Welcome to The Balanced Writer, where we balance the things we love with the things that matter most.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Release Day Celebration!



Today's the day... BY HEART AND COMPASS is now available, so dive into a good read! This romantic sea adventure is all about following your heart. You can pick up BY HEART AND COMPASS at Desert Breeze Publishing today and many other online bookstores like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Keep reading to find out more or win a free copy by entering a contest.




BY HEART AND COMPASS...So what's this about?

Set between the Caribbean island of Antigua and the fictional town, Newton, Georgia, BY HEART AND COMPASS features a small town bookworm with wandering feet and the mysterious diary of a notorious privateer's wife. When that diary leads to a descendant and a location of a treasure ship's resting place, there's no time for hiding beneath research books and paperwork. Here's a little video to give you an idea:



Now, You Tell Me

The oil disaster in the Gulf is on everyone's mind these days and it should be. My love of the sea and sea life has become a passion as I've infused these themes into my writing. My family has spent many wonderful times at our favorite gulf beach, Pensacola, on the Florida panhandle. The beaches of Pensacola have just recently been hit by the oil spill, and the mess, like everywhere else, is heart-breaking. Now, you tell me, how do you feel about the oil disaster in the gulf and how has it affected your life? Surely there is nothing to compare to actually wiggling your toes in the sand--even reading about it!

But back to the story where Boy Meets Girl...

...as every romance begs, and BY HEART AND COMPASS is no different. Check out the following excerpt for a glimpse of Lacey Whitman's first meeting with the dive bum she couldn't forget.




BY HEART AND COMPASS
Excerpt:


Sitting outside, one of the divers looked busy replacing the o-ring on a scuba tank.

"I'm looking for Max?"

The long haired employee didn't bother to stand, much less look up.

"So?"

"I'm Lacey Whitman, and I'm looking for the Max that owns the museum."

"You call that worthless shack a museum?"

Dumbfounded, Lacey couldn't think of any reply.

"What do you want?"

"I'm looking for Max," she repeated, feeling a flash of impatience. "I have some papers for him."

"Warrant, restraining order, or paternity test?"

After a pause in which she realized he was serious, she replied in frustration, "I have some research for the Bertrand family and someone at the museum told me to come down here."

Lacey caught herself biting her lip.

Finally, the man of absolutely no assistance put down the tank and stood up. Short and compact, he had amazing turquoise eyes that glowed from a dark, tanned complexion. Loose strands of sun-kissed brown hair blew about his face in the breeze.

"Max doesn't need anymore paperwork. He doesn't want to see your research, and he is not giving dive lessons."

"I didn't ask for a dive lesson."

The diver sat back down again, crossing thick tattooed arms over himself. They stared one another down until he won. It was cheating to look her over as if she was a sweet little morsel, but it worked.

"I just want to talk to Max," she demanded.

He stared back with no expression. "You just did. Now get off my beach."

Lacey's cheeks were already flushed from getting the once over by this beach bum. His insult made her red all over.

"I'll be sure to let them know at the Bertrand Museum," she threatened, as if it mattered.

She turned on her heel and stalked off but he called after her, "Lady, I am the Bertrand Museum!"


Intrigued?

I hope so. BY HEART AND COMPASS is my third sea-themed novel length adventure. If you've heard of or read THE PRIVATEER or TURTLE SOUP, you'll want to pick up a copy of this treasure hunting mystery that brings the legacy of privateers and pirates to the present day.

Download a copy right now by visiting Desert Breeze Publishing!



Contests

Feeling lucky? Why not comment to win a free copy of BY HEART AND COMPASS?

Contest One: Every visitor to this site today that leaves a comment will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of the book. You must leave me your email address, too! Don't make me have to "hunt" you down!

Contest Two: Swap! Post my book cover on your blog or website and send me the link. In exchange, I will post an image or link on THE BALANCED WRITER to your homepage, blog, or business site, whichever you'd like to share with the world (as long as it's Rated G!). This contest is open to the first three participants and will run for three months. Contact me at danithorne at yahoo dot com.

Contest Three: Think Fast! Read Fast! Review Fast! The first reader to purchase and review BY HEART AND COMPASS will receive a $10 Walmart gift card. The review must be posted at either Goodreads.com or Amazon.com, and again, you must send me the link with your contact information so I can send you your prize! Contact me at danithorne at yahoo dot com.

Last but not least...

If you enjoy a good romantic suspense, you must check out my sister-in-writing, Anne Patrick at SUSPENSE BY ANNE as she celebrates the release of her new novel, FIRE AND ASH. Anne is the author of eight novels and her newest story looks to be just as exciting as her last!





Thanks for coming by today, and come back anytime! Leave me a comment, question or buckets of praise--I'm not picky! Make sure and check back Saturday morning for winners! And if you want to learn more about me, go to my website!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Release Day Celebration: Thursday, July 1st!




You are cordially invited to join me this Thursday, July 1st, here at The Balanced Writer. Find out more about BY HEART AND COMPASS on its release day, enjoy excerpts from this sea-romance adventure, and be one of the first to see the new book trailer! Visitors who leave a comment between midnight Wednesday and midnight Friday will be entered in a drawing to win a free PDF copy.

Stop by and share your thoughts about the oil spill in the Gulf and what it means to you and your family. Ask me questions about my writing, research and anything else you've wondered about.

Tell all your friends and see you soon!

daniellethorne

Saturday, June 26, 2010

IT'S BLUEBERRY SEASON!


Yes, time to put the book down you're reading and go pick some berries from your local grower. This week we picked about six pounds and enjoyed an awesome pie for our labor.

Below is my blueberry recipe that won a bake-off some years ago, but now I like it even better since I changed the topping and added pure vanilla. Some of my Facebook friends are giving it a whirl and they say it's the best ever, too!

Danielle's Blueberry Pie w/ Cinnamon Crumble Topping

*1 unbaked pastry pie shell

FILLING:
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of orange peel
3 cups of fresh blueberries
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of butter

TOPPING:
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup of butter

In a mixing bowl combine sugar, flour, orange peel, and pinch of salt. Add blueberries to mixture and toss gently to coat. (I mash some, about a cup's worth, before hand.) Pour the flour-coated blueberries into the pie shell in its pie pan. Drizzle over the lemon juice, vanilla and dot with cut up pieces of butter.

For topping, using the empty mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar and cinnamon together until well blended. Cut in the butter and with a fork or using your fingers, work it in until you have a fine powder. Sprinkle the crumbled topping over the blueberries. Fold down bottom pie pastry shell along the edges and seal over the crumbled topping.

Bake at 375 for 40 to 45 minutes.

(You can use a second pie shell pastry to cover over the top of the berries instead of the crumbled topping, but make sure to add the cinnamon to the blueberry mixture.)


*Pie Shell Pastry
1 1/4 cup of all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/3 cup of shortening (Crisco Butter-Flavored recommended)
3 to 4 tablespoons of COLD water

Stir together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of water over at a time and toss with a fork. Repeat until mixture is a moist dough ball. Roll out in to about a 12-inch circle on a floured surface, then place in pie pan.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

News for Yous

Desert Breeze Opening for Submissions
Check out Desert Breeze Publishing this week. They are opening for submissions this July and are taking all genres, being especially interested in Modern Historicals.

You Have Until Friday!
Also, my quick, easy and authentic Guacamole recipe will be posted in this month's PRIVATEER NEWSLETTER. Readers will also get a sneak peek at my July 1st release's opening chapter. If you're not onboard, sign up now! THE PRIVATEER NEWSLETTER

Regency Whimsy
If you're a Jane Austen fan, check out the book cover for my winter release, JOSETTE, coming soon from Whimsical Publications. Inspired by all of Jane's works, this novel will satisfy any sweet romance reader and lover of Regency life in the English countryside.

Friday, June 04, 2010

BY HEART AND COMPASS--Coming Soon!


Genealogist Lacey Whitman prefers the dead, so her heart must be the compass as she goes head to head with the only living man who can help her find a centuries old pirate ship.

Sweet romance adventure, BY HEART AND COMPASS, is coming soon this July 1st! Reviews are already starting to trickle in, like this one from Miss Lynn's Books and More:

"This is the first book that I have read of Ms. Thorne’s, but I was captured right from the beginning. I especially like the sayings before each chapter...Excellent Book. If you like contemporary romance and high seas adventure, then you will be wanting to look for her newest book “By Heart And Compass” on the market in July by Desert Breeze Publications. You’ll be in for a great adventure."

This month I am featuring daily flash excerpts from the novel on my Facebook page. Don't miss out on that fun. And if you haven't heard, subscribers to my newsletter, The Privateer Newsletter, will receive the first chapter free in the June issue!

For more about BY HEART AND COMPASS, visit Desert Breeze Publishing's coming soon pages.

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Summer Freebie Time


If settling down with a good book doesn't bring some balance into your life, I don't know what does. This summer, catch up with some talented authors and their giveaways at the Coffee Time Romance June Jubilee at their forum boards.

And speaking of giveaways, check out the super Summer Treasure Hunt, now in its second year. Enter every day, and yes, try and answer my trivia question on June 7th to win a free dvd. For entry information and prizes, visit JPD News.