Thursday, November 30, 2006

COOKIE SWAP - Karen White-Owens




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP





My holiday wishes:

It didn't matter how difficult the year had been, my mother always made the holiday season one of the happiest and most enjoyable. Since my mother's death, I've managed to keep that spirit alive in our family and I wish the same joy and happiness for yours. Times are tough and we all have to sacrifice, but the holidays and what they stand for remains.

Now until Forever


When a professional set designer Ryan Mitchell falls in love with a handsome studio executive, Keir Southall, Ryan is forced to choose between her own happiness and the peaceful, happy lives she believes every child deserves, especially Keir's.

SANTA’S WHISKERS

Prep time: 20 minutes

Chill time: 2 to 24 hours

Bake time: 10 minutes per batch Oven: 375ยบ

Ingredients:

¾ cup butter or magazine

¾ cup sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose four

¾ cup finely chopped candied red or green cherries

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

¾ cup shredded coconut

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add the sugar. Beat till combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in milk and vanilla till combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. Stir in cherries and pecans. Shape into two 8-inch-long rolls. Roll in coconut. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper; chill 2 to 24 hours.

Don't forget to stop by the Buy A Book For Christmas Room to purchase her book.

COOKIE SWAP - Linda F. Beed




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP





Holiday Wishes – May the fruit of the Spirit that is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control, be with you this day and always. Linda Beed


Business Unusual



Do you believe you can have it all and serve God? Bernadette Lewis did until she is faced with choices that can change the course of her life and generations to come. Business Unusual from Linda F. Beed – It dares to take you where most do not care to go.


Almond Fudge Rounds

1/3 C butter – softened
3/ C packed brown sugar
1 tspn instant espresso coffee powder
¾ tspn baking soda
2 egg whites
1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
½ tspn almond extract
2/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ C flour
1 oz white baking chocolate squares (with cocoa butter)
¼ tspn shortening
36 to 40 whole toasted almonds

1. In large bowl blend (electric mixer) butter until smooth. Add brown sugar, espresso power and baking soda. Blend well then add egg whites, yogurt and almond extract. Blend then add cocoa powder, blend again. Add as much flour as you can blend with mixer. Add remaining flour using large spoon to blend in. Chill dough 1 to 2 (until easy to handle).
2. Preheat oven to 3500 . Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm.
3. Make indentation in center of cookie with the backside of a small spoon. Transfer to cooling rack.
4. In small saucepan, using low heat melt white baking chocolate and shortening. Stir for smoothness. Dip half of each almond into chocolate then place into indentation of cookie. Allow cookies to stand until chocolate is set.
Make approximately 36 cookies

Don't forget to stop by the Buy A Book For Christmas Room to purchase her book.


Wednesday, November 29, 2006

COOKIE SWAP - Shelia Goss




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP





Holiday wishes for readers: Greetings from Louisiana. I pray that God blesses you and your families this Christmas season and in the upcoming new year. Merry Christmas All. ~ Shelia M. Goss, Author of My Invisible Husband






My Invisible Husband

My Invisible Husband is the tale of one woman’s desperate attempt
to stop the age-old question posed to all women at some point in their lives: So when are you getting married? To appease her family and friends, 34-year-old Nicolette Montana fakes a Las Vegas wedding. How she handles her web of deceit makes for a dramatic and sometimes comical story.


Macadamia Nuts & White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 2 dozen cookies

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 - 3 ounce bars white chocolate, cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
1 - 3.5 ounce jar (3/4 cup) salted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixer bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1 to 2 minutes). Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). By hand, stir in white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

Don't forget to stop by the Buy A Book For Christmas Room to purchase her book.





SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP


NOV 06 REVIEWS

Hanging On A String
Janette McCarthy
Dafina Books
Contemporary Romance
Published December 2006
Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewed by: Regina Hightower


This is a Hard hitting suspense drama to which I must admit I'm a sucker for it starts off hard hitting who done it. Although I've be at it too long, I guessed the plot but it was exciting and suspenseful never the less.

The investigations were never ending, and in the end there were a lot more players in the game than you might think but it was worth every minute of the reading and popcorn.

So get comfortable for the best of the who done it for the last of the season the Hero and Heroine Jasmine Spain & Detective Marcus Claremont are the virtual dynamic duo even if she fights the attraction every step of the way because of past bad experiences. It's a must see how he wears her down. And they solve the mystery of who done it.


One Day At A Time
Lyric James
Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 978-1-60088-067-4
November 2006
Erotica/Romance
Rating: 3 Stars - VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Marguerite Lemons


Xavier Starks is the managing partner of a successful law firm in Dallas, who ends up posing nude for his friend’s graduate art class when his four of a kind is beaten by a royal flush.

Kellye Matthews has just recently passed the bar, and is taking an art class at the recommendation of her doctor as a way to relieve stress and combat her panic attacks.

The sparks ignite as soon as Kellye lays eyes on Xavier’s nude body. She never finishes her painting because she is too busy lusting over the site of him. Xavier can’t believe he’s posing for his friend. If it ever gets out that he posed nude his career could be ruined, but all that is forgotten once he notices Kellye. When Xavier attempts to approach her after class Kellye bolts for the nearest exit.

Kellye almost has a panic attack when she walks into Xavier’s office to interview for an opening as an associate attorney, and realizes that the very man she was lusting over in art class owns the firm. Xavier hires Kellye because she is the most qualified for the job and then tries to avoid a sexual harassment scandal by pursing her. Kellye decides that it’s time to seduce the boss for one night only to get him out of her system. When the tables are turned, Kellye begins to have feelings for Xavier and she runs when she fears being hurt again.

One Day At A Time is well written and enjoyable story. It’s the kind of “fairytale” romance we all wish for at some point in our lives. My only complaint would be that it felt rushed. I wish Ms. James would have slowed the pace a little.


NOT EASILY BROKEN
T.D. Jakes
FaithWords
ISBN: 0-446-57677-8
Christian Fiction
Published: October 2006
Book Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Book reviewed by: Ashley McDonald - Sophomore of Duncanville High School
Overseer by Camellia Johnson

If you are having a problem with your marriage or any relationship, ”NOT EASILY BROKEN” by T.D. Jakes is explaining to you how to seek God and how to just have faith and believe that God is going to do his job. “NOT EASILY BROKEN” is easy to read and gives the reader different views into a marriage and the trials and tribulations that come with it. T.D. Jakes addresses the complicated and confused questions that usually don’t get answered until the “life-after-marriage” has already happened.

Clarice stood out the most because of her willingness to perfect and succeed in everything that she did. She was a leader who had goals in her life and she wasn’t going to let her husband, Dave come between. To me, she was the exact example of not being easily broken because through all the trials that her and her husband went through, she stayed strong. Dave on the other hand, was a person of success as well, but it seemed when times got hard to him, he was easily broken.
I think this book isn’t just for married or single people but for those who want to know, “What Next?” about their life, their relationship, and themselves as well. There is an outcome for every decision we make and those choices should be handled seriously. If you think you can not be easily be broken by anything, read this book and really ask yourself, “Am I REALLY not easily broken?”


She Ain’t the One
Carl Weber
Mary B. Morrison
Kensington Books
ISBN: 0758207212
Published: October 2006
Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.5 Stars – GREAT

Reviewed by: Flashette Shirer


How do you keep from falling apart when the person you thought was the woman of your dreams turns your life into a living nightmare? This is the question that Jay Crawford is forced to answer in the exciting new novel SHE AIN’T THE ONE.

When Jay meets the beautiful and sexy Ashlee Anderson, he believes he has finally met his soul mate. Immediately smitten by Ashlee, the two begin a fast, hot and heavy long distance relationship since she lives in Dallas . But, Ashlee is hiding some serious secrets from Jay: secrets that would drive him out of her life forever if they are revealed. Things are going okay until Jay becomes reacquainted with the woman who broke his heart three years ago, Tracy . And she shares a secret of her own that forces Jay to examine his heart to see if the bond he now shares with Tracy is stronger than the love he has for Ashlee. When Ashlee realizes another woman is in the picture, her true colors begin to show. Now, Jay is in the path of destruction and Ashlee will stop at nothing to make him suffer.

This engaging story is told by two of the most popular African American authors in the literary world today: Carl Weber and Mary B. Morrison. The two introduce characters from their previous novels, and this is done skillfully enough that readers will not have to know the story lines from the other books in order to enjoy this novel.

This is a great book and I look forward to reading future collaborations from these authors in the future.


Vindication: The Adventures of Private Jane
Lyric James
Publisher ~ Cobblestone Press, LLC.
Publisher URL ~ http://www.cobblestone-press.com
Genre ~ African American/Suspense
ISBN Number ~ 1-60088-045-2
Published: September 2006
Rating ~ Four Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewer Michelle Alexander


Karyn, a former police officer who now has her own all female, private investigating firm P.I., has is searching for her sisters murderer and uncovers a conspiracy that makes her a marked woman!

Zechariah, an ex-cop and law student, ignites a passion in Karyn that she can't ignore, but her obsession with solving the case may cost her everything, her love and her life.
Vindiction has intrigue, suspense and all the elements of a classic whodunit, with the added spice of sensual love scenes and a surprise ending!


Pulse
Anisa Damien
Tryst
Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 1-60088-040-1
September 2006
Erotica
Rating: 3 Stars – VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Marguerite Lemons


Gabriel Sebastien is a former CIA Agent who can’t believe that his wife divorced him while he was away on an assignment.

Cassidy Raleigh divorced Gabriel a little over a year ago after deciding that he had chosen his job over her and walked out on their marriage.

Sage Vachon is Gabriel’s sister and Cassidy’s best friend. She is also the owner of the Bed and Breakfast where Cassidy and Gabriel reunite only to be torn apart again by one of Gabriel’s former nemesis seeking revenge.

Pulse grabs your attention and keeps it until the end. This fast-paced short story is filled with passion and danger. Ms. Damien didn’t waste anytime getting to the point, and the loves scenes are as descriptive as you would expect for this genre. I enjoyed the way Gabriel’s absence was explained, and the vulnerability of the characters. My only problem with this book was that it was too short.


Love in the Lineup
Deborah Fletcher Mello
Arabesque Books
ISBN 1-58314-698-9
Published August 2006
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewed by: Regina Hightower


If Drama and love is what you seek then this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down.

I loved this book from beginning to the end. Angel & Roshawns story in four words, wonderful, marvelous, beautiful, and touching.

Those of us who have teenagers and grown children can relate to this story as they sometimes are rebellious and as she put it you want to knock the pee water out of them lol. But I loved Roshawns and Mings relationship it shows that we mothers are human too and that it takes a lot of love faith and patience to raise kids.. I love the way that the lovebug just snuck in there and bit them.(Angel & Roshawn)

Will there be more additions to the family now that Angel and Roshawn are getting married? Will Bridgett & Ming get a story of there own? I can hardly wait for your next book.


Do You Take This Woman? A novel
RM Johnson
Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0743285190
Published: August 2006
Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars – VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Flashette Shirer


DO YOU TAKE THIS WOMAN? examines the questions of loyalty, devotion and forgiveness when two men are in love with the same woman.

Pete and Wayne are more than just best friends and business partners – they are brothers. Pete grew up in Wayne ’s home after being abandoned by his mother. Still, Pete never got over feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy when it comes to his friendship with Wayne. Even though Pete saw and dated the beautiful Carla first, she ended up engaged to Wayne. So when Pete found an opportunity to reunite with Carla, he seized the opportunity and eventually married her. But now, new indiscretions threaten to disrupt his happy home and could forever ruin his friendship with Wayne.

R.M. Johnson does a fantastic job of giving life to the emotions of Pete, Wayne and Carla as they all struggle to find the meaning of love and devotion. The characters learn that there is a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. As they sort through their feelings, many hearts are broken. But relationships that seem irreparable find a way of mending themselves as honesty and forgiveness is brought into the equation.

This book will take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster with many unexpected twists and turns. Johnson has written a good story that will keep the reader engaged until the very last word.


Only True Love Waits
Dwan Abrams
ISBN Number ~ 1-4241-5067-1
Published August 2006
PULISHAMERICA, LLP,
Genre ~ African American Christian Fiction
Rating ~ 3 1/2 Stars – GREAT

Reviewer Michelle Alexander


Summer on the brink of opening a hot new spa in Atlanta has her dreams shattered by the sudden breakup of their engagement by her fiance, Xavier who unbeknownst to Summer has just been diagnosed with testicular cancer. While Xavier an up and coming rap artist, endures surgery and treatment alone, Ryan his manager moves in on Summer, but he leaves her feeling uneasy. After Xavier confesses to Summer, they reunite, but Ryan becomes insanely angry and kidnaps Summer and then her Mother.

The rest of the book uncovers, adoption, incest, child abuse and other deep family secrets that Summer and Xavier never knew. Only True Love Waits is a book merging Biblical
principals with the realities of life.

This reviewer would have liked more character development, dialogue and a longer book. Summer, Xavier, Nina, Jeff, Natasha and Aunt RiRi are strong characters that can sustain other good story lines, so a sequel is definitely in order.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

COOKIE SWAP - Nov 28 -Dec 28




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP



SORMAG celebrated six years this year. We are truly thankful for your support. Without you there is no SORMAG.

We have two events planned for the holiday season.

The first is our Cookie Swap. If you’re like me, you love making holiday cookies.

I’ve asked 12 authors to share their holiday cookie recipes with us.

From November 28 - December 28, SORMAG’s blog will feature an author, their current book, a cookie recipe and their holiday wishes to you.

On December 18th we will have our annual OPEN HOUSE. If you came last year, you know it was a lot of fun. This year we will feature cyber music, cocoa and prizes, yes I said prizes.

We welcome all authors to stop by and mingle with our readers.

If you're looking for a book to read check out our Buy A Book for Christmas room.

So please stop by this holiday season and celebrate with us as we get ready to bring in a new year.

http://sormag.blogspot.com


P.S. If you’re a published author and you missed the Cookie Swap, I’m taking donations for door prizes for the OPEN HOUSE. This is a great way to send some holiday cheer to a new reader. Send me an email with your donations.

LaShaunda
SORMAG's Editor sormag@yahoo.com





SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP



Cookie Swap Authors




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP



Stop by and visit with our cookie swap authors
and let us know if you tried their recipes.


November 28 - Melanie Schuster

November 29 – Shelia Goss

Don't forget to stop by the Buy A Book For Christmas Room to purchase their books.




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP


Cookie Swap - Melanie Schuster




SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP





Happy Holidays!

I was so thrilled to see LaShaunda’s clever idea of a holiday cookie recipe exchange. Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year and I’ve always loved to bake cookies. My mother was a fabulous cook and she was a true Martha Stewart way before anyone knew who Miss Martha was! We were as poor as church mice, but it didn’t stop her from making the season magical for us. She would decorate the house and make the most delicious food you can imagine. There were things we only got at Christmastime, like her ambrosia, cranberry-orange relish and inventive, imaginative cookies like the Candy Cane Cookies in the recipe I chose to share.

We had no idea we were poor, because she had a knack for selecting gifts we would cherish that didn’t cost and arm and a leg. There were always piles of packages for us to tear open and adore. Until I was an adult and began taking over the holiday preparations, I had no idea how hard she worked at it! She would even put on my daddy’s boots and go outside early in the morning so she could make big snowy footprints for us to find on Christmas morning, can you imagine?

By the way, the Candy Cane Cookies are a pain to make, but gather your little ones or nieces and nephews and grandchildren and give them a whirl. It will be a very special afternoon that they will remember forever, just like I will.

This will be my second Christmas without her and this one is much harder than last year, for some reason. I think I finally have to accept that she’s really gone and while it’s painful for me, I know she’s at peace and all her worries are gone. Somehow I feel like she’ll be watching me and her beloved granddaughters as we mess up every bowl and cookie sheet in the house and leave a cloud of flour and sugar in the kitchen.

I hope that you all are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with your family and friends and that you enjoy each and every minute of the time you spend together. There’s nothing more precious than the memories you make when you’re with the ones you love.

Wishing you all a Merry Little Christmas, a peaceful and spiritual Kwanzaa and the Happiest of New Years.

Stay Blessed,

Melanie

Before the Storm

My newest book makes its debut in January. It seems like the perfect time for this story because I always think of the beginning of the year as a time for a fresh start and that's just my both my couples get in Before the Storm. The back cover copy doesn't tell you this, but you get double the passion with this book because the story is about TWO very loving and sexy couples.

Julian MacArthur Deveraux, Sr. is known to everyone as Mac. He’s been a widower since his children were very young. He's dated over the years, but no one ever came close to capturing his heart. That all changed when he met Ruth Bennett. Ruth is vibrant, sophisticated and beautiful and Mac knows at once this is the woman he's been waiting for. Ruth isn't quite as sure as Julian, however. Ruth has never married and she's so independent that she has serious doubts about whether she can be in the kind of relationship Julian wants. But in true Deveraux fashion, Mac shows her the kind of love and passion they can share. Once he breaks down her resistance, Ruth knows she's found the kind of love most women only dream about and she knows they'll be together for a lifetime.

Julian Deveraux, Jr. is the oldest of Mac's five children and the only one who has ever been married. He was madly in love with Maya Simmons and she returned that love. They were blissfully happy in their marriage until something happened to shatter their love. Maya left New Orleans and went back to Connecticut where she filed for divorce. No one in the family knew the details of their break-up and if Julian's sister Paris hadn't run into Maya in Chicago, it might have stayed that way. But Maya is tired of keeping the secret she's hidden from Julian all the years they were apart and she asks Paris and Ruth to help her tell Julian what she's been keeping from him.

So both couples get together in Chicago and when Julian gets over his initial shock, he has a surprise for Maya, a little secret of his own that changes the course of both their lives forever.

Before the Storm is a story rich with passion, sensuality and love that can't be denied. The Louisiana Deveraux men show that once they've found the right woman, they'll move heaven and earth to have her, no matter what it takes. If you've read the other books in the series, you'll be delighted with this continuation. And if you’re a new reader, you'll love getting to know these warm, loving people. I hope my latest work gets your New Year off to a happy and romantic beginning.

Thank you for all your support since my first book, Lucky in Love. Wishing you all Luck, Love and Laughter for 2007 and beyond.

Melanie


Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 egg
3 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food color
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2 tablespoons sugar

1. Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
2. Heat oven to 375ยบF.
3. Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.
4. For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into 4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.
5. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
(Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Don't forget to stop by the Buy A Book For Christmas Room to purchase her book.





SORMAG's CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP


Buy A Book for Christmas Room

Books make wonderful gifts, add these to your shopping list.




How I Met My Sweetheart






Feelings





Haunted Heritage and Other Stories





Age is Just a Number




If The Shoe Fits



Beauty and The Beast


Ready To Take A Chance




Before the Storm Now Until Forever




My Invisible Husband




Would you like to be added to our list? If your book can be purchased through amazon.com, for a donation of 5.00 we can add you to the list. Contact sormag@yahoo.com for more details.

Monday, November 27, 2006

NOV AUTHOR INTRO: Yolanda Hooks Buick


Yolanda Hooks Buick

Yolanda Hooks Buick resides in Bellwood a western suburb of Chicago, IL. Having obtained a degree in Business Administration and working in an office setting, Yolanda pursuit of happiness comes from putting words on paper, bringing characters to life and capturing a reader to the fullest. Thus, her debut novel Indiscretions was born. Not a quitter and most definitly a fighter, Yolanda works hard not only with producing superb reading enjoyment, but contributes to mentoring those interested in expanding their literary knowledge.








Indiscretions


“…Yolanda Buick has written a book called Indiscretions that will leave an everlasting impression on reader’s minds forever. Shocking, bold, and entertaining are an understatement. A new drama queen is born.”

Heather Covington…Disilgold Soul

Lies and more lies, Craig. You’ve told so many, you dont know the difference from the truth, Craig Jackson stood accused as wife, Casey learns of his dark secret. Plagued by the consequences of a one night fall, like an addict the bottle called to Craig. His constant lies and MIA all night only added to the mounting tension in his marriage. Like a pot boiling over finally Craig does the unforgivable by raising his fist to his beloved Casey; he saw all too much of this, as brutality had always been a means to an end for his alcoholic father. Despite it all Casey loved her husband and wanted to stay true to her vows, but Craig’s demons have driven Casey to a crossroad: Does she uphold the sanctity of her marriage or seek refuge and comfort in the warmth of Enrique’s smile, a co-worker that she has managed to grow quite close to. She just may come closer to running into the arms of Enrique, as one fateful night Craig’s thoughtless and callous actions lead Casey and him down a road of hopelessness and despair. Take a ride with deep plunges, compelling twists and turns that will move you from laughter to tears. Filled with lies, backstabbing friends, secrets, love, and laughter Indiscretions will make you ask... “Can the depth of their love keep Casey and Craig together?”


To find out more about this outstanding author visit her online: www.yolandahooksbuick.com or email her at contactme@yolandahooksbuick.com

Friday, November 24, 2006

NOV EXCERPT - The Reservationist


The Reservationist
By Barbra Porter - Coleman

The Reservationist is a heart-throbbing mystery-thriller that will keep you intrigued. This novel is also mainstream dealing with child molestation, foster care, and adoption. Read how these issues remarkably intertwine and how the left-handed serial killer is shocked when stumbling upon some disturbing news.

Early morning dew lay on the Texas grass as Diamond O’Connell, the fictitious name she frequently used, dashed across the front lawn in her teddy. With the sun highlighting her slim body, she hurriedly picked up the newspaper and ran back inside before the neighbors could see her. She sat at the breakfast table, opened the paper, and scanned the want ads.

Suddenly, there it was—her gateway to revenge: JET AWAY AIRWAYS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SALES RESERVATIONIST. “The deadline is today!” She jumped up, letting the paper flutter to the floor as she ran to the shower.

Two hours later, she stood in front of the corporate office of Jet Away staring at her reflection in the glass door. A mad woman camouflaged by beauty stared back. She pushed open the door and smiled at the receptionist as she stepped up to the glass case.

“May I help you?” asked the receptionist, sliding back the little door.

“Yes, I’m here for the sales reservationist’s position.”

“Your timing is perfect.” She smiled. “The manager has been hiring on the spot,” the receptionist said, handing Diamond an application on a clipboard. “Can you type?”

“Yes, I can,” Diamond lied, aware that it had been years since she’d been near a keyboard.

Pointing to the other end of the room, the receptionist said, “Take a seat over at the table.”

As Diamond walked over to the round table her silky black, hair swayed across her shoulders with each step. Forty minutes later, after completing the two-step process, the receptionist escorted her to a large office where six other applicants—four young ladies and two men—eagerly waited to find out if they had the job.

Diamond took her seat. “I’ve got to get this job; I have to,” she muttered to herself, clenching the pencil in her hand until it broke. “Jet Away, you’re going to pay for what you did to me.” Realizing she was speaking aloud, she looked around, hoping no one had heard the hostility in her voice or the threat, but everybody continued talking and looking at magazines.

The receptionist returned fifteen minutes later with a big smile. “Congratulations, you’ve all been accepted.”

“Oh, thank you!” Diamond said as she stood. This is the break I need, she thought, trying hard to suppress a wicked grin.

“Study the airline codes and the other information in your packet and we will see you next Monday for training,” said the receptionist as she handed out the packets.

“Thank you. You won’t regret it,” Diamond said again as she left the office with a vengeful smile. And God said vengeance is mine, the voice wailed inside her head. “I know, but you have to take the backseat on this one,” Diamond retorted.

The next week, Diamond sat in the intense training session with twenty other new hirees. Determined to complete training, she put her personal life on hold to focus on the class. She knew she had to get inside the operation if she wanted revenge. Each day she would walk by the administrative office getting familiar with its layout, watching the security guard perambulate through the building make his rounds.

After successfully completing four weeks of training, plus another two months on the phone, she began covertly studying ways to get into the administrative office. One afternoon as she headed for her break, she peeked through the glass door of the administration office and noticed a set of keys on the desk. She could hear two women laughing somewhere in the background, but saw no one in the office. She slipped into the office, quickly slid the keys into her jacket, and walked out the opened door.

Later that night, at around midnight, she returned to the dark office and tried one of the keys in the lock. Nothing happened. “Damn.” She frowned, glanced around the empty hallway, and tried the second key. The lock clicked softly. Bingo! She slithered through the door like a snake, looking over her shoulder for the frail security guard, who constantly walked the halls. She locked the door and walked a few feet toward the back of the room where there was a beveled glass door labeled ‘Archives’.

The door unlocked on her first try. Leaving the door slightly ajar, she surveyed the small room, which contained several four-foot-tall gray file cabinets. She quietly searched the cabinet closest to the door for fifteen minutes, but didn’t find the information that would set her free from the demons that haunted her. Just as she finished going through the second cabinet the door up front rattled, making her gasp. Her hand went to her chest. She turned off the light, closed the door, and hid behind a file cabinet, removing the switchblade from her jacket. Must be the security guard making his rounds, she thought as she felt her heart pounding. Sweat started to fall. “If he walks in here, this will be the last round this guard makes.” She uttered with gritted teeth. Satisfied all was secure, the guard moved down the hall, to live another day.

A few minutes later, she came out from behind the cabinet and listened for a moment before she flipped the light switch on, and continued her quest. Tackling the third file cabinet, she began tossing folders on the floor, not caring where they landed. Her anger began to boil at not finding the information she desperately sought. Finally, she pulled out a file labeled ‘Employees’ Deaths’ and began scanning each page before tossing it aside. Halfway through the folder she ran across what she had been looking for: ‘Lacy Brent.’ “This is it,” she said, gripping at the paper. She continued reading the rest of the file. ‘He has a wife, Wanda Brent, and daughter, Tia.’

“Wanda Brent, you will pay,” she spoke with emphasis, “for what your husband did to me.”

She tore off the Brents’ address and phone number, stuffed it in her pocket, stepped over the files, and quickly walked to the glass door. The slight sound of keys jingling caught her attention as she peered through the glass and saw the security guard coming her way. Diamond hid behind a wall while the guard shook the door handle, and then he continued down the hall. When she saw the guard walk around the corner and out of sight she cracked open the door. She trembled as she swung opened the door and fled to the safety of her car.

Diamond drove home like a crazy woman. Heading straight for the phone, she took out the paper and began pressing numbers. “Damn, it’s disconnected.” She slammed down the receiver and rushed to the computer, pulled up Mapsco, typed in the address, got the directions to the Brents’ house, printed them out, grabbed her purse, and headed for her Jeep. Tears of grief welled in her eyes as she pulled up in front of the house and turned off the motor.

Convinced this was the moment, she got out of the car and peeked through a small window at the front of the house. Overwhelmed with vengeance, her fear quickly dissipated. Then she saw a shadow moving inside and returned to her car. After scoping out the house for an hour, she decided to leave. “I’ll be back early before she goes to work.” She began to start the car, then thought, I may miss her if I leave. She coaxed her Jeep a few yards down the street and camped out for the night.

Exhausted, she could hardly feel the chilled air rushing through the cracked window, brushing her face as she slept. The moon faded and day broke. The chirping of the birds woke her; she knew the sun would be out shortly. She sat up, stretched, and checked the clock on the dash before opening the glove compartment for her disguise. A piece of paper where she had repeatedly practiced writing her fictitious name fell to the floor. She pulled out a blonde wig styled in a bob, tucked her hair underneath as she adjusted the wig on her head, popped a couple of mints into her mouth to disguise her morning breath, put the gear in reverse and backed the car up to the house. She walked boldly up the steps to a beautiful white two-story brick house, cleared her throat, and rang the doorbell.

“Coming,” she heard from inside the house. Seconds later, the door opened half way. “May I help you?” a woman asked.

Diamond glared at the tall, blonde woman and then extended her sweaty hand. “Hi, I’m Diamond O’Connell with Secure Security System.” She flashed a smile. “I noticed you aren’t serviced by a security company.” She looked back, “there’s not a sign in the yard.”

For more information on this book visit: www.candlestickpublishing.com

Monday, November 20, 2006

NOV AUTHOR INTRO: Natalie Dunbar


Natalie Dunbar

Married to her high school sweetheart, Natalie Dunbar is a University of Michigan engineering graduate and the mother of two sons. A native Detroiter, she is the critically acclaimed author of nine published books including two anthologies.

Her publishers include Silhouette Bombshell, BET Books, Parker Publishing, and Genesis Press. Her most recent title to be published is her novella, Out of the Dark, which is in the Vegas Bites werewolf romance anthology and available November 17, 2006. Other popular titles include A Model Spy, Private Agenda, Can I Get An Amen, Falling, Everything but Love, The Love we Had, and Best of Friends.



Vegas Bites, Werewolf Romance Anthology



In Las Vegas to bury the mysterious woman who raised her, Kellie Monroe is attacked by a band of werewolves who have been terrorizing the countryside. Nearly dying from resulting complications, her life is forever altered when she meets Preternatural Policeman, Garen Roy, and her body starts to change.

Visit Natalie at: http://www.nataliedunbar.com/

Friday, November 17, 2006

NOV 17: Are You Reading This


Sex on the Side

By Jessie Jamie Coleman

Autumn Girl Press
ISBN: 0976696436

http://www.jessiejamiecoleman.com

Exploring the notion that men are only out for sex,
"Sex on the Side" flips the script in this unique tale and
reveals that women can be as sexually charged as men.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

BLOG TOUR: Dorothy Thompson


SORMAG: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Dorothy Thompson:
Hi, LaShaunda, and thanks for the interview! Well, let's see....I'm a relationship expert, author, syndicated columnist, graphic designer, web site designer, and...ahem...marketing guru. Lots of hats. I'm also editor of The Writer's Life, one of Writer's Digest Magazine's Top 101 Websites.

SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?



THOMPSON:
"A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook," is an eBook to show you how to promote eBooks. Whether it's an eBook that is published by an e-publisher, or an eBook you've self-published, this eBook witll show you the tricks of the trade to getting those sales you've been wanting. It's basically a guide to refer to every single time you have an eBook published, with clickable links to take you to hundreds of promotional venues. What I have done with this eBook is make it easy on the author, being as time is so precious. Five years went into the making of this, and I really feel that if you want to make those sales, this eBook is your perfect guide.

SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

THOMPSON:
LOL...I'll tell you what I would love to see. I'd love to hear someone say, "Wow...I'm going to write an eBook, and see what kind of money will come in!" That's what I've heard people say all ready. They are so excited; they can't wait to jump right in. You can sense their enthusiasm, and that's what it's all about...to show you how to successfully sell an eBook, whether it's published by an e-publisher, or self-published. Actually, the self-published author will stand to make more money because all of the profits are theirs. Every single promotional venue in the eBook costs NOTHING. I know how it is to wear the starving writers' shoes. Although, yes, the eBook costs a little bit more money than other eBooks, but the information is there. No frills. No hypes. I only wish I had this information years ago when I had my first eBook published by an e-publisher. The sales were dismal. I began to hate e-publishing with a vengeance. It wasn't until I started promoting my writing group's free eBook did I decide to put all this information into an eBook that would benefit everyone. If you do everything I have outlined in the eBook, I guarantee you will appear in the number one spot of all the search engines, just like I did with my writing group's two free eBooks, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Published" and "Haunted Happenings." We plan on one for Christmas, too, and I'll be putting the promotional plan into action with this one, also.

SORMAG: What are the joys and sorrows of ebook publishing?

THOMPSON:
If you had asked me five years ago this very same question, I could have given you plenty of sorrows. No joys. Today, what a turnaround.

How would you like to produce something (and it's easier than people think), sell it yourself off your website, and see actual revenue coming in from it in a matter of days? And what's really cool about it is that it's 100% profit. You can set your eBook at any price you want. Just remember, if you price it high, make sure the information is there. I'm really upset at how people misuse this system. The main thing you want to do is cut out the frill. You can put enough information in a 50-page eBook if you wanted, and still have a successful eBook on your hands.

The only sorrows I feel at this time is that I didn't start earlier. It's a perfect system. While you're waiting for that NY contract, or waiting for royalties to come in from your already-published books, whip out an eBook on something you know about. It really comes in handy for those stay-at-home moms or dads who want to bring in some money from something that is virtually simple to produce.

SORMAG: If you could have dinner with 3 authors to talk with about their writing (living or deceased), who would you invite and why?

THOMPSON:
Man, I would love to get inside the head of Stephen King. It must have the strangest dreams you've ever seen to be able to write some of the stuff he writes. J.K. Rowling...I'd love to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee. Just what is it inside those heads that puts out these wonderful books? Another person I'd really loooove to talk to is that other darn Dorothy Thompson that keeps pushing me out of the search engines. Do a google search on her and you'll see what I mean. Man, that woman was the bomb. Interviewed Hitler and everything. I would probably thank her, though...when people put in my name, they'll come up with thousands of links, even though half of them aren't mine!

Visit Dorothy at: http://www.dorothythompson.net

Editor, The Writer's Life http://www.thewriterslife.net

Blog at http://www.overthehillchick.blogspot.com

Monday, November 13, 2006

NOV 06 AUTHOR INTRO: Francine Craft


Francine Craft:

When Francine Craft first published Devoted in 1995, she touched a whole generation of readers with her exquisite tale of romance and passion. Today with 19 titles in her repertoire, she continually stays on the Amazon.com’s bestsellers list for multicultural romances and her acclaimed “Give Move,” an anthology, was number one on the list for many weeks. It is being republished in November 2006. Ms. Craft, a native Mississippian, currently resides in Washington , D.C. Visit Francine Craft’s official website for more information about her writing and this new novel – http://www.francinecraft.com/



If Love is Good To Me:

Gifted musician Dosha Steele went to Tenerife , Spain , hoping to heal a broken heart and vowing never to love again. Yet in beautiful Puerto de la Cruz she meets brooding millionaire Christian Montero and he draws her into a sensuous web of passion. But even as they contemplate a future together, both wonder if either can overcome the secrets, the jealousy and mysterious misfortune that threaten their burgeoning romance….

Is their love doomed because of the death card Dosha picked in a Tarot reading? Or are less paranormal forces at work trying to destroy their future?

Author's Website
http://www.francinecraft.com/

2006 e-Tours

DECEMBER

DEC e-Tour: Marsh, Robinson, Shivers

NOVEMBER

eTours -Bridges, Custer & Robertson


OCTOBER


e-Tours - Kevin Wayne Johnson

Friday, November 10, 2006

In Memory of Gerald Levert

Gerald Levert
Whenever I asked an author whose music she listened to when writing, Gerald’s name always came up. His songs were the type of song that inspired, love scenes and romance.

When I think of Gerald, I remember him starting out with Levert and how much I played their first CD when I was stationed in San Diego.

I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert once and seeing Gerald in concert twice.
I was front row center listening to him croon to us.

The G-Bear as his fans called him knew how to romance a woman.

My sympathy goes out to his family and fans.
I know we’re going to miss him forever.
His music will always be with us to inspire us even more.




Welcome To SORMAG's Blog

About Me

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I believe in promoting authors and their books. Let me introduce you and your books to online readers.

I'm also a happily married mother of three who's trying to break into the Christian writing field. The writing road can be rocky.

I’m available for:

Online promotion coaching
Lectures
Seminars
Freelancing
Contact me at:lchwriter@gmail.com

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