Thursday, March 21, 2013

Aubrie Dionne Author of Playing the Maestro Talks About Music

State of the Orchestra in Today’s World

One of the reasons why I decided to write Playing the Maestro was to bring attention to classical music. Sure, there’s smooching, romance, adventure, and wickedly evil deceit, but underlying all of the personal dramas is the story of a struggling orchestra and what it has to do to survive in today’s modern world.

With American Idol, sold out rock concerts, and Lady Gaga’s theatrics, classical music can seem very stuffy and boring. Less and less people go to orchestra concerts, and I consider classical music a dying art form. The NH Symphony- the first orchestra I soloed in front of in high school, went out of business years ago, and orchestras all over the country are struggling- the same struggles you’ll read about in Playing the Maestro.

The sad part is, classical music improves test scores, it makes kids smarter. It teaches them discipline, perseverance, and how to use their hands to do something other than play video games and text. It is totally worth it and essential to a well-rounded society. Besides that, it’s part of the classics like Pride and Prejudice in literature, and part of history. It shouldn’t die along with the white wigs and tights.

The main hero in the story, Wolfgang Braun, makes it his life mission to replace every video game controller with an instrument. We need more of these heroes today.

What do you think about the decline of classical music in today’s society? Do you think it should be saved? She’ll have to play her boss to come out on a high note…

Playing the Maestro ~ Maestro Series Book One

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

About the Author:

Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation--favorite character was Data by far--and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "a concert flutist" when she grew up. She majored in flute performance at the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship, then secured two teaching jobs at a University and a local community music school. While playing in orchestras and teaching, stories popped into her head, and she used them to make the music come alive for her flute students. Her students said they were so good, she had to write them down! Maybe they were right, who knows? Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

She is represented by Dawn Dowdle and writes sweet and adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary romance.

www.authoraubrie.net

http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

@authoraubrie

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Enjoy a Fun Quiz from Sharon Bayliss Author of The Charge

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Sharon Bayliss has two wonderful items to share with us today! The first is a quiz centering on her new release The Charge.



The second being a query critique! Isn't Sharon awesome? All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment! What side are you on in the Charge?

Blurb:

When King of the Texas Empire kidnaps Warren's brother, Warren embarks into a still Wild West to save him. On his journey, he makes a discovery that changes his life forever—he and his brother are long-lost members of the Texas royal family and the King wants them both dead. 

He gets help from an activist Texan named Lena, who's itching to take on the King and happens to be a beautiful firecracker Warren can't stay away from. Convincing her he's not one of the bad guys becomes harder when a mysterious energy stirs in his body, turning his brain into a hive of emotions and memories—not all his own.

A legacy of violence is not all he inherited from the brutal Kings of Texas. The myth that the royal family possesses supernatural powers may not be myth at all.

Gone are the days when choosing a major was a big deal. Now Warren must save his brother and choose whether or not to be King, follow a King, or die before he can retire his fake ID. 


An audio recording of Sharon reading from The Charge: https://soundcloud.com/sharon-bayliss/the-charge-reading


Purchase Linkshttp://amzn.com/B00BNPCHGQ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-charge-sharon-bayliss/1114745688



NetGalley (free review copies): https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/28197

Or the Goodreads "Add this" widget:

      The Charge

Giveaway: The giveaway is open from 3/1-3/31. Please feel free to include with your post!

About Sharon

Bio: Sharon Bayliss is a native of Austin, Texas and works her day job in the field of social work. When she’s not writing, she enjoys living in her “happily-ever-after” with her husband and two young sons. She can be found eating Tex-Mex on patios, wearing flip-flops, and playing in the mud (which she calls gardening). You can connect with Sharon at www.facebook.com/authorsharonbayliss and www.sharonbayliss.com.

Blog/Website: www.sharonbayliss.com

Monday, March 18, 2013

Cover Reveal - Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski

Eye of the SoulEye of the Soul

Release Date: October 7, 2013
Adult Fantasy









Escape. 

That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason. 

Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.

Or so she believes.

Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.

Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on. 

Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.

Forever.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Holiday Magick: 20 Holiday Stories with a twist


 

Holiday Magick: 20 Holiday Stories with a twist

People don't usually question holiday traditions or their origins, but maybe they should. Over centuries, explanations of how and why holidays exist may have been lost or changed.
Some holiday histories might only be known by a few individuals. Ancient magic spells could have influenced how we celebrate today. Fairies, zombies, or demons may have shaped our holidays.

Consider the following...

Why do people give red roses and cards on Valentine's Day?
Is there more to the story of Purim than is traditionally told?
Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day?
What happens to spirits that are captured during the Japanese Doll Festival?
Where does Santa get his helpers?
You may think you know the truth, but you can't be too sure.

Upcoming Holidays
Valentine’s Day
My Dearest Valentine, by Maria Martinez
Paper Hearts, by Jennifer Allis Provost
Purim
The Esther, by Meredith Morgenstern
Japanese Doll Festival
Doll Trouble, by Kimberley Long-Ewing
Las Fallas
Finding Fire, by Trisha J. Wooldridge
St. Patrick’s Day
Marked, by Keshia Swaim
Earth Day
The Keeper of the Trees, by L.M. Graham
Arbor Day
Planet Pattern Baldness, by Daniel A. Cohen
Sprite Start, by Dave Porteous
Memorial Day
Final Draft, by Kate Kaynak
Dragon Boat Festival
Autumn Moon, by DK Mok
Equinoxes
Equinox This!, By Candace Sams
Columbus Day
A Land Without Zombies, by Nicole Zoltack
Halloween
Masking Fear, by Daniel A. Cohen
Demons’ Day Off, by Rich Storrs
All Souls Day
All Souls Day, by Emma Michaels
Thanksgiving
Second Thanksgiving, by Kendra L. Saunders
Easy as Pie by Keshia Swaim
Christmas
Christmas with the Krampus, by Owen Dean
The Toy Makers, by Jessica Porteous


I'm so excited for my short story to be in this anthology! I can't wait for it to come out. Here's the GoodReads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16293236-holiday-magick

And here's another image. They commissioned an artist to make illustrations for each of the stories. Here's for mine:


And there's a FB page for it: https://www.facebook.com/HolidayMagick

One last thing: Holiday Magicks is available for preorder. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holiday-magick-rich-storrs/1113805262?ean=9781937053499

and


Can you tell I'm excited? LOL

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A Wicked Bag of Horror Tales - Ellie Garratt's Passing Time


A Wicked Bag of Horror Tales
Thank you for hosting me, Nicole. I'm honoured to be passing time with you and your readers today.

As with all writers, one of the more common questions I am asked is 'Where do you get your ideas from?'

I wish I could answer that question and then bottle it–I would be able to take a sip every time I needed an idea. The truth is there is no definite answer for any writer. The arrival of a story, scene, character, or plot seems to happen by some unknown magical process, often while you are doing the most unimaginative things–such as hoovering or waiting in a grocery store line. But sometimes they are actually given to you.

In 2010 I answered a call by Wicked East Press for their A Wicked Bag of Horror Tales anthology. However, this wasn’t a straightforward submission call. Eight writers were selected at random out of those who expressed an interest in the anthology. Then those eight writers, one of them being myself, were asked to submit a horror story prompt. The twist was each writer was given one of the other writers’ prompts. I can tell you I agonised over a prompt to submit, and was so nervous I submitted two. But that was nothing compared to coming up with a story for the prompt I was given.

My prompt was The run-down diner on a lost highway holds the horror within. Sounds easy enough. Well it took me over a month to come up with an idea, and where it came from was a complete surprise.
I was looking at road-trips in America–my other half and I were considering a trip that took in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. While viewing a map of that area, I glanced upon Death Valley. My immediate thought was that’s where my diner should be! Then I thought, but there has to be something sinister about this diner. It can’t just be rundown; it needs to be stuck in a different era such as the 1960s. And just for good measure, I’ll fill it with Russians. Because why would an American diner in the middle of nowhere be full of Russians?
And so that is how my idea for Dinning in Hell, the middle story from Passing Time, came to be. It appeared out of nowhere.

Are you ever asked where your ideas come from? Have you ever come up with an idea in an unusual or odd way? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Book Blurb
Nine dark fiction stories that may just give you nightmares.

A man lives to regret Passing Time. A father will do anything to save his son in Expiration Date. An author finds out her worst nightmare is back in The Devil’s Song. A woman gets more than the claim fee when she takes out vampire insurance in Luna Black.

In Dining in Hell, the Death Valley Diner becomes the wrong place to stop.

A serial killer wants to add another file to his collection in The Vegas Screamer. In Eating Mr. Bone, an undertaker could meet an unfortunate end. A con man meets his first ghost in Land of the Free. And will truth finally be set free in The Letter?
Book Links
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About The Author
A life-long addiction to reading science fiction and horror, meant writing was the logical outlet for Ellie Garratt’s passions. She is a reader, writer, blogger, Trekkie, and would happily die to be an extra in The Walking Dead. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and online. Passing Time is her first eBook collection and contains nine previously published stories. Her science fiction collection Taking Time will be published later in the year.
Author Links


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