Things That Go Bump In the Night...

by Maureen L. Bonatch

—or at least like to change your favorite television show

I believe the house we used to live in was haunted.

As a paranormal/fantasy author you’d think this observation would thrill me. Not. So. Much. Turns out, I’m very happy to experience the paranormal world in my writing, in books, and movies but not too happy to run into it in the real world.

Lucky for us, the ‘ghost’ wasn’t threatening in any real way. More of a “hey, I’m here” kind of behavior. I assumed our uninvited houseguest was the woman who used to live in the house showing her displeasure that we couldn’t maintain her once gorgeous flower gardens. But I had absolutely no green thumb and the hubs had accidently (or intentionally?) plowed over some of the overgrown plants in his efforts to get the ungainly yard back under control.

Hey, I’m Here

Our otherworldly guest left little clues that ‘she’ was still hanging around like…

• The stove burner turned on
• The door to the garage slowly opening
• The dog staring into an empty room, growling at something unseen
• A radio (which initially resisted turning off) blaring on in the basement while I slept
• A Christmas decoration, long packed away, beginning to play when I approached the box
• Every night when I watched my favorite show she’d change the channel. (I’m guessing she didn’t approve of my choice in sitcom.)

Eventually she moved on as the occurrences diminished and then disappeared leaving me silently relieved that I hadn’t pushed her over the edge and forced her to drag me out of bed if one of my feet escaped the protection and security of the blanket.

What Happens in the Fiction World, Stays in the Fiction World

After some contemplation, I’ve come to realize that experiencing the paranormal in the fiction world, does provide a small level of security since some things can always be relied upon. Applying these certainties from fiction/movies provides me with an irrational level of comfort.

• Bad things only happen at night

I could be in the same place, and hear the exact same noise, but it provokes a certain level of terror if it’s dark outside. Somehow the evil, unearthly forces retreat when the sun rises as my shield of protection. Too bad mister ghost, the sun just rose, I’m in the safe zone.

• Blankets can protect you from anything

No matter how old I get there is still a certain comfort and security found under the protection of a blanket. “Oh wait, is that a ghost/vampire/monster I heard? Quick! Get under the blanket until it leaves. It will never be able to penetrate this polyester shield!”

• Killers never run

In just about every horror movie I’ve ever seen that features a helpless (and usually clumsy) victim fleeing from some kind of a monster. The victim is running full force yet still can’t seem to outrun the slow stride of the approaching evil. (Thus validating my personal abhorrence of running)

• Start to worry if it gets too quiet

Ok, this only works in the movies, but it’s my cue to avert my attention so I don’t toss my popcorn or inadvertently scream. This tactic is probably intended to build suspense, but it also has the inadvertent effect of reducing spilled drinks and bruises on boyfriend/husband’s arms.

• The music is your first clue

Grab the chair arms and hold your breath—cause something wicked this way comes. Again, this only works in the movies—unless you’re like me and constantly have music on the mind. Then you might have your own ominous tune starting up as your heart races when you turn the page.

So tell me, what do you do when something goes bump in the night?

    Moon, Mist & Magic 
     Get ready to be enchanted by mythical beasts, magical creatures, and moonlit nights. 
     Enjoy your favorite author, and perhaps discover someone new, in these five fantastic tales of paranormal romance woven with moon, mist, and magic…


Featuring Stories by
Maureen L. Bonatch, Abigail Owen,
 J.C. McKenzie, Sharon Saracino & L.A. Kelley

About Maureen
Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

Find Me:
Writing on my Website
Tweeting on Twitter
Pinning on Pinterest
Flapping on Facebook

Is Your House Haunted...Or is it Something Else?

My name is Sophia Kimble and I write paranormal romance. Why you ask? Well, I’ve had several paranormal experiences, and I love romance.

To decide if your house is haunted or not, let’s look at the different types of hauntings/ghosts.

1.     Residual Haunting 

This type of haunting is really just an event that happened at a location sometime in the past that got stuck on a rewinding loop. The ghost/entity does not interact, is not actually there, but energy replays something that happened long ago. It can be a visual or audio-type experience. 

Energy does not dissipate but changes form, and sometimes reforms into an event that happened before. Some of these hauntings are from a traumatic event (like battlefield ghosts) or from an action done over and over (like staircase hauntings).

     I’ve had what I think is this type of experience. I woke up one night to see an old woman staring down at me from the side of my bed, though she seemed to look straight through me. She then turned and walked through the bathroom door and disappeared.

     When you’re below that room of my house, you can occasionally hear someone walking from the bedroom, and across the bathroom floor in the same direction the old woman took...even when no one else is home.

     I’ve considered this could have been an episode of sleep paralysis, but I wasn’t paralyzed and it was totally different from my previous experience. Read more about the demon I saw and my experience with sleep paralysis here.

2.   Shadow People- 

Ghosts that appear in varied form of shadow. They can be black human shaped, hatted, wispy/smoky, hooded, or partially formed. They show themselves in many ways and often times we see them dart by from the corner of our eye. Perhaps they are intelligent ghosts who are unable to fully show themselves, or something else entirely?

3.     Intelligent Haunting

This involves the ghost/spirit of a human entity who is aware of and tries to communicate with a living person. They try to get your attention in many ways; turning things on and off, moving objects, making noise, or even hiding things. 

Some people believe this type of ghost is either trapped in our world, or has come back for a visit. Sometimes the only sign of this type of haunting are things like goosebumps, feeling of being watched, or uneasiness.

4.     Poltergeists- 

This is called a noisy ghost. They are usually very noticeable. They slam doors, turn lights on and off, break objects, move furniture, and much more.

Just seeing if you’re paying attention.

I was looking for a picture of a shadow man, and he popped up. I said, "Yes please!"

Is Your House Haunted…Or is it something else?

Current beliefs are that Poltergeist-type activity is actually caused by a living person with psychokinetic abilities (PK). PK is the ability of the subconscious mind to move objects. People who have this may not even be aware of the ability.

It has been found to show up most often in pubescent girls, though anyone can have this ability. These bursts of PK can come and go. It usually happens when the person is under duress/extreme stress.

Or…it is a ghost who is really pissed off. :)

                  A few weeks ago I was in the kitchen at the sink, mad about something, when I hear a crash right beside me. My grandmother’s plate that had hung in my kitchen for 12 years was on the floor broken to bits. In order to get this off the wall, “one” would have to lift the holder up and over the large nail head.

PK or intelligent haunting?

                  My sister was sitting in her office when an encyclopedia flew from the bookshelf behind her. These books are very difficult to get in and out of the shelf.

Ghost or PK?

I don't know the answers to these questions, but I do believe in ghosts and most all things paranormal!

There are many types of hauntings, not all are listed here, but as you can see ghosts come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. And range from wreaking total havoc to being like as benign as a movie.

So before you claim something as a haunting, be sure to consider the possibility it could be you or someone in living in your house actually causing the haunting-type experience.

I would love to hear about other people’s experiences with hauntings in the comments below.

If you'd like to read about an intelligent ghost... I've got one in my Druid's Curse series. 

My books are available at these fine retailers:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks,The Wild Rose Press

Thanks so much for stopping by

Sophia Kimble 

When the Sex isn't Working... and Other Author Tales

Grabbed your attention with that post title, didn't I? I hope so. 

I'm neck-deep in the middle of a story and I know where it's going. I know how it'll end. But sometimes I have this problem... I know the general plan, but I skip the sex. I know, crazy, right? Skipping

the sex? I have to be nuts. Or maybe you're thinking... then why not just write the story without the sex? Yeah, that's not how the characters play things. They like it hot.

So...I end up having a problem. I have the story done, like I do with a WIP (Work in Progress), but I can't get into the mood to write the hot spots. 

What is an author to do? 

I won't lie. I have some go-to choices to get me in the mood. Sexy pictures, photos of celebrities that I appreciate, videos and some movies like The Normal Heart. But other times, the characters just don't want to cooperate. 

Then what's an author to do? 

I tend to set the story aside for a few days until the characters talk. Sometimes it's a few days. Other times it can be more than a week or two. I hate that. I like to write the story and finish. I don't like when they lag or hang around, unless there will be a second story or something along those lines. 

So this author will sit back and wait for the characters to tell me exactly how they want to have sex. I've got the start, but maybe they want the door closed for now. I'll let them. Eventually, they'll talk to me and tell me exactly what's going on. Hey, I've got horny toads for characters. They always tell me about the sex. 

Maybe you can help me...any thoughts on getting into the mood? Any suggestions you have for writing hot when the characters won't cooperate?

While we're both waiting on the characters, how about a taste from one of the books in the Battle Scarred series, You Complete Me:

Battle Scarred 4: You Complete Meby Megan SlayerM/F

Paranormal, ContemporaryNovellaLoose IdArt by Mina CarterAn AllRomance Ebooks Staff Pick!

I’ve got your back, if you’re willing to trust your enemy. 



Hagan Dean thought he was helping his friend. He was playing the role of savior…except he ended up left for dead in the sunshine. Vampires and sunshine don’t mix. Even worse? A Hunter—one of the sexiest women he’s laid eyes on—is ready to kill him. He’s got a lot to survive for and the odds are stacked against him, but he’s a fighter. Will the Hunter let him live another night? Or is this vampire destined to fry into a pile of soot? 

Emily Cross is a born Hunter. Her life’s work is to keep the balance between the Supers and the Supers who have stepped out of line. She’s never been keen on the Rogues taking over the Hunters. She doesn’t want to kill all the Supers…she is one! When she finds a nearly charred vampire in the woods during one of the hunts, her thoughts turn from killing to keeping him alive.

Will these two opposites come together to find common ground in order to help end the war? Or will the passion crackling between them tear their worlds apart?

Available right now from Loose Id!

http://www.loose-id.com/battle-scarred-4-you-complete-me.html

http://www.amazon.com/You-Complete-Battle-Scarred-Book-ebook/dp/B01DUTFWF0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_351_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51JVlvaP8SL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_OU01_AC_UL160_SR107%2C160_&refRID=1P59XXC97R6VD0VVMPVW

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-youcompleteme-2014455-143.html

Now for an excerpt:

Copyright © Megan Slayer, 2016“Hey? What’s taking so long? I doubled back past your cottage to make sure you’d gotten home, but you weren’t there.” He leaned on the window frame. “Huh?”“What do you mean?” She tugged the elastic from her hair and regathered the ponytail. “I just took my time. I thought I heard something and had to hide. The noise left, and I was about to follow.”Ben frowned. “Em, you’re not being yourself. You’re always the first one in and the first one out. No straggling. You’re being very secretive. What’s wrong?”Beside the fact he’d come on too strong? She appreciated him acting human rather than like a jerk, but she still wanted him to get the hell away from her. “I’m just tired and moving slower.”“Are you pregnant?”She slumped against the side of her Jeep. “Pregnant,” she blurted. “How in the hell did you come to that conclusion? Slowing down one time automatically means I’m pregnant?”“When Cassadee had her baby, she was so slow on everything, and it made her useless as a hunter.”Emily sighed. She remembered her friend well. Cassadee’s hesitation during a hunt had cost her life and left her daughter without a mother. Emily wished she’d been there to help.“I’m not pregnant. Not even a spark with someone, nor am I thinking about hooking up. Thanks for your concern. I’m leaving right now. Follow me if you want.” She slid behind the wheel of her vehicle. “Ready?”“There are vampires in these woods. I would hate for you to get hurt. I’m on you like glue.” He nodded and kept right up behind her.Emily pulled onto the paved road and gripped the steering wheel tightly. If Ben only knew what she had in the back of the Jeep. He’d flip out. Good thing she’d installed heavy tinting on the windows. Good thing, indeed.

~~~~~

Megan Slayer - It's Always Fun to Squirm
http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

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When Words Go Wild!

by Nancy Gideon

It started out as such a good idea. A break in my By Moonlight series while I figured out how I wanted to wrap up the storyline in a satisfying bow. I’d do a spin-off batch of novellas tied to the House of Terriot, that rowdy, dangerous clan of warriors living far away from my usual New Orleans setting in their mountain top compound at Lake Tahoe led by volatile new king. I mean when you’ve got twelve hunky shapeshifter princes deserving of their own storyline . . . why waste them. So I picked my favorite four of the dark and deadly half-brothers and went to work. Such fun! How hard can it be, four books 30K words . . . until the first book, PRINCE OF HONOR, came in at 96K. I guess the novella boat has suddenly expanded into a line of luxury cruisers.

I’m half way through PRINCE OF POWER, Book 2 and have already sped past 40K. So it looks like my powerful princes each get their own full novel starting in October!

I didn’t realize until I started tinkering with cover ideas that the acronym for House of Terriot was H.O.T. and these princes live up to that expectation. Deadly, Damaged and Delicious and . . . HOT! Here’s a teaser to tide you over until September 25 when I plan to have Book 1 up for pre-order. . .

Excerpt

Heat pounding off his body burned against the backs of her fingers as they bunched the bottom of his tee shirt, shucking it off him with a violent pull. Her palms prowled chest and shoulders, pausing for him to identify each unfamiliar scar.

At his collarbone: “Cale’s lesson on how to use a blade.”

At the glorious swell of a bicep: “Stephen. Bar fight he started and I had to finish.” Probably because he was too drunk, though Turow would never say so.

Across the hard ridge of his abdomen: “Sparring with Rico.”

Tongue dampening her lips, eyes glowing, obviously turned on by the catalog of combat, Sylvia let her fingertip follow a thin line across his left pec as she purred, “And this one?”

“You. Where you broke my heart.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nancy Gideon on the Web

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group

Follow @NancyGideon

How Blogging Helps

Before writing last month’s post, I didn’t have a good title for my sci-fi novella. Usually, I don’t have that problem. Titles generally come easy for me. A couple haven’t, but none like this one. The story started as a short story on The Roses of Prose blog, called “Christmas in Space.” Considering my story was the only science fiction and the others all contemporary, I felt out of place. A non-conformist.

But, as I’ve written before, the story stayed with me. I wanted to know more about these characters who were about to embark on a one-way trip to a planet far, far away. In fact, so far away, it was out of our solar system. I admired the bravery of the six astronauts, much the way I admired the real astronauts who’d ventured so far into the space between Earth and its moon. Only the real astronauts knew they were returning—returning to friends and family. My fictional astronauts weren’t.

Even worse, at least in my mind, they would be put into cryosleep for 99% of the trip. I mean, what’s the use of traveling out of our solar system if you don’t get to see where you’re going and where you’ve been? I’d want to see Neptune, Pluto (even if it isn’t a planet anymore), and beyond. If I felt that way, surely my characters would.

Getting all these thoughts out on blogs, helped me understand what my characters were going through. Writing the story was not a problem. Coming up with a title was. I went through various ideas, none of which set well with me. I asked writer friends for help. Though they gave good suggestions, again none resonated with me. Or made me feel as if it would work.

Finally, I had to title last month’s blog post here. Easy, peasy. I talked about their mission. They were heading out to explore a Goldilocks planet for Earth’s inhabitants, a place of refuge for those living on a dying planet. They were determined to find a New Earth. Hence the title of the post, “Mission to New Earth.”

That’s when the lightbulb popped on over my head. Mission to New Earth was a perfect name for the book. Forget the Christmas angle (though that’s still in the story). It was more than a Christmas story. Besides, more religions were represented by the astronauts than Christianity. In real life, astronauts come from all faiths, all nationalities, all races. Why would my characters be any different?

So, thanks to posting on this blogsite and others, I’ve learned more about my story than doing character analyses, filling out personality charts, or any other methods of learning about my characters. Perhaps it’s reducing an idea to 500 words that really helps. It made me focus on what’s important.

Mission To New Earth, which will be released on August 31^st, is available for pre-order at Amazon for 99 cents. https://amzn.com/B01JXZR0AK

Diane Burton writes science fiction romance, romantic suspense, and mysteries. She blogs here on the 13^th of each month. She is also a contributor to The Roses of Prose blog, posting there on the 30^th. On Mondays, she muses about various topics on her own blog.

Authors on a Dime is Your One Stop Publishing Shop

Hot Off the Press!

Happy Book Birthday Moon, Mist & Magic!

Get ready to be enchanted by mythical beasts, magical creatures, and moonlit nights. Enjoy your favorite author, and perhaps discover someone new, in these five fantastic tales of paranormal romance woven with moon, mist, and magic…

Featuring stories by Maureen L. Bonatch, Abigail Owen,

 J.C. McKenzie, Sharon Saracino & L.A. Kelley

Available Today! 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Chapters | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Did you notice how fabulous the cover is for 

Moon, Mist & Magic? 

Then, once you snag your copy (print or ebook!) you'll be able to enjoy the stories from five authors. It's been a joy getting to know these authors better and work on the an anthology together.

But...Moon, Mist & Magic would never have come together if it wasn't for one of the authors- Abigail Owen.

Abigail designed...well, just about everything for Moon, Mist & Magic from the cover to formatting, to—all the multitude of little things an author would need to know, to publish a novel. Since Abigail is well versed in all of these tasks, she completed them effortlessly. She made it look easy (take it from me, it's not easy, lol- unless you have an Abigail—and now you can!)

Look no further! Let's hear all about what Abigail can do from...

Authors On A Dime

What We Do

We know how many different tasks can pull an author’s focus away from the important stuff (writing!). Let us help you out by taking on those tasks for you. Select from our à la carte services lists for editing, publishing, graphics, and social media. Or take one of our workshops to learn how to do for yourself. Let us help you!

We are authors with experience, both self-published and traditionally published. We’ve gone through the process of publishing a book from beginning to end. We are also professionals with 20+ years in web design, project management, business analysis, and editing. Add in a couple of MBAs and a Masters in English, and we have the skills to help you in your own writing and publishing process. Authors On A Dime is excited to share our skills and help out other authors!

How We Got Started

Like most writer's I've always been a writer, but I've considered myself an author for about nine years. In that time, I've published seven novels, two novellas, and several stories in anthologies. With more to come, of course. I love what I do! I consider myself a hybrid author as my path as taken me both through self-publishing and traditional publishing through a small press.

In addition to my writing, I've spent the last sixteen years in the tech industry, accumulating skills like web design, efficiency, project management, customer service, etc. A few years ago, I completed my MBA. One of the best experiences in my life.

Recently, the two halves of my life--my professional life and my author life--converged. I started a business! I admit this is both a terrifying and an exhilarating prospect. However, when opportunity presented itself, I found I wanted to blend the skills I'd accumulated over the years with my passion for writing and publishing. I've teamed up with several people who've helped me in my own writing career. Some are published authors, some not, but all with skills that help authors. I can't tell you how excited we are all to start this venture!

Services We Offer

Authors On A Dime offers a multitude of services at prices we hope you will find easy on the pocket book. We offer a wide array of services to select from, including some listed below. 

• Editing: beta reading, proofreading, brainstorming, editing for other things (queries, synopses, etc.)
• Publishing: formatting for ebook or print, help with your blurb or synopsis, walking you through publishing on Amazon or Smashwords
• Graphics: book cover design, logos, social media graphics, print graphics (bookmarks, postcards, etc.)
• Social Media: help with your website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, or other
• End-to-End: combined services at a discount (self publish a book, create a social media presence from scratch)

We hope you'll stop by and take a look. Join our newsletter for regular deals, free tips, and giveaways!

Abigail Owens of Authors on a Dime

About the Author:

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

Find Me

Writing on my Website

Tweeting on Twitter
Pinning on Pinterest
Flapping on Facebook

I Can't Write Today...I've Got Cat Fur in My Keyboard with @MeganSlayer

Silly title for a blog post, eh? I think so. The sad part? It's true. I had to spend more than half an hour this morning cleaning out my keyboard because it was clogged with cat fur. Now don't get the wrong idea. I don't let the cats live on my computer. Heck, I spend a lot of time trying to get them to leave me alone while I'm writing. It doesn't work, but I try.

Like right now. I've got two cats observing everything I'm doing. Why? Because they can. The black on is extremely interested in the freshly cleaned keyboard - don't you know that's where paws are supposed to go? He's also interested in the plastic bag he keeps tapping with his tail as he swishes it. All of the while, he's staring at me. I'm not sure what he thinks I'm going to do. It's not dinner time. Won't be for at least twelve more hours. Ah... now the pen I was using to jot down notes is in my lap because said black cat chose it as a toy. I also have smaller sheets of paper I have left over from a con where I did a 'write our own story' situation. It was a fun situation and everyone had a piece of paper where they wrote five words we could use to start a story or keep it going. I had more than enough paper, so a bunch of it came home with me. I use it for notes instead of buying sticky notes. Needless to say, some get lost. But that's another story. Right now, the black cat is pushing those papers across the desk in an attempt to ensure gravity does indeed work.

And...he's proven gravity does exist.

Then there's fast orange. We named him that because well...he's not very fast and DH had a can of Fast Orange cleaner in the garage. He's more like Garfield. He sits. He observes and he's cranky. He's also going on twelve years old. Anyway, he's to my left. It's like being surrounded by Halloween - orange and black. But I digress. Back to fast orange. He's on my left chewing on a notebook. Yes, chewing on it. Why? Probably because he can. I haven't added many notes to said notebook, so it's not super vital at the moment, but when it will be...he'll be there.

I've also got a dog on the couch near the desk. She's snoring. Gagging in her reverse sneeze sort of way and passing gas. It's a real party in my office.

I didn't mention my 'office' is really a multi-purpose room containing my desk, my books and a dog couch plus various cat toys. Yeah, it's not exactly conducive to working sometimes.

With all of this said, is it no wonder sometimes that I don't get much done. I'm sure I'm not the only author with pushy critters and fur in places it doesn't belong. I can't be. But this got me thinking about shifters. When the wolf/panther/lion/etc is in his or her shifted form, they have to shed. I mean, what animal doesn't? I'd almost hate to be the author who has the lion shifter in my home and has to clean up after that shedded fur. Almost. I mean, if the lion looked like Chris Evans or James McAvoy...I might make a few exceptions.

Just sayin'.

So speaking of Shifters... here's a little about my latest shifter story, Finding His Roar:

Finding His Roar by Megan Slayer Sanctuary, Book 6Resplendence PublishingM/M, Anal Sex, MasturbationContemporary, Paranormal, Erotic RomanceNovella (130 pages)Art by Kris NorrisAn AllRomance Ebooks Bestseller!

Breaking down and asking for help could be the key to his salvation.

Chris isn’t like the shifters at Sanctuary. Born in a zoo and on the run now that he can shift, he’s looking for a place to belong. When he breaks down outside of Cambridge, not far from the Sanctuary, he thinks he’s done for. He’ll be caught, returned to the zoo or worse… He’s always been a survivor, but even Chris has demons he can’t quite outrun. He’s being hunted. He’ll need some help—if he’s willing to accept his fate.

Luke Stephens wants nothing more than to get over his ex-boyfriend. The lawyer can argue cases with ease, but not the one that mattered. That is until he meets Chris. The shifter provokes Luke and brings out his natural instinct to protect. He’s intrigued and Chris is so handsome.

Will Luke be man enough for the shifter or will the danger come between them before they can get the fire started?

Available at Resplendence Publishing

http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/820-201-119-949-4--finding-his-roar-sanctuary-book-six-by-megan-slayer.html

And at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-His-Roar-Sanctuary-Book-ebook/dp/B01GGSBPGM?ie=UTF8&qid=1464983050&ref_=sr_1_2&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

And at AllRomance ebooks

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-findinghisroarsanctuarybooksix-2049064-340.html

~~~~~

http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

Megan Slayer - It's Always Fun to Squirm

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Mission to New Earth

Three years ago, I wrote a short story for The Roses of Prose, another blog on which I’m a contributor. I liked the story so much I decided to expand it into a novella. Easier said than done. As most writers will tell you, it’s harder to rewrite than to start fresh. Still, I persevered.

Why? Because I’m fascinated by the idea of finding a New Earth. The story is set in the not-too-distant future, 2170. As predicted by scientists even now, Earth is using up its resources. Along with overpopulation stretching the limits of what’s left, we’ll need to find a new home. The United Earth Space Agency—a common cause finally united us—is sending astronauts to explore three Goldilocks planets. One, if not all three, has to be our new home.

So, how would astronauts prepare for a one-way trip to a new planet? The Mars One project provides a lot of information. In my story, we’ve already begun populating Mars and established an outpost on Titan, Saturn’s moon, from which the astronauts will leave on a five-year voyage. To save resources, they will become popsicles (aka, put into cryo-sleep).

What would motivate these men and women to leave everything they’ve ever known? Their families, their friends, their way of life? There’s no returning to Earth. Fame and glory seem too transient. A sense of adventure might motivate some, but would it sustain them through vigorous training? Selflessness? Doing something for the good of others? Possibly. Each person would have her/his reason. I concerned myself with the narrator, the team commander.

While delving into her life, her motivation, I thought about the early pioneers of the “new world.” Those who landed on Plymouth Rock, those who ventured farther inland and crossed the Appalachian Mountains, those who heeded the message “Go west, young man.” I’m sure each person had his/her own reason for leaving all behind.

Then I asked myself if I would go. Could I leave my husband, children, grandchildren? As much as I love adventure, my answer is no. A resounding NO. That’s the great thing about being a writer. In my imagination, I can do anything. In real life, not so much. But I can put myself in my character’s place. I can give her the fears, doubts, excitement I would feel if I could go.

What about you? Would you be a pioneer? Under what conditions?

Diane Burton writes science fiction romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. She blogs here on the 13^th of the month, on The Roses of Prose on the 30^th, and on her own blog on Mondays where she “muses” about topics as varied as baseball, vacations, and bucket lists.

Celebrate the love of animals and help support the World Wildlife Fund

Who doesn't love animals?

At any given moment on Facebook you'll stumble across a picture, or a video, about some kind of animal. 

I might have the best intentions to pop in for a quick minute on Facebook, and then find myself ten minutes later still mesmerized by videos of cute cats, funny dogs, or other wildlife, with little to no recollection of what I went to Facebook for in the first place. 

Most people love nothing more than finding joy in the unconditional love of an animal. That's why it was a no-brainer for myself, and my four fellow authors, to choose the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as our charity to donate all profits for our upcoming anthology, Moon, Mist & Magic. 

• Why I love the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)

WWF's mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

They organize their work around six areas:

1. Food
2. Climate
3. Fresh Water
4. Wildlife
5. Forests
6. Oceans

To find out more about the World Wildlife Fund, or provide an additional donation, visit their website.

• Why I love my Pets

If you've visited my website, or follow me on Facebook, by now you've met my writing assistant, Scruff.  He tends to be a camera hog so he shows up all over the place. He's adorable, and he knows it.

Scruff ensures I keep my butt in the chair- by sleeping behind it, blocking my exit. 

Before we had our lovable, opinionated, Shih Tzu for the last three years, we had a Lhasa Apso, named Bummy (he was a 'bum puppy' or a 'runt') for over fourteen years.

Bummy also assisted in helping me write, as you can see... 

Throughout the years, I've written essays about the adventures of my twins and our furry family members (including Beef, short for beefcake, our long deceased hamster. )

1. My dog wears diapers
2. Where's the Beef?
3. New Tricks to an Old Dog

• Why I love Animals in Stories

Most of my stories have some type of animal in them. I believe they add fun to the storyline and make my characters more believable. It allows them to reveal traits about themselves that they might not be able to with another person. 

• Why I love Shifter Stories 

Although I've not yet written a shifter story, I've read some really good ones. You'll find a few in the Moon, Mist & Magic Anthology that are pretty awesome! 

I think the first shifter story that caught my eye would be Twilight. After seeing "Jacob" in the movie, I had a hard time determining if I'd be 'Team Edward" or "Team Jacob". 

Since then, I've found many other shifter stories that I love. What kind of paranormal creature do you love to read about?

Get ready to be enchanted by mythical beasts, magical creatures, and moonlit nights. Enjoy your favorite author, and perhaps discover someone new, in these five fantastic tales of paranormal romance woven with moon, mist, and magic…

Featuring stories by Maureen L. Bonatch, Abigail Owen,

 J.C. McKenzie, Sharon Saracino & L.A. Kelley

What do you love about animals? Share your favorite magical story, or tell us about your pet!

About the Author:

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

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