As I mentioned in my last report, I've just signed a contract for another short story with Highland Press, this time for their Holiday in the Heart anothology, which is being released just in time for the holidays. My story is called The Power of Love. Like the last story, this one is also set here in Ireland; this time in Limerick City.
Limerick City is not only the home of my two newest characters, Ethan and Elaine O'Donovan, it's also home to the woman who enspired this story, in part anyway, who is also called Elaine. Elaine is the sister-in-law of one of my closest friends (Isabo Kelly) and when we were having a "good auld chin wag" one afternoon, Elaine was instrumental in helping me get through a bit of the story I was having trouble with. So to say thanks, I've set my story in her hometown and have given my heroine Elaine's name. OK, so Elaine O'Donovan also looks a little like the real Elaine, but sure, no harm, as they say! Thanks again for your help, Elaine!! {hugs}
I've updated my site to include a short excerpt from The Power of Love. I hope you enjoy it when it hits the stands at the end of November.
When Elaine discovers she is pregnant, she hesitates telling her husband, Ethan. They were newlyweds and wanted to wait until they were ready to start a family. Ethan surprised her by accepting early parenthood, embracing the idea more fully than either of them expected. But when they receive bad news after a prenatal exam, both must face that their charmed lives were about to come crashing down around them.
Do Christmas wishes really come true? Elaine would stake her life on it!
Onto other news, Blue Moon Enchantment is still selling like hotcakes. My story Moondance is in this book which went on sale a couple weeks ago. And the reviews are spilling in. Log into the story page and see what readers and reviewers are saying about this anthology and my story. I'm well chuffed! I especially loved the review from K.Montgomery over at the Amazon page who said --
"Shortland writes a tale of love that is not so very far if we are just willing to reach for it. A wonderful story filled with pent-up passion and discovery of love."
Right on!!
In this story, Blanaid and Ronan are meeting on the Middle Peak on the famous Three Sisters promonatory on the Dingle Peninsula. It's just past sunset and the full moon is shining above them.
"It's a marvelous night for a moondance," she softly sang. "All the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance, 'neath the cover of October skies."
How ironic is it that this is October and Blue Moon Enchantment has been released! As well, while it wasn't a blue moon (the second full moon in the same month), I did witness the most incredible full moon on Saturday the 7th. Would you believe it had the most amazing pale blue hue? It hung in the sky so large I felt I could reach out and touch it. We get some great full moons here, but my picture taking abilities haven't been honed to take a good moon picture. They turn out more like spotlights in a center of the image. Anyway, it was fabulous and I'll always remember it in my mind's photo album.
As a reminder, this month is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month around the globe and the net profits from the
sales of No Law Against Love are being added up and will be going to various breast cancer awareness groups in the countries the book has been selling in.
Unfortunately, the main bookseller in Ireland dropped the ball on our arrangement to stock NLAL in their shops, but watch this space as there's something fabulous in the works!
All of these books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, as well as many independent shops which can order via the book's ISBN number. So jot them down and be sure to get your local bookseller to order them and stock them on their shelves. They're great for holiday gifts. And Xmas is just around the corner, as much as we all hate to think about it this early in the season. It's barely time for ghosts and goblins, let alone gobblers and cobblers!!
There's still no word on Constant Craving, which is being considered at Highland Press for another anthology. They're up to their eyeballs in edits for the holiday books so watch this space, too, in the event that I get word sooner rather than later. And keep all your crossables crossed for me that it makes the grade.
For those who haven't had a chance to look yet, I also run a fun blog, which is linked above. That's set up for all my non-author stuff. Check it out and see what I get up to when I'm not nose deep into writing fiction!
That's about it. Thanks for checking in. And as always, I enjoy hearing from people who've enjoyed my writing, so please use the link above to drop me a note, or leave a comment below.
~ Kemberlee
