Monday, April 14, 2014

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Molly Harper by Emelle Gamble



Molly Harper
by Emelle Gamble

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BLURB:

Movie star Molly Harper has it all, beauty, success in her field, and a loving family and marriage to actor Ben Delmonico. Norma Wintz, Molly’s mother, has it all, a lovely life style and two children who adore her, and a respite from the battle against cancer she’s been fighting. Anne Sullivan, at age fifty, is optimistic that her move to sunny Santa Barbara, California, will allow her to be closer to her youngest son and his family, and help her start her life anew after the death of her beloved husband.

But all three of these women, despite their considerable blessings, are plunged into turmoil when the most intimate of secrets that ties their lives together is revealed. At this same time, Molly Harper is confronted with the news that her marriage to actor Ben Delmonico is over. As she navigates this heartbreak and tries to keep the personal details of the drama off the front pages of the newspapers, Molly must also find a way to once and forever negotiate a way forward with her ex- lover and best friend, the volatile and compelling Cruz Morales.

How each of these characters handles the resulting upheaval in their own life, and in their relationships with one another, forms the compelling story of family, secrets and trust in the romantic women’s fiction novel, Molly Harper.


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Excerpt:


When the doorbell rang, Cruz Morales froze. Carefully he set his beer down and glanced out the kitchen window.

He didn’t like what he saw.

He walked to the front entrance of Norma’s house, leaving the pan of chicken and tarragon burbling on a low burner. The soft sounds of Santana playing on the stereo in Molly’s room floated toward him on the evening breeze.

Cruz opened the front door to two uniformed Santa Barbara policeman.

“Officers.” Cruz wiped his hands on the dishtowel he’d stuck in the waistband of his jeans.

The policemen’s faces changed from officious to wary at being confronted by a six-foot-three Hispanic male with a ponytail, tattoos and two gold rings hanging from his right ear.

His bulging biceps beneath the soft old t-shirt didn’t help their comfort level.

Cruz put his hands on his hips and waited. He knew he looked threatening, ugly even, with the scars and disfigurement to the left side of his face.

But he didn’t mind how he looked. Ugly scared people, and kept them away.

Even police.

“Can I help you?” He reminded himself not to move quickly. He’d ended up spread-eagled on the ground more than once in his life for spooking a rookie gringo.

“Is this the Wintz home?” The older of the two men spoke, his right hand on his nightstick.

“Yes. It is.” Cruz offered nothing more. He learned over the years that the best way to protect Molly’s privacy was not to give out gratuitous information.

The cop cleared his throat. “May I ask your name?”

“Cruz Morales.”

“And you are…?”

“I’m a friend of the family.”

“Is that your vehicle out there?” The younger police waved toward the truck in the driveway.

Cruz nodded.

The police looked at each other. “We’ve been trying to contact Miss Molly Harper by phone, but she didn’t answer her cell,” the first cop said. “Is she here?”

“What’s the problem?” Cruz asked.

“I’m afraid I need to save my information for Miss Harper.” 

“Cruz, who is it? Is it Mr. Garcia?” Molly hollered from her bedroom.

“Come in.” Cruz stepped back. He turned and called out, “Molly, there are two policemen here who want to see you. Get dressed and come out here.”

The young cop smirked as he walked by Cruz. He had red hair and freckles, and his shirt was about an inch too big around his skinny neck.

Cruz lifted his chin. It was obvious the rookie knew who Molly was, and was busy imagining her getting dressed.

“Take a seat in the library.” Cruz pointed. “It’s right through the archway there.”

The older man, who wore a name-tag reading ‘Sgt Purcell’ nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Mr. Cruz. Please bring Miss Harper to us, whenever she’s ready.”

Cruz watched them walk across the foyer, their black boots squeaking on the tile.

He didn’t mind that the cop got his name wrong. It was typical arrogance. But Cruz began to feel dread build inside. It always happened when he wasn’t sure what would happen next.

He opened the front door and checked the driveway and yard. There was nothing outside that indicated any of the media assholes were sniffing around yet. His truck was blocked in by the patrol car, but no other vehicles were in sight.

Molly hurried down the hallway. “What’s wrong? Why are the police here? Did Mother call?”

Her face was shiny and red from crying. She looked like she was seventeen, he thought. The age she was when he first fell in love with her. He didn’t remember a lot of things from his past, but he always remembered that.

Cruz closed the door. “No one called the house. But the police said they tried your cell.” He took her left arm gently. “Let’s go see what they want.”

“God, do you think something’s happened to Mother?” Her eyes were wide with panic.

“Don’t borrow trouble. They didn’t say that.”

She didn’t move for a moment, and then she put her arm around his back and leaned against him.

Molly was trembling. Cruz knew there was no way to protect her from whatever was coming. But at least he was here.

Because she called me.

Because she needs help.

She needs me.

Everything in his life had changed over the last three years. Everything except that. Cruz squeezed Molly closer and guided her into the library.

“This is Molly Harper,” Cruz announced. “What’s going on?”



~~~~~~~~~~~~~




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emelle Gamble was a writer at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection. These evolved into bad teen poetry and worse short stories. She took her first stab at full length fiction in an adult education writing class when her kids were in bed.  As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin. She has contracted with Soul Mate Publishing for Secret Sister, published in the summer of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, a March 2014 release.

Once and Forever, an anthology which includes the novella Duets, came out on November 1st. Molly Harper, a full length novel starring the characters from Duets 3 years later was released by Posh Publishing in January.

Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, ‘Phil-the-fist’, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. These girls, like all good villains, have their reasons for misbehaving. Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, their mother’s fondest wish.

Review Quotes:

Praise for Secret Sister

“Along with being a very unique and captivating plot, SECRET SISTER offers a shocking turn of the paranormal kind. So if you are the type of person that wants ordinary romance in a book, you won't find that here. This is a story of friendship, family, and most of all, true love and what those things can mean. I cannot recommend SECRET SISTER strongly enough… “ Fresh Fiction, Fresh Reviews

"If you're looking for a typical women's fiction/romance, don't look here... this story has a twist of the paranormal that will have you willingly stretching your belief in order to enjoy the plot. Emelle Gamble has created a story that will tear your heart out."  Long and Short Reviews

Links:

Email: emellegamble@aol.com

Website:  www.EmelleGamble.com 

FaceBook:  Author Emelle Gamble

Twitter: @EmelleGamble

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123746.Emelle_Gamble     

Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble is now available on Amazon!  http://amzn.to/17J2Bn6

Once and Forever  an anthology with Emelle Gamble’s novella, Duets, is now available on Amazon!    http://amzn.to/1h9fZWv





Author Emelle Gamble on the writing ‘process’.

proc·ess1
präses,präsəs,prō-/
noun: process; plural noun: processes
a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.

Like any occupation that is called ‘artistic’, the writing process is a mysterious one to those not practicing it. While the ‘muse’(the inspiration that guides  you to tell a particular story) is a mystery to me, the process part of the journey is not. The journey an author takes when writing a new novel is one of many steps,  and a lot of those steps aren’t ones we consciously take as we work our way through a plot.

But the ‘particular end’ in the dictionary definition above is conscious. And simple. We authors want, at the end of the task called writing a novel, to have told an interesting story. One that entertained and illuminated our theme. And didn’t  bore anyone.

In the midst of living--which for me is  working a day job, keeping up with the chores required by a small suburban house, shopping for hubby and our family cats,  working on my writing from 7 to 10 p.m.  and then  lying in bed at night worrying about one or both of our kids and their future-- an idea will suddenly float to the surface of my multi-tasking consciousness and I’ll  know,  “Ah-ha! There it is, the next book!”

The idea will contain a book title. And a character. And a plot with some kind of weird little twist that will keep readers guessing  that I see clearly how to resolve.

I’ll then outline it. Do note cards with odd things on it like ‘ghosts drink?’ or ‘sex if you have amnesia, is this cheating?’ or ‘a monster?’. HA! These are real note cards I’ve done. Anyway, then when I have a hazy idea of the plot flow, I jump in. The first 3 chapters are usually easy and fun. The next 15 a headache and a challenge. The last two clear from the beginning, and always dramatically different than I imagined. Interspersed are conversations with my critique group, really boring discussions about what if things my hubby is forced to listen to and nod during, and dreaming of my characters.

Then it’s a book. That I rewrite about ten times. Simple, right? HA! But it’s my creative process. With it I’ve written 14 novels.

When a new book is done, a harder process begins. Marketing…finding the readers and hoping they’ll like what I’ve done, and that it will be interesting. Entertaining and illuminating. And not boring!


Readers, have you ever tried to write a book? Was it harder than you thought? More fun? Share! 



GIVEAWAY:

Emelle will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and the Reviews Only Tour. A digital copy of Molly Harper will be awarded to 3 randomly drawn commenters also during this tour and the Reviews Only Tour.
Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

33 comments:

  1. It seems that after all the writing & re-writing that your work is still only half done. The promoting begins then.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. That's it exactly, dear Mary Preston. A writer's work is never done...but its all good if you love it. Good luck in the contest and thanks for posting.

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  2. Thank you very much Margay Roberge for hosting my post on your lovely blog. The writing process is as individual as every author...it was fun sharing my thoughts. And remember readers, tell me if you have ever tried to write a book. XXX and Happy Monday all!!!

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  3. LYING, CHEATING MEN ~ KARMA RULES
    HaHa!! Thanks!
    RW620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. I'm with you RW1010. Karma is a killer, and I love when it's just. Good luck in the drawing.

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  4. Thanks for the guest post today Emelle. I've always wanted to write a book and because I read so much an have loved literature from a very young age, I thought it would be easy. NOT. I find my writing style is dry and boring because I just can't stop relating facts. Why? Because I'm a published researcher lol. Old habits are very hard to break. I've given up on that particular dream and just live vicariously through the authors I love and the worlds they create for me.

    ilookfamous at yahoo dot com

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    1. I hear you friend. But don't give up because it's hard, only if you really don't desire it anymore. You are always so articulate and interesting, I'd be surprised if a fictional attempt wasn't great! XXX thanks as always for your support. Emelle

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  5. I definitely would like to write a book. My father wrote one (unpublished) and before he passed, he started on the sequel. I would love to finish and publish them for him. I have notes jotted down for my own book (paranormal romance) which I add to periodically. Right now, I don't have the motivation to work on them but I'm near retirement so many then... ;)

    dihuffer at gmail dot com

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    1. Great good luck LadyDi77. If the story calls, answer. good luck in the drawing.

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  6. I wonder how many people who read a book actually realize how much goes into writing a book. I have a lot of respect for authors and their hard work.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. XXX and authors love readers because of the time and effort they put in to reading our stories! Thanks Rita.

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  7. My book idea in five words...Family drama, funerals & prayer cards. Eek, I guess that would be six words if I count "&." I guess I have been attending too many funerals as of late, along with a bunch of family drama! xo to you, Emelle.

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    1. thanks Jen! Great ideas. I love funeral and prayer cards as a basis for family, faith and drama. Sounds like my kind of story. XXX to you too. Emelle

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  8. When writing your characters, do you use photographs of people, famous, not-so-famous or infamous, to visualize them? And if so, who?

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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    1. Great question Karen. I don't do this, mostly because I like readers to 'picture' my characters based on their imaginations. If I could, I probably wouldn't describe them physically much at all (actually, I don't - HA!). But of course, in my newest book, DATING CARY GRANT, I do know what he looked like, so was so fun to describe.

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  9. I do have 170 pages written-- love story, heartbreak, redemption, Southern.

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    1. Good luck and keep going! Redemption shows you understand the arc very well. Good luck in the drawing too.

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  10. Oh goodness back when I was younger I thought it would be so easy to write. I just grabbed a little note pad and started writing with no thought process or anything. I did have the story based a small town of course and the little cafe etc and the a sheriffs dept and the cabin that the man or woman lived in which I hadn't decided that I wanted the main focus on. Well I didn't get very far so that's why I appreciate all the wonderful writers like yourself that give us so many different stories to read, thank you!!

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    1. Thanks Belinda. I like the sound of your sheriff and that cafe. But I appreciate that you understand how much hard work it does take to both write a novel and polish it, and now get the word out to readers. Good luck in the contest and thanks for posting.

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  11. I have had a triology in my head for about 10 years. I have did not know how to get it published (if ever) so I have been in limbo.

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    1. go look at KDP on Amazon...the bare nuts and bolts of how to do it are there. But of course first, edit, edit, edit. Copy edit for mistakes. If you've got a critique group, let others read it. It's a big process, but if that idea has been there for 10 years, I say go for it. Thanks Judy, good luck with the book.

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  12. It's always nice to hear how an author gets their ideas and how they process everything. I love writing and creating stories. I just don't have much time to get them from my brain to computer/paper. Thanks for sharing yours! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!

    m.ramey@ymail.com

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    1. Thanks for posting, Maria. And good luck in the contest.

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  13. So if I have this right there is a Duets book that needs to be read before Molly Harper? Or is it after? If it is anything like Dating Cary Grant which I just started this will be good.
    As for 5 words for writing a story... Playground, Motorcycle, Autism, Single Mom, Scotland.
    That should get you some idea. Good luck

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  14. Absolutely wonderful read. I was hoping for another chapter or 15... (hint hint, Emelle)

    If you haven't read this (and why haven't you?) Go get it right now! It's OK, we'll wait.....

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    1. Love you Lisa! I'm working on that new one, hopefully before the end of the year.
      And have you read DATING CARY GRANT? xxx
      THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR POST.

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  15. Interesting writing post

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  16. Thanks for sharing your writing ideas and processes. Is this part of a series or a stand alone? Thanks for a great giveaway!

    starchaser8808@yahoo.com

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  17. I have always been so impressed by writers! I have a book idea, just fearful that nobody would want to read it.

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  18. I just can't write lol. My friend dared me to write a fanfic before & I got like 3 chapters & then just drew a blank. lol. I'm better at just giving ideas than actually writing lol. I was the girl that refused to write a story in creative writing class in 5th grade & got through the rest of my schooling without writing papers. I hated it lol. I'm more of the type to act out others words,.... my artisticness(I think I just made that word up lol) is acting. ;)

    Loved this post. =)

    Take care!

    Brandi
    BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com

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  19. I have always wanted to outline the adventures of my eldest son, he has done so many memorable things, i kept notes in his baby book about them, but not sure how you would go about that and if it would be more of a short story kids book like golden books style?

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  20. I haven't - writing in school was horrible for me, especially in my High School English class or Speech. Both required courses I tried to hard and often over thought the storyline. I was a fair student. I a much better reader than a writer.

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