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Marta Stephens's Blog (39)

Interview with Rocco Martino author of "Cancel Christmas!" on Novel Works

It’s my pleasure to introduce, Rocco Martino, a trained astrophysics as well as an international authority on finance, planning, space flight, computer systems, and a former educator. After writing 20 non-fiction books, Martino has just published his first work of fiction and you can read all about this man’s fascinating career and writing journey today on Novel Works… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on December 18, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Susan Whitfield, guest blogger on Novel Works

Susan has written and published several mystery novels, GENESIS BEACH, and JUST NORTH OF LUCK. HELL SWAMP, the third novel, will be released by publisher L&L Dreamspell on February 21st. She is currently writing GATOR CREEK, set along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington.

Her article, "Inside the Mind of A Mystery Writer: Challenges" is posted on Novel Works today, December 9, 2009.… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on December 9, 2009 at 8:05am — No Comments

New Blog, Novel Works/author featured

Hi all,

Today I posted a new review for “Mazurka” written by Aaron Paul Lazar on Novel Works.

About the author: Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries and Moore Mysteries enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his websites at www.legardemysteries.com and… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 24, 2009 at 8:43am — No Comments

"The Devil Can Wait" 2009 IPPY Bronze Medal Finalist

"The Devil Can Wait" selected 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) bronze medal finalist in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.
Available from Amazon, B&N, BAM, and numeroud other online bookstores.
ISBN: 978-1-905202-86-7
316 Pages
$15.99
Autographed copies available through Stephens's website.

Added by Marta Stephens on May 25, 2009 at 5:39pm — No Comments

"The Devil Can Wait" is a IPPY Award semifinalist

The second book in my Sam Harper Crime Mystery series, "The Devil Can Wait," is a semifinalist in the annual IPPY Awards in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category in the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards). The 120 entries in this category were narrowed down to 12 semi-finalists.

The… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on May 8, 2009 at 12:24pm — 2 Comments

One of my blogs selected by Write's Digest as "... one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers"

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around this, but my authors' blog, MURDER BY 4 , has been selected as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest for 2009!

For those not familiar with MURDER BY 4, this writers' blog was launched in February 2008 to give readers and writers and insider's look at the lives of four published authors; Aaron Paul Lazar, Kim Smith, S. W. Vaughn and me :) as well as a host of… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on April 11, 2009 at 8:39am — No Comments

New Book Trailer for novel, "The Devil Can Wait"

I just posted the newly completed book trailer for my latest release, "The Devil Can Wait."

Many thanks to S. W. Vaughn, author of BROKEN ANGEL (4/28/09) and HUNTED (6/1/09) for creating "The Devil Can Wait" book trailer and to Kevin MacLeod for allowing us to use his music.

The trailer is also permanently available on… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on January 21, 2009 at 8:18pm — No Comments

Some great news, exciting announcements ...

and hopefully something of interest for readers.

First I want to thank everyone who tossed in a vote for THE DEVIL CAN WAIT book cover on Erin Aislinn’s website, http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheMonth.htm. I’m thrilled to announce that it won November 2008 cover of the month. All the 2008 winners will be up for a vote in a few weeks for cover of the year on her… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on January 7, 2009 at 6:22pm — No Comments

Two Days Left in 2008!

Can you believe it? Two days left of this crazy busy year? 2008 has been wonderful in so many ways and the blessings continue to mound. I hope it's been good to you too.

One note of thanks goes to the many fabulous friends I've met or bumped into here this year. Thank you for following my posts and my writing career. Thank you for stopping to answer… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on December 30, 2008 at 2:42pm — No Comments

Day 7 of My Virtual Book Tour

Today you'll find me at American Chronical

Hope you'll get a chance to stop by and read some of the other articles and interviews along the way. You'll find all the active links on my website, www.martastephens-author.com and on my blog.

Leave a note, question, or comment on the tour stops and you could win a FREE virtual book tour from Pump Up Your Book Promotion… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on December 9, 2008 at 6:29am — No Comments

You're invited to my December Virtual Book Tour

My virtual book tour officially kicked-off yesterday. The first of several articles, interviews, and reviews of my second book, "The Devil Can Wait" have been published. You'll find them at the following links.

Dec. 1 - Fiction Scribe (interview) www.fictionscribe.com

Dec. 1 -- Joylene Nowell Butler (interview) http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/

Dec. 2 - The Dark Phantom (guest post) www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com

Rose and Thorn Reviews (book review)… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on December 2, 2008 at 8:20am — No Comments

A Christmas Murder Scavenger Hunt

Work the Clues!

The Devil Can Wait

Another Sam Harper Crime Mystery

by

Marta Stephens

Nine bodies, a cursed relic linked to a Christmas Eve prophecy, and no suspects. While homicide detective Sam Harper hunts down the guilty, YOU can track the clues in “The Devil Can Wait” for a chance to win an autographed copy of “Silenced Cry,” the book that launched the Sam Harper Crime Mystery series and received honorable mention at the 2008 New York Book… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 18, 2008 at 8:50pm — No Comments

Join Me 11/10/08 on Blogtalk Radio!

Please mark your calendar for the following!

November 10, 2008 10 AM ~ Interview on COFFEE WITH AN AUTHOR, an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show on http://blogtalkradio.com/i-just-finished. COFFEE WITH AN AUTHOR is live every Monday at 10 AM (CST). The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio by www.Ijustfinished.com.

Click here to read the press release: http://www.ijustfinished.com/blog/?p=105

So if you get a chance on Monday morning, grab a cup of… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 8, 2008 at 10:42am — No Comments

5-Star Review of "The Devil Can Wait"

Review of THE DEVIL CAN WAIT, a novel by Marta Stephens

Reviewed by Harry Hughes, author of THE BAIT SHACK

Literarily speaking, the murder mystery genre has been excavated so thoroughly that one wonders how any author, emerging or seasoned, might find a way to put new spin on the unrepentant dastards who commit crimes, and the noir… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 8, 2008 at 10:40am — No Comments

From the desk of homicide detective Sam Harper

It’s snowing again. Big wet flakes plunge from the evening sky to the streets below. From my fourth floor window the scenery looks as peaceful as the pictures on the Christmas cards Emma keeps on her desk. But the new layer of snow reminds me of the bodies piling up in the morgue. I close my eyes—each victim’s face flashes before them.

I curse under my breath and try to make sense of the killings.

Superstitions and biblical prophesies—old wives’ tales told to scare the… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 5, 2008 at 9:34pm — No Comments

Discussion of out-of-the-box book promotion continues today on MURDER BY 4

Author Karen Dionne is today's guest on MURDER BY 4. Karen is the author of the upcoming release FREEZING POINT (October 2, 2008) and co-founder of the writers organization, Backspace.

Karen's passion for networking and unique take on virtual book tours makes this a fascinating read for all writers regardless of genre and experience!
Hope you'll have a chance to stop by and post a comment.

Added by Marta Stephens on July 28, 2008 at 6:46am — No Comments

Author J D Rhoades guest blogs on the topic of Marketing vs. Connecting

How often have you been invited to sit down with a published author and asked your opinion about anything?

Here's your chance, your invitation to chat with this week's MURDER BY 4 guest blogger J.D. Rhoades, author of BREAKING COVER, published in July 2008 by St. Martin's/Minotaur, and the Jack Keller series of thriller novels: THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND, GOOD DAY IN HELL, and SAFE AND SOUND, also from St. Martin 's.

His article… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on July 25, 2008 at 5:09am — No Comments

An Update On "Things"

Life can only be described as having gone from hectic to frantic. The big news is that my debut novel, SILENCED CRY, received honorable mention at the 2008 New York Book Fair. I heard about the contest late last year and although I was excited about submitting my novel, as the deadline drew near, I began to hesitate. After all, what were the odds of getting noticed among ... how many other excellent entries, right? I’m thrilled to receive the mention. You’ll find the complete list of winners… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on July 22, 2008 at 10:35am — No Comments

SILENCED CRY Receives Honorable Mention at the 2008 NY Book Festival

As the old saying goes, I was sitting in front of my computer last night, typing, minding my own business when I received the exciting news that my debut novel, Silenced Cry, received honorable mention at the 2008 New York Book Festival.

I heard about the contest late last year and although I was excited about submitting my novel, as the deadline drew near, I began to hesitate. After all, what were the odds of getting noticed among how many other entries, right? Anyway, my entry had… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on June 23, 2008 at 7:09pm — No Comments

What's Up With This Crime Writer?

Ah! Spring!! I took Friday (5/23) off for a nice and much needed four-day weekend. Hope everyone’s plans for this Memorial Day weekend includes some reflection, a cook out or two with friends and family, and lots of fun and relaxation. For me it's a chance to get started with deep cleaning our home. House cleaning isn't my focus these days but it drives me nuts to not have a clean house. I'll get done what I can, and get some gardening in later this afternoon.

Then again, anyone who… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on May 25, 2008 at 7:50am — No Comments