In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. To see this weeks list of participants go here.

Here's what I received in my mailbox the last two weeks, what did you get in yours?

 Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

The opening of the aquarium is a major Charleston event, and Theodosia has been hired to cater tea, scones, and sandwiches for the private party to honor dignitaries and big buck donors. Things are going swimmingly, until Theodosia escapes the party for a momentary rest, only to discover the body of a man entangled in a net, drowned in one of the aquarium's state-of-the-art tanks.

To make matters worse, the victim is Theodosia's former boyfriend Parker Scully. The EMTs on the scene think Parker's drowning was an accident, but when Theodosia notices what look like defense wounds on his hands, she realizes that someone wanted Parker dead. The local police aren't keen on hearing her theory-especially because of her ties to the victim-so Theodosia knows that if she wants Parker's killer brought to justice, she'll have to jump into the deep end and start her own investigation... 
 

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

A love like Lucy and Nate's only comes along once in a blue moon . . .
Lucy Marsh has lost everything but her determination to provide for her brother and sister. When she realizes her father's death was no accident, she decides to accept a proxy marriage in order to get her siblings out of harm's way. But trouble follows her to Wichita Falls, Texas, and nothing there is as she expected. Not the man she came to marry nor the family ties she'd hoped to find. Can it be true that real security is in letting go of her own strength and trusting in the One who is far stronger than she?
Nate Stanton always knew he'd marry someday, but he planned to find his own wife. The woman his father deposits on his doorstep is not the kind of wife he had in mind. She knows nothing about ranching, and she brings two siblings with her in the bargain. He moves her into a tiny cabin and expects her to run back to Chicago, but Lucy is made of sterner stuff than he imagined. And when danger moves in, he realizes he'd give anything to protect her and the children he has grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

Concealed by Sang Kromah
 When sixteen year-old Bijou Fitzroy and her nomadic grandmother leave New York City to live in a home in the sleepy town of Sykesville, Maryland, Bijou thinks she will finally be able to live a normal life and be like everyone else. This move will be permanent, and Bijou cannot be anymore thrilled. After years of being shut away by her grandmother, Bijou will finally able to interact with peers, make friends, go to school, and live like a normal teenager. Moving around and being homeschooled definitely made it difficult to make friends, but there are other reasons for Bijou's solitude. With eyes that constantly change from gray to green to a honey-coated shade of brown and an ability to feel exactly what other people are feeling, the concept of obtaining closeness is more of a fable than a reality. Although her eyes are beautiful, their constant shift in color instills a sense of fear within other people and causes them to look away. Bijou's premonitions, blackouts, and semi-prophetic dreams of a faceless boy don't help her social musings either. Regardless, she decides to attend the local high school. Bijou is immediately introduced to Sebastian Sinjin, a quirky and unusually beautiful boy who doesn't seem to belong in a high school in nowhere Maryland. Sebastian is also special. Instead of looking away from Bijou, he makes direct eye contact with her. And when he shakes Bijou's hand something dark and familiar to awaken within her as an electric shock surges through her body. Bijou soon finds herself deeply attracted to Sebastian, who remains aloof and often acts like Bijou doesn't exist. Despite the pains of having her first real crush, Bijou makes friends quickly and excels in all of her classes...well, all except for Mythology with Mr. Jennings. Mr. Jennings' class starts off great with endless discussions of djinn and how they conceal themselves from the human eye, but things soon take a turn for the worse when the stories of the mythical creatures begin to take shape in Bijou's life.

Making Sense When Life Doesn't by Cecil Murphey

Companies Downsize. Relationships End. Trauma Hits. When chaos erupts, every person has choices. We can call it the worst time of our lives, wishing for the way things used to be and resenting the changes that have been forced on us. Or we can say, "This can be a positive time in my life. I didn't choose the crisis, but I can choose to learn through it."


Making Sense When Life Doesn't is about making your life better--not in spite of, but because of the adversities you face. Life won't ever be perfect, but it can be good. It can be exciting ... better than you ever imagined!

The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world

Sherry has lived with her family in a sealed bunker since things went wrong up above. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find a world of devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage, mutant killers.

When Sherry's dad is snatched, she joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers.

But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all?

Guest Blog: Valentine's Day is Cancelled by Anne Holly

Valentine’s Day is Cancelled!

A Guest post by Anne Holly

Wouldn’t you like to make an announcement like that?

Off and on, I have spent about half of my life hating this holiday. Some years, I’m fine; it’s not
a major holiday, but a little shiny red cheerfulness can be nice in the dead of February. Other
years, I’ve wanted to snap. I walk around snarling at the cardboard Cupids and muttering about
how I don’t need no stinking red velvet cupcakes, and you don’t even want to know where
you can shove your pink envelopes full of manipulation. Basically, the Ebenezer Scrooge of
Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is one of those days that some people love to hate, and it’s not that hard to see
why – it has a cheesy element to it, a commercial tackiness, and an oppressive, cloying effect
that leads to much eye-rolling. And, worse, if you are one of those unfortunates who happen to
be single, watch out! Either it depresses/alienates the hell out of you, or, even if you are single
by choice, you have to endure the gloating pity of the paired-up people around you.

My characters in my Valentine’s Day book V-Day are somewhere in the middle – Daniel, my
musical genius with no luck with women, has always been single for Valentine’s Day, so he’s
kind of the lucky one. Bronwyn, his object of devotion from afar, however, is going through a
breakup at the worst time of the year. She’d be the one stomping around wishing Valentine’s-
lovers would be boiled in their own hot cocoa (for two) and buried with a stake of chocolate
roses through their hearts.

Yes, I know the hatred of various Hallmark holidays. I have even dabbled in the glory that is
self-pity-drenched pajama parties for one-against-the-world, a la Bridget Jones. It’s fun to refuse
the reindeer games of life. I used to wear black to “School Spirit Days” in high school instead of
the team colours, and hold “anti-proms” with my counter-cultural (aka bratty) friends, too. Fight
the power with dour! It has its appeal. I understand. Cynicism is a fun alternative.

Then, two years ago, my toddler took the backside of a lid off a heart shaped box of chocolates
my mum had sent me and he started colouring it purple with his own two little hands. Then I
sat with him, and I drew a flower, and he coloured it red. I wrote his name, and mine, with a
plus sign… And I admit that I – me, the oft-times queen of sourpusses – nearly broke down.
Okay, fine, I did break down. That humble little heart is now over my desk, and when I look at
it, I recall why hearts and flowers mean what they do for some people, and I confess I am still
gooey. It’s not about the jewelry, or the fancy cards, or even the homemade treats, but about the
warmth that goes into them and how special the giver is.

Well, I’m a convert, I guess. Bring on the cheesy holidays, and brighten the world up with your
doorknob hangers. As long as there is love, Valentine’s Day will be welcome here.

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V-Day, an erotic romantic-comedy for Valentine’s Day

It all started with a serenade…

A family like Daniel’s and the solitary pursuit of musical excellence is enough to make a young man crazy. No wonder all Daniel Vouks dreams of is getting away. He knows his violin will
take him places in life, but the only place he really wants to be is next door. He’s been in love with his neighbor since he was fourteen, but can he ever make her see him as more than just a
lovesick kid?

V-Day is the story of a Valentine's Day weekend Daniel fears he may regret, but will never, ever forget.

For more information about my Valentine’s Day erotic romantic comedy, V-Day, please see my holiday stories website: http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/valentinesdaytales.htm

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Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and
teacher. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and
Twitter. Sign up for her newsletter here. Email: anneholly2010@gmail.com.