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!