New Release: Mysteries of the Macabre

Today, Alicia Dean is returning to tell us about a new anthology of Halloween stories. It happens that Renci Denham and Rohn Federbush, two of the other authors featured in the anthology are members of my local Romance Writers of America chapter, so when she asked for bloggers to feature this collection I jumped at the chance. Here's Alicia:

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Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share a little quiz that goes with the season. This quiz also appears in the October issue of the Novel Notes newsletter I am in with three other author friends, Diane Burton, Kathy L Wheeler and Leah St. James. If you’re interested in receiving our monthly newsletter, go here:

https://www.facebook.com/NovelNotesAuthors

We give a prize of a $25 gift card each month, plus, there are all kinds of interesting and fun things going on in the Novel Notes world.

Now, to the quiz and a blog giveaway. To be entered to win your choice of a print* or ebook copy of Mysteries of the Macabre AND a $5 Amazon gift card, comment with your answers (right or wrong, you’ll be entered). You can just use the format 1) a, b, or c (whichever answer you choose), etc.

*Only US residents are eligible for the print copy

Winner to be draw Sunday, October 25^th

Trivia Questions:

1) Because of a tight budget when the first Halloween movie was made (1978), they had to use a cheap mask for Michael Myers. Was the mask a:

A) Hockey mask

B) William Shatner mask

C) Handmade by the director’s wife

2) Samhainophobia is the fear of:

A) Halloween

B) Ghosts

C) Choking on candy

3) What city holds the record for the most Jack O’ Lanterns lit at once:

A) Paris

B) Boston

C) New York

4) What did the people of Ireland and Scotland originally use as Jack O’ Lanterns on Halloween?

A) Turnips

B) Cabbage

C) A plant pot

5) So far in 2015, the most popular child’s costume is:

A) Buzz Lightyear

B) Princess

C) Ghost

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UPDATE! WINNER OF THE BOOK AND GIFT CARD IS LINDA CARROLL-BRADD! 

HERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ:

1) Because of a tight budget when the first Halloween movie was made (1978), they had to use a cheap mask for Michael Myers. Was the mask a:

B) William Shatner mask

2) Samhainophobia is the fear of:

A) Halloween

3) What city holds the record for the most Jack O’ Lanterns lit at once:

B) Boston

Although, apparently the record has been broken by  Keene, New Hampshire with a total of 30,581   

4) What did the people of Ireland and Scotland originally use as Jack O’ Lanterns on Halloween?

A) Turnips

5) So far in 2015, the most popular child’s costume is:

B) Princess

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And now, I’d like to share my latest release:

A Halloween Anthology – Six Stories by Six Authors

MYSTERIES OF THE MACABRE  

Authors Alicia Dean, Leah St. James, Alexa Day, Renci Dunham, Rohn Federbush, and Elvy Howard share Halloween mayhem in 6 short stories:

A masked stranger ~ Teen angst ~ Ghostly appearances

Hot Halloween sex ~ A tropical nightmare ~ Visions from the past

http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Macabre-Halloween-Alexa-Day-ebook/dp/B014LZ6T6I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442322320&sr=1-1&keywords=mysteries+of+the+macabre

My story is Scarred:

Gothic romance 

Blurb:

Sometimes, the most haunting scars are the ones beneath the skin. 

When Natalie Jayne moved away from her home town ten years earlier, she left behind painful memories, along with Simon, the man she loved. Now, she's back on Halloween night to attend a memorial marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic passing of her childhood friend, Jessica. Rumors that Simon was responsible for Jessica's death unnerve her. Even more disturbing is her unsettling attraction to a masked stranger she meets at the event. Her gift may be the key to unlocking the truth, but will it also lead to heartbreak? 

Excerpt:

Simon Cordell left his dark, empty home and headed deep into the woods. As usual, he was restless, filled with too many memories and no longer able to stand his own company. The nighttime suited him. The darkness and density of the woods helped hide his disfigured face…his guilty soul.

Light from a full moon sifted through spidery branches of the wintry trees. From the distance, the howl of a wolf filtered to him—eerie…haunting.

Frigid wind bit through his coat, but he welcomed the pain. Pain made him aware he was still human, that his tragic act from a year ago today hadn’t rendered him the unfeeling monster he sometimes felt himself to be.

The soft ground gave beneath his feet. Tree limbs whipped against him as he plodded through the thickets, scratching his exposed flesh. All welcome sensations. He was alive, although he had no right to be.

The sound of music and cheerful voices interrupted his self-recrimination. He peered between the trees where a faint light shone. As if he had no control of his own body, his feet took him toward the light…toward the sound. From the edge of the woods, he stood, staring at the mayor’s mansion. Guests in colorful finery exited vehicles and made their way up the path to the door.

Simon was about to step back, to fade into obscurity, when a particular guest caught his attention. His heartbeat sped up. He nearly called out her name but stopped himself just in time. Dark hair framed her pale face. Beneath her black cloak, the skirt of an emerald green gown floated around her. The woman paused for a moment and glanced in his direction. He slunk back behind a tree, pulse pounding. Had she seen him? He didn’t know. He did know that he had to see her. Had to get a closer look at the woman he hadn’t seen in ten years but had been unable to erase from his memory.

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Doesn't this sound like the perfect Halloween story? Here's more about Alicia:

BIO

Award-winning, multi-published author Alicia Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 11, she wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who happened to share the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals. She is a freelance editor in addition to being an editor for The Wild Rose Press.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, New Girl, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

Find Alicia here:

Website: http://aliciadean.com/

Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean

New Release: Without Mercy by Alicia Dean

Even though my latest release, Without Mercy, is a fairly graphic, violent suspense thriller, at the heart of the novel is a story about a mother’s love.  Motherhood is a powerful motivator, and if you are a mother, it’s the most important job you’ll ever have. My three children are grown, but I still feel an overwhelming protectiveness toward them, I worry for them when they are ill or when I think they’ve possibly been injured (you know, when you can’t reach them for long periods of time, when you’re certain you should be able to, or when they are an hour late to your house and they WON’T ANSWER THEIR PHONE..) Anyway…I can’t say I would do anything in the world for them, because sometimes a parent can do too much. (And I have been guilty of that very thing) But, I can say I would sacrifice anything for them and I would give my life for them.

I had a very good friend for many years, a single mother with a young son. She adored him. He was her world. My friend moved to Texas, and she and I lost touch for several years. A few months back, I decided to look her up on Facebook. I was shocked and saddened to discover she died February of this year. I learned that she lost her life in a house fire, saving her son, who survived. Although devastating and heartbreaking, it was also tragically fitting. A mother who loved her child as fiercely as she did would not think twice about giving her life for him.

In Without Mercy, I know I didn’t quite do justice in conveying how a mother would feel in the situation China Beckett finds herself in, but I did my best. The only way to truly do justice would be to have been in her place, to know what it felt like for your child to be threatened in this way. But, I will gladly forego the ability to truly empathize with the character, in exchange for not ever having had to go through something like this with my children. Fortunately, this is fiction, so we can read it and hopefully be on the edge of our seats, but deep down, be grateful it’s China and not us.

Blurb

How far will a mother go to protect her child?

When an apparently random bank robbery turns out to be a sinister plan, single mother China Beckett is thrust into a nightmare.

A group of mercenaries take over her life, threatening her young daughter and everyone they love. Each time China makes a mistake, someone dies. She’ll fight to the last breath to protect her child, but with no idea what move will be the wrong one, that might not be enough. 

As the lives of China’s loved ones are jeopardized, she must take action, although she has no idea where to turn—and time is running out. But then, a startling truth is revealed and China discovers that the only person who can save them might be a ghost from the past.

Excerpt

This time, China didn’t flinch, tried not to show her fear. Layla’s cloying perfume washed over her and still, she managed to hold her ground.

Layla finally moved away, and China let out a long breath. “I’m tired,” she said. “I’m going to bed.”

“I believe I’ll go upstairs also.” Layla bent and slid something from her boot. A small, black-handled dagger appeared in her hand. She smiled, running a finger slowly along the side of the blade.

Panic bubbled to China’s throat. “What are you doing?”

“Emma didn't seem to get the message earlier about eating slaughtered animals. I thought I might pay her a visit. Kids like show and tell, right? I can show her what I mean.”

China’s heartbeat stalled, and the blood in her veins froze. “You can't...you won't...”

“Oh, don't worry. It won’t be anything fatal. I'll just give her a little sample of what the animals feel. Royce said we couldn't kill either of you unless he orders us to. Didn't say we couldn't play.” She shot China a vicious glare and strolled toward the stairs.

“Stop!” China screamed. “Don't touch her.”

A chuckle issued from Layla’s blood red lips, but she didn’t pause.

Looking around frantically for a weapon, China closed her hand around the cross. With a strangled cry, she lunged toward Layla’s retreating back.

Bio

Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

Find Alicia at her website and blog, or on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Welcome Author Alicia Dean

Today I am pleased to introduce Alicia Dean. Many fellow authors know Alicia as the force behind a wonderful support group called Authors Helping Authors. But she is first and foremost an author, and she's here to tell us about her Valentine's Day release.

AD: Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. I’m thrilled to be here, and thrilled to share a little about my Valentine story, Cupid’s Beau.

PK: It's an honor to have you here! Let's start with a few questions about you. What do you do when you're not writing?

            AD: Edit, watch television, hang out with my kids, family, and/or friends.

What would your fans be surprised to know about you?

            Hmmm. Maybe that in spite of the dark, creepiness of many of my books, I've never actually killed anyone. Well, not on purpose. J

What's your idea of an ideal vacation?

            An ideal vacation would be one where I share it with the people I love and where I see things I haven't seen before and do touristy things, yet I also have some down time to write and relax. It seems to help my creativity to work in a different setting.

Sounds like the perfect vacation! Let's talk about your writing. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

            That people dislike my heroine in Soul Seducer. I really enjoyed writing Audra, and I thought I made her sympathetic and likeable, but many reviewers liked my Grim Reaper hero and understood him MUCH better than my nurse heroine.

What has been the best compliment?

            There isn't one particular compliment that sticks out in my mind, but when readers say they couldn't put my book down and when they finished, they wanted to read something else I've written, I'm thrilled beyond words. (Beyond words, get it—I'm an author)

Clever! Do you have any advice to give to aspiring authors?

            It sounds cliché, and I know they've heard it a million times, but keep writing, keep writing, keep writing. The only way you can fail is to give up.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

            I think it would be developing my characters. I'm a plot driven writer and sometimes readers have trouble relating to my characters. Well, other than the villains. That seems to come pretty easily to me. Scary, right?

Cupid's Beau is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Alicia can be found at her website and on twitter: @Alicia_Dean_

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 Blurb:

Ivy Pierce is a Cupid who prides herself on doing her job well. Except when it comes to a certain human male, Grant Crawford. Although she doesn’t understand why, each time she’s supposed to shoot her arrow into his heart, her stomach hurts, her chest hurts, and she feels…sad. Cupids are never sad.

Humans who are not looking for love only get three chances to find it. And after Ivy sabotages Grant’s last chance, her boss, Aphrodite, sends her to earth to right her wrong. She has until Valentine’s Day to help him find his soul mate.

But the more she’s around him, the more she wants him for herself, even though she knows that can never be. A Cupid and a human? Unheard of.

As V-Day draws closer, can she sacrifice her own happiness to help the man she loves find his?

Excerpt:

The young girl at the hostess stand favored Ivy with a friendly smile. “One for lunch?”

“No, no thank you. I’m here to see Grant Crawford.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No. But he’ll want to see me. I’m sure of it. Tell him Ivy Pierce is here to make his dreams come true.”

The girl’s smile faltered. “To make his—”

“Yes, that’s right. Dreams come true.”

The girl quickly schooled her features. “One moment please.”

Ivy tapped her foot as she waited. What had she been thinking? Where she came up with that line, she had no idea. It had just occurred to her out of the blue. The likelihood of Grant Crawford being enticed by such a sentiment was doubtful. He was a practical, down to Earth man with no time for love, let alone flights of fancy.

That’s why her chin almost hit the ground when Grant Crawford came through the door from the restaurant into the foyer. If she thought he looked good from the clouds, oh my. He wore black slacks and a dove gray shirt and black tie without a jacket. His eyes were even darker brown up close. Her stomach quivered, and her fingers went numb.

“Make my dreams come true?” he barked, shattering her fantasy. His sensual lips were bracketed by lines of annoyance instead of his adorable dimple. “What kind of nonsense is this?”