Sneak Peek Sunday – my new release: Silver Blade

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

It’s official, my e-novella Silver Blade is now available!! At this time it is only available for Kindle via Amazon’s KDP at Silver Blade Buy link (The general release date is July 24th) So for this week and as part of Sneak Peek Sunday, I’m posting the first six paragraphs of Silver Blade…

Silver Blade

Dusk was settling in. A solitary headlight approached in her rearview mirror. With a whoosh, a motorcycle passed, the single red taillight ascending the next hill. A second pair of headlights came over the rise behind Angela, advancing quickly and illuminating her mirrors. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as a massive black SUV shot out around her, its size and speed shaking the little car.

“What the…?” she exclaimed to the empty passenger seat. She witnessed the speeding monster climb the long low hill, gaining on the motorcycle. Although night was approaching fast, she could see the larger vehicle pull alongside the motorcycle, entering into the opposite lane. The two vehicles neared the top of the hill, the SUV hidden by the rise to oncoming traffic. The black mammoth swerved and sent the much smaller vehicle off the road into the grass and trees.

“Holy crap!” she cried out, removing her foot from the gas. Surely there must have been another vehicle approaching to cause the SUV to make such a drastic move. She watched the top of the hill, but no other traffic came, nor did the huge vehicle come back to check on the ill-fated bike and rider.

She returned pressure to the accelerator and followed the deserted country hill to the approximate spot where the motorcycle left the road. The pounding of her heart echoed against her temples. She closed her eyes. Deep breath. Relax.

She grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. She rooted around in the large satchel and found the rough cut of keys at the bottom. She hurried around to the back of the car and popped the trunk, then stared at its contents. A few boxes and two suitcases, one his and one hers.

Her brother, Bobby, a park ranger, had come across his share of bears and wild animals, but instead his life had been taken by a drunk driver. She was on her way back from burying him, his few items worth keeping packed away in the flimsy cardboard. She shook off the memories and yanked forward a small metal box.

Back to Sneak Peek Sunday: http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.ca/

Blog Tours

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

Well, as I mentioned before, I have a release date for Silver Blade of July 24th. What I wasn’t sure of – and what has just been confirmed – is that I have an early release date with Amazon on their Kindle KDP program, and Silver Blade will be released on Wednesday April 24th.

So the question arises…do I blog tour or not blog tour? If only a select group of buyers are able to purchase my book for the first three months, is it worth it? I’m having a hard time with the whole promotion thing anyway because as an e-novella it has limit distribution and a low price, so there won’t be a lot of royalty $$ to offer prizes. (Some authors offer $25 gift certificates, and kudos to them!)

I decided, however, I would take a blog trip when one of my favorite bloggers, Melissa Snark (melissasnark.blogspot.ca) offered me the chance of appearing on her blog. So on Tuesday May 21st I’ll be on her Author Spotlight, and on Thursday May 23rd she will be reviewing my book.

Another wonderful author and blogger who has offered me the opportunity of expanding my horizons is Delilah Devlin (delilahdevlin.com), and I will be on her blog on July 25th.

I might try to squeeze another one or two in before the general release, and then a few after. I’ll post the sites and locations again as they actually occur, and I hope that you come out and visit me….not just for my own promotion, but as a way of thanking these wonderful authors who are willing to support other writers. Who knows, maybe you’ll find other authors you like through these blogs.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from writing – besides how to handle rejection letters – it is that writers are a wonderfully supportive group of people.

Waiting for summer…

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

As I write this – a few days before actual post – I’m taking time to sit back, close my eyes and bask in the sunlight coming through my window. Like petting a cat or dog, sitting in the sun does something for one’s state of mind. When I first sat down I was grumpy, but I can’t help but smile as the beams fight their way through the winter’s dirt on my window. Even The Daughter sits down next to me to enjoy this golden moment. Therapy for the soul.

I was born and raised in the “GTA” – Greater Toronto Area – in Ontario, Canada. And yet after 40+ years, I find NO redeeming qualities in winter. I’ve got friends (DKC&J) who enjoy winter to the fullest with skiing, snowmobiling, and even making their own maple syrup, but me, as soon as that first snow flake falls, I’m wanting winter to end.

I can’t wait to trade my boots for flip flops, my sweaters for t-shirts, and my mitts for sunglasses.

The start of summer also brings with it the end of volleyball season which means no more nights spent in gymnasiums while The Daughter practices. Unfortunately, they’ll be replaced by nights on the soccer field. The Daughter is learning to referee this year instead of play, but I’ll still be her chauffeur. This does mean, however, I can do laps around the field, or sit in a comfortable chair and write or read, instead of coaching.

Soccer 2005

Soccer 2012

(After twelve years, I’m not actually sure yet how I feel about soccer ending, I’ll get back to you on that.)

I’m looking forward to the end of winter and snow, a quick journey through spring, and the eventual warmth of summer.

Of course, I wouldn’t be a good marketer if I didn’t mention that summer also brings with it the release of Silver Blade (July 24), but then that is just an added bonus!