Stranger Than Fiction by Emelle Gamble ~ GIVEAWAY ~ INTERVIEW

Stranger Than Fiction

by Emelle Gamble

Emelle will be awarding $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 



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Interview:

Crystal: I'm so excited to have you here today Emelle. I so enjoy when you stop by for a visit. Welcome back! Would you please tell us a little bit about you?

Emelle: I am writer, mom, wife, new grandma for the first time in June, second grandbaby due any day! I’m a California girl transplanted twenty years ago to the East coast. I love books, readers, cats, Sees candy, George Clooney movies, the beach, and a good red wine.

Crystal: What is next for you? Can you tell us a little bit about your next release?

Emelle: I have two books done which I am shopping around, one a romantic suspense with heavy women’s fiction issues called KISS ME TWICE. It is about the heroine’s first love coming back unexpectedly into her life at the same time her dearest relative, her mom, is fighting the losing battle with Alzheimer’s. It’s about love and memory, family and trust, and a bad guy who has a shocking secret.

The second book I’ll say little about, except I love it and it is very, very weird. It is set in Los Angeles in 1951 and stars a blonde, an ex-GI turned journalist, and an antagonist who just might be a….sorry, can’t say. HA!

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene from Stranger Than Fiction that you would like to share with us?

Emelle: I love the scene with Tony Nichols and the shower curtain. No, no nudity. But plenty of suspense!

Crystal: How do you celebrate release day? 

Emelle: Wine. Chocolate. Pats on the back from anyone who will give me one. And smiles. It’s a little like having a baby…once the pain is over, its all good.

Crystal: What is your favorite decadent treat that you like to indulge in?

Emelle: HGTV. Jonathan and Drew. Hilary and David. The Rehab Addict. Sometimes I marvel that I ever get any writing done.

Crystal: What is the strangest fun fact you have ever found when researching for a book? 

Emelle: That movie icon Cary Grant was married five times. When I was researching DATING CARY GRANT, I was astounded to find that someone I regarded as “Mr. Perfect” had so much turmoil in his personal life. Things that make you go hummmmmm.

Crystal: If you won a dream vacation where would you go? 

Emelle: London. Darling daughter lives there and I love everything about it. The age, the people, the history. But most of all, that girl.

Crystal: Thank you for visiting with us today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 

Emelle: Stranger Than Fiction is the first book I sold back in the 1990s when I was under contract with Harlequin Intrigue.    

They are set in that time period, with complicated plots, a great romantic attraction but little sex. These books have heroines who are coming into their own as the smart, resourceful driving forces of the action. Plus, there was no internet, cellphones and cable TV. Therefore, way more romance! HA!

I hope you enjoy Claire and Tony. For the term of my book tour with Goddess Fish, I am making my Romantic Suspense re-issues available for only 99 cents each at all major online retailers! Go get you one! And please let me know what you think.

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BLURB:

Set in New York City and Narragansett, Rhode Island in 1990, meet Claire Kennedy, successful mystery book editor at Cauldron Press. Her most famous client, the reclusive Sarah Winesong, has written her first new novel in five years, and Claire is ready to break out the champagne!


And then, in walks Tony Nichols. He’s gorgeous, angry and full of accusations that start with “Cauldron Press stole my book” and end with “Sarah Winesong is a fraud”.


This contemporary cozy mystery has a stellar cast of would-be villains and one real one who will stop at nothing to eliminate his nefarious scheme from coming to light, including stalk and try to kill Claire and Tony!

GENRE:  Romantic Suspense

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N

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EXCERPT:

Tony had not shown up to get her at the inn, nor had he called with a message. She had checked the inn not more than a half hour ago. Was his lack of punctuality further proof of his criminal makeup, she wondered?

Her determination not to be manipulated propelled her up the stairway to the second floor. The lighted hallway was empty of any security guards, secretaries or students to direct her. Turning away from the stairs, Claire walked toward a closed office with English Department stenciled on the frosted glass and knocked.

There was no answer. A lectern stood next to the door, and .the black notebook on it listed the instructor’s office hours. Turning hastily to the Ns, Claire found the entry.

 Nichols, A.A. (Tony), Assoc Prof, Creative Writing #319.

The space for appointments was crossed through with a large black X.

She ought to just go see Sarah Winesong, Claire thought as she hurried down the hall. If Mr. Harrison and Tillie had not babied the author all these years, Cauldron Press might not have been in this predicament. And she would not be chasing around after Tony Nichols.

Claire took the stairs up to the third floor, pausing out of breath on the landing. A black arrow with the numbers 311-321 led her to the left.

That hall was dark, the only illumination coming from the gray sky visible through a single window at the far end of the corridor. All the offices appeared locked and unoccupied.

There was no lettering on the frosted glass of room 319 other than its number, and the small metal nameplate holder above it was empty. Claire’s stomach churned. She rapped loudly and waited.

Nothing. “Tony? Are you in there? It’s Claire.”

Her inquiry was met with silence. Rubbing one hand with the other, Claire looked around. Though everything was silent, she had the feeling that someone was nearby. Gingerly she put her hand on the brass doorknob and turned it. It opened easily, into almost complete darkness.

“Tony?”

The instant she spoke his name, the shrill cry of the telephone rang out like a startled sentry’s gun. Clutching her chest, Claire gasped and stepped back.

With a sigh of exasperation, she decided to answer it and groped for the light switch. As she did so, she noticed the room was dense with the odor of Tony’s tobacco. Inhaling, she tried to ignore the vivid pictures that rose to mind. She found the switch and flicked it and the room lit up.

The first thing Claire saw was the blood pooled on the dingy carpet just inside the office door.

She froze. Dully she realized the phone had stopped ringing. Then her ears picked up a new sound. In the hallway she had just vacated, she heard the creaking of a door hinge followed by footsteps.

Footsteps that were coming closer.

Frantic, Claire snapped off the light and moved deeper into the small office. Her hands groped in the dark for a weapon. Heavy, leather bound books were everywhere. Gripping the smooth surface of a large, anonymous text, Claire raised it above her head and waited.

A bulky silhouette filled the doorway as the hallway light tumbled into the room. Though Claire had made no sound, it was clear she had been spotted. Without a word, the figure lunged across the small office at her. She brought the book down squarely on the intruder’s face and the corner of it stabbed into his cheek.

She was tackled and thrown against the edge of the desk while her attacker howled a curse at her blow. Claire struck him repeatedly with the book.

As they both crashed to the floor, Claire beat him with every bit of adrenaline pumping into her body. Then, quite suddenly, she knew who it was cursing her in the dark. She recognized the strong hands that hugged her waist, the wavy hair brushing against the tender skin on her arm.

Her body identified her captor even when her terrified mind had not. “Let go of me, Tony. You’re hurting my arms.”

He was straddling her hips. She could now clearly see his eyes in the dim light from the hall.

“Claire, what are you trying to do, kill me?”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emelle Gamble became a writer at an early age. At six years old, she was bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection, and this itch to tell tales evolved into bad teen poetry and tortured short works that, thankfully, never saw the light of day, or an editor’s red pen. 

She took her first stab at writing a novel in an adult education class in Mobile, Alabama when her kids were in bed for the night. As ‘M.L. Gamble,’ she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin Intrigue. She now publishes novels of Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Situations with SoulMate Publishing and Posh Publishing …works ranging from women’s fiction to thrillers and romantic suspense. 


Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’, Gamble’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation. Emelle celebrates the adventurous spirit of readers, and hopes each will enjoy the exciting and surprising journeys her characters take.


Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her hero of thirty years, Philip, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. Like all good villains, the cats claim to have their reasons for misbehaving. Her children are happily launched on their own and are both contributing great things to society, their mother’s fondest wish. 

Emelle welcomes any reader interested in emailing her at emellegamble@aol.com and hopes they will visit her website, www.EmelleGamble.com or her Author Emelle Gamble

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Duets by Emelle Gamble ~Once and Forever 0.5 ~ Review ~

Duets is the first chance I have had to read anything by Emelle Gamble. I am sure most of you know that fabulous feeling you get when you find a new author that just gets it right. That wonderful feeling of starting a new book by someone you haven't read before that catches you by the heart and grabs on tight. That is the feeling I felt when I started reading Duets.

Duets is a lovely introduction to the characters in Molly Harper. It gives a nice sense of the characters and their personalities before you get into the bigger story. 

Molly Harper is a movie star that is really down to earth and loves her family and friends. I felt an instant connection to Molly. She is just getting her big start in Duets and her career has really just taken a major turn for the big time. Molly is one of those characters that is just so unique I couldn't help but love her. 

Cruz Morales, Molly's childhood sweetheart is still  her best friend. What I loved about Cruz is that he is always there for Molly. Molly and Cruz have this deep connection that nothing and no one can come between. I loved the relationship between these two. Even though they are no longer together they still love each other. 

I loved the relationship between Molly and her mother Norma. Norma is one of those ladies that just might tell you what she thinks even if you really don't want to hear it.  She loves her daughter and wants what is best for her. She is the type of mother that will support her daughter's choices. 

Anne Sullivan and her husband are battling the Cancer that is slowly taking him away. I have to say I wondered what the connection was until the end of the story. Of course I'm not going to tell you yet what that is. I want you to have that breathless feeling that I had. I know the end of Duets took my breath away for a moment or two. I knew I needed to read Molly Harper right away! Lucky for me I have the book that includes Molly Harper. So I was able to start reading the rest of Molly Harper's story right away. 

Oh I almost forgot to mention Ben, he is married to Molly. Well I didn't feel that deep connection with this guy, unless you count dislike. He just isn't want Molly needs in my opinion.  Uh-oh I may be sounding a little like Norma there. 

Over all I adored the characters, the storyline, and Emelle Gamble's writing voice. She has done a fabulous job of putting together an intriguing story with fun characters. My Review for Molly Harper will be next. So please be sure to look for it as well. 

I was given the opportunity to read this great story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Duets. 

Amazon Buy Links: 

 Duets

 Molly Harper

 December Wedding

December Wedding by Emelle Gamble ~ Giveaway ~ Virtual Book Tour ~ Interview

December Wedding

by Emelle Gamble

Emelle will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC plus a digital copy of December Wedding to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during this tour and the Review Tour, here. Please visit the other tour stops to increase your chances of winning. You may find those locations here.


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Interview: 

Crystal: Today I have the pleasure of hosting Emelle Gamble.She has so kindly agreed to answer a few questions. Welcome Emelle! I always love when you have a chance to stop by and share your work with us.  Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?
   
Emelle: I’ve been a writer since I first thought the words, “what if….?”, which I think happened very early on. I am a California girl who now lives in the greater Washington DC area, happily married for over 30 years, and the joys of my life are my two children and their families, writing, and Bella and Lucy, two orange rescue cats who make me laugh everyday.

Crystal: What are you currently working on?

Emelle: I am just about done with a romantic suspense novel called KISS ME TWICE. It’s about memory and love and change. It’s a return to my roots, as I started writing romantic suspense with Harlequin in the 1990s.

Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for either your current release or the WIP you are working on now? 

Emelle: A book I’ve finished but not yet published is called THRILL GIRL. It’s a noir mystery, which takes place  in Los Angeles in 1951. I grew up in the LA area, worked there, and the atmosphere of the Wilshire Blvd. and 6 Street Area always felt like a movie set to me. Celebrity sightings, beautifully dressed women, big cars. It inspired me to do a big book with those elements…and a couple of more. Think Bogie and Bacall and noir intrigue.

Crystal: Do you have a favorite snack that like to munch on while writing? If so would you mind sharing what it is with us?

Emelle: I’ll eat anything salty when I’m writing, which I’m sure is the worst thing you can do, because then you just want to drink. And sometimes, depending on the writing, you want to drink wine instead of water, and then the writing gets weird. HA! Too much information?

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us? 

Emelle: Here’s one from KISS ME TWICE…

Jill scanned the mail as she stopped in the kitchen. Two bills. A letter from the community college where she taught. A thick packet from Friends House addressed to ‘Gill Farrel’. 
There was also a heavy cream paper envelope, addressed correctly. The return address said Pandora Security, with a Beverly Hills address.
“Crap.” Jill went back and checked the locks on the front door, then flipped on the kitchen light and turned on the tea kettle.
She sat and opened the envelope. Inside the single sheet was handwritten.
Hello Jill.
Andrew said he spoke to you but that you weren’t very glad to see him. This doesn’t surprise me.
However, it is imperative I speak to you. There is an important matter we must discuss before the reunion begins.
Call me tonight. 
I am happy to hear you are teaching, and so sorry to hear about your mother. -Grace Denton

A cell phone number was printed carefully below her signature.
“Crap,” Jill repeated. She stuck the letter back in the envelope and stared at it. There’s no stamp. Which meant someone other than the post man had stuck it in her mailbox today while she was out.
The tea kettle hissed and a chill skittered down her back. A second later the doorbell rang. Jill nearly jumped out of the chair. She put her hand to her throat. This isn’t a horror movie. Get a grip.
She got up to answer the door as her anger flared. 
If it was Andrew again she was going to have him arrested for postal felonies, or whatever the crime was for people messing with other people’s mailbox. 
And if it’s Grace? 
Jill blinked and hit the front porch light and looked through the peephole. Please don’t be Grace.
It wasn’t. There was a man on her front porch. 
He wore a dark sports coat and jeans. Relaxed and in profile, he was looking out at the street instead of at the door. His dark hair was long and curled around his collar. 
It wasn’t Andrew Denton.
It was a man she had not laid eyes on for fifteen years, but Jill realized instantly she would recognize the curve of his face as long as she lived. 
It was Max Kallstrom.


Crystal: Since we have just celebrated so many of the winter holidays, do you have a favorite holiday? It doesn't have to be a winter holiday.

Emelle: I hate winter. There, I said it, and I mean it. I’m a California girl and I do not like snow, sleet, freezing rain, bare trees or cold win. Hence, I’m not a huge fan of holidays occurring in this weather, although since my son was born on Christmas Day, I’d have to say that is my favorite.

Crystal: When you are not busy writing wonderful stories to keep us lucky readers entertained, what do you like to do? Do you have a hobby?  

Emelle: No. I write. Barely keep up with everything else. Can hardly do any reading for fun. The closest I get to a hobby is watching Property Brothers on HGTV, which I do to unwind after that night’s writing.

Crystal: Do you have a favorite background noise you like to have going while you write (TV, Music, kids playing)? 

Emelle: Nope. Need quiet. But I’ll play Bob Dylan for inspiration.

Crystal: Thanks for visiting. I always adore having you on my blog. Can you think of anything else you would like to share with us today?

Emelle: Thank you so very much for having me Crystal. I love your blog. You always ask interesting questions, and do such a service for readers and authors. Thank you for your love of books and writers…we all love you back! Now readers, tell me, what’s your favorite part about a romantic suspense novel…the plot or the relationship?


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BLURB:

Molly Harper is a movie star who fans think ‘has it all’. Cruz Morales is Molly’s true love, and he hates the media intrusions into their life. Molly and Cruz are going to have a baby. And throw a secret wedding for her brother Harry. What could go wrong? Read DECEMBER WEDDING, the sequel to DUETS and MOLLY HARPER, and find out if there really is a happy ever after for Molly and Cruz.






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EXCERPT:

“Hello, Dr. Morales,” a woman called out.

Cruz stopped and looked to his right. In the side yard, at a small teak table where the gardener did the potting, a dark haired woman sat smiling at him. She was glossy and pretty, wearing an acid yellow dress. He recognized her from the TV.

The reporter. Diane something.

“Hi.” He walked over and extended his hand. “Call me Cruz.”

“Nice to meet you, Cruz. I’m Diane Kinsey.” They shook hands.

“I know. Have you finished with the interview?” He let his arms relax at his side, aware the woman was cataloguing everything about him. Dusty jeans. Old boots. Hair that needed cutting. Good thing she can’t see the titanium plate in my skull, he thought.

“Just about. The crew is doing some lighting work, but I’m done grilling your lady, until tomorrow. I’m sure you’re relieved to hear that.”

Cruz’s neck tightened at the woman’s use of ‘your lady’. “Very relieved.”

“I wanted to be the first to tell you that we made some news today. Molly acknowledged that you’re her baby daddy. She said she’ll confirm you are the father when we film the final interview,” Diane said. “I guess congratulations are in order.”

“She did?” All his defenses went up. Molly warned himt she might give the news to the press, but he wondered if the woman was trying to trick him.

“Scout’s honor.” Diane stood and crossed her heart quickly and then held-up her hand. “You already have a child, don’t you? Jesse, is it? Does he live with you and Molly?”

“I’m not answering questions about my son,” Cruz said.

“Oh, okay. Sorry.” She smiled brightly. “I just asked for background, to fill out the story in my mind. I know you never married Jesse’s mother…” she paused, “did you?”

“No comment.”

“Oh come on, it’s public record. I could check.”

“Be my guest.” Cruz narrowed his eyes. “But keep my son out of your story.”

“Oh, of course. I already promised Molly I would. I’m a mother myself, and I understand how you both feel.”

Cruz crossed his arms across his massive chest. He knew his size and the scar that ran along the left side of his face were intimidating to people. Sometimes it bothered him.

Today it didn’t.

He waited.

Diane took a deep breath. “I am a little bit upset, however, that Molly won’t admit that the wedding she’s having here next weekend is yours. That would be such fun news for her fans to share!”

Cruz cracked the knuckles on his left hand and stared at the journalist. “We’re not getting married next weekend.”

“No?” Diane smiled provocatively. “Would you tell me if you were?”

“No.”

“Well then, can you tell me who is getting married here? Bake Glory bakery swears they’re delivering a wedding cake next Friday. And Lana Del Ray’s people say she’s singing at a private engagement in Montecito during Thanksgiving weekend. So someone important is getting married around here.”

“No comment.”

Diane laughed. “You’ve got that down, Cruz. Care to wager how many times you’ve had to say that since Molly divorced Ben Delmonico?”

“Too many.” His voice was harsh, too harsh, Molly would chide. The woman had flinched at his tone and volume.

Cruz cleared his throat, reminding himself that since he’d  recovered from the accident, the anger he felt at the invasion of his privacy had to be controlled. He just had to slow his brain down, relax.

Molly could handle these jackals, but so could he. He just had to remember not to get emotional. “It was nice to meet you, Diane. Do a great job with your story. Molly worked very hard on her new movie, and she’s excited to be talking about it. I’d like you to remember, if you can, that she tires easily these days.”    

“Of course I will. You love her very much, don’t you?” Diane took two small steps closer and crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s written all over you. I’m happy to see that, too. Molly suffered so much these past couple of years, thanks to that snake she was married to. She deserves to finally have a man like you.”

Cruz didn’t believe the woman cared at all about Molly. She was baiting him. He wasn’t going to bite and give her a quote about his feelings for Molly that she would cheapen by sharing with the world.

“Have a good day.” Cruz nodded and began to walk away.

“Cruz, is it by any chance Molly’s brother who is getting married next Friday?” Diane asked suddenly.

Cruz turned slowly and stared at her. “What brother?” It was the wrong thing to say, he realized too late.

“Molly said she was hosting a family event. But she doesn’t have much family, does she? So if it’s a wedding…”

Cruz blinked, but said nothing.

“When she said that, it didn’t make any sense to me. Because her only brother, Jason, is already married, right? Does Molly have another brother we don’t know about?” Diane’s green eyes glowed.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emelle Gamble Bio : Emelle Gamble became a writer at an early age. As ‘M.L. Gamble,’ she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin Intrigue. She is now self-publishing and also working with Soul Mate Publishing  who have released  two romantic women’s fiction novels,  Secret Sister, in July of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, an April 2014 release.

Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’,  Gamble’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation.  Emelle celebrates the adventurous spirit of readers, and hopes each will enjoy the exciting and surprising journeys her characters take. 

Emelle welcomes any reader interested in emailing her at emellegamble@aol.com  and hopes they will visit her website, www.EmelleGamble.com ,  her FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/Emelle.Gamble or follow her on Twitter @EmelleGamble.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Molly Harper & Duets by Emelle Gamble ~ Goddess Fish Promotions ~ Super Book Blast ~ GIVEAWAY

Emelle will award a signed paperback of MOLLY HARPER with bonus novella DUETS included (US ONLY) to THREE randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please click here to see other stops on this tour.

*******PLEASE NOTE******** 

Both books are FREE on Amazon 9/27/14 - 10/1/14

Movie star Molly Harper has it all, beauty, success in her field, and a loving family and marriage to actor Ben Delmonico. Norma Wintz, Molly’s mother, has it all, a lovely life style and two children who adore her, and a respite from the battle against cancer she’s been fighting. Anne Sullivan, at age fifty, is optimistic that her move to sunny Santa Barbara, California, will allow her to be closer to her youngest son and his family, and help her start her life anew after the death of her beloved husband.

But all three of these women, despite their considerable blessings, are plunged into turmoil when the most intimate of secrets that ties their lives together is revealed. At this same time, Molly Harper is confronted with the news that her marriage to actor Ben Delmonico is over. As she navigates this heartbreak and tries to keep the personal details of the drama off the front pages of the newspapers, Molly must also find a way to once and forever negotiate a way forward with her ex- lover and best friend, the volatile and compelling Cruz Morales.

How each of these characters handles the resulting upheaval in their own life, and in their relationships with one another, forms the compelling story of family, secrets and trust in the romantic women’s fiction novel, Molly Harper.

DUETS offers alternating looks into the lives of two women who would seem to have little or nothing in common.

Screen star Molly Harper has it all…beauty, success in her profession, a loving family and an upcoming marriage to actor Ben Delmonico. But as Molly is on the verge of marrying the man who has swept her off her feet, she still wonders if he hasn’t swept all her feelings for her first love away, Cruz Morales.

A handsome and cerebral college professor, Molly and Cruz have an on-again, off-again history stretching back to Molly’s early teen years. He’s not a man who a girl can ever forget about, and his feelings for Molly are equally conflicted.

Anne Sullivan, happily married for twenty-five years, is fighting to hold onto the man she loves, and hold off a confrontation that could shatter her family’s image of what they are. It involves the beautiful screen star and her mother, upper crust matron Norma Wintz, who Anne has traveled to California to meet under the most dramatic of circumstances.

Duets confronts the most intimate type of family secret that ties these two women’s lives together, just as chance events turn Molly and Anne’s worlds upside down.

Enjoy an excerpt from DUETS:

“He’s not what you think.” 

Molly Harper turned away at these words, knowing they more than likely preceded an indictment of her fiancé. Keep from showing you’re hurt, she told herself. But she knew disappointment had flashed in her eyes, and that her mother had seen it.

“Ben’s not what I think?” Molly stared outside as the limousine she and Norma rode in glided down Wilshire Boulevard, five miles from the brick-paved road leading to her mother’s neighborhood. “Why don’t you tell me what you think I think he is?”

“You think he’s a man like your father, a man inclined to put his wife’s well-being and his children’s needs before his own. Ben Delmonico is not that kind of man,” Norma said.

She turned and faced her mother. “I don’t think you know Ben well enough to say that. And honestly, I wish you had a little more faith in me. I gave this a lot of thought before I decided to marry him.”

“A lot of thought? You told me five minutes ago you said ‘yes’ the same night Ben proposed. I think you’ve agreed to marry him because you’re panicking.”

Molly sighed. She’d hoped Norma would be delighted by the news she was marrying a successful man, the gorgeous, Academy-Award-nominated actor, Ben Delmonico. A man known the world over for his sophisticated action movies and box office charisma. But it was clear Norma was not delighted.

Typical. Mother loves being contrary. And in control. “What am I panicking about?”

“About being thirty-two. About not having children. But mostly because Cruz Morales is seriously involved with another woman. And, as usual, when you panic you make impulsive decisions. I’ve seen you live to regret that several times.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.” Molly’s took a breath. “When you told me a few weeks ago Cruz was involved with Shar, how did I act? I was happy. I told you to give him my congratulations! Cruz and Shar hooking-up has nothing to do with me deciding to marry Ben.”

“Really?”

“You know as well as anyone that Cruz and I have been over forever. He’s moved on, and I’ve moved on. We’re friends, but only that.” Heat bloomed on her cheeks and spilled down her neck.

“I don’t remember you being all that crazy about Ben before you heard the news about Cruz.” Norma tilted her chin up.

“Just because I don’t announce something to you, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

Norma snorted.

“Ben and I have been dating for months. He’s a charming and generous man who convinced the studio to consider me for Traitor, risking his own chances for the lead. All my friends like him, Mom, both for himself and because he’s a wonderful actor.”

“Well, that is one thing we can agree on,” Norma said. “He is a good actor. So why not just make movies with him instead of marrying the man?”

“Those are not mutually exclusive. I’m marrying him and making a movie with him. Or have you forgotten I’ll be on set in Paris at Christmas?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten that. It’s the first Christmas you won’t be home; thank you, Ben Delmonico.” Norma leaned closer. “I just can’t help but wonder if that movie isn’t what’s behind him proposing so suddenly. The wedding publicity is sure to make it a blockbuster.”

“For god’s sake, that’s just plain insulting. He didn’t ask me to marry him to get publicity.” Molly reddened again, remembering how Ben had said, two minutes after she’d accepted his proposal, “Our box office will be huge.”

“Let’s just drop this, Mom. We’re almost home and I’ve got a million things to do.”

The Lincoln slowed and turned onto North Highland, the main thoroughfare into Hancock Park. “Every time we come this way, I remember the day Charles and I brought you home, all those years ago. It was the biggest triumph of our lives,” Norma said softly.

“That’s a nice memory.” It was, but Molly knew better than to let down her guard.

“It is.” Norma turned to Molly. “Now look, obviously I can’t tell you what to do any more. But until you found out Cruz was moving in with Shar, every time you called home, you asked about Cruz first. Every time you came home, he was the first one you called. I think you’re still in love with him. And, despite his behavior, which might fool someone who hasn’t known him since he was a little boy, it’s clear to me that he loves you too. I think this relationship with Shar is a ruse to provoke you into finding a way to work things out.”

The limo rocked gently and the women’s shoulders brushed against one another. Molly ran her fingers through the wild blonde hair she was famous for. “You’ve just outlined a plot so pathetic it wouldn’t get made by the Hallmark Channel.”

“I like the Hallmark Channel. They make lovely movies, without all the naked fannies.”

“I like the Hallmark Channel too, but that’s not my point. Cruz wouldn’t be with Shar for any reason other than he finds her a good match. He doesn’t do ‘ruses’.”

“What’s he got in common with her?”

“They both work at the college and they’re both into books and the local arts scene. I bet she’ll finally get him to turn one of his ideas into a novel. I never could.” Molly’s voice wavered.

“See, that’s pain in your voice, not happiness. You shouldn’t be afraid of the truth about your feelings, whatever the cost.”

“Like you? Are you always completely honest, Mother? No matter the cost?”

Norma blinked. “What are we talking about now? What haven’t I been honest about with you?”

Molly looked down. Her question had surprised both of them and she wished she could un-ask it. Now isn’t the time to open that particular can of worms.

Emelle Gamble was a writer at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection. These evolved into bad teen poetry and worse short stories. She took her first stab at full length fiction in an adult education writing class when her kids were in bed. As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin. She contracted with Soul Mate Publishing for Secret Sister, published in the summer of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, an April 2014 release.

Once and Forever, an anthology which includes the novella Duets, came out on November 1st. Molly Harper, a full length novel starring the characters from Duets 3 years later was released by Posh Publishing in January, 2014. Duets is now available as a standalone novella. Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, ‘Phil-the-fist’, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. These girls, like all good villains, have their reasons for misbehaving.

Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, their mother’s fondest wish.



Review Quotes:



Praise for SECRET SISTER…

“Along with being a very unique and captivating plot, SECRET SISTER offers a shocking turn of the paranormal kind… This is a story of friendship, family, and most of all, true love and what those things can mean. I cannot recommend SECRET SISTER strongly enough… “ Fresh Fiction, Fresh Reviews



DUETS…

"I'll admit I grabbed this book for review more because Emelle Gamble had a story in there - I've loved her significant touch brought to family relationships in a previous book of hers that I've read, and I wanted to confirm if this sort of embroiled-relationships type of tale is really her niche or not. Turns out, it is!" Zee Monodee's Author's Corner reviews
MOLLY HARPER…

"MOLLY HARPER ...is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be my last! Ms. Gamble does a wonderful job of drawing these characters and making them just leap off the page." Long and Short Reviews



DATING CARY GRANT…

"Fantasy and reality blend together in this mesmerizing tale from Emelle Gamble…It's not your typical romance, making it a breath of fresh air in a market currently inundated with new adult contemporary romances (which I do love, but need a break once in a while!). I continue to be a fan of this author..." Andi's Book Reviews



Links:

Email: emellegamble@aol.com

Website: www.EmelleGamble.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Emelle.Gamble

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmelleGamble

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123746.Emelle_Gamble



Emelle Gamble BOOKS:

DATING CARY GRANT book of the month at Long & Short Reviews. eBook exclusively at Amazon.com
http://amzn.to/1iiE8Y0

SECRET SISTER… RONE Award Honorable Mention for BEST CONTEMPORARY NOVEL of 2013
available in audio, paperback and eBook at Amazon http://amzn.to/17J2Bn6

DUETS, a prequel novella to MOLLY HARPER, now available at Amazon http://amzn.to/1cagyNa

MOLLY HARPER, available in paperback and eBook at Amazon http://amzn.to/MOJUXa

MOLLY HARPER and DUETS now available in one Paperback volume! http://amzn.to/1hW6YSj



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Molly Harper by Emelle Gamble ~ Goddess Fish Promotions Virtual Book Tour ~ Giveaway ~ Interview

Molly Harper

by Emelle Gamble

Emelle will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and the Reviews Only Tour. A digital copy of Molly Harper will be awarded to 3 randomly drawn commenters also during this tour and the Reviews Only Tour. Please leave a comment below along with your email address. To increase your chances of winning visit the other tour stops. Those locations may be found here....  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/virtual-nbtm-book-tour-molly-harper-by.html

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Interview: 

Crystal: Today as part of this Goddess Fish Promotions Virtual Book Tour I have the opportunity to ask Emelle Gamble a few questions. Welcome Emelle, I'm so happy to have you here today. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

Emelle: Clever question, Crystal. What do authors first want to share? Their book titles. And its not just to sell copies (HA!, although that is surely a piece of it), it is to introduce ourselves by way of our characters.

So let me say as the author of MOLLY HARPER and DUETS, the prequel novella introducing Molly Harper three years before the novel opens, I am not a young, stunning, Oscar winning movie star, who just found out I’m being left by my cheating husband. Neither am I in love with my best friend or worried I’m pregnant. That’s Molly.

But we do share the ‘family secret’ thing. The ‘knowing more about secrets than you let on’ thing. And the ‘adoption no one talks about’ thing. And we’re both from California. And I once wanted to be an actress. But I was in LA, and frankly, every other person you meet in LA wants to be an actor.

Crystal: How do you celebrate the release of a new book? 

Emelle: You know that feeling you once had on Christmas Eve, when you were so excited you couldn’t sleep, and your imagination made everything possible? Well, I get that feeling the day the book comes out, which is the real celebration. But I also generally share a good bottle of wine and get treated like a Princess by my hubby, Phil-the-fist, and we generally go out to dinner. And I buy myself a special ‘just for me’ present. For Molly it was a new purse. It’s all fun.

Crystal: What is your favorite snack to munch on while you write? 

Emelle: Salty, sweet, all bad for you. Goldfish, M&Ms. Sigh. I wish I was a carrots and humus girl, but that ain’t Emelle.

Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for Molly Harper?

Emelle: See # 1 above. HA! Plus I just thought it would be really cool to look at a famous person’s life from the inside, not the outside, and try to give readers a sense of how it must feel to be under a press microscope all the time, even when you’re suffering and going through tough emotional times. And it felt just like I imagined. Molly turned out to be a person just like everyone is a person; richer, prettier, fortunate to be a success in a very, very tough business, but mostly a complicated woman who makes good decisions and bad and gets through it all with the love of her family and friends. A person just like you or me, if we’re lucky.

Crystal: What are you working on now? 

Emelle: I’m working on a couple of things. The next book I release is tentatively called KISS ME TWICE and is a college reunion story, but really more about memory and love. It’s at the ‘I am the book and I am kicking your butt’ stage I always go through with my work. But I’ll wrestle it down soon. As usual, I feel I know the characters very well, just need to smooth out the plot into something coherent. Soon. 

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene from Molly Harper you would like to share with us?

Emelle: Sure. One of my favorites is when Molly goes to see her newly revealed half-brother, Harry, who is one of my reader’s favorites in MOLLY HARPER.

“Molly tuned back to Harry, who was telling a story about the first time Jackson took him to a company function. She began to relax. Harry was very different from Jason, much more open and emotional, but she felt a stirring of the same type of connection she shared with her brother. 
A bond of support, or approval, or something she wasn’t sure how to categorize, familiarity, maybe, began to grow between them. She liked Harry Sullivan. She usually warmed to people slowly, but Harry had a way about him she’d taken to immediately. 
During dinner they talked about movie people she knew and stage actors he worked with. Harry told her he was very impressed when he read she’d been dating Hugh Grant, and disappointed when she told him there was no truth to the story.
He didn’t mention Anne Sullivan, and she didn’t either.  
After a crème brulee dessert Harry cooked to perfection, they settled on the sofa with coffee. “So, are you going to let me do your makeup now?”
“Sure.” She put her mug on the table. “Shall we do it right here?”
“Oh no. Jackson will kill us if he comes home and finds blush smudges on the rug. That’s happened before. Katie Holmes was here a couple of years ago when she had a play on Broadway and dropped a whole damn pot of rose ole right there.” Harry pointed. “She has the most incredible skin, by the way.”
Molly put her hand on her cheek. “I had trouble with my skin when I was a teenager. I’ve had lots of dermabrasion therapy, but I still have scarring.”
“Me, too!” Harry made a face. “Mom had a lot of problems with acne when she was a teenager. One of the first to use antibiotics to try and control it. So it’s in our genes I guess.”
They looked at one another for a moment.
“Do you think we look alike, Harry? Other than the fact our eyes are the exact same color, which I’m noticing now for the first time. Duh?”
He grinned. “Yes. Our eyes are also the same shape, and our lips are similar. I noticed all this the first time I met you, but didn’t think anything of it, except ‘lucky me’.” Harry stared at her hands. “You have Anne’s hands. They’re beautiful.”
“How is she? She handling all this okay?”
“She doesn’t mention you. Don’t take that the wrong way,” he said quickly, touching Molly’s knee. “I mean, she told me about you coming to see her after your mom died. She also said you didn’t think there was any point to trying to have a relationship.”
Molly swallowed. She had too much wine and was feeling raw suddenly. “I did say that.”
“I’m not trying to convince you of anything here, but she’s a wonderful person. Very caring. She had a horrible childhood herself, but she did really well with my brother and me.”
“Good. I’m happy for you.” 
“Does that make you angry?” Harry put his hands on his face and sighed. “God. Am I saying everything wrong? Do you hate her because she gave you up for adoption?”
“No. I don’t hate her. And I agree with you that she’s very caring. I saw that when she was with my mom. It’s just, hard. Hard not to feel rejection on a really basic level, you know?”
Harry nodded. “I can try and imagine, but probably no one would know how that feels unless they went through it. I bet it was surreal the first time you sat across from her and realized she gave birth to you.”


Thanks for hosting me, Crystal. I’m a big fan of your blog. And let me ask your readers, do you like reading about characters who are movie stars?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:

Movie star Molly Harper has it all, beauty, success in her field, and a loving family and marriage to actor Ben Delmonico. Norma Wintz, Molly’s mother, has it all, a lovely life style and two children who adore her, and a respite from the battle against cancer she’s been fighting. Anne Sullivan, at age fifty, is optimistic that her move to sunny Santa Barbara, California, will allow her to be closer to her youngest son and his family, and help her start her life anew after the death of her beloved husband.

But all three of these women, despite their considerable blessings, are plunged into turmoil when the most intimate of secrets that ties their lives together is revealed. At this same time, Molly Harper is confronted with the news that her marriage to actor Ben Delmonico is over. As she navigates this heartbreak and tries to keep the personal details of the drama off the front pages of the newspapers, Molly must also find a way to once and forever negotiate a way forward with her ex- lover and best friend, the volatile and compelling Cruz Morales.

How each of these characters handles the resulting upheaval in their own life, and in their relationships with one another, forms the compelling story of family, secrets and trust in the romantic women’s fiction novel, Molly Harper.

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EXCERPT:

When the doorbell rang, Cruz Morales froze. Carefully he set his beer down and glanced out the kitchen window.

He didn’t like what he saw. 

He walked to the front entrance of Norma’s house, leaving the pan of chicken and tarragon burbling on a low burner. The soft sounds of Santana playing on the stereo in Molly’s room floated toward him on the evening breeze. 

Cruz opened the front door to two uniformed Santa Barbara policeman.

“Officers.” Cruz wiped his hands on the dishtowel he’d stuck in the waistband of his jeans. 

The policemen’s faces changed from officious to wary at being confronted by a six-foot-three Hispanic male with a ponytail, tattoos and two gold rings hanging from his right ear. 

His bulging biceps beneath the soft old t-shirt didn’t help their comfort level. 

Cruz put his hands on his hips and waited. He knew he looked threatening, ugly even, with the scars and disfigurement to the left side of his face.

But he didn’t mind how he looked. Ugly scared people, and kept them away. 

Even police.

“Can I help you?” He reminded himself not to move quickly. He’d ended up spread-eagled on the ground more than once in his life for spooking a rookie gringo.

“Is this the Wintz home?” The older of the two men spoke, his right hand on his nightstick. 

“Yes. It is.” Cruz offered nothing more. He learned over the years that the best way to protect Molly’s privacy was not to give out gratuitous information.

The cop cleared his throat. “May I ask your name?”

“Cruz Morales.”

“And you are…?”

“I’m a friend of the family.”

“Is that your vehicle out there?” The younger police waved toward the truck in the driveway.

Cruz nodded. 

The police looked at each other. “We’ve been trying to contact Miss Molly Harper by phone, but she didn’t answer her cell,” the first cop said. “Is she here?”

“What’s the problem?” Cruz asked. 

“I’m afraid I need to save my information for Miss Harper.”  

“Cruz, who is it? Is it Mr. Garcia?” Molly hollered from her bedroom.

“Come in.” Cruz stepped back. He turned and called out, “Molly, there are two policemen here who want to see you. Get dressed and come out here.”

The young cop smirked as he walked by Cruz. He had red hair and freckles, and his shirt was about an inch too big around his skinny neck. 

Cruz lifted his chin. It was obvious the rookie knew who Molly was, and was busy imagining her getting dressed. 

“Take a seat in the library.” Cruz pointed. “It’s right through the archway there.” 

The older man, who wore a name-tag reading ‘Sgt Purcell’ nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Mr. Cruz. Please bring Miss Harper to us, whenever she’s ready.”

Cruz watched them walk across the foyer, their black boots squeaking on the tile. 

He didn’t mind that the cop got his name wrong. It was typical arrogance. But Cruz began to feel dread build inside. It always happened when he wasn’t sure what would happen next.

He opened the front door and checked the driveway and yard. There was nothing outside that indicated any of the media assholes were sniffing around yet. His truck was blocked in by the patrol car, but no other vehicles were in sight.

Molly hurried down the hallway. “What’s wrong? Why are the police here? Did Mother call?” 

Her face was shiny and red from crying. She looked like she was seventeen, he thought. The age she was when he first fell in love with her. He didn’t remember a lot of things from his past, but he always remembered that.

Cruz closed the door. “No one called the house. But the police said they tried your cell.” He took her left arm gently. “Let’s go see what they want.”

“God, do you think something’s happened to Mother?” Her eyes were wide with panic.

“Don’t borrow trouble. They didn’t say that.”

She didn’t move for a moment, and then she put her arm around his back and leaned against him. 

Molly was trembling. Cruz knew there was no way to protect her from whatever was coming. But at least he was here. 

Because she called me.

Because she needs help. 

She needs me.

Everything in his life had changed over the last three years. Everything except that. Cruz squeezed Molly closer and guided her into the library. 

“This is Molly Harper,” Cruz announced. “What’s going on?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emelle Gamble was a writer at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection. These evolved into bad teen poetry and worse short stories. She took her first stab at full length fiction in an adult education writing class when her kids were in bed.  As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin. She has contracted with Soul Mate Publishing for Secret Sister, published in the summer of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, a March 2014 release. 

Once and Forever, an anthology which includes the novella Duets, came out on November 1st. Molly Harper, a full length novel starring the characters from Duets 3 years later was released by Posh Publishing in January. 

Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, ‘Phil-the-fist’, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. These girls, like all good villains, have their reasons for misbehaving. Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, their mother’s fondest wish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review Quotes:

Praise for Secret Sister

“Along with being a very unique and captivating plot, SECRET SISTER offers a shocking turn of the paranormal kind. So if you are the type of person that wants ordinary romance in a book, you won't find that here. This is a story of friendship, family, and most of all, true love and what those things can mean. I cannot recommend SECRET SISTER strongly enough… “ Fresh Fiction, Fresh Reviews

"If you're looking for a typical women's fiction/romance, don't look here... this story has a twist of the paranormal that will have you willingly stretching your belief in order to enjoy the plot. Emelle Gamble has created a story that will tear your heart out."  Long and Short Reviews 

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Links:

Email: emellegamble@aol.com 

Website:  www.EmelleGamble.com  

FaceBook:  Author Emelle Gamble

Twitter: @EmelleGamble

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123746.Emelle_Gamble

Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble is now available on Amazon!  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUL4LQA/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DUL4LQA&link_code=as3&tag=revibycrys-20

Once and Forever  an anthology with Emelle Gamble’s novella, Duets, is now available on Amazon!    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GC6XXVE/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00GC6XXVE&link_code=as3&tag=revibycrys-20

Molly Harper Amazon Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSPFTVK/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00HSPFTVK&link_code=as3&tag=revibycrys-20