Lost in the Light is 30% off today on the Kobo! Code: SPRINGSALE http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Lost-in-the-Light/book-2a6A0Hw9fEqdGtbzP-VmOA/page1.html

Cover reveal: Girl in the Mist

Short story 1.5 in the Dori Orihuela paranormal mystery series
 E-book only $1.99
Available April 11, 2013 - Newsletter subscribers can get it tomorrow, Friday, April 5! Sign up here

From the back cover: When we last left Dori Orihuela, she received a shocking message slipped to by her high school flame, Gavin Salazar.

Girl in the Mist picks up where we left these two lovers as Gavin sweeps Dori off to a romantic weekend in Carmel, California. Their charming cottage, hidden in the cypress trees, holds a dark secret. A young woman appears in the mist, not knowing her name or how long she's been dead. When Dori tries to find out what happened to this broken young spirit, everyone she encounters refuse to speak of what happened.

Dori also has a few secrets of her own that she's hoping never to tell Gavin ... even if holding onto them could destroy the best thing that's ever happened to her.

 Haven't read Lost in the Light? Get the book today and catch up before Girl in the Mist is released!

HOW I ALMOST DIDN’T SELL HOT TAMARA

In July 2004 I attended RWA’s National Conference during what had to have been the gloomiest, muggiest New York summer ever known to a woman in heels and nylons. Even worse, I almost did something very stupid. Actually two. First, I hadn’t signed up for any agent and editor appointments to pitch my 100,000-word contemporary romance known at the time as, “Her Mother’s Daughter.” Second, I almost didn’t attend Harper Collins Avon publisher spotlight during which all of the editors would talk about that their books and what they were looking for.

You see, I arrived in New York having just been rejected by an agent the week before. We had been working together exclusively on revisions for nearly six months. After three drafts, she decided that my book was not a project she could get behind.

On day two of the conference, I knew that drastic measures needed to be taken to achieve my childhood dream of seeing one of my stories in the hands of readers. So I sat down at the Avon Spotlight session  and during the Q&A I almost didn’t raise my hand. But I must’ve channeled the spirit of Wonder Woman to stand up in front of 300 people to ask if the editors if they were looking for a book that sounded suspiciously like mine. Selina McLemore, one of the editors on the panel, grabbed the mic and said, “SEND IT TO ME!”

Selina read the manuscript in record time and then we discussed the changes she wanted me to make. I listened with mounting horror as she suggested that I cut the story line of Tamara’s best friend, Isa. But I took one last look at that story and said farewell to Isa after promising her that she’d get her own book. During my lunch hour, at night and on weekends, I trimmed that 100,000-word manuscript down to 89,000 words.

Three weeks later, the book went back to Selina. For two more weeks I pretended that it was perfectly normal to check my email, my cell phone and my answering machine every two minutes. But then on Monday, Nov. 10, 2004 I came home after a really busy day at work and saw that I missed Selina’s call. Talk about a long night.

At 7:10 a.m. the following morning I got a good luck kiss from my husband, went into my office and held onto my good luck rock as I called Selina. While my husband and our two pugs waited at the door, I braced myself for the old line: “We really like your writing, but this book just isn’t Latina enough for us. Keep us in mind for future projects.” So it took a moment for the words to process after Selina said she wanted to buy my book. I might have even asked her to repeat that, but I’m not really sure. I do remember saying, “thank you” and “may I call you back” before hanging up. I think I cried. I know I hugged my husband and then called my mom, my best friend and then my grandma. But I kept thinking it couldn’t be real. The next day, I said yes to Selina’s offer with absolutely no idea that Hot Tamara would become a “Red Hot Read” in Cosmopolitan Magazine, or that it helped other authors publish their books.

Eight years and seven books later, I’m still a bit surprised when a reader emails me out of the blue to tell me how much they loved Hot Tamara. I’ve never quite gotten used to the idea that people I may never meet in person are really reading my words and entering the secret world of my characters! But it’s truly a pleasure to connect with you. For me connecting is what publishing – whether through the traditional publishers or not, print or e-book – is really about. When the reader takes the journey with the characters and then puts it down with a smile on her face, my job has been done. Thanks so much everyone for giving me the opportunity to be in your lives, even if for a moment.  I can’t wait for you to read what is coming next!

READ AN E-BOOK WEEK DEAL: LOST IN THE LIGHT FOR $2.50

Haven’t read the book that Samantha March called “captivating?” Like gothics, paranormal mysteries, haunted houses and ghost stories? Then you’ll love Lost in the Light that takes from my family history as well as my own experiences living in a haunted house. Also, you might want to get caught up before its short story sequel,Girl in the Mist arrives sooner than you think!

Use the discount code: REW50 at Smashwords to get a copy for your Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, etc! Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. on 3/9/13.

Praise for Lost in the Light:

“This book captivated me. The ending might have been my favorite. One of my favorite mystery reads of the year, and one to get your to-read list!”
- Samantha March, Chick Lit Plus

4.5 Lightning Bolts
“Lost In The Light is an enchanting story that takes the reader from present to the past. Full of mystery, emotion, and a plot that keeps the readers on their toes, I couldn’t peel my eyes away. Ms. Castillo, you’ve got a new fan. I can’t wait for more!”
- Storm Goddess Book Reviews

Four stars
“I haven’t read a mystery novel in quite some time.  This one definitely reminded me of why I enjoy them so much.  Lost in the Light is an enjoyable story that flips between the Prohibition in the 1920′s/1930′s and the present. And who doesn’t love a good ghost story!  Ghost shows up in your house, haunts you, asks you for favors and basically tells you what to do constantly… gotta love it!”
- Lost in Literature

“The story is a page turner with old flames, sexy ghosts, family obligations that we all contend with, humor, and bonds with new female friends.”
- Sandra Ramos O’Briant

Four stars
“I think that the author weaves a fantastic tale through both worlds and we kind of see Dori evolve and grow through her experience and even able to allow her self to depend on others. I think this book is definitely worth picking up if you like a good historical mystery, with a touch of paranormal and a dash of romance. I will have to check out more of Ms. Castillo’s novels in the future.”
- Ramblings of a Semi Housewife

“Castillo created an interesting, and expertly woven tale that is fraught with romance and mystery. Dori’s guardedness, Vicente’s rough edges and Grammy’s spunkiness all made for very real characters and good story telling. Castillo knows how to dish up a story with some spice, and I’ll be looking forward to more adventures from Castillo in the future.”
- Cellar Door Lit Rants & Reviews

“Mary Castillo has written such a rich and compelling novel… I was pretty much glued to this book. To say I was behind Dori the whole way is an understatement. I love her!”
- Whoopeeyoo! Reviews