Joleene Naylor grew up in southwest Iowa surrounded by soybeans, corn and very little entertainment – so she made her own. She has been writing and drawing since she was a small child, with a particular leaning towards fantasy, horror and paranormal. It is this love of all that goes bump in the night that led her to write the Amaranthine series.
In her spare time she is a freelance artist, book cover designer and photographer. Her current projects include the fourth novel in the Amaranthine series, and The Terrible Turtle Conspiracy, a web manga collaboration with writer Jonathan Harvey. Joleene maintains blogs full of odd ramblings and hopes to win the lottery. Until she does, she and her husband live near Bolivar Missouri with their cats and turtles. However, unless she starts buying tickets she may never actually win anything.

Ramblings from the Darkness at www.JoleeneNaylor.com
You never know what you’ll find in the shadows…..

Website: http://joleenenaylor.com
Twitter: joleene_naylor

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Barbara G.Tarn
Latest book: Slave Traders (Star Minds Book 3). Published on April 6, 2013.
View their blog. Latest post: "Random Friday"

DM Yates
Latest book: Always. Published on October 14, 2012. (5.00 from 1 review)
Visit their website.
View their blog.

M. A. McRae
Latest book: To Love and To Protect. Published on March 9, 2013. (4.00 from 2 reviews)
Visit their website.

Martin Reaves
Latest book: Dark Thoughts. Published on September 21, 2012.
View their blog. Latest post: "Mark Leftridge – Analog Kid and Renaissance Man"

Steve Evans
Latest book: Tobi's Game. Published on December 22, 2012. (5.00 from 1 review)

Susan Koenig
Latest book: Nineteen Hundred. Published on May 23, 2012.

Terry Compton
Latest book: The Mizzouri Kid Call To Action. Published on January 24, 2013.
Visit their website.

• The Cowboy's Wish on March 24, 2010
  
  This is an incredibly cute story - it made me laugh more than once - and I, too hope that Ruth continues it.
  
• Eye of the Beholder on March 31, 2010
  
  Mary Peters live in Maine in the late 1800's. A nineteen year old girl with a "too big" nose, "too thin" lips and freckles, she's left behind without so much as a suitor while all of her sisters have left the house to be married. With an eye to the papers, she stumbles across an ad from Neil Craftsman, a Nebraska farmer seeking a bride. He asks for a woman who is hardworking, dependable and capable of bearing children, yet he never mentions the word pretty. It fits Mary to a t. Despite her parents' objections, she boards the train and spends a week traveling to the prairies of Nebraska. Only, when she gets there, she discovers that Neil did want something pretty after all, and Mary is just too plain! A lesser woman would have run crying, but Mary is a strong woman who refuses to go cringing back home. It's this exact resilience that impresses Dave Larson and leads him to ask her to marry him instead. Though reluctant to accept, he manages to convince her and, by the end of the day, Mary Peters is a married woman. But, her mother never taught her about marriage, and certainly no one instructed her in the ways of farming back in her hometown in Maine. The next several months are a learning experience for her, in more ways than one, the question is can she learn to trust Dave's feelings and see herself through his eyes? When I started this book I only intended to read a couple of chapters; I ended up reading the whole book in one setting. Mary is a character that I could quickly identify with, from her desire to please, to the rejection she has so often gotten from men, who see only what's on the outside, not what's inside. But this isn't just Mary's story, it is also Dave's who, after tragedy strikes, has to learn how to cope. Interwoven between the lines is the story of Neil Craftsman who finally gets what he wants; a beautiful east coast bride, but is she really as fantastic as everyone thinks? More than just a historical romance, this is a story about looking under the surface, least we forget that there's more to people than what they look like and that, while a pretty face may appeal at first, there has to be something underneath it. But most importantly, it's a reminder the beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
  
• Inside the Worm on May 07, 2010
  
  A wonderful set of poems! "Lindy's Lover" and "A Part of War" are my favorites :)
  
• The Egg of Orlin on May 09, 2010
  
  A great collection! Has many of my favorite poems by Ms. Mutchler :) "Ride Away, Johnny Boy" and "Jamie of the Glenn" feel almost more like songs than poems.
  
• From the Pit on May 24, 2010
  
  More great poetry from Ms. Mutchler. These are easy to read and the whole book goes down smooth. Very enjoyable.
  
• From the Mist on July 26, 2010
  
  Another great poetry collection from Ms. Mutchler. An English murder is both mysterious and fun, and Katie Morrell is another great story poem. However, this collection includes what i consider to be her most memorable poem, Lyda. I highly recommend this!
  
• My Lord Hades (Children of Khaos Series) on Sep. 27, 2010
  
  Hades and Persephone have always been my favorite of the Greek myths, so I wasn't sure whether I would love this book or hate it. I loved it. When the book opens, we find Hades as a prisoner in Tartarus, tortured by specters of his past. Zeus and Poseidon appear and offer both Kingdom and bride to Hades if he will help them finish the ongoing war with the Titans. It's a simple choice between agony and revenge. Meanwhile, Persephone is living with her mother Demeter. She's lost all of her powers, but even worse, she's lost her memories as well. Unhappily sheltered, Persephone knows there is something more; something she is missing. And, when she meets the dark, mysterious Hades one day, she discovers what it is. Stephannie Beman takes the story of Persephone and Hades and adds enough twists to make it new and bring out the underlying passion I always felt was hiding beneath the myth. Her representation of Hades as the smoldering bad boy with a dark, regretful past and a desperate need for the salvation only love can bring is dead on. Meanwhile, Persephone slowly changes before the reader's eyes from a very timid creature to a woman who is more than capable of holding her own. There were several surprising plot twists (The underworld's first ruler, for instance!) and even some humor in the form of the Nymphs. In short, all I have to say is that if Hades came thundering towards me on a chariot, I most certainly wouldn't argue ;)
  
• Of Yellow Snow and Christmas Balls on Dec. 20, 2010
  
  With a dry wit and a flair for the sarcastically descriptive, LC Cooper tells the story of a family trapped in the nightmare of the Christmas Family Portrait, further complicated by the joys of extended family, that leaves them with a photo to remember. Anyone who's ever been talked into signing away their souls by smoozing salesmen - whether a family portrait package, or even a vacuum cleaner - will find themselves in good company in this hilarious short story.
  
• Halloween's Perfect Storm on Dec. 29, 2010
  
  Another good short from LC Cooper! An easy read with a good flow and great descriptions ("The property manager was a kindly, yet dusty old man" is just one example) Cooper has a definite talent for dry humor and **spoiler** the twist at the end will leave you either laughing out loud or smacking yourself in the forehead.
  
• With This Ring, I Thee Dread on Jan. 17, 2011
  
  With This Ring, I Thee Dread is a fun contemporary romance. Ryan Jackson is a successful advertising executive at his father’s company. His life is great, if you discount he airheaded bimbos his friends Zac and Benset him up with for dates. That is, until his parents arrange a marriage for him – with his arch nemesis Elizabeth Valentine. Elizabeth spent her school years teased and tormented by Zac, Ben & Ryan. Now a grown woman, her past has led her to be harsh and guarded, especially when it comes to men. So, when her parents announce that she’ll be marrying – and “enjoying” an isolated four month honeymoon with Ryan, her temper flares. Forced to marry or lose their jobs and inheritance, Elizabeth and Ryan are stuck together in a cabin in the Alaskan Wilderness. What promises to be a miserable time, slowly softens into something more enjoyable as the weeks pass. The pair learn that their shared past isn’t what they thought it was, and learn to see one another in a different light. At a glance, Elizabeth sometimes seems to be a harsh woman, but if you put yourself in her shoes and imagine that you’ve been forced to marry one of your tormentors from high school, would any woman be different? If anything, she is more forgiving than I would be. Like Ruth Anne Nordin’s other books, this was a fast, smooth and enjoyable read. Ms. Nordin does an excellent job of executing humor in just the right places. Some of the funniest moments are the “man bashing” talk show that Ryan watches. She also adds suspense when a pair of bank robbers, on the run form the law, stumble into Elizabeth and Ryan’s neck of the woods. If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining and romantic read, then this is the book for you!
  
• Dan's Accidental Convertible on Jan. 18, 2011
  
  Dan and LC return from "Yellow Snow...", the holiday short story by LC Cooper. In this continuation we see signs of Dan's growing temper problem, and the quick, decisive way that LC deals with it when she's had enough. The dialog is realistic but fun, and I especially loved the ending of this! Very clever!
  
• The Gift of Joy on Feb. 21, 2011
  
  Joy lived a life of repression and fear until one Christmas when her father snaps and murders her mother. Now a grown woman, Joy blames herself because that Christmas when she told her Santa her wish she didn't wish for her mother's happiness, but her own. Only, the wish never came true. What Joy wanted more than anything was the protection of Gabe, the boy across the street. but as the years have passed they've exchanged no more than a handful of words. However, that's all about to change. Back for the holidays, Gabe summons up the courage to approach Joy, who still lives across the street from his parents. Though she;s now a grown woman, he still sees her as the innocent girl who needs taken care of - and though he's long denied it, he wants to be the one to take care of her! But, can they both let go of their pasts or will they let their own guilt destroy their relationship before it even starts? This was a good book that reads very fast. I intended to sit down and read for only half and hour and two hours later I was suddenly looking at the clock in surprise. The story weaves between tragedy and magic, and back again, but the ending will leave you with a smile.
  
• Shades of Plaid (A Very Unconventional Weekly Journey into Christian Living) on April 05, 2011
  
  I've been waiting for this book to come out for awhile, so I was happy to finally get it! Shades of Plaid is a weekly devotional but, as the title implies, this is not your average devotional. Instead of the usually serious, inspiring, tear inducing stories, Shades of Plaid has fifty-two humorous short stories, followed up by serious, inspiring lessons that can be applied to most any Christian faith, whether you're Episcopalian, Baptist, or a denomination in between. In Shades of Plaid, Jonathan Harvey has shown that being a Christian not only can be fun, but is fun! And even if you're not interested in the devotional aspect, the short stories are funny by themselves. In fact, you don't even have to take a whole year to read it. I devoured it in two days.
  
• Let's Do Lunch on April 05, 2011
  
  9/11 effect Lindsey's family in many ways and now her restaurant is what keeps the family going; her father grows the produce and even her scatter brained sister helps out now and then - though she usually does more harm than good. Even so, things are going good until her long time cook has to quit to keep an eye on her grandsons. Lindsey hires Brandon, a good looking, charming, fun guy. But there's something about him just crawling beneath the surface. When Lindsey's mother gets hurt, she has to leave the restaurant in his hands while she helps her recuperate.A new waitress, lost invoices, and mixed up orders are just the beginning of too many problems. Enter Tag, an ex soldier that her father hires to help around the garden. Though Lindsey doesn't want to trust him, she finds herself getting closer to him. But can she trust him with her problems? This was a well written book that kept me turning the pages. Without giving away too many spoilers, I found the portrayal of most of the characters delightfully realistic - even the "bad guy" was still likable at the same time that he wasn't, just like real people. Also, I'm not usually a fan of the ex-soldier romances, but I have to say that I found Tag incredibly sexy and I'd go for him ;)
  
• One Wish on May 03, 2011
  
  It took me a couple seconds to get the ending, but when I did - HA! Nice twist! :)
  
• Legacy on May 12, 2011
  
  It is World War II. A group of American pilots do a routine bombing on a train loading with German weapons, never knowing what it is they're really bombing, or the Reich's true plans. Fast forward to the 1990's. Collin Roggero works as a restoration mechanic, though his current task doesn't interest him at all. As luck would have it, while looking through the warehouse he stumbles upon something that does; a group of world war II era crates. Inside he finds the parts to a German plane and something else. A mysterious cylinder and a bunch of random parts that he knows don;t belong to the airplane. And that's when the dreams begin. Led to his fate by a mysterious "feeling" - call it destiny - Collin has to abandon his current life, and even his identity to unravel an age old mystery and stop a plot that's been over fifty years in the making. Legacy was a book that was full of twists and turns. LC Cooper does a good job of giving the reader the right information at the right time and maintains a good sense of suspense as well as a conveying a sense of urgency. You want Collin to succeed. You want him to be careful. You want him to watch out behind him... I don't want to spoil anything, but this book has one of the creepiest "monsters" (though I hesitate to use that word, as it doesn't quite fit) that I've run into in a long time! It will definitely stick with me for a long time to come!
  
• Jessamine (graphic novel) on May 29, 2011
  
  A short but sexy and enjoyable graphic novel. I haven't read the novel that this ties into, though it is no doubt on my to read list ;) As with the Skyband series of graphic novels, I enjoy Ms. Tarn's style. her illustrations are fun, cute and her men are quite lovely ;) Recommend for adults, as the drawing are explicit as the description says, but not in a crude, or gross kind of way.
  
• Dead Silence on June 28, 2011
  
  This was an entertaining novella with several twists (one of which completely surprised me!). i enjoyed the angel/demon tie-ins and found the main character's empath abilities interesting. I can't imagine trying to go to high school and have such a gift. The fight scenes were not bad, the gore descriptions were well done and i thought that pool scene (no spoilers) was also handled well. There's enough details so that the author did not "shy away" from the subject matter, but not too many to make it gratuitous. In all this was an enjoyable read that made me think of my high school days, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
  
• Gardener Luyten's Unused Hour on Aug. 18, 2011
  
  This was a fun fairy tale that made me think of Barbara Leonie Picard's stories. Magical, detailed descriptions worthy of any fairy tale!
  
• Books of the Immortals - Air on Sep. 19, 2011
  
  A good fantasy book should have six things. 1) A diverse world with distinctly different cultures. Air has this. Silvery Earth has no only different magical races (each with their own customs and ideals(, but also distinct cultures of human occupants, as well. Like Tolkien and Middle Earth, Barbara Tarn has been working on Silvery Earth for many years through different stories and characters to create a world of great depth. 2) A large cast of diverse characters. Air also has this. From the dark, brooding human Kumar, to the Sila Winged Jesminder, to the Naveen, the captain of the Guard and beyond, the story is told through a host of characters. This allows the reader to see all of the subtle pieces to the puzzle and watch as they fall into place to complete the full picture. 3) Magic. Air has this in the form of the Magical races; winged Sila, Fajrulo who turn into dragons, Waiora who live under the water, not to mention the Immortals themselves: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Ether. 4) Something evil to fight against. There has to be a bad guy for the heroes to band together and defeat. The sect, a group of people who use blood and sex to gain power from the dark pond, fit the bill nicely. Though Ramesh, the high priest, is suitably twisted, I think it is Keiko who wins the prize for the most sadistic. 5) Some romance. Whether it’s hinted at behind the scenes or out where you can see it, romance is a must. Air has several romance subplots, though to keep from spoiling surprises I won’t say who they are. I will say Kumar’s final decision was the most satisfying, though. 6) Fighting. Wars. Death. Air has just enough of this to make the world believable, but not too much to make it seem gratuitous or overtly bloody. This book has just the right mix of twisted, darkness and sweet light to make it a real page turner. I like that Barb didn’t pull punches when it came to the sect. They did despicable things and, though the actions are not detailed blow by blow, there’s enough that you know how atrocious their actions are. I can imagine some women may take exception to the scene with Indira and Prince Anjan, but this is a fantasy novel, and fantasy societies are based on medieval societies. Social attitudes were very different then, and I was also glad to see that she stuck to that, too. I also have a deep, personal admiration for Ms. Tarn as I know English is not her first language. I can’t imagine the challenges of writing novels in another language! In closing, did I enjoy this book? Yes! Do I recommend to to fantasy fans? Yes! AM I going to read the rest of Silvery Earth (including the short stories)? Yes! And, I’m looking forward to it!
  
• Romeo and Juliet For the Rest of Us! on Sep. 22, 2011
  
  A fun, fast read! Not only humorous, but a great companion for anyone who's ever watched/read Romeo and Juliet and felt like they were missing something (exactly who is that fighting in scene 1 and why?) Looking forward to the next one!
  
• A Man Walks Into a Bar....A Compendium of Filthy, Uncouth, Lewd, Lusty and Lascivious Jokes. Written, Compiled. Borrowed and Stolen by Rob Loughran on Sep. 29, 2011
  
  if you're looking for wholesome, clean fun, then keep looking! But, if you're looking for hilariously bawdy jokes then you've some to the right place. With sections like Animals, dead Babies, Lepers, Cannibals, Michael Jackson and Blonde Jokes there are laughs in here for everyone. Smashwords lists the word count at over 130,000 words - and since this book is nothing but one joke after another, you can guess how many there are! I certainly recommend it!
  
• Arquon (2 Tales of the Southern Kingdoms) on Feb. 14, 2012
  
  great back story for the Immortals series :) Barb has created a very complex world and it's interesting to see the different pieces through the eyes of different characters.
  
• Conall's Sons on Feb. 14, 2012
  
  Loved how the stories intertwined with one another. Works well as a stand alone or a companion to her novels.
  
• Penelope and The Birthday Curse on Feb. 14, 2012
  
  This was a fun read. Penelope is a strong character with a fun personality and at times reminded me of Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet stories. Lots of funny moments and enough chills to keep the reader hooked. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
  
• The Russian Idea on July 08, 2012
  
  I'v heard that another reviewer called this an odd book and I'm not sure why. The only thing I can figure is that they found the philosophy angle to be strange (and there is a good deal of philosophy discussion between the characters) However since I knew it would be there already, I did not find it odd in the slightest. Daniel is an Englishmen who is invited by a Russian oligarch to come work on a project that will "save Russia" by installing cultural centers around the globe that will "sell" the Russian Idea as they call it, aka a way of looking at life/spirituality/religion etc. - that is based on the philosophy and work of Nikolai Berdyaev. (the reader does not need to be familiar with this to understand the story, as Steve Evans does an excellent job of explaining it - for example I was not familiar with it.) But on Daniel's first day in Russia - in fact on the first page of the novel - there is a murder. The police must be called, but they only do more to complicate and already complicated situation that is full of twists turns, and more secrets than you can shake a stick at. And f course, the killing doesn't stop. It seems someone is out to sabotage the Russian Idea. But who? I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say that this is a novel with a good mystery and very interesting characters, some of which I wish there'd been more time to examine further (but that's the point of reading a book, isn't it? then YOU get to examine them further yourself in your own mind!), a good romance and a lot of surprises.
  
• Lady Ice on July 08, 2012
  
  Another great one shot from Barb! I always enjoy her art style and her hot, hot heroes - and this is a love story too! Five stars for sure :) Only wish it was in color.
  
• A Bloody Story of Vampires on July 23, 2012
  
  Another great short by Barbara G. Tarn! Both sweet and bloody - it has vampires, it has hot males and it has a sweet romance. What else does one need in a short story? :)
  
• Penelope and The Ghost's Treasure on Aug. 24, 2012
  
  This book picks up where the last Penelope book left off. She's on her way to start boarding school - and more than a little miserable about the prospect. And no wonder, on the first day of school she earns the nickname "teacher Killer". things can only get worse from there. With a new batch of zanny, off beat characters, and a visit from a few old ones, this was easily as good as the first book, if not better. Again, I would recommend this for 10 +. Also of note, it's not necessary to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one, though it does make it better. As to the mystery? I did solve a portion of the mystery (no telling which bit) but not all of it. Well done, again, Mr. Voigts. (though this said reviewed right after purchase it is because I read a version given to me by the author, so I had to buy it now in order to review it.)
  
• Starblade on Nov. 17, 2012
  
  A sci-fi reminiscent of the golden era when men were men and women wore mini skirts so you wouldn't notice the gun they held behind their back. Written in a style that flows from the technological to the bedroom, Starblade tells the story of Frederika, a Morningstar (an artificially constructed human) whose brains, sultry beauty and lethal skills make her the perfect choice to infiltrate the island of the Falcanians - a self made species of genetically enhanced humans whose power, strength and resources could tip the scales in a post apocalyptic war for control of the world. And getting inside is easy. Shar-Khan, the Falcaninan leader, is taken with her. But can she keep her mission a secret? What will happen if she is discovered? And what is the dark presence that seems to be swirling, almost undetected, among them? Starblade, the first of a trilogy, sets the stage for the next books to come, and I for one am looking forward to them!
  
• A Man Walks Into a Bar....A Compendium of Filthy, Uncouth, Lewd, Lusty and Lascivious Jokes. Written, Compiled. Borrowed and Stolen by Rob Loughran on Nov. 24, 2012
  
  broken up into categories, this book has enough jokes to keep any party/get together/random family picnic busy for hours. While going through it, I had to keep stopping to read some out loud to the various people I was with. Some of them appreciated it, some of them didn't. Like everything, humor is subjective and for every joke that made me go "eh?" there was one that made me laugh out loud. Something for everyone, except maybe small children.
  
• Penelope and The Christmas Spirit on Dec. 14, 2012
  
  This short story is actually a bit of a prequel to the first Penelope book (Penelope and the Birthday Curse), and a fun one at that. Penelope's eccentric family decides to celebrate Christmas with their own unique twists. No store bough Christmas tree or decorations for them! But, even as Penelope is enjoying her first attempt at the holiday, a mysterious neighbor moves in nearby - or at least some of their furniture does. With nothing but a chair, a lamp and a Christmas tree, can there really be anyone living there? And if so, then who? A fun short story and perfect for this time of year!
  
• Technological Angel (Star Minds Book 1) on Dec. 21, 2012
  
  As a fan of the Silvery earth series, I was interested to see how Ms. tarn would tackle a sci-fi - and she did it spectacularly. It had all the elements that I have come to expect from her work: hot men, good plot, intricate societies/species and a no holds barred approach to the different things the characters must endure, which makes the most fantastic seem real and grounded. For example, it would have been easy for her to write a cliche, fairy tale romance between a couple of the characters, but she chose a different path that ultimately makes more sense and works out for the better. As usual, I can't choose which of the heroes I like the most, and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
  
• Mind Link (Star Minds Book 2) on Jan. 29, 2013
  
  The second in the Star Mind's series, this story picks up where the other left off. though it is shorter than the first book, it's just as good and left me wanting more at the end. The same cast of characters is back, though Kol-ian takes center stage this time. He and his brother-in-law Ker-ris have a lot to come to terms with from the previous events, such as the deaths of their families, and Ker-ris' missing years while he was under mind control. As they start to deal with their pasts, they grow closer and to everyone;s surprise fall in love. By accident, Ker-ris is able to mind link with Kol-ian - a rare gift and a gateway to a special kind of relationship. But, when Kol-ian is taken prisoner, it's a gift that could kill them both. Eagerly looking forward to the next installment, though I sadly think it's the last one. Barbara's flare for creating interesting, multi-faceted characters continues to shine in this series.
  
• The 4 Types of Artists – Starving, Dying, Dead, and Rich! on April 01, 2013
  
  A fun little piece that is too, too true!