TELL TALE TUESDAY: Cities in ashes, endless bread lines, potato soup by candlelight, people herded along with whips, soldiers in splendid boots and swastikas everywhere... AUF WIEDERSEHEN BY CHRISTA HOLDER OCKER

Title: auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl

Author: Christa Holder Ocker

ISBN: 978-1-62420-116-5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 1

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Cities in ashes, endless bread lines, potato soup by candlelight, people herded along with whips, soldiers in splendid boots and swastikas everywhere, a little girl with chestnut pigtails reaching for her first Hershey bar–these are a few of the images that come to life in my memoir.

EXCERPT

1

“But when will we come back?” My sister asked, an edge of desperation in her voice.

Mutti stopped in the open doorway, turned around, and as if to avoid the question, she pointed to the distant wall. “Look Kinder,” she whispered.

A shaft of sun had found its way through the ice-laced window, spilling its silvery light on the painting above the couch, illuminating the wake on  a river flowing still.

Sadness crept into my heart, as my eyes returned to my mother – so tall, so graceful, her ash-blond hair knotted in a bun at the nape of her neck. A tear rolled down her high cheekbone. She wiped it away with her fingertips; then closed the door with a decisive click.

~ * ~

For as long as I could remember, this had been our home, a happy  home filled with laughter and song. The apartment, gracious and inviting,  furnished with unassuming elegance, was located on the first floor of a  new apartment building on the outskirts of Görlitz, in the eastern part of  Germany. The luscious aroma from Frau Ömichen’s kitchen on the second  floor still lingered in the stairway, and her deep foghorn voice resounded  off the granite walls, Komm rauf, Christa, wir haben Kartoffel Plinse…Günter  warted auf Dich. Come upstairs, Christa, we’re having potato pancakes. Günter  is waiting for you. Günter, at six, one year younger than I, was her only son  and my friend and playmate.

A while back, wanting a baby brother, Günter convinced me that,  although I already had an older sister, I should have a little brother too.  And so we left cottage cheese sandwiches on our windowsills. Everyone  knew, of course, that the stork brought a baby if you left him a cottage  cheese sandwich on the windowsill, at least in our part of Germany. One  day, soon after, Günter came skipping downstairs. “Guess what...” his voice  danced ahead of him. “I’m going to get a little baby brother.”

I looked at Mutti, anticipation rising to explosion force, but she shook  her head from side to side.

“I knew it!” I stamped my foot, both hands on my hips. “You didn’t put  enough cottage cheese on the bread.” I was upset. “Frau Ömichen put on  a lot more.”

“Well, that’s because Günter’s Vati was on furlough, you know, and they  got extra rations,” she sputtered through giggles. Both our fathers were off,  fighting Hitler’s war.

Yes, it had been a happy home and I, wrapped in a silken cocoon of a  child’s ignorance, was oblivious to the evil and destruction all around us.  Still, there were scenes that penetrated the walls of my cocoon and I could  not deny the dull ache of foreboding, as on one cold glacial day...

MYSTERY MONDAY: Lillian is attracted to her handsome boss despite his unsettled lifestyle. Remembering her own loving grandmother, she agrees to portray his girlfriend. A WIFE FOR JAY PRESCOTT BY ROSEMARY INDRA

Title: A Wife for Jay Prescott

Author: Rosemary Indra

Email: indrascloset@msn.com

Genre: contemporary romance

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Book Heat Level: 1

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From the moment Jay Prescott meets his new employee Lillian Ross, she turns his orderly life upside down. He’s captivated by her take charge attitude and shapely legs. To improve his grandmother’s morale after breaking her hip, he asks Lilli to pretend to be his girlfriend for two weeks. Their friendship grows and he realizes he wants a life long relationship with Lilli.

Lillian is attracted to her handsome boss despite his unsettled lifestyle. Remembering her own loving grandmother, she agrees to portray his girlfriend. Her attraction turns to love and she longs for Jay to see their relationship in a new light. When Lilli tells his grandmother the truth she has her own plans for Jay and Lilli.

EXCERPT

The moment Jay Prescott opened the executive rest room door he encountered a delicate wild rose fragrance. The men’s room at the architectural firm of Prescott and Wilkes had on occasion smelled of his partner’s favorite green cigars or expensive aftershave, but never roses. Jay stepped back, double-checking the sign on the partially opened door. Written in white letters was the word "Men."

He breathed in the faint aroma which reminded him of a walk in a rose garden. Jay shook his head and walked farther into the carpeted lounge.

Obviously, he still suffered from jet lag if he allowed something this trivial to distract him. After a grueling three-week schedule in New York, where he’d battled record snowfall and frigid temperatures, Jay wasn’t sure which he’d looked forward to more -- returning to his regular schedule or to Oregon’s misty sunshine.

He looked around the corner expecting to see someone by the row of sinks. At first, the rest room appeared vacant; then the rustling sound of a paper bag caught his attention.

"Steve, is that you?" Jay called out to his partner.

"I thought I locked the door."

The voice from the last stall was muffled, but it was definitely a woman’s voice.  He moved closer and noticed the nylon-covered ankles, well-turned ankles, the best-looking ankles he’d seen in some time. Mesmerized, he watched her kick off one black pump. Before he could ask her why she was in the men’s room, he heard the sound of a zipper. Jay froze. Proper etiquette would call for him to leave, but he couldn’t tear his gaze off her wiggling toes as they celebrated their freedom.

"I’m sorry. No one was in here and I thought I’d be finished before anyone noticed. I’ll be out in just a minute."

Jay tried to recognize her voice, but she sounded as if she held something between her teeth. "Why are you changing in the men’s room?"

"I went jogging this morning."

"That doesn’t explain why you’re here." Jay crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Oh. The door to the women’s was locked with two "Out of Order" signs on it, and I have a meeting in less than ten minutes."

Ten minutes. With a glance at his watch, Jay swore under his breath--he also had a meeting.

Could the mysterious woman be the one Steve Wilkes hired while Jay was in New York? His partner had been evasive on the phone--something about a fresh new face and how she’d be good for the company.

Unable to curtail his curiosity any longer, Jay asked, "Are you the new personnel director?"

"Umm-hmm. I’ve only been here two weeks, and already I’m giving a presentation--Steve insisted."

Jay watched as she slipped her foot back into her shoe. He wondered how old she was. Judging from her light, breathless voice, she sounded rather young.

What an unusual way to meet an employee for the first time, behind a closed door in the men’s room no less! Although he hadn’t interviewed her, Jay didn’t doubt her qualifications. Steve had an uncanny feel for people. He had a reputation for hiring the right person for the right job.

Apparently she didn’t allow small obstacles to stand in her way, or she wouldn’t be changing in the men’s room. Instead she found solutions to her problems--he liked that trait. "I’m sure you’ll do fine."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

The stall door opened, startling Jay. He stepped back so fast his feet started to slip out from under him. To prevent himself from falling he jerked back hitting his head on the wall. Tilting his head down, he rubbed the painful spot.

"That must hurt. Are you all right?" She moved closer.

His gaze traveled up the ankles he had secretly admired moments ago to her beige linen skirt and a white silk blouse. Not even her loose fitting blouse could hide her trim figure.  Her hand fiddling with her pearl necklace drew his attention. She had a good overall professional appearance--another plus for her. He watched her push back the thick spectacles that started to slide halfway down her nose. Her gray hair was stylishly short.

Gray hair? Heavy wrinkles flanked her mouth and creased her forehead. Stunned, Jay simply stared at her. He’d been admiring the legs of a woman who appeared to be as old as his grandmother.

"There’s a small button on the top of my blouse that I can’t reach. Would you fasten it for me?" She turned her back to him. "These old hands don’t cooperate like they used to," she explained.

He considered her request unusual, yet it didn’t surprise him. Nothing about their first meeting had been ordinary. Jay shrugged his shoulders and moved closer. He fumbled with the tiny button before it slipped through the loop. When his knuckles brushed against the soft skin at the nape of her neck, Jay jerked his hands back. He’d admired not only the older woman’s legs but also her silky skin.

"See that wasn’t so bad, now was it." She slipped on her suit jacket then retrieved a shopping bag and burgundy briefcase from the stall. A mischievous smile played across her lips. "You’re a good-looking young man. I bet you’ve helped a few women get dressed." She elbowed him in the side.

Amazed at her outspokenness, he continued to stare. So much for secretly admiring her. Jay’s mouth felt dry. He muttered something he hoped sounded acceptable.

He’d become so engrossed in their conversation he hadn’t given her lack of privacy a second thought. Or how she’d feel about it. Feeling guilty, Jay was at a loss for words to explain his inconsiderate behavior.

"Have a nice day," she said.

ROMANCE SUNDAY: Kellie has never let anyone into her life since her mother's death, and isn't going to let the mysterious Trent get under her skin. BLOOD SCENT BY MAGGIE MUNDY

Title: Blood Scent

Author: Maggie Mundy

Email: maggiemundy@bigpond.com

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com Buy at Amazon: Buy at Barnes & Noble:

BLURB:

Trent Feldor is a Seeker vampire who protects human females from Rogue vampires who would take them as mates. Kellie is a reporter who wants to make the front page of the Adelaide newspaper by finding the Parklands Killer. Instead she stumbles straight into a vampire fight and she is the trophy being fought for.

Kellie has never let anyone into her life since her mother's death, and isn't going to let the mysterious Trent get under her skin. As for Trent, he may have found the one woman he could love but he will have to stop Rogue vampires who want to kidnap her, and vampire hunters who want to kill him.

EXCERPT

Kellie loved being a reporter, but she was certain she wouldn't make the front page with this story. As the balding, creepy and definitely weird Peter Campbell waffled on, it became clear he didn't have a clue about the Parkland Killer. She covered her mouth with her notepad to hide her yawn as he blabbed about vampires. She had no one to blame but herself for agreeing to meet with this loopy guy, but at least they were in a coffee shop with lots of people around so he couldn't get too odd, she hoped.

"The police don't deal with these monsters, but together, we can. We can show the world what they really are." Peter pushed his glasses back up his greasy nose with his stubby fingers. They slid back down again.

He rubbed his fingertips together as if he were sprinkling salt. Kellie couldn't remember if vampires were scared of salt, or was that demons? Maybe she should order some garlic bread, just to be on the safe side. She stifled a giggle. Did this guy think she'd kill the undead with a whack on the head from her notepad and stake them with her pen?

"We're not alone, Kellie. We've other groups around the world and they're all trying to get proof, but I believe we're the closest." Peter reached his hand across the table towards her.

Kellie moved her hand away, hoping he'd get the hint before she emptied her hot coffee onto his lap. Kellie reckoned she would walk in and her editor would raise her eyes and laugh at this story, and she'd be lucky to make any page in the paper at this rate.

She'd humor him until she finished the coffee he'd paid for. "So what makes you think this isn't the serial killer the police believe is responsible?" She doodled on her notepad as she pretended to write.

"One of our people saw the last killing. He saw its fangs and the way the victim's throat was ripped open. What's more, we believe we know where it might attack next." Peter licked his lips as his eyes glistened with excitement.

"So you want me to go and stake out a vampire. Hey, that's funny," Kellie laughed while Peter scowled. "So if I go to the Parklands this evening, just how are you going to stop it killing me when I get there?"

"As yet we don't have a way to kill one, but we can incapacitate and capture it." Peter glanced around and wriggled in his seat as if it had become too hot.

Kellie shook her head and frowned as he suspiciously eyed the two old ladies sitting next to them. Did he really think they were secret agents trying to listen in? Kellie doodled a smiling face with fangs.

So much for this story being her breakthrough, but at the moment she had nothing else. She could ask Kevin from work to go with her so he could take photos if anything happened. Being in a coffee shop with this Peter Campbell guy in daylight was one thing, but meeting him and his mates at night was another. A weird vampire cult in reserved Adelaide had to be worth some space in the paper though, otherwise she'd be back reporting on weddings, births, funerals and dog shows.

SCI/FI FANTASY SATURDAY: Julie Ayers is a normal fifteen year old living in the quiet town of Sunset, Ohio. Her world is turned upside down by the arrival of the school’s new teacher, Marcus Campbell. JOURNEY TO SERAS BY JOE EVENER

Title:The Heart of Seras: Journey to Seras

Author: Joe Evener

Email: j.r.evener@gmail.com

Genre: Fantasy

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 1

Buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com

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Julie Ayers is a normal fifteen year old living in the quiet town of Sunset, Ohio. Her world is turned upside down by the arrival of the school’s new teacher, Marcus Campbell.

Marcus Campbell has a secret. He is a warrior from a medieval dimension searching for the mythical "Heart"-a hero given to the people of Seras to rid their world of impending evil. Marcus’s quest is challenged when he realizes that the "Heart" is the vibrant teenage girl. Now, against his better judgment, he must try convincing Julie to go to his world and begin preparation to face whatever evil lies ahead.

Journey to Seras is the first book in the five part The Heart of Seras fantasy series. It begins the adventures of the two unlikely heroes as they battle the dark forces of Seras.

EXCERPT

Five are the Elders with their gifts born in the black of night.

Five are the Elder's gifts hidden to set Seras right.

Five Elders pitted beneath an angry sun.

Blood will flow. Flesh and blade become one.

The blood is given to ease time;

The breath known to free men's minds;

The bones to merge distance and space;

The body a destined warrior, the Solia Custor, out of place,

forged in battle with one true oath–

protect Tolth's final gift, the Heart of Seras, our final hope."

~ Ancient Seras Prophecy

Prologue

"Why did that naked man look at me like that?" Julie Ayers thought to herself. At the time Julie was a thirteen-year old girl with vivid, curious, brown eyes the color of honey with flecks of gold, wavy brown hair, and a round face. Her friends would pick on her about how easy her creamy mocha skin easily tanned when kissed by the summer sun.

"I'm so glad we could have one day without cheerleading practice or basketball camps," Julie's mother, Michelle, had said from the front seat of her husband's newest purchase, a royal blue 1976 Chevy Nova.

"Me too," Julie answered. She nudged her older brother, Patrick, with her elbow. He was sitting quietly, listening to music through his earplugs, which annoyed Julie.

She began singing a song from the musical Oklahoma as she watched wave after wave of cornfields that stood up on both sides of the road like a wall of skinny green soldiers. Her mother joined in the show tune serenade.

"Dad!" Julie reprimanded her father when he came to a stop sign and played with the gas pedal just to hear the engine growl, distracting the mother-daughter duet.

"Phil," Julie's mother said, giving a disapproving stare.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," he weakly defended himself with a hint of humor.

Steam rose from the faded asphalt as the family outing continued toward the stone pebbled bridge that crossed over Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek served as the unofficial border to the western side of the town of Sunset, Ohio and wound its way behind the school that also acquired its name.

"Oh my god!" Julie screamed when a bright flash of light sent a crackle into the air directly in front of them, and the image of a naked man appeared out of nowhere on the edge of the bridge less than ten feet from the car.

Her shaken father blasted his horn as he swerved dangerously to avoid hitting the tall unkempt brown-haired man standing exposed on the side of the road. The disoriented stranger paused briefly. Julie's first thought, "Gross!" Then the unwelcomed visitor locked eyes with her, sending a wave of panic through her young body.

"What in the hell was that?" Julie's father shouted and jumped out of the driver seat.

Julie looked out of the passenger window to the tree line adjacent to the creek. The man was gone.

"He must've scrambled into woods," Phillip Ayers said, climbing back into his seat. "Is everyone all right? Julie?"

Julie refocused her attention to her father and nodded in silence. Why did that naked man look at me like that?

"It's okay, honey." Her mother tried to comfort her, reaching back and patting her leg. "He's gone." She turned to her husband. "Phil, we have to call the police."

"Already on it," he said, dialing his cell phone with one hand.

Julie heard her mother say, "Let's go home," through the mental fog enveloping her head. She pulled her knees to her chest and wiped the moisture from her eyes.