Tag: short story anthology

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New Release! MASQUERADE: ODDLY SUITED #YA #romance #shortstory #anthology

jenlanebooks

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Find love at the ball…
Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise,Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual companion or a date to the ball?

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

“READ IT! There is something for everyone! Do you want Love? Got it! Do you want vampires? Got it! Do you want time travel? Go it!” – Jessica Renfro, book reviewer

“A diverse collection of m/f YA clean-reads romances to transport readers between thepast, present, and future, from the sea bottom to the virtual clouds.” – J. Lenni Dorner, author

“Stories that will chill your heart, bring smiles to your lips, and keep you turning pages.” – Beverly Stowe McClure, author

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130407099?ean=2940155956860

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N893HPT

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/masquerade-oddly-suited/id1451605312?mt=11

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/masquerade-oddly-suited Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43785750-masquerade



I’m honored to have written the second story in the anthology, Behind the Catcher’s Mask.


❤️Who can help her through a meltdown on the pitcher’s mound? ❤️

Fast-pitch softball is Andie Wilson’s life. She’s a fierce pitcher hoping to score a college scholarship, and she hates the annoying distraction of cocky baseball players crashing her high-school charity game. But she doesn’t anticipate the impact of one baseball player: Colt Turner. As Colt stares at her through his catcher’s mask, his steadfast gaze may be just what she needs to guide her through a crisis. And Colt may need Andie, too—to cope with the secret hiding behind his mask.

Thank you to author Elizabeth Mueller for creating this visual of baseball catcher, Colt!

Head to all of the authors’ blogs to read their blurbs and view their characters.

Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com
Available April 30, 2019

$14.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback, 200 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Young Adult Fiction: Romance – General (YAF052000) / Paranormal (YAF052050) / Contemporary (YAF052020)
Print ISBN 9781939844644 eBook ISBN 9781939844651
Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or publisher direct
$4.99 EBook available in all formats
Freedom Fox Press A division of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, NC 27863-0383  
inquiries@dancinglemurpressllc.com  
http://www.dancinglemurpress.com

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com

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Masquerade Oddly Suited Ball Bloghop: Afternoon at Upshur Estate #MasqueradeOddlySuited #newrelease #shortstory #anthology

jenlanebooks

Welcome to the Masquerade Oddly Suited Ball Bloghop!

Today I host one of the authors of the upcoming Insecure Writers Support Group anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited. 

I’m keeping my guest anonymous as this is the masked part of the blogshop. Authors will unmask their character on April 30th when our book releases.

Here are fun facts about our mystery author:

“Much of my writing, particularly what I consider my best writing, comes during the witching hour and graveyard shift. At one point in the past, I had an inverted sleep schedule, and would be writing while most of the world was sound asleep.

There are certain bands and musical eras I originally only listened to as a matter-of-fact writing soundtrack, but which quickly became almost mandatory for me to write with inspiration and passion.

I’ve been with many of my characters since we were very young. I like to say we grew up together. Knowing them inside and out for so many years, and maturing alongside them, does wonders for giving them greater depth and knowing exactly how they tick.”



Add the anthology to your Goodreads shelf! And you can pre-order on Amazon and other sites.

Elizabeth Mueller, author of The Cog Prince in the anthology, created this beautiful masked illustration of my anonymous guest’s main character.


Want to see the unmasked image? (I do!) Check out all of the authors’ blogs on April 30, the release date for the anthology.

Here’s a sneak peek teaser, which you won’t find in the anthology.

Afternoon at Upshur Estate
“Miss Wildblood, your gentleman friend has come to call on you.”
Jinx put down her well-worn book at the sound of Mrs. Upshur’s voice invading the library, though her younger sister Myrina continued reading Volume Eight of The Life and Times of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.  Mrs. Upshur turned white when she saw what her younger charge was reading.
“Where did that obscene book originate?” Mrs. Upshur asked.
“Our house,” Myrina said. “Our parents have a lot of interesting books they let us read.  I won’t scandalize you by naming some of the others.  When we go to church, the minister never feels the need to tailor his sermon to juvenile congregants in attendance.  Why should a book be any different?”
Mrs. Upshur grimaced and turned to Jinx. “Mr. Strangeways should like to ride horses with you, Miss Wildblood, but I told him ‘twould be far more respectable to walk with you around the grounds.  I do not need to be told to ascertain you do not ride horses in the most decorous way for a lady, and I do not wish to encourage that.”
“You mean sidesaddle?” Jinx asked. “I grew up on a farm, not an estate.  You’re talking to the wrong lady if you expect me to ride like you.  Everyone has her own version of normal, and this is mine.” She smiled when Felix entered the library, dressed in a pale yellow suit.
Felix returned the smile. “I hope I didn’t call at an inopportune hour and interrupt you.”
“You have much to learn about calling etiquette,” Mrs. Upshur lectured.
Jinx ignored this lecture from her summer chaperone. “I was only reading Thomas Blount’s Glossographiafor the umpteenth time.  This book’s over a century old, and full of obscure words I love finding a chance to use in my school compositions.  How many people know and use words like celeripedean, rhedarious, murklins, gardeviance, and tragematopolist?”
“Nobody should, least of all not a lady.” Mrs. Upshur grimaced at the offending book. “You must not endeavor to unsex yourself.”
“With all due respect, I’m not sure I believe in the concept of unsexing.” Jinx stood up and gave Felix her arm. “We’ll return before supper.”
“You most certainly shall, or such an unsupervised meeting shan’t come again soon.”
Jinx led Felix out of the library, down the main hall of the first floor, and into a large gala hall which look out onto the garden through central apse glass doors. A young slave in a dark pink dress and an older, tall slave in a pale green suit stopped their animated conversation on a recent scandal with another house slave and opened the doors.
“How long did it take to get used to this cavernous estate?” Felix asked on their way to the stables. “I imagine this is much larger than either of your other residences.”
“I dislike all the unnecessary space, but it’s not my home to dictate rules for.” Jinx opened the stable door and walked to a spotted horse. “This is my favorite, though no one can take the place of Xanthos and Balios at home.”
“Named after the immortal horses of Achilles I presume?”
“Who else?” Jinx smiled at Felix as he helped her onto the horse. “Are you able to stay to supper?”
“Now that you mention it, I certainly am.” Felix climbed onto a white horse. “I insist you honor my lodgings with your presence next time.  But for now, all we need to do is enjoy the ride.”
And so they did.


BLOG HOP SCHEDULE


Thur. April 18th: L.G. Keltner https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

Fri. April 19th: Jennifer Lane http://jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com

Sat. April 20th: Deborah Solice https://thefabulistdotblog.wordpress.com/

Mon. April 22nd: CD Gallant-King http://www.cdgallantking.ca/

Tues. April 23rd: Elizabeth Mueller https://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Wed. April 24th: Chelsea Marie Ballard https://www.facebook.com/masqueradeoddlysuited

Thurs. April 25th: Carrie-Ann Brownian http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com

Fri. April 26th: Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com

Sat. April 27th: Anstice Brown https://dustingthesoul.com

Mon. April 29th: Angela Brown http://publishness.blogspot.com/

Tues. Apr 30th: Book Release and The Unmasking (Just follow links above)!

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Masquerade: Oddly Suited Blog Tour Interview

jenlanebooks

Today my pub sister, Nancee Cain, interviews me about Behind the Catcher’s Mask, my story in the Masquerade: Oddly Suited anthology!

Check out the interview HERE.

Stories Featured

Oddly Suited, LG Keltner
The silliest situations may be oddly suited for romance.
Behind the Catcher’s Mask, Jennifer Lane
Who can help her through a meltdown on the pitcher’s mound?
The Dark Charade, CD Gallant-King
The new girl in town falls in love for a mysterious boy who is maybe, probably, most definitely, a vampire.
The Cog Prince, Elizabeth Mueller
Falling in love, saving the day, and a masque—oh my! Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince?
A Diver’s Ball, Angela Brown
You can be anything you want in the online world of Cumulus. A human. An elf. A powerful beast mutation from your wildest imagination. But can you be in love?
Flower of Ronda, Myles Christensen
What if life’s price of servanthood could be changed?
Fearless Heart, Deborah Solice
Is he a figment of her imagination conjured to keep her sane, or is he something else…something more?
Charleston Masquerade, Carrie-Anne Brownian
Can two worlds come together and find love?
Sea of Sorrows, Anstice Brown
What could a shapeshifting siren know about love?
Remedy, Chelsea Marie Ballard
Everything is against Remy and Rudy, but on the night of the Masquerade Ball, they must choose: each other or their lives?
You can find out more about the authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited here.

Giveaway

The authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited are giving away a $50 Amazon gift card to one winner. To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway is open internationally from 12:00 am GMT 17th March to 12:00am GMT 6th May.

Tour Schedule

Visit the other blog tour hosts below to find out more about the stories and authors featured in Masquerade: Oddly Suited.


About the Anthology

Title: Masquerade: Oddly Suited
Release date: April 30th, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction: Romance – General / Paranormal / Contemporary
Print ISBN: 9781939844644
EBook ISBN: 9781939844651
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#IWSG Hero or Villain: Who Narrates the Story?

jenlanebooks

Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog.

How’s writing going for you? I’ve limited my writing to psychotherapy case notes lately, though I have joined an inspiring group of authors gearing up for the next IWSG anthology’s release on April 30.

Check out the IWSG Anthologies website to learn more about the first three short stories in Masquerade: Oddly Suited, including excerpts. My baseball catcher and softball pitcher get to know each other in the second post, featuring my story, Behind the Catcher’s Mask.

IWSG Day Question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?


My first-person stories have been exclusively from the heroes’ perspectives, probably because I am an upbeat person who roots for the good guy. However, I have delved into the villain’s point of view in my third-person stories. One of my favorite parts of writing is exploring character motivation, and what’s more interesting than getting inside the head of a villain? The trick is not to make them over-the-top evil. We all have reasons for what we do, and the villain’s motivations are as good as any.
Thank you to today’s Co-Hosts: 

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#IWSG Masquerade: Oddly Suited Anthology #YA #romance

jenlanebooks

How’s your February going, writers? Join us for the monthly support group at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog.


One of the best aspects of the IWSG is meeting diverse and talented writers across the blogoverse. The opportunity to be part of our next anthology has highlighted this benefit for me.

Check out this shining group of authors contributing stories to Masquerade: Oddly Suited!


Fellow author Anstice Brown created this fun cover reveal video:



If you want to support the anthology, please like our Facebook page.

And you can sign up for the blog tour HERE.

Happy Singles Awareness Day on February 14th!

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Cover Reveal for MASQUERADE: ODDLY SUITED #YA #Romance

jenlanebooks

It’s been a thrill getting to know a new group of authors who wrote short stories for the upcoming anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited. I love their fun marketing ideas, like sharing puzzle pieces of the cover over the weekend before the cover reveal today.

The anthology features young adult romance with a masquerade/mask theme. Dancing Lemur Press specializes in speculative fiction, and I believe many of the stories are fantasy, paranormal, or supernatural.

The cover certainly has an other-worldly feel!


My story, Behind the Catcher’s Mask, is void of green monsters but does contain young love between a softball pitcher and baseball catcher:

Fast-pitch softball is Andie Wilson’s life. She’s a fierce pitcher hoping to score a college scholarship, and she hates the annoying distraction of cocky baseball players crashing her high-school charity game. But she doesn’t anticipate the impact of one baseball player: Colt Turner. As Colt stares at her through his catcher’s mask, his steadfast gaze may be just what she needs to guide her through a crisis. And Colt may need Andie, too—to cope with the secret hiding behind his mask.


The release date is April 30, 2019. Stay tuned for more information about the blog tour, giveaways, and advanced reader copies!