On Highlighted Author ~ Elliott Flies, Retrieving Isaac and Jason

This week, over on my Highlighted Author blog, I'm pleased to present Elliott Flies and his book,  Retrieving Isaac and Jason.  Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

Elliott  Flies is a resident of Saint Paul and is an attorney for a Minnesota insurance company. He and his father, Kenneth, wrote Retrieving Isaac & Jasonto raise awareness of adoption issues and to encourage others to find their own unique families.

Elliott (known as "the writer") is actually the human “translator” of the heart-warming story told by a yellow lab named Kai. Her grandfather, Kenneth, (whom she simply calls "Gramps") also helped out.  Ken resides in Eagan with his wife Millie (also known herein as "Granny").

Proceeds from the sale of Retrieving Isaac and Jason will go to The Sharing Foundation, a non-profit organization which empowers young lives in Southeast Asian orphanages.

Elliott is represented by Lien Public Relations.

Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

Announcing The Winners Of The Howloween Blog Hop

Welcome to the Howloween Blog Hop!  From Oct 26th-29th, over 250 bloggers will participate in a celebration of prizes.  So put on your best costume and go knocking at all their .com doors.

Congratulations the Charlene Blogs winners!

First place is Entry #20Jenny

Second place is Entry #25Shadow K.

Thank you all for stopping in and participating.  Have a fun and safe Halloween.

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

Howloween Blog Hop Giveaway!

Welcome to the Howloween Blog Hop!  From Oct 26th-29th, over 250 bloggers will participate in a celebration of prizes.  So put on your best costume and go knocking at all their .com doors.

Here's what treats you could win here at Charlene Blogs...

Click on any of the titles or author names for more information about them.

Contemporary Romance

Cowboys and Cats

by Ruth J. Hartman

Paranormal Romance

Vampire Island

by Sandra Cox

Paranormal Romance

Cornerstone Deep

by Charlene A. Wilson

Paranormal Romance

Darkest Embrace

by Robyn M. Pierce

Urban Fantasy

Dark Heirloom

by J.D. Brown

You must be at least 18 years old to enter!  
By entering, you state that you are 18 or Older!

To be eligible, enter using the Rafflecoper below.  It's the only mandatory step and you can enter every day of the contest.  But, I've given you options to earn extra chances to win!  Have Fun with it!

Two winner will be drawn using Random.com.  

First Place receives 3 titles
Second Place receives 2 titles  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once the winners are chosen, I will notify them and contact the respective authors.  Your email will only be shared with the authors to allow them to send you your prize.  Each author generously provided their work for you to enjoy.  I do not own these books (other than Cornerstone Deep which I authored).

On that note, I'd like to thank each of the authors that donated titles for this contest.  Without you, I couldn't have offered such a wonderful giveaway!

Check out the other participating blogs

HERE!

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

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At Ravencraft Romance Realm, Character Interview With Vlad Chemar, The Last Vampire Standing

Today, over at Ravencraft Romance Realm, I'm pleased to present Tony-Paul de Vissage and his new release, The Last Vampire Standing. Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

~ * ~

I have a real treat of an interview to share today.  Tony-Paul de Vissage is on tour with his new release, The Last Vampire Standing, and has agreed to let me interview the star, Vlad Chemare.  I guarantee you’re gonna love what he has to say! 

First, let me tell you a little about Tony-Paul.

Tony-Paul de Vissage is a Southerner of French Huguenot extraction, whose first movie memory is viewing the old Universal horror flick, Dracula’s Daughte, on television, and being scared sleepless—and that may explain a lifelong interest in vampires. 

This was further inspired when the author ran across a band of transplanted Transylvanian vampires who were sightseeing in the South.  Thinking nosferatu were getting a bad press and in need of some favorable publicity, he decided to do what he could to change that attitude through his writing.  Though it may be argued his efforts have probably done the opposite, no vamp has complained…yet.)

And now...  *swings the Romance Realm's door wide*

Meet Vlad Chemare, a blast from the past who isn’t to be denied. He’s up-to-date, traveling by jet, and seeking revenge against the master who buried him alive for daring to lead a revolt back in the 15^th century.  Armed with a Chase Sapphire and a Kevlar vest, Vlad’s out for blood—specifically Baslo Rigla’s—and he isn’t about to let his feelings for mortal Meredith Swanson stand in his way.  

After all, a woman’s just a woman, but revenge is a dish best served cold, and six hundred years makes for some pretty chilly morsels.

Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

On Highlighted Author ~ Natasha Yim, Sacajawea of the Shoshone

Today, over on my Highlighted Author blog, I'm pleased to present Natasha Yim and her book,  Sacajawea of the Shoshone.  Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

Natasha is a Northern California children's book author, freelance writer, and playwright. Her first picture book, Otto's Rainy Day, was published by Charlesbridge Publishing, and her picture book biography, Cixi, The Dragon Empress, was released by Goosebottom Books in October 2011. Sacajawea of the Shoshone, the amazing story of the Native American teenager who traveled the west with Lewis and Clark hit the bookshelves in October 2012. She has also published non-fiction articles in the children's magazines, Highlights for Children, Appleseeds, and Faces, and for adults in local and regional publications such as Mendocino Arts, Vibrant Life, and UnchARTed magazines. Her ten-minute plays have been produced and performed in venues around Northern California--Ukiah, Santa Rosa, Guerneville—as well as in Los Angeles, and Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.

Born Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she grew up in Singapore and Hong Kong. She came to California in 1979 to attend Dominican College (now University) where she graduated with a B.A. in English Literature with a Writing Emphasis and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology. As a Social Worker, she worked primarily with emotionally disadvantaged children in group home and foster home settings, and with Child Protective Services. Since 2000, she has been busy raising three children and working on her writing.  She's on tour with her new release, Sacajawea of the Shoshone, and I'm proud that she has made Highlighted Author part of her world wide web travels.

Welcome, Natasha, when did you decide to be an author?  Do you remember how old you were?  The moment? 

When I was in 7th grade, an English teacher gave us a creative writing assignment in which we had to create an island, illustrate it with made-up lakes, rivers, mountains, towns etc., and write a story about it. It was so much fun, I’ve been hooked on writing stories ever since...

Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

Sweet Saturday~Pastel Torte

Welcome to Sweet Saturday at Charlene Blogs.  This week we're going light with a yummy layered torte.  It's easy to adapt to any of the upcoming holidays by changing the food coloring you use in the recipe.  Fun orange for Halloween, yellow or brown for Thanksgiving, and maybe red and green for Christmas...  It's all up to you, so the ideas are endless.

I got this recipe from TasteOfHome.com.  Thank you Taste of Home for allowing us to share them. :)

Gloria Denton of Courtenay, British Columbia, says, "The delicate almond flavor is wonderful."  And I'll add that it's the perfect dessert to top off a grand meal.  So light, it won't weigh you down for the fun activities you have planned. *wink*

Pastel Torte

Pastel Torte Recipe

photo by Taste of Home

• Prep: 50 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min. + cooling
• Yield: 9 Servings

Book Trailer Tour For Cornerstone Deep Echoes!

I'm hopping around the world, sharing my beautiful book trailer for Cornerstone Deep Echoes!  It all begins NOW and will run through tomorrow.  

Special for Fans!

Twelve blogs have signed up to host me, so take your pick and stop by at one or two, or stop at them all.  I'll send you a signed bookmark for each one you leave a comment on.  You can share them with your family and friends!  Do NOT leave your snail mail address at any of these blogs.  If you complete this task, use the secure Contact forms at ShiloManor.com's Fan Fare Page or here at my site to let me know you'd like your gift.  I'll get in touch with you. *smile*

Here's where I'll be...

Tour Schedule:

Oct. 19th

• A Diary Of A Book Addict
• Pink Fluffy Hearts: Diary of a Coffee Addict
• A Bit of Dash
• Simply Ali
• whoopeeyoo :D
• The eBook Reviewers ? They're listed but not really sure about this. Lol! 
• Kharisma Rhayne

Oct. 20th

• My Cozie Corner
• Blood, Lust and Erotica
• Identity Discovery
• A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books
• Bookluvrs Haven

There will be a tour wide giveaway, so be sure to follow and enter!
Thank you FMB Blog Tours for putting it all together!

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

On Highlighted Author ~ Susanne Lakin, Innocent Little Crimes

Today, over on my Highlighted Author blog, I'm pleased to present Susanne Lakin and her book,  Innocent Little Crimes.  Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

~ * ~

Join me in welcoming Susanne Lakin to Highlighted Author.

Susanne Lakin is novelist and writing coach who spends her time divided between developing new book ideas and helping writers polish theirs. She is the author of twelve novels – six contemporary and six in the fantasy/sci-fi genre. Whether she is exploring the depths of the human psyche and pushing her characters to the edge of desperation, or embellishing an imaginary world replete with talking pigs and ancient magical curses, she is doing what she loves best – using her creativity and skills to inspire and affect her readers.

In all her books, she seeks to journey to the heart of human motivation, to uncover unmet needs, and show the path to healing and grace.

Susan grew up in the “Big Orange,” when there were still orange groves in the Los Angeles basin. Her first novel, A Rip in the Redwood Curtain, was picked up by the first agent who read it, Ben Kamsler – Elmore Leonard's agent at the time.

Among her publications are A Rip in the Redwood Curtain, Innocent Little Crimes, Thin Film of Lies, The Wolf Of Tebron, The Map Across Time, Someone to Blame, The Land of Darkness, Time Sniffers, Conundrum, The Unravelling of Wentwater, Intended For Harm, and The Crystal Scepter.

She comes from a family of successful writers, and I landed her first fiction contract by winning the Zondervan First Novel contest at Mount Hermon in April 2009.

Welcome, Susanne.  Please tell us about your featured book.

Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

Sweet Saturday ~ Caramel Pear Pudding

Welcome to Sweet Saturday at Charlene Blogs.  With my tree overloaded with pears, I've been looking for new ways to serve them up.  I think I found a winner here. This week I'm sharing a caramely sweet dessert that's super easy to make and just as easy to cuddle up next to your love with and share (if you can bring yourself to actually share it).  *wink*  I got this recipe from TasteOfHome.com.  Thank you Taste of Home for allowing us to share them. :)

Diane Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas says, "This is a lovely winter dessert that uses pears that are seasonally available.  I enjoy snacking on it in front of the fireplace."  And I'll add the cuddling and sharing part just cause I'm a romantic. *smile*

Caramel Pear Pudding

Caramel Pear Pudding
Recipe photo by Taste of Home

• Prep: 20 min. Cook: 3 hours
• Yield: 10 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 4 medium pears, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and cloves. Stir in milk until smooth. Add pears and pecans. Spread evenly into a 3-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and butter; stir in boiling water. Pour over batter (do not stir). Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until pears are tender. Serve warm with ice cream if desired. Yield: 10 servings.

Cuddle up and enjoy.  Let me know how it works out for you!   

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

On Ravencraft Romance Realm ~ Sandra Jones, Moonlight Madness

Today, over at Ravencraft Romance Realm, I'm pleased to present Sandra Jones and her new release, Moonlight Madness. Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

~ * ~

I’m excited to have with me today Historical Romance author Sandra Jones.  I’m lucky to have this talented lady in my Diamond State Romance Authors group.  For those who don’t know, DSRA is the Arkansas chapter of Romance Writers of America and a wonderful close gang of ladies. *smile*

But we’re here to get to know Sandra and find out about her new release Moonlight Madness...

Sandra writes sensual historical romance for The Wild Rose Press and Avon Impulse.  Being a self-proclaimed history geek, she lives in a 1905 Greek Revival house, and says she’s seriously addicted to British TV.  You can usually find her in the library, behind her computer, at the coffeehouse, or at a Renaissance fair (usually the mead tent).  Huzzah! *Woot!* (yeah, the huzzah’s hers, the woot’s mine *smile*)

So without further ado, let’s get started on our interview.


Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene

On Highlighted Author ~ Armineh Ohanian, The Apple Tree Blossoms in the Fall

Today, over on my Highlighted Author blog, I'm pleased to present Armineh Ohanian and her book The Apple Tree Blossoms in the Fall.  Click the Read More link below to enjoy the presentation. *smile*

~ * ~

 Join me in welcoming Armineh Helen Ohanian to Highlighted Author.

Armineh was brought up in Iran before the Islamic revolution; earned her BA with honors from the Open University in the U.K. and lived in twelve countries before landing on the peaceful shores of Long Island. She paid her way through school writing the weekly romance feature in her church magazine in Tehran and translating children’s storybooks from English to Farsi. Among her published works are Dreaming of America, The Talking Animals and Magic. The Talking Animals, a collection of classical fables, has been used in schools in Long Island since 2003. But she’s here today with her new release, The Apple Tree Blossoms in the Fall.

Welcome, Armineh, please tell us about yourself.

I began my writing career as a teenager.  At the age of fifteen, I wrote children’s stories and sent them unanimously to our church monthly magazine, Noor Jahan, in Tehran. Although, this happened ages ago, I never forget the day when I saw my first story in print.  It happened on a Sunday after the church service when I bought the magazine from the church bookstore.

As I began leafing through the pages with trembling fingers, I suddenly came across my story.  Though, my heart was fluttering with joy and excitement, I decided to keep calm and refrain from sharing the good news with my friends who were standing by me in the churchyard.

Read More...

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  

     Charlene