Beware! You May Leave This Blog Post SCARRED!

Good morning! Today I am welcoming friend author Alicia Dean. Alicia's story SCARRED is part of a Halloween anthology that was recently released. She brought with her SCARRED's hero, Simon Cordell.

So, Simon, tell me about yourself? What is your occupation? Why? 

I own a lobster fishing charter boat business in Maine. That’s what my father did, and it suits me. Especially since the accident. I can run the business from home, which fits in with my recluse lifestyle.

Okay. If you were to pick one tangible object to symbolize you, what would it be?

My mask. It was special made to hide the disfiguring scars on my face.

How did you and Natalie meet? What was your first impression of her?

We met in junior high. It feels like I’ve known her my entire life. My first impression was that she was exceptionally pretty and had a maturity beyond her years.

Good qualities! What else do you like about her?

I love that she has sort of a vulnerability, yet resilience. As if she’s been knocked down and may be again, but she will rise above it. That might be a little complicated, but that’s the best way I can describe her. It’s just…Natalie.

Simon, what is it that you want out of life?

I want to somehow atone for the life I’ve taken, although I know that’s impossible.

So life has handed you some major disappointments?

Yes, many. My first disappointment was when Natalie left me fifteen years ago. Her absence opened a hole in my heart.

I'm sorry to hear that! Let's talk about something happier. How about, if you had an unexpected free day, what would you do with it?

My days are mostly free, but if I could spend the day any way I pleased, I would turn back time, before I began dating Jessica, and before I killed her.



http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Macabre-Halloween-Alexa-Day-ebook/dp/B014LZ6T6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445811803&sr=8-1&keywords=alicia+dean

Blurb ~

Sometimes, the most haunting scars are the ones beneath the skin. 

When Natalie Jayne moved away from her home town ten years earlier, she left behind painful memories, along with Simon, the man she loved. Now, she's back on Halloween night to attend a memorial marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic passing of her childhood friend, Jessica. Rumors that Simon was responsible for Jessica's death unnerve her. Even more disturbing is her unsettling attraction to a masked stranger she meets at the event. Her gift may be the key to unlocking the truth, but will it also lead to heartbreak?

Excerpt ~

Simon debated slipping out the door without listening to the speech. There was nothing Kristopher Martensen could say that he wanted to hear. He would no doubt extol Jessica’s virtues, paint her in a perfect light. But Simon knew the truth, as did Kristopher. Although he’d loved Jessica, he’d learned her true nature the night of her death.

But he didn’t want to leave Natalie, not just yet. They stood side by side, the warmth from her body reaching out to him, keeping him in place as firmly as a steel cable.

Kristopher stood on a small stage at the end of the ballroom. He wore a white tux with a black tie, his blond hair glowing like a halo, although the image was deceiving. The man was as duplicitous as Satan himself.

He spoke into the microphone, his voice booming throughout the cavernous room. “I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming tonight, to not only pay tribute to Jessica Thacker and her death, but to celebrate her life.” He grew silent and cleared his throat. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse. “She was a special person, a beautiful soul who loved people, loved life. She would be honored to see the number of people who gathered to pay homage.”

The crowd erupted in cheers. When they quieted, Kristopher said, “While this is a night of reverence and honor, it’s also a night to remember the brutal, senseless way that she died. Although the monster responsible is free, we must never forget, never let him live in peace. Simon Cordell is free to live his life, while our beloved Jessica lies in a cold grave.”

Author bio ~

Award-winning, multi-published author Alicia

Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 11, she wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who happened to share the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals. She is a freelance editor in addition to being an editor for The Wild Rose Press.



Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, New Girl, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.


Find Alicia here:



Website: http://aliciadean.com/

Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean

Bewitching Author Maureen Bonatch!

Please help me to welcome author friend Maureen Bonatch to the spotlight today! Isn't she lovely?

So Maureen, being an author can be very demanding. How do you balance the demands of your everyday life and your writing life?

This is an ongoing challenge. I get up earlier each day (around 4:45) and bring my laptop with me everywhere so I can sneak in time during my lunch break or kids activities. I don’t watch much television, but do sit in the living room with the laptop so technically I’m not neglecting my family. ;)


Hmm...sounds familiar. Share with us a little about your family. 

I’ve been married for twenty years and we have twin fourteen-year old girls. We also have a 2-year-old shih tzu, Scruff, and two guinea pigs. (Wow, that’s a lot of 2’s) The guinea pigs accepted Scruff because I believe they think he is a giant guinea pig, lol.

Hey, whatever it takes for them to get along, right? Speaking of animals, if you could be any animal, what animal would you choose, and why?

I would be Scruff for a day. Besides the fact that he is the happiest creature I think I’ve ever seen, and that he sleeps a large portion of the day, I’ve often wondered just what is going on in his little, furry, inquisitive mind. 

Might be shocking! With the Halloween around the corner, give us a little insight into life of the young Maureen. When trick-or-treating as a kid, was there any kind of candy that you didn’t like to get?

Popcorn balls. We didn’t have much candy at home when I was growing up, but we had popcorn. The last thing I wanted was a ball of popcorn as a treat. I was out there for the chocolate, darn it! 

I'm with you there, my friend! Now, modern day Maureen...what one thing (modern convenience) could you not live without?

My laptop. Besides it being practically an extension of my arm, my handwriting is terrible. If I had to hand write my stories I would be doomed because I couldn’t even decipher my own notes. 

I know! I go into a completely illogical panic whenever my laptop goes down. I just can't cope! Here's a fun one, what are your three favorite smells?

Is clean a single smell? But you know what I mean, when you walk into a place and it just smells, fresh. A second would be crisp, autumn air- the scent in Scruff’s fur when he comes into the house in the evening. My third would be something cooking in the crockpot- because I know dinner is done and I have more writing time. I feel as if I made this a difficult question, lol. 

Ya know, you are in the spotlight, and I ask the difficult questions. It's my thang. Here's another hard one, name your favorite children’s story.

It’s not quite a children’s story, but the first series I loved was the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

Oh, me, too! I always wanted to grow up to be Mary Ingalls! Thanks for joining us today. It was nice getting to know you a little better. Now let's hear about your latest work...

She's a witch hunting a spell. He's hunting witches and falling for her.

Blurb ~

Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a friend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.


Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

Excerpt ~

…once she’d started Carman couldn’t stop,

the book beckoned. Pressing its spine against her palm, begging her to search within the pages to find the answers she’d unconsciously sought her entire life. As she lifted the book, her scalp tingled and her hair elevated like a halo.

“Whoa.” Dylan shielded himself with his hands. “Put it back, slowly, because this is reminding me too much of the incident with the chest. Having my apartment blown up from magic isn’t covered in my rent.”

The plastic evaporated in a puff of smoke in Carman’s hands and the book unsealed with a sigh. She smiled, the welcoming warmth emanating from within its pages against her palms. Why had Mother kept her from this? This is what she’d been waiting for.

As curiosity overtook his common sense, she detected Dylan’s cautious approach. He stood close enough to peer over her shoulder into her book, but far enough away to avoid touching her.

After the shockwave the last time their skin met, he probably worried he’d ruin another pair of pants. Carman closed her eyes, absorbing the power from the book. The delicious feeling evoked a sensation like melting chocolate, sweet and satisfying.

“I remember hearing about her, Esmeralda Wrath. I wonder if this was her book?” Dylan’s warm breath caressed her shoulder.

Carman opened her eyes and examined the page. To stare right at a photo of the most powerful witch of all time…her grandmother.





Fun Facts about Grandma Must Die:



· The inspiration for the church/library and the town in the story are located along a bike path the author frequents.

· A church that now operates as a bar the author has visited inspired the interior of the church/library in the story.

· The heroine, Carman, is obsessed with sexy, stilettos

· No real Grandmas were harmed in the making of this fictional story. In real life everyone loves Grandmas (unless, of course, they’ve been infected with a nasty spell).

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Must-Die-Touch-Magic-ebook/dp/B014T4WQ2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441398219&sr=8-1&keywords=grandma+must+die



The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6408

Author Bio ~

Maureen realized later in life everyone didn’t have characters telling stories in their heads, or weren’t envisioning magic and mayhem within the everyday. This, and long walks in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania spawned a love of writing.

Therefore she’s chased other interests, though none-the-less-daring, but closer to the ground, such as belly-dancing, becoming a self-proclaimed tequila connoisseur, fulfilling her role as biker babe to her alpha hubby and surviving motherhood to twins (so far).

Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.



Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Maureen-L.-Bonatch/e/B00KHY1KK8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbonatch

Blog: http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Website: http://www.maureenbonatch.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/1AV4L

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maureenbonatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenlbonatch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3103486.Maureen_L_Bonatch

Contact Info: mbonatch@yahoo.com

~This Book Is UNLOCKED TREASURE!~

Good morning and happy weekend! We made it through the work week again! Kudos to us! Now we get to celebrate by curling up with UNLOCKED TREASURE! Please welcome my friend Linda Carroll-Bradd.

Blurb ~

Aleen MacRae blames the lure of the sea for breaking apart first her family then her engagement. When her interest is caught by a man she sees both in person and in a dream, she resists—afraid to believe in her aunt’s prediction that her future is tied to the sea.

Braden Williams is on the hunt for treasure buried centuries earlier by Rhode Island pirates. His search brings him to the property where Aleen lives. Collaboration on genealogy research draws them closer, and Braden steers her toward his true passion--sailing.



Attending a party with Braden’s family lets her glimpse what she’s been missing. An unexpected discovery before her date with Braden at the Halloween Midnight Organ Recital forces a decision. Will Aleen play things safe or accept what this free-spirited man offers?

Excerpt ~

Ah, the story of her life—practically invisible. The reminder his first sighting had been of her bikini-clad backside made her blush. Still didn’t change the facts. Aleen squared her shoulders. “I remember, but the Manor grounds are still closed.” Should she be nervous about being alone with this stranger, especially one who ignored posted rules?

“Sorry for the intrusion. Let me start over.” Smiling, he approached and extended his right hand. “My name’s Braden Williams.”

Aleen bit her lower lip, but accepted his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Aleen MacRae.” At the moment their hands clasped, she felt warmth flooding her fingers. With a jerk, she released her grip, tingling sensations running along her skin. Immediately, the scent of fresh air and summer breezes wafted her way. Definitely a man of the sea. Just where I foretold your future lies. Whispers of her great-aunt Zsofika’s prophecy trickled through Aleen’s thoughts. At the memory, her cheeks flamed with heat.

“Wow.” Frowning, Braden flexed his hand and narrowed his gaze then dropped it to his flexing fingers. “That was bizarre.”

“Static electricity, from all that wind yesterday.” A reasonable explanation. In the back of her mind, Aleen could hear Zsofika scoff, “Static schmatic. A connection like that is destiny.”

“Well…” His gaze searched her face. “Aleen—hey, that’s pretty, like the direction alee.” A wide smile exposed even teeth.

Her own smile dimmed. Like I’ve never heard that before. “Thanks.” This guy was not charming his way around the rules. “Sorry, but you’ll need to come back when the gardens are open for visitors. That’s Wednesdays through—”

“Yeah, I read the sign.” He gave a dismissive wave then turned to gaze back at the main house. “But I just needed five minutes to check out some dimensions and the lot layout.”

“So, you woke up this morning and just decided to start out your week by trespassing?”

Author Bio ~

As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication--a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

You can find Linda here:

Website   Blog    Facebook   Twitter  Goodreads

You can buy Unlocked Treasure here:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00O0EQ754

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_175_143&products_id=5855

Giveaway ~

Linda is offering a giveaway through 10/26 with prizes of $10 gift card or a copy of the Halloween anthology, COWBOYS, CREATURES & CALICO, Volume 1, or winner's choice of a tittle from her backlist. Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway