AuThursday – Jenni Nakken

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am from Utah. I have written 3 children’s books about emotions. I love movie theatre buttered popcorn and being outside. I graduated in Family Science and worked in social work and as a special Ed teacher.

How do you make time to write?

I usually write on my phone so I just write when kids are sleeping or playing.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Absolutely! I published my three books all within a year and after I went to write the fourth book and had zero inspiration.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.

Children’s picture books. I love that they can rhyme or not. I love that they’re short. I mostly love that they hopefully inspire children.

How are you publishing your books? 

…I’m self-published and have a small educational publisher.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?

Extrovert. Makes my work easier. I like talking and selling my books to people.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Never give up! I was persistent in writing and selling my books and I am now making money selling them. (Illustrations and printing costs are a lot of money)

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

https://jenninakkenbooks.square.site

Jenni Matthews Nakken on FB

@jenni_nakken_books on IG

@jenninakkenbooks on TikTok

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

When you’re mad or you’re sad it may not seem good. These feelings aren’t bad, just misunderstood. The actual feeling is not what’s the trouble. It’s what you do that can give you a struggle.

Author Interview – Karen Hulene Bartell

Welcome, Karen Hulene Bartell to the Clog Blog.  So Karen, what is the sweetest thing someone has done for you?

After opening my presents on my eighth Christmas, my father asked me if I were satisfied with the toys
Santa Clause had brought. Absolutely content, I nodded. “Yes.” Was there anything I’d wanted that he
didn’t bring me? I shook my head. “No.”

Then he rolled out my new bicycle.

How would you spend ten thousand bucks?

With a ten-thousand-dollar windfall, most people would buy luxuries or travel. I would donate it to the
local animal shelter. Why? Animals were my “siblings” when I was a kid. Now, they’re my four-legged
“children.” Though I can’t adopt all the strays or feral critters, I can support the local shelter.

Where do you get your best ideas?

That’s easy–traveling gives me the best ideas. Airports, cruises, road trips–you name the mode of
travel–trekking inspires ideas like nothing else. Sights, sounds, scents, regional cuisine, local lore, and
history all conspire to inspire.

What comes first, the plot or characters?

The plot must come first. I need the basic story–the what–before I begin thinking about the who ��
Once I have the narrative, themes evolve, then the characters materialize, and the dialogue flows.

What does your main character do that makes him/her special.

We meet Maeve Jackson, the main character of Kissing Kin, as she musters out of the Army after a five-year stint. Starting over after a broken engagement–with no job and no prospects–she wonders, “What
next? Where next?

Then when she spins out on black ice and totals her car, does she despair? Nope. By “listening with her
heart,” Maeve creates her own opportunities, somehow capitalizing on impossible situations. She’s the
friend/sister I would want during financial setbacks, spectral visits, or relationship troubles.

So what makes Maeve special–besides her indomitable spirit? She “listens with her heart.”

 

BLURB:
Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No
job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.
When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a
shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines
in exchange for room and board.
But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors
that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is
their attraction physical…or metaphysical?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Our shoulders rubbed each time we moved. The downy hairs on the back of my neck tickling
from the electricity passing between us, I shivered as the currents barreled down my spine.

“Cold?” Eyes wide, he caught my gaze.

I opened my mouth to speak but, forgetting what I meant to say, lost myself in his inviting brown
eyes and could only nod.

He reached his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, sharing his body warmth.
With the faint scents of leather and saddle soap wafting from his jacket, his nearness was
intoxicating, and I was tempted to lean into a kiss. Yet huddled together on the bone-chilling ledge, I gazed instead at the rugged wilderness surrounding us, content to savor the sweet ache
of longing. If more is meant to be, it’ll happen.

Then thoughts of Cody froze me like a blue norther. Why did he come to mind?

****

So close, Luke felt the rise and fall of her chest each time she breathed. Her hair tickled his ear,
raising goosebumps–and possibilities. If she turns toward me or gives any sign…But her sigh
signaled something else. He side-glanced to read her mood, but she stared at the scenery,
apparently oblivious of his rising libido.

“Want…” His voice cracked. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “Want some water?”

“Sure.” She turned her head quickly, her hair brushing his cheek with a citrus scent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote
speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to
rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in
books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading
feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only
child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own
happy endings. Professor Emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the
Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued
*Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Connect with Karen:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenHuleneBartell
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/karenbartell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuleneKaren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/karenhulenebartell/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/611950.Karen_Hulene_Bartell
Website: http://www.KarenHuleneBartell.com/
Email: info@KarenHuleneBartell.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/karenhulenebartell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenhulenebartell/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-hulene-bartell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhulenebartell/
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Trans-Pecos-Karen-Hulene-Bartell-
ebook/dp/B0CRJ6P13V/ref=sr_1_1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4830

AuThursday – Lisette Blythe

Welcome Lisette Blythe to the Clog Blog!  Lisette, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Hello there, I’m Lisette Blythe! This is my second year of being published. Last year I released four books. This year looks like it will be the same. My background is in technology. Up until recently my bread and butter had been infrastructure (servers, routers, and switches). Two years ago I made the leap to a less technical role as an IT business analyst. My writing career kicked off by writing fan fiction. It was a moderately popular one in a particular K-pop fandom.

How do you make time to write?

When you have something you like to do, it’s easy to find ways. Sometimes on my lunch break at my 9-5, you can catch me writing on my phone. In the evenings when I have a bit of time to myself, I’ll go back to edit what I wrote.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Oh yes, very much so. Prior to 2020, it had been over ten years since I’d written anything. I didn’t have it in me. I used to write all the time in high school but the well just dried up.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.

My genre is considered new adult romance. Think college-age love. That time of your lives is about figuring out who you are. We all know that you evolve as you age, but this is a very poignant time in your life when it can mostly be about you and who you want to be.

How are you publishing your recent book and why?

I’m published under a boutique publisher called Three Fortnights Press. They are currently up for an award with AAMBC (make sure you cast your vote! https://theaambcawards.com/vote/). I like having the support of a publisher behind me. Shai (the owner) has done all of this before and has no qualms guiding me through it. Also, she puts up with my general foolishness.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?

I’m an introvert with bursts of extroversion. A lot of my main characters will be introverted. In the second book that comes out this year (September 30th), the main character is incredibly extroverted. It wasn’t difficult to write because I just drew on what happens when I’m around my friends with good music and booze.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

“I don’t work 40 hours a week to not be able to afford lotion in my tissues.”

It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I’m making a point. I work hard. I’m a wife and a mom. I have a 9-5 and write. On top of all of that, I go to conventions to sell my books. At the end of the day, all of that allows me to do the things I want to do, so I’m going to do them!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Just write. Write what you know, write what you don’t. You can always edit.

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

I am what is known as chronically online. Comes from being in technology (though my husband, also in technology would say the devil is a lie.) Catch me on TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter as @lisetteblythe.

Instagram is lisetteblythe5 because whoever owns lisetteblythe won’t give it up. I have a discord where people come and talk about the most random of things. We also talk about the books we’re currently reading. You can find that here: https://discord.gg/TKDFJmK3CZ

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

Actually, if you are so inclined, you can get the first four chapters of my book which comes out in June for free!

Glory: A Sorority Rejects Tale is the story of understanding you aren’t what everyone tells you that you are. Grab those chapters from here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bev73s5svs

AuThursday – Karen Hulen Bartell

Please welcome Karen Hulene Bartell to the Clog Blog!  So Karen, what else do you have coming out?

Kissing Kin is being released three weeks prior to Fox Tale’s release. Both are paranormal romances, but other than that, they are so dissimilar. 

Kissing Kin is set in Texas. It’s about a woman starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.

When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.

But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their attraction physical…or metaphysical?

Fox Tale is set in Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan. It’s about a woman who’s terrified of heights. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

When are you going to write your autobiography?

Excellent question, but until enough people care to read what I’ve done during and with my life, I’ll continue to simply put off writing my autobiography until “someday.” Guess I should refer to it as an “ought-to-biography” 😉

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

I always choose names that are prevalent with the age of the character. For instance, I would not choose Mildred—my grandmother’s name, who was born in the 1880s—for a character who was born twenty-two years ago. In 2002, Madison, Hannah, and Emma were the top female choices for baby names.

Sometimes my character names evoke physical descriptions. For example, if the heroine is a volatile redhead, consider naming her Cayenne. It sounds like a woman’s name and conjures images of a woman who’s either hot or hot-tempered.

For Belize Navidad, a novel set in the Caribbean at Christmas time, I named the heroine Carol, as in Christmas Carol, and named the hero Nick, as in good old Saint…

The protagonist of Sacred Gift was angelic, so I named her Angela. The antagonist was Develyn, short for Debra Evelyn, suggesting the girl was devilish. You get the idea.

I chose the name Keya for the turtle-loving, Native American protagonist in The Keys: Voice of the Turtle. In the Lakota Sioux language, Keya means turtle. The setting of the paranormal romance was the Florida Keys, and the theme was protecting the sea turtles’ nesting beaches.

Selecting evocative names for protagonists and antagonists reinforces their characterizations and enhances the story. I research online for significant words in foreign languages, then use them as the characters’ names or nicknames, as shown above with Keya. The names capture the story’s essence.

If characters’ names still don’t seem important, consider the following scenario. 

Four clergymen and their wives were flying back from an interdenominational conference when the plane crashed, and the four couples arrived at the Pearly Gates.

Saint Peter took the first preacher aside. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in. You were addicted to food and had a sweet tooth. In fact, you loved chocolate so much you married a woman named Candy.” Off they went to hell.

Saint Peter then addressed the second parson. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in. You loved the almighty dollar more than the Lord. In fact, you loved money so much you married a woman named Penny.” Off they went to hell.

Saint Peter spoke to the third minister. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in. You loved demon rum more than the Lord. In fact, you loved alcohol so much you married a woman named Brandy.” Off they went to hell.

The fourth preacher turned to his wife. “We don’t have a prayer, Fanny.”

What about the titles of your novels?

I keep a running list of titles that come to me at odd times–when I’m walking the dog, driving, or shopping for milk. (I admit to loving alliteration: Seven Summers, Cats and Cactus, Sacred Stone.) Each time I begin another book, I scour that list for ideas, then wordplay, using those words as the basis for the next title. 

For a series title, for example, I might use Saline Series–think salt–briny–brackish. Then I brainstorm.

TITLE: Salt of the Earth

TITLE: Worth His/Her Salt

TITLE: [With a] Pinch of Salt

TITLE: Salt and Pepper–Differing Couples: old/young, different races/types/personalities

TITLE: Salt Away

TITLE: [Rub] Salt in the Wound

TITLE: [Throw] Salt Over His/Her Shoulder

TITLE: Old Salt–Brackish Mariner

Excerpt

“Ava, are you all right?”

“Yes…” His anxious eyes cleared my mind like fog lights cutting through mist. “I am all right…no thanks to you.”

“I deserve that.” His chin dropped on his chest.

“That and so much more.” This time, anger rose in my throat like acid reflux.

After the breakup, I couldn’t mention the bastard’s name for a year. Always questioning what I’d done wrong, I finally realized his leaving was his flaw–not mine. Then I fantasized telling him off, rehearsing what I’d say and how I’d say it…

But now, face to face, the bluster left me.

Worry lines radiated from his glistening eyes. 

Mute testament to what? Grief? Remorse? Like drops of water eroding stone, what thoughts etched those furrows? His face was haggard. His looks have changed, but has he?

“Your behavior two years ago was unconscionable.” I pressed five, and the elevator doors started to close. “I shouldn’t have come.”

He intercepted, and the doors reopened. “Please stay…” 

I took a deep breath, debating. Then rather than hold up the car again, I stepped into the vestibule.

“Can you forgive me?” A deep V showed between his red-rimmed eyes.

“No. Standing me up on my birthday was bad enough, but eloping…That was unforgiveable–and crocodile tears won’t help.”

“Yet here you are…” A light flickered in his moist eyes.

“I know.” I glared at my nemesis in a silent standoff, annoyed as I stifled a sigh. “What I don’t know is why.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor Emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Connect with Karen: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenHuleneBartell

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/karenbartell 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuleneKaren 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/karenhulenebartell/    

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/611950.Karen_Hulene_Bartell   

Website: http://www.KarenHuleneBartell.com/  

Email: info@KarenHuleneBartell.com 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/karenhulenebartell  

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-hulene-bartell 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhulenebartell/  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

A randomly drawn winner will be awarded a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.

 

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release – Arresting Alan by Amber Daulton

Arresting Alan 

Series: Arresting Onyx (book 4)

Release Date: April 9th, 2024

Publisher: Daulton Publishing

Cover Designer: Satin Rose Designs

ASIN: B0C887HXK9

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 85k

Heat Rating: 5 Flames

A hacker, a federal agent, and a crime boss. The time has come to fight.

Computer technician Alan Harding is no saint, but his squeaky-clean image is unshakable in the eyes of his family and especially his young son. After he agrees to assist a drug lord-turned-snitch and hack into a criminal database, he’s faced with an impossible challenge—keeping his hands and heart away from his sexy-as-sin bodyguard, DEA Special Agent Hannah Adler.

Hannah would rather go hand-to-hand with an assailant than go undercover as Alan’s girlfriend, but she’s determined to keep him safe and his illegal activities on the down low. The handsome man and his adorable child, however, are more than she bargained for.

Once their enemies learn the truth and retaliate by kidnapping Alan’s son, they’ll have to race against the clock to save the boy and bring a dangerous empire to its knees.

~ Book 4 in the sexy romantic suspense series, Arresting Onyx.

Excerpt

She flexed her hands, determined to take the high road. “I’m sorry about this morning, flipping out on you and all. What happened last night was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

“Bullshit. I know your job is tough. Your bitchy façade is what you want the world to see, but I’m not the world. Keep your apology and tell me what’s in your heart. It’s not the chunk of frozen coal you pretend it is. You burned like liquid fire when I touched you and clung to me as we slept. Don’t deny it. You owe us both better than that.”

She pursed her lips and dropped her gaze. The heart in question ached from his astute assessment.

“Forget it.” He turned back around and jabbed his fingers at the keyboard.

A long string of letters, numbers, and symbols popped up in the black window.

She cursed and seized the steps between them to gently squeeze his shoulder. “My heart’s not frozen, but you’re a temptation I can’t afford. I won’t deny what happened or how it made me feel, but don’t expect a repeat.”

He halted his tirade on the keys and stared straight ahead at the computer with glassy, unfocused eyes behind his black-rimmed glasses.

“Are you okay?” She swished her hand in front of his face and snapped her fingers.

His Adam’s apple bobbed like he swallowed a marble.

He half-turned and grasped her hand so quickly that she jumped. Her stomach clenched from his suddenly sharp gaze on her face. Oh yes, she was in trouble. Alan had breached her defenses, pierced her soul, and reached her vulnerable side. That ended now.

She straightened, taking full advantage of her superior height with him in the chair. “Grow up, Alan, and forget about your little crush on me. Whatever you have going on in your head where I’m concerned is ridiculous.”

“Crush?” He feathered his thumb over her knuckles and tightened his grip when she tried to pull back. “Go ahead, fight the draw between us all you want. You won’t win. I said yesterday I’d wait for you. Now I’ve tasted you and felt you shatter in my arms. If I have to wait a lifetime to hold you again, fine. You’re worth the wait.”

A sob burned in her throat. She’d waited so long for a man she cared about to claim her. Now that it happened, she itched to run away. “Believe what you like, but nothing will come from it.” Again, her stomach twisted.

“We’ll see.” He released her and commenced typing with a much lighter touch. As she retreated across the room, he cleared his throat with a cough. “But know this, Hannah baby—I’m not giving you up without a fight. If you don’t want me, you’ll have to prove it.”

Add it to Goodreads – https://bit.ly/ArrestingAlanGoodreads

Check it out on BookBub – https://bit.ly/ArrestingAlanBookbub

Only 99 cents for a limited time! 

Universal link – https://books2read.com/arrestingalan

Amazon – https://amzn.to/3CQFCuh

Apple/iBooks – https://apple.co/3PE4vAA

Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arresting-alan-amber-daulton/1143584871?ean=2940160981956

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/arresting-alan 

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=d2vCEAAAQBAJ 

About the Author

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print-on-demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

Social Media Links

Universal link – https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Exclusive Newsletter (free ebook to new subscribers) – https://amberdaulton.com/newsletter-signup/

AuThursday – Dean L. Hovey

Please Welcome Dean L. Hovey to The Clog Blog!  Dean can you tell us a little about yourself and your background. 

I’m a science and writing geek. Seriously, I was educated as a scientist. I’ve always written, and I’ve enjoyed writing, from the high school newspaper to technical scientific articles. I started writing my first mystery about 1995 after making a New Year’s resolution to stop watching television and make better use of my time. “Where Evil Hides” was published by a small press in 2000. That’s been followed by 32 other mysteries. “Family Trees” won the Northeastern Minnesota Book Award for best fiction in 2016. I joined BWL Publishing in 2019 and have been among their best-selling authors ever since.

How do you make time to write? 

I try to write every morning. Having momentum is critical, and writing every day keeps my mind engaged and the ideas flowing. I make myself a cup of coffee, settle into my favorite chair, fire up the laptop, and I let the characters speak. Many times, it’s not “making time to write”, it’s more a matter of being rousted from bed by my fictional characters who demand that I get up and capture their thoughts. Seriously!

Do you believe in writer’s block? 

I know it’s a real problem for some writers. The famous mystery writer, Jan Burke, explained how to deal with it. Momentum is the key and if you’re uninspired, you have to write something absolutely terrible to maintain the flow. It’s easier to go back and rewrite the bad stuff than it is to lose momentum and try to restart.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it. 

I’ve always read mysteries. My parents always had Erle Stanley Gardner, Ellery Queen, and other mystery books around the house. I read those and was hooked. I think the intelligent detective sifting through the clues intrigued me. I still love salting in scientific and medical tidbits that seem unrelated but are later revealed to be key to solving the crime.

How are you publishing your recent book and why?

I have a traditional publisher, BWL in Alberta, Canada. Having a traditional publisher frees me from the drudgery of publishing details. They supply a wonderfully supportive editor whose role is to make my book even better. They also handle the formatting, cover design, and much of the marketing, which frees me to focus on writing, which is the fun part!

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?  

I’m one of the rare extrovert authors. Being an extrovert helps when I’m talking to book clubs, bookstores, libraries, and readers. I love talking about books with anyone. It’s detrimental because I’m easily distracted by conversation and will easily let my mind wander. I’ve discovered that most authors tend to be introverts who live their lives through their fictional characters, doing things that never happened, in places that don’t exist. As a panel discussion moderator once told me at a Tucson book convention, “I’ve found my tribe here! Nearly everyone here is an introvert who lives a richer fictional life than their real life.”

What is your favorite motivational phrase? 

“I didn’t have time to write a short letter.”

That’s from Mark Twain. It illustrates the difficulty every successful author has in writing succinct, yet meaningful fiction with enough detail to engage the reader, without putting them to sleep.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

Write three pages a day! Do that every day, and you’ll have a book at the end of a year.

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web? 

Facebook.com/Dean.Hovey.94

https://bookswelove.net/hovey-dean/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dean-L.-Hovey/author/B00J78JMLY

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

Drawing a sharp breath, Peggy reached into her back pocket for her cell phone. Punching 911 into the keypad, she waited two rings before the dispatcher answered. “Crook County emergency services. How can I assist you?”

Having not considered what she was going to say when the phone was answered, Peggy stated what came to her mind. “I’m looking at a dead body. Could you send someone over to fetch it?”

“Is the body human?”

Peggy cocked her head to examine details that became clearer as he eyes adjusted to the shadows behind the building. “It appears so.”

“You can’t tell?” The dispatcher asked.

“It’s complicated. It’s kind of tangled in some brush partway up a hill.”

“Do you need an ambulance?”

“No, this soul is well past the ambulance stage.”

“Where are you, ma’am?”

“I’m standing behind the Vore Buffalo Jump Museum building.”

“Where exactly is that?”

“It’s along the Wyoming interstate, between the Beulah and Aladdin exits.”

“I’ll dispatch a deputy to your location. The nearest officer is in Hulett, so it might take him the better part of a half hour to get there, if he’s through with lunch.”

“There’s no rush. Whoever this is, isn’t going anywhere.”

Dean L. Hovey is awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  

Enter to win a $20 Amazon/bN GC – a rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/10/vbt-western-justice-by-dean-l-hovey.html

Jolabokaflod!

“Jolabokaflod is about giving and receiving books and enjoying delicious treats while reading. Pairing books with Jolabokaflod chocolate or other goodies is a popular custom as part of the Jolabokaflod celebration. In Iceland, Jolabokaflod chocolate is a big part of Christmas and is often gifted alongside books.” ~https://www.campervaniceland.com/

If you are looking for a Book Flood Read may I recommend Tales from the Frozen North which includes my short story, “Snow by any other name”.  

In the Frozen North, there is something about settling into a comfortable chair with a warm beverage and reading a good book.

With a variety of short stories, poems, and a record blizzard, this anthology will appeal to a broad range of readers.

So settle in and enjoy, Tales from the Frozen North.

Amy Scheibe * Barbara Bustamante * Sadie Mendenhall-Cariveau * Rick Bylina * William Bartlett * TJ Fier * Marc de Celle * Tina Holland * Donna R. Wood * Brandi Malarkey * Lyn Stoltenow * Susette Quinn * Alexander Vayle * Wayne McFarland * Jason Bursack * Robin Cain * Chris Stenson * Eileen Tronnes Nelson

Tales from the Frozen North is available wherever you purchase your books (digital or otherwise). 

AuThursday – Jasmine Hill

Please welcome, Jasmine Hill to The Clog Blog!   Jasmine, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m an erotic romance author and have been writing and publishing my books since 2013. I’ve always loved reading and immersed myself in stories from a young age. I’m Australian but I’ve lived in India and Spain and have travelled widely. I draw on these experiences, plus those provided by life in general, combined with a healthy dose of imagination, to bring my stories to life.

How do you make time to write?

I set aside some time in the morning or afternoon to dedicate to writing. Basically, I like to reserve a few hours a day for my writing commitments. This isn’t possible for everyone but I think as long as you’re dedicated, you can find a schedule that works for you.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Definitely! For me, sometimes the words just don’t come. When this occurs, I put down what I’m working on and take some time to reassess and regroup. Sometimes, reading over what I’ve written helps, or I start working on something else for a while.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.

I write erotic romance. I’ve always loved the romance genre but I find the erotic genre so much more satisfying to read and write. Sweet romance makes me frustrated as I’m always left wanting the characters to take things to the next level. I also find that erotic romance gives me more scope and material to work with — for me, it’s exciting.

How are you publishing your recent book and why? 

All my books have been published traditionally, through Totally Bound Publishing. This works for me for a number of reasons. My publisher has experienced editors who work with the authors through the editorial process. They also provide cover art and cover art packs to assist with social media promotion and they help authors with advertising and promotional activities. Basically, my publisher is with me every step of the way. Traditional and indie publishing each have different benefits and/or drawbacks. As an author, you have to decide what works best for you and your creative vision.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?

Extrovert — at least I think I am. I enjoy meeting new people, going to new places, and social situations. I think this helps my writing process as I’m not shy about talking to people and I enjoy hearing their stories. Frank and open conversations can be incredibly beneficial. I also don’t mind discussing my writing and asking people’s opinions about it. Any feedback, good or bad, is always helpful.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go” — Carol Burnett

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read as much as you can in the genre in which you want to write. But most importantly, have fun and don’t give up!

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

www.jasminehillromance.com amazon.com/author/jasminehill

www.totallybound.com/author/jasmine-hill

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

This is an excerpt from my latest novel (general release 5th Dec 2023). “Candy Canes and Cuffs: Sold to the Billionaire“.

Ashley trained her focus on her prey. She could tell that she’d gained his attention. His narrowed gaze hadn’t left hers, the intensity of his stare sending goosebumps skipping down her spine. The photos she’d studied of Talbot Stone had done nothing to prepare her for seeing the man in person.

His hair fell in sexy waves just past his ears. His square, stubbled jaw flexed tight as his silver gaze pierced hers, and his bespoke tux stretched taut over a broad, muscular chest that tapered to a trim waist. The photos didn’t do justice to the man in the flesh.

He smirked, a subtle tilt of his lips that was at once ominous and sexy. He had dominant alpha male written all over him—it all but seeped from his pores. This man would be formidable. A shudder of anxiety rippled through her and conversely, desire pooled in her core. Oh my God, what’s he doing to me?

The bidding started high and soon Talbot was locked in a war with another billionaire. She’d done it. She’d succeeded at gaining his interest and it seemed that he had no intentions of losing. Her head spun as the bids reached dizzying amounts. She had no time to calculate what she would receive before the next bid, her value in dollars, was barked at the auctioneer.

The room fell silent as Talbot stood, planted both palms on the table, and glared at his opponent. “Two million dollars!”

A collective gasp shook the room followed by murmurs of disbelief. Ashley couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. The highest bid thus far had been just over one million. Talbot had doubled that in one offer.

She did a quick calculation and realised in amazement that minus the ten percent that she owed the organisers, she’d pocket an astounding one point eight million dollars. Holy shit! She’d never contemplated such a sum…and all she had to do was be Talbot Stone’s submissive for a week.

Her head swam and she watched in anxiety as Talbot’s opponent shook his head and gestured to the stage. “She’s yours, Stone. Congratulations.”

The auctioneer gave a triumphant shout. “Sold! Merry Christmas!”

Talbot nodded once then turned to face her with his arm outstretched. “Come here, little sub.”

Ashley stepped off the small stage and walked on shaking legs towards him. The auction was over and so too was the adrenaline rush that had been firing her system. Just as she reached her new Dom, her legs gave out, but his reflexes were fast—quick as a flash, he swept her up into his arms.

He gazed down at her. “You need to lie down before the after-party.”

She’d forgotten about the party.

“I’d like to skip it, but it’s protocol and expected of us.” Carrying her bridal style, he started towards the door.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To my stateroom.”

“I have an assigned cabin.”

He gave her an inscrutable look. “I’m aware, but in case you’re not, you’re mine now.”

How could she forget? She’d thought, however naïvely, that she’d have a little time to herself before she had to succumb to his Dom’s demands.

AuThursday – Forest Wells

---

Please welcome Forest Wells to The Clog Blog! Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m an author with Dysgraphia, but those things don’t go together so I did them anyway. I was born and raised in a small town, and I have a strong passion for all things wild canine. I also enjoy reading anything with a good story, be it a show, game, or book. Really I was writing all my life, but 9/11 is what fully woke the muse. It was roughly that October that I first began my first novels. It was a long journey to hone my craft, but I managed to get my first novel published in 2019, and have since published two more, with another close to hitting the content edits phase. I have a couple of shorter works published through anthology collections and one magazine that is now sadly defunct. All of my books are self-published, and while marketing effectively has been a struggle, to put it mildly, I have gotten feedback that suggests what I write is good. I just suck at marketing.

How do you make time to write?

I don’t. I write when I can nudge the muse into working. This can mean long spells of no writing, but I’ve found that for me at least if I try to force something, it does far more harm than good. So if the words just aren’t coming, I do better by denying it a battle. That said, when I have time, I do try to nudge as much as I can to get things moving if only a page at a time.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Oh gosh yes. I DO believe not all suffer from it, but it’s a real thing.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.

I tend towards sci-fi and/or fantasy, mostly because it’s a genre I love spending time in. Be it Honor Harrington and Firekeeper, Dragon Age and Mass Effect, or Babylon 5 and DragonHeart, I’ve always enjoyed the stories told with them. It also gives me the freedom to just make the world I need to tell my story in, rather than having to base too much on “reality”. Current science says we can’t travel faster than light. I get to play in a world where we find out, we were wrong about that (and personally, I think it’s arrogant to think we know for sure that’s the case. We’ve been wrong before).

How are you publishing your recent book and why? 

Self-published again. These days, most publishers want a sure thing they can fit into a neat little box. I don’t write things that fit into neat little boxes. I know who my target audience is, but publishers still want that box, or they want you to be a master marketer before they give you a chance. I had…my target, demanding the rest of the book and a sequel (they got a prequel), along with several adults saying the same, after hearing just the first chapter. Publishers STILL said, “It won’t appeal to a wide audience.” This made it clear that they couldn’t see the potential of it because it didn’t fit their boxes. There is also the freedom aspect. No deadlines (which helps me navigate my learning disability A LOT), no story points THEY want, total control over events and the cover.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?

Midvert? I’m not sure really. I can be outgoing and engaging, but I also like my peace and quiet. It helps when I do things in person because I can interact with and engage with people at events and signings instead of being the shy, withdrawn author at a table.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

You will never be Steven King, he will never be you. Don’t write like Steven King, write like YOU. Try many methods and tricks, but find the ones that work for YOU best. For example; do try to write every day to start, but it is just as likely to NOT be best for YOU. But in trying, you will find a way to poke the muse into working.

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

My website has links to everywhere I can be found. https://www.forestwells.com/

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

“You need anything for serving?” he called into the kitchen.

“Got all I need, Jason, thank you,” Marcy said. Jason closed the cabinets, only to have Marcy’s voice freeze him a second later. “Although, would you grab a big bowl? I forgot to account for Carter.”

“And what does that mean?” Carter asked.

“Exactly what you think it means. One of these days, I’m going to give you a whole sack of potatoes and call it even.”

“I’m a soldier. I need the energy.”

“You’re a professional mooch that needs a spanking.”

“It’s your own fault. It smells like combat in there. It sends my body into ‘prepare for war’ mode.”

“You try anything, and you’ll see combat.”

Jason laughed while carefully lifting a large white serving bowl trimmed in gold from a short stack. Flower and tree patterns in the same color decorated the sides, as it did much of their dinnerware. It always seemed like overkill to Jason but it actually hadn’t been that expensive. Nor was it the best they had by far.

He took it into the kitchen and set it beside the stove where Marcy was working with several things: a pot of potatoes bubbling nicely under a glass cover, a savory soup that would become gravy soon enough, and of course, the glaze for her meatloaf. She never served her casserole without her meatloaf. Even now, he could find hints of what smelled like cooked bread coming from the oven. How she achieved that was a family secret she refused to share. The glaze smelled of hot ketchup, which only made his mouth water, knowing what it was going to taste like.

Carter’s right, it does smell like combat in here. The thought drew another chuckle. Soldiers often ate well unless in the field, but any time a battle was expected, the mess hall always found a way to set out the best of their cooking. Many a soldier knew they’d be seeing combat based on the smell; thus, the phrase was born. Forty years of war was enough for it to reach the civilian populace, where it was now a common way to comment on how good a meal smelled. And today, Marcy’s cooking smelled like a suicide mission.

“You really need to patent that, my dear,” Jason said, offering an affectionate kiss on his wife’s neck. “You could retire.”

Marcy put a hand on his in reply. “Then you’d be the only one saving lives. No, Jason, I’m happy enough seeing my guests drool.”

“Speaking of which. What have you got for our furred companions?” Jason was not relenting on his affection.

“The usual. They aren’t as picky as we are, remember.”

“And Sundale?”

“Don’t worry. He’ll get his cheese.” Jason moved to her ear, which drew a short giggle.

“Now come on, Major. Get out.” He kept going.

“Jason! Jason, get out of here before you make me burn something.”

“As if you’d allow it.”

AuThursday – This could be you!

I’m currently looking for interview candidates for this spot. If you are interested, please e-mail me (hyperlink) with Interview in the subject line or you can fill out this handy-dandy form. https://forms.gle/GMaJuwSxLSjrtpKy5

Hope to hear from you soon!

~Tina