put the case file on your desk. We have an extensive legal file database in the computer. If you need help with any of that Emily will be happy to show you. I have to leave for an important meeting, but I will be happy to see what you come up with tomorrow. Like I said, this case is pretty cut and dry. It was nice meeting you, Nicole. I hope we work well together.”

“I’m sure we will, Sir.”

Caroline: Where can readers find GUILTY PLEASURE?  

Amazon   BarnesAndNoble   GooglePlay    Smashwords

Also available on Itunes

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Justus: My websites

JustusRoux                  JustusRouxMasterSeries

Twitter        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justusroux

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

Justus: I love to hear from readers, you can email at storyteller36@msn.com

Caroline: Thanks, Justus, for sharing with our readers. I’ll finish up with the info provided by Masquerade Tours: You can follow the tour at:

http://www.masqueradetours.com/2015/05/new-signups-guilty-pleasure-by-justus.html

Title: Guilty Pleasure
Author: Justus Roux

Publication Date: May 10, 2015
Genre: Romantic Suspense


Synopsis
Nicole frees herself of an abusive relationship and makes a fresh start in Chicago. Her new roommate Monica makes her feel at home right away, and Nicole is excited about starting her career as a paralegal. She meets the handsome defense lawyer Michael Lyons, whom she will be working with. Their attraction is immediate and intense, and she finds herself falling in love with her new boss.

Just as it seems Nicole’s life is finally going right, a series of brutal murders plague the Chicago area. As the number of these murders escalates all the evidence begins to point to Nicole’s new friend Adam Matthews or her lover Michael Lyons. She refuses to believe that either could possibly be capable of committing these brutal murders. Yet, by closing her eyes to this possibility, Nicole could be making a deadly mistake.

Goodreads 


MORE ABOUT JUSTUS ROUX:

Justus Roux’s long running “Master Series”, which she affectionately calls her BDSM drama, has won the hearts of many readers. She just released the 30th book in the series and plans to write several more books for the series. Her “Dom/sub trilogy”, and “Master of My Heart Series”, plus several single titled books have earned her several outstanding reviews. She has dabbled in the paranormal and fantasy realm with her “Barbarians of Malka series”, “Demon hunter Series”, as well as several single titled novels. Justus’ loves to explore new things, adores music and art, and loves to play the occasional video game and enjoys a good poker game as well.

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Giveaway: There is a giveaway for this tour. $50 Amazon Gift Card; One (1) signed print copy of Guilty Pleasure. Ends 6/26. The code is provided below.


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