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

Sometimes You Do Want to Find Yourself at the END OF LONELY STREET~ Alicia Dean Giveaway!

New Release– End of Lonely Street by Alicia Dean – Plus an Awesome Giveaway

I’m excited to share my latest release from The Wild Rose Press on what would have been Elvis’ eightieth birthday. ‘End of Lonely Street’ is a Vintage Romance Short Story set in 1957, in the era when Elvis first burst on the scene. Like my heroine in the story, I am a diehard Elvis fan. (As you probably figured out, I took the title from a line in Heartbreak Hotel, which was Elvis’ first million selling record).


Check out End of Lonely Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…

Blurb ~

Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?

All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her escape from everything wrong in her life. 

Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her back, she can't seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her fear that she will be just like her mother. 


What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?



Excerpt ~

Chapter One

Mapleton, Tennessee, November, 1957

Toby Lawson closed her eyes and shut out all sounds of the diner, except for Elvis Presley’s voice. He was crooning about how she was the only one for him…no matter where he went or what he did… he’d spend his whole life loving her…

Rough hands landed on her waist and shattered the fantasy. She caught a whiff of hair tonic and too much cologne, and she snapped her eyes open. Wes Markham’s hateful face replaced the image of Elvis’ beautiful, crooked smile and smoldering blue eyes.

“Let me go.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her voice low. If her boss, Mr. Winstead, knew there was trouble on account of her, he’d explode. He’d barely let her have the job in the first place. Everyone in Mapleton knew the Lawson women were trouble.

“Come on, honey. If you like that hip swivel, Presley ain’t the only one who’s got it. I got it too.” He released her with his left hand so he could run it over his slicked down hair and gave her a big-toothed, wolfish smile. “Only we’d be naked.” He shot a cocky grin over to his two companions—Chuck Stenson and Billy Garfield—who were leaning against the jukebox making kissing and whooping sounds.

Toby gripped his right wrist with one hand, tightening her hold on the utensils she held in the other. “I said let me go. Now!”

“Aw, be a sport, Green-Eyes.”

The bulge of his pelvis pressed into her abdomen, and she gasped in shock. Nausea tightened in her esophagus. “Wes Markham, I’m warning you…”

She shoved against him, but he didn’t budge.

He pulled her tighter. “Your momma’s a whole lot friendlier than you are. They say the apple don’t fall far from the tree, so how’s about you cut the pretense and we go someplace quiet? Winstead won’t miss you for a few minutes.”

Her cheeks heated. She didn’t dare look around. No doubt the customers were watching, listening. Elvis had stopped singing and everyone in the place could hear what he’d said about her mother. It wasn’t like they didn’t all know, though. Constance Lawson hadn’t exactly kept her escapades a secret.

Toby clenched her teeth and brandished the utensils. She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “Release me this instant, or I swear, you’ll be pulling this steak knife out of your eyeball.”

He held her gaze for a split second, then gave a laugh that was somewhere between nervous and furious. “Sure, sure. Okay.” He released her and stepped back. “I was just foolin’ around anyway. I got better things to do with my time than waste it on a used up chick like you.”

Muffled laughter rose around her. Oh God, she could crawl into a hole.

“How about you apologize to the lady, then beat it?”

Toby whirled at the male voice. Noah Rivers stood behind her, looking handsome and sharp in his police uniform—even with his dark hair in the military buzz cut. Her knees weakened, and tingles swept over her skin. She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat. She’d heard he was back, but hadn’t seen him until now. And what a time to have a reunion.



You can buy END OF LONELY STREET here:

Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00QQO3BK0


*** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely Street will go to

The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation http://www.graceland.com/epcf/ ***

Author Bio ~

Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. 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.

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, 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.

You can 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



Giveaway ~


Entries accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015

Three prizes –

Elvis Gift Basket including DVD, CD, plus more

$25 Amazon Gift Card

$10 Amazon Gift Card


First place winner has first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner receives remaining prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ FIND THE MAGIC with Alicia Dean! ~

Award winning author and editor, Alicia Dean, shares her process of creating a story, along with bonus tips in Find The Magic – How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps.

*** ON SALE - 99¢ through November 15, 2014 *** 

How to write a novel? That is the question. There are probably as many answers to that question as there are people who ask it.

Wanting to write and actually doing it are two very different things. I am well acquainted with the sometimes grueling process of churning out a story. Over the years, I have tried many methods for creating and completing manuscripts, and have tweaked and honed it down to a workable (for me) process.

Using specific examples from one of my own novels, Without Mercy, I share my method in this mini how to book. The first eight steps actually deal with plotting while the last two are designed to help expand your outline into a well-developed draft. There is no one, perfect way to create a story, but there will be a method, or methods that work for you. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it works for me. Only you can decide if it also works for you. Fingers crossed that it does!

Buy FIND THE MAGIC ~ HOW TO PLOT A STORY IN 10 EASY STEPS here:

Kindle:

http://amzn.com/B00OR0IY0W

Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/find-the-magic-how-to-plot-a-story-in-10-easy-steps-alicia-dean/1120638115?ean=2940150382169

Find Alicia Here:

www.AliciaDean.com

Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. 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.

In addition to being an author of more than twenty published works, Alicia is both a freelance editor and an editor for The Wild Rose Press, under the name, Ally Robertson, in their suspense line.

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, 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

~ Hauntingly Handsome Reese Caster from CASTER'S UNFRIENDLY GHOST! ~

Good morning! I'd like you to welcome Reese Caster to the blog this morning, the hero from CASTER'S UNFRIENDLY GHOST.

So, Reese. Let's start off with the basics. What is your occupation?

Surgeon.

Why? My father was a doctor, and I was always impressed by his skill and dedication. But, honestly, the main reason I became a surgeon was because of the money and prestige. It was only after I’d been doing it for a while that I realized the feeling of saving a life, or improving a patient’s life, is worth more than all the money in the world.

What do you see as your strengths & weaknesses? 

My strengths are that I’m successful and intelligent. My weaknesses? I don’t know, maybe I can be a little shallow at times.

How did you meet Emily? 

She worked in admissions at a hospital where I practiced.

What was your first impression of her? 

I thought she was pretty, and she had an odd mixture of vulnerability and strength. I was drawn to her immediately.

What do you like about Emily? 

That she’s smart and funny and kind.

Definitely good traits to have. Caster, what is it that you want out of life? 

I always thought I wanted to be free and have a good time. You know, live for myself. Lately, I’ve been thinking that all seems kind of pointless if I can’t have Emily in my life.

Has life handed you any major disappointments?

I actually handed myself my biggest disappointment. When I was with Emily years ago, things were getting a little too serious, too intense. So, I sort of manufactured a meeting/hook up with my best friend. They ended up getting married.

Tell me about this best friend. 

Joey Tillman was my best friend, but when he married Emily, we drifted apart. It was kind of awkward for him to be with the woman I’d dated, plus, seeing them together wasn’t exactly easy. Then, he died in a plane crash, and I regretted not staying in touch. I managed to lose both my best friend and my girl.

Thank you for your honesty, Caster. Now I'd like to welcome Emily Tillman. We'll start off easy for you, too, Emily. Tell us what your occupation is? 

I’m Administrative Assistant for a large hospital.

Strengths, weaknesses? 

My strengths are that I’m loyal and compassionate.

Weakness? I seem to go for the wrong men. I desperately want a husband and children. I married Joey, and I loved him, but before we could have a family, he tragically died. The man I really gave my heart to is a player, big time, and he will never settle down.

What’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now? 

I was an orphan. Raised in foster homes. I had one foster mom who loved me and wanted to adopt me. Before that could happen, she was killed in a car accident. I never found my place in a family, and I think that is part of why I want one of my own so badly now.

Describe Reese. What was your first impression of him? Did it change over time? 

Reese Caster was every woman’s fantasy at the hospital. Sexy, good-looking, successful, charming. But, he was a real playboy. Even knowing that, I couldn’t resist getting involved with him. I was shocked that he gave someone like me the time of day, and I knew better, but I jumped in with both feet. While I originally thought he was nothing but a womanizer, when I got to know the real him, I found that he was very caring. He couldn’t give himself completely to a woman, but he gave all of him, and a little more, to his patients.

Is there anything about Reese that you would consider a flaw? 

Oh, yes. He has his share of flaws. In my eyes, the biggest one is his commitment phobia.

What is it that you want out of life? 

A husband and children, a happy family of my own.

Has life handed you any major disappointments?

My biggest disappointment was when my foster mom, Della died tragically. I was heartbroken, devastated.

Thank you both for joining us this morning! If you'd like to purchase CASTER'S UNFRIENDLY GHOST and find out, as Paul Harvey would say, "the rest of the story," you can find it here:

Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Casters-Unfriendly-Ghost-Hauntings-Garden-ebook/dp/B00NQMV4NQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412516933&sr=8-1&keywords=caster%27s+unfriendly+ghost

Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/casters-unfriendly-ghost-alicia-dean/1120455662?ean=2940150463943

Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_177_139&products_id=5840

Blurb ~

A year after her husband’s death, Emily Tillman is ready to start dating again, and hopefully, find what she’s always wanted—marriage and children. But the man who broke her heart five years ago is back. And he’s anything but the marrying kind.

Confirmed bachelor Reese Caster is perfectly content with his life—and he’s finally over Emily, the one woman who almost made him commit. Now, his world is rocked when her dead husband shows up, demanding that Reese pursue Emily to keep her out of the clutches of her latest suitor—a jerk who is only after her money.

Being around Emily again has made Reese reconsider his bachelor life style. But now that the threat of the other man is gone, the pesky ghost wants Reese to break things off. Can he and Emily find the love they were denied, or will the ghost of her dead husband destroy their chances?

Excerpt ~

Caster jerked his arm off his face and shot to his feet. Joey stood in the room—looking the same as he had the last time he’d seen him five years ago; dark, wavy hair, even darker eyes, his usual attire of jeans and a T-shirt—this time a Thunder basketball shirt—that big, shit-eating grin he always wore.

“You’re not real.” Caster shook his head. “This cannot be happening. I’m wasted. I’m imagining things.” Caster kept a litany of denial going until Joey/not Joey held up a hand.

“Let me save us some time. I died in a plane crash a year ago, you came to my funeral. You haven’t seen or spoken to my wife since. I, however, have been keeping an eye on her. She’s about to make a huge mistake, and I need your help to keep that from happening. I’m sure you’ll help me because, in spite of the fact that you pushed the two of us together, you care about Emily, and you don’t want to see her hurt.” Joey moved toward him, and Caster stepped back. “Before we proceed, though, I apparently have to make you see that this is real, that I’m here. Pinch yourself.”

Caster shook his head. “I’m not going to do that. You’re not real.”

“I would pinch you if I could, but I can’t touch people. Only inanimate objects. Guess I’ll have to prove it another way.”

Joey held his arms out to his sides and lifted off the ground. Just hovered there, like a… Ghost. No way in hell…it couldn’t be.

“See, I’m really, truly a ghost. Now, are you ready to hear me out?”

Caster nodded, although he was anything but. He was ready to call the police—or a psych ward.

“I have been unable to move on since my death. My otherworldly mentor—for lack of a better title—told me it was because I can’t rest until Emily is happy. She took my death hard, and now she’s starting to see some dickwad. He’s planning to ask her to marry him, but he only wants her money.”

In spite of the impossibility of the situation, Caster could no longer deny it. Joey Tillman’s ghost was here, in his apartment, asking for a favor. He shook his head. Son of a bitch. “How do you know he only wants her money?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on him—and her. He’s a greedy bastard. He found out Emily received a large insurance settlement from the insurance company—dying in a plane crash is quite a profitable way to go, FYI—and now he wants to get his hands on that money. He’s had a vasectomy, but he told Emily that he hopes to have children one day. The thing Emily wants most is children. I wasn’t able to give them to her.” He fell silent, cleared his throat, but his voice was still hoarse when he spoke again. “Like I said, he’s tricking her, using her, and I can’t allow that to happen.” He blinked rapidly and pressed his thumb and forefingers into his eyes. “Emily doesn’t deserve that. She’s the best.”

Emily was the best, Caster couldn’t argue with that. “So, where do I come in?” Okay, it was official. He was actually convinced Joey’s ghost was here, and that he needed a favor. Wow.

“I want you to go after her.”

“Go after her? You want me to kill your wife?” Maybe he wanted Emily to join him on the other side?

“No, of course not. I meant, go after her romantically. Sweep her off her feet.”

Caster snorted a laugh. “I thought you didn’t want her with the wrong guy. I’d be worse than the bozo gold digger.”

Joey was nodding before Caster finished speaking. Hell, he didn’t have to agree so vehemently.



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