HERE BE NEWS for Monday July 31, 2023

 

 

 Monday July 31, 2023 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:

Tuesday July 25, 2023: Linda Mooney entertains us with a new vignette: Cancer the Zodian

July Vignette - Cancer the Zodian by Linda Mooney

 Cancer

            Arlene’s phone alarm went off. It was three o’clock.

            Pulling away from her desk, she stretched and got to her feet. If she didn’t make herself take these short hourly breaks, there was no telling how long she’d stare at her computer screen until she realized it had gotten dark outside and it was time to go to bed. Or her stomach reminded her that it had been a while since she’d eaten anything.

            Her central air conditioner kicked on. Even with it set as high as she could tolerate to save on her electric bill, she still needed the ceiling fan to keep her cool. It was a hotter than usual July, and she had a low tolerance for heat. Yet she could change neither the weather nor where she had to live to be close to her job. Fortunately, it paid well. Thank goodness the ocean was less than twenty miles away.

            “I need a drink,” she told herself. It was as good an excuse as any. A bottle of icy cold water would taste pretty good right about now.

            Striding from her office, she casually glanced out the front window on her way to the kitchen. The postal truck was coming around the corner as it stopped at every mailbox located in front of each home.

            Initially, her mail used to come around elevenish in the mornings, up until two weeks ago. Then it didn’t arrive until after three, sometimes as late as four p.m. She’d called the post office to find out why, and they’d explained that some of the routes had been changed. With the addition of several new subdivisions being built on her side of town, they also had to hire more postal deliverers.

            “As in mailmen,” she told herself, peering at the approaching truck to see if the person driving it was whom she hoped it would be.

            The first time she’d seen Thad, it had almost been a shock to her system. She was so used to having Mr. Sessons come by to drop off her bills and all, having a younger and, better yet, good-looking mailman take over the route had been a delightful surprise.

            In the beginning, when she’d noticed him approaching her front door with a package that was too large to fit in the box, she’d gone to meet him halfway down the walk. They’d exchanged greetings, and she’d quickly discovered he wasn’t wearing a ring.

            “That really doesn’t mean a thing these days,” she’d told herself. Lots of married men didn’t wear a band.

            But she couldn’t deny the little flutter her heart made every time he showed up. And today, she was expecting a bulky package. Which meant she’d get to briefly chat with him again.

            The large outside thermometer attached to the tree just beyond her front door read ninety-seven degrees. “Add in the humidity factor, and the fact that that thing’s in the shade, means it has to be well over a hundred degrees out there.”

            Her decision was second nature. Getting a bottle of water from the fridge, she walked out the front door just as the mail truck pulled up to her mailbox. Stopping on the walkway, she watched as Thad exited the vehicle and walked around to the rear to open the back door. Pulling out a large box, he hefted it onto his right shoulder.

            “Good afternoon, Arlene!”

            “Good afternoon to you, too, Thad. Is it hot enough out here for you?”

            As he drew nearer, she became aware of how red his face was. She also saw there was no sweat beading his skin, and she worried for him. “Thad, you need to get out of the heat for a while. You look like you’re about to have a stroke.”

            “I’ll be fine.” Walking past her, he set the package on the front porch.

            She waited until he was coming back toward her before holding out the water bottle. “Here. I thought you might need this.”

            He sighed heavily and took it. “Thanks. I do. I ran out a little while ago, and I was planning on stopping at the Gas-n-Go on the next block for some more.”

            She watched as he unscrewed the cap, then cupped his hand underneath his lower lip. She gasped when he slowly poured the water directly into his palm and sipped it from there. Noticing her astonished expression, he chuckled.

            “I know it seems odd that I don’t drink it directly from the bottle, but it’s—”

            “You’re a Cancerian.” The words popped out before she could think.

            Thad paused, blinking in surprise.

            Pointing to the bottle, Arlene lowered her voice. “I’m sorry. But when I saw you…”

            “It’s okay.” He nodded and sipped a few more swallows, then capped the bottle. “Most of the time, when people see me drinking that way, they just assume I’m…quirky.”

            She smiled. “I know what you mean.”

            He studied her. “The only way you would know I’m a Cancerian is because you know about us. Or because…”

            “I’m one of you,” she finished for him. “Do you also pour your coffee or tea into a saucer and sip it from there?”

            “Do you sip your soup from the bowl instead of using a spoon?” he countered with a grin.

            A car drove by. He glanced at it as it went past them.

            “Look, I’d love to stay and chat some more, but I need to finish my route.”

            Arlene quickly apologized. “I’m sorry to take up so much of your time.”

            “No, no.” He waved it off. “I’m glad you did.” Holding up the bottle, he added, “And thank you so much for this.”

            “You’re welcome.”

            He turned to go back to his truck when he stopped and looked around at her. “Uhh, Arlene?”

            “Yes?”

            “I usually finish around six. Would you like to go have dinner with me when I’m done?”

            “I’d love to.”

            He beamed at her. “That’s great! What do you say I pick you up around seven? Or is that too late?”

            “Seven o’clock’s fine,” she assured him.

            “All right! I’ll see you then. Until later!” He waved at her and hurried to his vehicle.

            She watched him climb inside, give her another wave, and drive off.

            Feeling better than she had in a long time, Arlene retrieved her package by the front door and took it inside.

            Another Cancerian. She’d met another Cancerian.

            It felt like it was going to be a beautiful summer.

Linda's Website

HERE BE NEWS for Monday July 24, 2023

 

 

 Monday July 24, 2023 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:

Thursday July 20, 2023: Deborah Bailey offers great advice in her post, Thinking About Starting a Podcast? part two.

                             

Thinking about Starting a Podcast? Part 2

Today I'm sharing more information about starting a podcast. If you're looking for ways to market your book outside of the usual social media channels, it's worth checking out.

In my last post I gave an overview of costs and distribution. Here are more specifics about getting started.

 

Podcast name

You can choose whatever you want (within reason, of course). Take a look at  other podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify (and other platforms) if you want to get an idea of what’s out there.

 

Podcast description

This should be something brief that describes what the show is about. (Sort of like a book blurb!) A paragraph or two would be fine.

 

Cover art

Most platforms want you to upload an image that represents your podcast. Not sure what to use? The Canva graphics platform has podcast templates. (Get a free or paid account on Canva.)

You can use a picture of yourself. A picture of one of your book covers. Abstract art or any image that is royalty free (or one you have the rights to use).

Now you have your podcast name, description and cover image. Let's continue. 

Equipment

Expensive equipment is not necessary. When you're starting out, it would be best not to buy a lot of podcasting equipment. Try podcasting first then, if you want to continue, you can make larger investments.

Here are some recommendations:

CAD U37 USB Studio Condenser Recording Microphone – approx. $29

Fifine USB Podcast Microphone (K678) – approx. $56.99

Logitech Blue Yeti Premium USB – approx. $129.99

I've used the Fifine mic and it works very well. I’ve tried the Logitech mic and though they are very popular (especially the Blue Yeti) I found the quality of the Fifine product was just as good.

You can also use headsets that have earphones and mic attached. Or you can record directly on your phone or mobile device (there are many recording apps available). If you use a Mac you may already be familiar with the Garage Band app.

If you want to record on your computer without a mic, no problem. Depending on the sound quality, it may be just fine.

 

Frequency

You should also have an idea of how long your episodes will be and how often you’ll post them. It’s not set in stone, you can make changes as you go. However, building an audience will require some consistency.

 

Show Notes

Show notes are a description of the episode, which may also include a transcript of the episode. Be sure to include links to your site, social media and buy links for your book(s).

Now all you need is to record!

 

Options

-Record your episode on your computer or mobile device.

-Record your episode directly if you are on platforms such as Anchor.fm or Libsyn.

There are many other platforms where you and other guests/hosts can record your conversation if you aren’t in the same location. A Google search will bring up several to choose from.

You can edit using software or hire podcast editors (or producers). You can create a podcast very cheaply or make a major investment. It's all up to you and your marketing goals. And don't forget that you can also be a podcast guest if you prefer.

Whether as a host or guest, you can use podcasting to market your author brand and your books.

 

HERE BE NEWS for Monday July 17, 2023

 

 

 Monday July 17, 2023 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:

Thursday July 13, 2023: PG Forte treats us to a "Throwback Thursday" post from Sound of a Voice That is Still

         

During the Month of July, You Can Get the E-book of this sensuous sci-fi romance for Just 99c! But only on my website!
Just use discount code word: CLONE

RHEA 41070
Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance
by Linda Mooney
Word Count:  64.3K
$3.99 e / $10.99 p / $19.95 a 

Bock Gammon is a freedom runner. A man with a space ship for hire. He has heard of Replacements and knows they exist, but he has never personally come across one. In fact, he finds the whole idea repugnant--growing a living being specifically for the purpose of harvesting his body parts. So do the governments in many of the galaxies who have declared Replacements illegal.

Which is why he is stunned to discover his latest assignment is to bring a Replacement to one of the wealthiest men in the Chatta Dul system. If he hadn't so desperately needed the money, he wouldn't have accepted the job.

It doesn't take long for Bock to realize that Rhea 41070 isn't just one-of-a-kind, she's also unlike any woman he has ever met.  And the closer they get to the point of delivery, the more he knows he can't walk away and leave her behind to be dissected.  Somehow, he has to find a way to save her, despite the odds and hundreds of well-armed men awaiting their return.

Warning!  Contains idol worship, twisted old men, blackmail, apathy for human life, black market medicine, a shootout, a taste of the good life, hot space ship sex, and more gold than you can shake a stick at.

Excerpt and Buy Links

Bring It Back(list) - RHEA 41070, a Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance by Linda Mooney

During the Month of July, You Can Get the E-book of this sensuous sci-fi romance for Just 99c! But only on my website!
Just use discount code word: CLONE

RHEA 41070
Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance
by Linda Mooney
Word Count:  64.3K
$3.99 e / $10.99 p / $19.95 a 

Bock Gammon is a freedom runner. A man with a space ship for hire. He has heard of Replacements and knows they exist, but he has never personally come across one. In fact, he finds the whole idea repugnant--growing a living being specifically for the purpose of harvesting his body parts. So do the governments in many of the galaxies who have declared Replacements illegal.

Which is why he is stunned to discover his latest assignment is to bring a Replacement to one of the wealthiest men in the Chatta Dul system. If he hadn't so desperately needed the money, he wouldn't have accepted the job.

It doesn't take long for Bock to realize that Rhea 41070 isn't just one-of-a-kind, she's also unlike any woman he has ever met.  And the closer they get to the point of delivery, the more he knows he can't walk away and leave her behind to be dissected.  Somehow, he has to find a way to save her, despite the odds and hundreds of well-armed men awaiting their return.

Warning!  Contains idol worship, twisted old men, blackmail, apathy for human life, black market medicine, a shootout, a taste of the good life, hot space ship sex, and more gold than you can shake a stick at.

Excerpt and Buy Links

Throwback Thursday ~ Sound of a Voice That is Still by PG Forte

I lost my dog unexpectedly last week--well, mostly unexpectedly. He was old and had been struggling a little in the last few months, but when he went, he went quickly. Which was great, of course, but I'm having a hard time dealing with it. So, I'm not up to writing a blog post today. Instead, here's a Throwback Thursday post from Sound of a Voice That is Still )Oberon, book 3) which I'll be re-releasing possibly this year, but more probably early next year. 

In this scene, Siobhan has just received the cremated remains of her dog and is dealing with that trauma in her typically dysfunctional way. 

Siobhan sat on the floor in front of her fireplace, watching as the flames slowly devoured Selke’s collar.  When the acrid smell of burning leather grew too strong and threatened to choke her, she tossed another handful of myrrh onto the logs and watched as a pall of fragrant smoke rose from the melting resin.  The heat from the fire was warm against her face, but did nothing to dispel the insidious spread of frost through her heart, blighting and blackening everything it touched.  Outside, the wind whipped through the trees and she flinched at every creak and moan.  It was dark and getting darker still, as night and yet another storm made their approach. 

Lying on the floor at her side, Ryan’s dog whined.  It was such an anxious, strange sound, it made her wonder if the dog was not part wolf.  Not that it looked like anything but pure Irish setter, of course, but things were not always as they appeared.  

The dog.  

Damn it, what was wrong with the man that he couldn’t even name her?  It shouldn’t be so hard.  Certainly there were a lot of names that would fit.  If the dog was hers, she knew just what she’d call it, as a matter of fact.  But it wasn’t her dog.  

She picked a chew toy out of the small pile on the floor and threw it in beside the collar.  She didn’t have a dog and she wouldn’t be naming anything anymore.

The setter pushed its cold, wet nose against her hand and whimpered softly.  “I know, sweetie.  Me, too.”  She laid one hand on the dog’s head.  It was surprisingly warm.  Or was it just that her hands were cold?  

Probably he just didn’t want to commit that much emotion to it.  If you named something you gave it more than a label; you gave it a weight and a substance.  And a place in your life.  You gave it a value that it might otherwise not have had.  Like calling something love, when all you really felt was need.   

I love you.  She supposed she should be grateful.  At least this time he hadn’t run when she used the words.  This time, they’d been wrung from her lips in the hot depths of a passion the likes of which she’d never known...and he hadn’t responded at all.  

She stroked her trembling fingers through the dog’s soft coat again.  How typical.  Wasn’t it just like a man, to react that way?  She couldn’t imagine why she’d expected anything else from him.  Every man she’d ever known had been a coward when it came to emotions.  They ran from birth and death--and from love as well--as though their feet were on fire and their souls were at risk.  That’s why women had the babies, wasn’t it?  

And why they sang the dirges.  

Her eyes strayed back to the little tin box clutched in her hand.  The box she’d received from the crematorium.  Selke.  She’d made all the arrangements last week and then, amazingly, she’d forgotten about them.  Finding the ashes in the mailbox this afternoon had come as a shock, as had the tears she’d shed over them.  She was surprised by how upset she’d been, and still was.  It was as if an ugly black pit had opened at her feet.  Her reaction left her fearful and furious.

She took her hand from the dog’s flank long enough to feed another chew toy to the fire.  This was all Ryan’s fault.  He had done this to her.  Loving him--no. Needing him--had left her vulnerable to feelings she’d almost succeeded in forgetting existed.  Emotions which had lain submerged in the iciest, darkest depths of her soul were resurfacing now, bringing with them all the pain and craziness she’d hoped never to feel again. 

She hadn’t wanted to feel this way about him.  She hadn’t wanted to be in love with anyone.  Twice before she’d fallen and it had come close to destroying her.  Would this third time be the charm that broke the spell that she was under?  Or was it she who would break?

And what would she risk to find out?

She turned her head at the sound of the front door opening.  Ryan stood framed in the doorway, a frown creasing his forehead.  “What’s it gonna take, anyway, before you start locking this door?” he asked.  She watched as his eyes narrowed and his expression changed to one of concern.  “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head and went back to watching the nylon bone as it bubbled and charred.  “Nothing’s wrong.”

He came to stand beside her.  His dog looked up at him, wriggling out from beneath Siobhan’s hand to beg for his attention, tail thumping a welcome against the hardwood floor.  “What’s going on then?”

Siobhan shook her head again, her eyes still on the fire.  “Not too much.  How was your day?”

The dog whined again, and pawed at Ryan’s leg.  He lowered himself to a half crouch, and rested one hand on the setter’s back.  “All right, I guess.  What’s in the box?” 

  Her heart lurched at the unexpected tenderness in his tone and she had to blink as smoke tore at her eyes.  “Selke.”  Her voice came out too flat, she cleared her throat and tried again.  “Therapy go okay?”  She picked up the lamb’s wool cat from the floor beside her.

“I didn’t have therapy today.  I was--  What?”  He grabbed her hand before she could toss the cat into the fire.  “Wait, what are you doing?”  

Wrenching her hand free of him, she shot him an angry look.  “Playing twenty questions with you, I guess.  Is there going to be a lot more of it, by the way?  Because I’m really not in the mood right now.”

“Did something go on here today that I don’t know about?”

She gritted her teeth.  “I told you, nothing--”

“Siobhan.”

Once more, his voice compelled her and she made the mistake of looking into his eyes.  Bright as the sky they were, and warm as the summer sun.  If she could only fly to him.  If she could only steal a little of the warmth she was sure he’d give her...but no.  No, like Icarus if she got too close he would melt through all her defenses.  Her heart would break, her wings would fall to pieces and she’d drop, just like a stone, into the cold dark sea.  She thrust the box into his hands.  “Here.  Take a look, if you want.  It’s really fascinating when you think about it.” 

She got to her feet and swept the rest of the toys into the hearth basket.  She could finish this later.  When she was alone.  “I’m thinking I might teach a unit on it next year.  All about the chemical composition of bodies and how everything organic eventually breaks down and is decomposed.  Of course, it would probably fall more under the heading of Chemistry than Biology, but that’s all right.  I’ve been feeling kind of stale lately, anyway.  I think maybe I need something new.”

Sound Of A Voice That Is Still

Oberon Book 3.0

Some wounds take a long time to heal, others never do.  Four months after being wounded in the line of duty, Ryan Henderson is beginning to fear that his is of the latter variety.  He's a patient man, but a poor patient.  As winter drags interminably on, he's growing desperate for distraction--anything that might take his mind off his injury, before he goes insane.

 Siobhan Quinn could give the injured officer a lesson or two in living with pain.  It's been ten years since her life was changed and her heart critically wounded as a result of the tragic accident that robbed her of her family.  She knows firsthand how grief can cripple a soul and drive a sane mind over the edge. 

 

Sometimes it seems like Spring will never come again.  Sometimes, the only alternative to living in inner darkness, is death.  Your own, or someone else's.  In the depths of winter, Ryan and Siobhan will have to make a choice: to help each other heal, or die trying.

Visit my website for more info on the Oberon series.

https://www.pgforte.com/the-oberon-series

HERE BE NEWS for Monday July 10, 2023

 

 

 Monday July 10, 2023 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:

                             

New!

CAVENDER

Tales from Alta Novis, #2

Futuristic/Post-Apocalyptic Romance

By Linda Mooney

Word Count: 5.7K

$0.99 e

Author Henry Elder came to Alta Novis to learn more about the fabled battle lord and his lady. But rather than re-tell the tales of their already well-known exploits, he wants to hear about the couple from the people who really know them. The people who live, love, interact, and fight alongside with them. He wants to hear those personal anecdotes in order to discover a side of Yulen and Atty D'Jacques that few people know.

These are the stories he discovered.

Cavender recounts the time when Atty wanted a special gift to give Yulen for his birthday. Only to discover the battle lady had never celebrated her own.

Excerpt and Buy Links: https://lindamooney.com/AltaNovis.htm 

New! CAVENDER, Tales from Alta Novis, #2, Futuristic/Post-Apocalyptic Romance by Linda Mooney

New!

CAVENDER

Tales from Alta Novis, #2

Futuristic/Post-Apocalyptic Romance

By Linda Mooney

Word Count: 5.7K

$0.99 e

Author Henry Elder came to Alta Novis to learn more about the fabled battle lord and his lady. But rather than re-tell the tales of their already well-known exploits, he wants to hear about the couple from the people who really know them. The people who live, love, interact, and fight alongside with them. He wants to hear those personal anecdotes in order to discover a side of Yulen and Atty D'Jacques that few people know.

These are the stories he discovered.

Cavender recounts the time when Atty wanted a special gift to give Yulen for his birthday. Only to discover the battle lady had never celebrated her own.

Excerpt and Buy Links: https://lindamooney.com/AltaNovis.htm 

HERE BE NEWS for Monday July 3, 2023

 

 

 Monday July 3, 2023 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:

Tuesday June 27, 2023: Linda Mooney treats us to a new vignette, Gemini the Zodian.