Category: Guest (Page 28 of 43)

A Sweet Valentine’s Post from Penny Estelle Author of A Float Down the Canal

February 14, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

A sweet treat for all of you on Valentine’s Day from Penny Estelle, author of the MG short A Float Down the Canal. Leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win a copy. Welcome, Penny!

Since Katie was nice enough to let me visit her blog on Valentine’s Day, I though I would talk about what some folks have done for their sweethearts on this special day. I put out a request for some of my blog followers and friends as to what they have actually done. I received many stories of going to dinner, receiving candy and jewelry, going to a favorite Bed and Breakfast, etc…..all wonderful stories. I did receive three that I thought were quite unique.

1. Mr. X happened to be off work on this particular Valentine’s Day and flipped the TV to the Oprah Show. She suggested having her favorite dinner ready, spreading rose petals from the front door to the couch where a new nightie would be spread out. Run a bubble bath for her just before she gets home and have chilled champagne waiting for her at the door. He ran out and bought all the above and completely set this scenario. He had just finished the bubble bath when Mrs. X drove into the driveway. He grabbed the two glasses of champagne and waited at the door. The door opened and in walked his wife, with their neighbor’s twelve year old son. (The neighbor’s other son had broken his wrist at school and asked Mrs. X to pick up her other son.) Now this is why men should NEVER go off track with a proven, first class, plan), He decided to be naked…with a rose tied to his….uhm…best friend. After Mr. X ran to the bedroom, the neighbor’s son said, “Somebody’s planning on getting lucky tonight!”

2. This time Mrs. X went to where her husband works and completely decorated his car. She painted all the windows with “Happy Valentines Day” “Hurry home for a big surprise”. She put helium filled balloons inside the car with messages about what her plans for him were when he got home. Pairs of sexy panties were laying in the front seat complete with a picture of Mrs. X in a bubble bath holding a glass of champagne and blowing him a kiss. Well he was hurrying home when he got pulled over by a policeman, because he felt his car was a distraction. With a penlight, the policeman, saw the panties and read some of the balloons. He looked at Mr. X and said, “You are one lucky man. Drive safe!”

3. THIS WAS MY FAVORITE – This Mr. and Mrs. X lived off the PacificBeach. Mr. X loved steamed clams. The day before Valentines Day, at night, Mrs. X and a friend went to the beach and buried a bottle of champagne, plastic glasses, clams (in Ziploc bags) a deep sauce pan, two gallons of water and lighter fluid. She also had wood that she hid up against a cliff wall. Now it’s not warm in February, so as the sun was just starting to rise, Mrs. X got Mr. X up and headed to the beach, with a blanket. She drew a huge sigh of relief when nothing was bothered. So as the sun rose into the sky Mr. and Mrs. X had a fire going, clams steaming and toasting champagne. Now that’s love!!!

A Float Down the Canal blurb:

Not a Valentine’s Day story, but a sweet story of puppy love

and one where the underdog finally wins!!!

Twelve-year old Pam Simpson gets dumped on when her mother is called into work. She must cancel her plans for the mall to babysit her younger brother and his friend and take them to the public pool. To make matters worse her cousin, Candy, is also coming over for the day. She doesn’t even like Candy!

Much to Candy’s dismay, transportation to the pool is on inner tubes, floating down the canal. One thing leads to another and it is Pam who, once again, must save the day.

When things couldn’t seem worse, the day takes a drastic turn for the better and it is Candy, and the float down the canal, that makes this the best day of Pam’s life!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUQEZYE

About the Author:

I write stories for the young and for the young at heart. More about my stores and myself can be found at the following links. Stop by anytime. I love visitors!

http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

www.pennystales.com

www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/Pennystales

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5820078.Penny_Estelle

http://www.facebook.com/pennystales

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82

Thanks to Katie for having me today. I would love to offer a PDF copy of A Float Down the Canal to one commenter who stops by and leaves an email address!

Meet LRS author of Launching Sisters to WitchCamp

February 7, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I’ve got a special treat (or trick) today with LRS, author of the MG fantasy Launching Sisters to WitchCamp (see my 5-star Goodreads review here). One lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive a free copy of the book, so make sure to say hi in the comments section (this contest in now closed and a winner has been chosen). Welcome, LRS!

A Tale of Psychological Horrors and Reports, and Overgrown Nails

My brothers claim that growing up, I was an award-winning storyteller. They’ve never forgotten the tales I entertained them with about a quarter of a century ago.

Don’t be too impressed, my stories are not memorable for their genius; rather, I fed them psychological horrors. It’s kind of ironic, because though it took me until my thirties to author stories, I did major in psychology.

On a serious note, in a roundabout way, psychology is what led me to this childhood dream. Contrary to other psychotherapy interns, I appreciated writing client assessments. The danger of reports is that they can make the clients appear to be but a sum total of their issues; I embraced the challenge to portray my clients for who they really were as people.

It’s my work on characterization that fired up my dormant passion. I indulged myself, and set out to write a YA series (which is a work in progress under a different pen name). As I navigate this process, I’m constantly reminded of the extent that my psychological background influences my craft. I’ll let editors do pretty much whatever they want with my manuscripts, but I’m overprotective of my characters. For example, I’m particular that each and every piece of their dialogue should be true to them.

As a side note, I gave Launching Sisters to WitchCamp’s editor, Katie, a free hand with my characters too, as she “got” them right off the bat. I’m sure many authors can relate to the sense of pleasure / satisfaction when others grasp their characters well. To me, it’s reminiscent of the feeling mental health workers have when they sense another professional understands their client.

Launching Sisters to WitchCamp, was born during a transition period between book one and two in my YA series. I remember exactly where I was standing when the idea behind the story hit me: the bathroom sink with a nail clipper aimed at my daughter’s grotesquely long nails.

She was putting up a resistance that would impress the IRA, and I had to come up with the ultimate motivator in the few seconds I had before she’d bolt.

“If your nails get any longer, the Witches’ Camp will come for you!”

The rest is history.

Oh, and don’t worry that I’ve set out to horrify you in Launching Sisters to WitchCamp. As long as you’re no giant, goblin, or monster, you’re quite safe.

Launching Sisters to WitchCamp blurb:

Sixth-grader J.J. learns there are no easy breaks in life.

When J.J. discovers the opportunity to send his maddening sisters off to WitchCamp, he has fantasies of a delightful summer. However, J.J. and his friend are soon off on a ride they didn’t anticipate — one that lands them in a chilling mess of witch hunts and creature feasts.

With his creative ideas, J.J. utilizes their risky escapades to escape. But making deals with superhuman creatures just lands them in hotter water.

Now it’s up to J.J. to save them all from certain death by being more imaginative and daring than ever before.

Buy the book at the MuseItUp bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and other e-book retailers.

About the Author:

LRS has a master’s degree in psychology. For more than ten years she pretended to be working while she was on the floor enjoying playtime with kids.

She has lived on the eastern and western coasts of the U.S.A, as well as abroad, and currently resides in Canada with her family. Wherever she is, she can’t pass by a toy store without going inside.

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found in her kitchen, where she’s either baking (and sampling) cookies or stirring a pot. (Unfortunately, she has yet to find a magical spoon.)

To learn more about LRS and her book visit her website, Facebook page, or Twitter feed (@LaunchingSister).

And off to the comments for a chance to win a copy of Launching Sisters to WitchCamp!

Japanese Wedding Traditions from S.J. Pajonas Author of Released

January 29, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I’m super thrilled to have S. J. Pajonas and her Nogiku Series back on the blog. She is celebrating her the release of book #2 Released (see my 5-star Goodreads review here) and sharing a bit about Japanese weddings and offering a giveaway. Welcome, S. J.!

Whenever I sit down to write another book in the Nogiku Series, I first think hard about what new and interesting Japanese traditions I want to highlight in that book. For REMOVED, I introduced a lot of Japanese language and culture but made sure to touch on a few bigger events: New Year’s Eve, swordfighting, Japanese food and the izakaya phenomenon, a geisha party, and then a taiko drumming concert. It was a hard one to beat!

So when RELEASED came before me, I was pleased that one main event would stand out: a wedding! Now, I’ve been a Japanophile for as long as I can remember and when my husband and I got married, I incorporated a few Japanese traditions into our ceremony. Let’s look at a few of the more obvious Japanese wedding traditions and then I’ll touch on the traditions of attending a wedding.

Japanese Wedding

The dress, the umbrella, and the cups

A traditional Japanese wedding kimono is called a shiromuku (“Shiro” meaning white and “muku” meaning purity) and it is one beast of a kimono. I actually own one. I bought it before we got married because I thought it might be fun to get married in one, but I tried it on once and decided against it. They are very heavy, made of silk and usually woven in intricate patterns across the back. Mine has a heron and bamboo woven into it. The hem is unusual as well. It’s stuffed and padded, rounded so that the fabric weighs straight when worn.

In the photo above, you’ll notice that everything the bride is wearing is white. This is also a tradition symbolizing her purity and her willingness to be dyed the colors of her groom. The wedding hood she wears is the wataboshi and is usually only worn during the ceremony.

The red umbrella is very symbolic of Japanese weddings. The color red in Japan means life and wards off evils and the umbrella itself keeps the bride dry if it happens to be raining. It’s quite large and usually carried by man who follows the bride in a wedding procession.

The tradition of san-san-kudo was a component of my own wedding ceremony. I describe it in RELEASED as:

“One of the temple maidens lays out three cups of different sizes: small, medium, and large. I’m familiar with this ritual called san-san-kudo, three-three-nine times. The tradition is the bride and groom each take three sips from each of the three cups, going from smaller to larger cup, until each has consumed nine sips of rice wine. Nine is a lucky number for couples because it cannot be divided equally in two, and the number three is also lucky because it’s prime. So three, three times, is three times as lucky.”

So the interesting thing about san-san-kudo is that the number 9 itself is considered an unlucky number in Japan. It’s pronunciation, ku, sounds like the word for “torture” or “agony” and it is often omitted from places like hospitals. All Nippon Airways does not use the number either. But in the case of this ceremony, since it’s three times three, it’s different.

Writing a wedding ceremony

I have never been to a Japanese Shinto wedding so, writing about one, I wondered what they were like. I’m so thankful for YouTube! I watched several before I sat down to write the wedding in the book. Here’s a playlist of several videos you might be interested in. (The first one in this list was so beautiful it made me cry. Make sure you have tissues.)

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWPSOQScLodyOkoVh7p8kfuF7fTj56mSg

Attending a Japanese wedding

I don’t go into much detail in RELEASED about what guests are expected to do at a Japanese wedding because the event is very dramatic for Sanaa, my heroine, all on its own. But here are a few things to remember if you’re ever invited to one.

A wedding gift is usually cash and sometimes the invites will come with a suggested Yen amount to be gifted depending on how well you know the bride or groom. The gift should be given in one-man bills (equal to about $100) and should be an odd number so they cannot be split evenly between the couple. There is a special white envelope tied in red that should be used and the fancier the envelope the better. Most stationery stores in Japan have them.
Dress nicely! Japanese weddings are not dressed-down affairs. It’s not black-tie, but it’s close. If you’re a woman, wear a nice dress (not black), get your hair done, etc. Men, please wear a nice suit. Ties are a must. If in doubt, dress conservatively.
There are usually several after-ceremony parties unlike Western ceremonies. The first one you attend is the main one, then there may be several after that organized by the friends and/or family. You are usually required to pay to attend them (which covers drinks, food, the venue, etc). Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand.
Please do not be late! Arrive early for everything.
You may be asked to give a speech. Yes. It seems most people at a Japanese wedding are expected to say something nice to the bride and groom. A short, congratulatory statement will do.

Still interested?

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese weddings, read this article on GoJapan.About.com.

And I have also put together this Pinterest board on Japanese Weddings. Enjoy!

(All images in this post are used under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)

S J Pajonas Removed

REMOVED (The Nogiku Series, #1)
By S. J. Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: Adult
Release Date: September 11, 2013

Blurb:
Can she piece together the truth before Earth’s last city tears itself apart?

It’s easy for Sanaa to ignore the first signs of trouble. After all, she’s living her dream with a job and life she loves. But when she’s reassigned as a data analyst for a mysterious, well-connected man, she starts to piece together the alarming reality. Corrupt clans vie for control of the city, desperate for a ticket off the dying planet.

As war looms between the clans, Sanaa’s new boss sends her to train with Jiro, an expert swordsman. Forbidden to share the dangerous secrets she’s learned with her family, she confides in Jiro, bringing them closer with every word, strike, and parry. Together, they realize that Sanaa’s boss is keeping secrets of his own.

When the truth comes to light, the war and Sanaa’s world could be changed forever. To save her family and forge a new peace for her city, Sanaa has no choice but to risk her life for the human race.

REMOVED is the first installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan. If you like tenacious heroines, sizzling chemistry, and unique post-apoc settings, then you’ll love S. J. Pajonas’ dystopian adventure.

You can find REMOVED on Goodreads

Want to view some inspirational images for REMOVED, visit the REMOVED inspirational Pinterest board

You can find all the links to download REMOVED at https://www.spajonas.com/removed/

S J Pajonas Released

RELEASED (The Nogiku Series, #2)
By S. J. Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: December 17, 2013

Blurb:
Sanaa must deal with her fate.

Left in the desert to recuperate from her injuries, Sanaa Itami paces the floors and contemplates her mistakes. She trusted too easily, and now people she loved are dead, killed at the hands of men coming to assassinate her. Sanaa feels beaten, but life awaits her at home. While her city recovers from the devastating earthquake, negotiations for Sanaa’s future continue. New allies must be made, new friendships brokered, new skills acquired — at all costs.

Life at the top of the chain is complicated and lonely, though. With all her friendships rocky and uncertain, Sanaa must learn to trust others again more than she’s willing. Who is left holding a grudge? And will the new family Sanaa has found with Jiro support or betray her?

RELEASED is the second installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan.

You can find RELEASED on Goodreads

You can find all the links to purchase RELEASED at https://www.spajonas.com/released/

About the Author:

Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, amateur astrologer, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves foxes, owls, sushi, yoga pants, Evernote, and black tea. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing or spending time outside, unless it’s winter. She hates winter. Someday she’ll own a house in both hemispheres so she can avoid the season entirely. She’s a mom to two great kids, one feisty dog named Lulu Ninja Assassin, and lives with her husband and family outside NYC. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com

You can find her online here…
Website: https://www.spajonas.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SJPajonas/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/spajonas/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/spajonas/
Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-j-pajonas
Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/author/sjpajonas/
Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233209.S_J_Pajonas

The Princes of A Different Kind of Knight by Mary Waibel

January 24, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

It’s always a pleasure to have my writing buddy and fabulous author Mary Waibel on the blog. Today we get a truly swoon-worthy character interview in triplet as Mary chats with Princes Devlin, Trevor, and Brody. Mary’s latest YA fantasy A Different Kind of Knight comes out next week. She has a great BOGO deal going on and a giveaway, too. Welcome, Mary and Princes!

A peek inside a meeting with Prince Devlin, Prince Trevor, and Prince Brody

I cannot believe how lucky I was to get an invitation to visit Wyvern Castle. This palace is absolutely gorgeous! Towers, incredible stonework, amazing tapestries. My guest room, on the second floor, is almost the size of my living room and kitchen together- HUGE!

A large mirror hangs on the wall, touching the floor. Noticing it looks crooked, I step over to straighten it, gasping when it swings open, revealing a servants passage. So that’s how they got my cases up here without me seeing them. Curious, I step inside and wander around. Hearing the sound of muffled voices, I stop and look through an opening in the wall.

I peer into what looks to be a library, filled wall to wall, and floor to second story ceiling, with books. On the wall to the left is a fireplace, the blazing fire taking the damp chill from the air. Lounging on overstuffed leather chairs are Princes Devlin, Trevor, and Brody. They each wear their respective kingdoms’ colors. Trevor in blue and silver, Devlin in black and silver, and Brody in green and gold. Trevor wears his dark blond hair loose, while Devlin has his black hair tied at the nape of his neck. Brody’s sun-streaked blond hair is loose, and his beard braids nice and neat.

It’s easy to see the three are close friends, especially given the teasing comments flying around the room. I take a step forward, and a door swings open. Three pairs of eyes pin me in place as their hands drift toward their waists, and the blades they’ve concealed there.

Me: (blushing, hands held up) Sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.

Trevor: (chuckles) That’s okay. We’re all a little on edge. (stands and waves to a seat) Please, come in and join us.

Me: (sits and looks around) Has something happened that has you all so nervous?

Trevor: No, but given the events of the last year one can never be too careful.

Devlin: So true. It’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe; even family can be out to get you.

Brody: At least your sister only put you under a spell. It’s worse when they try to kill you.

Trevor: (grins) I guess I’m the lucky one. No one in my family has it out for me.

Brody: (arches a brow) If that’s true, then why does Bri’s brother Sebastian keep looking at you like he wants to pound you?

Trevor: (pales and looks at the library door) Slight misunderstanding. Something about making Bri cry. I’m sure she’ll explain it all and everything will be fine.

Devlin: (eyes crinkle as he laughs) Oh, a protective brother type?

Trevor: (mutters under his breath.) Overprotective, if you ask me.

Brody: Shall I mention that when I see him?

Trevor: (glares at Brody) No. Not unless you want a repeat of what happened in your aunt’s flower garden.

Brody: (laughs) I’ll pass. By the way, how did you manage to get Aunt Yvonne to let you off the hook for destroying her prized rose bush?

Trevor: (smiles) That’s something I’ll take to my grave. Can’t have you learning all my secrets, now can I?

Devlin: Speaking of secrets, what’s in the future for you, Brody?

Brody: (smiles widely) Well, I don’t know if I should spoil the fun. I mean, my book hasn’t even come out yet, and you want me to give up secrets about it?

Trevor: Maybe not all, but just one?

Brody: (strokes his beard braids as he thinks) All right. Just one. How do you think I’d match with Princess Gabrielle of Faldaera?

Trevor: (laughs loudly) I think she’d never have you. She turned down my father’s proposal―said I wasn’t, and I quote, a skilled enough warrior for her liking.

Devlin: (chuckles and shakes his head) Sounds like she had your number, but certainly the same cannot be said for Brody. He’

s a much more skilled fighter than you. After all, tales of his skill have reached far to the north of Breneira. So, is it a good match?

Brody: I guess you’ll have to read my story and find out.

Different Kind of Knight 300 dpi A Different Kind of Knight blurb:

Through a twist of fate, Princess Gabrielle became First Knight of the King’s Elite Guard, a position always held by the second born male. She’s spent years proving to the Minsters of Faldaera she is capable of leading the king’s Army.

When mythical creatures plague her kingdom, Rielle is sent to capture Captain Brody, the alleged culprit behind the attacks and the man who broke her heart four years ago.

Brody, Crown Prince of Delphine, is living in self-imposed exile, atoning for the sins of his father. But Fate has different plans for him. Tired, beaten down, and ready to give up on life, he is tossed into the path of the one person he would do anything for―Princess Gabrielle.

With a traitor in her ranks, and a mark on her head, Brody joins forces with Rielle, hoping to keep the woman he loves safe. Happily-ever-after is not guaranteed, and mythical creatures aren’t the only danger the couple face. As battles rage, Rielle has the chance to prove herself a capable leader, but will doing so cost her the love of her life?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet T.B. Markinson Author of Marionette

January 17, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

Please welcome author, blogger, and traveler T.B. Markinson as talks about her recently released YA Marionette. Welcome, T.B.!

Did you always know you wanted to write? If so, what prompted you to turn your dream into reality?

Ever since grade school I wanted to pursue writing. Over the years I would jot down stories and I started at least one novel but never finished it. Life always interfered. I was working full-time and whenever I tried to take my writing to the next level, something would happen and I found myself consumed with everyday life. Then over two years ago my partner’s company asked us to move from Boston to London. Suddenly I was unemployed. The transfer was supposed to last two years and my partner and I decided that I would use the time to give writing a go. So I pulled an unfinished manuscript out of the drawer and got to work. Now the book is published and I’ve completed the second one, Marionette. It’s a wonderful feeling and I feel so lucky that life worked out the way it did. And we fell in love with London and have extended our time here.

Did you explore traditional publication before deciding to self-publish? Why did you choose to self-publish?

At first I wanted to go the traditional route and started searching for a publisher. I narrowed it down to a couple of publishers I wanted to pursue. Then one went out of business and when I dug a little deeper into the other one I found out that many of their writers were disappointed with their contracts and the publisher. I started to rethink my choice. I knew my odds of signing with a large publisher were more than a long shot considering I hadn’t published before and my genre is lesbian fiction. I didn’t want to sign with a small publisher and then figure out too late that the publisher wouldn’t do enough. I decided if I wanted it done my way I had to be in charge of all the details. So far, I don’t regret my decision. And I’ve learned so much about editing, cover design, publishing, and marketing. Each day I continue to learn. Who knows what will happen in the future, but I’m excited to see what does.

Writing a book must be like a dream come true. Now that you’ve been published how does the dream and the reality compare?

That is an interesting question. It’s fantastic knowing that I finally did it. I talked about publishing for so long and now I can say yes I did publish a novel. But since hitting the publish button I’ve been so busy promoting it I haven’t really had time to enjoy it. No matter what, there’s always something more that needs doing. It’s exciting, frustrating, daunting, and tiring. Yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way. In my experience, work is work. And until now I haven’t had many jobs that I liked or was that committed to. Writing and publishing are not easy, but at least I love what I do now. That makes it a whole lot easier when my alarm goes off each morning. And working from home helps. I love wearing my pajamas to work every day. Companies should allow that.

Who’s your favorite character in your latest novel Marionette?

Paige, the main character. I love her intelligence, bravery, and wicked sense of humor. She’s the type of person I would like to know in real life. Not only is she strong, but she has a vulnerability about her that really drew me to her. And she’s snarky. I like that.

How did you up with the idea for Marionette?

I wanted to write a novel about a young woman who is going through a lot. Paige has a lot going on: she tried to kill herself, is hiding the fact that she’s a lesbian from her family and college roommates, and is dealing with tension about an amendment dealing with gay and lesbian rights. When I started the novel I had a general idea of where it would go, but Paige ended up being a lot stronger than I ever imagined. She surprised me on many occasions and I admired her strength.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

My advice is simple. Sit down and write. So many people tell me that they’ve always wanted to write a book and when I ask them how often they write I usually hear, “Oh I don’t actually write anything, but I would like to.” There’s no magic formula to becoming a writer. You just have to force yourself every day to sit down and write. I think many would be surprised by how quickly a story comes together. Even if you only write 500 words a day, it adds up. Right now I’m trying to write 2,000 words a day. Sometimes I make it and other days I don’t. But the important thing is I continue to write and stay focused on the story.

What’s your favorite time of day?

Anytime after the first hour after waking up. I really enjoy life, but I hate mornings. Whenever my alarm trills the first word that pops into my head is not suitable for this post. I don’t understand morning people at all. Saying that, I should mention that I love watching the sunrise. I know it doesn’t make sense. Here’s a warning, don’t say hi to me until I’ve had my first cup of tea. After that, I’m friendly and ready to start the day. Before that, I can’t be blamed for my behavior. I did warn you.

What’s your horoscope sign?

All my life I thought I was a Taurus. Then I moved to England and checked my horoscope in the paper. That’s when I realized I’ve been living a lie. My birthday is on May 20^th. In the States that’s the cutoff date for a Taurus. In England, it’s the first day for Gemini. I’m so confused. But I’m also stubborn so I keep telling people I’m a Taurus. This leads me to believe that I actually am a Taurus. After thirty-nine years it’s hard to change.

Marionette blurb:

Paige Alexander is seventeen and has her whole life in front of her. One day her girlfriend comes home to discover that Paige has slit her wrists. Paige isn’t insane, but she acts like she is. Why?

After the incident, Paige agrees to go to therapy to appease her girlfriend, Jess. However, Paige doesn’t believe that therapy will help her. She believes she’s beyond help. Paige doesn’t want to find herself and she doesn’t want to relive her painful past in order to come to terms with it. What Paige wants is control over her life, which she hasn’t had since her birth.

During her childhood, Paige is blamed for a family tragedy, when in fact, her twin sister, Abbie was responsible. Abbie doesn’t come forward and Paige becomes the pariah of the family.

To add to Paige’s woes while attending a college in a small town in Colorado, the residents are in the midst of debating whether or not gays and lesbians should have equal rights. Tension is high and there’s a threat of violence. She isn’t out of the closet and pretends to be straight at school since she fears what will happen if her parents find out she’s a lesbian. Will she end up dead like her best friend, Alex?

Purchase Links: Amazon (US) Amazon (UK)

About the Author:

T. B. Markinson is a 39-year old American writer, living in England, who pledged she would publish before she was 35. Better late than never. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling around the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order. Marionette is her second novel. A Woman Lost was her debut novel.

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