Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Psychic


I have a most interesting book to tell you about, as well as a ‘new-to-me’ author I’m delighted to introduce you to. The book, PSYCHIC by T.S. Rose, will be released by Apprentice House Press on June the 7th.

Alpha Moore is telepathic, but her skills amount to far more than just the ability to read the thoughts of others—she can also convince people to change their minds, think differently, and even reverse previous decisions by 180 degrees, though using that amount of energy drains her and she is still wracked with guilt knowing that her talents contributed to her own mother’s death. 

          As Alpha hides away in a care home for young people, Sunday, another psychic, traces her thoughts and reports her existence to the head of an institution. Joining up with Sunday and this institution, Alpha must then help to unmask a mole in the organization and avert a terrorist attack that threatens a train, desperately hoping that her and Sunday’s gifts together can avert the impending tragedy.

Combining sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller elements into one hard-to-put-down thrill ride, PSYCHIC has adult and YA crossover appeal and weaves in real-life issues of populism and racism.

Now let me tell you a bit about the author before they have so graciously answered some questions about writing and the book. Set in Britain, it is written by a mother-daughter duo who live in London.

T Rose is the daughter of S Rose, her co-author. T is an accomplished writer. Having earned five academic prizes, she graduated from Queen Mary University (London) before becoming an English teacher. Over the years, she has worked with various charities focusing on promoting reading as well as organizing events and activities to help children and adults in need.

She was born in England and now lives in a rural town surrounded by trees and nature, but which also lies only twenty-five minutes by train from the bustling metropolis of London.

S Rose was born in South Africa, but partially schooled in Germany and the UK. She lived for a while in Kissimmee, Florida, but now lives near London. She has published a gardening story for young children, as well as a fantasy tale for young adults.

Her career as a Town Clerk, working for the good of the community, keeps her exceptionally busy, so writing takes place during stolen moments just before bed.

Please join me in welcoming T.S. Rose to Thoughts in Progress. Thanks for joining us and answering these questions.

How do you work together as writers?

Sharon writes the overall plot, and breaks it down into chapters, then Sharon and Tammy each take a chapter to work on. Tammy is better at dialogue scenes, whilst Sharon tends to focus on the high action elements. Because Sharon proposes the initial plot, she tends to put a first face to the characters, but before writing Tammy will tear these apart, sometimes changing the sex of a character, getting rid of one altogether, or rewriting their backstory. Tammy, being considerably younger than her mother Sharon, is more in touch with youthful characters. She also teaches at a secondary school, and is in contact with students every day, so her feel for the language of the younger generation is excellent. Sharon’s strengths lie in the creation of intricate plots, with twists and turns that leave the reader spinning. Once a chapter is written we both review this together.

Do you ever fight about your work?

Yes, but because we appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses we leave the final decision to the person with the best skill in that area. We tend to fight like adults, proposing points, debating our viewpoints in a grown-up manner. Sometimes we have to sleep on it, before coming to a resolution. It has meant that the typical mother/daughter relationship has had to alter to a relationship that is more collegial. It’s been a great experience for us.

Of those outside your family, who has had the most influence on your life?

In terms of worldwide figures, Sharon has met and worked with Nelson Mandela, who will always be a great influence on her thoughts. For Tammy, it’s King Ludwig II, Von Bayern. Whilst being a dreadful ruler, who ignored the threats of war to his country, he focussed on romantic projects, creating a number of wonderful architectural buildings, and his palaces still remain as great natural treasures and tributes to peace in Bavaria.

Given unlimited resources what would you do to make the world a better place to live in?

Less politics, more ability to create cross country/cross continental think-tanks to solve the world’s problems. For example, a radical solution to global warming could be found with this approach. Africa cries out for being reforested, but only a cross country approach could achieve this.

Who is your favourite author?

Tammy – Oscar Wilde, Sharon – Stephen King. For Sharon, reading has always been a great love. She absorbed hundreds of books in her childhood – anything from war stories to cowboys, and from horror to romance. Stephen King has to be a favourite author, who influenced much of her writing style. Tammy is more academic in her reading, and for her Oscar Wilde offers the sense of humour she seeks.

What is your favourite genre?

Sharon – anything, but especially science fiction/fantasy. Tammy – horror.

Politics are a big part of PSYCHIC. In your opinion, does government/democracy work?

No, it’s deeply flawed, with political parties creating political spin that masks the truth about everything. The only good part about it is that it is better than any of the other alternatives, and it does leave people with the ability to think for themselves, should they choose to. Sadly, many people don’t, they just absorb the sound bites as gospel.

Thank you again for joining us today. For more on the authors and their writing, visit their website here: https://www.psychic-tsrose.com/, and take the quiz to see what type of psychic abilities you would have!

PSYCHIC can be pre-order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Psychic-Ts-Rose/dp/1627203877 or Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/psychic-9781627203876/9781627203876.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed this chat with this new writing team. Do you have a favorite genre to read? P.S. Sorry for the way this post looks, Blogger was not happy with me while I was trying to schedule this post.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Flirting With Fifty

It’s a pleasure to tell you about New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jane Porter’s dazzling and sexy later-in-life romance, FLIRTING WITH FIFTY (Berkley Mass Market Paperback Original; On Sale May 24, 2022).

FLIRTING WITH FIFTY is about a woman who leaps out of her comfort zone and takes a chance on love; perfect for fans of Jennifer Weiner, Jill Shalvis, and Lexi Blake.

Chicago Tribune writes, “Porter writes with genuine warmth and quiet grace about the everyday problems all women face.”

FLIRTING WITH FIFTY

by Jane Porter
Berkley Mass Market Paperback Original
May 24, 2022
Romance - Later In Life

Paige Newsom is finally at a place in her life where she’s comfortable. She loves her job as a college professor in Southern California, lives close enough to her mother to visit her regularly, and has three daughters who are flourishing in their own careers. Paige has no plans to upend her life again after her divorce eight years ago, but she’s about to embark on a new adventure: co-teaching a course that includes a three-week international field study.

          Paige can think of a dozen reasons why she shouldn’t go, one being a dazzling Australian biologist who will be teaching alongside her. Professor Jack King is charismatic, a world traveler, and more like Indiana Jones than Indiana Jones, all of which unsettles Paige, who prides herself on being immune to any man’s charms. She isn’t looking for love, and it turns out, neither is he. But as the two co-professors lead the rigorous program together, first on campus, then in beautiful Tanzania, their biggest challenge will be working closely together while resisting the undeniable chemistry they feel when they’re with each other.

Meet the Author – Jane Porter

Photo @ Courtney Lindberg
Jane Porter, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 70 romances, holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco and has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times, winning in 2014 for Take Me, Cowboy.

In 2008, Jane’s popular novel, Flirting With Forty, was made into a Lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear, and in 2021 two of her novels were turned into holiday movies for the new GAC Family channel.

Jane lives in sunny California with her surfer husband, three sons, and three dogs.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Taking on a new adventure can be a challenge at any age. Do you think good things can happen when we least expect them?

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

My Summer Darling Revealed

Today I’m delighted to be a part of the cover reveal for author May Cobb’s new juicy page turner rooted in complicated female friendships— MY SUMMER DARLINGS (Berkley Hardcover; on sale May 17, 2022).

Publisher: Berkley (May 17, 2022)

Language: English
Hardcover: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 0593101162
ISBN-13: 978-0593101162

In MY SUMMER DARLINGS, the lives of three women are shaken to the core when a charming new neighbor moves to town.

Jen Hansen, Kittie Spears, and Cynthia Nichols have been friends since childhood. They are now approaching forty and their lives have changed, but their insular East Texas town has not. They stay sane by drinking wine in the afternoons, dishing about other women in the neighborhood, and bonding over the heartache of their own encroaching middle age and raising ungrateful teens.

Then Will Harding moves into one of the neighborhood’s grandest homes. Mysterious and charming, he seems like the answer to each woman’s prayers. He’s a source of fascination for Jen, Kittie, and Cynthia, but none of them are ready for the way Will disrupts their lives. For single Jen, he’s a unicorn she’s desperate to catch. For Kittie, he’s a conquest to prove to herself she’s still desirable. And for Cynthia, Will might be worth risking everything she has for a new life with him.

Backstabbing, obsession, and secrets warp their lives, threatening their friendships and families. When Will abruptly ghosts all three women, they each scramble to find out why. Is there someone else? Has he been leading them on this whole time? Or, is it something far more sinister than any of them could have ever imagined?

Three lifelong friends plus a dangerous, sexy new stranger in town add up to a scorching summer of manipulation, obsession, and murder, from the acclaimed author of The Hunting Wives.                

Meet the Author – May Cobb

May Cobb earned her MA in literature from San Francisco State University, and her essays and interviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the Rumpus, Edible Austin, and Austin Monthly. Her previous novel is The Hunting Wives.

A Texas native, she lives in Austin, Texas, with her family.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Doesn’t this sound like a fascinating story that will keep you guessing until the very end?