Dara stars in Neurotically Yours, the new romantic comedy book by the author of Wedlocked: A Novel, Bonnie Trachtenberg.  I am honored to have Bonnie with me today on my blog to discuss her new novel and herself as well. 

Thanks for being with me today Bonnie.

BT: So nice to be here, Keith. Thanks for having me!

First question, who is Bonnie Trachtenberg and what makes her tick?

BT: How much space do I have? LOL  Well, I’m an author of romantic comedies (I have published two) and I’ve been a pretty eclectic writer for many years, everything from journalism to book reviews, children’s books and videos to advice columns and beyond. I think I’m a kind person who cares deeply for my family and friends. I’m a major animal lover, an environmentalist, and a spiritual person. There are certain issues I’m very passionate about (some might call opinionated) but only things I’m very well versed in and educated about. I’m a homebody, with a wonderful husband, four cats and a dog. That’s it in a nutshell!

So, what made you want to be a writer, and more importantly, write romantic comedies?

BT: I’ve always had a natural affinity for writing, ever since elementary school. I just always excelled on that front, so although throughout my life I’ve entertained thoughts of doing other things (film maker, lawyer, FBI agent believe it or not) the road always led me back to writing. Doors opened for me and I took advantage of all the opportunities. My favorite genre to read and watch in the movies has always been romantic comedies. I love romance and I love comedy and believe that when combined, they are both at their best! Therefore, it was an organic process that led me to write novels in this genre. If you’re going to hide away writing a manuscript for a year or so, it’s nice to have it be funny and entertaining.

Tell us a little bit more about Neurotically Yours, Dara and what it’s really about.

BT:  Neurotically Yours is the story of Dara Harrison, a long-time single, tell-it-like-it-is advice columnist in Los Angeles who preaches her views on love, while running from it herself. She opens up a very unusual new dating service geared for the perennially single and romantically challenged. At MateSearch, clients are encouraged to divulge everything about themselves, warts and all, in hopes of attracting true love. They are also asked to post reviews of their dates, which of course causes all kinds of trouble for the company. Then, a publicity stunt gone awry forces Dara to join the ranks of her lonely heart clientele, and she finds that saving her business means finally facing her lifelong fear of falling in love.

What was your inspiration behind Neurotically Yours?

BT: The inspiration was the two decades I spent out there in the dating world, weathering angst, unusual people, bizarre circumstances, broken hearts and more. There was a time I was sure I’d never find Mr. Right (luckily I finally did) but I’ll never forget what the journey was like and how it changed me. Many of the circumstances in the book were taken from my own life, as well as the experiences of my friends.  It’s great if you can turn difficult times in your life into entertaining books and that’s what I’ve done with both my novels.

What was the most exciting part about writing it?

BT: Making myself laugh with funny dialogue and amusing scenes and knowing in my heart that readers would laugh, too!

Were there any challenges with this story?

BT: My biggest challenge when writing is developing the plot. The characters always flow easily, as does the dialogue. I have to work more intently on the plotting, but with some effort it eventually comes together beautifully.

Thank you Bonnie.  Please connect with Bonnie here and check out her latest work, Neurotically Yours:

Website: http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com

Relationship column: http://loveahappyending.com/editor-bonnie-trachtenberg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/writebrainedny

Facebook: http://Facebook.com/BonnieTrachtenberg

Buy Neurotically Yours

Amazon: http://amzn.to/HY4PyF

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/IcWr0M

Today's Teaser Train features the work of R.S. Guthrie.  He is a great mystery-suspense writer who has written the likes of Black Beast and Lost.  Below is some information on his website, a teaser for his book Lost and a link to the book.  Please enjoy!

R.S.  Guthrie website - http://robonwriting.com

Meyer held things inside, next to his thick chest, divulging only what was necessary, and I liked him all the more for it. In my estimation, it made him more approachable. More human. I placed an inordinate amount of trust in him right from the beginning. That’s not something a Scotsman admits easily. I knew that from my father, Paddy Macaulay, who only ever let a handful of men close enough to hear his breathing.

In the Corps we called it The Nine.

Six to carry the casket, two as Honor Guard, one to count cadence.

I already thought of my cousin as one of the nine.

“Kind of quiet,” I said to him, just south of Buffalo, Wyoming.

“Mother Theresa taught her followers that God cannot be found in noise and restlessness.”

“I guess that explains a lot.”

“How so?”

“My own relationship with the Lord. Fractured, at best.”

“I think you are closer to him than you realize.”

I’d considered this very possibility for some time. Faith was always a tough rubric for me. I grew up as a pragmatist and a bit of a Missourian. I liked the tangible. Questions with answers. The laws of the physical Universe. The odds at the craps table. Divorce rates.

This belief structure based on pragmatism made the Calypso case, what we all witnessed, and more importantly the surprising claims regarding my family history, that much more implausible to the logicians in my head.

It is quite spectacular, the ability of erasure our grounded mind wields.

“Define distance,” I said.

“God’s distance does not necessarily relate to our own concept of such.”

“Explain.”

“Everything we consider is based on our own paradigm—the lenses through which we view Humanity, the Universe, even time.”

“I can go along with that,” I said.

“God’s view is from a vantage point of omniscience.”

“All seeing.”

“All knowing,” Meyer said, cracking the seal on a bottle of water from our ice chest. “God knows the permutations we’ve yet to consider.”

“Faith, however, is a human construct. A personal challenge, not a God thing.”

Before he could answer, a little girl ran from the dense pine forest, across the slight barrow ditch, and directly in front of the truck. My reactions were gelatinous, having been lullabied into apathy by several hours of Wyoming nothingness. As my foot moved instinctively to the brake, I realized there was not enough time or distance.

The mind is a funny thing. Given enough time, the brain would love to ponder such notions as a young girl having no place in the middle of Godforsaken Wyoming in the middle of a Wednesday night. But in a moment of mortal decision, the mind reacts. Our nature takes control. Sink or swim. Turn or run down an innocent.

I cranked the wheel and my truck lumbered left, crossing lanes, rubber crying out against the pavement. We missed the girl, but as I went onto the gravel shoulder of the far side, the back end started sliding and caught up with the front.

I resisted the instinct to overcorrect, kept the gas pedal mostly depressed, and let the sixty mile an hour sideways power slide continue. It was our only chance, though I’m pretty sure Meyer did not understand.

As the back end began to fishtail to the left again, I eased a bit off the gas and corrected by turning the wheel right to counterbalance the inertia building in the horizontal slide. After taking out a handful of mile-marker posts, and (thankfully) meeting no new oncoming traffic, we skidded to a stop with the front tires still on the edge of the two-lane blacktop.

           My heart was thudding like a bass drum in my chest and my fingers were cemented to the steering wheel. I turned to Meyer, who opened the door, leaned out, and vomited his dinner on the frigid night earth.

Get Lost!http://www.amazon.com/Clan-MacAulay-ebook/dp/B006RZ4U3K

Hello Bethany. A very warm welcome to you. Before we begin, could you please give us a brief introduction to your latest release XOXOXO?

Melissa has learned a lot since her freshman year began, but it isn’t over yet! Her world is about to change again with the birth of her new sibling, and she has to figure out how she will adjust to being the eldest of five kids. She, Jess, and Jimmy are inseparable, and she is having a fantastic time although she can’t help but miss Brian as she tries to learn how to deal with his relationship with Layla. Everything seems to be happening at once and that is when she is introduced to Ben Campbell, a senior at Dearborn High, who becomes an interesting distraction as he helps her deal with the new developments in her life.

The cover for the book has a feel of summer about it.  How much input do you have in the art work for your stories?

I create book covers through create space. Because of Melissa’s passion for photography, I have decided to use photographs for her book covers, and I love the look of them!

What future projects are you currently working on?

I am working on the third book in the Stories About Melissa Series. I have also begun an unrelated YA Fantasy, that I am having a fantastic time writing.

Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write?

I did a lot more research for xoxoxo. I really wanted my information to be accurate and ring true to people who have dealt with similar situations in their lives.

Which of your books is your favourite?

Ta Ta for Now! will always hold a special place in my heart, since it was my first book!

Which of your characters is your favourite?

Of course I love Melissa, but Megan is so much fun to write!

Thank you for talking with us today, Bethany.  Here is a short excerpt from her book, XOXOXO, launching today:

Melissa has learned a lot since her freshman year began, but it isn’t over yet! Her world is about to change again with the birth of her new sibling, and she has to figure out how she will adjust to being the eldest of five kids. She, Jess, and Jimmy are inseparable, and she is having a fantastic time although she can’t help but miss Brian as she tries to learn how to deal with his relationship with Layla. Everything seems to be happening at once and that is when she is introduced to Ben Campbell, a senior at Dearborn High, who becomes an interesting distraction as he helps her deal with the new developments in her life.

Here is a little about Bethany, and links to connect with her and to her book as well:

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her first novel through Amazon with CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing. Ta Ta for Now! is also now available through Smashwords at Barnes and Noble.com, on the Nook, and the Sony eReader. Her second novel in the series, xoxoxo, will be released on March 2, 2012.

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/bethany-lopez.html

www.bethanylopez.weebly.com

@bethanylopez2

http://www.amazon.com/Ta-Now-Bethany-L-Lopez/dp/1463563388/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67690
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/bethany-lopez

Today I have the pleasure of hosting author Jeanne Bannon on my blog.  I want to thank her for being here with me today.  Here is a little about Jeanne and her background:

I’ve worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. I started my career as a freelance journalist, then worked as an in-house editor for LexisNexis Canada and currently work as a freelance editor and writer.

I’ve had several short stories published and won first place in the Writes of Caledon Short Story Contest. My novels, The Barely Boy and Dark Angel were finalists in the 2010 and 2011 Strongest Start Contests. One of my short stories “Thom’s Journey” is part of an Anthology entitled A Visitor to Sandahl and is available at Amazon.com.
Invisible, my debut novel, is about a teenage girl who isn’t happy with herself and wishes she could disappear. And one day she does. Invisible is available on Amazon, Smashwords, and the Solstice Publishing website.

When not reading or writing, I enjoy being with my daughters, Nina and Sara and my husband, David. I’m also the proud mother of two fur babies, a sweet Miniature Schnauzer named Emily and Spencer, a rambunctious tabby, who can be a very bad boy.


Jeanne's book Invisible is a tale of the human spirit that will touch your heart.  Lola will both shock and impress you.  Here is a short blurb about her book:

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that... For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose. Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”. Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too… Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power. A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.


That's not the end of the fun, though.  The following is a diary excerpt written by Lola herself, and a sample of chapter 3 of Invisible; followed by links to Invisible.  I hope you all enjoy, and it has been a pleasure having Jeanne with me today:

Dear Diary,

I don’t know what to do! OMG, I hate those a-holes, Nino, Tyler and Julia. They jumped me at the park on my way home from my visit with Grandma Rose. I don’t know what’s worse, that I vanished again, or that Jon Kingsbury was hanging with them. He’s not like them. Jon’s good and kind and sweet.

It took a while to calm down after I got home. I just thank God, I’m back. I’m visible again. I knew it when I ran through the front door and my sister screamed at me to slow down.

Diary, it was horrible, they were beating me when I disappeared. That’s how I got away. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t. I’m living in some kind of bizzaro world, Diary. It didn’t think it was ever going to happen again, after all, it had been eight months since the first time I disappeared. I’m scared it’s going to start to happen more and more, and what if one of those times I don’t come back!

I want Charlie, my BFF. I’ve got to call her. I need a friend right now.


                                                                             Excerpt

                                                                    Chapter Three

I always leave Grandma Rose’s apartment with a smile on my face and an ache in my heart, wishing my mother were like her. How lucky for my mom to have such a wonderful, almost normal, mother. While I’m stuck with a parent in an ever-present state of adolescence, whose life’s mission is to desperately hang onto what’s left of her looks. My mom, with her rat’s nest of hair stacked high on her head, dyed cherry red with chunky blonde highlights and dark brown lowlights, and extensions thrown in for good measure. A woman can’t ever have too much hair, she’s forever saying. Giving me her version of what passes as parental advice. I prefer Gran’s words of wisdom – “extensions make a woman look trampy” and “dye your hair only when the white comes in.” It seems more dignified, because I think a woman can have too much hair.

Dad’s just as bad with his funky jeans, Ed Hardy tee-shirts, pointy-toed boots, pierced ears, tattoos and soul patch. He’s going to be fifty next year for God’s sake. The thought makes me cringe. I live with dim-witted middle-aged teenagers.

Gran tells me all the time it’s not what’s on the outside that’s important and I know she’s right. I suppose I’m a bit of a hypocrite, since I’m always complaining about my weight or my height, or the fact I don’t have a boyfriend. But I’m supposed to be obsessed with fitting in and with my looks, after all, I’m the teenager.

It’s only a ten-minute walk home from Gran’s. I tilt my face towards the sun, soaking in the warmth of the spring day as I make my way along familiar streets. When I approach the park on the corners of Whiteside Avenue and Moorehouse Drive, I stop dead. Sudden dread causes the beat of blood to fill my ears.

There are three boys and a girl - Nino Campese, Tyler Campbell, his girlfriend Julia and Jon Kingsbury. They’re seniors like me and even though we’ve known each other since kindergarten, once adolescence hit and separated the weak from the strong, the cool from the nerd, I became prey. Hunted by those better looking, and with more attitude, simply for entertainment.

I plunge my hands into the pockets of my jean jacket and hang my head. Taking large quick steps, I tread quietly. They’re talking and laughing and the foul scent of cigarette smoke wafts past me in the breeze. From the corner of my eye, I spot Julia and Tyler sharing a butt as they cling together under the large plastic orange slide. Nino’s holding court and Tyler’s laughing at something Nino’s said and Jon, well Jon just stands there looking bored.

Why is he with them? My heart sinks. I thought Jon was different.

Tyler’s eyes flicker my way, immediately I pick up my pace.

“Hey!” someone yells.

I don’t answer.

“Where do you think you’re goin’ ya fat cow,” Nino hollers, as he jogs up beside me followed by Julia and Tyler.

“Home,” I say, not stopping.

Nino jumps into my path. “Where’s your girlfriend?” He sneers and spits a snotty gob at my feet.

“Lesbo freak,” Julia chimes in and flicks a butt at my face.

It bounces off my chin with a burning sting. I glare down at her with her hawkish nose and eyes that are too close together. “Get out of my way,” I growl through gritted teeth and try to step around them, but Tyler grabs my elbow, his fingers bite into my flesh and a small groan escapes me.

“We’re not done talkin’ yet hippo,” he snarls.

I yank free. Tears sting my eyes and the heat of anger and embarrassment reddens my face.

“Leave me alone!” I scream and push. Tyler’s tall, but skinny and I manage to knock him on his ass. But as soon as I take a step, Nino and Julia are on me.

“Leave her alone,” Jon calls. He’s hung back away from the action and is still standing by the orange slide.

I slam a shoulder into Julia’s face and hear a crunch as my bulk meets her nose. Blood spurts and the purple blur of manicured nails flash past, as she whips a hand to her face.

She gazes up at me in surprise. “You broke my nose, you bitch!” Then she looks at Tyler with eyes that say ‘you better do something about this.’

My heart beats so hard, the swishing of blood in my ears is a roar. They’re swearing, yelling and threatening me, but panic has taken over as adrenaline pushes into my veins, and I make out nothing coherent.

I turn and try to run back the way I’d come. But another hand is on me, biting the flesh of my upper arm through the fabric of my jacket. Then a fist smashes into the back of my head. “You’re nothin’ but a fat dyke.”

My knees smack the gritty concrete as my legs buckle, and deep heaving sobs erupt from me. Why do they hate me?

“Where the hell did she go?” Nino asks, his voice laced with astonishment.

“Holy shit!” Julia and Tyler exclaim at the same time. “What the…?”

Slowly, I pivot and look at them. They’re turning in circles searching for me.

Jon is with them now. “She’s gone,” he whispers in wide-eyed disbelief.

“What? How?” Nino asks.

I creep away on elastic legs.

                                                                             LINKS

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Jeanne-Bannon/dp/1466368756/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318029462&sr=8-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/88217

Solstice Publishing: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/Invisible-%252d%252d-Print.html

Today's feature is "Skeleton Lake" by author Angela Kulig, please check out a teaser excerpt from her book and follow the link after to her work on Amazon:

Skeleton Lake Teaser:

My knees felt week, but so did the rest of me.  I meant to sit, but as drained as I was all I could really do was collapse.  Conrad was by my side before I felt myself fall.  He was trying to stand me back up, but I didn't want to.  I wanted him to tell me it was a joke, but I knew he wasn't kidding.

When I had first met Conrad, all I had wanted to do was wipe that stupid grin off his face, but now I wanted its return.

Conrad gave up on getting me on my feet and pulled me close to his hollow chest.  His heart beat rhythmically as his breath tickled my neck.  He seemed far too solid to be made of so many holes. 

"It will be alright," he breathed, sending several curls flying into the wind.

It didn't feel like it would be though, and I kept thinking I was the one that should be filled with holes as I was so empty feeling.

Skeleton Lake Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Skeleton-Lake-ebook/dp/B005WXSWTG

Over the last 3 days of the Sun Stopped Shining blog tour, I will be taking entries to win a FREE autographed paperback copy of one of my books.  I will be giving away a copy of each, so each entry gets you a chance to win each.

Here's the contest:

1 Entry for each book - Like my Facebook fan page: Fanpage
1 Entry for each book - Tweet this:  Dec 29-31 Win a FREE Autographed paperback book by @drmweave2501 contest rules here http://bit.ly/nir9bZ #SunStoppedShining #mustread #IAN1
2 Entries for each book - Comment on this post and discuss the following: What would you do if the sun stopped shining?  What is your greatest fear, and how would that pertain to this tragedy?

One final note, you may use all entries for one book if you prefer that one, just note that in a comment here (for example; if you follow my FB page and discuss the questions in a comment, you get 3 entries for each book, or 6 for one particular one).

I will draw the two winners on New Year's Day, thanks for participating and happy reading!

Today's blog focuses on what you think is the scariest/creepiest moment in horror, either in literature or movie.  Is it a hard to watch movie scene, or the slow detailed description of something horrific happening over several pages?  Tell me what you think is your moment and why for a chance to win an e-copy of my supernatural horror book The Nefarious.

Also, please visit the blog tour site and check out all the other great posts, contests and giveaways:

The Sun Stopped Shining Tour

Day 2 of the Sun Stopped Shining blog tour, and I want to know who your favorite fantasy character is and why, can be either book or movie.  Leave a comment and tell me, I will select a winner from today to receive a FREE e-copy of my fantasy book Nebulous.

Mine is Tock from The Phantom Tollbooth.  I fell in love with the book and movie as a kid, and still love it today.  Tock is a "Watch" Dog who actually has a built in clock to tell time.  He befriends Milo who is on his own on a quest to the Castle in the Air.  Tock becomes a brave and wise companion, and lovable in every sense of the word.

Also, please visit the tour homepage and visit other sites, plenty of great posts, contests and giveaways going on:  Blog Tour Page

Today kicks off the Sun Stopped Shining blog tour, celebrating horror, sci-fi and fantasy with over 50 other authors.  Please visit the tour site and check out all the blog posts:

Blog Tour

For Day 1, I would like to introduce HorrO and his site dedicated to horror of all kinds, PromoteHorror.com.  Please visit the site and enjoy:

One of my goals with PromoteHorror.com is to simply be a friend to the horror community.  After I started HorrO's Gory Reviews, I was introduced to a whole new world of horror.  I kind of knew it was out there, but never searched for it.  So with that, I'm just trying to use the site as a place where fans of horror can come, and find all different kinds of horror.

In the brief time the site has been up, I have met a lot of great people  I would have otherwise never talked to.  I have seen some awesome films, artwork and photos.  I've even scored free stuff, which is always welcome!  One thing I regret is not having more time to enjoy some of the other things I have been offered such as books.

I like to do other things for the site on Twitter and Facebook such as "Site of the Night."  I go through all of my followers' sites and when something jumps out at me, I make it "Site of the Night."  I will reward others for RT's of my promotions, and when others are trying to get their works out there.  I also try to follow everyone that follows me back.

I also do a weekly feature post on my site called "What Would You Like To Promote."  I give people here a chance to promote their own work in the comment section.  I'll even take these promotions and add them to a page, or even do a full promotion for it.

I have been very happy with the response of the site.  I have been doing HorrO's Gory Reviews for over 2 years now, and the site has been running for about 6 months.  In that short time, I have done more posts for PromoteHorror.com than all the Gory Reviews

Promote Horror

Now through December 31, over 100 great eBooks to celebrate a great 2011!  Get 1 FREE for every 3 you buy, and other giveaways.  Thanks to all who have participated, and thanks to all you readers out there! 

Also, for every person that purchases my new fantasy novel Nebulous, I will gift my supernatural horror novel The Nefarious to, just email me the receipt from Amazon for Nebulous:  keith.a.weaver@gmail.com


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