Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "Aboard The Wishing Star"

Thank you so much for supporting Debra's week in the spotlight. Leave a comment today, Saturday, and Sunday along with an email and I'll pick a winner at random to receive a print copy of Debra's book "A Desperate Journey." The winner will be announced here on the blog on the following Monday and on the Connections Yahoo Groups.

Enjoy the Excerpt!
Moderator Steph

****

Calypso music played as the ship eased out of the dock heading for open seas. She could see another ship in the distance, and a third a bit farther out, one following the other like ducks in a row. She was so busy watching, lost in thought she didn't notice Nate until he spoke.

"Alone at last." Nate's voice was resonant and sensual, and his words wrapped around Kara as she turned to look at him. He winked at her, climbed into the hot tub, and then sat, leaning his powerful, well-muscled body back against the hot tub. "Did they find your luggage yet?"

She tried not to stare at Nate's bare chest. "No."

"It could be down below clearing customs even as we speak."

"I hope so."

He glanced at her swimsuit.

The swimsuit that fit her all too snug.

"At least you have a swimsuit. What else do you need on a cruise?" He winked.

"Well perhaps a nice dress to wear to dinner."

"I'm sure your luggage will turn up soon."

"I hope so."

"So, we're sailing on the Wishing Star. Have you made a wish yet?"

Was he psychic?

She wouldn't admit she'd wished to see him again tonight.

"I made a wish. But I can't tell you what my wish is."

"Because you're afraid it might not come true?"

"No." She smiled.

"I'll tell you mine later if it comes true."

"I hope you get your wish."

"And I hope you get every one of yours."

He couldn't know she was full of unfulfilled wishes.

If she were honest with herself, she'd been making wishes for the past month. Whispered wishes in the dark. "I hope so too."

Viv came back with two pina coladas, took one look at Nate, and practically purred. "Well, hello again."

"Hello," he responded with a polite smile as she handed Kara a drink. He returned his full attention to Kara, his gaze interested and warm "Kara and I were just talking about wishes."

"Well, tell her to hurry up and make one or she's going to miss out. She doesn't listen to me."

"I suspect she's already made her wish." He smiled.

Kara returned his smile. It was nice having him take up for her.
******

BOOK TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo&list=PLF03836F44D8BA9C1&index=2&feature=plpp_videoDebra's links:

Website

http://www.debraparmley.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743?ean=2940015597219

Author Spotlight - Debra Parmley talks about celebrating the holidays on a cruise ship

Kara and Viv are looking forward to celebrating New Year's Eve aboard The Wishing Star. When writing this story I drew from my own experiences as well as those of my clients who would take a holiday cruise.

Americans setting sail on holiday cruises are usually interested in celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's Eve.

A holiday cruise can be a great way for families to come together in a family reunion style gathering. They can also be a fun way for a small family to celebrate. But it can also be a fun way for singles to celebrate a holiday, particularly the New Year's cruises.

Usually the cruise lines stick to time honored traditions, but they sometimes add innovative festivities. For example, Princess Cruises employs snowmaking machines to offer daily snowfalls in the atrium throughout the month of December. On Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay, the tram will be magically transformed into a sleigh. And, luxury line Crystal does a full-on balloon drop in the atrium to ring in the New Year.

What can you expect onboard a holiday cruise? Of the four major holidays -- Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's -- Christmas garners the most attention.

Cruise lines serve special meals during holiday cruises. For instance, expect latkes (potato pancakes) during Hanukkah and some lines serve the traditional meal. The traditional Thanksgiving meals are served on most cruise lines.

Our family went on a Thanksgiving cruise and had our choice of the traditional foods such as roast turkey, along with such trimmings as stuffing and cranberry sauce. But given the choice between the traditional meal and surf and turf we all chose lobster tails and steak!

All the cruise lines decorate though the trimming and timing varies from ship to ship. In the fall it may be pumpkins and cornucopias, in December wreaths and decorated trees. Decorations generally go up around Thanksgiving and stay until the New Year.

Our family once took a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean and inflatable Santa's waited on the piers as we sailed into port at each island. It was fun to see how the different islands decorated for the holiday.

On New Year's Eve, a ship wide countdown to midnight is to be expected, as is a Champagne toast. Celebrations might be on the top decks under the stars, weather permitting. Or they might be down below with balloons and noisemakers.

You or your travel consultant can find out what each cruise line is doing to celebrate a holiday, from decorations, to special meals, to music, live shows and movies with a holiday theme. There may be a priest; a rabbi or a reverend on board for special religious services on some cruises. There may be special children's activities. Santa may pay a visit. There may be arts and crafts for children. There may be areas for viewing NFL on large screens. Cruising on a holiday cruise is very different from cruising on an off holiday cruise. Everyone on board the ship is celebrating the holiday too, which means the crew as well.

For Kara and Nate, celebrating aboard The Wishing Star is a romantic and memorable occasion. I had so much fun writing this story and watching them celebrate their first New Year's Eve together.

Have you ever been on a holiday cruise? If you could sail aboard The Wishing Star on a holiday cruise which one would you choose? What would you look forward to?

BOOK TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo&list=PLF03836F44D8BA9C1&index=2&feature=plpp_videoDebra's links:

Website

http://www.debraparmley.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743?ean=2940015597219

Author Spotlight - Character Interview with Kara from "Aboard the Wishing Star"

Debra - "Kara, now that you're all packed for your cruise I'd like to ask you some questions. If you are so afraid of water, why are you going on a cruise?

Kara - "I won a cruise for two at work. There was a contest for the most productive employee and I still can't believe I won. I guess all those hours of overtime really paid off."

Debra - "Who are you taking with you?"

Kara - "I invited my best friend, Viv. We've been friends since we were young, but I haven't seen her since my husband died. So I'm looking forward to a week of girl time. My boss Daryl hinted that he wanted to be invited, but I'd already invited her and I'm looking forward to being away from work. And he was probably just joking. Everyone at work was saying 'pick me'."

Debra - "That sounds like fun, a girls week in the Caribbean. What else are you looking forward to?"

Kara - "Yes, it will be. Viv is always fun and I've missed her. She's more of a party girl than I am so we'll probably dance every night in the club, but I'm looking forward to lounging by the pool or on the beach with a good book."

Debra - "You've been working so much it sounds like you need the rest. When was the last time you took a vacation? You must be really dedicated to your job."

Kara - "I haven't had a day off since my husband took me to the Washington zoo to see the pandas. That was the day he was shot at the gas station. For a long time I wasn't able to talk about it without crying. I guess I started working extra hours to stay busy at first and keep my mind off of what happened and how much I missed him. Then it just became a habit. Daryl always has extra work projects for me. Sometimes it feels like I'll never get caught up."

Debra - "I hope you get the relaxation you need and have a fun time with Viv. Have you thought about what you will do if your water phobia takes over?"

Kara - "I took a timid non swimmers class at the gym, but haven't swum since. So if we're in the pool I'll stay in the shallow end unless there is flotation then I can go into the deep end. But the ocean, well, I don't know about that. Viv swears there will always be life vests and she says we'll be too busy drinking frosty rum drinks and checking out all the hot men to be swimming in the ocean. I'm still pretty nervous about it though. My travel agent said it's completely safe and I don't even have to wear my swimsuit or get wet if I don't want to."

Debra - "Is this a singles cruise? Your friend mentioned hot men. How do you feel about that?"

Kara - "No, it's not a singles cruise, but the travel agent said there's a high percentage of singles that go on this one since we'll be celebrating New Years on board. Viv is always checking out hot men. I don't think she'll ever get married. I'm not looking for that, or even dating, but she's always trying to talk me into going out and meeting men. That's just how Viv is and she's always been a party girl. Back in high school she was the life of the party and I was the shy one."

Debra - "It sounds like you're happy with your single life now and not looking for a relationship."

Kara - "Happy? I guess. Lately I've been thinking about finding a new job, doing something new. My life is okay. I have a busy job, a house and I'm healthy. I should be happy. Maybe I'm just tired of the job and need to do something else with my life. Nights can be hard. Sometimes I get lonely at night. I miss the companionship of being married. The little things, you know?"

Debra - "I do know. Little things, like sharing how the day went and things that maybe aren't so little. Like being held? I've heard it said wishes can come true aboard The Wishing Star."

Kara - "Yes. I miss that. But I don't want to talk about that any more. Wishes don't always come true and it can hurt too much when they don't."

Debra - "Well, Kara, I hope all your wishes do come true aboard The Wishing Star and I hope you have a lovely trip. Thank you for talking to me today."

Kara - "Thank you. I've got to go over my packing list now and make sure I don't forget anything."


BOOK TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo&list=PLF03836F44D8BA9C1&index=2&feature=plpp_videoDebra's links:

Website

http://www.debraparmley.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743?ean=2940015597219

Author Spotlight - The Romance of Cruising

By Debra Parmley
Anyone who has cruised the seas or who has watched "The Love Boat" knows there can be romance to sea travel. Feeling the wind in your hair, the endless ocean views, stars twinkling above a darkened sea, the setting sun and exotic ports of call, all can set the mood for love. Yes, this is cliché, but onboard ship it is also a real experience, not only a daydream.

Cruising by its very nature is romantic. Many people remember the popular American television show The Love Boat, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986 and was watched all around the world. The show was based on a 1976 made for TV movie based on the nonfiction book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, who was a cruise director. The sitcom was usually set aboard the Pacific Princess, a Princess Cruises cruise liner.

It might seem unlikely but aboard a ship filled with hundreds, even thousands of people, together time for two still happens. So many things can be arranged. A table for two at dinner, lounge chairs side by side at the pool, dancing together in the evening followed by a walk around the outer deck, and then there are the private cabins with balconies. For couples wishing to spend their honeymoon or anniversary onboard a cruise, many options are available.

I spent several years as a travel consultant and have arranged many such trips for my clients. I have also sailed on many cruise lines and on many ships. I love being at sea. So it's no surprise I would set one of my romance novels onboard a ship sailing the Caribbean.

My third book, Aboard the Wishing Star, is the story of Kara, a widow who sails away thinking she has escaped her problems only to find they have followed her.

One of the problems Kara deals with is a phobia of deep water, a fear of drowning. You might ask why she goes on a cruise if she has this fear. The answer is, she wins a cruise for two and invites her best friend, Viv. Now you might be thinking even that wouldn't be enough of an incentive and while it is true there are people with water phobia who would never cruise no matter how great the incentive, there are people who would. How do I know this? Because I am one of them.

I have a water phobia which I have had since I was a small child. I'm not sure where it came from, there are no stories of me almost drowning, but there it is. I didn't learn to swim until I was in college and only then because it was a requirement for graduation at the private women's college I attended. I took the "timid non-swimmers" class and I passed, but just barely. The instructor told me I was the first truly phobic student she'd ever had. Today I will swim in a lake or ocean but only with a life vest on and I can swim in a swimming pool but only with flotation. Why? Because without flotation I tend to freak out and cannot hear anyone who is yelling at me. Anyone trying to save me had better get behind me so I don't hurt him or her. I'm simply not capable of intelligent coherent thought when that phobia strikes. And yet, I love the sea and I love sailing. I love the ocean and the beach. Nothing feeds my soul quite like it, so I am always drawn back no matter how far away I live from the beach. I love to snorkel and I have even gone tubing (though just one time for that because it felt like I was going to drown) and I once walked the plank of a pirate ship off the coast of Grand Cayman. I've pushed myself to my limits, always with flotation of course. I love the ocean too much to stay away from it, even with the phobia.

So I can relate to Kara, a little bit when it comes to swimming in the ocean. The scenes where Nate teaches her to snorkel are my favorites and I'm hoping they come across well to my readers. I admit to being a little nervous about this. Perhaps this is normal when an author puts a little bit of herself into one of her characters, particularly when it involves a phobia. But I went out on that limb and here I am. That's what I do with this phobia. Every so often I go out on a limb.

That's what Kara must do. Go out on that limb, taking a chance on a shipboard romance, which is always a chance because who knows what will happen once they disembark? And that's one of the more risky things we do, if we've ever been deeply hurt, taking one more chance at love.

What do you think of cruises? Have you ever been on a cruise? If you have never been, would you like to go? Do you have a phobia and if so, how have you handled that?


BOOK TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo&list=PLF03836F44D8BA9C1&index=2&feature=plpp_videoDebra's links:

Website

http://www.debraparmley.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743?ean=2940015597219

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Debra Parmley

STEPH: I don't know much about "Aboard The Wishing Star." Tell us about it.

DEBRA:My third book, Aboard the Wishing Star is the story of Kara, a widow who sails away aboard her first cruise thinking she has escaped her problems only to find they have followed her.

When Kara's husband is shot and killed in front of her in what she's told is a random act of violence, she becomes convinced the world is unsafe. Her life is quiet and predictable until she wins a Caribbean cruise for two and takes along her best friend Viv.

One of Kara's fears is a fear of deep water. She takes a first step in facing that fear by going on the cruise where she meets Nate, a scuba diver and ex marine.

Nate can't wait to teach Kara how to snorkel and will share his love of the sea with her, hoping she will overcome her fear.

Will Kara learn to trust Nate with her heart, when she fears this shipboard romance will reach an end and she'll never see him again, leaving her broken hearted?

When Kara's creepy boss, Daryl shows up at their first port of call unexpectedly, Nate's protective nature comes out.

Kara returns home from the cruise where her creepy boss is waiting and suddenly she doesn't feel so safe. She calls Nate, but will he rescue her?

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

DEBRA: Aboard the Wishing Star was the second novel I wrote and it took a long time because the novel went through five rewrites to reach its present form. Several of them were major rewrites. This one has taken seven years and I'm thrilled it's finally out. The story wouldn't let me go and I'm thankful it found a home at Desert Breeze Publishing.

STEPH: Did you have to do any research for the novel?

DEBRA:Research wasn't something I had to do for this book because I worked as travel consultant for a few years and have been on many cruises to the Caribbean. It's a world I know well.

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?

DEBRA: I love the cover for Aboard the Wishing Star. It's my favorite so far. Gwen Phiffer did a wonderful job of showing the elegance and old-fashioned romance of the story. I asked for a cover similar to the movie poster for An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, which was also on a cruise ship. Throughout the story Kara makes wishes and there are three wishing stars in the cover. One up in the sky above them, then one atop each "I" for a total of three. Gwen did a wonderful job adding little touches like that.

STEPH: Kara is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?

DEBRA: Kara shows her strength when despite her fear of water she goes on a cruise and learns to snorkel. She's a woman who tries to overcome her fear instead of letting it freeze her. One of Kara's weaknesses is the way she usually gives her boss Daryl the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his behavior and intentions. It's her trusting nature.

STEPH: What does the hero, Nate, find intriguing about Kara?

DEBRA: Nate, a former Marine finds Kara's sweet, trusting nature attractive. She brings out his protective nature but while he wants to protect her, he also wants to teach her to face her fears and to overcome them.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?

DEBRA: Themes in the novel, well let's see. There is the theme of facing your fears and learning to be braver. Then there is the theme of making wishes and believing in them coming true.

STEPH: Where do you draw inspiration from?

DEBRA: As a writer, I draw inspiration from everything. My travels, historical sites I've visited, books and music. More and more I find myself drawing from places I have visited for my stories. With Aboard the Wishing Star, it's my cruise experiences. With the 1920's romance I am working on now, Trapping the Butterfly, which is an April 2013 release from Desert Breeze Publishing, the setting is Hot Springs, AR and many of the characters are staying at the Arlington Hotel, where I've stayed. When working on Aboard the Wishing Star I listened to music I'd heard on board cruise ships I've sailed on.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook? If so, which one?

DEBRA: My Kindle is about three years old and I love it. The letters are worn off the keypad, much like my laptop.

STEPH: Fun question: Are you dressing up for Halloween?

DEBRA: Oh I love Halloween and costume parties. I'm attending a costume party with my hubby and have to finish sewing our costumes this week. It's a yearly bash and they go all out, with creepy looking foods and decorations. I'm making hatching spiders to bring. These are deviled eggs with spiders on top made out of black or green olives. The round part for the body and strips cut for the legs. These sit on top of the deviled eggs like they've just hatched.

BOOK TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo&list=PLF03836F44D8BA9C1&index=2&feature=plpp_videoDebra's links:

Website

http://www.debraparmley.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743?ean=2940015597219