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ALL THIS TIME is now available in paperback through Amazon.com for only $9.99. Get your copy now at��. Here's a little taste:

The first section is in the villain's POV and the rest is a pre-wedding party with friends from Morgan's Fashion:

She stood in the dark closet, screamed into a towel, bit it and threw it to the floor with all the power she could. A voice said, “Well, at least you got some kind of raise. What did you expect? You’ll never get anywhere in this company as long as a Morgan is heading it. Why don’t you just leave?”“I will not. I will not run or be beaten. Just wait. They’ll see. I’ll be successful. The Morgans will pay for their insults to me. One day, when I’m running the company, they’ll all be working as gofers in the mailroom. To hell with them all!�� Finally satisfied, she calmed and peeped out. Taking out a number of supplies, she left the darkness as soon as it was safe. She had to hurry for her next appointment.* * * *Jenny arrived at Sarah’s around nine that night. Lynsi and Della’s cars were sitting in the driveway but Sarah’s was nowhere in sight. Perhaps she drove it into the garage to get it out of the way. Sure, that’s it. But the last time Jenny had been to her house, Sarah used the garage for storage only. That was months ago, before she had the house redecorated.
Loud rock and roll music met her as she climbed the steps. She pressed the bell. Lynsi swung the door open, pushed a drink into her hand, grabbed her arm and dragged her into the house. “Party Time!�� She laughed, pushing up her tight knit sleeves.
Della danced and waved from across the room, and Sarah sashayed into the room, holding a tray of snacks. The house smelled of vanilla. Four cream-colored candles burned, one in each corner of the room.
For a moment, Jenny questioned if she was at the right house. These ladies had never acted so wild. Taking a large swallow of her drink, she almost choked. She coughed as the cool liquid dripped to her chin. The drink tasted strong with tequila.�� The others danced around her, reaching for her and motioning for her to join them. Jenny shook her head no and laughed.
Della said something she couldn’t hear over the deafening music. “What!�� she yelled. “Turn it down.��
Della shook her head and mouthed, “I can’t hear you.��
Jenny patted her ear, shook her head, pointed to the stereo and did a thumb down motion with her free hand.
While Sarah lowered the volume, Lynsi grabbed one arm and Della the other, dragging her around the room in a semblance of dance, her drink sloshing onto her hand.
“Come on and get with it, Jenny,�� Della said, her voice raising an octave above the song.Sarah trotted over with a pitcher and refilled Jenny’s disposable glass. “Give her a break.�� First, she has some catching and loosening up to do.��
Jenny followed Sarah back into the kitchen. “I didn’t see your car.�� A slow tune drifted in from the other room.
With her hip flush to the varnished cabinets, Sarah leaned over, bracing herself on the counter with an elbow. “It’s not here.�� She smiled. “It wasn’t ready, so Trevor …�� she stopped and stared into��
Jenny’s eyes. “I mean, Mr. Drake said he’d pick me up tomorrow and take me back to get it.��
“How nice of Mr. Drake,�� Jenny said through clinched teeth and took a large swallow of her drink, coughing again.
“Yeah, he’s a sweetheart, but forget him.�� She shook her head and waved a finger in front of Jenny’s face. “No man talk tonight.�� Spinning Jenny around, she pushed her back into the other room. “Let’s join in. I love this song.��
Soon, Jenny joined in and they all danced, snacked, drank and laughed until they were out of breath. It wasn’t long before the room began to spin. Jenny knew she’d had enough to drink and fell backward onto the sofa, watching the other crazy women make fools of themselves. Her line of vision followed a row of potato chips to where Della sat cross-legged on the floor in her Levis and long red sweater, her head bobbed and her straight, dark hair shifted above her shoulders.
Sarah and Lynsi, the youngest of the three, still swayed to the rhythm of the song, albeit a bit clumsily. The two moved to the beat, their low-fitting jeans exposed pronounced hipbones above their waistbands. Their sweaters clung just below their breasts. Not for cold weather, that’s for sure. Was she paranoid or were they all giving her an evil stare?
Nah! They were just dazed from the alcohol. She crossed the floor and switched off the music. “Time for some real food before we’re all get sick.”�� When Della didn’t move, she grabbed her hand and helped her up. They made and ate ham, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.
Sarah yelled. “I almost forgot. It’s time to open your presents.�� She ran out of the room and came back with her arms loaded with gifts.
Lynsi and Della nudged Jenny back into the den, moved everything off the couch and sat her down, throwing the packages with wedding bell wrapping paper into her lap.
Lynsi flopped onto the cushion beside her. “Open mine first,�� she said and grabbed the one from the bottom of the stack.
Every time she brought out new Victoria Secret lingerie, they whistled and said, “Watch out, Trevor,�� in unison. Jenny had silk panties, bras and nighties, a sheer gown and a robe to match. Everything was beautiful and she hadn’t had this much fun since college. It didn’t matter that they all were acting like lunatics.
Tired, they lounged on the couch in the dark and watched a scary movie. Jenny had no idea the name of the movie, nor did she care as her eyes began to droop.
She woke the next morning to find Sarah’s legs draped over hers from the other side of the couch. Lynsi was stretched out on the floor, lounging against the couch while her head rested against Jenny’s knees. Jenny looked around the room, but didn’t see Della anywhere. “Del-la,�� she called out.Sarah stirred, clasping both hands over her ears. “Please, not so loud. She had to leave. Something about an appointment.”Lynsi snored.
“I need to get going too. Thanks for the party, if you see her before I do, can you thank her too?�� She gathered her presents and things.
“Sure.�� Sarah closed her eyes, waved and covered her face with both arms.

Jenny laughed, shook Lynsi awake, hugged her and thanked her for a good time and helped her to a spot on the couch, where she rolled over and instantly fell back to sleep.

This is a very fast-paced, well-written, suspenseful novel. I loved the way Tess handled the situations she was thrown into with each turn of the page. I cared for all the characters' well being, although, they had some pretty terrible flaws. Grab a copy and hang on for the ride, you will not be disappointed.

About the Author:JC Gatlin lives in Tampa, Florida. In addition to regular fishing trips, he wrote a monthly column for New Tampa Style Magazine, then began penning several mystery/suspense stories. He also maintains a blog about the art of spinning a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat mystery yarn.��

Coming from a large family with five brothers, JC grew up in Grapevine -- a small Texas town just outside of Dallas. He moved to Tampa in 1999, and most of his stories feature the rich landscapes of Texas and Florida as backdrop.
Blurb:An Unreasonable Hitchhiker. An Unstable Widower. An Unpredictable Journey.��

Having just escaped from inmate work detail, Tess is on the run and has one goal: get her daughter back. So, hitching a ride to Sarasota, where her daughter is staying, seemed like a good idea at first. That is until she realized her Good Samaritan is clearly suffering from the recent loss of his wife.��

As the miles go by and they get closer to Sarasota, she comes to suspect that this crazy widower may in fact be a murderer and they're transporting a body in the trunk of his car. With the police hot on their trail, Tess isn't about to let a little murder stand between her and her daughter -- no matter how many bodies start piling up.

This book has everything, love lost, a mystery, romance, danger, faith and some violence. I loved it and will read more from t his author. I love the way he wove his struggle with faith into the story. His descriptions and characters were realistic.As many have complained, there is a lot of description, but it was very well-written, and it was a little slow starting, but as I turned each page, it became more and more interesting. In my opinion I believe the story should have started on Chapter Two with chapter one woven into it. That's the only reason I didn't give it a 5.About the AuthorMicheal Maxwell was taught the beauty and majesty of the English language by Bob Dylan, Robertson Davies, Charles Dickens and Leonard Cohen. Mr. Maxwell has traveled the globe, dined with politicians, rock stars and beggars. He has rubbed shoulders with priests and murderers, surgeons and drug dealers, each one giving him a part of themselves that will live again in the pages of his books. The Cole Sage series brings to life a new kind of hero. Short on vices, long on compassion and dedication to a strong sense of making things right. As a journalist he writes with conviction and purpose. As a friend he is not afraid to bend the law a bit to help and protect those he loves. Micheal Maxwell writes from a life of love, music, film, and literature. He lives in California with his lovely wife and travel partner Janet.BlurbCole Sage, a once brilliant journalist, has just about reached rock bottom. Haunted by the longing for the woman he lost, Cole is jarred to a crossroads when a hostage negotiator is killed in front of him. Later, Cole is stunned to receive a one line cry for help from his one great love. Face to face with his past, and an uncertain future he tries to find her estranged daughter.��

The path to keeping his word is blocked at every turn by the husband who abandoned her, his shady real estate deals, violent con men, street thugs and the lure of a fortune in diamonds that unite them. The anger, sorrow, and crippling guilt of twenty years fires Cole's drive to keep a promise, that in the end, will heal and return the soul to the great journalist.��

Beaten, bloody but determined, Cole Sage conquers greed and hatred with a strength that only love and a will as hard as diamond can achieve.��

All This Time -��BlurbNow Available in Kindle
“Filled with suspense, mystery as well as heart-filled emotion, All This Time offers a delightful read.�� �� Nancy Carty Lepri, Freelance Editor, Reviewer, and Author of ���Ի���
At thirty, Jenny Morgan’s biological clock is ticking. But as a fashion magazine CEO with a busy schedule and no significant other, her wish is unlikely to come true. When her father receives a potentially terminal diagnosis, he longs for a grandchild before he dies. With her religious beliefs, a sperm donor isn’t an alternative. Jenny’s only immediate available option is her single co-worker and best friend, Trevor Drake. Can she really trust him to be a good husband?
Trevor has loved Jenny since college, but she only sees him as a friend with no ambition. After he learns of her predicament, he proposes and sets out to prove he can provide everything she needs. Jenny is determined to have a prenuptial agreement with an “out�� clause after one year. Can Trevor convince Jenny of his love by then?
As if they don’t have enough on their plate, someone at the magazine is out to stop their wedding and their impending parenthood, and destroy the magazine’s reputation. Jenny is nearly killed in a sabotage attempt. Can Jenny and Trevor to make a life together while uncovering a common enemy?

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Excerpt��PROLOGUE��- Villan's POV��After she took the last swig of cola, she hurled the empty cup into the trash and paced across the plush carpeting in front of her desk. The office was quiet—everyone had left hours ago, leaving her to finish their work as usual.
If it weren't for her, the magazine would've folded years ago. But did any of them appreciate her? Her organizational skills? Her stamina? No! Damn all the Morgans, especially Joe Morgan.
Memories rushed into her mind. Ten years ago, when his wife died, who had looked after him day after day, made sure he ate, petted him, nurtured his aching heart and later, gave him her body to help him release the stresses he faced? She had, that’s who. Well, she hadn’t really had sex with him. A glass of wine with dinner and the knock-out powder fixed him right up. Who was to say what did or didn’t happen when Joe had awakened beside her and both of them naked?��She shivered at the image of sex with such a dried-up old prune.
To him, she had been just his secretary. His right-hand girl, that’s what she’d been, taking care of his business when his grief proved too much for him to handle and his precious daughter had returned to college, leaving him alone. When she invited him to her home, it gave him a change of scenery, a reprieve from staring at the same walls and the same rooms he’d shared with his late wife for thirty-five years. Joe had made promises of a promotion within the company during those times to repay her for helping him through his pain.
When she told him she was pregnant, he wanted to marry her and become his little missus, but that wasn’t her style. Running Morgan Fashions magazine was her dream. Not playing mommy, nor nursemaid to an old man. She would’ve made the sacrifice, though, if only for a little while. At least until she gained control of the magazine. Then he caught her, found the telltale sign on the sheets that morning when he'd arrived early for breakfast. As soon as she turned off the shower, she knew she’d been found out. She’d lied about being pregnant and he knew it. Joe was furious, called their relationship quits and demoted her to the mailroom.
She ground angry tears from her eyes. At first, she planned to burn the place to the ground, but knew she could catch more Morgans with sweetness rather than vengeance, especially after Joe retired and handed the reins over to his daughter, Jenny. All his promises had been lies. Joe’s plan all along had been to hand the company over to a blood relative.
That was ancient history. Her mind returned to the present. Too bad Joe hadn't died from his heart attack last night. Jenny had tried to keep it a secret from the staff and everyone else. This girl keeps her ear tuned in for everything. That’s the only way she would be able to dish out just desserts to the Morgans.
She slammed her hands onto the desk. After scratching her way through college, she’d be damned if her business degree would amount to nothing. Now that the managing editor position was available, there was no way anyone was stealing it from her. Jenny liked ambition in her editors, and none of the other potentials had her determination or her persistence.
The only threat to her plans was that wimpy Trevor Drake. He might be Jenny’s best friend, but he didn’t measure up. He relied heavily on his assistant to keep him organized and the bachelor in him couldn’t turn away a pretty pair of legs if they killed him. Even if he got the position, she’d prove him incompetent and step right into the job and still come out as innocent as a newborn.
A sly smile spread across her lips. Like a mason lays his bricks one at a time to build a well-constructed house, she would triumph by tackling one obstacle at a time and use Trevor’s laid-back, pushover personality against him. He’d be a cinch to handle.
Jenny Morgan, however, would be much more difficult to fool. Yes, one obstacle at a time.

Kindle $3.99 -����Paperback coming soon - $9.99

As the new year begins, I have been contemplating what's coming for me in 2015. I have again made a few resolutions. Among them are to lose more weight, have a positive attitude, read more, write more, no more pack ratting, and quit smoking. Those are the goals, now to make a plan which I will do below.

Lose more weight - While I have stuck to my diet pretty well and lost 30 pounds in 2014, I would like to lose 10 to 20 more pounds this year.��I've come to somewhat of a standstill with my weight loss. In my last blood test, my total cholesterol was higher, but the good news is that I had raised my HDL (good cholesterol), but my LDL (bad cholesterol) was also higher. So I need to change some things. I had started eating more ice cream which I need to limit to maybe once per week. I gained a few pounds too over the holidays, about 3 or 4. Anyway, the plan is to eat better by eating more fruit and vegetables and less carbohydrates and sweets. I've already started adding broccoli, Brussels sprout, asparagus, carrots, collards, and other long leaf vegetables. Also I plan to eat more fish and chicken and less beef. I've already started this. Last year, I pretty much removed all pork from my diet, eating bacon only every few months. We did have ham for Christmas and New Year's, but that's it for a while. I've started eating grapes and apples for snacks. I've never cared much for fruit, but do love grapes, strawberries, peaches, and oranges. From what I've read, it appears the old saying is true about apples keeping the doctor away. Need to start exercising every day--at least some type. Since I sit at work and sit and work at home on the computer, the plan is��to do some type of cardio or stretch exercise��every time I get up to get something��or go to the bathroom.Have a positive attitude - I try to do this anyway, but I've found myself at times being pulled into negative comments or conversations, and I'll share something political that has a negative statement. I stopped doing this a couple of months ago and I plan to continue not to fall into that negative trap. So the plan is to focus on the positive by staying away from negative influences, comments, and conversations.Read more - This is easy since I have a pile of books both physical and electronic that I've not read yet. I want to read more ��in line with the genres I plan to write in order to become a better writer.Write more - I plan to write at least 3 books per year, but hoping for 5. Of course there will be some short and long books mixed in. I have five books planned for release in 2015. The first book is All This Time a romantic suspense I started in 2000 and was stuck about three-fourths of the way through. Yay! I finally finished it and plan to self-publish on January 30th. Here's a cover and blurb: ��
At thirty, Jenny Morgan’s biological clock is ticking. But as a fashion magazine CEO with a busy schedule and no significant other, her wish is unlikely to come true. When her father receives a terminal diagnosis, he wants a grandchild before he dies. With her religious beliefs, a sperm donor isn’t an alternative. Jenny’s only option is her single co-worker and best friend, Trevor Blake. Can she really trust him to be a good husband?

Trevor Blake has loved Jenny Morgan since college, but she only sees him as a friend with no ambition. After he finds out about her predicament, he proposes and sets out to prove he can provide everything she needs. Jenny is determined to have a prenuptial agreement with an “out�� clause after one year. Can Trevor convince Jenny of his love by then?
As if Jenny and Trevor don’t have enough on their plate, someone at the magazine is out to sabotage their marriage, their impending parenthood, and the magazine. Jenny is nearly killed in a sabotage attempt. Can they work together to uncover their common enemy?
You can find an excerpt on my Web site at .

About March 30, 2015, Haunted Hearts will be re-released and self-published as a stand-alone novella, book one in A Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery series with editing and new scenes. Here's a cover and blurb:

Will Lana Malloy solve the twenty-year old double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt's finance by Memorial Day? If she can, they'll spend eternity together; if she can't, they'll be stuck as Haunted Hearts for another year.

Around July 5, 2015, Get Out or Die will be re-released and self-published as a stand-alone novella, book two in A Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery series. See the cover and blurb below:

Since the news of her first case, Lana Malloy's Private Investigating/Mediator business is booming. At one pro-bono job, Lana helps a window communicate with her late husband and learns of a frightening new ability she wasn't aware she possessed--an ability that could give the spirit the upper hand if she's not careful.

Lana struggles for control when she encounters the angry ghost who doesn't want to leave and who doesn't want the occupants of the house to stay. Will Lana be able to control the situation or will the ghost sense he can overtake her? Does she have other abilities she can rely on to save her?

About September 15, 2015,��The Wedding Crasher��will be released and self-published as a stand-alone novella, book three in��A Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery��series. See the cover and blurb below:

Lana Malloy is getting ready to marry the love of her life, Tony Calabria. The night before they
marry, she has a vision of a disturbing wedding and wonders if it’s a premonition of her own. Feeling silly for thinking that, she proceeds with her plans as scheduled.

During their honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Lana has visions of a young woman abducted by a madman who will be forced to marry him if he isn't stopped. She senses marriage isn't the worst thing that could happen to this woman as she feels the threads of death circling her. She believes this isn't the first woman the man has abducted and murdered; he’s killed before.

Lana can’t ignore her visions. Will Tony understand this isn't an obsession, but a calling, and Lana has to do what she can for this young woman? Will she find the victim in time? If she doesn't, life will never be the same.

Last but not least, book four of A Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery series, Christmas Cruise will be self-published just in time for Christmas around the mid to end of November 2015. See cover and blurb below:

Lana Malloy and Tony Calabria are ready for a much needed vacation. The first time they met, they’d talked about taking a cruise together but haven't had the chance, so they decide to take a Christmas Cruise.

As Lana boards the cruise ship, she has an eerie feeling of death surrounding them. She ignores it at first thinking it’s her fear of the large ship since this her first cruise after all. The first night she has a vision of one woman’s rape and murder. It’s not long before she is confronted by the spirits of young women who had also been raped and then murdered. Now it’s up to her to find their murderer, someone who could be one of the crew members. Can she help these women find the justice they deserve?

Btw, I also created all the covers above. Now back to my 2015 resolutions:


The next resolution is to stop pack ratting. This is more for my husband than myself. But I do have a lot of magazines that I've saved over the years thinking someday I'll have time to read them. I've given up on that. I plan to have them recycled. I also plan to take books that I will never read to a second hand book store and trade them in for books I will read. I also plan to help Lee stick to his side of this resolution. Lee is always finding�� STUFF�� and bringing it home because we may need it some day. He has already started cleaning out the library/junk room and the shed and has come a long way.This last one, stop smoking will probably be the hardest, but I will be 60 in 2016 and I want to stop smoking before that. I've tried before and I've tried all the stop smoking patches, eCigs, and even prescription medication. None have worked for me yet. By the end of December 2015 I will quit smoking.So that's it. I wish you all much luck and happiness for 2015. It's a new year that I hope will hold many exciting opportunities and possibilities.

Reflections are based mainly on the 2014 resolutions I made earlier this year:

2014 ResolutionsWeight loss - Lose 30 to 40 pounds. I did lose 30 pounds, but that last 10 pounds (making it 40 pounds lost) has been a bear to lose. I went from 191 to 161. I did make it to 159 a few months ago but it didn't last long. I probably lost a total of 100 pounds if I could count the same pounds I lost multiple times.Update and Create Web Sites - Updated my author's page and my husband's art Web site. Created my Web designer's site.Actively look for new clients - I didn't really look for new clients but I still found 3 new sites to create this year. One was recently and I'm still working on it.Write more by writing at least two books in work in process list and finish 3rd novella in the Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery Series - Somewhat done. I mentioned the book I had three quarters completed, and I'm happy to say I did finish that book and plan to release in in late January 2015. The second book I mentioned, "For The Love of Money" is still on my to do list. But there was something that happened that I didn't foresee at the beginning ��of 2014. The Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery Series - the first two novellas in the series was included in two different anthologies - Haunted Hearts in��Enchanted Holidays and Get Out or Die in��One Touch Beyond. I pulled these books from the publisher, Ellora's Cave, and I edited and added new material to these two novellas. I also wrote more on the third novella in the series and have an idea for the fourth. These I also hope to release in 2015.So, I believe I did pretty good on the 2014 Resolutions--better than I've ever done on a New Year's resolution. Usually I make them and then they are soon forgotten.
Other 2014 ReflectionsWork - I received another, although, smaller raise this year. Work has been complicated, getting used to a new system and many new personnel to train on it. I have two more to train in the upcoming year as well. More changes coming in 2015 as far as policy and procedures while changing from WIA to WIOA. Also in the work arena, I was able to go to Washington, D.C. again for an Equal Opportunity Conference.

Again, on the writing front, I have two or three more book ideas (hint--these are sequels to a book that will be published in 2015) and I made somewhat of a written goal list of the books I plan to release in the next five years--supposed to be a total of 26 or around 5 books a year. Wish me good luck on that. I write too slow.

On the home front - Lee's art is selling well and he's still a stay-at-home husband. My sons and grandsons are doing well. My oldest grandson, Patrick, was one of the captains on his high school football team. The Westies are doing well and we have a new member, Candi, a mixed yorkie/maltese breed. We are blessed. However, we lost Lee's mother the first of December 2014 and we're still handling that. Lee says he still feels numb from the loss. Time is a good healer, although, we never forget those we love who have passed, it gets easier as time goes by. I know with my parents, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about and miss them. But it hurts much less now.

Stay tuned for the next post on 2015 Contemplation that I will post around January 1, 2015.

Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May your season be blessed with all the joys life has to offer. Give your friends, children, parents, and pets a hug. Love and cherish every moment spent with them.
Kim Cox

Tommy’s Amigo by Nancy Carty Lepri is a heartfelt story about faith and friendships, and about a young boy being bullied at school because he’s Mexican. His friends, Macy, Susan and Tommy’s amigo, Diego, know that Beth and Kenny are bullying him, but Tommy is afraid to tell his grandmother or his teachers. His amigo is a tiny guardian angel who encourages him to have faith and Diego doesn’t judge him when he makes mistakes.
This book includes many lessons including not worrying unnecessarily about things before they happen because they may never happen. Have faith by giving your prayers time to be answered; as well as, how to deal with bullies. It’s also about how true friends standby you no matter what and who are always there when you need them.
This story focuses on positive ways to handle difficult situations. I highly recommend this story.

Into the fray, with more sales today. BLACK FRIDAY - TWO-DAY STOREWIDE SALE - Amber Quill Press - November 28, 2014. Through Saturday 11/29/14, get any Amber Kisses, Novellas, and Novels (both "Regular" and "Extended" length) for a 50% discount*. Yes, that's 50% off*...all imprints, all genres, all authors...from now through Saturday!������(Note: Discount applies to e-books only and does not include AmberPax Collections or books labeled "Amber Briefs" or "Amber Shorts." Books listed on our "Clearance" page will remain discounted at 75% off. Additionally, books already priced at $.99 are not included in this special sale.)Visit us at��!

This is a sweet romance that will pull at your heart strings. Rök Erikson’s new found Christian faith clashes with the traditions of his Viking family; he fights against falling in love with Leani as the duty he feels for his family demands he avenge his brother’s death. While Leani’s life hangs in the balance, she feels guilty for taking the life of another and places her punishment in the hands of her savior.
As Rök’s and Leani’s faith is tested over and over, Lori Soard handles these characters�� inner and outer struggles like a pro.��