Moonlight Protector, the first book in the Ashton Grove Werewolves series, has been reviewed by Shannon’s Satin & Lace Reviews, a romance and erotic lit site.
Here is the full review:
Marin Thomas is on the run from her worst nightmare and ends up in the arms of Cole, the sweetest most beautiful man she has ever know. That is after Cole stands guard in his wolf form comforting her in the wake of escaping near death. But his cover is blown when he shifts shapes in the middle of the night while in her arms. Realizing that Gabrielle and Cole’s explanation of werewolves is true, she begins to believe that their notion that she is the mate to one of the three brothers may not be ludicrous after all. As she begins to heal the emotional scars from Stephan’s abuse, the wounds are ripped open tearing at both her and Cole’s heart. He is madly in love with her and will risk his life to protect her. The danger she has brought into the brothers’ lives makes her heart ache.
Will she chose Cole as her mate or will Gabrielle’s gentle touch and gorgeous eyes steal her heart? Can the brothers stop Stephan before he kills Marin?
Not your typical romance novel, the story line of this book brings to life real fears and takes you through the journey of a frightened woman. As she finds her way from a weak insecure victim to a strong vibrant woman, your faith in the ability to heal wounds and renew love will flourish. I definitely recommend this book. Once again, Jessica Coulter Smith has done an amazing job!!!
Rating: 5 hearts
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What first interested you in writing?
Money, I thought this was an easy way to make a living. It didn’t take me long to figure out that waiting tables netted a higher income, but by then I was hooked and I haven’t been able to give up my addiction.
How many novels do you currently have published? What genre are they? Where are they published?
I feel very lucky that I’ve had three books accepted for publication. In January, The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract for my paranormal romance, A Sterling Affair. The electronic edition was released on December 5th and the print edition will be released June 5, 2009. Then Hearts on Fire accepted two other books. Death Likes Me is a mystery. And The One and Only is a children’s book, which previously won The Loft Children’s Literature Award.
Do you write full time or do you have another job as well?
I write full time, but not fiction. I’ve been a freelance writer since 2000 when I quit my job as a publicist. I’ve written for consumer, trade and custom magazines and I run my own Web site… small shameless plug here, The Budget Smart Girl’s Guide to the Universe.
Where do you see yourself writingwise in five years?
I’d like to say on the bestseller’s list, but I hope to be still writing, still getting published and have a loyal following of readers who love my work so much that they can’t wait for my next novel to be published.
What goals or dreams do you have for your writing career?
I’ve always had an interest in screenwriting and I’d really like to see Death Likes Me turned into a series for a network like Lifetime or USA. I’d love to see the character of Niki Webber turned into a TV character.
What is your favorite genre to read?
My first love is mystery. When I was a little girl I’d spend most of my time reading Agatha Christie. But I also like romantic suspense and paranormal novels, especially a good ghost story.
Do you have any favorite authors?
Too many to include here, but if I had to name some it would be Sue Grafton and Peter Robinson.
How hard was it to become published?
Very, and if anyone wants an incentive for not giving up, it’s my story. I did take a break for about five years, but it still seems like a lifetime ago, that I started writing. But then, wow, in just the last 11 months I’ve sold three books, had a short story published in Woman’s World, I was long listed in a major writing contest in England. And I was recently given the opportunity to write a sample for a new crime series. And my Web site just got picked up for syndication.
Do you have any suggestions for writers who wished to published?
If writing is your dream, don’t give up. Start writing another manuscript when you send one out so you don’t think about the one that’s out there. Read, read, read, and polish your craft. I still have a lot to learn about writing and I’m continually trying to improve my writing skills.
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I realized this morning that I’ve been so busy writing that I haven’t been blogging. To give you an update, Whispering Lake has now received two excellent reviews!
Linda Sole @ Red Roses for Authors gave it 4 out o5 Roses, visit the Red Roses site for the full review!
“Werewolves, witches and ghosts oh, my. This one has all that and suspense that will keep you guessing just where this one will end up. It is an interesting book to read as it is hard to put down. You will be glued to your seat until the very end.”
Shannon @ Shannon’s Satin & Lace Reviews gave it 5 out of 5 hearts! Visit www.satinandlacereviews.webs.com for the full review.
“The author weaves an amazing and riveting tale of love and desire, hope and fear with a little bit of wicked fun thrown in the mix. This book will stir your senses with the combination of fantasy and reality leaving you wanting more from this amazing new author. This is a must read story.”
Whispering Lake’s sales are doing pretty well, available in both e-book (Amazon Kindle, Hearts on Fire, Coffee Time – and coming soon to Fictionwise!) and as a large paperback (Amazon.com, Target.com, and Hearts on Fire Books).
The sequel, Moonlight Protector, was released December 1st. Hopefully the reviews will start trickling in for Moonlight before too long. 
I can honestly say that the day Whispering Lake, my first novel, was accepted for publishing I was excited beyond words and felt accomplished. Then I realized it didn’t matter if it was published if it didn’t sell … well, now it’s selling and getting good reviews. It makes you feel like you really did accomplish something!
For me, the best part of being an author, is seeing someone read your book… being able to watch their facial expressions and hearing them laugh when they reach a humorous part. Every time I see someone with a paperback copy of my book, it seems surreal. I think “I did that, that’s my book”…
This author’s day has definitely been made! I could not have asked for a better Christmas present!
Hmm… then again, I can think of one or two.
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You always hear about the “Christmas spirit” during the holidays. Everyone is supposed to be happier and in a more giving mood than the other months out of the year. At least, that’s what you hear … what you see is another matter!
Fights in the aisles at toy stores, drivers cussing each other out over parking spaces, a higher theft rate, and on and on the list goes. What precisely is so cheery about all of that?
The holiday season should be a time when we remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Drop some change in the Salvation Army’s bucket, donate some money to the local fire department, give an unwrapped toy to Toys For Tots .. there are a hundred different ways that you can share the Christmas spirit with someone who doesn’t have anything – and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money!
For instance, my aunt is a special ed teacher in a poor neighborhood. She has a little girl in her class that hasn’t been able to afford a nice dress – ever! My daughter had a pretty pink velvet Disney princess dress that she wore a handful of times last year. It no longer fit her and she asked what we could do with it. I called my aunt and as luck would have it, it was the little girl’s size. When my aunt gave the dress to the girl in her classroom, she said her eyes lit up with excitement. She just had to try the dress on immediately! She wanted to parade around the room and around the school to show it off! Without having to spend a penny, my daughter was able to make that little girl’s day! We also donated my son’s winter coat (which he only wore for 1 month since the little stinker grew so fast!) to a boy in my aunt’s class who has never had a warm winter coat before.
As you’re cleaning out your closets and kids toys to prepare for Santa, why not take a moment to contact the local women’s shelter, a community center in a not so great part of town, or a local church and see if they will take the items to give to families who not only need them, but who will love them.
Touch someone’s life … I think you’ll find that it will also touch yours!
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What first interested you in writing?
My granddaughter was turning 13 yrs of age. We were closer than just my being her grandpa…more like a father/daughter arrangement. I wanted to do something special for her. I dedicated this Y/A book, (Summer of Sara Sue), to her. It was a tough FIRST work for me. I couldn’t capture the language of the teenagers of the 1980s. That book is in our high school library today and the kids have worn out two copies. They loved it.
How many novels do you currently have published? What genre are they? Where are they published?
I have eight published. Two novels are on the Kindle system. Two more books were published by Publish America. Gate Way publishers have published three books. One book has recently been published by Hearts On Fire Books. I’m not into any particular genre. I have three Mystery/Cop/Action things. One Sci-Fi/Western/ Time Travel novel is at Gate Way. I did an easy reading Western for them also. I did an ESP book entitled “In Your Dreams” that was never very received, but it was ahead of its time in several ways.
What goals or dreams do you have for your writing career?
I have already built a small following. I want to increase the number of readers that search for my books. This is the only goal I hope to reach. It can be done, but it takes time.
What is your favorite genre to read?
I have no favorite genre actually. I enjoy any genre except Horror. We have enough Horror going on in the world every day. We need not give it a push through readership.
Do you have any favorite authors? What do you like about them?
Zane Gray gave me my first interest in reading. I also got totally engrossed in “Twenty Thousand leagues Under the Sea” but I doubt if you know that one and Jules Verne was way before your time.
How hard was it to become a published author?
It was extremely hard. If it were not so, I would never have accepted Publish America as my first Publisher. I was a total unknown writer and certainly/or obviously rough around the edges…perhaps I still am.
Do you have any suggestions for writers who wish to be published?
Only one…make certain that no foolish errors appear on the first manuscript that you send to the publisher. If you can’t edit your work, have someone else do it. There will always be a few acceptable errors that can be corrected without the Publisher cursing and tearing up your copy.
Do you recommend using more than one publisher?
If your publisher accepts any genre that you write…why change and have to learn the ways of another publisher?
How do you typically promote your books?
I have some good friends at the Libraries. Most of these friends know of Book clubs and writing groups. They are usually happy to set something up for me. I have done several book signings in the past…both at libraries and bookstores.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Certainly, I do appreciate your taking time out of your very busy schedule to interview me. I’m happy to do anything I can do to create more interest in “The Martin Files” and Hearts On Fire Books.
Bob G. Stidham, Author
November 2008 Release, The Martin Files
December 2008 Release, Tenacity
Current Publisher: Hearts on Fire Books
www.heartsonfirebooks.com
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