A Halloween Celebration of Sandra Cox's 'SUNDIAL'

 The wind blows the clouds across the mist, hiding the moon's eerie light, as Sandra Cox walks up the steps and knocks a little nervously on the door.

It swings open, and Lyn, dressed in a long black robe reaches out her hand and draws her in. 

"Sandra, I'm so glad to see you, come in out of the cold, this Hallow's Eve, you'll catch your death!

With a laugh that sounds a little like a cackle, Lyn leads her guest into the drawing room, where candles flicker and shine.  In the shadows sit many guests, eating and drinking Halloween fare.  They stand and clap as Sanda enters the room

Welcome Sandra, take a seat and tell us all about yourself and your latest  book.

SC: First of all I’d like to thank Lyn for hosting me. I’m quite excited about being here and chatting with everyone.

HL: Sooo, Sandra, tell us a little more about yourself

SC: I’m a genre hopper. I write Crossover YA, paranormal romance, YA fantasy, western romance, nonfiction metaphysical and time travel romance.

I’ve been writing forever and was first published in 2007. I’m an animal proponent and a vegetarian.

HL: Oh I love Western romance, time travel, fantasy - and animals too!  (See my pet kitty?  The horses and dog don't like him much though). So what do you do for fun when not writing? 

SC: I love to shop, love to go to the movie--speaking of which has anyone seen Secretariat? I thought it was great. Okay back to fun, I, of course, enjoy reading. I like to garden and walk. And currently I’ve started Kickboxing lessons.

 

HL: And when did you start writing?

SC: Too long ago to mention.

HL: *Grin* So what comes first: the plot or the characters?

SC: The main characters come first. The secondary characters pop in with the plot.

HL: . Please tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it

SC: Sarah Miles is a garden painter who discovers an ancient sundial in a garden. When she touches it, she’s whisked back to the Battle of San Jacinto. There she meets Jesse Adams, Sam Houston’s right hand man, the man she unknowingly has gone back through time for.

I think they’ll enjoy the characters. Sarah and Jesse have chemistry.

And I’m quite attached to my secondary characters, and hope readers will be too, especially a character called Hammer.

HL: Sounds a fantastic read! .Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it  distracts you?

SC: Sometimes I write with music, sometimes without. When I do have background music, it’s usually Celtic. I’ve noticed when I have the Mama Mia sound track playing (obviously not CelticJ ) my fingers fly across the keyboardJ

HL:  It's amazing how much we have in common, I love Celtic music in the background too.  Well now we know a bit more about the author, let's find out something about Susan Cox's novel, 'Sundial':
 

Blurb:

As Sarah Miles drives down Eighteenth Street, a stranger materializes in front of her car. She throws on her brakes, braces for impact and…drives straight through him. For a brief moment, his voice filled with quiet despair echoes in her head. “Saura.Saura.” Then he’s gone. Later that day, Sarah discovers the SUNDIAL and her incredible journey through time begins.

Excerpt:

Sarah glanced around, curiously. 

Tallow candles burned everywhere and threw shadows around the room.  In the corner, stood a small round table with a crimson silk shawl draped over it.  In the center of the table sat a crystal globe.

Sarah looked at Occala.

Occala nodded.  “I saw your arrival.”

“Bull sh…” Jesse bit back the rest of the word.  “This is crazy.  I don’t believe in this,” he waved his arm around, and caused a nearby candle flame to jump and flicker, “crap.”

Sarah gave him a sad smile.

Occala turned to Jesse.  The black woman’s face was expressionless, her voice hypnotic.  “Your refusal to deal with any reality other than your own has cost you much.  And will again.  For she will leave you.  And if you refuse to follow, you will continue on your misplaced journey through time, alone. 

“Always touching briefly on the other, but never together, except for a few brief moments, when the fragile fabric of infinity shatters to allow a temporary passage.”

Jesse felt a chill.  What was the old hag talking about?  Sarah wasn’t going anywhere without him.  He’d make damn sure of that, he vowed silently.

The tension in the room thickened.  The smoke from the candles seemed to grow and dance around them.

Sarah tore her eyes from Jesse as she heard a soft whimper.  Hammer’s teeth were actually chattering.  She laid a reassuring hand on his arm.  “It’s okay, Hammer.  Occala won’t hurt you.  I promise.”

Occala turned towards Hammer.  “Have no fear, Big Mon, the spirits have no quarrel with you.”

Jesse studied the Voodoo Woman as she spoke to Hammer.  In the clearing, she had appeared taller; had appeared to grow before his very eyes.  Now in this setting, in this small room, he doubted if she was five foot tall.

Jesse was tired of the whole sorry business.  “Look, if you could give us some provisions and show us how to get out of here without encountering those men out there, we’ll be moving on.”

Occala turned towards Jesse.  “When Joe returns, he will take you back.  The men won’t bother you anymore.”

SUNDIAL can be purchased at www.classactbooks.com in either E format or paper.

Contest: How about kicking back with a new book and cup of coffee while you wear your ‘seeing’pendant?

For a chance to win an autographed copy of SUNDIAL, a ‘seeing’ pendant and Starbucks gift card just go to www.sandracox.blogspot.com and mention Lyn and SUNDIAL.

The contest runs from Oct 15  -  through Nov 14 at 5 p.m.

Sundial blog hostesses are invited to enter.

 Fantastic contest, Sandra, and I just love the sound of 'Sundial' - yet another one to go on my wish list!  Thank you so much for being my guest today, and I wish you huge sales with your book.  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Multi-published author Sandra Cox lives with her husband, five cats, a dog and an occasional foster cat in sunny North Carolina. She’s a vegetarian and has two grown children.

You can find her on the web at:

www.sandracox1.com

downtownya.blogspot.com
sandracox.blogspot.com

Contests - just a reminder

Just to remind you that I'm at the Romance Studio talking about Welsh legends and customs, as well as posting excerpts of my books.  Pop along and leave a message on my Post and you'll be eligible to win a $10 Wild Rose Press Gift Certificate, or a  download  not to mention one of the fabulous prizes TRS are putting up, including a Kindle Book Reader.

My latest post is


HERE

 My other Spookadalooza posts can be found by clicking my name on the right hand side of the page on that site, , where there is a column with all the many authors taking part.

I'm also taking part  the Night Owl Review Site, and somewhere on this Blog is one of the graphics you'll need to be in line for one of over a hundred prizes.  Go to  http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Pages/Hunts.aspx    for more details.

Good Luck and Happy Halloween!

Ghostly legends from Wales

Sorry folks - I neglected to put up my Mondays Word this week!  It's just been one of those weeks where the time has flown and I've been knee deep in other things.

Anyway, today I'm at my dear friend Sharon Donovan's Blog, reciting some of the old ghost stories of my native Wales. Please pop in and say hello if you get a moment.

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com/2010/10/ghostly-encounters-in-land-of-wales.html

Welsh Halloween Customs

I'm at Classic Romance Revival talking about Welsh Halloween customs - if you get a moment please pop in and say hello!

National Breast Cancer Awareness month

Breast cancer is something that we all need to be aware of, whether it affects us directly or not. Nearly everyone has a relative or friend who has had to battle this disease and I'm pleased to be able to welcome

Lilly Gayle to my blog today, to present some of the facts.  Over to you, Lilly.

October isn’t just about Halloween and things that go bump in the night. It’s the month we celebrate survivors in the States. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As a registered radiologic technologist with a bachelor’s degree and mammography certification- BSRT(R)(M), I think Pink is the color for October. During this time of the month, we remind women of the FDA and American Cancer Society recommendations for women concerning their breast health:

• Women 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast (CBE or clinical breast exam) at least every three years, performed by health care professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner. CBE may often be received in the same appointment as a Pap smear. Women 20-39 should also perform monthly BSE.(Breast Self Exam)
• Women age 35 should have their baseline mammogram.
• Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast (CBE or clinical breast exam) every year, performed by a health care professional, such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner. CBE can often be performed in the same visit as a mammogram. Monthly BSE should also be performed.
• Women 40 years of age should receive a screening mammogram every year. The National Cancer Institute recommends mammography every one to two years for women between 40-50 years of age. Beginning at age 50, screening mammography should be performed every year.

I’m also a big supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness because I’m a survivor.

In June 2007, I went to the doctor to get a refill on my migraine medications. While there, I told my doctor it had been 18 months since my last mammogram. My clinical breast exam (CBE) was normal as was my breast self exam. (BSE) I was only 47 and I didn’t have a lump, pain, or any risk factors.

So, what are risk factors for breast cancer?

Being female
A first degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer: (mother, sister, daughter, maternal grandmother, maternal aunts)
Early menarche--younger than 12
Older age at menopause--over 55
Years of artificial hormones after a hysterectomy
Nulliparity (Never having children
Not breast feeding
Late first time pregnancy

You can take a breast cancer risk assessment quiz at: http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool

But in June 2007, I wasn’t at risk. And on June 14, 2007, after I finished with my last patient for the day, I got one of the other mammographers to take my mammogram. We didn’t have digital mammography then and had to wait for the films to fall from the processor. And the moment I saw that spiculated lesion lying next to my chest wall in my right breast, my heart dropped. I’d seen enough radiographic evidence of cancer in my career to know. But it was the Friday before Father’s Day weekend and the radiologist had already left for the day. So, I had to wait until the following Monday for the doctor to read my films.

I didn’t mention my fears to my family. We even hosted a Father’s Day cookout by the pool. And on Monday morning, the radiologist looked at my films and confirmed my suspicions. It didn’t look good. He ordered a diagnostic mammogram, which consists of additional imaging and sometimes an ultrasound.

I told my husband and daughters I needed additional films but played it down for their sakes. My youngest daughter had just graduated from high school and my oldest daughter was married and living in Germany. I didn’t want anyone to worry.

On June 21, 2007 I had the diagnostic mammogram. The radiologist recommended a biopsy and broke the news that he thought it was probably cancer. By this point, I was expecting the news. So, I didn’t break down. There was still a chance the biopsy would come back negative. At least, that’s what I told my family. But in my heart of hearts, I knew. My youngest daughter got upset. Then my husband got upset. So, we made a pact then and there that only one of us could get upset at a time, no matter the results. If one person lost it or started to cry, it was up to the other two to talk them down.

We kept that pact, even after my diagnosis was confirmed.
On June 28, 2007, I had a biopsy. And on July 3, 2007, I got the news. I had breast cancer. Both DCIS-ductal carcinoma insitu and an invasive carcinoma. I broke down briefly at work and again when I told my mom and husband. But then we went to the beach for the July 4th weekend and had fun. But when I came home, my life changed.

On July 13th, I had a lumpectomy. The doctor removed a larger portion of my breast and implanted a port-a-cath into my chest wall. The port-a-cath would be needed when I started chemotherapy. I also had a lymph node biopsy. The sentinel node and three other nodes were removed from under my right arm. None showed any sign of cancer, thank God. I was still in Stage 1.

I had my first round of chemo on August 1 and started loosing my hair on August 13. I took chemo for eight weeks and was completely bald by Halloween. After chemo, I had to have an MRI to see if the chemo worked or if I would need to have a mastectomy. The MRI was negative. I started daily radiation treatments October 12 and finished before Christmas. In December 2007, I was declared cancer free.

But I continued seeing both my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist until late 2008. I also had mammograms every six months instead of yearly until this year. I finally graduated to yearly screenings.

I still have to visit my medical oncologist every 3-4 months but I no longer see a radiation oncologist. I also had my port removed in December 2007 because if the cancer does come back I can’t have chemo again. I’ll have to have a mastectomy and radiation. I’m hoping that never happens.

I’m also hoping all women over 40 will do monthly breast self exams (BSE) and have yearly mammograms regardless of family history.

For now, life is good. I’ve been to Germany to visit my oldest daughter and my youngest daughter completed the radiography program and is now attending radiation therapy school in Chapel Hill, NC. And in May of this year, my first book, Out of the Darkness, was published by The Wild Rose Press. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/out-of-the-darkness-p-4039.html

No, it’s not a story about my battle with breast cancer. It’s a paranormal, vampire romance.

Out of the Darkness

Here research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first.

 PURCHASE LINK

Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience seeking a cure to his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper, another research scientist who discovered a link between a genetic light sensitivity disorder and vampirism. Dr. Harper could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard’s death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.

When researcher Dr. Megan Harper meets Vincent Maxwell, she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, Megan offers friendship and access to her research files hoping Vincent will offer her a position in his company. But they soon become more than friendsand Megan learns the horrifying truth. She's entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.

www.lillygayle.com
www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

Monday's Word: Aposematic

 This cute little creature is the subject of Michael Quinion's ' 'Weird Words' this week. Sadly this gorgeously colored little frog is now quite rare, having been another victim of the 'pet trade'. Michael says:

"I came across the word in an article about Bristol Zoo, which has
set up an amphibian sanctuary to breed two endangered species. One
of them is the golden mantella frog native to Madagascar, which is
a brilliant golden-orange. The colours are aposematic, referring to
the bright markings or hues exhibited by some living creatures to
warn predators that they are poisonous. (The frog cheats: it isn't toxic but the colours fool its enemies into thinking it is. Some writers restrict "aposematic" to such false warnings.)

Though this is common enough in the biological sciences, it's notoften encountered elsewhere..."

Well, this is the opposite to the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' which is fairly common in literature.  As most of you know, I write futuristic and fantasy romance, and in my first book 'Starquest' I had a  race of  huge sea creatures known as the 'Gru' which although ferocious to look at, were actually very peaceful and gentle - I didn't realise at the time that I was writing about something that was 'aposematic'.  Another word to add to my writer's dictionary!

*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2010. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewds.
Reproduced with permission

Mondays word - Peristorenic

So what have Autumn Pumpkins got to do with pigeons or writing?  Well, nothing actually.  I just thought that since it's October and everyone seems to be thinking of Halloween, perhaps I ought to have some Halloween type pictures on my blog, and I rather like the Autumn leaves and butterflies.  As for the pigeon, well this came up at Michael Quinion's* site this week and I thought it was rather an interesting word.  He says:


"Pigeon-fancying was especially strong in England in the nineteenth century, with great skill expended in breeding new varieties forshow. Charles Darwin became a fancier in 1855 to study variation within species as part of his research which became On the Origin of Species.

Like other bodies of the period, pigeon-fanciers' societies looked to the classical languages for suitably distinguished titles. At the time Darwin became involved, a London one was grandly calledthe Philoperisteron Society. "Philo-" means a lover of something,from Greek "philos", loving; "peristeron" was invented by a learnedfounder, which he took from Greek "peristera" for a wild pigeon ordove. The organisation changed its name in 1867 to the National Peristeronic Society (which still exists), in which "peristeronic"was another invented word, an adjective with the sense "relating to or concerned with pigeons". The change of name should not be taken as meaning that the members of the society had ceased loving their pigeons."

So now when you work a pigeon fancier into your romance novel, you know the correct term to use!

*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2010. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewds.
Reproduced with permission

Contests and Spooky Fun for October

I'm taking part in two exciting contests this month at Night Owl Romance and The Romance Studio.

 I'm at The Romance Studio every day in October until the 31st, talking about my books and (I hope) chatting with readers and friends.  There are all sorts of prizes to be won by readers (and some rather neat promo packages for the winners among the authors taking part.)  Here are the details:

http://theromancestudio.com/party/

"One winner at random, who comments to any post during the event but not during the two release parties, will beselected to win a Kindle from TRS. All readers can enter to win some fantastic prizes  so generously donated to the event. Remember that these prizes will be listed on a giveaway page at the event and none of these prizes will be awarded until after the event is over.
The list is here: http://theromancestudio.com/extra_drawing4.php

The three authors with the most comments during the event -- between the start of October 6, 2010 EST and midnight EST, October 31, 2010 -- will receive very special promotion packages. They include one year of featured membership at TRS, a one year advertising package at TRS to run from January 2, 2011 and December 31, 2011. They will get a headliner ad each month of 2011. One newsletter ad each month in our Studio Notes newsletter. AND they are guaranteed reviews of 5 of their works, past or present, in the romance genre during 2011  -- the rating will be what the reviewer gives it because we're not a vanity review site. The works must meet the criteria for submission we have at TRS.

Here's the link to the party site:

http://theromancestudio.com/party/
(Click on my name on the right hand side to see my posts.)

Now, some rules on eligible comments.

Comments received before October 6, 2010 EST and after midnight EST October 31, 2010 do not count.

Comments during either of the release parties (10/21/10 1-8 PM EST and 10/29/10 4 PM - Midnight EST) to posts specifically for those events will not count. This rule is due to the fact that not everyone in the competition can participate in the release parties. Comments made by readers during those times to posts for this event (not to release party posts) will count.

So if you come along and comment, you'll not only be eligible to win one of the prizes yourself, but you'll help me to be in the running for a promo package prize too!LOL!  Most of all , let's have a lot of fun.  There are so many great others over there taking part.

http://www.nightowlparanormal.com/nor/Pages/Hunts.aspx

The second event is the month long 'Scavenger Hunt' over at
NIGHT OWL REVIEWS

Somewhere on this Blog (Not necessarily this page) is a special graphic. Find the graphic and you're on your way:  Here are some details:

The GRAND PRIZE is sponsored by Silver Publishing and is a $100 Gift Card of the winners choice plus any 5 eBooks from the Silver Publishing website. The grand prize is in addition to all the other prizes won by the grand prize winner. There will be one Grand prize winner and two follow-up winners

Visit each sponsors website and find the special hidden graphic. Graphics will be within 1 click of the sponsor’s homepage. You must find all of the required find graphics to be eligible for entry. Complete the entry form and post each sponsors unique web hunt word next to their name. Once you complete the form you will need to click “Submit” for your entry details to be submitted. You must find at least 30 of the hidden graphics to be entered including all of the required finds...45 to be entered for the grand prize.

Full details at: http://www.nightowlparanormal.com/nor/Pages/Hunts.aspx

Voices On The Waves - New Release by Jessica Chambers

It's my great pleasure to welcome fellow Brit, Jessica Chambers to my blog today.  OK, Jess, first of all, tell us about your debut release and what people will enjoy about it.

JC: Voices On The Waves is a sweet women’s fiction novel set against the stunning backdrop of rural Cornwall. The idea for the book came from my fascination with people and the ways in which they interact. What would happen, I asked myself, if you forced a group of strangers together in one place for a set length of time, and then left them to their own devices? Well, this is precisely what happens in Voices On The Waves, where nine individuals win a two-week holiday in a beautiful farmhouse retreat in Cornwall.

The thing I loved most about writing this novel was the interaction between the characters, so I’m hoping readers will enjoy that too. The prizewinners comprise a diverse jumble of personalities from all walks of life, and all I had to do was let my imagination flow and the sparks fly! With newfound love, illicit affairs and the sharing of long-buried secrets, Voices on the Waves really does have it all.

HL: That sounds like a fantastic premise for a story.  So what is your writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

JC: Very much so. When I first began Voices On The Waves, I felt I had to have every little detail planned out beforehand. Since then, though, I’ve discovered that too much planning dampens my creativity. Now, I tend to have the main plotline worked out, but let the characters and subplots find their own way. 

HL:  I have to agree with that!  What comes first, the plot or the characters?

JC: Normally, my novels start with an idea. Take my latest project, Painting The Summer. That all started when I had the urge to write a novel about a young man coming to terms with his sexuality. By the end of the first draft, however, this was simply one subplot in a novel centred around a wealthy family whose lives are almost destroyed when they invite an artist into their home to paint their portraits.

HL:What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?

JC: Oh, I’m a total book addict. If I’m not writing them, I’m reading them. I’ll read anything from Maeve Binchy and James Patterson, to Philippa Gregory and Charlaine Harris. So long as it has a page-turning plot and memorable characters, I’m there! 

HL: I find most writers are avid readers too, so no surprise there! Do you have a support system? Do you have a writing community? What valuable lessons have you learned from them?

JC: I joined The Next Big Writer online writing community in 2007 and it’s honestly one of the best things I ever did. It’s great having access to a whole network of like-minded people who share your hopes and dreams, and who you can bounce ideas off when you’re struggling to make a plot work. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned, though, is to accept criticism graciously. If you let others read your work and take onboard what they have to say, chances are you’ll be a much better writer for it. 

HL: Absolutely! What have you learnt about writing since you were published that surprised you the most?

JC: Well, I’ve technically only been a published author for five days, so it’s too soon to say. However, while organising the Voices On The Waves Blog Tour, I was amazed by the generosity of my fellow authors. Even those I’ve never spoken to until a month ago, are letting me gatecrash their blogs to talk about my debut release. I’ve been quite overwhelmed.


HL: You know, Jess, that's one of the things that struck me when I was first published.  The writing community on the whole, is amazingly supportive and friendly, even with new authors, or perhaps, especially with new authors, and I've made so many friend I'd never have known if I hadn't been a writer. 


JC: Thank you so much, Lyn, for inviting me on your blog today, and to all of you for stopping by. Anyone kind enough to leave a comment here, or at any point during my blog tour, will automatically be entered into the draw to win a $15 gift voucher for either Amazon or Barnes & Noble, so don’t forget to provide an email address in case I need to contact you. I’ll be announcing the five winners at the end of my tour on October 31st over at my blog

http://www.jessicachambers.co.uk/blog



Tomorrow, the Voices On The Waves Blog Tour continues at The Book Boost, where I’ll be talking about the advantages to writing women’s fiction over straightforward romance.  Hope to see you there!


HL: Thank you so much for giving us a little insight into your writing world.  Now lets find out some more about your book with the 'blurb' and an excerpt. 

Blurb: 

When Faye Wakefield runs a competition offering nine lucky winners a two-week holiday at her beautiful farmhouse retreat in Cornwall, she promises an experience they will never forget. However, even Faye could not have imagined how bringing these people together would change their lives forever.

Just as she hoped, the competition yields a diverse mixture of characters: a shy young woman with troubled eyes, a womanizing business tycoon, an interior designer ruled by her need for independence, a retired nurse, and an Irishman with an affiliation for the whisky bottle. Yet, as sparks begin to fly and the guests share their long-suppressed secrets, only Faye knows of her ulterior motive for inviting them all under her roof.

Excerpt:

Leah had just managed to escape Rex Fowler and his never-ending crossword to go for a walk when someone called her name. Turning, she saw Will Everett leap down the terrace steps and start towards her.


“Anjum and I are about to have a game of tennis,” he said. “Want to play?”


Leah’s heart sank. Would she ever get away? “Thanks, but I’m not much good.”


“That’s okay.” Will grinned. “We’ll go easy on you, I promise. Or you can just watch, as long as Anjum doesn’t mind having an audience to witness his humiliation.”


“In your dreams,” Anjum said, joining them.

Will laughed and turned back to Leah. “How about it? Want to umpire for us?”


“Really, I’d rather not.” Leah spoke more curtly than she had intended. Why were her fellow guests so intent on denying her some much-needed solitude?


“No problem.” Will shrugged and he and Anjum made for the tennis court.


Leah watched them go with a pang of guilt. She shouldn’t have been so short with Will. Then her more pressing concerns reasserted themselves and she set off in the opposite direction, grateful for the trees lining the path as they sheltered her from the worst of the heat.


Now alone, she had to decide what on earth she was going to do. The first item on the agenda, she knew, was to find another job. Quite apart from the fact that she would never again be able to look her employer in the eye, she did not want to risk a chance encounter with his son, which at best would be unpleasant and at worst, utterly humiliating.


Leah still wondered how Dr. Edward Phillips, so jolly and kind-hearted, had produced such a callous monster as Alan. Moreover, how could the podgy, balding doctor be the father of anyone so divinely attractive? Even as she battled against it, Alan’s boyish face with its mocking eyes and artfully tousled hair swam to the surface of her mind. Angry with herself, she pushed it away. Thinking about him achieved nothing, other than to set her alight with fury and shame.


Leah lost all sense of how long she walked, admiring the water features and abundant flowerbeds, as the thoughts swirled endlessly round her head. Finally, weary and frustrated at her failure to reach a solution, she returned to the house.
Buy Voices On The Waves now from Red Rose Publishing

Bio:

Jessica was born in the UK in 1982, and currently lives with her family and crazy Staffordshire bull terrier in the English town of Windsor, most famous for its castle and nearby Eton College. At the age of five, she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pitmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that has left her almost totally blind.
 
Jessica has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. As a shy person, she loves being able to escape into another world, and the sense of power that comes with controlling everything that goes on in that world. She especially loves writing women’s fiction centred around memorable characters that leap off the page, and her debut novel, a sweet holiday read called Voices On The Waves, is now available from Red Rose Publishing.

A special party at the Author Roast and Toast

INVITATION

Today we're doing things a little differently and have a special guest hostess at the Author Roast and Toast - Tess Kincaid, heroine of Sharon Donovan's latest romantic suspense novel 'Her Biggest Fan'.

I'll be there as well of course, along with Mary Ricksen, and we're joined by Tess's handsome sheriff friend, Mike Andretti, (who Tess secretly fancies). We're all trying to solve the mystery of who's stalking Tess, and what's causing all the spooky goings on at the old mansion she's inherited from her father.

Sharon's hunky butler, Oliver will be on hand to dish out lots of yummy virtual food and drink, so please come and join us - and leave a comment to win a download of 'Her Biggest Fan'.

Come and help our dear sister hostess celebrate her latest release!

http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/

If you've never visited the Author Roast and Toast before, we think you're in for quite an experience!

Award!

Did you notice the smart badge under my header? The other day I received this email from Books In Sync.

"Congratulations, Your Are The Books In Sync Visitor’s Choice Award Winner For September 2010. This award is only given when visitors go to your page and fill out the form to nominate you.

You Will Get A Special Mention On This Visitor Award Main Page And On The Reader’s Cafe Main Page. Of course I will add your winner Badge to your Author’s Page. Your Recognition Will Remain In The Appropriate Visitor's Choice Award Archive.

You Will Get Recognition In The Books In Sync October Monthly Newsletter. The Newsletter is now placed in a special Reader on the Books In Sync Home Page, so every visitor coming to Books In Sync will see and have the chance to read. Also the newsletter is held in the proper newsletter archive as well.

Keep up the good work and send even more readers to Books In Sync.

Remember, At Books In Sync, We Do All The Work For You. We Bring You With Us To The Top Of The Search Engines. Come Grow With Us For Maximum Exposure.

Books In Sync Is Dedicated To Promoting Authors And Their Books. Start Enjoying The Author Directory, Reader’s Cafe, Contests, Author Specialty Services, C.B.B. Writer Magazine, Authors Blog, Honor Veterans, And More.

http://www.booksinsync.com

Theodocia, who runs Books in Sync does such a lot to promote authors, and the charge for BIS's services is very reasonable. Visit the site to see all the services available.