Author Notes on “Special Delivery”

Special Delivery” was first conceived in the prior century! A new print publisher put out a call for short stories... novellettes, they called it. I was invited to submit. After thinking about the topic, I decided to write something that I often did back in the old days: wait for the mail! Why was I so preoccupied with the mail? Well, I was looking for acceptance letters, contracts, checks, that sort of thing. So naturally, I started to wonder what would happen if one day, the mail waited for me--or Ralph Dunmeyer, as it were. “Special Delivery”, a fantasy romance, is the result.

The publisher happily accepted “Special Delivery” and the new print publication, Notable Novellettes was marketed to airport shops, attracting travelers looking for quick fiction reads. Okay, you can guess what happened next... that’s right, the venture soon folded.

Next, “Special Delivery” was contracted with an online publisher. Here’s a blurb from their publicity sheet: "Ms. Knight brings her unique and fresh talent as a writer to the Dollar Download program. You, too, can experience the vivid style and sharp wit of this author..."

Readers who enjoyed Greek/Roman mythology loved this short story, and it received great review including:

10 STARS OUT OF 10 STARS!! Bookcrossing.com

5 STARS!! "Special Delivery" is a wonderful surprise. I started reading this story, not really knowing what to expect, and was delighted with the story Susanne Marie Knight brought to life. If you are at all familiar with Roman mythology, "Special Delivery" will have an added level of enjoyment as you meet the characters that change Ralph's life. The characters' veiled references to mythology as well as Ralph's dry wit will have you smiling at their levity and humor. Ralph has a self-deprecating sense of humor that blends well with the first person telling of this story. Ms. Knight's writing style and delivery ensures that readers are entertained and rewarded for taking the time to read her work. "Special Delivery" is a short story that delivers a quick, refreshing, and romantic twist that is sure to charm.--Fallen Angel Reviews

4 Roses! "Special Delivery" is a short story and only spans a few minutes in the life of Ralph [Dunmeyer]. The story is fast paced and the dialogue is great. We get to see what Ralph is thinking and feeling but not the other characters in the book, not even in the end. The Fates do have plans for everyone and they did a little show and tell with Ralph. You might learn that you don't have to change completely in order to find happiness and love. If you have a little time to spare and want to learn a little about Greek and Roman mythology then pick up "Special Delivery".--A Romance Review

Now “Special Delivery” is available for your reading pleasure at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

Ralph Dunmeyer thinks he is a failure. He wants to change everything about himself because change is good, right? When he reaches into his mailbox, he is taken on a journey to discover that maybe he isn’t such a bad person after all. 

What happens when a man who is convinced he is a failure, reaches into his mailbox and receives a very special delivery?

Amazon.com and Smashwords

This book is part of the Magical Fantasies line.

Time for a true life confession here: Sometimes, just like our hero, Ralph Dunmeyer, I go outside to get the mail looking like one of the not-ready-for-prime-time-players. No, of course I don’t need to shave (!) as Ralph does, but my hair can be little wonky, my clothes can be rather scruffy, and as for my makeup... well, sometimes it’s non-existent. So naturally, during those times, I hope, as Ralph does, that no passersby notice me.

Here’s a passage that shows Ralph trying to slink out of the house:

Now fortified with a blast of caffeine, I trotted down my front sidewalk to get the mail, hoping no passersby would see me in all my unshaven glory. As Fate would have it, no such luck. Mrs. Witherspoon, my neighbor across the street, dropped her gardening tools and brushed the dirt from her arthritic knees.

“Yoo hoo, Mr. Dunmeyer!”

Yoo hoo. I scratched at my unintentionally spiked hair. What kind of person goes around yodeling, Yoo hoo?

Hoping to avoid a morning chit-chat with the block busybody, I waved at Mrs. Witherspoon and speeded up my walk.

She didn’t buy it. The woman’s sharp, as sharp as they come.

“Just get out of bed, Mr. Dunmeyer?”

The woman knew I worked late. She knew my routine almost as well as I did. You know what she’s like; you probably have a neighbor just like her.

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I hope you enjoy Ralph Dunmeyer’s magical story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Friday Night”

“Friday Night”, my family favorite romance short story, has a similar history with another contemporary romance short story: “Happy Anniversary”. Back in the last century (!), 1994, a print publisher in New Jersey put out a call for romance short stories. *Extremely* short stories, around 1,000 words. They accepted “Happy Anniversary”, and then requested another one. “Friday Night” is the result, clocking in at a little over 1,000.

If only Paula could meet Mr. Right--someone like the new neighbor that had moved into the garden apartment below hers. She hadn’t seen much of him, probably because their work schedules conflicted. What she had seen, though, she instinctively liked. See how a lost article of clothing introduces two neighbors.

After this story was published, I was able to find for a new home for it. I decided to use it as a freebie to promote my best-selling Regency time-travel romance, TIMELESS DECEPTION, at the time released by the defunct Novel Books, Inc. Now this Regency is available at Awestruck.net and Amazon.com. But back to “Friday Night”. Here is the original cover. 

Soon this story appeared on Fictionwise.com, and then my anthology LUCKY 13, no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

Now I’ve released it on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

The story sells for $0.99. As with all of my *very* short stories, I’d like to reduce the amount, however 99 cents is the lowest I’m allowed to go on Amazon and Smashwords. Again, periodically Smashwords holds a sale, and I can set the price to free at that time, so do check on the link every now and then.

A lost intimate article of clothing unites two lonely neighbors!

Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

This book is part of the Romantic Contemporaries line.

Here are two terrific reader comments:

"I really liked your short story. Keep up the great writing!”

"Ah, the things daydreams are made of--to have a sexy man fall right into your lap! Fun read!”

Now for the real life tidbit: Since the publication I wrote “Friday Night” for was located in New Jersey, I wanted to connect the story with the Garden State as I did with “Happy Anniversary” and Route 206. I set the romance in garden apartments; growing up in New York City, I’d never seen nor heard of these types of apartments. But I was very familiar with laundromats... and the risk of not thoroughly removing laundry from the dryers. Here’s what happened to Paula.

Her neighbor’s smile dazzled her. "Well, Paula, I think I have something of yours." Extending his right hand, he held out something small and smooth. Something mint green in color.

She looked at him in surprise. "What is it?" After taking it, she felt the blood drain from her face. It was a bra--her bra. Holding onto the doorknob for support, she hoped the floor would open up and swallow her. This was just too embarrassing. How had he gotten her bra?

He ran his hand through his thick, ebony-colored hair. "I found it in one of the dryers tonight."

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I hope you enjoy Paula and Ray’s cute meet!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Saturation Point”

The inside scoop on the science fiction short story, “Saturation Point” is that it’s over 2,200 words. The story sells for $0.99. Yep, another very short story. But it does pack a punch!

Short Story Alert: As with all of my *very* short stories, I’d like to reduce the amount, however 99 cents is the lowest I’m allowed to go on Amazon and Smashwords. Again, periodically Smashwords holds a sale, and I can set the price to free at that time, so do check on the link every now and then.

Back to “Saturation Point”. Some time ago, I received one of those story prompt devices. It consisted of a few wheels that turned with writing instructions to spark the imagination. I thought I’d give it a try. What I got was this: for instructions, I was told to use the setting wheel, use the starter wheel, and also incorporate five foreign words in the story. The setting was to be on a new planet. The starter was “The smell of”, and the five foreign words... well, I just made my female protagonist, Lieutenant Margot Le Blanc, French.

What I came up with is a delightful little tale of love... or lust far away from home.

A very timely occurrence happened. I received a publisher’s call for science fiction short stories to be included in a print journal: Alien Alerts Journal. “Saturation Point” was perfect for this so I submitted it. Naturally, I was elated when the publisher sent me a contract! 

After publication, I was free to include “Saturation Point” in the anthology, LUCKY 13. The print version of LUCKY 13 is no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

Artist’s concept cover

I’m happy to announce I’ve now re-released “Saturation Point” electronically at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com!

If you think the light of the silvery moon is romantic, just think what the shadow of the planet Mars will do to one’s libido!

 Amazon.com and Smashwords

This short story is part of the Fascinating Sci-Fi line.

Real life snippet: While I don’t possess a nose that’s honed into fragrances like Margot’s delicate nostrils, my daughter does indeed own a very discerning nose. In fact, I based Margot’s focus on perfumes on some episodes from the home front!

Scene set up: The following passage is from the very beginning of “Saturation Point”.

           “Zut! I cannot believe I forgot it.”

From his workstation, Jordan Penbrook glanced at the only other occupant of the shuttle. Lieutenant Margot Le Blanc was the epitome of a ditsy blonde--in his opinion anyway. Not really interested in her answer, he asked anyway. “What did you forget, Lieutenant?”

She turned away from the command console and raised her near-invisible eyebrows. “It is my special fragrance, eau de fête, Captain Penbrook. Whenever I get homesick, I give myself a spray and voilà! Instantly I am transported back to my beautiful garden, my jardin de fleurs.”

As floral fragrances had absolutely nothing to do with their mission on Phobos, Mars’ larger and innermost moon, Jordan returned his attention to his instruments.

“Ma oui, and it is also très useful for getting rid of this cabin stench,” she added.

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So that’s the story on this short science fiction tale. I hope you enjoy Margot and Jordan story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Cup O’Joe”

Here’s another inside scoop on a newly-released-as-a-single short story (or VERY short story as some would say). “Cup O’Joe” clocks in at 450 words. Yep, that’s right. Only 450 words. I call this little tale: horror with a twist. The genre isn’t what I usually write--romance writing with a twist--but it begged for me to tell its story.

This *very* short story is actually free at Smashwords. Here is the direct link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/585111.

It’s also on Amazon.com at the price of $.99 -- the hope is that Amazon will eventually pick it up as a freebie, and then the price will change to zero!

If you’re wondering why a romance writer decided to write a horror story, then here’s the 411. Quite a few years ago (still the present century, though) a call from an online publisher went out for horror stories. In addition to horror, the stories had to be short--short as in 500 words or less. Wow. Telling a coherent tale in only 500 words is quite a feat. So naturally, I was intrigued!

I conjured up “Cup O’Joe” and sent my submission in. Sadly, the publisher didn’t “get” the humor in the story. But his loss was my gain, for I then offered this bit of Flash Fiction on my website.

Original cover

 I recently decided to spruce up “Cup O’Joe” with a new cover. 

To celebrate Halloween, here's a non-calorie treat: "Cup o'Joe"--horror with a twist. Read it if you dare!

Amazon.com AND Smashwords.com

Sample reviews:

Scary story! Kind of gross too, but effective. Happy Hallowe'en!--J.R.

Neat little twist in this tale, I would be interested in perhaps seeing something-else from this world.--M.B.

This short story is part of the Uncanny Paranormals line.

Read life tidbit: In keeping with the length of this horror short story, I’m limiting myself to only one line from “Cup O’Joe”. It’s the first line in the story.

Hell, he didn’t feel human in the morning until he had a cup o’joe.

That pretty much sums it up for me!

Read “Cup O’Joe” if you dare! And please let me know what you think! Enjoy your morning coffee. :))

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Shades of Old Glory”

The idea for “Shades of Old Glory”, my paranormal ghost short story, first started when I received a call from one of my publishers for a short story to include in an upcoming anthology. The theme of the anthology was holidays but not winter holidays. That was the only restriction; the genre was open; the storyline was up to me. I picked the Fourth of July in a contemporary setting along with a ghost from the Civil War. More on this below in my connections to real life section!

Alas! I know, I know, in my Author Notes Series I’ve rewritten “Alas” many times. But yes, alas, the anthology never came to fruition. No worries, though. I included it in my anthology LUCKY 13. LUCKY 13 is no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

It is now available electronically at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com as a single and has earned 4 star reviews! The word count is over 12,000 words, and Amazon estimates the book length to be 42 pages. It sells for $1.99.

After winning a contest she doesn’t remember entering, newly graduated Rebecca Sedgwick arrives at a Virginia plantation bed and breakfast ready to relax before starting her job search. She finds her older hosts very congenial but Jake, the handsome handyman, is antagonistic. That night, on the eve of the Fourth of July celebration, she has a vivid dream of a Civil War battle. As one corporal lays dying, he asks for her help. But how can she possibly help a ghost?

Jake Mantree is a hired hand on the very plantation his ancestors lost after the Civil War. A brooding loner, he resents northerner Rebecca’s winning ways. But he doesn’t count on her Yankee perseverance nor a Union ghost who has plans to make them fall in love over the holiday.

How can modern day Rebecca Sedgwick help a Civil War ghost?

Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

This book is part of the Uncanny Paranormals line.

Now for the connection to real life. While I don’t have contact with a ghost from the Civil War (!), I DO have grandfathers (great grandfathers times two and great grandfathers times three) that were soldiers. My Knight grandfathers--father Levi H. Knight, was killed in action and son James Harrison Knight was wounded twice--fought for the North, as did all of the below except one, Joshua Coats, a Confederate private. I dedicated “Shades of Old Glory” to all of them.

To my great grandfathers who fought in the American Civil War.

James Harrison Knight--great grandfather x2, wounded.

John David Hollick--great grandfather x2.

John William Presson--great grandfather x2.

Joshua Coats--great grandfather x2.

Levi H. Knight--great grandfather x3, killed in action.

Alfred Marion Hacker, great grandfather x3.

Moses Allen Nelson, great grandfather x3.

John Tomer Presson, great grandfather x3.

Scene Set-Up: Rebecca’s first night at the Virginia plantation yields a spooky dream.

It was a dream; she knew it was a dream, but Rebecca couldn’t wake up no matter how hard she tried. She watched from the sidelines of a bloody, raging battle; she was an unseen observer to a scene so horrible, words could not describe.

The open field teemed with life... and death. Hundreds, no thousands of men poured over slopes, and the smell in the air--smoky from artillery and cannon fire--hung heavy with carnage and fear. Dusky blue uniforms fought with drab grey; it was a scene from the Civil War, and it was as real as anything she had ever seen, whether on the news or depicted in a movie.

At the front of an advancing regiment, a young man held the American--or Union--flag, hoisted high for all to see. He took his duty seriously for although blood splattered the torn sleeve of his blue uniform, he kept up a grueling pace, taking care not to allow the flag to touch the ground. This color-bearer guarded Old Glory against capture, for to secure the flag of one’s enemy was every soldier’s ambition.

Somehow Rebecca’s vantage point shifted from being on the sidelines. Now she traveled by this young man’s side.

“You’re wounded,” yelled another soldier to the left of him. “I’ll carry the flag for you.”

“No. I will... by God I must carry the colors to safety.” This man, a corporal by the two insignia stripes on his sleeve, struggled onward. A rifle bullet whizzed past her to settle in his right leg, causing him to grimace with pain. But still he continued forward, flag held high. Thirteen stripes, red and white, fluttered in the deadly wind, but instead of fifty stars, there were thirty-four.

How she longed to embrace the corporal who looked even younger than her. She ached to ease his burden and treat his wounds, but even if she could have, she instinctively knew he would not have allowed her to. His sacred duty was to raise the flag in battle to give hope and to rally the troops.

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

I hope you enjoy Rebecca and Jake’s ghostly love story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Happy Anniversary”

“Happy Anniversary”, my family favorite romance short story, has been around a good while, and has recently been released on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com. Here’s the inside scoop on how this short story first got started. Back in the last century (1994!), a print publisher in New Jersey put out a call for romance short stories. *Extremely* short stories, around 1,000 words.

I then wrote “Happy Anniversary” using for a location a New Jersey restaurant that I’d recently dined at (more on this real life tidbit below). The publisher snapped up this little jewel, and immediately requested more short stories. I complied by writing another tale, also happily accepted. “Friday Night”--not yet available on Amazon.com--will be featured in a future Author Notes blog.

Back to “Happy Anniversary”: This story is definitely a feel-good romance, accomplishing all the goals of a happily-ever-after scenario. And the word count? About 1,300. All that emotion jammed into a tiny package! As one of my publishers complimented me: Extremely well done and unusual for a short story, because it's hard to build that kind of emotion in short stuff. You do it well.

The story sells for $0.99. As with all of my *very* short stories, I’d like to reduce the amount, however 99 cents is the lowest I’m allowed to go on Amazon and Smashwords. Again, periodically Smashwords holds a sale, and I can set the price to free at that time, so do check on the link every now and then.

Ten years ago, Claire Newberry made a terrible mistake. When she returns to the restaurant where she foolishly had broken up with her boyfriend, will she get a second chance at love?

Artist’s rendering of a possible cover

Then in this century, “Happy Anniversary” appeared electronically on RomanceEverAfter’s website. After a time I included it in my anthology LUCKY 13, now no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

Now I’ve released it on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

Will Claire get a second chance at love?

Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

This book is part of the Romantic Contemporaries line.

Here’s a lovely reader comment: Your story was a very pleasant read. I cared about the characters and was glad that Claire was blessed with a second chance at love.”

Also, in my updated non-fiction, THE CREATIVE WRITING WORKBOOK, “Happy Anniversary” is included free as a writing example for some of the exercises. Re-release of this resource will be in 2016.

Real life tidbit: Since the publisher mentioned above was based in New Jersey, I wanted to write a story that had a local feel. My sister lived in that state, and on one of my visits, we dined at a restaurant in Somerville, off of busy Route 206, just as Claire Newberry does. To be authentic, I had Claire eat what I’d had: fresh fruit appetizer topped with lemon sorbet, white Chablis, and veal parmesan. Delicious!

In the paragraph below, we find Claire in a contemplative mood at the restaurant.

Nibbling on the fresh fruit appetizer, Claire watched the New Jersey sky slowly darken. She shouldn’t have come; she lived miles from Somerville, and she hated driving at night. But she’d made the reservation weeks ago; she’d even arranged to have a sitter for the kids. Tonight was special, something of an anniversary for her. Ten years ago tonight had been the last time she’d basked in the glow of Tom’s unforgettable love

I hope you enjoy Claire and Tom’s love story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on THE EMBEZZLED ENVELOPE

THE EMBEZZLED ENVELOPE is case number Six in my popular Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series. For those of you not familiar with this series, click on the link for:

1. my Author Notes on THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO, case number one,
2. my Author Notes on THE ILL-GOTTEN INSURANCE, case number two,
3.  my Author Notes on THE DUPLICITOUS DIVORCE, case number three,
4. my Author Notes on THE VIRTUAL VALENTINE, case number four,
5. my Author Notes on THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE, case number five.

Minx is a fitness instructor newly relocated to Los Angeles, California, who has a knack for solving puzzles--puzzles concerning dead bodies. For fun, romance, and... unexpected corpses, follow her adventures in this murder mystery series!

The six case in the Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series focuses on an old crime that comes back to haunt one of Minx’s friends. You know the one: the Elite Exercise Emporium’s resident hunk, Dallas Porter. :))

FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS... GET MURDERED

An old embezzling charge comes back to haunt Minx’s friend, Dallas Porter. Not only that, he’s now the prime suspect in a murder case. If she doesn’t help him, he could get convicted. But if she does help him, the murderer just might retaliate. How can Minx clear her friend... and not get killed?

Homicide Lieutenant Gabe Harris wants to start the New Year off right. His main resolution is to keep his new fiancée out of trouble. But trouble zeroes in on Minx, whether she looks for it or not. Why do murders and Minx seem to go together?

Artist’s rendering of a possible cover

Desert Breeze Publishing has published all six (to date) Minx Tobin novels. THE EMBEZZLED ENVELOPE has received great reviews including FIVE Stars from Single Titles Review. All books are available both electronically and in print.

An old embezzlement case takes on a new twist: murder. When Minx tries to clear her good friend’s name, she gets burned... literally.

Amazon.com Ebook and Amazon.com Print

Here is a book trailer for THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE:

 

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.

Real life tidbit: I’m extremely lucky to have my own office space. I like to decorate the room with reference books, pictures, business supplies, etc. Yep, I’m a *junkie* for colorful paperclips, file dividers, envelopes--you name it! In THE EMBEZZLED ENVELOPE, Minx also deals with a few envelopes--and at least two of them happen to cause more damage than just a paper cut!

Scene Setup: At the Elite Exercise Emporium, Minx’s co-worker and friend, Sadie, delivers a mysterious envelope.

“Hey, got something for you.” Sadie reached under the counter and pulled out a sealed white envelope. Neatly typed on it were the words, “For Minx Tobin.”

Minx took it. “What’s this?”

“Don’t know. Was in the drop box we have right out front. Maybe it’s a piece of fan mail.”

“Fan mail, that’s a laugh.” Minx ripped the envelope and removed the flyer inside. After giving it a quick glance, she crumpled the paper and threw it into the wastebasket behind the counter. Her hand stung a bit so she wiped her palm on the yoga pants.

“What was it? A love letter from Hugh Jackman?” Sadie batted her cornflower blue eyes.

“Nothing so exciting. Just a twenty percent off sale on exercise clothes. Some new boutique shop opening just down the block.”

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

I hope you enjoy Minx and Gabe’s adventures!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on AN ALIEN PARADISE

My newest science fiction romance, AN ALIEN PARADISE, has a unique history in that this book is the only one of my novels that first started out with another title. XANADU FOR ALIENS was my first pick.

Here is a blurb from one of my press releases: What if UFO reports are true? What if extraterrestrials are not only here, but they’ve been visiting Earth for countless millennia? XANADU FOR ALIENS, my newest science fiction romance novel, explores the possibility of alien sightseers to our planet. But there's no need to be concerned; these tourists are harmless. Or are they?

What if there was a travel agency that catered to extraterrestrial lifeforms?

The cover (above) even won an internet award. So you’re probably wondering why I changed the title to AN ALIEN PARADISE. Simple. Reader input. When I first conceived of the idea for this novel, I wanted the title to begin with the letter X. Why was this? Because I have book titles for all the letters in the alphabet except X. And Xanadu fit my purpose for the story. Historically, Xanadu was the summer capital of Chinese conqueror Kublai Khan. Marco Polo’s description of Xanadu inspired British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous work, “Kubla Khan” in which the city was identified as a pleasure dome.

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan

A stately pleasure dome decree: ...

That was exactly what I was looking for: Earth as a pleasure dome or playground for alien tourists. Some readers, however, took issue with the word Xanadu, linking it to the movie and the song of the same title. As for why that’s a negative, who knows? So alas, I changed the book title to AN ALIEN PARADISE. Same meaning, but without the baggage.

PARADISE LOST--Teacher Petra Richardson receives a mysterious summer job offer. If she tutors a young boy, Traynor, all her expenses will be paid during her stay in the Galápagos Islands. Although she has misgivings, she agrees. Her new employer is the Taurus City Travel Agency, run by Traynor’s hunky Uncle Kelvin, whom she’d met and fantasized about when she was a teen. While romance simmers between Petra and Kelvin, there’s also danger. Who sabotaged their kayak? What happened to Traynor’s poomba? Why do some travel clients seem to flicker? Just what is going on at this sleepy outpost in the South Pacific?

PARADISE FOUND--Kelvin Lacertus has a full plate. CEO of the Taurus City Travel Agency, he oversees alien and extraterrestrial Human tourists to Planet Terra. He’s handling the most important diplomatic conference in the galaxy. And he’s babysitting his nephew, Traynor. Kelvin arranges for a tutor, little Petra, whom he remembers from his Grand Tour of Terra years ago. She’d impressed him then. The grown-up version is even more irresistible. How can he protect his Petra when a terrorist group targets all Lacertus family members including his would-be bride?

As for changing the cover, I decided a new title deserves a new cover. Here it is below:

Science teacher Petra Richardson receives the shock of her life when she learns her new employer is a travel agency that caters to extraterrestrial lifeforms.

Amazon.com

AN ALIEN PARADISE is available at Amazon.com and, as XANADU FOR ALIENS at Smashwords.com, in addition to other internet locations. It’s earned a 5 star review from Norwood Reviews: “Aliens on Earth? A travel agency for extraterrestrials? A Human male from Tau Ceti 3 falling in love with an Earth female? [AN ALIEN PARADISE] delivers all this and more! Ms. Knight gives us a very plausible scenario of galactic intrigue and a wonderful variety of characters. Fall in love with this fast-paced science fiction romance. This novel is definitely a keeper!”

Here are some of the Taurus City Travel Agency’s staff:

This book is part of the Fascinating Sci-Fi line.

Now for the snippet from real life. Our heroine, Petra Richardson, attended the same junior high that I did. That’s not really a surprise, is it? “Write what you know” is a well-known rule of writing. So some of young Petra’s experiences were my experiences. I’m certainly not the only one who had less than happy times in junior high or middle school (!) but when I came across a nonfiction book on my school written by a student, I did a double take. It was from her account that Petra refers to “Hell on Earth” or rather “J.H.S. is almost like an earthly version of hell.” Fortunately, as time passed, my feelings for junior high improved enormously!

Petra looked around at the putrid color of enamel paint covering the hallways. She’d read somewhere that junior high school could be considered a version of Hell on Earth. She agreed. Not as a teacher but as a former inmate of these very same two-tone green walls.

This school in the New York City borough of the Bronx was technically a middle school--grades six through eight--but it had been once a junior high, before junior highs had fallen out of favor. Her first few months as a new recruit, a new seventh grader, had been hellish. To walk through these corridors had meant she took her life into her hands. She never knew if she would pass through unscathed. Or get beaten up. It had been a role of the dice.

Thankfully, way back when, after Christmas break, the eighth and ninth grade students had tired of dishing out torture. For her, at any rate. After that, she’d come to tolerate this school....

Eventually, later, as a teacher, she’d grown to love this weathered old building.

 ___________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoy Petra and Kelvin’s unusual love story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on “Family Secrets”

I wrote my popular paranormal (or is it paranormal?!) short story, “Family Secrets” when I received a call from my publisher, Uncial Press, to submit a short story. The genre was open; the storyline was up to me. I decided on a contemporary romance with a touch of magic... just like the touch of magic that I included in my Regency romance, THE MAGIC TOKEN, that recently was re-released by Uncial Press. I liked the idea of a tie-in to this Regency... not that there is a magic token, but that a love ritual was performed on Midsummer’s Eve back in 1802, and now in contemporary times with Talia Fanetti. More on this below in my connections to real life section!

Talia Fanetti longs for true love. She’s just gotten engaged to eligible bachelor Edmund Bartholomew, so she’s all set in the love department.

Or is she?

On a romantic getaway in the country, she learns her future in-laws live in a house awash with secrets. Talia soon makes a startling discovery: she has a secret as well. When Grandmother Bartholomew offers Talia a chance to find out who her true love is, will Talia have the courage to use the magic spell?

I also loved the idea that every character had something hidden from the others. After all, what family doesn’t have secrets? It was fun considering each and every person and then deciding what the mysterious secret would be.

Sometimes secrets can reveal your true love.

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 This book is part of the Uncanny Paranormals line.

Real-Life Tidbit: Back in Junior High (or Middle School as it would now be called) a very good friend knew of my interest in paranormal subjects so she gave me a little fortune telling book. This book also contained a few charms and ceremonies. In “Family Secrets” I based Granny’s book, THE SAGE SEER, on my friend’s gift--THE LADIES’ ORACLE--which was supposedly first publishing in the sixteenth century. I slightly altered the Midsummer’s Eve ritual for both “Family Secrets” and THE MAGIC TOKEN but the end result was the same: to see one’s future husband.

Talia sat near the edge of the stream, close enough to peer into the dark water. The moon seemed to shine a beacon right where she needed it. She could see her pale image within the water below.

If this secret ritual was successful, her image would be replaced by her true love's reflection.

Her heart beat faster. Will the magic work?

Only one way to find out. She adjusted her shawl around her shoulders, then got to work. Putting down her supplies, she dug a hole in the dirt just large enough to make sure the candle would remain upright.

She looked at her watch. It was time.

Swiftly striking the match, she smiled as the flame blazed into life. Then she lit the candle. Next, she picked up the apple in one hand and the rose in the other. With the rose, she made clockwise circles around the apple--seven times, as instructed.

By the time she'd finished, her hand shook. She set down the rose and picked up the candle. Bathed in the flicker of its light, she took a bite out of the apple. One bite was all that was needed.

Now for the moment of truth. Tensing up and holding her breath, she leaned over the riverbank to gaze into the water below.

Her large dark eyes blinked back at her. Her hair, mussed by the wind, looked as wild as a lion's mane against the white of her nightshirt.

She released her pent-up breath. Unless she was her own true love, no other image reflected back at her.

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I hope you enjoy Talia’s true love story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!