Christine Presents: The Angry Woman Suite

Please welcome Lee Fulbright author  of The Angry woman Suite

Lee will be giving away a $50 Amazon gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.) Comment for a chance to win.

THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE

By

Lee Fullbright

  

Raised in a crumbling New England mansion by four women with personalities as split as a cracked mirror, young Francis Grayson has an obsessive need to fix them all. There’s his mother, distant and beautiful Magdalene; his disfigured, suffocating Aunt Stella; his odious grandmother; and the bane of his existence, his abusive and delusional Aunt Lothian.

For years, Francis plays a tricky game of duck and cover with the women, turning to music to stay sane. He finds a friend and mentor in Aidan Madsen, schoolmaster, local Revolutionary War historian, musician and keeper of the Grayson women’s darkest secrets. In a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three different people–Aidan, Francis and Francis’stepdaughter, Elyse–adding layers of eloquent complexity to a story as powerful as it is troubling.

While Francis realizes his dream of forming his own big band in the 1940s, his success is tempered by the inner monster of his childhood, one that roars to life when he marries Elyse’s mother. Elyse becomes her stepfather’s favorite target, and her bitterness becomes entwined with a desire to know the real Francis Grayson.

For Aidan’s part, his involvement with the Grayson family only deepens, and secrets carried for a lifetime begin to coalesce as he seeks to enlighten Francis–and subsequently Elyse–of why the events of so many years ago matter now. The ugliness of deceit, betrayal and resentment permeates the narrative, yet there are shining moments of hope, especially in the relationship between Elyse and her grandfather.

Ultimately, as more of the past filters into the present, the question becomes: What is the truth, and whose version of the truth is correct? Fullbright never untangles this conundrum, and it only adds to the richness of this exemplary novel.—Kirkus Reviews

EXCERPT ONE

ELYSE

1955

It is said that love is comfort, and that comfort comes from recognition of the beloved. Papa was the first to tell me this, and if it’s even a little bit true, then I took my comfort for granted, not realizing that one can’t truly appreciate the beloved until one yearns for the comfort to be returned. Even now, when I can’t sleep at night, when I can’t slow the speeding of my heart, when I can’t stop the replaying of what-if’s in my head, I take myself back to that place where cabbage roses dance on walls and my beloved reigns supreme; where I am queen of his heart and he is my comfort, and then and only then do I feel safe.

You’d think it would be enough, being able to conjure up at least a measure of my old, first love. Yet for a long while it wasn’t. Because I was incapable of stanching the nagging questions about my second, almost greater love. Questioning why Francis hadn’t seen the truth of it like Papa had; that the streak I’d struggled with hadn’t been born of badness; that badness wasn’t an intrinsic part of me like my eyes being blue.

But Francis, unfortunately, hadn’t been able to see through things the way Papa had, and that was because Francis had rarely felt safe. You could see it in the way Francis’s eyes got doubtful taking in a room, and the way he was always biting down on his lower lip. The way it looked as if he was always trying to keep himself from crying.

REVIEW SOUND BYTES

From Kirkus Reviews

"Secrets and lies suffuse generations of one Pennsylvania family . . . in a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three very different people . . . a superb debut that exposes the consequences of the choices we make and legacy's sometimes excruciating embrace."

2012 DISCOVERY AWARD

GLOBAL E-BOOK AWARD NOMINEE

From Midwest Book Review
"A very human story . . . a fine read focusing on the long lasting dysfunction of family."

"There is something fascinating in labyrinthine plot twists, which is what we have here, and I must applaud Fullbright for her keen and magical ability to pull it off with such aplomb."-Norm Goldman, Montreal Books Examiner and Bookpleasures.com

5 Stars ***** Reviewed by Joana James for Readers Favorite: "The Angry Woman Suite is quite a ride . . . very cleverly written . . . an outstanding novel."

Rating: 5.0 stars Reviewed by Anne B. for Readers Favorite:" Lee Fullbright is master of characterization."

Rating: 5.0 stars Reviewed by Alice D. for Readers Favorite:"The Angry Woman Suite is a brilliant, complex, complicated story about talented, complicated people . . . this is a story to remember!"

Lee Fullbright, a medical practice consultant in her non-writing life, lives on San Diego’s beautiful peninsula with her writing partner, Baby Rae, a 12-year-old rescued Australian cattle dog with attitude.        

The Angry Woman Suite, a Kirkus Critics’ pick, 5-starred Readers Favorite, and a Discovery Aware winner, is her first published novel.

LINKS:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13555924-the-angry-woman-suite

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/fullbrightlee

Blog/website: http://www.leefullbright.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Angry-Woman-Suite-Fullbright/dp/193769853X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352916923&sr=8-1&keywords=the+angry+woman+suite

Don't forget to comment.

Christine Presents: Danita Cahill and Mist

Please welcome Danita Cahill author of Mist.

It’s Thanksgiving, but the Roseland community doesn’t feel particularly thankful. Not when citizens of their Oregon coastal town keep disappearing. Is it aliens? A serial killer? Or a pack of evil, red-eyed dogs? Detective Kevin McCoffey is determined to solve the case.

When young, widowed photographer, Dianne Harris and her infant daughter find themselves face to face with the killer, Kevin races to yank them to safety. But is he too late? With help from both the town’s fortuneteller and the ghost of Dianne’s dead grandmother, Kevin and Dianne battle their own demons and their shared past history as they rush to save Dianne’s baby from the killer’s grip.

Author’s note – I started writing this book a month after my mother’s death. It was my way of moving through grief and healing. When my grandmother died years ago, I got stuck in the grieving process and had a hard time moving forward with life. My hope with this thriller novel is that it not only entertains, but helps others push through the tough days, weeks and months after losing a loved one.

There may be evil red eyes in the mist, but there is also light at the end of the tunnel.                   – Danita Cahill –

  I strain my ears to listen. The barking again. Is it getting closer?                               

  Something else. In the distance. A crunching sound. What is that?

  I check my mirrors. Search outside the windows. But the fog is so dense now, I can’t make out anything further than three or four feet beyond my vehicle.

  The crunching is getting louder. Closer. My heart jumps into my throat. Perspiration dampens my palms. Is it the dogs?

  I search my rearview mirror. Only thick white air. Nothing else.

  Wait. What’s this? A light. Drawing closer. No, make that two lights. And still the crunching sound. Wet crunching.

  Tires over a rain-soaked gravel road.

  My heart settles back down. It’s an approaching vehicle, although not loud enough or heavy enough to be a tow truck. It crunches to a halt behind me. A door opens and closes. Footsteps.

   Who could it be?

  What if it’s the Roseland serial killer come to grab Megan and me? My heart beats staccato again.

  The footfalls draw nearer. Not daring to breathe, I stare straight ahead. I don’t want to make eye contact until I know who it is and what they want.

  A dark form appears at my window. I can see it with my peripheral vision.  The form bends at the waist. A face appears, so close that the person’s breath clouds the glass. My heart pounds harder.

  “Excuse me, Ma’am. Do you need some assistance?”

  The pattern of my heartbeats change from stark fear to something lighter, giddier; like the slap of a child’s salt-water sandals running over hard-packed sand. “Kevin!” Am I ever glad to see him. I can’t roll down my window without power, so I fling open the door.

  It catches him in the shin.

  “Ouch!”

  “Sorry. Are you okay?”

  Kevin holds his lower leg and groans.

  “Oh, Kevin. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s…fine…really,” he says through clenched teeth. He lets go of his leg, straightens with a grimace and forces a smile. “Injuries are expected in the line of duty.”

  Duty? Is that how he thinks of me now, as a duty?

  “Are you alright?” he asks. “Your message sounded scared.”
   Damn skippy I was scared. Still am. I glance in all three mirrors. The dogs and their red, glowing eyes are nowhere in sight. I don’t want Kevin thinking me a nut case, so I don’t bring up the dogs.

  I feel safer with a cop nearby, although sitting here with my door ajar and Kevin standing outside in the open still makes me jittery. I keep my right hand tucked in my lap so he won’t see the bloody napkins wrapping my thumb. “I’m okay. I ran out of gas. Stupid, I know.”

“It happens all the time,” Kevin says. “I don’t have a gas can with me, but I’ll go get one and fill it. You and Megan can ride along so you don’t have to wait here in the cold. Besides, I don’t want you getting hit if someone drives up too fast. With this fog, I couldn’t see your SUV until I was right on top of you.”

  Kevin on top of me. Now that conjures up all sorts of erotic images. My face heats. I clear my throat. “Thanks for the offer, but there’s a tow service on the way.”

  I should tell him about the dogs. 

  “No problem.” Kevin crinkles his chin and looks deep into my eyes. “You sure everything’s alright?”

 I decide to come clean. “Well, there are these d…”      

 Kevin’s cell rings. He pulls the phone from its holder on his belt and answers. Kevin holds his hand over the mouthpiece. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. You’re positive you’re alright?”

I look up into Kevin’s familiar gold-brown eyes. “I’m okay.” At this precise moment, with him standing guard, I really mean it.

   He turns to leave. Stops. Hesitates. Spins back around. He leans down into my open doorway and kisses me full on the mouth. His lips are warm and firm against mine.

  “Oh,” I say when he draws away. “What was that for?” My lips tingle where his lips touched mine. 

  “For luck.” Kevin vanishes behind me into the mist. His headlights spear into the fog then disappear as he turns his patrol car around and speeds away.

  Kevin knows I don’t believe in luck. But the kiss was nice. The lip tingling spreads, sending pleasant ripples through my body.

  Very nice.

Author Danita Cahill

What do you think? Do all dogs go to heaven?

Christine Hosts Dark Waters

Please welcome Lila Ann White author of Dark Waters.

Liia Ann will be awarding a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a $10 Evernight Publishing Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win.

Dark Waters

by Liia Ann White

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INTERVIEW:

1.What or who inspired you to start writing?

I’d been writing little things as a kid, fan fiction and that sort of stuff, then when I was 13 I read R L Stine’s Goodnight Kiss 1 & 2 and decided I wanted to write a proper story. I wrote several short stories and half finished romance novels from then, but when one short story was published when I was 15, I knew I wanted to be an author.

2.How did you come up with ideas for your books? 


Dreams and nightmares. I have nightmares, vivid dreams, weird dreams and all sorts of craziness going on in my head each night and sometimes I have recurring characters that just don’t go away until I write about them. It definitely makes plotting easy J

3.As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I hope to keep writing and writing and writing for as long as I can. Fantasy romance, urban fantasy, erotic romance, young adult, all sorts of genres.

And they’ll all be best sellers of course J

4.If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

I’d be Adora. Not only is she royalty, she’s a kick ass heroine. I don’t think I need to explain more right? Oh wait, and she’s incredibly sexy! Hehe

5.Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I’m not a part of a critique group as such, but I have a little writing family. A few author friends and I bounce different ideas off each other, do beta reads, critique each others’ work when necessary and we’re always 100% honest which is incredibly helpful.

I used to belong to a critique group (very briefly) and the writers just weren’t honest with each other. That’s not what being a critique partner is about.

When I finished Dark Waters last year, I wasn’t sure if it was hot enough, or if a certain scene worked. These friends told me honestly what worked and what didn’t. The fact that they all said the same thing was just a bonus!

6.What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The best advice regarding publishing is to be patient. One of my best friends, Sara Brookes, told me that and it’s still the best I’ve ever receive.

Regarding writing someone once told me to write for the market. That was possibly the worst writing advice I’d ever heard.

7.Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

I’m vegan and while I don’t do it for political reasons, I like to have at least one vegan or vegetarian character in my books. People always say you should write what you know, so I do.

8.Do you have an all time favorite book?

Goodnight Kiss 1 & 2 by R L Stine. I absolutely love that and have since I was 13. I read it at least once a year.

Adult wise, I love My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I read that when I was about 15 and have read it several times over. There are so many issues and themes that just resonate with me and are suitable for almost everyone.

9.Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

I’ve started working on the second book in the Water Lands series. It follows Adora and Randor on their new lives in the human world, but there will definitely be some twists and turns along the way.

I’ve also got an urban fantasy novel, Different, out on submission at the moment. It’s about a supernatural race I created, so I can’t wait for people to read it.

10.         What is your favorite reality show?

Doomsday Preppers. Hands Down! I just love watching and shaking my head at some of the crazies out there.

11.         Who is your favorite actor and actress?

Actor is Taylor Kitsch, not only because he is my future husband (stop laughing I really will marry him one day!), but because he has such a great actor, he can become the character so well you forget you’re watching a movie.

BLURB:

Randor is a Fae assassin. As the most feared military officer in the Faery Realm, he only got out by striking a deal with the late King to become an assassin for hire. Something he was only able to do because of his place as adopted family member. When he’s ordered to kidnap the Unseelie Faery Princess and deliver her to the Seelie Queen, he doesn’t think twice, until he sees his target. Adora. Unseelie Princess. Most beautiful being in existence and feared witch warrior and his soul mate. Disobeying orders is something he’s never done before. But when he brings her into the Human Realm; his home, he has no regrets. Until his Elvish friend, Kiel, disapproves and an unexpected attack raises questions about his loyalties. The only way that could have happened was if Kiel tipped off the Queen's witch, Maleficent.

Adora was fearless, powerful and intensely unhappy. Until she was kidnapped by a mysterious stranger, who happens to be her half human, half Seelie soul mate. After being attacked, Adora, fearing she'd lose Randor, admits her feelings for her soul mate. The two of them just need to find a way they can survive together - away from the feuding kingdoms. Entering the Seelie castle, under a pretense of needing the witch's help to bind Adora's immense power, they ask for Maleficent, whom they plan to eliminate so she can no longer track them.

When all hell breaks loose, they're involved in a fight including the witch, Kiel and the Queen. A fight that not all of them will survive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT: 

“Lady Adora Belira, Princess of the Seelie Court, daughter of King Polara, and future ruler of the Water Lands.”

As the kingdom’s attendant announced her arrival in the court, Adora rolled her eyes. Stating her entire title each time she entered the room was so ridiculous and unnecessary. But Father had always been a stickler for rules. He was one of the last remaining old-school faeries, insisting his lands follow the ancient laws laid down by the Originals.

Adora had never followed the rules. Her mother was the enforcer of the family. Since she’d died, Adora had used her father’s obliviousness to her advantage and rebelled against him and the kingdom at every chance she got.

Father looked down at her clothing with a frown. She preferred to wear combat gear, consisting of a skin-tight top, pants, and versatile boots. The rest of the kingdom would prefer she conform and dress in something more fitting for a princess, a flowing gown that had no practical use whatsoever. She was a healer for the army. She needed to be prepared for anything.

“I do wish you’d wear something Kilip has prepared for you, even if only when dining in the court.” Father spoke with a slight wheeze.

“And I do wish you’d see someone about that cough you have,” she told him, sticking out her chin stubbornly. “It’s getting worse, Father.”

Adora sat by his side at the head of the royal dining table. Several heads turned and people gasped when she spoke to the king

with a tone of disrespect. Once again, she rolled her eyes. She’d been doing a lot of that lately.

“Mind your business,” Adora snapped at the gawkers. All of them looked down and focused on their own conversations.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Liia Ann White is an Australian author, hailing from Perth, WA.

She spent her childhood daydreaming about far off lands, creating her own unique characters, reading books about witches, faeries, demons, ghosts and a host of supernatural creatures. Eventually, she gained the courage to put her imagination to work.

A self-proclaimed geek, Liia collects Disney and Star Wars memorabilia and loves all things nerdy.

A vegan animal lover, she wishes to one day have her own rescue shelter for unwanted and 'unadoptable' animals. When not writing, she can be found reading or spending time with her dogs.

Liia is a member of Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia, Passionate Ink, Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and Young Adult Chapter of Romance Writers of America as well as being the webmistress for YARWA.

Always interested in meeting new people, Liia can be found on facebook or twitter almost constantly.

Website: www.liiaannwhite.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LiiaAnn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LiiaAnnWhite

Buy Links

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/dark-waters-by-liia-ann-white/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Waters-Water-Lands-ebook/dp/B00B56GX9U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1359517557&sr=8-6&keywords=liia+ann+white

AllRomanceEbooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-darkwaters-1047801-140.html