Healed with a Kiss Wins First Place!

 Healed with a Kiss wins Paranormal Romance Guild's First Place for Book and Series!!

 

ROMANCE/PARANORMAL/FANTASY/WITCHES & WIZARDS AND First Place

ROMANCE/PARANORMAL/FANTASY/WITCHES & WIZARDS – SERIES

Many thanks to all who voted for my book baby!

 

 Brendan Redbird is a man of science and a medical professional. When this very uptight, predictable guy is adopted by a naughty talking cat (Tom) and his two brothers (Dick and Harry), Brendan's life makes an unpredictable turn.

Tom smacks a girl on the butt and lets Brendan take the blame. The only problem is the girl Tom smacked is a water nymph, Myrotessa, or Tessa for short. She isn't about to let Brendan off with that ridiculous excuse. Tessa has healing waters and the gift of prophecy—but she did not see that coming.

When the magical felines of Cat's Paw Cove begin succumbing to a mysterious malady, Tessa and Brendan are forced to work together to find a cure. Along the way to helping others, they fix the cracks in their hearts—and are healed with a kiss.

 

A Bee in Her Bonnet Wins Three Awards!

I'm thrilled to announce that A Bee in Her Bonnet has earned three (3) book awards from the Speak Up Talk Radio Book Awards: First Place for Romance and Romantic Comedy and Second Place for Paranormal Romance. Many thanks to the hardworking contest judges (657 entries!) and to Pat Rullo the creator of the contest! You can see all the award winners here https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/book-award-winners-3/

Not all that buzzes is a bee...

Elva Boyd, an extroverted elf, uses bees and honey to treat patients in pain. Art Klarastos, an introverted demi-god, beekeeper, and inventor is her best friend. When Elva’s beehives disappear, Art beelines to her to deliver the news. Distressed, Elva pleads for his assistance with the mystery of the missing boxes. Kit Kat, his matchmaking talking cat, makes a deal with Elva: Art will help her in exchange for a real date. 

Art is mortified, but Elva agrees without hesitation. While they attempt to deduce why someone might want to steal her bees’ homes, a couple arrives and claims to be Elva’s long-lost parents. An orphan raised in Cat’s Paw Cove by her aunt and uncle, Elva is ecstatic. Suspicious of these unknown elves, Art shares his concerns—but Elva tunes out his buzzing.

When her parents declare they have come to take her home to Scotland for her contractually obligated wedding, Art is devastated. Will his best friend leave with her newfound family and soon-to-be-husband? Or will he be able to convince her that he is the beekeeper of her heart? 

Available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HNXHBP2 

Review: The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood

The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a book that made you go back in your mind long after the story is over, just to admire how well crafted it was? The Killer Next Door is just such a book. A cross between Murder on the Orient Express and Dexter, you won't know who the killer is until the author lets you know. All the characters are strong and 3-dimensional; my favorite is Vesta, the "matriarch" of the house. No spoilers from me. The book has mystery, romance, suspense, and a perfect ending that brought me to tears. I listened to the audible version; the narrator was outstanding. But it was truly about the story. I can't wait to read her back list and her forthcoming books. I give this book 5 sharp, shiny meat cleaver stars.

View all my reviews

Paranormal Romance Guild's Reviewer's Choice Awards

Dear Readers--

I am thrilled to report that EYE OF THE EAGLE has taken First Place in the ROMANCE/FANTASY/MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/TIME TRAVEL/HISTORICAL/WESTERN Category of the 2018 Paranormal Romance Guild's Reviewer's Choice Awards and THE HOTEL LABELLE SERIES has taken First Place for SERIES for the same category.

These are enormous honors for me and my book "babies" and I'm very grateful for all your support. To learn more about EYE OF THE EAGLE and THE HOTEL LABELLE SERIES, just go to https://www.sharonbuchbinder.com  
 

Human Trafficking, Part IV: Resources

My final post for Human Trafficking Month provides you with a list of resources, should you decide to take action, whether as a reader, author, or citizen. This list is by no means exhaustive, however, I hope it gives you the opportunity to explore this issue in greater depth. SOME OTHER CHILD is a baby trafficking story, but as you've seen there are many facets to this terrifying issue.

Films  & Documentaries

·        Taken

·        Frozen River

·        Revenge

·        Human Trafficking

·        Slum Dog Millionaire

·        Trade

·        Sin Nombre (Without a Name)

·        Born into Brothels

·        Lilya 4-Ever

·        Selling of Innocents

·        National Geographic BORDER WARS (Cable)

A Small Sampling of Nonfiction Books

·        Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy by Kevin Bales

·        Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective by Louise Shelley

·        The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today by Kevin Bales & Ron Soodalter

·        Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone

·        Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddharth Kara

·        The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman's Fight for Justice by Kathryn Bolkovac

Online Resources

·        CIA World Fact Book

·        US State DepartmentTrafficking Report 2018

·        Health and Human Services

·        UNICEF Child Trafficking Handbook

·        World Health Organization: Organ Trafficking

·        Polaris Project

·        UNESCO and Human Trafficking

·        US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

·        FBI HumanTrafficking

·        FBI InnocenceLost Project

·        Bureau of Justice Statistics

·        DHS-OSE Daily Human Trafficking and Smuggling Report

Comment below with your thoughts about human trafficking for an opportunity to win an ecopy of SOME OTHER CHILD.

Human Trafficking, Part III: Why Romance?

If you're a romance reader or author, especially one who enjoys romantic suspense, human trafficking is not only a timely topic, but one that lends itself well to heart-stopping stories, like EYE OF THE EAGLE. Here's What's In It For Me (WIFM) as a writer and reader.

Characters

Victims: children, women, men, families

Perpetrators: fathers, mothers, families, women (madams were frequently trafficked themselves), organized crime, disorganized crime, corrupt politicians, police, border guards.

Heroes and Heroines: Governmental agents (FBI, ICE, DHHS); police; non-corrupt politicians, police border guards; Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) (religious organizations, not-for-profits)

Plots

1. Secret Baby (Adoption Trafficking)
2. Cinderella (rags to riches) (Madams; Organs)
3. Opposites Attract (FBI agent, Crime boss)
4. Bodyguard (Protecting rich woman, nearly dies)
5. Second chance/First love rekindled (Oryx & Crake; children/teens torn apart)
6. Reunion (Woman/child reunited w/family)
7. Stranded (Lost and Trafficked)
8. Love Triangle (Pimp/Prostitute/John)
9. Marriage of Convenience (Mail-order Brides)
10. Beauty and the Beast (Captor/captive or C/c

11. Sleeping Beauty/Ugly duckling (Drugged women/Awakened by Hero)
12. Amnesia (Head Injury & Trafficked)
13. Fish out of water (Abducted on vacation)
14. Blackmail/Revenge (Unfaithful lover)
15. Forbidden love (“Good”C/c)
16. Mentor/protégé (boss/employee)
17. Princess/Pauper; King/Beggar maid (Beggar children)
18. Bad boy/good girl; Bad girl/good boy (C/c)
19. Best Friends (One seeks trafficked friend)
20. The Road to Adventure (Boy soldiers/Captive “brides”)

Adapted from Jana Richards 20 Classic Romance Plots

What We Can Do As Readers and Citizens

Become informed and raise awareness;

Buy only Fair Trade goods (e.g., flowers, chocolate)

Demand that laws against human trafficking be created and enforced (only 5/31 Mexican states have anti-trafficking laws)

Reduce demand: John’s schools, corporate policies, zero tolerance in tourism, real estate,  advertising & related industries who benefit indirectly from human trafficking.

What We Can Do As Romance Writers

·        Romance writers have long tackled difficult women’s issues, such as domestic violence and addiction.

·        Romance writers can tell a fictional story that is less threatening to readers to expose the world of trafficking.

·        Romance writers can show readers what individuals can do.

·        Romance writers can make a difference.

On the last day of Human Trafficking month, I will provide a list of resources on Human Trafficking. Meantime, where do you think the best place is to find information on what to do about human trafficking as a reader, writer, and citizen? 

Comment below for an opportunity to be selected for an ecopy of EYE OF THE EAGLE.