Multi-Published Author, Marilyn Levinson, Gives Advice About Setting

I'm happy to welcome Marilyn Levinson to Book Beat Babes. She's got some great advice about Setting. Morgan Mandel

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and books for kids.
Her latest mystery, Murder a la Christie, is out with Oak Tree Press. Untreed Read has brought out new e-editions of A Murderer Among Us--a Suspense Magazine Best Indie--and Murder in the Air, the first two books in her Twin Lakes series. Her ghost mystery, Giving Up the Ghost, and her romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, are out with Uncial Press. All of her mysteries take place on Long Island, where she lives. 

Her books for young readers include No Boys Allowed; Rufus and Magic Run Amok, which was awarded a Children’s Choice; Getting Back to Normal, & And Don’t Bring Jeremy.

Marilyn loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her granddaughter, Olivia, on FaceTime. She is co-founder and past president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime.   Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com

And, now, let's see what Marilyn Levinson says about Setting.

Setting

The more I write, the more I value setting as an important element in my novels. There are hundreds, if not thousands of settings available to us writers: a submarine, Mars, an island in the Pacific, a small village in England. Your novel’s setting helps determine the pace of your novel. Setting conveys mood and theme. That said, my characters inhabit towns and settings that can’t be found on any map. Though I take this kind of literary license, I always set my novels in a general area I’m familiar with, even if I’ve only visited it once or twice. These days we’re able to go on line and view photos of a particular area or village we’re considering using as a setting. We can download information about the climate, the terrain, and the kind of business and industry that flourish there.

I consider the setting of my novels very carefully before I start to write. While many of my novels take place on Long Island, the home locations of each of my series are very different, one from the other. I consider the geography, the architecture, and the economic level of the town’s inhabitants. I generally create a town or village and place it in close proximity to real places and landmarks. This allows me freedom yet grounds my novels, something my readers like.

Old Cadfield, the setting of my latest mystery, Murder a la Christie, the first book in my Golden Age of Mystery series, is an upscale picture-perfect village, surrounded by multi-million dollar homes on acre or two-acre plots. I had an actual wealthy community in mind when I began writing the novel, but like all my settings, Old Cadfield took on a life of its own. The village’s rich lifestyle affects its residents, many of whom aren’t as wealthy as their neighbors imagine. As my sleuth, Lexie Driscoll, discovers, they often hide their peccadillos behind a wall of respectability. House-sitting in an award-winning Old Cadfield home, she often feels uncomfortable living in the lap of luxury. She’s disappointed when her best friend closes rank with the other Old Cadfield people to stop her from uncovering too many of their secrets.

In Giving Up the Ghost, Gabbie Meyerson comes to Chrissom Harbor in the dead of winter to teach English as the local high school. She rents a cottage situated on a buff above the Long Island Sound, and discovers she has a housemate—the ghost of Cameron Leeds, who used to live in the cottage. Cam’s body was discovered on the beach below the buff, supposedly of an accidental fall. But Cam knows someone murdered him, only he doesn’t know who. He nags Gabbie until she agrees to investigate. The lonely cottage, the surrounding woods, the blue collar town that doubles in size in the summer months when the summer people come all impact on the mood and feeling of my novel.

I set my YA, Getting Back to Normal on a large estate similar to an arboretum I’ve visited numerous times. Of course I changed the name and created a lake and a gazebo and made many other alterations to suit my story. Twelve-year-old Vannie Taylor’s mother has died, and her father can’t bear to continue living in their home. He moves Vannie and her younger brother to a dinky cottage on the large estate where he manages events and programs. Here Vannie meets a friendly ghost who has an agenda of his own. Planning the kids’ Halloween party in the mansion was lots of fun.

When creating your village add sites and landmarks that are unique and play a role in your novel.

As you can see, I often base my settings on places I’m familiar with and change them to suit my story.  Your setting should be working for you, creating atmosphere and mood. If you’re writing a mystery, let your victim be discovered in an interesting location. And don’t forget to include real towns and festivals. Your setting adds color to your novel and another dimension to your readers.

Marilyn's Website: www.marilynlevinson.com

Marilyn's Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O 

Please leave a comment to welcome Marilyn Levinson to Book Beat Babes.

A Fire Within by Margot Justes

Art is her world…

Gallery owner Rebecca Standish’s life has finally returned to the calm and orderly existence that she prefers… until a charred body threatens her hard earned sense of well-being once again.

Protecting is his M-O…

Chicago Firefighter Kirk Adams has made plenty of mistakes, but he regrets losing Rebecca most. When he learns her life is in danger, he’ll do anything to protect her—including facing the fires of a woman scorned head-on.

Flames of revenge burn hottest…

After the victim’s identity is revealed, Rebecca is under attack. Kirk has little time to discover the identity of the murderer before he strikes again. And the love of his life is the next victim.

Can Kirk defend Rebecca from a killer bent on fiery revenge?

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

Hot Crimes Cool Chicks

www.mjustes.com

Final Fifteen in ILA Contest ~ Maybe you? by DL Larson

103 Illinois authors submitted to the first ever Illinois Library Association, 'Soon to be Famous Illinois Author' Contest. Many were from the Chicago area. The Illinois Author Project came about as an inspiration that libraries can and do help authors of all levels, including self-published writers.

Visit soontobefamous.info to view the final fifteen list. Authors are in alphabetical order, with the titles of their book, and home library. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few high school libraries participating.

Whether you invested in any contests this season, please remember your local library wants to support local talent. So take the plunge, walk in and introduce yourself, tell them your story and perhaps donate a book. They may want to purchase more.

If walking in is too intimidating, send a post card or letter. Mail your book to them as a donation. Explain who you are, what your book is about and whether you are available for book talks, etc. Libraries are always looking for programming and you might be what they are looking for.

The important message in this blog is that 103 Illinois authors stepped out of their comfort zone and tried something new. They discovered new readers, new marketplaces, and new possibilities for future books.

That's a good day's work ~ and everyone should feel like a winner for finding a new venue for promoting their name as well as their book!

Til next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Mystery Author, Jenny Milchman, Addresses the Age-Old Question of Promotion

I'm happy to welcome Random House Mystery Author, Jenny Milchman, to Book Beat Babes. She's addressing the hot topic of promotion. Morgan Mandel

Jenny Milchman is a suspense writer who until recently lived on the road with her family on what Shelf Awareness called "the world's longest book tour". She has come to settle in upstate New York. For now anyway.

Jenny's debut novel, COVER OF SNOW, was published by Ballantine/Random House in January 2013, earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, as well as praise from the New York Times, San Francisco Journal of Books, the AP, and many other publications. Jenny's second novel, RUIN FALLS, will be published by Ballantine in April 2014 and is available for pre-order now.

Jenny hosts the Made It Moments forum on her blog, which has featured more than 300 international bestsellers, Edgar winners, and indie authors. 

Website: http://jennymilchman.com/  

Blog: http://jennymilchman.com/blog

And Now, Here's what Jenny has to say about Promotion -

To Promote or Not To Promote...Is That Even a Question?

The question I get asked most often by emerging writers is whether it's really necessary to...X.

"X" can be any number of things. Tweet. Blog. Appear at bookstores. Try KDP, and what is this Pinterest thing anyway?

Because we writers are stumbling around in search of an answer to this question: How do we become successful authors? And this one: How do we reach readers?

As the great William Goldman says, "Nobody knows."

But I don't think this wisdom means that we should just throw up our hands. And while there's not exactly a roadmap for figuring out what you should do once you've reached that land called Publication, whether traditionally or independently, I have accumulated a few thoughts during the long road to my own. Getting a book written well enough that it should be read by readers is one of the harder things any of us will accomplish in our lives. But then what?

First I need to back up and tell you a little about myself. While I’m traditionally published, it took long enough and the world changed substantially enough during that time, that I explored self-publishing very seriously as well. In the end, working with three agents, writing eight novels, and receiving fifteen almost-offers during eleven years on submission, I sold my debut novel to a team I’m truly thrilled with. This finally happened through a confluence of events that still feels mystical to me. And the dream of being a published author was such a long, long, long time in coming that, once it took place, I did the only logical thing.

I hired an independent publicity firm, rented out our house, withdrew the kids from school, and asked my husband if he would accompany me on a book tour that would cover 44 states and 35,000 miles. Not exactly in that order, but you get the point. The whole family's life would be subsumed by this dream, at least for the next seven months.

We wound up visiting over 400 bookstores, as well as libraries, book clubs and almost every place where people come together over books. I've been the inaugural author at a brand new mystery bookstore in Madison, WI and the newbie who drew the smallest audience at a bookstore that holds near-daily events. I stood up in Oxford, MS with a rockabilly band behind me and spoke for precisely fourteen minutes--we were being recorded live--to a house crowd of three hundred. I've done Sit & Sign's where only one person showed up, but that one person drove three hours to see me, and thus will always have a place in the Annals of my Becoming an Author, not to mention in my heart. And there have been events that hit almost every point between these extremes.

So, is this the point of my blog post? Is there a roadmap after all, a literal one that shows our route, or a message: change your whole life in service of The Book?

  

I'm hoping that writers will take something else from this description of what I've done. That it's not necessary to do any one thing as an author. Neither Tweet nor Tour.

Instead, figure out ways you will find joy in your book being out there, and in your great love of books in general. Things that will help you celebrate this shining accomplishment while connecting with those who want to share it.

To my mind, it doesn't matter what you do, it just matters that in today's increasingly crowded content space, you find something that allows your own voice to stand out. And that doesn’t mean sending daily newsletters to the people who have been kind enough to support us.

Say you're an introvert and the idea of meeting crowds of people face-to-face sounds as draining as a bathtub. Online social media might be a great outlet for you. Or perhaps you have an author platform, such as being a doctor who writes medical thrillers, or a biotech expert who wrote a book about GMOs. Maybe you can find a listserv or organization that will appreciate hearing your wisdom. There are more reviewers today than back when a daily paper landed on the curb at every house in the United States. Book bloggers are today’s word-of-mouth in action. So are booksellers. The net gives like-minded readers and writers ways to find each other virtually and face-to-face. There are more riches than we can ever spend, but that also means that there is more than enough to go around. It's just a matter of finding it.

Some will find Twitter the perfect medium for self-expression while for others the idea of boiling something meaningful down to 140 characters will be anathema. Some will be on Facebook every day, others will start a charitable cause connected to their book. Some might give workshops at writers' organizations, or encounter terrific blogs that allow you to guest post, such as this one right here.

Some might even take to the road for seven months.

And when you do--whatever you do--please come find me. I'll be one of the connections that you make.

About Ruin Falls:
Liz Daniels should be happy about taking a rare family vacation, leaving behind their remote home in the Adirondack Mountains for a while. Instead, she feels uneasy. Her children, eight-year-old Reid and six year-old Ally, have only met their paternal grandparents a handful of times. But her husband, Paul, has decided that despite a strained relationship with his mother and father, they should visit the farm in western New York where he spent his childhood.

The family doesn’t make it all the way to the farm and stops at a hotel for the night. And in the morning, when Liz checks on her sleeping children, all of the small paranoias and anxieties from the day before come to life: Ally and Reid are nowhere to be found. Blind panic slides into ice cold terror as the hours tick by without discovering a trace of her kids. Soon, Paul and Liz are being interviewed by police, an Amber Alert is issued, detectives are called in. Frantic worry and helplessness threaten to overtake Liz’s mind.

But the children are safe. In a sudden, gut-wrenching realization, Liz knows that it was no stranger who slipped into the hotel room and kidnapped her children. Instead it was someone she trusted completely. And as the police abruptly wrap-up their investigation, Liz identifies the person who has betrayed her. Now she will stop at nothing to find Ally and Reid and get them back. From her guarded in-laws’ unwelcoming farmhouse to the deep woods of her hometown, Liz follows the threads of a terrible secret to uncover a hidden world created from dreams and haunted by nightmares.

Buy Link:
http://jennymilchman.com/ruin-falls/get-the-book

Please leave a comment to welcome Jenny Milchman to Book Beat Babes.

Celebrating Women in Horror Month - Special Siren's Call Ezine

I'm among a bunch of authors with stories in the special Women in Horror issue #13 of the Sirens Call Ezine.

I decided to have some yes, "gory" fun... and thought... hmm, what could Spence (from GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie) be up to after he turned zombie?

Well... check out my new flash story, "The Perfect Gifts."

Lots to read from a bunch of great female authors in the new Siren's Call - Women in Horror Issue 13 -  OR download the PDF HERE free.

Final Fifteen in Soon to be Famous Author Contest! by DL Larson

Yesterday was a good day! I opened my email just as I usually do and found a message from the Illinois Library Association Committee regarding the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project. My book, Promises My Love, is one of the final fifteen. I did the happy dance right there in the tiny office of our library. My director was pleasantly surprised as well and gave a hearty yelp in response.

Back in November, I posted a blog about this contest where Illinois authors who have self-published in 2013 were eligible to participate. I hope many entered the contest. It's was a simple and exciting way to market one's book.

My book has now gone on to Round Two. I was to send three copies of my book in e-book format by February 16. My director and I did that yesterday, along with a scanned and signed copy of their Project Terms. The terms out-line what is expected of the winner, mainly attend events and speak when requested. It also verifies that my work is original and my own.

The top three finalists will be announced during the week of March 3rd.

I feel blessed that others recognize my book as a worthy read. That alone means so much to me. And I thank God for leading me, and guiding me as a writer.

The Final Fifteen will soon be posted at this website: www.soontobefamous.info I was told the authors and their book titles will be listed sometime this week. Maybe someone you know will be on that list!

If you are interested in my book, visit: www.amazon.com.Promises-My-Love-ebook/dp/BOOCZFGMEQ

Until next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Karen McCullough, On How to Add Depth to Characters

I'm happy to welcome my guest, award winning, multi-published author, Karen McCullough, to Book Beat Babes, with some helpful advice for us. Morgan Mandel

Karen McCullough with grandson

Karen McCullough is a web designer, and the author of a dozen published novels and novellas in the mystery, romantic suspense, and fantasy genres as well. She has won numerous awards, including an Eppie Award for fantasy, and has also been a four-time Eppie finalist, and a finalist in the Prism, Dream Realm, Rising Star, Lories, Scarlett Letter, and Vixen Awards contests. 

Her short fiction has appeared in several anthologies and numerous small press publications in the mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and romance genres. She has three children, four grandchildren and lives in Greensboro, NC, with her husband of many years. 

Her most recent release is the ebook version of A Gift for Murder, originally published in hardcover by Five Star/Cengage and mass market paperback by Harlequin Worldwide Mysteries. She hopes someday to be able to create a character as vivid and riveting as Randall Matthews.

Website: http://www.kmccullough.com

Blog: http://www.kmccullough/kblog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenMcCulloughAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgmccullough

Now, let's see what advice Karen offers us

Character Contradictions Add Depth

I recently re-read a Georgette Heyer cozy mystery, Behold, Here’s Poison.  Heyer isn’t really a master of complex plotting although the story does contain one of the most clever murder weapons ever.

I’m not going to tell you what it is. Read the book and see if you can figure it out. I mention that because there are going to be some other *spoilers* for the story here. It’s necessary, in order to talk about what makes the story rise above many others.

It’s actually just a small spoiler. I’m not going to tell you who the murderer is, just tell you that most obvious suspect isn’t the one.

Heyer’s strength is in the characters that people her stories. Her mysteries often have large casts, but each is individual enough to keep them from merging into an undifferentiated mass of suspects (something I struggle with myself as an author).

But Behold, Here’s Poison has one character so riveting you can’t help but be utterly fascinated by him. He’s not particularly likable, but he’s certainly attractive. Read the reviews of this book on Amazon and he is mentioned a number of times by the reviewers.

Randall Matthews emerges as one of the main characters in the story though we don’t meet him until the third or fourth chapter. Because he’s the main heir of the murder victim he’s also a chief suspect in the crime.

Initially it’s easy to root for him as the villain, because he’s haughty, arrogant, disdainful, uncaring, and downright nasty. His dialogue consists mostly of rude and cutting remarks, and he disparages anyone. However, he’s always polite about it and seems not to take offense when others react badly to his digs.

As the story continues, we, the readers, discover that there’s much more to Randall than shows on the surface. We come to see that he’s a remarkably intelligent and clear-sighted man. Most of his nasty cutting remarks are the unvarnished truth and often are attempts to make a point or offer a sort of back-handed guidance to the recipient.

To help us glimpse the truth, Heyer offers the point of view of another character who doesn’t really like him, but has a better understanding than the rest of the family. She calls him an “amiable snake.” And like what we see of Randall himself, it’s the truth, but not the entire truth.

It becomes clearer, too, that despite his appearance of not caring about the family who mostly despise him, he’s working very hard to protect them, even at the cost of making himself look more guilty.

Finally, the reader cheers when the one person he cares about most finally recognizes what he’s been doing and responds to it. But the haughtiness and arrogance remain. He’s just as arrogant and rude and cutting as he was at the beginning. He’d be hell to live with, but it certainly wouldn’t be boring. His faults are real, but easier to forgive when we know what’s behind it.

Re-reading this story has reminded me, as a writer myself, of what a challenge it is to create a memorable character, and how wonderful it is when you succeed.

Heyer drops hints right from the start that there’s more to Randall than just a bilious disposition. She offers the clues simply by reporting very accurately what he says, how he says it, and the actual events that provoke his comments. She depends on the reader to put things together rather than just dangling the truth out very obviously.

The contradictions make Randall a riveting character and finding what’s below the surface is one of the chief pleasures of reading the book. 

The challenge to an author is great, but the rewards are even greater. Fascinating characters are what draw a reader into a book and what will keep them coming back for more.

About A Gift for Murder by Karen McCullough

For fifty-one weeks of the year, Heather McNeil loves her job as assistant to the director of the Washington, D.C. Commerce & Market Show Center. But the Gifts and Home Decorations trade show, the biggest show of the year at the center, is a week-long nightmare. This year’s version is being worse than usual. Misplaced shipments, feuding exhibitors, and malfunctioning popcorn machines are all in a day’s work. Finding the body of a murdered executive dumped in a trash bin during the show isn’t. The discovery tips throws 
Heather’s life—personal and professional—into havoc.

The police suspect the victim’s wife killed him, but Heather doesn’t believe it. She’s gottenglimmers of an entirely different scenario and possible motive. Questioning exhibitors about the crime doesn’t make her popular with them or with her employers, but if she doesn’t identify the murderer before the show ends, the culprit will remain free to kill again.

Her only help comes from an exhibitor with ulterior motives and the Market Center’s attractive new security officer, Scott Brandon. Despite opposition from some of the exhibitors, her employers, and the police, Heather seeks to expose the killer before the show ends. To solve the mystery, she will havehas to risk what’s most important to her and be prepared to fight for answers, her job, and possibly her life.

Please leave a comment to welcome Karen McCullough to Book Beat Babes. 

GIRL Z: Teenage Zombie Book wins a Lovey Award!

Some great news to share! I was thrilled and super-surprised to win a LOVEY Award for Best Paranormal - Sci Fi for my book, GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie, at the Love is Murder Mystery conference this past weekend.

Wow!

Now to go play the lottery... ha!

Cover Reveal - BATTLE CRY by Melissa Snark

I'm pleased to welcome Melissa Snark to Book Beat Babes today. Back in December Melissa hosted me at The Snarkology as part of her 25 Days of Christmas Stories. I'm thrilled to be able to return the favor. Today she's here to share the cover for her upcoming release,and I must say, it's fabulous! Good luck, Melissa...I can't wait until this one hits the shelves!




BATTLE CRY by Melissa Snark

A Victoria Storm novel

#3 Loki's Wolves series

Genre: Paranormal/urban fantasy

Coming in June 2014 * * * Add to your Goodreads Shelf

Praise for Melissa Snark:

"We meet Valkyrie Victoria Storm in the middle of a blood bath, and we did continue on from there. I must say Melissa Snark has all the makings of an awesome story teller."
Gloria Lakritz
Sr. Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild

"A definite must read for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy."
Lisa Lester
Fight For Your Write Blog


Just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

Blurb:

War with human hunters has devastated the werewolf pack of Sierra Pines. Only Valkyrie Victoria Storm and a handful of female wolves still live. With her mate dead, there is no one to protect her or her unborn child. An unwelcome attraction to a hunter complicates her life even further. She reluctantly agrees to attend peace talks with Jake Barrett, the notorious Hunter King, a man who believes she murdered his son.

Hunter Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria Storm for so long, he doesn't know whether he loves her or hates her. Desperate to end the war he started, he's willing to take chances with everything but his heart, but he harbors a deadly secret he's determined to keep.

When peace talks fail, Victoria does the only reasonable thing an angry Valkyrie can do: she kidnaps her worst enemy and makes her escape in a fire engine red convertible muscle car. All along an ancient evil plots the destruction of wolves and hunters alike.

Author Identity and Social Media by Margot Justes

By the end of this week I will have five books out on Amazon, and according to what I have read,  that is the magic minimum number needed to reach readers. 

There is also a platform to establish, and covers that should be similar, so readers can recognize your work. I’m still working on the platform bit, because I’m not convinced it is necessary. The cover idea, is a good one.

My hotel series have the same font, and the same style. My paranormal has yet to be established, because I only have my recent release, but there is a plan to keep them similar. The same can be said for my stories set in Chicago, the font and the covers will be easily identified. My cover artist thought it all out before I did.  I believe name identity has been established.

What’s next? That is harder. Let’s start with the social media.

 I’m on Facebook, but most of my  friends are other writers, and I don’t really have the time, or the inclination to set up an author page and start all over again. I post my pub news, or any giveaways, my blogs, and reviews. There is no hard sell, I’m terrible at that, and I don’t think that works, at least not for me. That being said, I do have an established presence on Facebook.

I follow the same pattern on Twitter. Morgan Mandel had some great Twitter advice in an earlier post, and I have become more active, gained followers, but the jury is still out on whether it is a successful marketing tool for me.

I’m on LinkedIn, and have gained more links, and post the same info there as I do on the other two sites.

The same for Goodreads, more activity, and for the first time I did a Goodreads giveaway, but I’m still learning how to navigate the site.

Small steps, but as long as the name recognition gains ground, I call that progress.  

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Fire Within

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

Hot Crimes Cool Chicks

www.mjustes.com

Force Your Character into a Corner! by DL Larson

Forcing a character into a corner must be the theme of the month! I was talking to a few young writers about 'don't make it too easy for your character to succeed,' and I explained, my goal as a writer, is to force my main character into a do or die situation. Then later that week, I flipped through my current writer's magazine and came across the very concept - force your character into a corner.

So exactly what does that mean?

My writing goal is to create tough decision-making scenes with unsavory circumstances and awkward moments where my character is left examining his/her own wants and beliefs. How badly does my character want to succeed? How difficult I make the situation also discloses his capability or incapability to overcome the obstacle or threat. The higher the stakes, the sweeter the reward of success.

Every writer wants their hero or heroine to succeed. As the suspense builds, the character may oscillate or waffle with indecision, wanting to take the big step but fear or insecurity stands in their way. As long as the fear you as a writer have created, seems valid and real, the reader will keep turning the pages to see how the hero overcomes the situation. The choices the hero takes deepens the tension.

My hero was abused as a child. His biggest fear is he may turn into the abuser with his own children. So he stays away from them. But he soon realizes that is not living. He has to decide, will he overcome his past and become a part of his family? Or will he let his past over-rule his desires and become what he despises most? Whatever path he chooses leads to dire consequences. He doesn't know if he has the strength to become a loving father. It would be simpler to leave, and not let them know why he can't be with them. They would be safe. He would be lost forever. The stakes are very high for this man and his children. I forced my character to take a stand. He must decide what to do.

The subtle writer will build the tensions but not leave the hero suffering for too long. In other words, don't leave your character in the corner for long. Your readers will become impatient. Action is needed. What will your hero do to over-come his obstacle? What will move the story forward? How is your hero going to succeed? It's soul searching time. Your hero must move to bring about change. He must tear down each barrier that has locked him into the situation. Think of it as the phoenix rising from the ashes.

Your hero's decisions and actions will create the climax for your book. If you've done your best at creating a real drama, your ending will be just as rewarding. And your hero will be grinning from ear to ear that he chose the right path!

Your reader will sigh with relief and joy! And that's always a good thing!

Til next time ~

DL Larson

visit me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deb.larson.73?fref=ts#/1/pages/DL-Larson/207514909372586

www.DLLARSON.com

A Perfect Angel - Cover Reveal

Okay, I'm halfway through writing A Perfect Angel, the sequel to my romantic comedy, Her Handyman. Though it can be read before Her Handyman, for the best experience, it's best to read Her Handyman first.

I can't spill the story line, without doing a spoiler on the first book, but it does involve one of the major characters from before.

In the interests of keeping myself focused on my goal, I've decided to do a cover reveal.

So, here it is:

Now, for sure I must finish this book, the sooner the better!


Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
Twitter: @MorganMandel

Meet and Greet the Book Beat Babes

The Book Beat Babes are dedicated to providing you with the latest and greatest in the book industry, making our blog a must for any dedicated writer or reader.

Get to know us from our bios below. For more, click the Book Beat Babes left column pics, where you'll find handy links to our websites. 

Also, don't forget to check the Mark Your Calendars feature in the right column to keep abreast of our upcoming guests. You won't want to miss them!

SUNDAYS - DEBRA ST. JOHN

Debra St. John has been reading and writing romance since high school. She always dreamed about publishing a romance novel some day. Her dream came true when she started writing sultry contemporary romance with sexy heroes and spunky heroines for The Wild Rose Press. Although she's a country gal at heart, she lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, who is her real life hero.

She is the author of The Corral Series, which includes her debut release, This Time for Always, a Champagne Rose and Rosebud bestseller at The Wild Rose Press. The second book in the series, This Can't Be Love, was Love Romance Cafe's Best of 2010 Contemporary Winner. This Feels Like Home will complete the series when it releases in January.

Her holiday stories include A Christmas to Remember, An Unexpected Blessing (Thanksgiving), and The Vampire and the Vixen for Halloween.

Wild Wedding Weekend completes her bookshelf.

MONDAYS - C.A. (CHRIS) VERSTRAETE
Christine Verstraete is an award-winning journalist and author who enjoys writing the unusual. Her stories have been featured in several anthologies including Timeshares and Steampunk'd from DAW Books, and in Darlings of Decay and The Tall Book of Zombie Shorts. Her new book, GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie, came out in August. Learn more at http://cverstraete.com and her blog, http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com.

buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Girl-My-Life-Teenage-Zombie/dp/0979478898?&linkCode=wss&tag=cverboomin-20

In Miniature Style II ebook: http://tinyurl.com/6kmt4ya

TUESDAYS - BOOK BEAT BABES BIOS

WEDNESDAYS - MORGAN MANDEL 
Morgan Mandel’s not only addicted to reading and writing romances,  mysteries, and science fiction, but also can’t stop herself from hanging out on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other social media sites. She confesses to getting Good Paul, her husband, also hooked on Facebook and Youtube. When she’s not indulging in those addictions, she’s out walking her dog, Rascal, going to local festivals, or hunting for finds at rummage and garage sales.

Since she loves escaping into a fun, romantic story, she offers the same to her readers in her releases, Her Handyman, and her other chick lit, Girl of My Dreams.

Morgan's serious side is evidenced in her latest release, the Blessing or Curse Collection of 5 short stories, the sequel to her thriller, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse. Before that, came her romantic suspense, Killer Career, and her Chicago-based mystery, Two Wrongs.

Morgan’s websites: http://www.morganmandel.com & http://www.chicklitfaves.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel

THURSDAYS - DL (DEB) LARSON

DL Larson always thought she’d be a city girl, but instead, she has spent the last 40 years surrounded by corn fields.  She lives in northern Illinois and enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening, and hanging out with her family that continues to grow.

Reading is a big part of DL’s life, both professionally as a writer and as a Children’s Librarian. 

She likes being in the know, seeing firsthand what folks like to read.  Going back to school as an adult rejuvenated her desire to become a novelist.  The writing awards she received lifted her up and reinforced her drive to tell the best story she could.  Her second novel, Promises To Keep was a 2008 Reader’s Choice Recipient. Her latest release, Promises My Love, has received great reviews and is available on Amazon.com in e-book or book form.

DL is a WindyCity member of RWA. 

Visit DL Larson's website at http://www.dllarson.com and connect with her on

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DL-Larson/207514909372586

DL's Books are available at her Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/DL-Larson/e/B00DVQLB30/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

FRIDAYS - TERRI MORRIS

Over the past two decades Terri Morris has been a frequent presenter and writer on tax and business issues for writers.   Writing as Annie Bruce, she published her first work of fiction in the fall of 2012 – a romantic suspense set in the Chicago area.  Annie Bruce is the name of her great-great grandmother who was married to Wallace Bruce, a world-renowned poet and scholar in the late 19^th and early 20^th century.  Terri is very proud of her Scottish heritage but just can’t choose a favorite Scotch because there are too many wonderful ones available.  Determined to continue sampling to narrow down the possibilities she, however, remains conflicted about Haggis.

SATURDAYS -  MARGOT JUSTES
Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world's most wonderful places, including Israel, France and South Africa. Currently living in the Midwest, she has taken her love of art and travel and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing, 2007 brought her a contract for her first novel A Hotel in Paris.

A Hotel in Bath was released in February 2013, and Margot is currently working on her third book in the hotel series, set in Venice, Italy. 

She finished her first paranormal novel Blood Art, released in September 2013, and is hard at work on another one. 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Art-ebook/dp/B00FWA8YMO/

Barnes and Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-art-margot-justes/1117138799?ean=2940148376415

Margot Justes is a Member of Romance Writers of America, and is a past president of the Chicago North RWA Chapter and the Chicago Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

She loves to hear from readers.
mjustes@earthlink.net

Posted by Morgan Mandel - Blog Owner, Who's Excited to Be Part of Such a Great Blog Team!

P.S.  Comments are Always Appreciated!