Thursday, December 27, 2012

HEART SONG Needs Your Votes

Heart Song has been nominated at P&E in the short romance category. I've never been nominated before, so this is expecially exciting for me. I'm tied at third place at the moment.
Heart Song


Facing death might change Gideon ’s life.

Blurb

Gideon thought he had the perfect life as a musician with a beautiful model as his girlfriend, until he was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ashamed and afraid he may die, Gideon hits bottom when his girlfriend dumps him for a real man.

Hope comes in the form of his father’s ghost and a person he has just met. Can he beat the odds and survive? And if he does, can he ever find happiness again?

Excerpt:

Something electric sparked in the air as silence ensued. He gazed into her eyes as if attempting to read her heart. The oxygen left her lungs and her heart flung itself against her ribs as he moved his lips closer to hers. The black irises in his eyes widened. His hand held the back of her neck and his fingers slid into her ponytail and loosed the clip that held it in place. The moment stilled. His voice sounded no more than a raw whisper when he spoke. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long. It feels like I’m in a dream.” Then his lips, firm and warm took hers in a kiss that started as gentle as a snowflake falling on a pine bough.

Lila returned his kiss and it grew into something filled with urgency and longing. She moved her hands around his neck to bring him closer and closer still. Warmth spread throughout her being like a thousand lights all turned on at once. They drew back from the kiss, took a breath and kissed again. His eyes darkened from aqua to navy as his hands pulled her closer until they pressed into one another from hip to chest. His breathing hitched as he pulled her close to him and enfolded her in his arms.

Heart Song has been nominated in the Short Story Romance Category at P&E. I would be so happy if you would vote for it.

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/tally_shortstoryr.ht



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

MY NEXT BIG THING

THE NEXT BIG THING


I was selected to participate in The Next Big Thing and I was very happy to take part in the fun blog hop. So here goes...
A little bio:
I am a multipublished author of many genres of romance from western to contemporary, but my favorite is paranormal and time travel such as The Violin, Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride and a new series, The Legends of Winatuke. The first book should be released in the next few months.

Places you can find me:
http://www.sarahmcneal.blogspot.com/

http://www.sarahmcneal.com

Here are some authors I like that I hope you'll check out:
Jenny Twist: https://sites.google.com/site/jennytwistauthor/

Stephanie Burkhart: http://sgcardin.tripod.com

Linda Swift: http://lindaswift.net/

Lindsay Townsend: http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

Cheryl Pierson:  http://www.cherylpierson.com


Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

What is the working title of your book?

THE LIGHT OF VALMORA, Legends of Winatuke

 
Where did the idea come from for the book?

My hairdresser, Cathy Craton, once asked me to write about something to do with fairies. Well, I couldn’t see me writing about the little magic folk, but I sure could see me writing about some big people with magical gifts and unique wings. Thus, I created the beings of light that I later named the Nimway. Each Nimway is born with a special gift or two and unique wings that are almost like fingerprints; some are like butterfly wings, some like birds and some a combination, but no two are exactly alike. Every good story has to have conflict, so what better way to disturb the good Nimway than to put their kingdoms and nomadic nations into deadly jeopardy and introduce a terrible dark antagonist who wants to destroy them and use them for evil. Mahara is the witch queen of the Dark Isle. She rules without conscience and possesses a lust for blood and pain.

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Jake Gyllenhaa would make a perfect Falcon, fit, lean, dark hair, but with dark eyes instead of blue.

Penelope Cruz with her long dark hair in curls, brown eyes and her lovely accent.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A quest for an enchanted light...a Gypsy’s love...and a warrior’s sacrifice to save Valmora.

Where do you plan to submit your book, or will you self published it? Will you be submitting it to agents and NYC publishers first.

The Light of Valmora, Legends of Winatuke is contracted with Publishing by Rebecca Vickery.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

To completion, two years. I spent most of the time reworking the first chapter over and over again. I don't think I've ever spent so much time writing a novel, but I really hope readers will like it.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

If you mean by another author, then I would say Lord of the Rings but with 100 % more romance meets the wicked witch of the west.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

After writing two other novels in this series, I was running on adrenaline and eager to capture one of my secondary characters as a hero.  The first two books will be available for $.99 at a little later date as well.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

This book is filled with secrets and extreme danger. It’s all or nothing, last stand; do or die. If the quest fails, all of Winatuke will fall to ruin—and it all depends on one human and his unpretentious talent for solving puzzles. 
I recently posted the cover for The Light of Valmora, Legends of Winatuke created by Laura Shinn, a talented artist and author.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Authors in the Kitchen: A Cook book for Charity


The authors and staff of Victory Tales Press, Western Trailblazer and Publishing by Rebecca Vickery have compiled a cook book of favorite recipes in Authors in the Kitchen. Proceeds go to Save the Children charity orgaization.

You can buy digital copies or PRINT at the following online stores:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/262369
http://www.amazon.com/Authors-in-the-Kitchen-ebook/dp/B00AJP6CXU/
The print is now available at Amazon for $7.95 at

http://www.amazon.com/Authors-Kitchen-Rebecca-J-Vickery/dp/1481179225/

I have several of my favorite recipes in it. Just saying...
I hope you'll consider buying several copies to give as gifts this year and know that your gift goes to the one you give the cook book to and to a child who needs your help.



Monday, December 10, 2012

A Christmas Blog Fest With Lots of Prizes!!


Come and join in the fun and win some great prizes. You don't want to miss out on the all the fun.
http://wwwgroups.yahoo.com/groupParanormalMonday
I hope to see you there.
Sarah