Featuring Author Angela Archer...

Happy Friday Everyone,

Sometimes I like to feature different authors on my blog, and today is one such day. Meet author Angela Christina Archer and her release, A Road Paved In Copper.

First a little about her novel:

Armed with her six-shooter, Ava De La Vega dips the pen into the inkwell and etches her name on the Esmeralda County tax record book. A formidable force, that's what her peers have called her. The woman in a man's world, what did she know of mining ore, silver, and copper? Plenty. And it's this knowledge that makes her of the richest miners in Nevada in 1903.

Of course, it also makes her a target.

Traveling back and forth from Tonopah, Nevada and San Francisco, Ava spends her life digging up precious metals from the depths of mineshafts then blowing her money on the finer things in life. A woman who blazes the trail from the dirt and grime to the fanciest hotel rooms, the finest wines, the most decadent meals, and the company of attractive young men.

Unfortunately, for Ava, she doesn’t see Craig Harrison coming.

A miner from the snowy Klondike, Craig has traveled from the harsh Canadian mountains down to city streets of San Francisco. Not looking for work, he's happy with the comfortable life away from the deep mines, the dirt, and the ever sought-after gold.

Unfortunately, for Craig, he doesn’t see Ava coming.

More about Angela:

Angela lives on a ranch with her husband, two daughters, and many farm animals. She was born and raised in Nevada, and grew up riding and showing horses from hunter jumper, English equitation, western pleasure, trail, and halter. While she doesn't show anymore, she still loves to trail ride her paint horse, Honky. In December of 2007, she and her husband moved to Oklahoma.

In December 2014, Angela launched Long ValleyPress.

I think her novel has a pretty cover, don't you? You can find out more about purchasing Angela's novel on its Goodreads page.

Have A Fabulously Fun Friday!

New & Upcoming Releases For Your Summer Reading Enjoyment...

Happy Thursday Everyone,

Thank you for the prayers and positive thoughts for offspring and I. Offspring is doing better--and I'm working on getting better.

There's been several new releases lately and I've been utterly remiss in posting about them, so here we go:

In no particular order:

Author pal of mine, Wareeze Woodson's debut novel, a Historical Romance, Conduct Unbecoming A Gentleman was recently released. You can find it on Amazon. 

I did announce when C.C. Hunter's YA Paranormal final book in Kylie's Shadow Falls series, Chosen At Nightfall. I did a short review of this one.

Teri Thackston put out a Paranormal Romance, Wait Until Moonrise, available in E-Reader format. 

J.D. Faver has a new Romance, The Reluctant Rancher available through Amazon. 

Contemporary Fantasy Author, Shanna Swendson has her newest Enchanted Inc. book available in print (I don't know if it's available on E-Reader yet. Last I saw it was going to be coming soon). Book 7, Kiss And Spell is now available through Amazon. 

I recently got into Kiera Cass's YA series, which includes a novella called The Prince, but the first full-length novel in that series is called The Selection. The newest release is The Elite. Very fun series. (And yes, I've read all 3 stories--interested to see what comes next!)

Author pal of mine, Will Graham, has another Thriller, One Minute After Midnight is available through Amazon for your E-reading pleasure. 

In no particular order (aside from what month):

Shauna Allen's matchmaking angel will return soon in The Halo Effect. (May 2013) (Paranormal Romance).

Josephine Angelini's YA Paranormal Starcrossed Book 3, Goddess. (May 2013).

Author pal of mine, Jenn Langston will have her debut novel, a Historical Romance, His Perfect Bride, coming out in June 2013. 

Of course, there's my debut Romance (Fantasy & Paranormal elements), All's Fair In Love & Lion coming out on July 10, 2013. But y'all already knew that. :-)

Lesley Livingston has her second book in her Starling series, Descendant, coming out late August 2013. (YA Paranormal).

There's an author pal of mine who I believe has her debut Romance coming out in August 2013. I'll double-check details and have to get back to you all on that. (It's not listed on her site or Facebook page, so I'll have to ask her).

What other novels are coming out in May, June, July, and August that you're looking forward to? Please share that information in the comment section. Thank you!

Side note:  For anyone new to commenting on my blog:  All comments come to me FIRST for review. Once I see them, I publish them, and then they show up in the comment section. I know this seems a little tedious, but after some problems I had in previous years, this seems to work best. It also cuts down on duplicate comments, since I can eliminate any extra same posts when I review them.

Have A Tantalizingly Thrilling Thursday!

It's A Critique Thing

Happy Thursday All,

Yesterday was Box Of Awesomeness Day. But just because yesterday is past doesn't mean you can't still share those awesome things/feelings/happenings throughout the year. In fact, I encourage you to keep me up-to-date on here and on Twitter (hashtag: #BoxOfAwesomeness tweet to me @WriteByBethany). We all need positive things/uplifting things in our lives, so let's see if we can keep it up all through 2013, okie-dokie?

Since I'm getting Dream Weaver ready for critiques the process of critiquing is on my mind.

Tess St. John and I have been critique partners for oh, about 4 years now. Yes, I have critiqued several of her novels (I swear this woman is a machine when it comes to writing, and she's so talented!) She and I have an understanding, which I think is important for all critique partners to have with each other and that's this:  Use what works for your story and ignore the rest. Which basically means, whatever works to strengthen your story use it, whatever doesn't, leave it alone.

Given that I've had to delete whole posts I've written on the subject of critiques because they were getting too long, I've come up with an alternative:  I'll take any questions y'all have on the subject.

Before I take the questions, though, here's a bit of advice to always remember:  constructive criticism and being polite and professional goes a long way to making the critique process move smoothly and being beneficial to all parties involved.

Otherwise, what do you want to know about critiquing or receiving a critique?

While you're at it, check out Tess St. John's next novel, a new Historical Romance, Chance For Freedom available on Kindle (it's not available on Nook, yet, but it will come eventually). But it's a good one (and yes, I did critique it, but I'm not saying it's good because I helped critique it, I'm saying it's good because Tess is a very talented writer). Tess has requested I add that some of the expansion of conflict is there because of me. (Although, I think she gives me too much credit, but she strongly disagrees. You see? We've got a mutual admiration society going on, which helps us work well together). :-)

Have A Thoughtful Thursday!

September, New & Upcoming Releases...

Happy Tuesday All,

Today we remember and pray for those involved in the tragedy of 9/11, and we also remember all the brave men and women who defend the USA. May God bless them and be with them.

This year September is bringing weather to the South of the promise of Fall. It's not as cool as I'd prefer, yet, but it's cooler. One of the little trees in my backyard has already got some red leaves on it (pretty!) and another one is showing signs of Fall. Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons. What's yours?

Before I forget...

There's releases coming right around the corner:

Sophie Jordan's 3rd book in her YA series, Hidden, is out TODAY!

Kerrelyn Sparks has the re-release of her Historical under the title The Forbidden Lady (out on September 25, 2012). Also, her next Love At Stake book, Wild About You will be out on November 27, 2012.

C.C. Hunter's newest installment in her Shadowfalls series, Whispers At Moonrise will release on October 2nd.

Laura Childs' next Scrapbooking Mystery, entitled: Postcards From The Dead will also be out on October 2nd.

What books are you looking forward to that are coming out this Fall?

Have A Thoughtful Tuesday!

The Great Jewelry Giveaway Friday: The Lady's Got Quality

Happy Friday All,

The contest portion of this post is closed, however, you may enjoy the rest of it :-)

Congratulations goes to Beth, who emailed me her entry, and is the winner of the Eyes Of Jade Bracelet & Earrings Set in yesterday's drawing.

Today is the last day of the Great Jewelry Giveaway. I've had so much fun hosting it and the comments have been very creative and imaginative with their usages of the contest words. So, I hope today to see that creativity and imagination alive and well for this, the last giveaway day for this particular contest.

Kathy of Beadmore Designs and I both share a love of Georgette Heyer's books. Ms. Heyer died in 1974, leaving a legacy of Regency Romances and Mystery novels behind. I have read that she often called "Queen Of The Regency".  I've read about 13 of her Regency Romances.

Kathy's favorite is Lady Of Quality (which I have not read, but it looks good). Lady Of Quality follows the friendship between Annis Wychwood ,who volunteers to chaperone a young lady named Lucilla. One of Lucilla's relatives, Oliver Carleton comes to Bath to see about Lucilla's new living arrangements with Annis. Annis and Oliver apparently hit it off, but Annis doesn't want to give up her independence. Will Oliver win Annis, or is he, a rake, just not right for this Lady Of Quality? (Each time I mentioned the title, Lady Of Quality, in the above paragraph I provided a link to a different bookstore where you can purchase the paperback version).  You can also get it on Amazon Kindle and on Barnes & Noble Nook.  You can get many other of Georgette Heyer's novels at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.

Kathy made a lovely necklace to sponsor for today's giveaway in Georgette Heyer's name the necklace is called Lucilla:

Lucilla necklace

click here to see another photo of it on Kathy's Beadmore Designs website

Here's how you can enter to win the Lucilla Necklace (but careful, the contest word today is NOT Lucilla):

Either you can...

A.  Comment in the comment section. Be sure to provide your name and email address (I can't enter you without an email address, sorry). You must use the words "lady" and "quality" in a sentence to enter tonight's drawing. (Use your imagination. Get creative and have fun with it).

Or you can...

B.  Email me but you must use the words "lady" and "quality" in a sentence (Use your imagination. Get creative and have fun with it).

No anonymous entries. If you wish not to leave your name and email address in the comment section then you may send me an email with a sentence using the words "lady" and "quality".

Unless I'm told otherwise, International entries are welcome.

I'll be closing the contest at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. When that happens, I'll draw a winner, email them, and put up a special post announcing who the winner is.

If you have any further questions/comments please email me.

I hope you all have enjoyed this week as much as I have. Special thanks go to the following people:

Kathy of Beadmore Designs for her lovely workmanship and jewelry (you can purchase jewelry from Kathy by going to her website and contacting her through her email. She has many pieces available for sale, including the ones that were featured in this week's giveaway. She also makes lovely custom pieces).

C.C. Hunter (YA Paranormal)

Tea Trelawny (accent on the "e" in "Tea") (Erotica)

Tess St. John (Historicals, Romantic Suspense and Mysteries)

Thank you, all of you, for helping me make this Great Jewelry Giveaway possible and for their continued support and friendship.

Congratulations and thanks goes to all the winners:  Susan M. (Monday), Donna Marie (Tuesday), C.C. (Wednesday) and Beth (Thursday)...Friday's winner is yet to be determined.

Also, thank you so very, very much to all my followers and all those who participated. You all rock!

Be sure to enter today's drawing!

Have A Fairy-Tale Friday! 

Historicals! What A Novel Idea

Happy Tuesday All,

Thank you so much for all the support for Tess St. John in yesterday's post. It was wonderful to see everyone backing her up. She rocks! Wednesday is her release and on that day I will be posting my review of her release, Second Chances.

Since this is the eve of the review and Tess's release, I thought I'd go along with the genre. Tess actually writes in more than one genre, but since Second Chances is a Historical Romance, I thought I'd go with that.

I haven't read a lot of Historical Romances...well, unless you count the 13 Georgette Heyer or the 14 Lynn Kurland novels I've read.

Georgette Heyer's Historical Romances are typically set in the Regency Era...complete with the ton and everything--fashion, dances, young girls being introduced into society and all that.

Here's a list of the Georgette Heyer books I've read (by the way, they've reprinted pretty much all of hers and some of her mysteries, too). (You can get her novels at Amazon or Barnes & Noble) I've read:

Cotillion
Sylvester, Or The Wicked Uncle
The Black Moth
These Old Shades
The Devil's Cub
The Toll-Gate
Friday's Child
The Grand Sophy
Beauvallet
The Masqueraders
Venetia
The Foundling
Frederica

The Grand Sophy is probably my number one favorite. It's really funny and a fun story. Beauvallet is fun because it has pirates/privateers. These Old Shades is really good as well. Friday's Child I've read at least 3 times, if not more--I really like that one, too. I wasn't sure what I'd think of Sylvester at first, but it ended up making my top 5 Heyer novel favorites. 


Lynn Kurland's MacLeod/De Piaget novels also sort of writes historical, but hers tend to be more paranormal--time travel and ghosts--but with strong Historical elements (Knights and Scottish Clansmen--Medieval times...usually between the 1100-1300's). She also writes fantasy historical novels, but I haven't read those. A few of her MacLeod/De Piaget novels are contemporary, but not many.

Here's a list of Lynn Kurland novels I've read:

Stardust Of Yesterday
A Dance Through Time
The More I See You
From This Moment On
This Is All I Ask
Dreams Of Stardust
The Christmas Cat (anthology)
Opposites Attract (anthology)
Tapestry (anthology)
Another Chance To Dream
If I Had You
When I Fall In Love
Till There Was You
One Enchanted Evening
The Very Thought Of You
With Every Breath
A Garden In The Rain

You can see Lynn Kurland's complete bookshelf (including the fantasy book list) here from the bookshelf portion of her website. You can also get Lynn's books at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Several of Lynn's novellas that appeared in the Anthologies I mentioned have been reprinted into a full book on their own (it's called Love Came Just In Time). and some of them have been reprinted individually, as well.

Question for the day: Do you read Historicals or History books of any kind?

Also, remember: Wednesday I'll be posting my review of Tess St. John's Historical Romance, Second Chances.

Have A Timeless Tuesday!