Sunday 31 August 2014

Book Review: A Weaver's Web by Chris Pearce


A Weaver's Web
by Chris Pearce
Historical Fiction/Saga
3.5 Stars

Blurb:

Handloom weaver Henry Wakefield, his wife Sarah and their five children live in abject poverty in the Manchester area of the UK in the early 19th century at the time of the Industrial Revolution. Henry hates the new factories and won’t let his family work in them. He clashes with Sarah, a factory agent, a local priest and reformers, and son Albert runs away. The family are evicted and move to Manchester but are even worse off, living in a cellar in a terrace and have another little mouth to feed.

Henry’s love of money overrides his hatred of factories and he starts one of his own, but it is beset with problems. The Wakefields eventually become quite wealthy, but Henry holds the purse strings and this has a devastating effect on the family. Albert is caught stealing and is transported to New South Wales. Her baby’s death, Albert’s unknown fate and society parties become too much for Sarah, who hears voices and is taken to the lunatic asylum. Son Benjamin faces eviction from the family home for having a baby with an orphan girl too soon after their marriage.

Family members, including Sarah who has got out of the asylum and Albert who has returned to England unbeknown to Henry, have had enough and seek revenge.

Review:

Henry Wakefield is a handloom weaver around the time of the Industrial Revolution. He hates the new emerging factories, becuase he knows they will soon put him and other handweavers out of a job and he forbids his family from working in them, even though they would earn better money.

His long-suffering wife Sarah, tries to get him to see reason, but Henry is admanat - none of his family are to set foot in a factory. Their eldest son Albert runs away, fed up of having little money and eating even less. He finds work in Manchester as apprentice to a shoemaker, but is then kidnapped by factory agents who thinks he's an orphan. They make him work in a factory with other orphans, chained and fettered so they can't run away.

Evicted from their cottage, the Wakefields move to Manchester, but things only go from bad to worse.

I wanted to like this story more than I did. It's well written, well researched and you get a feel for the time and place, but it is just so depressing.

Misery upon misery just seemd to be heaped on the family - evicted from their home, then living a cellar which floods when it rains. Eking out meagre meals with what little money they have. Their son kidnapped and forced to work in a factory for pittance pay. Albert getting caught stealing and transported, Sarah ending up in an insane asylum. When Sarah gets pregnant again, instead of joy, Henry worries it's only going to be another mouth to feed and Sarah won't be able to work for a while. I don't know how Sarah put up with him.

Henry is one of the most dislikable characters I've ever read. He's quite happy to drink, gamble and whore his money away. One whore robbed him and he pretended he just lost the money in a puddle when he was drunk. He even sleeps in a chair with his trousers on, so Sarah won't find out how much money he actually has or lost at cards! I loathed him, I thought that might be too strong a word, but no. I'm trying to think of anything that might redeem him, but no, I can't think of a thing. He is just awful to his family and ends up being the worst sort of factory owner, even after he knew what his sons had gone through in those horrible places.

If you're looking for a fluffy, light-hearted read, this is not the book for you. But if you're after an historical story with a bit of revenge thrown in, then give this one a try.

Thursday 28 August 2014

Guest Post & Giveaway: Twinfinity Nethermore by Chris Podhola





Guest Post
The Invisible Wall
by Chris Podhola

It happened about forty thousand words in.  Everything was going great up until that point.  I wrote the first forty thousand words of Twinfinity: Nethermore in one week, words flowed like water pouring down a waterfall, ideas came like snowflakes in a blizzard, and the characters lived inside of me like cute, dangerous, or lively animals in a zoo.

But it didn’t last.

I hit that forty thousand word mark and it was suddenly as if I were driving down the expressway in the middle of Texas and I suddenly found myself out of gas.  I was stranded and the only option I had was to walk back in the direction in which I came.  The worst part about it was that it almost seemed like I thought I was in Texas, but in reality I was somewhere in Oklahoma by mistake.  I had no idea what to do.  The ideas totally dried up, I felt disconnected from the characters, and every word I wanted to write just seemed wrong to me, as if I suddenly no longer even understood the English language.  I was hopelessly stuck.

I guess I should point out that I’m not an outliner.  That is to say I’ve never been able to sit down and write an outline of a story before I’ve written it.  When I write I either sit down with a pen and paper and write, or I sit down in front of my computer and write.  I see the story as it unfolds and I write it as it comes.  Most of the time this works wonderfully, but sometimes I hit that invisible wall where I go off in the wrong direction, and I have to correct that in order to get beyond that invisible wall.

So I sat the project down for months and wrote other things for a while, but I desperately wanted to finish this novel.  For the first time in my life I knew that Twinfinity: Nethermore would be my first completed novel.  I knew that the idea was good.  I knew that the characters were good and I knew that it would be a story that readers would want to read.

If I could ever finish it.

So how did I overcome the dreaded “Writers Block?”

With the delete key of course.

This may not always be the solution to a blocked story—especially if the blockage comes as you begin to write the first page, but for me that’s never the way it happens.  For me, when writer’s block does come, it comes after that first major surge of writing ends.  This was the case with Nethermore, and the reason that it happened was that I had made things too easy for the twins and they got bored, so I got bored.  I ended up starting completely from scratch, with the same characters, but with a completely different theme and approach.

All in all the story seemed to flow nicely as long as I was headed down the corrected plot path, but as soon as I veered from that path, that’s when things always seemed to get foggy to me.  Every time I found myself getting blocked I’d set the story down for a short period of time and when I went back to it I’d always re-read what I had, figure out the places where the story wasn’t right, and as soon as I picked that portion out the story would seem to flow again.

The problem I had with Nethermore, more specifically, in the beginning, was that Whitney wasn’t originally blind and deaf.  When I wrote the original rough draft of Volume 1 Whitney could both see and hear.  I didn’t realize it at first but Whitney wasn’t satisfied with herself this way.  She became bored with the story and so did I and, therefore, the ideas quit coming to me.

It was as I was rewriting a scene that didn’t make it into the novel (the scene just didn’t apply at all after I realized my main character wasn’t supposed to be able to see or hear at all) that I realized who Whitney Leighton really was.  She was a girl that was both blind and deaf, but on top of that, she was also a girl who was living her life through her twin brother’s eyes and ears.  Once I figured that part out the story was much easier to write.

If you find yourself blocked you might want to consider erasing the wall instead of trying to figure out a way around it.  Find a part of the story that isn’t exactly right, delete it, and see if that doesn’t help you.

***

Twinfinity: Nethermore
Volume 1
Chris Podhola
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal,Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: May 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-1499625035
ASIN: B00KGZ41CM
Number of pages: 411
Word Count: 107,000
Cover Artist: Llpix.com

Book Description:

Whitney Leighton has a secret.  She is both blind and deaf but that’s not what she’s trying to keep hidden.  Her secret is that she can both see and hear through her twin brother Tommy.  They call it piggybacking because she can shift her consciousness into her brother’s mind.

Whitney’s not the only one with a secret; Tommy has one too and it’s Whitney that he’s keeping it from.  His secret is that Whitney isn’t who she’s supposed to be.  He has dreams of her, but in his dreams she has tattoos, battle-scars on her face, and a formidable look of determination.  If Tommy’s dreams come true then Whitney is in serious trouble and so is everyone else.  The simple Whitney that is, doesn’t stand a chance against the evil that exists in his sleep, and the world will be thrust into chaos.

The teen twins end up at Camp Tumbling Waters and Lake Amicolola where something is waiting for them.  Something as dark as Whitney’s vision and as insane as Tommy’s dreams and IT needs Whitney to escape the prison that IT calls … Nethermore.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nfmpW8Kn4wM

Available at Amazon


***

About the Author:

The author is a 43 year-old United States Air Force veteran of the first Iraq War.  This is his debut novel in the Twinfinity urban fantasy series.  He was born and raised in south-eastern Michigan and served his country in California, Germany, and Turkey.

http://twinfinitynethermore-novel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008110578089

http://www.amazon.com/Chris-Podhola/e/B00LZDKIEO/

https://plus.google.com/108904941895775375335/about

***

Tour giveaway:

2 $50 Amazon gift cards

5 free kindle copies

3 free paperbacks

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Book Spotlight & Author Interview Saving Jamie by Carol Braswell





Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
 
That is an interesting question. I have learned, after writing three books, that I like to plan the story first. Up until now I have run by the seat of my pants and encountered the dreaded 'saggy middle'. My awesome critique partner has been trying to get me to outline the story first. In the past I never knew which way the story would go and with an outline I can deviate in any direction the characters tell me to. I like having the story laid out first. So, now I'm a planner. That is until the next story.
 

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
 
Absolutely. In my first book, I told the story and it is a complete flop. The story is there but I didn't listen to the character. All of the characters direct the story. Sometime we argue about the direction but they always win. Who knows their story better than they do?

What is your favorite food?
 
I am crazy about creamy anything. I love Italian and Cajun. My favorite Italian meal is shrimp Alfredo and I love chicken gumbo. I love to cook and if I can get fresh shrimp I'll cook shrimp Creole. But my specialty is cakes and bread puddings. Thanks to a past co-worker I make an awesome white chocolate bread pudding.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
 
Most definitely a night owl. My creativity hits me around ten in the evening and I have been known to write until dawn. I guess it has something to do with the quite, dark night that makes me want to write. But no matter what time I go to bed, I can't sleep past eight in the morning. I am subject to take an hour nap now and then.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?
 
I want to go to Italy. I think Italian men are so sexy and I love the food. There is so much history and to walk among the ruins of the coliseum would be a dream come true. I don't read or write historical but I love to study it. My wonderful hubby and I travel around the U.S. and have been out of the country a few times and so far the people are so warm and friendly. I just think Italy would be so much fun. I might want to move there.

Do distant places feature in your books?
 
We spent two weeks in Glacier National Park one summer and Finding Amy starts in and around the area. My first book, which is being rewritten, is centered around South America and Mexico. We are planning a trip to Maine and I'm sure there will be a book waiting there for me to write.

Do you listen to music while writing?
 
That depends. If I am on my laptop I am in front of the television. It is usually turned down low. If I'm at my desk upstairs, there is music playing. The music I listen to depends on the scenes I'm writing. I have an instrumental tape with rain and thunder in the background that sets my creative juices flowing. I am a die-hard country music fan.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
 
Saving Jamie is about the stubborn identical twin of Amy Summers. She has no basic skills, married right out of high school, has a little girl who is four, and is trying to stay one step ahead of a powerful Colombian drug lord who wants the money her ex-husband stole. Jamie wants it, too. What she goes through to get the money gets her in hot water at every turn. It doesn't help that she has the hots for the FBI agent, Rex Garrett, who is trying to keep her safe.

What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
 
That the stories are the easy part. Putting them on paper, piece of cake and getting a publisher wasn't too hard. In my naive mind I just thought all I had to do was write the stories. Wrong. There is business planning, marketing, promotions, acquiring a fan base, finding beta readers, editors, and social media, to name a few. All areas I was unfamiliar with and had to learn. I'm still learning and I'm sure as soon as I get it down, the rules will change.

Is there anything you would do differently?
 
Read and attend classes on the craft before ever starting the first story. Some talented writers have the ability to write a best seller on their first attempt but most of us don't. I would absorb everything I could. That still might not get me a best seller but I won't stop trying.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
 
Liliana Hart got the wheels rolling and the Indie Revolution keeps them turning. There is so much opportunity for writers now that wasn't available a few years ago and if you don't try, you will miss out.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
 
Write the best book you can write. I have never met a successful author who wasn't happy to give advice and tips. Listen to them. They have been where we are trying to go and know what to expect.

What are three words that describe you?
 
Motivated, determined, and happy.

What's your favorite book or who is your favorite writer?
 
Anything Janet Evanovich writes. She is so funny.

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
 
The only thing standing between the cartel who is hunting her and Jamie is FBI agent Rex Garrett, but he can’t protect her when she disobeys orders. When a dead body turns up and evidence places Jamie at the scene she becomes the number one suspect. Will he have to arrest the woman he’s come to care about or will he find her dead?

Jamie Kenner is abducted and barely escapes with her life, but a head injury leaves what memory she has almost useless. With her head exploding in pain and no memory of why she finds help with a reclusive, yet kindly old rancher, something isn’t right. Fear haunts her. A secret is locked inside her head and someone is willing to kill for it.

List of previous books if any
 
When The Past Came Back (out of print and being rewritten)
Finding Amy (8/2013)
Saving Jamie (8/2014)

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
 






Title: Saving Jamie
Author: Carol Braswell
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Her secret can get her killed! 

The only thing standing between Jamie and the Cartel is FBI agent Rex Garret, but he can’t protect her when she disobeys orders. When a dead body turns up and evidence places Jamie at the scene she becomes the number one suspect. Will he have to arrest the woman he’s come to care about or will he find her dead?

Can he save her this time?

Jamie Kenner barely escapes abduction alive, but at what cost? A traumatic head injury leaves what little memory she has left almost useless. An unlikely friendship with a reclusive, but kind rancher eases her pain and frustration. Yet something isn’t right. Fear haunted her. A secret is locked inside her head, dancing just out of reach…a secret someone is willing to kill for.

***

Excerpt:

Taking several deep breaths, she shut her eyes and wiped her wet hands on her dripping wet designer jeans. Bending over, she scratched the wet ground for the special black rock she buried a couple of years ago. “Damn.” She dug her fingers into the mud until the rock appeared and another nail cracked. It wasn’t anything that couldn’t be fixed but it ticked her off. She shouldn’t have to do this but she didn’t trust anyone else.

Her fingers gripped the key and she stood to unlock the gate. Her finger’s shook as she tried to fit the key in the small hole. She sensed someone behind her just before a hairy arm snaked around her neck. A gruff voice whispered in her ear, “If you scream, I’ll slit your throat.”

The sharp knife pierced the skin on her neck again and another man stepped in front of her and grinned, flashing two gold teeth. He placed duct tape over her mouth, snuffing out the scream that rose in her throat. Her arms were forced back, fastened with zip ties, and the keys to the house and gate were ripped from her hand. Jamie’s heart drummed heavily in her ears. She wanted to run but her legs had turned to rubber.  She heard the gate click closed and the two men drug her around the pool to the back door of her old home.

“Oh, crap,” she thought. What the hell was going on? Who were they?

***

About the Author:

Carol Braswell has been writing since 1994. She took it seriously three years ago when a newspaper story caught her eye and Finding Amy was born. But Amy had an identical twin and her story had to be told as well. Saving Jamie dictated her story, Carol listened and Jamie’s adventure came to life.

“Several beta readers told me they didn’t like Jamie in the first book. That’s exactly how I wanted her to come across. But I had to redeem her in Saving Jamie. My editor said I had.”

Mrs. Braswell says she writes what she loves to read. That is a lot of suspense and a little romance thrown in to keep the emotions flowing. Her page turners keep you on the edge wondering just what will happen next. And you never have to wait long for a hunt and capture or a steamy roll in the sheets. Her books are loaded with both.

At present Mrs. Braswell is working on three books and plans to release two more after re-writes. “It is a daunting task, to say the least, but will be well worth the effort.”

She lives in east Texas with her hero husband who can fix anything and three very spoiled Maltese. She says her home was built for comfort and tranquility. Hubby built her a pergola where she escapes to writes.

Links

https://www.facebook.com/#!/carolbraswellauthor

https://twitter.com/AuthorCarolB

www.carolbraswell.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/carolbraswell

http://cbraswell2.bravejournal.com/

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Free Book Spotlight & Giveaway The Frost of Springtime by Rachel L. Demeter



FREE EBOOK PROMO BLITZ
Historical Romance
Date Published: February 14, 2014
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing, LLC

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To rescue her was to rescue his own soul.

On a cold Parisian night, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre forges an everlasting bond with a broken girl during her darkest hour, rescuing her from a life of abuse and misery. Tormented by his own demons, he finds his first bit of solace in sheltering little Sofia Rose.

But when Aleksender is drawn away by the Franco-Prussian war, the seasons pass. And in that long year, Sofia matures into a stunning young woman—a dancer with an understanding of devotion and redemption far surpassing her age.

Alongside his closest friend, Aleksender returns home to find that “home” is gone, replaced by revolution, bloodshed, betrayal—and a love always out of reach. Scarred inside and out, he’s thrust into a world of sensuality and violence—a world in which all his hours have now grown dark, and where only Sofia might bring an end to the winter in his heart.

Inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, The Frost of Springtime is a poignant tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love.







EXCERPT

She smiled and reached for his face. “Let me have you in the most intimate of ways, let me give you a part of myself that no other man may touch. Make me yours forever.”


Aleksender responded with his caress. Broad, weathered hands skimmed over the valley of her curves as he traced each and every bend. He pressed a wet line of kisses down her neck, her torso—felt a sharp intake of breath as he ventured lower … lower …


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About the Author

Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and high school sweetheart of ten years. She enjoys writing dark, edgy romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and examine the redeeming power of love.

Imagining stories and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mom would jot them down for her. She has a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether sculpting the protagonist or antagonist, she always ensures that every character is given a soul.

Rachel strives to intricately blend elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some common themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness. Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.

Author Links




Buy Links

THE FROST OF SPRINGTIME KINDLE EDITION IS FREE ON AMAZON AUGUST 25-29!!




GIVEAWAY

$5 Amazon Gift Card
5 signed “The Frost of Springtime” bookmarks
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Saturday 23 August 2014

Book Spotlight: Alpha Wolf's Pet Hidden by Eva Gordon





Suspenseful Steamy Werewolf Romance
This series is intended for a mature adult (over 18 years old) audience.
Alpha Wolf’s Pet
Hidden, Book 1
By Eva Gordon

Mia’s testimony against Russian mobsters forced her to enter the witness protection program. She is relocated to a quaint cottage in Wolf Woods, near Mt. Rainier, far from everyone and everything she loved and cared for. All is calm, until she meets Dominic, the gorgeous ruggedly handsome owner of the mysterious Wolfe Estate. He is all alpha male, domineering, and controlling. The last thing she needs is to get involved with a sexy control freak.

Alpha werewolf, Dominic Wolfe, is the packs’ enforcer. When an attractive young woman moves into a cottage near his territory; his senses are heightened to obsessive proportions. A human pet to meet his desires.

Dominic is determined to unveil Mia’s real identity while keeping his own securely hidden. Haunted by the howls and shrieks coming from Dominic’s estate, Mia wonders if she can really trust the enigmatic man she suspects of wanting a dominant-submissive relationship. A man who brings out her darker desires. Will hidden danger keep them from gratifying their burning passion?


Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble (Nook) | Smashwords

Her Alpha Wolf’s Pet series, Hidden, Book 1 will continue with Book 2 Kept, and Book 3 Hunted.
Find out more about future books in Eva Gordon’s Alpha Wolf’s Pet series and her other paranormal, fantasy and steampunk books at www.ravenauthor.com


***

About the Author:

I write genre bending paranormal/fantasy novels with a strong romantic element. HEA. I love to create stories that combine my passion for mythology, romance, and suspense and werewolf lore. I also write steampunk and Victorian era historical novels.

I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. When not in my den writing, I enjoy world travel, steampunk conventions, hiking, raptor rehabilitation and wolf sanctuaries.

I also teach online workshops on wolf lore ancient falconry and animal lore for Romance Writers of America and other writer groups. If you are interested in my workshops, please contact me.

Learn more about Eva Gordon below

Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002GO5N14

Awarding Winning Author of Epic and Steamy Paranormal/Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Website | Blog | Amazon Author Page | Like Page on Face Book | Goodreads  | Twitter




Friday 22 August 2014

Guest Post & Giveaway: Captured Lies by Maggie Thom





Guest Post
Thinking of Becoming a Writer?
by Maggie Thom

If you are thinking about becoming a writer or maybe you're a writer but really don't consider yourself one, there are some things that you should know. Writing is one of those crafts that is truly amazing and can take you away to so many places. The best part is that you get to create people, places, things, creatures and you get to decide what happens to them all. But it's not as simple as people make it sound.

1. Writing is an amazing craft but it takes a lot of time and dedication to it, so be prepared to park your behind to do it.

2. Procrastination will become your best friend... avoid it at all costs. It really is rather devious as you will find that you become very proficient at other skills - like cleaning, laundry, doing errands, washing your dog, etc. - all things you'd never thought would be something you'd end up doing for hours just to avoid writing.

3. Some people will love your work and some people won't, recognize that your writing isn't for everyone. And that's okay.

4. Friends and family will try to help but know that you will be given a lot of advice as to what type of stories you should write or how you should add in some new elements into the one you have.

5. Talk to readers and talk to authors, get as much feedback as you can about what they like to read and what makes a compelling story.

6. Get feedback on the stories that you write, find readers and writers to give you feedback. Try to make sure that those people are willing to give you honest, constructive criticism. It will truly help you to strengthen and expand your writing.

The best advice I can give is to focus on your writing and your love of writing, it truly will make it so much easier. Some different things may happen that can be discouraging but try not to focus on the negative. Learn your craft, practice your craft, do your craft and share your craft. Know that you have a gift and you get to decide what to do with it but also know that stepping into your gifts and talents will be the greatest gift you can give yourself. Write for the love of it.

***

Captured Lies
by Maggie Thom
Book #1 The Caspian Wine Series
Suspense/Thriller
Date Published: October 2012

 
She was kidnapped not once but twice and now someone wants her dead because of it...

Her life was a lie!

Bailey knew her upbringing wasn’t normal but she’s worked hard to stabilize her life. At 29, she finally has a good business, a stable home; her life is miles from that of her childhood. Then suddenly her mother dies, leaving a gaping hole and a discovery that they may not even be related. If Guy, the private investigator is to be believed, her life is a lie. Using the skills she learned on the streets, Bailey travels back through a sketchy and dangerous past, to find answers. Dodging bullets, staying ahead of those who want her dead and convincing Guy she can do it alone, are making it difficult to discover not only the secrets of her mother’s past but that of a family claiming she is theirs.

Everyone seems to have a story... but who’s telling the truth? And who wants her dead? Is Guy part of the solution? Or part of the problem? To discover the facts, she’ll have to untangle a web of deceit, lies, and secrets, dating back over thirty years.

But can she do it in time...

Captured Lies won Book of the Month LAS Reviews (March 2014)

"This is a story that when you start to read it you don’t want to put it down until you finish it." Cindy's Reviews

"Captured Lies is a very edge of your seat sort of book... I was totally enthralled with this book..." Tammy's Tea Time

"Maggie Thom has a hidden gem with Captured Lies!... Like an onion, each layer of this action-packed tale becomes more involved, more wickedly deceitful and more dangerous..." Tome Tender

"Captured Lies is an outstanding book and it was a book I couldn't put down..." Dee Sauter (Moderator Linda Howard Book Junkies)

***

About the Author:

Award winning author, Maggie Thom, took the challenge and leapt off, leaving a fulltime, twenty year career in management, to write full time. After publishing her first suspense/thriller book Captured Lies, October 2012, she published her second novel, Tainted Waters, April, 2013. Tainted Waters went on to win 2013 Suspense and Thriller Book of the Year through Turning the Pages Magazine and Captured Lies won book of the Month through LAS Reviews (February 2014). She published her third novel, Deceitful Truths (The Caspian Wine Series - Book 2), March 2014.

An avid reader and writer her whole life, she decided to break the monotony of wishing to be an author by making it happen. She is a wholehearted nature lover and likes nothing better than to take a book, hike to a remote spot by a river or waterfalls and read. Married to her best friend, she is learning that humor, love and patience help her navigate her way through her twins’ teen years. Her motto: Escape to read and Read to escape. "Maggie Thom writes a fast paced thriller laced with romance that keeps the reader interested and on edge!" InDtale Magazine

Website: www.maggiethom.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaggieThom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiethom2
Blog: http://maggiethom.wordpress.com/the-write-to-read/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/+MaggieThom/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maggiethom2/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549592.Maggie_Thom

BUY LINKS

Amazon | BN | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

***

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday 21 August 2014

Book Review: A Vision of Fire by Gillian Anderson & Jeff Rovin


A Vision of Fire
by Gillian Anderson & Jeff Rovin
Science Fiction
Simon and Schuster
Review Copy from Netgalley courtesy of the publisher
4 Stars

The first novel from iconic X-Files star Gillian Anderson and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Rovin: a science fiction thriller of epic proportions.

Renowned child psychologist Caitlin O’Hara is a single mom trying to juggle her job, her son, and a lackluster dating life. Her world is suddenly upturned when Maanik, the daughter of India’s ambassador to the United Nations, starts speaking in tongues and having violent visions. Caitlin is sure that her fits have something to do with the recent assassination attempt on her father—a shooting that has escalated nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan to dangerous levels—but when teenagers around the world start having similar outbursts, Caitlin begins to think that there’s a more sinister force at work.

In Haiti, a student claws at her throat, drowning on dry land. In Iran, a boy suddenly and inexplicably sets himself on fire. Animals, too, are acting irrationally, from rats in New York City to birds in South America to ordinary house pets. With Asia on the cusp of nuclear war, Caitlin must race across the globe to uncover the mystical links among these seemingly unrelated incidents in order to save her patient—and perhaps the world.

Review:

I was an avid fan of the X-Files so when I saw that Gillian Anderson had written a book, I had to give it a go and I'm glad I did.

Tensions are running high in the UN after an assassination attempt on the Indian ambassador. It looks like the peace talks going badly between India and Pakistan might set off a nuclear war and things all around the world are getting weird. From animals behaving oddly, to children and teenagers having strange lapses of concentration and harming themselves, or being harmed by unseen forces.

Caitlin O'Hara is a child psychologist who is brought on board after the ambassador's daughter has strange fits and starts speaking in languages no one can understand. Even Caitlin's friend, Ben, an interpreter at the UN doesn't recognise any of them, but they do have similarities to some he's heard. At first Caitlin is convinced that Manik is having some sort of reaction to her father's almost shooting, but she's never seen a case of PTSD that happened so quickly before.

Soon, other things grab her attention: a young man who set fire to himself in Iran, a young woman who suffered all the symptoms of drowning, but she'd been on dry land. It seems that Manik's episodes are part of something bigger, but what? And how can they stop it?

Now, this is an enjoyable book, well told with characters that you care about. But I have a niggle with Caitlin and the first time she witnesses one of Manik's strange episodes. Up until that point, Caitlin seemed a very down-to-earth sort of person, medically trained and looking for scientific explanations. But as soon as she sees Manik, she suddenly does an about-turn and veers off into New-Agey type stuff. She wants to treat Manik with nothing more than hypnosis and rants at the family doctor for prescribing sedatives. It just didn't seem like her at all.

The book is fast-paced and I eagerly turned the pages ready to see what happens next. It has an intriguing, mysterious storyline to be untangled and the threads were woven together so well that it leaves plenty of room for the next book. Another book I will look forward to.

Fantasy Book Bundle - Love Legends - for only 99 cents





Love Legends 
A Fantasy Romance Boxed Set  
Jaide Fox, D.X. Luc, Skhye Moncrief, 
Sky Purington and Alisha Paige
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Date of Publication:   July 7, 2014
ASIN:  B00LMMBRS4
Number of pages:  805
Word Count: 397K
Formats available: PDF
Cover Artist:  Skhye Moncrief

Book Description:

Steal the keys to five realms with these five fantasy romances for a mere $.99 with this bundle simply bursting with love, lust, and power games. From witches and werewolves to Greek mythology and even Scottish magic, these tales offer an eclectic mix sure to stoke your summer's heat into a solar storm! So, summon your inner warrior princess and ready your charms. Prepare for the battle of the sexes and wizards with hexes, because the only way to defy all evil is to fall in love...and maybe invoke a god!

His Forbidden Fruit by Jaide Fox

First she would become his captive...then he would capture her heart....With his lands cursed to wither and die, a desperate Lord Dominic Rainier learns from a witch that the only way to save his people is to capture the lovely Lady Lilith Somerset … and impregnate her before the next full moon….

Touch of the Gods by D.X. Luc

When Love and War make a wager, what could possibly go wrong? Hephaestus has lived a life of harsh abuse. The lame god knows heartbreak and doesn't believe love is in the stars for him. Little does he know, Eros and Ares puts his love life to the test and leads him to the full bodied, mortal Vanessa. Does he take a chance to open up or continue to believe he's destined to suffer for eternity?

Swordsong by Skhye Moncrief 

He's arrived to help her create the perfect bride. His ticket home relies on a lonely woman haunted by more than apparitions. If time-travel duty, romance, and a bit of magic don't help them realize their destiny resonates in mysterious fairy SWORDSONG, all known history could change.

Sylvan Mist by Sky Purington

Coira refuses to acknowledge the Scotsman haunting her.Why should she? She carries no magic and is newly engaged. Though well aware of the mysterious tie between the medieval MacLomains and her Broun heritage, she prefers a proper English gentleman to a barbarian living six hundred years in the past. However, as one whirlwind day will prove, she has little choice in the matter.

Circle City, Lord of the Wolfen by Alisha Paige 

Axl Wolfdorn is coming of age, ready for his Unleashing and on the hunt for his Moonswan, the female he will choose for the Chase and the royal Feral Consummation. But how can he consider bonding with a mate when the only scent deep within his nose is the tangy scent of the woman he must now kill to avenge his mother's death?

Available at Amazon | BN | Kobo

Connect with the Authors:

Alisha Paige- www.alishapaige.com

Skhye Moncrief- www.skhyemoncrief.com

Sky Purington- www.skypurington.com

D.X. Luc- www.facebook.com/deshanna.neal

Jaide Fox- http://www.amazon.com/Jaide-Fox/e/B00AWTJ0EQ

Tour giveaway

2 $25 gift cards to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble winner’s choice

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday 20 August 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Devil's Jukebox by Marcel Feldmar





The Devil’s Jukebox
Marcel Feldmar
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Pop Fiction
Publisher: Peabo Productions (Self-Published)
Date of Publication: July 8th, 2014
ISBN: 9781495947469
ISBN: 9781310876769
Number of pages: 294
Word Count: 80,000
Cover Artist: Sam Soto

Book Description:

A group of friends are reunited after twenty years to learn that their destinies are entangled with the immortal Muses and a mysterious lost jukebox.

From Vancouver to a New Orleans cemetery, roaming through Los Angeles to Las Vegas; it’s a supernatural road trip laced with rock ‘n’ roll.

Available at Amazon | iTunes | BN | Smashwords

***

Excerpt:

eclipse


Martin looks around the room, smiling through darkness and music. Another night slumming at the Industrial Eclipse. Everyone’s a regular. Everyone’s dancing, flirting, listening to music, drinking. Another escape from normal life. There is comfort in the lights, the darkness, and Martin walks towards the seats in the back room to wait for Charlotte and Phillip. He sits for a few minutes, alone, other than the occasional interruptions by random kids taking breathers between dances. He enjoys watching all the death puppies shake and sway. Nightclub lust in black fishnets and eye shadow.

Jonathan appears, holding a drink in one hand and a clove cigarette in the other, swaying to the background beat.

“What are you doing here?” Martin asks.

“Your girl told us we were meeting here, so why not? I mean, the music could be better, but the chicks are hot. Sebastian should be here soon as well.”

“She’s not my girl.” Then Martin sees her walking across the floor, and he smiles.

Charlotte walks slowly, peering between darkness and movement. When she notices them, she moves in their direction with a big grin on her face. An Images in Vogue song hits the playlist, and Charlotte yells, “Talk later, dance now!”

She pulls Martin into the mess of bodies. He shrugs, decides to go with it. This is Charlotte, and with her, he can ignore all of the lame dancing and spaced-out goths experimenting with MDMA and Industrial grooves, dancing in the shadows and staring at the floor in attempts to impress others who are also busy not looking at anything but their own feet.

After a few hits of the dark waved tunes they go back to sit with Jonathan. Sebastian is there too, looking a little uncomfortable as all the hairsprayed girls twist and turn across the room.

“Well, if it isn’t Mister Church,” booms a voice behind Martin.

“Phillip.”

“I’m glad we’re all here, but I think we should talk somewhere a little quieter.”

Charlotte spins around him. “Not now. That can wait.”

And she’s gone again, lost in a blur of music and movement

When the club starts to shut down, people drift outside and disperse into the early morning air. The earliest breath of sunlight is sometimes refreshing, but after a long night in the club it’s a little frightening. Martin looks apprehensively at the glow of the exit sign. He always feels close to some kind of vampire life when he steps out of the club’s doors. He’s not quite ready to leave, not alone. He stands against the wall; he should be talking to someone, mingling, doing something other than what he always does in these post-social situations.

His friends are here, but they’re all occupied with conversations and people-watching. It’s a blast to recount the various hook-ups and random crash and burns that took place throughout the night. He finally moves towards Annie and Phillip, who are standing near the bar.

“Martin! We were wondering when you would stop holding up the wall and say hello,” Annie says. She gives him a big hug.

“Hey, yeah…” Martin gives her a sheepish smile.

Sebastian comes up behind him and nudges his shoulder. “C’mon man, let’s go.”

“Why stop now?” Phillip asks, “You should come over and hang out for a bit. Company would be good, I think.”

Charlotte joins them and says, “It’ll be fun. We can finally talk shop, right?”

“Absolutely,” Phillip says.

Charlotte gives Martin a little smile, which distracts him completely.

“Dude, can’t beat that!” Jonathan says. “Early-morning goth party!”

“Annie? Care to join us?” Sebastian asks hopefully.

“Not tonight, boys, though it sounds fun. But I’ll see you soon. We have to practice for our show next week.”

“That’s right,” Sebastian says. Annie winks at him, turns on her heel, and glides out the door.

“You bastard.” Jonathan jabs Sebastian in the ribs, one eyebrow raised.

“No, it’s nothing like that…” Sebastian trails off, looking at the door that had let Annie disappear.

Jonathan stares at him. “Seb, you like her, don’t you?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Whatever, let’s go.”

Annie knows the subject of the jukebox might come up tonight, but she’s not ready for that yet. Better to stay out of it until she knows more about what’s going on. It’s been a couple of weeks since she spent the night talking with Charlotte and Phillip, and it’s been strange hanging out with her friends since then. But it started to feel more so after they got together last week for one of their random acid trips. That had ended… Annie shakes her head and realizes she can’t remember how it ended.

“Oh, not again,” she groans.

After Annie leaves, the rest of them come together. They move through the streets, travel in a cab for as far as fifteen dollars will take them, and when they reach the dark house, Phillip moves past the hanging Christmas lights to put a record on the turntable in the corner.

“So, let’s talk music,” he says.

Martin falls back onto the couch, scattering a stack of comic books. He gets a disapproving glance from Phillip, while Sebastian and Jonathan flip through the vinyl piled up against the wall.

“Drinks?” Phillip asks.

“Of course.” Martin sends him a thumbs up.

Charlotte sits back in a chair, watching. It feels like the calm before the storm. Or more like the calm before the next storm. It’s only been a week since Pandora arrived. Thankfully Phillip had pushed her away, with a little help from Dion—and someone a little more unexpected: Fortuna.

Fortuna isn’t like Charlotte and Phillip, but she’s definitely not one of the Muses. According to Phillip, Fortuna has been around for a long time. Longer than Pandora. If Fate and Destiny were sisters who now hated each other, Fortuna would be their grandmother.

“Charlotte? What are you thinking about?” Martin asks.

Charlotte smiles at him. “Nothing, this just feels good, you know?”

Martin smiles back. He knows. He’s been having trouble sleeping for the past week—or more like trouble dreaming. The dreams are all bad, and sleep feels like something that he needs to avoid, but right now there is just a feeling of contentment. Charlotte feels it too, and she hopes the feeling will last. After Pandora left, it had taken all of the strength Charlotte and Phillip could muster to push that night out of everyone’s minds.

They had done it partly to spare the others the memory of the nightmare experience, but it was also to protect them from Pandora in the future. She wouldn’t be able to find them as easily, or use what they know, if they didn’t know anything. But the memories will come back, and when that happens, Pandora will be back as well. Even now, Charlotte knows that there is a slight memory lingering among the friends, even though it’s just a memory of having forgotten something.

Jonathan sits, slightly uncomfortable. He’s been quieter than usual for the past week, and he’s not sure why. He feels like something has been stolen from him, but there’s no evidence of anything missing. It’s a feeling that has been hovering ever since they had all got together, and although he remembers the beginning of that night, he can’t remember how it ended. He just remembers that he had woken up on Sunday morning and the world looked different. It even sounded different. That’s when he decided he needed to understand more about the things that exist between what he saw and what he knows. He knows there’s no such thing as ghosts, but he’s pretty sure he saw one that night. He’s a little apprehensive about sharing this with anyone, so he tries to ignore it. Jonathan shakes his head, trying to get a low hum out of his ears. It feels like he’s been living underwater. Nothing feels like it should, and he doesn’t like it.

He looks around Phillip’s place and knows that he’s not the only one feeling this… strangeness. Martin looks really tired, Charlotte seems a bit distracted, and even Phillip is acting a little on edge. Sebastian seems the most out of sorts, though, and Jonathan wonders if it has something to do with Annie.

Sebastian does feel different. He had seen something recently, but he didn’t know what. He was with his bandmates, and Charlotte was there, too. They all dropped a couple of hits of acid and wandered into the night. He can picture the sidewalks and how they seemed to shift and glisten against falling shadows, and then the shadows came to life. That was all he could remember until he opened his eyes the next morning and realized he was in his own bed. He was awake and convinced that something out of the ordinary had happened, something that was floating on the edge of his mind like a wraith of memory.

Now he’s ready for a change, ready for something new, and it has to be soon. A new home, a new city, a new life. Something. There’s still the band, but that doesn’t feel like a good enough reason to stay in Vancouver. Sebastian flashes on a memory of Annie, how she looked when she left the Eclipse. She seems almost like a new person. He’s known her for a long time, but suddenly she’s someone he really wants to know. It’s not the music that’s keeping him here.

***

About the Author: 

Marcel Feldmar was born in Vancouver, moved to Boulder, ended up in Denver, went back to Vancouver, moved to Seattle, and ended up in Los Angeles. He is married with three dogs, and enjoys well made cocktails. He is also a coffee addict and an ex-drummer for too many bands to mention. He recently traded in his drumsticks for a couple of pens, and proceeded to complete his first novel. The Paranormal Pop Fiction tale entitled The Devil’s Jukebox.

http://www.marcelfeldmar.com

http://www.facebook.com/jukeboxdevil

https://www.goodreads.com/MFeldmar

***

Tour giveaway 

5 signed paperbacks

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday 19 August 2014

Series Spotlight & Giveaway: Love AND Series by Mary Kate Kopec





Love and Bullets
Love And Series
Book One
Mary Kate Kopec
Genre:  Romantic Action Suspense
ISBN: 978-0615968957
ASIN: B00AP54YTS

Book Description:  

Three years ago Giffin Reese fell for the man of her dreams. But it wasn't meant to be. She was already married to a good man. A man who believed in her. Needed her. Loved her. Sometimes in life we do what it calls upon us to do.

It wasn't your everyday protection detail of a Senator plus trophy wife. First, she was no trophy. She came with brains and an attitude. Just what he liked. And two, the case was all kinds of screwed up. A threat with no name on it. Maybe even a leak. And it all turned to hell when the Senator got taken down by a sniper shot.

Devon Monroe still doesn't know what the hell went wrong that day. But he's not going to let it happen again. Someone's serious with an itchy trigger finger, and this time the target is squarely pointed at a certain Senator's beautiful widow. But not if he can help it. It'll take everything he has to set things right, clear his conscience, and prove himself to her. Even if it means dying, trying.

Love and Bullets is an action packed steamroller of mystery, suspense, and rekindled desire. Come join Devon and Giffin as they race against the clock, explore their hearts, and dodge bullets in this story of secrets, deception, betrayal, and love.

Sparks fly and so do the bullets!

Excerpt, Love AND Bullets:

“As you can see, Mrs. Reese, we can quite easily get to you.  You cannot be protected, despite what Mr. Monroe seems to think.”

Devon?  They knew him?  How could that be?

“So unless you choose the same fate as your husband, I suggest you reconsider your current ventures.”

She was baffled.  What current ventures?  She helped people.  How could that be a problem?

“What do you mean?” she asked.

He continued, ignoring her interruption.  “Mrs. Reese, you will die if you do not heed my warning.”  As if to emphasize his words, he raised a gun and pointed it in her face.  “This is not a negotiable request.  Do you understand?”

No way did she understand, but she nodded anyway, afraid to ask and not wanting to get shot.  What current ventures?  What could she be doing that would get her killed?  What could she be doing, and had it gotten her husband killed?  She felt sick with fear and confusion.

Without warning he leaned over and opened her door.  Keeping his gun leveled on her, he added flatly, “Now get out.  Your ride is coming.”

Abruptly the car stopped.

You didn’t have to tell her twice.  She didn’t hesitate.  She jumped out.  But before she could get all the way out, the car began accelerating again.  And in her efforts to clear the speeding vehicle, she fell to the ground and rolled, skinning her hands and knees.

Pain shot through her, and tears stung in her eyes.  Giffin attempted to get up, but stumbled back down to one knee.  Her arms and legs shook like leaves.  She was in a full body tremble.  Not for trying, but she couldn’t quite catch her balance, and she realized that her heel had broken.

Giffin reached around, and with a shaking hand, removed her shoes.  Holding them in her hand, she pushed herself up and tried to stand steady on her two feet.  She looked up the road to where her abductors’ car was disappearing into the horizon and a wave of overwhelming relief flowed through her.  They didn’t kill her.  It was over.

But then the other side of brain fought back and asked, What the hell is going on?


She was unsurprised now, when Devon pulled around the bend in a shiny silver Lexus sedan and came to a stop beside her.

“Get in,” came the voice in the car.

She knew that voice, knew it well.  It did something to the pit of her stomach.  She got in, tossed her shoes to the floor, and fastened her seat belt.  Throwing him a sidelong glance, without humor, she asked, “Just in the neighborhood?”


Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/MTrON4X1yl0  

Available at Amazon

***

Love and Leaving
Love And Series
Book Two
Mary Kate Kopec
Genre:  Romantic Action Suspense
ISBN: 978-0615988610
ASIN: B00BH51P4W

Book Description:

Emma June Carter’s life is as normal as can be. All except the part where once upon a time she was Miss Michigan and a finalist for the Miss American Sunshine pageant. She's a baker and a co-owner of Delectable Delights, a sweet treats bakery that she loves. She has good friends. A best friend. And it was all going so well - until her boyfriend dumped her. The boyfriend that had hinted at love and a life together - and then disappeared.

Detective Jack Haley is good at his job, likes life, and knows how to laugh. Poker and his luxury ride with perfect performance and buttery soft leather seats take the edge off of the grit and grime of his work in property crimes.

For them, it was any other day. Until he got the call. And she went out for one last drink to shake off the breakup. A chance meeting in a bar, and neither gets what they came for. They get so much more. Neither know it, but danger is trailing Emma's footsteps, and her life is about to go from normal to hell in six seconds, flat. It doesn't take long before their paths cross again, and this time it won't be so easy leaving.

Love and Leaving is a story about nothing being safe, but in life, having everything to gain . . . at a cost. Jack and Emma will have to decide what is worth it and what isn't.

He's coming, and she's leaving!

Excerpt Love and Leaving:

Emma June Carter, former Miss Michigan, now successful pastry chef and master of all things sweet, sat twirling her pathetic excuse of a lemon twist stormily about in her second, now half-empty, vodka tonic, swearing off men and their many useless promises.

Twenty-nine—for real—and three days shy of being thirty, she thought she’d found the one.  But after six months of crazy-for-you, non-stop fun and abandon—and a major hint at permanent things to come—Max Stone, man of her dreams, had abruptly called it quits.

One phone call.  No explanation.  And he was gone.

Now all she wanted to do—when she wasn’t bawling miserably—was rip his lying heart out of his gorgeous, too-fit chest and feed it to him for lunch.  Or at least sit here for the moment, alone, to enjoy a short, self-indulgent and well earned—if you don’t mind—pity party.

And a drink or two.

Emma wasn’t one for anger or wallowing, but this really hurt, and she just needed a moment to cope.  And process.  And get a grip.  And to stop seeing herself stomping her pain out all over Max’s, now annoyingly, beautiful face.

She smiled.  Stomping on his face wasn’t the nicest of thoughts.  True.  But “It’s over.  Take care of yourself.  Bye.” followed by a dial tone just wasn’t the way it was done.  The weasel hadn’t even been respectful enough to do it in person.  And now, all she got was voicemail and a visit to his empty apartment.  So yes, not a nice thought, kicking the crap out of Max, but Max didn’t deserve a nice thought.  And as wishful thinking went, it was a pretty good image, and so even though it really wasn’t like her, it made her smile.

“Your drink’s getting low.  Lemme buy you another.”

Emma dropped her smile and slid her eyes left to the gravelly and deeply masculine voice interrupting her lament to find Mr. Ripped and Ruggedly Handsome in black leather and jeans eyeing her up appreciatively.  Good grief.  Not another one.  She barely suppressed a sigh.

Ruggedly Handsome was just that and then some.  But he and his molten-chocolaty brown eyes, heavy jaw, thick brows, and perfect lips—minus the hairline scar—were all bad-boy to the bone.  And if you weren’t convinced, the spider web and dagger tattoos on his hands and hard-ass biker boots should finish off the story.  He was oozing sex appeal like the Hoover Dam had just let loose.  And barking up the wrong tree.  Emma had had enough of suave and slick.

She shook her head, “No thanks.  I’m good.”

Returning to her drink and her thoughts, it occurred to her that perhaps having a pity party publicly—even if she was situated at the end of the bar, with her face tilted down, hair falling forward, staring morosely into her drink—wasn’t the best signal for personal time.  But still.  Couldn’t Mr. Ripped and Ruggedly Handsome see that she wasn’t up for company, especially male company?

Apparently not.

Mr. Handsome followed with, “I can see that, and it’s just a drink.  Give me a chance.”

Oh God.  He was going with a lame line.  Seriously?

Not really wanting to engage hotty biker dude in a verbal duel over drinks, Emma thought to cut him short, so she could get back to her alone time.  But she wasn’t the mean type, so she returned his appreciative once over and sighed in mock disappointment, “Sorry, but you’re way too cool for me.”

Not-getting-it biker guy edged closer with an undeterred glint in his eye and gave her comment the brush off.  “Don’t say that—”

So much for being nice.

Emma realized her pity party was over.  Ruined by Mr. R. and R. Handsome and his annoying persistence.  And this time, she dropped a very heavy sigh for real.  He made to continue with his pitch, but frustrated by his intrusion, Emma pushed back from the bar, scraping the metal feet of her stool on the stone tile floor beneath, and dropped a ten spot next to her drink as she made to leave.

“Hey,” he said, and inappropriately reached for her arm. “You don’t have to go.”  But Emma firmly deflected his touch with her hand.  “Let me stop you right there.  No means no.  I’m done.  Got it?”

The molten look in his eyes wasn’t chocolaty anymore, and he said, “Got it,” like he meant it.  And then he called her a bitch as he turned to the barkeep and signaled for another round.

Emma stood, shouldering her purse, back to thinking feeding men their hearts for lunch was a good idea and came to the conclusion, Bars are bad.  Next time just buy a bottle and take it home.

But there wasn’t going to be a next time.  She’d sworn off guys, and Mr. Ruggedly Handsome Jerk had just sealed the deal.

Shaking her head, fully irritated and no longer feeling any form of self-pity, Emma angled for the door wanting nothing more than to get the hell out of this bar.  Two strides into her escape, the front door pulled wide and bright-ass sunshine poured in, silhouetting her view of the incoming human.  She blinked to shake off the flashbulb effect and kept marching toward the door.  And subsequently plowed headlong into a six-foot tall wall of solid muscle.

Bouncing back, jolted, and losing her footing, Emma once again noted that Bars are bad, and this time added, Men are worse.  As evidenced by the shadowed cretin blocking her getaway.

“Whoa, hey there,” came the solid hands that kept her from stumbling, and the calm, even-timbred male voice that felt soothing on her angry nerves.  “You okay?”

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/QpzL4FJwSWY

Available at Amazon
 

***

Love and Revenge
Love And Series
Book Three
Mary Kate Kopec
Genre:  Romantic Action Suspense
ISBN: 978-0692212103
ASIN: B00K7J85EM

Book Description:

Maddie Monroe has had better days. And made better choices. When she wakes up kidnapped--used for bait--and in more danger than she could have ever imagined, it's all she can do to hope that she'll live to regret telling Seamus no.

Ex-Navy Seal Seamus Kincaid knows that the only easy day was yesterday. And in his line of work, enemies happen. He just never thought anyone would use Maddie to get to him. And now her life is on the line.

Maddie's dimples bring hard men to their knees, and her smoothies make them beg for more. She's smart, funny, and just one of the guys. She wields a computer like Seamus wields a knife. And she's a spunky ray of sunshine in skinny jeans and a bop-tail who gives his serious, get-it-done attitude the adjustment it needs. She's happiness in his life, until he scares the hell out of her on a mission gone bad, and she can't deal. Letting her go won't be easy, but losing her forever is unacceptable

Love and Revenge is a story about facing your fears, fighting for what's important, and learning that you can't control life--you can only decide which life you want to live.

Fight for love - die for revenge!

Excerpt Love and Revenge:

“Maddie,” he said, and reached out to pull her into his reassuring embrace before she could retreat any further.  “That was a bad day.  One of the worst.  But I made it.  The whole team did.  Everything’s okay.”

No.  It wasn’t.

He held her tightly, but her arms stayed at her sides.  His chest was solid, his arms strong, but they no longer brought her the comfort they once did.

Every time he had to deploy to suppress a hostile environment—even though it was completely unlike her—all she could do was think the worst.  And she didn’t want to do it anymore.

Seamus, refusing to accept her withdrawal, kept her close and lovingly whispered into her ear, “Maddie, you are my world, my joy, my laughter, the sunshine in my days.  I love you.  You are the only woman for me.  My family.  Maddie,” he whispered low, with his heart in his words, “marry me.  Be my wife.”

Maddie stopped breathing.  Her lungs froze.  Her breath got lost somewhere in the silence between the stalled beats of her heart.  Unwanted tears blurred her vision, so she closed her eyes and leaned into his shoulder.

Seamus cradled her as though she was the most precious person in the world to him, but his words coaxed aching misery into the very core of her bones.  Her body.  Her heart.  They had so much in common.  Yet they were so very different.

She was the light to his darkness, the laughter to his calculating necessitated tenacity, the warmth to the loneliness of his life, and she knew it.  And they both valued family and could see their hopes fulfilled in each other.  But she wouldn’t ask, and he wouldn’t offer—and his job was her breaking point.

She’d known it was going to tear her apart, facing him down again.  But no way was she prepared for this.  He was pulling out all the stops, save one.  And she knew that if he gave up his field work for her it would be poison to them both, so she never asked and wouldn’t.

She just needed to let him go, so he could do what he was driven to do, and he needed to let her.

It took everything she had to step back from him, out of his embrace, away from his love.  Tears rolled heavily down her face.  She couldn’t seem to stop them, and rather than brush them away, she ignored them and stood up straighter, gathering her strength and will.

Seamus looked confused, but no less determined.  “Maddie,” he said reaching for her again, but she took another step back and out of his reach.

“No Seamus.  If you really love me, you’ll let me go.”

His eyes briefly clouded, then cleared.  His ironclad willpower maintained his control.

“Maddie, this doesn’t make any sense.”

Matters of the heart rarely did.

“We can do this.”

She shook her head, and his frustration began to break through.  “You’re not thinking this through.”

It was the perfect thing to say to move her from disconsolate agony to biting anger.  He was telling her she wasn’t being rational, and there was a part of her that agreed, but he didn’t get to make that call.

“You’re wrong Seamus,” she said with heat in her voice.  “I have thought it through, and I’ve met somebody.  I’m moving on.  I suggest you do the same.”

Maddie’s stomach clenched, and she’d gone cold with the pain of her own words.  Her heart was breaking, and from the look on his face, so was his.  But he said nothing.  He just stood there searching for a new tactic, a solution, a way to win the fight, and if she didn’t get him out of there, he’d find one.

She couldn’t take much more of this, so she didn’t give him the chance.  She couldn’t cave.

A desperate force of will incited her tone with something so harsh it made her nearly sick.  She didn’t want to hurt him, but before he could find his bearings, Maddie dismissed him with a firmness that shattered like ice across her skin and made it hard for her to breathe.  “Please.  Leave.”

To her relief and misery it worked.  And her stomach sank as she watched the light in his eyes fade, shutting her out.  Where once she was his joy, now she was not, and the determination in the strong lines of his face turned flat.  She could have never imagined how bad this was going to feel.  It stabbed at her heart and ground her stomach into bits.  She wanted to crumple into a ball and cry the horrible river she knew was coming, but she’d made him let her go.

Seamus stood there a moment longer, staring at her with strengthening detachment, and if she wasn’t mistaken, disgust.  He shook his head, then stiffly turned and walked out of her room and away from her.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/dZ-vxUx3qlU

Available at Amazon


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About the Author:

Mary Kate Kopec creates steamy character driven stories of hopeful love. She thinks love and life are worth fighting for and that at times both are filled with hard bits and messy emotions. She likes a good mystery, lots of action, and a heavy dollop of humor to lighten the mood. She writes what she loves and wishes you great enjoyment in everything you read.

Website: http://www.marykatekopec.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/marykate.kopec

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353265.Mary_Kate_Kopec

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Tour Giveaway

5 copies- winner’s choice of ebook or print for any of the 3 books

1 goody bag full of swag.  Open to US shipping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway