A special three book Anthology for Australia - and a #Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions for AUSTRALIA BURNS, three collections published by The Wild Rose Press for a very special purpose. Stories in this collection are contributed by authors who care about Australia and the relief efforts from the devastating bushfires. All profits from the book will be donated to charities involved with the recovery efforts. The publisher and authors are not affiliated with the charities. They simply want to show Australia their love and support. The books will be available on February 14, but are currently available for pre-order. Enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC.

I am so happy and privileged to have been able to contribute a story to this wonderful cause.

Volume 1


Stories in this collection are contributed by authors who care about Australia and the relief efforts from the devastating bushfires. All profits from the book will be donated to charities involved with the recovery efforts. The publisher and authors are not affiliated with the charities. They simply want to show Australia their love and support.

 A collection of Short Stories in Mainstream Fiction, Women's Fiction, Thrillers, and Mystery

A Solicitous Wife by Madeleine McDonald
No One Knew by Larry Farmer
Pinochle by Brenda Whiteside
The Tuesday Night Meeting by Peggy Jaeger
911, What's Your Emergency? by D. V. Stone
Tall Tales by Laura Strickland
Fare Gain by Alexandra Christle
The Note by Stephen B. King
Three Ghosts by Julie Howard
Detective Paws and Lip Gloss by Maureen L. Bonatch
The Ring by Margaret Ann Spence
Portrait of a Gunfighter by Hywela Lyn
Six Hours or So by Lisa Wilkes
Prussic Acid by Melody DeBlois

Volume 2

Stories in this collection are contributed by authors who care about Australia and the relief efforts from the devastating bushfires. All profits from the book will be donated to charities involved with the recovery efforts. The publisher and authors are not affiliated with the charities. They simply want to show Australia their love and support.

A collection of Romance, Young Adult, and Women's Fiction Short Stories

    Che Gelida Manina by M. S. Spencer
    Recipes for Love by Carol Henry
    Waiting for Caleb by Gini Rifkin
    Wings of Fire by Jana Richards
    A Lark by Gabbi Grey
    Apple Crisp by Terry Graham
    Goody Twoshoes by Mark Love
    The Number by Barbara Bettis
    Deadly Homecoming by Peggy Chambers
    An Egg-Cellent Witness by Marilyn Barr
    Season of Withered Corn by Judy Ann Davis
    Beneath the Pines by Debby Grahl
    Christopher Reisner by Linda Griffin
    Unexpected Love: Chase Allen by Anna Lores
    The Cowboy and the Lady by Jean Adams
    The Heart Necklace by Amanda Uhl
    The Relaxation Response by Darcy Lundeen
    Dancing Through Tears by Jeny Heckman

Volume Three

Stories in this collection are contributed by authors who care about Australia and the relief efforts from the devastating bushfires. All profits from the book will be donated to charities involved with the recovery efforts. The publisher and authors are not affiliated with the charities. They simply want to show Australia their love and support.

A collection of Paranormal, Horror, and S.F. Fiction Short Stories.
   The Pilot's Son by CJ Zahner
    The Vengeance by Rhonda Gilmour
    A Climb to Kill by ML Erdahl
    Born of Fangs by Sydney Winward
    Johnny Appleseed by Robert Herold
    Rebellion in Slot III by Roni Denholtz
    Home, Sweet Mobile Home by Alana Lorens
    The Filthy Human by Tori V. Rainn
    Baby Daddy by Kerry Blaisdell
    The Witch of Calico Island by Cat Dubie
    Stained-Glass Vision by Mary Morgan
    A Witch's Protocol by Tena Stetler
    I Choose Life by Kristal Dawn Harris
    Together Forever by N. Christine Samuelson
    Where Is Your High School Sweetheart? by Donna Kunkel
    Lost and Found by Joanne Guidoccio
    Nursery Chimes by D.S. Lucas

Volume One Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0848W2HQT

Volume Two Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0849MSLBT

Volume Three Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084H4J37S

(UK readers can find all three volumes HERE)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THE TOUR HERE

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

This is from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. 

This snippet starts a few lines from the previous one. Megan and Glyn have become good friends, sharing a common love of animals.Glyn piques Megan's curiosity by hinting that the cottage might be haunted. As you see, if you've been following this from the start, we've sort of come full circle, so I'm going to leave it here - I may post a bit more if I ever get it finished and published.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.

 SNIPPET

 “As you must be aware, Wales is full of myths and legends, and this area has more than its fair share, and one old tale concerns a young woman called Rhiannon, who lived in this cottage long ago.”

“Go on,” she prompted, as he hesitated once more.

“Apparently, as well as being the village matchmaker, she also cared for all the sick and injured animals the villagers brought her. She loved animals and especially, her little mare, which the villagers whispered, had the power of flight; others said this was just a rumour put about by folk with an overactive imagination.

 

 “So what happened to her?” Megan asked.

“Sion Sienco, a local gypsy, was in love with Rhiannon and forever playing tricks on her to try to gain her attention, but to start with she would have nothing to do with him. Sion would do things like causing her milk cow to go dry, or spiriting away her beloved pony and hiding the animal in the woods.”

She grinned at him over the rim of her mug. “I’m not surprised she spurned his advances if he did things like that.”

He smiled ruefully. “I suppose men sometimes do silly things when they’re in love, and of course it was a very long time ago, and stories become distorted in the telling."

Show Australia Some Love

As I mentioned last week,  The Wild Rose Press, and 48 authors have published three volumes of short stories to raise funds to help those affected by the devastating wildfires. As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

The print volumes can be purchased from:
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks  can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February. Print  versions are also available from Amazon but Amazon will take their cut, whereas all of the money raised on the Wild Rose Press will go to the charity.

My contribution is in volume 1 and is an historical western - a change from my usual SF/Fantasy romances.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT

 Please, if you can, purchase at least 1 volume to help our Australian friends. Thank you

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Let's show Australia some love!

I sent this information out in my Newsletter, but for those of you who haven't seen it, my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and several editors and authors have produced three volumes of short stories to raise money to help those affected by the terrible wildfires in Australia.

As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

This is a quote from Rhonda Penders, joint owner of the Wild Rose Press. (slightly amended with updated information.)

"Authors have always been known to help one another but when our own Australian author, Stephen King, asked his fellow authors what could be done to possibly help his beloved Australia during the horrendous wildfires, The Wild Rose Press authors stepped up in a big way.
 
The result of that initial conversation, less than a month ago, is a 3 Volume Anthology.  Over 40 authors donated a short story.  The Wild Rose Press’ editors, artists and production staff donated their time and talents to edit these stories and compile them into an anthology._
 
Volumes 1and 2 have  just released and are available to purchase on our website in print form. Volume 3 will be available shortly.
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks- and volume 1 and 2 print (vol 3 to follow shortly) can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT
 
All proceeds from these 3 anthologies will go to help support the recovery of Australia.  We asked Stephen to decide where the profits would go to do the best work and after much research he continued to come back to The Red Cross.  We can identify where we want the donation to go and we will have it go directly to the efforts of The Red Cross in helping with the recovery effort in Australia."

My contribution is in volume 1, and is an historical western - a departure from my usual SF/Fantasy genre.

I hope you will be able to purchase at least one of these volumes to help with the aid efforts for our friends in Australia. There is a large variety of wonderful stories, something for everyone. Thank you.


For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - " ...is there something you're not telling me?

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. 

 I'm skipping ahead several chapters. Megan and Glyn have become good friends, sharing a common love of animals. The mysterious pony's owner has still not turned up and Glyn's son Huw is the only one who can ride her. Megan has painted a portrait of Huw and the pony and invites them both to the cottage for a meal and to give them the painting.

SNIPPET

After the meal  they chatted about painting and Huw’s schoolwork and the pony, for a while, and Glyn again complimented Megan on the painting. Then he glanced around the room and gave her a very direct look.

  “How are you enjoying living here?” he asked. “You seem to have made this old cottage very cosy and comfortable.”

“Oh yes, I love it,” she told him, “I wouldn’t go back to London if you paid me.”

He grinned, “That’s good.” Then all at once, he looked serious, “you’ve not had any problems, strange noises or anything?”

Megan frowned wondering what he was getting at, that was the second time he’d mentioned strange noises. “No, not really, nothing I wouldn’t expect from a cottage this old anyway  - you asked me that before, is there something about this cottage you’re not telling me?”

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received. I probably won't post too many more snippets of this, as I just want to get on and finish it now.

Show Australia Some Love

If you subscribe to my Newsletter you'll already know about this, but for those who don't, my Publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and 48 authors have published three volumes of short stories to raise funds to help those affected by the devastating wildfires. As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

Volume 1and 2 have  just released and are available to purchase on our website in print form. Volume 3 will be available shortly.
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February.


My contribution is in volume 1 and is an historical western - a change from my usual SF/Fantasy romances.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT

 Please, if you can, purchase at least 1 volume to help our Australian friends. Thank you

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Megan needs to watch herself...

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

She has dropped by Glyn Phillips' farm in time to see his son, Huw, riding the strange pony that mysteriously appeared in one of his paddocks, and seemed to be unrideable. Skipping ahead a few pages, Glyn takes her into the kitchen to see how his old dog is doing, and the younger dog jumps up at her, almost knocking her over.

SNIPPET

“I'm so sorry, I try to stop him jumping up at people - he’s only young, as I said, and he gets over excited.”

 “It’s okay,” she said with a grin, giving the collie a hug, “I love dogs. We always had dogs when I was a child and I really miss having one now.”

“You should get one then, there are plenty in the rehoming centre looking for a good home. I wouldn’t be without a dog, myself.”

“Oh, I’d love to,” she said, giving a little sigh, but it wouldn’t really be fair, since I’m at work a lot of the day. I’m thinking about getting a cat from the rescue centre though, although I’m really more of a dog person really. Perhaps one day, if I come into money and can retire…”

Glyn chuckled softly. “Sometimes if we want something enough we can find a way to make it happen.” 

Hmm, the man was a philosopher too, as well as devilishly handsome. She’d have to watch herself. It would be easy to fall for his gentle manners and good looks, and she wasn’t ready to commit to another relationship yet. It was rather satisfying to be completely independent, and to be able to organise her life to suit herself without having to consider someone else’s arrangements. Besides, she’d fancied herself in love once before and had her feelings and her trust betrayed. She wasn’t about to allow it to happen again.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare

Weekend Writing Warriors   

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, Hope you all had a good week - how are the New Year Resulutions going? (or not)

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things. In the last snippet, she is surprised to see Huw riding the supposedly unmanageable pony

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.

SNIPPET

Megan shot a glance at Evan Griffiths, leaning against the fence with a bemused expression on his face. 


“She trusts him, see,” the man said in answer to her unspoken question, “that’s the only way to explain it.” He paused, “p’raps she’s one of those horses which prefer children to adults, some horses do, you know.”

“We only discovered Huw was riding the pony the other day, and I can’t get him to tell me how long he’s been riding her or how he managed to gain her confidence,” Glyn added.

“Well he seems happy,” she replied, “and so does the pony for that matter.”

The boy must have noticed her arrival, and cantered up to the fence, patting the pony’s neck, he drew her to a halt and jumped down from the saddle.

“Hello Miss Johnson, did you see me jumping -- how d’you like my new pony?”

“Your pony now, is she?” his father said, and Megan could not help noticing the twinkle in his eye.

“You seem to be doing really well with her,” she said, stepping back from the fence a little, as the pony snorted and tossed her head. She hoped Glyn Phillips hadn’t noticed

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join