BOOK TRAILER FOR IN THE SHADOW OF GREED

Hi everyone,

It's been quite an exciting week and a half for me with my new release of In the Shadow of Greed. Today, I received my new book trailer and I just had to share. 




((HUGS TO ALL))
Nancy C. Weeks
Author of In the Shadow of Greed
Available at: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

WOW, IN THE SHADOW OF GREED MADE IT TO USA TODAY!

Good morning, All
So it is the day after the A to Z Challenge and I was going to take it a little easy. Maybe do some laundry, finish reading one my dear friend's new releases, Sharon Buchbinder, Obsession. But first I decide to go on Facebook. 
AND...I found this:

MY NEW RELEASE, IN THE SHADOW OF GREED IS FEATURED IN USA TODAY!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/05/01/new-releases-romantic-suspense-inspirational-may-2013/2124593/

I just had to share! Have great day everyone.

Huge Hugs,
Nancy C. Weeks'
Author to In the Shadow of Greed
Available at: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Z IS FOR APRIL JUST ZIPPED BY

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Today is the last day of the A to Z challenge and I made it to the end without missing a day. In fact, the month just ZIPPED by...hehehhheheee! 

I loved sharing with my wonderful blog buddies my thoughts on life, my favorite recipes, and of course, my new debut novel, In the Shadow of Greed. Someone yesterday called me a new book mamma. That's exactly what it felt like on release day. 

I really enjoyed all the different blogs and the wonderful, creative people I have met through A to Z challenge. One central theme was very obvious to me during this month of blog hopping. We all, in one way or other, are seeking that one thing that is just beyond our reach. All I can say is please keep reaching for your dream. Don't let anyone talk you into giving up.

Most of the bloggers I met were writers, all at different stages of their writing career. This month, I hopped over on huge hurdle in my own writing career. I finally found a publisher who was willing to take a chance on me and publish my first book. Of course, this is only a baby step, but it's an amazing step in the right direction.

One thing that took me by surprise was the overwhelming work that went into posting a different topic every day. Like I have said before, I don't write very fast. That includes writing post. I fuss over every sentence, ever word. Sometimes, an idea just came to me and I would run with it, not really knowing where it would take me. Other times, I  would write an entire post and end up deleting it because I just didn't like it. And then there were those days when I had nothing, zip, zero.I don't know where the idea finally came from, but I got something down.

This may be a little vain--so please bare with me--but  I really loved watching my pageviews grow this month. A couple day ago, I hit, in my mind, the magic number--5000 pageviews. I wish I knew who was stopping by for a visit each day. I would love to know who you are and where you are from. 

What's next on my blog now that the A to Z challenge has come to an end? Well, I decided that as much as I enjoyed the daily contact, I really don't have the time to post every day---especially if I plan to get my third book done before the beginning of the summer. My WIP--work in progress--has really been ignored the last few weeks. AND...my characters don't like to being ignored. In fact, they hate it. Since I'm not writing their story down fast enough, they have decided to gang up at me at three in morning. Not kidding here. I'm serious. They  have been yakking up a storm while I should be sleeping. 

The one thing became very clear during this challenge. I need to learn how to manage my writing world with my other world. I have a wonderful life completely separate from my writing. But I've not been very good at dividing myself between the two worlds. They are both so important to me. But I can't keep up this schedule without it taking it's toll. I need down time where neither world needs me for just a little while. Maybe a few of my writing buddies have a little advice they could share about how they manage their time. 

This challenge was a lot of work for everyone. But I'm very proud of all of us who kept going to the end. We can all pat ourselves on the back for stepping over the finish line. I hope all of you continue to come by here and visit. Until then, it has been a blast. 

((HUGS TO ALL))

Nancy C. Weeks

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

Available at: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

YEEHAW! IT'S OUT Y'ALL! THIS IS MY RELEASE DAY!

Today is my RELEASE DAY for my debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF GREED. Y is for YEEHAW! IT'S OUT Y'ALL!  I can get away with the whole YEEHAW thing because once a Texan gal, always a Texan gal.

The moment  has finally come!!! I want to shout it out to the world because this is such a major accomplishment for me. My dream has come true and dreams should be celebrated.

I wish I could have a virtual cake party for all of my wonderful blog family. Here is my baby on it's release day. 

If you want to visit IN THE SHADOW OF GREED in its new home, here are the links: Amazon | B&N | Crimson Romance ebooks |iTunes

That is it for today. I wish everyone a great day and hope you are reaching far to find your dream.

((HUGS TO ALL))

Nancy C. Weeks

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

X IS FOR XTRA! XTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Hi Everyone!

Happy Saturday. I can't believe I'm on X. When I began the A to Z challenge on the April 1st, I was a bit overwhelmed. But here I am almost at the finish line. I hope you have enjoyed a few of the topics I decided to post.

I cheated again with the letter X because I wanted to give one more last desperate shout-out for my new release, In the Shadow of Greed. It's coming out in two days! So, X is for Xrtra! Xrta!, Read All About It--In the Shadow of Greed is Out in TWO DAYS!!!

Making it to this point in my career as a writer has been such a great ride. When I wrote that first sentence three years ago, I never even dreamed of having my name on a book cover. I don't dream about things I think are impossible. For instance, I would love to go in space one day---see the world we live on in a totally different perspective. But I know that will never happen. Why dream about it?

That lack of confidence in myself I think stems from way back in my childhood to the day I found out that I had to repeat the second grade. I think from that moment on, I didn't think I was very smart. I have fought/challenged that thought my whole life.

If you knew me, that statement would probably shock you. Some people think I'm so together, so confident--can and will tackle anything. But we all have those doubts that live deep within us that we don't share. Well, I'm sharing because I was so wrong to see myself in that light. Like my mother use to say, "God doesn't make anything that isn't perfect. You have a great head on your shoulders. Use it!" Of course she would always add, "Nancy, it's not going to be easy, but nothing worth having ever is."

That is advice to live by--and I have. Here is my dream all ready to hit the virtual bookshelves on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Crimson Romance and iTunes in two days, 29 April 2013. If there is one thing I would love to have given you during this A to Z challenge is the push you need to follow your own dream. Please...I have faith in you. Have faith in yourself!

  

Excerpt for In the Shadow of Greed

He thinks I’m dead. Sarah’s coming. Help her!

The voice quivered inside Jason’s head. He pushed away from the pillar and froze. No one was there. His gaze fell back to the woman in the bed. His eyes narrowed and he clenched his jaw, biting down so hard, pain shot up his inner ear.

The next instant, a petite woman with long, straight, raven hair and the most beautiful, hazel eyes he had ever seen charged through the trauma unit. A security officer followed close behind and grabbed her arm, stopping her from moving any farther into the restricted area.

Jason stared at the woman in the bed and back to the woman by the door. He knew, without a doubt, her name was Sarah. His mind raced for an explanation.

“Ma’am, you can’t be back here.” The guard tried to pull Sarah back through the doors.

Sarah yanked out of his hold. The expression on her face was intense, unyielding. “Like hell I can’t. My sister is here. She needs me.”

The charge nurse moved from behind a counter of the nurse’s station and stood next to the security officer. “How can I help you?”

The nurse’s low, gentle voice seemed to have a soothing effect on Sarah. “Hanna Tu.” Her voice shuddered.

Jason couldn’t take his eyes off Hanna’s sister. In an instant, she transformed from a stiletto wearing, ice-dragon on the war path—just the kind of woman he disliked—into a frightened, desperate woman whose vulnerabilities brought out his protective instinct.

As her eyes wildly searched the trauma unit, the nurse reached for Sarah’s arm and guided her toward the doors.

“We’re still assessing your sister’s condition. I’ll have one of the doctors come talk to you in the waiting room as soon as they can. She’s in good hands, I promise you.”

 “I need to see her. I need to know she’s okay. The police wouldn’t allow me into her apartment. No one has told me anything. There was so much blood.” She sucked in a deep breath as tears clouded her eyes. “Please let me see her for a moment.”

Her eyes narrowed on the cubicle surrounded by a curtain. One of the nurses moved the fabric aside and left carrying a tray of vials. Sarah’s gaze fell on her sister. “Oh God! Hanna!”

She took a step toward her sister, but her body began to tremble and her knees buckled. Jason rushed forward and caught her as her body collapsed. With one arm wrapped around her waist, he used his other hand to lift the badge that hung around his neck and flashed it at the nurse. “She’s with me.”

He then found an empty chair away from a direct view of the cubicle and lowered Sarah into it. He knelt, keeping his arm around her. Her body shook violently and she gasped for air. The charge nurse brought over a cup of water and handed it to Jason. He brought it to Sarah’s lips.

“Drink, Sarah, it will help.”

She sipped the water and closed her eyes, taking in several deep breaths. “W-who hurt her? W-why?”

“We don’t know, but we’ll find out. He’ll pay for this.”

Sarah finally glanced up at him and pulled away. “Who are you?”

And the ice-dragon’s back. Jason clenched his jaw to keep a smile from spreading across his face. He couldn’t put his finger on the why, but this woman intrigued him. “Detective Jason McNeil.”

“Why are you here and not out finding the person who hurt my sister?”

Don’t let her push you away. She needs you, we need you.

Jason was taken aback by the weak, small voice in his head. What the hell was going on? Finding his voice, he said, “Someone tried to kill your sister.” He glanced toward Hanna’s cubicle. A crushing anger boiled up from deep within his gut. “The guy who attacked her has killed at least three other times we know about and he didn’t mean to leave Hanna alive. I’m not giving him a chance to finish the job.”

Oh God, he’s here… He’s here! Don’t let him near Sarah!

Here is where you can order In the Shadow of Greed. If you like my book---or any book, please take a minute and write a review. Authors live and/or perish from  reviews. So take a moment and just write a couple sentences of about how you felt about the story.

Amazon | B&N | Crimson Romance ebooks |iTunes

Hugs to all,

Nancy C. Weeks

W IS FOR LONI LYNNE’S DEBUT NOVEL, WANTED: ONE GHOST.

Believe in Fate!

Happy Thursday, everyone,

Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to a wonderful author, Loni Lynne. W is for Loni Lynne’s debut novel, WANTED: ONE GHOST.

Loni was the first person I met the day I joined Maryland Romance Writers. I can’t tell you how nervous I was walking into that meeting almost thirty minutes early. Loni gave me a big smile and made me feel so welcome. Moments later, she had me helping set out snacks. I have had such a wonderful time getting to know her.

I’m going to do something really different with this post. I would like to you meet Loni in her own words.  After she tells us a little about herself, I get to interview Loni’s hunky ghost, James Addison. That’s right, I’m interviewing a ghost!  Well, he’s not a ghost now, but he was…I think I will just let you met him and discover how unique he is for yourself. But first, Loni, I can’t thank you enough for visiting today and bringing James with you.  Can you please tell all of us a little about yourself. 

Loni Lynne…

My name is Loni Lynne and I’m a stay at home mom, domestic goddess, U.S. Navy Veteran and lover of all things vintage/shabby-chic/Victorian and antique. From china cups and tea sets to lace doilies crocheted by hand (my grandmother made the best) I believe a touch of femininity never goes out of style.  Growing up all over the country, I have been blessed with experiencing a good deal of culture and lifestyles. Much like my personality, I have eclectic tastes in what I like to read and write. There is no 'one' genre in which I settle for. 

God and fate have been big influences in my life. Both have taken me places I never thought I’d be, both in the physical sense and in the spiritual. I wrote brief stories and snippets of life as it happened to me in my youth, and was encouraged by my teachers to continue to write. Blessed with a loving supportive family growing up, I was able to explore my options which at times have been put into use in my stories. The Navy--and fate, afforded me the opportunity to meet my Army, "Annapolis-native" husband and team up with him to parent our two beautiful daughters. 

Years ago, my husband gave me the best birthday present ever--a laptop, a membership to Romance Writers of America and a goal to complete a  manuscript for submission by my next birthday. I did it. WANTED: ONE GHOST is my début novel. Believe in Fate!    

WANTED: ONE GHOST— INTERVIEW

James Addison talks about his role in Loni Lynne’s debut paranormal romance, WANTED: ONE GHOST  arriving June 3, 2013 from Crescent Moon Press:

Nancy:  Thank you for being here today on my blog. I love your costume, James.

James: Actually, this is my normal clothing. I’m most comfortable in breeches and linen shirts. I’m having tea with the Friends of Kings Mill, Maryland Ladies Auxiliary later today.  I’m part of the festivities for Kings Mill Days these next few weeks. Dr. Freelane from the historical society thought I would make a perfect ‘James Addison’.

 Nancy: Who better to play you than—‘you’.

James: My thoughts exactly!  So, what would you like to know, my friend?

 Nancy: Your character—

James: I have superb character! (He preens)  It was a joke.

 Nancy: Of course.  As I was saying, your character is unique.  You are over two hundred and fifty years old?

James: Nearly 271 years of age actually. I was born December 16 in the year of our Lord, 1742 in England.

 Nancy: Wait a minute! You don’t look a day over thirty-five.

James: (Laughing) Actually I was killed at the age of thirty and two.  I’ve been haunting Kings Mill, Maryland since.  I think in whatever realm I was in, there is no sense of time.
 Nancy: So you’ve been here since 1774? 

James: As a spirit…yes.  It wasn’t until Dr. April Branford rescued me from my hellish wanderings a few days ago that I was able to interact with others.  It’s rather odd really. I’ve been here, seen the changes in time, and yet have not been able to interact at all. I was as shocked as she to realize she could see me, much less communicate with me.

 Nancy: Dr. Branford, tell me about her.

James: Ah yes! She’s saucy and sweet, and as intelligent as I’ve ever known a person to be—and has this unusual gift for being able to touch things and tell their past. She calls it psychometry.  In my day she might have been considered a witch.

 Nancy: You were a ghost when she met you?

James: It was a ghost tour, really. She actually thought I was one of the tour guides. I didn’t have the heart to tell her otherwise. It might have frightened her. So when we met up again at the cemetery on All Hallows Eve, I didn’t think anything about it until—(he grins and shakes his head)

 Nancy: Until what?

James: I’ll let you all read that scene for yourselves:

Excerpt from Wanted: One Ghost

The roots of the firs were tangled and exposed in areas, moss and lichen grew around the bottom of the obelisk grave marker, a layer of dead branches and fan-like fir needles surrounded the base. April could read the month and year of his death but the date was a bit obscure.

She buried her nose into a fresh tissue as she held back a sneeze so she didn’t alert the rest of the group of her whereabouts.

Wiping her nose she knelt in front of the tombstone and placed the end of the flashlight between her teeth to give her direct light on what she was doing. The soggy ground soaked into the knees of her jeans. She could hear the faint voices of the group from just over the rise, yet she felt a prickling of unease. Glancing around, she didn’t see anything.

She wiped moisture from the front of the headstone with her scarf, revealing the blackened embossing on the aged marble. Angling the paper over part of the intricate design, she fumbled with the pencil in her gloved hand. The cumbersome gloves had to go. Removing the offending obstacles and tossing them to the side, April rubbed her pencil over the markings, steadying herself against the marble with her other hand.

A jolt of heat coursed from her palm to her shoulder and she jerked back. Falling onto her bottom, she dropped the pencil and paper. Nearly choking on the flashlight, she threw the light to the side and fought to catch her breath. Still tingling from the shock, she shook her arm to relieve the pain.

She picked up the flashlight again and slowly approached the gravestone. Her heart thudded in her ears. Reaching out for the paper and pencil she had dropped, she kept her eye on the stone as if waiting for it to move. Cautiously, she leaned forward and touched it. The marble was as cold and even-surfaced as an old tombstone in late October should be.

Confused, she inched away on her knees, backing away from the headstone, a frightening wariness settling over her as she slowly stood up and continued moving cautiously away from the monument.

“Henry Samuel is not worthy of your fascination, Dr. Branford.”

April gasped and whirled, shining the flashlight into the night. There, mere inches in front of her, stood her mysterious tour guide. A moment of relief caused her to catch her breath before the toe of her boot caught on a loose tree root, sending her falling through a chilly mist of air. She landed on her hands and knees.

Quickly, she turned over and stared up at her re-enactor, who stood between her and Henry Samuel’s grave. So close she should have fallen into him. And then the truth of the situation hit her. She crab crawled away from him and the tombstone, her eyes wide with horror.

She couldn’t think. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” Her voice shook with the only words she could say.

He smiled down at her, tilting his tricorne back on his head, revealing those damn hypnotic eyes.

 “I haven’t heard a lady say that to me for some time. Nice to know I haven’t lost my touch,” he preened.

“You’re…not…real,” April gasped, holding her chest as she tried desperately to find her footing. “You’re…a…ghost. You really are a ghost!”

 He shrugged. “I suppose so. No one has told me any differently. But then no one has been able to talk to me in two hundred and thirty-eight years. You’re the first.” With an elegant flourish, he bowed to her.

“Oh my God!” She was shaking so badly she couldn’t move. Her muscles had frozen. The seat of her jeans was wet but she wasn’t sure if she had peed herself or the damp ground had soaked into them.

He extended his hand in a gentlemanly fashion to help her up, but she only stared at the proffered limb. He sighed.

“Of course. It would do me no good to try and help you up since I’m…”

“…not real. You’re not real. This isn’t happening to me.” April closed her eyes and tried to repeat the mantra over and over again, hoping her mental state would finally sort out the situation and thrust her back into reality. She opened her eyes. He was still there, his infuriatingly charming smile, just short of a laugh, etched into one devilishly handsome face.

Scrambling for purchase she grabbed her articles, keeping a close eye on her specter and quickly walked backwards down the knoll until she was on the cobblestone path. She had to get out of here. Where was the damn exit!

 Nancy: But you’re not a ghost now.

James: No. That is something April will have to explain but I’m not sure she knows all the details either. I still think it has to do with Fate. I’ve been dead for 238 years but never went beyond the boundaries of Kings Mill’s historical district or what I knew of my time on Earth. Then suddenly, I meet her, a historical researcher with a unique gift and I’m born anew.

 Nancy: What is next for James Addison and April Branford?

James: (Looking at his pocket watch) Oh dear! Look at the time…I really must be going. I shouldn’t let the ladies auxiliary down now, should I?

 Nancy: I get it…you can’t say.

James: Let’s just say, tell me how the story ends when you’ve read it…I’m anxious to know what happens myself.

 Nancy: James, thank you for taking time out and talking with us today. I look forward to seeing what takes place between you and April.

James: (Placing his tri-corne on his head and winks) As do I.

To see what happens to James and April, be sure to read, Wanted: One Ghost coming June 3, 2013 from Crescent Moon Press.

Loni, oh my, that was so much fun. I can’t wait to get my hands on my own copy of WANTED: ONE GHOST. Thank you again for being my guest and interviewing James was a real treat!

For more information about Loni Lynn, you can find her here:

lonilynne@gmail.com 

https://www.lonilynne.com/

http://www.waterworldmermaids.com

www.waterworldmermaids.com

https://twitter.com/#!/LoniLynne

As always, I would love to hear what you think. If you have any questions for James or Loni, ask away. I’m sure they will both write you back. Until tomorrow, 

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

Release date 29 April2013

V IS FOR VALUE YOURSELF

Good morning everyone,

This is going to be a short post today. I'm rolling up on my short soap box for a moment, but please stick around. 

I have really valued the experience I have had with  the A to Z challenge. The one thing that stood out to me as I clicked on different blogs each day is how unique each blog was. That's because we are all very unique, with our own special talents, our own unique points of view---our own unique way of understanding this life we are all trying to live. We are all special, wonderful, amazing, individuals. 

So here is my question. Why are we so hard on ourselves and others? Why do we try to tear down what isn't exactly like us? Why can't we appreciate, VALUE our own uniqueness? Maybe if we could see how wonderful we really are, accept it, and revel in the glory of who we are, then maybe we would be able to appreciate, VALUE the uniqueness in others. 

My mother use to tell me that there is no way you can love others until you love yourself. She was an amazing woman. Listen to her! Take a good look at yourself and find something to love, something to VALUE. 

Maybe the eleventh commandment should have read: Love yourself as I have loved you--- so you can love another.

My thought for the day. I'll get off my soap box now. Thanks so much for reading. I would love to hear from you if you have a moment to comment. Just click on the tiny pencil at the bottom of this post.

Hugs to all,

Nancy C. Weeks

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

Release date: 29 April 2013--4 days! YEA!!