© 2003 Gracie C. McKeever

In This Issue:

New Review for "Desert Dreams"
PNR Reviews
Twofers are Back!
Making The Rounds
Visit Awe-Struck E-Books' Spice Is Nice Page
This Issue's Author(s) in the Spotlight
What I'm Reading/Recommended Reads
Work-in-Progress
Poetry Corner
This Issue's Excerpt – "Alaric Swifthand", by Steve Lazarowitz
This Issue's Newsletter Contest
Giveaways/Good Deals/Shameless Promotions
Odds and Ends

Now that it's over, I can look back and say I survived the Blackout of 2003! And ask, "Where were YOU when the lights went out?" Hope you were luckier than I was, at home and not at work. Even better, not on the north-eastern seaboard…

Had made arrangements to take my nieces and nephews to the beach Saturday (forecasts were for warm and sunny weather for the weekend, and I wanted to get my feet and bathing suit wet at least one more time before summer's dreaded end). Coney Island was on the agenda (figure we could pop in at the Aquarium a train stop away, as I hadn't been there in a while.). Like I said, the best laid plans…by 4:30pm I was wondering whether or not to walk home (140 blocks, I'm not even going to try and figure out how many miles that is) since the black out affected the transit signals (though not the 3rd rail power…but what good is power and trains, with no signals?!?!). So, I stayed at work and…actually worked! Had to call nursing homes to see how they were faring during the outage. My list, for some reason, seemed much longer than others (or perhaps I had more trouble getting through to the people in charge at the NHs I was assigned to call than the rest of the staff who stayed behind to call facilities). The building kicked us out around 8pm, by then I had made most of my calls and tried to reach my Mom with no answer…??? So, we were basically "homeless" for the night, cast out on the street with all the other Penn Station castaways camped out on the main post office steps across the street (someone actually tried to start a stadium wave. You remember those?). The street vendors (hot dog, pretzels, etc.) cleaned up, lines for miles. I'm sure they made more money in a few hours than they usually do in an entire week!

My brother and his kids in upstate New York fared much better than us in the city. Their power came back on around 6pm, 2 hours after going out.

I managed to get a ride home with my boss and her boss, door-to-door service (cool!) to the Bronx by midnight (slow ride with no traffic signals), and my Mom was waiting outside (with the rest of the neighbors, running lights from car batteries and etc.).

No work (still no power) Friday and the offices/building was closed (not that I was going to try and make it downtown without knowing yeah or nay whether I'd be able to make it back and/or with whom anyway).

Finally, almost 24 hours to the minute later, let there be LIGHT! Our area (Bronx) was one of the last to get power. The Village (Chelsea area) was the last, their power coming back around 9pm. Guess we were lucky, and at (only) 24 hours, dodged a bullet. Could have been worse…

So, needless to say, no beach Saturday. Probably better I stayed my butt home (saved some money). And tried to catch up on my WIP, which had been sadly neglected the last week or so. I mean, I'm working (Chapter 11 this writing, about 137 pages), but it's not flowing the way I'd like. By the time I send this I'm hoping to have another hundred or so pages done, if I'm not finished altogether (wishful thinking).

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Hurricane Isabel….The damage wasn't too bad in the city/5 boroughs (though at work I was busy all week going over contingency and emergency plans with the boss and staff, monitoring nursing homes seaside and on the Island that would probably be affected).

I expected to be drowning in Isabel Friday morning, and woke up to windy weather, but bright sunshine. I won't say it was all bluster, there were a couple of deaths (falling and flying tree branches, and one drowning) in the metropolitan area. The weathermen, at least, had a lot of fun prognosticating. Hope you all made it through Isabel okay and with as minimal damage as I did.

Well, summer's over; hope you guys enjoyed a happy and healthy one, a great Labor Day holiday if you celebrate it, and got the kiddies off to school with a minimum of headaches and worry. Halloween, here we come!

On that note, went to see "Underworld" yesterday…. Loved it! Romeo and Juliet meet "The Matrix" and "Blade II". Great action, visual and special effects, sleek, dark and gothic sets, decent story line, functional acting and a sequel-friendly ending. Can you say U-2?

That's all for now…And remember…conservation, conservation, conservation!
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Of DESERT DREAMS: "Looking for something different? Looking for a storyline with a newish twist? Then immerse yourself in a novel by Gracie C. McKeever.

From the moment I picked up DESERT DREAMS, I was drawn into and captivated by the world of Therese Hunter. Whenever reality intruded in on my life, I couldn’t wait to get back to see what else would happen in this unique story… Ms. McKeever weaves a fascinating tale, and I can’t wait to read more of her exceptional work." Rating: 10 out of 10 Reviewed by Margaret Marr http://www.margaretmarr.com
Read full review: http://paranormalromancewriters.com/review.cfm?reviewID=1604

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DESERT DREAMS by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN (e) 1-931696-10-1 (p) 1-931696-89-6 — Paranormal Djinni Romance available in download (pdf or html) and print (trade paperback), and can be purchased direct from NovelBooks, Inc. at http://www.novelbooksinc.com for $1 off the Retail Price at $14.95 (paperback); $5.50 (download). Also Available from Booksurge.com, Amazon, B&N (brick-and-mortar stores by "special order" through Bowkers, just give the ISBN), Books-A-Million, Walmart.com, and distributed internationally through other major online booksellers.
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PNR REVIEWS:
Check out some of my recent reviews/reprints, courtesy of ParaNormal Romance Reviews:

TIME RIDER: Kristin and Rider are both engaging and passionate.
http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review12984

*WOLFSONG: Snappy dialogue that crackles and pulls the reader into the suspense.
http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review12985

MAGICK: Story with perfect example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.
http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review12988

*Non-PNR Review

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TWOFERS ARE BACK!!
A Plethora of Best Selling Science Fiction & Fantasy! Now's your chance to own some of the greatest award-winning, best selling paranormal e-books offered anywhere! Buy 2 books for $2! For a very short time ONLY, the following NBI Best Sellers are available as Twofers!

FINDERS KEEPERS by Linnea Sinclair
WINTER'S ORPHANS by Elaine Corvidae
THE BLOOD THAT BINDS by Rie Sheridan
THE DRAGON'S HORN by Glynnis Kincaid
ESCAPE THE PAST by K.G. McAbee
THE BINDING by PhyllisAnn Welsh
DREAM KNIGHT by Alexis Kaye Lynn
ENCHANTED COTTAGE by Linda Bleser
GUARDER LORE by Shawn P. Madison
THE SCENT OF STONE by Savannah Michaels

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Click on over to NBI http://www.novelbooksinc.com today and pick up some wonderful stories. You'll be glad you did!

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MAKING THE ROUNDS: "A man who wants to save the world one child at a time...a young teen looking for acceptance and a savior wherever he can find them…and a woman who wants only to save them both. Somewhere between darkness and daylight they will all find and save each other." BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT, paranormal psychic romance by Gracie C. McKeever .
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If you like your romances hot and with the bedroom door open, VISIT AWE-STRUCK E-BOOKS' SPICE IS NICE PAGE http://www.awe-struck.net/SPICE/spice_titles.html – Are you ready for a bit of harmless "SIN"? Try Awe-Struck's (S)pice (I)s (N)ice titles. Here you'll find links that will take you directly to the description and preview pages. These are great romances...And the authors added a bit of spice in the bedroom, on the beach, or any other place you might make love. The page features those romances that have VERY descriptive bedroom scenes. It doesn't matter if the romance is contemporary or historical or sci fi. What's important is that the love scenes are...well...spicy! FLAMES PAST is there. Check out the page to see what other of your favorite Awe-Struck titles are there.

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FLAMES PAST by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN (e) 1-58749-121-4 (p) 1-58749-257-7 — Contemporary Paranormal Romance available and can be purchased from Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. http://www.awe-struck.net in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers...Now Available in Trade Paperback! Visit Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com Awe-Struck's print subsidiary for titles in PRINT. Also available at Booksurge.com, B&N, Powells, eBookad.com, Fictionwise.com… Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H), $13.95 (trade paperback) – RT 2002 Award Nominee – Best Small Press Paranormal and an Awe-Struck Spice Is Nice title.
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MIND LIKE WATER E-Book Directory: eBooks:">http://www.mindlikewater.com">eBooks: free ebook directory and marketing

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MAKING THE ROUNDS: "Death is only the beginning when a psychotherapist is reincarnated as a client's estranged and murdered husband...ETERNAL DESIGNS is the result", paranormal reincarnation romance, and a NCWA (New Century Writer Award) 2002 Novel/Novella Finalist, by Gracie C. McKeever
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THIS ISSUE'S AUTHOR(S) IN THE SPOTLIGHT: http://www.realmofnublis.com/ is prolific, multi-published sci-fi author, Kate Saundby. From the website " Nublis is the creation of author Kate Saundby, and is waiting for you to discover it in her eleven volume set entitled the Nublis Chronicles…." Kate also has an interesting article up at none other than Steve Lazarowitz's Dream Sequence webpage where "Steve asks questions that go where no interview has gone before". Check out Kate's "Author Interview from Hell" http://www.dream-sequence.net/AIFH/ and while you're there look around the site and see what else is new (and old) at DS. If you like SF/F/P, or enjoy inventive, exciting story-telling, lyrical narrative and multi-layered, multi-dimensional characters then these two authors (these two sites) are for you!

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DANCING IN THE DARK by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN –1-928670-76-8 — Contemporary Romance available from Awe-Struck's Ennoble Line and can be purchased from http://www.awe-struck.net in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers. Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H)
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WHAT I'M READING/RECOMMENDED READS:

A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN, by Linda Bleser: Need I say anything? By now if you follow my newsletter reco's you know this is one of my favorite authors. She didn't let me down this time either. Picked up this romance after finishing THE LOVELY BONES (needed something light and humorous and this fit the bill). Cute romance with identical twins (one's a romance writer, the other's a marketing/publicity maven, together they pull the wool over fan an industry eyes when they take the simplest premise and human desire around (being able to split oneself in two in order to get everything done in a 24 hour day that needs getting done), and turns it on its ear. Funny, fast-paced (finished it in about 2 days), engaging characters, lol ending (when you find out what The Sapphire Man's real name is). Check this book out at publisher http://www.novelbooksinc.com, Amazon, Amazon Z-Shops, other major online bookstores, or your local bookstore.

JUST BELIEVE, by Anne Manning: Still needed something light and not so gritty and depressing, so picked up this paranormal about fairies. Another cute, funny book, where human and fairy existence collide. Annabelle Tinker's younger sister Erin has just been checked into the mental ward of a hospital, claiming aliens have abducted her boyfriend. The truth is just as strange, unbelievable, and worlds more dangerous (and quite humorous when Erin tries to explain what happened to Lucas after she and he made whoopie – you see, Lucas squooshed…and if you want to know what that entails, then you'll have to read the book ). Great h/h chemistry, strong and engaging secondary characters, and a wonderful HEA. This book is also available from NovelBooks Inc.

CAPTIVE HEARTS, by Lissa Michaels: Had the original Dreams Unlimited version for years and finally devoured it within a few days. He is Morgan Fontinara, a telepathic Bellarissian prince captured by the Jotnar Alliance on the Trading World of Tellari while trying to finalize plans for a rebellion against Jotnar domination, but someone has betrayed him. She is Ariana Zoltan, a fledgling telepath, Jotnar Administrator serving a mandatory several-year stint to the Jotnar on the Alliance slave planet Cantara, and hating every minute of it for she abhors slavery of any kind. Once these two bond for life, the universe and Jotnar better watch out. Great futuristic! Fast-paced intriguing plot, engaging hero and heroine, great character chemistry and strong secondary characters. I enjoyed this one so much, I rushed out to order its sequel REAL MAGIC. Check out CAPTIVE HEARTS (and REAL MAGIC) at its current publisher Hard Shell Word Factory http://www.hardshell.com.

THE LADY OF THE TWO LANDS, by Elizabeth Delisi: Hattie Williams is an artist and museum employee in modern-day Chicago. Her life is turned upside down when one evening, while trying to recreate on paper a gold pectoral necklace once worn and owned by Egypt's first female Pharaoh, she suffers a head-injury and is catapulted back thousands of years to the body and life of Hatshepsut. Now she must protect her stepson and heir to the throne, Tuthomosis, as well as herself, from unknown assassins. Can this thoroughly modern, 21st Century woman survive ancient Egypt? Can she avoid her newly acquired empire from falling into the unscrupulous hands of her and her now-deceased husband's enemies? But most importantly, can the forbidden love she's found with Hatshepsut's young daughter's tutor and Pharaoh's architect, Senemut, survive? Well-researched, well-written fast-paced story with characters about whom I grew to care a great deal. Fans of "The Mummy" franchise will definitely enjoy this time travel romance. Check this title out at http://www.novelbooksinc.com. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

More interesting titles for you next issue!

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WORK-IN-PROGRESS: Two women who shouldn't have died, but did. Both women now on the trail of two men – one an abusive, cheating husband-turned-killer, the other a rival bounty hunter whom will not be bested by any woman. Each will have their revenge, but at what expense? IN PLAIN SIGHT, paranormal reincarnation/ghost romance by Gracie C. McKeever
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POETRY CORNER:
"You'll Never Have What it Takes to be Mine"
by Steve Lazarowitz

Too many months, too many tears
Too many promises, too many fears

Too late to cry on my cold, empty shoulder
Our flame has burned out and has been left to smoulder

The old saying rings false, about smoke and fire
The torch has gone out, though the smoke still drifts higher

And there beneath my last unshed tear
Nothing is left, but mistrust and despair

Once we had magic and love and respect
But even love withers in the shade of neglect

Nothing is left us, but one final dance
A tip of our cap to the end of romance

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MILES TO GO by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN 1-58749-025-0 — a Byte^Me teen novel available from Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. http://www.awe-struck.net in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers. Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H)
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THIS ISSUE'S EXCERPT: "Alaric Swifthand", by Steve Lazarowitz
Book One

Chapter One

If you have never been there, it is hard to conceive of the city that is Modron. Like many great cities, it is an unlikely mixture of elements. Here the lowliest beggar may be seen standing only yards away from the mightiest warrior. A young waif in a torn tunic might stop to converse with a finely garbed craftsman. At any time, an unlikely personage (such as a great mage or powerful noble) might traverse a street that has not seen the like for many decades.

In addition to the people, the architecture of such as city is just as varied, due to the number of cultures that add to its structure and the number of years such work takes. Toward the center of Modron is a section built of old stone that should have long since turned to ruin. The architects of the area had vanished ages ago and their origin or indeed any hint of information about them has been long lost to history.

Many legends and tales begin on the streets of Modron. My story is just another. I was born Alaric Mason, but over the course of time, acquired the name Swifthand. I am still amazed at the implication of the label, for I can never see it when I look at myself in the mirror.

I was born in Modron. My father was a tailor, my mother a seamstress. My parents were wonderful people, but their existence was not one with which I could identify. The very concept of spending the rest of my life pulling a needle through cloth was abhorrent to me. Hence I did everything I could think of to avoid following in my father's footsteps.

I stayed out late. I drank. I pursued women. I started keeping company with a rougher crowd. Many of my older friends were already being considered for guard duty on the walls, while the younger, including myself, spent most of our time practicing with wooden swords, the only kind we could afford.

My tongue was somewhat sharper than my weapon, which was a pity for I was far from the greatest of warriors. Consequently, I was constantly forced to defend my brash attitude. I received more than one trouncing at the hands of far larger opponents. Once I realized I was unlikely to grow much larger, I started working on my speed. I practiced constantly, building upon my already impressive agility. This soon became my most obvious asset, though I was not a weak man by anyone's standard.

By the time I was seventeen, I had weaseled my way into the town guard. Unlike the larger, less intelligent members of our group, I was not offered a position on the wall. Instead, amidst much jealousy, I was selected to train for the palace guard.

By then my ferocious reputation kept the jackals at bay. Though there was much griping, I suffered no assaults over the matter. Or perhaps I was saved by the fact I finally had a metal sword.

I worked hard and learned rapidly. I found I preferred shorter blades with which I could duck inside an opponent's guard more easily. I learned to fight as if I were dancing, though I don't know where I picked up the style. It was effective nonetheless.

Within a short time I was one of them, working too many hours each day for not quite enough to live on, but it didn't matter. I was happy for the work. For a time, everything went smoothly. Then Theona entered my life.

I will never forget the day I first became aware of her. She was talking with another young lady, blue eyes sparkling at some intimate jest. She threw back her head, long blonde hair painting a slow arc in the air above her, giggling as girls do. Her dress was pastel blue, long and finer than anything found in my father’s shop. It was her lust for life that first drew me to her, but there was more to Theona. Much more.

I'm not certain at what point she noticed me watching, but from then on, she kept turning her gaze in my direction as if to verify I was still interested. She tried to be casual, but I could see she was intrigued by the opportunity to spend time with a guard. It didn't matter that I wasn't much older than her. I was something new and exciting.

Many times after, I tried to imagine what I might have looked like to her that day. Still seventeen, if only barely, hair blonde like hers, but of a darker shade and not quite as long. I cursed the fact I hadn’t trimmed my beard in a couple of weeks. As I’ve already mentioned, I’m not a large man, but Theona was comfortably smaller, the way I like my women. Of course I was wearing my guard’s outfit, a suit of brown leather armor that was probably older than I. Fortunately my gruff appearance didn’t put her off.

Whenever she was at the palace, which seemed to occur with increasing frequency, she always made certain I knew she was there. After a while, our surreptitious glances became deep scrutiny. Finally, we conspired to meet.

To be honest, I don't remember much of that encounter. I was awestruck by her wit and charm. She was entertained by my rough manner, a thing to which she was not often subjected.

She was young and pretty. Perhaps when she was older, she would be beautiful. She was everything I thought I could want in a woman. There was only one problem. She was the daughter of a noble and thus our rendezvous had to be in secret.

It was only a matter of time before we were discovered. Let me at this time say, though we saw each other when we could arrange it, I had always treated her honorably. Our romantic relationship was never consummated. The fact made little difference to her father.

I will never forget the day I was called before Count Herlic, the man in charge of palace discipline. A small man, with thinning brown hair, small brown eyes, a small nose, thin lips and a voice like a bassoon. He looked me up and down, trying to keep the smile from his face. Whether he was amused at the thought of my punishment or my relationship with a competitor's daughter is still not clear to me.

I had often passed this room while going about my duties and it was well appointed indeed. Tapestries on the walls, a hand-woven rug on the floor, golden candlesticks on the desk and me and my nicely aged armor in the midst of it all. Standing there, waiting to hear the Count's decision, I found the rich trappings more than a little intimidating.

The Count had a way with words or at least got them at a good discount. The lecture I received that day rivaled a full sermon for sternness and length. I pretended to pay rapt attention, but my mind could only consider what was to come after.

At length, he wound down and delivered his sentence. I will never forget his words as long as I live.

"Tomorrow at dawn, you are to accompany the King's tax collector to the City of Broken Swords, protect him from harm and deliver him safely back to the palace. Until those taxes are paid in full, you are not to return to Modron."

And there it was. I was to be sent to the roughest frontier town they could find, a place that hadn't offered tribute to the King in time out of mind, and collect taxes. It was common knowledge the Broken Swords was part of The Southern Realm in name only. I wondered whom the tax collector had angered to receive such a sentence. If I failed, I would be forever barred from my home. Worse yet, I would never see Theona again.

Theona. What was I to do? That I loved her with all my heart might be an understatement. I would have to find some way to see her before I left. And Count Herlic was certainly not going to make that easy.

I betrayed no inkling of my plans. Instead, I bowed my head and looked intimidated, a task that didn't require much deception. When finally I was dismissed, I was escorted to the barracks under guard. Apparently I was to be watched until after my journey began. And so went my chances of seeing Theona.

The rest of the day, I did little but sit and reflect on my future. Suddenly, being a tailor didn't seem half bad. As the day wore on, I found I could stand it no longer. I simply had to find a way to see Theona, one last time.

I studied the two men who had been sent to watch me. Not really men. Boys. One dark haired, one fair. Probably a couple of years younger than me as well. They hadn’t even been given armor. I could take them, if need be. But should I? And then I thought again of the noble's daughter and realized I had no choice.

Being a guard myself, I knew as soon as they convinced themselves I wasn't going away, pretty much after the first hour, they’d relax a bit. Start talking to each other. It was only natural. I waited until they were thus involved, before I leapt into action.

I had been disarmed, of course, but still had my speed. I tripped one, while pulling the other's short blade from its scabbard. I didn't want to kill them, nor was it necessary. I knocked the prone one out with the sword's pommel, then pointed the blade at the second, who now conveniently had no weapon to oppose me. I made him bind his friend. Just as he finished, I knocked him out as well. I kept the blade and ran. Escaping the palace unseen was somewhat easier that it looked. After all, a guard's job is to keep intruders out, not in.

As I ran through the streets, drawing more than an occasional stare, I started to wonder what I would say when I reached her. Would I bid her farewell? Would I ask her to come with me? If I did, would she be willing to trade her life of luxury for the uncertain future of a fugitive? What would I do now, in any case?

I knew I had to decide soon. I was rapidly approaching her father's residence.

BIO: Steve Lazarowitz is an award winning, multi-published author, best known for his online short stories and serials. His work has appeared in numerous online zines including Twilight Times, Planet Relish, E2K, Another Realm and Jackhammer. You can find his three e-books at http://www.twilighttimes.com. Steve Lazarowitz now resides in Moonah, Tasmania. Dream Sequence, his newest (and oldest) anthology will soon be available from Double Dragon Publishing. You can also link to his webpage at http://www.dream-sequence.net Alaric Swifthand is being released in print next year by Zumaya and the first six parts will be serialized for free in The Writer's Hood, probably starting in September. The book is available from Twilight Times publications.

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NEW LIFE INCOGNITA by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN (disk) 1-55316-061-4 (Rocket) 1-55316-939-5 — New Age Paranormal Urban Romance available and can be purchased from LTDBooks http://www.ltdbooks.com in download and diskette: Palmpilot, Rocket eBook, Gemstar REB 1100 and 1200 and Franklin eBookman. Price: $5.00 (download) $6.00 (disk). Also Available from Amazon and distributed internationally through other major online booksellers.
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THIS ISSUE'S NEWSLETTER CONTEST: Up for grabs in the September/October draw, three original e-books (RTF formats offered as available/"as is") from Hard Shell Word Factory and New Concepts Publishing: EYE OF THE STORM, a psychic suspense romance by Kimberly Grey, (an old purchase, but recent and enjoyable read, HSWF). The other two selections are each books for which I did my first two online reviews several years back: FOR THE EMPEROR, a futuristic romance by Christine W. Murphy (the first e-book I ever read! HSWF); and RAVEN'S HEART, a futuristic romance by Jennifer Dunne (the second e-book I ever read, and absolutely loved it! NCP) In case anyone's interested, full review for FTE is available at my Pieces From The Heart page http://hometown.aol.com/gwiz10/myhomepage/personal.html
You know the drill, but just in case you don't. To enter for your chance to win, just send an e-mail with your name, address and e-mail address to g_mac10@yahoo.com with "Oldies But Goodies Contest" in the subject line. Contest runs until October 20, 2003. One entry per e-mail address, and per person. Refer a friend, however (who e-mails me with his/her request to subscribe and naming you as their referral), to the newsletter before the deadline, and you get an additional entry. The more friends you refer, the more times you're entered. (Referred friend will automatically be entered in the current newsletter contest once). Winner will be notified by e-mail, and mailing address will be confirmed. In the event chosen contestant does not respond within seven (7) days, another name will be drawn. I reserve the right to publish winner's name on my webpage(s) and in my newsletter.

July/August's 2003 Newsletter Dreams Unlimited Extravaganza Contest Winner of eight original DU e-book titles (disks) BEAUDRY'S GHOST, BORN OF FIRE, CAPTIVE HEARTS, ONE WITH THE HUNGER, SNOWBOUND, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, TIME RIDER and WALKING ON THE MOON: Rahaila Izzet of Sindh, Pakistan.

Congrats, Rahaila, and hope you enjoy your prizes!

GIVEAWAYS/GOOD DEALS/SHAMELESS PROMOTIONS:
FREE BOOK offers from Road to Romance: http://roadtoromance.dhs.org/freestories.htm
The Free Stories Feature has been updated and given it's own page. It used to be on the contest page. These are author stories and are linked to their sites, where you can either download them or read them online. Lot's of free reading here! Follow the links offered with each.

"SHADOW OF LOVE" Paranormal Romance – FREE Novel Download from Awe-Struck E-Books
http://awe-struck.net/FREENVLTTE/freeshoflve.html

"Read SHROUDED HEARTS by Cass Andre at NO CHARGE!
Bestselling, award-winning author, Cass Andre, has just released SHROUDED HEARTS, the sequel to VEILED HEARTS. If you thought Luke had woman troubles, wait until you see what Reed has put up with! Download SHROUDED HEARTS at www.booksbycass.com/shrouded.html
(formats available: doc, rtf, lit, html, kml, rb, pdf and a printable file)"

Do you like to read a chapter of a book before you buy it? Stop by Readers Read™ http://www.readersread.com/excerpts/ to read excerpts and first chapters from the newest books. Check back frequently.

Visit NovelBooks, Inc. Cyber Shops at http://www.cafepress.com/nbi where you'll find your favorite NBI cover (yes, Virginia, even Desert Dreams!) on a slew of different products—from tees and totes, to mousepads and mugs. You can also choose to purchase official NBI gear perfect for showing off to your friends or wearing out and about. Keep an eye out for new products and specials. And if you haven't so far been lucky enough to win one of the "Desert Dreams" prizes up for grabs in my previous contests, well then you might have to break down and BUY the gear. Did I mention, affordable gifts, just in time for…ANY time?

If you haven't checked it out yet, zip on over to Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com, your source of fine books in print. EP is an imprint of Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. and brings to you the same great stories—and great giveaways and sales—from your favorite Awe-Struck Awe-thors…only in print! "Earthling Press—books from your home planet."

Stay informed about lots of your favorite writers in one monthly newsletter, and consider subscribing to Writerspace-News, where you'll be kept up-to-date on Janelle Denison, Jayne Ann Krentz, Elizabeth Lowell, Stella Cameron, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Geralyn Dawson, Susan Wiggs, Diana Palmer, Marilyn Pappano and more. To subscribe, visit http://www.writerspace.com/news.html

Want to find out: What Science Fiction Romance is, anyway, and why does Science Fiction Romance deserve its own newsletter and website? Wellllll…you guessed it, another newsletter. But, if you're really into the genre and want to keep abreast of what's coming out and going on with your favorite sfr authors, then this newsletter IS a must (I know, that's what they all say).

The newsletter, which hosts the yearly SAPPHIRE AWARDS for the best works in the genre, has been in publication since 1993/1994 and has had an active website since 1996. They publish monthly in both email and paper formats. For subscriptions to the email newsletter, simply visit the site http://www.sfronline.com/
enter your email address where indicated. For subscriptions by mail, SASEs are required, so contact the editor, Jody Wallace, at editor@sfronline.com.

And along the same lines, try THE DREAM WEAVER – "For those who believe in the magic of dreams".
It's easier than ever to read the Dream Weaver online! www.earthlycharms.com/dreamweaver.htm
Or send a blank email: DreamWeaverNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe and be automatically entered in the bi-monthly drawings.

ODDS AND ENDS:
Visit Gracie's Gallery http://hometown.aol.com/gwiz10/myhomepage/index.html and learn a little more about Gracie C. McKeever and her books. Peruse the links of interest for writers and readers. Enjoy the available articles, poems, short stories, novelettes and free book excerpts, and...Happy Reading!

Please feel free to share this newsletter (in its entirety and/or including the proper credits when/where necessary) with a friend or two...or a hundred! Encourage them to sign up. Or they can just drop me an e-mail expressing their wish to subscribe to the newsletter and I'll sign them up. Want to preview the newsletter and see if it's to your liking? Check out past issues of Gracie's Gazette at
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnewsletter.asp?AuthorID=623

Thanks for subscribing and see you next issue!

GCM—
Someone put a stop on my reality check!