Archive for April 6, 2015

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Lots to share with you today.

The spotlight is on Typewriter From Hell, a paranormal romance/suspense novel.

Come on in, check it out, and enjoy the excerpt.

Beware the haunted typewriter!

Typewriter from Hell

by Diane Cox

 

Genre: paranormal romance, romance suspense

Publisher: Opal Creative Enterprises, Inc.

Date of Publication: November 2013

ISBN: 978-0-9910982-0-0 ebook,

ISBN: 978-0-9910982-1-7 paperback

ASIN: B00GCSL6FC

Number of pages: 147 / Word Count: 20226

Cover Artist: Rebecca Poole

Dreams2Media

 

Book Description:

Unemployed librarian Ellen Brinson submits her steamy manuscript to literary agent Henry Morgan. The only thing they have in common is that they are both desperate for money. Henry believes the unfinished piece is his ticket back to the big time.

His hopes for a winner are thwarted when Ellen falls in love and is offered a cushy job. As her interest in finishing the manuscript wanes, Henry’s desire to get it published increases.

Enter the Typewriter from Hell. Ellen can’t stop writing. The old Corona is a magnet and it’s wrecking Ellen’s new romance. Henry will pull any dirty trick he can think of to win – and he does!

You’ll laugh your way through this fast paced suspense story and you’ll never guess the ending.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFaynWjTZLU]

 

Available at Amazon

 

Check out the Excerpt

Chapter One

Ellen Brinson peered over her half glasses at the messy typewritten page. The ‘e’ on the old Corona was so occluded it looked like a giant dot. She quickly read through the last few paragraphs she’d just pounded out. She had a screaming headache.

Where the Hell was this stuff coming from? It was true she’d always wanted to write. Her MLS in library science was all about Ellen’s belief that she couldn’t write, so being around books was the next best thing. But, this, this stuff she was typing — she’d never done the things, never even known anyone like the people in this story.

It didn’t matter. Six more weeks and her unemployment was going to run out. The stress of not having a job for two years, of trying to find something else she could do to earn a living and getting nowhere, the sheer desperation, was about to drive her crazy. This book was the only hope she had right now, and she clung to it.

Rubbing her eyes, Ellen stretched and the old afghan that covered her lap slipped to the floor. This damn dump was so drafty; she was always cold. Pushing her chair back, she moved to the other side of the room where a row of cabinets and a miniature stove and fridge masqueraded as a kitchen. She poured a cup of hot water from the kettle warming on the stove and dunked a tea bag in it. Then, she reached under the sink and found a pint of vodka, splashing a liberal shot into the tea mug.

The mug cradled in both hands, she plopped down on the rumpled bed that dominated the small room, and leaned back against the wall. Sometimes she felt like she was someone else. Maybe that explained what happened at the typewriter. Or maybe she was just going nuts. That was probably it.

Ellen took a big gulp of the spiked tea, her mind running in circles like a hamster on a wheel. She had to do something, even if it was wrong. She got up and crossed to the rickety wooden table that held her typewriter. She grabbed the messy pages of the manuscript that had been pouring out of her for the past three weeks. Automatic writing, wasn’t that what they called it? Ellen read a paragraph at random:

Serena slid a glance at the senator next to her. With a twitch of her shoulders, she hit him with a blast of décolletage, and then sent her tongue on an exploratory tour of her mouth. She could feel the man heat up like a kitchen stove.

Another sideways glance confirmed that the front of his pants now looked suspiciously like a tent. Turning her head to look directly at him, she lasered him with the 100 Watt Sex Bomb Smile. Tossing her head back, she trailed her long, red fingernails down her arched, white neck toward her bosom. Then she rose and wiggled her way across the room, giggling to herself.

My God, what crap! Where had it come from? All the same, it was so trashy that maybe it had some potential for being published. It reminded her of the stuff written by Isabel Ritter –no, Isabel Rider.

Rider – she got a visual of the author astride a naked man, bucking in unabashed lust. Ellen laughed out loud, then as quickly sobered as the gravity of her situation struck her.

She ran her fingers through her curly hair. What could she do with this stuff? She needed to send it out to somebody, but who?

And, why would they read it? She was nobody, unpublished. She didn’t even have a friend at a publishing house. She knew a few writers, but they were mostly historians. They would be appalled if she asked them to pass this trash on to their agent.

She read through the pages again. What the Hell. It’s worth a try. Taking in a deep breath, Ellen jumped off the sagging bed, pulled her parka on over her sweats, and tugged on some mukluks. Slamming the door to her flat, she descended five floors of walk-up, her mukluks slapping against each step.

A late spring snow was lazily drifting down as she pushed through the front door of her building, cursing as a splinter poked her hand. She hated this dump. She was beginning to hate New York. Ellen had come here with such high hopes, sure she would discover the glamor and excitement that beckoned in so many novels. Instead, the reality was that New York was no fun for the poor.

In spite of her disappointment, the farmhouse in Iowa where she’d grown up still didn’t look good to her. That was something. Her mother would make her life a living Hell if she had to go back home, broke. Only her father had believed in her dream, and he’d been dead five years now.

“Watch where you’re going!” A guy in a plaid wool jacket bumped her as he passed on the busy sidewalk. She turned into the Strand book store, and headed straight for romantic fiction.

About the Author:

Diane  Cox

Diane Cox lives in Atlanta, Georgia with two dogs and two cats. She loves to garden, snap photos of her flowers, and dine out with friends. She works hard for her money, so she squeezes in her writing early in the morning.

 

Some years ago she fell in love with the true story of one of her neighbor’s pioneer ancestresses. After seven years of rewrites, she had learned about the craft. Her next tale -“Typewriter from Hell” was a complete departure from the first, incorporating romance, satire and a bit of fantasy. This year she will bring out a third project, and once again writing will be part of the plot.

 

She has been in love with books and reading all her life and has always wanted to write. Finally it has happened.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Youtube ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

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Follow the tour

April 6 Spotlight
More Romance Please
April 6 Spotlight
fuonlyknew
April 7 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
April 7 Review
Fanatical Paranormal Romantical
April 8 Interview
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
April 8 Spotlight
Lisa’s World of Books
April 9 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
April 9 Spotlight
Jody’s Book Reviews, Giveaways & Tours
April 10 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
April 10 Interview
Eclipse Reviews
April 13 Guest blog
Roxanne’s Realm
April 13 Interview
The Mysterious Ink Spot

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

iRead Book Tour Logo Medium

I took one look at the covers of these books and just had to read them.

Something amazing! The author, Liana-Melissa Allen, started this series as a fifth-grade assignment and now she’s turned them into a series at the age of nineteen. Wow!

I have an interview with the author to share.

Come on in and meet some funny, colorful characters from Horse Valley.

Enjoy my reviews and meet the author.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

But first, an interview with Liana-Melissa Allen

Do you have another profession besides writing?

Drawing and playing on the piano or both professions that I incorporate with my stories. I make illustrations for my books and come up with themes on the piano to put into a book trailer.

How long have you been writing?

Third grade was when I decided to be an author, and I’ve been making up stories ever since.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

I only get writer’s block when I doubt myself. When doubt creeps in it stifles creativity and can leave one totally at a loss about what you set out to create. It is vital that one realizes that writer’s block is a self-induced mental barrier that only you can demolish. My personal method is to take a break and do something fun to get my creative juices flowing again. I usually listen to music, draw, or play on the piano to help me chase away that dastard little demon known as doubt.

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

Occasionally, I’ll snack while writing because I’m so immersed in what I’m writing that I can’t leave my desk. My favorite snack foods are chips, fruit, and string cheese…and popcorn (my dad makes the best popcorn).

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three books would you want with you?

I remember a couple of my friends and I discussing this once, since we’re all bookworms. I can confidently say that it would be one of the Harry Potter books, maybe the third one, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables.

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The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey (Book 1)

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Donkey's Kite The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey.
My Review
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The author put her own spin on the tale of The Three Little Pigs.
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Her characters are three horses, brothers, who’ve just lost their home to a fire.
Each one sets out to build their own home. One takes the lazy way, one takes the impractical way, and one takes his time.
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All of these houses might have worked accept for one thing, the big bully donkey.
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I wish I could share with you the illustrations for this tale. They are so fun and full of little details. I found myself taking a lot of time on each page, looking for little things, like a bird here, a frog there. Such a delight.
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Max, Lax, and Jack, the three horses, are so different. I could see what was coming for each one and the author had me giggling as the donkey came kicking on their doors.
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Any child would love these brothers and pour over the illustrations, taking away some valuable lessons, and smiling all the way home.

5 Stars

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Book Description

A tale (based on the “Three Little Pigs”) about three little horse brothers who suddenly lose their house that is destroyed by a fire. The young horses are totally alone and thrust into the reality of having to depend on themselves and each other against a bully donkey, who wanders the forest wrecking homes and bullying the other animals. This warm-hearted tale promotes strong values and has a fun premise. Written and humorously illustrated in vivid color throughout by Liana-Melissa Allen, the story is a proven winner for reading aloud to children.

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 Donkey’s Kite (Book 2)
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Donkey's Kite.
My Review
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I very much enjoyed the first book in this series so I knew I was in for more fun adventures with Max, Lax, and Jack, and their new friend, Donkey.
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The friends are excited. it’s a perfect day for kite flying and each has made their own, hoping theirs would be the one to fly the farthest.
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Poor Donkey’s kite won’t fly and he asks for help from his new friends. But, one each one is too busy to listen to him.
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Donkey wanders down to the lake, sad and frustrated. Some mean Canadian geese poke fun at him,  putting him on the receiving end of bullying. Then, with a swoosh and a huge splash Gusty, the big white goose, crashes the bully party and shoos away the mean geese.
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He listens to Donkey, and together they build a new kite. It’s a good one and everything is fine, until it isn’t.
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This is another fun adventure in Horse Valley. I enjoyed visiting with the characters again and meeting some new ones.
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Children will learn the true value of friendship and not giving up. There were more wonderful illustrations that kept me lingering, looking for all the hidden gems secreted on each page.
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With such fun, colorful characters and lessons to be learned, children will delight in this new adventure and be begging for more.
 5 Stars
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****
Book Description

The three horses Jack, Max, Lax and their friend Donkey are back!

In Horse Valley, it’s a perfect day to go kite flying. Jack, Max, Lax, and Donkey decide to get creative by putting together their own homemade kites. However, Donkey’s kite doesn’t work. No matter how hard he tries to get it to fly, it just keeps tumbling to the ground. How will poor Donkey get his kite to fly? A friendly goose named Gusty is delighted to help him out.

In this Horse Valley Adventure, Donkey learns not to give up when all seems hopeless. The friends all learn a lesson about helping others and true friendship.

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Author’s Bio:
Donkey's Kite Liana-Melissa Allen

Liana-Melissa Allen is a young author and illustrator of children’s books and books for youth. She has written, illustrated and published six books. Her most recent one is the colorfully illustrated children’s book “Donkey’s Kite”, the second book of “A Horse Valley Adventure” series. The first was “The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey”. The lovable cartoon characters, Max, Lax, Jack and Donkey makes them a favorite of first and second grade students. She is now working on her third book of “A Horse Valley Adventure”.

The magical world of fantasy has inspired Liana’s imagination since as long as she can remember. Part of this was fueled by her dad reading aloud to her every day when she was younger. As a result, reading is her primary passion along with music. These two passions feed her imagination into stories and drawings, which she joyously sketches out into storyboards for a potential book.

Liana-Melissa is also a dedicated classical/jazz pianist, and mostly enjoys older music, especially from the big band era and the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. While playing the piano, her imagination often leads to a great amount of improvising. Frequently, Liana will improvise a theme for one of the stories she is writing. Capturing this improvised music became a priority, which ultimately resulted in theme music for “A Horse Valley Adventure”. The “Horse Valley” theme will be used for a short animated video featuring her Horse Valley characters.

Liana-Melissa loves to hear from her young readers. Please visit her website at www.lmabooks.com for more information, and to contact her by email. Visit her on Facebook too.

Where to buy the books:

On Author’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Use the links below to follow this fun tour!

March 16 – Hello, my name is Alice – review / guest post
March 16 – The Autistic Gamer – review
March 17 – Book Dilettante – review
March 17 – Being Tilly’s Mummy – review / guest post / giveaway
March 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – review / guest post / giveaway
March 18 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of both books / giveaway
March 18 – Breath of Life – review / author interview / giveaway
March 19 – Working Mommy Journal – review of both books / giveaway
March 20 – Pinky’s Favorite Reads for Kids – book spotlight
March 23 – My Devotional Thoughts – review / guest post / giveaway
March 23 – Thoughts in Progress – review / giveaway
March 24 – Bound 4 Escape – review of both books / giveaway
March 25 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – review / giveaway
March 26 – Bluerose’s Heart – review / author interview
March 26 – Experiencing Parenthood – review of Book One
March 27 – Green and Glassie – review / author interview / giveaway
March 27 – Walking with Nora – review of both books / giveaway
March 27 – Just One More Chapter – review of Book One
March 30 – Just One More Chapter – review
March 31 – The Cheshire Cat’s Looking Glass – review / giveaway
April 1 – View From the Birdhouse – review of both books / giveaway
April 1 – Experiencing Parenthood – review 
April 1 – Life With Katie – review of Book One
April 2 – Girl With Camera – review of Book One
April 2 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – review / giveaway
April 3 – Girl with Camera – review
April 3 – Library of Clean Reads – review of Book One
April 6 – fuonlyknew – review / author interview / giveaway
April 7 – Life With Katie – review of Book Two / giveaway
April 8 – Deal Sharing Aunt – review of both books
April 9 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway
April 10 – Jessica Cassidy – review of both books
April 10 – One Frugal Girl – review 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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