Overheard Conversations and Random Thoughts By Ellen Byerrum

A big thank you to author Ellen Byerrum for stopping by and sharing her thoughts with us! You are fabulous, Ellen!

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Everything and anything can be inspiration for a writer, and I am no exception. Overheard conversations, current events, news stories, the random thoughts that occur to you while you’re on the Metro or sitting at a hearing with some politician droning on, they can all be the germ of an idea for a book or a character or a scene.

When I started writing about Lacey Smithsonian, I set out to create a different kind of sleuth. It was a reaction to a lot of mysteries I was reading at the time, which featured some memorable female detectives who were rough and tough and smart. They could fight and shoot and drink and drive just as badly as any male action hero. I loved these books!

Except for one little thing: They didn’t care about their clothes. They didn’t even get the allure of clothes to most women. No, these heroines were intimidated by dressing themselves. The little black dress? Oh, yeah, that’s so scary. Wearing color? Impossible. Sexy dresses? Heaven forbid. High heels? Forget about it. Makeup? A foreign language! Go shopping? They’d rather die!

Some of these super-smart female investigators would prefer to go ten rounds with a super-villain than indulge in the time-honored female pursuit of hunting and gathering fashion. Putting together a basic outfit was beyond these heroines. Style made them scream. Frankly, it began to get on my nerves. I thought if I read one more book where the jeans-and-T-shirted tough-girl sleuth reluctantly dug her one and only “good dress” out from under the bed where she’d crumpled it up months ago, I’d be the one screaming.

I wanted to read about a woman who could outwit, outthink, and outshoot the bad guys, solve the crime, and rock some kick-ass clothes. Why couldn’t her talent for looking great in her clothes be one of her superheroine superpowers? So I came up with Lacey.

I write the Lacey Smithsonian Crime of Fashion mysteries, where style and murder take center stage. She’s a sleuth and she knows how to dress. (She’s often much more reluctant about the sleuthing than the dressing.) She loves vintage clothing from the late 1930s and 1940s, because the women who lived through that period were strong and capable: They filled the jobs in the factories and offices when the men went off to war. They looked great while taking the weight of the world on their padded shoulders. They had great clothes and they didn’t have to be afraid of them. They took looking good as a woman’s right (and responsibility).

Lacey has what I call ExtraFashionary Perception (EFP for short). Every outfit tells a story, especially for Lacey, who is a reluctant fashion reporter in Washington, D.C., The City Fashion Forgot. Although she would like to work on a “hard news” beat that would bring her a little more respect around her newsroom, she has a talent for finding clues in clothing and motives in style a la mode.

We all have this power, but Lacey has it to the nth degree. She solves crimes with fashion clues. The major crimes in my books are more serious than reckless dressing or shopping while ability impaired. Nevertheless, Lacey also finds time to address, in her Crimes of Fashion and Fashion Bites columns, the lesser fashion faux pas around her.

Inspirations for the stories come from many different things, including items in the news, or some personal experience. The plot of KILLER HAIR, the first book in the series, was sparked by a phone call I received one night while working in the marketing department of a large salon chain. A stylist in southern Virginia called because a guy had come into the salon with a peculiar request. He claimed to be from the home office’s marketing department (which was clearly a lie, I knew the entire marketing department). He said he was willing to pay cash to any stylist with very long hair who was willing to cut it very short. He offered to pay even more for a video of the haircut, and he would fork over a lot more cash if he could have the hair. Finally, he wanted the hair and the video dropped off at a local gas station. After hours.

Does that sound like a legitimate marketing program to you?

The stylist he talked to, who had very long hair and was very interested in the money, said she wondered too. But she had given the guy her home phone and address! The whole story gave me the creeps (and an idea for a plot that percolated on the back burner for a few years.) I immediately called the local police department in her city. I told them I didn’t know whether this was some kind of college prank or some weirdo, or whether the guy had hit other salons with his bizarre hair request. I got a call back the next day from a detective who told me the guy apparently had not called any other salons, but they were checking into it. The detective added that he spoke with the stylists in person and stressed forcefully to them NOT to give out their home addresses to random strangers! Luckily the creepy caller faded away and nothing bad happened. And I got the beginnings of a book.

In addition to inspiration for darker moments in my books, I enjoy finding fodder for Lacey’s Crimes of Fashion and Fashion Bites columns just by taking a look around.

Is someone wearing flip flops, shorts, and a puffy parka? Must be a victim of “Seasonal Apparel Disorder,” otherwise known as SAD (Grave Apparel). A particular type of female in Washington, D.C., turns out to be Powerful Women In Pearls, or P-WIPs (Armed and Glamorous).. Even underwear is food for thought. If you need a little extra courage, try wearing a Red Bra of Courage (Raiders of the Lost Corset).

In my latest book, Death on Heels, I wanted to reveal more about Lacey’s past and background. What better way than to bring an old boyfriend into the story? This time, Lacey gets into trouble in the last place on earth she ever expected to see again, Sagebrush, Colorado. Again, the story had to simmer for a year or two before I wrote it.

I am currently at work on the ninth book in the series, Veiled Revenge, to be published next year. But in the meantime, I have a few ideas warming up on the back burners right now.

Thank you so much for asking me here today. It’s been a pleasure.


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Author Bio:



Ellen Byerrum writes the popular Crime of Fashion mysteries, set in bustling Washington, D.C., The City That Fashion Forgot. Featuring style sleuth Lacey Smithsonian, who solves crimes with fashion clues, the eighth book, Death on Heels, takes Lacey out of her comfort zone and into the Wild West where she confronts her past and an old boyfriend who is accused of murder.

While researching fashion, Byerrum has collected her own assortment of 1940s vintage dresses and suits, and the occasional accessory, but laments her lack of closet space. She has been a D.C. news reporter in Washington, a playwright, and holds a Virginia P.I. registration. Although she currently resides in Denver, fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian will continue to be based in Washington, D.C.

Byerrum is currently at work on the ninth book in the Crime of Fashion series, Veiled Revenge. You can find more about Ellen on her Web site or on Facebook.

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Review: Death on Heels by Eileen Byerrum

*** Congratulations to Wendy for winning this book! ***

When fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian moved to Washington, D.C., from rugged, small town Sagebrush, Colorado, she thought she’d never look back. But when her former boyfriend, cattle rancher Cole Tucker, is arrested for the murders of three women, Lacey digs her cowboy boots out of her closet and hops on the next plane.

She is certain of Tucker’s innocence, until he abducts her during a daring courthouse escape. Is Tucker capable of murder, too? Or is there a larger conspiracy in the small town? Lacey needs to rustle up all the help she can get for this case before her old flame is snuffed out for good..

Please note this is the eighth book featuring Lacey Smithsonian.

This is a fun book! I wish I had heard of this series before but will now have to go back and read the other books. The character of Lacey is a firecracker and when you put her back in the vicinity of ex-flame, Cole Tucker, the spark ignites. (Hot cowboy...I'm completely in for this ride!) Throw in a jealous boyfriend, a scene stealing sister, a book full of quirky characters, and a thrilling mystery, mix it all together, and this book is a hit!

And if you leave a comment on this post, you can be entered to win a copy of "Death on Heels" for yourself! (You have until April 2nd to comment!)

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Author Bio:

Ellen Byerrum writes the popular Crime of Fashion mysteries, set in bustling Washington, D.C., The City That Fashion Forgot. Featuring style sleuth Lacey Smithsonian, who solves crimes with fashion clues, the eighth book, Death on Heels, takes Lacey out of her comfort zone and into the Wild West where she confronts her past and an old boyfriend who is accused of murder.

While researching fashion, Byerrum has collected her own assortment of 1940s vintage dresses and suits, and the occasional accessory, but laments her lack of closet space. She has been a D.C. news reporter in Washington, a playwright, and holds a Virginia P.I. registration. Although she currently resides in Denver, fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian will continue to be based in Washington, D.C.

Byerrum is currently at work on the ninth book in the Crime of Fashion series, Veiled Revenge. You can find more about Ellen on her Web site or on Facebook.

Website
Facebook
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Mystery Book Sellers


Leave a comment at the below link for the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

Review: Favorable Conditions by Kathleen Kole

This is my third tour for Kathleen and I just want to say thank you to Samantha with CLP Blog Tours for introducing me to this absolutely wonderful lady! Alright, let's get on with the review!!

Can you imagine being forty-five, your last child has moved on to college and the time is ripe for you to blaze a new trail into your future? Pat Keegan can. Well, except for the tiny detail that all her preconceived notions about how that future was going to shape up are completely out the window.

Pat was under the impression that once her child rearing years were complete she and her husband would walk hand in hand toward a rose colored future. Fat chance. Before their daughter had even been accepted by a College, he was blathering about needing space to rediscover himself and made quick strides to the nearest exit.

Suddenly, Pat is divorced, rattling around her large house and asking the empty rooms, “What now?” She knows she has to carve out new dreams - after all, forty-five is a far cry from the end of the line - But how?

Join Pat as she jumps feet first back into the world outside her door, takes on a new business venture, is pursued by a much younger man and has to muddle her way through more emotions than she knew she had - all to finally attain her goal of rediscovering who she is and what she wants from the next phase of her life.

Kathleen Kole knows how to take an idea, put a lot of heart into it, throw in a dash of unique characters, and mix it up in a fabulous story.

I adored the story of Pat and her journey as she starts life over with the exit of her husband (the cad) and her children (growing up). She has lovely friends around her that keep things interesting and the introduction of a handsome, albeit younger man, Ian, makes it all the more fun. Kathleen even brings a few of the kooky characters from "Dollars to Donuts" in. I honestly think the only character I didn't like in this story was daughter, Crystal, who came off as a spoiled little girl that needed someone to give her a hard smack upside the head.

Overall, Kathleen has another story that is full of heart and is well worth the read! You will cheer as Pat takes control of her life once and for all, standing up to the people that are trying to keep her in the same box that makes them comfortable regardless of how she feels. And you even get a cute kitten out of the deal!

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Author Bio:
Born in Edmonton AB, Kathleen began storytelling in grade school. She has many fond memories of passing summer afternoons, out on the swings in her backyard, creating tales that entertained her neighborhood friends.



When she finally decided to venture from her backyard, Kathleen pursued a career in storytelling. She graduated from college with a Diploma in Radio and Television Arts and traveled the path of freelance writing for numerous local newspapers.


Many years later, too many to talk about without seeming rude and nosey, Kathleen has channeled her imagination to the pages of her novels. She hopes that you enjoy her tales and encourages you to feel free to read her stories on the swing set in your own backyard.


Kathleen has traveled from Edmonton, to a new backyard with a lovely mountain view. She spends time there with her beloved husband, adored son and silly dog. They let her tell them stories and always laugh in all of the correct places. She’s lucky, and she knows it.

Connect with Kathleen!

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Interview with author Heather Hummel

Heather Hummel stopped by to do an interview with me and I think you are going to find yourselves big fans of this lovely lady after reading what she has to say! Thank you, Heather, for stopping by!

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1.You are a writer, you are a photographer...is there anything else you would like to tackle?

I should probably learn to cook? Give me any vegetarian breakfast recipe and I’m there…lunch maybe, dinner…it’s usually breakfast again! I never took an interest in cooking, which is a shame when I open my fridge and wonder what do with all that’s in it. I was fortunate to have a boyfriend throughout my twenties who was an amazing cook. I learned a bit from him, but mostly I learned I do better when others cook for me. It gives me more time to write, too.

2.Your photography is amazing. Was this something you were always interested in?

Yes! In high school my three favorite classes were photography, English and oceanography. Now I live in California writing novels and photographing the beaches…hence my self proclaimed title of PhotoNovelist.

3. What can you tell us about the third book in your series? Other than my most favorite, Phil, is making a return, of course.

WISDOM FROM THE HEART is turning into my favorite, but it’s also taking me the longest to write because it’s the most complicated (emotionally) of the three. The protagonist, Jamie, starts out as a fourteen year old who finds out she’s adopted. It alternates chapters between her at fourteen and in her thirties. Like the other two in the Journals from the Heart series, Jamie uses journal writing to work through her emotions and progression. And, ironically she’s a caterer! This is definitely not an autobiography in any way! My mother has assured me I’m not adopted, and I can assure you I can’t cook, let alone cater. This book is really writing itself. Phil, the man every woman falls in love with in WHISPERS FROM THE HEART (present company included), comes in as the musician who Jamie collaborates with on an upcoming event. Let’s just say, her best friend, Trinity, cooked up a way for Jamie and Phil to make music!

You will be the first to know when it’s released this spring!

4. How much of yourself do you put into your characters?

Madison in WHISPERS FROM THE HEART was the most like me because I did teach high school English and incorporated journal writing into my classes, and I was a runner through my thirties until I took up cycling. But, Madison’s life outside the classroom was all hers.

Samantha in WRITE FROM THE HEART quit her day job as an office manager to become a writer and used journal writing to change her life…those are attributes that apply to me as well, but her journey is quite different than mine. However, I wouldn’t complain if my life turned out the same as hers!

5. Who is the first person you called when your first book was published? And how did you celebrate?

Great question! I love original thoughts like this. Technically my first book deal was a nonfiction one through McGraw-Hill. My mother became a model at the age of 65 and the when the media caught wind of it she began to receive emails from women all around the country. I put my novel writing aside (I had just started writing WHISPERS), wrote a book proposal for what became GRACEFULLY: LOOKING AND BEING YOUR BEST AT ANY AGE, sent it to two agents and both wanted it. Within two weeks of pitching to them, we signed with Whimsy Literary Agency in New York and landed a book deal with McGraw-Hill just a few short months later. So, naturally I called my mom first! I also was dating a great guy at the time (come to think of it…he was a lot like Phil!) and he cooked me an amazing dinner to celebrate (see the cooking trend here?).

6. What is it like to ghostwrite for someone? Do you ever feel like yelling "That is my work" afterwards?

I’m not as in love with ghostwriting as I once was for several reasons. I’ve had clients decide at the last minute that they don’t want to go through with actually publishing the book. That’s frustrating! I’ve had clients either provide too little information or alternatively they want to have too much control. I’ve also had some wonderful clients. I’m so focused on my photography and novels right now that I’m not really taking new ghostwriting clients. But, I am doing the design and layout for a company’s 100 year anniversary book…a pictorial history. It’s been a really fun project!

7. What is a typical day of writing like for you?

I tend to do social media in the morning, writing mid-day for clients, photography in the afternoon when the lighting is dimming, and my own writing at night. Some days are really long! But, I love what I do whether it’s for a client, out taking pictures, or my novels. So, a typical day is always rewarding and fun!

8. What is next for you?

I’m working on a photography eBook titled LIFE IN THE IRIS OF THE BEHOLDER that blends my photography with my writing. There’s a teaser video for it on YouTube: and it’s due to release this spring along with WISDOM FROM THE HEART. I’m humbled by the responses I’ve been receiving to my photography on Facebook and have sold quite a few prints already. To be able to blend it with my writing and publishing is just amazing. I’m excited about this photography book because it blends my two talents to entice people to do some inner exploration through images much like I encourage with journal writing. So, it’s a great complement to the Journals from the Heart series in an abstract way. For anyone who’s interested, my photography can be viewed on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/greensaint/

Thanks so much for letting me stop by! Always love visiting your blog!

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Heather Hummel is a "photonovelist" who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. Her published works include:
Journals from the Heart Series:
Whispers from the Heart (2011)
Write from the Heart (2011)
Nonfiction
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe (2011)
Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008),
Essays:
Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006)
Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown
Awards:
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award
2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention

Heather's books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.

Visit Heather’s website at website
Join Heather’s Facebook Page: Facebook
Follow Heather on Twitter @HeatherHummel:
Twitter


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Review: Write from the Heart by Heather Hummel

Journals are a woman's best friend... When Samantha Sounder quits her office manager job the day after yet another boyfriend breaks up with her, the emotional havoc of these two events launches the beginning of her new life. Samantha dives into therapy with Ragnar Axel, a traditional therapist who explores her failed relationships and sends her on a wild goose chase through her old journals to rediscover herself. Despite the unsettling reactions of her best friend, Amanda, and Ragnar, Samantha decides to walk away from the corporate world and follow her dream as a novelist. She sets out to craft her first novel, Winter's Truth. Hesitantly, she accepts the unexpected guidance from Craig, an unlikely man she meets at the coffee shop. Along her journey, Samantha picks up a new journal and titles it her "Positive Journal," declaring to only write positive thoughts in it. Samantha's life transforms from one of despair and loss to hope and faith as she navigates through new territory and explores the possibility of finding love over lattes.

I loved the first of Heather's "Journals from the heart series" and am quite happy to say that I love this book just as much as the first one. The characters are so likeable and they have enough quirks that make them stand out and make you root for them.

Who hasn't thought at some point in their lives if only they could quit their job and pursue a dream? Samantha plunges into that very thought, quitting her job the day after another boyfriend ends things with her. Meeting Craig, a fellow writer, starts a truly charming love story that had me intrigued from the first meeting. Of course, ex-boyfriend, Robert, had to pop up to cause a little bit of a problem.

Heather Hummel knows how to tell a story that keeps you interested from page one through the end. She gives her characters just enough conflict and flaws for them to work through and show their strengths. This was another must read in the works of such a talented author.


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Heather Hummel is a "photonovelist" who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. Her published works include:
Journals from the Heart Series:
Whispers from the Heart (2011)
Write from the Heart (2011)
Nonfiction
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe (2011)
Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008),
Essays:
Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006)
Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown
Awards:
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award
2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention

Heather's books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.

Visit Heather’s website at website
Join Heather’s Facebook Page: Facebook
Follow Heather on Twitter @HeatherHummel:
Twitter


Don't forget to click on the banner below and leave a comment for a $10 Amazon gift card!

Giveaway Winners!!

The winner of Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan is Liz!

Congratulations! Samantha will be in touch with you soon!




The two winners of Favorable Conditions by Kathleen Kole are Mary (MLK333) and Wendy Chen!

Congratulations! I will be emailing you both to get a mailing address!!!

Casting "Forged In Fire" by Trish McCallan and a giveaway

I have a confession to make, I may be one of the only authors alive who doesn’t day dream about their books being made into movies, who doesn’t amuse themselves by assigning actors and actresses to various characters within the book, and who doesn’t immediately know who they’d want to play each role.

I’ve never thought about what actor or actress I’d want to play Zane and Beth, or who I’d want to play Cosky, Rawls and Mac. Until today, that is, until this blog post.

This is because I don’t pattern my characters off any specific actor or actress. I know plenty of writers who spend hours combing through the internet before they even start the book, searching for perfect representations of their characters. But I’ve never been one of those authors. My characters come from my mind and I have never found a picture online that completely represents the images I have. As you can imagine, this makes it hard to assign actors and actresses to play their roles.

With that said, I’ve picked out actors and actresses who come somewhat close to the images I have in my mind—with some modifications of course.

Lieutenant Commander Zane Winters: He’s 35, 6’3, dark hair, green eyes, lean of build, in peak condition. Of all of the characters in Forged in Fire, he was the hardest to find a match for. The closest I came was Wentworth Miller from Prison Break, but with some major modification. My Zane is much more muscular, with green eyes. And let’s talk about the hair. Zane’s hair is short, but he isn’t buzz cut like Miller is in most of the shots I found of him. This picture, at least face wise, comes very close to how I’ve always imagined Zane in my mind. As an added bonus, the hair is just about perfect in the shot I found here.



Lieutenant Marcus (Cosky) Simcosky: He’s 34, 6’4, brown-black hair, gray eyes. He’s built like a quarter back--broad through the shoulders and chest, lean through the hips. The closest actor I could find to how I’ve always envisioned Cosky was David Boreanaz of Angel and Bones. While Boreanaz’s build is similar to the Cosky I have in my mind—Cosky is more muscled, and he’s in peak condition. The hair is about the right color, although Cos’s is shorter. But the faces are off. Cosky has a broader face, less lean and long.



Lieutenant Seth (Rawls) Rawlings: He’s 33, 6’3, blond-gold hair, blue eyes. He’s build more like Zane, muscular but not quite as broad through the shoulders as Cos. He was actually the easiest of my heroes to match up with an actor. Nathan Fillion from Firefly and Castle comes very close to how I’ve always imagined Rawls in my mind. If Fillion was blonder and had eyes the color of Ellensburg Blue.




Commander Jace (Mac) Mackenzie: He’s 37, 6’2, black hair and eyes. He’s less muscular than the top three, leaner, brimming with intensity. Mac was another character difficult to find a match for. The closest I came there was Lou Diamond Phillips, but only in a select few roles. Like character he played in Stargate Universe. This picture comes pretty close to how I’ve always envisioned Mac, except with a perpetual scowl.




Beth Brown: The heroine of Forged in Fire is 29, 5’8, slender, with lavender eyes. I browsed dozens of blond actresses looking for someone who matched the image I had in my mind. Several of the shots of Drew Barrymore came close, when she was in her blond, shorter haired phase. Beth face isn’t such a perfect oval shape; it’s a tad longer, with a certain squareness to her chin. But body type and height match how I’ve always envisioned Beth.




Ginny Clancy: is 29, 5’10, willowy instead of slender, deep auburn hair. This was another character that was surprisingly easy to match up with an actress. This picture of Rose McGowan is almost identical to the image I have of Ginny in my mind.




Amy Chastain: is 32, 5’5, compact build with red hair. Not the deep auburn of Ginny, but fiery red, the color of burning embers. Amy was the hardest of them all to match to an actress. Nobody quite fit the image I have in my mind. Although face and body type wise, Alyssa Milano comes closest—if she was a little shorter, a little more compact and with red hair. This picture I found of Milano could fit Amy, again—if the hair was the color of burning embers.



So there you have my cast for Forged in Fire—now bring on the movie contract!



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Trish McCallan has been writing for as long as she can remember.

In grade school she wrote children’s stories, illustrating them with crayons and binding the sheets together with pencil-punched holes and red yarn. She used to sell these masterpieces at her lemonade stand for a nickel a book. Surprisingly, people actually bought them. Like, all of them. Every night she would have to write a new batch for her basket.

As she got older her interest changed to boys and horses. The focus of her literary masterpieces followed this shift. Her first full length novel was written in seventh grade and featured a girl, a horse and a boy. At the end of the book the teenage heroine rode off into the sunset . . . with the horse.

These days she sticks to romantic suspense with hot alpha heroes and roller-coaster plots. Since she is a fan of all things bizarre, paranormal elements always seem to find a way into her fiction. Her current release, Forged in Fire, was the result of a Black Dagger Brotherhood reading binge, a cold, a bottle of NyQuil and a vivid dream.

Amazon
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And Trish has graciously offered up an eBook copy of "Forged In Fire" to one lucky person. Leave a comment between now and March 12th to be entered to win!

Review: Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan

Beth Brown doesn’t believe in premonitions until she dreams a sexy stranger is gunned down during the brutal hijacking of a commercial airliner. When events in her dream start coming true, she heads to the flight’s departure gate. To her shock, she recognizes the man she’d watched die the night before.

Lieutenant Commander Zane Winters comes from a bloodline of elite warriors with psychic abilities. When Zane and two of his platoon buddies arrive at Sea-Tac Airport, he has a vision of his teammates’ corpses. Then she arrives—a leggy blonde who sets off a different kind of alarm.

As Beth teams up with Zane, they discover the hijacking is the first step in a secret cartel’s deadly global agenda and that key personnel within the FBI are compromised. To survive the forces mobilizing against them, Beth will need to open herself to a psychic connection with the sexy SEAL who claims to be her soul mate.

One word for this book - Wow! Another word - intense! From the very first moment with Zane up until the ending of the book it is a crazy roller coaster ride, completely packed with action. Trish McCallan has a vivid imagination that she brings to life in the pages of this book. Beth Brown finds herself following an unnerving dream she had that lays out a terrorist act in detail. This leads her to the airport, where she meets Zane Winters, who had a bad omen himself. The action doesn't stop, leaving you anxiously turning each page to see what unfolds, your heart stopping numerous times.

The soulmate proclamation out of Zane was a little annoying at times, him falling so hard and fast and I struggled to accept it for what it was. I sided with Beth - uncertain but intrigued. The abrupt ending of this book threw me off. I felt for sure I had missed something and didn't have a complete book, but realized it picks up in a part two. Very clever, leaves you hanging and anxiousy awaiting the next chapter in this series.

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Trish McCallan has been writing for as long as she can remember.

In grade school she wrote children’s stories, illustrating them with crayons and binding the sheets together with pencil-punched holes and red yarn. She used to sell these masterpieces at her lemonade stand for a nickel a book. Surprisingly, people actually bought them. Like, all of them. Every night she would have to write a new batch for her basket.

As she got older her interest changed to boys and horses. The focus of her literary masterpieces followed this shift. Her first full length novel was written in seventh grade and featured a girl, a horse and a boy. At the end of the book the teenage heroine rode off into the sunset . . . with the horse.

These days she sticks to romantic suspense with hot alpha heroes and roller-coaster plots. Since she is a fan of all things bizarre, paranormal elements always seem to find a way into her fiction. Her current release, Forged in Fire, was the result of a Black Dagger Brotherhood reading binge, a cold, a bottle of NyQuil and a vivid dream.

Amazon
Website


Click on the banner for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. And tune in tomorrow for a guest post from Trish and a chance to win a copy of "Forged in Fire" for yourself.