Friday, November 29, 2013

Black Friday Sale: A Shot in the Dark by Jennifer Burrows



BLACK FRIDAY SALE - $0.99! 
A Shot in the Dark - Black Friday Sale PROMO Blitz
By Jennifer Burrows
Romantic Thriller
Date Published: 7/11/2013

Most of the patients that are brought to the trauma bay in the ER remain nameless, and for the most part, faceless.  For Laney Pearson and the rest of the staff, this makes it easier to move past the senseless death and destruction that they see on an almost daily basis.  But all of that changes for Laney when she finds herself trying to pump the life back into a young motorcycle rider who arrives by helicopter more dead than alive.

Skyler Smith has all the makings of the next great motocross rider, right up until he crashes while trying to perform the trick that will secure his future.  From the time his motionless body is lifted off the track, the question becomes not when his next race takes place, but whether he will live to see another day.  And now there is mounting evidence that the tragedy was no accident.

Laney can never envision this boy’s crash and the ensuing investigation will have such an impact on her own life, but in the days that follow, she discovers a life within her she never knew existed.  While the police sort through the mounting evidence from the crash, Laney has to sort through her own feelings for the handsome trauma surgeon that she previously never gave a second thought.  Is he really as charming as he seems, or is there another reality hiding beneath the surface?  And just how long has he been watching her?   

EXCERPT

As he got to the base of the jump, he noticed his front wheel was wobbling. His first instinct was to panic. Instead, he took a deep breath and counted to five to calm himself. All he had to do was make this jump. He knew he could do it. There wasn't a chance he was going to miss it.

As he watched the wheel become persistently looser, doubt filled his mind. This is bad. Maybe I shouldn't do this jump. This could end terribly. Man, you have to do this jump. This is what you have been preparing for. As he went up the jump and started his flip, he saw his front tire fall off in midair. A brief moment of panic surged through his body. He continued on not knowing what else to do as he tried to turn his bike around and land on the back tire. But the surprise of his tire falling off made his timing off. Instead, he landed on the ground with his bike falling on top of him leaving him in complete darkness.

About the Author

Jennifer Burrows

Jennifer is a Registered Nurse, and she holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration.  She has 15 years of experience working in the Emergency Room and the Intensive Care Unit of a major trauma center.  While she is equally adept at all facets of patient care, Emergency room nursing is her passion, and is the inspiration for this story.  Currently, she resides in Southern California with her husband and their three amazing boys.  This is her first published novel, with the sequel expected soon.


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Monday, November 25, 2013

Week Blitz: Lost Seraphine by KaSonndra Leigh



Lost Seraphine Release Week Blitz
By KaSonndra Leigh
Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy
Date to be Published: 11/24/2013


Caleb Wood now knows the Dark Seraphine's true identity. 

Life should be a little more sane now, right? Wrong! It’s kind of hard to ignore the walkers, fallen souls taken by the Angel of Chaos. Oh yeah, only Caleb can see them.

After saving his girlfriend from the wrath of a sea witch, Caleb finds himself faced with a new problem…understanding the strange tattoos showing up on his body. He must also deal with his Lost Seraphine, the girl who left her family behind to save the boy she loves. The same girl who just happens to be the daughter of a mythological god. 

Gia gave up one of her powers to be with Caleb. She knew that she was connected to the Dark Seraphine in some way.  You see, there’s a prophecy, something she always believed to be a fairy tale linking her with the girl who also wants Caleb. Haunted by visions of her dead brother, Gia realizes she has made a terrible mistake. The ability she gave up is the one thing she will need to keep her boyfriend safe. 

Will Caleb be able to accept the things he will learn about his real father while trying to save the girl he loves from herself? Book Two of the Seraphine Trilogy and prequel to the Lost Immortals Saga is coming soon.

KaSonndra Leigh

Author Bio
Author of the Lost Immortals Saga and the Path Seekers Series. I’m also a mother, blogger, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. I believe in karma, coffee, and seriously wish that the producers of Xena would bring my favorite show ever back.

I was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when I’m not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals). Most of my characters are based on people that I’ve met throughout my travels and adventures. People tend to stop and start conversations with me as if I’ve known them my entire life. Does this freak me out? Not really. My mom says that one day I’ll get kidnapped by one of them. I told her that if it weren’t for these lovely people then I wouldn’t be able to create the stories that I do.

Some other common tidbits…hmm. I’ve watched the movie Under the Tuscan Sun almost 200 times. Seriously, the way I see it is if I keep watching it enough, then suddenly the house that Diane Lane lives in will magically appear in my backyard. I know. I have a huge imagination!

Authors Links
Website | Facebook YA | Facebook NA | Twitter @kasonndraleigh

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Sunday, November 24, 2013

PROMO Blitz: This Morning I Woke Up Dead by Mindy Larson



This Morning I Woke Up Dead - PROMO Blitz
By Mindy Larson
Date Published: 11/12/2013 - Re-Launch
Paranormal Romance

What would you do? What rules would you break to be with your soul mate? This morning Hadley Christensen and Dominic Morris woke up living their dream lives. They are engaged and each has promising careers in the  medical field. They are happier and more fulfilled than they have ever been, and they are ready to begin their happily ever after.

Sadly, on her way to work, Hadley is in an accident. Before taking her last breath, she realizes she is already dead - and everyone on Earth is too. Now Hadley and Dominic must each find a way to live without one another. How do they continue when they are two parts of one flame?

Hadley is given permission by the Masters to contact Dominic in the hopes he will also realize he is already dead. If Dominic can open his mind to hear Hadley they can be together forever. Is Dominic ready to give up life the way he knows it? 

Mindy Larson

Mindy Larsen has always had a vivid imagination that has only improved with her love of reading and writing.  She spent much of her childhood entertaining her three younger brothers with her stories and today she is bringing her imagination to life in books.
When not writing, Mindy enjoys spending time with the love of her life and four children while playing disc golf, cooking, baking, traveling and exploring.

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During the months of November & December - 1% of the gross sales of all novels with Lavish Publishing, LLC will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America.  The donation will be made in May 2014 in honor of AA Pencil and National Lupus Awareness Month.

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

PROMO Blitz: The Reunion by A.A. Pencil


The Reunion - PROMO Blitz
By A.A. Pencil
Date Published: 11/12/2013
Mystery/Thriller

C. Moore Catholic High School's 10-year reunion was organized as many reunions are - to reminisce, to see who had made a success of their lives, and in truth, to gossip on who had not.  But this party in the secluded, 1890's mansion once owned by a long dead, paranoid WWII Veteran, was to become anything but typical.  

After a horrible accident within the mansion, the alumni realize they are locked in and fighting for their lives.  Instantly, tempers rise and fingers are pointed as the number of living alumni begins to rapidly decrease.  Theories range from there being a murderer in the midst to the mansion possibly being haunted by the previous owner's ghost. 

Who or what is responsible and will anyone make it out alive?  

Find out for yourself in this combination of a mystery and psychological thriller, with a twisted ending!

A.A. Pencil

A. A. Pencil works part time as a school nurse at an all-boys Catholic school in New York City. As a Lupus survivor, she uses writing as a significant part of her therapy and you will see influences from classical writers such as Agatha Christie and Edgar Alan Poe in her work.  When not working or writing, she enjoys cooking, shopping and walking. She has sponsored a child in Mexico for over three years with a children's organization. She currently lives in a borough of New York City with her extended family who are her greatest supporters.

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To celebrate the release of AA Pencil's debut novel "The Reunion" - During the months of November & December - 1% of the gross sales of all novels with Lavish Publishing, LLC will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America.  The donation will be made in May 2014 in honor of AA Pencil and National Lupus Awareness Month.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

PROMO Blitz: The Sh!t No One Tells You by Dawn Dais



The Sh!t No One Tells You - PROMO Blitz
by Dawn Dais
Non Fiction   / Parenting / Humor
Date Published: 6/2013


There comes a time in every new mother’s life when she finds herself staring at her screaming, smelly “bundle of joy” and wishing someone had told her that her house would reek of vomit, or that she shouldn’t buy the cute onesies with a thousand impossible buttons, or that she might cry more than the baby.

Best-selling humor author Dawn Dais, mother of two and author of The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women, is convinced that there is a reason for this lack of preparedness. She believes that a vast conspiracy exists to hide the horrific truth about parenting from doe-eyed expectant mothers who might otherwise abandon their babies in hospitals and run for it. In The Sh!t No One Tells You, Dais tells it like it is, revealing what it’s really like to be a new parent and providing helpful insights, humor, and hope for those who feel overwhelmed by the exhausting trials they’re suddenly facing. Eschewing the adorableness that oozes out of other parenting books, Dais offers real advice from real moms—along with hilarious anecdotes, clever tips, and the genuine encouragement every mom needs in order to survive the first year of parenthood.

Dawn Dais
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

PROMO Blitz: First Position by Prescott Lane



First Position - Promo Blitz

By Prescott Lane

Contemporary Romance
Date Published: May 2013

Emory faces life’s challenges at the one place that’s never failed her, the ballet barre.  But even the barre can’t steady her when fate brings her face-to-face with her old college flame, Mason, who’s hoping to return to the NFL after a career-threatening injury.  Before they can surrender to their sexual desires and find salvation in each other’s arms, they need to come to terms with their past.  Mason must confront the demons that have set him on a path of self-destruction, while Emory must decide whether to keep her painful secrets locked away, or expose them and risk losing the love of her life.  But nothing can prepare Mason for what Emory has kept hidden, or the possibility that he himself may be to blame for the very secrets she keeps – and why they continue to haunt her.



EXCERPT


Wesley opened his biscuit with a knife.  “So, little miss, want to fess up to what you were doing yesterday?”

“Well, it depends,” she said.  “Before or after, I threw my half-naked body at Mason?”

Wesley dropped the knife.  “Excuse me?”

Tomás raised his eyebrows, and gave her a smile.  “It was just for a little while,” she said playfully.

“How little?” Wesley munched on his biscuit.

“Not too long.”

“How naked?”

“I told you -- about half.”

“Which half?”

“A little of both.”

“Both breasts?”

“No.  Top and bottom.”

“Is that so?”  Wesley took a sip of his drink, thoughtfully considering what she had said, like he was some kind of philosopher.  “Any action?”

“I tried.”

“How hard?”

“Pretty hard.”

“Was he?”  Wesley grinned at Tomás, and took another bite of his biscuit.

“Shut up,” she said blushing.  “We decided it was best to take things slow.”

“That’s too bad,” Wesley said, and Tomás slapped his arm.  “In all seriousness, I’m happy for you.”

“Me too,” Emory said, rising from the table with her and Tomás’ plates. 

Wesley grabbed her shoulder, and whispered in her ear, “Did you tell him?”  Emory shook her head walking to the sink, and Wesley shot her a disapproving look.  Tomás eyed them both curiously.  “He deserves to know!”

Tomás mouthed to Wesley, “Know what?”  Wesley shook his head that it was none of his business.

“No lectures, Wesley.”  She scrubbed the plates.  “Let me enjoy myself and Mason before I ruin it.” 

“You need to stop running,” Wesley said.

“I’ll stop when you stop.”

Tomás had no idea what they were bickering about, but whatever it was, he knew that was a great response.  Emory wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, then walked towards her bedroom, yelling back to Wesley, “That means go to your sister’s wedding!”

 


About the Author:


Prescott Lane is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Centenary College in 1997 with a degree in sociology. She went on to Tulane University to receive her MSW in 1998, after which she worked with developmentally delayed and disabled children. She currently resides in New Orleans with her husband and two children.

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Tour Kick Off - Meet and Greet - Of Dreams and Shadows by D.S. McKnight



Young Adult Paranormal
Date Published: 9/23/2013

:   Sixteen year old Jenna Barton isn’t a happy camper.  She’s had to move to a new town in the middle of her junior year.  It doesn’t help that her new neighbor, Chase Williams, is particularly unwelcoming.   Unfortunately, for Jenna these are the least of her problems.  She’s become the obsession of a murderous ghost.  Sarah Jones was just four years old when she disappeared and Chase was the only witness.  No one believed the ramblings of a scared little boy — especially when he said a shadow took Sarah.  Now, all he wants is for Jenna to move.  He knows what resides in her backyard — but how can he tell her?  She wouldn’t believe him anyway.   When Silas (the shadow) decides that Jenna will be his next victim, Sarah (don’t call her a ghost!) realizes she has to stop him.   It will take their combined efforts to save Jenna.







#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career? 
At the present, writing is my part-time job.  However, I hope it becomes my full time career.


#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
The hardest part of writing is finding  time.  Unfortunately, my window for writing in the evening is limited due to the fact that my mind won’t shut down and I find myself laying in bed thinking about my characters/plot at 2:00 A.M.   

#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
Carol Ann Ross is a historical fiction writer.  She has helped me more than anyone.  Her guidance has been invaluable.

#4 – What is next for your writing?
Currently, I am working on the sequel to Of Dreams and Shadow: Forget Me Not.  I’m pretty anxious to get it finished as I have characters from another story who keep popping into my head.


#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing? If so, what are you currently reading? 
I love to read.  There are some really great stories out there to choose from.  Right now, I’m reading Patti Davis’ The Blue Hour.


DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet:  When the past comes alive, dreams can become nightmares.


This or That?

#1 - iPd or Mp3?   Mp3

#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate (says the chocoholic)

#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?  French Fries

#4 – Comedy or Drama?  Comedy

#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?  Nicholas Sparks

#6 – Fantasy or Reality?  Fantasy

#7 – Call or Text?  Call

#8 – Public School or Home School?  Public

#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate?  Hot Chocolate

#10 – eBook or Paperback?   Paperback 




When I was a little girl, I was afraid of my shadow - seriously afraid - running and screaming afraid. Perhaps I've always been a victim of an over-active imagination and maybe that explains the monsters hiding under my bed, the ghosts lurking in my closet, and the Shadow that inspired my first novel – Of Dreams and Shadow:  Forget Me Not.  I have always loved to write.  While in school, I dreamed of being a reporter, parachuting into war-torn places and getting "the story."  In reality I’m afraid of heights and would never jump out of a perfectly good flying machine.   I have been fortunate enough to have had a varied career - from working as a DJ for a small radio station to serving as the president and part owner of a marina.  I am married, have three sons and live in coastal North Carolina.




Blog                                  
Twitter - @dsmcknight67



November 18 - The YA Lit Chick - Review
November 19 - Book Briefs - Review
November 20 - A Life Through Books - Review
November 21 - Zili in the Sky Reviews - Review
November 22 - Devilishly Delicious Reviews - Review
November 22 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up








Tour Kick Off - Secrets and Lies by Christine Amsden



Fantasy/Paranormal/New Adult Romance
Date Published: 11/15/2013

Cassie Scot,still stinging from her parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them.
To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness.




Christine Amsden



November 19  - A Life Through Books - PROMO
November 20  - Zili in the Sky - Review/Interview
November 21  - Book Suburbia - PROMO
November 22  - Lov Liv Life Reviews - Guest Post/PROMO
November 23  - Brooke Blogs - Review
November 24  - Read Books and Live Green - Review/Interview
November 25  - Rose & Beps - PROMO
November 26  - Queen of All She Reads - Review/Guest Post
November 27  - Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews - Review
November 29  - Read Everything and Discuss - PROMO
November 30  - The Avid Reader - Review/Interview
December 1 - Magnolia Blossom Reviews - Review/Interview
December 2 - My Cozie Corner - Review
December 3 - Deal Sharing Aunt - Interview/PROMO
December 4 - EM Havens Writes - PROMO
December 5 - Up All Night Reviews - Guest Post/PROMO
December 7 - Rythem Poets - Review/Interview
December 10 - Dalene's Book Reviews - Review/Interview
December 11 - Genuine Jen -Review
December 13 - Once Upon a YA Book - Review/Guest Post
December 14 - Books are Love - Review
December 16 - Indie Authors You Want to Read - Guest Post/PROMO
December 17 -    Pieces of Whimsy - PROMO
December 18 -  Pure Jonel - Guest Post/PROMO
December 19 -    Mom With a Kindle - Interview/PROMO
December 20 -  Always Jo Art - Guest Post/PROMO
December 23 -  Readsalot - Review
December 28 -  Tanya's Book Nook - Review
January 2 - Never Beg For Mercy - Review/Guest Post
January 4 - Books A to Z - Guest Post/PROMO 
January 7 - Must Read Faster - Guest Post/PROMO
January 8 - The Readers Hollow- Guest Post/PROMO
January 9 - Books R Us - Review
January 10 -It's All About the Romance- Guest Post/PROMO
January 11 - Alina Popescu - Review/Interview
January 12 - Books and Tales - Guest Post/PROMO
January 18 - RABT Reviews - Review




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PROMO Blitz: Oenone by Agatha Rae

Oenone - PROMO Blitz
By Agatha Rae
Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy
Date Published: May 23, 2013


Evelyn Dax is in love with her new boss, Jeff Richards. She does not want to reveal her feelings because of their professional relationship, however when Jeff asks her to accompany him during a business trip, the two begin spend a passionate night together.
Although attracted to Evy, Jeff decides to limit their relationship to business-related issues only, as he is afraid of any commitment.
Soon after coming back to the office in Boston, Richards faces sabotage plot against him triggered by one of the board members of the company he works for and is given a difficult task to deal with.
If he fails, he will lose his job.


Laura Levinson, Evy’s best friend, learns she suffers from breast cancer  and, supported by her loving husband Bruce, she undergoes a traumatic chemotherapy. Weakened and discouraged by the lack of progress, she meets Alyssa , a healer, who helps her recover completely from her illness. Encouraged by Alyssa’s magic, Evelyn decides to seek her help regarding Jeff’s attention and soon the healer’s intervention is visible; Evy spends a passionate night with what appears to be an imagined entity introducing itself as Jeff but, the same time, the real Richards’ feelings towards Evelyn begin to change drastically and the more often the intimate distractions, first pleasant, later on disturbing, happen to Evy, the more Jeff resents her.
 Soon  Bruce  starts  suffering  from  lung  cancer and Evy begins to wonder who Alyssa really is...

Excerpt
Chapter 42

Seven weeks had passed. Evy and Jeff were working very hard on his projects. Evy’s previous authors were given to the less experienced editors and she had edited four new authors for Jeff. She was swamped, but her mind was filled with work which was allowing her to have her thoughts occupied by something other than Laura’s treatment. Jeff was organizing the new academic publishing house, which he called OMNIBUS. All the paper work had already been done, he was waiting for few more confirmations and signatures, but it was only a matter of time before OMNIBUS would start functioning as WORDS’ official branch. He had hired two new editors, was in the middle of renegotiating new contracts with printing houses and was working on an advertising campaign.

Being entirely focused on the company’s issues, neither Jeff nor Evy had the time or will to discuss any non-professional topics. They had been eating lunches together, but during those moments she was mostly telling him about the authors she had been editing, and he was usually updating her on OMNIBUS stuff. They felt they had become a team and they both enjoyed it, but they were entirely focused on work and career. For Jeff it was all about surviving in WORDS, and for Evy it was the pleasant experience of creating something and it felt good that Jeff was consulting most of his decisions with her.

In the meantime Laura had undergone three chemotherapies. She was completely bald and most of the time she felt as if she was having a flu. Substantial problems with regulating her body’s temperature had appeared; she was either too cold or too hot. At night she either put an extra blanket on her quilt, or slept only in her underwear. She had an almost constant runny nose and by this point even her eyelashes had fallen off. Laura wore a wig whenever she was outside and at home she wore handkerchiefs on her head. Bruce kept telling her he didn’t mind her being bald, but Laura felt much more comfortable when she had her head covered. She stopped using perfumes as its scent would make her nauseous and used only cosmetics for babies now.

The smell of fumes drove her insane and she felt like vomiting every time she smelled them, so Laura stopped driving. She was very reluctant into going anywhere by car unless Bruce would promise to turn the A/C off and close all the windows so that no smells from the outside would appear in the car.
Because of her stomach being so touchy, Bruce stopped cooking and was trying to eat out as to not irritate her. The numbness in her fingers would come back from time to time and then she needed his help in doing such basic things as drinking from a mug or a bottle. She felt pretty bad about all this because her sickness did not revolve around her only, but interrupted his life as well; there, however, was nothing else they could do and he never complained.

Evy was now visiting her much less often since she was very busy with Jeff’s projects, although she would always come to Laura whenever she was back from the clinic and they had a regular phone contact. Laura was always waiting for those visits and calls because she was finding everything that was going on at work very curious and all the stories from there were truly entertaining.

Laura felt like a total mess. She underwent tests that showed the treatment hadn’t infected her tumor too much yet. Tessa kept telling her she was at the very beginning of the road to recovery, but Laura was miserable. She felt useless due to her inability to work. She wasn’t even able to work from home yet. She wasn’t able to recognize herself in the mirror and it was becoming unbearable to feel nauseous almost every time she smelled or tasted something. Laura was unable to imagine going through all this for next months and she felt that either something would finally help her really fast, or she would lose her spirit and determination, discouraged by the lack of results and control over her own body.

During one of the stays in the clinic she came across a brochure about natural methods of treatment. She never believed in such things like the healing power of herbs. Of course mint tea could calm a stormy stomach but, let’s not kid ourselves; a brewed combination of different kinds of grass could not cure cancer. She glanced at the leaflet, but never gave it a second thought until her third session at FEMINA. That was the first moment when she felt truly irritated and tired of her condition. Laura took one brochure from the table in the waiting room and when she felt a bit better after the chemo session, she took it out of a drawer near her bed and looked carefully through it.

It was about a woman named Alyssa. She described herself as a fortune-teller, an herbalist, a Shaman and a source of comfort, support and positive energy for everyone who needed it. It sounded tacky and the whole design of the brochure was corny with some ancient Greek symbols, but somehow, Laura was unable to explain it, the content of it felt oddly soothing. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” she sighed and shook her head with disbelief. About three months ago, which felt like eternity ago, Laura would never believe that she would take such things seriously, that she would even consider searching for this kind of help. She was about to tear the brochure and throw it into the garbage can when she looked at her IV stand. Was this the way she wanted her life to look like for the next months? And who says she would defeat the cancer anyway? Perhaps that was the scenario of the rest of her life? However long it would be anyway. She was lying weak in bed, feeling pain all over her body, hairless, cold, and scared. Perhaps a month ago she would simply ignore the brochure, but the Laura who was diagnosed and the Laura who was there in the clinic were entirely different people. 

The new Laura decided not to throw away the brochure, but instead, she put it inside her handbag which she kept on a chair next to her bed. Who knows, it might become handy one day. After all, a little bit of hope and herbal tea wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? And besides, this was the only brochure that was distributed in the clinic, maybe it meant the doctors did not see Alyssa’s work as charlatanism, maybe she was indeed helping their patients? Perhaps the hospital approved her work?

One day when Bruce was out, she made herself some chamomile tea, took out Alyssa’s brochure and sat by the computer. She hesitated for a minute and Googled “Alyssa Sadler, Shaman”. She clicked search and, in a blink of an eye, she saw dozens of pages related to Alyssa. The woman seemed quite popular, there were many forums where people posted about her, and there was also her official webpage. First, Laura decided to check the boards, because, obviously, Alyssa’s website wouldn’t say anything negative about her. She was shocked. Everyone praised the woman. It seemed that Alyssa had helped many people. There were patients cured of cancers of all kinds, Parkinson diseases, Alzheimer, Tourette syndrome, cerebral palsy, disabilities, and migraines. There was a user named Oliver_73 who swore that Alyssa’s single touch released him from the horror of headaches which he had been experiencing two—three times a week and which had turned his life into hell. Kinky_Sense_of_Humor was assuring everyone that drinking Alyssa’s teas and her therapy cured him of alcoholism, that he had never drank a single drop of liquor since he met her eight years ago. Among many other people there seemed to have been people of all different ages and problems. One lady claimed she was 76 and she had had an advanced Alzheimer and, again, Alyssa’s touch cured her. Laura looked through about seventeen different websites, read more or less 70 pages of posts overall and was really confused. Of course, one could say placebo, perhaps hypnosis, could help, sure. But so many people? Could it be possible that all of them were lying for some kind of profit just to help Alyssa gain patients? Laura was fighting with her in-born skepticism. She found it extremely hard to believe all those people, but the part of her that desperately wanted her life to be normal again, the part that hated herself whenever she looked into the mirror, that part pushed her to enter Alyssa’s website.

Laura clicked on the link and it was pure magic. The website was glamorous. Emerald background, delicate, chill-out music, it was all soothing and relaxing. The green color brought an immediate association with peace and calm. Alyssa’s picture was nowhere to be found; there was however an ‘about me’ bookmark, which Laura, clicked. The note was very pared-down
.
THERE IS ONLY ONE REASON WHY YOU ARE HERE: YOU ARE SUFFERING AND SEEKING COMFORT. ALLOW ME TO SOOTH YOU; ALLOW ME TO USE MY GIFT, MY POWER, TO HELP YOU. ALLOW ME TO HEAL YOUR SPIRIT, TO BRING PEACE TO YOUR MIND. MY NAME IS ALYSSA, I HAVE THE POWER THAT CAN MAKE ALL YOUR PAIN GO AWAY, THAT CAN HELP YOU MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. OPEN YOUR EYES, MIND AND SOUL AND ALLOW ME TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

It all sounded fabulous, but Laura couldn’t tell if she was convinced or not. It all sounded too good to be true. She had always been a skeptical person, she had never been religious and her illness had not made her change those views. So far at least. Alyssa’s website seemed very tempting, but Laura felt deep down that the sensible part of her soul had not been convinced. She added the website to her favorites and went to the kitchen to prepare herself another portion of tea.

Laura passed a big mirror in the hallway, the one she used to use to see if the shoes fit the dress and the one in front of which Bruce and she had made love many times, turned back and looked at herself carefully. She gently took the scarf off from her head and for the first time faced herself in day light. It was high time to confront the reality. She put the mug on the floor and undressed. She looked really bad; pale, skinny, hairless, with grey shadows around her eyes. No eye brows caused the lack of any facial expressiveness. The lower part of her body, with no pubic hair and such thin legs that the outline of her knees was visible, looked as if it belonged to a little girl rather than a grown-up woman. The upper part, on the other hand, seemed to have belonged to an elderly person with sunken stomach and breasts and colorless skin. She turned around and saw her shoulder blades and spine horrifyingly outlined on her back. Disgusting.  In complete silence, Laura dressed up again, went to the kitchen and put the kettle on. When her tea was ready, she came back to the study, this time avoiding the slightest glance at the mirror, and clicked on Alyssa’s website. She searched for the contact information and found the phone number. Laura took her cell phone and hesitated for a minute. What was she doing? Some months ago she would knock herself on the head at the very thought of seeking supernatural help to solve her problems. Right now she saw nothing crazy about it. After all, it could not get any worse, right?
She dialed the number on the website and a woman answered.

“Good morning, Laura, it’s Alyssa Sadler speaking, how can I help you?”

Laura was totally surprised she actually got through so quickly and, apparently, it was the Alyssa speaking to her, not some assistant, or a secretary. And how, for the love of God, did that woman know who was calling?!

“Um, yes, hello. My name is Laura Levinson, I am calling—”

“You need help, I can tell.”

Laura was totally taken aback.

“Well, yes, I mean I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t.” She smiled nervously.
“Of course, how can I help you, Laura?”

“I found your brochure at the FEMINA clinic and I’ve looked through your website.”

“I’m glad you’ve reached me.”

“Me, too,” she answered and she meant it. It was very awkward, very surprising; but somehow, she felt that Alyssa was a very good and helpful person. Laura had no idea how she was able to feel it after a few seconds of the telephone conversation, but deep down, something inside her was thrilled that she was talking to Alyssa. Her voice seemed calm and very soothing and all of Laura’s doubts had vanished. She actually felt agog at meeting her.

“I was wondering if perhaps you have a moment to see me and, hopefully, help me.”

“Of course, I have time for everyone who is in trouble.”

When making the appointment, Laura made sure to check Bruce’s schedule to know when he would be away from home. She did not want to tell him about her idea; it still seemed pretty dumb for her. She decided not to let him know about it until she knew whether it helped or not.  Looking at his planner, she realized he had a dentist appointment the following day. It turned out Alyssa was available at the same time and they had arranged a meeting at 4:00 p.m. When Laura hung up, she was beaming. Deep down she knew it was irrational to put her trust into someone who claimed she could heal people’s spirits, but for the first time since the diagnosis, she felt as if life was returning to her veins. She was thrilled.


About the Author: Agatha Rae

My name is Agtha Rae and I would like to introduce you to “Oenone” – my debut novel, released in August 2013, courtesy of Firefly &Wisp publishing house.

Prior to “Oenone” I have published two non-fiction books using my real name, Joanna Boguslawska, I am Polish, I live in the beautiful city of Gdynia: a book for ESL teachers "Teachign English Through Culture, Teaching Culture Through English", a collection of essays analyzng popular culture "Popkultura - pop czy kultura?", as well as many articles in various magazines, both in Polish and English. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Gdansk.

Having great respect to all those authors brave enough to give birth to stories and share them with the world, I have always felt the curiosity about creating a novel , about breathing lives into characters.  “Oenone” was born after about a year and a half of the most pleasurable work I have ever done and creating it, something I have put my whole heart into, has been one of the biggest adventures of my life. I hope a lot of people will share my enthusiasm.

I am very much excited about the opportunity of releasing “Oenone”, I am curious about readers’ opinions, about their interpretations, reactions, remarks and comments and thus I am looking forward to the blog tour and I very much appreciate your help and courtesy. Thank you for allowing my dream come true.

I collect CDs, love the Canadian band The Tea Party, sushi and going to the cinema. Among my favorite books are: Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Big Country", "In a Sunburned Country", "Neither Here Nor There", Tennessee Williams' dramas, (almost) everything by Stephen King, Jack Kerouac's "On The Road", Richard Yates' "Revolutionary Road", Charles Bukowski's "Hollywood", "Pulp" and "Factotum", JD Salinger's "Catcher In The Rye", Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men In A Boat". Cornelia Funke's Inkheart trilogy, Marisa Bowe's "GiG - Americans Talk About Their Jobs", David Foster Wallace - "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men", Philip Roth's "Everyman", "Human Stain", "Dying Animal", Michael Chabon's "Wonder Boys"

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