Posted in Blog Tour

My Upcoming Fall Promotions, Giveaways, and Events

In case you don’t follow me on Facebook, twitter, or subscribe to my newsletter, here’s some important info about my current and upcoming book promotions and events.

My blog tour for my new release, Cloudy Rainbow, featuring a $10 Amazon gift card is ending on October 3. You can still read about the book and participate in the rafflecopter until that date. The tour is hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours, and the dated stops are listed here.

From October 9 to 11, my standalone mystery, Reason to Die, will be part of a Kindle countdown and be available for only 99 cents.

I’m also on the final edits for my 4th Cobble Cove Mystery, Love on the Rocks. This book should be released within the next month or so.

This Fall, I’ll also be appearing at several local author fairs and other events on Long Island. Here is my upcoming calendar if any of you are in the area and can come by and see me. I’ll be happy to autograph copies of my books for you and as gifts for friends and relatives.

 

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Posted in New Releases, Romances, Solstice Publishing

Announcing My New Paranormal Romance: “Cloudy Rainbow”

NEW RELEASE

Paranormal Romance

eBook & Kindle Unlimited: mybook.to/CR2
Paperback: mybook.to/CRpaper

This revised edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of my first published novel. Dedicated to my mom who recently passed away, Cloudy Rainbow is a story of love, loss, and love regained through the power of hope and the mysteries of faith.

When you lose a loved one, whether it’s a relative, friend, or precious pet, you wonder where that special soul has gone and if you will ever see him or her again. For Dulcie Mills, Long Island computer programmer, the answer may lie between a virtual world and the real one, between the past and the present, between dreams and reality.

Unable to get over her fiancée’s death and facing the impending loss of her 15-year-old cat, Dulcie escapes to a virtual world. When Dulcie’s best friend accepts a job from a clairvoyant who offers predictions regarding Dulcie’s dead fiancée and Dulcie becomes attracted to an online stranger, history begins to repeat itself in ways that are both promising and terrifying. What Dulcie discovers through a virtual séance may mean the only chance she has left for love or death itself.

Addressing topics of reincarnation and soul transfer in similar ways as Greg Iles’ Sleep No More and Nora Roberts’ Midnight Bayou, Cloudy Rainbow features an interesting mix of technology and the paranormal and will also appeal to cat lovers.

Excerpt:

Dulcie took a seat in the tapestry covered armchair, while Valerie sat on the couch next to a white lump of fur that had to be Coronet, the nine-hundred-lives kitty. The lump rolled over when she sat, but Valerie just patted it a few times and nestled next to it.

“Well, then.” Mrs. Hanover took the matching chair on the other side of the room. “I know you, but you don’t know me yet. I’m Marjorie Hanover, but you can call me Marge. You, too, Val. I’ve been meaning to tell you to stop being so formal. I’ve always loved art and had an opportunity to collect nice pieces when my husband was alive, and we traveled the world. Since he passed, and I’m not sure when he’ll be back, I’ve bided my time here, but it has been a bit lonely.”

Now it was Dulcie’s turn to roll her eyes at Valerie. How could she have gotten her involved in this insanity?

“I realize you gals have a lot to do, so I’ll make this short,” Marge continued. “I’m a clairvoyant, but I don’t tell too many people about my power. I was surprised to learn I had this gift when I was ten years old and my dog Rudolph died. I had a dream the night before that he was hit by a car. I tried to tell my parents, but it was too late. Luckily, he came back as my cat Priscilla several years later. I knew there was no way we would be separated forever…but getting back to my point.”

Dulcie was on the edge of her chair with her fingers on the cell phone in her pants pocket.

Marge turned to face her directly. “This trip you are shortly going on will be the most important one of your life, my dear. I had to tell you that, so I asked Val to bring you over.”

“I see.” Dulcie’s voice was a bit too high, but Marge didn’t seem to notice. She was using all the phony fortunetelling tricks of false mediums, telling people they were going on a trip, guessing their names, etc., although there had to be explanations for all of it. Dulcie would play along. “What about romance?”

“Oh, that’s part of it, if you want it to be.” Now she was reaching. “Are you sure you girls wouldn’t like anything to drink or eat?”

Valerie saved her from making another excuse. “We really can’t stay long, Mrs. H., I mean Marge, but thank you.”

“I get the hint.”

Marge stood up from her seat and turned her back. Dulcie feared she’d go to the kitchen for that sharp butcher knife, but the woman was smiling when she turned back with those unnaturally bright teeth that had to be false. “I’ll see you tomorrow night then, Valerie. I have this Renoir you must see. Nice meeting you, Dulcie, dear.”

They had almost escaped and were inches from the front door when Marge, coming up behind them, added, “So sorry about your cat, Dulcie. I know how special he is to you.”

Author Bio

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her novels include the three books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and Written in Stone. Debbie has also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace, a standalone mystery, Reason to Die, and has written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. She lives on Long Island with her husband Anthony; daughter Holly; and Cat Stripey.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise

Amazon Author Page: Author.to/DebbieDeLouise

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.wordpress.com

Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com

Cobble Cove Character Chat Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/

Posted in Books

An Update on my Book Projects: Something for Every Reader

For those who don’t subscribe to my author newsletter, I thought I’d post an update on my book projects. I believe my works-in-progress will appeal to readers of a variety of genres.

I’m currently editing a new version of my very first novel, a paranormal romance called Cloudy Rainbow.  This book was originally self-published but will now be reprinted in a new version by Solstice Publishing. I’m hoping it will be released by the end of the summer. The book was written after my 15-year old cat, Floppy, died and includes him as a character. It features themes of reincarnation, clairvoyance, and virutal reality and is told in alternating time periods from 1992 to 2008. It received an honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Books Contest. Although only printed originally in paperback, it will now be available as an eBook on Amazon.com and will be free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Coming in the fall, I should be submitting my fourth Cobble Cove cozy mystery, Love on the Rocks, to Solstice. This book takes place near Valentine’s Day and features the Cobble Cove characters from the series with a few additions including a new kitty in town who keeps Sneaky on his toes.

I’m also working on a time-travel story that continues one that I wrote for an anthology called Cat Crimes Through Time nearly twenty years ago. The main character, Gina Garrett, now grown will once again travel back through time for two different reasons. I’m hoping this will evolve into the start of a new series.

I have two other completed novels that I hope to publish next year: The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, the first of a new cozy series; and Sea Scope, a psychological thriller.

To view a video of my Cobble Cove cozy mystery series including the upcoming fourth volume and my new standalone mystery, Reason to Die, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1FmAW4U-jA

Posted in Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Books, New Releases, Solstice Publishing

Announcing Cobble Cove Mystery 2: Between a Rock and a Hard Place


cobble-cove-mysteriesbydebbie-de-louise

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Cobble Cove Mystery #2

Welcome to book two of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series.

If you had the chance to read A Stone’s Throw, you came to know widowed librarian, Alicia, and followed her through the mystery that brought her to Cobble Cove and her meeting with John, the town’s newspaper publisher. In Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Alicia is faced with several new mysteries and one that is particularly close to home.

This new story features the main characters from book #1 and introduces new Cobble Cove residents.

betweenarockandahardplacesolsticecover

Between A Rock and a Hard Place releases October 12, 2016

Purchase Links:

myBook.to/CobbleCove2 (ebook)

myBook.to/CC2paper (paperback)

Blurb

Librarian Alicia McKinney has put the past behind her…

Two years ago, Alicia discovered both a terrible truth and lasting love with John McKinney in the small town of Cobble Cove, New York. Now a busy mother of twin babies and co-author of a mystery series, Alicia couldn’t be happier.

brhp-teaser-2Alicia’s contentment and safety are challenged…

Walking home alone from the library, Alicia senses someone following her, and on more than one occasion, she believes she is being watched. Does she have a stalker? When the local gift shop is burglarized, the troubling event causes unrest among Alicia and the residents of the quiet town.

John and Alicia receive an offer they can’t refuse…

When John’s sister offers to babysit while she and John take a much-needed vacation in New York City, Alicia is reluctant to leave her children because of the disturbances in Cobble Cove. John assures her the town is safe in the hands of Sheriff-elect Ramsay. Although Alicia’s experience with and dislike of the former Long Island detective don’t alleviate her concern, she and John take their trip.

Alicia faces her worst nightmare…

The McKinneys’ vacation is cut short when they learn their babies have been kidnapped and John’s sister shot. Alicia and John’s situation puts them between a rock and a hard place when the main suspect is found dead before the ransom is paid. In order to save their children, the McKinneys race against the clock to solve a mystery more puzzling than those found in their own books. Can they do it before time runs out?

debbiedelouiseAbout the Author:

Debbie De Louise is a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island and has been involved with books and writing for over thirty years. She received the Lawrence C. Lobaugh, jr. Memorial Award in Journalism for her work as Features Editor on the Long Island University/C. W. Post student newspaper, the Pioneer. More recently, Debbie received the Glamour Puss Award from Hartz Corporation for an article about cat grooming that appeared on Catster.com. She has published a short mystery in the Cat Crimes Through Time Anthology and two novels, Cloudy Rainbow and A Stone’s Throw, the first book of her Cobble Cove cozy mystery series. Her short stories, The Path to Rainbow Bridge and Deadline appear in the anthologies, Realms of Fantastic Stories  and Project 9, Vol. 2 published by Solstice Publishing. She is currently working on a psychological thriller, the third Cobble Cove Mystery, and a new pet-related cozy series. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise

Amazon Author Page: Author.to/DebbieDeLouise

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com

 

 

Posted in Authors, blog challenge

#LifeBooksWriting Blog Challenge: A Day in My Life

blogchallengegraphicupdatedThis week’s blog challenge is about A Day in My Life. Sophia Valentine of Lifestyle and Literature created this challenge (see graphic for topics and dates if you have a blog and would like to participate. If you’re a reader, I’m sure you’ll enjoy learning about some of the great participating authors).

My day usually begins at 5 a.m. when I wake up, feed my cats, and make coffee for my husband in that order. Then I check my computer for emails, Facebook messages, and my handy Google calendar, so I know what else is on the agenda for that day. I spend the next hour writing and eating breakfast which is usually a high fiber cereal with bananas or blueberries and coffee with skim milk. At 6 a.m., after my husband is out of the shower, I wake up my 6th-grade daughter who takes an hour dressing and using the bathroom. While she is getting ready, I put one of my Leslie Sansone walk-at-home DVD’s into my computer and exercise for a half hour. I then make breakfast for my daughter who, like my husband, grabs something quick because they are both running late all the time.

hicksvillelibraryWhen everyone is gone, I shower and dress for work. I like to get there at 8:30 even though I start at 9. I work at my local library as a librarian. The best part of my job is ordering the new fiction and mystery books, but it’s also the hardest because I want to read them all and don’t have the time. I also enjoy helping people find new books and authors. I’ve been writing and editing the library’s monthly staff picks newsletter for the last three years.

2016-05-09 20.39.46I work at the library from 9 to 5 four days a week and from 1 to 9 once a week. I also work two Saturdays a month. When I work a Saturday, I usually get a Friday off. On my days off and on weekends, I try to catch up on household chores and social media/writing. But if my daughter is home, too, I try to spend time with her. She’s at the age where she’d rather be with her friends than her mother, so I usually take her out somewhere with a friend. Last weekend, we went to Old Westbury Gardens, a place she particularly likes, as she’s into nature. However, it was so hot that both she and her friend wanted to leave before we were there long. A week ago, my daughter unexpectedly asked me to read a book with her. We used to read together all the time when she was younger but, as she started getting more homework and I became involved in writing, there was less time for us to do so. The book she chose, The Bad Unicorn, is one of those pre-teen dramatic works with a mysterious ancient codex and a seventh-grade hero. I had to admit I found some of the parts funny, and she laughed through a lot of it, too. Despite its crazy plot, the book was written on a level that would help increase a middle-schooler’s vocabulary, and I was glad it was something we could share.

maseThis weekend, I’m headed to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut for MASE (Mystic Author Signing Event) where I’ll be meeting authors and readers and signing both of my books, A Stone’s Throw and Cloudy Rainbow. My husband is coming along, so we’ll also try to fit in some much-needed together time. Most of the time we’re both too busy with our jobs and daughter. The single exception is the one night a week, usually on a weekend I’m not working, that we watch a movie or TV show together on Netflix while our daughter plays virtual games on her computer with her friends.

There’s not much more to know about my days except that I try to fit in reading and some time with my cats.2016-02-24 10.18.29

 

 

 

Posted in A Stone's Throw, Books, Cloudy Rainbow, Romantic Suspense

Contract Signed!

contractimageYesterday, after around thirty emails and several document revisions,  I signed a contract with Limitless Publishing for my romantic suspense novel, “A Stone’s Throw.” Now the fun part starts. I received some welcome emails and was invited into their elite Facebook group. I was asked to complete some forms, financial ones for royalty deposits and taxes, as well as a cover questionnaire to help their graphic artist design my book cover. They also requested my bio, photo, and social networking list along with a short description of the book and a character-oriented 1-2 page synopsis to assist in creating the inside and back cover details.

Even though I’d previously self-published a novel, “Cloudy Rainbow,” I had forgotten how much work went into preparing the book for publishing. I guess that’s what it’s like when women forget the pain of labor, and writing and publishing a book is definitely like pregnancy. You have your highs and lows and, at points, wonder if it was worth it. But, afterwards looking at your adorable baby or your beautiful book cover, you know you would do it all again in a heartbeat.

What advice would I give those still trying to get into print – don’t stop writing. I made the mistake of doing that after my self-published book. My daughter was young, and I just couldn’t find the time. And, then, after a few years of one particular library patron’s prodding, I started again. That’s all it takes, one person’s gentle push. Not only did I finish writing “A Stone’s Throw,” but I started another that I am currently about a quarter of the way through. I have also written several short stories that I’ve been sending out for possible publication. I may compile them into a book one day. But one step at a time. I’m eager to see “A Stone’s Through” in virtual (eBook) and real print. I’m hoping readers like reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I may include some pre-launch book excerpts on this blog and on my Author’s Facebook page. Thanks for sharing the journey with me.