Extreme Measures scheduled for release Friday, May 1st

I am beyond excited for my new book to hit stores on Friday.



Backliner:
Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .

Please join me for a launch party on May 9th:



As I set up signings and my blog tour I will post info right here and I will also do a huge giveaway in conjunction with my book release SO STAY TUNED!!!

Debut Novel, Remembrandt, by Robin LuBean King, review and giveaway

It's always such a pleasure and joy to see a new author release their first book. This is experience is somewhat like a mother having her first baby. All the pain, discomfort, stress, worry, work and effort are all worth it when you hold that beautiful book in your hands for the first time. There is such joy, fulfillment and sense of wonder at the process of creation, no matter what form.

This debut novel, Remembrandt, by author Robin LuBean King, is a powerful story full of suspense, secrets, excitement and romance. Here is a brief summary of the story:

Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane, she lives on it. Her eidetic memory records her experiences and plays them back, DVD style. It's great when she wants to ace a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute boy in the hallway and the humiliation plays back over and over and over . . . Brown University seems like the perfect place for the seventeen-year-old to forget her past. Hope for a normal life comes in the form of a handsome new running partner who makes her heart race and body perspire even before she laces up her shoes.

When her Russian professor gives her a puzzle that seems impossible to solve, Alex discovers that he has a secret—one that will catapult her into a world of cryptic codes and covert missions. As she tries to find a balance between the two different worlds vying for her attention, she wonders if she can have relationships with the ones she cares about while hiding a clandestine life, uncovering the truths of an underground enemy.

One thing is for certain, whatever happens will be forever etched into her memory. And some things are better left forgotten.

This book had everything to offer for a reader who is looking for a book to pull them in from the first page and keep hold of their attention to the end. Author King introduces tension in the first scene that sets the tone for the story, but it's not until the main character Alexandra Stewart becomes acquainted with her Russian professor that we begin to understand why.

Alexandra is an interesting character with an eidetic memory and a past full of secrets. I found her likable and fun. I wasn't sure what to think at first about her Russian professor, especially when he offered her private tutoring, but I soon learned that his intentions were to recruit Alexandra to be part of his team. Even though I found it a little hard to believe that she would accept a ticket from her professor to go to Russia and, at the young age of seventeen, go there unknowingly, I went along for the ride.

After the trip to Russia, Alexandra's professor presents her with a unique opportunity that involves intrigue, adventure and espionage.

With a tightly woven plot, great characters and full of thrills and chills, I think you'll enjoy the book Remembrandt.

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Sweet and Clean Romance Collection, party and prizes!!!

Trifecta Books is doing an autumn celebration and you can win prizes!!!

To check out their site and find out more about their books and the contest go HERE

Good luck! Watch for more great reviews and giveaways in the weeks to come.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!

Book review of Hot Pursuit by Susan Dayley and Interview with Author and GIVEAWAY!!!!

When Susan Dayley is not writing, she squeezes in some of her other favorite things, such as teaching children (she’s a private tutor and teacher of small classrooms), preparing lessons, trying new recipes–raw desserts are her latest passion, and being in her garden. She will take a hike at the drop of a hat. She loves all seasons, but her favorite time of year is October with its snuggly, sweater days, pumpkins piled on porches and warm, spicy treats.
Susan Dayley is the author of Redemption, the story of Jonah, and Cold Pursuit.

I had the pleasure of reading Susan's new book and am excited to share a little bit about it with you and give you a chance to get to know this awesome author a little bit better.

About the book:

Kennady thought she’d found the perfect summer escape—working at a resort in Jackson Hole. But then Atticus comes to town, an international conference threatens world finances, and a Mexican cartel shows up to stop the conspirators. When Kennady’s friend Chelo gets entangled with a handsome and possibly dangerous man, her own life is threatened. From eco-terrorism and kidnappings, to gunshots and an earthquake, Jackson was not an escape after all.

BONUS: Hot Pursuit offers two storylines with two different endings for each. Also includes links to pictures, songs, music videos, info about story locations, and other exciting details.

My review:

The tone of Hot Pursuit is quickly set when a senator’s aide exchanges cryptic text messages with an unknown sender. Next we read of a man in a South American country who also receives a text that informs him that his wife and daughter have been tracked down at a Jackson Hole resort. Questions flood the reader’s mind and the quest to find answers begins and with heightened anticipation we are then introduced to the book’s main characters. First we meet Kennady, who is just finishing a year of college where she also worked as a TA for Dr. Keane, the chair of the English Department. Next we meet her friend Chelo, short for Consuela, who doesn’t hide the fact that she is a flirt in every sense of the word and is on the hunt for a husband. The two girls have accepted summer jobs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Chelo’s mother works.

Much to Kennady’s surprise she runs into Atticus Keane, the last person she’d expect to see in Wyoming. Atticus and Kennady began dating at the beginning of the year but Dr. Keane, the professor she worked for, had informed Kennady that she felt her “friendship” with her son could stand in the way of his future.” Kennady had graciously bowed out but Atticus never knew why. Their fortuitous meeting in Jackson Hole gives them a chance to revisit their relationship and for Kennady to explain why she ended it. However, their dream of enjoying a fun-filled summer is soon turned into a nightmare of suspense, intrigue and high-octane action.

Hot Pursuit is the sequel to Cold Pursuit. Like Cold Pursuit, there are four endings. Both stories were designed to be interactive stories for the growing eBook market. This includes links to places, music, and other interesting things.

It was fascinating to read different storylines and be able to choose an ending as well as click on some of the links. Author Susan Dayley did an admirable job of keeping storylines consistent and exciting and turned eBook reading into a whole new experience.

Hot Pursuit and its prequel, Cold Pursuit are available on Amazon.

My interview with Susan...

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

S.D.: When I was old enough to know I should have started much sooner—it was after my children were grown.

M.B.: What is your writing and educational background?

S.D.: I began writing verse in kindergarten and wrote creatively up through high school. Then I stopped pursuing it. I took classes at ISU, where I met my husband, and a couple of years ago I took more classes at UVU where I wowed everyone by still commanding a 4.0.

M.B.: What makes you passionate about writing?

S.D.: I love words and stories and the ideas and stories can form in the mind from the words, letters, black marks written on a page. There is something magical about that.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

S.D.: Not a shining one.

M.B.: I get that. My was far from shining. Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

S.D.: Only from my publisher’s business practices. I never went into this expecting fame and fortune, well not right out of the gate, so I just keep writing and learning.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

S.D.: I tutor in the mornings, so afternoons and evenings divide with writing and e v e r y t h i n g e l s e. I can sit down at my keyboard and disappear for hours without realizing it.

M.B.: Lol! Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

S.D.: They grow from ideas. For Cold Pursuit, I wanted to write for the new turn in the industry—eBook sales. I decided to write an interactive book—complete with links to places, music, even a recipe or two. Then I took it to the next level and wrote it with four endings. Hot Pursuit is the sequel, but with a totally new adventure and location. My WIP started as the story of a family where I grew up and grew to something much more fabulous.

M.B.: When did the idea for this book first come to you?

S.D.: My great-grandpa homesteaded a small town on the Idaho side of the border of Jackson Hole. I grew up visiting that area. I thought it would make a great setting, but I needed something intriguing to happen. Then I read about the international financial conferences that happen there every year and about the large caldera beneath Yellowstone. I already knew about the lightning storms.

M.B.: What do you hope readers will get from this book?

S.D.: A fun read that they can return to and each time (at least four times) find a different ending.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

S.D.: I am such an outliner. Don’t throw potatoes please. It still takes creativity, but when a book has four endings, outlining is essential.

M.B.: I'm an outliner too. It's the OCD in me. Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's block? If so, how do you deal with it?

S.D.: Not really, unless it’s like, how can I improve the pacing on this part of the story? With my current WIP, I’ve deleted big chunks, moved things around, and rewritten scenes completely to increase the level of interest. So not writer’s block so much (thanks to an initial outline) as a moment that needs engineering.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

S.D.: I never remember to put music on. But yes, I enjoy quiet.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

S.D.: There are quiet times when inspiration comes, like lying in bed at night, but the biggest help is conversations with my husband. Sometimes he contributes something valuable, and sometimes just hearing myself voice the situation has moved me forward.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

AUTHOR: My husband. He encourages me and brags about me and even finds beta readers at his work. He’d rather I tell him what I wrote that day than that I accomplished anything else. If everyone believed in me as much as he does, I’d be a best seller.

M.B.: What’s your secret to making the character’s in your books come to life?

S.D.: I like to pattern some of them off people I know, but not quite, and others just introduce themselves to me. A fan favorite in Cold Pursuit is Chelo—she’s back in Hot Pursuit, though a bit more sober. I’ve never met anyone like her. In my WIP, one of the most intriguing characters is the antagonist. I don’t know what dark part of me he crept out of. It’s a bit scary to think I wrote him.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

S.D.: No. Sometimes I wish I did, sometimes I wonder how I would fit one in.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

S.D.: My WIP. It’s the current baby at home. And I don’t have to figure out four endings. ☺

M.B.: What is something about yourself people don’t know?

S.D.: I grew up with 6 other sisters (and two brothers) and one shower. I shared a bedroom with two sisters and we borrowed clothes, jewelry, and took turns with the family station wagon. I get snarky, vain, selfish, and sarcastic. But I also get dancing to music, telling secrets, defending each other, and crushing on boys.

M.B.: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

S.D.: Currently, cottage cheese or something equally mushy until my braces come off.

M.B.: I want a picture when they do come off so I can see that killer smile! What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

S.D.: I’d recommend new writers publish traditionally first so that they can better understand the level of production that is expected before they venture into self-pubbing. And keep writing.

M.B.: What are you working on now?

S.D.: It’s called The Kavanagh House. It’s a YA paranormal. A mechanized house is haunted by the man who designed and created her. His spirit seeks revenge and control of the house. When Parker moves there, she finds a journal by the original daughter of the home. The wrapping on the journal says, “Please undo what I’ve done. My father’s house is haunted and it’s my fault.”

M.B.: That sounds awesome! I can't wait! Any final words you would like to share?

S.D.: Thank you Michele for reviewing Hot Pursuit and offering this interview. Please feel free to edit.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

S.D.: Redemption HERE , Cold Pursuit HERE and soon, Hot Pursuit. All are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

B&N link for CP: HERE
For Redemption: HERE

GIVEAWAY INFO: To find out about Susan's fabulous GIVEAWAY click on the link HERE
To enter please leave a comment on this post. To get more entries go to Susan's Social Media Page HERE and "follow" "friend" etc. on the various media formats. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT MONDAY!!!!!

Here is the link to Susan's website: HERE

And she has a serialized story, Misdirect, on her blog based on one of the characters in Hot Pursuit. It's about a museum heist and how Luke and his friends become involved. Go HERE

Interview with Karen Tuft author of Unexpected and Reality Check - GIVEAWAY!!!!

Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU then graduated from the University of Utah in music theory as a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies. In addition to being an author, Karen is a pianist, composer, and arranger, and has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions. She also has a 75 percent success rate when it comes to matchmaking and is a big believer in happy endings. Among her varied interests, she likes to spend time with her hubby and kids, figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel--whether by car, plane, or paperback.



Karen's most recent novel is Unexpected:
Eleven years ago, Ross McConnell was devastated by the betrayal of the woman of his dreams. Time does not heal all wounds, and after more than a decade, Ross is no closer to finding love. When his well-meaning family attempts to play matchmaker, he concedes by creating a list detailing his perfect mate. Perhaps he’ll give love another try, if such perfection exists . . .
Natalie Forrester is no stranger to heartache. After two failed marriages, the single mother is determined to make it on her own. Without a college degree, she starts at the bottom: working as a housekeeper may not be glamorous, but it’s her first step toward independence. And then Ross and Natalie meet . . . and meet again. And following a series of awkward encounters, Ross is shocked by his growing attraction for this woman. Natalie couldn’t be further from his ideal woman, and she is firm in her determination to keep her heart closed to love. But as their tenuous friendship develops and deepens, will the unlikely pair have the courage to set aside the disappointments of the past to catch hold of a bright new future?

Karen's writing is fresh and clever, her characters interesting and memorable. If you're looking for a book to entertain you and keep you up late, this is the one for you! And if you post a response to this blog post you will be entered into a giveaway for a free autographed copy of her book Unexpected.

Here is my interview with Karen Tuft...

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

K.T.: I didn’t know I wanted to be an author! I spent the majority of my life being a musician and dabbling in other creative arts. But life has an “unexpected” (pun intended!) way of throwing us curve balls. A dozen years ago, I experienced a significant loss of my eyesight following failed LASIK surgery. As a result, I had to redefine who I’d always been and find a new creative outlet for myself. And writing became that outlet.

M.B.: How wonderful that something so great could come out of something so horrible. What is your writing and educational background?

K.T.: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory, although I have always loved English and am constantly reading. My initial writing experience came mostly through school essays and limericks for friends (seriously). Interestingly, music and literature are structurally similar, so my college education helped me a lot when I made the transition from music to writing fiction.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

K.T.: I think every human being is discouraged at some point, regardless of what they choose to pursue. The trick is to have yourself a little cry, evaluate if you really have the potential and desire to continue, and then move forward with a realistic outlook and a healthy dose of optimism.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

K.T.: I believe everyone has a story, and it is a story worth telling—at least to someone. (That’s the genealogy fanatic in me speaking.) As a writer of fiction, however, I think the trick is to discern what makes the story relatable and compelling to others.

M.B.: What do you hope readers will get from this book?

K.T.: My main character in Unexpected, Natalie, made choices and mistakes early in her life that took her down a challenging road. My hope for the readers of Unexpected is that they will realize that while we have to live with the consequences of our choices, it doesn’t mean that God loves us less or that we can never have hope or love in our lives.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

K.T.: Through trial and error, I’ve learned that I work best if I have a basic skeletal structure for my entire story, and then allow myself the latitude to fill in the details as I go along. If I get too detailed in my outline I feel hamstrung, but I like having an outline that makes it clear where I’m heading and where I’ll end up at the story’s conclusion.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

K.T.: You’d think, as a musician, that I listen to music, but NO!—I need absolute quiet to write!! I can’t go to “that deep place” I need to be while writing with music or conversation going on around me—especially music. Because of my training, I automatically revert to “musician mode” if music is playing—I start paying attention to the choice of instruments, the chord progressions, everything!! **groan** It’s too ingrained!

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

K.T.: I stare out the window a lot (I’m only half-kidding). I read a lot. I ask myself “what would happen if . . .” a lot. And I keep a notebook handy so if I see a random quote or have an idea pop in my head I can jot it down.

M.B.: You are so much like me!!! Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

K.T.: I’ve had a lot of great support from family and friends as a fledgling writer (the lovely and talented Michele Ashman Bell included—thank you so much!). My husband has been and remains my biggest champion in all of my creative endeavors. I mean, he used to cook dinner for his kids and put them to bed so I could go to community theater rehearsals! The guy’s a prince among men.

But the “aha moment” of my writing journey came from a children’s author named Bonny Becker (http://www.bonnybecker.com). I was sitting in a breakout session at a writing conference, and she explained the structure of writing fiction in a way that was like unraveling the universe in a single paragraph, or finding the key to the secrets of the Rosetta Stone. And she writes about a bear!

M.B.: What’s your secret to making the characters in your books come to life?

K.T.: Making them real. People are layered in real life, and characters need layers, too, especially main characters. There has to be something empathetic or compelling about them, or else we as readers won’t be interested enough to keep turning the pages.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

K.T.: I don’t use a critique group. It’s too structured of a setup for me, personally. I do ask people I trust to critique my writing occasionally, if I find myself stuck or want specific input, though.

M.B.: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

K.T.: Chocolate anything, anytime! Specifically, DARK chocolate anything—although I’m not so picky as to turn down chocolate in any form if it’s available for consumption.

M.B.: What are you working on now?

K.T.: I'm working on a story involving Lucy Kendrick Glass’s (my heroine in Reality Check) brother, Andy Kendrick. This one has taken a little longer for me to complete—life keeps getting in the way (it needs to stop doing that!)—but I’m hoping to have it completed and submitted soon.

M.B.: YAY!!! I'm so excited! Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

AUTHOR: Unexpected and Reality Check can be found at any LDS bookseller, including Deseret Book (deseretbook.com), Seagull Books (seagullbook.com), and amazon.com in either soft cover or e-book formats.

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