Be Kind To Your Servers Month with Guest Blogger: Terri L. Austin

Meet author Terri L. Austin 

& friends today at the Book Boost!

Be Kind to Food Servers—Or Else!

“Hello, my name is Rose Strickland and I’m a waitress at Ma’s Diner. You may not know this, but January is Be Kind to Your Servers month. So I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that servers are people, too and—”

“Get real, Rose.”

“Sorry for the interruption. This is my fellow waitress-slash-bestie, Roxy Block.”

“How you doing? What Rose is trying to say in her nice girl way, is tip your freaking waitress. Do you think we like schlepping around platters of food and getting stiffed? Do you? We have bills to pay, too, you know.”

“Again, sorry. Roxy has been a little cranky since she gave up smoking. And most people are really nice. Especially our regulars.”

“I’m only cranky when I don’t make bank. And what about Hermit Jim? He sits in the back of the diner, never smiles, and always leaves like, fifty cents. Look, we work hard, dudes. Fifteen percent and a smile. Is that so difficult?”

“But we enjoy our job, right, Rox? We like serving people and seeing their smiles after a short stack and a cup of coffee. And our boss, Ma, is the best. She’s owned the diner for almost fifty years. She’s an institution in our town.”

“Yeah, I love Ma. She’s good peeps.”

“What we’re trying to say is that servers don’t make much of an hourly wage. Your tips go a long way in helping us pay tuition or keeping us in ramen noodles—you know, the essentials. And we like a kind word as much as the next person.”

“And maybe if you’re nice, we won’t give you high octane when you ask for decaf. Just remember, we have our ways of getting even. Be cool to your waitress—me—and we won’t have a problem. Now tell them about Janelle, Rose.”

“I’m not sure they want to hear about that.”

“Of course they do. Who doesn’t love a dramatic story about jail and ex-cons and hot bad guys?”

“You got me. Okay, our friend, Janelle Johnson, is in jail, accused of putting her ex-husband in a coma.”

“But she’s totally innocent, right? Tell them.”

“Janelle is guilty of many things: bad judgment—”

“Terrible taste in men.”

“Indeed. But attempted murder? Uh uh. So it’s up to us to find out who tried to kill him. And there are a few other problems associated with this coma business.”

“Rose has a total crush on a criminal. And he’s in hot water.”

“Sullivan isn’t a bad guy and somehow, he ties into all this. But he’s helped me out more than once and if I can return the favor, so be it.”

“You are so blushing right now. She’s totally smitten.”

“Back to Janelle, we have to get her out of jail in time for Christmas. She has little kids.”

“You can do it, Rose. I have faith in you.”

“Ah, thanks Rox. Now everyone, go forth and be kind to your servers.

“Or else!”

A Note from the Book Boost:  Thanks for joining us Terri, and Rose and Rox!  Nice meeting you, ladies.  Getting out my tip calculator right now...


Blurb:

Rose Strickland is having a blue Christmas. Her friend is arrested for attempted murder, her sexy bad guy crush is marked by a hit man, and her boss is locked in an epic smackdown with a rival diner.

Determined to save those she loves, Rose embarks on an investigation more tangled than a box of last year's tree lights. With her eclectic gang at the ready, Rose stumbles across dead bodies, ex-cons, jilted lovers, and a gaggle of strippers as she searches for the truth. What she finds will leave her entrenched in a battle for freedom she might not survive.


Excerpt:

There are some absolutes in this life that are irrefutable. If you leave the house looking like crap, you’ll see someone you know, usually an ex-boyfriend. If you’re running late for an appointment, you’ll hit every red light on the way. And a three a.m. phone call is never good news. Either someone’s dead, in the hospital, or you’re a drunken booty call. But that Saturday morning, I discovered another reason to avoid the ringing harbinger of bad news.

“’ello,” I answered, my eyes still closed.

“Rose, I’m in jail, girl.”

I sniffed and sat up on my futon. “Janelle?”

“Of course it’s Janelle. They think I tried to kill Asshat.”

Scrubbing a hand over my eyes, I glanced at the clock. “Asshat?”

Janelle lowered her voice. “Rose, wake up and listen. I’m in jail, Asshat’s in a coma, and they’re saying I tried to kill him. I need help.”

Her dilemma finally penetrated my sleep-fogged brain. “Oh my God. Where are the kids?” Janelle had two, Damon, nine, and Sherise, seven. Both so cute you wanted to pinch their little cheeks. But I wouldn’t recommend it—that Sherise was a biter. 

“They’re staying with my cousin, Sondra. But I got to get out of here. If they think I’m spending Christmas in jail then I’m Halle Damn Berry.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Call that fancy lawyer you know. He’ll figure it out.”

Dane Harker. “I’ll call him and come see you in the morning. Will they let me bring you anything?”

“Cigarettes and toiletries. These bitches trade everything for cigarettes. And Rose? Thanks.”

Want More Terri?

Visit her on the web: http://terrilaustin.com/

Pick up your copy today!  Click here.

The Very Fine Art of Villains with Guest Blogger: Kerri Williams

Win a copy of Heart for Justice & more 

with author Kerri Williams 

today at the Book Boost!

Villains?

Cold-hearted or misunderstood?

You love to hate them, right. That’s what a good villain is.

I’m often asked about the villains in my books and believe it or not I find the best Villains are not just the ones you don’t expect, but the ones you love to hate! And women villains are the best of all because let’s face it; we can be fair dinkum bitches and hold a grudge better than any man.

A good Villain has to be realistic, has to have motive and stay true. They can be anything from fathers, mothers, priests, serial killers, revenge motivated characters and even an illness; whatever it is, they needs to stay true and they need to grow in that role, for better or for worse.

I like to feel their justification through their characters. One of my Villains and I wont say who because I hate spoilers, but they grew up in a family of hate and crime so it was no wonder they came out the same and yet you still don’t feel sorry for them. You just understand them, which is half your battle right there.

It can even be someone who feels like they haven’t had a choice in the matter and lost their way, like vigilantes (okay, so those I feel sorry for), but you get my drift.

As for an illness, that’s a whole other story because the only motive an illness has is to bring you down and no amount of begging, digging or anything other than treatment can save you. This is a major game changer as villains go because your heroes are helpless to help, but the idea is still the same, they need to fight together and hope to come through at the end. Highly emotional journey, this one. I’m in the midst of writing one of these.

I had cancer as a teenager right in the midst of high school, boyfriend and family dramas, so I thought it was time to write what I know. Never Goodbye will be out in the middle of this year.

Back to it? Writing a nice person, someone who you fall in love with is easy and easier still (for me at least) is the villain because they are so driven which propels every other character in your book along.

I mean the hero and heroine could live happily ever after making love every damn day if it weren’t for a villain who is set out to either kill them or break them up. This leaves the main characters no choice but to get the asses out of bed, get dressed and fight for what they believe in and want.

Yep, to sum it up, a good villain is just as important as your main characters as long as you get it right.

For a taste of villains try my new series The Moore Justice Trilogy, #1 Hunger For Justice, #2 Heart For Justice, #3 Blood For Justice (#3 out 26 Jan 2013).

A Note from the Book Boost:  What a great post!  Thanks for breaking down your artistic talent for creating a great villain.  Best of luck on the upcoming release.

Blurb from Hunger for Justice:


Have you ever felt a hunger so intense it blinds you from everything else in your life?

For Claire Moore, her hunger for justice is her coping mechanism, her reason for getting out of bed each morning, struggling to face her day to day life alone after her father and brother were violently taken from her.

Other nineteen-year-olds are at parties and studying at University, living the fun naïve life of a teenager, but in the world of Claire, there was nothing left for her other than the desperate hunger for justice.

Unfortunately it’s this hunger that’s driven everyone who cares for her away, unable to watch her place herself in danger any longer and that includes her teenage love, Talon Baker.

But true love never really dies and after stumbling upon information to the identity of their murderers, together Talon and Claire are hunted until they can figure out the clues her father left for them.

Through her hunger for justice, Claire grows by relinquishing control of her fight and allowing others to love her, even though the fear of losing them is too excruciating bear.


Excerpt:

She sat in her chair glaring him down, not hiding her disrespect for a man who was used to getting it.

“You’re right, it is enough. So how about you do your job so I can go.”

He strode the small distance of the life-stained linoleum floor to take the seat Damien had abandoned across from her. “And where would that be exactly?”

“Sea World. I love the seals,” she said grinning and clapping like an excited child high on red cordial. She saw the muscle in his jaw clench and felt a self-centred triumph in it.

“You are nineteen years old now. Does everything have to be a joke to you, Claire?”

“You’re a joke to me. This place?” she said waving around, “?is a joke.”

“What do you think your father would say if he were here to hear you say such things about the place he respected and cherished with his life, huh? What do you think Penny, your mother would say if she saw you throwing your life away?”

“If my father were here this place wouldn’t have become the joke it has and he may have respected this place and what it stood for, but he cherished Jimmy, Me and Talon. That’s the difference between him and you and no amount of rigid rules or denial will help you become even a fragment of the man and officer he was. As for mum, don’t even go there. She’s been at peace for over half my life don’t you think you could leave her out of this.”

“Denial,” he boomed. “Talk about denial. All of you Moore’s believed in that rogue out there, but you don’t know what he or his family are capable of. Your whole family were delusional. I tried to warn your father against forming a bond with him, but he didn’t listen. I said he would cause nothing but problems, but he still didn’t listen.” He pushed against the table and his chair fell to the floor with a loud echoing bang.

Suddenly, Claire wished she had pressed for Talon to be present, she wished she knew what Frank was talking about and for God’s sake, she wished he would stop yelling because her head couldn’t cope with much more. Claire was rubbing her temples unconscientiously when Frank stopped his pacing and ranting and sat back down with a loud sigh.

Want More Kerri?

Visit her on the web here: http://www.kerri-williams.com/

Pick up her books today.  Visit here to learn more.

Contest Time:

Leave a question or comment for Kerri and be entered to win a copy of Heart For Justice #2 which was just released and a spot on Kerri's blog to promote or talk about whatever you want.

And a Holiday Character presented for Thee: With Featured Author Donna Alward

Win THREE books from Harlequin author 

Donna Alward today at the Book Boost!

Donna visits us for a special holiday Featured Author spot and here's what she's thinking...


What About Mr. Potter?

This past weekend I watched It's a Wonderful Life for the first time. For some reason, I’d always been slightly turned off by the sight of a rather quirky-and-crazed George Bailey during all the ads for it over the years. But as I got older I heard more and more people saying how wonderful it is, so this weekend I curled up with hot cocoa, my husband’s Orange-Spice Shortbread, my youngest kid, a fuzzy blanket and put on the DVD.

I loved it! Even though George’s frantic energy was sometimes a little bit much, I cried in at least 3 places. And here’s the special thing about It's a Wonderful Life: we love it so much because of the characters.

The story’s about George. George, who worked to save for college, who longs to see the world before going to school for four years. George doesn’t want to stay in Bedford Falls. He has dreams and plans. And yet – when his father dies, he sacrifices his trip and then his education to keep the family business from falling into the clutches of Mr. Potter, who’d own the whole town if he had his way.

All along the way George makes the right decisions and does the right thing but at great sacrifice to himself. Little by little each hope and dream is stripped away, all to keep Bailey Building and Loan alive. Not just alive – but to do what’s right for the regular Joe in Bedford Falls.  His college money goes to send his brother Harry to school. He marries a wonderful woman and has beautiful children, but you know deep down George feels the loss of his dreams keenly. So it’s not much wonder that when it looks like Bailey Building and Loan is going down and he’s probably going to prison, he becomes a man on the edge. He gave up everything and now it looks like those sacrifices were made for nothing.

The ending is, of course, happy. But what really intrigued me was this MAN. And know what else? I really wanted to know more about Mr. Potter. I was telling my daughter later that I was super-curious about this character. What made him so greedy? Why did he make the  choices he did, why did he care more about money than what was right for the town?

Why, in the end, was he so cruel as to be the instrument of Bailey’s business’s failure, and then not only ignore George’s plea for help – certainly groveling to Potter is a last resort – but then call the police on him to have him arrested?

And I wanted to know whatever happened to that $8000. And if Potter ever had a moment of reckoning of his own.

It just goes to show that well drawn characters – whether they are heroes or villains – make a story unforgettable long after the last page or end credits.

There’s nothing quite like a holiday story, and I really enjoyed writing my current release, Sleigh Ride with the Rancher. Blake is the kind of man who will definitely sacrifice for what he believes in.  Add in a stubborn heroine, some disabled kids and a good dose of Christmas spirit and hopefully you come out smiling at the end.


A Note from the Book Boost:  I love how you watched the movie with your kid and then analyzed it.  Only a writer would be able to break it down so beautifully.  Thanks for joining us and sharing your holiday movie experience with us.  Happy Holidays!

Want More Donna?

Visit her on the web here: www.donnaalward.com

Pick up a copy of her latest today!  Click here.

Contest Time:

Leave a question or comment between now and the end of the December to be entered to win a set of three First Responder books from Donna.

Featured Author Finale with Author: B.J. Scott

Win a Highland gift set and chat with author B.J. Scott this week at the Book Boost!

Recently we chatted with our friend, B.J. Scott and here's what you need to know about this talented author...

TBB: Which of your books is your favorite and why?

BJS: I think every author holds a special place in their hearts for their first book, but because my goal is to continually improve my writing, I would have to say my second book, Highland Quest, to be released on Dec 19th. I was pleased with the first book in the series, Highland Legacy, but hope the readers will enjoy the second book as much if not more. I am currently working on the third book, Highland Homecoming, and so far it could be my favorite. I will have to wait until it is done to see.

TBB: If you had to describe that book using ONLY ONE word what would it be?

BJS: Intense.

TBB: What do you dislike the most about being a writer?

BJS: Not having enough time to write what I want, when I want.

TBB: Who, in your life, is your biggest source of inspiration and why?

BJS: My father.  He taught me anything is possible if you work hard enough and want it bad enough,

TBB: And now, one for fun...if you were a cartoon character, which one would you be and why?

BJS: Road Runner.  I never seem to be able to sit or stay in one place for long because there is always something to do.

TBB:  Thanks for joining us over the past week here at The Book Boost.  I understand you'd like to leave us a fave holiday recipe?

BJS:  Yes, here is a traditional Scottish recipe.  Hope you'll enjoy!

Cranachan
(Serves 6)

60g of coarse oatmeal
300g of fresh or frozen raspberries
600ml double cream
3 tablespoons of runny honey
3 tablespoonsof malt whisky
Toast the oatmeal until it is golden brown, whip the double cream until it is thick, stir in the whisky honey and oatmeal and fold in the raspberries gently. Spoon into individual glasses.

Serve.

Don't miss Highland Quest coming soon 
on December 19, 2012!

View the book trailer here!

Blurb:

Tired of walking in the shadows of his two older brothers, Bryce Fraser rejoins the fight for Scottish independence, but he arrives too late to warn his fellow patriots of an ambush.

Wounded in the confrontation, Bryce awakens to find Fallon MacCrery,  a women he vowed to forget tending his wounds—a twist of fate that rekindles passion, and prompts him to question his destiny.

Can their unspoken love withstand the test of time and war, or will devious plans of their enemy keep them apart forever?




Author Bio:

With a passion for historical romance, history in general, and anything Celtic, B.J. always has an exciting work in progress. Each story offers a blend of romance, adventure, suspense, and, where appropriate, a dab of comic relief. Carefully researched historical facts are woven into each manuscript, providing a backdrop from which steamy romance, gripping plots, and vivid characters—dashing alpha heroes and resourceful, beguiling heroines you can’t help but admire—spring to life. When she is not working at her childcare job, on her small business, or writing, you will find her reading, camping, or antique hunting.

Want More B.J. Scott?

Visit her on the web here:  http://www.authorbjscott.com/ 

Or here: http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/ 

Click here to purchase Highland Legacy today!

Highland Quest coming December 19th to Soul Mate Publishing!

Contest:

Leave a question or comment for B.J.  any time during this week and be entered to win a copy of Highland Legacy or Highland Quest (releases 12/19/12).  The winner will also receive a book thong, regular book mark, a key chain, a can cooler and a pen.

In the Mood for Mistletoe? With Featured Blogger: B.J. Scott

Win a Highland gift set and chat
with author B.J. Scott
this week at the Book Boost!

We're back with our featured author of the week,  B.J. Scott and she has another helpful history lesson for the season and here's what she had to say...


Why do we use Mistletoe during the Holidays?

Now that we are into December many of us have started to decorate our homes for the holiday season. Tree lots are busy with wide-eyed children and families looking for the perfect pine to grace their homes. Poinsettias abound, garlands of pine or holly, colored lights and festive fruits and nuts adorn the mantle.  But have you ever stopped and wondered about some of these plants and why we use them to celebrate this festive season?

Since I am a romance author, mistletoe, the plant beneath which lovers feel compelled to kiss is one that springs to mind.  But why to we see this bundle of crisp green leaves and white berries so special?

Druid priests were said to use the plant in their winter celebrations more than 200 years prior to the birth of Christ. They believed it held great powers and used it for healing, infertility antidotes for poisons, and as a means to ward off evil spirits. They would cut the sprigs with a golden sickle, catching the branches before they touched the ground. They wore it in their hair, sprigs were distributed amongst the people and hung over doorways, in stables and homes as a means of protection. In the Celtic language mistletoe meant "all-heal".

Ancient civilizations like the Romans viewed mistletoe as a symbol of peace, refused to fight in the presence of the plant and would lay down their weapons, later prompting the slogan, “Peace and joy unto all men.’’

Giving a sprig to the first calf of the New Year was thought to protect the herd and placing one in a baby’s cradle guarded the infant from goblins and fairies.

In Britain, bee farmers placed a sprig of mistletoe on their hives and believed the humming of bees was in honor of Jesus.

In the Norse and Scandinavian countries, it was associated with Frigga, their Goddess of Love.  They believed that when her son, Balder, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe, shot by the evil spirit, Loki. Grief-stricken, Frigga wept tears of white berries which brought him back to life. Overjoyed, she blessed the mistletoe and bestowed a kiss on those who walked beneath it. The tradition continues to this day.

In some European countries, like France, the tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe was reserved for New Years. But today it is acceptable to exchange a kiss any time during the holiday season.
In the eighteenth-century, the English created a kissing ball of holly, mistletoe and pine draped with ribbons and hung from the doorway or rafters. A young woman standing beneath the ball could not refuse a kiss. This exchange meant romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If she was not kissed, it meant she would not marry in the near future, or perhaps never

At one time, Christmas was celebrated mid-winter, the New Year beginning on March 5th. During the long cold winter it was believed the howl of cold winds was that of lamenting ghosts and demons from the other world. Assorted greenery like holly, mistletoe, pine bows etc... were hung over the doors to protect the household from evil and brought inside to brighten up the homes and to freshen the air during this dreary time of year.

The next time you see a sprig of mistletoe hanging above your head, kiss the one you love and remember the lore behind the magical plant.

A Note from the Book Boost:  I love this post!  What a great journey through time with mistletoe.  I'm going to find some this season and try to lure hubby under it! Please remind us about your last book so we can gear up for your new release coming next week.



Blurb from Highland Legacy:

Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father's castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers.

When Highland patriot Connor Fraser comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by his overwhelming desire to protect Cailin-even if he must marry her to do so.

Accused of murdering one of her attackers and determined to rely on her own resourcefulness, Cailin dresses as a lad, intent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude an enemy from her past-a vindictive English lord bent on her utter demise-or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?

Want More B.J. Scott?

Visit her on the web here:  http://www.authorbjscott.com/ 

Or here: http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/ 

Click here to purchase Highland Legacy today!

Highland Quest coming December 19th to Soul Mate Publishing!

Contest:

Leave a question or comment for B.J.  any time during this week and be entered to win a copy of Highland Legacy or Highland Quest (releases 12/19/12).  The winner will also receive a book thong, regular book mark, a key chain, a can cooler and a pen.

Featured Author Week With B.J. Scott

Win a Highland gift set and chat 

with author B.J. Scott

this week at the Book Boost!

She's here to discuss the origins of second sight and here's what she had to say...

When the Celtic people emigrated from Ireland to Scotland, along with their Celtic religion, they brought with them a strong belief in, fairies, superstitions, myths and legends. This resulted in a culture that was governed by rituals intended to bring good luck, blessing, to promote prosperity, to help them to select a mate, to influence crop yields, increase fertility, and to protect them from evil and tragedy.

Simple day-to-day activities, things like how to plant a field, to lead a cow, the order in which ingredients were added to a pot, and direction it was stirred, the proper way to celebrate feasts and sacred days were all carried out according to legendary practices. Breaking with tradition or going against the myth meant you were inviting trouble. Many a tale was told of those who had done just that and the grave consequences.

Perhaps one of the most prevalent beliefs of the Celtic people living in the Highlands was in the “gift of second sight.” The Gaelic name for this form of precognition was dà shealladh, which translated means two sights, was the ability of a person to not only see the world as all normal humans do, but they also had the skill to see the spirit world. Called a gift by some, it was often seen by those said to possess these abilities as a curse.

The taibhs (spirits) beheld by the taibhsear (person with second sight) in what was referred to as astaibhsearchd (the act of precognition) usually foretold of unhappy events and often of impending death. Sometimes the premonitions were clearly observed in a vision depicting the event exactly as it would unfold—a noose around someone’s throat, someone submerged in water and struggling to catch a breath, or a headless man—but more often the events were seen symbolically.

The shroud, the corpse-candle or spectral illuminations, each held a specific significance.  The shroud of death and where it was wrapped around a person’s body indicated how long they had to live. Draped around the middle or below, meant death might not occur for months or even a year, but the higher it was the sooner the death would occur.  Wrapped around a specific part of the body could signify they way they would die. A full funeral procession, the way being lit by corpse-candles and other illuminations was also viewed as a sign of impending demise. If a spark of fire was seen falling upon someone’s arm or breast, this indicated the dead of a child, especially if seen in the arms of that person.  Seeing an empty seat when someone was sitting in it was a sign that sudden death was near.

The knowledge of when and where a person would die, to see the demise of friends and family, or simply being aware of people’s nature in general was a heavy burden to carry and often feared.  Even though the visions came on them without warning and was not by choice, the person with second sight often found themselves living in solitude. Be it by preference or forced upon them.

While thought to be hereditary, second sight was known to skip a generation or two and then reappear. When it might strike or who would be afflicted was never known for certain. Not all visions were of tragedy. On occasion, happier events were seen. If a woman was seen standing at a man’s left hand there was a good chance she would be his wife, even if he was already married at the time of the vision. If more than one woman was seen, the one closest to the man’s left hand would be his next wife.

A Note from the Book Boost:  This is very interesting stuff.  Interesting and creepy!  I love the idea and can't wait to read how it finds its way into your new release coming out next week, Highland Quest, please tell us more about that!

Blurb:

Tired of walking in the shadows of his two older brothers, and on a quest to make a name for himself, Bryce Fraser  rejoins the fight for Scottish independence. But he arrives too late to warn his fellow patriots of an ambush.

Wounded in the confrontation, Bryce awakens to find Fallon MacCrery, the only woman he has ever truly loved, and never thought he would see again, tending his wounds—a twist of fate that rekindles passion, and prompts him to question his destiny.

Can their unspoken love withstand the test of time and war, or will the laird of an enemy clan–an English ally who is bent on destroying them both–tear them apart forever?

Want More B.J. Scott?

Visit her on the web here:  http://www.authorbjscott.com/ 

Or here: http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/ 

Click here to purchase Highland Legacy today!

Highland Quest coming December 19th to Soul Mate Publishing!

Contest:

Leave a question or comment for B.J.  any time during this week and be entered to win a copy of Highland Legacy or Highland Quest (releases 12/19/12).  The winner will also receive a book thong, regular book mark, a key chain, a can cooler and a pen. 

Temporarily Closed Due to Illness

All Book Boost business to return soon.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.