For those with a Kindle or Nook, I would like to suggest the suspenseful and engaging story– Giving Up the Ghost by Stacy Deanne.

Albany Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris is having the year from hell. A sadistic admirer has been stalking her for months and now her friend Cheyenne Wilson has been beaten and left for dead.

With her ex-lover and faithful partner, Steven Kemp, Bree thrusts herself into the case. It’s not long before they believe two unrelated British men are connected to the attack. Michael is a womanizing artist with a ferocious appetite for rough sex. Simon is a wealthy free spirit looking for love in all the wrong places, but has one too many skeletons in his closet.

Bree struggles to determine fact from fiction when it comes to Michael and Simon but her attempts are blurred by Michael’s manipulation and her sexual attraction to Simon, who Steven’s convinced cannot be trusted.

Meanwhile the stalker does everything in his power to get close to Bree and his obsession evokes a spiral of violence.

Bree must trust her heart to find answers but her heart leads her to the most dangerous man of all.

“Giving Up The Ghost” is BOOK ONE of Stacy’s crime/mystery and interracial romance series featuring the strong willed and fiery detective Brianna “Bree” Morris and her lovesick, hot-tempered partner and ex-lover Steven Kemp who debuted in Stacy’s award-winning 2008 novel Melody.

Q & A Session with “Giving up the Ghost” Characters Bree Morris and Steven Kemp

By Stacy Deanne

Hello All,

I had the best experience a writer could ever have!  The main characters of my new interracial romantic suspense series, Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp popped up! So of course I couldn’t let these two go without doing a little interview.  It was very interesting and I know you’ll love it! This is how it went…

Days Earlier

Stacy: So Bree and Steve I’m so excited to have caught you! I mean seems like you hardly have time for your good ole’ buddy Stacy anymore and…

Steven: Can we wrap this up? I have a photo shoot at two.

Stacy: Oh uh, really? You have a photo shoot? For what may I ask?

Steven: Character Magazine.  Jeez Stacy didn’t you know?

Bree: Uh obviously she didn’t if she asked, Steve.

Steven: Oh here we go. In bitch mode again, Bree?

Stacy: Uh you guys…

Bree: Just like you to think a woman’s a bitch for making you look stupid. If that were the case then every woman in your life would be a bitch right?

Stacy: (laughs) Ouch. Good one, Bree.

(Hi-five)

Steven: Oh yeah so funny.

Stacy: Come on and be nice at least for a little bit. Just tell us a bit about yourselves, your goals in the story and a little about the series from your perspectives.  Bree?

Bree: Well…

Steven: Hold it. Why does she always get to go first? Am I gonna spend another book being second to Bree?

Bree: I’m the main character.

Steven. So am I. 

Bree: Share then. Jeez! Go on and go first. Is it really this serious?

Stacy: Go on, Steve.

Steve: Oh yeah, well hello everyone. Some of you already know me. I’m Detective Steven Kemp and I’m with the Albany Police Department. I debuted with Bree in Stacy’s 2008 novel, “Melody”. We…

Bree: They already know this stuff, Steve. The people don’t have all day and neither do I.

Stacy: Just try to be brief.

Steven: (exhales) Well, Bree and I are very close, best friends I guess you’d say. We used to be lovers until she kicked me to the curb.”

Bree: I did not kick you to the curb.

Steven: I’d do anything for her and she has my back too.  In “Giving up the Ghost”, we go on a very, shall I say, interesting adventure.  Our friend Cheyenne Wilson is beaten and almost dies.  We have to find out who did it. Twists and turns run amok and even though I was there I still can’t believe all that went on. You’d have to read it to see.

Bree: Just when we got close to a lead something threw us off track. Stacy knows her stuff.

Stacy: Aww thanks, guys. Do you think you two will ever get back together during the series?

Bree: I think that’s up to you, Stacy. But I’d like to tell the audience that they will not be disappointed with “Giving up the Ghost”. It’s a story where they will not only be entertained but also learn so much about themselves. It will make you examine your feelings about a lot of different things. There are some very serious things going on and it’s not all just about entertainment.  I reached my limit dealing with that stalker and all.

Stacy: Please share more about that.

Bree: I want those who’ve gone through the same thing to know there is help out there. It’s a serious crime and you should be aware before things get out of hand. It snuck up on me and it can sneak up on others too.

Steven: That’s right. Never know what nut you’ll attract.

Stacy: Well I am so glad we did this! Anything else?

Steven: Yeah we’d like the audience to get ready for “The Season of Sin”, the second book in the series coming late 2011.  We’re involved in a homicide and nothing is, as it seems.  Check it out.

Bree: It’ll be in print April first, guys!

Stacy: (laughs) Thanks guys for sharing!

Steven: Yeah maybe now Stacy won’t be so stingy and will share some of that royalty money.

Bree: Oh you’re on that kick again, Steve?

Steven: Damn straight. Publishers should pay characters. We do all the work.

                                                End of Interview

Thanks all for popping in. I hope you check out “Giving up the Ghost” for more of Bree and Steven. As you can see, they are very entertaining and you’ll never know what will happen next.

Best Wishes!

Giving up the Ghost (Book 1 in the Bree and Steven Series) Peace in the Storm Publishing

Genre: crime/mystery, interracial romance, suspense, detective fiction

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Ghost-Publishing-Presents-ebook/dp/B004QZ9OXO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1299672324&sr=1-9

Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Giving-Up-The-Ghost/Stacy-Deanne/e/2940012238443/?itm=22&USRI=peace+in+the+storm+publishing

Free Sample: http://www.stacy-deanne.net/files/Giving_up_the_Ghost_Free_Sample.pdf

To read more about my past titles and me: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

To get an inside look inside the series visit the new Bree and Steven Series site: http://breeandstevenseries.webs.com

Enter for a chance to win one of three copies of The Glamour of Grammar:A Guide to the Magic and Mystery of Practical English By Roy Peter Clark.

If you’re already signed up to my mailing list, I just need you to LEAVE A COMMENT on this blog post.

If you’re NOT on my mailing list, to enter, just sign up AND leave a comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in the contest. To sign up, click or paste the following link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

All entries must be in between now and 11:59 p.m est 08/30/10. Several winners will be chosen at random.

For those receiving this in your email, click on the following link to go directly to the blog post on site and leave your comment: http://sheliagoss.com/2010/08/19/the-glamour-of-grammar-book-contest/ 

About The Glamour of Grammar:

Early in the history of English, the words “grammar” and “glamour” meant the same thing: the power to charm. Roy Peter Clark, author of Writing Tools, aims to put the glamour back in grammar with this fun, engaging alternative to stuffy instructionals. In this practical guide, readers will learn everything from the different parts of speech to why effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs. THE GLAMOUR OF GRAMMAR gives readers all the tools they need to”live inside the language”–to take advantage of grammar to perfect their use of English, to instill meaning, and to charm through their writing.

Contest open to US and Canada residents only. Void where prohibited by law. The winners will be notified via email. If the winner hasn’t responded within 48 hours of the initial email with their shipping address, the next name pulled will be the winner.

Enter for a chance to win one of five copies of The Vixen Manual By Karrine Steffans.

If you’re already signed up to my mailing list, I just need you to LEAVE A COMMENT on this blog post.

If you’re NOT on my mailing list, to enter, just sign up AND leave a comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in the contest. To sign up, click or paste the following link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

All entries must be in between now and 11:59 p.m est 08/30/10. Several winners will be chosen at random.

For those receiving this in your email, click on the following link to go directly to the blog post on site and leave your comment: http://sheliagoss.com/2010/08/18/the-vixen-manual-by-karrine-steffans-contest/ 

About The Vixen Manual:

Since she exploded on the scene with her two juicy and impossible-to-put-down tell-alls, readers have wanted to know even more about what makes Karrine Steffans tick. How was she able to meet all the high profile politicians, movie stars, and other celebrities that are her close acquaintances? What skills does she possess to keep men wanting more? Finally, Karrine lays it all out and explains exactly what a woman must do to win over the man of her dreams. With chapters like “Never Let Him See You Sweat,” “Flirting,” “Encouraging His Manhood,” and “Give Him What He Wants,” this hot and sexy manual is a must-have for every woman’s bookshelf.

Contest open to US and Canada residents only. Void where prohibited by law. The winners will be notified via email. If the winner hasn’t responded within 48 hours of the initial email with their shipping address, the next name pulled will be the winner.

Can you tell us about your latest release?
Yes, Sacrifices In The Name of Love is about interracial relations between two teens, Trey Martin and Tessa Phillips who get more than they bargain for when Tessa ends up pregnant, and out of fear of facing her self-professed racist father, she concocts a plan to conceal the baby’s paternity. Tessa is faced with making the most painful sacrifices she’s ever had to make. When she can no longer hide the truth about her baby’s paternity, she opts to leave town, thus leaving the baby and the love of her life behind. A few years later, she returns to find life has changed, but despite the obstacles, she’s determined to right her wrongs, but she must first face her demons and the demons of her parents.

Where do you take your inspiration from?
Life, people, places. Either can spark an idea for a story at any time.

Do you like to work with music playing in the background? And if so, do you listen to a specific type to evoke certain moods?
Sometimes. If I’m writing a love scene, love songs are very helpful. Classical music makes my creative juices flow when I need my story to move forward.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story?
And how did you feel when your work was accepted?
I imagined the book making it to the top bestsellers list and so I submitted in order to make reach that goal. I can’t do that if I don’t submit.

Can you describe to us a typical day in your life as an author?
I’m retired, so I don’t have a typical routine. I write when I feel inspired to write. I may write in the morning, or it may be late at night after the house is quiet and peaceful.

What is the best thing about being a writer?
I can let my imagination run wild and write about the things some of us have only dreamed about.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a new pin? Or area of mass destruction?
Right now, an area of mass destruction. I have so many books, I’m out of shelf space, so some are on the floor around my desk. I’ve kept every rejection letter I’ve received, and believe me there are many, and I keep them on my desk as inspiration and use that inspiration to persevere in spite of them.

Which, if any of your stories, has been the most emotionally difficult for you to write?
The only emotionally difficult thing for me to write thus far was my first nonfiction book that I self published. It was about my journey through grief after the loss of my mom and son a month apart in 1994. I’ve had fun writing all of my fiction work.

Most authors that I’ve spoken with have at least one finished or nearly finished project that they’ve held onto for a number of years. Do you have any such work?
And if so, what has stopped you from submitting it?
No, I don’t. I have plans for having all of my work published.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?
I multi-task especially if I’m not feeling a particular work. I try not to force my writing.

Which of your upcoming projects are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about, and to date I’d say it’s my favorite piece, and that is my next book that I’m doing the rewrites on. It’s titled, Tempted By Love, and it was inspired by small bits and pieces of my life, mingled with a lot of fiction.

When not writing, how do you relax?
Participate in online writing groups and on social sites. I love to read, baking and spending time with my family.

How do your friends and family feel about your work and do you let any of them read your stories?
My family thinks it’s great that I’m a writer, especially when my work if published and they have the finished product in their hands. I have let my husband read some of my work.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?
Not too much. I write a column for my local paper, so I’m recognized more when I go out.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?
I would love to be on somebody’s bestseller’s list. I see myself as continuing to write because I have more stories to tell.

If you weren’t a writer, what else would you be doing? I’m retired after spending 30 years on my job. If I weren’t writing, I can’t see my life being any different.

Which of your books would you love to see turned into a movie?
(Laughter) Hell, I’d love to see all of them turned into a movie. I do envision my characters on a screen as I’m writing scenes.

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?
My website is www.vanessaajohnson.com. I’m also on Facebook, Myspace, and many online writing groups. If you google my name, you’ll find me.

More About Vanessa Johnson:

            Vanessa A. Johnson, a life-long Louisianan, began writing in 1995 after the untimely deaths of her mother and son in August and September, 1994. She and her husband, Welton reside in Ama, Louisiana with their 10 year old daughter, Alexis. Johnson is retired and currently working on her next book, Tempted by Love.

            Johnson can be reached through her website @ www.vanessaajohnson.com or Email: vanessaajohnson@hughes.net. She is also available on FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter.

About Sacrifices in the Name of Love:  

            Trey Martin, a Black teenager and Tessa Phillips, a white teenager, are neighbors in a small Louisiana town where race mixing is still taboo in the 21^st century. Despite the objections and beliefs of their parents, the two give in to the desires for each other. When Tessa becomes pregnant she creates a web of lies to conceal the baby’s paternity because she fears the wrath of her self-professed racist father.

            No longer able to hide the truth, she feels trapped and leaves town under the cover of day, thus leaving behind everyone near and dear to her heart. After almost four years Tessa returns home to Louisiana and discover many unexpected changes. Despite setbacks to include death, deception, lies and secrets, she is determined to right her wrongs and reunite with her son and the love of her life, but she has to face her demons and those of her love ones, too.

Getting to know Francine Craft… 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

At 6, I wrote a poem about the Lindbergh kidnapping that my grandfather never believed I wrote, which hurt me.  I wrote spasmodically when younger, published a story of possessiveness to a white confession mag, but was childishly disappointed when they changed the color of my character’s hair.  There was another disappointment when a new black publisher accepted my first romance and held it for 19 months with promises to publish.  In 1994, I withdrew the novel and offered to Kensington which bought it and a historical.  I’ve been going strong since then.

How did you get started writing? 

As I said above, that lineup, and with my first book, Devoted, I caught fire.  I’ll be writing, hopefully, just before they put my ashes on the wind. (I want to be cremated.)

Do you remember the very first story you ever wrote?  What age were you when you wrote it?  Was it romance even then?

My first efforts were poetry, then the confession, one or two other confessions, then not until 1994 did  I really get started with the romance field.  But I’ve always loved and read romances, sneaking confessions under my pillow and reading by flashlight. 

About the Book   

DYING ON THE EDGE

A Multicultural,  Multilayered Romantic Voodoo Mystery) – Click here to view the book trailer

 SHE WAS LOOKING FOR  A WAY BACK INTO HIS HEART! 

Film star Maggi French is on top of her game, and she wants billionaire real estate mogul Kurt Wilder for herself, even though he’s married and has a child.  He owns Wilder Film Studios, and Maggi’s drive for power demands she have him as her husband.  She’ll go to any lengths to get him, including voodoo.  Maggi lives on the edge of an emotional precipice.  Will her hunger for Kurt provide the thrust that pushes her over?

 WAS HE LOOKING FOR A DEADLY WAY OUT? 

Kurt Wilder has romanced many women and his wife knows all about them.  Once he thought he’d divorce his wife and marry Maggi.  Now he’s drifting and she’s clinging.  Has he figured out a way to be free of her forever?

 About the author

Francine is a long-time, prolific, bestselling multicultural romance and romantic suspense writer for publishers such as Harlequin, BET and Kensington.  Her slogan is: Books that Warm the Heart the and Enrich the Soul.  She is also popular on the international front, especially in the UK, and gets treasured fan mail from readers in the United States and worldwide.  Several of her books have been translated and Harlequin distributed five as Introductory Books.  She feels that nobody values their fellow humans more than she does, but adds that they can be trying sometimes which doesn’t keep her from loving them. 

With DYING ON THE EDGE, Francine has written and self-published a romantic voodoo mystery with Wheatmark Publishing and her own imprint of Craft’s New America Press.  Edge is well researched, written, edited and proofed.  A lot of people who’ve read advance copies have loved it and she hopes you will too. 

Leave a comment and be entered to win a wonderful Harry & David tower of treats courtesy of Francine!  Winner will be randomly chosen by the author and announced on the last day of the tour.

August kicks off with an interview with one of my favorite writers, Angelia Menchan.

How did the book Mother Wit come about?
I was working on an anthology with a couple of young writers and I thought about doing something with more mature writers, who wrote well, but hadn’t been published. Dera Williams and Idrissa Uqdah reached out to me and I was so pleased. Dera and I were reviewers together for over three years at APOOO Book Club and we both had a love for women’s stories and particularly those that are about mothers and daughters. So I decided to publish it and hopefully to engage more readers in the work of mature women with stories to tell.

Who were the unsong heroes in your life?
My unsung heroes, were, my mama Ora Lee Vernon; my godmother, Eva Mae Jackson; and my Aunt Elouise. These are all women who have gone home and sometimes I feel sad without them, but they taught me so much. My mother taught me to be fearless and always stay true to who I am. My godmother’s teaching was to God and a love for books. My Aunt Elouise was common sense and hard work personified. I am so BLESSED to have had them in my life.

When faced with adversity, what’s one piece of advice would you give a person?
To stay in prayer and to know that God always answers our prayers, though it may not be in exactly the way we prayed them. Also, that fire makes iron, which translates to you need trials to strengthen you.

What piece of advice would you give aspiring writers?
To always write, and read and to keep their hearts and ears open to those who have already started the journey. There are many writers who are willing to impart wisdom and resources of experience.

If someone were to create a movie based on your life, what would it be called and why?
Angelia, Woman, Writer, Friend…Uncut Truth. Because, I am woman who writes and I consider myself a friend to those who are friend need and the truth has set me free to do all that I do.

More about Angelia Menchan:
Angelia Vernon Menchan considers writing to be the elixir of her soul. Since learning penmanship at age four, most days have found her jotting down thoughts in a notebook. After decades of journal-keeping she decided to try her hand at writing books, publishing books, from which was born her small publishing company, M.A.m.m. Productions through which she publishes her own books that she has coined, ‘Fictionalized Truths, Ageless Fiction and Ramblings.’ When not writing, Angelia is a wife, mother, mentor and nana who love reading almost as much as writing. Angelia is also an Avid Blogger and post blogs most days to her blog, RAMBLINGS at http://acvermen.blogspot.com

About Mother Wit:
MOTHER WIT by Angelia Vernon Menchan and Dera R. Williams discusses and explores the complex, sometimes troublesome, yet ultimately, loving relationships between mothers and daughters, stepmothers and stepdaughters and those who are bound to them by love. The five stories are at times dark, yet light, uplifting and heartbreaking. However, most importantly they are stories tied together with hope that explore and reveal intense female ties.
To order, go to: http://acvermen.blogspot.com/2010/07/mother-wit-preorder.html

Over the past few weeks, I’ve read two romantic suspense novels that I would highly recommend by author Dee Davis.

Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis

What I have to say: Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis has one riveting scene after another. I couldn’t put the book down. Drake and Madeline’s story kept me glued to the pages.

About Dangerous Desires:

As the extractions expert for A-Tac, an elite CIA black ops unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college, Drake Flynn knows how to survive behind enemy lines. But he’s about to meet one adversary he can’t subdue . . . or resist.

A RACE FOR SURVIVAL

Stranded in the Colombian jungle after a mission goes bad, Drake has only one objective: evade the mercenaries hot on his trail and deliver “the package” to U.S. officials. But “the package” has a mind of her own, and she has no intention of trading one set of captors for another. Madeline Reynard is beautiful, headstrong, and hell-bent on escape after years as a crime lord’s pawn. She’ll risk everything for freedom, even if it means deceiving the dark, handsome soldier who now holds her life in his hands.

Drake has been burned too many times to let a woman manipulate him, especially a secretive one like Madeline. Even so, they cannot deny the attraction between them. Now as enemy forces close in, Drake and Madeline must trust each other with their lives—or face certain death

Three word review: explosive, sizzling, thrilling

About Desperate Deeds:
As the demolitions expert for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Tyler Hanson has two great loves: literature and explosives. She lives by the motto “duty first” and doesn’t have time for personal attachments . . . until a steamy one-night stand turns into a professional partnership.

BURNED BY BETRAYAL

When Tyler meets Owen Wakefield, a handsome British operative, she seduces him with no intention of ever seeing him again. But then the sexy Brit is brought into A-Tac, and despite Tyler’s efforts to keep her distance, she finds herself falling for him. Trusting him.

Owen seems too good to be true—and he is. He’s hiding his true motives and identity, and no matter how he feels about Tyler, he can’t keep her secrets. One of A-Tac’s members has turned traitor and helped terrorists to hijack a shipment of nuclear weapons. As witnesses start dying and evidence starts disappearing, Owen and Tyler must race to find the mole—and prevent a final, cataclysmic act of destruction.