Check out this Diva Basket

The Montrose Blueberry Festival is in full swing! The museum in town is having a used book sale that has been labeled as the State's Largest due to the 30,000 books up for sale. They are nice books too!

Anyways, I made up a "Diva Basket" for the museum to raffle off. Other than a signed copy of Painted Soul and bookmark, the winner will receive a brass heart-shaped candle holder, a pink tapper candle, pink nail polish, a rose scented sachet, "romance" scented lotion, a pink notebook, and a pink feather boa.

I had fun putting it together for the folks at the museum. They loved it when I dropped it off. The raffle will run Friday - Sunday. So if you are in Michigan this weekend stop in Montrose for the Blueberry Festival for a ton of fun, food, and a chance to win this basket!

For more information about this festival www.montroseblueberryfestival.net

I'll be working the pancake breakfast Saturday morning. See you there!

Interesting Book Finds

I love collecting books as much as reading them. Recently I found a few I'd like to share the titles with other writers.

"The Right to Write" by Julia Cameron. This is a good book for those who are in a writer's block or simply afraid to put pen to paper and write the story floating around their head. A few exercises are included and I found the book to be a bit spiritual: "Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding." I saw writing in a whole new light and it was beautiful.

"On Writing Romance" by Leigh Michaels. Another eye-opening book that takes the reader from the origins of the romance novel to how to establish the framework for one's own work. Great advice on getting one's work ready for submitting. Reading this gave me the sense of doing the right stuff and gave me ideas to better myself as a writer.

"Writing for Self-Discovery" by Myra Schneider & John Killick has become my bible of writing. The simple personal exercises in this book brought me out of a major writing slump. I highly recommend this book to be on every writer's shelf as medicine for the mind when it is infected with severe writer's block.

I know there are many great books out there. But these are a few I found at a used bookstore. I'm always looking for old cookbooks and antique children's books, but can't help myself and always check out every inch of the shop. Being in summer and the time of garage sales, a writer may find books like these for $1 or less!

Congrats to contest winners!

Congrats to winners of an autographed copy of Painted Soul.

*Lura Kubitz won a copy during the Not Going To Conference Conference on RomanceDivas.com

*Rebecca Johnson won a copy from Book-A-Day Giveaway on The Romance Studio

*Paulette Wurdock won a gift basket containing a copy of Painted Soul, an original watercolor painting (by me), bath stuff, a candle, and chocolate at the booksigning.

Special thanks to all those who put their names in the pot.

Book Signing

At first I was a bit disapointed with the turn out at my first book signing until other author pals told me I did ok, then I felt better.

Around 20 ladies showed up for my talk, reading and book signing. I sold 7 books. But I made some new friends and fans! It was fun meeting people and chatting with them. I had a blast! My mom was in her glory. I think I am very lucky to have a mom who has always supported my creativity.

Just as I was leaving the show, my editor (Tricia Gingras) called my cell. She was in town from Minnesota. So she & I and our hubbys went out for drinks and food. I was introduced to an adult beverage called Frog Piss. I loved it!

Today is the day!

Today is my first book signing! Yeah! I'm so excited. The event will take place today at 2pm at Swanhaven Manor. This is the luxury retirement community where my mom lives. I dedicated the book, "Painted Soul", to Mom so I thought it would be fun to kick off my book signing there. My mom, her friends, and the manor are excited about the event. 500 invitations were sent out!

This is not a nursing home, this place is awesome and full of vibrant, active people who enjoy life to the fullest. I can't wait until I'm 55 and I can move in!

I'm going to give a little talk and a reading as well. There is even a really cool gift basket to be won by some lucky lady.

Ack... gotta go and get ready. You should see my new shoes!

Calling All Michigan Authors

I am trying to organize a book signing party and looking for 3-5 other authors living in Michigan to participate with me. The event will take place in September 2008 at the Barnes & Noble on Tittabawassee in Saginaw. It would be fun to have a variety of genre represented; however I am willing to share the spotlight with other romance writers.

This is a great opportunity and a chance to have a ton of fun!

Please contact me if you’re interested.

- Mary Quast
maryquast@yahoo.com

A Confession

Okay, you got me. I'm a junker. Or is it Junquer? My hobby is traveling with Hubby to garage sales, rummage sales, estate sales, flea markets, Goodwill, antique shops...

My sister, Ann, is a very creative person and can find treasures while garbage picking. Yes, you read that right. Come on, how many of you pass a trash pile in someone's yard and say, "Why are they throwing that out? It's perfectly good, just needs..." Well, that's my sister; she turnes trash into treasures. I learned from the master!

Hubby and I managed to decorate close to 90% of our 4600 sq ft home with findings from sales. Even the boys have fun and find treasures of their own.

I have been recording findings, treasures,and ideas on another blog. Finders Keepers. Check it out if you're a junker too or if you are open to fresh, new ideas. www.xanga.com/finders.

Painted Soul

EXCERPT 4


Her blood boiled with sexuality from his touch. He placed hard kisses along her neck. Forgetting her brother was sitting near by, soft moans escaped her.

She felt the limo swerve to the side of the street. She looked out the window as it pulled up to The Place. Puzzola helped her to her feet. A familiar, but older, elf greeted them and Elizabeth noticed the sparkle in his eyes. He either remembered her or was expecting her when he greeted her by name.

“They’re here,” she saw him speak into a small microphone as she stepped aside to let her brother pass.

“Me ole friends, welcome,” Tucker Tripp placed a kiss on her hand. “An’ to the lady, Elizabeth, whose beauty grows ere time me eyes see her. Candy to me own eyes, she is.”

She smiled at him as he led them through a corridor she had never seen. Puzzola held her tightly as Erick looked back at her. They paused before going through a door. Elizabeth looked in the direction Erick pointed. A black and white sign read, “The Skunk’s Den.”

“You are in my realm now,” Puzzola’s voice was raspy as he opened the heavy door. “Welcome to my kingdom. It’s time you met my subjects.”

Painted Soul Excerpt 3

BLURB:
A contemporary romance with a twist, Painted Soul is a story that takes the reader on a wonderful ride in an artist’s life, through the streets of London, and into the shadows of the underground.

Elizabeth McAlister was only eighteen when she met the art student, Puzzola in a London nightclub and gave him her heart. Ten years later, they meet again when a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins.

As Elizabeth falls deeper in love with Puzzola, she tries to rescue him from tortured memories he refuses to discuss. Eventually, his double life and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper just as he is involved in a life-threatening accident.


EXCERPT 3

Puzzola stood with a beer in his hand staring at the large canvas propped against the wall. The conflicting emotions inside him needed to be released. He looked at the prepared canvas like a gunfighter eyeing his opponent. His chest heaved as he swallowed the last of his beverage then slammed the bottle onto the concrete wall. The shattering of glass was barely heard above the blaring music. With a fierce grasp, he moved the large canvas into better light in the studio. Never taking his gaze from the barren space, he stripped down to his boxers to escape the heat and allow him the freedom of movement to cover the massive canvas.

Tipping his head back, he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes in meditation. The world was spinning, except where he was standing, time was still. The image came to him. Opening his eyes, he grabbed a favorite paintbrush, which quickly became an extension of him, and twirled his paint cart to an accessible location.

A force escaping from his soul would create the painting. He began to paint with violence as thoughts and memories passed over his mind’s eye. He saw his paternal grandparents, in their golden years, so much in love working in their art and pottery studio. He touched the gold cross lying on his chest. He remembered his grandmother giving him the cross when she recognized his artistic ability, as he gave her his promise to use his God-given talent. He saw his father’s disapproving scowl. His father was openly resentful of the relationship between Puzzola and his parents. Puzzola’s mind envisioned the kiln explosion again as if it were real and felt the pain of watching his grandparents die in the blaze.

Puzzola stepped back momentarily to assess his work. His breath came rapidly as if he was running. Sweat covered his taunt, muscled body. Blood raced through his veins.

He vowed to keep the promise made to his grandmother, even as it enraged his father. He remembered his father accusing him of being a sleaze, filth, scum. He thought of his mother’s tears and his father’s attempts to strangle his artistic spirit, his soul slowly dying, while his heart was hardening. If Edwin Somerby couldn’t accept his son, who could?


To purchase Painted Soul visit Vanilla Heart Publishing online bookstore http://shop.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=9

Painted Soul - excerpt 2

BLURB:
A contemporary romance with a twist, Painted Soul is a story that takes the reader on a wonderful ride in an artist’s life, through the streets of London, and into the shadows of the underground.

Elizabeth McAlister was only eighteen when she met the art student, Puzzola in a London nightclub and gave him her heart. Ten years later, they meet again when a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins.

As Elizabeth falls deeper in love with Puzzola, she tries to rescue him from tortured memories he refuses to discuss. Eventually, his double life and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper just as he is involved in a life-threatening accident.



EXCERPT 2

“I used to get butterflies just thinking about Puzzola or the night we met,” the sherry was loosening her tongue. "Now I’m in the same country and I’m going crazy knowing he’s not far away. I feel tingles all over. Am I nuts? I don’t even really know him, we just danced and that was ten years ago!”

Erick tapped her on the nose. “You are not nuts. He may be closer than you think,” he laughed. “He’s still hot for you, I’m sure,” he moaned. “I wish I were in your shoes right now!”

“What?” Elizabeth laughed. “I thought you preferred women.”

“Ugh!” Erick put her in a headlock and rubbed the top of her head with his knuckles. “I do prefer women! Don’t ever think that again, young lady!” He released her with a shove, “I meant the idea of embarking on the greatest trip of your life. I remember an artist I slept with once, and she was incredible! She was even better than the dancer. Oh the dancer could move alright, but the artist was so creative,” he jeered. “You should have seen them together. Hot!”

“Now you’re grossing me out,” she threw a pillow at her brother’s sultry grin.

He caught the pillow but didn’t lose the grin, “Well since we are having a heart to heart conversation and sex is one of the topics, can I ask you something?”

“You ask me? This is a first. Shoot away, brother dear.”

“Who did you give your virginity to? Was it that guy in college?”

Elizabeth couldn’t believe she was having this discussion with her brother. The sherry must have been stronger that she thought.

“Yes, it was Rob.”

She recalled the sexy young artist from her classes. Rob Duvall, tall, dark and handsome. His passion for his art surpassed her passion for painting. There was sexual tension between them from the first day they met. It was only a short time before he convinced her to pose nude for a drawing. Only she ended up in his bed, and many other places, time and time again. He took her when he wanted, and left her feeling exhausted and empty every time he walked out the door. Their relationship turned into a game of how quick, how often and how few words.

“He looked a bit like Puzzola. But he was a total jerk, Elizabeth. I was pleased when you broke up with him.”

“Things just didn’t feel right, Erick. We were great together in the studio, the dark room and the gallery,” she laughed at her brother’s gaping expression. “But we couldn’t carry on a normal conversation. Do you suppose, in my subconscious, he was a substitute for Puzzola?”