Friday, September 29, 2006

Sorcha's Heart gets a nice thumbs up on Erotic Excerpts



Ah! This is great to see. I visit a Yahoo group and what pops up? The cover of Sorcha's Heart right on the home page.

Erotic Excerpts' Kimmy said "The beauty of this cover is magical, and I would buy it on that alone."

Yay! Author Debbie Mumford is thrilled and still bopping at her work place, trying not to make too much noise. I'll make some home for you, Debbie!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

3 Wands review

New review for KAYLA FINDS HER WAY by EnchantedRamblings.net. The reviewer didn't like the title story as much as the historical one. That's too bad, because that story is one of my favorites.

You can read the entire review HERE.

I stumbled upon the review through a Google search. :)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Apex Digest Need Your Help!

Apex Digest, a horror magazine, need your help in keeping this wonderful magazine in print.

There is a raffle you can enter, that costs $1 a go, to win a massive number of prizes--signed books and all sorts. I've donated three of my ebooks and an edit of a 5,000 word story.

If anyone has anything to donate, or would like to enter the raffle, please go here:

http://saveapex.maryrobinettekowal.com/

It would be such a shame if this magazine went under, as the owner has worked so hard, and with much passion, to keep it in print.

You can also pay for a subscription by following the next link.

http://apexdigest.myshopify.com/collections/magazine/

Much thanks in advance for helping!

:o)

Friday, September 22, 2006

Excerpt from Conspiracy of Angels

Copyright 2006 Zinnia Hope
Note: this is a semi-rough draft.

Monica and Daniel chatted in the servers’ station. Daniel kept sending Elizabeth appraising looks, but she pretended not to notice. Instead, she pulled out a restaurant supply catalogue, leafing through it for alternate tablecloths to compliment the décor.

Half an hour later, two young women entered Our Daily Bread. Relieved, Elizabeth greeted them with her brightest smile. She seated them in a booth, handing each a menu.

Monica hurried over to them and filled their coffee cups, and Elizabeth returned to the hostess station. She knelt, returning the catalogue to its place amongst the order pads, mints and the phone book. Straightening, she turned to find Daniel looking at her. Startled, her sharp intake of breath might as well have been a cyclone passing through.

“Sorry,” he said, a wry grin on his face. “I thought you heard me tap on the counter to get your attention.”

“No—no, I didn’t.” She noticed the tiny silver scar at the corner of his mouth and how it only made his smile even sexier. I can’t go on like this, she thought. Every time he looks at me or comes near me my heart feels like it’s going to fly right out of my chest. “I was…was looking through a supply catalogue for a few odds and ends we still need for the restaurant.” Finally, she took a calming breath, her voice settling into a more even tone.

“You always did seem to have a head for business,” he said.

Was that admiration she heard in his voice. “Well, between Grams taking a chance on some stock and my degree in business, we finally made our dream come true.”

“Not many people can say that, you know?”

She nodded, wondering what he was leading up to and hoping it wasn’t what she suspected.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

Aw, jeez. Here it comes. She tried to keep the tremor out of her voice, her pulse pounding in her ears. “What about?”

“Well, for starters, I’d like to know what happened between us.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.” She gripped the edge of the hostess counter, her fingers biting into the Formica. If she didn’t hang on tightly, she might faint. Breathe, stupid! Breathe! I can’t let him get to me.

“Really?” He tipped his head to one side, his gaze curious, appraising. “Nothing at all? Lizzy, ever since you left, I’ve wondered what happened, what went wrong. Don’t I don’t deserve an explanation?”

Calling me Lizzy is so unfair. He was the only one who had every given her a special endearment. It brought back memories of whispered promises in her ear, her name tumbling from his lips as he trailed kisses across her fevered skin…

“Come on, talk to me.” Daniel reached for one of her hands, but she stepped away.

“I think I’ll see if Grams needs anything,” she said, refusing to look at him.

Elizabeth walked away. She smoothed her blouse and skirt, feeling sick. Guilt consumed her, but she knew it was a feeling that would haunt her as long as she and Daniel were in the same town, so she might as well deal with it.

Pushing through the doors, she found Sarah rolling out dough.

Her grandmother looked up. “What’s up?” she asked. “By the look on your face I’d say Daniel just rattled your cage.”

Elizabeth paused at the coffeemaker and poured herself a cup. “No thanks to you.”

“What did I do?”

“He’s here today, isn’t he?” Before her legs gave out under her, she sat down on stool.

“You have to face him sometime, child.” Sarah set the rolling pin aside and turned a pie pan upside down on the smooth dough. “I accepted his offer of help because we’re desperate.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“I don’t appreciate your sarcasm, Elizabeth—and regardless, we already had this argument today.” She paused long enough to flip over two chicken filets sizzling on the grill. “You’re disappointed about the lack of interest in our new business and that’s only natural. I know Daniel makes you a nervous wreck and that’s understandable too, but don’t you dare take your frustrations out on me. We’re on the same team. Just you remember that.”

Tears threatened to claim Elizabeth. She left her cup on the counter and returned to the dining room. The two women in the booth sipped their coffees and talked quietly. Daniel stood on the middle rung of a ladder he’d retrieved from the storage closet.

He removed the florescent bulb that had been flickering near the hall to the restrooms.

“It's been a while since we’ve chatted, hasn't it?” someone said at Elizabeth’s side. “Mind if I sit down over here?”

Quickly, she blinked back the last of her tears. She turned, noting with surprise that the little man she’d seen across the street was indeed the fellow from New York City.

“Sure,” she said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Would you bring me a cup of coffee?” he asked softly, offering her a bright smile, a smile that Elizabeth noted somehow calmed her nerves.

She picked up a fresh pot of coffee and followed him to his table of choice.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth,” Monica gushed as she passed her with a clean ashtray. “I honestly didn’t see him come in.”

“It’s okay, Monica,” she replied. She paused at a little side table the man had chosen and waited for him to turn over his coffee cup. “What are you doing in Barnesville?” she asked him.

“I travel everywhere,” he answered, his smile growing wider, his teeth perfect and white. “I have folks I care about who live all over the country. I’m on my way to visit someone in Idaho, but felt compelled to take a route off the beaten path. These Appalachian foothills are a sight to behold.”

She returned his smile, once more marveling at the startling blue of his eyes. “I take it you have a big family scattered throughout the States?” Elizabeth nodded. “One of my girlfriends in New York has such a family. They have a reunion twice a year to keep in touch.” She met his gaze. The man’s snow-white hair, mustache and goatee made his eyes even more startling. Elizabeth tried to guesstimate his age, but he could be anywhere between forty and sixty-five.

“Yes, my family is very large, indeed.” He scooted his chair closer to the table, placing his arms on either side of his cup and saucer, his gaze riveted on Elizabeth. “How have things been for you since we last saw one another?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Things have gone well until recently.”

Elizabeth glanced over at Daniel. He folded up the ladder. Its hinges squealed in protest, and he shot her and apologetic look, their gazes connecting.

The thrill pulsed through Elizabeth like quicksilver.

“You’re pouring coffee on the table.” The man’s voice brought her back to reality.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Elizabeth yanked a hand towel from her apron pocket and sopped up the mess.

“You’re in for a bit of a rough patch, but it will all be worth it in the end,” the man stated, his expression benevolent.

“I’m not so sure about that.” Elizabeth’s gaze drifted back to Daniel. He returned the ladder to the storage closet and shut the door.

The white-haired fellow sipped at his hot coffee. He laid a five on the table, stood, and offered her another one of his glorious smiles.

“You worry too much, Elizabeth,” he said and ambled toward the door.

Speechless, Elizabeth watched him leave. She realized she’d never told him her name. For that matter, she didn’t know his. If she bumped into him again, she must remember to ask him his name and if he lived in their apartment complex. A chill rippled through her. Both times she had met the white-haired, blue-eyed man he had made similar predictions and both times, his esoteric words had come true.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Royalties go to Charity


An author with a difference...

Today I'm on a mission. There is another QUITS pdf giveaway starting today.

I don't keep my royalties. WCP are holding them for me until I make a certain sum of money. I want to donate them to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children).
What I'm proposing needs your help! I'd like you to get the html code for the video trailer below HERE, and paste it into your blogs, complete with my reasons for wanting sales on this and any of my books. Once you've blogged my trailer, please let me know on my blog (www.meellis.blogspot.com by quoting QUITS IS BLOGGED in your comment, or via email, MichelleEEllis@blogspot.com, and you will be entered into a draw for a free pdf copy of QUITS. I will also honour a promise - that when QUITS goes into print, I will send you a copy of it. The same will apply with the print release of Pervalism, due soon (there will be a seperate book trailer to blog for that one).

Please help me raise some money for these kids. Yes, I could do with my royalties, but my kids are fed and watered, kept warm and dry, and are loved.

MANY CHILDREN AREN'T.

This competition will run until September 30th 2006.



Monday, September 04, 2006

Two Great Reviews for Beyond the Maze!

I googled and found the following two reviews for my bites ebook, Beyond the Maze today!

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS bestowed 4 Angels to Beyond the Maze.
Beyond the Maze is a tale of the power of passion being stronger than the winds of time. In only twenty pages, Canice Brown-Porter manages to convey a bundle of emotion and creates trust between her characters. While a longer length certainly would have added more depth to this story, I was moved at the capacity for love that her characters showed in this brief, but very engaging tale. Well-written and engaging, Beyond the Maze by Canice Brown-Porter earns Four Angels!

Reviewed by: Michelle, FAR Reviewer
For the full review, please visit http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/Aug...yondTheMaze.htm

* * *
EURO-REVIEWS gives 4 out of 5 to Beyond the Maze
Beyond the Maze is a beautiful and romantic story with an attractive cover. The story is filled with romance when a young woman somehow unwillingly takes a jump back in time. There she meets the man of her dreams, only it takes her some time to realize. Canice Brown-Porter has written a short story that will be loved by the romantic souls among us, but of course also by others.
Reviewed by: Annick, Euro-Reviews Reviewer
For the full review, please visit http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=735

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Just another reason to Google your pen name!