Up Close & Personal with Author - Linda Eble-Swain

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Toledo, Ohio, and although almost anywhere can be home for me, for the past twenty some years, it has been Las Vegas, Nevada.

How long have you been writing? And is writing your full time occupation?

I can't remember a time when I didn't write - short stories for my friends and classmates, assignments for teachers - and yes, writing is no only my full time occupation, but my first love.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My most recent book is titled "Chasing Destiny", a romance novel with a touch of the paranormal. A magical sword holds the key to undoing an ancient curse.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Well, my one hero, Ian, would more than likely grumble and say "she should have waited for me." While the heroine would reply, "I wait for no one." All of them have a lot of spunk.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

The novel I'm currently working on is again a romance novel, set back in the late 1930's. It's quite a change from my first novel, and there are plans to have a sequel to "Chasing Destiny."

What or who inspired you to write?

It was a teacher that inspired me. I remember discussing how I didn't like how a book ended, and she suggested that I re-write the ending. That was the start.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

Oh, of course - just ask and I'll send off the coupon!

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

The cover design was simply a matter of discussing it with the designer and coming up with the elements in the story that would fit the design. The title comes from what the main character is born with a destiny that she cannot ever escape from. I found a quote that said " Albert Schweitzer I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

I think that most authors at one time or another draw from people or experiences in life. At a young age I lost my first husband and what I experienced and felt is very much a portion of the novel.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Oh my yes! Nora Roberts - she just amazes me with the depth of her characters, the variety in which she writes - and her "In Death" series just blows me away.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

It depends on the circumstances. Currently I'm recovering from some very serious surgery where an e-book is easier for me to read - especially when I can sit at the computer to do it. Still, I enjoy the "feel" of a paperback/hardback. There is something about it being more tangible.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

Again because of my current circumstances, I purchase mostly on line. But I do love going into bookstore and browsing. There is just something about the look and feel of a bookstore that is attractive. I especially love old bookstores.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

I am and I don't see that ever changing. I love the freedom of setting my own pace and not having an editor demanding a deadline.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

I'm constantly re-reading books - to me it's like becoming reacquainted with an old friend. In fact I just finished re-reading a book by Christina Feehan "The Dark Prince" and enjoyed it as much this time as I did the first time.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

No I can't honestly say that I have. I've seen a few movies that followed the book closely enough where I felt the movie did justice to the book. But then that's talking about another period of time and not today's movies.

What book do you know that you will never read?

I can't think of one that I "know" that I will never read. There are certainly books out there that don't appeal to me, but I can't think of a title right off hand.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

Each time I re-read my last book, there is always something that I think that I should have explained more, or think of a better word - but I also have a belief that you can overwork a story and after a while 'put it to bed' and go on to the next novel. Otherwise, I feel you could spend your entire career trying to prefect just one work. Sooner or later I think that you have to let go and move on.

Who designed the cover of your book?

My best friend, Rose Marie Olson designed and will probably continue to design my covers.

Do you have a book trailer?

No, I wish that I knew how to do it, but frankly it would probably be of such length and the casting alone would drive me insane! I envy people that can do that, but it's not one of my talents.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

It depends. I've seen some that intrigued me enough to want to go purchase the book, and yet others irritate me to the point of not bothering to watch the trailer.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don't give up, don't ever stop, don't listen if someone says that you're wasting your time, or to get a "real job." If writing is truly your passion and what makes your heart beat just a little faster...keep going and believe in yourself.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

Basically what I just said above. Years ago...I won't say how many years ago, I had the honor of meeting a very famous cartoon artist/writer and he was the first to ever read my work. His name was Charles Saunders Senior and we kept in touch until he passed away. Always he encouraged me and repeated the same thing.....don't give up.

Do you write under a pen name?

I've thought about that, and if I ever go into a different style of writing I might consider it. But good, bad, or indifferent, if I publish it's under my own name.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

I write in whatever I happen to be wearing when inspiration hits. The same with editing or revisions - it's whatever feels comfortable.

Cats or dogs?

Both. Currently I have to cats, Magic and Circe and a Pomeranian named Buddy.

White wine or red?

Sadly because of medication I can't have either, but I used to prefer white over red.

Coffee or tea?

Tea . . all except the herbal kind. I especially enjoy either the Earl Gray or the Lady Gray.

Favorite food?

I'm not a picky eater - I'd say my favorite is grilled steak, baked potato and fresh corn on the cob.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Chocolate . . . I'll eat Vanilla with chocolate syrup - that is if you can see the ice cream for the syrup.....

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I don't watch much TV but my favorite is NCIS as for movies . . .I have to admit I did enjoy the first part of "Deathly Hollows" and can't wait for the second part to be available for purchase.

Where can your readers follow you?

My blog:http://linda-chasingdestiny.blogspot.com/

My Goodreads author page:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11691251-chasing-destiny

Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/LindaSwain1950

Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-destiny-linda-eble-swain/1103017682?ean=9781463539191&itm=2&usri=chasing

Amazon:Chasing Destiny

(Smashwords:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61231

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

In both, the print version can be found through Amazon as well as CreateSpace.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word. I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti

About the Book:

Beautiful and with a talent for magic as strong as her beauty, Rusty McCenery walks in a world where magic is commonplace. A world she is content in - that is until Ian McAllister storms into her life like a whirlwind. His handsome charm undoes the young witch only to leave her alone and heartbroken. That is until Alex Cameron teaches her that there is room in the heart for love once more. Stalked by an ancient curse that threatens to destroy all that she loves, will Rusty remember in time that the strongest magic of all is love?

Why not tweet Linda and say hi! Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/LindaSwain1950

Interview by Patti with Author Monique Domovitch

Hi Monique, thank you for taking the time to share a few things about you with us.

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Ontario, Canada, in a small town called Hearst, which nobody ever heard of. I am the oldest of ten children, which means I told a lot of bedtime stories to my brothers and sisters when I was growing up. You could say that was how I first became attracted to writing. Nowadays, I write on my laptop, which makes it possible for my husband and I to travel as much as we do. When we aren’t traveling, we and our three dogs, share our time between our homes in California and British Columbia, Canada.

How long have you been writing? And is writing your full time occupation?

Writing is more than my full time occupation; it is my passion. Having been a single mother, however, I came to writing as a career late in life. I had the financial responsibility of providing for my children, so I worked first as a fashion model during the 70s and 80s, and later on I reinvented myself as a financial advisor and planner with a practice and a national television show offering financial-advice to women. Her Money aired for four years until, in quick succession, my children left home, I met and married the love of my life and I retired from financial planning. Since then, I have been pursuing my life’s dream of writing full time.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My recent book, Scorpio Rising, is my first novel, written a couple of years ago, and which I decided to self publish after signing a three-book deal for a completely different genre from my Scorpio series. This contract is for a murder-mystery series, of which Looming Murder will be the first, and which I write under the pen name Carol Ann Martin for Obsidian, an imprint of Penguin.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Scorpio Rising is the story of the rise of Alexander Ivanov, an ambitious Scorpio, and the climb to success of Brigitte Dartois a beautiful French artist. It is also about the thin line between lust and love and ambition and greed, and what happens to two people forced to choose between love and career. The sequel, The Sting of the Scorpio, will be available in September, and I’m now debating a third installment which I would call The Son of Scorpio.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

I’ve been writing most of my life, and like most authors, I tend to write about what I know, which is real estate—my husband and own a number of apartment buildings—and the world of art and fashion which was a large part of my early life. What I like to tell people is that since Scorpio Rising is about sex and ambition and greed, I guess that means that I’m sexy, ambitious and greedy. LOL

I should mention that all my characters are composites made up of a myriad of traits, qualities and flaws of many people. I borrow and expand on real people’s weaknesses, strengths, mistakes and successes to create fictional characters that are compelling and believable.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

I look forward to giving away a copy of Scorpio Rising on this blog and hope the winner will enjoy it.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

There are so many Authors I respect that I hesitate to name only one I would love to meet, but…hmm…I have to say Jodie Picoult. She’s brilliant.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I buy books everywhere—online through Amazon, at the nearby bookstore. I’ve even been known to stop by garage sales and picked up books by the box load. Obviously, I still love traditional books, but I have also come to appreciate e-books. They make packing so much easier. And the instant download feature means I never have to wait for a book.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

What I like about reading is the freedom it allows to visualize scenes and imagine emotions. I prefer a good read to a movie, but having said that, I saw Sophie’s Choice with Meryl Streep years ago and her performance outdid the book. I love Meryl Streep.

I have a pile of books I hope to finish. They are waiting on my bedside table at the moment, but I limit my reading to Sundays now, otherwise I get carried away and forget to write.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

I am guilty of writing in my pajamas, my bathrobe and my workout clothes. Sometimes and idea for a scene will occur to me suddenly and I hurry to write it down before I forget it. Then, of course, I invariably get carried away and forget to go change.

What is the perfect evening for you?

A perfect evening is one, curled up on the couch with my husband and my three dogs, a book by Jodie Picoult, a bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with a few tablespoons of Grand Marnier and some crumbled walnuts—yum. I’m definitely a coffee person and like it hot, dark and rich and I love a good glass of oaky Chardonnay.

I can be reached at moniquedomovitch.com where you can read my blog and find links to my Twitter and Facebook pages.

Monique Domovitch is the author of Scorpio Rising and The Sting of the Scorpio. She also writes under the pen name Carol Ann Martin for Obsidian, an imprint of Penguin. She lives with her husband and her three dogs in Vancouver Canada and La Jolla California.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW JASON HALSTEAD By JeanzBookReadNReview

Jeanz Blog

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

In polite company I prefer to go by Jason Halstead. It’s a shame I don’t know more polite people.

Jason Halstead wrote the Voidhawk series, the Dark Earth series and Human Nature.

Home for me at the moment is a nice little place in Warren, Ohio. I get around though – I was born in Michigan, but I’ve lived in Texas and southeastern Utah as well. So far Ohio is the best.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Voidhawk – Redemption. A fantasy novel that proves sometimes a warriors hardest battles are the ones hidden inside.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Yes, several new books! I have four in various stages of publishing (including a sequel to Wanted, entitled Ice Princess, which will be released shortly), and a three book series taking place in my Dark Earth setting. A fourth one is in the planning stages still.

Beyond that I have a series of science fiction novellas partially written that I’m also very excited about it.

Due to reader feedback I’m also working on a follow up book to my near future sci-fi book, Human Nature. Proof that readers should never hesitate to send feedback to an author!

Oh, lest I forget I also have to mention the brainstorm I had just last night about a fantasy YA novel I’m hoping to get my daughter’s assistance with?

I have eight books published as of writing this and guarantees for four more in the near future, plus the ones mentioned above and other ideas that are sure to stick with me. Sometimes I wish I could slow myself down but the voices just won’t let me.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve been writing since I was ten or eleven. Unfortunately, I was really terrible at it. It took almost two decades for somebody to level with me and tell me as much though. That was the point when I knuckled down and decided to get better at it. After all, writing for an audience is a fun activity and all but without anybody willing to read it there really isn’t a point.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?

I have no problem with this sort of thing, in moderation. A book that is heavily reviewed already doesn’t need such a thing but for new releases or less reviewed books I think it’s only fair. After all, if a reader is willing to devote the time to not only read the book but also put some thoughts down about it for the author, what right do I have to benefit not only from the review but also a royalty?

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?

At present I’ve got a friend who is letting me chain him to a desk and act as my personal cover artist. As for the idea behind the images, there’s no rhyme or reason to it. I just brainstorm ideas based on what happens in the book and who the characters are. I’m looking for an idea that jumps out at me and would make me stop and not only be interested in the image itself, but in the questions the image asks.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

I’ve used variations on people’s names simply because I needed a name and it fit. Outside of that the closest I’ve come to crossing that line has been taking some experiences that I or people close to me have been through and using that as research material.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

The closest I can come to blaming someone might be Terry Brooks – I read The Sword of Shannara as my first major novel when I was around nine years old and was emotionally moved by it. Since then I’ve only found a few books with similar impact on me, sadly none of them by Mr. Brooks (Raymond Feist and Dean Koontz, on the other hand, have sucker punched me a couple of times).

Anyhow, I believe that having read that my imagination was supercharged and I thought, I wonder if I could do something like this?

Which format of book do you prefer, e-book, hardback, or paperback?

I’ve evolved over the years to prefer e-books. My wife recently took the plunge into the world of Kindle herself and now can’t imagine going back. It’s not just about convenience either, there’s also cost (ebooks are usually cheaper) and space. I kept running out of bookshelves and would have to regularly go through my books to donate them to schools or libraries. Not so with ebook, I can acquire as many of those as I’ve got the hard drive space to handle.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is your favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

I believe that they can but they seldom do. A book worthy of a movie is typically written well enough that it does not need modification. The problem is the screenwriter wants to make it their own and put their twist on it. That generally turns it into a bag of poo.

Stephen King’s books have not made the transition well at all, in my opinion. The one exception being Shawshank Redemption. As for a favorite – I can’t say for sure, there are several that try hard and are possible. The recent Clive Cussler creation, Sahara, wasn’t too bad of an adaptation even if I do think Matthew McConaughey is a scrawny punk. He’s talented, mind you, I just can’t stand how people think he’s big and buff when in fact he’s only lean and maybe 150lbs soaking wet.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

Sadly there’s nothing I’m reading at the moment. All of my time is spent either trying to figure out how to promote my books, writing new ones, working at my day job, spending time with my family, or finishing up my MBA.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?

The Grapes of Wrath. Was supposed to read it in High School but I just couldn’t do it. I tried and failed.

As for something I know I will never read – and of the Twilight books. Sorry, I’m not a self-pitying American teenage girl. Thus I’m not in the target market for that book. Nor will I ever have anything to do with that blatant abuse of a once fun and scary topic.

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?

I can think of a couple. Marc Hamlet and Robert Stewart come to mind. Both are publishing books in the near future, one sci-fi and the other a horror / crime mystery dealing with the occult. I’ve had access to both and really liked them.

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and why?

Other than better sales, no. The possible caveat to that would be my first book, Voidhawk. In a review it was aptly labeled as a first novel. In hindsight I wish I’d had some experience before publishing that one because I really have a thing for it. But then again, if it wasn’t Voidhawk that I cut my teeth on it would be something else.

Who designed the Cover of your books?

Is this a cross-examination question?

At present I’ve got a friend who is letting me chain him to a desk and act as my personal cover artist. As for the idea behind the images, there’s no rhyme or reason to it. I just brainstorm ideas based on what happens in the book and who the characters are. I’m looking for an idea that jumps out at me and would make me stop and not only be interested in the image itself, but in the questions the image asks.

What do you think about book trailers?

I don’t have any. If they help sell books, then I probably should. My problem is a lack of graphical artistic talent and a general loathing for Microsoft Powerpoint. Powerpoint seems to be what most of the trailers are written / composed in, and I can’t bring myself to use it unless there’s something like a gun being held against my head.

One of these days when I’m independently wealthy I’ll be happy to put some trailers together using real actors and proper filming. Until then, I’ll either have to swallow my angst or continue muddling on without one.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

Learn how to take criticism. We don’t learn anything from a success, only that we didn’t screw up. Mistakes, on the other hand, are full of opportunities to make things better! That’s an amalgamation of advice received and something I definitely recommend to anyone who wants to write and not be laughed at more than a couple of times.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?

I considered it over the years but every time I came close, I felt like I was hiding something. I’m a bluntly honest person and it would just bother me to feel I couldn’t be up front and honest about who I am and what I write.

Where can readers follow you?

I’m all over the place – or at least I’m trying to be! Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Novel Concept Publishing, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, and the usual social media and such.

Your blog details? http://booksbyjason.wordpress.com

Your web site ? http://www.booksbyjason.com

Your facebook page? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-by-Jason/161622180537541

Your Goodreads author page? http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3527553.Jason_Halstead

Your Twitter details? http://twitter.com/#!/booksbyjason

And any other information you wish to supply? All blood tests to date have come back negative – and I done blood every six weeks because I’m just a swell guy.

Patti Says: And obviously a very funny guy!!! :)

Where to buy -

Amazon: Here

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JWHalstead

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Jason-Halstead

Other contacts -

Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/jason-halstead.html

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jason-halstead/7/ab4/514

Novel Concept Publishing: http://www.novelconceptpublishing.com

If you enjoyed reading this interview - please support the Author by tweeting / facebooking etc....

Author Interview: Mike Lewis By Rachel Keys

Mike Lewis is one of the authors featuring in the September giveaway. Rachel's Blog

Mike Lewis has written Changers' Summer.

1. Where do you call home?

I live in Woking, Surrey - just southwest of London. I live about a mile and a half from where the Martians landed in War of the Worlds; and about a mile from where H. G. Wells lived when he wrote the book.

2. Do you have a pen name?

No, though I am considering using one for a new series that I'm working on as it is a SF Detective Paranormal Romance with a female protagonist.

3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

Changers' Summer, which is book one of the Changers Trilogy.

It is a fast–paced younger adult Dystopian SF adventure about time-travel and the effects of climate change; with a talking dog.


4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I am currently working on The Rat King, book 2 of the Changers Trilogy which I am hoping to publish in January 2012, with the third book The Layneman Experiments coming out in June 2012.

I am also revising a YA Victorian Fantasy called “Sheldak” and working on the first book in the previously mentioned Paranormal Detective series.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing on and off for most of my life. I wrote for Roleplaying Game magazines (and published my own) in the 1980s, wrote computer books and articles, comic scripts and then designed and wrote computer games.

I started writing with the view to get published while living in New Zealand when I attended a Creative Writing evening class. I sold the first story I completed (a 500 word piece of flash fiction) and then sold the second story as well. You can read both those in my short story collection “The Smell of Magic and Other Stories”.

I subsequently learned that it wasn’t quite so easy to sell stuff and sold a variety of short stories over the next few years as well as gathering a large pile of rejections.

I came down with M.E./CFS in 2004 and that really slowed my writing down to the point where I have not written that much over the last 5 years.

Publishing Changers’ Summer (which was first completed in 2002) has spurred me on to writing again and I am now writing regularly.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

Yes, I did a giveaway on Librarything.com, have 2 paperbacks currently available in a giveaway on Goodreads.com and also sent out a load of review copies to gather some reviews on Amazon.com. I think that reviews are important to new authors especially if you are self-published.

7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

The covers is based around a scene in the book and I asked Derek Chiodo at ECoverMakers to find a photo for it and design the cover and he did a wonderful job with his first design.

The paperback cover was put together for me by Najla Qambar and she did a great job and was very helpful with layout ideas and very quick to respond.

8. How did you come up with the title for your book?

I don’t really know – the book has always been called Changers’ Summer –perhaps even before I wrote a word of it. It was initially started as a writing challenge from a writers’ group I am in and I had the scene of a man slowly appearing from thin air over a period of days as a starting point.

9. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?

I think that there are always things you could change about a book once it has been published; but I think that authors should get on with the next book. If you continually tinker with your novel you will never publish it and I think the same is true with the temptation to go back and revise earlier work.

10. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

No I don’t and I really am not sure that they do anything for books.

11. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

Depends where I am. I like to read in the bath, so prefer paperbacks for obvious reasons. I have no real preference between hardbacks and paperbacks – I do like trade paperback size novels which was part of the reason for publishing Changers’ Summer in that size (as well as to keep the page count down).
I have only started reading ebooks this year on my ipad that I bought back in February and I like the experience. The ipad is fairly heavy though so I might buy a Kindle when they drop in price a little more.

12. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Self-published/Indie (whatever that means). I published Changers’ Summer in June after discovering the Kindle Publishing Platform and that it was possible to publish your own work with a ready made distribution network for very little cost.

Although I have successfully sold short stories and Changers’ Summer was commented on by some agents I have never had a lot of luck with novels.

YA/Children’s books are a hard sell as well – especially it seems YA SF, though the Hunger Games seems to have made dystopian SF popular so I have hopes that will bring me some sales as well.

13. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I’ve read a lot of books more than once. The book I have read the most is probably Lord of the Rings, purely because I read it every year as a teenager. I don’t think I’ve read it in the last 10 years though.

I have also reread a number of Tim Powers books as I rate him very highly (I was also taught by him at Clarion East – a 6-week SF writing workshop I attended in 2002).

I also reread Ray Bradbury short stories on occasion for inspiration and as a reminder of how to write beautifully simple short stories about ordinary real people in extraordinary situations.

My most reprinted short story “Cooper’s Creek” was written as a homage to Ray Bradbury.

14. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

Currently reading The Hunger Games in Kindle format on my ipad.

15. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

I think that the old advice that “a writer writes” is the best advice I can give someone. Keep writing, keep submitting stories, keep publishing, keep going. A rejection or a bad review isn’t personal; it isn’t about you, it is about your story. You can always write another one of those.

One of the best writing tips I received while at Clarion was from Karen Joy Fowler. When describing a room, describe two normal things and one unusual thing…

16. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: www.mikelewis.info

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/author.mikelewis

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990134.Mike_Lewis

Twitter:@mikelewisauthor

Amazon - Kindle

Smashwords - all formats

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world.

Posted by Rai29 at 05:26

The Divorce Club by Jayde Scott. Available at Amazon & Smashwords

Available at SMASHWORD - All formats

And Amazon

A bitter divorce from a two-timing husband leaves Sarah with no money to fend for her daughter, but she won't be beaten, so she opens The Divorce Club, a meeting place for women who want to divorce their cheating husbands, but don't know how.

Soon things start to go seriously wrong. A fake client and her rising interest in him isn't Sarah's only worry; there's also the moody teenager, a stalker, and the club's personalized battle plans that start to involve more than flashing a confident smile and running a 24/7 hotline.

When Sarah's ex-husband moves in without her permission in the hope to patch things up, chaos seems complete.

Readers comment By

Chrissy Peebles - Amazon

This review is from: The Divorce Club (Kindle Edition)

If you're looking for a book filled with humor and witty dialogue, look no further-you've found it. This is the perfect recipe of romance, chick lit, friendship, offbeat characters with distinctive voices, hilarious situations, surprising plot twists, and wit all rolled into one. I found this book impossibly hard to put down. It was so fun to read and so well written I couldn't resist the urge to keep reading late into the night!

There are support groups for people with a gambling addiction, food addiction, smoking addiction, adoption, caregivers, home schooling, and so many more. So why not one for people who are going through a divorce?

Sarah is a single mother and needs to put food on the table. With her best friend, Mel, at her side, she decides to spread her wings and fly. Sarah risks everything and every dime she has into her new business venture and opens up The Divorce Club. Going through a divorce herself, she feels she can really help people through the pain and help them get their life back on track. Sarah gets a handful of clients and couldn't be more excited as she throws herself into her new role.

Working for the first time in her life, she learns what it's like to juggle a career and a moody teenager. If that's not enough, Sarah is suddenly being stalked, her ex-husband moved back into her home WITHOUT her permission, her clients are MORE than a handful, and a new hunky man, Jaime, has joined the club. How can she run a meeting when the guy can't stop flashing his pretty blue eyes, making her heart pound a million miles a minute? What kind of joke is destiny playing? The timing stinks with all the chaos in her life, it seems as life has dropped a bomb.

When she helps Jaime try and get his life back on track, she can't fight the attraction, and the chemistry between them is hotter than the blazing sun itself. But with the ex-hubby trying to sabatash the new budding relationship (and her new business) any chance he gets, and with her best friend, Mel, constantly whispering in her ear all the pitfalls of dating Jaime, things are getting hectic. Ex-hubby even gets more jealous when Sarah's teenage daughter, Sam, bonds immediately with Jaime. Sarah is thrilled that Sam accepts Jaime. So things are starting to look great, but Jaime has secrets of his own which add an amazing twist you won't believe. Will Sarah forgive and forget?

When more plot twists surface, Sarah is in danger of losing everything she loves and has worked so hard for, from her daughter to her beloved Divorce Club. Sarah stays strong and fights for everything she cherishes close to her heart, even when everything is crashing and burning around her.

I found my self rooting for Sarah, like her very own cheerleader. I wanted her to fall in love again and be successful enough to stand on her own two feet. I smiled, I sighed, I laughed, I cried. I was right there with Sarah on her journey. One thing I loved about the main character is that she wasn't whiny or cliché. She's strong, independent, down-to-earth, intelligent, sarcastic, hardworking, and just flat out rocks. My kind of woman for a heroine!

The Divorce Club comes alive with vibrant, colorful characters, an original plot and story line, and twists and turns you won't believe. I was completely surprised at the end. The pace is perfect and there was plenty of suspense. You'll love the wit and humor. This is definitely a must read!

The author of the Ancient Legends series offers up a delightful new novel, filled with her trademark wit and humour. Readers who enjoy books by Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot and Candace Bushnell will enjoy THE DIVORCE CLUB, a light, humorous chick lit novel by Jayde Scott.

Full-length novel: approx. 322pp

Other titles by Jayde Scott:

A JOB FROM HELL

DOOMED

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Small-town detective/workaholic, Manny Williams is thrilled with the prospect of finally taking the long-awaited vacation he had promised his wife, Louise.

The couple’s exotic getaway begins in sunny San Juan, Puerto Rico, by attending the June wedding of a fellow Lansing police officer, followed with an incredible week-long Southern Caribbean cruise on the glamorous Ocean Duchess. Tropical paradise appears to be a perfect recipe for desperately needed R and R...until the first dead body.

A bizarre, seemingly random murder in their posh San Juan Hotel, and the heinous cruise ship deaths of two of Lansing’s law enforcement family, brings Manny, and his unique skills, out of cruise mode and head-long into the FBI-led investigation. Manny soon discovers that in this killer’s twisted perception nothing is off limits, prompting a race against time that could cost him everything.

If you like edge-of-your-seat thrillers laced with humor, you'll love this!



SHE WOULDN’T.

The institution of marriage held no attraction for Grace Ackerly. The world, she had noticed, expected nothing more from women than that they be submissive, demure brood mares, allowed absolutely no rights or even opinions of their own. And yet, at twenty, an age at which most of Society considered her well past her prime, she need only wait a little longer to be safe. No—she was fairly comfortable declaring—she would never marry, no matter the temptation set before her.

When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Lauren Holbrook has found her life's calling: matchmaking for the romantically challenged. And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there's tons of potential to play "connect the friends." Inspired by the recent success of matching her sister and new husband, Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles' pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything. When Lauren's foolproof plan begins to unravel, she learns that a simple introduction between friends can bring about complicated results. And as she reconsiders her new role as Cupid (as well as her vow to stay single forever), will Lauren finally decide that God's plan is always good enough?



In the first book of the Prescription for Trouble series, “Code Blue” means more to Dr. Cathy Sewell than the cardiac emergency she has to face. It describes her mental state as she finds that coming back to her hometown hasn’t brought her the peace she so desperately needs. Instead, it’s clear that someone there wants her gone…or dead.Cathy returns to her hometown seeking healing after a broken relationship, but discovers that among her friends and acquaintances is someone who wants her out of town…or dead. Lawyer Will Kennedy, her high school sweetheart, offers help, but does it carry a price tag? Is hospital chief of staff Dr. Marcus Bell really on her side in her fight to get hospital privileges? Is Will’s father, Pastor Matthew Kennedy, interested in advising her or just trying to get her back to the church she left years ago? When one of Cathy’s prescriptions almost kills the town banker, it sets the stage for a malpractice suit that could end her time in town, if not her career. It’s soon clear that this return home was a prescription for trouble.



Parents can nurture their children to channel their natural energy and curiosity into positive, productive, and motivated learning experiences.

This book introduces principles to help moms and dads:

• Make education fun for children
• Foster a creative learning environment
• Model positive behaviors and habits
• Help kids avoid burnout and manage stress



John Cray has a secret. For twelve years he has stalked and kidnapped women, setting them loose in the mountains of eastern Arizona, hunting them like animals, and taking their lives. He has left no clues. He is suspected by no one. Or so he thinks.

But now he has a problem. Somebody -- a woman whose name he doesn't know -- is stalking him.

She follows him when he makes his nightly rounds in Tucson. She watches him on busy streetcorners and in shadowy restaurants. She seems to know his secret. But if so, why hasn't she gone to the police?

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

Leona Harper loves being a pastor's wife. Her impressive resume touts thirty years of coaxing hot water from rusty parsonage plumbing, planning church potlucks, and standing beside her husband while members take potshots at his sermons. Except for the little tiff with her grown children, Leona feels her life is right on track with the wishes of the Almighty . . . until her husband drops dead in the pulpit.

When the church board decides to fill the Reverend's vacated position, Leona is forced to find a paying job, mend her fractured family, and tackle her fears. With life spiraling out of control, Leona might find the church members' antics comical if she weren't so completely panicked. Can the faith of an overwhelmed widow withstand the added heartache of two resentful children and several underhanded church members? If Leona can't trust God, how will she learn to trust herself?

Livi finds new purpose in her troubled life when she joins her family's small-town florist shop. There, the strong and wacky Wilson's Florist gang monitors the pulse of Mount Helicon, where customers carry stories even the local newspaper does not contain. Tales of birth and death, sickness and sorrow, love and betrayal, and even forgiveness—Livi hears them all. Privy to some of the community's deepest secrets, she sometimes wishes she didn't know so much, especially when news arrives that a dear family friend is dead. Faced with servicing his funeral, she is blasted with painful memories she's struggled for decades to ignore. Soon, guilt and grief over childhood and adult tragedies close in. Instead of turning to loved ones or God for comfort, she leans on alcohol, her long-time clandestine companion—but secrets rarely escape the close-knit flower shop crew, who makes Livi's business its own. Fumbling through life's challenges together, the Wilson gang often delivers more than flowers, yet when Livi needs delivery, can the bonds of faith and friendship dissolve her defenses?

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