Sharon Donovan, Author, Echo of a Raven, Touched by an Angel, The Claddagh Ring, Lasting Love, Mask Of The Betrayer, Her Biggest Fan also 'Charade Of Hearts' and 'Kiss Of Death' - starring 'Oliver'- Suspense, Intrigue, Inspirational Romance.
Sharon's INSPIRATIONAL Short stories of Faith and Romance can be found HEREor visit her Facebook Page, which also has the links in the comments.)
Showing posts with label Mask of the Betrayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mask of the Betrayer. Show all posts
Sharon scurries up the stone steps to the DeVeccio mansion to watch the Halloween movie on Chiller Theater. A hunter’s moon hangs low in the dark desert sky. In the distance, a wolf howls, its eerie wail echoing through the night. The wind whistles through the Ponderosa pines, sounding like the wise old whispers of the Paiute Indians buried thousands of feet below in the windblown sand. Reaching the door, she yanks on the hangman’s noose. The dome in the bell tower rattles the mansion.
Oliver answers, holding a candlestick. You rang?
As they walk through the long corridor to the parlor, ghostly footsteps echoing in their wake, organ music grinds off the wall. Candles flicker in the parlor, illuminating the swords above the bar. Hot buttered popcorn and chilled chardonnay are laid out on the coffin table. Masks from Uncle Carlow’s chamber line the wall, a werewolf with glowing red eyes, the bloody head of Frankenstein and the Evil Jester with a demented smile. Sharon takes a seat on the burgundy settee. When the raven clock announces the thirteenth hour, Oliver takes a sweeping bow.
Good Evening! On this ghoulish Saturday night on Hallow’s Eve it is my great pleasure to present
MASK OF THE BETRAYER
Produced by TRIAD PRODUCTIONS and written by SHARON ANN DONOVAN. Grab yourself a big tub of buttered popcorn and get ready to scream.
When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?
Deep in the foothills of RedRockCanyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.
Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be
hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7
Wearing masks bearing images of skeletons and Christian icons is a vital part of Mardi Gras in the city of New Orleans. This pre-Lenten festival is framed by the donning of original masks worn by people at masked balls, crew members in parades, tourists and partakers in the final crescendo known as Fat Tuesday.
This is a time when individuals hide behind masks to play out the final moments of fun and to bid farewell to the flesh before the penitence of Lent begins.
Masks have always possessed a certain air of mystery that has fascinated people for centuries. According to legend, masks were worn by ancient Greek actors in honor of Dionysus, god of theater and were quite large. Because the structures used to represent the plays were so colossal, masks bore exaggerated expressions in order to convey various emotions.
The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple symbolic of justice, green symbolic of faith and gold symbolic of power and are used to decorate carnival masks.
I am pleased to announce the following honor for my suspense book Mask of the Betrayer. I would so appreciate your vote if you get a moment to swing over to LASR. . Special thank you to Snapdragon for her fabulous 5 book review!
We offer a weekend poll at The Long and the Short of It romance reviews-- we want to know which book or story sounds like the best read based on our reviews. The winning author gets a nifty button andthe privilege of having their book or story featured at the top ofthat page the entire next week!Your story "Mask of the Betrayer" http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/mask-of-betrayer-by-sharon-ann-donovan.html
was reviewed by us this week and is up for Book of the Week honor this weekend (voting runs from Saturday, July 31 through Sunday August 1).
We thought you might like to know. You can find the information here
on Saturday:
When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?
Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.
Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! I have a very special treat for you today. As you know, Mask of the Betrayer is a psychological thriller. At its core is its villain, billionaire business tycoon Michael DeVeccio who operates his construction empire with an iron fist. He is charming, coy and very cunning. And he is a demented sociopath who has been getting away with murder for decades. When I asked Triad Productions to make a video of my book, I didn’t think they could come up with an actor to fill the shoes of Michael DeVeccio, the most complex character I have created to date. They did and he’s here with me today. Let’s have a warm welcome for Loren Lambert.
Thunderous applause explodes as Loren enters the parlor. The Hunting Song plays in the background, the song that has been programmed into Michael’s head since he was twelve years old.
Sharon: Have a seat, Loren. Thank you for joining me today. Can Oliver get you something from the bar?
Loren: Yes, a nice peach nectar and Fresca blend--my favorite—have to keep a clear mind, a cool head and a steady hand.
Sharon: I’ll have the same, Oliver.
Allow me to commend you on your outstanding performance of Michael DeVeccio, Loren. You portrayed him so well. How did it feel to play the role of such a twisted sociopath, a man who kills with no remorse?
Loren: Thank you. I love a challenge and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to tackle this. I also love stories, their magic and mystery and power to transform our conscious. It's not that playing a twisted sociopath is fun, it's creating a complex, multi-dimensional character that is not a stereotype, facade or some gauzy representation of reality that is satisfying. Michael's character presented that opportunity and challenge. I hope I captured something that is reflective of the imaginations of the readers of this story.
Oliver serves the drinks.
Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. You know when I wrote the book, I wanted the reader to understand the significance of the Hunting Song. From the age of twelve, Michael’s uncle trained his nephew to kill the betrayer by programming the song into his head. By this method of brainwashing, the lyrics of the song echoed in Michael’s head, pumping him up with the urge to get even. The opening scene in the video portrays this. Tell me what went through your mind when you crept into the mansion, put on the macabre skull mask with those chilling words haunting you?
Loren: Love the thrill of the hunt, so to speak.
Sharon: I was very pleased with the balcony scene, when Michael is muttering to himself about finding the perfect woman to produce his son, an heir to his kingdom. He believes he can have whatever he wants simply by ruling it so. It sounds like the ramblings of a madman. Was it difficult to get into character for this scene:
Loren: No, because the difficulty was met with sufficient preparation to present the scene. A good actor does not memorize lines, he or she memorizes thoughts, emotions and motives that capture the mood of the scene and drive the words from his soul.
Sharon: It’s important for authors to give a character a habit of some type, either quirky or obsessive. I gave Michael the obsessive habit of tapping his cigarette three times before lighting it. Did you find this effective, helping you to get inside Michael’s head?
Loren: Not necessarily. Unusual actions and habits certainly do help capture the manifestation of a unique individual, just as wardrobe does, but they become more integral when combined with a progressive action that moves the plot forward or that tell us something about the character. Michael's habit was a symbol of his uniqueness as an individual. Given more scenes we might have learned how this habit may have said something about him and the habit’s origins and thereby revealed its greater meaning.
Sharon: Michael and the homicide cop toy with one another throughout the entire book. Santiago, a streety cop with attitude, hates the smug billionaire and wants nothing more than to nail him for the recent murders as well as the murder of his uncle ten years earlier. Michael cooly taunts the cop, all but admitting to the crimes, knowing there is no evidence. How did it feel to play this scene in the DeVeccio parlor, leisurely sipping coffee while reading the Wall Street Journal?
Loren: Again, it was great fun taking on the airs of a overconfident villain snubbing the authorities with a wry smile as opposed to playing a stereotype.
Sharon: Now let’s chat about the sweet and unsuspecting Margot Montgomery. When Michael meets Margot in the cocktail lounge in his casino, charisma oozes from every pore. But the whole while he is drawing her in with his devastating charm, he is seeing her as the perfect woman to produce his son. What went through your head during this scene?
Loren: This scene more fully highlights Michael's cunning and bravado. Here, Michael demonstrates that he believes that he indeed found a woman who is, "easy to control," and who he knows was sucked into the marriage, not just because of his charm, but because of her attraction to wealth and her naivety. He also relies upon the fact that what he sees as her unsophisticated nature, will cause her to be too paralyzed with fear to do anything--or so he suspects. This peaks the interest of the audience and begs the questions, what is she going to do? Is she capable of getting out of this and how?
Sharon: Absolutely. Michael is a master manipulator and is always on the hunt. And the pool scene is very dramatic. Michael has Margot right where he wants her—under his thumb. She knows at this point that he is the serial killer. She knows he wants a son. And if she doesn’t do as she’s commanded, she will be the next victim. Oliver, roll the video, please. Let’s watch Loren Lambert in action.
Thunderous applause…
Sharon: Awesome how you captured the character of Michael DeVeccio so well. And it looks like a real mansion was used. Can you tell me about it?
Loren: The McCune mansion was built in 1900 by Alfred W. McCune for 1 million dollars (22 million by today’s standards). In 1920 it was donated to the LDS who used it for a music school. The LDS church sold it and today it has been renovated and is rented by the upper class for weddings, balls and other special events. We were extremely lucky to shoot there. It was simply gorgeous.
Sharon: Finally, before you leave, tell me your favorite scene and why?
Loren: Definitely the pool scene because it was layered with emotion and possibilities and was most pivotal to the story. (And I might add, it's a breeze playing opposite a talented and easy-on-the-eyes actress)
Sharon: Thank you so very much for joining me today on Wednesday Spotlight, Loren. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. And thank you for playing the role of Michael DeVeccio so well. Can you give readers your website to learn more about you and your acting?
Loren: Again, thank you. To contact me and learn more about me, become part of my network by going to my facebook page at:
I am thrilled to present to you my video of Mask of the Betrayer by Triad Productions. I think the actors portraying Michael, Margot and Diego did an outstanding job! Grab yourself a big tub of buttered popcorn and get ready to scream! Mask of the Betrayer Available Now from Whimsical Publications http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html
I was awe-struck by the awesome review of Mask of the Betrayer in The Examiner. Labeled as a Dark Mystery with Brutal Content, Ms. Ginger Simpson gives it high kudos. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ginger. Here it is!
Review - Mask of the Betrayer - Dark Mystery, Brutal Content
June 15, 11:37 AM
eBooks Examiner
Ginger Simpson
Mask of the Betrayer - Sharon Ann Donovan
Beneath all the bright lights, glitter, and glamour of Las Vegas beats the heart
of a sociopath. In most novels you have to wait until the end for the “whodunit,” but in Mask of the Betrayer, you know who,from the beginning, but must keep reading to learn why he’s killing off all his family members, and how someone is going to finally stop him.
Michael Deveccio is a billionaire who wants for nothing. He has it all, or so it seems. Raised by Uncle Carlos who fell victim to the very method of killing he taught his nephew, Michael is the sole heir to the Deveccio Dynasty.All he needs is the perfect wife to bear a son to carry on the kingdom.
Poor Margot Montgomery has no idea the type of man she’s fallen for and marries.Their castle-like home is filled with all the demented memorabilia that proves Uncle Carlos’ warped mind, but Michael seems to cherish everything about his uncle. His devotion to family only deepens her respect for her new hubby.
Michael worhips the ground Margot walks on, at least in the beginning, and having a family tops his list of immediate desires. Margot is pressed to have a son. A daughter wouldn't be good enough to head the family business; he must have a male heir.
She has a career of her own and isn't in a hurry to become a mother, but Michael's insistence that she'll never want for anything carries some merit.Margot has moments when she doubts her husband’s motives and suspects him of foul play, but his charm assuages her fear.
Too bad, there’s a death star in his pocket with her name on it, along with the signature mask he leaves on all his victims.
Mask of the Betrayer is filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be hooked from the first chapter.
An amazing cast of characters lend to the tension and suspense, and even if you read with an editorial eye, you probably won’t mind that the POV shifts from one paragraph to another in places.
Supposedly, only NY-rated writers could pull this off, but Ms. Donovan proves that
rumor to be a fallacy.
If forced to nitpick, one might find Michael’s “tapping of his cigarette three times”to become rather redundant along with a few places where you’ll find repeated information, but the pace of the story moves so quickly, you‘ll just absorb it again and keep reading.
Trust that you won’t be disappointed with Ms. Donovan’s captive and descriptive
style.Be warned, this story is not for the squeamish.If you don’t like violence and mayhem, this isn’t for you, but if it fits the bill for you....dig in.
I am pleased to announce the first of my reviews for Mask of the Betrayer at Amazon posted by customers. I am truly touched and can't stop smiling! Thank you, Mary and Miss Mae for your fabulous reviews. I blush from your kudos and bow my head in gracious acceptance. To paraphrase a writer whose name escapes me..."When you cannot find the words to express your feelings, a simple thank you will do." Thank you!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A psycological Thriller To Blow You Away,
June 16, 2010
By Mary R
(Florida)
This review is from: Mask of the Betrayer (Paperback)
I just finished Sharon Donovan's Mask of The Betrayer and it blew me away.
I couldn't put it down and kept thinking. What would I do?????
One of the best reads I have had in an awfully long time!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have a strong heart and mind when reading this one!, June 11, 2010
By Miss Mae "I read what I write..."
This review is from: Mask of the Betrayer (Paperback)
We know who the villain is right off the bat, so I'm not giving anything away by
telling you that immediately I hated Michael DeVeccio.
He's the nephew of gangster, Carlos DeVeccio (and that guy should've been carted off to the funny farm decades ago!). Carlos raises Michael as his own son and preps him from the age of twelve to take over the DeVeccio Dynasty. He warps Michael's mind into believing that it's fine, needful, and beneficial to kill your competitors, or those who betray you.
Michael as an adult is a cold-hearted killer through and through. He believes himself a god, that the world is there only for his benefit, and his word must always be obeyed. When he decided he needed a son and heir to pass along his brilliance to, he chooses Margot.
I won't go into the seduction here of how he convinces Margot he loves her. You need
to read that to find out for yourself. But she falls for him, hard and fast. Though when news comes out that Michael's last fiancee had been murdered by the serial killer called the Red Rock Slasher, and that Michael is the prime suspect, Margot is soothed by his lying tongue. She becomes his wife, and then she enters Hell.
Have you ever watched a really scary, creepy movie where the heroine is all alone in this spooky house, and goose-bumpy music is playing, and the heroine reaches for a door where the bad guy is lurking, and you're sitting on the edge of your seat screaming, "Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't do it!" That's how you feel throughout this book. You're wanting to tell Margot, "Don't believe him! Run away! Why are you
sticking around?"
And I won't tell you the reasons why she does -- Again, read the book, and find out why.
Could this book become a movie, and Michael DeVeccio the next Freddy Krueger? Oh,
yeah, but don't ask me to watch it. The book terrified me all by itself.
The Jolly Jester or Joker became popular during Medieval times. Jesters are typically portrayed with bright colors and eccentric hats in a motley pattern. The hat is sometimes referred to as “the cap n bells” and is depicted as a floppy hat with three points, each topped off with a jingle bell. The hat represents the ass’s ears and tail worn by jesters in earlier times.
Things that make the Jester unique: his insane laughter and his mock scepter, referred to as a bauble or maharoof
Author’s note: The Jolly Jester is a featured guest at the masquerade party in Mask of the Betrayer.
More than eighty years after his death, fans still flock to Hollywood Forever Cemetery to bestow flowers on the crypt of Rudolph Valentino
Born in Italy, Valentino arrived in the United States in 1913 intending to strike it rich. Instead, he lived in shabby apartments in New York City, worked a variety of odd jobs, and was arrested several times on suspicion of petty theft and blackmail. Eventually, Valentino found success as a dancer in nightclubs around Broadway, then joined the cast of The Merry Monarch, a musical review on national tour.
For the next several years, Valentino took small film parts as he made his way to Hollywood, usually as the villain. He got his big break in 1921 when he was offered the leading role in The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse. His smoldering looks, exotic background and graceful dancing combined to make the romanticized tango scene unforgettable. The film was an overnight success and Valentino was an instant star.
Valentino continued to star in Hollywood films and became legendary for his passionate roles. Quite the lady killer, women flocked to see him perform, fainting in the aisles after screaming their hearts out. Just as Valentino-mania reached its peak, Valentino went on a nation-wide tour to promote his latest film The Son of a Sheik.
On August 15, 1926 while promoting the film in New York City, he was rushed to the hospital with stomach pains. Exploratory surgery revealed a bleeding ulcer. While it was repaired, Valentino developed a post-surgery infection and died. Almost immediately rumors began to surface that he was shot by a jealous husband, poisoned or killed by a jilted lover. An estimated crowd of 100,000 attended his funeral in New York City. When his body was brought back to Hollywood, thousands of mourners stood to watch the train pass. When his body was lowered into the mausoleum cathedral in Los Angeles, a small airplane scattered rose petals in memory of the legendary Hollywood star.
One of the most enduring Hollywood legends is the Mystery Lady who visits Valentino’s crypt every year on the anniversary of his death. Dressed in black from head to toe, including a heavy veil shrouding her face, the Mystery Lady visits without uttering a word and bestows a bouquet of red roses and leaves. Who is she? Many women have laid claim to the title, but no one knows for sure the true identity behind the maskd lady. Who do you think it is? A friend? A lover? A mistress?
I invite you all to come chat with me on June 15th about my books, hobbies and whatever you like! This event is located here:
hello! I am participating in the June Jubilee at Coffee Time Romance & More. I invite you all to come chat with me on June 15th about my books, hobbies and more! This event is located here http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=900
You must be a member to post. If you are just registering, please put Sharon Donovan in the referral box.
Throughout the entire month, authors will be chatting about their hobbies in the "Special Interests" area of the forum. I will be chatting about my guilty pleasure of collecting Mardi Gras masks. Today, Cleopatra, the beautiful Egyptian queen is featured. Cleopatra is one of the masqueraders in my newly released suspense book Mask of the Betrayer. Come chat with me here. You never know when someone might win a prize! http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1472
In my latest suspense novel Mask of the Betrayer, will true love conquer all? Here is the pov from the heroine (Margot Montgomery DeVeccio) and the romantic hero (Diego Santiago) the homicide cop investigating her husband for the recent killings in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon. Will these star-crossed lovers find their destiny, their one true love?
Margot cried all the way home. She’d wanted nothing more than to throw herself into Santiago’s arms and stay with him. But she couldn’t. Provoking Michael at this point would be a deadly game, one she couldn’t afford. Homicide was counting on her to trip Michael up, make him say something incriminating on tape. Diego was counting on her. His touch had sent sparks soaring through her like a bolt of lightning. That man of few words got to her in a way Michael never had.
Because she couldn’t seem to help herself, she compared the two men. While they were both intelligent, brilliant even, their integrity was unparalleled. Michael’s temperament was as volatile as a volcano—while Diego remained cool and calm under pressure. Their virtues were worlds apart. Diego’s morals consisted of high ethical standards—while Michael’s were totally corrupt and morally unethical. What it all boiled down to was a matter of respect. Michael demanded it—while Diego earned it.
Driving through the wrought iron gate leading to the mansion, Margot’s head was in a daze. Fate had certainly dealt her a bad hand. If only she’d met Diego before falling in love with Michael. At her wedding, she’d been so sure Michael was her one true love, her soul mate. Well wasn’t fate having a grand old laugh at her expense. Just when she thought her life couldn’t possibly get any worse, she’d gone and fallen head over heels for the homicide cop, Diego Santiago, her destiny.
He wanted her. He thought about her always, making love to her again and again, all through the night. She starred in his fantasies, his very sexually arousing fantasies. His hands itched to touch her. Margot DeVeccio stirred his blood. And if he didn’t have her soon, he’d go out of his mind.
The thought of Margot going home to the sociopath tormented him. How could he live with himself if something were to happen to her? He berated himself for not getting the evidence necessary to lock the cold-blooded bastard up. The warrior in him desperately wanted to hunt DeVeccio down and throttle him with his bare hands. From the first time he’d laid eyes on Margot, he’d wanted her. But he wasn’t about to spend the rest of his life in jail, kiss his career good bye. He hadn’t spent the past decade on the force to toss his badge over the cliffs of the foothills.
He needed to get the evidence on DeVeccio to prove he was the serial killer of Red Rock Canyon so he could lock him up where he belonged. He needed proof and he needed it fast. If it were the last thing he did on this earth, he’d put the smug billionaire behind bars and throw away the key. And then he’d move in on Margot, his sweet Margarita, the woman with the bewitching green eyes that had his blood boiling to liquid heat.
What’s the difference between a suspense book and an “edge of your seat, turn-paging” suspense book?
I’d like to explore that question today. For as long as I can remember, my favorite genre has been romantic suspense and suspense thrillers. I’ve come to expect twists and turns to keep me guessing until I turn the last page. And now that I write in these genres, I promise to draw my readers into a whirlwind of suspense and intrigue. Here are some of the elements that I look for and promise to deliver in my books:
1. Desolate setting
2. Captivating storyline that will hook the reader right from the start
3. Spine-tingling background music that will draw the reader into the story
4. Quirky or obsessive character traits that will identify the character as unique
5. Heroine that reader can empathize with and scream for her to be rescued by the romantic hero!
6 Romantic hero with a “Don’t mess with me” attitude that isn’t above cutting corners
7. Villain that we love to hate
8 Dialogue interspersed with atmospheric description to make us feel, see, hear, smell, taste and touch
9 Twist and turns to make the reader gasp
10Sizzling chemistry between the lovers
11. The ability to make the reader laugh and cry and cheer when the hero rescues the heroine at the last minute and whisks her away into the happily-ever-after
I’d like to show you a few of these examples in my newly released suspense book Mask of the Betrayer. In the opening scene, the killer is programmed to kill the betrayer at midnight. He has been programmed to do this through music. The “Hunting Song” plays in his head during a kill.
“A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go. Heigh-ho the dairy-o, a hunting we will go. We’ll kill a fox and put him in a box. Heigh-ho the dairy-o, a hunting we will go.”
Thinking of the nursery rhyme, doesn’t this song play in your head, drawing you into my book?
The setting for Mask of the Betrayer is set in Red Rock Canyon, a desolate mountain range within miles of the dazzling Las Vegas Strip. Here is a scene to draw the reader into the setting, and show you the villain’s (Michael DeVeccio) obsessive trait.
Pouring himself two fingers of finely-aged bourbon, billionaire business tycoon Michael DeVeccio walked on the verandah of his mansion and gazed into the foothills. The raw beauty of the Red Rock Mountains encompassed him. Miles of open valleys and rugged terrain and lush forests full of petrified logs the Paiute Indians believed to be weapons of the wolf gods stretched as far as the eye could see. And what a rush to climb to the top of the mountain and survey the dazzling Vegas Strip like king of the jungle.
Fishing a Marlboro from the pack, he tapped it three times on the parapet before lighting it. He inhaled deeply, allowing the nicotine to filter into his brain. Under the hunter’s moon, night predators slithered out of the underbrush, just on the periphery of the jagged twists and turns of the canyon. From deep in the woods, a coyote howled, its keening wail slicing through the quiet. Michael loved the call of the wild. The primitive cries got under his skin, arousing him. Dominant and defiant, animals fought to protect what belong to them. He especially admired the sleek moves of the panther. With its keen eyesight, acute hearing, and uncanny ability to sneak up on its prey unnoticed, it pounced on its victim in one slick move. Michael understood the moves of the night predators. He was one of them.
Sizzling chemistry to feed the romance lover in you! The following is the scene where Margot and Michael meet:
The beckoning wail of sax drifted out of the piano bar, the bluesy sound of jazz bristling beneath her skin. After spending the better part of the afternoon negotiating at an art auction, unwinding over a chilled martini sounded like utter bliss. Seduced by the sound of sax, she sauntered up the three steps leading to the mezzanine and ordered a Pomegranate martini.
“You got it, doll,” the bartender winked.
“Whatever the pretty lady wants is on the house,” the man approaching the bar said in a buttery soft voice. “And give me a bourbon on the rocks, Jazz.”
Margot turned around and came face to face with the billionaire tycoon of DeVeccio Plaza. His shocking blue eyes left her breathless. With his sharply defined features, full sensual lips, and all that black wavy hair, he reminded her of one of the sculptured Greek gods she’d featured last month at her gala.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” he said. “I’m Michael DeVeccio. Welcome to my palace.”
Every pulse in her body was as charged as an electrical current. Michael DeVeccio, legendary for building luxury resorts in every continent, exuded strength and power from every pore. His world renowned success preceded him. And here he stood in front of her in all his glory, one hundred and eighty pounds of raw, sexual energy. Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, she met his gaze. “I’m Margot Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your resort is everything it’s rumored to be, simply breathtaking.”
“Thank you.” he edged a bit closer. “I’ve always fancied it to be the jewel of the Strip. I didn’t think anything could outshine DeVeccio Plaza. But I was wrong. Nothing could possibly hold a candle to the sparkle in your emerald green eyes.”
As the hot sound of jazz drifted through the piano bar, a warm desert breeze blew in from open terrace doors, the seductive undertone thick and heavy. The sassy wail of sax and the sweet lilt of piano counterpointed, stirring the air with its sensual rhythm.
Here is a teaser when the homicide cop Diego Santiago (romantic hero) knows Michael is the serial killer and comes to question him:
“Detective Santiago,” Michael yelled down. “And what brings you calling so early in the morning? Out for a leisurely cruise around the neighborhood? Or perhaps you’ve come to extend your congratulations to the newlyweds?”
“Cut the bull, DeVeccio,” Santiago barked. “There’s been another murder in the foothills, and guess whose corpse I just sent down to the morgue?”
“I have no idea. Do I look clairvoyant? Why don’t you fill me in on the mystery corpse? Otherwise, we could be here all day guessing whose body is on a slab in the morgue. And as intriguing as that sounds, I have a meeting in an hour.”
“If you could drag yourself away from your gourmet breakfast,” Santiago bellowed, his voice echoing through the stillness of the woods. “How about coming down here and answering a few questions. And FYI, DeVeccio. It looks like the Red Rock Slasher is back in business. But that shouldn’t surprise you since you knew Russel Harrison didn’t kill your ex-wife. You framed him for the murder and we both know who the real killer is. Take a look at yourself in the mirror on the way down. He’ll be staring right back at you.”
When Margot realizes she is married to the killer, she runs to the homicide cop. He writes a song for her, My Sweet Margarita
As soon as Margot got out of her car, she heard the gentle strumming of a flamenco guitar. The melodious lilt of the Latin music drifted through the air, soft and sweet. Drawn to it, she ran up the steps and peered into the round arched window. Mesmerized by what she saw, she stared in awe.
Bathed in sunlight, Diego sat in front of a fireplace, tenderly holding the small guitar. He strummed the strings with outward flicks of his fingers, producing a rhythmic roll reminiscent of castanets. Silhouetted in partial sunlight and partial shadows, he gently caressed the lustrous neck of the wooden guitar.
When the song ended, Margot quietly knocked at the door, feeling as if she’d finally come home.
Even before Diego opened the door, he knew it was her; the beautiful woman with the bewitching green eyes. Even if he hadn’t heard the sound of her tires in the driveway, even if he hadn’t caught a glimpse of her watching him through the window, he would have sensed her presence. And knowing she was watching him, listening to him play the love song he’d written for her made it all the sweeter. With his heart thumping, he flung the door open and pulled her into his arms.
“I had to come,” she said in a breathless voice, feeling his muscles quiver and bunch beneath her fingers. “Oh, Diego. I had no idea you played the guitar. And with such finesse. What a beautiful song, so bitter-sweet.”
Diego’s broody brown eyes grew dark with passion. “I wrote it for you. I call it my Sweet Margarita.”
The dance floor vibrated with footsteps as guests glided, clomped, and stomped across it. The Joker hopped around, laughing like a fool. The Deranged Clown grabbed Margot for a spin around the floor. Dressed in black and white checks and a black mask, An Evil Jester rubbed up against the Smoldering Temptress, whispering crude suggestions in her ear. Covered in voodoo pins from head to toe, the Voodoo Doll danced alone.
But it was Zorro who turned heads from the moment she’d sashayed into the ballroom. Drop dead gorgeous in a crimson body suit and long flowing cape, she had the attention of every male in the ballroom. Her long platinum hair billowed around her voluptuous body and red feather mask. Sheathed in a crimson scaled scabbard, her Zorro sword rested on her left thigh.
The men all stared. The Mysterious Stranger in a black cape swept Zorro away with the moves of a ballroom dancer, looking for all the world like her long lost lover. But as soon as the song ended, another masked guest asked Zorro to dance, and before long, she’d danced with nearly every man at the party.
“Michael,” Margot whispered in his ear. “Everyone is captivated by Zorro. Do you know who she is?”
Michael watched Zorro glide across the ballroom floor with ease. Chic and elegant with the legs of a dancer, she danced the night away, her patent leather heels never touching the ground. A crimson rose pendant graced her long, elegant neck. Michael knew precisely who she was. He’d given her the rose necklace on their wedding night. Taking one final look at Zorro, he pulled Margot into a tight embrace. After kissing her, he whispered in her ear. “I have no idea who she is. Darling Margot, I only have eyes for you. You are the perfect woman.”
The storm that had been brewing all day broke just as the bell tower tolled. Eleven piercing chimes rang out simultaneously with the rumbling of thunder. Winds from the Mohave Desert hurled in through open terrace doors, blowing out the cinnamon-scented candelabras in the ballroom. Pellets of cold hard rain pounded helter skelter on the windows. The crystal chandelier swayed back and forth like a pendulum. It flickered once, then twice. And then all went dark.
Zorro sat at the bar, sipping on a bourbon on the rocks. Michael crept up behind her and whispered in her ear. “Nobody makes an entrance like you do, Darling Candace. You have every man in the place rock hard.”
“Michael,” she purred, her smoky voice as smooth as silk. “I knew you’d recognize me.” She ran her hand over his masked face. “The role of Valentino suits you. You are still the most handsome man I’ve ever set eyes on.”
“And there were certainly enough of them,” his voice came out low and husky. “How many men, Candace? Did you ever keep count of how many lovers you had during our marriage?”
“You were the only one that ever mattered,” she rubbed up closer. “We had something real special between us. And being back in the ballroom tonight brings back all those memories. Like the way you used to hold me in your arms when we glided across the floor. And afterwards,” she slid her hand down his chest—and lower still. “We set the sheets on fire, remember, darling?”
“We had our moments,” he said. “But I also remember kicking your trashy ass out of Vegas and telling you to never return. And yet here you are, an uninvited guest at my masquerade ball. You know the extent of my wrath better than anyone. And yet you dare to defy me. Why is that, Candace?”
“Because I love you, darling,” sexuality oozed from every pore. “You and only you. Let’s sneak up to our old bedroom and see if we can rekindle some old flames. Come on, sugar. Let’s get between those satin sheets and set the night on fire.”
Michael leaned very close, massaging her leg with his fingers. In a voice raw with sexuality, he whispered, “Darling Candace. How can I resist. Meet me in Uncle Carlos’s suite in ten minutes. We’ll ring in the New Year together. You have no idea how much I want to be alone with you. Beautiful, beautiful Candace. I promise to make you scream”
Mask of the Betrayer is on sale for the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications. Now is your chance to purchase it at a discount.
Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! The tables are a bit turned today, and Oliver, my sexy cyber butler, will be interviewing yours truly. We are chatting about my newly released thriller from Whimsical Publications, MASK OF THE BETRAYER, book one in the sequel series. So grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. Oliver has plenty of coffee, tea and pastries lined up on the side board in the parlor. And you know the rules, the bar is always open. Belly up and Oliver will be happy to mix your favorite poison.
With the raw beauty of the Red Rock Canyon as the backdrop, Oliver pours a cup of coffee and presents Sharon with a bouquet of yellow roses.
Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. Aren’t they fresh and lovely. However did you know these are my favorite flowers?
Oliver raises an eyebrow and winks. Because you made me rehearse my lines to the point of obsession.
Sharon: Moving right along. Are those blueberry muffins I smell, dearheart?
Oliver: But of course, boss. Coming right up. He struts off, pumping his biceps, muttering something about high maintenance. He returns, pushing a silver caddy, places the succulent muffins bursting with berries on the coffee table. With great theatrics, he lavishly butters one and breaks a piece off, popping it into Sharon’s mouth.
Sharon: Mmm. Delicious. Sharon winks and rolls her eyes. I suppose this is where I faint and clutch my heart and pant, Oh, Oliver. Almost as delicious as you, loveboat! Oliver smirks and takes a seat on the wing back chair. So about this thriller, Mask of the Betrayer. Is it the one I star in? Where I get to be the romantic hero?
Sharon: No, Oliver. As we’ve discussed several times, that would be Charade of Hearts, coming out in November as part of the Jewel of the Night series. Mask of the Betrayer is book one in the sequel series, my debut thriller about a serial killer.
Oliver: Now my interest is perked. I adore suspense books, and as you know, my real job is a detective.
Sharon: Yes, Oliver. So you tell me daily about your “real job” but let’s stick to Mask of the Betrayer for today, shall we?
Oliver: By all means, Toots. Sharon: Knock it off, Oliver. Remember, I write your script.
Oliver smiles a beguiling smile. How could I forget when you constantly remind me, boss? Why don’t I hold up a copy of the book and read a blurb and excerpt?
Sharon: That would be great, Oliver. I was beginning to think you forgot your line.
Sharon smiles and quietly sips her hazelnut coffee.
Oliver holds up the book and announces, "And with no further ado, here is a teaser from Mask of the Betrayer"
FROM WHIMSICAL PUBLICATIONS
MASK OF THE BETRAYER
BY SHARON ANN DONOVAN
When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?
Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.
Excerpt:
Michael DeVeccio had it all. A billion dollar construction company that built luxury resorts all over the world, a twenty-four room mansion with servants at his beck and call, the most dazzling club on the Vegas Strip, a fleet of outlandishly expensive sports cars, a private jet—and more money than he could use in ten life times. He had it all with the exception of one thing, a son, an heir to his vast domain. And once he found the perfect woman to produce his heir and propagate the family business, the DeVeccio Empire would rule the universe. He envisioned the ideal woman to produce his heir being flawless in every way. Her inner beauty would shine as bright as her outward appearance, she’d have proper etiquette with impeccable manners, and she’d be cultured in fine arts. His perfect woman would be well educated on current events when hosting extravagant parties and galas for his business associates. She’d be honest and sincere and loyal to him and only him. And she would not be a woman beguiled by his wealth and fortune. Yes, he mused, the time had come to find that woman. And it would happen. He ruled it so.
***
Flaming copper finials bordered the entrance of DeVeccio Plaza, drawing guests in with its regal appeal. Standing tall and mighty in a sky of midnight blue velvet, the flaming torches gleamed like shooting stars with tails. The interior of the grandest resort on the Vegas Strip gave chase to marble staircases with elaborately turned balustrades and high end sculptures behind beveled glass enclosures. Rushing down the corridor after procuring the mural she’d bid on, Margot fought the urge to kick off her high heels and walk barefoot down the plush, red carpeting.
The beckoning wail of sax drifted out of the piano bar, the bluesy sound of jazz bristling beneath her skin. After spending the better part of the afternoon negotiating at an art auction, unwinding over a chilled martini sounded like utter bliss. Seduced by the sound of sax, she sauntered up the three steps leading to the mezzanine and ordered a Pomegranate martini.
“You got it, doll,” the bartender winked.
“Whatever the pretty lady wants is on the house,” the man approaching the bar said in a buttery soft voice. “And give me a bourbon on the rocks, Jazz.”
Margot turned around and came face to face with the billionaire tycoon of DeVeccio Plaza. His shocking blue eyes left her breathless. With his sharply defined features, full sensual lips, and all that black wavy hair, he reminded her of one of the sculptured Greek gods she’d featured last month at her gala.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” he said. “I’m Michael DeVeccio. Welcome to my palace.”
Every pulse in her body was as charged as an electrical current. Michael DeVeccio, legendary for building luxury resorts in every continent, exuded strength and power from every pore. His world renowned success preceded him. And here he stood in front of her in all his glory, one hundred and eighty pounds of raw, sexual energy. Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, she met his gaze. “I’m Margot Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your resort is everything it’s rumored to be, simply breathtaking.”
“Thank you.” he edged a bit closer. “I’ve always fancied it to be the jewel of the Strip. I didn’t think anything could outshine DeVeccio Plaza. But I was wrong. Nothing could possibly hold a candle to the sparkle in your emerald green eyes.”
Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space.
Sharon: Oliver, isn’t this the part where you beg for my autograph?
Oliver: What’s that? Oof, watch your elbow, boss. No need to poke me in the ribcage. Here’s a pen.
With great ceremony, Sharon plucks up the fountain pen and signs Oliver’s copy. There we go.
Oliver swoons. Thank you, I’ll cherish it forever…that is…until my book comes out, Charade of Hearts where I get to be the main man.
Sharon: Soon, Oliver, in November.
Oliver: So, tell us about Michael DeVeccio, the main character. He’s a trained serial killer and has been getting away with murder for years. How so?
Sharon: Michael is the most complex character I’ve written about to date. I wanted to portray the complexity of the mind in this novel. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. For many years, Michael DeVeccio has been getting away with murder. As with most serial killers, the profile suggests something so traumatic happened in his childhood, the mind dissociates in order to block it out. If you enjoy getting inside the head of characters, you will like Mask of the Betrayer. What could have caused a sweet blue-eyed boy who loved and adored his parents, parents who instilled good moral standards in their son, to grow up to become one of the decade’s most cold-blooded killers?
Oliver: Hmm. Sounds like you did your research, boss. What kind of research did you do?
Sharon: I studied everything I could about sociopaths and psychopaths. What makes them so chilling is that they hide it so well. It’s almost as if they are programmed to say and do what people expect of them, but inside the darkest recesses of their mind, ugly thoughts and schemes lurk. Oliver: Such as? Sharon: While they appear to be charming, they are actually hostile and domineering. They see their victims as instruments to be used to reach their own selfish goals. The end will always justify the means. And this is what Michael does. Outwardly, he is devastatingly handsome, charismatic and wins people over in the blink of an eye. But inwardly, he finds their Achilles heel, uses it for his own gain, and then disposes of them with no remorse. Michael is a psychopath and has no emotions. His charm is superficial and he is the master manipulator.
Oliver: What drives him?
Sharon: Absolute power. He has to be the best at everything, and if anyone gets in his way, they will be disposed of. Permanently.
Oliver: You said that he was a normal and healthy child with parents that adored him and gave him a good moral upbringing. What would cause a seemingly normal person to go so wayward?
Sharon: Mind manipulation from a higher force, someone cunning and cold. This would be Michael’s uncle. You see, when Michael was a boy of twelve, his parents were killed and his uncle took him in and raised him as his own son. But his uncle was one of the biggest leaders in organized crime, and was training Michael to take over his billion dollar construction company and all its enterprises. Carlos taught Michael to kill the betrayer, and cover the corpse with a death mask. Michael was so traumatized by this that he dissociated and eventually was programmed to kill.
Oliver: But what is it that he really wants?
Sharon: A son. Michael has it all with the exception of one thing, a son to carry on the DeVeccio Dynasty. And he is on the hunt for the perfect woman to bring his heir into the world. And he finds that woman in Margot Montgomery. She is the perfect woman and for the first time in his life, Michael comes close to love.
Oliver: But what happens:
Sharon: Obviously, you’ll have to read the book, Oliver. But I’ll leave you with this. Margot falls off the pedestal Michael places her on. And when she does, her life becomes a living nightmare. The things that Michael does to her are unspeakable.
Oliver pulls out his book and begins reading.
Sharon: Oliver, how about corking the bottle of chilled champagne for the guests. And while you’re doing that, I’ll tell them about the contest. One of the scenes in Mask of the Betrayer portrays a lavish masquerade party in the grand ballroom of the DeVeccio mansion. It’s a huge ball and everyone is dressed for the nines. But at the stroke of midnight, the power goes out, and a murder takes place.
Thank you all for visiting. Have a glass of champagne and some chocolates. Hope I’ve enticed you to run out and buy Mask of the Betrayer.
ZORRO CONTEST
This contest will run for the entire month of May!
It’s a masquerade ball in the grand ballroom. At the stroke of midnight, all the lights go out during a blackout. Zorro is the belle of the ball, dancing footloose and fancy free with every man at the party. But when the lights go out, one of the masked guests thrusts the Zorro sword straight through her heart.
Contest rules:
Mask of the Betrayer is on sale for the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications. Now is your chance to purchase it at a discount.
Put Zorro Contest in the subject line and answer the following:
QUESTION: Who spotted Valentino stealing the sword from Zorro? PRIZE: Deluxe Zorro cape and jeweled pin. Good luck and happy reading! Don’t forget to read the excerpt for a sneak preview of the murder during a blackout!
Do you think it’s easy to spot a sociopath? Despite the man or woman portrayed in the box office thrillers who look as if they’ve just undergone a lobotomy, psychopaths are not for the most part easily spotted. He or she may be a doctor, lawyer, scientist or CEO of a major corporation. They are highly intelligent and charismatic, but have a chronic inability to feel guilt, remorse or anxiety for any of their actions. The end will always justify the means because they are master at the game. Here are a few traits:
Superficial charm
Domineering personality
Expert at spotting a person’s Achilles heel, using it to his or her advantage, then disposing them like bad rubbish
Great joy in belittling their victims
Grandiose sense of self
Feel entitled to certain things as their rights
Pathological liars
Lies roll off their tongues in spades
A deep-seeded rage is at their core
Friends they make will become victims
Feign love and joy
Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remain cold and indifferent at what would upset a normal person
They are not genuine and neither are their promises
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims
Compulsive need to control and manipulate
Secretive, trusting no one
Ultimate goal of enslaving their victims
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
Oblivious to their shallowness
And the whole while, the sociopath will smile, charm you, flatter you and befriend you. But behind the mask, dark evil lurks. They want you for something, and will expertly charm their way into your life. During my psychology classes, the study of the mind fascinated me. It’s a tricky faux. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. In my newly released novel, Mask of the Betrayer, I’ve created the character of Michael DeVeccio to illustrate such a person. Here is a little teaser.
Michael DeVeccio had it all. A billion dollar construction company that built luxury resorts all over the world, a twenty-four room mansion with servants at his beck and call, the most dazzling club on the Vegas Strip, a fleet of outlandishly expensive sports cars, a private jet—and more money than he could use in ten life times. He had it all with the exception of one thing, a son, an heir to his vast domain. And once he found the perfect woman to produce his heir and propagate the family business, the DeVeccio Empire would rule the universe. He envisioned the ideal woman to produce his heir being flawless in every way. Her inner beauty would shine as bright as her outward appearance, she’d have proper etiquette with impeccable manners, and she’d be cultured in fine arts. His perfect woman would be well educated on current events when hosting parties and galas for his business associates. She’d be honest and sincere and loyal to him and only him. And she would not be a woman beguiled by his wealth and fortune. Yes, he mused, taking a final drag of his cigarette. This perfect woman would be angelic and worthy of producing the heir to his kingdom. And the time had come to find that woman. And it would happen. He ruled it so.
Tomorrow’s post will show the excerpt when Michael meets the perfect woman at his Vegas night club. Stay tuned for coming attractions: Beguiled by a sociopath
When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?
Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.
Excerpt:
Suspecting her affair with Carlos, he had surveillance equipment installed all over the mansion. Once he showed her the very graphic video of her and his uncle going at it in the satin-lined coffin, he’d used it to his advantage.
Michael suspected his uncle knew more about his parents’ accident than he’d let on, but couldn’t prove a thing. Desperate to uncover the truth, Michael blackmailedCandace into getting Carlos to confess on tape. If she failed, she’d be killed. Stuck between a rock and a hard spot, Candace had done things to the old coot that disgusted even her. But those things had made the old man sing like a canary and the taped confession had saved her life. After her mission was a done deal, Michael kicked her out of Vegas and told her if she ever returned, he would rip her lung out.
Reaching Carlos DeVeccio’s bedroom, she got a little thrill as old memories surfaced. Just a few more seconds and she’d fall into the arms of her lover. She smiled to herself. She had returned to Vegas for a reason. She was flat broke. But after tonight, Michael would be her ticket back into the world of luxury. Then she’d be mistress of the manor once more. And more to the point, she’d have access to his billion dollar bank
roll.
With a devious smile, she pushed her way through the heavy mahogany door. Crossing the threshold, she entered the house of horrors. Carlos DeVeccio had been a real nut, one straight out of the books. But with her fetish for face masks, she loved his collection and had often come into his wing just to admire them. What a thrill it had been to have sex in the coffin, howling along with the werewolf. Some might think it a
bit kinky, but they didn’t know what they were missing. Calling out to her lover, her pulse quickened a beat. “Michael? Are you here yet, darling?”
That’s when she heard it, manic laughter from the final circle of hell. A slither of fear trickled down her spine, releasing a wild rush of adrenaline. Carlos?
She thought about the death of Lacy Diamond. Two Ninja assassinations were no coincidence. Sensing danger, she felt for her sword. It was gone. Panic soared through her. Where the hell was it?
The laughter got louder and louder, moving in closer and closer. It seemed to be bouncing off the walls. She couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming. Just then, the bell in the tower gonged, thundering off the walls like canon balls. Instinctively, she covered her ears with her hands. Where the hell was Michael?
Evil eyes from the face masks followed her every move. She had to escape this hell before it was too late. She couldn’t think over the gonging of the bell. Every few seconds, the werewolf howled at the moon. She screamed, even though she knew no one would ever hear her. Floundering in wild disarray, disoriented by the darkness and relentless gonging, she searched in vain for the door. Her arms swam in mid-air, like a person drowning, desperate for an anchor, something to hold onto. She reached out and grabbed at nothing. She had to find a way out of this mausoleum of the living dead before it was too late. Where the hell was Michael?
The laughter got closer. Perspiration drenched her skin. The chilling laughter echoed in her ears, louder and louder, closer and closer. The bell in the bell tower broke through the thin filament of sanity she had left. The werewolf open his mouth and howled at the moon. Where was Michael? He’d know what to do. He was a master swordsman. His fencing skills were extraordinary. He could wield a Ninja star with his eyes closed and hit the mark. Where was he?
Blood thundered in her ears, but not loud enough to block out the manic laughter. It was close but she couldn’t see a thing. She wished she had her sword. She turned to run; it was too late. She heard a distinct click. The killer had just depressed the button on her Zorro sword, releasing the thirty-seven inch blade. His psychotic laughter reached an ear-splitting crescendo just as the bell in the tower gonged out its last
chime. From the dark shadows, Valentino pounced, her Zorro sword gleaming in the moonlight.
“Surprise!” he thrust the sword into her heart. “I promised to make you scream, darling Candace. Let me hear you scream.”
(Coffee Time Reviewer's Recommend Award) from Coffee Time Romance & More. This award recognizes outstanding writing styles in all book types and genres. Your book has received this award because I feel it is above and beyond a 5 Cup Rating. Cherokee, CTRR Reviewer
Released by The Wild Rose Press on 24th September 2011. In Print and Paperback. Please click cover for more details
This novel is packed with both romance and thriller aspects to please lovers of both genres. At one point, Ms Donovan's writing is so convincing, I had to go back and re-read to make sure it really did happen the way I thought it did. Definitely one to read again." Clare - Happy Ever After Reviews - 4 Tea Cups!
You can read the 'Get Well Sharon' post and messages HERE
Some of the 'updates' can be found at the bottom of the blog, beneath the 'Mask Of The Betrayer' trailer.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 'YOU GOTTA READ' VIDEOS AUGUST 2010 WINNERS!
Second Place: Title: Mask of the Betrayer
Author: Sharon Ann Donovan
Trailer Creator: Triad Productions
(scroll down to watch it in one of the last posts on the page)
SHARON'S INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS
Sharon's sweet Christian themed stories can be found HERE
Blog Award
Awarded by Jane Richardson
Blog Award
Awarded by Hywela Lyn
Roast
Authors DB
Sharon's KOD cover is entered for the cover contest
Sharon went through heart surgery yesterday, after problems with her heart pump which she had after her heart attack nearly eighteen months ago.
Miraculously, her heart was found to be strong enough now to be restarted. Our prayers have been answered, but please continue to send your prayers and messages for her progress and recovery. It will be a while before she is able to be at her computer again, but we know she'll be anxious to get back to wrting those wonderful romances.
*** Thanks again to everyone who's been sending prayers messages of love and support. Mary Beth, Sharon's sister, has told her about them and I know they will be helping her. Please keep up the prayers, I'll let you know as soon as I have further news. Get well soon Sharon, we love you!
