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Saturday, June 18, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Author's Favorite Quotes from their Books

Hello all and welcome back! This week on Savvy Saturday, we are going to switch things up a little. When we asked what our authors' favorite quotes were from their book(s), we had a great response. Some were even turned into beautiful picture quotes. Take a look!

Quotes from Ute Carbone
Afterglow, Searching for Superman, The P-Town Queen, To the Wind, Confessions of a Sausage Queen, All Things Returned



































































































Quote from You, Jane by Elizabeth Fountain

Quote from Conquering Cupid by Rita Bay



Quote from Defiant Dancer by K.M. Tolan







Quote from Tangled Web by Julie Eberhart Painter

The cohesive Welsh community was a haven of Protestant values and mutual support. It was also a hornet’s nest of gossip. Neither a canary’s death nor a girl’s fall from grace escaped the community chatter.

Good girls avoided the attention of the grandmothers’ grapevine by behaving--in public--as ladies were expected to behave with good manners and self-control. In private, emotions roiled, passions were explored, appetites satiated, and the end results “talked about.”

Or hidden.

Quote from An Alien's Guide to World Domination by Elizabeth Fountain

"Jack, the thing about grace, if you believe in that stuff, is it comes whether you deserve it or not. It comes because someone or something wants to give it, not because you want it or need it or earn it. You can earn respect, deserve kindness, ask for help. But grace either comes to you or it doesn't. You can't do anything to influence it. All you can do is recognize it."

Quote from Traitor Knight by Keith Willis

"If you were going to be beastly," Marissa said, biting off each word, "perhaps you should have just left me to my dragon."

Quote from Embracing the Darkness by Shiela Stewart

“Well, looky here. What have we got? Oh, and I smell lots of fear. Gonna be a nice snack for me.”
“You don’t want to drink me. I’m anemic. I won’t satisfy you much.”

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Savvy Saturday with Andrea R Cooper

Trust Your Gut

A lot of pain and accidents in my life would’ve been avoided if I had listened to the little voice whispering in my head not to do something. Whenever I ignore the warning, I regret it.

Sometimes my gut tells me something that is illogical. Once, I was in a left turn lane. The voice told me to shift over into the next lane, but that was going straight. I needed to turn at this light. It made no sense to move. Forty seconds later, a car with four teenagers ran into the back of my car. And none of them had a driver’s license or insurance, and the car was their mother’s friend’s.

I should’ve changed lanes.

I knew a relationship I was involved in was doomed from the beginning, but I pursued it anyway. Though it did help me see what an incredible, wonderful man I married now.

The few times I did listen to my instinct, the payoff was huge. I’d been working a full-time job for nearly ten years and not getting any benefit or appreciation for all the extra work I was doing. I posted my résumé. To some, this might seem like no big deal. But I don’t like change. I enjoy knowing what I’m doing and not diving into the unknown. Amazingly, I landed a job in a different industry, paying almost double what I made at my previous job, and moved from a short-wall cubical to having my own office. Yes, the office was the size of a closet and had no window, but it was awesome. The work was a different field and fulfilling too.

Another time I trusted my gut was becoming a published author. When I read an article about a new publishing company looking for authors, I didn’t recant the times agents and big publishing houses had said no, I took the chance and it paid off as I’m now a paid author.

So, trust your gut. When I have, it’s made all the difference.

What about you? Was there a time your instinct saved you—or that you wished you’d listened?


Andrea’s Bio: Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).

Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.

She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

Author Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaRCooper

Claimed – Book 1 – Paranormal Romance

Renee Maxwell lands her dream job as assistant to archaeologist Damon Cubins in wondrous Turkey. However, she starts seeing strange things after finding a unique crystal. For one, hot Damon now looks like the sexy demi-god and underwear model of her dreams. Her feminist ideals are challenged with each bit of banter and seductive look he gives her, but she's not falling for his charm.

Time is of the essence for incubus, Damon Cubins, who must find a one-of-a-kind crystal or turn into a full-fledged demon. He has neither the time nor desire for love, but his new assistant tests his resolve. When he discovers she’s got the crystal he needs to save himself, he must make a decision to either romance it from her or walk away. But can he?



Champagne Bookstore: http://goo.gl/of92lZ

Friday, June 10, 2016

Excerpt from Angels of the Night: Deception

Deception
Angels Of The Night, 3
By Paula Kennedy
YA Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

Some angels deserve to die.

EXCERPT

I plunged forward, my pace slowing, until the bridge came into view. There was no one in sight but that didn’t mean Jonas wasn’t waiting in a shadowed place. Shuddering, I slowed and was walking again. The heat of day dissipated in the foliage of the trees and birds twittered from hiding places in the thick greenery.

There was a rustling from the bushes and Thomas appeared so suddenly I nearly fell backwards. I was shocked by his appearance. “What happened to you?” I asked, stunned to see his shirt hanging in tatters, his hair a ruffled mess. “Y-your lip. It’s bleeding.”

“Get out of here—” Thomas huffed and lunged at me. He shoved a piece of paper into my hand and I clutched it. “Go! Now!”

My brain was numb. “What? Why?”

Thomas growled low in his throat and with a roar transformed instantly into his vampire form. “Go!” he commanded and this time my feet were freed from cement, the paper falling from my fist. I stumbled backwards and then turned and started running back the way I’d come. White terror coursed through my body as I willed myself toward the line of sunlight just steps away on the trail.

Something hard hit me forcefully across the chest and I hurtled backwards, the air knocked out of my already burning lungs. Writhing on the cool asphalt I was struggling to regain my breath when a pair of black boots appeared beside my head.

“Allison,” the man’s voice cooed. “You have no idea how long I have looked forward to this moment.”

The vice around my chest released and I finally drew a gasping breath. Crawling onto my knees, I sucked in a lung full of air and looked up to see who had spoken. “Jonas,” I gasped. “What are you doing?”

He squatted beside me and I drew away when he ran a finger down my cheek. “Something I should have done a long time ago.”

The world went black.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Excerpt from Claimed

Claimed
By Andrea R. Cooper

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

An incubus must steal a one-of-a-kind crystal or walk away from it and the woman he loves.

EXCERPT

Damon.

That voice. Drawn, his spirit drifted past the tents. Who called him with such sexual energy pulsing from them?

Damon.

Again, the purr beckoned to him. Suddenly, he stood over a woman twisted in a blanket and her face covered. Her legs and an arm were exposed. How had his spirit teleported without his consent? Had she called him into her dream? Desires fogged his reasoning while his hunger took over. He ran his hand over her thigh, and his action coaxed a sigh of pleasure from her.

Following the desperate urge pumping through his veins, he trailed kisses up her leg, then her arm and collarbone. His hand marked the path. Slowly he caressed the length of her. She shifted, giving him better access to her sex, and he chuckled. Not yet. A whisper of her scent of musk, arousal, and roses filled him. He slid his hand up her other leg while he kissed her neck. Her hair fell away from her face.

Renee?

She yanked him toward her, crushing his mouth against hers. Her tongue stroking against his made him loose focus. Pull away, leave.

Renee nibbled his earlobe, her hot breath against his neck. He growled and hoisted himself onto her cot with her. His spirit form allowed him to touch or become a phantom at will. Her hands raked his back and cupped his ass. With desire overcoming his judgment, his core shook. It took everything in him not flip on the full demon incubus and drain her dry. She’d die with a grin on her face and sated, but he’d never be able to live again.

He eased his mouth away from hers. “No, we can’t.”

Renee took the opportunity to run her tongue down his chest, inched past his abs as he reclined, until her hot breath caressed his penis.

“No.” His command came out a murmur even as his fingers caressed her cheek.

Pulling back, she ran her hands along his chest. With her lips swollen from his kiss and her cheeks flushed, she was gorgeous, lustful, her hair in disarray around her pale face.

Gripping his erection, she squeezed, then released again and again. Was she purposely driving him crazy? With a growl, he lifted her fully into his arms, shifting until she was beneath him. Her sharp inhale of breath teased him. She widened her legs. His spirit form shivered as he pressed up against her entrance until nothing separated them except the thin cotton of their underwear.

As if Renee heard his thoughts, she grunted and shoved him back. “Get off me, you two-timing bastard!” Her words were somewhat garbled as if she woke from a dream-like state.

The jolt of her tone sent him slamming back into his body. What the shit?

In his demon dream form, she shouldn’t have woken, much less been able to throw him out. In dreams, he could seduce any woman from an inexperienced virgin to the most jaded hooker. Was she more than human?

He opened his eyes and the haziness of his dream-walk blurred the walls of his tent and Melanie’s sleepy form beside him. What kind of creature could toss an incubus out on his ass in his element? A witch maybe, but Sofia would have told him as she could sense another witch from a mile away. Not a succubus—he’d know if Renee was and feel her energy.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Excerpt from Can't Forget

Can’t Forget
By Colleen S. Myers
Science Fiction Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

If she can’t forget her past, she won’t have a future.

EXCERPT

“That is for later. No peeking.” Well, now I deeply regretted not looking. He must have read my expression because his laughter rang out.

“I love you.”

And just like that he dropped it on me. I froze like a deer in headlights. My heart fluttered. I’d suspected for a while that he did. He’d told it to me in so many small ways since I moved in. I was the first and last thing he thought of every day, that last he had told me. But this was the first time he used the L word. How I felt was more complicated. I was human and he was Fost. And to be honest, I didn’t know what I was anymore, not after the E’mani because I wasn’t me.

He laughed even more at my expression. “It is all right, I do not expect a response, but I wanted you to know.” He glanced down and shifted in his seat.

I pretended it was fine like he said and cleared my throat. “So.”

The silence stretched for a few beats. But it wasn’t all right.

Oh, forget it. I was no good at lying to myself or anyone else. He needed something.

I stood up and wrangled his chair sideways then crawled onto his lap. “Hey.” I lifted his chin. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before and it kind of scares me.”

Not that I had much experience, but he didn’t need to know that. This was all I could give him right now and I knew it wouldn’t be enough if he pushed, and he always pushed. It was his nature. But still, I couldn’t give him the words. I was unreasonably afraid that once I did, I wouldn’t get my revenge on the E’mani. That somehow loving him affected my ability to hate the E’mani. And I did so love to hate the E’mani.

He stared into my eyes looking for who knows what. The moment lingered and he remained stiff for another fraction of a second then relaxed and let his hands travel up my back. “It scares me too, how much I feel for you.”

Again my heart thumped and goose bumps broke out across my skin at the intent look in his eyes. This close, I saw the love shining in his gaze so I didn’t look. Instead, I twined my arms around his shoulders and kissed him. My chest brushed his and my nipples tightened. I rocked my pelvis against his and he groaned.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Excerpt from Taken

Taken
By Amy McKinley
Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

The cultivation of one weapon can win the war, free their souls, and change her fate. Or destroy it.

EXCERPT

The sun sunk below the horizon, ushering in nightfall. Usually, this was Layla’s favorite time, when the moon came out and the world softened around the edges. This was not one of those times. Must be the curse that’s affecting me so much. She wrapped her arms around her middle and rested against the doorframe, unable to actually enter her bladesmith.

She shivered despite the mildness of the evening. Her sister’s words about increased danger echoed in her head. The past and present haunted her. They competed and collided. With sheer will, she’d managed to keep the beast inside its box, but her inner demons? Those she had very little control over.

Should she summon Zayden? He’d come and hangout no matter what he said…if she needed him he would be there for her. Nibbling on her lower lip, she wrestled with her decision, realizing it would be unwise and unfair to him. If anything happened, she’d have the fallen angel’s death on her hands.

Her head against the wood, she looked out across the river. That’s when she saw him. Silhouetted against the moonlight on the other side of the bank. Him. She jerked as pure masculine power slammed into her. What was he doing there? How long had he been standing there?

She held his gaze as long as she could. He was so fast. When she closed her eyes for the briefest second, he was already across the water and closing in when she locked on him once more. Closer, so very much closer.

With panther-like grace, solid muscles rippling, he advanced. She wouldn’t underestimate him. But would she be safe with him? Would he with her?

“Why are you here?” She scowled, irritated by the breathlessness of her voice. Never before had she allowed a male to affect her to the degree he did. No matter, he’d be a good distraction. She shuddered at the intoxicating combination. A combination that was hopefully enough to keep her mind off the sensation of fire ants crawling all over her skin, enemies lurking in the shadows, and walls closing in.

His eyes dilated, and a slow grin spread across his mouth. “I’m here for you.” He slid a strand of hair between his fingers, then cupped the back of her neck, tugging her forward. Electricity pinged through her. “Think you’re up for the challenge?”

She lowered her lids, unwilling to let him see just how much he affected her. Heat blossomed deep in her belly accompanied by a much-needed buoyancy that spread like fire through her veins. Just what she needed. He’s perfect.

Mirroring his grin, she stretched up on her toes and slipped her arms around his neck. She didn’t miss his raised eyebrow, questioning her, taunting her.

His hand easily spanned her waist as he drew her in, capturing her lips. Spiraling into him, she let herself go. He flooded her with strength and passion and she knew she’d find what she needed from him as a lover.

For tonight, she’d let him be her temporary anchor.

Monday, June 6, 2016

New Releases!


Prepare yourself for a release-a-palooza! This month we have FOUR great releases to keep you busy at the pool, on the beach, or on the couch. Beat the summer heat with these fabulous romances. 

Taken
By Amy McKinley
Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

Forged through trauma and cursed by the Fates, Layla evolves into a mortiferous weapon. When the prophecy activates, what is honed for protection becomes a misused tool for death.

Entrenched in clan turmoil, Thaull’s life hangs at a precipice with the onset of the soul-divide. But when a premonition of a deadly female offers hope, he gambles his very existence.

She will go dark from her curse. He will go numb from his. To survive, Layla must risk trusting another or become another.

Can’t Forget
By Colleen S. Myers
Science Fiction Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

Four months have passed since the E’mani—those pale alien freaks—destroyed the Earth and scooped up the remains. Elizabeth “Beta” Camden was one of those taken. But she escapes and confronts her prior captors successfully with the help of their enemies. Yet she knows the Imani won’t forget about her. She should stay vigilant and ready. Her heart refuses to listen. Beta falls in love with Marin—he of the hot hands and slit eyes.

Too bad she was right.

This time the E’mani don’t come in force. This time the E’mani slip in silently. And any hope she had of a peaceful life is lost. Beta knows what she has to do and it isn’t play house. She leaves in the dead of night to find the E’mani stronghold and end them once and for all. But love is a tricky bitch. And Marin refuses to let her throw her life away. It takes a threat to his safety to make her realize, if she can’t forget her past, she won’t have a future.

Claimed
By Andrea R. Cooper
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

Renee Maxwell lands her dream job as assistant to archaeologist Damon Cubins in wondrous Turkey. However, she starts seeing strange things after finding a unique crystal. For one, hot Damon now looks like the sexy demi-god and underwear model of her dreams. Her feminist ideals are challenged with each bit of banter and seductive look he gives her, but she's not falling for his charm.

Time is of the essence for incubus, Damon Cubins, who must find a one-of-a-kind crystal or turn into a full-fledged demon. He has neither the time nor desire for love, but his new assistant tests his resolve. When he discovers she’s got the crystal he needs to save himself, he must make a decision to either romance it from her or walk away. But can he?

Deception
Angels Of The Night, 3
By Paula Kennedy
YA Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Books

Max Wilson has been kidnapped by a group of female vampires. The Masons refuse to send scouts to find him, their numbers having been greatly sapped in the battle with Morana, and Allison is devastated. Determined to bring him back, Allison believes an ancient vampire, Jonas Osbourne, can help and, despite protests from her guardian Thomas, meets with him alone. To her horror, Jonas incapacitates Thomas and steals her away to his manor house where he locks her in the basement. Trapped, Allison is at the complete mercy of Jonas’ desires. Her only hope of escape is her vampire boyfriend Darcy, but will his love be enough to bring her back from the brink of insanity? And can he find her before she forever succumbs to Jonas’ cravings? Find out if some angels deserve to die.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Book Trailers Continued

Hey everybody! We have had some new book trailers come out since this topic last appeared, and we would love to show them to you. Prepare yourself for a wonderful Savvy Saturday as you get a glimpse into the pages of these books.

Can't Forget
By Colleen S. Myers
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore

Must Remember
By Colleen S. Myers
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore

Satin and Steel
By Brantwijn Serrah
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore

Goblin Fires
By Brantwijn Serrah
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore

Bolt Action
By Victoria Roder
Amazon
Champagne Bookstore

Blade Dancer
By K.M. Tolan
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore

The Lesson
By Joyce Ward
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore


Angels of the Night: Divinity
By Paula Kennedy
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore


Afterglow 
By Ute Carbone. Make sure to check out all her videos here.
Amazon
Kobo
Champagne Bookstore


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Tattle and Wrye column June 2016 edition

FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

"Library?" Tattle popped up out of her seat and twirled with excitement. "I adore the library! Can we go right this second.  Is this a cuddling with a book event or a seek and find outing or..."

"Interview!" Wrye explained.  "We're going on our Love of Literature Leap to interview Keith W. Willis, author of the fantasy novel TRAITOR KNIGHT."

"Ooooh, castles and knights and dragons, oh my! Let's go!"

"After you." Wrye stepped aside, allowing Tattle to leap first.


Tattle appeared in the library, medieval gown puffing up around her, and dragon smoke haloing her head. Fluttering her hands at the smoke, she coughed and simultaneously tapped Keith W. Willis on the shoulder. “Hi, ready for your interview?”

Catching his stunned look, Wrye, wearing clanging armor, added, “We arranged this a while back? You know, for CBG?”

Noting the author kept blinking as if chasing away an hallucination, Tattle and Wrye looked at each others’ outfits. Wrye pointed at his helmet. “A bit much.”

Tattle looked down at her bodice. “You think?”

Another puff of smoke and their garments changed to everyday wear.

“Ta da!” announced Wrye.

“Wow, very cool. I especially like the smoke effects. Did you need a lot of training to learn that? In Kilbourne, the wizards have to go to school for years to learn how to spell.”

“We bought the book SPELLS FOR DUMMIES." Wrye grinned. 

"We thought we’d be interviewing you in the library at Kilbourne, but this will do.” Tattle smiled and took a seat.  “I must say, TRAITOR KNIGHT sounds yummy. And from the reviews, we know it’s a hit, with amazing, complex characters and a sprinkling of humor. Can’t wait to read it, and I’m just going to blast out my first question.” Looks serious and grim. “Who is the Jabberwock and why should we beware? Do we need a special charm to protect ourselves?”

"Ah, we’re getting into the frumiously metaphysical stuff already? Very well—I am the Jabberwock. You are the Jabberwock. We are all the Jabberwock. We have met the Jabberwock, and He is Us (apologies to Walt Kelly).”

“As for why you should beware the Jabberwock—I would think the ‘teeth that bite, the claws that catch’ thing would be a dead giveaway. Protective charms, eh? Hmm. Only two things I know of. One is a white rabbit’s foot, minus the white rabbit. The other is a judicious singing of carols. Lewis Carolls.”

Wrye nodded with comprehension. “From the legendary works of Tolkien, would you rather be Aragorn II a.k.a. Strider, Legolas the Sindarin Elf of the Woodland Realm, or Frodo Baggins, hobbit of the Shire, and why?

"Aragorn, no question. The last time I tried to use a bow a la Legolas, I nearly skewered two camp counsellors, a tent mate and an outhouse. I think I’ll stick with my trusty sword. The world, generally speaking, will be a much better place for it.”

“Good choice!” Tattle happily fiddles with her Arwen Evenstar earrings. “If you had Commander Morgan McRobbie over for dinner, what would you serve?”

"Ale.” Notes that Tattle and Wrye are both still gazing expectantly at him. Their stares become a bit strained. ”Oh, you meant food? Sorry. I’d likely serve a nice joint of beef, flame roasted. Assuming you can get your dragon to cooperate and roast the joint without snarfing it himself…. Potatoes and peas to round it out, and a fruit cobbler for dessert. And ale."

Wrye leaned forward. “Man to man, be honest, I know you have an old red canoe. I know waterways can be deceivingly calm even while they are tumbling wildly. Have you ever lost your paddles?”

"I’ve never been up the creek without a paddle.” Keith looks around to make sure they’re not being overheard. “I have, however, lost a lot of other things over the years. My keys. My car. My mind. Of all the things I’ve lost in life, I miss my mind the most.”

Tattle thought of the time she fell out of a rented canoe but decided not to share, and wondered what was wrong with losing one's mind. Hers had been missing for years.  “From our snooping… errr researching, we discovered you and your wife have a wonderful, tight-knit relationship. Which of the female characters you created remind you mostly of your wife?”

"Allow me to start off by saying that none of the characters in Traitor Knight, male, female, or draconic, are based on real people. That being said, I think you could safely say that Lady Marissa duBerry and my darling wife Patty share come common traits.  Intelligence, wit, and a definitely feisty nature.”

Wrye stood, walked about the table, and then abruptly sat again, straddling a chair. “Let’s talk dragons! What is the best way to avoid getting fried?”

"A trick question, eh? Dragons never fry. They’ll roast you, absolutely. Bake you, on occasion. Actually, knight baked in armor, or ‘tinned’, as they like to call it, is considered a dragon delicacy. But you can trust me when I say a dragon will never fry you. So you no longer have to worry."

Wrye still looked worried!

“A cockatoo told us you also write cozy mysteries. And yes, I speak cockatoo. Which universe would you prefer to exist in, that of a mystery or that of fantasy?” Tattle queried.

Keith hastily draws his sword, looking around wildly. Spying no danger he sheepishly sheathes the sword. “Oh. You said cockatoo, didn’t you? I thought for a moment you said Cockatrice. And we all know how deadly those can be.”

“So, I guess I’d rather exist in a fantasy world—because then I can make it anything I like.  In a mystery universe, things have to follow a certain inexorable order which precludes that freedom. But living in a fantastical universe, if I want unicorns, I can jolly well get in unicorns. Dragons—you betcha. It’s pretty much a free-for-all. Although I try not to dream of misogynistic megalomaniacs bent on world domination, in case I get one. Oh, wait, I just turned on the TV, and… excuse me, I’ve got to go create another universe, quick!”

"That was such fun! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Next time, bring the dragon. Wrye is great and fluid in dragonesse." 

Another leap has Tattle and Wrye bouncing into the historical, romantic mystery, Joyce Proell's A WICKED TRUTH.  

"Oh no, we have to help her!" Tattle wails as they find themselves locked in a crude cell-like room with a drugged young girl.

Wrye gently turns Tattle away and snaps them out of the prologue just as the door opens, revealing the jowly face of an older man dressed in gentleman's attire.  "Monster!" Wrye mutters.  "What's going to happen to her?"

"It isn't good," Wrye whisked his friend away to the first chapter. "Best not to dwell, m'literary empathetic. This book is a wonderful historical, mystery treat with a good dose of sweet romance and lots of Doing the Bear  but dark evil exists as well."

Tattle romped through the chapters, big eyed and totally engrossed. "Yes, yes, yes. A story to be enjoyed, especially on a dark and stormy night," she parrots a teasing groaner cliché. The next moment, Tattle is all brightness, "Oooh, so this is a Cady Delafield Mystery and we're in the Victorian Era. Hence the reference to Doing the Bear, Victorian slang for hugging." She took in the prim and proper settings of a lovely boarding home.

"Couldn't help meself. They had such grand sayings."

Does her infamous eye-roll to the heavens and stars. "Just explain on the way, m'dizzy age bud."

"Calling me old just cause my elder years makes you dizzy to think on them?" He huffed, thinking hey I was supposed to pull out the yesteryear sayings.

Grins. "Oh don't get as Mad as Hops (excitable), just teasing. Now, back to the book."

Calming himself, he offers, "Yes, but of course, the boarding house is where Mrs. Demsey hosts four female boarders, including Cady.  Though she adores her family, Cady needs a respite from Grandmother Ophelia's somewhat over-bearing demeanor. They, her three sisters, including twins and mother, had lived with her grandmother since Cady's father's death. Unfortunately, the matriarch doesn't care for Cady's fiancé Doyle Flanagan."

Feigning a semi-swoon, Tattle sighed. "He is hot as roasting chestnuts and as romantic as Robert Browning wooing Elizabeth Barrett. However, Ophelia can't see beyond his past. He had previously been accused of murdering his wife, and though acquitted, Ophelia feels trouble follows him about. Cady, though, knows he is the essence of decency and loves him beyond reason. They are truly ready to marry, and believe nothing can stop that until Sophie Newberg, a friend of Doyle's deceased wife appears, begging for his assistance, which insures risk. Her sister, Sarah, is missing. A seventeen year old never returned home from school. Most thought she eloped with her new beau, Mr. Driscoll, but Sophie believes something horrible has happened, and her father refuses to pull the police into the matter. More concerned for how things appear than the truth."

"Doyle is reluctant to be brought into police business so close to having been exonerated and is quite determined to never put his fiancé in danger again, a tragedy in his own past connects him to Sophie's pain. He knows he has to help. Of course, the genteel Cady, the Jammiest Bit of Jam, (perfect young female) backs Doyle in every way, besides, she is as tough and stubborn as her Grandmother Ophelia, and even accompanies Doyle to the morgue." Wrye looked pleased he remembered another old saying.

"Nor does Cady object to his friendship with Inspector Jack Dinsmore, the one officer who believed in Doyle's innocence. In fact, Doyle and Cady invite him to dinner and include her sister Grace. The instant attraction is obvious, but Jake is soon involved in the murder of an unidentified young girl as well as that of his boss,  Captain Vernon Lester. Both on the same night, both intensely mysteriously. Are they connected? Later, in the story, an eleven year old is abducted and soon afterward, someone in Cady's family.  Yeooowl!"  Tattle sang softly. "...Ya got trouble, my friend, right here, I say trouble right here..."

With a wince at her not-so-on-key voice, Wrye added, "Meanwhile, a sinister business man Hollis Grover along with his cruel, but slimy suave brother have their own personal battles, but are they the red-herrings, or truly the evil behind white slavery and prostitution?  Intermingled with it all is a self-serving police captain, a tawdry voice coach, an insensitive father, a thieving roommate, and Doyle's own mysterious past. Though the devoted couple, Cady and Doyle, are determined to overcome the turmoil surrounding them, fate just might have other plans."

Contagious excitement accompanied Tattle's words, "This is a genre mixture of pure delight! The pages turn on their own, and the characters' voices are rich, clear and identifiable. I feel as if Cady and Doyle were friends and I wanted to step right into their world. Well, maybe not the parts when they were in danger!" Offers a little chicken squeal for emphasis. "The back story was also easy to follow despite not having read the previous novels in the series, and the tale itself hankered back to a time when a plotline, well-structured prose, literary layering and a charming love story  still existed in a romance novel. Though sweet, it still had plenty of heat, yet bed-room bliss wasn't the sole reason for the plot. This made the entire read enchanting and refreshing.  Kudos! I really enjoyed having a storyline with a side of oooh-la-la."

"At the same time, the novelist brought out the underbelly of the Victorian world's veil of propriety and purity. The contrast between good and evil was as stark and sharp as black and white. There was no holding back on just how harrowing and bleak living without station and wealth could be, how the lower class could be taken advantage of, and how evil finds its way into every nook of life. Because of this distinction, the book had just the right level of a chill, taking it a notch above a cozy mystery," Wrye commented.

"All in all, this is an exceptional story from a prolific and talented author, who created her own genre, and we are consummately hooked! If you want a read that crosses every T and dots every I, you have to grab and gobble up Joyce Proell's A WICKED TRUTH."

With that, they dashed off and slipped into one of CBG's Burst Books, within the sci-fi world of Michael W. Davis' HOME WORLD. Tattle blinked back tears as she looked about the amazing story. "I miss Big Mike," she said with a sigh.

"As do I. He was a good man with an exceptional talent not just with words but he had a big heart, always generous with his time, always mentoring other authors and promoting their works, always writing for his readership." Wyre smiled softly in remembrance of the giving, caring man who left our world all too soon. "I believe, we get to visit with him through his writing."

Tattle's smile returned.  "Yes, in this way, he will always be with us."

Together, they fully merge into the story of HOME WORLD.

Wrye dove into the pages, revealing the bones of this excellent sci-fi thriller. "Derek Fagab and Marla Falco had covered each other's backs from childhood, where they barely managed to survive as Nulls, non-classed citizens, living on Home World.  They had squirmed their way out of this abused and dehumanized existence and served the oppressive dictators of Earthcom as warriors, Tier Five, of the Tellurian Entente.  In this Class system, it was difficult to rise to the next Tier and that would only happen if they even managed to survive."

"That would take becoming the best of their kind, winning skirmish after skirmish," Tattle winced at the slaughter. "Problem was to do that they had to destroy Nulls, to keep them impoverished and corralled like beasts in an over-populated pen.  The morality of it disturbed Derek, for he was once a Null.  Plus, deep inside he knew the entire class system was wrong."

"Marla had less sympathy, believing any Null could brave their way out by being tough and being willing to take chances with their lives." Does a double nod at Marla's spunk and tenacity.  "She wanted to climb into a higher Tier and she wanted to do it with Derek.  For a good amount of time, they were both field-mates and bedmates."  Wrye whistles with approval.

"Until, he wanted something more than Marla.  He wanted a child, and found a woman, Yana, that wanted the same thing. Though Marla's and Derek's friendship remained strong on the battlefield despite her rising above him in rank, they had a personal rift." Pouting, Tattle doesn't reveal she was sympathetic and secretly wished they could heal that fissure.

"Still, Derek couldn't have a child unless he became a Tier Four, and further ambitions to provide a good life for that child by rising to a Tier Three. Only, to do so, he had to survive a secret mission and that mission would take years.  Yana said she wouldn't wait those years."

Tattle continued, "At the same time, many believed that Earthcom was crumbling from the inside out.  Would it? And what about Marla, would the love and bond between her and Derek outlast his more sedate feelings for Yana? Would either of them survive the latest war to retrieve something mysterious that the Toppers of Tiers One and Two needed to survive?"

"Michael had a way of blending the best realistic futuristic technology reminiscent of Star Trek while the swift pacing and battle intensity was suggestive of Storm Troopers. However, unlike most action driven plotlines, HOME WORLD had a depth and humanity that would equal any dramatic saga. Sub-plots played throughout as an irresistible undercurrent, hinting at a stunning revelation that kept the pages turning."

"I've enjoyed everyone of Big Mike's books, and this one will not disappoint. If his name wasn't on the book, you would still know it was his work. He has a unique style of writing that mesmerizes, brings you right into the inner voice of the characters and the inner conflict of the plot.  And just when you think you are about to figure out the ah-ha moment, you discover you didn't and there is another ah-ha smacking you upside the head.  His talent with plot development, depth of character and realistic dialogue was remarkable. I enjoyed this book tremenduously, and recommend it needs a place on your cyber bookshelf!"

"Home World by Michael W. Davis is a winner.  Read it and don't plan on sleeping."


Hope you enjoyed our leap into our reviews and interview.  Until next time, keep reading!

Dona Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash
of Blather City, Wannachat

Created and written by:  Angelica Hart and Zi

Books by: Angelica Hart and Zi
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