Cinderella Countdown: Nobody's Cinderella by @JoanReeves

Happy New Year's Eve on The Maze! 

Today is the final installment of the Cinderella Countdown—again featuring another of my Twitter author-friends, Joan Reeves—and I hope you have enjoyed all these spotlights as much as I've enjoyed showcasing them for you. 

Stay safe today, drink & party responsibly, make wise choices about whether or not to get behind the wheel afterward, and may you enjoy a happy and prosperous 2016! 

Rebirth of a novel: From Here to Fourteenth Street by @DianaLRubino

Today on The Maze I welcome back author-friend Diana Rubino to discuss how her latest release, From Here to Fourteenth Street, was born—and reborn.

In Diana's words...

HOW FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET WAS BORN

New York City’s history always fascinated me—how it became the most powerful hub in the world from a sprawling wilderness in exchange for $24 with Native Americans by the Dutch in 1626.

Growing up in Jersey City, I could see the Statue of Liberty from our living room window if I leaned way over (luckily I didn’t lean too far over). As a child model, I spent many an afternoon on job interviews and modeling assignments in the city, and got hooked on Nedick’s, a fast food chain whose orange drinks were every kid’s dream. Even better than the vanilla egg creams. We never drove to the city—we either took the PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) train (‘the tube’ in those days) or the bus through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

My great grandmother, Josephine Arnone, “Josie Red” to her friends, because of her abundant head of red hair, was way ahead of her time. Born in 1895 (but it could’ve been sooner, as she was known to lie about her age), she left school after 3rd grade, became a successful businesswoman and a Jersey City committewoman, as well as a wife and mother of four. She owned apartment buildings, parking garages, a summer home, did a bit of Prohibition-era bootlegging, small-time loan-sharking, and paid cash for everything. When I began outlining From Here to Fourteenth Street, I modeled my heroine, Vita Caputo, after her. Although the story is set in New York the year before Grandma was born, I was able to bring my heroine Vita to life by calling on the family legends and stories, all word of mouth, for she never kept a journal.

Vita’s hero Tom McGlory isn’t based on any real person, but I did a lot of reading about Metropolitan Policemen and made sure he was the complete opposite! He’s trustworthy and would never take a bribe or graft. I always liked the name McGlory—then, years after the book first came out, I remembered that was the name of my first car mechanic—Ronnie McGlory.

I completed the book in 1995, and my then-publisher, Domhan Books, published it under the title I Love You Because. The Wild Rose Press picked it up after I gave it many revisions and overhauls. My editor Nan Swanson did a fabulous job making the prose sparkle.

CHANGING THE TITLE
When I proposed the story to Wild Rose, I wanted to change the title, since it went through so many revisions. I wanted to express Vita’s desire to escape the Lower East Side and move farther uptown. I considered Crossing 14th Street, but it sounded too much like Crossing Delancey. After a few more hits and misses, the title hit me—as all really fitting titles do.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND—WHAT WAS 1894 NEW YORK CITY LIKE?
The Metropolitan Police was a hellhole of corruption, and nearly every cop, from the greenest rookie to the Chief himself, was a dynamic part of what made the wheels of this great machine called New York turn. 

The department was in cahoots with the politicians, all the way up to the mayor's office. Whoever wasn't connected enough to become a politician became a cop in this city. They were paid off in pocket-bulging wads of cash to look the other way when it came to building codes, gambling, prostitution, every element it took to keep this machine gleaming and efficient. They oiled the machine and kept it running with split-second precision. The ordinary hardworking, slave-wage earning citizen didn't have a chance around here. Tom McGlory and his father were two of a kind, and two of a sprinkling of cops who were cops for the right reasons. They left him alone because he was a very private person; he didn't have any close friends, he confided in no one. He could've made a pocket full of rocks as a stoolie, more than he could by jumping in the fire with the rest of them, but he couldn't enjoy spending it if he'd made it that way. They knew it and grudgingly respected him for it. He was here for one reason--his family was here. If they went, he went. As long as they needed him, here he was. Da would stop grieving for his wife when he stopped breathing. Since Tom knew he was the greatest gift she gave Da, he would never let his father down.

READ ABOUT FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET AND HOW VITA FINDS LOVE AND SUCCESS AGAINST ALL ODDS:
It's 1894 on New York's Lower East Side. Irish cop Tom McGlory and Italian immigrant Vita Caputo fall in love despite their different upbringings. Vita goes from sweatshop laborer to respected bank clerk to reformer, helping elect a mayor to beat the Tammany machine. While Tom works undercover to help Ted Roosevelt purge police corruption, Vita's father arranges a marriage between her and a man she despises. As Vita and Tom work together against time and prejudice to clear her brother and father of a murder they didn't commit, they know their love can survive poverty, hatred, and corruption. Vita is based on my great grandmother, who left third grade to become a self-made businesswoman and politician, wife and mother.

AN EXCERPT:
As Vita gathered her soap and towel, Madame Branchard tapped on her door. "You have a gentleman caller, Vita. A policeman."

"Tom?" His name lingered on her lips as she repeated it. She dropped her things and crossed the room.

"No, hon, not him. Another policeman. Theodore something, I think he said."

No. There can't be anything wrong. "Thanks," she whispered,  nudging Madame Branchard aside. She descended the steps, gripping the banister to support her wobbly legs. Stay calm! she warned herself. But of course it was no use; staying calm just wasn't her nature.

“Theodore something” stood before the closed parlor door. He’s a policeman? Tall and hefty, a bold pink shirt peeking out of a buttoned waistcoat and fitted jacket, he looked way out of place against the dainty patterned wallpaper.

He removed his hat. "Miss Caputo." He strained to keep his voice soft as he held out a piece of paper. “I’m police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt.”

"Yes?" Her voice shook.

"I have a summons for you, Miss Caputo." He held it out to her. But she stood rooted to that spot.

He stepped closer and she took it from him, unfolding it with icy fingers. Why would she be served with a summons? Was someone arresting her now for something she didn't do?

A shot of anger tore through her at this system, at everything she wanted to change. She flipped it open and saw the word "Summons" in fancy script at the top. Her eyes widened with each sentence as she read. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”

I hereby order Miss Vita Caputo to enter into holy matrimony with Mr. Thomas McGlory immediately following service of this summons.

ABOUT ME:

My passion for history and travel has taken me to every locale of my stories, set in Medieval and Renaissance England, Egypt, the Mediterranean, colonial Virginia, New England, and New York. My urban fantasy romance, FAKIN’ IT, won a Top Pick award from Romantic Times. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III Society and the Aaron Burr Association. I live on Cape Cod with my husband Chris. In my spare time, I bicycle, golf, play my piano and devour books of any genre. Visit me at www.dianarubino.com, www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com, https://www.facebook.com/DianaRubinoAuthor, and on Twitter @DianaLRubino.

Purchase FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET from

The Wild Rose Press | Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback |

Thanks, Diana, for sharing about your latest release,
and best of luck with it!

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Cinderella Countdown: Pumpkin, A Cindermama Story by Ines Johnson @ineswrites

Very little to celebrate in Heart of the Phoenix by @BarbaraBettis #MedievalMonday

Some situations do not lend themselves to celebration, and watching the man you love feel tortured by seeing his betrothed become married to someone else is one such situation in The Heart of the Phoenix by Barbara Bettis.

Synopsis:
Some call him a ruthless mercenary; she calls him the knight of her heart.

Memories...
Lady Evelynn’s childhood hero is home—bitter, hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers friendship, but Sir Stephen's cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another.

Can be cruel...
Sir Stephen lives a double life while he seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite.

And deadly...
When his drive for vengeance leads to Evie’s kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied too long. Surely King John will see reason. Convict the murderers; convince the king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything.

Buy The Heart of the Phoenix on Amazon!

Excerpt:
PROLOGUE
Granville Castle, Lincolnshire
December 1197
“Go away, little shadow.” Sir Stephen’s words roared above the December wind that snapped across the castle tower’s roof.

Lady Evelynn shielded her eyes against the stinging bites of snow. She couldn’t make out his location. There. A flash of light from the huge bonfire in the bailey below illuminated his form, facing out into the night.

Arms braced, the tall figure leaned across the waist-high stone embrasure, as if he welcomed the wild winter gales.

How did he know who stood behind him? And why must he use that foolish childhood nickname? Her resolve wavered then flared once more. Let him ignore her, then. She would pay no heed to his indifference, just as she had as a child. He needed a friend right now.

He just didn’t realize it.

She clenched her hands, caught her bottom lip between her teeth, and stepped from the dim recesses of the doorway. Light from a lone torch just inside the landing at the top of the stairs flickered across the whitened walkway.

 “Are you well?” Evie shivered as she picked a path along the slick surface. She hadn’t brought a cloak. When he left the celebration with a bleak, dark look on his face, she followed without thinking.

He was in pain. She of all people could recognize the signs, could even understand a need for solitude. Yet the urge to comfort him drove her.

A moment’s uncertainty made her pause, however. This hard Sir Stephen little resembled the young squire she once knew. But the memory of their long-ago friendship drove her on.

He did not turn as she eased forward in her soft slippers. What could he possibly see in the snow-flecked blackness? Perhaps he regretted releasing Lady Emelin so readily. 

She raised her voice. “I thought when you left the hall—” She paused as his head turned slightly.

“That I could not bear to see my betrothed wed another man?”  His voice mocked. “Did you feel sorry for me?”

The sharp words failed to wound. He wouldn’t drive her away so easily.

“It would be understandable,” she said, at last reaching his side. Another frigid gust brought sounds of merriment from the bailey below. Snow would never deter the villagers when they celebrated the marriage of their new lord. This year’s Christmastide would be doubly rich with gifts and happiness.

“I’m happy to see her wed Sir Giles.” He turned to stare outward at nothing again. “I have no desire for a wife. Ever.”

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Merry Christmas from The Maze!

Today on The Maze I pause to remember and celebrate the birth of the most influential person of all time. But His birth would have had no meaning without the culmination of His life's work. Both are reflected here in this juxtaposition of stained glass in the Church of Stabroek, Belgium, photographed on 6/27/2015.

Church of Stabroek, Belgium (c)2015 by Jorisvo
bigstock ID 94868195 Editorial license.

All my very warmest wishes to you for a 

Merry Christmas 

and a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

Cinderella Countdown: Cinder the Fae by Rebekah Ganiere @VampWereZombie

In between all your last-minute shopping today, check out this enchanting paranormal Cinderella romance by Rebekah R. Ganiere!

Cinderella Countdown: Spellbound Cinderella by @AngelaFord67

Today on The Maze I'm pleased to feature another Twitter friend, Angela Ford, with her Cinderella story, Spellbound Cinderella! 

Kendra cannot celebrate Christmas in SNOW IN JULY by @KimHeadlee paranormal #medieval romance

Kendra must wed one of these
ruthless Norman warriors. 

William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas day, 1066. One of his first acts as king was to decree that several of his bachelor knights wed local Saxon noblewomen.

In today's excerpt from Snow in July, which is running on other blogs this month as part of the Medieval Monday exchange, not everyone feels compelled to celebrate William's good fortune.

SYNOPSIS:
Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre has been granted what every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the estate's Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when people's lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the land, its problems, and its lady.

Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been granted what no woman wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms of a Norman…unless it snows in July.

Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra from the first moment of their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly Norman "squire." But a growing evil overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very souls lie in the balance.

BOOK TRAILER: http://youtu.be/vFsaD1jCLLU

BUY & TBR LINKS

Worldwide Amazon Kindle link – Worldwide Amazon Paperback link –

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK – B&N PAPERBACK – KOBO – SMASHWORDS – ITUNES – GOODREADS –

EXCERPT

The pewter goblet hit the trencher with an ungodly clatter. Bloodred wine seeped across the white table linens, reminding Kendra of what Del’s blood must have done the night he was ambushed.

As a servant rushed to right her goblet and blot the stain, she leaned against her carved, tall-backed chair on the dais of Edgarburh’s feast hall, certain she had imagined the voice that had startled her.

She wished Del’s condition could be righted as easily.

Her seat gave her the best view of the Cristes-mæsse festivities, which at present consisted of a muzzled, scruffy bear being goaded through its awkward paces by an equally scruffy man to the raucous amusement of the crowd.

Kendra couldn’t share in the laughter.

With the tip of her dagger, she chased slices of stewed apples around her trencher, racking her brains for something—anything—she hadn’t yet tried to help her brother, either to heal his wound or cure the fever and cough invading his lungs.

Invasion. She gave a soft snort. Not three months earlier, Del had risked his life in the service of King Harold against the invading William of Normandy. Del had been one of the lucky few to survive the battle, only to be cut down on their father’s lands by one of William the Bastard’s knights. The enormity of the outrage still blazed within her heart.

Even greater kindled her wrath over the decree accompanying the coronation announcement: she must wed one of these ruthless Norman warriors.

This very day, her father was paying court upon the new king, offering his—though not his daughter’s—acquiescence to the betrothal in hopes of currying favor enough to present his complaint about Del’s attacker. He possessed the knight’s shield, though the coward had eluded capture. Waldron kept the shield locked in his quarters, for he couldn’t risk losing his one tangible link to the Norman swine.

Kendra’s heart had screamed the truth, although her father had refused to hear it: Sir Delwin Waldronson had fought for King Harold, his attacker was one of William the Bastard’s retainers, and justice would be denied.

***

Note: Cristes-mæsse is the ancient Saxon word for Christmas.

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Celebrating the Winter Solstice in Dragon Knight's Shield by @m_morganauthor #MedievalMonday

Today's Medieval Monday installment on The Maze features the newest of Mary Morgan's Dragon Knight novels, Dragon Knight's Shield, forthcoming 1/8/2016!

Synopsis:
Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and he takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him.

Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.

Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Pre-order from Amazon!

Excerpt:
Several other minstrels picked up their lyre and harp and started to play as the feasting began.

“Would ye care for the venison, Deirdre?”

“Gosh, yes! I’m starving.” Feeling a bit lightheaded, she inhaled the aroma of the meat mixed with onions. “Smells divine.”

As she scooped up a portion with a piece of bread, she closed her eyes, savoring the flavors. Upon opening them, she found Angus staring at her. Taking his finger, he wiped away some of the juices on her cheek and licked them off. Feeling the heat prickle her face, she reached for her mug and downed its contents.

Chuckling softly, he continued to focus on his own meal.

When she could eat no more, she spied a dark looking dish near Cormac. She nudged Angus. “What is that?”

“Ahh…’tis a favorite of mine. Plums in wine and spices. Would ye care to taste them?”

“Of course.”

Stretching forward, Angus brought forth the dish. Dipping his finger in the bowl, he held out the plum in front of her.

“Umm…you don’t expect me to lick the fruit off your finger?” Deirdre looked around, thinking all eyes were on them.

“Dinnae worry, just taste.” The husky burr of his voice causing her nerves to tingle with excitement.

Slowly, she ate the delectable fruit from his finger. “More,” she demanded.

“Ye are bonny to watch,” he whispered against her ear. Swiping an even bigger piece, he literally shoved two fingers into her mouth. This time she trailed her tongue along his fingers and heard him growl.

Cormac coughed, and she quickly turned away. Another minstrel started to play a lute as he strolled among the tables. His song was one of lost lovers and Deirdre became entranced by his singing. Approaching their table, he paused, letting his fingers glide over the strings.

His eyes met hers as he sung, “The wisdom of the lovers’ hearts can be lost within the reason of the mind—forever adrift and never to be found again.” His last words of the song struck a chord within her, causing her heart to ache. How foolish she had been.

As she watched him slowly walk away, she felt Angus’s hand covering hers. When she looked into his eyes, she knew without a doubt that love had truly claimed her heart for the first time in her life.

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Gawain gets more than he bargained for in Ch 9/Sc 1c of RAGING SEA by @KimHeadlee #amwriting

Graphic overlay (c)2015 by Kim Headlee.

Saturday excerpts from Raging Sea go on hiatus for the holidays after today and will resume on 1/9/2016. I hope you enjoy a merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and whatever other event you're celebrating this season!

To tide you over while waiting to find out whether or not Gawain gets to keep his head after this excerpt, I invite you to download a copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings, which is free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or Amazon Prime membership.

Previous excerpts of Raging Sea 
Chapters 1–6 in Raging Sea: Reckonings

 Chapter 7: Sc 1 | Sc 2 | Sc 3 | Sc 4 | Sc 5a | Sc 5b |
Chapter 8: Sc 1a | Sc 1b | Sc 2 | Sc 3a | Sc 3b |
Chapter 9: Sc 1a | Sc 1b |

Raging Sea Chapter 9, Scene 1c

©2015 by Kim Headlee

All rights reserved.

Morghe gave an exaggerated groan. “Please, my lords and ladies. This is a wedding, not a council chamber. My wedding, for those of you who seem to have forgotten that fact.” She stood, beckoned to the servant who was holding the platter bearing the victor’s haunch, and instructed him to deliver it to Lady Caitleen. While the man walked around the long table, Morghe leaned across it to give her own goblet to the Scotti woman, which the latter took with a nod of thanks.

“Brave warrior, accept this gift from my hand as but the smallest token of my esteem for your skills.” Lady Caitleen hefted the haunch from the platter and deposited it into Gawain’s outstretched hand.

The political sword-rattling had not dampened his appetite, and he tore off a generous mouthful. The salty skin crackled, and the flesh beneath was tender and juicy and hot, just as he preferred it. He closed his eyes for a moment of pure appreciation as he chewed and swallowed.

He inhaled Caitleen’s earthy-sweet scent as she sidled closer to him, and he opened his eyes. A soft smile adorned her lips. The boar’s haunch felt heavy in his fist, and he abandoned it on the table. Caitleen’s smile widened as she pressed the goblet into his hand. His fingers touched hers for a moment before she released her hold. He felt a lower part of him stir awake in response.

“May this victor’s cup refresh ye as nothing ever could,” she said.

God, she was so very beautiful… and so very married.

Gawain murmured his thanks. He prayed that the mead was potent enough to kill his lust and drained the goblet in one pull.

She moistened her lips. Her smile shaded from radiant to sultry. She glanced at Fergus, who returned her look with a smoldering one of his own. “And may this kiss remind me husband to perform better in your rematch.”

No stranger to a woman’s mouth, Gawain had never felt such an arousing kiss in his entire life. She nibbled his lower lip. The moment his mouth widened, she slid in her tongue to twine with his. She stepped closer, pressing her body to him and shifting her hips in a tantalizing rhythm.

His engorged senses reeled. Reason fled. He enveloped her in a crushing embrace and deepened the kiss, matching her rhythm and reveling in the mounting ache that would soon find release…

A woman’s scream startled him. Rough male hands dragged him back. Chest heaving and hair swirling about her head like a flame unbound, Caitleen was glaring at him while trying to hold closed her torn bodice.

Gawain blinked. Her appearance made no sense. What in hell did I do?

“Ye attacked me, monster!” she shrieked.

Did I speak those words aloud?

He shook his head, as much to clear it as to deny her claim. The room wouldn’t quit spinning. He wanted to bend over, but the Scotti warriors gripping his arms held him fast. Nausea clawed at his stomach. The entire feast hall had erupted into a cacophony of shouts and outcries, most of which were directed against him.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

Gawain’s protest was cut short by Fergus’s fist to his jaw. Gawain stumbled back against the warriors, who tightened their grips. His vision fractured into needles of light, and the hall spun even faster. He closed his eyes and would have sagged to his knees if his captors had let him.

“Chieftain Urien, you and all your guests be witness to this heinous assault upon me innocent lady wife,” Fergus stated. “I demand his head.”

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Cinderella Countdown: The Thin Person Inside by @RochelleWeber contemporary romance

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Baby Girl Who Now Reviews Books! #MFRWOrg

Photo (c)12/7/2013 by Kim Headlee.
Enigma Bookstore, Astoria, NY.

The Business of Writing is kicking off the holiday hiatus by celebrating the birthday of my youngest! 

Jessica is in her second year studying Marine Science, with an interest in coral reef preservation. She is an avid reader, writer, and poet, has created art for two of my novels (all the character glyphs for Snow in July, and two for Liberty), has had Snow in July art incorporated into two of the illustrations for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, and has begun her own book review blog called Of Books and Pen. She cross-posts her reviews on Goodreads and Tumblr.

Jessica welcomes authors' queries for reviewing e-books, print books, and audiobooks, but she will not read:

• Horror
• Erotica
• Any fiction written predominantly from the villain's perspective
• Any fiction centering on rape, incest, pedophilia, BDSM, bestiality, and other themes of this nature.

For more information, please visit her submission policy page.

She has yet to read any of my novels, even those for which she provided art—but that's okay; it took her older brother until he was well into his 20s before he read (and discovered that he liked) my books. :D

Please join me in wishing Jessica a very happy birthday!

The Business of Writing will get back to business on The Maze
Wednesday, January 6, 2016.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,
and I hope you enjoy whatever else you celebrate. :)

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Everyone wins with #FREE download RAGING SEA by @KimHeadlee Arthurian legends #ASMSG

It's that time of the month again on The Maze! 

No, not that time (LOL!), but time to announce the winners of my latest contests (already notified):

"ALL call me Queen. Most call me 'The Wise.'
No man dares call me 'le Fay,' lest he die."
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court
Hardcover & paperback editions now on sale!

• Liza O: an audiobook download of The Color of Vengeance.
• L.A.M.: a set of autographed note cards
• Wendy C: an autographed copy of King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court

Please join me in congratulating these fortunate folks, and thank you all for your interest in and support of my work.

It's also time to offer my newest release, Raging Sea: Reckonings, as a FREE Kindle download—but hurry; snag your copy today!!

Synopsis:
Those who aspire to greatness must first learn servanthood.
 
Stripped of kin, clan, country, and even his identity for having failed the most important woman in his life and her infant son, Angusel begins the arduous task of rebuilding his life and reclaiming his honor. The path he treads is fraught with uncomfortable revelations, unexpected reconciliations… and unavoidable reckonings.

Free Kindle Worldwide 12/15/2015;
always free with Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime subscriptions!

***
Final hours to enter this giveaway for an autographed copy of
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

Celebrating the mannor lord's return in The Saxon Bride by @AshleyYork1066 #MedievalMonday

Today's Medieval Monday installment features an excerpt from Ashley York's The Saxon Bride.

Synopsis: In war torn England the battle lines between Saxon and Norman are clearly drawn.

Rowena Godwinson, the sole remaining member of the defeated royal family, stands proudly against the Normans that would trample them underfoot. Her nobility and grace,  however, make her an ideal pawn in King William’s play for power with the Saxon people. When he decrees she marry a powerful Norman knight, her subjugation appears to be complete. Can she hold firm to her Saxon heritage and refuse to give in to his advances?

John of Normandy is rewarded for his service and loyalty with land, titles and a Saxon beauty for a bride. John balks at the marriage, driven by the secret guilt of knowing Rowena's father died by his sword

As their people look to them for guidance and peace, can John and Rowena find a love that unites all of England?

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Excerpt:
Her response to his looks was quite disconcerting. She cleared her throat."How do you find your manor after your long absence, my lord?"

John eyebrows shot up. She hadn't meant to find fault...or maybe she did.

"I was taken aback to find you do not care for the stores and such. Is there a reason you refuse to act as is your right as my wife?"

Her mouth opened slightly at the lie. "My lord, I have been given no such leave. Your king replaced me as chatelaine on his first visit here."

John searched her face before correcting her. "Our king."

"Yes." Rowena dropped her gaze. A slip of the tongue.

"You would accept this position then?"

She looked up but hesitated, not wanting to overstep her bounds. "It would give me great pleasure to be in charge of the running of the castle."

"Then run it you shall."

Rowena nibbled at her lip to hide her smile. Since the Normans had come, no one obeyed her unless they wanted to. The king had never come to meet with her but instead with those he had put in charge of her. Now John was giving her back her rightful place. Things were progressing better than she had hoped.

The young girl, Sarah, had replaced Ruth and was in front of the table offering a basket of almond-stuffed dates dripping with honey. Rowena returned her genuine smile. She was a lovely child. Serving the lord and lady was a big responsibility.

Offering the sweets to the new lord, Sarah's face fell as he declined with a shake of his hand.

"Oh, yes, please." Rowena hurriedly accepted the sweet. Sarah beamed in appreciation and moved on to the next table.

Rowena put the treat to her mouth and took a small bite. The honey smeared her lips. Quickly, John was leaning toward her, pulling her close. He licked her lips before kissing her. He was so tender that she was moved by the gesture and leaned into him, wanting the kiss to continue.

The burst of applause from those present in the hall surprised Rowena. She smiled in answer when they separated at last. Not all present looked happy with their display of affection. Noticing John had not yet moved away, she realized he was waiting for another kiss. She kissed him chastely. He frowned but pulled back.

The young man on her left caught her eye. He sat against the wall, his clay whistle on his lap. He had a small smile and looked at her expectantly. It was Cedric, the performer. Too shy to come to the table himself, he was apparently hoping Rowena would intervene on his behalf. She did not disappoint. Trying not to smile at his bashfulness, she turned back toward John.

"My lord…" Catching him unguarded, she was taken aback by the look of sadness she saw there. It passed so quickly, she wondered if she had imagined it.

"My lady?"

A ripple of delight washed over her at the title. She glanced away to hide her pleasure.

"Our performer tonight is a bit shy and hoping you would enjoy hearing his songs," she said. "He is very good. Will you address him?"

She tipped her head slightly indicating the man.

"Please." John smiled warmly at the performer and stood, facing those in hall. "Friends and visitors, let us rejoice in the blessing of music that God has given us by listening to…" realizing he didn't know the man's name, his composure fell slightly and he looked to Rowena to complete the introduction. "Rowena?"

"Cedric."

"Cedric." John lifted his cup.

Applause broke out with murmurs of excitement as the man stepped into the middle of the hall. A sudden hush fell like a blanket over the hall in anticipation of the entertainment as Cedric produced one long note from his whistle then cleared his throat. No longer the shy young man, he took over the music with confidence, having nothing more than his voice and a whistle.

Lifting his strong, clear voice, he told the story of the fallen soldier. He had been killed by an arrow and left to die alone by his companions. While he suffered the inevitable, it was a fallow deer that came to be with him. The story was enchanting and one of Rowena's favorites. She brushed away a tear and clapped enthusiastically. Cedric blushed as he bowed low. Next taking up his whistle, the pleasant music increased the peaceful mood that fell over the hushed crowd.

John wiped at her cheek, his touch light. "That song brought tears?"

Rowena dipped her head, shrugging a shoulder. "I think it is a lovely story. ‘Tis all."

"Ah, my wife has great sentiment." He took her hand in his. "I will remember that."

***
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Those who aspire to greatness
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Urien reveals a secret in Ch 9/Sc 1b of RAGING SEA by @KimHeadlee #amwriting

The people inhabiting what is now known as Scotland are largely descended from a Celtic race who once had inhabited Ireland. These folk landed on and near the Kintyre Peninsula beginning some time in the latter years of the AD fifth century, and gradually spread inland from there.

The reasons for this migration have been lost to us, but in my Dragon's Dove Chronicles series I attribute them to a combination of warfare with another race, and the economic pressures of a population increase.

And I couldn't resist adding the political twist, revealed in today's excerpt, that Urien invited the Scots onto his lands as yet another dig at Arthur and Gyan.

Previous excerpts of Raging Sea 

 Chapter 7: Sc 1 | Sc 2 | Sc 3 | Sc 4 | Sc 5a | Sc 5b |
Chapter 8: Sc 1a | Sc 1b | Sc 2 | Sc 3a | Sc 3b |
Chapter 9: Sc 1a | 

Raging Sea Chapter 9, Scene 1b

©2015 by Kim Headlee

All rights reserved.

Amid the roar of mirth, as Gawain stepped up to the dais to claim the traditional victor’s meal of honey mead and the boar’s haunch, a Scotti woman joined him. Her beauty—in particular, the way her full breasts strained against the fabric of her silver-embroidered black bodice, bulging above it as if they might win free at any moment—made him forget any questions he might have had about her intent.

“My lady?” asked Urien. “How may we be of service to you?”

Gawain marveled at that response; three days of feasting and bedding his wife seemed to have done much to mellow the chieftain’s humor. This was just as well, he mused, since he would gut Urien if any harm ever came to his aunt at her husband’s hands. Then Arthur could have what was left.

The Scotti woman opened her stance so her words could carry to the crowd too. “I be called Caitleen, and this fine lad”—she laid a hand on Gawain’s shoulder and glided her fingertips down his arm, igniting a trail of tingles beneath her feather-light touch—“has bested me husband in a fair match. In keeping with the traditions of our people the Scáthaichean, Chieftain Urien, I request the boon of presenting his victory meal.”

Urien appeared to ponder her request as he took a pull from his gold-embossed silver goblet. He commanded a refill from the maidservant standing behind his chair, and saluted Fergus’s wife with the full goblet. “Fairly spoken, Lady Caitleen. I am pleased to grant this request… to the wife of Clan Moray’s newest ally and neighbor.”

All the guests seated at the high table swiveled their heads toward Urien. All but Morghe wore a frown. A glance at the feasters sitting at the lower tables revealed their abrupt disinterest in the food.

Arthur’s sharp, “Ally?” was almost drowned by Gyan’s querulous, “Neighbor?”

Urien laughed. Morghe beamed. Merlin and Ygraine looked thoughtful. Niniane, seated beside Merlin, closed her eyes as if in a brief prayer.

To Gyan and Arthur, Urien said, “Indeed. Ceding a few hundred hides of Moray land to Fergus’s clan is but a small price to pay for lasting peace with the Scots.” Smiling, he nodded toward Lady Caitleen. “That is to say, the Scáthaichean.” Her smile broadened.

Gawain couldn’t miss the emphasis Urien had placed upon the word lasting. To judge by the deeper frowns, neither had anyone else.

“And who shall pay the price when these—Scáthinaich”—Gyan used the Caledonian equivalent rather defiantly, Gawain thought—“outgrow their few hundred hides?” She lowered her eyebrows. “Argyll?”

Urien slapped his hand over his heart. “Chieftainess Gyanhumara, you wound me. I possess their profound assurances that they shall be model tenants. Don’t I, good my lord Fergus?”

“Aye!” thundered the man who was foster brother to one of Arthur’s most dangerous enemies. Fergus, who had donned his fine tunic while his wife had been presenting her request, grinned at Gyan. “The chieftainess should well recall that I be a man of me word.”

“I pray that your word has gained in value since the last time I encountered it,” she said. Arthur’s brief but consternation-laden stare went ignored as she busied herself with her goblet. Gawain bit his lip to hide his grin.

***
Enter this giveaway for an autographed copy of
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Those who aspire to greatness
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All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
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Cinderella Countdown: Savage Cinderella by @pjsharon YA/NA romantic suspense

The Business of Writing: The Audiobook #MFRWOrg #ASMSG #RLFBlog

One must die. Refusal is not an option.
The Challenge by Kim Iverson Headlee.
Audiobook is FREE with Audible trial!

With a manuscript sold to a traditional publisher (Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, etc.), the author usually must sell all rights—including the right to produce ancillary editions such as the audiobook—and then sit around hoping and praying that the mass-market paperback does well enough to convince the publisher to publish the novel in other formats.

Not so in this day and age of independent publishing, thank heaven!

In 1997, when the first edition of my novel Dawnflight was having its contract negotiated with Simon & Schuster, their boilerplate stipulated the purchase of a lot of rights, including foreign translations and the production of an audiobook edition. I have to admit that the prospect of having my work in those other formats was exciting. However, Simon & Schuster never exploited those rights, so when the 1999 mass-market paperback edition went out of print in 2004, those rights reverted to me as well.

Duty wages war against love on the
battlefield of opposing cultures and agendas.
Dawnflight by Kim Headlee.
Whispersynch to your Kindle copy!

The novel in all formats lay fallow until 2012, when I decided to overhaul it and release it as an official second edition in print as well as e-book. My e-book coding mentor introduced me to the unique joys of audiobook production via Amazon's Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), and although I am aware of other audiobook production services, I have never looked back.

The ACX audiobook production process.

1. A book's Rights Holder—author or publisher—visits http://www.acx.com/ and signs in with his/her existing Amazon account.
2. Once logged in, "claim" the book via ACX's "Add Your Title" function (top right corner of window). This performs a search of the Amazon product catalog to retrieve available editions.
3. Stipulate whether the audiobook will be self narrated.
4. Fill out all the requisite information about the title, including:
   • Production payment type: Royalty Share (50-50 split of net royalties paid to Rights Holder and Producer; i.e., the Producer bears all risk for production) or pay some agreed-upon amount upon completion of the project (i.e., the Rights Holder bears all the risk). In rare cases, ACX will deign to pay the producer a fee even though the Rights Holder has stipulated a royalty-share contract; this happened for my e-book coding mentor with her first audiobook, but not for any of my titles thus far, and of course it's not applicable for self-narrated titles.
   • Distribution: Exclusive (distribution to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes only, which yields a 40% net royalty for the title) or Non-exclusive (distribution to Audible, Amazon, iTunes, and anywhere else of the Rights Holder's choosing; 25% net royalty). The 40% or 25% amount is what is split with the Producer in a royalty-share production agreement.
   • If the audiobook is not to be self-narrated, the type of voice desired (male or female, age, narration style, accent, etc.) may be specified, in addition to genre and other details.
5. Upload an audition script (or not, if you're narrating your own title, and skip the next step too). The ideal audition script will feature a particularly dramatic moment from your book that includes dialogue for the main character(s) so that you can evaluate the prospective narrator's emotional and vocal range. It should be no more than 750 words (i.e., a maximum reading time of about 5 minutes).
   
   If you upload a longer script, don't be surprised if the candidate doesn't read it all! In the comments section, do specify details such as the characters' ages and accents, and expected pronunciation of unusual names or words, to give candidates the best chance of recording a great audition.
6. Either wait for a Producer (i.e., narrator) to submit an audition, or search for suitable producers and contact them via ACX's messaging system. The latter entails listening to posted clips and can be very time consuming.
   
   I have done the proactive approach for only two producers, and neither of them answered me. If you have had luck with this approach, leave a comment to let me know!
7. Once the Rights Holder receives an acceptable audition (or not, if self narrating), then the process of recording and approving audiobook chapters begins! If you're not doing your own recording, this phase consists of waiting for the Producer to upload a new segment, listening to the segment, and providing feedback. The length of this phase is usually a direct correlation to the length of the source material, although I recently had to officially cease production on a project because the Producer fell ill and couldn't complete it.
   
   For all of my completed projects, I elected to manage them on a chapter-by-chapter basis, and I developed an Excel spreadsheet as a tool to identify specific problem areas as well as communicating positive feedback. Like any type of artist, most vocal artists take great pride in their work and welcome feedback so that both parties are happy with the production.
   
   I do not recommend waiting to listen to the Producer's work until after all files have been delivered because of the sheer amount and variety of issues that can crop up, some of which may "ripple" throughout the rest of the production. It is far better for everyone involved to keep on top of the process at every step along the way.
8. Upon final approval of all chapters, and uploading of the cover art and retail sample (a 3-5 minute excerpt), the Rights Holder (and Producer, if they are in a royalty-share agreement) waits for ACX to perform an internal quality-control audit of the audiobook.
   
   For the 2013 editions of Dawnflight and The Color of Vengeance, the internal ACX audit took about a month between my acceptance of the files and ACX's release of the audiobooks into retail channels.
   
   With The Challenge, I elected to enter into a per-finished-hour upfront payment agreement (rather than royalty share; see below for explanation) with an ACX Certified Producer, and the internal audit was completed in less than two weeks—with the Thanksgiving holiday smack in the middle. Whether this speed increase was due to hiring a certified producer or not, I cannot be certain, but obviously it didn't hurt. And I scored a few extras, such as special voice modulation effects, in the bargain. :)
9. Wait another week or so for the title to cross-populate into Amazon and iTunes catalogs, and begin the distribution process to other sites (CD Baby, etc.) manually if you've chosen non-exclusive distribution.

Choosing the right Producer for your audiobook.

Vengeance was the only burial gift he could bestow.
The Color of Vengeance by Kim Headlee.
Audiobook is FREE with Audible subscription!

If you have a bestselling title, you want to delve into crowdfunding, or you are otherwise wealthy enough to drop $5K or more on paying someone else to produce your audiobook, you can investigate these high-end independent producers in this article published in BookLife, the news outlet produced by Publishers Weekly for independent publishers.

Otherwise, decide upon the type of voice you're looking for, establish your ACX budget, and—literally—hope for the best.

Paying for production entails a unit called the "finished hour." For planning purposes when setting up your book to receive auditions, ACX estimates one finished hour to be 9300 words of text.

Once the book is recorded and uploaded to ACX, then the actual production cost is calculated to be the sum total in hours and minutes of all files multiplied by the agreed-upon per-finished-hour (PFH) rate. Producers with a presence in ACX stipulate their minimum accepted PFH rate, though it may be open to negotiation. If you do elect to negotiate, whether you're a Rights Holder or a Producer, keep in mind that ACX's offer-rejection letter sent to the other party may sound final but really isn't, and submit (or accept, if you're the Producer) a new offer.

My 135K-word manuscript for Dawnflight was estimated to be 14.5 finished hours… and the final production weighed in at 17.7 hours. If I had hired an ACX-certified producer for that project, at $200 per finished hour (a typical rate for that level of production experience), I'd have been on the hook to pay more than $3500!!

That is the kind of math to be aware of when making your audiobook title setup decisions. Producers registered via ACX (whether certified or not) may elect to be paid in the following PFH increments: $0-$50, $50-$100, $100-$200, $200-$400, and $400-$1000. A thousand dollars per finished hour will usually get you a team of male and female voice artists, musical interludes, sound effects, and the whole shebang. Cue the crowdfunding! The $0-$50 end will probably yield a bare-bones basic production, perhaps by someone just starting out in the narration business; in that case, you're probably better off stipulating the royalty-share production arrangement and seeing if you can attract a producer with a higher experience level.

Getting reviews.
If you think it's hard to get your e-book reviewed, just wait till you enter the wild & woolly world of audiobooks. To get you started, here are a few sites to contact:

• 99 Audiobooks http://www.99audiobooks.com/contact (no review policy stated; submit your query via their "contact us" form).
• Audiobook Fans http://www.audiobookfans.com/review-policy/.
• Audiobook Jukebox http://audiobookjukebox.squarespace.com/solid-gold-reviewer-program/ -- and you don't have to use your Audible download codes if your audiobook is listed here, which is a fabulous deal.
• Audiobook Review http://audiobookreviewer.com/review-policy/ (sci-fi/fantasy only)
• Books For Ears http://booksforears.com/contact-us/ (no review submission policy; just contact them with your query)

If you have a story about any phase of the audiobook production process, leave a comment to share with us all!

Best of luck in all your publishing endeavors. :)

***
Enter this giveaway for an autographed copy of
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!