Tuesday, May 29, 2018

DisABILITY and Romance? Meet AuthorTeri McGill #giveaway

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 6 comments

Teri McGill is one of my fellow Los Angeles RWA chapter members.(LARARWA)
 I wanted to know her better and I asked he to visit the blog. Teri, please tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Queens, New York and moved to warm and sunny Los Angeles in 1994, immediately following the Northridge earthquake. 
I taught mathematics to deaf high school students for thirty years, which explains some of the recurring characters and themes in my stories. I retired from teaching in 2012 and began working for Hot Tree Editing as a beta reader/proofread and started writing shortly after. When I am not at the computer, I enjoy working out, playing golf, creating mosaics, math tutoring, and watching sports. I also love road trips to wineries, especially Paso Robles and Temecula.
I love this picture. 

Teri, how did you decide on self-publishing?
As a relatively new author, I was advised to self-publish because of the fierce competition. I hired an editor, cover designer and formatter. My cover designer, with a lot of my input, found 3 gorgeous couples for my trilogy’s covers. My fourth and most recent book, a novella, was my first attempt at doing it all myself … cover, editing, proofreading, formatting … I did everything! All the royalties for this book went to charity so I didn’t want to spend any money. I think self-publishing is great. I would advise everyone to try it, as long as you accept the reality: self publishing means self promoting.

The first few emails I received from readers who loved my first two books really was an exciting event for me. I have deaf characters in my books and when a deaf reader expresses joy at seeing herself in my stories … THAT is exciting!

Do you wait for inspiration, or write on schedule? 
I don’t write on a schedule, so I must wait for inspiration or for the characters to speak to me. If they are silent, I take one to bed … the male main character of course, and I become the female. We snuggle, flirt, banter back and forth, etc. (I’m single, so it’s NOT as kinky as it sounds!) Conversations develop, dialogue starts to flow and I keep a notebook on the night stand so nothing is lost.

What's in progress?
I have several WIPs at the moment, including a scarred firefighter with PTSD and a hearing-impaired dance teacher who performs in a strip club.

My most recent passion is promoting more characters with diverse abilities in romance. Here is a Facebook Group I have started to promote this new venture.

Thanks, I joined. Our fellow LARARWA member, Lynne Marshall has a quadropelegic Hero. Tell her about this group, (In case she misses this blog post.)

Teri had five books and she is offering you, Dear Readers, a giveaway of the book of their choice.
Teri's books are available on all platforms. 

Signs of a Quiet Heart (My Heart is Yours - Book 1)
The link will take you to a page where you choose how you want to download the free book.

When Robbi  Bennett, special education teacher extraordinaire, decided to move from New York to California, it was for reasons beyond trading snowstorms for sunshine and surfing. Following the tragic death of her parents, and several doomed relationships, she craved a fresh start; an opportunity to reinvent herself.
Tyler D’Angelo, bad-boy biker and self-proclaimed man-whore, equates love with weakness. For decades, he has kept his heart on silent lockdown, but meeting Robbi turns his solitary life inside out as they are inexplicably drawn to each other.
Can love be strong enough to overcome a lifetime of fear?
(Note: Signs of a Quiet Heart ends with a cliffhanger involving secondary characters, which does not affect the romance. The mystery is solved in Book 2, Living for Two, with the assistance of several new characters. Both stories feature deaf and hard-of-hearing characters.)

Living for Two (My Heart is Yours - Book 2)

Geneva  St. John was not looking to fall in love; her shattered heart was barely recovering from her older sister’s death and coming to grips with almost losing her baby sister as well.
When she first laid eyes on Jayson  Delaney, bathed in sunlight and appearing so ethereal, it was immediately evident that he was destined to change her life. Unable to converse at first due to a language barrier, they soon discover that love is the purest form of communication between two souls.
Although Geneva’s sister is recovering nicely from surgery, she begins to exhibit strange, unsettling behaviors that only Jayson seems to be able to comprehend.
There are some people in our world who believe the power of love can transcend death.  What kind of miracle would it take to convince us all?



For over a decade, Tag Coleman has been struggling to exorcise his demons.
Constantly haunted by his first love’s death, he aches for a second chance at happiness, but guilt screams one undeniable fact: he does not deserve it. Can Tag’s shattered soul ever find forgiveness and allow him to love again?
Emery Lawson’s one and only goal is to uncover the truth surrounding a tragic accident that took her cousin’s life. She embarks on a journey to find the one person who could be responsible, with unexpected, life-altering results.
When your soulmate — the love of your life — is lost, what are the chances of ever finding another? Is it possible for a heart to be …
Lost and Found?
(Note: Book 3 can be read as a standalone, although characters from Books 1 & 2 make guest appearances.)


Light-Years from Hollywood (YA Novella)

LIGHT-YEARS FROM HOLLYWOOD, a YA romance novella, explores the darker side of high school.
What is life like when you don’t seem to fit in anywhere? A deaf boy and a homeless girl forge an unusual friendship, learning that acceptance and ultimately love truly conquers all.
Dylan: High school is supposed to be an adventurous four years of exploring the joys of youth and unlimited learning opportunities, right? What a crock! The gifted program is challenging enough without being the only deaf student on campus. I was content with my under-the-radar, nearly invisible existence until a beautiful, blue-eyed freshman sat next to me in Algebra. I had always preferred my loner status until she forced me to see what else life had to offer.
Nikki: I have kept my embarrassing secret for as long as I can remember. Dylan was the only person I ever shared it with, and to my surprise he never judged me. Instead, he was determined to save me even though unforeseen threats lurked around every corner.
(100% of the author’s royalties from this eBook will be donated to A Million Drops, which is a Los Angeles, California based non-profit organization making a difference in the lives of homeless, at-risk youth, and young adults.)
I know I want to read this one.  I'm entering your giveaway.  Thanks for being here, Teri You are one amazing lady.

GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teri McGill’s SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE


 FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE

FACEBOOK BOOK SERIES PAGE

TWITTER


WEBSITE

 PINTEREST

GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE







Thursday, May 24, 2018

Time and Forever is Free May 24-26

Posted by Susan B James on 12:00:00 AM with No comments
This was an adorable PDF I made in Canva.com with clickable links. The problem is that when I tried to share the PDF to blogger, the links didn't work.
So . . . Here is the link.
 https://www.amazon.com/Time-Forever-Susan-B-James-ebook/dp/B00I3PFF40


May newsflashes.
I'm having a busy month. Writing progresses on Lord Byron's Daughter. I cannot tell you how much fun it is to research sending two people from 1840 to 1940. This book is both a Victorian and a time travel adventure.
I booked two acting jobs. This week I am filming on a TBS Series called The Guest Book. (Hilarious script by Greg Garcia. Directed by  Rebecca Asher.)
I have a wonderful dressing room and six costume changes, but only two lines. I  love it.

Last week I went to a table read for a film called "The Untitled Miranda July Project." and was delighted to find the stars were Gina Rodriguez, Richard Jenkins, Rachel Evan Wood, and Debra Winger. They are all such amazing performers. I get to work with them mid-June.
Small world moment: My son, Christopher Corbin, did 9 episodes of Jane the Virgin with Gina.
My wasband, Barry Corbin's first movie was Urban Cowboy with Debra. She used to sing our baby, James, Polish lullabies.
 I met her again two years ago when Barry started guesting on The Ranch and Chris and Melanie and their Brand new baby Walter watched the filming from Barry's dressing room.

Son, Jim is here May - 23-26 with my darling granddaughter, Ella. We have a busy 4 days planned, culminating in a family visit to Universal for his birthday. I can't wait.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Thank you!

Posted by Susan B James on 9:37:00 PM with No comments
On Monday Night I sent out an email to my MailChimp list.
If you are subscribed to me through Blogger
 all GDPR  regulations have been met.
If you confirm your subscription through the Mail Chimp list,
 you'll be sent here.
I spent five hours trying to figure out how to change the form. 
Since I have work in the morning, and a blog post due, I gave up. 
Your regularly scheduled blog post goes up Thursday
 when Time and Forever goes free on Amazon.

Thank You


I'm so glad you are staying. I promise not to flood your mailbox. 
I wish you a magical week.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Scottish Historical Author Madelyn Hill's Highland Honor.#Giveaway

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 3 comments

Historical author Madelyn Hill's here talking about Highland Honor, the final book in her Highland Thistle trilogy which came out May 16th. And she's giving away a copy of the fiirst book in the series, Highland Hope.
Madelyn, please tell us a little about yourself.
First, thank you for hosting me this week! I’m a teacher by day and a writer by night. I live in Western New York with my husband, three children and a dog named Cannoli. I love to go to the movies, cook, and visit with my neighborhood friends I call my YaYas.
I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.
It was interesting because I received an email from the editor, but I hadn’t received an email from the publisher (not my current publisher SMP) stating they wanted to publish my book. Very surprising in a great way. Of course I was so excited and naïve about the entire process.

If it isn’t too nosy. How about the first time you kissed your true love?
Hmmm, well I’ll kiss and tell! My first kiss with my true love happened outside a restaurant after closing time and we didn’t want to leave. I believe I was leaning against my car when he delved in.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?
There are so many! In the historical market, I could go with the classics and say Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rochester. For something written a little sooner, I’d go with Roarke from the J.D Robb series. I love Rourke!!!

Tell us about Highland Honor
Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.
Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.
An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

Sounds like an intrigung read. 
Here's the Amazon Buy link  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSY4PGY/ 
Madelyn, thank you for being here and for offering a copy of Book 1 of the
Highland Thistle series, Highland Hope.to one lucky reader.
Enter below. WE bith wish you happy reading.
Here are Madelyn's Social Networking Links:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Mother's Day #Giveaway. Amazon Gift Card

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 8 comments
Congrarulations to Robin Tindle who won the Amazon gift card. Happy Mothers Day and a Happy week to you. 

For many of you, this includes Mother's Day. Either because you have a mother, are a mother, or know a mother that you love. I'm giving away a 10.00 Amazon Gift card. That can get you two or three eBooks
Leave a comment with your email to enter.
HOW TO COMMENT: At the top of this post it says
Posted by Susan J Berger on 3:00:00 AM with 6 comments 
Click on comments
Or scroll to the bottom of the page. 
You will be given the choice of posting as "anonymous" BUT you have to leave me an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway will end Saturday, May 12. That will give you time to order your ebook(s). I say get one for Mom and one for you.
Here are a few recommendations. I'm starting with mine because they both feature older heroines which may resonate with older readers.
Time and Forever
Sherry knows what she wants for her 63rd birthday. A second chance at love. Her best friend, Lorena doesn’t believe that’s possible. But when a glitch in a Virtual Reality Adventure game sends them back to 1969 London, anything can happen.
#RomanticComedy #timetravel. 

https://www.amazon.com/Time-and-Forever/dp/B00M78YV6M

Maybe This Time
Happy Ever After? Not unless they change time
Popular British actress Jennifer Knight just turned forty-nine and she’s fine with her life, thank you very much. Or she was until her beloved niece accidentally time travels them both to 1988 bringing her face to face with her He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named— her first husband. #RomanticComedy #timetravel.

https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-This-Second-Chance-Romance-ebook/dp/B073DJ2RK4

The Time Table by Caroline Mather (I'm currently reading this and so far I love it.)
In the billiard room of Larry Fischer’s London home stands an antique billiard table that came with the house. Set up in the 1600’s by Phineas Finch as the craze for billiards dawned, the table was cut from a standing stone on the Finches’ north-country estate and shipped to London . . .
The lives of generations of Finches are intertwined with the modern-day Fischers and others through the curious properties of The Time Table.Travel with them as they seek the love that transcends time. https://smile.amazon.com/Time-Table-Caroline-Mather-ebook/dp/B071V7BGS5


The Rose Thief by Claire Buss (Just finished this one. 5 stars.)
Ned Spinks, Chief Thief-Catcher has a problem. Someone is stealing the Emperor's roses. But that's not the worst of it. In his infinite wisdom and grace, the Emperor magically imbued his red rose with love so if it was ever removed from the Imperial Rose Gardens then love will be lost, to everyone, forever. It's up to Ned and his band of motley catchers to apprehend the thief and save the day. But the thief isn't exactly who they seem to be, neither is the Emperor. Ned and his team will have to go on a quest defeating vampire mermaids, illusionists, estranged family members and an evil sorcerer in order to win the day. What could possibly go wrong?

The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci: An out of Time Thriller. by Belle Ami (I pre-ordered this one. for me. It comes out June 1)
Three destinies, one remarkable painting.
Will her visions lead her to the truth?

Art historian Angela Renatus, is haunted by dreams of Leonardo da Vinci and a mysterious painting of Giuliano Medici and his mistress Fioretta Gorini. A painting that, as far as the world knows, doesn't exist. Compelled by her visions, Angela is determined to find out the truth.
When Angela is contacted by art detective Alex Caine, she's shocked to learn that he too is seeking the same painting. Alex's client, a wealthy German financier, is determined to clear the name of his late uncle, Gerard Jaeger, an art historian, who went missing in Florence, during World War II.
Angela and Alex journey to Florence in search of the priceless treasure. But someone else is searching for the elusive painting-Alberto Scordato is a powerful man in the art world and a sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even murder. Scordato knows something about Angela that even she doesn't know, something that could threaten both Angela and Alex's lives, forcing them into the crosshairs of fate.
What do you want for Mother's Day? - Bookwise. Please tell me in a comment and leave your email if you want to enter to win the Amazon Gift Card. I wish you all a magical week.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Hooray for May Giveaway

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 1 comment
Tra La! It's May. I have a giveaway! Maybe This Time, the audiobook.
A code for a free download from Audible. Plus I have news about a reviewing site and a recipe for Cinco de Mayo.
 Blurb: Happy Ever After? Not unless they change time
    Popular London stage actress Jennifer Knight just turned forty-nine and she’s fine with her life, thank you very much. Or she was until her beloved niece accidentally time travels them both to 1988 bringing her face to face with her first husband.
There are a lot of holidays the first week of May. Here's a sample.
May 1 is May Day, Lei Day(Hawaii), and Mother Goose Day.
May 4 is Star Wars Day, Space Day, and Review For Me day
May 5th is Cinco de Mayo, and Free Comic Book Day


May 4th - Review for Me Day for Maybe This Time.
 I'm requesting reviews for Maybe This Time on a website called Review For Me
Maybe This Time goes live for Review Requests on May 4th
The email I got from, Review For Me's Katie Hamstead Teller.
"Hey Susan,
I have Maybe This Time scheduled for review requests on May 4th. Please remember to share the post and our blog to draw in reviewers once your post goes live. I will tweet, share, and include your review opportunity in the site newsletter and add it to the Goodreads group."

I know some of my readers are fellow authors, and I thought you might be interested in this service.
This site is equally wonderful for readers. I browsed and found some books which interested me and I am signing up to get review copies.
https://review4me775970817.wordpress.com/

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I'm sharing one of my family's favorite recipes. Mexican Cornbread.

Mexican Cornbread
Preheat oven to 450
Grease large baking pan
(Baking time will be 20-25  minutes. It will be moist.)
Ingredients
½ large green pepper
1 clove garlic
1 large onion
1 c drained mexicorn
½ c grated cheddar
½ veg oil
3 eggs
1cup buttermilk
½ c flour
1 c yellow cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
3 tsps baking powder

Preparation
Vegetables
Chop:
½ large green pepper
1 clove garlic
1 large onion
Add
1 c drained mexicorn
½ c grated cheddar
Set aside

Mix Wet ingredients in mixer. (add eggs— one at a time to vegetable oil, then add buttermilk.
½ veg oil
3 eggs
1cup buttermilk’

Mix dry ingredients together
½ c flour
1 c yellow cornmeal
1 tsp salt (can I cut in ½?)
½ tsp baking soda
3 tsps baking powder

Add dry ingredients  to wet ingredients:
Mix in veggies and cheese.

Pour into greased pan Bake 20-25 minutes
Happy First Week of May. Here's the Rafflecopter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway