Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Thankful Author 2017- Maureen Bonatch


Thank You For Making Me Smile 

By Maureen L Bonatch

When I look back over this, and every, year I find there are a lot of good things as well as bad things going on in my life, as well as the world. Things could always be better, and yet things could always be worse. It all depends on how you decide to view the situation.

There are some people that I’m drawn to, and I’ve discovered that their curious, irresistible appeal is usually because they have a sense of humor and they aren’t afraid to use it. If someone lacks this trait that I feel is essential, it sometimes takes me a minute to pinpoint what is off in our conversation and why we can’t communicate as well as I’d like. Then I discover that it must be due to their lack of a “funny bone.”

The ability to take a difficult day and make it more tolerable, or to make some lemonade out of the lemons you’ve been given for the day is truly a wonderful gift. Laughter triggers feel-good endorphins, relaxes the body and can lighten the heaviest load and make you forget about what troubles you—and those are only a few of the benefits of having a good laugh.

I’m in no way minimizing the terrible tragedies that have occurred around the world, but if we only focus on the bad then we can end up overwhelmed with sadness, worry and fear. That’s why the character in my story are often more light-hearted, or a little sarcastic, as they embrace and face the challenges thrust upon them. That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life who understand and embrace the joy of a good laugh and who make me smile even when I don’t feel like it.


 Evil Speaks Softly
The Nightwalkers Series, Volume 1
Maureen L. Bonatch

A paranormal romance from The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor, DCA Graphics

Everyone has a story to tell. Even the dead.

Blurb:

They were never supposed to meet. Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.
They were never supposed to find love. Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead. They’ve broken all the rules. Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

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“I met this strange man at the bar last night. He told me some really weird
stuff.”
            I paused. When she remained silent, I continued. “He said it was related to my writing.” She watched me with the fascination of one who desperately wanted to look away but couldn’t. As if a deer blinded to the oncoming headlights, she was fixated, trapped. “He said to talk to you.”
I searched her face. I knew my Grams. When resignation settled on her features a knot clenched in my stomach from either fear, or the excitement of validating Gage didn’t fabricate the story. Perhaps he wasn’t crazy.
            Grams slowly closed her eyes and opened them again. “He found you?”
            I nodded.
             She turned to stare out the frosted window where the birdfeeder sat frozen over from the recent snow. “I can’t believe he took that risk. Watchers are never to approach the Recorders. It could totally upset the balance.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth.
             When she used the same terms as Gage, my anxiety elevated. I expected her to deny his claims and then we’d laugh about the incident. “Grams, please tell me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I took a deep breath. “Some weird things happened last night. Occasionally I notice unusual things, but it’s an old house and I have an active imagination, but this time it scared me.”

About the Author:



Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line.


Reviews:


 Discomforting Thoughts About the Author & Evil Speaks Softly:

·         As a writer who 'writes by the seat of her pants' Maureen’s relentless characters can be demanding in wanting their story told and often have their own agenda. They just aren’t ruthless spirits and there’s no ancient curse…that she’s aware of.
·         The herniated disc Maureen suffered from while writing this story may have leaked a little extra darkness into the tale.
·         Maureen’s first house had a restless spirit.
·         Twins run in Maureen’s family—just no feisty triplets.
·         Maureen has no knowledge of wrestling but she did watch some WWF back in the day for entertainment.
·         Maureen believes she has had sleep paralysis in the past.
·         Nighttime spirits don’t terrify Maureen much since she’s up at the crack of dawn and can barely stay awake after 9:30 p.m.


10 comments:

  1. Thank you for having me here today, Angela!

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  2. Great post, Maureen. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  3. I totally agree with you, Maureen. Laughter makes the day so much better. Thanks for the reminder.

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  4. Choose to laugh and smile. Those choices are way better than the alternatives.

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  5. I, too, like laughter and humor when I write. I wish I could sprinkle the whole globe with it...and then, perhaps, more people would get along. Happy Thanksgiving, Maureen.

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  6. A smile and a laugh definitely go a long way.

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  7. Yes! Laughter and optimism are two very dear companions of mine. My world would be a dark place without them. Wishing you all the best and a Happy Thanksgiving. :)

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  8. Thank you ladies, Happy Thanksgiving!

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