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Kathryn Bain Five on Friday
Today, I welcome Kathryn Bain to Five on Friday. She writes Christian fiction, so please check out her books and follow her on social media. And remember…always leave a review for the books you read on Amazon! They are important to an author!!
Kathryn J. Bain is an award-winning author of Christian, mystery, and suspense, including the Lincolnville Mystery series and KT Morgan short suspense series.
Ms. Bain has garnered several awards, including First Place for Short Suspense in the IDA (Independent Digital Awards), two Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Awards and a First Place Royal Palm Literary Award for Inspirational Fiction.
A past President of Florida Sisters in Crime and Public Relations Director for Ancient City Romance Authors, Kathryn enjoys doing talks and teaching about writing.
Kathryn has also been a paralegal for over twenty years and works for an attorney who specializes in elder law.
The Visitor
(The First in the KT Morgan Series)
“The Tension builds on each page.”
When Christine Westman bumps against a stranger in a Jacksonville supermarket, the killer gives her only one month to live. He moves into Christine’s walk-in closet and watches her nightly preparing for the day of her death. Can Christine survive when midnight hits and The Visitor comes calling?
Small Town Terror
(The Second in the KT Morgan Series)
Winner of the 2016 Independent Digital Awards for Short Suspense
“This gripping story didn’t disappoint.”
Strangers are a rare commodity in Bisby, a small town fading away in a quiet corner of North Carolina. Liz Corman runs the town’s diner while her husband Billy tends to the auto shop next door. When KT Morgan’s vehicle breaks down, Liz reluctantly offers the intriguing stranger the use of their spare room. The drama that unfolds with KT’s arrival is nothing compared to what awaits Liz and the town folk, as three men head their way with revenge and murder on their agenda.
Reunion
(The Third in the KT Morgan Series)
…another edge of your seat, hanging by your fingernails, suspenseful offering
Twelve-year-old Becky Sidleman thinks things might be looking up when she bumps into KT Morgan in the small town of Marshland, Indiana. However, two men on their way will show Becky that sometimes excitement isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
Rayleene Davenport’s world turns upside down when she learns of her husband’s one-night stand. They eventually separate, but when she receives a call that he’s been shot, she rushes to him. After discovering someone placed a hit on him, she decides to help him recuperate in Lincolnville, Georgia. Can she rebuild the trust lost before a killer ends their reunion for good?
One mistake has grown into a nightmare for Ty Davenport. He’s on the verge of losing the one person he loves most in the world, his wife, Rayleene. During his recuperation, they start to grow closer again, however, a killer in the shadows comes out of hiding. And Ty soon discovers Rayleene is hiding a painful secret that can do more to destroy their marriage than any killer’s weapon.
And Now….for Kathryn’s Five on Friday Questions.
If you could choose your last meal, and you weren’t in prison, what would it be?
Have to be chili cheese fries from Mudville Grille on Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville. They are the best in the city.
If there was one person, real, fiction or fantasy, you could spend time with, who would it be and why?
Harlan Coban. He does the best twists in his books. I’ll think I figured out who the bad guy is and by the end of the chapter, this same person has been killed. His books definitely keep me reading. I’d love to pick his brain.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.- Alfred Hitchcock. I try to write my diehard suspense stories like The Visitor with this quote in mind.
If you could be a character from one of your books, who would it be and why?
I’d love to have KT Morgan’s bravery. She doesn’t let anything stop her, yet she has brains enough to know to call the police before she walks into a desperate situation.
Your four fantasy guests for a dinner party…living or dead.
Jesus Christ, God, Madalyn Murray O’Hair who was the person who brought Atheism to light in this country and was later murdered along with her son and granddaughter by a coworker, and William Joseph Simmons who was the head of the KKK back in the early 1920’s. Imagine the conversation at this table. How would Madalyn feel about sitting next to Jesus Christ, the person she claimed didn’t exist, and how would William explain to God how he hated a color that God chose for someone’s skin. Definitely be an interesting evening.
https://www.facebook.com/Kathryn-J-Bain-248456325239552/
Iris Blobel New Release
Today, I’m happy to feature a new release by Iris Blobel. Be sure and check out Fresh Beginnings, along with all of her other books, and follow her on social media.
~~ Fresh Beginnings ~~
(2nd Edition)
by Iris Blobel
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2kyJsm9
AMAZON AU: http://amzn.to/2hWGjMh
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2xsEtF2iBooks
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2z7TPk5
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2g4b5C6
♥♦♥ BLURB ♥♦♥
Jared Fraser, a landscape business owner in Hobart, Australia, sets out for a holiday to the USA to travel along the Route 66 in a motorhome. Looking forward to his first holiday overseas, he’s excited as he prepares himself for the journey. But little could’ve prepared him for crossing paths with a beautiful hitchhiker.
Will he be able to put his past aside and grab onto happiness?
Ivy Bennett thought leaving her boyfriend would be the hard part. It doesn’t take long to figure out how wrong she was. As she struggles with making a new start in her life, the last person she expects to lead her to happiness is a laid-back Australian on vacation.
But she will have to say goodbye again? And not only to Jared.
♥♦♥ EXCERPT ♥♦♥
IVY enjoyed being with Jared. During their drive towards the Grand Canyon, he told her of his home and described as much of Tasmania as possible.
“I always imagined Australia to be hot with white beaches and beautiful water.”
“That’s up in the north in Queensland,” he explained. “We have spectacular beaches as well. Tasmania is a small island in the very south. The last step before the Antarctica, so to speak.”
“That sounds cold!”
He laughed. “It clearly isn’t Queensland.” Settling his gaze on her, he continued, “But it has beautiful beaches as well. And a wonderful marine life. And the mountains. We have some stunning mountains in Tassie.”
“Tassie?”
“Tasmania.”
“It sounds beautiful.”
He agreed. “Yes, it is. One of the best places on earth.”
Once they arrived at the National Park, they found a parking spot and walked towards the edge of the Canyon. She touched his arm to get his attention. Not that she needed to. His attentive nature drew her to him, and she couldn’t get enough of listening to him.
“I feel bad that you pay for everything,” she said in a low voice.
Jared waved his hand. “Nah. It’s only money and luckily the Australian dollar is—”
“Whether you can or can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter. I don’t like it.”
He stopped and turned towards her, causing heat inside her body. Her breath caught but she kept walking, yet, it took him only a few steps to catch up with her and, by way of placing his hand on her shoulder, to stop her.
“Wanna tell me why?”
Avoiding his stare, she lifted her shoulder in a casual shrug.
“A shrug is not really an answer, ya know that, right?”
Yes, she knew that. How could she tell him that she’d left Dylan because he’d spent all the money she’d worked so hard for? She didn’t want to be in the same situation, as in spending someone else’s hard-earned money. But deep inside she didn’t want to hurt Jared, either. She was enjoying her time with him so much, she wasn’t ready for it to end because of some silly pride.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a little squirrel in the bushes and despite some guilt inside, it was a perfect distraction.
“Look!” she said louder than she’d intended. “A squirrel.”
With great relief, she noticed how her devious plan had worked. Jared quickly grabbed his camera and kneeled down to get the best shot possible of this little creature.
Kneeling next to him, she asked, “Don’t you have squirrels?”
Still trying to get that perfect photo of the little creature, he whispered, “Nope.”
♥♦♥ MEET THE AUTHOR ♥♦♥
IRIS BLOBEL
Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London as well as Canada where she met her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper has only emerged recently, but now her laptop is a constant companion.
Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.
Next to her job at a private school, she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.
Social Media Links:
Click here to subscribe to Iris’ Newsletter
** Website ** Blog ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads ** Amazon Author Page **
Does is Snow in Portugal During the Holiday Season?
Does it snow in Portugal during the holiday season?
Feliz Natal means Merry Christmas in Portuguese!
I had such fun writing A Portuguese Christmas, my sweet romance contemporary novella. And, in turn, I learned a great deal about Portugal and the country’s lack of snow during the holiday season.
The story is set in December. Krystal Walters, the heroine, is an American professional surfer and is competing in Portugal during the holidays in a world-class surfing event. She misses the snow and envisions returning to her home in wintry Rhode Island to celebrate Christmas with her father.
However, the average temperature in Portugal in December/January boasts a high of 59 degrees, with temperatures dipping to a low 46 degrees. So, snow is very rare, especially in the cities, such as Lisbon.
Through my research, I also learned that Portugal’s climate is diverse. The river Tejo runs through Lisbon, and any regions south are warm and dry, and reportedly it’s only snowed there once in twenty years.
Any regions north of the river are rainy and cold in winter.
Here’s the first cover of A Portuguese Christmas.
The hero, Adolfo, is an olive farmer, and, to me, this hero didn’t look like a man who farms. Those of you who’ve heard me praise my wonderful cover artist, know I trust her judgment. However, in addition to a hero who didn’t fit my vision, she forgot one important thing. There’s no snow in Portugal!
However, I LOVE the hero on my current cover, which was unanimously approved by my reader’s group!
The moment world-class surfer Krystal disappears under a mountain of sea water, Adolfo’s single-minded focus shifts from running his Portuguese olive farm to keeping the sun-kissed American spitfire safe. But first, he’ll have to convince her that spending Feliz Natal with him isn’t the end of the world. Because she’s become the center of his.
Do you like snow during the holiday season, or do you prefer warm, sunny weather?
Feliz Natal!
A Portuguese Christmas is on pre-order and will be available November 7th.
Reserve your copy today!
Social media:
“Like” her Author Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Josie.Riviera/
Connect with her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010936808977
Follow her on twitter: @josieriviera
https://twitter.com/Josieriviera
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josie_riviera/
PInterest: https://www.pinterest.com/josieriviera/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6587492.Josie_Riviera
Follow her on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Josie-Riviera/e/B009POZLGU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/josie-riviera
Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
Subscribe to her newsletter for a free ebook on her website: josieriviera.com
Five on Friday Special Offer from Madison Michael
Today, I welcome Madison Michael to Five on Friday. She has a special offer, so check it out, and be sure to follow her on social media!
Madison Michael, a native Chicagoan with a background in IT, is the author of two other “Beguiling Bachelor” novels. “Bedazzled” is set among the art fairs that flavor Chicago summers, and “Beholden” spans the glamour of lakefront houses and the glitter of downtown. After living in New England, the southeast, and California, Maddy loves paying homage to her Midwest roots.
Madison, a member of Romance Writers of America, lives in Evanston IL with two feline editorial assistants and a great view of the Chicago skyline. When she is not writing, she binge-watches TV, binge reads novels and binges on Chicago’s famous cuisine.
Available for a limited time in the Sultry Nights Collection – 22 steamy stories for under a dollar www.romancecollections.com/sultry-nights
Charlotte Roche is escaping a menacing threat in Boston when she moves to Chicago for a new job and a new man. Alex is smart, sexy and quickly getting under Charlotte’s skin. A shared love of running gives the sassy beauty an excuse to be near her heart’s desire, but can Charlotte run Alex from the track to the bedroom without divulging her past and risking everything?
Alex Gaines, wealthy banker and philanthropist, has held women at arm’s length all his life to protect long-held secrets of his own. Now he is torn between loving the alluring Charlotte and protecting his dual lives. Can Alex trust Charlotte with the truth or is risking his fortune and family to pursue her? Can the two fall in love when they are bedeviled by lies and half-truths?
When danger follows Charlotte to Chicago threatening her safety and their futures, Charlotte and Alex are forced to make a hard decision – choose the secrets of their past or a future together.
Bedeviled is the third novel in the Beguiling Bachelor series, a trio of steamy contemporary romances set amidst the luxury of Chicago’s elite society. You might also enjoy the first two books in the series, Bedazzled and Beholden.
Five questions Maddy chose to answer.
Who would play the two lead roles in your book if it were made into a movie?
When I am writing a novel or developing a character for a novel, I always clip photos to help me visualize my leads. If I can, I get several different poses and expressions. I want to know them as flesh and blood people, not just words on a page. Initially, I just chose random pictures from magazines – models – but I quickly gravitated to actors. For Bedeviled, I visualized a young Kristin Scott Thomas as Charlotte and Michael Fassbender as Alex. They are both too old for the characters now though. I would have a tough time choosing their replacements. Perhaps Sam Heughan from Outlander and Anna Kendrick from Pitch Perfect. Hmmm, that might work well.
Ann: I basically do the same thing! I make a vision board with characters, locations, pets, etc.!!
What genre is your favorite to read?
I love to read historical fiction, including historical romance. I love learning about other times and places through fiction. It has always worked better for me than any history class. One of my favorite authors for detailed research and great storytelling is Rosalind Laker. Check out her novel To Dance with Kings. You’ll be a fan.
Ann: I was a terrible history student, so therefore I never developed an interest. However, I could sit and listen to my daddy talk about the “good old days” for hours!
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Swift and resolute action leads to success; self-doubt is a prelude to disaster” or as I prefer to say he who hesitates is lost”. The proverb is by English essayist and poet Joseph Addison and fits me to a ‘T’ and I believe in jumping in with both feet, looking before you leap and all the other clichés associated with acting before thinking. I think it’s better to live this way, but maybe I am simply justifying my own impetuous behavior.
Ann: I’m a planner, a list maker, an over-thinker. I rarely jump before looking…for days!
What is your favorite thing to do during your spare time…besides writing?
I love eating everything from the finest gourmet dining to Chicago’s best cuisines – hot dogs and pizza. I love exploring the city for a day trip too, maybe an art festival or a street fair, maybe antiquing in a small town or just wandering. I carry a notebook and most of these places eventually end up in a novel. And I love binge watching all the TV I miss when I am immersed in writing a book. Currently, I am halfway through all 50 episodes of Orphan Black.
Ann: Once I started thinking of writing as a business, spare time causes me great guilt!! I always feel like I should be writing. It’s a terrible habit I’m trying to break.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming releases we should be looking out for?
I still have one final book in the Beguiling Bachelor Series, but it will not come out until Spring, 2018. Right now I am working on a novella. It is a time-travel romance I have wanted to write for a very long time about a couple that meets and falls in love although he is living in 2017 and she is living in 1950. I expect to write about 8 installments or chapters and offer it serially on my blog this winter. My beta readers hate the idea of waiting between installments, but I think that will be part of the fun.
Ann: It sounds as if you have plenty of projects. I never have enough time to do everything on my list. However, the list just keeps growing!! Good luck with all of yours. Thanks so much for sharing your work with my readers.
Five on Friday with Fran Thomas
Today, I welcome Fran Thomas to Five on Friday, where she’ll answer five questions about her personal and writing life. Please check out her book, and follow her on social media. And please remember, when you read a book, it is very important that you leave a review on Amazon!
Fran Thomas is a transplanted Pittsburgher now living on an island off the coast of Southwest Florida. She once was the editor of the newspaper in a small, quirky town not unlike the one in her Calusa Town Tales series.
What is your favorite thing to do during your spare time…besides writing?
Fran: I enjoy singing in the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida. Besides performing with the local symphony orchestra, we do a couple self-produced concerts each year.
Ann: It stands to reason you’d be involved in another aspect of “the arts.” It seems most authors I know dabble in another form of creativity, be it performing, crafting, painting, etc.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Fran: I have always wanted to live in a college town. I think it would be wonderful to have lots of lectures, art exhibits, and plays to attend.
Ann: I lived in a college town for several years, and you’re right. There is always something going on. Now that I don’t live there anymore, I wish I had done more things while there! Just never enough time!!
If you could be best friends with any author, who’d you pick for your new BFF?
Fran: I’d pick Janet Evanovich. Her books always make me laugh out loud. I bet she’s a hoot.
Ann: Well, if she’s anything like she writes, then she is a hoot!
If you could choose your last meal, and you weren’t in prison, what would it be?
Fran: I’d have a gooey hunk of brie, a baguette, some grapes, and copious amounts of champagne. In fact, this is pretty much what my husband and I eat for special occasions and sometimes for no occasion at all.
Ann: That sounds fancy!!
Describe your book in one word.
Fran: Frothy
Ann: That means it’s light and entertaining!
Blurb:
Zumba teacher Isabella Ramos moved from Miami to quirky, small town Calusa to open a restaurant. Luc Girard arrives on the Florida island to become a painter, or so he says. The attraction is instant. But the secret he’s keeping threatens to deflate their relationship like a fallen soufflé. It takes just the right mixture of ingredients for dreams to come true.
Buy links:
Kindle http://amzn.to/2wqWXXi
Paperback http://amzn.to/2emF5Vy
Social links:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RusticatingInTheTropics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RusticTropics
Website http://www.RusticatingintheTropics.com
Five on Friday with John DeBoer
Today, I’d like to welcome my cyber friend, John DeBoer. He and I met via thenextbigwriter.com back in 2011. He taught me to introduce a few minor characters in my books so that if I needed one to drop in again later to advance the story, I’d have them! Thanks, John!!
Please check out all of John’s many books and follow him on social media. Also, since today is his birthday, leave him best wishes in the comments!! Happy Birthday, John!!
After graduating from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, John L. DeBoer, M.D., F.A.C.S. completed surgical training in the U.S. Army and then spent three years in the Medical Corps as a general surgeon. Thirty years of private practice later, he retired to begin a new career as a writer. A member of International Thriller Writers, Dr. DeBoer is the author of eight published novels. For the last twenty-eight years, he has called North Carolina home.
Now let’s find out which questions the good doctor chose to answer.
Q: Who would you like to spend time with, and why?
A: Wow, a lot of folks to choose from! But I’ll stick to the writing field and pick Nelson DeMille. He, like I, is a writer of thriller novels. Unlike me, he’s become rich doing it! We’re about the same age, so we have been around to experience the same movies and music – and books! – over the years. It would be fun to share our views. Since we write in the same genre, getting his take on the elements and crafting of a good thriller novel would be educational. Based on the main character of a number of his books, John Corey, I suspect DeMille is a bit of a wise-ass, as am I. I’d like to trade some good-natured barbs with him over a couple of drinks.
Ann: I bet you could match him barb for barb!
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes?
A: Again, lots to choose from. One of my favorites has always been Harry S. Truman’s line referring to a common outburst from supporters at public events: “Give ‘em hell, Harry!” Truman explained in his straightforward, no-nonsense way, “I don’t give them hell. I give them the truth, and they think it’s hell.” In today’s environment of fake news – both actual and claimed – and political correctness, that line is refreshing.
Ann: All I can say to that is…amen.
Q: Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks?
A: When I start writing a novel, I have only a vague idea of the plot, and I have no idea how it will end. I’ll outline a chapter, but I never outline the entire story. This technique has gotten me into trouble on occasion, like painting myself into a corner, and I can spend days on how to get out of my self-inflicted problem and advance the plot. I thought this approach was unusual until I came across this quote from E.L. Doctorow: “Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the entire journey that way.” Exactly! That’s how I write my stories, and it seems I’m not alone there.
Ann: Right there with you, John. I’ll have a general idea of the plot and I may know how I want the story to begin and end, but the middle is a mystery!
Q: Who would play the two lead roles in your book if it were made into a movie?
A: The protagonist of When the Reaper Comes is Adam Taylor, a former Navy SEAL who now works for a global paramilitary security company. He gets involved in combating a team of American ISIS soldiers. Colin Farrell would make a good Adam Taylor. The antagonist, Yusuf Khouri, is the leader of that ISIS team. Zach Braff matches the vision I had in my head for Khouri.
Ann: I always cast my stories. Having a visual helps me write the characters. You chose two good ones for When the Reaper Comes.
Q: If you could snap your fingers and make one thing happen, what would that be and why?
A: That would be an awesome power! I’ll skip the usual genie-lamp stuff like immense wealth and immortality, and the clichéd beauty contestant wish of world peace, for something that is, despite Einstein’s proscription, theoretically possible: elimination of the light-speed barrier. A Star Trek warp drive, if you will. This would allow us to achieve intergalactic space travel. Not only would this open a vast new frontier of discovery, it would enable the human race to spread out across the cosmos to ensure its continued existence as a species, a destiny that otherwise would be out of reach.
Ann: You’re so adventurous! It isn’t in my DNA. I’m such a stick in the mud!
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4107476.John_L_DeBoer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/John-L-DeBoers-novels-713214712080731/?ref=bookmarks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.deboer.90813
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Johnldeboer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-deboer-41548839/
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103724151847192926740
Website: http://www.novelsbyjohnldeboer.com
Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/author/johnldeboer
As the NSA gets a strong lead on one of the most prominent faces of ISIS, the Islamic State embarks on a bold course of action – an attack on American soil.
Former Navy SEAL Adam Taylor, on a break between assignments for a global paramilitary security firm, is visiting his folks in his hometown when he gets a new mission – provide security for a controversial rock star who’s in town to give a concert. Unknown to Adam, a team of American ISIS soldiers will soon arrive with a plan to wreak havoc on the Jersey Shore, and Adam will get caught up in a deadly game of wits between the terrorist menace and those tasked to protect the citizens of the homeland.
Ann Everett, Best Selling Author
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