January 25th 2016 - Meet the Authors

Hi, it’s Christina!

Bekky Morasco - Owner of Let's Steep

Today’s Monday Meet the Authors is going to be a tiny bit different. As many of you know, I do a ton of book signings at Canterbury Tales Forever Book Shoppe, in Peddler's Village, in Lahaska, PA. Unfortunately, at the end of the month, Canterbury Tales, like too many other mom & pop stores, is closing its doors. This left me, and a whole bunch of other authors, without a venue for book signings.

Let's Steep

So, friend and fellow author, Karen Hluchan and I set out to secure us a new venue, and we struck gold at Let’s Steep, the new Tea Shoppe & Art Studio in the center of the Village. The space is PHENOMENAL, the owner Bekky and managers Lauren & Dani (Dani runs the art studio, and she AMAZINGLY talented) are INCREDIBLE, and the tea is TO DIE FOR! Lauren made me a cup of some type of coconut white tea (I told her to surprise me), and I was in hog-heaven. It’s going to be fun sampling their HUNDREDS of tea varieties. YUMMY!!

Dani Giovi

Since our meeting, I have been working on securing and scheduling authors for the 2016 calendar year, and I wanted to introduce you to the lineup and the dates they will be appearing so you can schedule your visits around the authors you would like to meet. 

Please note, this is not a complete list, authors are contacting me daily to be added on to the schedule.

In alphabetical order by first name:

Barbara Steingas

Barbara Steingas, non-fiction author of Germans are Funny Too, A Healing Puzzle, & Solving the Crohn's& Colitis Puzzle, will be there 04/23/16, 07/16/16, 08/14/16, 09/24/16 & 11/13/16.

Chris Redding

Chris Redding, mystery / suspense author of Incendiary, Blonde Demolition, The Drinking Game, Corpse Whisperer & several e-books, will be there 02/20/16, 02/28/16, 03/26/16, 04/04/16, 04/17/16, 04/30/16, 09/18/16 & 12/03/16.

Claire Markette / Zana Etter

Claire Markette / Zana Etter, fiction author of Dances With Destiny & Dark Orchids, will be there on 03/05/16 (more dates coming).

Dawn Kowalchuk

Dawn Kowalchuk, contemporary fiction author of A Sunrise to Share, is going over her crazy schedule and will get back to us on the dates she’s available.

Ellwyn Autumn

Ellwyn Autumn, young adult author of Chris Kringle’s Cops, will be there 04/02/16, 05/22/16, 06/26/16, 07/09/16, 07/24/16, 08/06/16, 08/21/16, 09/10/16, 10/22/16, 11/06/16, 11/25/16, 12/11/16 & 12/17/16. Ellwyn's book is only available at book signings, so if you want one, you'll need to come out to Let's Steep.

Gregg Love

Gregg Love, teacher and children’s author of The One Who Threw from Kalamazoo, will be there 02/14/16, 03/13/16, 03/27/16, 04/10/16, 05/22/16, 06/25/16, 07/17/16, 08/07/16, 09/25/16 & 10/15/16 (more dates coming).

Janet Stafford

Janet Stafford, pastor & historical and contemporary fiction author of Saint Maggie, Walk By Faith, A Time to Heal, Heart Soul & Rock 'N' Roll and several e-books, will be there 02/13/16, 03/12/16, 04/23/16, 05/14/16, 06/25/16, 07/23/16, 09/24/16, 10/15/16, 11/05/16, 11/18/16 & 11/25/16.

Joanne Holliday

Joanne Holliday, the children’s author of Sammy the Unhappy Clam, will be there 01/31/16, 03/06/16, 05/15/16, 07/17/16, 09/11/16, 11/06/16 & 12/18/16.

K. Edwin Fritz

K. Edwin Fritz, BEST-SELLING horror/dark fantacy author of Man Hunt, Woman Scorned, Night Storms: AnEclectic Collection, Cover of Darkness, & Dark Tales From Gents' Pens, will be there 02/20/16, 02/27/16, 03/12/16, 03/26/16, 04/09/16, 04/16/16, 05/14/16, 05/22/16, 06/11/16, 06/18/16, 07/02/16, 07/03/16, 07/16/16, 07/23/16, 08/06/16, 08/27/16, 08/28/16, 09/17/16, 11/05/16, 11/25/16, 12/10/16 & 12/17/16.

Karen Hluchan, inspirational author of How Have You Loved? and spirit medium, will be there 02/13/16, 02/14/16, 04/16/16, 04/14/16, 05/21/16, 05/22/16, 08/13/16, 08/14/16, 09/17/16, 09/18/16, 10/15/16, 10/16/16, 11/05/16, 11/06/16, 11/18/16, 11/19/16, 11/20/16, 12/03/16 & 12/04/16.

Karen Hluchan

Now please note, Karen will have books there to sign, however, she will be doing Spirit Medium demos which are open to everyone for FREE, and she will be doing one-on-one readings for a fee. You’ll need to sign up for the readings either through her or at Let’s Steep. We’ll let you know which is which as the date nears. I can tell you, Valentine’s weekend will be the one-on-one readings, so if you want a chance for a reading with Karen, you’ll need to sign up soon. The slots will go quickly!

Karen Scheuer

Karen Scheuer, teacher and acclaimed children’s book author of A Bug and a Wish, will be appearing 01/31/16, 02/27/16, 03/05/16, 04/30/16, 05/21/16, 06/11/16, 08/13/16, 09/17/16, 11/05/16 & 11/19/16

Kathi Kurz, notable children’s book author of Does a Robot have a Nose?, is holding off until her second book in her series is released before she schedules her appearances. Look for her dates starting in late spring/early summer. Like Ellwyn, Kathi's books are only available at book signings.

Kenneth Good

Kenneth Good, minister and children’s book author of If I Were a Puzzle, is currently away so we were not able to secure any dates yet, but they will be coming.

Larry Deibert

Larry Deibert, Veteran and author of everything from non-fiction to adventure to paranormal romance including The Life Of Riley, Fathoms: A Novel Of The Paranormal, Family, 95 Bravo, The Other Side of the Ridge, From Darkness To Light, The Christmas City Vampire, Requiem for a Vampire, Combat Boots Dainty Feet and even some e-books, will be there 02/21/16, 03/13/16, 04/09/16, 05/07/16, 05/21/16, 06/11/16, 07/16/16, 08/07/16, 09/10/16, 10/16/16, 11/26/16 & 12/17/16.

Linda Rawlins

Linda Rawlins, doctor and mystery author of The Bench, Fatal Breach & Sacred Gold, is currently juggling an insane schedule, but we look forward to her joining us late summer / early fall.

Lori Sweeney

Lori Sweeney, acclaimed inspirational non-fiction author of Goodbye Fatness, Hello Gorgeous!, will be there 02/21/16, 04/02/16, 05/22/16, 06/25/16, 07/30/16, 08/20/16, 09/04/16, 09/18/16, 10/09/16 & 10/16/16.

Marielena Zuniga

Marielena Zuniga, comedy fiction author of  Loreen on the Lam: A Tennessee Mystery, is also juggling a crazy schedule and will be getting back to us on her availability.

Mary Ellen Springsteen

Mary Ellen Springsteen, medical mystery author of The Universal Donor & In The Name Of Beauty, will be there 02/06/16, 03/06/16, 04/16/16, 05/15/16, 06/18/16, 07/17/16, 08/14/16, 09/24/16, 10/23/16, 11/12/16 & 12/10/16.

Riley Morton

Riley Morton, teenager and youth fantasy author of Sorcerers & Discovered, will be appearing 01/31/16, 02/13/16, 02/14/16, 03/19/16, 03/20/16, 05/21/16, 09/17/16 & 09/18/16 (more dates coming).

Susan Jean Ricci

Susan Jean Ricci, award winning rom-com author of Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems, The Sugar Ticket, as well as several e-books, will be there for only two dates 04/04/16 & 12/04/16, so if you want to meet Susan, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Stacey Wilk

Stacey Wilk, young adult author of Welcome To Kata-Tartaroo,  Welcome To Bibliotheca & Welcome To Skull Mountain, will be joining us on 04/24/16, 06/26/16, 07/16/16, 08/13/16, 09/25/16, 10/30/16 & 11/20/16.

As for me, I’ll be there A LOT. Officially on 02/06/16, 02/20/16, 02/21/16, 03/05/16, 03/19/16, 03/20/16, 04/02/16, 04/04/16, 04/23/16, 04/24/16, 05/21/16, 06/04/16, 06/05/16, 06/12/16, 06/18/16, 07/16/16, 07/17/16, 07/23/16, 07/24/16, 08/06/16, 08/07/16, 08/27/16, 08/28/16, 09/10/16, 09/11/16, 09/17/16, 09/18/16, 10/22/16, 11/05/16, 11/06/16, 11/12/16, 11/13/16, 12/03/16, 12/04/16, 12/10/16 & 12/11/16, plus I will fill in on other dates when we don’t have a full house. On the other hand, I will also be giving up some of my slots if needed (with the exception of Scarecrow Festival – 9/17 & 18 – which is my favorite festival - so I’m going to be selfish and not relinquish my spot on those days).

Christina Paul

As I said, there are several other authors who are also interested, but we haven’t been able to connect yet to go over the details. You’ll just have to watch either my Facebook page or Bekky’s Facebook page (hey, while you’re there, why don’t you give her page a “Like”, I’m sure she’d appreciate it) for updates.

The kick-off event in on Sunday, January 31^st from 1 – 5. This is a kids event, so bring your little ones. There will be all sorts of fun stuff for your kids to do. Authors Karen Scheuer (A Bug and a Wish), Joanne Holliday (Sammy the Unhappy Clam), and Riley Morton (Sorcerers & Discovered) will be at the event. I hope to see you there!

Until next time, I hope you have a WONDERFUL day & Happy Writing!

James Hockenberry

UPDATE: James Hockenberry, award winning author of the thriller Over Here will be joining us on 02/27/16 & 04/17/16.

AND

Steve Mariotti

Steve Mariotti, entrepreneur and author of The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business: Turn Your Ideas into Money! will be there on 04/24/16.

November 9th 2015

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning!

I will admit to not recognizing
Jen's dad until he took off his
sunglasses. He made my day!

Just a quick post today. As I’m sure you heard, last weekend I was at Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village, and although the crowds were massive, folks just didn’t seem to be in the romance book buying mood. That’s okay though, because I got to experience something I was blown away by – SEVERAL folks stopped by my table looking for any new releases because they’ve already read all of my books. Talk about Rock Star moment! I guess I need to get busy and finish up the books I’m working on now don’t I?

I also wanted to tell you about an omission from my previous post. (In my defense, I did not know Gregg was going to be there on Sunday.) Gregg Love, a grade school teacher from South Jersey, wrote a wonderful children’s book called The One Who Threw from Kalamazoo: The 1st Inning (Kalamazoo Baseball Series). In small town Kalamazoo, Michigan, a young boy and a star pitcher grow a special bond that will change their lives forever. They each learn many great life lessons from each other. Each book, there are ten in the series, teaches an important moral and life lesson. This book series makes a great complement to any school's Character Education or Anti-Bullying curriculum.

If I wasn’t a dinglehopper and hadn’t forgotten both my phone and camera yesterday, I would have new photos for you. Oh well, let me boogie so I can get my marketing stuff out of the was so I can have a productive day writing.

Until next time – I hope you have a WONDERFUL day & Happy Writing!

November 4th 2015

Hi, it’s Christina –

I see books in your future.

Good Morning!

I hope all of you had a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween! I actually dressed up this year. I was seriously debating going to my book signing in costume, but then I said, “What the heck.” Initially I was going to go as Mrs. Claus and change over my Halloween display to my Christmas display early. Unfortunately, when I went down the basement to get the dress, I realized it was one of the items which did not survive Hurricane Irene. It’s amazing, three years later and I’m still being reminded. On the other hand, I haven’t looked for it in over three years, so did I really need it anymore? Obviously not.

So, in going with the theme of my newest book, Spirited Tales, an anthology of short spooky stories where I’m one of eight authors, which has a crystal ball on the cover, I decided to be a fortune teller. When my girlfriend Dina moved, she gave me an authentic Indian outfit. It’s lovely, however I don’t exactly have a place to use it. Hopefully, I did not offend anyone by using the outfit as a costume.

So the reason behind this blog post today is to tell you about this weekend. It’s Apple Festival at Peddlers Village, and it is probably the biggest festival of the year. It runs from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm both days. (I’ll be there from 10-4.) There will be bands playing music, face painters, balloon artists, crafters, pony rides, food, food, food and more food (apples, apple cider, apple pie, apple donuts, apple fritters, apple dumplings, apple sauce, apple butter, etc …) I think you get my point.

There will also be six, that’s right SIX, authors there signing their books, and I wanted to introduce you to them and their work(s).

As always, I will have A Second Chance and Taking Chances with me. These are the first two books in my Bradford Series. The Bradfords are members of the British Secret Service in the early 1800s, so you have mystery, intrigue, suspense, as well as romance. From barroom brawls to Regency balls, they have it all.

I will also have Corporate Blues, which is a contemporary romance, however, FBI & local police are involved, so again you have some mystery, intrigue and suspense thrown in with the romance. Finally, I will have copies of Spirited Tales. My contribution to the anthology is a spooky Scottish Lore.

The first author I would like to introduce you to is Rev. Janet Stafford. Like me, Janet writes both historical and contemporary award winning novels and will have four books with her at the signing.

SAINT MAGGIE – is the story of Maggie Blaine, a widow with two teenage daughters, runs a rooming house smack dab on the town square. In 1860 this makes her a social outcast. Boarding houses are only semi-respectable and hers has a collection of eclectic boarders – an aging writer, an undertaker’s apprentice, a struggling young lawyer, and an old Irishman. In addition, she has a friendship with Emily and Nate, the African-American couple with whom she shares her home and chores. Lucky thing the town doesn’t know that Maggie, Nate, Emily, and Eli Smith (the free-thinking editor of the weekly newspaper) are involved in the Underground Railroad. When she is asked to house handsome, gifted Jeremiah Madison, the new Methodist minister, Maggie hopes that he will both revive the little church she attends and provide her boarding house with a bit of badly-needed respectability. But Jeremiah comes with dark secrets that challenge Maggie’s resolve to love and respect all people. As the town’s people reel from a series of shocking events, the compassionate, faithful Maggie searches for the truth as she struggles to forgive. (Based on a historical event.)

WALK BY FAITH is the second book in the Saint Maggie Series. No one thought the Second Street boarding house would be destroyed by arsonists. No one wanted to believe that Nate would be beaten simply because of his race, but things have gotten ugly in Blaineton, New Jersey. It is in the middle of the Civil War, and the abolitionist sympathies of the people in Maggie’s boarding house have made them a target for racist and Copperhead forces. When the violence threatens to escalate, Maggie’s husband Eli has a proposal for them: his two sisters need help aiding fugitive slaves evade the Confederate Army and find freedom in the north.  However,  first they must relocate to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

A TIME TO HEAL - The third book in the Saint Maggie Series, is set in the months immediately after the Battle of Gettysburg, continues the story of Maggie and Eli Smith and their diverse family. Maggie’s daughters and friends are struggling to care for a houseful of wounded soldiers in the town of Gettysburg. Meanwhile, Maggie and Emily, after suffering terrible trauma, have moved with their husbands to a quieter location. Everyone hopes and prays for healing and a return to normal life. But an act of compassion mistaken as civil disobedience threatens the family and forces them to stand up for their beliefs.

HEART SOUL & ROCK 'N 'ROLL – Here Janet leaves the nineteenth century and dives into a contemporary story located at the Jersey shore.

Forty-year-old Lindsay Mitchell is an assistant minister at a central New Jersey church, a place where she’s always been happy. But a sudden case of midlife crisis finds her missing her old college band. “I just want to rock one more time before I die,” she moans to friends Sue and Patti. When Patti invites her to vacation at Point Pleasant Beach, Lins meets Neil Gardner, front man for a bar band called the Grim Reapers. The two definitely have musical and personal chemistry. But does Lins really want a whirlwind romance with a broke, agnostic musician who lives over a music store? Is that really what God has in mind?

The next author is Karen Hluchan, and since she is a dear friend of mine, you’ve already been “introduced” to her several times. However, I will recap for you. Karen’s participation at the event is two-pronged. Yes she will have copies of her book, HOW HAVE YOU LOVED? with her, but Karen is not just an author, she is a spirit medium, and she will be doing FREE readings, both days, at 12, 2 & 4. Karen also holds a drawing for a FREE one-on-one reading – a $60 value.

HOW HAVE YOU LOVED? - Have you ever wondered why you are here on this earth and what you are supposed to accomplish in your lifetime?

Spirit medium Karen T. Hluchan shines her light on the mysteries of heaven and earth that have been revealed to her through her connection with spirit.

How Have You Loved? is a journey about

♥ exploring how your thoughts determine your destiny;

♥ discovering the love within your heart;

♥ understanding the gifts of mediumship and our connection in spirit with one another;

♥ sharing the love within your heart; and

♥ appreciating the role that nature plays in the development of your soul plan.

The elements of each chapter are designed to help you make the most of your life here on earth and to prepare you to answer the most important question you will ever be asked when you cross over into heaven: How Have You Loved?

Next I would like to introduce you to Larry Deibert. I met Larry a little over a year ago and we hit it off like a house-on-fire. He is a wonderful person, and a Vietnam Veteran who was nice enough to sit down and chat with me for over three hours so I could pick his brain for an upcoming book (working title: from TEXAS with LOVE).

Larry has written so many books, I’ve actually lost track, and I have no clue which ones, if not all, he’ll be bringing with him. He is an eclectic writer – meaning he has not pigeonholed himself into a genre. If his characters take a paranormal route, so be it. Romance, Intrigue, Contemporary, Historical, Time Travel, up he’s got them covered as well. Heck, he’s even got a vampire or two popping up. I have chosen a random sampling for you (in no particular order of preference).

Combat Boots Dainty Feet - In 1969, Greg Taylor, an overweight 21 year old man is drafted in the army. After 17 weeks of basic and MP training, Greg comes home 79 pounds lighter only to hear from his girlfriend, Terry that she doesn't want to see him again. He is sent to Vietnam, where on his first night out on the road, his partner is killed in front of his eyes. A few weeks later, Greg is once again nearly killed by a knife-wielding prisoner. After the incident, he is reunited with a nurse he knew back in “The World”. Sharon Andrews and Greg begin a stormy, illicit relationship. Fraternization between enlisted personnel and officers is illegal in the eyes of the army.

Fathoms: A Novel Of The Paranormal - Seventy years after her husband, Al, goes missing from his battleship, the North Carolina, Eleanor Pederson flies to Wilmington to join her grandson, Brandon, and his wife, JoAnne, as they attempt to find out what really happened to him. Several spirits help guide them to the answers they seek.

Requiem for a Vampire - Chained to a wall in an abandoned warehouse, twenty-one year old Lani Jorgenson, the daughter of a minister becomes a vampire. Her creator, Marcus Bronson, lies dead on the floor, his head severed from his body. Lani breaks her bonds and seeks her first victim. With his blood, she gathers the strength she will need to begin her new life. She reads Marcus's journals and finds out many things, he, once known as Marcellus Bratius, learned in his two thousand years as an immortal.

The Other Side of the Ridge - Transported to the past through a weather anomaly, retired Brigadier General Daniel Rodin is captured by Confederate soldiers. He is taken to their camp where he meets and is questioned by General Robert E. Lee himself! Despite evidence proving he comes from the future, Lee deems Rodin a prisoner of war and has him placed under guard, but not everyone is happy with a black man being treated as cordially as Rodin has been. And a plot to hang him starts among the soldiers. Two Time Inspectors from the future, his brother and a long-time friend all travel back in time to try to save him, but without being able to reveal the future, or risk the outcome of the Civil war, can they free Dan before his hanging and get him back home before permanent damage is done to the timeline?

The next author is our youngest author – I know, many are younger than me ‘cause I’m an oldfart, but Riley Morton’s REALLY young. We’re talking FIFTEEN here, and she doesn’t have only one novel, she has two! I wish I would have had her confidence at her age, heck, I’d probably have fifty novels finished by now. Her novels are YA (young adult) and I would describe them as Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter.

Sorcerers - One day when Castor Gemini was almost 14 he received a ring from his mother; passed down through generations of Gemini's — this ring would unlock Castor's sorcery powers. The very same day, after school, Castor's best friend Vela is presented with a lamp from her mother that unlocks her special genie powers. Together, they are sent away to live with the Protectors; a group whose sole mission is to teach young sorcerers and genies like Castor & Vela how to develop their powers so that they can one day help defeat the forces of evil in the world. Once their training is complete, Castor and Vela join a group of other young sorcerers and genies to confront the evil forces of Medusa and Hades, who are plotting to destroy the world. Utilizing their new found powers, this army of sorcerers and genies get into deadly battles in an attempt to save the world. Will these battles be the end of Castor or just the beginning?

Discovered - In a sequel to Riley Morton’s first book Sorcerers, the adventure continues. Castor and his friends are back, and still on the run. They thought they were finally finished with their problems, after their big battle with the evil forces of the world. But they were wrong… Now they are against new enemies, but this time there isn't much help. The team is small and the beasts are big. The group is finding new friends, and losing others. Castor, Pollux, Vela, Puppis, and Epsilon, are still trying to find a safe zone. But is there a safe zone? They don’t know if there is a way out of this madness. The barriers keep getting bigger and block the way to success. Will they make it through the tough times in their lives, or will they fail trying?

Finally we have Samuel Knight, who, like Karen, you’ve been introduced to him before, but in case you’ve forgotten, Sam is the author of MONTY a Christmas Story. Sam teases that I am his “weekend wife” because we spend so many weekends together at book signings. Luckily his girlfriend knows I adore her and Paulie knows I couldn’t handle more than one husband. LOL

MONTY a Christmas Story - Monty was born with ears too long, and his feet were stubby and lame. But love knows no boundaries when a little girl and her father discover Basset hound pups one Christmas Eve. Sadly, little Andrea's father doesn't allow Monty to stay. And thus begins the journey for young Monty as he is sent from place to place, without a family, and longing for a home. If you believe in the true Spirit of Christmas, then Monty, A Christmas Story is the timeless tale that you will want to share with your family this special holiday season and every Christmas for generations to come.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania author Samuel L. Knight and renowned Canadian illustrator Romi Caron have teamed up to bring you Monty, A Christmas Story. With its beautiful poetic verses and thirty-eight original water color paintings, every parent will want to make Monty, A Christmas Story a part of their child's holiday reading collection. MONTY BOOKS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED STRAIGHT FROM THE AUTHOR, so don't miss your chance at getting this wonderful Christmas book.

Karen, Sam, Wayne (the owner of
Canterbury Tales Forever Book
Shoppe) and me at a previous signing.

PHEW! That’s a lot of good stuff! Plenty of variety to choose from, for sure. So, if you have some spare time this Saturday or Sunday, please come on out to Canterbury Tales Forever Book Shoppe, in Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA – dance a little jig, gorge on apple everything, and pick up some signed first edition books to add to your collection or to give as unique holiday gifts.

Until next time – I hope you have a WONDERFUL day & Happy Writing!