Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry CHRISTmas!


Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.


Wishing you all A Very Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Deadline by Judy McDonough

I've got a special treat for you mystery lovers today. This one is by one of my new friends and Northwest Houston chaptermates. She is such a sweetheart! I've heard lots of great things about her book. Just reading the blurb hooked me! Purchased my copy and can't wait to start reading!




Blurb:

“I don’t care what your last name is or who you’re with, I will love you until the day I die. Even after that...I’ll be the ghost haunting your dreams.”

Caroline seems to have everything figured out. She's about to graduate from college with a nursing degree. She's engaged to Trevor, who's handsome, rich, and completely entranced with her. But, love comes with a condition: Trevor wants Caroline to spend the summer in Louisiana, bonding with the father she's never really known. Nervous but willing to try, Caroline heads south to bayou country, where she meets Cade - kind, sexy, and determined to convince her that Trevor's the wrong man. Haunted by dreams of her great, great, great-grandmother and plagued by a series of strange accidents, Caroline must solve a hundred-year-old mystery as the deadline of her wedding fast approaches.

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

For more information on Judy's upcoming releases, please visit:  Judy McDonough

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Love Conquers All



As I sit and write this difficult post, I'm still trying to make sense out of the tragedy in Connecticut at the Sandy Hook Elementary school. There are no words to express the sadness, the pain in my heart and soul, or the anger I feel over the loss of all those innocent beautiful lives.

Evil is very real in this world. That is the one truth in all of this. Take away every single weapon known to man, and evil will still find a way to corrupt the weak and hurt the innocent. Hope for a better world resides within us all. Love each other, help each other in times of crisis, and continue to fight for what is right, remembering those who suffer losses like this.

A truth I will forever hold onto:

Evil will not win.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not ever.

I dedicate this post to these brave souls, young and old, who died on Friday, December 14.

Dawn Hochsprung - Principal
Victoria Soto - Teacher
Mary Sherlach - School Psychologist
Noah Pozner 6
Emilie Alice Parker 6
Grace McDonnell 7
Olivia Engel 6
Charlotte Bacon 6
Daniel Barden 7
Josephine Gay 7
Ana Grace Marquez-Greene 6
Dylan Hockley 6
Madeline Hsu 6
Catherine Hubbard 6
Chase Kowalski 7
Jesse Lewis 6
James Mattioli 6
Jack Pinto 6
Caroline Previdi 6
Jessica Rekos 6
Avielle Richman 6
Benjamin Wheeler 6
Allison Wyatt 6
Rachel Davino - Teacher
Anne Marie Murphy - Teacher
Lauren Rousseau - Teacher
Nancy Lanza - Mother

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Isaiah 41:10 - 
'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Revelation 21:4 -
and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

My prayers are with the families left behind, the first responders, the school, and the community. May they find peace, comfort and healing in the Lord's awesome embrace.

Love and Hugs to you all!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Dr. Noah and the Sugar Plum Fairy by Carla Rossi

Man December is flying by! I'm not even close to being finished with my Christmas shopping, but I'm determined not to let it stress me out. It will get done. It always does. :)
 
Here's another great book by a Northwest Houston chaptermate just in time for Christmas!  Carla Rossi is an awesome Inspirational writer. You must check out her books!  
 
 



College senior and not-so-ex-ballerina Jane Trumbull is home for Christmas break. She welcomes the joyful chaos of a happy family holiday – then the rollercoaster of emotions begins.

Veterinarian Dr. Noah Barron hopes his return to Texas and his new clinic will help him forget about his dark days in California. But he can’t outrun unresolved issues and doesn’t know how lonely he really is – until he meets slightly clumsy Un-Plain Jane.

Can Jane and Noah learn to share who they really are and what they really want? And can they allow God to send joy after sorrow, hope for hidden dreams, and healing for past wounds?


What others are saying:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming, November 26, 2012


I love this story! What a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas. This has all the ingredients of most family holidays...a crazy relative, lots of love, and a heaping helping of festivities! I can't wait to read what Carla comes us with next!
 
5.0 out of 5 stars A sure-to-put-you-in-the-spirit Christmas read!, November 18, 2012
Jane and Noah are adorable together and the cast of family are sure to engage you every step of the way. Light, enjoyable and fabulously Christmas. You won't regret one minute of this holiday story. And seriously, how can you not love this title!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

I've got my copy and I'm sending one to my mom as part of her Christmas gift too! Did you know when you gift a book to someone you get to choose the delivery date? How cool is that?! Now all I need to do is carve out the time to read my copy! :)




 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Broken Prophecy by Raven Raye

I've had this one on my kindle since before NaNo started. Moving it up to the front of my list, well, because I can! :) Rewarding myself with books for winning NaNoWriMo was the best idea ever!

This is another great release from a wonderful Northwest Houston RWA chaptermate. And the books just keep on coming. So many talented writers in this group.

 
Love this Cover!
 
 
Only Killian’s bloodline was created with the planet. No other can accept the Seal and no human can carry the seed to bear the Heirs of Aeden.

Killian, King of the Fey, is in love with Marcella Rowan, human and forbidden to his kind. An errant Angel, seeking revenge, awakens creatures thought long dead or mythological. Marcella’s life in danger and against the Divine Council’s orders, Killian saves her from death—by claiming her as his soulmate. As earthly and other-earthly creatures polarize toward good or evil, Marcella and Killian must survive the forces driving them apart. Only their love can unite the worlds of magick and mundane. Only their love can force their peoples to put aside bigotry, jealousy, and fear to overcome the evil tearing the earth apart. Only the magick they make together can repopulate Earth’s garden in Aeden.
 
 


Monday, December 10, 2012

Specter by RM Brand

 
 

Lots of great books by this Northwest Houston chaptermate. RM Brand writes paranormal thrillers, romance, fantasy, something for everyone. :) And she designs pretty amazing book trailers and covers as well. 


Here's her Newest Release!


Blurb:

A gothic tale of a woman who finds herself embroiled in a sinister scheme that threatens to plunge her into the depths of madness. However, she meets a rather lugubrious ally, a ghost, willing to help her unearth the truth from the catacombs buried under a labyrinth of lies going back over a century.
 
 
 
Barnes & Noble

To see more of her books visit: RM Brand


Specter by RM Brand



Hotter in Texas by Cristie Craig


Saturday, December 8, 2012

'Tis the Season to be Jolly




 
 
 
Or so they say.

Out of all the months of the year, December has to be the toughest time for most people to be jolly. The stress of shopping, of finding that perfect gift for the hard to buy for, but oh so loved, relative. The traffic. Oh, my the traffic. This is the worst part for me. And then there is the long holiday break with the kids out of school. Keeping them busy and out of my hair so I can finish up the last minute details really pulls on those last threads of sanity. Somebody, anybody, please take me away!

But you know, the more I'm out and about this year, I'm finding people smiling and spreading the Christmas cheer where ever I go. I've heard frowning causes wrinkles and who wants those? Certainly not me. LOL

So smile even when you don't feel like it and I bet before you know it, the day will turn around and you won't even have to think about it anymore. Here's to spreading some cheer of my own this holiday season. :)

A few quotes to get you started:

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 
― Dr. Seuss

“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
― Mother Teresa

"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.”
― John Ray
 
"Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart.”
― Anthony J. D'Angelo

 But most of all smile and enjoy each and every day, because you are loved awesomely! :)

Merry Christmas!!!
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Powerless Consent by Janet Nash

With NaNoWriMo finally at an end, I've had time to think about other things. Like reading some really great books as a reward for reaching my goal. Yippe!! :)

Here's one by a fellow Northwest Houston chaptermate. I can't wait to start reading!




Blurb:

Kate Ballard thinks attending a gala on a luxury yacht honoring her old college friend will be the time of her life, but secret cell phone videos, threats to her family’s safety, and a hidden sniper force her into a world of deception and lies. Can her faith erase such horror? Though powerless, she relentlessly tries to outsmart her captor and return to the love of her life.

Her husband, Tom, refuses to accept his wife’s decision to leave and discovers that he must revisit his past. With the help of an unlikely ally, he finds evidence of theft and murder tucked away in an old storage locker. When his investigation starts to uncover the truth, he struggles with whom to believe. Will he trust his heart, or the deception before his eyes? One thing’s for sure, nothing can stop him from reuniting his family, not even a force as great as Invisible Surveillance.
 
Click below to get your copy today!
 
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

NaNoWriMo - Halfway There

Today is the midway point for those of us trudging along in the trenches of NaNoWriMo. I've finally crossed over 22K words and have set my goal today for 25K. Oh, dear. Did I just write that goal down?! ack!

You'd think reaching 1,667 words a day would be easy. When nothing else is going on, I have to admit the writing does come pretty easy. I just write. I don't have to worry about the editing because that will come later. But let's face it. How often in life is there ever a time when nothing else is going on?

We 've had Birthday celebrations, Golf dinners, tennis lessons to get to, Drama tournaments, groceries to buy, dinners to prepare, laundry to wash and fold, etc. And no matter how early I start getting things organized and letting friends and family know my plans each year, this is about the point where I'm ready to throw in the towel.

I can see my family standing in the background with their hands folded across their chests as they secretly pray I'll do just that. They're supportive and happy I'm doing something I love to do. But, they're also a bit tired of warming dinner in the microwave and searching those blasted laundry baskets to find the clothes they want to wear and then having to iron it themselves. The horror! I believe I may have spoiled them a bit. :)

Well, I do hate to disappoint them. But I'm not giving up. Instead, I'm digging my heels in, determined to hit that 50K mark before November 30 is over. Or else!

They'll be so proud of me. And well, let's face it, I'll be a lot easier to deal with and live with as well.


I'm claiming one of those Big Ones for myself! :)

Keep those fingers going fellow NaNoers. Dont' give up! We can do this!
Too bad I can't count the words in this blog post! LOL
Now Back to Work!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Win a FREE Ebook Copy - Betrayals of the Heart Give Away

To celebrate my release, I'm giving away a FREE E-book copy of "Betrayals of the Heart" to anyone who stops by Everybody Needs A Little Romance and leaves a comment on my post telling me one thing you are thankful for this year. :)

Rules:

Vist the blog by Friday, November 9.
Comment on My New Release post.
Leave your email with the comment, or email me at melissa@melissaohnoutka.com, so I can send you the book. (I will not use your email for anything else. Promise!)

It's that easy!






 

Friday, November 2, 2012

2nd Day of National Novel Writing Month

 

November is here and it's time to get back to business! 
 
What I'm working on for NaNoWriMo:
 
Murder on Hall D
 
A light mystery/suspense/comedy

 
 
 
 
Can't wait to see where this story takes me. LOL I think my brain is on overload from all the new adventures on the horizon. A senior getting ready to head off to college next year. Another getting ready to take her driver's test. And my son, who has always kept me on my toes, will be entering high school next year. Whew... Throw in the new puppy we got in August and top it off with the writing and I'm lucky I make it back home with a small bit of my sanity each morning after running errands. :)
 
NaNoWriMo is the perfect escape!  Ahhhh.....
 
 
Word Count so far:  3002

 
 


Monday, October 29, 2012

"Betrayals of the Heart" Goes LIVE!

I'm thrilled to announce the release of "Betrayals of the Heart" available today at Amazon  and hopefully Barnes & Noble soon. The print version is due out later in November for those who like to hold a book with pages. :) I do hope you will enjoy this one. It's a litte more thriller, a little less romance. And I must tell you that the villain in this book kept me up at night. He's bad to the bone and had me wondering just where the heck he came from. LOL

 
Makayla thought she'd fallen in love with the man of her dreams. But after the honeymoon, a horrifying reality sets in. She is a prisoner, a slave, a pawn for a malicious man's games. When her precious son is born, the need to escape intensifies. Little does she know that the man who helps her escape is working undercover with orders from the FBI to bring her in--a sure method to end not only her life, but her young son's as well.

Ryan Carter (AKA Robert Shaw from Target of Betrayal) knows way too much about lies
and betrayal. His entire life is now a lie. The minute he discovers his target is a victim and not the cruel criminal the FBI's profiler has made her out to be, his agenda changes. Against the wishes of the FBI, he disappears with their star witness, vowing to keep her and her young son safe from the satanic monster she calls her husband. What he doesn't plan on is falling in love--or having a son of his own.

Fate deals them a cruel hand in the form of a simple high school history project. The madman has found them and he's taken Ryan's son in exchange for Makayla. Can Ryan save them both? Or will history repeat itself and once again steal all he holds dear?



Click links below to get your copy!  :)

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Friday, August 24, 2012

Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka

Just in case you wanted to read more about my publishing journey. :)


Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka: Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Target of Betrayal : Kathleen Landon thought her life would finally get b...

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Lots of Great Links to Share

Websites for Independent Authors



This is just a list I've made for myself and wanted to share. Check them out and use what you like. :)
Good Luck!!
  •  

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Love is Murder - It's Here!

Highly recommend this one! Seems like we've been waiting forever. LOL This is an amzaing book filled with stories from some of the best thriller/suspense author's out there today. One of which is my very good friend, William Simon. It's time to celebrate!


Lori Armstrong * Jeff Ayers & Jon Land * Beverly Barton * William Bernhardt * Allison Brennan * Robert Browne * Pamela Callow * Lee Child * J.T. Ellison * Bill Floyd * Cindy Gerard * Heather Graham * Laura Griffin * Vicki Hinze * Andrea Kane *Julie Kenner * Sherrilyn Kenyon * Dianna Love * D.P. Lyle * James Macomber * Toni McGee Causey * Carla Neggers * Brenda Novak * Patricia Rosemoor * William Simon * Alexandra Sokoloff * Roxanne St. Claire * Mariah Stewart * Debra Webb


Blurb

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romance suspense today.

Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"—bodyguard Donovan Rush—who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Bodyguards, vigilantes, stalkers, serial killers, women (and men!) in jeopardy, cops, thieves, P.I.s, killers—these all-new stories will keep you thrilled and chilled late into the night.



Friday, June 1, 2012

ALERT! DNS Changer Malware - Is Your Computer at Risk?

I heard some disturbing news a few weeks back about a computer threat and wanted to spread the word. This is another reason it is a "Must" to backup our computers. Even if we're careful, we just never know when a click on the wrong link will infect our computer with some type of virus, leaving us at the mercy of someone who understands this stuff. I learned the hard way a few years back. Had to have my laptop completely rebooted. Thankfully, I have an awesome computer repair guy, who just happens to be my baby brother. Now, I save everything. Everyday.

I'll start with the good news.  The FBI shut down an operation, called Rove Digital, last November and arrested six Estonian nationals behind it as well as shut down their malicious servers. The trojan virus, called DNS Changer, redirects your computer’s DNS queries from your ISP’s server to one created by the trojan’s creators — this essentially hijacks all Internet traffic from your comupter. The FBI set up its own DNS servers to ensure computers already infected wouldn’t be cut off from the Internet. Thank goodness.
But now the bad news. The FBI will be turning off their servers on July 9, 2012. If your computer is infected with this trojan it won't be able to access the web on or after July 9. With your Internet access cut off, installing anti-virus software to remove the virus will be a bit more difficult.

For more information about this and how to check your computer, click here:  FBI-International Cyber Ring

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day - A Day to Remember

This is a day for Americans to attend one of the thousands of parades held in large and small cities alike all over the country. We watch as marching bands march by, the overall military theme, the National Guard and other servicemen participating along with veterans and military vehicles from various wars, helping us remember the cost of our freedom.
Flags are flown at half-staff to honor the more than one million men and women who gave their lives serving this great country. It's mind boggling when you think about it. Their courage and sacrafice for others.  For us. Strangers they've never met.

So as we enjoy our day and the traditions listed below, let us remember why we are able to do so.


Indianapolis 500 - an auto race held on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day since 1911.

Coca-Cola 600 - stock car race held later the same day since 1961.

Memorial Tournament - golf event on or close to the Memorial Day weekend since 1976.

End of School Year and Beginning of Summer - usually resulting in lots of barbecue, deserts and family fun for us.

A Very Happy Memorial Day to you and yours. Don't forget to pray for our brave men and women, past and present, and thank them for giving us this opportunity to live free and proud.


Friday, May 18, 2012

Scrivener for Windows

I'm patiently waiting, if that's even possible for me, on this one! I've heard so many wonderful things from a friend who uses this Scrivener program on his Mac. So when they came out with the Windows version, I jumped on it. This program is designed to help you organize your writing. Something I've been trying to do for years. LOL So many cool options.  Check out the tutorials or even download a trial version here: 
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

I've been playing with the program and love what I see so far, but I'm so happy that even more help is on the way. Gwen Hernandez is a fellow blogging buddy over at www.everybodyneedsalittleromance.com and an expert in my opinion on this program. I can't wait to grab a copy of her book when it comes out in September. :)



 Check it out here: Amazon

  • Walks you through customizing project templates for your project needs
  • Offers useful advice on compiling your project for print and e-book formats
  • Helps you set up project and document targets and minimize distractions to keep you on track and on deadline
  • Explains how to storyboard with the corkboard, create collections, and understand their value
  • Shows you how to use automated backups to protect your hard work along the way

Let's face it.  I need all the guidance I can get in all of these areas. LOL I've been using a program called Liquid Storybinder and it has some really nice features too. I guess it all boils down to what works best for you.

Do you use one of these programs or how about another you'd like to recommend? :)



Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Lone Star Writing Contest - Don't Miss It!

Looking for a great contest for feedback on your next novel. Well look no more! :)


Lone Star Contest
The 20th Annual Lone Star Writing Competition



Entry fee: $20 NWH members; $25 non-NWH members,

Early bird entry: $5 discount on all entries submitted by midnight May 26, 2012


Deadline: Electronic entries must arrive by midnight June 9, 2012. Any entries received after the deadline will be deleted unopened.

Finalists will be announced on August 19, 2012. Non-finalists will have entries returned by August 28, 2012.

NEW !!! Special Prize !!! All entrants will be entered into a drawing for a 50 page edit by one of NWHRWA’s published authors. There will be 7 winners, one for each category.


Winners will be announced at the Lone Star Conference on October 13, 2012.

Eligibility: Unpublished may enter any category. Published may enter any category in which they’re not published, or in which they’ve not been contracted for five years. Open to RWA and non-RWA members.



Rules and Formatting: (see Rules and Entry form for more specific information.)


1) First 25 pages, including prologue, if desired.

2) All entries must be in the standard submission form: 1” margins all around, 12 pt. font, double space, 25 lines per page.

3) Save as .RTF

4) Manuscripts can be entered in only one category, however multiple manuscripts are allowed.

5) Entry form must be complete and payment made by PayPal.

Scoring: All entries will be sent to three first round judges: two published authors and one unpublished author. The lowest score will be tossed and final round contestants will be chosen by the average of the final two scores. In the event of a tie, the dropped score will be considered.

Finalists will be given one week to edit manuscript using the comments and score sheets from the first round judges before sending to final judges. Top three high scorers in each category will be category finalists. Those entries will be sent to both an agent and an editor for placement.


For more information please vist:  http://www.nwhrwa.com/



Monday, April 23, 2012

The Wicked Secrets Beneath Goes Live!

Finally! I've finished the short story prequel and it's live on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. ;)





**Short Story Prequel to Betrayals of the Heart

Robert Shaw lost his precious wife, unborn child and almost his own life protecting the innocent. Now he fights to make sense out of the chaos that is his life. A new identity means cutting all ties to his past and focusing on the future. As Ryan Carter, he can move on, start living again. A task that seems impossible--until Makayla Prichard enters the picture.

The FBI is set on bringing her down. They believe she is working alongside her husband, committing the most horrendous crimes imaginable. But Ryan Carter realizes Makayla is not the monster the FBI profiler has made her out to be. She's a victim. A prisoner in her own home with a young son she is determined to protect. Ryan Carter has found his new purpose--to help them escape or die trying.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble


Now I can finally focus on the this third novel. If all goes as planned, Betrayals of the Heart should be due out this summer. yeah!


Monday, April 9, 2012

Great Read and a Great Cause

Just have to share.

Teri Thackston, an amazing writer and chaptermate, is raising money for the Star of Hope. She is extending her double-nickels promo for the entire month of April. Please SHARE with your friends who might be interested in helping this great homeless shelter—and reading a suspense novel that features terrifying storms, kidnapped children and, of course, a bit of romance. For every copy of Onslaught that sells during April 2012, she will donate fifty-five cents to the Star of Hope Mission.

The Star of Hope Mission is a Christ-centered organization that provides food, shelter and counseling to homeless men, women and children. It is truly one of America's stars. To help out, simply order a copy of "Onslaught" by Teri Thackston from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Smashwords during April and .55 cents will go to the Star of Hope Mission. It's that easy. :)

Here are the direct links:



Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7duylmk
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/756mopp
Smashwords (for PDF or other formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140723
Star of Hope Mission (http://www.sohmission.org )

Teri
www.terithackston.com

Thanks for your support!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Dangerous Suspicions Wins!

I wrote a short story a few years back and decided instead of letting it sit and collect computer dust I'd enter it into a contest. Very excited to see it won 2nd place!

The Book Breeze Short Story Contest

http://www.thebookbreeze.com/About.php

There is so much more to this story. I hope to sit down and start to discover just what it is real soon. LOL This is my favorite part of writing. The surprises that pop up along the way as I go.

Kids are back in school so I have no excuses!

Thought I'd share my latest find. I finished reading "Wicked Appetite" by Janet Evanovich over spring break. Wonderful book to just sit back and laugh with. I think I'm in love with this Diesel character, although I still have no idea exactly what he is yet. Too funny!




Wishing everyone a Wonderful Spring!

(LOVE Springtime, hate the time change!)


Monday, February 27, 2012

A Blast From the Past - Inspiration is All Around Us

Now you might think I have been slacking off due to the lack of posts here on the blog. Never fear. I'm working away on edits for my next book as well as a short story. Life is still giving me fits, but I'm finding creative ways to work around it. Choosing to be happy in the middle of chaos is not easy, but it is possible. :)

This past summer, my good friend William Simon and I entered a contest hosted by Writer's Police Academy called the Golden Donut. Yep, catchy name right? LOL  Although we didn't come away with the prize, we did find the experience challenging and rewarding. Writing a short story with "exactly" 200 words, including the title, is more nerve wracking than I ever imagined! LOL But it was great practice for writing tight and making certain every word counts.

Below is what we were to use for inspiration.

Just looking at it still gives me chills!

We worked hard on these stories and felt it a shame not to share. So below you will find our entries. :)

**Warning: This material may give you chills as well and make you want to sleep with the lights on! Read at your own risk. :)


Evil Begets Evil
by Melissa Ohnoutka

     The annoying pecking is back.
     I know what that means, and shiver.
     They have friends this time.
     The old rickety roof bulges from their weight.
     Will I be lucky enough to outsmart them again?
     Crouching in the shadows, I wrap my trembling fingers around the knife's handle. Not that this single knife will do any damage.
     Demons, or whatever the hell these creatures are, do not bleed like the others. Believe me. I have tried. From guns to explosives, to even prayers of mercy. All I accomplish is pissing them off.
     The damn house looked like the ideal refuge from the storm I created. Far from civilization. Bars on all the windows, locks on the doors. Perfect to keep my pursuers preoccupied.
     But these security devices were meant to keep those like me in.
     You see, the storm is not at all happy I made the others bleed. Hurting an innocent in this world is frowned upon. Deeply.
     I wish the storm had caught me on the outside. Saved me. Thrown me in prison. Hell, incarceration would be a vacation.
     One minor mistake and I am left to fight the devil.
     On his turf.
     For my soul.


CHAINSAW
by William Simon/Will Graham

     Something happened here, a long time ago.
     Something bad.
     According to some, the legends are true.
     Others say it never happened, it was all made up.
     Me? I came here once to see for myself.
     Looks can be deceiving.
     You'd never guess what lies within.
     Most people think it's in Texas. Or Illinois. Even Minnesota. That's an accomplishment for a house that actually exists in Vermont.
     People drive by. They think they know the truth.
     I'll tell you the truth.
     I'll tell you everything.
     You see, the time has come to tell everyone the truth. Not to be maudlin, but I don't have a lot of time left. No, no, don't cry, it's okay. I've lived a good life. I did what I chose to do with it. Who knew it would be a cottage industry?
     If you'll pardon the pun.
     No mask, I don't like them.
     Yes, that is a chainsaw. And a big knife.
     But I'm very good at what I do, and I promise it won't hurt.
     You'll be immortal, you know.
     You'll be the last one.
     They'll probably make a movie about us.
     And they'll use this house to show everyone where it all happened.....



Be sure to check out William's story in the upcoming release "Love is Murder"  due out May 29, 2012.



  Blurb: 

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romantic suspense today.

Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"-bodyguard Donovan Rush-who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Beneath the Water's Edge by Jennifer Bray-Weber

Looking for a GREAT Read? I highly recommend this one! :)





Product Description

Elyssa Calhoun Montgomery had been willing to do anything to keep her father from debt, including following her new husband to the Caribbean-–dressed as a lad. But she never dreamed she’d become widowed so quickly, or that she’d come face to face with a fearsome pirate who expects her to fight like a man. Captured and her identity exposed, she doesn’t know what’s worse, being locked alone in a pirate captain’s quarters or experiencing an unsettling attraction toward him.

Captain Bran Blackthorn has grown weary of the pirating trade and seeks a King’s Pardon for his crew. Unfortunately, the man who could sign a reprieve, his half-brother Governor Flynn, would rather see him dead. When the gods—or the devil—bestows an angel to his spoils, he sees an opportunity to force a pardon with her ransom. Never mind his beautiful pawn has bewitched him, filling him with a desire to press his body against hers, capture her mouth in a searing kiss, and brand her as his own.

But when Bran’s enemies seek vengeance, Elyssa becomes entangled in their deadly game and Bran faces the gallows. Can they cheat death and save each other? Or will they be dragged...

Beneath The Water’s Edge


 

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Never Give Up! Never Surrender!


My First Book Signing
New Year, new promises. I've made my fair share and broke more than I've kept over the years. At some point on this journey to meet our goals, there will be moments of discouragement and maybe even despair. Maybe a pesky set back or two has derailed our excitement and enthusiasm and we're left wondering why? Why am I doing this? Is this even worth continuing?

Trust me when I tell you, it is. If the journey was easy, always filled with laughter, encouraging people and void of failure, there would be no growth and the reward wouldn't be so special. Think about it. If everyone breezed through everything they did or wanted to, the accomplishments would hold little weight and be...well. Dull and ordinary. Where would the "Wow!" be?

On days we start to question our dreams, we need to do something different. Give ourself permission to take a break, try something new, have an adventure. Anything. :)

Don't be too hard on yourself. Tweaking or changing those goals or promises, is perfectly okay. Adjustments are part of life. Giving up on a dream is what is not an option.

I took the last two months off from my writing. After releasing Target of Betrayal, I was pretty burned out. And my body was quick to let me know I'd stepped over the line and pushed a little too hard. The short break has done wonders. I started editing my next book the second week of January and I'm already up to chapter five. Yeah! But this time the editing isn't going to get the best of me. I'm scheduling those much needed breaks whether I want to or not and listening when my eyes tell me I've had enough. It's really hard to function with those migraines. And life in general becomes no fun at all.

Looking back over the past five years, there were several times I wanted to throw in the towel. To forget how much I enjoyed my writing. But I'm so glad I pushed on. It was hard work. If I'm totally honest with myself, it's probably the hardest thing I've ever done, short of childbirth. Shoot. It's still hard work. But the rewards are so worth it.

A few fun things that helped me boost my creative spark and relieve the stress:

Painting
Photography
Watching a favorite movie, again
Coffee or lunch with a friend
Playing games with the kids
Sneaking off to read a great book
Window shopping
Taking walks and enjoying the great outdoors

Ahhhh....just thinking about these things makes me feel refreshed. :)

Onward and upward! Never surrender!

I shared these quotes on Everybody Needs a Little Romance. Thought they were worth mentioning again.

“There is no success without failure.” Wish I could remember where I read this one.
“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” My eyes are wide open now! ~ Henry Ford
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Boy have I ever!
~ Thomas Alva Edison
“There is no failure. Only feedback. ” Now this one fits perfect! :)
~ Robert Allen

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 - Happy New Year!

Wishing you All the BEST for the New Year!!




Sorry I just had to share!  LOL

Now get out there and Live, Love and Laugh! :)