THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR CHERYL KAYE TARDIF

Mystery, suspense, thrillers, paranormal, horror & YA by "Cheryl Kaye Tardif" & romance by "Cherish D'Angelo". Cheryl is represented by Trident Media Group in NY.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Writer Wednesday event at Comic Strip Mama's Facebook page

Would you love to pick the brain of a writer? Ask questions on life as a writer, writing, editing, publishing? Now’s your chance!

On Wednesday, June 26 from 4 PM – 8 PM EST, I’ll be visiting Comic Strip Mama’s FB page at: https://www.facebook.com/ComicStripMama

I’ll be available to answer questions, chat about writing, give you some trivia, introduce you to my titles and entertain you. In my bio, I say, “I kill people off for a living!” and I often holds contests where someone gets their name in one of my books—either as a secondary character, a corpse or in the acknowledgements.

PRIZES!!
* One custom CSM t-shirt with a unique comic on the front.
* Various bestselling ebooks from Cheryl, awarded to random commenters.

Entering is easy! Just leave a comment under this blog post with your name and email addy (you can format it username AT hostsite.com if you'd like).

So drop by Comic Strip Mama’s FB page at https://www.facebook.com/ComicStripMama on Wednesday, June 26 from 4 PM – 8 PM EST.

Please share and tweet this event on your social networks, and invite all your friends.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Stories of Robin Hood is Inspiration for The Rebels of Cordovia

Today's special guest is author Linda Weaver Clarke, whose new release, THE REBELS OF CORDOVIA, celebrates the fight for liberty and equality. Welcome, Linda! Please tell us about your book.

We celebrate Independence Day, remembering the freedom we fought for centuries ago. Many patriots had to pay for this freedom with their lives and we are grateful to those who fought for our liberty. In this new novel, you get a glimpse of what another country had to fight for, as well. The freedom of speech, the freedom of equality, and the freedom to worship as we please! No one could have a greater gift than this.

This tale will entertain those who enjoy bits of adventure, humor, mystery, and a tender love story. The stories of Robin Hood have enchanted readers for years. In our youth, we enjoyed hearing the escapades of Robin Hood and were spellbound by each story and how he cared for the people. How awesome would it be to live during that time period just because of Robin Hood! In The Rebels of Cordovia, a similar story is created but centuries after the legend of Robin Hood. But this time, there are two major groups of rebels fighting for the rights of the people. Daniel, a good-looking rogue, would be the leader of the Freemen. Robin Marie, a young woman, would be the leader of Robin’s Rebels. Each leader is an expert archer and swordsman. With bits of adventure and delectable kisses, this tale will entertain anyone who enjoys a sweet romance.

In The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke, the time period is set in the late 1700s. Centuries after the legendary Robin Hood, a group of men and women find themselves fighting for the same cause: for their rights, for freedom of speech, and equality. Robin’s Rebels realize they must fight against the tyranny of a wicked king and help the people survive this oppression. In the small country of Cordovia, groups of rebels begin springing up, but its Robin’s Rebels who get the attention of the king.

In this battle for freedom, a tender love story begins to blossom. Daniel, a rogue and a leader of the Freemen, doesn’t realize that the sweet feminine woman he has met and is falling for happens to be the leader of Robin’s Rebels. Realizing the importance of uniting all the rebel groups, Daniel tries to recruit Robin’s Rebels but they refuse. Now he has to find a way to convince them. When he finds out the leader is actually a woman, what will his reaction be?

Author Anna Del C. Dye wrote: “What a fun and interesting tale The Rebels of Cordovia is. A very good story to keep you glued all the way to the end. I really enjoyed the romance mingled with the fights. It is a well-paced tale to give you entertainment next to a warm fire in the rain. Linda writes a good, clean, and sweet romance, for young adults and adults alike. You will enjoy this story to the end.”

Read a sample chapter here: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/rebels.html

The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke
Genre: Sweet romance
ISBN: 978-1484147658

Price: $12.95, Ebook: $2.99 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Father-Themed Fiction for Dads Everywhere - June 14-16 - $1.99 eBook Sale

To celebrate fathers worldwide, international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif has put three of her bestsellers, THE RIVER, SUBMERGED and WHALE SONG, on SALE for only $1.99 from June 14-16.

THE RIVER - "THE RIVER combines intrigue, science, love and adventure and is sure to keep readers clamoring for more." ―Edmonton Sun

How far do we go until we’ve gone too far?

The South Nahanni River has a history of mysterious deaths, disappearances and headless corpses, but it may also hold the key to humanity’s survival―or its destruction.

Seven years ago, Del Hawthorne’s father and three of his friends disappeared near the Nahanni River and were presumed dead. When one of the missing men stumbles onto the University grounds, alive but barely recognizable and aging before her eyes, Del is shocked. Especially when the man tells her something inconceivable. Her father is still alive!

Gathering a group of volunteers, Del travels to the Nahanni River to rescue her father. There, she finds a secret underground river that plunges her into a technologically advanced world of nanobots and painful serums. Del uncovers a conspiracy of unimaginable horror, a plot that threatens to destroy us all. Will humanity be sacrificed for the taste of eternal life?

At what point have we become…God?

On SALE for only $1.99 on June 14-16, 2013 at: Amazon

SUBMERGED - "SUBMERGED reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl." —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 SECONDS

Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…

After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

On SALE for only $1.99 on June 14-16, 2013 at: Amazon

WHALE SONG – “WHALE SONG is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel.” ―New York Times bestselling novelist Luanne Rice, author of BEACH GIRLS

A "compelling" story of family ties, love, tragedy, sacrifice and transformation that will change the way you view life...and death.

Thirteen years ago, Sarah Richardson’s life was shattered after the tragic death of her mother. The shocking event left a grief-stricken teen-aged Sarah with partial amnesia. Some things are easier to forget.

But now a familiar voice from her childhood sends Sarah, a talented mid-twenties ad exec, back to her past. A past that she had thought was long buried. Some things are meant to be buried.

Torn by nightmares and visions of a yellow-eyed wolf and aided by creatures of the Earth and killer whales that call to her in the night, Sarah must face her fears and recover her memories―even if it destroys her. Some things are meant to be remembered―at all cost.

On SALE for only $1.99 on June 14-16, 2013 at: Amazon

* * *
Cheryl Kaye Tardif is the bestselling author of Submerged, Children of the Fog, Whale Song, Divine Intervention, Divine Justice, The River, Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories, Remote Control and Lancelot's Lady (written under the pen name of Cherish D'Angelo), and her marketing book How I Made Over $42,000 in 1 Month Selling My Kindle eBooks. She is now working on her next thriller.

For more information on Cheryl, please visit:

Follow Cheryl on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif



Sunday, June 02, 2013

What inspired western romance author Kat Flannery to add a dash of paranormal to her new release, Lakota Honor?

Today's special guest is someone I'm very proud of. I've watched her blossom from a debut author into a bestselling author, whose proactive perseverance in learning everything about promoting her books will take her far in this business. Meet Kat Flannery, author of an exciting new paranormal western romance, LAKOTA HONOR, which is on sale for only $0.99 for a limited time...

After the release of my first book, Chasing Clovers, I knew I’d write another book. This was just the beginning of years and years of jotting down short stories, poems and writing articles. I was ready to jump into the author world.

Once the promotion and marketing had settled down with CC I had the itch. Yup, that little annoying poke to start another story. Soon my fingers found the keyboard and I was ready to let loose a fantastic tale full of grand adventures.

Earlier my publisher had suggested I write something paranormal. Paranormal? Me? I don’t think so. I was a historical western writer. I wrote about cowboys, damsels and horses. Not werewolves and vampires. I brushed her comment aside not thinking of it again. I had a great plot and a few awesome subplots. I was ready to write, and I did, about 30,000 words. Then a writer’s worst nightmare happened. My mind went blank. The writing stopped. How could this be? I’d planned everything out. I had a chapter outline. I knew how the story was going to end. I yelled and cursed at my characters for their silence as I stared at a blank computer screen. I’d written the start of a great Historical western romance…and I couldn’t finish it.

Frustration set in and I pushed through the writer’s block, insisting that’s all it was. I’d created a mean, venomous assassin in my antagonist, Otakatay and I wanted to continue his reign of vengeance. But somehow along the way I’d begun to feel sorry for him. You don’t feel sorry for your villain…ever. What had made him so mean? Why had he killed so many? I started to think about what Stephen King had said, “If the reader can have empathy for your killer then you’ve done something right.” Hmmmm. I had empathy for him, but I’d created him. Yet, Otakatay kept pushing me to write his story, to tell his side.

So I got to thinking and I answered my own questions, or Otakatay did. Once I knew why he’d turned out the way he did, I wanted to write his story. He’d been ridiculed—judged—cast aside not because of his actions but the color of his skin. He’d been whipped and beaten, and because of all this…he learned to hate. I needed to balance this out and created Nora. She was a healer, helping those in need. This was where the paranormal came into it. Nora had been run from towns and hunted by people who feared her. She too, had been chastised but instead of hate, she loved no matter what. 

Why were Otakatay and Nora so different? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Once I put the two together the story flowed like lava. I couldn’t type fast enough. Within 2 ½ months I’d finished the book and Otakatay’s story.

What happened to the 30,000 words? They sit in a folder with the other story starters I’ve had.


* * * * * * *

Kat Flannery has loved writing ever since she was a girl. She is often seen jotting her ideas down in a little black book. When not writing, or researching, Kat enjoys snuggling on her couch with a hot chocolate and a great book.

Her first novel, CHASING CLOVERS became an Amazon’s bestseller in Historical and Western romance. This is Kat’s second book, and she is currently hard at work on the third.

When not focusing on her creative passions, Kat is busy with her three boys and doting husband.

Buy LAKOTA HONOR here.

Kat’s website

Kat’s blog

Monday, May 27, 2013

New release: SHADOW MASTERS: An Anthology from The Horror Zine

Imajin Books is proud to release SHADOW MASTERS, a new horror anthology by some masters of suspense, along with some new talent in the genre. I am especially excited about this release as it includes all original, never-before-published shorts stories, including mine, DREAM HOUSE.

Featuring a haunted house cover designed by cover artist extraordinaire, Ryan Doan, SHADOW MASTERS has released to rave reviews, including a major plug from NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD co-writer, John Russo, who says, “This anthology is chock-full of wonderfully horrific stories from noted authors as well as talented unknowns.”

Fear casts a long shadow, and shadows take many shapes…

From award-winning editor, Jeani Rector, who brought you the terrifying anthology, WHAT FEARS BECOME, comes a wicked brew of spine-tingling fiction. Featuring never before published works from best-selling authors such as Bentley Little, Yvonne Navarro, Scott Nicholson, Melanie Tem, Elizabeth Massie, Earl Hamner, Simon Clark, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Ronald Malfi, Lisa Morton, Jeff Bennington, JG Faherty and many others, this chilling collection of works also includes a foreword from Joe R. Lansdale.

From classic horror and exciting suspense to Twilight Zone-type speculative fiction with twisted endings, SHADOW MASTERS: An Anthology from The Horror Zine delves into the darkest corners of our nightmares and delivers the shivers.

And here's a sneak peek at my short, DREAM HOUSE...

The day we moved into our dream house was the beginning of our nightmare. And it all started with five fortuitous words…

“I want my dream house,” I told my husband.
We stood in the poor excuse of a kitchen in our rundown Boston bi-level. I was stuck between the open oven door and a cupboard on the other side, while Ray unloaded the dishwasher and tried not to bump into me.
“This kitchen is ridiculous,” I said. “Whoever designed it must have been a size zero anorexic who lived on her own.”
I was neither a size zero, nor an anorexic. I wasn’t willing to give up my bacon cheeseburgers and DQ Blizzards. So the scale tipped a little further—not in my favor. Oh well.
“Two weeks, Christine,” Ray said. Then his psychiatric training kicked in. “Are you sure you’re not substituting the new house for something else?”
“I just want space. If that makes me crazy, then…” I shrugged, “so be it.”
Fact is, I’d fallen in love with the idea of buying and renovating an old home. You know, one of those period mansions with hefty wooden doors and arched hallways. Where the ceilings are ornate...

* * *
SHADOW MASTERS: An Anthology from The Horror Zine, edited by Jeani Rector, is now available in ebook and paperback editions.

The Kindle edition is ON SALE for a limited time for only $0.99 USD. 

The trade paperback is $17.99 USD.

Amazon.com - ebook
Amazon.com - paperback

Amazon.ca - ebook
Paperback coming soon!

Amazon.co.uk - ebook
Paperback coming soon!

Createspace - paperback

Friday, May 10, 2013

Celebrate Mother's Day with this Mother-Themed eBook Sale

To celebrate mothers everywhere, international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif has put three of her bestsellers, SUBMERGED, CHILDREN OF THE FOG and WHALE SONG, on SALE for only $0.99 on May 11 & 12, 2013.

SUBMERGED - "SUBMERGED reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl." —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 SECONDS

Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…

After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

On SALE for only $0.99 on May 11 & 12, 2013 at: Amazon

CHILDREN OF THE FOG – "A chilling and tense journey into every parent's deepest fear." ―Scott Nicholson, THE RED CHURCH

YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION: Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die. Choose!

Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".

When Sadie's unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie's descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son--a man known only as...The Fog.

On SALE for only $0.99 on May 11 & 12, 2013 at: Amazon

WHALE SONG – “WHALE SONG is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel.” ―New York Times bestselling novelist Luanne Rice, author of BEACH GIRLS

A "compelling" story of family ties, love, tragedy, sacrifice and transformation that will change the way you view life...and death.

Thirteen years ago, Sarah Richardson’s life was shattered after the tragic death of her mother. The shocking event left a grief-stricken teen-aged Sarah with partial amnesia. Some things are easier to forget.

But now a familiar voice from her childhood sends Sarah, a talented mid-twenties ad exec, back to her past. A past that she had thought was long buried. Some things are meant to be buried.

Torn by nightmares and visions of a yellow-eyed wolf and aided by creatures of the Earth and killer whales that call to her in the night, Sarah must face her fears and recover her memories―even if it destroys her. Some things are meant to be remembered―at all cost.

On SALE for only $0.99 on May 11 & 12, 2013 at: Amazon

School Edition with discussion guide on SALE for only $0.99 on May 11 & 12, 2013 at: Amazon

* * *
Cheryl Kaye Tardif is the bestselling author of Submerged, Children of the Fog, Whale Song, Divine Intervention, Divine Justice, The River, Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories, Remote Control and Lancelot's Lady (written under the pen name of Cherish D'Angelo), and her marketing book How I Made Over $42,000 in 1 Month Selling My Kindle eBooks. She is now working on her next thriller.

For more information on Cheryl, please visit:

Follow Cheryl on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif



Monday, May 06, 2013

Special guest: Author Eileen Schuh talks about how special her Traz books are to her


THE TRAZ is special to me in so many ways, not the least of which is the fact that’s it’s my debut novel—the very first book with my name on the cover. Yup, that’s special!

THE TRAZ is special because although it was originally self-published, it sparked the attention of a publisher and netted me a two-book deal with Imajin Books.

THE TRAZ is special because Imajin Books also released a School Edition, in both eBook and paperback formats. And that edition is special because it contains a Teaching/Discussion Guide at the back and it includes a list of international resources for those seeking help with, or information on, the social issues touched on in THE TRAZ—such as gangs, drugs, and depression.

THE TRAZ is extra special because it has found its way into the libraries of Canada’s northern young offenders facilities, onto the shelves of the St. Paul Alternate Education Centre’s out-reach libraries, and onto the recommended reading list of a college criminology course.

THE TRAZ is exactly where it needs to be to help at-risk youth and the adults in their lives.

ON SALE for a limited time on AMAZON sites around the world.

THE TRAZ School Edition eBook is only 99₵ / £0.77  until 10 May 2013.

THE TRAZ 1st edition paperback is only $8.99 / £5.86 and qualifies for Amazon’s free shipping where applicable.

viewBook.at/B007JWGHZE School edition
viewBook.at/0986938823 First edition paperback

“...can't wait to read the sequel...”

"... they draw her into the dark world of drugs, murder and lawlessness..."

"Exciting, powerful, and tragic...young adult book for all ages"

"Excellent characterizations, dialogue, interaction, descriptive settings..." 

"Every parent should read this book and discuss it with their kids."

"...for ‘tweens and teens to help those in trouble...in these emotionally- and physically cruel years."



Follow me on twitter @EileenSchuh

Meet me on Magic of the Muses: http://eileenschuh.blogspot.com