We’ve often heard the phrase, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” While I do believe there is a final resting place, I also know that the road leading there can be rocky and smooth, curvy and straight, treacherous and safe. No two paths are the same, even if we share the road from time to time with others.
It’s sometimes too easy to look at someone else and think their path is smoother or rougher than it really is. And even if we share the journey for a few miles, the way we view the terrain is filtered through our experiences.
These last few months I’ve shared a journey with ten amazing writers for an anthology inspired and led by my former critique partner Edie Ramer and her pal Misty Evans. The cover art and formatting were also donated by Laura Morrigan and Lori Devoti. Stacia Kane wrote the forward.
It’s not simply the quality of the stories that make it stand out, but the spirit in which the stories were written.
I don’t know what the political or religious leanings are of the other authors in the anthology, and I honestly don’t want to know. I’m sure we are all over the spectrum from right to left, devout to non-believing. But we all agree that helping others is something we can rally behind, and we all agree that cancer is an insidious disease that needs more time and resources to stop.
All proceeds from the digital-released ENTANGLED will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. http://www.bcrfcure.org/ What makes this amazing is that we are united; we all donated our time and talent to benefit a cause we believe in. No one tossed out a story thinking it didn’t matter because it was for charity; every author took the time to craft a tale to please their readers, as well as new readers.
The women involved are truly amazing in their generosity and enthusiasm for this project. We all know women who have had this dreadful disease. We all know women who have survived. We all know women who haven’t.
ENTANGLED is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy anthology of 11 short stories that aims to give what we can to fight this disease and hopefully save someone’s mother, sister, daughter. That person could be someone we know. It could be us.
I especially want to single out Stacia Kane for her poignant forward. In part:
“What we can do, though, is hope. We can hope that one day our children or our grandchildren will be able to think of breast cancer the way we think of illnesses like typhoid fever, that once killed thousands but are now essentially eradicated and/or curable. There are doctors and scientists and really scarily smart people out there working hard to try to make that so, to re-write our world so “breast cancer” becomes maybe a little more serious than a cold, but with the same prognosis: Yeah, you might feel kind of tired for a couple of days, but you’re totally going to be fine after that.”
Here’s the summary of the anthology:
HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.
SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
If you like paranormal romance or urban fantasy, you can’t go wrong with ENTANGLED. I’m giving away a digital copy of ENTANGLED to one lucky commenter. If you’d like to check it out, you can buy it for your e-reader or computer at Amazon, BN.com, or Smashwords.
Tell us about the one charity you are passionate about, that you’d donate your time, treasure and talent to support.
I’m passionate about giving back a bit to the deployed soldiers. I want to make sure that the sacrifices they and their loved ones make is not unappreciated. My favorite organizations are: Soldier’s Angels (adopt a soldier and other ways to help), Operation Gratitude (letters, candy, etc.), and Cup of Joe/Green Beans (cash donation for soldiers to get a free cup of coffee).
A GREAT cause Kris! I have donated lots and lots of books to soldiers who were overseas. It’s how I met (at first online) debut author Jessica Scott. She was deployed in Iraq and I sent her books. And whenever Starbucks has their buy a pound of coffee for a soldier drive, I always buy several 🙂
The Red Cross. Despite some bad press it received after hurricane Katrina, I feel it does good work and I was the recipient of it once.
I think the Red Cross is AMAZING and a couple missteps shouldn’t tarnish their stellar reputation.
Cancer has attacked many people in my family, including my mother. I would love to see this horrible, scary disease thought of, like you said, as a disease from the past.
Thanks Jane. I’m sorry about your mother. My MIL died of lung cancer before I met my husband. She wasn’t that old, in her 50s.
Thanks for this post, Allison. You and the other authors are a dream to work with. I love every story in the anthology, and Stacia’s foreword is the best foreword I’ve read.
In fact, your beginning of this blog reminded me of it, though you started with journeys and hers started with condoms.
As a breast cancer survivor, finding a cure for breast cancer is something I’m passionate about. And I think that when a breakthrough is made for one cancer, it’s beneficial in some way to all cancers.
I totally agree, Edie. Cancer is cancer. Focusing on breast cancer will certainly help us find cures for ALL cancers. I believe we’ll have a cure in my lifetime. How can we not when we have so many people so passionate about the same cause?
And for everyone else — EDIE has truly done an amazing job, spending far more time than I did putting this project together with Misty. Reading and proofing every story. Quality control in self-publishing is hugely important, and I’m so thrilled they cared enough to go the extra mile.
MDA – I met my hubby there 23 yrs. ago. He lost a brother to Duchenne.
Epilepsy Foundation & Cerebral Palsy Organization – My 17 yr. old daughter was born with both.
Autism Speaks – My 12 yr. old son has Asperger’s.
Cancer – Various family members and various forms.
Huge congrats. I can’t wait to read this and know that the money is going to such a great cause. Hugs to all of you for this wonderful project.
Wow, different afflictions have hit your family Holly! I’m sorry. And you always remain so positive. Big hugs!
what an amazing lineup, allison. i too loved stacia’s words. she’s inspiring.
one organization i’ve tried to be consistent about supporting is Doctors Without Borders. Not only do they rate extremely high when evaluated for effectiveness, their reach is so broad going places in the world that have access to so little help.
Great organization Sophie! Truly generous professional often risking their lives to help others.
Hi Allison,
Thanks for this post! Entangled is an awesome project. I can honestly say there isn’t a story in there that I didn’t like. With both my mother and my aunt breast cancer survivors, I appreciated a chance to contribute to the cause.
When it comes to charities I tend to devote time and energy closer to home. Having been a single mom of four for well over a decade, I know how important food banks, Christmas hampers and Women’s shelters are first hand. Now that I’m standing on firmer ground, it’s important to me to give back.
Hi Dale! Big cyber hug. I’ve been so lucky to get to know you and the others a bit better. I do a lot through my church (we do a big Thanksgiving dinner drive — one year raising money/donations to feed 500 families full turkey dinners!) and I think anything we can do — either with our time or our treasure — we should.
Sounds awesome, Allison!
Thanks Deb! 🙂
I think this anthology is brilliant – the cover art is gorgeous, the authors are top-notch, its obvious that it was a labor of love. There a few charities close to my heart – we sponsor 6 kids through Compassion; ONE, Doctors Without Borders, and others. The charity most on my mind right now is Cancer Research UK – thanks to a heroic young boy named Harry Moseley. VERY inspiring. It touches me deeply when I see people not only care, but put feet to their compassion (if that makes sense) Like you ladies have done <3
Don't enter me in the contest, I have my copy – thanks! xoxo
Thank you so much Bonnie! Now to look up the charities I haven’t heard about. Always helps to keep up!
The Wounded Warrior Project. As Lawyer Guy is a disabled vet, this group is very near and dear to my heart. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
The other group is Susan G. Komen Foundation. http://ww5.komen.org/ This group is instrumental in bringing awareness for breast cancer.
A big thanks to all the wonderful authors who are participating in ENTANGLED. I’ve got this book on the wish list. As soon as the book budget reboots, I’m there!
Thanks so much Silver! And for the link to the Wounded Warrior Project. What an amazing organization!
Thank you, Allison, for such a beautiful post. I’m so happy to be part of this anthology. It’s been great getting to know you all and working with you!
Right back at you! 🙂
Wonderful! Love the cover, love the cause.
These days I’m a fan of local nonprofits Write Around Portland and Project Pooch. The first brings writing and all its therapeutic benefits to disadvantaged populations such as homeless youths and battered women. The second provides (quoting directly here) “opportunities for incarcerated youth to learn patience, compassion, responsibility, and respect for all life through working with shelter dogs.”
What a great idea–both of the charities! Thanks for sharing them 🙂
I support Project Hope and Home For Our Troops, an organization that builds specially adapted homes all over the country for severely wounded service members at no cost to them.
One other thing that requires only time is platelet donations at the Red Cross.
No one can go wrong supporting our troops.
Heifer international because of the long term help that is being gifted to those in need.
Allison, a very moving post! I’m thrilled to be working with you and the other authors on this project. I’ve been a project manager in the public health field on a breast and cervical cancer program and it’s still near and dear to my heart. My family and friends have been targeted by this awful disease and I’ve done all I can do support it – even walking events (and I’m prone to tripping over my own shoes – LOL.)
I’m involved locally with my library and other nonprofits as well. And my kids are big animal lovers so we have regular donations to ASPCA and other charities. My son is on the student council at his school and just came up with a Penny War contest to raise money for the leukemia foundation. It’s all good!
My daughter has done the race for the cure for three years (her fourth will be this spring.) She started because her English teacher had to take a year off because of chemotherapy–her teacher is also the mother of one of Katie’s closest friends. A large group of kids in the high school now walk, and getting these kids involved at a young age because something affects them personally is actually motivating them to give back even before they have anything to give (except time.) I’m proud of all of them 🙂
I love working with my church social justice group. We coordinate projects throughout the year to feed and clothe the hungry, give school supplies to poor children, provide toiletries and clothing to homeless veterans, remember older shut-ins with Valentine gifts, give Christmas gifts to poverty-level families, supply prisoners with reading materials, and offer emergency assistance to help those in need pay for rent and utilities.
Thanks, Allison, for letting us know about this great charitable effort.
One of my closest friends (and my daughter’s Godfather) is involved with prison ministry. He works with men who will never see freedom. It’s a tough but rewarding job.
What I love about church groups is uniting to help others simply because it’s the right thing to do.
When my daughter was around 5-6 years old, she got very ill; she almost lost a kidney and they never did find out what caused her problem. But they tried and tried, did all kinds of tests and she was in the Children’s Hospital quite a few times. The staff were wonderful to her and to us. And we will never forget that.
I have given to the Children’s Hospital for many years.
I love children’s hospital! I’m so glad your daughter is well now. My oldest had surgery when she was 2 — long story, and they had the wrong diagnosis — and now she’s fine, but it was terrifying at the time.
Allison, great project! You’re an inspiration!
I give to the SPCA, and now that I’m part of the USMC family, I’ll be doing more for our men and women in the military.
I LOVE that cover. Laura knocked that one out of the park!
It’s not a charity, but it is a volunteer organization..AYSO
We’re a big soccer family and this organization is great for kids. We give a lot of time, energy and playing to this sport.
Recently, pink ref shirts were purchased to be given to some of the Ref’s to wear during Breast Cancer Awareness month–October.
I got teary as I read your post, Allison. Dang, no wonder I love your books! 🙂
Seriously, it’s a huge honor to be in this anthology with you and all the other authors. Thank you for lending your talent and enthusiasm and spirit to us!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
All of you are to be commended for your contributions in writing, editing, cover art, publication, and promotion. Thank you.
One of the ladies I play spades with is fighting this disease. I think it is her second round of fighting it. My mother-in-law had a masectomy in the mid 1990’s and hasn’t ahd any return of hers.
Allison, it was such a pleasure working with you and the other contributors, and I agree, Edie and Misty are all kinds of awesome.
My family has always supported the Salvation Army, and I’ve carried that on. I’ve also always support the Cancer Foundation and I’m happy to add the BCRF to my list.
The Make a Wish Foundation is always my favorite charity whenever I have an opportunity to donate. A child’s fondest wish is sometimes the most simple.
I am passionate about getting young kids to love learning. I volunteer my time tutoring kids in kindergarten through 5th grade to LOVE math. I have spent countless hours, blood, sweat and tears. And don’t even get me started on the money. But it is worth it because these kids are the future and they deserve every opportunity to succeed. I will now step off my soap box before I get really started and can’t stop!
Great post, Allison. As you know, this is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. I’ve had over 10 recurrences in the last eight or so years and I’d absolutely love to see a cure during my lifetime.
Being asked to participate in this anthology was a thrill and it was an honor to work with so many talented people.