CANDID CANINE

June 12, 2012

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories - Featured Author WS Gager Talks Lessons Learned

Today WS Gager talks about lessons learned in a joint-project like The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors).

What's cooking at The Corner Cafe?

Assorted stories featured at or around The Corner Cafe by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete.

* Corner Cafe Stories: *

** In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

* In "The Eyes Have It" by W.S. Gager, crimebeat reporter Mitch Malone hates going to church, but when he gets rooked into speaking to the Bible-toting ladies, he may be facing the devil himself as he investigates the prayer group's missing purses.

The Corner Cafe Blog Tour

June 4 Blog Book Tours Kick-off Blog Book Tours Kick-Off
June 5 Bob Sanchez
June 6 Red Tash
June 7 Bodie Parkhurst, Magic Dog Press
June 8 Heidi Thomas

June 11 Marian Allen
June 12 W.S. Gager
June 13 Here at Candid Canine - Chris Verstraete
June 14 Helen Ginger
June 15 Kathy Wheeler hosts Christine Verstraete

June 18 Morgan Mandel's Double M
June 19 Pat Bean
June 20 Shonell Bacon
June 21 Alberta Ross
June 22 Karen Casey Fitzjerrell

June 25 Pat Stoltey
June 26 S.B. Lerner
June 27 Maryann Miller
June 28 Mary Montague Sikes
June 29 Stephen Tremp

June 11, 2012

The Corner Cafe Offers A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for Kindle. Today's Featured Authors Red Tash and Marian Allen

Today Marian Allen is talking with author Red Tash about her story "Living Well" and cosplaying (what is that you ask?) from The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors).

** In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

** "* Love Song with Holsteins" by Bodie Parkhurst is about Halloween, magic, Russell the dairy bull, love, and the private memorials we make to it.

** In "Living Well," Red Tash gently pokes fun at the Star Trek fan culture and the ups and downs of long-term love, in the fan-favored setting of This Brilliant Darkness' Corner Cafe.

** In "The Catfish Enchantment" by Marian Allen, Cosmo’s father deserted the family and died unforgiven, his mother is sinking into depression, he’s started cutting himself to relieve the pain, and his boss suggests…a tattoo?

June 09, 2012

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for Kindle. Special Today!!!

Today have we got a deal for you!!!

It's better than free pie with your coffee.

Today (Sat and Sun) go to the Amazon link and load up your Kindle with The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors) at the price of ---- $O!!! Free! (Today and Sunday, 6/9-10).

Help us reach #1!!

So what's The Corner Cafe?

Assorted stories featured at or around The Corner Cafe by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete.

** In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

** "* Love Song with Holsteins" by Bodie Parkhurst is about Halloween, magic, Russell the dairy bull, love, and the private memorials we make to it.

** In "Living Well," Red Tash gently pokes fun at the Star Trek fan culture and the ups and downs of long-term love, in the fan-favored setting of This Brilliant Darkness' Corner Cafe.

June 08, 2012

The Corner Cafe: Stop into the cafe for a hot cup of coffee and A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for your Kindle!

Today we're stopping at Heidi Thomas' blog to talk about The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors).

** Today we meet author Bodie Parkhurst and hear about her bull (the four-legged kind.)

June 07, 2012

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for Kindle. Today's featured authors Red Tash & Bodie Parkhurst

Since I had something else already scheduled yesterday, I'm doubling up on authors so you don't miss any. Be sure to check the stops to see what tidbits are there and some insight by the author and/or their guests.

The blog tour for The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors) continues today with a stop at Bodie Parkhurst's blog to talk with Mary Montague Sikes about her story.

What's The Corner Cafe You Ask?

Assorted stories featured at or around The Corner Cafe by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete.

** In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

** "* Love Song with Holsteins" by Bodie Parkhurst is about Halloween, magic, Russell the dairy bull, love, and the private memorials we make to it.

* "In A Face in the Window" by Mary Montague Sikes, can Arianna ever forget the tragic loss that changed her life, especially on the 10th anniversary spent in a museum where memories lurk in the art and later among the shadows of the Corner Cafe?

Yesterday's featured story:

** In "Living Well," Red Tash gently pokes fun at the Star Trek fan culture and the ups and downs of long-term love, in the fan-favored setting of This Brilliant Darkness' Corner Cafe.

*** See my previous posts (story descriptions & featured authors): 1 Corner Cafe kick-off - 2 Bob Sanchez

June 06, 2012

Summer Teen Reading Party! Welcome Barb Ehrentreu, author of "If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor" and a Boop Collector!

Today I welcome Barb Ehrentreu, author of
If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor
.
About the Book:

Carolyn Samuels is obsessed with the idea of being popular. She is convinced that the only thing keeping her from happiness is her too heavy for fashion body and not being a cheerleader. When she is paired for a math project with the girl who tormented her in middle school, Jennifer Taylor, she's sure it's going to be another year of pain. Carolyn is blackmailed into doing her math homework and Jennifer takes on Carolyn as a pity project since she can’t be seen with someone who dresses in jeans and sweatshirt. Then Carolyn learns Jennifer’s secret and lies to her own friends to cover it up. Will Carolyn become a cheerleader and popular, or will she be a target of this mean girl again?

** I'm also at Barb's blog today talking about THE CORNER CAFE & my other stories. Stop by! **

What is your writing background?

I have written poetry for years and had two short stories published online. One is a children's story published on Story Station and the other is an adult story on Moondance.org. I have a Masters in Reading and Writing, K-12 and taught 17 1/2 years as well as being a Literacy Specialist.

What inspired this story?

My daughter was going through a period when she started being bulimic and she also felt bad about her body. There were a few books written from the POV of a person who had an eating disorder, but there were none about knowing someone who had one. So I decided to use this and wrote my character without an eating disorder who finds that this perfect girl for whom she had this love-hate had this problem.

Share your favorite line from the book.

Worse luck, I have to do it, not as the slender blonde beauty in my dream, but as the real Carolyn Samuels with my brown curly hair hanging like shriveled spaghetti, mud brown eyes, and a body too large for fashion.

What do you hate about your character?

Moving the blanket up to my nose, I say, “Mom, I can't stop
shivering, and my stomach and head hurt.”
She feels my head and looks at me with mother vision. “Carolyn,
did you think I'd fall for your tricks?”
I cringe. Now my stomach and head ache for real. Defeated, I climb
out of bed and get washed. I slip the hated outfit onto my body and glance at my bloated reflection in the mirror. It's too late to change. I’m stuck with this. If only I could be like Jennifer Taylor.

She is whiney and doesn't want to face her life. At the beginning of the story I don't like her at all.

On the opposite side, what do you like about your character?
I love how strong she is and how she manages to keep such a dark secret from both her parents and her friends.

When I'm not writing, I collect...
Okay, here is my secret. I love Betty Boop and collect the dolls in all sizes. I have them above my desk actually. I love anything Betty Boop and even had jeans with her on them. I also collect and love pictures and figures of lions. That makes sense, since I'm a Leo. I wear a lion's head around my neck.

Excerpt:

If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor - Free Chapter

Chapter One
I spot him walking toward my locker with a small box in one hand and a plastic fork in the other. My Crush! He hands me the box, and I open it. Inside is a piece of luscious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I look up into his blue eyes and give him the box so I can touch his cheek as I smooth his dark hair.

“You always know just what I like.”

He smiles and feeds me a forkful of cake. I don’t have to worry about eating it because I can eat anything I want and not gain weight. He places the cake box in my locker so he can put his arms around me.

The first bell rings in my ears. I ignore it because I’m thin and blonde and floating in the arms of my dark-haired crush. The other cheerleaders run up to us laughing and kidding around, and I’m about to speak. The ringing gets louder.

The dream evaporates, and I realize it’s the darn alarm piercing my sleep. Slamming my fist onto the snooze button, I get this nagging feeling. Then I remember. I have something to do. Worse luck, I have to do it, not as the slender blonde beauty in my dream, but as the real Carolyn Samuels with my brown curly hair hanging like shriveled spaghetti, mud brown eyes, and a body too large for fashion.

I see my new book bag is packed and ready by the door with the initials C. S. in blue, my favorite color. Suddenly it hits me, and I get this dizzy let-me-plop-on-the-pillow feeling. Freshman year of high school— first day. My brain is ready, but my body isn't. Jennifer will be there. Math class and Jennifer; gym class with Jennifer. My body curls into a fetal position, and I throw the covers over my head. Don’t faint Carolyn, I tell myself, panting.

June 05, 2012

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories. Today's Featured Author Bob Sanchez

The blog tour for The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (by BBT Cafe Authors) continues today with a stop at Bob Sanchez's blog.

What's The Corner Cafe You Ask?

Assorted stories featured at or around The Corner Cafe by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete.

** In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

** Blog Stop: Today's featured author Bob Sanchez shares his blog with Stephen Tremp.

In Bob's story, "You Can't Be Too Careful," George prepares for the expected Y2K catastrophe.

The Corner Cafe Blog Tour

June 4 Blog Book Tours Kick-off Blog Book Tours Kick-Off
June 5 Bob Sanchez
June 6 Red Tash
June 7 Magic Dog
June 8 Heidi Thomas

June 11 Marian Allen
June 12 W.S. Gager
June 13 Here at Candid Canine - Chris Verstraete
June 14 Helen Ginger
June 15 Kathy Wheeler hosts Christine Verstraete

June 18 Morgan Mandel's Double M
June 19 Pat Bean
June 20 Shonell Bacon
June 21 Alberta Ross
June 22 Karen Casey Fitzjerrell

June 25 Pat Stoltey
June 26 S.B. Lerner
June 27 Maryann Miller
June 28 Mary Montague Sikes
June 29 Stephen Tremp

June 04, 2012

Welcome to The Corner Cafe! A Tasty Collection of Eclectic stories by Christine Verstraete, Morgan Mandel and others

Today is opening day at The Corner Cafe. Can't you just smell the coffee?

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (BBT Cafe Authors) offers an eclectic selection of stories from 15 authors.

Why hello, there's an author sitting in the corner. Oh there's another author. And look at the cute dog!

What! A dog in the cafe?

Well, in the adjoining room, at least. And this dog is special. In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

Enjoy all the stories! Check out the line-up and details at the Blog Book Tours blog.

May 30, 2012

Summer Teen Reading Party! Welcome Rebecca Ryals Russell, author of ODESSA, PROPHECY and HARPIES

Welcome Rebecca! Today author Rebecca Ryals Russell is offering an excerpt to her next book from her Seraphym Wars series, HARPIES, following ODESSA and PROPHECY (see details at end.)

* Chris Verstraete is also appearing today at Rebecca's blog so check it out! Talking about dogs and the latest story!

** AND---check the prizes being offered at the TEEN SUMMER READING PARTY!*

CONTEST: Be sure to comment at Rebecca's blog to be entered in her contest. See details here.

About the book:

HARPIES follows 15-year-old Griffen as he discovers why he has been transported from his home on the Outer Banks of South Carolina on Earth to a desolate beach somewhere on a foreign planet.

Accompanied by a talking bird, Griffen begins a quest to fulfill his role in a prophecy and find his way home. Joined by 12-year-old Seth, a strange fire-bug, and 14-year-old Mercy, a runaway with Empathic skills, Griffen learns to control his new ability to pull lightning from the sky at will—especially while battling demon-dragons and sea monsters who want them all dead. The trio, accompanied by an oddball Burrowing Elf, transport downriver toward an island Griffen keeps seeing in visions. Narciss has other plans for the three intrepid Vigorios, however, and Griffen discovers a brave side he never suspected he had—unless he was playing video games. But this turns out to be no game.

**Here's a Chapter Two excerpt from HARPIES:

I woke stiff, sore and damp.

The last thing I remembered was the ocean lapping up my legs as the tide came in. But I no longer lay in the water or even near the water. Coarse dune grass poked through my shirt itching the skin on my chest. Dry sand scratched my legs, arms and cheek. I blinked several times to clear the sleep-webs from my eyes. Nothing felt broken or even bruised as I curled one leg up then the other and examined my arms.

I sat up. Had I been struck by lightning last night? Did I fall asleep on the beach and dream the storm? Why hadn’t Mom come looking for me? She’d never let me sleep on the beach all night--she’d be too worried.

The leaden sky promised rain. Normally turquoise, the sea had turned a deep shade of gray—reflecting the dark sky. I looked down at the grass. I’d never seen this kind of grass before. It was coarse and grayish, like the sky and ocean. I plucked a blade examining it closely. Definitely not like the grass on my dunes at home.

The dunes at home. The thought startled me. Where was I if not home? Where was I sitting and how did I get there?

“Dracwald, Griffen Oisin Gilmore. More particularly, the Province of Toterra along the Planora Coast. Welcome,” a small shrill voice chirped into my ear.

I leapt to my feet and spun around. I was alone as far as I could see. Not another soul nor house existed. Where were the cottages lining the Outer Banks island in South Carolina where I lived?

Into my other ear the same shrill voice said, “You’re not looking in the right place.”
My head jerked up, gaze scouring the sky.

“I’m here,” the voice chirped into my right ear then instantly, “No, here,” into my other ear. My head flew back and forth until my eyes twirled in their sockets making me dizzy. I plopped onto the grass waiting to regain my equilibrium. A slight pressure settled on my shoulder. I jumped, my head whipping around.

A tiny gray bird about the size of a wren with plain, solid gray feathers sat preening. “Camouflage.” I glanced back at the oppressive sky, “For a mirage. How droll.”

“Indeed,” the mirage twittered.

I startled and the bird fluttered up then landed on my other shoulder. I spun my head, struggling to see him.

“Say something again.” I gaped, eyes wide.

“Better get a move-on or trouble will find you,” the bird obliged.

About ODESSA:
Myrna Ashlin Watts graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Fl just in time to find herself transported to a bizarre and primal planet corrupted by demon-dragons. And they want her DEAD. Her problem is she has been recruited to kill them, too.

Eighteen-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil?

Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?

About PROPHECY (77 pgs.):

Many millennia ago Laud asked for a volunteer to live on the planet of Dracwald and guard the Prophecy of Solsyl. Jeremiah Holyfield, immortal member of the Conscientia volunteered and for many years lives as the Reverend in a small village. The Prophecy of Solsyl tells of the demise of Narciss, the demon dragon who rules Tartarus. When Narciss learns of its existence he declares he will not stop hunting the Guardian until he has the Prophecy in his possession. When Reverend Jeremiah Holyfield’s village is burned to the ground by Narciss, he must traverse half the planet of Dracwald to protect the Prophecy of Solsyl. Along the way he discovers the value of friendship, forgiveness and love.

May 28, 2012

Summer Teen Reading Party! Welcome Jan Fischer Wade, author of VEILED VIRTUES

Today I welcome Jan Fischer-Wade, author of VEILED VIRTUES. (** Be sure to read to the end for her contest and prize!!)

**Visit Jan's blog today and comment for the contest (check details at end of this post first) then go to Jan's blog for more on my latest works. **

Thanks for having me on your site today Chris!

I want to know where everyone’s favorite place to read is, but also, where they usually end up reading. I love reading in bed, but I usually don’t have the time. I find I can read the most when traveling (on the plane or riding in a car). What about you?

I am having a blast with the Summer Teen Reading Party and I am so excited about this month long event! We’ve got lots of great books and authors there – many for $1.99 or less. I hope everyone visits! Make sure to read the rest of this post to find out how you can enter to win a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!

This summer, I will be working on the finishing touches to the sequel to Veiled Virtues so I won’t have time to read much else. The sequel is entitled Latent Legacy and you can read more about it on my website listed below!

Here is a bit about my novel, VEILED VIRTUES:

When Paige Stewart left America to house-sit in England, her only thoughts were to get away from her controlling mother and to have fun. Little did she know that her working holiday would find her hearing eerie voices, experiencing alarming dreams and bleeding from old scars. Although Paige's differences confuse and disgust her, she opens up to the shopkeeper of a strange metaphysical store in town, where she finds much more than tarot cards and crystals. Soon, Paige is stalked like prized game. Relentlessly pursued, her holiday takes a turn for the eerie and dangerous. Her only saving grace may be a modern-day English knight who sweeps her off her feet and recognizes the true virtues the American teen unknowingly possesses.

Veiled Virtues is available at the following sites: Amazon OmniLit Smashwords MuseItUp Publishing Diesel Kobo BookStrand AmazonUK

Coming soon to Barnes & Noble and iTunes!!!

Never-before shared excerpt from Veiled Virtues: A visit to the town’s new age store, Magog’s….

“Come into Magog’s with me,” I challenged.

“My mum would kill me if I did,” Lydia said.

“Oh, come on. She won’t find out. Aren’t you curious?” I needled.

She stopped and looked at me. “All right, but only a quick run through, agreed?”

“Fine.”

We walked the short distance to Magog’s, and I pulled the door open to let Lydia go in first, but at that same instant, a very tall, broad man emerged from the store and startled us. With his long hair and physique, he looked like one of those professional wrestlers on television. He had an intense look about him, and Lydia and I exchanged glances when he passed us. What had he been shopping for in there? I was sure he wasn’t browsing for a fairy statue or aromatic candles.

We entered the store, and I immediately noticed a small group of people toward the back wall. Nathaniel, Avery, and Julia were talking together. Julia turned her head toward us first.

“Hello, Paige.” she called.

“Hey, Julia,” I said.

Nathaniel turned around quickly and walked toward us. “Hello, ladies. What a pleasure.”

“This is my friend, Lydia.”

“Delighted to meet you, Lydia” he said, his eyes bright with amusement. He shook her hand.

“Um, hi, uh, it’s nice to meet you, too,” Lydia stammered, and I grinned, recognizing the familiar effect of his close presence on one’s ability to speak intelligently.

“And this is my cousin, Avery,” Nathaniel said to Lydia, gesturing toward his cousin a few yards away, “and that is Julia,” he added.

Lydia nodded in their direction.

“We were out and about doing some shopping and thought we’d stop by,” I explained nonchalantly, but yearned to feel the warm glow Nathaniel’s close presence emitted.

“Hey, you guys didn’t clean out Fawn’s, did you?” Avery asked, noticing our sacks. “We’re heading over there in a bit,” she added, referring to herself and Julia.

“Trust me, we left you plenty,” I assured her. Avery had to be at least two sizes smaller than both Lydia and I.

Avery and Julia showed Lydia some necklaces, but the large sword mounted on the wall once again drew me in. It was hypnotically appealing, like it should mean something to me. I needed to touch it.

Nathaniel’s voice broke my concentration. “Avery, before you go to Fawn’s, I think you should give Paige a complimentary reading.”

“What?” I asked. Avery agreed to do it and Nathaniel winked as if I were in for a real treat.

From behind the counter, she pulled out a deck of cards and held them up. “Tarot card reading. Here, sit.” She pointed to the stool opposite her, and I complied.

About Jan’s giveaway:

Enter to win a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!!! One lucky winner will be chosen from the commenters on her blog (including emails to her from non-Book Blogs members), "Likes" and "Shares" on Facebook and Tweets about her book, Veiled Virtues, or the Summer Reading Party site (include @veiledvirtues in your tweets!). It's that easy!!! She will be having other giveaways during the month on her blog as well, so make sure to visit it!