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Thursday, February 19, 2015

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--THE MARTINI CLUB


Left to Right: Alicia Dean, Amanda McCabe, Kathy L Wheeler, Krysta Scott
Alicia Dean is one of the members of the Martini Club. The club is comprised of four writing friends. Today Alicia talks about how they collaborated on a new romance series set in the Roaring Twenties. Learn more about the Martini Club at their Facebook page. 
  
Martini Club 4 – The 1920s
A few years ago, myself and three of my writer friends—Amanda McCabe, Kathy L. Wheeler, and Krysta Scott—began meeting each Friday evening (unless something extremely important kept one of us away, and trust me, it had to be IMPORTANT) for Martinis and various other libations, at the Martini Lounge in Edmond, Oklahoma. In time, we came to dub our gathering the ‘Martini Club.’ We unwind, vent, chat about writing, laugh, and strengthen an already strong bond of friendship. It’s not only fun, it’s beneficial. As all writers know, no other friend besides a writer friend truly understands us. (We also have an honorary MC member, Cindy Sorenson. Although she is a writer, she declined to write one of the stories, but she has been invaluable as far as brainstorming and beta reading. So, what else could we do…we named a character after her in the series!)

During one of these gatherings, one of us, and I can’t remember who, made an offhand remark about writing stories centered around the Martini Club. The idea blossomed from there, and the ‘Martini Club 4’ series was born. We thought it would be fun to set our first MC4 stories in the 1920’s, but we intend to write more in other decades in the future. During the planning, plotting, and writing, we have had a few weekend retreats that were loads of fun, and some were even productive. J What a joy to do something that I love so much—writing—with a group of ladies that I love so much!

The four books that comprise the Martini Club 4 series officially release on February 26. Right now you can pre-order any of the books at the sale price of only 99¢. The price will go up to $2.99 after the release date.

Martini Club 4 – The 1920s
Four young English women discover friendship, romance, and danger in 1920’s New York City...

Rebellious, Book 1 by Amanda McCabe
Can an aristocratic lady melt the cold heart of a Russian gangster?

Lady Jessica Hatton fled her high-society London debutante life for one of investigative journalism in New York—only to be relegated to the fashion pages. Searching for a juicy story leads her to Club 501, the city's most glamorous speakeasy—and its handsome, mysterious owner, Frank Markov. But his past of war and revolution puts their hearts—and their lives—in danger...


Ruined, book 2 by Alicia Dean
She vowed she’d be no man’s doxy, but fate had other plans...

After the Earl of Goodwin attempts to force himself on her, housemaid Eliza Gilbert flees England for New York, hoping to build a better life. But the land of opportunity proves as harsh as the London docks, and she finds herself in a situation more dreadful than the one she escaped.

When Vince Taggart’s childhood friend disappears, he heads to New York in search of her and meets Eliza, a woman with a less than honorable reputation. Inexplicably captivated, Vince can’t force himself to stay away, especially when he learns Eliza may be the key to finding his missing friend.


Reckless, Book 3 by Kathy L. Wheeler
Lady Margaret turned Lady Bootlegger…

Singer Margaret (Meggie) Montley needs money…fast. Her friend is in a dire situation with nowhere to turn. While Meggie is on the brink of stardom, it’s not soon enough to save her friend.

Harry Dempsey is out to avenge the deaths of his father and brother at the hands of a ruthless gangster. But trouble spirals out of control when Meggie Montley shows up the night he meets his nemesis to settle the score. Saving the impetuous woman from a crime lord might be easier than saving her from her own reckless behavior.


Runaway, Book 4 by Krysta Scott
Can she prove her innocence before more than her dreams are destroyed?

After escaping an arranged marriage, Lady Charlotte Leighton lands on a new shore, determined to realize her dream of opening her own bakery. But her plans are shattered when her former fiancé follows her to New York. Now, she finds herself in a fight for her freedom.

Haunted by a string of failures, Detective Felix Noble is determined to solve his latest case. But his efforts to find a murderer are jeopardized by a forbidden attraction to his number one suspect. While he’s certain Charlotte Leighton is keeping secrets, instinct tells him she’s not the murderess he first believed.

13 comments:

Kathy L Wheeler said...

Wow, I look psycho, bug-eyed in that picture! Great post. Fun project.

Alicia Dean said...

Haha, well, you are a little psycho! Thanks for having us on your blog today!

Connie Bretes said...

Love the colorful scarves.

Patricia Kiyono said...

I have all four of these books on pre-order and can't wait to read them! And I look forward to having you as guests in a few weeks.

Alicia Dean said...

Thanks, Connie, we decided to wear boas in honor of the twenties theme. :)

Alicia Dean said...

We look forward to joining you, Patricia...thank you!

Darcy Flynn said...

Ahh, four great looking divas! I really love the 20s and am looking forward to reading all four of your books!
You guys have WAY too much fun together! :)

Maureen said...

Love the boas! Now I want a martini... So cool that you all get together every week and can discuss writing- I"m so jealous!

Alicia Dean said...

Yes, we do, Darcy! :) I hope you enjoy the stories.

Alicia Dean said...

I want a Martini too, and I'm just about to head that way and have one. :) Thanks for stopping in, yes, the boas were a nice touch, I thought. :)

Angela Adams said...

Great picture of some fun lovin' gals! Have a great weekend!!

Jannine Gallant said...

Your "club" sounds like so much fun. I want in! Too bad I'm about a 3 day drive away. LOL Best of luck with sales, ladies!

Susan Coryell said...

Amazing covers, amazing excerpts, amazing lady writers! Congrats and best wishes to all 4 MC members.