Unspoken Sneek Peek...

Chapter One

If someone says the root of all evil is money, they’ve never met a witch. Hot on Tara Sobrantes heels, I hungered for a quick capture. But my past experiences with brimstone-users had taught me not to eat the candy house until Gretel had heated the oven. The permanent fireball scar on my right butt cheek reinforced the lesson.

Valentine's Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Valentine's Day Gift Hop. This is the right place for you, if you want to celebrate love, and all things books. Speaking of books, I've just finished writing Unspoken, a 41K paranormal romance novella about...witches and werewolves. Unspoken is getting some final touches by a very talented beta reader, and then it's on to publisher submission. Fingers crossed it hits the cyber shelves soon.

Naughty or Nice Blog Hop

I know this is the Naughty or Nice blog hop, but I’m positive we all made Santa’s Nice list this year, right? Um, well, most of the time? No? Hmmm, how about every Sunday and alternate Thursdays? Lol, well no fear, at J.A. Garland Books, we all made the Nice list! And you know what that means? No, I’m not jimmying down your chimney with gifts, the post office delivers them just fine, thank you. It means that besides the hop's grand prize of a Kindle Fire, I am giving you a chance to win some of my favorite things…

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the 4th Annual Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! 
It's my favorite holiday season, so there's plenty happening at J.A. Garland Books. Pull up a comfy chair, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and stay awhile. Please enjoy the treats, but beware the tricks...

Something Wicked Returns Giveaway Blog Hop

Welcome to the Something Wicked Returns Blog Hop! There’s a lot going on this month, so I’m going to keep things here as simple as possible.

Something Wicked Returns Guest Post

As an avid Department 56 -- Halloween house collector, I tend to go a bit crazy on decorations this time of year. My kitchen table completely

Are You Ready?

 I admit I can’t get enough of The Walking Dead. The seasons are too short, and too far between.

Happy Halloween Blog Hop!

"Welcome to the Happy Halloween Blog Hop," Hex giggled evilly. "We have a lot of fun things planned for you." 

"Fun, Hex? I don't think that's-" her bat squeaked.

"Hush before I spice my stew with your wings. They'll figure it out eventually. Well, if they dare enter."

Sunset on Summer Fun Blog Hop

(ENTER BELOW)

Like a parent asked to pick their favorite child, it's impossible for me to declare my favorite season. 

I love spring for the new growth and warming temperatures, summer for the long days and bountiful fruits, fall for the spectacular array of colors, and winter for the cozy nights spent sipping hot chocolate.

Cabin Goddess

"Ever wonder what it would be like to sit down with your characters and drink a coffee?" That's the question Kriss of Cabin Goddess posed to me. To be honest, I hadn't. But once I started, I couldn't stop, and found myself signing up for a Fourth Wall post. For those of you not aware of the Fourth Wall, it's a special feature on Kriss' website where authors and their characters, well, sit down and chat. Sound interesting? Then stop by Cabin Goddess and see what Slade and I were cooking in the kitchen...

Sultry Summer Reads Blog Hop

Phew, you made it! Welcome to the Sultry Summer Reads Blog Hop. In addition to the blog hop's Grand Prize Kindle Fire HD 7” loaded with ebooks (including my urban fantasy, Dysus Dreamer), and a Second Place Prize of a 100.00 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N,   I'm hosting some fun prizes below, so make sure to enter before powering off to the NEXT STOP. 

"The Rule of Three" for Zombie Race Survival

 

Recently, a team of four brave souls participated in a Run For Your Lives--Zombie race in Seattle, WA. Our mission, to traverse a challenging obstacle course through hundreds of walking and running dead while protecting three red flags hanging from a belt around our waists. The zombie's mission, to grab our flags before we crossed the finish line, thus making us one of them.

Fantasy On The Bayou

Did I hear that right? The RWA Chapter of Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal(FF&P) authors picked New Orleans as the site of their first annual FF&P conference? 

Yes, indeed.

My love affair with New Orleans has gone on for nearly a decade. During which time I've repeatedly strayed from California's sandy beaches and fresh produce, to N.O.'s powdered beignets and smooth jazz. My decision to attend the conference was an easy one to make.

Who can resist buildings and bustling streets like this?

Or a Ghost Tour...

This tour took place in the French Quarter. Founded in 1718, I'm guessing quite a few folks have met their maker on these cobbled streets and behind these decaying walls, possibly leaving behind more than a few rattling skeletons who refuse to stay in the closet.

Or two?

The second tour took us to the Garden District, around the block and as the crow flies, to a home that once belonged to famed writer, Anne Rice.

All that walking was tiring. Rest and rehab was in order.

We recharged with an afternoon cooking class where dutiful students learned to make gumbo, jambalaya and bread pudding, while the less than attentive plotted ways to get to the food first.

After securing a 'healthy' portion for myself, I was able to successfully march with a jazz band in Louis Armstrong Park.

They were very patient as I learned the ropes and posed for my adoring public.

After the parade we watched a jazz band play at Cafe Beignet, over, you guessed it, beignets and chicory coffee!

Yes, it was all play. Even the conference workshops where I learned about Down 'N Dirty Plotting, Platform, Product & Promotion and many other engaging topics from such entertaining speakers as Bob Mayer and Staci McGothlin. Workshop groups were of a size we could ask as many questions as we wanted, yet product and delivery by the speakers was of the highest calibre.

Don't miss the fun, I highly recommend you attend next years conference!