Have Books Will Travel with Guest Blogger: Carole Ann Moleti

Win a copy of
Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts and Bites
and chat with author Carole Ann Moleti
today at the Boost!

She's here to discuss her author driven travels and here's what she had to say...


Thanks so much for having me at The Book Boost, Kerri. I'm really excited about the projects I've been involved in this winter, and about upcoming events and appearances I've set up for the spring and summer.


First and foremost, it's been a distinct pleasure to work with editor, author, teacher, and now publisher Rayne Hall on her Ten Tales series of fantasy titles. She has sought out stories from established authors in the fantasy genres. But she has been committed to giving less well-published authors like myself a chance.


The result is line up of anthologies that will be rolled out over the next year, some of which might include more of my work. Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts was published in December 2011 and features short stories in a myriad of styles by, well, ten authors.


My contribution, "Breakwater Beach," focuses on the hero and heroine of my Cape Cod Paranormal Romance novel series. The first two books, Unfinished Business and The Widow's Walk are complete and in the hands of agents right now.


"Breakwater Beach" is a pastiche introducing Liz Levine and Mike Keeny, who share a past they can't recall--because it was in another life. Liz discovers that the ghost haunting Breakwater Beach is her own, the widow of a sea captain who has returned to draw her backward so they can complete some unfinished business.


I'm thrilled to be able to engage readers who love paranormal romance in a contemporary setting with a sharp edge but a gentle hopefully ever after ending. And I'd love to connect with them so I can let them know when the full-length series is available.


Why am I releasing snippets of novels to be? Because after six years of writing, I'm proud of my babies and want to share snapshots of them with readers. So far, the response has been most gratifying. I'm sure all the authors who have contributed to Haunted have their own reasons: connecting with new readers, giving new life to previously published stories, or the thrill of finding a home for something they've worked on for a long time. Some of them might be checking in here today.


And speaking of connections, in addition to my blog and other social media outlets, readers can meet me in person (and take away a small token of my affection) at the following locations:

• Fantastic Fiction readings, sponsored by Ellen Datlow and Matthew Kressel, which are held in New York City every third Wednesday of the month at the KGB Bar. No, I'm not reading but try and claim a seat by the bar to watch the stars come out.
• LunaCon, Westchester County, New York from March 16-18 2012 (Programing schedule TBA)
• Fiction Fest, sponsored by the Connecticut Romance Writers Chapter of RWA, in Southbury on May 12, 2012. Signings begin at 4pm and are open to all at no charge. I'll be selling all my books (and giving away book cards for my e-reader fans), no matter where and when they were purchased. I assure you it will be worth the trip. Romance writers give out the most incredible swag!
• ChiCon, the World Science Fiction Convention, in Chicago, Illinois from August 30-September 3, 2012 (Programming schedule TBA)
  

Rumor has it that some of the authors who have also contributed to Haunted and Bites might join me at some of those venues. If you can't make it to any of the above, ping me and I'd be happy to send you a signed book card or chat about writing online.


Rayne has put together another incredible volume for those who like to stick their necks out and tiptoe onto the darker side. My story, "The Dhampir's Kiss" introduces the characters in my current writing project. A gritty urban fantasy, Boulevard of Bad Spells and Broken Dreams (also in the hands of an agent), is set in The Bronx, notorious for its gang violence, arson, drugs, prostitution. A beta reader compared it to Sin City, and I describe it as and mix-up of the film Fort Apache, The Bronx and Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities with an updated paranormal twist.


I'll be hanging out here all day to answer questions about my stories, my characters, writing in general, and how I get ideas. Jump into the discussion and ask away.


A Note from the Book Boost: I love to make appearances and travel as well. In fact, I'm heading down to the utterly haunted New Orleans next week. Hope to catch up with you sometime this year. Congrats on the new project and I've worked with Rayne via online classes before--she's a champ! Please tell us more about your story.



Blurb:


Liz Levine is convinced her recently deceased husband is engineering the sequence of events that propels her into a new life. But it's sea captain Edward Barrett, the husband that died over a century ago, who has returned to complete their unfinished business.


Excerpt:


A sea breeze blew through wide-open windows, routing the musty, dank smell. The spiders had run for cover. Sunbeams caught the colors liberated from the stained glass and projected rainbows onto the dark wood floors, in a mirror image of its grid and ring pattern.

“Have you linens and towels fer yer room, Miss Lizzy?” Mae helped haul grocery bags out of the trunk.

“Yes, in the car.”

“Bring ‘em up. There’s somethin’ interestin’ to see.” Mae left the kitchen and tromped up the central staircase, dusting the balusters as she went.

Liz put the groceries into the butler's pantry and refrigerator, both of which were spotless. She grabbed three huge bags from the car and dragged them upstairs.

Mae took the bags and tossed them to the girls. “Wash your hands, make up the bed, and fix the bathroom. Lizzy, look at this trunk of things Adele found in the closet.”

Liz opened the lid of a large trunk affixed with shipping labels dated from 1865 to 1875. Inside, neatly folded, were women’s clothes, hats, and shoes. She examined a night chemise that resembled a long slip with lace trim. “This is English linen, Irish lace though."

Mae didn’t answer. Liz peeled away layers of yellowed paper. Silk and velvet dresses with coordinating hats and high button shoes were stored in their original boxes. Undergarments, corsets, garters, and hosiery were wrapped in linen bags. The aroma of lavender lingered in a sachet tucked in the corner.

Mae hung the dresses in the closet and they arranged the intimate garments in the antique dresser. Liz left the shoes and hats in the trunk and pushed it against the wall.

“You won’t be findin’ this clothin’ in the Sea Captain’s Thrift Shop,” said Mae.

“These are valuable,” said Liz. “It’s too damp up here to leave them out. I'll donate them to the Brewster Historical Society and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.”

“Keep this nightgown, Miss Lizzy.” Mae hung it on a hanger over the closet door. “The sachet kept it fresh and the wrinkles will come out in time. A real lady lived here. The best of everything.”

Liz turned to watch the girls fluffing pillows and turning down the covers on the four-poster bed and felt another moment of déjà vu.

Want More Carole?


Visit her on the web here:
http://caroleannmoleti.com

Follow her blog here:
http://caroleannmoleti.blogspot.com


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