Life with Lucy #10 - Not

We've interrupted our regularly scheduled programming today, because the star has the day off. Go figure. They get a little famous and then, bam. They're on vacation. Lucy sends her love, and says she'll be back next week with a happy tale.

She had a great week, and right now she's sleeping soundly on the bed. So rather than disturb her slumber, I thought I'd give you a peek at some more book covers.

I've expanded Christmas Knight into a novella, because the story simply cried out for it. So did readers.

I struggled with doing the same to Christmas Holly, and ultimately decided to leave it be. Part of its charm is that it's short.

Lest you think I've given  up, like everyone, life doesn't happen the way you expect it to, so I took a detour from my writing because it was necessary.

Things are back on track for me, I'll be publishing my own work and seeking out publishers for some longer works. I think they're calling us hybrid authors these days. Just hang on, and next week they'll be calling us something else. It's an exciting time to be an author.

I've got lots of new work scheduled for release later this year. Unfortunately, even taking the reins, I can't get things finished as fast as I'd like to. But it's happening. So stay tuned! These quickies and a new novel or two will be available for your reading pleasure very soon!

Thank you for sticking with me. Have a lovely weekend.

Great Free Reads

Here’s something to help get you in the holiday spirit. Or keep you there if you’re waiting in line.

Come join the Twelve Days of Christmas with the fantastic ladies of The Passionate Critters. They’ve written short Christmas stories for their blog. Starting today, they’ll post a new one every day for your reading pleasure.

 I’ve been fortunate enough to read most of them, and let me tell you, they rock!

The Passionate Critters

Don’t miss out on the fun!

Christmas Knight

With fall in mid-swing, winter isn't far behind. In an effort to make it a little more enjoyable, I'd like to introduce my shiny new short story. If you're waiting in the dentist or doctor's office, riding the metro to work, or waiting in line for that perfect holiday gift, this will help the time fly.

This story has a special place in my heart because it's the only one to have ever come to me in the middle of the night, complete. With names, a title, everything. Which is down right out of the ordinary in my world. But it's exactly as I wanted it to be, just a little bit of sunshine. Enjoy!

Here's the blurb:

Glory Dawson needs to catch a break. Thanks to the economic downturn, she’s lost her job, her home, and her child. Just when things can’t seem to get worse, they get weird. A crazy grandmother, muggers, heirlooms, and armor. Armor? Just what a girl needs to save the day.

Christian Knight has spent his life trying to make sense of his family’s patriarchal lore. In the process, he’s built a dynasty. It’s given him everything. And nothing. Despite his sibling’s best efforts, he still spends every Christmas, and most of his life, alone.

In the search for true love, do two kindred souls look to the future, or the past?

Buy It Here

The Lianhan Shee

By Erin Grace

Love is blind…seriously.

Once upon a time, the powerful Lianhan Shee—the Celtic Love Fairy--could capture a mortal man’s heart with a mere glance, trapping him into a life of misery and unrequited love until his death.

Nowadays, it is all she can do to get noticed.

Bored and wanting to prove her powers aren’t weakening in the modern Irish world, she accepts a dangerous wager, one that could see her kneel at the bidding of a scheming leprechaun.

But, the mortal chosen as her target isn’t all he seems…

As the battle begins for magic gold, immortality and the soul of a man who sees what others can’t, will love prove to be the most powerful weapon of all?

Buy It Here

The Lianhan Shee. Powerful. Immortal. Bored to tears, and still in possession of the heart and soul of a woman. Which means she struggles, just like all of us, with the needs, wants, and challenges these things bring to her existence.

Aidan is a wounded hero. And a fine one at that. He’s honorable, funny, loving, strong, and imperfect. Everything a woman, even an immortal one, would want in a hero.

If you haven’t guessed by now, this is my favorite of all four stories. To me, and I’m from America mind you, it embodies everything I find romantic about Irish folklore.

Ms. Grace has beautifully rendered a complete cast of fanciful, yet realistic characters including feisty leprechauns, fairies, immortals, and mortals, both bad and good. And dropped them right down into a modern days setting, where they fit perfectly.

Personally I think you should read all four stories, or you’re missing out. But if you only have time to read one, this is it.



Awesome Short Stories Week

Usually, I’m not much of a short story person. I used to say it was kind of like reading a commercial.

Until I began to write. Now, I have the utmost appreciation for people who write short stories. Because I understand just how much work goes into crafting a story with vivid characters, a gripping setting, a fast paced plot, and doing it in a few short pages.

With a short story you don’t have time to drone on and on about everything down to the last detail. You have to grab the reader’s attention and hold it, immediately.

With that being said, I was fortunate enough to come across a great collection of short stories recently.

You can find them bundled here.

Sexy Irish Stories Collection

Each one is unique in its storyline, and so well done, in fact, I’ll be featuring all four the rest of this week. So if you’re a short story lover, these are must buys. If you’re thinking, ahh, not so much, I say, give these a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Writerly News

I’m very excited to announce that my short story entitled Christmas Holly, placed first runner-up in a writing prompt contest offered by Gypsy Shadow Publishing. Which means at some point, it will be published. There’s nothing like the thrill of being offered a contract. That just doesn’t get old.

Here's a big shout out to a terrific author, Aubrie Dionne. Thanks, woman!! If she hadn’t posted the notice on her blog, I’d never have known about the contest. And doesn't she have the most beautiful website? It's lovely.

Don’t know if I’ve mentioned it once, or a million times, but I love to read paranormal novels. Christmas Holly is my first attempt at actually writing one. It feels great to know that it turned out okay. I’m very excited to be able to share it with you. Once the details get worked out, they’ll be passed along so you’ll know what’s happening.

This is very inspiring. I must go write. Now.