Books by Gracie C. McKeever

© 2002 Gracie C. McKeever

In This Issue:

Recent Reviews for "Desert Dreams", "Flames Past", "New Life Incognita"
Awe-Struck Flash! Fiction
The Pen Is Mightier
This Issue's Spotlight Site
This Issue's Colleague in the Spotlight
What I'm Reading/Recommended Reads
Fun Site
Contests
Good Deals/Shameless Promotions
Odds and Ends
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HOT, HOT, HOT…Can you say hot? I've been lucky enough to escape any power outages, or water main breaks in my own personal neck of the woods, but it hasn't stopped me from sweltering during these dog days. Romance was heavy in the air at the offices where I work in Manhattan for the heatwave stretch, lights dimmed in the lobby and hallways to conserve electricity. Hmmm, perhaps if you turn down the AC (perish the THOUGHT) a notch that might help and I could take off my for-just-such-an-occasion jacket! Meanwhile on the homefront, I sizzle and bake. No, I have not entered the twenty-first century, lest you ask, and gotten an AC. Every summer I threaten, but hey, a few weeks out of the year? I can survive, she says, until the next wave.

Hope you're all well and comfy in your neck of the woods as you take in this issue's offerings!
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AD: Would you like to know when the next book by your favorite author is coming out? Or when and where you might be able to meet that author? Would you like to know when LTDBooks has some exciting news, great reviews or new releases? Drop by http://www.ltdbooks.com, sign up for the official newsletter and they'll send you a copy of LTDB Notes. LTDBooks – "The New World of Re@ding".
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RECENT REVIEWS:

Of DESERT DREAMS: " This is one book that has no real genre. It is one of those really interesting stories that crosses many boundaries. I couldn't decide whether it was paranormal, fantasy, romance, dark tale, mystery. It is all and has even a touch of horror -- just enough to give that added flavor…

The characters come from the modern world and a time so long past it has become mythical. The setting is modern day, but at times will seem to be elsewhere. I recommend this book as something different and a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. Read and enjoy!" Review by Anne K. Edwards for eBook Reviews Weekly, <6/1/02> http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/

"DESERT DREAMS is a wonderful magical story. There is a bit of sadness, but also a fair amount of humor. Therese's family is an enlivening addition to the tale. The way Terre called Kane her "genie-man" was enjoyable. I took pleasure from the way Kane and Therese's relationship develops. Although a genie story, DESERT DREAMS takes a bit of a different path…" Reviewed by Flora Bell, courtesy PNR (ParaNormal Romance) Reviews, posted August 12, 2002 http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review6812 and online at BOOK ISLE http://ebookisle.com/reviews/mckeeverGC.html

Desert Dreams—ISBN (e) 1-931696-10-1 (p) 1-931696-89-6—is available, in download (pdf or html) and print (trade paperback), and can be purchased direct from NovelBooks, Inc. at http://www.novelbooksinc.com for $2 off the Retail Price at $15.95 (paperback); $5.50 (download). Also Available from Amazon, B&N (brick-and-mortar stores by "special order" through Bowkers, just give the ISBN), Books-A-Million, and distributed internationally through other major online booksellers.

Of FLAMES PAST: "Author Gracie McKeever once again brings intensity to her unique view of paranormal romance. Her distinctive ability to create characters that leap off the page makes her writing incredibly memorable. …the pyrokinetic flourishes make FLAMES PAST a fascinating read that comes recommended." Cindy Penn, Word Wrap 5/16/02 http://wordweaving.com/reviewmar15_02.html

"Awesome...FLAMES PAST is an exciting and moving love story concerning two characters readers will admire and like even though they don't always communicate well with each other. Their flaws make them human and easy to understand, but it is their way of coping with powers of the mind that make them unforgettable. Grace C McKeever is a very talented writer." *****5, Harriet Klausner , Affaire de Couer Magazine, July/August 2002 www.affairedecouer.com

"FLAMES PAST throws together an alcoholic heroine and a hero who is running from his past and gets pure combustion. Sean is a genuinely nice guy, and Echo, though she obviously has her weaknesses, is a spunky, loving heroine. This story is "spiced" up by the fact that the main characters have some ESP -- Echo being empathic/telepathic and Sean and their son Athan are pyrokinetic. These talents are mostly used as flavoring for the character's pasts more than anything else. From the first introduction of Athan we are hoping that he gets to have a real family and Sean and Echo's still-lingering passion for each other is very enjoyable. FLAMES PAST presents a host of interesting and fun characters for the reader, mixes in a little real-life turbulence and comes up with a nice story. This book is recommended for anyone who's looking for a romance with a little less fantasy and a little more humanity." Reviewed by Ann Leveille, courtesy PNR (ParaNormal Romance) Reviews, posted August 7, 2002 http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review6700

"FLAMES PAST is a superb paranormal romance. Neither the hero nor the heroine are perfect. They both have problems to face and work through, and they do it in a way that is quiet believable. Echo's reasons for what she did are actually acceptable. Their son plays a major part in the story, adding a special touch. FLAMES PAST is an admirable summer read." ****4 Stars, Susan Mobley, 9/02, Romantic Times Book Club www.romantictimes.com

Flames Past—ISBN (e) 1-58749-121-4 (p) 1-58749-257-7—is 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. Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H), $13.95 (trade paperback)

Of NEW LIFE INCOGNITA: "Gracie McKeever writes a reincarnation tale with a twist...There are moments when the reader's mind is boggled by the gender technicalities, but I found NEW LIFE INCOGNITA to be quite original and unique." Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch Courtesy PNR (ParaNormalRomance) Reviews http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review6106-Posted June 30, 2002

New Life Incognita—ISBN (disk) 1-55316-061-4 (Rocket) 1-55316-939-5—is 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.

Flashback Classic: "MILES TO GO is a mind blowing coming of age story that will leave you with goose bumps. Gracie McKeever takes you by the hand and leads you into her world. It's not a gentle journey. You hurt when Chris and Tori hurt, you cry when they cry and you laugh at their juvenile behavior, but deep down you feel as if you know them. Though set in the early nineties, they face the same trials and tribulations as teenagers now, which adds yet another level of realism. Categorized in the young adult genre, but suitable for adults and teens alike, Miles To Go is not a book for the faint-hearted reader, but the violence doesn't detract from the story line. If you can handle a hard hitting, gritty, down and dirty story that will leave you yearning for more after a completely shocking ending, Miles To Go is the story for you." *****5 Stars, Angela B. Mink Torres for Simply Dreams/Simply E-Books.

Miles To Go—ISBN 1-58749-025-0—is a Byte^Me teen novel that 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.
Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H)

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AD: Meet the authors that make Awe-Struck tick, read the interviews, the articles, the inspirational stories behind the books, and find out what Awe-Struck Awe-thors are up to. But most of all, sign up for the Awe-Struck Flash, Official Newsletter of Awe-Struck E-Books http://www.awe-struck.net, and get Awed! If you'd like to become a subscriber (and since it only comes out every other month, why not?), send a blank message to awestruckflash-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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AWE-STRUCK FLASH FICTION! – "Freefall"
Rebeka Reynolds blocked out the noise of the jump plane's turbine, squeezing her eyes shut against the endless view of cotton-blue clouds outside. Ten thousand feet up and climbing. She tried to escape into a light doze, avoided glancing out the windows. Maybe if she were lucky she’d hit her REM sleep somewhere over the drop zone and her Tandem Instructor could wake her when it was all over.

His scent enveloped her now, a piquant mix of coconut shampoo and musk aftershave that wafted to her nostrils as Wiry Jamieson positioned himself behind her and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Sorry you made that bet yet?”

"Not on your life."

"Good." He slid his hands down and around to her front, expertly and securely attached her to him with the dual harness. “Not that you’d ever admit it anyway.”

Five years in self-exile hadn't dulled his memory. He knew her too well, where all her buttons were, and when and how to push them. He knew how much she loved a challenge, how much she hated to lose, but more importantly, he knew how much she liked to wager…

Former flames reunite at a relative and mutual acquaintance's wedding after a five-year separation, and all bets are suddenly off in this contemporary romance by Gracie C. McKeever. Read complete story at Awe-Struck FLASH Fiction (July 10, 2002 – Issue #20 of The FLASH)
http://awe-struck.net/FLASH_FICTION/flash_fiction1.html

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER:
http://members.aol.com/RitrsPulse/Pen.html
Has been on hiatus due to uncontrollable circumstances, but look for its return and new postings in the near future! In the meantime, take this opportunity to catch up on reviews and short stories that you might have previously missed. Check out my review of Elaine Hopper's "Secrets" under COLUMNS. But don't stop here. There are other book reviews, movie reviews, short stories, novel excerpts, poetry and much more from the other talented authors and staff members at The Pen!

THIS ISSUE'S SPOTLIGHT SITE:
http://www.ebookmark.com
"A website for ebooks and ebook advocacy." If you've never tried an e-book here's a great place to learn more and start. Free ebooks, ebook resources and ebooks by Marc.

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AD: There's always a sale or a special going on at Awe-Struck. For all your gift-giving needs, Awe-Struck brings you gift certificates! Order a 3-book gift certificate for $12, a 5-book certificate for $18, or (a super bargain) an 8-book gift certificate for $28. The recipient can choose from all of Awe-Struck's 90-plus titles, in any download format. And you get an attractive gift certificate to print out and present to the recipient. And don't forget the ever-popular Pik-a-Paks -- http://www.awe-struck.net
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THIS ISSUE'S COLLEAGUE IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Check out her website and learn more about Ms. Childers and her wonderful books">http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Suite/9474/index.html is the homepage of Leta Nolan Childers, eight-time Frankfurt International eBook Awards Nominee, and best selling e-book author of 1999 and 2000. You might have heard of her wildly popular titles "The Best Laid Plans" and its sequel "The Best Laid Plans Backfire". This e-publishing and e-book promoter supreme is also a dynamite cover artist and the list creator and moderator of e-writers Today Check out her website and learn more about Ms. Childers and her wonderful books.

WHAT I'M READING/RECOMMENDED READS:
In the last few months I've read a couple of books off the beaten path of romance, a little more towards the "literary/mainstream". Finished "Erasure" by Percival Everett. An ironic indictment of publishing in America mixed in with family drama. Offbeat characters, unique and heartfelt story line and Mr. Everett's smooth narrative lend to an enjoyable read with an understated, but wickedly humorous ending. It was a nice change from my usual fare. Followed it up with Mr. Everett's novella "Grand Canyon, Inc.", the story of Rhino Tanner, a demented Trump-wannabe who wants to develop the Grand Canyon. As you can imagine, inhabited with even more off-beat characters, sub-plot and another darkly-humorous story-line that all go towards packing a wallop in so little a space.

If you like "Sex and the City" and generous doses of humor and sensitivity in your romance, you'll love Leslie Carroll's "Miss Match". Picked this up intending to read just a few pages, and was halfway through the book in a sitting before I realized it. Colorful, well-rounded characters (Kitty Lamb and Bear Hart…and no neither is into animal husbandry ), snappy dialogue and witty narrative galore.

Not that I've read anything new by her (because if there were anything out, you better believe I'd be first in line) but that's no reason to keep you guys from reading Octavia E. Butler's previous works. Though they are her most recent (and arguably her best) novels yet, I recommend her Parable titles ("Parable of the Sower" and "Parable of The Talents") to start off and get your feet good and wet. If you're into human, end-of-the-world-prophecy science fiction along the lines of "Jeremiah" and "Strange Days" but not necessarily a "hard" or gadgets and techno science fiction fan (I'm certainly not) then these are the books for you. Here's a snippet of my review – first posted at The Pen Is Mightier June 2000 (I gave them each 10 out of 10, if that's any indication to you of how much I loved these books ):

"As are most odysseys, these two books were difficult to read but even more difficult to put down.

In Parable of the Sower, Lauren Oya Olamina--the oldest child of five and a preacher's daughter in twenty-first century America--is a youth of vision and destiny approaching womanhood amidst desperate and violent times. She has experienced a sheltered existence, literally, growing up behind bars in Robledo, California where, beyond her walled community, social and political anarchy rage.

Lauren is also hyperempathic, or what's known as a "sharer", and has the ability to experience the pain and pleasure of others as intensely as if it is hers. This ability is a danger and more a curse than a gift in a world where human depravities and misery reign supreme, and particularly in a household where sibling rivalry and childhood taunting have been taken to new heights by a sociopathic brother…

Five years later in "Parable of the Talents", we find Lauren settled and thriving in a new community--Acorn--constructed from the ground up by her and the people of Earthseed. She has a husband, Bankole--the community's doctor and upon whose land Acorn grows. Several dozen multicultural and "sharer" families who work and live by the Earthseed doctrines join them.

Built from the ashes of Bankole's family home and land, Acorn is difficult going, but it is a refuge, hope for the future, and much more than the people of Earthseed had ever believed or envisioned. It is, for Lauren and her people, the seed of man's Destiny--to take root among the stars…

Ms. Butler has never provided any easy answers or sugarcoated situations for her characters and here with unflinching logic and heart, she takes the people of Earthseed to new paths of endurance in a world run amok. From her Parables, we gain insight into what could be, and what we hope to prevent becoming the future of mankind.

Cautionary tales at their most bleak and finest, both Parable books are shining examples of the old adage: Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

Okay, a bit more than a "snippet", but you get the idea.

Next issue, hope to have some more interesting titles for ya!

FUN SITE:
http://www.dribbleglass.com/index.html
Funny pictures, jokes, useless trivia and much more.

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AD: NovelBooks Inc. features one of its authors every week, and that author provides a short story or novel excerpt which is then offered free to readers. Check out the site EVERY WEEK for a new story (and a different featured author) http://www.novelbooksinc.com NBI – "Surprisingly New – Always Unique"
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CONTESTS:
The winners in my June 2002 DESERT DREAMS Revisited Contest were:

First Place, Desert Dreams T-shirt
Jennifer Bolwig, Ontario Canada

Second Place, Desert Dreams Mousepad
Jo-Anne Bennett, Queensland Australia

Congratulations Jennifer and Jo-Anne and hope you each enjoy your prize!

July 2002's Winner of an autographed copy of FLAMES PAST was: Tammy O'Hagan, of Thornton, WV.
WTG Tammy and hope you enjoy your book!

Heat Up Your Summer with FLAMES PAST! There's still time to enter my August giveaway for a chance to win the second of two autographed copies of my latest paranormal romance (in trade paperback). One more name remains to be drawn. Visit http://www.roadtoromance.ca/contestpage4.htm Deadline: 31st of August 2002.

Hope to see you enter and Good Luck!

THIS ISSUE'S NEWSLETTER CONTEST:
More royal shape-changing shenanigans on the horizon this August/September. I will be giving away ("good" condition) a copy of Sue Krinard's 1995 Vampire Romance (and my own personal favorite of Krinard's "Prince" titles) "Prince of Dreams". To enter the contest, just send an e-mail with your name, address and e-mail to g_mac10@yahoo.com with "Prince of Dreams Contest" in the subject line. Contest runs until September 17, 2002. One entry per e-mail address, and per person. Winner will be notified by e-mail. I reserve the right to publish winner's name on my webpage and in the newsletter. Tell a friend about the contest and if they sign up for Gracie's Gazette by September 17, 2002, they'll automatically be entered in the August/September newsletter contest!

GOOD DEALS/SHAMELESS PROMOTIONS:
"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.

ODDS AND ENDS:
Visit Gracie's Gallery http://hometown.aol.com/gwiz10/myhomepage/index.html and learn a little more about my books and me. 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 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. (And if you forward it, please do so in its entirety with copyright notice, etc. intact). It's free, it's easy and until next time...it's done!

Thanks for reading and see you next issue!

GCM--
Two rules for life:
1) Don’t' tell people everything you know
2)