Maria Elizabeth Romana is a second-generation Italian-American with a background in mathematics, business, and research. In other words, she’s a straight-up geek…with tomato sauce stuck in her computer keyboard. By day, she’s all numbers, but at night, she transforms into Word Woman, writing about the same kinds of people and places and events that colored her make-believe world as a child. Maria prefers characters who are smart, sensitive, and strong-willed, but like you and me, not without flaws. As far as she’s concerned, there’s nothing more annoying than a heroine who’s TSTL (too stupid to live), but one who’s Barbie-doll perfect is even worse. Maria likes to give her characters some cool mysteries to solve, crises to encounter, and folks to fall in love with, and she tries to do it all with a dash of humor. (Oh, and full disclosure: the headshot is at least ten years old. Maria has a lot more wrinkles and gray hair now. ;)) Connect with Maria:
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| Maria Elizabeth Romana | |
 | The Unbreakable Series *** 2010 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner *** When a dedicated researcher learns a bit too much about her client's new drug, the horrors from her past seem destined to return. Just as her life begins to spin out of control, a dashing computer security expert arrives from South America and seems the perfect antidote. But is his sudden arrival just the happy coincidence it seems? Find out in these three novels that take the reader on a roller coaster ride of mystery, romance, and suspense—until the very last page. |
 | The Gifted Ones Series Grace Nagle has had more than her share of tragedy in thirty-three years, but she’s finally settled into a solitary and quiet life raising her teenaged niece Ellie…quiet, that is, as long as she can keep Ellie in the dark about a certain genetic gift that runs in the family. When Ellie’s frightening encounter with the handsome new boy in town exposes the truth, however, the two are forced to flee to a mysterious mountain retreat. At first, Ellie is thrilled with her new life and her new, Gifted friends, and can’t understand her aunt’s trepidation. But when it becomes clear that Grace’s fears are not unfounded, Ellie learns that “different” isn’t always better. And sometimes, it means running for your life. |
- The Gifted Ones Book 3 Now Available!
I promised Book 3 of The Gifted Ones series for Halloween, and here it is. The Animator focuses on a Gifted One you’ve already met, and a certain lady he’s very taken with. This is the official blurb: Ellie’s Aunt Grace has always had a love/hate relationship with The Gifted … Continue reading
- Cover Reveal for The Gifted Ones, Book 3
Still lots of editing to do on this puppy, but we’ve got a nice cover done, so I thought I’d float it out in the world and see what people think. Anyone who’s not sighing over this rugged-yet-thoughtful cowboy is clearly not into guys. But if that’s the case, that’s … Continue reading
- Worse Ways to Spend Your Weekend
Well, how-dee! Yes, there surely are worse ways to spend your weekend, but I have to admit, after staring at about a thousand pictures of handsome cowboys the past few days, my eyes are bugging out. I’ve been searching for just the right model and just right the pose for … Continue reading
- Leaked Pics of What Heaven Looks Like
A friend of mine shared this on Facebook, and I had to pass it along. I am a dog lover of the highest order, as I believe they’re the very best creatures on this earth—and apparently, in the next realm, as well!. If you feel the same way, pass it … Continue reading
- Win an iPad!
Just thought I’d bring your attention to this awesome giveaway. A FREE iPad or equivalent value. There’s a lot of Rafflecopter clickng involved, but hey, an iPad is worth $600. That’s a pretty nice prize! So spend 5 or 10 minutes over there, enter the giveaway, and meet some cool … Continue reading
- Under The Covers
Conventional ebook publishing wisdom has it that changing up your covers every so often is a good marketing move. You can revitalize an older book or series and draw in new readers by giving your product a whole new look, or so the recommendation goes. If it works for politicians … Continue reading
- Historic Shopping Mall Repurposed as Urban Living Space
Those who know me (or read this blog) know that I have a bizarre obsession with the tiny house trend. Ever since I was a kid, I was fascinated with “little living spaces” like the insides of campers or boats or the homes I carved out inside the massive snowbanks … Continue reading
- Free $5 Coupon for B&N Nook Store
Here’s a FREE five bucks for ya, compliments of the good folks at B&N. Just download the Nook app to your phone or tablet and try it out, and they’ll give you a $5 credit for the Nook store, so you can buy the Nook Books of your choice. But … Continue reading
- The Gifted Ones Book 2: A Learner
In case anyone missed it, last week we released the second book in The Gifted Ones series, as promised, on pi Day (3/14/15), though we didn’t quite make the 9:26 AM deadline to really give it the geeky math mojo (3.1415926). The book is available in all the usual outlets—just … Continue reading
- Amazon $25,000 Sweepstakes and Free Apps & Games
The Amazon Android Appstore is celebrating its fourth birthday today by setting 105 paid apps and games free and offering a $25,000 sweepstakes. Amazon is anxious to start getting a bigger piece of the Android app market (well, okay, they’re anxious to get a bigger piece of every market 🙂 … Continue reading
- The Gifted Ones Book 2 Cover Reveal
Argh! Here I go, once again, madly in love with my own, sadly, fictional creation. Meet Daniel Holybear, another of the Gifted Ones, and a descendant of the Manitoke Indian tribe in eastern North Carolina. When a nearby construction project uncovers an ancient artifact on tribal lands, Daniel calls in … Continue reading
- Niagara Falls Freezes Over
Well, I’ve never been to Hell, but I’ve been to Niagara Falls, and I’ve never seen it like this! As a matter of fact, I was born in Niagara Falls and still have a few die-hard relatives up there. I hope they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to see it … Continue reading
- High School — Then and Now — Is This What We Want?
Go read this thing. It’s meant to be funny, but it’s so, so accurate. Is this really the direction we want our country to be heading? Where everyone is scared to death of everything that might possibly, conceivably, someday hurt them in some way? The world is not a safe … Continue reading
- Ah, Selecting the Perfect Christmas Gift
I saw this cartoon over at The Meta Picture, and couldn’t help but relate it to what I’ve been feeling for the last week or so. When Christmas shopping for loved ones, you want to find that perfect gift—that item that says “I know you. I know what you like. … Continue reading
- Rolling Stone Rape Story Reversal
So wow, you try to blog about stuff you learn from reliable, respected news sources, and look what happens. This week, Rolling Stone totally backpedaled on their blockbuster gang rape story from last week. Apparently, whatever they figured out in the last seven days, they were unable to determine in … Continue reading
- Rape is NOT an Honor Code Violation
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last week, you’ve no doubt read, seen, or at least heard about this Rolling Stone exposé detailing one young woman’s horrifying experience of gang rape at a UVA fraternity house. I recommend reading the article on an empty stomach, because the … Continue reading
- A Betty Crocker Thanksgiving
As any of you who read me regularly have probably gathered, I am no Betty Crocker and sure as hell not Martha Stewart. It’s not that I don’t like to cook or clean or decorate my house, so much as there are a hundred other things I’d rather be doing. … Continue reading
- Why Do Teens Want to Argue about Everything?
A couple nights ago, after yet another silly argument between my husband and our teenage daughters over who-knows-what, he looked me and asked, “Why do they want to turn every little thing into an argument? And why do I let them suck me into it?” I had to bite my … Continue reading
- Kids Love Realistic Barbie Doll
Here’s a great piece from Time about Nickolay Lamm’s new Lammily doll. Lammily is a Barbie-type doll that looks realistic, or as the kids who first tested her out put it, “She looks like my sister.” The doll is proportioned more like a typical teenager, complete with optional acne, moles, … Continue reading
- Double-Blind or Double-Barrelled?
Anyone who’s read the Unbreakable series knows I have strong opinions about Big Pharma. What they may not know is that those opinions are based on my own experience working as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry. Ten years of massaging the numbers left me a permanent skeptic. Every time … Continue reading
- Amazon Scholarships Available
I just happened to stumble upon this today–Amazon is offering $250,000 in college scholarships and book money to eligible current college students and high school seniors. All you have to do is join Amazon Student, which is free, and fill out the scholarship application. It’s a merit-based scholarship, so if … Continue reading
- Native American Indians be like “Columbus Who?”
So I’m working on my next book. It’s the second in The Gifted Ones series, and deals with a mystery from the American pre-Colonial era and has a couple major characters who are Native American Indians. As a result, I’ve been brushing up on the history of that period and … Continue reading
- Yes, I’m an Introvert
I saw this on Pinterest today and just had to share. It’s so-o-o me! I live in my head. People often remark that my husband and I seem to have the reverse relationship of most couples—when we’re in public, he is the social one, chattering away with everyone he meets, … Continue reading
- St. George Island Tiny House
One of the cutest and best designed tiny houses I’ve ever seen. If you’re a fan, hobbyist, or just curious about the tiny house movement or off-grid living, check out the interior and other details.
- Johnny Depp Redux
The Disgraceful Entrapment of Jesse Snodgrass: Keep the Narcs Out of Our SchoolsJust read this piece by Darcia Helle. It’s amazing, and it’s just what she says: disgraceful. This is an example of law enforcement at its absolute worst—using our children to further their own agendas and budgets, and having … Continue reading
- Eat Like Nobody’s Watching
Or dance, sing, whatever. Me? I’m in bed with a bag of Oreos.
- Make up your own words!
But the difference between Shakespeare and the rest of us is that his made-up words got added to the dictionary, and then we had to learn them! His additions to our vocabulary include zany, generous, frugal, courtship, undress, and one of my personal favorites, rant. Read more about it here: … Continue reading
- Halloween Pumpkin Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Halloween Pumpkin Stuffed Peppers make the perfect Fall meal. Continue reading - Catholics Fight Obama on Religious Freedom
Catholic leaders file suit against the Obama administration for forcing them to act against their beliefs. Continue reading - Little Miss Straight Lace Spiderman Sample
Learn a little about the "spider man" in this weekly sample of Little Miss Straight Lace. Continue reading - Join an Amazon Tagging Thread
If you're ready to take your book sales to a new level, learn how to increase your book's visibility with an Amazon tagging thread. Continue reading - Sell More Books with Amazon Tagging
Book tagging is a unique marketing technique available to authors and publishers on Amazon.com. Learn how to take advantage of this free and easy tool to increase your book's visibility. Continue reading - Can You Tell a Book by its Cover
Little Miss Straight Lace sports a brand new look. Take a peek under the cover(s). Continue reading - L.A. Caveman Book Review
L.A. Caveman by Christina Crooks. $2.99 from Smashwords. L.A. Caveman is a pure romance with a sexy air that pits hero against heroine in the modern-day corporate world. Continue reading - The Kissing Room Book Review
The Kissing Room by Cheryl Anne Gardner. $1.99 from Smashwords. The Kissing Room is a dark tale of loss, pain, and desperation, but at the same time, a compelling and powerful love story. Continue reading - Halse Anderson’s “Speak” Labeled Pornography
Go back to a future where book banning is a reality, as you read about a modern-day evangelist who is on a crusade to remove quality reading material from a local school system's curriculum. Continue reading - Rogue Wave Book Review
Rogue Wave by Maureen Miller. $1.49 from Smashwords. Rogue Wave is a lush romantic suspense, complete with modern-day pirates, set in the exotic scenery of the Hawaiian islands. Continue reading - Not What She Seems Book Review
Not What She Seems by Victorine Lieske. $2.99 from Amazon. Not What She Seems gets high marks for plot complexity, fast pace, and a sprinkling of humor. Continue reading - Color Me Grey Book Review
Color Me Grey by J.C. Phelps. $4.99 from Smashwords. Color Me Grey is a pro-female action/adventure that is long on story without a lot of messy relationship details. Continue reading - Reunion Book Review
Reunion by J.L. Penn. $2.99 from Smashwords. Reunion is a lighthearted and witty yet suspenseful story about how an innocent Facebook reunion with an old high school crush turns one woman’s life upside down. Continue reading - Healing Touch Book Review
Healing Touch by Jenna Anderson. $0.99 from Smashwords. Divorced mother of one, Tracy Campbell is trying her best to stay out of small town gossip. A mysterious lump on her throat is making it hard. Handsome Dr. Jeremy Nelson is making it harder. Continue reading
