Unwrapping Romance: Review Stop on the IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL by Nancy ...

I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS HERE.
Unwrapping Romance: Review Stop on the IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL by Nancy ...: W elcome to my stop on the IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL by Nancy C. Weeks Blog Tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours and this one is a must read if y...

TASTY REVIEW BLOG TOUR FOR IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL

TODAY BEGINS MY FIRST REVIEW BLOG TOUR WITH TASTY READ BOOK REVIEW. I JUST LOVE MY BANNER. THE REVIEW TOUR LAST FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS. 

HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME EACH DAY: 

Sept 23rd- A Tasty Read Book Reviews

Sept 24th- My Written Romance

Sept 25th- Escaping Reality One Book at a Time

Sept 26th- Storm Goddess Book Reviews

Sept 27th- Unwrapping Romance

(Stop 2) Paws and Print

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DROPPING BY TODAY. I HOPE TO YOU SEE EACH DAY. I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO WIN ONE OF MY THREE COPIES FOR MY FIRST BOOK IN THE SHADOW SERIES, IN THE SHADOW OF GREED. 

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE REVIEW TOUR AND  ENTER TO WIN HERE:

http://atastyread.blogspot.com/

HUGS TO ALL,

NANCY C. WEEKS

40+ ROMANCE WRITERS AT THE BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL! #BBF2013

Two weeks before the fun begins. Drop by and visit with over 40+ romance writers at the Baltimore Book Festival! #BBF2013

THINGS TO KNOW:

• Books from participating authors will be for sale onsite and authors will be available to sign
• Look for raffle baskets and giveaways
• Fun swag freebies will be on hand all weekend

And here's the schedule:

FRIDAY, September 27*

12pm AUTHOR MEET AND GREET

MRW Authors will be on hand for a casual meet and greet with readers.
Come talk about books, receive promotional materials, and browse the
Ukazoo bookstore!

12:15pm JANE AUSTEN FICTION

Leslie Carroll, Regina Jeffers, Janet Mullany

1:00pm WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION

Terri Brisbin, Stephanie Dray, Kate Quinn, Laura Tilley

2pm HOT PARANORMAL FICTION

Lisa Airey, Terri Brisbin, Joya Fields, Laura Kaye, Misty Waters, Rebecca
York

3pm YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL FICTION

Elissa Petruzzi, Moderator; Jennifer L. Armentrout, Brigid Kemmerer, Dawn
Rae Miller, Lea Nolan

4pm PUTTING THE SUSPENSE IN ROMANCE

Robin Covington, Joya Fields, Regina Jeffers, Geri Krotow, Nancy Weeks,
Rebecca York

5pm FANTASY ELEMENTS IN ROMANCE

Jennifer L. Armentrout, Catherine Asaro, Stephanie Draven, Vivi Dumas,
Laura Kaye, Dawn Rae Miller

6pm CHOCOLATE AND ROMANCE

Indulge your chocolate cravings with dark and delicious chocolate samples
from MRW while authors talk about the entertainment appeal of romantic
fiction and share readings from their latest works.

Christi Barth, Meg Cabot, Robin Covington, Laura Kaye, Christie Kelley,
Eliza Knight

7pm FIFTY SHADES OF HOT

Stephanie Draven, Megan Hart, Eliza Knight, Janet Mullany, Kate Poole,
Damon Suede

8pm BBF Closes for the Night



SATURDAY, September 28*

12pm MIDDLE GRADE, YOUNG ADULT, NEW ADULT

Elissa Petruzzi, Moderator; Jennifer L. Armentrout, Em Garner, Cheryl Klam,
Brien Michael, Lea Nolan, Jeri Smith-Ready

1pm BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS

Moderator: Lea Nolan, Author

Andye Eppes, ReadingTeen.net, Jen Fisher, Jenuine Cupcakes/Young Adult Book
Central, Hannah McBride, The Irish Banana Review, Stephanie Sinclair,
Cuddlebuggery, Jillian Stein, Read-Love-Blog, Joy Harris, Joyfully Reviewed

2pm SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER ROMANCE

Terri Brisbin, Diana Cosby, Eliza Knight, Kate Poole

3pm WRITING MILITARY ROMANCE

Robin Covington, Laura Kaye, Geri Krotow, Elisabeth Staab

4pm CRAFT: PLOTTING VS. PANTSING, OR HOW TO COME UP WITH YOUR STORY

Christi Barth, Terri Brisbin, Diana Cosby, Joya Fields, Andrew Grey, Lea
Nolan

5pm NO HOLDS BARRED WITH AGENTS AND EDITORS

Come prepared with questions you’ve always wanted agents and editors to
answer. And, for the especially daring, come with 5 copies of the first
page of your manuscript and the panelists will offer feedback on what works
and what to work on! (Instructions: 1 page only! Typed, place
name/email/title/genre at top, double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt font;
you may begin submitting your pages 30 minutes before session. It’s
possible we won’t be able to get through all pages)

Lindsey Hemphill, Literary Agent, ICM

Treva Harte, Editor, LooseId

Mary Sue Seymour, Literary Agent, Seymour Agency

6pm WRITING SCIENCE FICTION

Em Garner, Cheyrl Klam, PJ Schnyder, Misty Waters

7pm LGBT CHARACTERS AND ROMANCE

Stephanie Burke, Andrew Grey, Treva Harte, Brien Michaels, Jeri
Smith-Ready, Damon Suede

8pm BBF Closes for the Night


SUNDAY September 29*

12pm THE CRAFT OF WRITING

Christi Barth, Kate Dolan, Stephanie Draven, Christie Kelley, Jean Murray

1pm THE PART-TIME WRITER

Ann Arbaugh, Robin Covington, PJ Schnyder, Elisabeth Staab, Misty Waters,
Laura Welling

2pm WRITING THE HOT CONTEMPORARY

AC Arthur, Christi Barth, Robin Covington, Andrew Grey, Laura Kaye,
Kimberly Kincaid

3pm WRITING A FICTION SERIES

AC Arthur, Kendra Leigh Castle, Andrew Grey, Brigid Kemmerer, Jean Murray,
Elisabeth Staab

4pm WRITING MULTICULTURAL AND INTERRACIAL

AC Arthur, Vivi Dumas, Robin Covington, Lea Nolan, Caridad Pineiro

5pm THE PARANORMAL BAD BOYS: DEMONS AND VAMPIRES

Kendra Leigh Castle, Vivi Dumas, Jean Murray, Caridad Pineiro, Elisabeth
Staab

6pm Author Meet and Greet at the MRW Tent – mingle with authors and get
your last-minute book purchases from the Ukazoo Store signed

7pm BBF 2012 Closes

Why I'm a Teacher Groupie

Repost from http://www.crimsonromance.com/featured/why-im-a-teacher-groupie/

Hi Everyone, 

I wrote this feature for the Editor's Blog for Crimson Romance. I thought you might like to know why I chose my latest heroine, Jennie McKenzie-IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL- to be a elementary school teacher. You may say my reasoning began over twenty-five years ago.... 

Someone recently asked me why I chose my heroine in my new release, In the Shadow of Evil, to be an elementary school teacher. That question threw me for a moment because Jennie McKenzie, in my mind, was always a teacher. I couldn’t see her as anything else.

Maybe that stems from the fact that I consider myself a teacher groupie. What is a teacher groupie? It is a parent that just loves being around her children’s teachers.

The day my oldest child stepped into a classroom for the first time will always be with me. Here was this bright, enthusiastic, young boy who was so excited about being old enough to go to school. As I watched him get on his first school bus, my eyes filled with tears not only because I knew that I was going to miss the little guy every minute, but he was entering the first environment since he was born that I couldn’t control. As a worrier of worriers, my mind for the next several hours was consumed with what if. What if he needed me? What if someone tried to hurt him? What if he didn’t like his new kindergarten teacher?

I drove myself crazy with what if questions. He was entering into the big bad world when he stepped onto that school bus. How was I going to protect him from what I knew was out there?

Well, he came home that day so excited and all my needless worrying was for nothing. He loved his kindergarten teacher. “Mom, you got to meet her. She is so cool.” Well, I did meet Ms. Markey and she was very cool. I loved her on sight and volunteered right away to be her room mother.

That was the beginning of my partnership with my children’s teachers that lasted the next sixteen years. I became a teacher groupie because those amazing men and women played such an important role in my children’s future. They were helping shape their lives, secure their future, and influence who my children were going to become. How could I not get to know them and help them out in any way I could?

Teachers have not only had a profound effect on my children’s lives, but on society in general. On that day so many years ago, I wanted my child safe and secure. Placing him on that yellow school bus, developing a wonderful, working relationship with his teachers, making the idea of learning a valuable aspect of my child’s daily world was what would lead to him to live a happy, safe, and secure life.

Sadly, most parents never take the time to get to know their children’s teachers. They are missing out on not only a great partnership, but a great friendship. This is a crazy busy world we live in but making time for your children’s teachers is crucial to your child’s success in school.

IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL was the first book I ever began and Jennie McKenzie was my first heroine. I modeled her character after the amazing teachers I have worked with over the years. She had to be a teacher because I just love teachers.

As always, I would love to hear from you. Is there a favorite teacher that inspired you or your children?  How did this person change your life for the better? Share it here by clicking on the tiny pencil.

((HUGS TO ALL))
Nancy C. Weeks

If you are interested in my books, you can find them here:

IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1fgBXl7

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/17hjfco

CRIMSON ROMANCE: http://www.crimsonromance.com/

iTunes: http://bit.ly/15KBCCS

IN THE SHADOW OF GREED

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/16ZTUl3

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/16GHb6I

iTUNES: http://bit.ly/17JKTvi

CRIMSON ROMANCE:: http://www.crimsonromance.com/

AND THE DREAM CONTINUES....

IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL BY NANCY C. WEEKS IS OUT!

Well, what a wonderful release day! I thought the second time around would be less exciting, but boy was I wrong. It was like waking up on Christmas morning when I was a kid. I just knew it was going to be a great day. I keep wanting to pinch myself because all of this seems so unreal. The pieces of my dream seem to just be slipping into place. Yesterday, I even made it into the Contemporary Romantic Suspense new releases in USA Today. Here is the link if you would like to take a look: 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/08/26/contemporary-romance-romantic-suspense-new-releases/2697153/

So here is what I have learned from this experience. Walt Disney says is best:

"ALL OUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSUE THEM."

 It's very simple, very basic, but spot on. I don't care how old you are, where you are in your life, dreams matter. Without them, we all become motionless and nothing ever changes. So have a little faith in yourself and reach for that thing that is just beyond your touch. It's not going to be easy. You'll sweat a little, maybe even shed a few tears, but it is so worth it when the pieces of your dream begin to fall in place.

I have faith in you! Dream on, my friends!

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks

If you are interested in my books, here are the buy links:

IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1fgBXl7

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/17hjfco

CRIMSON ROMANCE: http://www.crimsonromance.com/

IN THE SHADOW OF GREED

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/16ZTUl3

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/16GHb6I

iTUNES: http://bit.ly/17JKTvi

CRIMSON ROMANCE:: http://www.crimsonromance.com/

As always, I would love to hear from you. What are your dreams? What have you done today to get yourself just a little closer. Share it here by clicking on the tiny pencil.

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE WITH AUTHOR, STEPHANIE CAGE

Even if I never had anything published, I’d still want to write. 

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back to my favorite series, Keeping Your Dreams Alive. I'm so pleased to introduce you to a new friend of mine, author, Stephanie Cage. I met Stephanie through Crimson Romance. The cover of her new novel, Perfect Partners caught my eye and I immediately download it. 

Stephanie, I'm so thrilled to have this chance to get to know you better. Thank you for being here today and sharing your dreams with us. Would you please tell us a little about yourself? 

Stephanie...

In the real world I’m married, I live in the beautiful county of Yorkshire, in the north of England, and I work in administration.  To tell the truth, though, I don’t spend all that much time in the real world.  I love books because you can go anywhere you want to go, for the price of a paperback… or a download… or for nothing on a library loan.  You don’t get a cheaper ticket to adventure than that! The only thing better than reading books is writing them, because you truly get to ‘choose your own adventure’.  (I wonder who else remembers those books?)  So you can look for me walking the moors in Yorkshire, but you’re just as likely to find me on a faraway planet, flying with the dragons. 

People of all ages have forgotten how to dream. What inspired you to dream?

From when I was very young, my parents  encouraged my reading – and writing – habits.  For some reason, they used to let me stay up late to watch the prize-giving ceremony for what was then the Booker Prize (now the Man Booker prize) which was a huge deal in the UK literary world.  I decided very early on that I was going to win it.  I don’t think they believed me… I can’t imagine why!  Later, I realized that I was more interested in writing to entertain than to impress, so that dream fell by the wayside, but I never stopped dreaming of seeing my name in print, and luckily that’s already happened quite a few times in different ways.  My favorite is on the cover of my ballroom dancing novel, Perfect Partners – I think Crimson Romance’s cover designer must have read my mind, it’s so exactly the cover I wanted for the book. 

We all place obstacles in our path which brings our dreams to a dead stop. I call these obstacles dream killers. What was your dream killer and how did you overcome it?

My dream killer is that dullest of little voices, the one demanding I ‘be realistic’ and pointing out that ‘writing isn’t a proper job.’  I haven’t so much overcome it as sidestepped it by keeping up my writing alongside my ‘proper job.’  Although on my more stubborn days I do turn around to it and shout, ‘Tell that to J.K. Rowling!’   

How do you keep the dream alive under extreme adversity – external or internal?

Every so often I’ve come close to giving up writing after a long spell without any apparent success.  What always stops me in the end is realizing that even if I never had anything published, I’d still want to write.  Some people describe the thing they’re born to do as ‘like breathing’.  For me, it’s more like exercise, I think.  I can stop, I just feel lousy when I do!  As much as my body needs me to go for a walk or a swim every now and then, my brain needs me to write.  So I just keep writing for the pleasure of doing it, and sooner or later I have an idea that’s too good to keep to myself, and then I’m back on the roundabout of submissions, rejections and eventually acceptances. 

When you reached the top, how did it feel?

I’m a long way from the top still, but there have been some wonderful moments lately when readers have responded to my books exactly the way I dreamed of.  Some years ago, when I was working in marketing (like my heroine Lisa in Perfect Partners) I found that I was reading a lot of light romance to relax, and I decided I wanted to write books that would make people happy after a hard day in the office.  So I’m over the moon when someone comes up to me and says, ‘I sat down with your book last night and it just totally took me away.  I really believe in Lisa and Redmond and I love their romance – it’s so hot!’

How did realizing your dream change you?

I don’t think being published has changed me, but I have changed a lot by being part of writing groups and especially the Romantic Novelists’ Association, because I’ve learned so much from others and realised how much I have to give back to people who are newer to writing – or to the quest for publication – than I am.  I think perhaps that’s one of the most important things to realize about dreams: they don’t depend on just one person.  You get to them a lot more quickly once you start spending time around people who are on a similar journey, regardless of whether they’re closer to the destination than you are, or not. 

 Photo by Steven Bisby

What's next? What new dream would you like to reach for?

I still dream about going into a mainstream bookshop and seeing my book lined up on the shelves with all the big name authors, but that’s an old dream.  A newer one is to get to know and spend more time working with other authors, whether that’s through blog visits and tours, conferences or courses.  The writing world is so full of excitement, I don’t think I’ll run out of writing dreams for a while! 

Blurb of Perfect Partners:

“What’s he doing back in London after all this time?”
Eight years ago, Lisa Darby’s dancing partner and first love, Redmond Carrington, left London for a fun summer on the cruise ships – and never came back. Lisa’s grown up a bit since then, and she’d like to think she’s prepared for anything, but when Red comes back from America with a proposal for her, she’s not sure she’s ready for what he’s suggesting.
A TV studio is filming a knockout competition of six of the world’s best couples – each of them partners both on and off the dance floor. Redmond wants Lisa to pose as his girlfriend so that they can compete. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for an aspiring professional dancer, and the spectacular prize money would help save Lisa’s beloved dance studio, which is in need of major renovation. Scooping the prize is going to take the performance of a lifetime from Lisa and Redmond, but with the sizzling tension between them, they might just pull it off.
It turns out that putting on an act for the cameras is the least of Lisa’s worries. As time goes on and she rediscovers her feelings for Redmond, she’s left questioning what’s really behind his offer, and where their partnership is heading this time.
Sensuality Level: Sensual

Excerpt of Perfect Partners:

Lisa never knew why she said what she said next.

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we didn’t have to pretend?”

Redmond stared at Lisa for a long moment and she couldn’t read his expression. She wished she could swallow the words back, but they were spoken and a lump of tension was forming in her throat. Then he began lifting his hand slowly. She watched, mesmerised, almost feeling the heat of his hand before it reached her cheek. Her mind ran ahead of the reality, seeing his strong fingers cupping her face and drawing her into the kiss she’d found herself daydreaming about earlier.

Even as she imagined his hungry lips on hers and the familiar warmth of his body close against her, the cautious, hurt part of her mind was warning her not to believe it.

*

Where you can find Stephanie Cage: 

Stephanie Cage is a British romance writer, author of 'Perfect Partners' (Crimson Romance) and 'Desperate Bid (The Wild Rose Press). She studied English Literature at Oxford University and Creative Writing at Bath Spa. One of her most exciting writing moments was winning a holiday to Sicily in the Woman's Own Short Story Competition. More recently she won the Yorkshire Ridings Magazine's Romance Story competition. Oddly, both short stories were set in the same location in Yorkshire
.

Find out more about Stephanie Cage:
My blog: http://www.stephaniecage.co.uk.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieWriter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Cage-Writer/212877878754408


Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/19GRuxm
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1dpwiLC
iTunes: http://bit.ly/18HT3Xx
Crimson Romance: http://www.crimsonromance.com

Stephanie and I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment by clicking on the pencil. 

Hugs to all!

Nancy C. Weeks

My Thought for the Day

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Here is my thought for today. I found this on Facebook this morning and just had to share it with you. I think we all should dream and dream big. "Even if thing don't feel perfect, allow your dream to be born into this world." I couldn't have said it better! So take a deep breath and go for it. I'm cheering for you!

Hugs to all, 

Nancy C. Weeks 

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

Amazon: http://amzn.to/16ZTUl3Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/16GHb6IiTunes: http://bit.ly/17JKTviCrimson Romance: http://www.crimsonromance.com/New book release: In the Shadow of Evil--26 August 2013 ONLY 6 DAYS!!!Pre-Order link for In the Shadow of Evil :http://amzn.to/1aoeYaf