'Moonbow' by Shelia Hollingshead

Book Info-

Title- Moonbow
By- Sheila Hollinghead
Genre- Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Blurb-

A widow, a doctor, an unborn child. Three lives are at risk in this high stakes suspense. Die Auserwahlten, the Chosen Ones, have impregnated Gisa with an embryonic clone. Is it evil or just a child? It's up to Dr. Rayden Brooks to untangle the web that keeps them captive and save their lives. But will Gisa trust him?

Read an excerpt:

The man refused to allow the crowd in the hospital cafeteria to thwart his efforts. He maneuvered to a seat, cutting in front of a young couple, to obtain full view of his prey. His cap was crammed down over his eyes, but he still saw the way Dr. Rayden Brooks smiled at the young woman,

Adalgisa Ostheim. She bent her head closer to the doctor and allowed him to stroke her arm. Surely, the doctor's conduct was unethical? The woman may not be the patient of Brooks, but she was the patient of his colleague, Dr. Cochran. 

The man pulled the brim of his cap lower. He knew this woman—she had been his third and there was also a fourth. The other three he had forgotten as soon as he had finished the assignment. But not Adalgisa, or Gisa as she called herself. The other three had made no more an impression on him than a fly buzzing around his head. They had all been annoyances, really. All but Adalgisa. 

He had reached his objective with her long ago and moved on. And, yet, now he had returned to her, like a deer pursued by dogs panting for water. And Oberste had learned of his obsession. 

The man was not cognizant of the ways Oberste received information. Regardless, Oberste knew and had warned him away from the woman. The dangers of disobedience were great and yet, here he was, to understand why something within him would not, could not, allow this. 

The man made a plan. First, he would approach Dr. Cochran, discuss the behavior of Brooks. If Cochran refused to put a stop to it, he would be eliminated—regardless of Oberste's orders. 

Oberste need not know. The threat of defection among those recruited was always a concern. Oberste would accept his story—that Cochran threatened the integrity of the program. And, of course, Dr. Rayden Brooks would simply be collateral damage. Oberste would be none the wiser. 

He had to wrench his eyes away from Adalgisa's laughing face to glance at his cell phone. The meeting was in an hour. Tardiness would not be tolerated. Reluctantly, he left the hospital cafeteria. 

He convinced himself he had time for a quick stop before the meeting. He hurried into the store, a practiced smile on his lips. "Pack of cigarettes," he said to the woman behind the counter.

She tilted her head at him, and one eyebrow rose. "Brand?" 

"Lucky Strikes, unfiltered." Nasty habit, but if he was to continue his surveillance of Adalgisa and Brooks, he needed something to keep his hands busy. It had nothing to do with quelling his fear of Oberste. 

He mimicked the woman's tilt of the head. "Sorry, make that a carton." 

"Sure. No problem." 

Yes, Oberste had his methods, but so did he. He would carry out his plan, seek out Cochran, and sever the bond between Adalgisa and Brooks. He fervently wished he could take care of Brooks directly, but the rules forbade contact with those outside of the organization. If a violation occurred, Oberste always perceived the infraction, within hours, if not minutes. No deception was allowed; all worked for the cause. 

Still, if the car of Dr. Rayden Brooks was parked in front of Adalgisa's house when he returned from the meeting, he would tear him apart with his bare hands, no matter what Oberste might do.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR-

Moonbow began as a literal dream. Bless (or curse) my husband. When I told him the strange story, he encouraged me to turn it into a book. I'm not sure if the final manuscript resembles the first shadowy images in the least. Writing morphs and grows into things we cannot imagine when we first put pen to paper. I hope to continue the growth of the story and further explore the question from my dream: "Are some men born evil? What if they got a second chance?"

Available on Amazon

US \ UK \ CAN

About the Author-

Sheila Hollinghead, an army brat, was born in Nuremberg, Germany. When she was ten, her father was stationed in Toul, France where she discovered a treasure trove of books hiding in the furnace room. The house was rumored to be the former headquarters of the Nazi Party with bullet holes decorating the foyer as evidence. The books, sci-fi, mysteries, fantasy, and the classics, opened her mind to the power of story. Today, she is married and lives on a farm in south Alabama with dogs, cats, and chickens. She agrees with Emily Dickinson who said, "I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine."

Links-

Website: http://sheilahollinghead.weebly.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SHollinghead

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SheilaHollinghead

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

Author Catherine Castle on her book 'The Nun & the Narc'

Please give a warm welcome to author Catherine Castle today as she talks about her new book The Nun & the Narc. Leave her some of your own questions and comments below.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

I have to credit one of my critique partners with the inspiration for The Nun and the Narc because the original concept was for the heroine to be a missionary. I was writing the book for a contest entry, but it wasn’t working, and it kept getting stalled. After my critique partner suggested I change my heroine to a nun, novice actually, the book took off.

How much do you have in common with Sister Margaret Mary?

I have to say, I don’t think I have much in common with the good sister, except we both love the Lord. I don’t actually see any other traits in her personality that match mine. I’m not sure I can say that about other characters I’ve created. What kind of research did you have to do for this book?

Since I’m not a nun, have never been to Mexico, and know nothing about the drug trade, I had to do some research. For one of the scenes, I also had to check on border crossings and find the best places to sneak across the border illegally. I did worry a bit about what the government might think if they seized my computer while I was researching these things.

What is one of your favorite scenes?

I have quite a few. The Mexican market scene where Margaret is tailing her young friend is one of my favorite scenes. Readers have said this scene comes alive for them. I wrote this scene with mariachi music blaring from my CD player. That was one of the only times I’ve listened to music to help me set a mood in a scene. Guess it worked.

What do you think makes your book stand out in this competitive romantic suspense genre?

I could tell you what I think makes my book stand out, but I believe what readers have been saying is a stronger statement. Readers say my book has polished writing, an intriguing title, and a book description the hooks the reader. They have called the book fast-paced, funny, filled with vivid characters that they care about and root for, a just-one-more-chapter, make-you-lose-sleep kind of book. I’m not going to argue with praise like that.

When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve been writing since my youth. The decision to do something professionally began when I decided I could write something for my local weekly newspaper in the early 90s. Our church was building a new sanctuary and I asked the paper if I could write an article about the groundbreaking. They said, “Yes.” I wrote the story and I was hooked when I saw my name in the byline. They didn’t change a word, and I thought, “I could do this.” I got up the courage and asked if I could become a stringer. I began writing fiction with publication as a goal after I covered a story on the Ohio Valley Romance Writers conference. Finding a group of fellow writers was very helpful in starting me on the fiction road.

How does your faith influence your writing?

My faith causes me to want to write inspirational or religiously themed books that will appeal to non-believers. Inspirational romance is often considered “safe reading for believers.” While there is a place for that kind of book, many non-believers would never consider picking up an inspirational romance. When we write books that only believers will read, I think we are missing opportunities to let non-believers know about the blessing of faith. The Nun and the Narc is not a typical inspirational romance. It’s out-of-the- box and not a true inspirational by industry standards. But, according to my reviews, it appeals to Christians as well as non-Christians. That’s exactly what I wanted to do with this book, and any other “inspirational” books I write.

Please tell us about your other writings.

Aside from my fiction, I have over 600 non-fiction articles that have been published in the secular and the Christian markets. I’ve written for children, newspapers, magazines, and I have written plays, dramas, and fiction with my husband.

On what projects are you currently working?

I have multiple projects. I tend juggle several things at a time whether I’m writing or crafting. Currently, I’m working on something with my husband. I also have several partially finished romance books/ I usually have a few poems in various stages of composition, and I have two music compositions I’m working on right now. Oh, and a gardening devotional that is in the final stages of what I hope is the last revision.

The tagline on your website is "Romance for the Ages." How did you come up with that?

I wanted something that wasn’t limiting for my website tag, since I read and want to write in multiple genres and subgenres. The ‘ages’ part of the tagline was meant to be inclusive of romance that YA and well as adults would be able to read and books that cover all historical ages, as well.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

I’m afraid of mice and rodents. When I see them on the movies I close my eyes, cringe, and lift my feet off of the floor.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Nun and the Narc is an 2014 EPIC finalist in the action/adventure romance category. I’m very excited to be a finalist.

Thank you so much for your time!

Thank you for hosting me!

The Nun & the Narc
Catherine Castle

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Where novice Sister Margaret Mary goes, trouble follows. When she barges into a drug deal the local Mexican drug lord captures her. To escape she must depend on undercover DEA agent Jed Bond. Jed’s attitude toward her is exasperating, but when she finds herself inexplicable attracted to him he becomes more dangerous than the men who have captured them, because he is making her doubt her decision to take her final vows. Escape back to the nunnery is imperative, but life at the convent, if she can still take her final vows, will never be the same.

Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what

Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.

Read an excerpt:

Margaret inched forward, hoping to hear what they were saying. A mariachi band nearby blared out a tune, the polka-like melody destroying any hope of eavesdropping. The shriek of off-key brass sent chills up her spine. She covered her ears and moved closer to Rafael and the stranger.

After a couple of minutes of conversation, the man removed an envelope from his jacket and pulled out a handful of bills. He folded them in half and then slipped them into Rafael’s extended hand. With a furtive glance around, Rafael moved closer to the man, blocking Margaret’s direct view, and handed something to the stranger.

A wave of apprehension swept over Margaret. The chapulines she’d snacked on earlier that morning threatened to see the light of day.

A drug deal! Of all the things Rafael could do, this was the worst.

Esperanza had fought so hard to keep her son away from bad influences. Now he appeared to be involved in the very thing she’d hated most. Margaret imagined Esperanza banging on the gates of purgatory, trying to get out and rescue her son.

She hesitated for a moment, hearing Mother Superior’s admonishment. Stay out of trouble while you are in Mexico, Sister.

Silencing the nagging voice in her head, Margaret charged forward, protective instincts in full swing.

Stopping Rafael and talking to him about the dangers of drugs surely wouldn’t qualify as trouble. Bluntness, maybe, but not trouble. It was more like saving. Yes, that’s it. I’m saving him.

Buy links

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. Besides writing, Catherine loves traveling with her husband, singing, and attending theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Her debut inspiration romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing was an ACFW Genesis Finalist and is a 2013 EPIC finalist.

Catherine’s website: http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com

Catherine’s blog: http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/blog/

Catherine’s Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle

Catherine’s Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7085414.Catherine_Castle

Twitter: @AuthorCCastle

Facebook: http://facebook.com/catherinecastleauthor

Catherine will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter between this tour and her Virtual Book tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

'The Road to Recovery: Overcoming and Moving Beyond Your Grief' by Rich Nilsen

Book blurb:

Are you suffering the terrible grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one? As helpful as friends and family can be, often times they can not provide the understanding you need because they simply don't know or can't relate to what you are going through. Rich Nilsen lost his college sweetheart and wife of four and a half years in a commercial airline crash in 1997. She was only 27 years old.

In his book "The Road to Recovery" Nilsen discusses that you come to a crossroads in life when you lose someone close to you. It can be very powerful to read the work of someone who knows full well the deep sorrow you feel and can provide both comfort and practical advice that works.

Testimonial:

"I lost my son in the World Trade Center [9/11] and I found your book so comforting." - Patricia Noah, mother of Leonard M. Castrianno, Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th floor WTC.

This short book can be of great comfort if you are grieving and offer invaluable bereavement advice that you can begin to apply immediately. Each day can and will get easier. Download this book to your PC, Nook or Kindle today.

Available on Amazon

US \ UK \ CAN

~~Also available from www.GriefHelp.org~~

Author Bio: 

Rich Nilsen is the president of the e-book and print publishing firm All Star Press - Books that Change Lives. All Star Press publishes the work of authors who are looking to make a positive difference in the world. Nilsen is the author of "Sleep Great for Life," which helps people overcome insomnia, and "The Road to Recovery: Overcoming and Moving Beyond Your Grief" available in both English and Spanish digital formats.

http://twitter.com/griefhelp

www.griefhelp.org

'Angel to the Rescue' by Petie McCarty Promo Blitz!

Angel to the Rescue - PROMO Blitz

By Petie McCarty

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 12/11/2013

~~Add to Goodreads~~

Child psychologist Rachel Kelly isn't quite sure how to handle the situation with her newest client -- a six-year-old boy who says he can talk to angels and one is coming to help Rachel. She already has her hands full of trouble this Christmas season, and things quickly take a turn for the worse when a stalker crashes Rachel's Christmas party and takes her young clients hostage.

Police negotiator, Lt. Jake Dillon, walked away from his fiancée Rachel when she suddenly balked at having kids. His kids. Yet when the hostage crisis erupts, Rachel calls Jake first. Now he has a choice to make -- stand back and wait for the cavalry to save Rachel or step in and try to save her himself. Time is running out, and Jake may be their only chance for rescue.

Unless Rachel's little angel-spying client is telling the truth…

EXCERPT

Jake whipped his BMW into the Azalea Center parking lot and switched off his headlights in one smooth motion. Clutch depressed and guided by the light from the few streetlamps, he coasted to a stop next to Wally's jeep though his emotions had tempted him to come screeching around the corner like the cavalry. Common sense and the need for stealth had won out. He couldn't risk driving the trespasser underground only to have him surface later when Jake had left.

Clicking off his interior lights, he pulled his Sig Sauer from the glove compartment, then climbed out and pushed his car door in until the latch quietly held. He waited several seconds to let his eyes and ears take in the entire scene. All the landscaping crowded around the Center provided a multitude of places for a trespasser to hide. 

He touched the hood of Wally's jeep. Still warm, even in the cold night air. A brief stab of guilt hit him for leaving his team so abruptly in the Beef n' Brew. Couldn't be helped.

His gaze scanned the closest landscape beds for some sign of Wally. A stiff north breeze whipped across the parking area and stirred up leaves and debris. Barely visible through the treetops, the almost-full moon blazed bright.

He made his way past the large perimeter oaks to the interior sidewalk where he began a circle of the building, checking sections of garden as he paced. All the offices on the west side of the building were unoccupied, and all windows were dark, a few with vestiges of their interiors visible from adjacent emergency lighting.

Rachel's office faced the back of the property just around the corner. At this time of night, her office interior would be entirely visible with her lights on. Jake knew because he'd snuck over here enough times in the last few months to observe her office from the garden. He was pitiful and every few weeks, had needed a glimpse of her to get by. A wry smile twitched at the edges of his mouth. He could've been called in as a trespasser on any one of those nights should anyone have spotted him and cared enough to make the call.

Careful to remain off the sidewalk, he silently eased his way toward the back garden. If the trespasser was a stalker, then the perp probably knew the Center had no security guard and no security system -- a fact that had always bothered Jake. 

He reached the back corner of the property and crossed the sidewalk to inspect the landscape areas adjacent to the building. Two quick steps and he shifted from one landscape bed to another. He crouched as he left the larger Camellias and moved through the shorter azaleas and Indian hawthorn.

Clearing the corner, his position was now even with the back of the building. He paused to reconnoiter and stared at the faint pool of light cast by an overhead office -- Rachel's office.

As his gaze rose to the second-floor office, his eyes searched for the all-too-familiar figure. Without thinking, he straightened to his full height, clearly visible to anyone glancing out the window. Yet no one searched for a figure in the garden. All eyes in the office were busy.

Rachel stood with Olivia and her children on one side of the conference room. On the other side of the room, a man in a worn red jacket and baseball cap faced them -- pointing a gun. 

This was Jake's horrible nightmare.

About the Author

Petie McCarty

Petie earned a zoology degree from the University of Central Florida and enjoys her “day” job as an aquatic biologist at "The Most Magical Place on Earth." Petie is a member of Romance Writers of America, and she shares homes in Tennessee and Florida with her horticulturist husband, a spoiled-rotten English Springer spaniel, and a noisy Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in Angel to the Rescue.

Petie has three other books released with Desert Breeze Publishing: Everglades, Catch of the Day, and No Going Back, recently named a 2014 EPIC eBook Award Finalist for the category of Contemporary Romance.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Other

Giveaway 
 5 ebook copies of Angel to the Rescue

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A day behind the scenes with Jacqueline von Zwehl, author of 'The Prayer (A Love Story)'

I begin my day by slowly walking out onto the deck of my ocean front home to watch the sun rise every morning while my nanny gets the kids ready for school. My housekeeper dutifully prepares for me my fresh baked goods, French percolated coffee and perfectly folded paper to enjoy for a quiet hour. After a serene morning of enjoying the sun, ocean, and my breakfast I look forward to my morning yoga class at the nearby spa.

The alarm clock goes off and I wake up from this glorious dream and real life takes over. One insane hour of getting the kids ready, brushing their hair, letting the dog out, making breakfast, preparing lunch, signing their school forms, feeding the dog, icing an imaginary boo boo, begging my kids for the fiftieth time to please eat breakfast and then being that parent who always happens to drop them off at school right after the bell rings. I look at their teacher with the pleading "I'm sorry" look in my eyes and wondering why on earth I can't ever seem to get these kids to school on time.

I'm looking like a mess in my gym shorts and t-shirt while all the other moms look so polished and perfect. They're ready to go to their office jobs and of course I'm a writer so I have no incentive to add "getting dressed up" to my morning routine. I wonder what the other moms must think of me. My musings don't take too long because I'm now an hour late getting my latest column to my editor and I'm thinking of all kinds of excuses to give her this time. She knows me too well. I simply promise "I'll make my deadline next week."

Now the work day begins. Preparing for clients, social media updates, writing, editing, responding to readers, scheduling PR, meetings with industry people, budget, marketing, preparing for travel, and the list goes on and on. Who knew working for myself would be the hardest job I'd ever have?

At 4:45pm sharp my "work" day is temporarily put on hold and it's now time to pick the kids up from after care. The next four hours include homework, dinner, bath time, story time, bed time, and the normal one hour of pure begging time to please convince my kids to finally go to sleep. Yes, I do believe I have discovered the secret to life, but I'm still woefully unaware and ignorant of the secret to getting a four and two year old to sleep.

Then every night there is this magical moment when the kids are sleeping, the dishes done, last load of laundry washed and folded, all mandatory work items finished and I can just relax. No, I'm just kidding, that has never happened. Perhaps I fell asleep and I'm dreaming again.

The Prayer, a Love Story
by Jacqueline von Zwehl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Do you Believe in Miracles?

Do you Believe in Eternal Love?

Do you Believe in Answered Prayers?

YOU WILL

The Prayer, A Love Story is the inspirational true story of one woman who discovers the secret to living a life filled with miracles, unconditional love and answered prayers.

The journey begins with a divine promise, continues with unforeseen life challenges, and eventually leads to Jerusalem. Inside the Old City, a prayer will unlock the key to a life of miracles. This journey is proof heaven is real and its gifts are available to you now. Whether you have stopped believing in God or not, God believes in you.

The journey holds a promise for everyone. No matter how much darkness exists in your life, it cannot diminish the flicker of even the tiniest light. That light will lead you to your destiny and it will change your life forever.

Read an excerpt:

Wedding Day

I often wonder about the idea of a miracle. Is it something you feel? Can you see it? Or is it some- thing you just know? Miracle is a very big word, perhaps best saved for big events like the birth of a baby or the first man walking on the moon.

As I ponder this thought, I’m surrounded by lovely, fresh-cut flowers. Isn’t the blossoming of these flowers a miracle? A tiny little seed in the ground, nurtured with rich soil, water, and light, grows to reveal its unique beauty. When we look at the seed, we can’t see the miracle. It’s only later, after its potential has been manifested, we realize what that seed carried all along. Isn’t that how we all are? On the journey of our destiny in this life, all of us start as seeds. Some of us are still in the ground, waiting to grow. Some of us have sprouted a few leaves, and some of us have fully blossomed. Is the miracle the blossoming of the flower, or is the miracle knowing with certainty that everything is already in the seed? Yes, for me it always comes down to certainty. When all I can see is a seed in the ground, the miracle is certainty in my knowl- edge of what the seed is destined to become.

These were the thoughts I recorded in my journal on the morning of our wedding. I have heard that most brides wake up jittery and full of excitement, perhaps thinking about their hair and make-up, the excitement of the day ahead, and how the weather will hold up. I woke up and started writing.

‘What is a miracle? Today I will get married. I will marry the man who makes my heart sing and who was sent as the answer to my prayer. A man who calls me his miracle. Today is our seed, the first day of our journey as husband and wife.We don’t know how our seed will grow. We don’t know how many leaves will bloom or what its flower will look like. We don’t know what storms we’ll face. We do know with certainty that this seed is our destiny. It is our miracle.’

We were all ready. The driver took my hand and escorted me to my seat in the limo.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jacqueline von Zwehl, is a faith based relationship expert. She holds a BFA from New York University and a MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Jacqueline travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging singles on the path to finding their soul mates. She has appeared on Nite Line, The Harvest Show, EWTN, TCT TV, Victory TV, CatholicTV, Telecare, Changing Lives, CatholicLife, That's the Spirit, The Church, The Cardinal and You, NPR, and more. Jacqueline lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband Christopher, their two daughters and dog. The Prayer, A Love Story is her debut book. Jacqueline von Zwehl, is a faith based relationship expert. She holds a BFA from New York University and a MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Jacqueline travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging singles on the path to finding their soul mates. She has appeared on Nite Line, The Harvest Show, EWTN, TCT TV, Victory TV, CatholicTV, Telecare, Changing Lives, CatholicLife, That's the Spirit, The Church, The Cardinal and You, NPR, and more. Jacqueline lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband Christopher, their two daughters and dog. The Prayer, A Love Story is her debut book.

Read Jacqueline's Blog at www.jackievonzwehl.com

Become a Fan: www.facebook.com/JackieVonZwehl

Follow: www.twitter.com/JackieVonZwehl

Author Profile: www.goodreads.com/jackievonzwehl

Prizes for the tour are as follows:
• One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
• Two randomly chosen hosts will each receive a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.  Follow the tour for more chances to win!
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