Visit me at Sharon Donovan's!

Sharon Donovan's hosting authors for a really fun Halloween event, and today's my turn! I hope you'll pop over and visit, and check out some of the other great posts. I have a funny Halloween story to share.

In the Author Spotlight: Sharon Donovan

Prior to the loss of her vision, author Sharon Donovan was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream rose.
Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words. Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. She is a published author with The Wild Rose Press, White Rose Publishing, Whimsical Publications and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Echo of a Raven is a CTRR recipient, and The Claddagh Ring is a CAPA nominee. To read excerpts and reviews of Sharon’s books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website: www.sharonadonovan.com. You can also keep up with Sharon on her blog: http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

The Wild Rose Press just released Sharon's latest, Her Biggest Fan, as part of its Men in Uniform series. Her Biggest Fan is available in ebook and print. Please give Sharon a warm welcome!

Here's the blurb:
From the shadows of the woods, he keeps vigil. The stage is set to drive the pretty little princess insane. He’s coming for her. And when he catches her, he’ll pounce on her like the big bad wolf.
After receiving a disturbing fan letter, New York Times best-selling author Tess Kincaid flees to the New England home she’s inherited following her father’s death. The manor has been tainted, every room staged to resemble the way it was in its glory days. However when Tess calls the police, the chilling props vanish into thin air.
Ruggedly handsome Sheriff Mike Andretti is called to investigate the reported burning candles, dancing gargoyles and otherworldly events. When he discovers no trace of the eerie setting, he finds himself caught between duty and desire. Is the woman with the bewitching green eyes delusional or is this a trap of twisted wit set by a demented fan?

And an excerpt:
Cool air drifted out of the ballroom, carrying the scent of burning candles and cigarettes.
Music floated through the corridor, the seductive undertone hauntingly familiar. The music was hypnotic, mesmerizing. Tess could barely think over the loud beat of her heart.
Every sense screamed to beware. She was about to come face-to-face with her stalker, her biggest fan. But over the hammering of her heart and accelerated senses, her will to put an end to this deadly game prevailed. She had to face him, find out who was behind this bizarre masquerade. Anticipation mounting, she made the turn at the end of the corridor and came to a riveting halt.
A female wax gargoyle stood in the doorway, long blonde hair billowing in the breeze. Her glass eyes shimmered with madness, an eerie smile on her face. In one hand, she held a mission bell, the other reaching out for a candle.
Music played from the old phonograph, the plucking of guitar strings laced with seduction. A breeze blew in through open terrace doors, stirring the sweet scent of jasmine from the candelabras.
Two wax nymphs stood at the bar, glass eyes shining bright in the candlelight, pliable fingers wrapped around flutes of pink champagne. Lit cigarettes burned in ashtrays. From behind the bar, a winged monster served drinks.
In the center of the ballroom, two gargoyles held a pose as if they were dancing, their waxy bodies closely pressed together, their reflections glowing in the mirrored ceiling. From the old phonograph in the corner, the hypnotic music played.
Tess gasped, her hand clasping her mouth. “Oh, my God!”
Mike raised his gun, circled the room. “Come out with your hands up. Hancock County Sheriff. Put your hands where I can see them.”

Happy 101 Award

Sharon Donovan graciously bestowed this award on my blog. Sharon's not only an amazing author, she's an amazingly inspiring and sweet person. You should visit her blog often.

Tradition holds that I list ten of my favorite things and pass the award on to ten bloggers. I probably mentioned too often that I have difficulty with favorites. My attention span is small and tends to shift more frequently than is probably normal, so I'll qualify my list as "current favorites." :)

1. listening to my kids talk and laugh with one another (ok, so this is a keeper)
2. writing (ditto)
3. my growing puppy Lily (think I'll keep her too. She makes me laugh)
4. hearing from people who've read my stories and loved them (yeah, I'll take this any day too)
5. the change of seasons
6. the frogs who return each spring to the pond and sing in harmony each night
7. the Avett Brothers, who make incredible music
8. the new Spoon release, Transcendence (can't stop playing it)
9. any Wilco CD
10. not having to think up ten things that I like

I'll pass this lovely award along to the following fellow Blogmania participants, whose prizes you won't want to miss on April 30, so be sure to visit their blogs that day, and other days too:

1. Romance Book Scene
2. Books R Us Online
3. Travel the Ages
4. The Black Sheep Dances
5. Books Books Everywhere
6. Sarah Grimm
7. Caroline Clemmons
8. Celia Yeary
9. Stiletto Storytime
10. Laina Turner-Molaski

Happy blogging!

Getting in the Christmas spirit

Today I'm over at Sharon Donovan's Christmas blog, sharing some holiday memories and a great recipe. I hope you'll stop over and leave a comment!

I'm a Kreativ Blogger

Alice Audrey gave my blog an award! Thanks Alice!

According to the rules, I must reveal seven random things about myself, and then bestow the Kreativ Blogger award on seven others. (See, I told you seven was a mystical, magical number!)

So here goes:
1. I finished my Christmas decorations today! Yay!
2. Now I’m baking Pumpkin Pie Bars. Mmm.
3. I have three brothers and three sisters (I was the tie breaker – go girls).
4. I have three kids (two girls. Girls still win.).
5. Just one hubby, though. :)
6. Animals make me smile. Mostly Lily, who's (thankfully) not impressed with her first Christmas tree. From her sound napping, you'd think she helped. Being part Aussie Cattle Dog, she did, however, herd me up and down the steps.
7. They make me smile even when they wake me up at five a.m. (which has been a lot, recently).

These blogs are some I try to visit often, because they’re always interesting:

1. Sharon Donovan
2. Bookbabie
3. Cactus Rose of the Wild Rose Press
4. Emma Lai
5. Murderati
6. Somewhere in NJ
7. Neil Gaiman

I bow to you, Kreativ Bloggers! (Hm, who spelled Kreativ so creatively, I wonder? My Catholic schooling is urging me to correct it!)
I'm relying on Google to alert you of your award. Mostly because some of you (yes you, Neil) will not care. However, I still love you.
Blog on.