Month: March 2015

A “Dream” Cast

A “Dream” Cast

So I’ve been thinking more about who to cast if someday Hollywood comes knocking with a briefcase full of cash, asking to turn the Dream Doctor Mysteries books into movies or a TV series.  Not at all coincidentally, I’ve become a huge fan of  the new “The Flash” series (I only caught it in January – I don’t know how I missed it last fall!).  The show is full of young (early to mid 20’s) actors and actresses, playing a group of very smart, somewhat geeky people who are keeping a huge secret about supernatural (OK, “metahuman”) powers, and saving lives while also working out their personal relationship issues.

It’s probably not surprising that I made a connection between the show and my books, is it?  So here are some choices from the show and pictures to give you an idea of what my Dream cast might look like…

panabaker
Here’s Danielle Panabaker (Dr. Caitlin Snow on the show), looking pretty much exactly like Sara (although Sara would probably wear less stylish boots and slightly shorter hair).  Watch the episode “Crazy For You” – when Caitlin gets drunk and embarrasses herself at the karaoke bar, that’s exactly how I imagine Sara at her silliest/most awkward.

 

 

Gustin
Here’s Grant Gustin (The Flash/Barry Allen on the show).  The way he plays Barry is pretty much exactly how I picture Brian, so he’s perfect for the role.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rickards
Here is Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak, who’s a regular on “Arrow” but also occasionally shows up on “The Flash”), who is almost a perfect match looks-wise for Beth (in the books, Beth is 4-5 inches taller than Sara, and in real life, she and Danielle Panabaker are around the same height, but that’s just quibbling).  I couldn’t find a photo of it, but check out the episode “Going Rogue” – the dress she wears in the trivia night scene could easily come out of Beth’s closet.  And personality-wise, I think she’d be a perfect fit, too.

 

 

 

Cavanaugh
And this is Tom Cavanaugh (he plays Dr. Harrison Wells on the show).  I can totally picture him as Howard Barnes, Sara’s father.  Just pay attention to all the scenes where he acts as a surrogate father to Barry and Cisco, and ignore the scenes where he reveals that he’s a ruthless criminal from the future, or the ones where he murders anyone who interferes with his evil plans.
MV5BMjA4ODY4NDY0NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjA5MDIyOA@@__V1__CR0,0,427,427_SS99_
Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore on “Gilmore Girls”) who I unconsciously based Helen Alderson (Sara’s mother in law) on for the first three books before I finally realized what I was doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

doctor_who_star_wars_15_225x300
And, finally, Nicola Bryant (Peri on “Doctor Who”), who is the ONLY choice for Betty Barnes (Sara’s mother), and who also narrated the short story starring Betty, BETTY & HOWARD’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE.

 

 

 

The actors I picked for Sara, Brian and Beth are all in their early 20’s, so they could play the college-age characters of DREAM STUDENT, and also the adult characters, probably up through DREAM VACATION.

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Book Launch – “This Heart of Mine” by Brenda Novak

Book Launch – “This Heart of Mine” by Brenda Novak

 
This Heart of Mine(Whiskey Creek #8)
Brenda Novak

Release Date: March 31st


Add to Goodreads TBR
Whiskey Creek Series on Goodreads

 
 
First love. Second chance? As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next.

Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob’s father isn’t exactly welcoming.

Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix, doesn’t want her in Jacob’s life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he’s about to find both!



PURCHASE LINKSAmazon

As
soon as they were gone, Riley grabbed Phoenix’s elbow, hanging on even when she
tried to avoid the contact, and guided her to his truck. “Let’s get you to a
doctor.”

 
The
second Riley mentioned doctor, she wrenched away from him. “No, I―I don’t need
a doctor.”
 
“He’ll
check out that cut, tell us if it needs stitches.”
 
“A
doctor will cost money. And I…I have other plans for…for my income in the next
while.”
 
What
income? He doubted she had any, but he couldn’t say that. “Phoenix…”
 
“Stop,”
she said. “I’ve had worse than this. This is nothing.”
 
Watching
her closely, he could see that she was dizzy. “Do it for Jacob’s peace of mind,
then.”
 
“Please,
don’t.”
 
“Don’t
what?”
 
“I
haven’t got the money for a doctor. I’m sure you know that.”
 
I’ll look after the bill,”
he said, but he should’ve known that wouldn’t convince her.
 
She
edged farther away from him. Then she started down the street at a faster clip
than he felt she should. “I’m okay,” she called back. “Go take care of Jacob.”
 
“Damn
it, Phoenix.” He hurried after her. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? It
won’t cost that much.”
 
She
hadn’t bothered to turn when he spoke, so he’d been talking to her back. “It’s
a waste of money,” she told him over one shoulder. “I’m fine, like I said.”
 
“It’s
five miles to your place. You’ll never make it.”
 
She
made no comment.
 
“Soon
you won’t even be able to see where you’re going, what with all that blood.”
 
Again,
she didn’t respond. She’d managed to put a little distance between them and
obviously thought she was getting away. But he wasn’t about to let her go. He
had no idea whether she’d make it. So he jogged after her and swept her into
his arms, which wasn’t hard since she didn’t weigh much.
 
“Ah!”
she cried. He’d startled her. She hadn’t expected that move. He guessed her
head hurt, too, and being jarred hadn’t helped.
 
“We’re
doing this
my way,” he said, and
carried her to his truck.



 

You can read the full
first chapter on the author’s website HERE

 

 

 

New
York Times

& USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak is the author of fifty
books. A four-time Rita nominee, she has won many awards, including the
National Reader’s Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Book Buyer’s Best, the
Daphne, and the Holt Medallion. She also runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a
charity to raise money for diabetes research (her youngest son has this
disease). To date, she’s raised $2.4 million. For more about Brenda, please
visit
www.brendanovak.com.

 

Giveaway is US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Presented by
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The new book!

The new book!

It’s not quite finished yet, but it will be soon.  And it does have a cover and a description, which I can share with you now…

FeverDreamV2

Dr. Sara Alderson isn’t used to her patients dying for no reason.  When a young boy succumbs to a mysterious illness that defies all her efforts to treat it, she refuses to accept defeat.

After two months of questions, Sara has attracted the attention of powerful people who don’t want their secrets uncovered, and will go to any lengths to make sure they stay hidden.

Now, time is running out for Sara to unravel the mystery before anyone else falls victim to the illness.  And before her career, her family and her freedom are taken from her by enemies she doesn’t even know she has.

Fever Dream is the ninth book of the Dream Series

with luck, it’ll be released on May 22nd…

 

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Book Launch – “His to Protect” by Caissy Boudreau

Book Launch – “His to Protect” by Caissy Boudreau

His
To Protect

By: Caissy Boudreau

Release Date: March 30th

 
 
Centuries
ago the UnSeelie princes reigned chaos over the worlds.  Eventually they were captured and
imprisoned.  Many centuries later the
Seelie Court blessed several families with a special gift.  One of the gifts would keep the balance
between the worlds.  These sacred
creatures are meant to protect the innocent from the evil in the world.
Ramzi
is the second oldest of five brothers.
He runs a pub in a small town in Scotland with his brothers.  He longs for a chance at love.  The past few months he has been plagued with
dreams of a blonde haired beauty.  One
day he realizes that she is real.  He
instantly feels a connection to her….
Faith
longs to not feel so alone anymore.  She
travel with her sisters constantly.  She
is riddled of dreams with a blue eyed man.
Who is this man?  One day she and
her sisters are chased from where they were living to a small town in
Scotland.  There she meets the man of her
dreams.
The
Unseelie princes has escaped prison and plan to wreak havoc on the world. But
first they must find these special women to help fulfil their plans.
Can
Ramzi save Faith and her sister?  Or will
they fall victim to the evil of the princes?
 
(Enter Buy Links Here)

 

 

 

 

 

Caissy was born and raised in
South Louisiana.  She now lives in
Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 kids.
She has 2 dogs and 5 cats.  She is
an avid reader and she is a lover of all things paranormal.  Her favorite is vampires.  Since she was a teenager she has been
obsessed with vampires.  She enjoys
spending time with her family and friends.
She enjoys watching hockey and football.
Her children are both diagnosed with Autism.  They are now 14 and 13.  She has been married to the love of her life
for 15 years.
Her debut novel Skylar’s Dream is
based on her dad.  She lost her dad 15
years ago to suicide.  She has dedicated
this book in memory of him.  He was a
strong influence in her life.  Her
grandmother’s continue to guide her and give her encouragement everyday.
She has always wanted to write
since she first read “The Vampire Lestat” by Anne Rice.  She has never had the courage until
recently.  Her husband encouraged and
guided her to accomplish her dreams.
Her children are true inspirations to her.  She does not take anything for granted.  Everyday is a blessing.

 

Social Links:
 
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Book Launch – “The Awakening” by Adria Wade

Book Launch – “The Awakening” by Adria Wade

The Awakening
(The Huntress Series Book 2)

By: Adria Wade

Release Day: March 26th, 2015

Blog Tour: March 29th – April 2nd

Hosted By: Author Sandra Love

 
 
After barely
surviving the battle against her father and the hunters she once called family,
chaos in Athena Bram’s life ensues once more as an unknown threat is foreseen,
leaving her and her friends defenseless and powerless against whoever it is
that is coming. In the midst of danger ahead, her nemesis returns for revenge,
only the threat against her life is far more sinister than Athena had
anticipated. The world around her begins to darken and crumble once again as
she endures the familiar pain of heartbreak, loss, and betrayal while she
fights to protect the ones she loves and races against time to keep her own
self alive
.
 
 
 
 
 
 (Enter Links In Here)
 
 
 

 

The
Forbidden (The Huntress Series Book 1)

By: Adria Wade

Release Date: September 25th, 2014

Edgy Y.A. Paranormal
Romance 
Growing up in a hunter family where loyalty is
expected, nineteen year old Athena Bram was taught that vampires were evil and
ruthless and had to be killed in order to protect the human race. Only she is
no ordinary huntress. Thanks to a serum that her scientist uncle invented, a
powerful beast that lurks within her awakens, enabling her to gain superhuman
powers. The best huntress in her hunter family, she is the most feared amongst
the immortals…until she meets Lucas, the only vampire that renders her
powerless against him. 

Captivated with him, Lucas was everything Athena
did not expect. He was charming, alluring, and too gorgeous to resist. There
was a whole other side to him that she did not know existed, leaving her to
choose between her hunter family and the vampire she just could not live
without. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise for The Forbidden: An enthralling and fabulously written story. I
absolutely love Athena’s character. She is very confident with the person she
is, even though those around her want her to be someone she is not. I read The
Forbidden in one day. A book I would read over and over again. – Kat’s Reading
Corner Book Blog 

I LOVE this story! It’s so much better than I
expected. You read the synopsis and you may think… ok so this is like a
twilight story. Nope, Athena is strong, independent and has a rich strong back
story that sets up amazing story arc that will draw you in. Lucas is sexy,
sweet, sarcastic, and loves being a vampire. The struggle between them feels
real, nothing feels forced, and the conclusion to this story had me scrambling
to immediately find out when the sequel is coming because I must have more! !!
Amazing read!! – Hooked On Books Forever 

 
Adria Wade has had a passion for writing since she was a kid. Her
favorite part about writing is getting lost in the world she created. She lives
in Maryland and is the second oldest of eight children. When not writing, she
loves to read, listen to her favorite bands, watch way too many eighties
movies, and has a fascination with sharks.

The Forbidden(A Huntress Novel) is her first
book, published September 2014. Please look for the second book in the series,
The Awakening, in the summer of 2015.

Follow her on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AdriaWadeAuthorFollow her on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8628138.Adria_Wade

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Book Launch – “Sweetness, He Said” by Jude Starr

Book Launch – “Sweetness, He Said” by Jude Starr

blogcover1

Cover1

Sweetness, He Said

EVERYTHING HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW HAS LINKS EMBEDDED

TITLE: Sweetness, He Said

AUTHOR: Jude Starr

GENRE: Erotica

PUBLICATION: March 26, 2015

COVER DESIGNER: JC Clarke

 

SYNOPSIS

When the people you love betray and humiliate you, how do you learn to trust again?

Fleeing this very heartache, Iris leaves her Florida home to attend Columbia University. While she makes friends, works, and enjoys her classes, Iris is not in a rush to fall in love; that is, until a certain sexy someone finds her. Suddenly, Iris’ boring holiday takes a sizzling turn. But will the heat of passion lead to a holiday fling, or finally melt her frozen heart

Dealing with a tainted past, Calvin makes building his company his priority. He’s busy enjoying the single life until a blonde skater girl becomes the focus of his attention

Can Iris help her man let go of his past guilt and show him how to love unconditionally?

 

BOOK LINKS

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V4C1T4E

http://www.amazon.ca/Sweetness-he-said-Jude-Starr-ebook/dp/B00V4C1T4E

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23589316-sweetness-he-said

 

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Cover Reveal – “Promises to Keep” by Maegan Beaumont

Cover Reveal – “Promises to Keep” by Maegan Beaumont

 


Title: PROMISES TO KEEP (Sabrina Vaughn Book #3)
Author: Maegan Beaumont
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Release Date: August
8th, 2015
Add to Goodreads

For
three years, Michael O’Shea has been forced to act as a personal assassin for
Livingston Shaw, the cold-blooded puppet master who controls the remote
bioweapon implanted in Michael’s back. When Shaw offers to release him if he
can recover a kidnapped child, Michael works with every ounce of his being to
put the pieces together before all the witnesses are murdered.
Meanwhile, police Inspector Sabrina Vaughn–the woman Michael passionately
loves but has been kept from seeing–discovers the body of a little boy that
bears a striking resemblance to the missing child. Against all his instincts,
Michael must draw Sabrina into his life as one of the world’s most notorious
assassins if he’s to overcome the legacy of his bloodthirsty past.
Sabrina’s heart slammed into her throat. She unsnapped
her holster as quietly as she could, and shot a look over her shoulder.
Strickland had seen it too. He drew his weapon and nodded. She lifted her SIG
P220 off her hip and took aim at the curtain.

 

 

            “SFPD—I know
you’re back there. Come out with your hands where I can see them,” she said in
a tone that gave little doubt as to her intent if her command wasn’t followed.

 

 

            No response,
just the slight flutter of the curtain that told her that who or whatever was
behind it was still there.

 

 

            “I said,
SFPD. Come out—”

 

 

            A pair of
feet appeared, nothing more than the tops and toes. They were small and pale in
the steady beam of her flashlight.

 

 

            Holy shit. It was a kid.     

 

 

            She changed
tactics, softened her tone but still held firm. “It’s okay, you’re safe. I’m a
police officer—it’s okay to come out now,” she said but didn’t lower her gun.
There was a chance the child behind the curtain wasn’t alone.

 

 

Small feet shuffled closer and a hand peeked out from
the split between the curtains. The opening was pulled wider to reveal a white
face—dark, vacant eyes and a sharp nose set in a face that was painfully thin.
Equally thin shoulders and torso appeared as the kid moved forward slowly. Just
like the dead boy upstairs, he was naked.

 

 

            “Are you
alone back there?” she said. The kid didn’t answer, just stared at her with
those empty eyes. She motioned the child closer. “Come here, it’s okay.” She
looked at Strickland and tipped her head in the direction of the curtain. He nodded
and moved forward, gun raised.

 

 

            Sabrina
reached out and latched onto the boy’s arm, pulling him toward her. The second
her fingers made contact, he went crazy—swinging and shouting in a language she
didn’t understand.

 

 

            She dragged
the boy clear of the curtain. He fought against her grip, screaming and
flailing, while Strickland did a sweep of the room behind it. He came out a few
seconds later. “Nothing. Just a mattress, TV and another camcorder.” he said
over the din of the boy’s screaming. “What the hell is he saying?”

 

 

            She shook
her head and looked at the boy, saw his face, white and stretched thin with
terror. He wasn’t speaking English but his fear was obvious. “Shhh, shhh—it’s
okay. We’re here to help,” she said, hoping her tone would convey the message
her words couldn’t.

 

 

            The boy
darted away from her, nothing but a pale blur as he bolted toward freedom and
she started after him, pounding up the steps, Strickland two strides behind
her. She reached the top of the stairs and saw him running down the darkened
hallway, darting this way and that.

 

 

            “Stop him,”
she shouted, hoping the uniform at the front door would be quick enough to
catch him.

 

 

            The boy cut
to the left and she followed, through the living room doorway. He saw the
uniform, blocking his way out and he darted to the left again, cutting across
the room to the other side of the house. Toward the room where the dead boy
probably still lay stretched out on the floor.

 

 

            “Don’t go in
there,” she said, even though he didn’t understand her. He disappeared through
the doorway seconds before she reached it. She skidded to a stop, blocking the
doorway. The coroner, Mandy Black, hunkered down next to the body on the floor
but the whole of her attention was concentrated on the boy who just burst into the
room. He was crouching in the corner furthest away from the doorway, knees
drawn tight against his chest by arms so thin and pale they looked like twigs,
bleached white by the sun.

 

 

            He started
rambling again, eyes, like miniature black holes, aimed at the body on the
floor. She started to cross the threshold but Mandy threw up a hand and shook
her head. Sabrina stalled out mid-stride and watched as Mandy stood, crossing
the room on slow and steady feet. She said something in what sounded like the
same language the boy was speaking and as if Mandy had thrown a switch, he
stopped talking.

 

 

            Sabrina
watched and listened. Mandy got closer and closer, still speaking the strange
language in a low, easy tone that seemed to sooth the boy. It sounded
Slavic—maybe Russian. Strange coming from the woman crouched on the floor. She
must’ve asked him a question because the boy nodded, eyes suddenly flooded with
tears. He started to speak again but his speech had lost its hysterical edge.
Mandy got close enough to reach out and touch him but she didn’t. She kept her
hands at her sides, shaking her head as she crouched low and slow in front of
him. She kept talking. The boy kept listening.

 

 

            “What. The.
Fuck,” Strickland said behind her. “Coroner Barbie speaks gibberish.”

 

 

            “It’s not
gibberish, dickhead. It’s Russian,” Mandy said without looking up.

 

 

            She felt a
prickle, like electricity dancing along her skin. What was a Russian boy doing
in an abandoned house in San Francisco? One that had obviously been held
against his will?

 

 

            She looked
away from the boy crouched in the corner to the one dead on the floor.

 

 

“Ask him if he knows the victim,” she said.

 

 

            Mandy spoke
quietly and the boy answered, shaking his head. “No. He said he’s never seen
him before.”

 

 

            Sabrina
studied the boy on the floor. He was small and blond. She entered the room and
squatted down next to the body. She peeled back a lid and looked at his eyes.
They were milky but she could see enough of the iris to know they were light in
color.

 

 

            She
stood. “I need some air,” she said, brushing past Strickland on her way out the
door. She could feel him watching her and she silently urged him not to follow.

 

 

            She didn’t
need air. She needed to call Ben, because there was a very real chance that
she’d just found Leo Maddox.

 

Carved in Darkness (Book #1)

Past horrors bleed into a present day nightmare

Fifteen years ago, a psychotic killer abducted seventeen year old Melissa
Walker. For 83 days she was raped and tortured before being left for dead in a
deserted church yard… But she was still alive.Melissa begins a new life as homicide inspector, Sabrina Vaughn. With a new
face and a new name, it’s her job to hunt down murderers and it’s a job she
does very well.

When Michael O’Shea, a childhood acquaintance with a suspicious past, suddenly
finds her, he brings to life the nightmare Sabrina has long since buried.

Believing that his sister was recently murdered by the same monster who
attacked Sabrina, Michael is dead set on getting his revenge–using Sabrina as
bait.

Amazon US


Sacrificial Muse (Book #2)

 

She is his muse, and the
fates require sacrifice.
San Francisco Detective Sabrina Vaughn is able to shrug off the nine red roses
being delivered to her office every day. But when only eight roses arrive on
the same day a Berkeley student’s mutilated body is found, Sabrina fears that
the killer is taunting her. Forced into a partnership with a deceitful reporter
who somehow remains one step ahead of her, Sabrina discovers that she’s the
object of a psychopath’s twisted delusion . . . and there may be no escape.Amazon US

 

Maegan Beaumont is the author of CARVED IN DARKNESS, the first book in the
Sabrina Vaughn thriller series (Available through Midnight Ink, spring 2013). A
native Phoenician, Maegan’s stories are meant to make you wonder what the guy
standing in front of you in the Starbucks line has locked in his basement, and
feel a strong desire to sleep with the light on.

When
she isn’t busy fulfilling her duties as Domestic Goddess for her high school
sweetheart turned husband, Joe, and their four children, she is locked in her
office with her computer, her coffee pot and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and one
true love, Jade.


Twitter
~ Blog ~ Goodreads
~ Website
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Blog Hop – Hot Encounters

Blog Hop – Hot Encounters

I’m participating in the weekly blog hop sponsored by the Book Boyfriends Cafe.  This week’s theme is “Hot Encounters”, and I’ve got one from book five of the Dream Series, WAKING DREAM.  To set the scene a bit, Sara and Brian have taken the family on a Christmas ski vacation with Sara’s best friend Beth and her family.  Sara and Brian were just about ready to enjoy some “alone time” together when a transformer blew somewhere outside, knocking out the power and waking up their kids…

It takes an hour to find candles, since the only flashlight in the chalet is the tiny light in my medical bag.  And of course, the moment we do get a few of them lit, the power comes back on.  Then it’s another hour cleaning and bandaging up everyone’s cuts and scrapes, and then getting the twins and Zach Jr. back to sleep.

Beth grabs my arm as I’m heading back to my room.  She whispers to me, “I can’t believe that.  We were just…”

“Us, too,” I say, and we collapse into giggles.  What else is there to do but laugh?  We stand there right outside my bedroom, laughing, for probably five minutes, until our respective husbands grab us and drag us away.

Once we’re in the room, Brian asks, “Do you have your light?”  I hold it up and wave it at him.  “Good,” he says, then he locks the door.  This time, I don’t feel uncomfortable at all about the idea.  Brian’s still staring at the door, and I have no idea what’s going through his mind until he drags a chair over and wedges it under the doorknob.  “Just to make sure.  I don’t care if the lights go out again, or the fire alarm goes off, or if aliens land outside the front door and demand we take them to our leader.  No interruptions.  Agreed?”

I go over to him, throw my arms around his neck, and give him a kiss that makes his knees buckle.  As he sinks down to the floor, carrying me with him, I say, as if I hadn’t already given my answer, “Agreed!”

 

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