Running, a political thriller by West Hartford writer Patrice Fitzgerald, combines the appeal of a classic action thriller with the personal touch of contemporary fiction, opens at the Democratic National Convention when Vice President Young is nominated and finds herself in a two-woman race for president. Fitzgerald first conceived of the plot when former President Bill Clinton became infamous for sexual shenanigans in the Oval Office. The author wondered whether behavior acceptable in a male candidate would be more shocking in a woman… and a story was born.

Encouraged by her success as a self-published writer, the author formed eFitzgerald Publishing in West Hartford. The small independent press has released eight other books since being founded in the summer of 2011. Titles include Canton author Anne Kelleher's "How David Met Sarah," a gentle love story written from the point of view of a young man with Down's syndrome, which is the first of two novels currently available in the planned five-book series. 

Upcoming releases from the fledgling indie press include another thriller by a debut author, four paranormal romances, a historical fiction trilogy, a cozy mystery series, a book of poetry, and the sequel to Running.

eFitzgerald Publishing is particularly interested in hearing from previously published authors of genre books whose rights have reverted.    

Fitzgerald has been interviewed many times in connection with her self-publishing success, including by Colin McEnroe on National Public Radio, on Bill Thompson's DC-based podcast The Bookcast, by New York Writing Careers Examiner Tad Richards, and on West Hartford's own WHC-TV with "Camera's Rolling" host Marsha Howard.

The author, an attorney who practiced intellectual property law for 15 years, has lived in West Hartford since 1985.  Running is available in print and electronic formats via Amazon and online through Barnes & Noble.

                       

One-fanged vampires, volkaanes breathe life into the vampire genre

San Diego, CA - Scott Prussing's Blue Fire Saga books, set locally in Middletown, CT, are not your typical vampire novels. In Breathless, book one in the four book (so far) series, vampires serve as the catalyst for the story, rather than as the main characters. For the male lead, Prussing created a new supernatural creature called a volkaane. Human in appearance, volkaanes hunt and slay vampires by means of a magical inner fire. Prussing also invented one-fanged vampires called grafhym who are crippled versions of the real thing. Though they possess the same thirst for blood as their two-fanged cousins, they are unable to impart vampire powers to their victims. A bite from a grafhym sets the whole saga in motion. The Blue Fire Saga books can be found in ebook form at Amazon.com, or readers can order signed print copies from www.scottprussing.com. 

Shy college freshman Leesa Nyland has heard about one-fanged vampires all her life—her mother has long claimed she was bitten by one. No one believes the preposterous story, but her mother has refused to go outside during the day for many years. Her dysfunctional behavior and parenting has left Leesa a socially awkward young woman, but when Leesa's beloved older brother mysteriously disappears, she is determined to do whatever it takes to find him. She meets a gorgeous guy named Rave and is soon immersed in a world she never imagined existed. Leesa doesn't understand why Rave won't use modern appliances like cell phones and cars, and is even more puzzled by his refusal to kiss her. When Rave reveals his volkaane nature saving her from a rogue vampire, Leesa finally understands—the heat from Rave's kiss could kill her.

The Blue Fire Saga is a modern fantasy/romance in the mode of Twilight, True Blood and Vampire Diaries, but with enough new ideas to excite even the most devoted fans.

"There is a huge vampire fan base out there I wanted to tap into," Prussing explains, "but at the same time, I didn't want to write 'just another' vampire novel. That's been done and overdone. I think the creation of volkaanes and grafhym adds something totally new and exciting. As I moved into books two and three in the series, I added zombies and wizards to the mix." Prussing seems to have accomplished his goal of creating something original. One reviewer wrote that Breathless "breathes new life into the vampire genre." Another called the saga "a unique, creative, fresh approach to the vampire genre."

For additional information about Scott Prussing or his Blue Fire Saga books visit www.scottprussing.com.