Cover Reveal for "Just Between Us"

 

Single mom Tosha has made a home with Chaz, her fiancé, and their toddler, Emily. She’d hoped that Chaz would have given her a wedding band after Emily’s birth, but he keeps dragging things out. During a visit to her friends’, Karida and Tevin, house, Tosha discovers she’s pregnant with Chaz’s second child. She figures he’d rush to the altar now. That is until she walks in on Chaz doing the nasty with another woman.

 

Young bachelor Zach is ready to commit to the right woman, but after the latest breakup, he’s grown hopeless that he’d find his match. His friends, Karida and Tevin, convince him to go on a blind date with a woman they are sure he’ll adore. Zach experiences an immediate connection to Tosha and takes her to visit a crystal statue of intertwined swans. She wins his heart when she gets the significance of the swan dance.

 

Tosha is amazed at how much she’s into Zach. The only problem: she bids him goodnight without telling him about her daughter and the baby on the way. He calls after the date as promised, but guilt over her secret prevents her from answering. Tosha’s not sure she’s ready to trust another man with her still healing heart.

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A Romance novel 

by Cassandra Ulrich

COMING SOON on Amazon.

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For the latest info, visit

My Website.

Three New Short Stories in the Dark Fantasy Genre

 I did it! I wrote over 51K words during #nanowrimo2021 in a genre that is new to me--Dark Fantasy. My first story with a cop and a vampire debuted during #nanowrimo2020, and now it's been joined by the second part. So far, two critique groups have raved about the story. I can only hope part two lives up to the praise. I also wrote two other stories: one about a demon-spawned sixteen year old guy and the other about a prince who's been cursed to be bound to his castle for centures due to a witch's jealous rant. I have plans to include these stoies in a Dark Anthology and will let you know when its ready to be released. Editing will be the theme during 2022.

Dark Creations for NaNoWriMo 2021

It's day 6 of NaNoWriMo 2021, and I'm laboring away on some short stories for an upcoming Dark Anthology. Last year's attempt at short stories for an anthology featuring Zale, my merboy, went so well, I'm trying it again with a different genre. In fact, two non-fiction stories I typed during November 2020 were printed in two different Chicken Soup for the Soul books in 2021: "I'm Speaking Now" and "Tough Times Won't Last But Tough People Will." I excited to see what I create this month. I already know it'll be challenging with all of my commitments, but I am determined not to back down from this challenge. Wish me luck!

Breaking Out of the Dry Spell

Sunny skies and a moderate temperature marked the start of a wonderful day. On September 25, 2021, I spent almost eight hours at the Westville Fall Festival, setting up, presenting my books and mugs to potential customers, and packing up for the day. My booth neigbor and fellow writing friend, Tom Minder, and I talked and joked between sales. Standing next to a small petting zoo didn't hurt in the least. In fact, the crowds that walked by our booths were a welcomed treat.

I featured my newest releases: the print versions of Love's Intensity, If It Kills Me, and Danny R.O.S.S. I published those novels in 2020 to make use of my extra time at home. Mugs decorated with pictures of all my book covers filled in the spaces, ready to serve as holiday gifts. I even had many copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: I'm Speaking Now which includes a memoir of an event that happened to me many years ago.

Being able to sell my books at an outdoor event this year brought some relief after having every single vendor event cancel last year. So many of my readers had been waiting for new signed releases, but they had no choice but to wait another year.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table to buy copies of my stories and poetry. I appreciate your patronage very much.

Now, I'm looking forward to doing this all over again at the Collingswood Book Festival from 10am to 4pm on October 2, 2021.

The Results Are In

Remember the contest I mentioned in my July post? My latest submission didn't make the cut, but I did receive word from Chicken Soup for the Soul that they will be printing a second story of mine in November. I'm so thrilled. 

The Podcast Life

In celebration of a first year anniversary, Do What's Write: Writer's Group has made the leap into podcasts. It's been an amazing journey birthed after the shutdown in 2020 where one mutual friend (Amber) introduced the rest of us (Rachel, Ashley, and me) to each other. We spent Friday nights discussing comma usage, synonyms, word choices, and character development.  Please listen to us on Buzzsprout, Spotify, and many others.

In addition, we've created a FaceBook page, a website, and a patreon account. Be sure to visit and interact with our sites.

I look forward to what the next year will bring with my writing pals.

It's All About the Waiting

 

So, what do I do while I wait on the results of a writing contest? Keep on writing, of course. The characters I've dreamed up don't take a break just because the results of a submission is pending. 

This year, I didn't wait until the last week before the contest ended which meant I've had to endure a much longer period before hearing the results (around August 1st).

After pressing the send button in May, I've focused my attention on editing my first ever vampire story. I enjoy reading these types of stories and/or watching the movies spawned from them, dark and full of action. However, I avoided writing in this genre before because the market was oversaturated and I didn't want my story to get lost in the great ocean of authors who write about vampires.

I'm also continuing to tidy up the screenplay version of A Beautiful Girl. My thought became reality during NaNoWriMo2020, and, if I keep plugging away at it, I just might be able to complete it by the beginning of NaNoWriMo2021.

In addition to three other stories that are slowly closing in on the first draft, I am delving into the corrections received from two Beta readers for Just Between Us.

So, even though I'm waiting, I am not merely sitting around languishing. The world keeps turning and so do I.

Keep writing, my friends.