Chrys Fey, a Freebie, and a Giveaway

Welcome readers! Today, I have a special treat for you. The amazing Chrys Fey has agreed to stop by and share about the newest release in her disaster series. Read carefully for a chance at a free read as well as to participate in a giveaway!

Sylvia Asked: Are there going to be any more disasters or stories with the characters from the Disaster Crimes series?

 

Chrys Fey’s Answer: No more disasters.

*my characters give a sigh of relief*

I’ve pretty much covered them all, except for a zombie outbreak.

No more books in print or eBook, either.

The Disaster Crimes series is now complete.

 

The Complete Disaster Crimes Series:

*The Crime Before the Storm (prequel)

Hurricane Crimes (novella, #1)

Seismic Crimes (#2)

Lightning Crimes (free short, #2.5)

Tsunami Crimes (#3)

Flaming Crimes (#4)

Frozen Crimes (#5)

A Fighting Chance (spin-off, #6)

The Disaster Curse (short story, #7)

*Free exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.

 

But is this truly THE END?

In a sense. I may write bonus content that’ll be available on my website www.ChrysFey.com that’ll likely be a few pages or less. I am considering writing a little something to reveal the new driver of Venom, Donovan’s monster truck. So far, that’s the only bonus content I have in mind.

 

Pages: 154

Genre: Romantic-Suspense

Heat Rating: Hot

 

BLURB:

*A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be read as a standalone.*

Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he's worried the truth will frighten her away.

And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates, jeopardizing their happy ending.

Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and Amanda have a fighting chance?

 

Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

 

EXCERPT:

Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye. She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.

“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her fingers at April and pointed at the stools.

April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so they blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield Amanda.

From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front of the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to be closing.”

“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”

The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her memories.

Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by that name here.”

“Don’t bullshit me. I know she works here.”

His voice was closer now.

 

 

***FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME***

THE DISASTER CURSE

 

 

Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

Author’s Note: I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance, and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow. Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*

 

 

***LAUNCHING A WEBSITE***

TheFightingChance.org is a website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Inspired by the Disaster Crimes series.

 

 

***GIVEAWAY***

Prizes: Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2) eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a Volcanic Blast Scented Candle

Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com

Author Links:

 Newsletter / Website / Facebook Group /Blog / BookBub

Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

 

Jerusalem Book Launch and Giveaway

 

“The novel’s women are tough and subversive, pushing those around them toward more nuanced approaches to religion and life…Jerusalem as a Second Language [is] a sensitive novel about how religiosity is adapted in liminal spaces.” -Foreword Reviews, July/August 2020

 

Please join me in spreading the word about JERUSALEM AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (Trade Paperback; Aubdae Publishing; ISBN 978-1-951547-06-6; $19.95), the wonderful new novel by the late Rochelle Distelheim.  Rochelle was an award winning short story writer whose debut novel, Sadie in Love, was published in 2018, when she was ninety! She passed away just a few weeks ago at the age of 92, but I hope we can bring attention to her and her writing and honor her legacy.  

 

SYNOPSIS: It’s 1998.  The old Soviet Union is dead, the new Russia is awash in corruption and despair.  Manya and Yuri Zalinikov, secular Jews – he, a gifted mathematician recently dismissed from the Academy,  she, a concert pianist -- sell black market electronics in a market stall, until threatened with a gun by a Mafioso in search of protection money.  Yuri sinks into a Chekhovian melancholy, emerging  to announce that he wants to “live as a Jew” in Israel. Manya and their daughter, Galina, are desolate, asking “how does one do that,” and “why?”

 

Thus begins their odyssey, part  tragedy, part comedy but always surprising. Struggling against loneliness, language, and danger, Yuri finds a Talmudic teacher equally addicted to religion and luxury; Manya finds a job playing the piano at The White Nights supper club, owned by a wealthy, flamboyant Russian  with a murky history,  who offers lust disguised as love. Galina, enrolled at Hebrew University,  finds dance clubs and pizza emporiums and a string of young men, one of whom Manya hopes will save her from the Israeli army by marrying her. 

 

Against a potpourri of marriage wigs, matchmaking television shows, disastrous investment schemes, and a suicide bombing, JERUSALEM AS A SECOND LANGUAGE confronts the thin line between religious faith and skepticism.

 

BUY LINKS: Amazon, Aubade Publishing

 

Please comment below for a chance to win a FREE copy of  JERUSALEM AS A SECOND LANGUAGE and Rochelle’s first novel, Sadie in Love. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rochelle Distelheim, a Chicago native, earned numerous short story literary awards, including The Katherine Anne Porter Prize; Illinois Arts Council Literary Awards and Fellowships; The Ragdale Foundation Fellowships; The Faulkner Society Gold Medal in Novel-in-Progress; The Faulkner Society Gold Medal in Novel; The Gival Press 2017 Short Story Competition; Finalist, Glimmer Train’s Emerging Writers; and The Salamander Second Prize in Short Story. In addition, Rochelle’s short stories earned nominations for The Best American Short Stories and The Pushcart Prize.  Her stories appeared in national magazines such as Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, Working Woman, Working Mother, and more.  Her first novel, Sadie in Love, was published in 2018 when she was 90 years old.  She lived in Highland Park, IL. Here is the obituary that ran in the Chicago Tribune: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=rochelle-distelheim&pid=196338405&fhid=2000.

Don't forget to comment below for a chance to win a copy!

Blogiversary and Giveaways

It's official! I have now been a part of the blogging world for SEVEN years!

To celebrate, I am offering a few FREE READS:

1) Anyone who wants a FREE copy of my short story "Broken Angel" can receive a pdf version by leaving a comment below, or you can also email me at: writinginwonderland(at)gmail(dot)com. Simply let me know where to send your copy. This promotion is good through November 1st.
2) Madame Tooshkas Spell - Halloween short story (romance) about 800 words.

ALSO...

Dancing Lemur Press is running a special all October - buy one audio book, get one free.
Buy any of the eleven Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. audio books in October 2017 from either iTunes, Amazon, or Audible. Send a copy of your receipt (less any payment info) along with your 1st and 2nd choice of free audio book to inquiriesATdancinglemurpressllc.com. You will receive a code for a free audio book download. You can choose your free book from these ten titles: 
He Gave Me Barn Cats by Maria Santomasso-Hyde, The Remnant by William Michael Davidson, Tornado Warning by Tamara Hart Heiner, CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh, CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh, CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh, Bloodwalker by L.X. Cain, Matowak: Woman Who Cries by Joylene Nowell Butler, Under a Purple Moon by Beverly Stowe McClure, and Dragon of the Stars by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Enter to Win 55+ Inspirational Historical Romances PLUS a Brand New Kindle Fire!

Today, I have a fun surprise that I'd like to share with you.

To celebrate November, more than 55 fantastic inspirational historical romance authors have teamed up to give away a huge collection of novels, PLUS a kindle fire to one luck winner!

You can win books by authors like Elizabeth Ludwig, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Karen Witemeyer, and Michelle Griep just to name a few.

Enter the giveaway by clicking here: bit.ly/historical-inspy

Good luck, and enjoy!

Matowak Woman Who Cries - Tour and Giveaway

Hello and welcome to the Mâtowak Woman Who Cries book tour and giveaway!

Synopsis:

A murder enveloped in pain and mystery...

When Canada's retired Minister of National Defense, Leland Warner, is murdered in his home, the case is handed to Corporal Danny Killian, an aboriginal man tortured by his wife's unsolved murder.

The suspect, 60-year-old Sally Warner, still grieves for the loss of her two sons, dead in a suicide/murder eighteen months earlier. Confused and damaged, she sees in Corporal Killian a friend sympathetic to her grief and suffering and wants more than anything to trust him.

Danny finds himself with a difficult choice—indict his prime suspect, the dead minister's horribly abused wife or find a way to protect her and risk demotion. Or worse, transfer away from the scene of his wife’s murder and the guilt that haunts him...

Mâtowak Woman Who Cries is available in eBook at the following sites:

Amazon.ca 

Amazon.com

Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C

The print copy is available at: 

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

When Joylene's father died in 1983, she wrote her first full–length manuscript to channel her grief. The seven-year process left her hooked and she began Dead Witness within a few weeks of finishing Always Father's Child. Today Joylene is the author of three suspense novels: Dead Witness, Broken But Not Dead, and the steam-punk collaboration Break Time. While she'll admit being published didn't fix all the wrongs in her life, she wishes her parents had lived to see her success. Dead Witness was a finalist in the 2012 Global eBook Awards. Broken But Not Dead won the 2012 IPPY Silver Medal, and its sequel Mâtowak Woman Who Cries is due for release November 1, 2016.

Joylene lives with her husband and their two cats Marbles and Shasta on beautiful Cluculz Lake in central British Columbia. They spend their winters in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.

For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog then connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and her Amazon Author Page.

Tour-wide giveaway (US and INTL)

*This giveaway is for three (3) print copies that are available to those living in the U.S. only and one (1) eBook copy available international. To enter, please visit:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/019b32f8272

Madame Tooshka’s Spell

Thank you again to everyone who participated in my giveaways, or left reviews for my work. Your continued support means so much to me. As another thank-you in helping me to celebrate six years of blogging, and in response to requests to read more of my fiction, I am sharing the below story for Halloween. I would love to hear your thoughts - pros and cons. Thanks again!

Madame Tooshka’s Spell

Jack let out a huff as he rocked from one foot to the other. How had he managed to get roped into chaperoning the school Halloween dance? After a long week with the law firm, it was not his first choice in how to spend a Saturday.

 “You have to come,” his twelve-year-old daughter Julie had gushed. “Ms. Mills says we need five more parents to agree to chaperone or the school board won’t let us have the dance.”

One round-eyed plea from his daughter could convince him to do almost anything. He sighed. Those brown irises were perfect replicas of her mom, but Julie had inherited his blonde locks. Ever since her mom passed away three years before, he’d played the role of two parents, something not easy to do with all of the hours he worked. There never seemed to be enough time to spend with her which was another reason he was here now.

Jack watched Julie twirl past in her blue princess dress, flanked closely by her friends the vampire, witch, and scarecrow.

He’d have thought the two hours at the Fall Festival before the dance began would have been enough to wear them out, but clearly not. Many a sixth grader would sleep soundly tonight after the sugar crash.

He smiled to himself and watched his daughter laughing in line at the snack tables with the same trio, now joined by another princess, an angel, and Spider-Man. His baby was growing up too fast.

Jack let out another huff, frowned, and removed his jacket. They really ought to crank the air conditioner a little higher, maybe bring in a few fans.

“Here, you look like you could use one of these.”

He turned to face a beautiful Gypsy. The long multi-colored scarf wrapped around her brown hair sparkled in the strobe lights. She offered a cold bottle of water.

“Thanks, you’re a life saver, Mrs...?

“Ms. Mills, better known as the Great Madame Tooshka,” she added in a Russian accent when he clasped her hand in greeting.

He laughed. “Yes, I saw your tent at the fair. You had quite a line of kids waiting to see you.”

“That is because Madame Tooshka is best fortune teller in the land.”

“Oh, really?”

“For instance, I know your name is Jack Brenaman and you have daughter called Julie,” she sipped her drink before continuing without the Russian accent, “and she will always be your princess, no matter how big she grows.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Only to someone with eyes.”

So, she had been watching him. Jack decided he really liked her smile. He found it infectious, and for the first time he found himself wondering about another woman. She’d said Ms., not Mrs.

“Do you have any children?” he asked.

“Yes, two hundred and seventeen of them at the moment.” She smiled at the confusion on his face before explaining, “I’m the school art teacher.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I meant of your own.”

“I know,” she smiled again. “The truth is I feel like they are mine. I love my job.”

He thought that was the best thing she could have said, until she added. “Of course, I can confide to you that Julie is a favorite.”

Perhaps she was just being kind, but the way she lovingly watched his daughter made him feel it was the truth. When she caught him staring at her, she smiled again. Enchanting. That was the only word he could think of to describe this woman. Am I ready to date again? Will Julie be alright with it if I do?

Jack took a sip of his water and looked again for his daughter. He tensed when he found her dancing with Captain America.

“Try to relax, Jack.” He felt a hand on his arm, and turned to stare into emerald eyes. “Julie is a bright girl who won’t tolerate any boy who might try to take advantage of her. Trust that you’re raising a smart, beautiful, and strong young lady.”

“Do you always know exactly what to say?”

“Madame Tooshka know all,” she teased, once again slipping into the accent.

“And does Madame Tooshka have a first name?”

“It’s Anna.”

There was that bewitching smile again. Jack didn’t want the spell to break.

“Well, Anna, I’ll be taking Julie trick-or-treating tomorrow night. Would you like to come with us?”

“I can’t. I’m expecting a lot of my students to come trick-or treating at my house.”

“Of course.”

“But, maybe my house could be your last stop? I can have spaghetti waiting on you two around eight?”

“Spaghetti is one of our favorites,” he felt excitement bubbling inside. Madame Tooshka had cast her spell, and she might just be the key to his future.

Winner and Bridge to Publication

First, congratulations to the winner of my blogoversary giveaway - David McCallum. You can check out the details of the giveaway here. 

Secondly, I'd like to invite everyone to a wonderful and affordable conference:

A Bridge to Publication - 12th Annual Writing Conference

November 12, 2016

Central School

809 Kirby St

Lake Charles, LA

BWG Members – $40.
Nonmembers – $50.
Students with ID – $25.
E-Book Prime Sponsorship – $100. Includes 1(one) ticket, sponsor listing in registration packet and social media pages, and one entry into special door prize drawing.

Doors open at 7 am
Conference – 7:55 am to 4:40 pm

Lunch, Mardi Gras Chicken will be included for conference attendees.
*An agent will be on hand to hear pitches. Pitches – 10 minutes

Scheduled Speakers (for Bios – Click HERE)

BJ Bourg – Mystery Author
Darrell Bourque – Professor Emeritus in English and Poet
Larry Gray – Playwright
Deborah LeBlanc – Mystery/Suspense Author
Quinn Loftis – YA Fantasy/Paranormal Author
DiAnn Mills – Christion Fiction Author
Latoya C. Smith – Literary Agent with L. Perkins Agency

WorkshopsPrewriting Your Novel – by DiAnn Mills
Dateline BWG  – BJ Bourg

Vendor Space for Conference Attendees and Non-attendeesAssigned 8 x 6 table space for rent. The program has time allotted for shopping throughout the day. Vendor must man (during shopping times) and provide own table, chair, table cloth, and change. Vendors that purchase this option will be emailed an assigned numbered space.

To learn more, or to register, visit: http://bayouwritersgroup.com/conferences_and_contests/a-bridge-to-publication-2016/

Simply Happy Giveaway

I'm so excited to share the news of a new release coming October 4th. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Simply Happy is meant to be a crash course in Chicken Soup for the Soul advice and wisdom.

Editor-in-Chief, Amy Newmark, shares stories of her move from Wall Street to the publishing field, what she's learned, and what she hopes readers get from the books they publish.

"I hope all readers come to the realization that they are much more powerful and resilient than they might think. That’s really what the Chicken Soup franchise has been built on: ordinary people who find incredible strength in challenging situations."

I found every chapter to be full of practical, simple, and moving advice. Shared human experiences, solitary challenges, and personal choices can all shape our outlook on life, but Newmark points out the easiest ways to turn those circumstances into positives. She show us how we have the power to be "simply happy."

Publishers Weekly said - This compilation of lessons from a Wall Street investment banker turned self-help author and publisher will enrich the lives of its readers. Nine years ago, Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less) and her husband, Bill, acquired the ubiquitous Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise. With this book, she aims to help readers enact similarly dramatic life changes. Newmark weaves her stories and those of others into a series of lessons on going easier on yourself, loving your body, pretending to be confident so you eventually come to be so, expecting the best of people, being bold and trusting your instincts, practicing gratitude, enjoying the little things, and living with passion. Newmark adds that “happiness is not a mysterious, elusive lottery ticket” but “a jackpot within everyone’s grasp once we remove the obstacles we put in our own paths.” Those obstacles also include “frenemies,” whom the author advises readers to ditch. Sensible and empowering, Newmark’s work aims to teach others how to live a satisfying life.

I highly recommend this book to any Chicken Soup fan, as well as anyone struggling with any issues.

Want the chance to win an autographed copy? Click on my giveaway to the right for more information, or go directly: http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2016/09/blogoversary-giveaway.html

Blogoversary Giveaway!

I just realized this October makes six years that I have been a part of the blogging community!

While I have experienced dry spells, and taken time away for medical, family, and other crisis I have always returned to a community with open arms. It has meant so much to me that writers and readers are so willing to educate, encourage, and inspire each other. You are a blessing of positives in a time often filled with negatives.

As a thank-you, I am offering two giveaways.

1) Anyone who wants a FREE copy of my short story "Broken Angel" can have one by simply leaving a comment below with the email you want it sent to by October 15. You can also email me at: writinginwonderland(at)gmail(dot)com

2) Secondly, anyone who leaves a review of "Broken Angel" (this is about a ten minute long read) either at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords, etc. by October 15 will be entered into a drawing for a gift set. If you have already left a review, you are already entered, and YES you can have multiple entries for leaving a review at multiple sites. Since this is my sixth year blogging, there are six items in the set.
A) Simply Happy - an autographed book written by Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher Amy Newmark. This title will not be available for general sale until October 4th.
B) The Power of Your Subconscious Mind - written by Joseph Murphy to help unlock the master keys to your success.
C) On Writing Fiction - by David Jauss to inspire rethinking conventional wisdom about the craft.
D) Book Bag - made from sturdy fabric with a full bookshelf print.
E) Russell Stover Chocolates - because everyone either loves chocolates or knows someone who does.
F) Candle - the holidays are coming and nothing says Fall like the smell of warm apple pie.

I will announce the winner here the week of October 16th since that is the week I began blogging.  HAPPY WRITING AND READING!

And the Winner is...

Today we are announcing the winner of last weeks game on Crystal Collier's blog.

Game - I shared two truths and a lie. Today, we tell you which was the lie. Everyone who got the answer correct over the course of the week was put into a drawing for the prize.

Giveaway - One winner has been selected to receive a FREE ebook copy of my western short story "Broken Angel".

Click the link above to see which choice was the lie, and who won the prize.

Crystal actually hosts this same game every Wednesday on her blog. It's a great way to meet new authors, and show some blog support/love. So, if you have time, come play the game and then check back each week for the correct answer, the announced prize winner, and a chance to play with a new writer.

Guest, Game, and Giveaway

Today I'm a guest on Crystal Collier's blog.

Game - I have shared two truths and a lie. Leave a comment guessing which one is the lie. Everyone who gets the answer correct over the course of the next week will be put into a drawing for the prize.

Giveaway - One winner will be selected next Wednesday to receive a FREE ebook copy of my western short story "Broken Angel".

Crystal actually hosts this same game every Wednesday on her blog. It's a great way to meet new authors, and show some blog support/love. So, if you have time, come play the game and then check back each week for the correct answer, the announced prize winner, and a chance to play with a new writer.