CELEBRATE

Happy Two Year Anniversary...to my Publishing Company!

There's a lot of publishing houses out there.  They range from giants of the Avon and Little Brown and Co.  variety to small ones that you've never heard of that consist on one author who wears the hat of editor and author all in one. As an author, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit, not only for your manuscript but for your personality as well.  Each company has its strengths, weaknesses and places they excel. But I want to give a huge shout out to Astraea Press, the company that has given my manuscripts a home and my face a HUGE grin.  While they aren't huge, they aren't too small either.  It reminds me of the story, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Everything about them is JUST right. Here's a few reasons why.

*They have standards.  Yes, you read that correctly.  There's guidelines that are defined and precise which uphold a specific moral code.  Now, don't let me loose you at that last sentence.  Let me explain.  Have you ever read a book where the detail wasn't in the story, but in selectively specific scenes? Have you ever loved a story but hated that you felt the need to flip a few pages because you're more interested in personal experience, rather than reading someone else's? Yeah.  Astraea is wonderful because the romance is alive, active and passionate. They only select stories that allow the thread of a wonderfully woven romance to weave its way into your mind till you're drawn into the whole tale, rather than specific parts or lack there of.  There's no reason to skip pages with over-shared information, and no reason to do anything but enjoy a well written story.

*They are genuinely interested in their authors and readers.  First, as an author, I can speak with the owner of the company over Facebook, or over the phone and ask questions and get a ready response.  As a reader, they love hearing from you and are truly interested in what you enjoyed about specific stories and how they can continue to provide you with amazing literature.  They host giveaways constantly and even have book club you can join where you get a free book each month.  

*Finally, its a company where you connect with other authors and are easily accessed by your readers.  There's constant interaction between author, editor, publisher, and reader.  Does it get any better than that?

I have a home with Astraea Press, and I'm thankful to be part of that AP family.  If you are an author, I encourage you to check out their submissions page (they accept everything from contemporary romance and regency to paranormal) here's the link Submissions.

To add my own little HOORAY to the celebration, my first full length release "Living London" will be  live in a few short hours!  I'll be hosting a huge giveaway shortly so check back and enter to win a some free books or maybe even a Amazon Gift Card!  

See you soon!

Claiming Mariah

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

I've recently joined the Tyndale Blog network.  It's an amazing opportunity to review books through this publisher of quality Christian Fiction.  The first book I've read is Claiming Mariah, by Pam Hillman.  I was completely absorbed by her wonderful word pictures and the way she spun the story. Here's my review!

 Great story with vivid word pictures, January 21, 2013

By 

Eden Bridgman "EB"

This review is from: Claiming Mariah (Kindle Edition)

This was my first book by this author and I will be reading anything else she releases. Claiming Mariah was a wonderful and warming story on how God brings all things full circle and to benefit those who call upon his name. Mariah was faced with many choices, all of which could have left her bitter, cynical and blaming God. Slade grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and blames God for his father's drunken abuse. Together they find the beauty of redeeming love, both in each other and in God.

This is a very clean romance. The author does a wonderful job of creating emotional sparks without adding in any unnecessary detail, although I must admit, a little more detail wouldn't have hurt either. It is a great and enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

I received this book as part of a blog network through Tyndale, the publisher. However all opinions and statements on this book are my own.

Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others.

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I really suggest you check out this author.  I'm going to be watching to see if she does another boom about Slade's brother, Buck!  Here's the buy link!

amazon Claiming Mariah

  Yes, I know. I move my hands...A LOT! But remember, I'm new to this and learning as I go.  Maybe next time I'll tie my hands behind my back so they are not so distracting...( but then I might stumble over my words even more seeming as I use my hands to punctuate my sentences...hmmm...)  Don't forget to leave me a comment! Have a great weekend!

First Video Blog!

Ok, So I'm a busy mom. I don't have a whole lot of extra time, so, in trying to keep up my blog I'm doing a little experiment. I'm going to try video blogging.  Let me know what you think...and if you see dirty clothes in the background, or hear little kids yelling...just let it add to the ambiance that is my house...

BLOG HOP!

Hi everyone! Welcome to Whispers from a book!  I'm thrilled to be a part of this 'hop' and hope you will all enjoy the ride!  To begin the season of Christmas cheer, I'll be giving away two copies of my Holiday Regency Romance "Redeeming the Deception of Grace" an Amazon Bestseller! Below is the Rafflecopter entry.  Also, there's a ridiculously fabulous prize you can enter to win at the end of the hop, so keep it movin' people! 

New York Time's bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken put together a regency version of People Magazine; the gossip pages of the eighteen hundreds.  In it, you'll find some scandalous details about my newest release as well as Vivian Roycroft's release, Scandal on Half Moon Street. So without further adieu...

Perks your curiosity, doesn't it?  Lucky for you, here's an excerpt... ( and I must say it makes me smile each time I read it...ahhh Ewan.)

"Redeeming the Deception of Grace"

“Since that is all settled.” Ewan rubbed his hands together. “Lady Grace, would you care to take a turn about the room with me?” Ewan’s eyes beseeched Grace; imploring her to accept his invitation, unaware that she would say yes to almost anything he requested.

“Of course.” Grace nodded to Rachel and reached out to place her gloved hand on Ewan’s arm. His warmth radiated through his coat and warmed her hand, causing her belly to flutter in response.

Rather than speaking, Ewan gently led her through the crush of people. When they needed to go around a couple, Ewan touched the small of her back with the softest of pressure, and then trailed his gloved fingers slightly down her dress before losing contact with her heated skin. As they maneuvered around another group of people conversing, he guided her by taking her hand and deftly interlacing his fingers within her own. It was only for a moment before he properly placed her hand once again on his strong arm, but not before giving her a flirtatious glance that let her know he was fully aware of each touch.

The flirtatious glance wasn’t one she had seen before. No, it was smoldering with a passion that was carefully restrained. But why? Grace couldn’t make sense of it. Her mind was blurry as she was lost in the simple sensations of Ewan’s gentle attention.

“I’m pleased you will be spending time with Miss Rachel.” Ewan cast her a clear blue gaze as they continued to walk.

“Yes.” Grace struggled to form a clear thought, though all she wanted to do was watch him and memorize the new expressions in his eyes as he watched her. “She seems very nice,” Grace offered after a moment of collecting her fragmented thoughts.

“Well, she certainly is very forgiving.” Ewan chuckled.

Grace laughed in response. “Ah, yes, I can see how that would be helpful in your current situation. How did you run into her anyway? Did you not see her?” Grace inquired, feeling more comfortable. She looked up and grinned at Ewan.

“No, I saw her clear as day and wanted to make a fool of myself,” Ewan replied with dry sarcasm. “Of course I didn’t see her! Do you really think me so clumsy that I’d run into someone even if I had seen him or her? You’re wounding my ego here, Grace.” Ewan grasped his heart in mock pain.

“Well, one never does know with you,” Grace teased back.

“Touché.” Ewan nodded with a wicked grin.

Ewan stopped and Grace took a moment to glance around her. They were outside of the ballroom and on a deserted balcony… alone. Her mind spun. Why had he brought her here? Yet, just as soon as she thought the question, she dismissed it. She didn’t care. All that mattered is he had.

Ewan’s grin faded slightly as he turned to face her. Grace’s smile faded as well, and she looked up into Ewan’s eyes as they roved over her countenance. Never had she been gazed upon like Ewan was presently doing. For just a moment, his eyes dipped to her lips, and then he forcibly shifted his gaze to meet hers once again.

“Grace, I…” His eyes searched hers. He grasped both of her gloved hands within his own, sending heat waves up her arms and intensifying her heartbeat. Ewan massaged small circles in her wrist with his thumb, and she felt her breath hitch with desire as she stared into his searing gaze.

“Ewan…” she whispered, leaning forward, swaying slightly and dropping her gaze to his lips.

Just as Ewan leaned forward, Grace heard footsteps click against the marble floor of the balcony. With a gasp, she stepped back to a proper distance at the same time as Ewan.

“Lady Grace! Here you are! I’ve been looking for you. I have someone you must meet!” came the very unwelcome voice of Lord Shiply. With a downward glance and a disappointed sigh, Grace closed her eyes and prayed for him to disappear. She instinctively knew that Ewan would have kissed her; that something intangible had changed between them. But gone was the moment.

With an apologetic smile she glanced at Ewan, losing her train of thought at the blatant desire burning within his eyes; desire and possession. Grace curled her toes in her slippers at the warm sensation his gaze gave her. Yes, there was hope, and she was not about to give it up.

“Later, Ewan?” she whispered, staring at him and allowing him to see just a portion of her heart in her eyes.

With a slight nod he grasped her hand and very gently kissed the back of it, then turned it over and pressed another moist and prolonged kiss to her wrist, sending shivers up her arm. After one long, lingering glance, she turned to meet Shiply.

****

So close! Ewan had been so close to finding the perfect moment to press his suit, but no. Again Shiply intervened and stole the moment away from him. The only reason he hadn’t challenged the arrogant cad to a duel was the bewitching look that came from Grace that would have made a saint sin with lust.

Her eyes had glowed with desire, and Ewan had used every ounce of self-control to not take her lips with his own, in front of Shiply; especially in front of Shiply. But he was honest in his endeavor of being worthy of Grace, which meant he must be the gentleman and put her before himself. But how difficult it was, when she continued to cast him glances where he swore he could see her soul buried in the green of her gaze.

He smiled, as he knew one thing for certain. He indeed did have hope in winning Grace’s heart.

Sometimes all love needs is some healthy competition...

You know you want it...Lucky for you, it's only .99.  Think of it as an early Christmas present for yourself, it's cheaper than a Latte but will last infinitely longer...

Amazon Buy Link

Astraea Press Buy Link

Barnes and Noble Buy Link

The Rules: Void where prohibited, and play fair ya'll. Don't forget to enter the other contest at the beginning and end of the hop so that you'll get a chance to win...(drum roll) a bundle of five Christmas Regency ebooks, and the winner can choose from all of our books. Second prize is three, and third prize is one.

Now, head on over to Vivan's Page, aka Gunnar Grey, aka a few other pen names... Here's the link...

Next Stop, Vivian's Scandal...Click here to g there!

Interview with Iris Blobel

Today I'm thrilled to share an interview with Iris Blobel on writing, editing and her newest release, Innocent Tears.  I've gotta say I'm a huge fan of one of her character's names, Nadine, which may or may not have to do with the fact that it is also my daughter's middle name (my grandmother's name too!) I like to think I'd love the name regardless...Anyway, Iris was brave enough to answer all my relevant and random questions.  I'll post the buy links at the bottom of the interview with the blurb. It's a worthy read, and based on such a great premise...enjoy!

Could you tell us what your favorite song is to inspire you when you write?

DEFINITELY Westlife .... ALL their songs. I just love their music and the news about their split was really upsetting. But I’m kind a big sucker for pop music. LOL – that dreamy kind of pop music.

What you do to celebrate once  you finish a manuscript?

What or how? Nothing much really. Well how boring is this. Probably because a manuscript is never really finished for me until it’s finished. There’s always something I change, want to change or cringe about. So the celebrating comes once I see my book “for sale”. 

What you did when you first found out  you were to be published?

I self-published my first book, so  when I received the box with my books in it, a rush of all sorts of emotions ran through me – corny I know, but it was excitement, anxiety, the “what on earth have you done”-thought .... yeah, it was an “out-of-this-world” moment.

When I received Astraea Press’ email with the good news they were interested in my book “Journey to Her Dreams”, I went to the bathroom and screamed. LOL. My girls came in all worried and I told them my book’s going to be published. We were jumping up and down and screamed – and then my little girl asked me what that means. It was too funny. Since then they both have had a few lessons in “Publishing lingo”. 

First person you called/e-mailed/texted?

OMG – my husband was up in NSW at the time with restricted phone service. So I texted him .... and waited .... and waited .... and waited. I think “Congratulation” was the reply. I could’ve strangled him. Really? Congratulations was all he came up with? But on the day “Journey” was finally available online, hubby took us out for dinner! Nice treat. 

Hardest part of a book to write?

EDITS !!! LOL .... I always feel sorry for my editors. It must be soooo hard for them to work through my manuscript. We always have a laugh here, the German girl, who’s learned English English, now speaking Australian English with a US English speaking Editor .... hilarious. And it’s been a couple of times when I stood in front of my husband saying ‘Really? Americans don’t know that expression?’ .... But back to the hard part .... POV’s .... honestly ... great concept, but so hard to do. My writing is very unconventional. I start at the back and then write scene after scene and try to somehow to glue them all together nicely.

Newest Release? 

Tadaaaaaa “Innocent Tears”

Why you like it/love it and what inspired it?

They say never work with animals or children, but I think I balanced that fine line quite well, if I may say so J We went to Europe a few years back and my husband took the girls back home a week before I returned back to Australia. He’s a great dad and did really well, no doubt. But I did notice the girls saying between the lines that “Dad did things differently.” That gave me the idea of how a man would cope to be a dad all of a sudden. That’s how I came up with “Innocent Tears”.

You're favorite type of book. ( I love books where the main characters hate each other then fall in love, almost against their will. Sigh...)

Jill Shalvis books – romance with a lot of wit, fun and humour, without being too silly. I love her books. But I try to read about everything, but because time’s so precious I usually end up with the contemporary romance books. But I also like a bit of well done fairy tales. I like the imaginary stuff J

The type of book that annoys you most?(I hate ones that have horrible endings...worst ever.) 

Hmmmm – tricky questions.  I might get back to you on this one ;-)

Finally, my blog is called 'whispers from a book' in honor of those one liners, or scenes in a book that we replay over and over once we've finished the last page.  You know, the one part you replay in your head as you fall asleep…what's your whisper from a book? It could be from one you've written or one you've read.  

Innocent Tears: “She was created with love. She was raised with love. Her heart beats for love.”

Cecelia Ahern’s PS I love you: “Shoot for the moon, even if you fail, you land amongst the stars”.

Innocent Tears – Blurb:

Becoming a parent can be daunting at the best of times, but for Flynn, a business lawyer in Melbourne, it almost pulls the feet from right underneath him. He’s become a father to six-year-old Nadine literally overnight! He had no idea about her existence, and the news throws him into chaos, even more so when he is asked to take over custody.
With the help of Emma, an employee at the hotel where Nadine and her grandparents are staying, and his parents, Flynn tries to do the right thing. Yet, the right thing in his eyes differs from his parents’, and Emma is voicing her opinion as well. And right in the middle is little Nadine, still grieving the loss of her mother and finding a wonderful friend in Emma. There’s no doubt she’s afraid where and with whom she will settle.
But in the end, it’s a letter Flynn receives that helps him figure out what to do.

What are you waiting for? Oh wait...sorry. Here's the links. (wink)

AMAZON

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

All Romance books

Bookstrand

Thanks Iris for coming by and sharing Innocent Tears with us!  

Scandal On Half Moon Street

So there are only a few things that make a snowy and cold day even more magical around Christmas time, one of them is a Holiday Regency Romance to read while I sip hot chocolate. (preferably a Salted Caramel one from S-Bux) Astraea Press has recently released a selection of Holiday Regency Romances that are the perfect companion to that cup of chocolate.  Today I'm thrilled to have Vivian Roycroft share a sample of her Holiday Regency Romance "Scandal On Half Moon Street".    Here's the blurb and a exciting excerpt!

Blurb...

All the Honorable Anne Kirkhoven wants is to be wrapped in the arms of the man she loves, Frederick Shaw, Esquire, barrister, solicitor, writer of the best Gothic romance novels in England, and surely a future Member of Parliament. But despite Frederick’s many perfections, Anne’s mama has forbidden her to speak with him, much less marry him, and until Anne attains her majority, all they can do is wait.

But now the most notorious duke in the ton, Ernst Anton Oldenburg, the First Duke of Cumberland (and some say a foreign prince), is making a public point of assessing her… attributes, sending shivers to portions of her anatomy she’d rather not name. Who’s the right man? And will her reputation survive the Duke’s assault long enough for her to find out?




Want A little more?  Here's a excerpt!

The Fleet Street crowd thinned ahead, beside the windowed front of the linen draper’s shop, and there stood sweet Dorcas, one of the most delectable morsels he’d ever chewed. A stray beam of unexpected winter sunlight flashed off her golden curls, and the sudden blaze reflected, sharp and multiplied, in the many little diamond panes of the window beyond. Her gaze meshed with his through the crowd, that split-second, undeniable flash of recognition as bright as her hair in the sunshine. Her equally brilliant smile flashed a moment later.

An indiscreet moment later, to judge by the scowl of her new husband beside her.

And of course their swift, smiling recognition had been spotted. Dear Lady Gower’s hawk-like eyes, glittering beneath an admittedly outré bonnet, glanced back and forth between them from her perch aboard her high-flyer phaeton. When her glance swiveled his way once more, he kissed his hand to her and gave the twice-widowed and adorable predator his most seductive smile. The matched greys smacked the phaeton’s front wheel against the sidewalk’s edge before she returned to her own affairs.

And of course, by then the new husband had whisked sweet Dorcas beyond the Temple Bar. She might be a merchant’s wife now — since March, that was, and her new husband was no longer all that new — but as a former Wentworth-Gower, she was too well-bred to glance over her shoulder at another man while leaning on her husband’s arm, and her fading presence plunged the street again into a dull winter’s day. Ernst Anton Oldenburg, His Grace, the Duke of Cumberland sighed, but didn’t bother to hide his satisfied smile. Dorcas, now Mrs. Robinson, looked lovelier than ever, with her hand resting unconsciously on her almost-done belly, her complexion positively glowing, and Mr. Robinson glowering over her shoulder.

Well, he’d done what he’d intended for her. His Grace could honestly say, he’d made sweet Dorcas’ dream come true.

Leaving him free for a new adventure.

Who sat with her mother in the coffee house across the way.

In the table behind the window, the Honorable Anne Elizabeth Henrietta Kirkhoven, youngest daughter of Baron Wotton of Boughton Malherbe, Kent, sat straight as a sword blade over her cup. Her deliciously delicate face wore the most perfect rose-hued flesh and her eyes were downcast, but her Cupid’s-bow mouth curved in a smile both demure and knowing. Beside her, Lady Wotton chattered away in the superior manner some still-beautiful matrons claimed as a birthright. As well they should, of course, as much as their daughters’ mischievous innocence allowed.

And yes, there in the deepest shadows of the room’s corner, lurking out of Lady Wotton’s sight, sat the young solicitor the daughter admired and the mother scorned.

Time to play.

Time to play...what a great line! Hooked? Here's the buy links for both Amazon and Barnes.  So curl up with your e-reader, and enjoy Scandal On Half Moon Street.

Astraea Press

Smashwords

Kobo

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Here's a little bit about our featured author:

Vivian Roycroft is a pseudonym for historical fiction and adventure writer J. Gunnar Grey. And if she’s not careful, her pseudonymous pseudonym will have its own pseudonym soon, too. Along with a library card, a yarn stash, and a corner at Starbucks.