Rachel from Choice, My Secrets

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

She is the girl next door; she is out going and well mannered. She is liked by all; she excels at most things she takes on. She gets along very well with her parents and talks to them about everything except the relationship she has with Gary and her being pregnant. She knows that she has crossed the line.

What's her name?

Her name is Rachel, which means beautiful, innocence and gentility of a rose or lovely.

Why did you pick that name?

I felt it's the perfect name for her.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She has eyes of blue with mahogany colored long hair. She has cheeks that glow a natural blush color with a smile of confidence and beauty. She is tall and slender but with an athletic build.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No; not really just the glow that she has about her.

Who does she love?

She falls for Gary.

Why?

He is a mystery to her; he is from a rival school and is very athletic good looking and smiles when he sees her. She feels that he is the one and wants to get to know him.

Does this person love her?

Oh yes; Gary fell for her as well, I guess you can call it love at first sight during one of the games they were at they both got a good look at each other from a distance and made eye contact for the first time. That got the mystery going as she was a mystery to him too. Then finally they spoke to each other for the first time at Down Towns pizza place on the first night of summer their love story began with a secret.

Tell us about her family.

She is an only child of two loving and caring parents. They have a solid relationship of trust, honor and respect for each other. They have conversations about most things, attend church weekly and are very involved with Rachel's life and friends. However when Rachel turned 16 they gave her room to explore her boundaries, believing they had instilled the right values in her and with the understanding of trust that she can talk to them about anything. But the most important conversation did not take place; the one that put her in the toughest situation and life changing struggle she has ever faced. Relationships and teen sex.

Where is she from?

She is from a small town somewhere in New York.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, it would have a pure and innocent affect on her and most kids from there too. It is a quiet, peaceful town with a strong culture and tradition. But the choices she makes take over her traditional and family values that really were never explained or given importance for her to have a better understanding of them.

What does she want out of life?

This she is not sure of. She is in the process of searching for her outlook on life and what it can become.

What's her biggest secret?

Rachel makes several choices that she did not clearly think through and one of them was to get involved with a nice boy her age from another school and not tell anyone about him. Then together they chose to have a relationship that left Rachel pregnant and Gary leaving for school. Rachel then chooses not to tell any one that she is pregnant and is on the run trying to figure out how to deal with it alone.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No; but I may in the future.

How would she describe you?

Loving, caring, thoughtful, talkative, a father that explains, informs, tells what he means and why. Listens

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Rachel wants teens and parents to learn what she has without having to live the roller coaster of a life that she has lived by being a pregnant teen and having to make excruciating choices because she made other choices without thinking them through carefully. She wants to help you have a better understand of choices and how to prevent choices that could cause life changing events.

Please provide your website link.

www.heritagevalues.com

What is the link to buy your book?

You may link at www.heritagevalues.com, click on the book cover and it will take you to amazon.com or you may go to www.xulonpress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

You are so welcome. She and I enjoyed the tour with your readers. We both hope all readers will gain wisdom from her story; Choices, My Secrets.

In Christ,

Thomas Wade Bounds

Choices, My Secrets, tells the compelling story of Rachel, a teenager faced with confusing choices leading up to and during a summer romance that leaves her pregnant. Searching for hope, things spin out of control. Does a chance encounter help her think clearly? Does she find her true self and gain the faith, hope, and courage to consider the best choices to guide her through her incredible journey?

Learn Rachel’s experience without having to live it yourself.

A great book for teens, parents and churches, Choices, My Secrets brings back the art of conversation; an easy way to talk about teen choices together and help set expectations, family values and godly goals.

Author’s Bio: Thomas Wade Bounds is a businessman and the founder of Heritage Values. He lives with his wife Elsa and their two children, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie

In the Arms of the Enemy

WANTED: ASSASSIN TO KILL RACE HORSES ON DEMAND

FLEXIBLE HOURS-GOOD BENEFITS

Light Sword Publishing announces the release of Patricia A. Guthrie’s first published novel “In the Arms of the Enemy.”

When the death of a racing stable’s prize horse and his trainer is blamed on the stable’s owner; his son, Adam Blakely, goes undercover convinced that the trainer’s partner, Maggie McGregor, is the killer.

Determined to leave the tumultuous world of horse racing, Maggie returns home to try and find peace. When a handsome horse owner moves his horse into her father’s boarding stable and asks Maggie to train his horse, family finances dictate that Maggie accept--and that’s when the accidents begin.

Drowning in deception and lies, Maggie and Adam search for a killer and uncover an insurance scam so insidious, it threatens to rock a horse racing empire and bring the killer to their doorstep.

They need to learn to:

Keep your friends close; but your enemies closer.

Heroine interview

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book. What's her name? Maggie McGregor (Margaret, but nobody calls her that Why did you pick that name? I didn't. Maggie picked it for herself. Nothing else fit. She was a Maggie. Give us a brief description of how she looks. Maggie's about five foot three-four inches. She has red hair, light skin that sunburns and freckles if she isn't careful, blue eyes like the Caribbean, fit from riding horses and doing barn chores. Wears mainly jeans, tank tops and over shirts, but "cleans up well."

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Her hair. Curly, shoulder length and the color, as described by Adam, of a fire framing her face. (well, maybe he didn't exactly say that, but I'm in a poetic mood.) Who does she love? She was engaged to Ricki Lane the owner of Lane Training Stables because he taught her to be a successful trainer. She was young and fell in love with not only his looks and manners, but what she thought he stood for. (Boy was she wrong) Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."

Does this person love her? Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning.

Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is. Tell us about her family. The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them. Where is she from? Michigan

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)

What does she want out of life? Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her.

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her. Please provide your website link. www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.paguthrie.blogspot.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.lightswordpublishing.com www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.amazon.com, www.borders.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us. Maggie says as soon as things are back to normal, she would love to go out for lunch. Her treat. And--she'll even invite her author-mommy. (that's me.) That is if I haven't put her in the middle of another murder.

For much more information about Patricia Guthrie and In the Arms of the Enemy visit her tour home page - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie

Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote

I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)

I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.

If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)

Nikki


Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion

When I'm You by LaConnie Taylor Jones

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Caitlyn Thompson

Why did you pick that name?

I've always like the name Caitlyn. Since I didn't get the chance to name my only girl child (my husband did the honors), I decided to use the name for my first fictional female character.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Caitlyn is only four feet, eleven inches and weighs roughly a hundred pounds. She has ebony skin that's the same shade as dark chocolate.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Yes, she has beautiful slant, brown eyes.

Who does she love? Why?

Although she's been on the run from a stalking ex-boyfriend for the past three years, she meets and falls deeply in-love with Marcel Baptiste. At first, she was extremely gun-shy of becoming involved with him, despite their instantaneous attraction. However, as the weeks past, she becomes better acquainted with Marcel and is further captivated by his genuineness and willingness to earn her trust as well as erase the demons from her past.

Does this person love her?

Oh, absolutely!! Marcel is a man who's use to getting his way. It took him by surprise that Caitlyn told him the one word he never accepts - no. Also, Caitlyn's fear of another relationship makes him even more determine to win not only her trust, but her heart.

Tell us about her family.

Caitlyn was placed in foster care after the death of her mother at the age of five. She bounced through the system for twelve years until she was placed with the woman she considers as her mother, Ms. Ruby.

Where is she from?

Newark, New Jersey

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, they do. Caitlyn grew up in inner city of New Jersey and spent a great deal of time at a neighborhood youth center. She eventually becomes the director of a youth center in East Oakland.

What does she want out of life?
To find the father she never knew.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

It would be a spoiler to the story!!

Did you write more than one story about her?

No

How would she describe you?

As the one person who truly understands her fears, strength and determination to get her life back on the right track after a disastrous relationship involving domestic abuse.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Caitlyn admits she was vulnerable to the attention and gifts her ex-boyfriend lavished on her because she grew up without anyone to depend on other than herself. However, once she realized their relationship escalated to violence, she had the courage to leave.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/When-Im-You-LaConnie-Taylor-Jones/dp/1585712507/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Check out LaConnie's website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/ to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!

In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie

In the Arms of the Enemy

Heroine interview

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Maggie McGregor (Margaret, but nobody calls her that

Why did you pick that name? I didn't. Maggie picked it for herself. Nothing else fit. She was a Maggie.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Maggie's about five foot three-four inches. She has red hair, light skin that sunburns and freckles if she isn't careful, blue eyes like the Caribbean, fit from riding horses and doing barn chores. Wears mainly jeans, tank tops and over shirts, but "cleans up well."

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Her hair. Curly, shoulder length and the color, as described by Adam, of a fire framing her face. (well, maybe he didn't exactly say that, but I'm in a poetic mood.)

Who does she love? She was engaged to Ricki Lane the owner of Lane Training Stables because he taught her to be a successful trainer. She was young and fell in love with not only his looks and manners, but what she thought he stood for. (Boy was she wrong)

Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."

Does this person love her? Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning.

Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is.

Tell us about her family. The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them.

Where is she from? Michigan

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)

What does she want out of life? Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her.

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her.

Please provide your website link. www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.paguthrie.blogspot.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.lightswordpublishing.com www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.amazon.com, www.borders.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us. Maggie says as soon as things are back to normal, she would love to go out for lunch. Her treat. And--she'll even invite her author-mommy. (that's me.) That is if I haven't put her in the middle of another murder. In the

Mystick Moon by Terry L White

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Rebecca

Why did you pick that name?

It was a commonly used name for the times.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Rebecca is a child of wealth who has journeyed to New England where she lives a hard life taking care of her mother and raising herself against all odds. Her stepfather abuses her and leaves her alone much of the time. She has a pretty face with worried eyes and wears her dead mother’s cut-down clothing and the skins of animals she and her servant catch to eat.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Rebecca looks like she had to grow up far before her time.

Who does she love? Why?

Rebecca loves her mother. She loves the Pequot woman, Squirrel because Squirrel teaches her how to survive. She also loves Adam, a young boy who befriends and helps her, and his mother Anneke.

Does this person love her?

These people all love Rebecca. Adam loves her as a boy and returns from a time at sea to love her as a man.

Tell us about her family.

Rebecca is alone in the world. Her mother died in childbed and her stepfather abandoned her. Her servant Squirrel is the closest thing to a family member she has.

Where is she from?

She is originally from London and lives in colonial Mystic Connecticut.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

The people of Mystick want Rebecca to go to church and school as they do, but she is much too concerned with survival. She is only befriended and loved by people who are as different as she. The townspeople call her a witch and accuse her wrongly.

What does she want out of life?

Rebecca wants a home and to be loved.

What's her biggest secret?

Rebecca has developed more than one personality and the other persons inside her help her survive.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No. One was it.

How would she describe you?

I don’t think Rebecca would know what to make of me. Our worlds are too different. She would probably think I am a witch!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Rebecca doesn’t give up, even when facing death, and she never stops believing in love.

Please provide your website link.

www.terrylwhite.com

What is the link to buy your book?

www.ebooksonthe.net

www.amazon.com

Blog Tours - What Would You Like to Know

I'm doing a tele-seminar next week about blog tours and I would love input from you all.

There are many things to discuss about blog tours and I worked out some initial questions to get people thinking - they are:

Discover Ways to Promote Your Book on a Virtual Blog Tour to Gain Greater Visibility and Sales

• What are the benefits of doing a blog tour?

• Should you promote your book in a blog tour?

• Should fiction and non fiction books be promoted differently in a blog tour?

• Should you organize your own blog tour?

• Why hire a publicist to organize your tour?

• If you hire a publicist, will you still need to work on the tour?

• Can you use a blog tour to promote anything besides books?

• Is there a new option in book blog tours?

But, now I need to create a couple of handouts and I'd love your input. Is there any specific info about blog tours that any of you think would be most helpful? Some folks here have done tours, some have hosted touring authors and I bet some of you have thought about doing a tour. So, since many of the people here are authors, I figured it would be a great place to pose the question. What information would you suggest I offer in handouts? Thank you all for your thoughts. There will be plenty of blog tour info coming very soon .

Nikki Leigh

PS - The answer to the last question is - most definitely. Stay tuned for much more information about that option - SOON. Or, contact me to be added to the mailing list - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with Mailing List in the subject line.