by Sarah | Jun 29, 2012 | Books, Publishing Credits, Sirens Call, Writing
I’ve been working at this writing thing for a few years now. Always looking for that day when I could go from being ‘writer’ to ‘published author’.
I am notoriously incapable of writing anything shorter than a full length novel. So I’ve been struggling to get anything out there.
Now I have bridged that gap.
With a piece of flash fiction.
500 words.
Not of romance – oh no.
Psychological horror.
In the June 2012 of The Sirens Call eZine “Obscure Ink” I have a piece. Page 48 contains my flash fiction piece entitled “I Win.”
Buy it.
Read it.
I might just creep you the hell out.
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Really, it’s $2. Buy it. There’s a ton of amazingly creepy stuff in there.
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I won’t be stopping here. While I’m still writing my romance pieces I have another horror short in mind to submit for one of their upcoming anthology open submissions. I’ve made the leap and now I’m hungrier than ever.
by Sarah | Jun 27, 2012 | Books, Guest Authors, Reviews
All it took for me to review this book was the cover. Is that not just gorgeous?
Gorgeous cover aside, I didn’t know what to expect when I dove into this book. Obviously I read the blurb (see below) – but I hadn’t read any of Marie Treanor’s books before. This book is the start of a new series for her, but the new series is a spinoff of her Awakened by Blood Series.
While I hadn’t read that series I found it wasn’t necessary. Even though I didn’t know the existing characters (which make appearances), there was enough background information given that I never once felt lost.
I have to say that it has been a while since I devoured a book this fast. While I have been out of my ‘reading’ phase, this book made me forget that I took a few months off of reading. I read it so fast that I was incredibly sad it was over and already researching how much it would cost to buy the original series (side note: not a lot…I’ll be getting them very soon).
Mihaela is a damaged and lonely vampire hunter. She spent her whole life living for her job – but recent events have changed the rules she’s always known. While she’s trying to cope with the change in rules and the division of her loyalties and beliefs – she goes on vacation to Scotland.
Of course, what good vacation isn’t ruined (or is it made ages better?) by complications? The complications come in the form of a powerful young boy, an old vampire with whom she has a vendetta against, and an even older and far more perplexing vampire named Maximilian.
Mihaela has to learn how to adjust to the new rules – and her own changing heart – as she races to save not just the little boy, but the whole world.
I instantly fell in love with the damaged Mihaela. I’m a sucker for damaged characters, and Mihaela fit the bill. I truly enjoyed the fact that while she was damaged, she was fiercely loyal – but also not opposed to learning the new rules and seeing how things would go. Granted, her willingness to do that added another layer of trouble to her life, but it also added more layers to her.
Maximilian took me a little to warm up to – but only because I could see easily see him through Mihaela’s eyes. Of course, he won me over fast and thankfully he at least made dents in Mihaela’s wall early on. I think the moment he truly won me over though was when, despite his intense needs and wants – when he was told ‘no’ he walked away. Pretty sure I cheered out loud at that point.
Together the two had the kind of fiery but fun relationship I adore. The love scenes were smoking hot and intense. The relationship had it’s flaws from the start and at the end things weren’t “perfect” – but the issues were on the table and everyone agreed to work to keep it that way.
[amazon_link id=”B0088Q23F8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Guilt[/amazon_link] is definitely one of my favs for the year so far and I look forward to book 2. Until then I’ll be satisfying myself with [amazon_link id=”B005B1H9X4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood on Silk[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B0064XCOH4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Sin[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”0451234723″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Eternal[/amazon_link].
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BLOOD GUILT
(Blood Hunters, Book 1)
By Marie Treanor
eBook coming 5th June 2012
The first of a new vampire romance series, a sequel to the Awakened by Blood trilogy.
Natural enemies, deadly attraction…
Mihaela, a fearless vampire hunter secretly haunted by loneliness and childhood tragedy, finds it difficult to adjust to the new world order where vampires are not always the bad guys. She’s taking a much needed vacation inScotlandwhen she sees a little boy being chased through the streets ofEdinburgh. Rescuing him brings bigger problems – two vampires from her past: Gavril, who killed her family; and the reclusive and troubled Maximilian, gifted Renaissance artist and one-time overlord of the most powerful undead community in the world. Maximilian once saved her life and now needs that favor returned.
The earth moves for Mihaela in more ways than one. From Scotland to Budapest and Malta, she races against time to prevent a disastrous, vampire-induced earthquake and save an innocent yet powerful child – all while fighting a dreadful attraction to Maximilian, her only ally, whom she can’t afford to trust. For Maximilian, the hunter becomes a symbol of renewed existence, as he struggles to accept his past and rediscovers his appetite for blood and sex – and maybe even happiness.

Author Bio:
Marie Treanor lives inScotlandwith her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy.
Marie Treanor has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press), including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was herNew York debut with NAL.
Website: www.MarieTreanor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Treanor-Paranormal-Romance/105866982782360
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marietreanornewsletter
Blog: Marie Treanor’s Romantic Theme Party:
http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/
by Sarah | Jun 26, 2012 | All About Erik, Depression, Special Needs
[flickr id=”6293299563″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]The other week I talked about the thing we never talk about. My husband, Erik, who suffers from severe depression was in one of his darkest times when that happened.
He nudged the edge of the cliff, and action had to be taken.
Today he is feeling better – tired, but a few feet back from the cliff. I can’t go into details but we took steps to get him much needed help, and he is doing it. It isn’t easy and some days he wants nothing to do with it, but he is doing it.
I’m proud to say that he has taken steps he’s never taken before, and so have I.
Progress is slow, and it isn’t always clear. We inch along, but we are still moving forward.
As we adjust and learn more, and he grows more comfortable with it, hopefully we can share more of this process we are going through. Because as he improves I become more aware of things I need to step up and change as well.
Right now I can tell you that the biggest step we’ve made is going through this together. It’s making a world of difference.
by Sarah | Jun 22, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, Blogging Life
[flickr id=”7415474854″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Yesterday we got to buck routine and head into the Indianapolis Zoo for a special treat. We went to see the Flights of Fancy exhibit with a few bloggy friends & their kids.
For those in the know in Indy…the new Flights of Fancy exhibit replaced the old petting zoo.
I’m here to tell you that it’s miles above the old petting zoo. Miles and miles.
First off, the area is sort of its own little oasis set onto about an acre of land on zoo property. With a concession stand, tables (w/ umbrellas), a little playground, restrooms and – for the mothers – a Nursing Mom’s Nest (which has private feeding areas, changing stations & a chalkboard/books for the siblings).
While we waited for everyone to arrive, Jackie & I felt comfortable sitting at one of the tables while our children played about in the area. No matter whether they were staring into the aviaries, watching the flamingos, or scrambling through the tree-house play area they were never out of our sight line.
[flickr id=”7417292054″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]The Flights of Fancy exhibit hosts three aviaries. First is the Budgies. With one of the tickets (you can purchase at the ticket window right inside the exhibit) you get a seed stick to feed the birds. A tip we were given – go early in the day. When the birds little bellies aren’t full – they are all over the seeds then. And they didn’t disappoint. Hopping onto hands and heads. I got buzzed more than a few times in there! The budgies are adorable, colorful, and hungry little guys first thing.
[flickr id=”7417285584″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] They also have an “Out of Africa” aviary. There’s no feeding here, but lots of birds much closer than in any standard exhibit. After that you get to the Lorikeets. These guys feed on nectar – which you can also get for the cost of a ticket – I was fortunate enough to have someone hand me their leftovers so the kiddos could divulge the feeding of these exceedingly bright birds.
Over all, this area is totally my new favorite place in the zoo. We could have spent all day there – but the kids demanded time in the splash park. A demand we were also happy to acquiesce to.
[flickr id=”7417302996″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] While the kids had their fun cooling off on the splash pad, the mom’s all made time to talk. I got to know Jackie better – finding out we have led similar lives. I got to know Katrina and Veronica too, and expanding your circle of friends is never a bad thing.
Lately the zoo has become our meeting place with other bloggers & I love it for that. It’s a great central location that is kid-friendly and relaxing even on the busiest days. I also learned about some other zoo events I knew nothing about – that I plan to take full advantage of.
Bonus for me? The girls & I got there early, right at opening. Because of that for the first time we got to see the Tiger Forest for what it was meant to be – Tigers in your face.
I’m probably going back next week. Who wants to come with me?
[flickr id=”7417293736″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417290450″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417299848″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417296470″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”]
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*Disclaimer: The zoo provided us w/ free seed sticks for our kids and free tickets to the 4-D adventure movie. My zoo membership & my opinions are all my own.
by Sarah | Jun 20, 2012 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing

*Today Sasha Summers, author of [amazon_link id=”B007WSV5JI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Medusa: A Love Story[/amazon_link] is visiting. Check out my review of her book here.
Thanks for having me on the blog today! I thought I’d share one of my ‘tricks of the trade’ – something that is ‘required’ for me to write – successfully anyway. Honestly, I have a very hard time writing without mood and tone set firmly in place, sucking me in to my pages. Yes, I need a coffee and my laptop. But I also need music.
Medusa is a unique kind of story. So I needed unique songs – music that stirred all sorts of… sensations and feelings. I knew how I wanted to ‘feel’ when I was writing it. So I collected a list of… emotional and moody tunes. But that fit – check out Medusa’s tagline:
It’s said that love can change a person. Medusa wasn’t always a monster.
Yes, the book is a love story, but not in the traditional sense. Why? Well, we all know what happened to Medusa, right? If you don’t – I’m not going to spill the beans. I’ll encourage you to read my book instead 😉
I’m going to give you a song. You listen to it and then come back. I’ll tell you which scene I wrote to each song. Ready?
Song 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hsYkGQMeM&list=PLECD8D3D604769D10&index=5&feature=plpp_video
This song (from a movie I adore) helped nail the sense of desperation Medusa and Ariston were feeling as they parted. He’s heading off to war against a terrible adversary. Neither will admit how terrified they feel.
Song 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1MeSbYOiE&list=PLECD8D3D604769D10&index=3&feature=plpp_video
This one was when Ariston goes to Hades realm to beg for mercy, and again when Medusa is waiting to sabotage the Persians on the beach.
Song 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RST0Fzx5SPc&list=PLECD8D3D604769D10&index=27&feature=plpp_video
This is Ariston going to war.
Song 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c1x55t51uc&list=PLECD8D3D604769D10&index=18&feature=plpp_video
And this is Medusa after Ariston has found her.
Song 5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTKy0drMatc&list=PLECD8D3D604769D10&index=16&feature=plpp_video
And when they’re reunited at the end.
I think you can hear the tone I was going for. As I put this playlist together, listening to them again, puts me right into that scene. Medusa’s story is still intense and vivid in my mind.
Thanks so much for letting me share the music of Medusa, A Love Story’s with you.
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Author Bio:
Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe.
She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so.
Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.
Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.
Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers/213036208773108
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/
Twitter: @sashawrites
Webpage: http://www.sashasummers.com