 Wow, the print version for the Athena's Daughter's anthology is beautiful! I shared previously about my story, "The Songbird's Search" coming out soon in the anthology, Athena's Daughters, from Silence in the Library. (Coming out so far in July) Interestingly, as part of the Kickstarter funding, original art was commissioned for the print version. The cover reflects the beautiful women represented in the various stories. The art features Athena, (of course!), along with women from all walks of life, including a historical figure like Amelia Earhart and Bee, whose flight suit brings to mind NASA and space travel, reflecting the introduction by former NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Pam Melroy, and the story, "Millie," by author and US Marine Corps Pilot Janine K. Spendlove. The back cover reflects the steampunk/gothic ladies featured in several stories and Mina from Cynthia Ward's story, "Whoever Fights Monsters." There is also an Amazonian river goddess from Jean Rabe's story, "Visage" and an older, physically handicapped woman (who happens to be a superhero), representing Sherwood Smith's character in "Commando Bats." Then there is a contemporary figure resembling an everyday working woman based on Gail Z. Martin's character in "Retribution. The cover for the ebook version (below) stays the same. Here also is the wonderful art portrait of my character Marietta from my story, "The Songbird's Search." Read an excerpt of my story. This is such a great project, with stories from all different genres. I can't wait to read it! (And even better - for once I'm not listed last because my last name starts with a V! ha!)  
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 Today at THE CORNER CAFE: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories, there's a special new guest... a dog? And good thing!
I'm sharing an excerpt of my story. In "Perfect Timing," a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thrwart a would-be robber. See excerpt at my Candid Canine blog. ** BUY: for Kindle --- #2 in Short Stories!  The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories features assorted stories set in or around The Corner Cafe by 15 authors.
(See blog tour schedule in previous post.) ** BUY: for Kindle --- #2 in Short Stories! Stories and authors are: * "The Catfish Enchantment" by Marian Allen: Cosmo’s father deserted the family and died unforgiven, his mother is sinking into depression, he’s started cutting himself to relieve the pain, and his boss suggests…a tattoo? * In "I Wanna Get Off Here," by Shonell Bacon, a bus driver with a dream to write must first unchain herself from a relationship and inner thoughts that keep her hopes from coming to pass. * In "What's Next" By Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, a young woman who sees herself drifting aimlessly through life, hires a crop dusting pilot to fly her over the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the night and is enlightened by "What's Next" in her life. * "The Eyes Have It" by W.S. Gager: Crimebeat reporter Mitch Malone hates going to church, but when he gets rooked into speaking to the Bible-toting ladies, he may be facing the devil himself as he investigates the prayer group's missing purses. * "Gila Monster" by Helen Ginger: Neree parked her beat-up truck, Gila Monster, in the senior parking lot, hoping it'll still be there at the end of school. Instead, she finds an unexpected possibility... * "One Last Run" by Helen Ginger: When a couple ski a black diamond run in a blizzard, the truth of what happened is in the blood. * * In "Saturday Night Special" by Dani Greer, a jaded old codger learns it's relationships old and new that make the Corner Cafe a treasure, not just the down-home cooking. * Also by Dani Greer: When Mick decides to apply for "A New Job," he discover one too many damning things about the Corner Cafe manager. * Also by Dani Greer: Nell Crisp likes the ambiance and Wi-Fi at the Corner Cafe, but little does she know it will be her "Home Away From Home" when the police pay a visit. * In "Since You Left" by S.B. Lerner, a young lawyer is unsettled by a phone call from an old boyfriend, and forced to make a decision. * In "The Consequences of Breaking and Entering" by Audrey Lintner, Goldilocks gets an update and her comeuppance." * In "What Nice Blessings" by Morgan Mandel, tragedy strikes a young adult, testing her courage and teaching her the value of friendship. * "The Closing of the Corner Cafe" by Morgan Mandel describes the rise and fall of a cherished eating establishment. * "Over the Threshold" by Maryann Miller mixes a bit of Raymond Chandler noir with "The Twilight Zone." "* Love Song with Holsteins" by Bodie Parkhurst is about Halloween, magic, Russell the dairy bull, love, and the private memorials we make to it. * "In A Face in the Window" by Mary Montague Sikes, can Arianna ever forget the tragic loss that changed her life, especially on the 10th anniversary spent in a museum where memories lurk in the art and later among the shadows of the Corner Cafe? * In "You Can't Be Too Careful" by Bob Sanchez, George prepares for the expected Y2K catastrophe. * In "Living Well," Red Tash gently pokes fun at the Star Trek fan culture and the ups and downs of long-term love, in the fan-favored setting of This Brilliant Darkness' Corner Cafe. My story: * In "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.  Most towns, big or small, have that special place, the restaurant, diner, The Corner Cafe, where friends and neighbors gather for coffee, pie and some chit-chat. The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories follows that concept, offering stories by 15 authors set in or around the Corner Cafe. (See story descriptions.) *** BUY: for Kindle *** Find out more about the stories, and authors, via the stops below during the month-long blog tour. The Corner Cafe Blog Tour June 4 Blog Book Tours Kick-off Blog Book Tours Kick-Off June 5 Bob Sanchez June 6 Red Tash June 7 Bodie Parkhurst, Magic Dog Press June 8 Heidi Thomas June 11 Marian Allen June 12 W.S. Gager June 13 Candid Canine - Chris Verstraete June 14 Helen Ginger June 15 Kathy Wheeler hosts Christine Verstraete And read an excerpt of my story "Perfect Timing" at my blog June 18 Morgan Mandel's Double M June 19 Pat Bean June 20 Shonell Bacon June 21 Alberta Ross June 22 Karen Casey Fitzjerrell June 25 Pat Stoltey June 26 S.B. Lerner June 27 Maryann Miller June 28 Mary Montague Sikes June 29 Stephen Tremp  New fiction collection! Assorted stories set in or involving The Corner Cafe.
The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete. In my story, "Perfect Timing," a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber. BUY: for Kindle My Christmas short, CHRISTMAS AT THE NORTH POLE COMPOUND, is now available at Smashwords in different eBook formats (ePub, Sony, PDF, etc. Click link above, or see eBooks page. A fun, holiday crime story!
Today at Acme Authors Blog, I'm talking e-readers. What's your favorite? Follow the link and weigh in.
Last on the MG/YA Blog Tour at my Candid Canine Blog:
Monday 9/26 Sue Perkins stops by to talk about her upcoming book, SPIRIT STEALER. Tues 9/27, Barbara Bockman talks about her book, WOUNDS. - *** I'm also at Barbara Bockman's blog - see what I have to say about Rejection.... Weds 9/28 - check out multi-published author Rebecca Ryal Rusell's middle grade books - and her many (many!) collections. Check out the upcoming posts this week for the MG-YA (Middle Grade-Young Adult) Ebook and Blog Tour at my Candid Canine blog. Be sure to stop by; some have contests, too.
9/13, Tuesday: Meradeth (Snow) Houston, author of the upcoming fantasy/paranormal COLORS LIKE MEMORIES Wednesday: Marva Dasef, author of BAD SPELLING, talks werewolves ** Friday: I'll be at Rebecca Ryals Russell's blog talking about the real "big boom" - When Writing and Collecting Collide. Saturday: Shellie Neumeier, author of the paranormal-Christian book DRIVEN lets her character do the talking. |
Blog by Chris Verstraete - author, award-winning journalist, miniaturist. I love dogs, too. It's all good.
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