Let me introduce to you author...AUBRIE DIONNE!

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. After reaching a high point in her flutist career Aubrie decided to pursue other creative passions.

“I’d always loved writing and reading fantasy/sci fi books ever since I was little but I always pushed it aside for flute. I felt like I needed to explore more of my interests in life. Ever since I started writing, I couldn’t stop! I use what I’ve learned about craft, diligence, structure, from my flute playing. It’s exciting to start a new discipline and have no idea where my boundaries are: how far I can go with it, how good I can get.”

Paradise 21, Aubrie’s fourth book, was released August 2 as one of Entangled Publishing’s ten launch titles.
Aubrie is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Her short stories have been featured in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Aurora Wolf, A Fly in Amer, Moon Drenched Fables and various anthologies.

What is Recycled Food?

In Paradise 21, the colonists have it easy: living aboard great cruise- ship like vessels with giant biodomes to shelter livestock and grow real food. But the space pirates are stuck on the last working space station: Alpha Omega, and all they have left is recycled food.

So what is recycled food?

Ever see the movie Soylent Green? Or the beginning to The Matrix?

If your stomach is squeamish, then don’t read on.

Recycled food is all of the human waste (including bodies) that is put through a system, filtered, processed, and enhanced with nutrients in a sludge-like substance that is used to feed the rest of the population. It’s the only way they can survive with Earth unlivable, and all the large colony ships taken by the elite.

Although I never come out and say this in the book, it’s hinted at in Chapter 4:

“In Outpost Omega, if you snoozed, you ended up as the recycled food…”

Why did I write it this way? I wanted to create sympathy for the pirates. They’ve got nothing, so finding a paradise planet is everything to them.

My question to you is: Would you rather be a colonist, with all the luxuries of life and a predestined marriage, or a space pirate, with nothing and the free will to choose who you want to be with?

Aries finds a way to do both. Read Paradise 21 to find out how.

Aubrie Dionne excerpt 2

Maybe they wouldn’t come. Giddiness bubbled in her throat with the thought of the ship coursing away without her, but she knew better. They’d turned the New Dawn around before, and knowing Lieutenant Barliss, he’d have it no other way. Not only was he a high-ranking officer, but she was his chosen mate, scheduled to be bound to him in ceremony next month. Her escape would prevent Barliss from passing on their combined genetic code. There was no doubt that a man who followed the Guide to the letter would come after the woman whose DNA he needed.

The orange bulk of Sahara 354 claimed the horizon on the main sight panel. Aries soaked in the sight of the small, forgotten planet, like the first time she’d seen pictures of old Earth. Although the conditions of life on Sahara 354 were reportedly bleak, to Aries it looked like a haven. Blue and red lights flashed on the panel in front of her, warning her of the change in trajectory as the pod entered the planet’s gravitational pull. Aries shut off the thrusters and allowed the vessel to sail into orbit. She glided in space, using the pod’s sensors to complete a full scan of the surface, searching for signs of resources or life. Although she had enough food and water for days, they’d only delay an inevitable death if she couldn’t find further sustenance.

Time ticked away, seconds she knew she couldn’t waste. The New Dawn traveled much faster than an escape pod, and she needed time to fake her own death and disappear. The vast wasteland stretching before her only had small pockets of water and plant life. If she didn’t choose her landing spot wisely, she’d be plummeting to a real demise.

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.

Aubrie's books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, Gypsy Shadow Publishing, and Wyvern Publications.

Aubrie’s Website

http://www.authoraubrie.com/my-short-stories

Aubrie’s Blog

http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com/

Join me Halloween at HONEY BEE

Hello Gang!

I will be blogging overseas for the first time! WHOO-HOO! Come join me Halloween for some spooky fun, games, and learn a little about me personally. Stop by and don'y be shy. See you there.

THE PLACE: Honey Bee

Link: http://honeybeeauthors.blogspot.com/

Say hello to a fellow Author from across the ocean! Meet IRIS DEORRE‏!

My Writing Journey

My writing journey began when I was seventeen. I wrote a short story about a young teenage girl who was struggling with that stage of her life. It helped me personally to get through some things I was going through at the time.


English Literature at school also encouraged my journey to write. I remember studying our first novel (Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare) and thinking wow! If only I could write like that. Not necessarily the old English, more of the creativity the meanings behind words. I tried to string beautiful words together but never felt that they came out sounding like Shakespeare. I came to learn and accept that each writer has to and must develop their own style.


Life happened; I had a baby and later a divorce. During that period I wrote a novel about a young girl with supernatural abilities who was misunderstood by her peers. It’s a story I never developed, it sits dormant on a memory stick. Perhaps one day I will go back to it and publish it under a different name.


Life really began to get interesting when I sent a short story to a women’s magazine. The story was about a woman who left her country in search of a better life with a small child. I didn’t even know I’d been published except for the cheque that arrived in the post a few months later.


My writing took a huge turn in 2005. One evening I was surfing the net and came across a call for new writers who wanted to try their hand in script writing. The course would be run by a well know Theatre house and only 20 places where available. I sent in my application and to my surprise I was accepted onto the course. The course ran for five weeks, with the end result to showcase a play to a live audience. Even though my play was only five minutes long it was nerve wrecking sitting in the audience hoping that people would laugh in the right places and hopefully understand my play.


A year later I got a call from the literary manager from the Theatre and was told that I’d been selected as one of the new writers to write a short play for radio and the internet. I couldn’t believe it; this was validation of my work. It was the first time I began to take myself seriously as a writer.


Later I turned from script writing to novel writing. In November 2007 I joined Nanowriters and achieved my 50,000 words the night before the deadline. The book was never published another one that lies dormant on my PC.


I wanted to learn more about writing skills so I enrolled onto a writer’s course. This was run by a well known erotic author who not only encouraged me but was genuinely excited about my work. She believed in me and I began to believe in myself a lot more. I turned to writing erotica. There was something about the freedom of expression that was the most exciting about this type of writing. Also my love for Horror is what makes me combine the two.


I love to write no matter what genre it is or what type whether it’s script or novel. It’s what I love to do and it’s a part of who I am. As far as I see it my writing journey has only just began.


Bio

Iris Deorre started to write when she was seventeen. At the time it was a form of escapism. By the time she hit her twenties she was writing short stories and got one published in a women’s magazine. She went on to write short plays but after meeting a well-known author who taught a writers class her focus changed to Erotica. Her love for paranormal is what makes her combine the two.

She resides in the UK with her little girl.

The Whitby Ghost is the latest story from Iris Deorre.

Blurb

Roy has a past he'd rather forget. To overcome it he takes his girlfriend Melisa to Whitby, the very place of his past that he is trying to forget. Roy believes it's the only way to move on and to forget it by moving on with his future, Melisa.

But something is lurking in Whitby, something that Melisa becomes sensitive to the minute they arrive. What she discovers is hard to swallow. What follows is a journey to the other side. Something she'd rather forget.

Will Melisa marry her boyfriend who refuses to talk about his past? Or will his past bring them closer?

Buy Links:

The Whitby Ghost Amazon UK
The Whitby Ghost Amazon US
The Whitby Ghost DE

A Dedication To YOU! And Somehting Special!

Hello Everyone. Contest time!

Now this contest is something different than most people are use to. This contest is open to everyone, my old fans as well as new one ones.

This contest is reader interactive. Ooooh!

THE RULES:

In order to participate you have to have read FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. It’s an IR/Menage.

Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=69&products_id=255&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414ers_id=69&products_id=255&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

HERE’S THE CONTEST:

My editor Valerie Mann, was so enamored by the secondary character Jerry, she wanted to see him have his own story. He’s the mutual best friend of Marty and Olivia. They all have a past.

So this is what I need you guys to do after you read the book.

Hopefully you’ll have a better understanding of the dynamics of the relationship. After pondering what you read, I would like you to send me ideas for Jerry’s story.

There are so many options:

Will his story take place pre-Marty and Olivia?
Will his story take place with Marty pre-Olivia?
Will his story take place post Marty and Olivia? How will the relationship develop?
What’s the name of the heroine. Yes! You can name her!
Where will the story take place? Domestic or International?

It’s up to you guys!

THE PRIZE:
Two free ebooks of mine of your choice AND the free book that I write with your story idea with a dedication page to you!

This contest starts NOW and will end October 31st

Email me at novelgal90210@yahoo.com or kitty_imrr_asstmgr@hotmail.com
Or get in touch with me on my blog: http://missstephaniewilliams.blogspot.com/

Individuals who enter the contest surrender all intellectual property rights to their ideas.

GOOD LUCK!

MEET MY PUBLISHERS!

Come meet the ladies that run the successful epub Decadent Publishing.

Hey Gang!

I want you to meet some people. My Publishers! These two ladies are just too much fun. I had the pleasure of meeting them at this years RT and had a blast. But you have to watch them, they can get kinda carried away. You know the type. WINK

Anyway, these lovely ladies are the ones who accept by books, market them and make my life pleasurable, because trust me, the writing business can drive you to drink sometimes. LOL!

But besides these two being party animals, they are serious businesswomen. In fact, the own and operate Decadent Publishing. They started a year ago and they just took off like a rocket!

Go here to check out their extensive library: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414&content=home

And here are the lovely ladies!

Heather, Heather & Lisa, Lisa in Barrow

Here I ask them the secret of there success. Enjoy!

What made you two decide to become the owners of a publishing company?

Heather- A bottle of wine, rather delicious wine, and an understanding of each other’s strengths and abilities in regards to the business. We’ve also been friends for several years, and can read each other pretty well by now. I trust her—something very important in a partnership.

Lisa – I’ll take the blame. LOL! It was an idea that had been rolling around in my head for awhile. I was on the cusp of retiring from my former career and wanted my own business. I wanted a publishing business. There was plenty of funding, but I needed Heather’s help. As far as plying her with wine? Well, timing is everything.

Why the name Decadent? What does that name represent to you as it reflects your company?

Heather - Lisa and I love quality—quality chocolate, quality wine, quality sci-fi television, quality men, and definitely quality reading. We indulge in it, we revel in it, we get passionate and excited about sinking into a great story and losing ourselves in another world. Many women say fine chocolate is as good as sex. So what better word association when it comes to passionate indulgences than ‘decadent’? It carries a hint of dark hedonism and an air of luxury, much like a fabulously hot romance novel.

Lisa – If you go to the “About Us” page on our website, there’s a poem written by Ross Williams that sums it up. The actual name is one we have Keta Diablo to thank for. We had bandied about several options, but nothing worked quite the way Decadent did. For me, it embodies all the luxuries in life, and books are a luxury.


Where do you see epublishing going?

Heather - First of all, epublishing is not going to fade away as some hope. It will only get bigger as devices like iPad and the new Android tablets become more affordable and versatile. The younger generations are ‘plugged in’; they do everything on their electronics. Carrying a hundred books in their pocket on their phone is more convenient than schlepping around even one copy of, say, Outlander. Paper books will decline, but hopefully not go away. I like both in my library. Technology is about to become very available for ebook signings; I talked to the developer of a big program a few months ago about it and I am excited to implement that at our company as soon as possible. But with all the wonderful and fancy inventions now and in the future, loyalty is an individual decision and a fan base is best built on a personal level. It will be just as—if not more—important for ebook-only authors to attend signings and Cons so their readers can form a tangible connection to them and their work.

Lisa – “What she said.” LOL!


What’s the best thing about being an owner of a publishing company?

Heather - Free books. Actually, for me, it’s being enmeshed in the creative community and being able to control the quality of the product we wish to present to the world. I was given the gift of good reading at an early age, and I wish to pass that along. I also enjoy utilizing my strengths to help people reach their goals through this company. Lisa is the analytical one. She is terribly creative, but also loves stats and organizing things and that all gives me hives. I like the HR aspect, the marketing and promo.

Lisa - The best thing about being an owner? I help decide how and where this business is going. It’s a control issue, for sure.

Do you see any improvements that can be implemented in the epublishing business?

Heather - Personally, I would like to see the day when a customer doesn’t have to wonder which of the 6 or 7 formats their ereader uses. It’s rather baffling for someone not familiar with the lingo. It’s one of our FAQs.

Lisa - Besides what Heather mentioned above, I think the epublishing industry needs to help modify the way older folks view ebooks and ereaders. We’re missing out on a large portion of the population.

My husband and I own a motor home and we frequently take to the road for vacation. It’s hard not to notice the numbers of RV’ers who are lugging their print books around with them. When asked, the overwhelming response is, “I don’t understand how they work” or “I like the feel of a real book.” The basic fear of something new and different. Yet, with a little instruction, they could be carrying an entire library in the palm of their hand. Just think of the savings in fuel costs!


What suggestions/advice do you have for people that are sitting out there saying “Hey, I want to start an epub, looks easy.”

Heather - I would never tell anyone NOT to follow their dream if that is it. But lordy…this is not ‘easy’. We many times work 7days a week EACH--at least 5 full days--and I mean 10+hours. Even on the days off Lisa made me take over the 4th of July, I was checking email on my phone, posting on Facebook/Twitter, etc. If you want to do it well, you can’t go in half way. I REALLY admire those ladies and gents who started off doing it all themselves and made a real success of their business. I personally thank God for my business partner all the time. J She is there when I can’t be or cannot figure something out, and her strengths are different than mine.

Lisa - She sure is sucking up to me today. LOL! I think she wants this chocolate bar sitting on my desk.

My advice is to take the time and do your homework. Heather and I did a lot of research and brainstorming. We came up with our own vision, and a business model that includes working hard everyday and let nothing sway us off course. “Success is the best revenge.”


What’s a bad day at an epublishing company? What really gets your dander up?”

Heather - What makes me upset? When I am out of coffee creamer. NOT a good way to start my day. My kids are calling Nana for a 911 on Coffeemate.

Lisa - I plead the fifth. LOL!


Will you just stick to being an owner, or have you/will you author books yourself? Can you merge to two without going Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs?

Heather - I have some WIPs—many—but I tend to write so many emails and posts and texts each day I don’t want to look at a computer screen in my down time. My Senior Editors bust me when they see me online at 2a.m. It happens about once a month and those nights are when I get about 3k written. Yeah, it will take me awhile to get a finished product. J But, luckily for me, I have a FANTASTIC group of editors who can crit me before I send anything out for submission! They’re tough. Which I like. J

Lisa - My focus is different nowadays. As spare time increases, I plan to pursue a fine arts degree in film studies and try my hand at writing television and movie scripts. Screenwriting is a different path of creative expression than I envisioned myself traveling down, but Heather planted the seed a few years ago and it has started to germinate. When the muse calls, there’s no choice but to follow.


How do you market your authors and find new marketing venues?

Heather - Lisa does a lot of advertising all over. She’s done a lot of print in RT and other places, but we’ve also done MANY ads at NOR, TRS, CTR, etc. We have a Review Coordinator who sends each book out to numerous review sites. I do a bi-weekly newsletter and post to social networks daily. We have a very active company author’s blog, and give Decadent authors information regularly about opportunities we find for them to market themselves.

We also like to look around, follow blog links to new places we’ve not seen before, study the trends, make up our own campaigns and initiatives. We created ‘Read For a Cure’ which I’ve not seen other pubs doing. It’s a Decadent program where all publisher profits for one book per month benefits Relay For Life. We do blog tours and guest features at places like Books on the House. Last holiday season we had a separate and very successful contest at a secondary blog where we had some mom-owned vendors and artists sponsor our grand prizes, then our authors wrote holiday-related pieces and gave away daily prizes. It was fantastic and the brain-child of author Amanda McIntyre. I also like to ask the authors what THEY would like to do, get their input. We will be starting a Decadent Publishing Book Club, as well.

Lisa - We’re also a member of IBPA (Independent Book Publisher Association). The organization has opened many doors to us that ordinarily wouldn’t have been available.


Where do you see Decadent Publishing in the next 5 Years?

Lisa – Bigger and better. It’s the journey, after all, and we have a lot of things
planned, including the creation of another website for our mainstream titles.

Heather- Doing this and coming up with new angles or a new slant on an old idea. It’s inspiring and motivating! Also, I’m all about 3D book covers. If someone can figure out a way to make THAT happen on an ereader, call me. I have a few cover models on speed dial.

It's Leanne Dyck! Come sit a spell and Comment!

Bio:

Short stories, flash fiction and blogging kindled Leanne Dyck's writing flame. The fire began to roar when her writing appeared in knitting and business magazines. Sparks flew high when two of her stories were published in Island Writer literary journal. Firefighters were alerted when, in June 2009, she self-published Maynely A Mystery. Now that Decadent Publishing has released The Sweater Curse, the fire refuses to be contained.
Under the pen name Grace Meadows, Leanne has written two erotic short stories--Untouched Places and Animal. These stories are available from Decadent Publishing--Animal is a free read.

The Sweater Curse blurb
Aspiring knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson is stuck in Purgatory. To escape, she must re-examine her life, journey through her past and right a wrong. But which wrong?

Young and in love, she works to establish her career, except fate has different plans. One rash act and she loses everything. Never resting, always seeking, and yearning for what she can no longer have, Gwen faces the truth: if she remains, others are destined to die.

How will she solve the mystery before it is too late?

Buy Links

Decadent Publishing http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=203&osCsid=ep6jlbnir3bacfp9floeovjqt7

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sweater-Curse-ebook/dp/B004IPPJQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AZC9TZ4UC9CFC&s=merchant-items&qid=1295645546&sr=1-1

Smashwords

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/36891

Sony's Reader Store

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/leanne-dyck/the-sweater-curse/_/R-400000000000000341365

Chapters.Indigo.cahttp://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/search/?keywords=The%20Sweater%20Curse&pageSize=12

Reviews
'Stitch by colorful stitch, Leanne Dyck knits a tale of intrigue with The Sweater Curse' -Laurie Buchanan

'Leanne Dyck has crafted a tale as exotic and existential as Danish author Isak Dinesen's.... This book defies genre definitions as it finds its unique place on the fiction shelves. Here's hoping Leanne Dyck returns many times to the intriguing roots of her family's past.

-Mystery author Lou Allin

'Go out and pick this one up, you'll find yourself immersed as well.' -Deborah Warner, reviewer for By the Book

(read more http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/p/reviews.html )
Is there something I've forgotten? Please let me know.
I look forward to visiting your blog. Please email me when this goes live.
Thank you,
Leanne Dyck


Author of (the thriller)The Sweater Curse
Website: www.oknitting.com
Blog: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com

Come Welcome Jennifer Madden YAY!

BIO

Terminally addicted to romances, thanks to finding her aunt’s stash of 'Harlequin Presents' years ago during a sleepover, J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories. Most particularly her own.

She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes. J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she's at the computer, reading and writing, trying to perfect her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde, and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is unemployed right now, so it's given her a chance to seriously jump into writing full-time. She has several projects in the works and loves to hear from readers.


Second Time Around was released on December 28th, and it was my debut novel.

BLURB

Officer Shane Caldwell responds to a routine end of shift call with some annoyance, but when she tackles and handcuffs her ex-lover and the father of her son, things turn hot in a flash. Four years before Quinn Scott disappeared to make his fortune, and she hasn’t heard a word from him. As his touch ignites old passions, Shane is torn between telling him about the son he's never known, and protecting young Jackson's heart from the man who walked away without a backward glance.

When Shane storms back into his life, Quinn isn't surprised by the incredible attraction which sparks between them. He wants to take up where they left off, but years of lies and unexpected betrayals from family and friends endanger his Thoroughbred breeding operation and his dreams of a future with the woman he never really left behind. Will old prejudices separate them again or can love grow stronger the Second Time Around?

EXCERPT

Twisting her free arm behind her, she snagged the handcuffs out of their leather pouch and snapped one cuff onto his retaining wrist. He looked uncomprehendingly at the strange piece of metal around his arm, before smiling slowly, sexily. Shane felt her heart squeeze in affection when she saw that acknowledgement of who she was. Shane turned his body to her, and pushed his back against the stall door next to Snort’s stall. Quinn’s eyes widened in surprise at her actions, and then darkened with passion. With his arms above his head, she threaded the second cuff around one of the wrought iron bars, ands nicked it onto his other wrist.

Quinn never said a word, but he did clench the bars behind his head, highlighting every striation in his biceps, and the strength of his fists on the iron. Shane lost track of what she was doing for a long moment, caught up in his masculinity. It was obvious he was posing for her, and she gave him the long, lingering look he deserved. Stepping forward, she nuzzled into his neck, nipping lightly at the flushed skin. Metal jingled as he reached for her, panting. The cuffs kept his hands from touching her. "Shane," he warned, "you better start doing something before I rip these bars off the door.”

Laughing, Shane jogged across the aisle and pulled the giant barn doors closed, flipping an interior lock to keep them shut. She also double-checked to make sure the walk-in door at the end of the aisle was locked as well. Anticipation beat at her as she went through the motions of making them safe from prying eyes. She was panting as she turned toward him again, and not just from the exertion of slamming the doors. Desire built in her, and it needed to be appeased soon. Snort shifted in his stall at the commotion, but didn’t make any other sound. Quinn watched her with hooded eyes and clenched jaw, waiting patiently for what was to come.

She unsnapped her belt-keepers and let them fall to the floor with a clatter as she exaggerated the sway of her hips and strutted toward him.

Dark hazel eyes zeroed in on her hands, watching as she removed her gun-belt. Shane took her time, but Quinn’s enthusiasm, as well as her own, pushed her to the limits. She had never restrained anybody sexually before, and her conscience nudged at her. It was unexplored territory, but she enjoyed it. The mere thought of him being at her mercy was an aphrodisiac in itself. She could do anything to him, and as long as it was enjoyable, he would let her do it. Damn, that was hot.

You can find me at:
http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=50&products_id=201&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000565912735

Twitter- lilbighorse

I also have an Urban Fantasy piece coming out with Bonapart Press. The title of the anthology is Urban Moon, and my story is Burning Moonlight. Should be out beginning of June sometime.