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Today's guest is author Kelly Moran, award-winning author of romance and children's books, who's really taken kind of a turn to the dark side as she revisits a murder case that I remember well from my younger days. What a fascinating study of a real-life mystery!! Thanks for being with us, Kelly. 

Thanks so much for having me today, Barbara! I'll give away one eBook copy of YOU NEVER HAVE TO REMEMBER THE TRUTH to a commenter.

 
It was one of the most sensational murder cases in U.S. history. Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek, a former Playboy waitress and ex-Milwaukee police officer, was arguably railroaded and convicted of murder. When all hope of proving her innocence seemed lost, she planned a daring escape from prison with her boyfriend, and together the lovers slipped into Canada under assumed names.

Now, nearly twenty years after the escape, Dominic Gugliatto wants to set the record straight.  The man who laid it all on the line tells a different tale — one of deception and betrayal. For the first time, Gugliatto speaks out about the lies and secrets long buried. That Bembenek knew more about the murder than she professed, and that the prison escape involved co-conspirators, including a retired Milwaukee police officer.  The truth is coming, told by the only man who knows it all.

 Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thetruthiscoming



To tell you a little about me and the book, here's my Dear Reader page from the book. After reading, I'd love to answer any questions you have!



 Dear Reader,

            Awhile back I got a call from an old friend and colleague asking me some publishing questions. As I've always wanted to be a writer, and I spent the better part of ten years researching the industry, this wasn't unusual. Imagine my surprise when she tells me it's about writing a book for Dominic Gugliatto!

            I was four years old at the time of Christine Schultz's murder, five when Lawrencia Bembenek was found guilty, and thirteen when Dominic helped Lawrencia escape prison. Though I was young, I remember Wisconsin's outcry and the media blitz, and the eventual world-wide pandemonium this case created. Ergo, I was interested in talking about a book with Dominic.

            In saying that, I'm also a romance and children's book writer. I deal with fiction and happily ever afters, not dates and facts and figures. So I was reluctant, as I didn't know if I could give Dominic the book he deserved. I was also concerned about the possible emotional toll that writing a book like this might have on my family. So over dinner one night with my husband and then three-year-old twin boys, I discussed the project. Well, the twins discussed Toy Story, my husband, Darren and I discussed the book. Halfway through my spiel, my husband lifts his hand to stop me and says, "Do it." My response was somewhere along the lines of, "Huh?" He said, "Do it. It's a great opportunity and it can help your career."

            Now that really got my brain churning. It could help my writing career, open doors, and challenge me. After getting back on the phone with Dominic however, I knew this book and my agreement to write it would never solely be about my career. There were many reasons for me to do and not to do this, and one why I should-- It was the right thing to do. It's about telling his story, the one no one's ever truly heard, and giving him some closure. For weeks we met in person and over the phone. I watched this guy sitting on my couch, torn and upset even after all these years, and I saw what was inside the man behind the media craze. He's loyal, compassionate, forgiving, and strong beyond any means I can literate.

            I stayed objective, pouring over information to make sure we got this right the first time. Dominic and his family kept nearly every document, letter, and article ever written about this case. And he kept it in an old luggage case I now refer to as "The Suitcase From Hell." It took me weeks to go through all of it. Once I had the facts, I added Dominic's story. And what a story it is.

            I'm glad we became friends through this process, Dominic and I. And I honestly can say I'm a better person for having known and met him. I can only wish the same for those reading this book, but then again, I feel that's pretty much a given.


Sincerely,

Kelly Moran

Learn more about Kelly and her books here:

Hydra Publications, which is publishing my book LOVE ME, TOUCH ME, KILL ME this fall is having a whiz banger of a sale this week!  Stop by and check out these titles!

Publisher Frank Hall says the following: As a special treat to all book lovers out there we are releasing all of our ebooks for free today. There is something for everyone in what we offer and we hope you enjoy your free books.

 For book descriptions, see the Hydra website here.

The Universal Mirror: http://www.amazon.com/The-Universal-Mirror-ebook/dp/B006VYHLNS/

Secret: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-ebook/dp/B005IAZEX0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1328666115&sr=8-1
...
Bridgeworld: http://www.amazon.com/Bridgeworld-Academy-ebook/dp/B005IAZEYO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-1

Andraste: http://www.amazon.com/Andraste-ebook/dp/B0051ZRV1K/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-3

The Heart Denied: http://www.amazon.com/The-Heart-Denied-ebook/dp/B004E3X9NY/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-4

Heart of the Hunter: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-of-the-Hunter-ebook/dp/B0073LBJZ4/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-8

Anon: http://www.amazon.com/Anon-ebook/dp/B005CXVRBG/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-5

Gnosis: http://www.amazon.com/Gnosis-ebook/dp/B006QPJ1K8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666207&sr=1-7

Ukishima: http://www.amazon.com/Ukishima-ebook/dp/B0075CP4CA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328666396&sr=1-1


Enjoy!

Although my books with Zumaya Publications aren't yet available, I'm excited to report that Zumaya has scheduled a Kindle Sale on titles with Thriller elements.
 
The sale starts this SUNDAY 2/5/12 and runs through March 3. The first week they're featuring the science fiction thrillers, second week general thrillers, third week fantasy thrillers, and the last week a mixed batch! So many books, so little time! Catch all the details at Zumaya Tales - http://zumayatales.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/february-thriller-special/ 
 
 
Come see which book will suit your last-six-weeks-of-winter reading list!


At Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday  you have the chance to read snippets from works in progress, contracted works, as well as published novella and novels from a variety of authors... Check it out each Saturday!

This week I've included a snippet from the soon-to-be-released novel TRIAD, which tells the story of three women commanders who are in a battle over a certain sector of space just before all of them are attacked by an outside force of space pirates. The attack makes them take a new look at their relationships--some may become closer, and others might be pushed to the edge of assassination...

 Here's my piece for this week:


Stefan, dressed in gaudy teal jacket and slacks, piloted the vessel while Julian took the second seat, wearing a simple gray suit as befitted a male servant. Catava waited in the cabin behind them, dressed in the filmy peach-toned slave’s garb Stefan had chosen. A short fitted piece trimmed in gold barely covered her breasts, trailing a gold chain to a short skirt she kept tugging under her. She also wore thin-corded gold sandals and gold ribbons in her hair, wrapped into a psyche knot.
      Hardly abashed, he coached her briefly on the comportment of female slaves, how they didn’t speak until they were asked to, and how they were no better than animals with natural urges. “You’re expected to be hot,” he said. “A slave covets the touch of men. So in situations where you don’t know what to do, a seductive look is as good as anything.”
      She studied him a long moment. “Do you often sell women into slavery?"
      He twitched as her words hit him like an open hand.
   


 For more information on this and other books by Lyndi Alexander, see her website http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com , or the Dragonfly Publishing site: http://www.dragonflypubs.com/excerpts/triad.html

I'm sharing the new cover of my first science fiction book, TRIAD, coming out this spring from Dragonfly Publishing:


What do you think???  For an excerpt, check out the DFP page--

It's always a toss-up at the end of the year: look back on the year that's passed, or set that aside and concentrate on the year ahead. Or both. I think that's the kind of year it's been for me.

Personally, the year has been a hard one, as we've struggled with the issues of our special-needs kids, some of them improving, others not so much. The stress has taken a toll on the marriage, as so often happens. I suppose it says something that we're still hanging together. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. We'll find out, I guess.

We're getting older and falling apart a little more--but that's the way of things. Resolutions for next year include to find a therapeutic pool exercise class handy, since the Lyrica didn't work out. Fibromyalgia is such a frustrating condition. You need to get good sleep to bolster pain management, but the pain prevents good sleep. They recommend exercise, even when you feel like you couldn't stand to move an inch through your aching muscles. Best practice for me so far is to take something for pain and just soldier through. Hopefully it'll be better next year.

Professionally, though, what a raft full of blessings! I scored a part-time job with the county as an attorney for families working through Children's Services, that came with benefits and a regular paycheck. This opened up my time formerly spent chasing new clients to spend writing.

I haven't wasted that time, either. In 2011, I signed contracts for five new novels to come out in 2012 and 2013. This is what my new email signature looks like now:

Also writing as Lyndi Alexander:
The Elf Queen, 2010 The Elf Child, 2011 and The Elf Mage, 2012, all from Dragonfly Publishing
http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com
Triad, coming from Dragonfly Publishing in 2012

Also writing as Alana Lorens:
Secrets in the Sand, a novel of romantic suspense---The Wild Rose Press, April 20,2011

http://alanalorens.com
Conviction of the Heart, coming from The Wild Rose Press in 2012

Second Chances, due out from Zumaya Publications in 2012

Post-apocalyptic YA Series  The Color of Fear: Plague, The Color of Fear: Journeys and The Color of Fear: Survivors debuts in 2013 from Zumaya Publications

It took nearly forty years, but I've finally achieved my life's dream: to become a novelist. Best of all, that last YA series is the book(s) of my heart, the one I've sunk my soul into. To find a home for it has been the pinnacle of the year for me. I can't wait to work with editor Liz Burton and Zumaya and get that into print.
But not today. Today I'm tending to my neglected blogs, which have taken second seat to all my novels and galley proofing the last two months. I'm grateful to have had a plethora of guests on particularly the Clan Elves blog and my romance blog to help keep my readers entertained. I want to set a schedule for the new year to tend to each of them at least weekly. With four books coming out in 2012, I need to make sure people can find them!
Next week I'm spending reviewing Margie Lawson class notes and several other writing books I've purchased over the last six months and stalled off reading. I've got a lot of writing to do in the next year, and I want to make sure it's the best it can be. I'm sure you all will let me know if it's not!
In the meantime, I wish you all a satisfying 2012, in whatever flavor and definition that means to you. Our family will be celebrating a new arrival in the spring--one that's not between two book covers!-- so we have much to look forward to, as well as travel, family and hopefully some sun here and there. May you have many blessings come to you.