The Open Road Blog

This featured excerpt is a must-read for fans of paranormal fiction, romance and fast-paced thrillers. In the words of one Nook reader, “I became totally immersed in this novel right away, finishing it in record time; I never wanted it to end.”

Sample an excerpt of Never Cry Wolf by rising paranormal romance author Cynthia Eden below. (And if you wish to get an event longer excerpt, get an excerpt for your Nook or Nook apps here and your Kindle and Kindle apps here. You can also download the ebook instantly from Kobo Books or the Apple iBookstore.)...

Today we bring you an excerpt from the bestselling golf book of all time: Golf in the Kingdom. Originally released in the early 1970's, Golf in the Kingdom is now a classic in sports literature. But if you ask anyone who has read it, they'll tell you the same thing—this book is about so much more than golf. By turns comic, philosophical, mythic, and autobiographical, this tale traces the arc of twenty-four hours—from a round of golf on one of the most beautiful courses in Scotland to a night fueled by whiskey, wisdom, and wandering. As one Amazon reviewer said, ...

Earlier this summer, the creative folks over at Myouterspace.com rolled out a flash fiction contest inspired by NASA’s Phoenix expedition (the 2008 unmanned mission to Mars). Fittingly, the judge—and muse—for the contest was Andrew Kessler, whose new book, Martian Summer, details what it was actually like to work on this mission.

Through what he calls “winning the nerd lottery,” Kessler was able to spend three months alongside some of the most brilliant and under-recognized planetary scientists in the world, becoming the first outsider ever to be granted unfettered access to NASA’s mission control. The drama, excitement, tension, and ...

It is with great pleasure that we share this week's featured except from Mama Ruby. In Mama Ruby, New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe presents an unforgettable tale featuring Mama Ruby, the indomitable heroine of her acclaimed novel The Upper Room. Now readers will get a peek into Ruby’s early years, as she transforms from a spoiled small-town girl into one of the South’s most notorious and volatile women. Click here for the previous Excerpt of the Week from Ira Levin's This Perfect Day.

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Chapter One

Shreveport, Louisiana, 1934

Nobody ever had to ...

As part of its monthly Watt to Read series, Wattpad is featuring some of the most exciting writers in romance: Cynthia Eden, who writes sensual stories with dark twists; Alexandra Ivy, who pens paranormal romance filled with vampires and strong, capable heroines; and Richelle Mead, bestselling author of urban fantasy for both adults and teens.

Hop over to hear Cynthia Eden express her abiding love of monsters, and to cruise the countryside in a red Corvette with Alexandra Ivy. Also featured are two slick videos of Richelle Mead: first, a glimpse into Richelle’s hometown and inspirations; second, the author’s favorite ...

“A good writer is basically a storyteller, not a scholar or a redeemer of mankind.” —Isaac Bashevis Singer 

(Beverly Barton's favorite quote)

Our friend, colleague, and beloved author Beverly Barton died suddenly on April 20, 2011, of heart failure. Beverly was a sixth-generation Alabamian and a Southern belle with a classic drawl and timeless persona. Everyone who met her was instantly charmed by her warmth and truly caring spirit.

A wife, mother, and grandmother, Beverly valued her family above all else. Beverly has said that, “people who know me well will tell you that my family is more important to ...

Author Cynthia Eden shares her Mardi Gras photos. They make us want to join the parade next year!

"Most people don't realize that Mobile, Alabama, is actually the American home of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras began in Mobile way back in 1703, before the city of New Orleans was even created. Every year, thousands of people (hundreds of thousands, actually) come to Mobile to experience our Mardi Gras celebration. I’ve been attending Mobile’s Mardi Gras since I was a child, and I love the exciting times that come with this celebration."

Author Mary Monroe wasn't born with the strong, powerful voice that today is so inseparable from her image.

"My own family had to deal with racism on such an extreme level: we were called names, we got chased out of a few places, and so forth," she explains.

In this video, watch the Oakland storyteller share her own story—the story of a child born into an illiterate family who began writing narratives in secret at age seven. See Monroe explain how writing empowers her and how she draws inspiration from books and her environment.