New Release: Dark of the Day
April 8, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Spotlight tagged as Carol L Wright, Dark of the Day, Debra H Goldstein, Eclipse Stories, new release, Paula Gail Benson
An anthology of stories to celebrate the April 2024 eclipse in North America. These stories are located in various places and are even of various genres and themes. What they have in common, besides featuring eclipses, are that they are all written by brilliant authors and will all entertain you. Read them before the eclipse, to get into the mood, or after, to nostalgically remember it.
During the darkness, all manner of things can happen. When people are distracted by this spectacular celestial event, criminals can operate unimpeded, they can also be caught.
Trips to see the event can lead to disaster, or they can save the day. And the science of looking at the sun becomes important when a partner strays.
The event can mean many different things to a disaster cult, to drug-dealing Russians, to an artist striving for his grand opus.
It spreads across the country to, maybe, give confirmation to a program to analyze the universe, to give a gift to a mermaid in an abandoned water park, to show what the crazy guy at the fast food place is really like, to help a young girl find her way.
As a not-so-clever crime goes awry, a hike to view the spectacle is interrupted.
Contributors include Cari Dubiel, Katherine Tomlinson, Carol L. Wright, Joseph S. Walker, John Rogers Clark IV, M. K. Waller, Toni Goodyear, Laura Oles, Bridges DelPonte, Eric Beckstrom, Kaye George, Paula Gale Benson, John M. Floyd, Debra H. Goldstein, Michael Bracken, and James A. Hearn.
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Other Eclipse Stories
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Marianne H. Donley: Featured Author
April 7, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as anthology, Bethlehem Writers Group, Children's stories, Marianne H. Donley, Once Upon A Time, The Ghost in Grandma's Closet
Marianne H. Donley makes her home in Pennslyvania with her husband, son, and a very very active dog. She is a member of Bethlehem Writers Group, The Charmed Connection, Sisters in Crime, The Guppies and Capital Crimes. When Marianne isn’t working on A Slice of Orange, she might be writing short stories, funny romances, or quirky murder mysteries, but this could be a rumor. She also could be knitting.
ONCE UPON A TIME
Step through our castle doors into a world of imagination!
At long last, the Bethlehem Writers Group, known for its award-winning anthologies, has published a book especially for children. ONCE UPON A TIME is a collection of twenty-one sweet, funny, and yes, strange stories for kids from preschool through middle school.
This anthology is designed to grow with your child.
First, stories such as “GG and Teddy and the Dream Willow” by Will Wright, “The Princess of Booray” by Emily P. W. Murphy, and “A Nutty Adventure” by Judith Mehl, will enchant those who enjoy being read to while sitting on a grown-up’s lap. Others, including “A Harmonious Secret” by Josie Myers, “Bird Boy” by Russell Uhler, and “Bring-Your-Monster-to-School Day” by Kidd Wadsworth, allow young readers to immerse themselves in the fantasy and adventure of reading on their own. Finally, for older kids, such stories as “Book Worm” by Christopher D. Ochs and “Coot” by Anne Hamilton complete the collection with the tween or early teen in mind.
Enjoy these and other entertaining stories from our award-winning authors including: Jeff Baird, Marianne H. Donley, Ralph Hieb, Diane Sismour, Paul Weidknecht, and Carol L. Wright. In addition, we are happy to present “Stick to the Bypathings,” an imaginative fantasy from Eleanor Ingbretson, the winner of the 2016 Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award. And charming illustrations from Agy Wilson enhance each story.
All together, this collection will captivate and delight children of all ages—even if they’re grownups!
“Once Upon a Time is a readable treat . . . the perfect book to snuggle up with before bedtime or share over milk and cookies. . . . [S]ure to delight both youngsters and the young at heart.” A. E. Decker, author of Moonfall Mayhem, the highly praised young adult fantasy series.
Marianne’s story in ONCE UPON A TIME, “The Ghosts in Grandma’s Closet,” is about a little boy whose imagination almost gets the best of him.
Marianne has short stories in the following anthologies.
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Rabt Book Tour: Excerpt From Everybody Loves Polar Bears by LoLo Paige
April 6, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Rabt Book Tours
Book 1 of the Polar Paired Series
Romance Enemies to Lovers
Date Published: December 19, 2023
Publisher: Avoca Press
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Everybody Loves Polar Bears by LoLo Paige
Excerpt
A tall, neon life-size Barbie hurried toward them, long blonde curls springing up and down like miniature slinkies. Victoria Miracle approached in all her glittery goose-down glory, a fusion of glamor and frostbite protection, reminding Macy of a disco-themed northern lights display. Winter seemed to follow her around like a trusty sidekick, along with her entourage of three scurrying behind her.
Macy got a kick out of The Talent and how they expected everyone to dote on them and cater to their every need. Victoria’s demeanor was a stark contrast to the independent nature of women Macy knew in Alaska. She’d read about the coddled movie star stereotype, and here was one in the flesh.
“Make this quick. I’m freezing my tush off.” The movie star’s frosty breaths puffed out of her like a high-speed locomotive.
As Victoria strategically positioned herself next to the pond, Macy couldn’t help but imagine her strutting down the runway of a 1960s psychedelic fashion show. Her flashy style was part Picasso, part Gucci, and all sass. Victoria stood out in this winter wonderland like a burst of disco in a snow globe.
Macy bet Victoria never met a camera she didn’t like.
The animal handler stood by, holding a long leash attached to the little polar bear cub. He gingerly placed the leash in Victoria’s hand, mumbling instructions to hold on tight.
The fish-out-of-water movie star gave Macy a critical up-and-down assessment. “Are you from here? Have you been around bears?”
Macy shrugged. “I know what to do around black and brown bears.”
Victoria gave her a look of appraisal. “Good enough for me.” She called out to Zippo. “Keep this bear woman next to me at all times.” A makeup artist appeared, dabbing lip gloss on Victoria’s already shiny lips and arranging her flawlessly spiraled curls. The artist hurried off again.
Zippo ordered the animatronics operator to dunk Mother Snowflake. The operator slowly lowered the crane, placing the fake bear into the water. “We’ll edit the crane out later,” he announced to no one in particular.
“Vicky, say your lines, then squat next to the little bear and deliver the rest. And don’t scare him,” directed Zippo from his perch on the crane arm. “We need a tender moment, with Fake Mother Snowflake watching.”
Macy couldn’t help herself. “Excuse me, hate to keep interrupting, but that wouldn’t happen in real life. The mother bear would attack the human to protect her cub. She wouldn’t just hang out and watch.”
“This isn’t real life. It’s the movies,” Zippo said flippantly. “We do what we want in a movie. Now, can we get on with this, please? It’s a tad nippy out here, and I’d like to get this done, if you don’t mind.” He turned away to talk on his headset.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” mumbled Macy.
Victoria chortled. “Love your style, Bear Woman,” she purred.
Zippo cocked a brow. “Are we ready now, ladies?” He turned to the crane operator. “Lower the fake Mother Snowflake into the water. Quiet, everyone. Rolling. Marker!” He peered through his camera monitor.
A woman held up a black-and-white clapboard in front of the camera. Zippo nodded at the red digital readout. “Scene fourteen. Take one!”
The person snapped it and hurried away.
Zippo pointed at the extras. “Background, action! Victoria, go!”
While Macy and her merry band of extras gathered around Victoria, the drunk guy holding Macy’s prop news camera suddenly stumbled.
“Where’s my news reporter? Oh! There you are,” he slurred, beholding the glorious Victoria. “Hey, you wanna see my oosik?” He swung his camera and bumped the unsuspecting bear cub on the head.
“Your what?” Victoria wrinkled her face just as the frightened cub bawled and ran in circles around her, wrapping his leash tightly around her legs.
“Get this savage beast away from me!” she yelled. Her legs lashed together as she teetered toward the icy water. “Somebody! Get this leash off me!”
Macy sprinted forward. Her ninja-like reflexes prevented Victoria from tumbling off the edge, but in the process, Macy slipped on the ice-crusted snow. Her feet fought for traction, but it was a losing battle. She lost her balance and flailed wildly, teetering backwards. Arms spinning like windmills, she failed to restore equilibrium and executed a flawless butt-first plunge into the chilly water, like a clumsy duck on a crash landing.
Other Books by LoLo Paige
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Book Tour: Everybody Loves Polar Bears by LoLo Paige
April 3, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Rabt Book Tours tagged as Everybody Loves Polar Bears, lolo paige, new release, Rabt Book Tour, romcom
Book 1 of the Polar Paired Series
Romance Enemies to Lovers
Date Published: December 19, 2023
Publisher: Avoca Press
Expect the unexpected when it comes to love under the Aurora skies.
In the frosty mayhem of the Alaskan film set for Everybody Loves Polar Bears, accident-prone Macy Applegate catapults herself into a hilarious array of mishaps better suited for a blooper reel. As Macy dreams of stardom, she reluctantly works with Nick Westwood, the grumpiest and most arrogant assistant director this side of the Arctic Circle—a man who irritates her more than a stuck zipper in a sub-zero wind chill.
Beneath Nick’s stoic exterior lies a mysterious secret, and the only thing more challenging than Alaska’s winter is these two trying to get along for longer than a commercial break. Macy is a walking disaster in matters of the heart, and Nick is fed up with shallow relationships. But fate has a penchant for mischief when Nick transforms from Macy’s nemesis to her off-screen hero, chipping away at the permafrost around her heart. Should she give this guy a chance or continue wishing on the magical aurora borealis for perfect love?
In this hilarious romantic comedy, where polar bears play supporting roles and love takes center stage, Macy and Nick navigate a situation as unpredictable as Macy’s on-set blunders. If you swooned through The Proposal and chuckled at The Hating Game…and if you have a soft spot for polar bears…get ready for laughter in this heartwarming tale of unexpected love!
Enemies to lovers
Celebrity romance
Grumpy sunshine
Strong woman, alpha male
Forced proximity
Polar bear love
Snowbound Alaskan cabin
Northern lights
Polar plunges
About the Author
LoLo Paige is an award-winning author in both romantic comedy and romantic
suspense. She’s been honored with several awards, including an RWA
chapter award for her romantic comedy, Hello Spain, Goodbye Heart.
Irish Thunder and Everybody Loves Polar Bears are her recent rom-coms published in 2024. Her romantic suspense books have topped Amazon bestseller lists in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and Publishers Weekly has featured her books in their Booklife section. Her second book, Alaska Inferno, was a finalist for best indie romance in the 2022 Kindle Book Review Awards.
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Featuring Marianne H. Donley
April 1, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as A Readable Feast, Featured Author of the Month, Marianne H. Donley, The Widow Next Door
Marianne H. Donley makes her home in Pennslyvania with her husband, son, and a very very active dog. She is a member of Bethlehem Writers Group, The Charmed Connection, Sisters in Crime, The Guppies and Capital Crimes. When Marianne isn’t working on A Slice of Orange, she might be writing short stories, funny romances, or quirky murder mysteries, but this could be a rumor. She also could be knitting.
About A READABLE FEAST
Whatever your taste, this collection of food-related stories from the multiple award-winning Bethlehem Writers Group has all the ingredients to satisfy your reading palate. Our menu includes twenty-seven appetizing stories, from light-fare and sides of fantasy to sweet romance and savory bites of mystery. Jeff Baird’s “The Pickle Promenade” provides an amuse bouche. Try a spicy entree prepared by Diane Sismour in “Bump and Run.” Prefer a yarn with zing? Enjoy “Rightful Prey” by A. E. Decker. Jerry McFadden’s tart “Hard Times,” should tickle your taste buds. On the sweeter side, there’s Sally Paradysz’s “Our Town is Different” or the bittersweet “Breakfast for One” by Geoffrey Mehl.
Enjoy these and other delectable tales from our talented authors including: Courtney Annicchiarico, Terrie Daugherty, Bernadette De Courcey, Marianne H. Donley, Headley Hauser, Ralph Hieb, Judith Mehl, Emily P. W. Murphy, E. L. Ryan, Paul Weidknecht, and Carol L. Wright. To complete today’s specials, we offer tasty tales from Tracy Falenwolfe and C. A. Rowland, winners of Bethlehem Writers Roundtable’s Short Story Awards in 2014 and 2015 respectively. All honed their recipes to write sweet, funny, and strange stories to remember.
Bon Appetit
Marianne’s story “The Widow Next Door” features a tired chef in search of sleep, the noisy kids of the food critic who could kill his new cookbook, and an evil twin brother.
Featured Books
EMERALD FIRE
Her family secret is stolen by pirates. His business is in jeopardy if he doesn’t find it.
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