Monthly Archives: December 2019

Yuletime at Cherrywood Hall: Once Upon a WolfPack Anthology by Veronica Cline Barton (Book Showcase)

Once Upon a Wolfpack

Contributing author, Veronica Cline Barton

I was so honored to have my short story, Yuletime at Cherrywood Hall, Pippa’s First Christmas, included in the #WolfpackAuthors anthology that was published earlier this year. The anthology is a compilation of works by authors of all genres, and all proceeds are donated to the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC) My contributed short story is one close to my heart—it is a prequel to a storyline in the 3rd book of my #cozymystery series, Deadly Receptions; the Debut of Castlewood Manor. It tells the tale of a tainted bridal veil from years gone by and introduces the readers of my series to Aunt Pippa, the beloved ancestral aunt who saved the Cherrywood Hall estate with her marriage to Charles Lancaster, the 4th Marquess of Kentshire.

The short story takes place in the weeks before Christmas. Pippa has been receiving demeaning messages criticizing her every move as an American married to the popular marquess. A chance snowstorm brings her nemesis to Cherrywood Hall. Pippa meets her husband’s previous fiancé, the author of the critical notes–a jilted woman who is filled with anger at the woman who holds the position and privilege that she thought would be hers. As a blizzard rages outside, her mind is set on deadly revenge…Will Pippa’s first Christmas at the hall be her last?

Read more about the #WolfPackAuthors anthology and the great cause it benefits here:

The idea was simple: form a group of authors based on the mantra, “Do good things for the right reasons.” We are a pack – #WolfPackAuthors. Together, we expand exposure for our books, help one another with all aspects of the process, pick each other up when the lonely life of writing gets us down.

As with wolves, words can be dangerous or healing. The reintroduction of the wolf, hunted to the brink of extinction, carries such far-reaching results as to make vegetation grow on what was once barren, and to change the paths of rivers. Considering these powerful facts, we chose to donate the proceeds of this anthology to Lockwood Animal Rescue Center /LARC, a facility with a unique mission. They are one of the few organizations focused heavily on wolves, integrating military veteran rehabilitation into the caretaking process.

In this collection of work, you will find a showcase of many of our members’ talents: A young girl betrothed to a werewolf, yet her father, a human, is the true monster. Two snipers who lay in wait, an otherworldly supreme being watching them, in the form of a majestic wolf. A she-wolf sets her sights on a young woman, married to the man she loved. The paradoxical story of the big bad wolf, who through no fault of his own sets out on a calamity filled adventure. A batch of witty private investigators at work solving crime. A sarcastic banshee, a shapeshifting detective, and a vampire, all friends, investigate a string of murders. There are many others, varied in style or genre.

Come on an adventure with the WolfPackAuthors. We’ve got the stories you want; together, we hope to make the world a better place for wolves, humans, and those who dare to dream.

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Cozy MysteryYuletime at Cherrywood Hall: Veronica Cline Barton
Fairy Tale/ ParodyUnfairy Prosecuted: J.W. Crawford
Fairy TalePoppy: Tia Fanning

Fantasy/ SupernaturalFor the Love of the Pack: Sharon Lopez
Horror/ Meta horrorThe Untold One: B.L. Clark
HorrorFrost Harbor: Alexander Pain

LiteraryOmega Road: Lee M. Tipton
Magical RealismAn Early Snow: Andi Marchal
P.I./ DetectiveThe Wolf: Joe Congel 

P.I./ Detective, Cozy MysteryMrs Solberg’s Problem: CW Hawes
PoetryWolf Pack United: Angie-Marie Delsante
PoetryWelcome to the Den: Lori Katherine

Romance/ SupernaturalThe Soap Maker’s Mother: Christina van Deventer
Science Fiction/ MilitarySacha: Jeff DeMarco
Science Fiction/ ParanormalWolf Cry: Z Gottlieb
Science Fiction/ ParanormalCircus of the Night: Stefan Angelina McElvain
Urban FantasyTrue Nature : Luna Selas

 

Veronica Cline Barton earned graduate degrees in both engineering and business and has had successful careers in the software and technology industries. Her lifelong love affair with British murder mysteries inspired her to embark on a literary career. The Crown for Castlewood Manor and Cast, Crew, & Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor are the first and second books in what she calls her My American Almost Royal Cousin Series. When not traveling and spinning mystery yarns, she lives in California with her husband, Bruce, and her two cats, Daisy and Ebbie.

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A Cumberland Christmas: Our Christmas Nook Anthology by Tracy A. Ball (Book Showcase)

Enjoy this collection of holiday super short stories: these easy, quick reads are meant to entertain, introduce you to some new authors and get you in the holiday spirit. The challenge has been set for authors…four holiday-related prompts have been provided and authors respond by filling this collection with super short stories (max 5,000 words). Mixed genres, mixed point-of-views, there’s something in this collection for everyone!

 

Which stories will you explore first?

1. It’s Christmas Eve and you’re stranded in the airport. Televisions displaying all the outgoing flights suddenly display “cancelled, cancelled, cancelled.” There’s no getting out of this town tonight, not with a blizzard on the way, and certainly not in time for Christmas with your family…

2. Wrapping presents has always been a favorite pastime, but this Christmas while wrapping, you look out the window and notice the good-looking postal worker’s gloves are holey and the soles on their boots are worn out. Suddenly, you’re filled with an urge to do something nice, but what? Gifting gloves would be too obvious since you noticed they were needed. Perhaps you should go out on a date together or make a special meal?

3. On December 1st, you pull into your garage for the evening and notice an oddly-shaped, wrapped present has been left for you. Upon further examination, the tag has your name on it, with a note not to open until Christmas…

4. Grandfather always told me this snow globe was magic. So, I finally decided to give it a shake and see for myself… 

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Blurb: 

Everyone wants to meet somebody famous. But, not him…

Summary: 

A blizzard shuts down a small airport in Cumberland, MD., but not before stranding mega-star Kyle Varian Montgomery and his over the top entourage.

To the rescue is Jazlyn, Cumberland resident who is decidedly not a fan. Together, they learn, there is more to the gift than the package it comes in.

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Snippet:

“The room you gave Varian is on the front. It’s not conducive to proper rest. Varian’s not accustomed to being awakened before noon. Morning activity; people going to work, cars and what have you; it’s a bad mix. The other rooms are smaller so that makes things a little difficult.” 

“Difficult how? Every bedroom has a bed. What else does he need?” She didn’t give him time to answer. “You people have more than a healthy amount of nerve. I don’t know if you are assuming I have the largest bedroom or if you were being nosey, but let me assure you, he’s not getting my room, and I’ll thank you to stay out of it.”

Ginald sat the empty cup down to refill it. “Jazzy, you don’t understand what it’s like to be him.”

Her hand went to her hip. “If Varian wants another room, give him yours. In this house, guests take what’s given to them and with appreciation. If you can’t do that, you might want to consider making alternate arrangements.”

“Appreciation. You’re the one without appreciation.” He imitated her hand-on-hip stance. “No one would dare deal with a star the way you’ve dealt with him. You want us to be different from who we are because we happen to be in your presence. It’s almost is if you think by helping us, you became God, and we need to beg and grovel for our just due. We expect to be treated the same way we are always treated. If you can’t do that, you might want to consider making alternate arrangements for us.” Ginald swept from the room. He ruined his dramatic exit by returning a second later to get his coffee.

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Novelist, Reviewer, Content Editor, Blogger, T-shirt Wearer, and Professional Snacker; Tracy A. Ball is a native Baltimorean and a veteran West Virginian whose family is blended from three cultures. She has opened her home to foster children, drug addicts, AIDS victims and anyone who needed an assist. She knows people who have committed murder and people who have dined with the Pope.

Which is why she writes sweet stories about tough love…and takes naps.

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