Wednesday 30 September 2015

Book Spotlight: Kellynch by Kwen D. Griffeth





Title: Kellynch
Author: Kwen D. Griffeth
Genre: Jane Austen Fanfiction / Romance

Jane Austen completed “Persuasion” in August 1816.  It was to be her last book.  She left us with the story of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth and she left them approaching “happily ever after.”  What happens the day following “happily ever after?”

The story of Kellynch picks up three years after the couple married and were able to secure the Kellynch estate from Sir Walter and Cousin William Elliot agreed to waive the entailment.

It would seem all is well with the young couple, but all is not as it seems.

Kellynch is a story of deceit and treachery as well as courage and overcoming the odds.  It is a story in which those who were assumed to be friends are not and where support comes from unexpected places.  Love again, will, be tested in a story set against the backdrop of historical events.

Throughout the book, I have tried to remain true to the characters as Miss Austen created them.  I sought to develop and introduce new characters that would meet with her approval.  

***

Excerpt:

Sir Walter turned toward the door, but was stopped by the urgency in the Prime Minister’s voice.

“Sir Walter, please, do not leave.”

Elliot turned back.

“Sir Walter, those men you mentioned, including your son, deserve all the credit and admiration you give them, but do you realize the service and sacrifice they willing give is for you?  Yes, you live a life far removed from the challenges of the day, but your life is important and it has value beyond what you may think.  You and others like you represent the ideal, the perfect English life, if you will.  You put a face on why these men do what they do.  They know they will never be a part of your world, and truth be told, most would not enjoy the idleness of it, but they admire it just the same and they plant the seeds to spread it around the globe.”

Sir Walter responded with a closed lipped smile, “Sir, you have no need to patronize me, but I appreciate your efforts.”

The Prime Minister rewarded him with a full-toothed grin, “Patronize you?  Is that what I am doing?  Sir, do you now reside at Kellynch?”

“I do.”

“I have been informed, by my wife, that we will be visiting Kellynch next month.  Perhaps you and I will find time to continue our discussion.  On my word, sir, I have no desire to patronize.”

“Do you mind if I ask why you will visit and rest assured I welcome your company and your wife’s.”

“I am told Kellynch boasts some of the finest flower gardens in the county and my wife dearly loves the gardens.  Is it true?  Do you have the finest gardens?”

“I have been told that, though, I would not know.  I am not a bug; I have no interest in flowers and other such housing for insects.  Any time spent in a garden is wasted and better spent at the card table, in my mind.”

The Prime Minister’s eyes brightened, “You play cards, then?”

Sir Walter cocked his head, as if to indicate what a silly question, “I do.”

The Prime Minister’s eyes narrowed as if he was circling prey, “For money?”

Sir Walter was taken back and he huffed before answering, “Is there any other kind of card games?  For adults, I mean.”

The indignation was met with a laugh, “No, I do not believe there is.  I suddenly find myself much more enthused about our upcoming visit.  I look forward to seeing you across from me at the table and I hope your purse is full.”

Sir Walter grinned, “And I sir, hope you bring your coin.  Is there a particular drink you would prefer to be served to lessen the sting of losing?”

The Prime Minister laughed loud enough that several men in the vicinity stopped and looked at the couple.  “Good heavens, man, you would have me elevate myself to the truly aloof.  No, I will happily drink whatever you choose to serve as I take your money.”

Sir Walter bowed at the waist, “In a month, then.”

The Prime Minister followed, “Indeed, in a month.”

***

Author Bio

When describing my life, I think Douglas Adams said it best, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I have ended up where I needed to be.”

Books have always been a large part of my meandering.

I grew up on a ranch in southeastern Idaho and my friends were a mixed and rowdy bunch.  Louis L’Amour told me tales of the west, but Edgar Rice Burroughs took me to the jungles of Africa.  Sir Author Conan Doyle walked with me through the fog-covered streets of London, and Jane Austen taught me to be a gentleman.

I read several other authors but I was fourteen when I met the man.  Sitting in an English class, I chose a book from a required reading list and I was introduced to Ernest Hemingway.  His book, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” allowed Mister Hemingway, Robert Jordan, and I to fight in the Spanish Civil War and I never left Idaho.  When I closed the back cover, I knew that no matter whatever else I did, I would be a writer.  Even today, when I think back, I am still in awe of how Hemingway’s words touched the soul of an adolescent boy.

I entered the Army a year after high school and stayed in uniform for the next two decades.  The military offered me the opportunity to live my own adventures separate from the ones I lived vicariously in books.  While in uniform, I worked in a variety of fields, Infantry, Military Police, and Military Intelligence.  I worked on a psychiatric ward and later at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.  I took trips to Mexico, Canada, and twice to Germany.  I have visited the forty-eight contiguous states and desperately want to see the other two.

Along the way, I met and kept printed friends Allister Maclean, Robert Ludlow, John Grisham, and Tom Clancy.  I had flings with several others, Joseph Wambaugh, Clive Cussler, and Stephen King.

I started to write and failed.  Repeatedly, I would start a story, only to end it and discard it as it sounded too much like the works of one of my friends.  I went through periods when I refused to read, because I was frustrated and angry with those friends.  Those friends who were what I wanted to be.

Fifteen years ago, I got sick.  I got sick and it was misdiagnosed.  I almost died, but then I met the doctor who figured out the riddle and, with his help, I started working my way back.  As I got better and my brain got stronger, stories, characters, and plots started to form.  I found my voice and I published my first book, a novella called “Dear Emma,” in February 2012.

I used to feel strange telling people, “I got better and now I hear voices,” but the statement is accurate.  I feel I am in good company as several authors have made such references.  As I said at the beginning, I am exactly where I need to be.    

Links

kwendgriffeth.wordpress.com

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Book Review & Giveaway: Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima





Autumn Moon
Celtic Wolves #3
by Jan DeLima
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Review Copy from Netgalley as part of blog tour
Publisher: ACE

Blurb:

The heart of a warrior, the soul of a wolf, and the desires of a man…

For centuries, Cormack has lived between worlds—a man trapped in the body of a wolf, shunned by humans and shifters alike. Only one person has ever welcomed his company: Elen, a kindred outcast who is feared by others of her ancient Celtic race for her strange healing abilities.

Cormack has always valued Elen’s kindness and understanding, but after a desperate act of friendship causes Elen to free him from his curse, he realizes he wants more. He wants all of her—completely and forever.Except before Cormack can win Elen’s heart, Pendaran, the evil leader of the Guardians, captures her, determined to manipulate her incredible power to aid him in his twisted war against the shapeshifting tribes.

Now Cormack must use all of his skills as a warrior and a wolf to save the woman he loves—before Pendaran’s vile schemes destroy them all…

Review 5 Stars:

When I saw the subtitle Celtic Wolves, I thought this was a novel set in historic Celtic times, as I don't normally read modern urban fantasy.

So, while the book is set in modern times, the setting and tone do feel quite historical in theme. We have tribes, herbalism, shape-shifters, magic, customs and healing all part of everyday life.

This is the third book, I'd recommend you start with the first two, as things can get a bit confusing at times in reference to things that happened in the past.

Cormack and Elen are part of an immortal Celtic tribe of shape-shifters, but intermarriage with humans over the years has made some of their magic weaker than it used to be, and some are born without the ability to shift at all. Cormack was one of these, he'd been born as a wolf and didn't have the ability to shape-shift into human form, even though he had human thoughts and feelings. He's loved Elena for over three hundred years but up until now he couldn't tell her.

Six months before this book starts, Cormack finally got to shift into human form, but now he's avoiding her and Elen doesn't know why.

That's not the only problem - the Guardians, those Purebloods who think all those from the tribes who can't shape-shift should be culled are interested in war once more. The leader of the Guardians, Pendaran, has been trying to court Elen for those six months - and he doesn't want to take no for an answer.

This book had a bit of everything, romance, adventure, great world-building and plot. It almost had a fairy tale feel to it and the writing at times was very lyrical and poetic.

I adored both Elen and Cormac, and we got to see inside both their heads, which was a bonus. I like to get both points of view in a love story.

A beautiful, entrancing read. Jan DeLima knows how to weave a spell with words.


***

Prequel for Autumn Moon:
http://jandelima.com/ms-hafwen-excerpt/


First chapter for Autumn Moon:
http://jandelima.com/autumn-moon-first-chapter/


***

About the Author:

Jan DeLima is the author of the Celtic Wolves novels, including Summer Moon and Celtic Moon. She lives in Maine with her husband and their two sons. Unlike many authors, Jan didn’t pen stories at an early age, but she has always been a dedicated reader.  It wasn’t until after her children entered school that she began writing. Raised in a military family, she lived in different countries such as Thailand and Germany, but home base has always been Maine.

Website: http://www.jandelima.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/delimajan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delimajan

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6928196.Jan_DeLima

***

Tour giveaway

$100 Amazon gift card open to U.S. and Canada

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday 26 September 2015

Guest Post & Giveaway: Charmed in Paradise by Sara McBride





Guest Post
by Sara McBride

When I decided to write my first paranormal erotic romance novel I decided to write about what I knew. I fully realize that statement sounds absurd. What could I possibly know about paranormal erotic romance? I’m an ex-fitness professional from Southern California who grew up in Michigan, so magic really isn’t a part of my world, but I’m definitely a believer in the paranormal. A few years ago my husband and I were in Barbados and I was teaching yoga at a high-end resort. I was teaching yoga class first thing in the morning and again at sunset every evening but the rest of the week was ours to savor.

On the first day of our stay I noticed a small shack just down the road from our hotel that had a sign out front that read “Handmade Jewelry and Psychic Readings.” Being a big believer in the occult and magic I stopped in. The woman who ran the shop was incredibly sweet and did the most spot-on reading I’ve ever had. She claimed to be a witch and sold me a “love potion” that I believe brought us our daughter. Over the course of our week on this incredible island, we ran into a multitude of people who saw themselves as witches, including one of our waitresses and several women on the beach who did palm readings and offered magical implements. After talking to these people, what I discovered was that the Island had a long history of magic.

When I decided to write this book I couldn’t think of a more magical place to set my story. First of all the island is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, boasting white sand powder beaches and brilliant turquoise water along with some of the friendliest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.

For me this place embodied what I wanted for my characters and their story: Paradise with an undercurrent of magic. The following images are of places that I put in my story that are actually on the island of Barbados.

***

About the Books:

Title: Charmed in Paradise Trilogy
Author: Sara McBride
Genre: Paranormal Romance

She's curvy, sexy, and magically irresistible.

For the first time in her life, Tara is questioning her curves. Her fiancĂ© left her for some skinny bitch, and her self-esteem has been torn apart. Only a trip to the tropical paradise island of Barbados can repair her damaged life…

After a freak accident, Tara inherits a strange ability: she's now virtually irresistible to men! When mega-sexy, mega-millionaire football star Troy Schell shows interest, Tara thinks her luck is finally changing. An evil billionaire wizard has other plans. He'll do whatever it takes to get her power, and it's up to Tara and her friends to prevent the apocalypse.

The Charmed in Paradise Trilogy contains the first three books in the Charmed in Paradise paranormal romance adventure saga. If you like steamy romance, sizzling sex, supernatural adventure, evil billionaires, and hot, curvy BBWs, then you'll love every tantalizing page of Sara McBride's electrifying box set.

Buy the box set today to start your new BBW billionaire romance obsession!

***

About the Author:

When a life-changing injury forced her to give up a successful career as a personal trainer, Sara McBride did what any girl with the gift for gab and a typing speed that is freakishly fast would do—become a paranormal BBW erotic romance writer. Long frustrated with the fitness industry’s lack of acceptance that many people naturally have a body mass index above the “normal” range, she has always championed acceptance and wellness for all—not just those crazy people who love to exercise. Viva la BBW! A lifelong reader of fantasy and paranormal fiction, Sara lives with her very patient husband and two small children who now begin every sentence with “As soon as you’re finished writing that chapter, could we….” Her license plate holder reads “My other car is a broom.” This is her first work of fiction.

If you would like to read Sara’s blog or sign up for an email letting you know when her next book will be released, please visit  https://readsaramcbride.wordpress.com/

Links:

Links
Amazon US | BN | Kobo | iTunes | Inktera | Oyster

***

Giveaway:

Giveaway is for a $25 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thursday 24 September 2015

Book Review & Giveaway: Through His Heart by Deborah Camp




Through His Heart
Mind’s Eye
Book Three
Deborah Camp
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Paranormal
Date of Publication: June 30, 2015
ASIN: B00XZ8HWJG
Number of pages:357
Word Count: 93,461
Cover Artist: Pamela Schmitt 

Book Description:

Sending you an SOS.”

When psychic Trudy Tucker hears this plaintive cry in her mind and then connects psychically with a little girl’s kidnapper, she is drawn to a small town in Missouri where everyone is suspect – including herself and her lover, celebrated psychic detective Levi Wolfe. As she and Levi work together to sort through whom and what to trust, an innocent life hangs in the balance.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/7AFG88e98eM

Add it on Goodreads

Available at Amazon

***

Review 4 Stars:

Trudy Tucker is on her way home for Thanksgiving and to bring her lover Levi to meet the family, when she connects psychically with a little girl who's been kidnapped. At first it's only the little girl she's chanelling but soon she connects to the kidnapper as well, but has no idea who he is or why he's taken the little girl.

The kidnapped girl turns out to be Levi's step-sister, one of two he's never met and doesn't really want to. He escaped long ago from the clutches of his father, religious zealot, John Comfort and he wants nothing to do with him or his new family.

But Trudy wears him down and he agrees to go back to his hometown, but insists he is only there to support Trudy. He doesn't want to meet anyone involved. Levi may have escaped physically, but mentally he's still an abused little boy trying to come to terms with the ghosts of his past and at the same time be strong for Trudy. And if he doesn't find a way to cope, then another innoncent child's life may hang in the balance.

Their investigation is blocked at all sides by sceptical law enforcement and by the locals who accuse them of being devil-worshippers and the spawn of Satan.

This was the third book in the series, so I think you will get more out of it if you read the first two, as you will gain more insight into the characters. However, I hadn't read the first two but I was still able to dive in and figure out what had happnend in the past and who everyone was without too much trouble.

The pace was quite fast and flowed well and there was a good balance between the romance and the suspense. It could have done with a bit less sex though, it seemed to slow the pace down somewhat in those scenes and I don't think all of them were needed.

Levi was a flawed hero, he wasn't perfect and although I thought I understood him, there were some parts where I wasn't sure I liked him. A couple of times he went very caveman on Trudy if she even looked or talked to another man, even if it was to do with the case, all 'You're mine. I don't wany anyone else to have you', that sort of thing. And one of the main reasons he proposed was because he thought an engagement ring would scare other men off, that Trudy was marked as his. Hmm, no. That didn't seem romantic to me.

Trudy, however, loved him flaws and all, and although they do have their spats, they do work through things as well, especially his unfounded jealousy. I'm not really sure where the jealousy came from, as Trudy (in this book at least, I can't speak for the others) showed no interest in anyone else and it was obvious that she was madly in love with him. Maybe Levi was just a bit insecure?

Levi finally confronts his father after all these years and I really liked that this was a confrontation; Levi didn't forgive his father. Some things are so bad that forgiveness isn't an option. What John Comfort did to his own son was appalling and I for one was glad that Levi didn't suddenly forgive and forget.

But the confrontation with his father was the catharis that helped Levi finally open up to Trudy about his past. He'd been so afraid that if he told it all, Trudy would leave him. But Trudy is a tough woman and she is with Leo for the long-haul.

All the characters were well-drawn, but we get to see the most of Trudy and Levi, which should be the way in a romance novel.

Lots of secrets, intrigue and mystery abound in the book and it doesn't end on a cliff-hanger, although there is a part that will ease you into book 4 if there is one.

Still, an enjoyable read despite some of my problems with Levi and some of his attitude.

***

About the Author:

Author of more than 45 novels, Deborah lives in Oklahoma. She has been a full-time writer since she graduated from the University of Tulsa. Her background as a newspaper reporter and editor helped her to write fast and enjoy research. After she sold her first few books, she quit newspaper work to become a freelance writer and novelist. Deborah's first novel was published in the late 1970s and her books have been published by Jove, New American Library, Harlequin, Silhouette, and Avon. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Authors Hall of Fame and she is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of the Author's Guild. She is an active volunteer with the Animal Rescue Foundation and is a foster home for dogs until they find their forever homes.

http://www.deborah-camp.com

http://wwww.facebook.com/officialdeborahcamp

http://www.pinterest.com/debbycamp44/

www.deborahcampwritersdesk.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/authordebcamp

***

Tour giveaway 

5 $10 Amazon gift cards

Monday 21 September 2015

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Nation of Enemies by H.A. Raynes





Title: Nation of Enemies
Author: H.A. Raynes 
Genre: Thriller

It’s all about the genetics. DNA. Black & white.

A decade ago the U.S. government mandated that all citizens be issued biochips containing all of their medical information and an ID number indicating a person’s health. Then they made the information public—the implications of which are wide-spread and devastating.

Now on the eve of the 2032 presidential election, the country is deeply divided and on the brink of civil war. But as the two major political parties face off, innocent Americans are dying at the hands of masked terrorists. When the Liberty Party’s presidential nominee is assassinated in a highly-coordinated, masterful attack, it sets off a chain of events that will change the course of history and leave America’s inalienable rights—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—dangling on the precipice of extinction.

***

Excerpt:

It’s hard for Lily Fitzgerald to believe that only a month ago they were on a ship to London, only to be denied entry. Now thirty-four weeks pregnant, she rests her hand atop her belly and sets her feet on an unpacked box of pots and pans. Early morning sun fills the room as she sits at the kitchen table checking email on her tablet. She shifts uncomfortably in the maternity jeans she’s come to loathe. The baby moves and a bit of Lily’s belly juts out. An elbow? A foot?

Their failed attempt to immigrate brought her to a dark place. Since the moment they scanned her belly, she’s questioned everything. If it weren’t for the baby, they might be living in England. And though she wants this baby with every thread of her being, she knows it’s selfish. After Ian was born, they debated having another child. It seemed wrong, knowingly bringing a child into war. But it didn’t stop her yearning. Finally, they decided to leave it up to Fate. Fate waited ten long years. Despite everything, she can’t wait to meet her daughter.

She’s promised herself not to cry anymore, and she needs to be strong for Ian. Cole says he’ll find a way around the MedID system, but she can’t imagine how. He also swore to keep them safe. When they’d disembarked in South Boston, he surprised her with a self-driving, bulletproof Land Rover waiting for them in the harbor parking lot. And instead of going to their wilting Victorian in Brookline, he’d taken them to a Safe District just west of the city. They’d been fighting this move for years, clinging to an old way of life in a beautiful, but decaying, neighborhood. Now they live in an unimaginative, mind-numbing, prefab house. Still, she has to admit that driving through heavily guarded gates into a community surrounded by twenty-foot walls is comforting. She actually lets Ian ride his bike down the street now. And Cole has abandoned his treadmill, his runs finally infused with fresh air. He must’ve spent most of their savings for their new life-in-a-bubble. The exclusivity of it all bothers her—most people can’t afford to live this way. But her children are safe here. So to hell with her guilty conscience.

The next email fills the screen with video of an animated woman. Her voice is eerily friendly. “Lily Fitzgerald, your daughter has a forty-eight percent higher chance of securing a clean MedID number if you address issues in utero. New life equals new opportunity. With embryonic intervention, your daughter won’t need to worry about major medical issues. Though you’ve entered your third trimester, there are still options available. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call now to give your baby a healthier future.”

***

About the Author:

H.A. Raynes was inspired to write NATION OF ENEMIES by a family member who was a Titanic survivor and another who escaped Poland in World War II. Combining lessons from the past with a healthy fear of the modern landscape, this novel was born. A longtime member of Boston’s writing community, H.A. Raynes has a history of trying anything once (acting, diving out of a plane, white water rafting, and parenting). Writing and raising children seem to have stuck.

Links
Website: ha-raynes.squarespace.com/home/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/HARaynes
Twitter: @HARaynes  & @hollyiswriting
Facebook: facebook.com/HARaynes

***

Giveaway:

Win one of 10 ebook copies of Nation of Enemies

Giveaway winners need access to Bluefire Reader and an Adobe account.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sunday 20 September 2015

Author Interview/Book Spotlight The Krakow Club by Phillp C. Elrod


About the Author:

Philip C. Elrod was born and raised in a small town atop Sand Mountain in Northeast Alabama. After serving with the military in Germany, he returned to the United States and continued his education at the University of Florida and Florida Southern College, majoring in Industrial Engineering and Economics.

Phil is a computer system analyst/designer and securities trader. He resides in Richardson, Texas with his wife and his two “bosses”, a Japanese Chin and a miniature Shih Tzu. His interests include writing, reading, astronomy, photography, outdoor cooking, and travel.

***

Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

Both. I start with a general plan, but it almost always changes as the story starts to unfold.



Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

Sometimes I become so immersed in the writing that the characters do seem to be alive and have minds and lives of their own. To me, it is better to feel that I am a part of the drama, a part of the scene, instead of describing or observing it from outside.

What is your favourite food?

First of all, I am not a food person. I will eat what is available. However, I have to admit that I love a fine steak. You could say that my favorite food is what I am eating when I’m with good friends and loved ones.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I am a night person and feel best after the sun goes down. However, I have no problem with rising early and starting to work when I need to.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I have traveled extensively in Europe, North American, and other areas of the world, I would love to visit New Zealand to experience its spectacular natural beauty. One of my favorite places is Madeira. I have been there many times and even seriously contemplating moving there. It is a favorite and I always dream of going back again.

Do distant places feature in your books?

Absolutely. For example, my current books include places ranging from Washington DC to Key West to outer space. 



Do you listen to music while writing?

Indeed. Music is not only relaxing, it frees my mind so that creativity is unfettered by outside thoughts.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

I enjoy writing science fiction. My debut novel Mylea: The Journey Begins is the prequel to the Mylean Universe Chronicles. It tells the story of a technologically advanced civilization and their desperate fight to survive a cosmic cataclysm. Ultimately, their epic journey brings them to Earth seeking the assistance of a unique earthling. The second book in the series, The Krakow Klub, deals with what the earthling does with his Mylean legacy.


What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?

Not nearly enough about writing, and publishing is another world unto itself. I love learning new things, but the combination of entering a new profession, writing, and coping with a new industry, publishing is daunting.

Is there anything you would do differently?

I would hire professional assistance for marketing much sooner than I did.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?

I have always been interested in astonomy, science, and technological advances. These interests have played strongly in my Mylean books. I am also an avid student of politics and sociology.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

If it itches, scratch it. You will never know whether you can or cannot write unless you try. Once you try listen to what others say. Constructive criticism is a most valuable tool.

What are three words that describe you?

For this answer I asked my wife. She would not immediately comment, but later said, 
“After reflection (and a strong adult beverage), I might say:
Confident (meaning that I’m always right no matter what the question or issue).
Analytical (in other words, anal).
Curious (in other words, I don’t mind poking around in other people’s business).
Loyal (especially to my dogs).
Compassionate.
Introspective.
Intelligent.
Decisive.
Impatient.”

Hey, it could have been worse!

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

I simply do not have a single favorite author or book. It would have to be genre spedific and I love several genres, the following are high on my list:
Astronomy: Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking
Historical Novels” James Michener
Science Fiction: Isaac Asimov and Michael Crichton

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book

The Krakow Klub is a fast-paced and exciting science fiction novel. It was published in June 2015 and is available for sale on Amazon.

Synopsis:

The story of one man's attempt to live a normal life, even though he is not normal.

The United States government is under siege. A secretive cabal of super rich elitists, The Krakow Klub, has initiated the final phase of its long-range plan to take over the USA from within. They have achieved control of the Presidency and the military. Their puppet in the White House has declared martial law. The Congress, The Supreme Court and many other political leaders not under their control are slated for elimination.

Only one man has the power to stop The Krakow Klub. His name is John F. Scott and he appears to be an ordinary human being. But he is part alien. His power is based on alien technology. Can he be trusted to stop the takeover and return power to a lawful government afterwards? Can he control his power once he unleashes it? Can he control himself during the process? Will he take the risk? If so, at what price?

So many troubling questions, with few clear-cut answers.

***

Excerpt:

Prologue

In a remote castle, north of Krakow, Poland 

It was early December 1991. They arrived one by one. Strangers, but yet known to each other. After depositing their coats with the servants, they were shown to the elaborate study. The walls covered in ancient molded paneling were dark and lent a gloomy pall to the atmosphere. A large round table of mahogany was centered in the room, surrounded by twelve leather chairs worn with age. A fire was crackling in the enormous hearth, sending shadows cavorting across the room as the cobwebs that draped the corners seemed to come alive.

As they each took their appointed seat, an icy hush seemed to fall over the world. At the center of the table were decanters of the finest liquors and liqueurs with crystal glasses, as well as a small array of canapés, including a large crystal bowl of caviar. After all, these were no ordinary strangers, but scions of business from around the world. Anything less would have been an insult.

Obligatory pleasantries were exchanged along with formal introductions. The mood was solemn, almost sinister, as the business at hand was brought forth. Plans were proposed, suggestions made, parameters set. The verbal exchanges were lively but carried a diabolical undertone that, if heard by outside ears, would send icy chills up the necks of even the bravest of men.

Their gathering lasted well into the night and continued early the next morning. In the middle of the afternoon of the second day, through a haze of cigar smoke, they regarded each other with looks of satisfaction. Their leader spoke in low but firm tones as he detailed the final plan. When finished, he looked at each member, and then said, “So, we are agreed?” Each one in turn gave a brief nod. Though he never had any doubt they would, Number One was still gratified to know that he had chosen this group wisely, and their plan would proceed without question. Lifting his snifter of cognac, he proposed a toast, “To the world. Our world!”

On a remote island not far from Key West, Florida 

As he exited the craft and first stepped foot on the island, he knew at once that he had found his home at last. The scent of flowers carried on the warm breezes that swayed the palms dotting the landscape, the lush greens, and the bright colors were like ambrosia for the senses. The villa just ahead was a magnificent specimen of architecture, just as the surrounding grounds were a landscaper’s dream. He had such wonderful plans for this, his tiny oasis of peace in the vast and troubled world. And he had the resources to make it happen.

Peace and tranquility, so often absent from his life, was finally within his grasp. The power he had at his fingertips would allow him to enjoy the comforts of life while still keeping his finger on the pulse of the ever-growing unease that was settling on the world around him. Yes, this small paradise would do nicely, and once his plans had become reality, he felt he would complete his journey. And what a journey it had been! From the rolling hills of Appalachia to the outer reaches of space. But even as he was finding his heaven on earth, all hell was about to break loose around him, and unbeknownst to him at that time, it would lead him into the proverbial bowels of a hell that would torment him forever after.

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

www.pcelrod.com

https://twitter.com/MyleanUniverse

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189781.Philip_C_Elrod






Friday 18 September 2015

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Quest of a Scottish Warrior





Quest of a Scottish Warrior
The MacLomain Series: Later Years 
Book 1
Sky Purington
Genre:  Time-travel Fantasy Romance
Date of Publication:  September 8, 2015
ASIN:  B010EKKQUE
Number of pages:  257
Word Count:  82,800
Cover Artist:  Tamra Westberry

Book Description:

Historian and ancestry website owner, Cassie first became interested in her long lost Broun clan when she realized life was about to change forever. Faced with possible blindness, she seeks out her Scottish bloodline only to discover there is so much more to it than she could have anticipated. Not only will she find answers to her questions but a doorway into the distant past via a Claddagh ring.

Betrothed since birth to a lass he has never met, Chieftain Logan MacLomain thought the unending tie between his clan and the Brouns was long past. Never was he more wrong. When Cassie appears in a skirmish on the border of his clan’s land, all his noble intentions are put to the test. To desire her is wrong but still he seeks her out every chance he gets. Just a glimpse of her passing smile brightens the honorable yet lonely path he must see through.

Everything changes for Cassie and Logan the day war ravages a nearby village and a young king’s fate is put at risk. Scotland’s future hangs in the balance as denied love blossoms and four MacLomain warriors band together to save all that might soon be lost. Set to avenge the harm done, Logan embarks on a quest with Cassie that will take them both down a road fraught with risk, heartache and the beginning of an end they never saw coming.

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | BN

***

Excerpt:

Cassie nodded and as they’d done the past couple of nights, they settled into comfortable conversation. She was a pleasure to chat with. Though humble, she possessed a sharp wit. He suspected had she pursued any of her college majors, she would have excelled.

Yet the more he got to know her the more he sensed she lived her life a certain way…as if she knew its outcome already. Almost like someone planning to move to another country and preparing themselves for a different language and customs. Eventually, he intended to find out exactly what she was getting ready for. Whatever it was, it had her purposely changing subjects on a somewhat regular basis.

As he figured she would, Cassie eventually said, “Why are we eating separately from everyone tonight?”

Though tempted to say it was unintentional, he would be lying. The truth was he wanted her all to himself. “‘Twas a trying experience earlier. I thought you might want some privacy to relax.”

She arched her brow and offered a lopsided grin. “Yet you’re here.”

“Well, you cannae be alone in these woods, lass.” He polished off his meat and leaned back on his hands so that his shoulder was almost against hers. Voice lowered, he said, “And I’ll admit to wanting to spend some time alone with you. ‘Tis a luxury I rarely get.”

 “Ah.” This time he didn’t have to touch her to enjoy her becoming blush. His eyes dropped to her mouth when she licked her lips. He had never wanted to taste a lass so much in his life. When she cleared her throat, his eyes slowly returned to hers.

“You should probably stop looking at me like that,” she said.

“Like what?”

“Like we’re here alone for another reason altogether.”

“Aye,” he murmured, caught by how the firelight reflecting off the shrubbery behind her seemed to magnify the pale green in her eyes. Unable to stop himself, he brushed his thumb down her delicate jawline, eager for far more contact. “May I kiss you, lass.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “W-what?”

“Kiss you.” He ran the pad of his thumb over her lower lip and leaned even closer. “I’ve wanted to do it since I pulled you onto my horse that first day.”

“Oh,” she whispered, not shying away.

Wrapping his hand in her hair, he didn’t kiss her right away but brought his lips close to her ear and murmured, “I’ve never seen such a bonnie lass.” He flicked his tongue beneath her dainty earlobe, relishing her quiver. “I’ve never wanted to touch and taste a lass so much that I cannae think straight.”

“Oh,” she whispered again, her head tilting to give him more access. God, she tasted warm and sweet and so bloody soft. He gently peppered kisses along her jaw, desperate to reach her lips but equally eager to sample everything along the way. Sharp arousal speared him when her breath hitched and she squeezed her thighs together. Hell, he had known the lass less than a week and he’d already imagined a hundred different ways he wanted to make love to her.

At last, his lips hovered over hers, savoring the heat of her breath, the ravenous anticipation before he finally…

“Och, m’laird, ye should have gotten to that sooner,” Machara quipped as she came around the corner.

Cassie pulled back sharply and Logan scowled as he redirected his attention to his intrusive cousin. “What is it?”

***

About the Author: 

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of seventeen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter. Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.

Website:   www.skypurington.com

Blog:   www.skypurington.blogspot.com

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/skypurington

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/skypurington

***

Tour giveaway 

1$50 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday 17 September 2015

Guest Post & Giveaway: The Wraith of Carter's Mill by C. Evenfall





Guest Post: Why I Write Paranormal Fiction
by C. Eevenfall

Many people ask me why I write paranormal fiction and no matter how many times I hear the question, I always stammer and struggle with the answer. The reason is that the “answer” is too complex to answer in a single sentence, and I am not always sure how much time the listener is willing to give me.

The fact is that I love fantasy and all the sub-genres of fantasy. I find other worlds just as fascinating as our own and that interest spills over to the spirit world as well.

I do believe in the paranormal and am attracted to it more I think because it is a relatively unexplored frontier. Even the experts know almost nothing about paranormal phenomenon and science completely debunks it because of the lack of evidence. Nevertheless, what about all the sightings and accounts, don’t they have to mean something? After all, how long did man believe the world was flat or that leaches could pull sickness out of the body?

In my writing, I LOVE to delve into the possibilities of a paranormal world, a world that runs parallel to our own and occasionally coexists with it. I am mesmerized by the idea that certain people seem to possess special gifts and insights, that curses affect the living and that the dead can make contact with the living.

In “The Wraith of Carter’s Mill,” I combined all of these to create a story that I find believable in a setting that is very real, the rural south. Southerners, especially the old folks, have a tendency toward the superstitious. Growing up down here, I heard many a tale about such things when I was growing up. These old stories inspired me to write this novel, and future works as well.

Whether you’re a believer or not, you have to admit that there are some strange goings on in the world we live in. . .and isn’t it just plain fun to imagine the cause.

***

The Wraith of Carter's Mill
by C. Evenfall
Paranormal / Suspense
Date Published: March 31, 2015

Blurb:

The Wraith of Carter’s Mill chronicles five generations of women from the turn of the century to present day. It depicts in startling detail the result of an old curse and the wraith that haunts the family. Sensitives, The Guardians and The Forgotten tell the tale while the fourth shocking segment, Carter’s Mill provides the back-story. It reveals the shameful truth behind a century of sorrow and the curse of revenge that plagues the Carter women.

Zeb, the Carter family patriarch, is a hard, callous man. He runs his thriving sawmill, farm and family with an iron fist. When he commits an incredible act of cruelty, he ignorantly brings a terrible curse down upon all his kin. Martha Thompsons’ prophecy proves true as the family falls into ruin, and the women pay the price.

Almost a century after Zeb’s death, a Carter daughter is born with notable yet uncanny gifts. It will be up to Shyanne to unearth a long buried family secret and set an old wrong back to rights. Will she find a way to lift the curse and banish the accursed wraith that haunts her? If she fails, she risks losing her own little girl to the dark entity forever.

A small North Carolina community, where everyone knows everyone sets the perfect stage for this suspenseful drama. Rich in history and southern culture, The Wraith of Carter’s Mill harkens back to a time when life was simpler, and superstition was part of everyday living.

***

About the Author:

C. Evenfall grew up on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. In many ways, her community was isolated from the outside world, and time simply stood still. The old ways of “doing things” surrounded her, and she was both fascinated by the rich history and influenced by it.

As with any such place, the area was rich with ghost lore and old tales of “people done wrong.” C. Evenfall, a child seen and not heard, hovered as close as she dared, listening to the old stories when the adults got together talking about old times. She also spent many nights with the sheet pulled over her head in childish fright.

A paranormal encounter when she was just six years old, experienced by two other people at the same time, convinced her that ghosts really did exist.  C. Evenfall has been seeking answers ever since. Her fascination with the unexplainable, coupled with her love of history and southern culture and the role women play in both, have inspired her to write The Wraith of Carter’s Mill, a series of novellas. Each inspired by tales from her childhood and the family members who passed them down.

Life has taken her many places, but today, C. Evenfall resides with her husband in the same fishing village where she grew up. Together they enjoy hiking, camping, gardening and the outdoors in general. She forgives his skeptics’ dismissal of things that go bump in the night and loves him dearly in spite of it. They complement one another perfectly.

Contact Information
Author’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CEvenfall
Author’s Blog: http://cevenfall.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/C.-Evenfall/e/B00MSV6YT0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8508982.C_Evenfall
BAA Author’s Page: http://booksauthorsandartists.com/authors/c-evenfall/
Twitter: C. Evenfall@CEvenfall2

Purchase Links
Amazon:
WCMx Paperback:     http://www.amazon.com/dp/1503205096
WCMx E-Book:    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VIU9YKS

***

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wednesday 16 September 2015

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Imperfect Love by Isabella White





Imperfect Love
The 4Ever Series
Book One
Isabella White
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Release Date: July 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9946536-3-5 
Book Description:

At 24 years old, Holly Scallenger has the perfect life. Everything a girl could want; a beautiful man, a stunning home, as well as being in the midst of preparing for the wedding of her dreams. This all vanishes the night she catches her fiancé, Brandon Morgan, in bed with her worst nightmare, Donna Sinclair, just a week before Holly is set to walk down the aisle.

Attempting to recover from his betrayal, Holly swears off the affections of men in order to pick up the pieces of her crumbling life. Unfortunately, meeting Jake 'Hooligan' Peters is not part of her plan. The tall, dark-haired and handsome as hell med student, sweeps Holly away from the pain of her past and reveals to her the bright future that lays ahead. That is, until she falls pregnant just as Jake begins his internship at P and E; his family's hospital.

Will this love at first sight lead her to the fairytale she has always craved? Or, will she fall victim to a betrayal of the heart yet again?

***

Excerpt:

Holly climbed out of the plush chair and gingerly walked across the soft carpet. Grasping the metal handle, she opened the closet door with a flourish and pulled out the suitcase. Flapping it open, she began arranging all her clothes haphazardly. Lucky for her, it was a big suitcase. When she’d bought it, she knew the size would come in handy one day; she just never thought that it would be used for this.

Pausing in her frantic packing, she fell back onto the white carpet, letting her hair swirl around her, reflecting the tornado of emotions swirling inside her. How could he have done this to her? They’d had so many dreams. They could have been such a great couple, if he would have just kept his dick in his pants. Heaven knew she loved Brandon, but she refused to marry Donna, too.

Tears began streaming down her cheeks, leaving a hot path that burned into her very soul. She inhaled deeply, trying not to lose it as she pushed her hair back. She knew that as soon as his Audi pulled into the driveway, he was going to start with his begging again. Especially now; a week before the big day.

She had to stand her ground. She owed it to herself, and deserved so much more than a two-timing whore! Yes, if women were called whores when they did it, men could be labeled in the same manner.

Suddenly, her phone began buzzing frantically. As she looked at the polished glass screen, a beautiful picture of him and her smiling greeted her. Damn... they looked so happy.

***

About the Author:

Isabella White was born and raised in South Africa, where she still lives with her husband and two beautiful little girls. She always knew she was going to be a writer, but it only started to really happen about four years ago. In her free time―if she gets any because moms don’t really have free time―she loves to spend it with friends, whether it’s a girls night out, or just watching a movie. She’s a very chilled person.

Her writing career started with Firebolt, book one in the Dragonian series under the pen name of Adrienne Woods. Her other series, Dream Casters, will be released mid 2015. She also writes in different genres, The Pregnancy Diaries, You and Me 4Ever has a total of 3 novels. More to come in the Pregnancy Diaries soon. And then, she has a paranormal series by the name of the Aswang series, which will consist of about ten novels. And if that wasn’t enough, there is another series, Guardians of Monsters, which will be released in 2016. Both novels are written under another pen name called Kristen Ping.

Blog | Facebook Book Series Page | G+ | Twitter | Website | Fire Quill Publishing

***

Tour Giveaway

$10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday 15 September 2015

Book Spotlight: Unholy Bargain by Travis Hallden Holt






Title: Unholy Bargain
Author: Travis Holt
Genre: Supernatural Thriller

An assassin is at work—one of the best in the trade. His body turned to dust long ago, but his spirit roams the Earth freely, undetectable to the five senses. He stalks his victims waiting for just the right opportunity. Then, in quick succession, he possesses a human host and strikes down his quarry. For a century and a half he has served this way.

Deputy Sheriff Nate Barrington is riding the crest of a new relationship. Kaitlyn Spencer is beautiful, altruistic, enlightened—everything he's not. She teaches classes in New Age philosophy at her growing school. Nate doesn't share her spirituality, but the physical passion hasn't subsided enough for him to care.

Nate's nirvana quickly unravels when Kaitlyn's life is threatened on two separate occasions. With no apparent motive or any evidence suggesting collusion, the police are stumped. Even more troubling to Nate, Kaitlyn is eventually convinced she is the target of unseen forces.

A hardheaded pragmatist, Nate isn't prone to believe that spirits can possess people. As far as he's concerned, Kaitlyn's claims of perpetrators possessed by a spirit assassin are on par with comic book stories and have nothing to do with reality, and her esoteric, New Age mumbo jumbo begins to drive a wedge into their relationship. And why Kaitlyn? What secret is she hiding?

Even with the sheriff's resources at Nate's disposal, the odds for Kaitlyn's survival are not in her favor. The true enemy is virtually invisible, and Nate's conventional police tactics have no effect on the spirit world. Strikes come from anytime, anywhere, and from random, unwittingly manipulated people. Behind it all is a deal the assassin had made with the devil: send Kaitlyn Spencer to an early grave in exchange for a fresh start. For that, the assassin will stop at nothing to uphold his end of an Unholy Bargain.

***

Excerpt:

The kitchen was spacious and decorated in colors and motifs of spring. Kaitlyn stood at her kitchen sink, her back to him. A sleeveless dress in a mosaic of yellow and orange clung snugly to her figure from shoulders to hips, then relaxed at her calves. She gleamed like a bloom in a meadow, and he couldn’t resist the urge to inch up behind her, part the flow of her hair with his nose, and breathe deep her fragrance.

He heard the soft exhale of satisfaction, and she dropped what she was doing to tilt her head back into the crook of his neck and cup her hands over his.

“Coffee?” Kaitlyn asked.

“You know I can’t pass that up. The day wouldn’t be the same without it.”

“Aw, you’re beginning to appreciate me."

“Coffee’s good. Showers are tops.”

“What did you do before I came along?” she asked.

“I still took showers.”

“No silly, I meant the coffee.”

“Destroyed my stomach lining with gut-rot joe from the corner store on 7th and Maple.”

“You know coffee machines are sold at retail stores. Maybe your fellow deputies could pool their money and buy one for the office.”

“Been done, and that crap is even worse.” Nate smiled. “I once saw a captain use the coffee to clean oily grime off his engine block.”

The exaggerated inflection of a news anchor droned from a television in the corner, and Nate thought it too early for harsh clips of reality to invade his Nirvana. But endure he must. News at the breakfast table was Kaitlyn’s routine, and he thought it rude to suggest they do otherwise.

He sat at her kitchen table and she placed a steaming cup of coffee and bowl of oatmeal before him. The oatmeal was bursting with blueberries and strawberries. No doubt organic, he thought. Everything she prepared was organic, natural, gluten-free, and free of chemical preservatives. Whatever. He saw the results of her over-the-top health diet, had seen it stretched beneath him last night, and wrapped around him in the shower not twenty minutes ago. Hell, he didn’t care if she ate nails.

He glanced at the television screen. There was another murder in Orange County overnight, not far from a location where he staged drug buys. The on-scene reporter stood in a starched shirt and tie, yellow crime scene tape stretched across the background and alternating blue and red lights reflecting from the side of his face. The reporter relayed what little info the Sheriff’s Office leaked, and pieced together a broader picture with eyewitness interviews. Apparently a longtime resident had met his demise in a home-invasion robbery, and his wife had been airlifted to Florida Hospital in critical condition. One of the assailants was identified, and all three were on the lamb.

Nate thought of the other night, how Kaitlyn had alerted to something, like a possible invader lurking about, but then had brushed it off as nothing. She’d made some farcical excuse about leaving her purse somewhere. Nate’s years of working in a narcotics interdiction unit and dealing with layers of deception, pretending to be someone he wasn’t and outwitting dealers, had honed his detection skills. He could sniff out a half-truth like a bloodhound, and a bold-faced lie slapped him across the face.

“You ever consider getting a security system?” he asked.

She sat across the table from him with a bowl of oatmeal half the size of his. “Like what? Alarms on my windows? A dog?”

“Yeah.”

She chuckled as though he had told a joke and stirred some Stevia into her herbal tea.

“I’m serious,” he pressed. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a system installed.”

“I’ve lived here for ten years and nothing has ever happened.”

Nate wished he had a dollar for everyone he’d met who thought they’d never be a victim. “The world is changing, Kaitlyn, and not for the better. Home invasions didn’t exist before the nineties. Now it’s a regular occurrence.”

“I don’t live in fear, and I don’t allow headlines to dictate how I live my life, or how I think.”

Nate mixed a smidgen more milk into his oatmeal. “I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt to take some precautions.”

“I appreciate your concern, Nate, but I’m fine. Really.”

Why is she so resistant?

He realized just how little he knew about her. Their connection was intense on the physical level, but they had yet to venture much outside that arena. He knew the most sensitive places on her body—where a simple caress made her buckle, where the slightest pressure of his tongue triggered tremors—but where that body spent its days he hadn’t a clue. Since they had met he’d been too enraptured to come up for air. He knew she was a teacher, yet not in the traditional sense. “You never told me exactly what you teach, and where.”

The rim of her ceramic cup hovered a half inch from her lips, as though striking an invisible force field. She set it down without taking a drink. “Here’s an idea: why don’t you come to my class?”

“Like a student?”

“No, more like a visitor. Then you can see for yourself.” She brought the tea back up, and her eyes held a gleam of challenge over the top of the cup.

“Maybe I will,” he said. You can bet your non-GMO vegetables I’ll be there before the week’s out.

***


Author Bio

Travis Hallden Holt is a former U.S. Navy surface warfare officer and veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He's worked the past twenty-two years in the corrections side of law enforcement, first in the prison system, then in the streets as a probation officer. He spent three years supervising felons in a south Atlanta neighborhood ranked the ninth most dangerous neighborhood in America, where one in every twelve residents becomes a victim of crime each year.

For years, his interests were in weaponry (both small arms and large scale), warfare tactics, hand-to-hand combat, criminal justice and unsolved crimes. But life has a way of molding perspectives, and Travis came to realize the physical world known to the five senses didn't have all the answers. It scratched the surface at best. Accordingly, Travis's interests shifted to supernatural phenomenon, spirituality, the mysteries of life, the invisible world beyond our five senses and the forces that lie therein. He's still a peace officer, but one who has mingled with psychics, mystics, mediums, energy healers, shamans, gurus, artists and denizens of the "underground."

Travis is the author of Unholy Bargain, a supernatural thriller published by Blood Moon Publishing. He resides in Atlanta, GA.

Links

http://www.travishalldenholt.com/
Amazon | BN | Kobo | Apple | Double Dragon Publishing | Lulu




Monday 14 September 2015

Author interview & giveaway: Scarlet Ambrosia by David Gittlin





About the Author:

After a career in marketing communications, David Gittlin wrote screenplays before turning to novels.  His first novel, “Three Days to Darkness,” was a recent nominee to the James Kirkwood Prize for creative writing.  “Scarlet Ambrosia” is his second novel.  He lives a quiet and happy life in Aventura, Florida with his wife, Bonnie.

http://www.davidgittlin.com

https://davidgittlin.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dgittlin

https://www.facebook.com/ThreeDaysToDarkness

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DavidGittlin/posts

https://plus.google.com/+DavidgittlinScarlet_Ambrosia/posts

https://twitter.com/davidgittlin

***

Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I make copious character charts and create a detailed plot outline before writing the story.  I find that this kind of preparation deepens the characters and enriches the plot.  The characters and the plot always deviate from the original plan in the manuscript, but I’ve learned to always prepare first to avoid meandering and dead ends.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

Yes.  It’s always a good sign when this happens.  If my characters get too far out of line, I can corral some of their actions in subsequent rewrites.

What is your favourite food?

I’m a big fan of Italian food.  I must have been Italian in a past life.  My best friend is also Italian.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I’m much more of a morning person especially when it comes to writing.  I do my best work when I’m fresh and energetic.  My characters are definitely night owls.  Funny how that works.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I’ve been everywhere except the Far East.  I’d like to go to China.  I’ve read and heard so much about the country in the news.  I’d like to visit some of the major cities and learn more about China’s rich history and literature.  I’m sure China has had a more powerful influence on my life than I realize.

Do distant places feature in your books?

I’ve written scenes in European and South American countries.  I’ve travelled as far away as India but I don’t like to feature countries where I don’t have a deep understanding of the people and the culture.

Do you listen to music while writing?

Yes.  I’m listening to music as we speak.  Thank God for You Tube.

What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?

The short answer is they are both very hard things to do.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Actually, no.  I could have easily made a lot more mistakes.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?

I feel that every book I’ve ever read has influenced my writing.  Thanks for asking this question.  I never realized this before.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

If you think you are the next John Grisham or J.K. Rowling, you probably aren’t.
Learn as much as you can from professional writers.  I took online courses at UCLA which helped me to avoid many of the pitfalls most beginning writers encounter.

What are three words that describe you?

I’d say I’m emotional, excited, and optimistic (or trying to be).

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

I have too many to boil it down to one.  Here are six of my favourite books off the top of my head: Catch 22, Slaughterhouse 5, The Martian Chronicles, Siddhartha, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Tommyknockers.

List of previous books if any?

Three Days to Darkness: Is there literally a prescription for happiness?   Darius McPherson has only three days and three friends to save the world from the people and the creatures who would have us believe that a new anti-depressant is the key to the treasure chest of happiness and success.

***



About the Book:

Scarlet Ambrosia--Blood Is The Nectar of Life
David Gittlin 
Genre: Paranormal Romance Thriller
Publisher: Entelligent Entertainment
Date of Publication: 4/1/2015
ISBN: 978-0-9882635-2-9
ASIN: B00PBCA0HU 
Number of pages: 350
Word Count: 85,000

Cover Artist: Debi Bodett

Book Description: 

How does a nice Jewish accountant tell his parents he’s become a vampire?  If only that were his biggest problem.

A one night stand, an error in judgment, a wrong turn—words can barely describe the events that thrust Devon Furst into the arms of a beautiful vampire lover.

The violent aftermath of that fateful night threatens to burn Devon’s eternal life down to ashes and endangers the lives of everyone close to him.

Everything in Devon’s life changes in the span of a few hours.  When he asks Mathilde de Roche one too many questions, the troubled vampiress has no choice but to offer Devon two terrible alternatives: Death or life as a vampire.  For a man aged twenty-eight and in perfect health, death is not an option.  Mathilde’s alluring beauty makes the decision and her vampire blood easier to swallow.

Devon must leave behind everyone and everything he holds dear to face a future full of uncertainty, and a five-hundred-year-old enemy endowed with super-human powers.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/nGNXhQ-pUeI

Available at Amazon | BN | iTunes

***

Tour giveaway:

25 ebook copies in mobi or epub format to the first twenty-five people who sign up via google docs

Enter here: https://goo.gl/nYiOM7

Sunday 13 September 2015

Bargain Books 41 books at 99 cents each SF& Fantasy





41 books, all 99c for the weekend of 12-13 September.

There is a great range of books, from science fiction to urban fantasy to young adult and epic fantasy. We also have four entire box sets for 99c.

FIND ALL SALE BOOKS HERE

Here is just a small selection:


Shifting Realities by Patty Jansen

A few years ago, a military doctor walking the corridors of New Jakarta Space Station saved Melati's life. She signed up for the International Space Force to pay back her moral debt to him. But her family thinks she has betrayed her people. It was ISF who forcefully removed their grandmothers and grandfathers from the crowded slums of Jakarta to work in interstellar space stations.

It is Melati's job to teach six-year old construct soldiers, artificial humans grown in labs and activated with programmed minds to serve in an interstellar war. Her latest cohort has one student who claims that he is not a little boy, but a mindbase traveller whose swap partner took off with his body. It soon becomes clear that a lot of people are scouring the space station for this fugitive, a scientist with dangerous knowledge about interstellar space.

The best place to hide in the space station is amongst the many cultures and subcultures of the expat Indonesian B-sector. Looking for him brings Melati into direct conflict with her people. She does not want to be seen as one of the enemy, but if the scientist's knowledge falls in the wrong hands, war will come to the station.

***


The Chosen by Annette Gisby

he neighbouring kingdoms of Oscia and Arcathia have been at a tentative peace for three years after centuries of warfare. Prince Severin of Arcathia has been brought up to put duty before all else and as the only son of the King and Queen, it is his duty to marry and produce an heir. His parents want him to marry an Oscian princess to cement that tentative peace. Unfortunately Severin isn't interested in princesses. Now, if he had his pick of princes that would be another matter.

Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his aptitude for wizardry is discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by Prince Severin and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong, but his feelings for Severin sorely test his resolve.

With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, magic in the air, and outside forces trying to keep them apart, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love?

***

Dark Legion by Paul Kleynhans

The Empire made him a slave. They should have killed him when they had the chance. 

Saul and his allies plot to steal the crown of Ubrain from the Emperor's vault. In the crown, he sees the means to unify his enslaved people and bring them to freedom. But their road is not a straight one and brings them face to face with the Inquisition. Beyond that, they get caught in the middle of an unseen war as older powers work to twist the world to their own design. Saul has never been one to set easy tasks for himself, but he is determined to break the Empire's grip on his people, no matter the cost. 

It was a mistake to let him live. One the Empire will pay for with blood. 

Dark Legion is the exciting series starter for the Blood of Blood trilogy. Get it today.

***

Wyrd Calling by Shen Hart

In the streets of the city, someone or something is killing sirens, and the Wyrd Sisters want it stopped. 

They send their bound creation Thalia, the wild-child shifter, to track the killer down. Thalia would much rather be making a quick buck or playing with the fae, but bound is bound and Thalia must turn her new pack of shifters into an effective team to try and stop the killings. Time is as short as Thalia's temper. Can she make her pack work together and find the killer, or will the killer find her first? 

Wyrd Calling: Dark urban fantasy just shifted.