Saturday, August 30, 2014

On Sale for .99: ASSASSIN'S CURSE, Book 1, The Witch Stone Prophecy

To help celebrate the release of Witch's Curse, Book 2 in the Witch Stone Prophecy series, ASSASSIN'S CURSE will be on sale for .99!





Welcome to the Kingdom of Tavia where the lines between good and evil blur.  White and Black witches are gathering their forces and both sides vie for the opportunity to capture the 'Children of Prophecy.' There is a single man, a former elite assassin, who has been compelled to keep the children safe. He'll have to use all his skills to stay one step ahead of the witches and the assassins who have been sent to bring him back, dead or alive!

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Curse-Witch-Stone-Prophecy-ebook/dp/B006T3HN2A

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/assassins-curse-debra-martin/1112744961

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/assassin-s-curse-book-1-the-witch-stone-prophecy

Teaser Page:


The moon finally broke through the dissipating rain clouds and its light afforded Jeda a better view of her building. The lone window of her room had scant protection: a threadbare cloth covering that barely held out the elements. The window would provide easy access for Jeda’s entry, but the rain had made everything a slick mess. He studied the outside of the dilapidated building and memorized the handholds and ledges that he would use in his climb to reach her. 

As he surveyed the building, his sixth sense flared again and a disturbing feeling swept over him. He had always thought of these feelings as his curse, his assassin’s curse: to be able to discern unknown danger before it happened. It often left him second-guessing himself and the choices he made. It was hard to trust these feeling when he did not understand where they came from. Curse or blessing, he felt them strongly as he watched the window across the narrow alleyway and wondered what he would find when he went through it. He looked around the rooftop and the surrounding area for anything unusual, but his only companions were the rats and the dead they feasted on. 

Something’s not right, I can feel it.



Friday, August 29, 2014

Guest Post: No Review is a “Bad” Review by Lynn Montagano


I had a nightmare recently that someone gave my book half a star. Not just one star but HALF a star. *whimper*

As a debut author, reviews are something I try not to dwell on. Do I want reviews? Yes. Lots of them. Good ones. Bad ones. Middle of the road ones. That means people are reading and having some type of reaction to the stories I’ve written. Any review is a form of publicity and as the saying goes “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

So what do you do when a review isn’t so glowing and fabulous?

Think of it this way. Anybody who reviews a book has spent time and energy thinking about it. They’re spreading the word. The beauty about a bad review is whatever it was about the story that particular reader didn’t like might be exactly what someone else loves. Seriously. How many times have I gone to see a big, loud special effects laden movie because some critic said it lacked substance? Too many to mention.

Everybody has their own relationship with the book they’re reading. I certainly do and have disliked many popular books that others can’t seem to get enough of. Does that make the book bad? Nope. It just meant it wasn’t for me.

I’ve been fortunate and haven’t received too many negative reviews. As I said, I’m a debut author so I try not to dwell on reviews too much if I can help it. It doesn’t mean my heart won’t break a little when somebody doesn’t like that my heroine is a little naive in certain situations or totally missed the point on why my hero can be so difficult.

Do I want everyone to love and squeeze and fawn over my characters the same way I do? Of course. What author wouldn’t. Will some readers do just that? Yes. I’ve already heard from numerous readers about how much they loved the characters and their story. On the days I do see a not so positive review I tend to focus on the comments that make me smile. Then, I jump right back into writing because at the end of the day, it’s what I love to do and I’m just happy to be able to share some of my stories with all of you.

Book & Author Details:
Catch My Breath by Lynn Montagano
(Catch My Breath #1)
Published by: Harper Impulse
Publication date: April 17th 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:
Lia Meyers’ plan for a relaxing Scottish vacation is short-lived when one uncharacteristic moment of clumsiness lands her in the arms of a dangerously attractive Englishman.

The perfect opportunity for a much needed holiday romance? Wrong! Lia’s still reeling from the mother of all bad breakups, and she really doesn’t have the patience for Alastair Holden – despite his effortless charm and cute British accent.

Arrogant and totally inscrutable, he’s exactly the sort of guy she wants to avoid but can’t: the man behind the mystery proves just too tempting to resist.

Drawn to him, Lia is forced to battle with her own insecurities, and the closer they become, the more she recognizes her own weaknesses as she peels away his layers with every night they spend together. Discovering the past Alastair is so desperate to conceal, Lia must decide if they can heal one another together or if their deepest fears will tear them apart.


Purchase:


AUTHOR BIO
A fresh, new voice in contemporary romance, Lynn is a former TV news writer who decided to take the plunge and write a novel. She's thrilled that her debut series is being published by Harper Impulse. The first book, Catch My Breath, was released in April 2014 to rave reviews. Its follow up, Unravel Me, hits the market in July.

Lynn grew up in a small town in Rhode Island before venturing out into the world. She's lived everywhere from Los Angeles to Boston to Orlando. An avid traveler, Lynn's been as far away as Australia and as close as Canada. Her favorite place to visit is London.

The small town girl is back on the east coast after a brief stint in Northern California. Lynn currently resides in Massachusetts, comfortably close to her beloved football team.

Author links:





Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Interview with Claudia Y. Burgoa


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
Next To you is the sequel of Where Life Takes You, it begins where Where Life Takes You left off, with a devastated Daniel Brightmore dealing with a broken heart.  

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I tried back in 2008 with my first MS… which I profusely want to apologize with all the agents for sending such a terrible thing to their desk.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
I didn’t, I did in fact receive some advice from a couple of agents, which I followed.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
The possibility of controlling my own deadlines, as I have OCD.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I start with a vision, write what I like to call my plot draft where I get to meet the characters, their stories and their purpose. Then I develop their names, physical traits, personal characteristics, their likes and deslikes. Then I outline each scene—aka chapters. And finally after all that arduous labor I write. 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Half and half, I let the muse take me for about 20k words, helping me get to meet my characters and understand the plot. Then I outline it, to keep it real.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
I hire two, a developmental editor and a copyeditor slash proofer.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Barnes & Noble, Nook, iTunes and Book Depository

How about some fun facts-which do you prefer? Dogs or cats, coffee or tea, vanilla or chocolate, morning or night?
Dogs
Tea
Chocolate covered vanilla ice-cream
Night

What’s next for you?
Standing By to be released September 23rd, 2014.


Book & Author details:
BOOK 1
Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Publication date: July 31st 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Becca Trent lived her childhood next to a cruel woman—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom’s role—making Becca’s life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca’s best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple of years later, things ended up in tragedy.

Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, but that only work during the days when the nightmares didn’t come back to haunt her. Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now, she’s trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.

Note: This is the first part of a two-book novel.

BOOK 2
Next To You by Claudia Y. Burgoa
(Life #2)
Publication date: June 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Him
…I need time. Time to heal those wings and learn to use them…
Was part of the letter Rebecca Trent, Daniel Brightmore’s fiancée and best friend left when she ran away. The person he trusted the most for the past decade disappeared without giving him a second glance. She taught him how to love, believe in family and that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Now he’s struggling between wiping any traces of her from his life and drowning his sorrows away with the help of his new best friends—Don Julio and Jack Daniels.

Her
Rebecca’s past suffocated her to the point of not wanting to continue, her lifeline and the only reason to live began to withdraw from her. She wished it had been her imagination, but heard it loud and clear: “If not, there’s always a divorce, nothing is forever.” This time it became a leave or die situation. Something has got to change—she had to change. Packing light and leaving a letter behind, she takes a journey that can help her find herself through the shards of her painful childhood.
As letters, memories and stories are exchanged, two once inseparable people reconcile what’s left of their relationship. Beyond the confines of everything they built together, they’re left with two lonely people searching for what it means to be whole. Will they find meaning under their bruised psyches or will their pasts get the better of them?

Goodreads: 

Purchase:
Book 1:

Book 2:



AUTHOR BIO
Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.

Author Links:


Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway
Open INTL - Ends Sept 2nd
$100 USD Amazon or paypal GC
1x signed copy of both life series books
2x ecopy of both life series books
 

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#FREE 8/27/14: CHRONICLES OF STEEL RAVEN by Pauline Creeden

Chronicles1banner 

Human life has value. The poor living in the gutter is as valuable as the rich living in a manor. The scoundrel is no less valuable than the saint. Because of this, every life a reaper takes must be redeemed.

Raven has lived by this first tenet since she was trained by her father to become a reaper. But since his death, she’s been spending years redeeming the lives she’s taken. By her count, she’s even and it’s time for that life to end. If she settles down and becomes a wife, she might just feel human again. But on the way to the life she thinks she wants, the baron of New Haven asks her to complete a task which she cannot ignore… Just when Raven decides to give up on her life as an assassin, she’s pulled right back in. The Chronicles of Steele: Raven is a steampunk-inspired fantasy set in an alternate universe.

 

Get it for FREE ON AMAZON

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Pauline Creeden will be releasing these episodes two weeks apart and on the day of release they will be FREE! How will you know when they are released? Sign up for Pauline Creeden's newsletter of course!

Pauline's Newsletter Sign Up http://eepurl.com/Oe2Fn

Now onto the gorgeous covers designed by Graphic Designer, Keri Knutson of Alchemy Book Covers
 
Chronicles of Steele RavenChronicles of Steele Raven2 Chronicles of Steele Raven3Chronicles of Steele Raven4

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

#Excerpt: LAST MISSION OF THE LIVING by Rhiannon Frater


Excerpt:

Lindsey awoke with a start. It took her a second to comprehend it was her wristlet vibrating that had awakened her. Activating the screen, she saw the message was incoming from her secret program. Instantly, her heart started to beat wildly with excitement. Still a little tipsy from the tequila, she edged out from beneath Torran’s long leg and arm and scooted to the ladder.
Once on the main floor, she sat at her computer array beneath the elevated bed, and she logged into the program. After several long, excruciating seconds, the message downloaded. It was from Maria. Gnawing on her bottom lip, Lindsey quickly scrolled through it. The message was short, but worrying.
Lindsey, Dwayne and I need to talk to you and Commandant Pierce ASAP. Call tomorrow at exactly 1600 hours.
Realizing she needed to be careful with how many times she contacted Maria, Lindsey hesitated, weighing whether or not she should respond or just wait until the designated time. Finally, she typed in a short note signaling she’d received the message and logged out of the program. Gnawing on her thumbnail, she stared at the screens. She wanted to hack into the SWD and government sites and search out information on the new Legatus, but didn’t dare do it while Torran was around.
“You look worried.”
Lindsey gazed upward to see Torran peering at her over the rail of her bed.
“I’m always worried in the back of my mind.” With a sheepish smile, she shrugged slightly. “Well, not worried exactly. I’m always got some fixation back in the gray matter.”
“Sort of like you got a computer program running in the back of your mind sorting things out?” Torran ventured.
Surprised that he got it so right, Lindsey gazed at him in awe.
“You get a look in your eyes. Like you’re processing something.” Torran slipped over the side of the bed and dropped down. “Considering your very nice computer display, I’m going to guess that you’re good at working with them, too.”
“My father was a programmer. He taught me everything I know.”
“But you had the natural talent, too, huh?”
“You can say that.” Lindsey uneasily shifted her weight on her chair, not willing to let Torran too far into her personal headspace.
“But you’re a grunt. Not a programmer.”
Lindsey swiveled toward him and shrugged. “I wanted to do something different. I didn’t want to follow in someone else’s footsteps but make my own path.”
With a slight nod, Torran rested his hands on the edge of her bed and stretched. It was very provocative and she was distracted by the muscles shifting beneath his skin. She wanted to be distracted. Fear was a tight knot in her gut.
“And you don’t want to talk about it.”
“Nope.”
“Is this where we draw lines?” Torran asked, tilting his head.
“Yep.” Lindsey slid to her feet and ran her hands down his chest. “We’re getting to know each other. We’re getting to be friends. But not only did I lose the stupid ex, but my best friend. I need a new friend.”
“A friend with benefits.” Torran stared into her eyes somberly. “I’m there with you.”
“Are you?” Lindsey really hoped he was, because she liked him.
“This life is too uncertain,” he said at last. “Better to keep things simple. Uncomplicated.”
“Let’s enjoy the rest of the night before we have to go back to the real world.” Lindsey rubbed her lips against his chin softly.
Torran cupped her face and kissed her lightly. “I better go.”
“Torran...”
“No, Lindsey. I should. You see, if I stay any longer I won’t want to go back to the real world.”
Frowning, she feared she’d made a misstep with him.
“The thing is this... you’re a great girl. And I think we’re going to be great friends. But we need boundaries. Sleeping here tonight... a little too much over the line.”
“So don’t sleep.” Lindsey gave him the beguiling look that seemed to affect him so much.
“Oh, that’s playing so dirty.” Torran laughed.
“One more time, then you can go home.” Lindsey turned up her flirty look, her fingers lightly touching his hip.
“Fine. But... boundaries.”
“Right.”
His kiss rendered her breathless.
***

Book & Author Details:
The Last Mission of the Living by Rhiannon Frater
(The Last Bastion)
Publication date: August 28th 2014
Genres: Adult, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Zombies

Synopsis:
Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction…

Vanguard Lindsay Rooney has faced the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge and lived to tell the tale, but she has also suffered horrible losses. Like millions of other civilians, she had hoped that The Bastion would recover after a team of modified soldiers eradicated the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge that infested their valley. Yet the city still crumbles around them, along with any chance of survival.

Lindsey’s growing friendship with Torran MacDonald, an officer with the Science Warfare division, is her only solace as the decline of the city continues. When food riots fill the streets, martial law is enacted, and the upper echelons of government battle for control of the city, Lindsey is conscripted by her superiors to embark on a dangerous mission into the dead world beyond The Bastion. To add even more complications, Torran and the SWD join the squad.

Soon, Lindsey realizes that her mission is more than what it seems, and there are secrets that could both destroy The Bastion and take her life.


Purchase:
Will be found here come release day:
--Author's site w/all purchase links: http://rhiannonfrater.com/my-books/

Purchase book 1:

AUTHOR BIO
Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. In 2014, her newest horror novel, The Mesmerized, will be released by Permuted Press. Dead Spots will be published in 2015 by Tor. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

You can find her online at:Website: rhiannonfrater.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/astheworlddies
Twitter:  twitter.com/rhiannonfrater
Blog:  rhianonfrater.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com


GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway
--Paperbacks of both book 1 & 2 in the Last Bastion series (US only - INTL winner will get ebook copies)

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Monday, August 25, 2014

Interview with C. Lee McKenzie


Can you give us a little bit about who you are and what you write?
I'm  a native Californian who grew up in a lot of different places; then landed in the Santa Cruz Mountains where I live with my family and miscellaneous pets—usually strays that find me rather than the other way around. I write most of the time, garden and hike and do yoga a lot. I taught at San Jose State University and my field was Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication which carried me to a lot of places in the world to explore different cultures and languages. I'm proud to say I know how to ask, “Where’s the toilet?” and scream “I’m lost!” in at least five languages and two dialects.

All but one of my books are contemporary, realistic young adult novels. Sliding on the Edge (2009), The Princess of Las Pulgas (2010) both tell stories about teens in trouble, teens who are struggling with some big issues and without all the experience they really need to help them.

I did take a break from that kind of story before I wrote Double Negative, and I wrote a fantasy/adventure story for middle grade readers called Alligators Overhead.

What book(s) influenced you to become an author?
There were so many. I've always been a huge fan of F. Scott Fitsgerald, but it was mostly his style that I admired, and then there’s Hinton and E. B.White and . . . well, there you have it. No one book influenced me, but I guess a whole bunch of them did.

What would you list at the top 10 greatest books for young adults.
It’s hard to only choose ten, but here are the ones that leap to mind.

1.     The Outsiders
2.     That Was Then, This Is Now
3.     Rumble Fish
4.     To Kill A Mockingbird
5.     Elenor & Park
6.     The Hobbit —This doesn’t seem to fit in my list, but I think this was a great YA, too.)
7.     Scars
8.     I Am The Cheese
9.     The Chocolate War
10.  Speak

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I love to hike and I do that a lot. Besides that I practice yoga, I keep a flower and veggie garden going because I really do like the taste of fresh produce. You can’t get fresher than from your own garden. My grandmother was gardener, and she’s where I learned about doing anything involving dirt.

I read on your website that you like to travel, too. What’s been your favorite place in the world to visit?
So many, I’m afraid. But I do like Nicaragua. I’ve been there twice and each time it was a wonderful experience. The beaches are long and sandy and the people are very kind. I hope they learn about plastic bags, though, because they’re strewn everywhere, and you know where they all wind up, right? In the ocean.

Where do write your stories?
Mostly I write them at my desk on my computer, but I do get tired of being in one spot, so I often go outside to sit in the garden. It’s a wonderful spot to get energized and inspired, so that’s the place to go when I bog down in a story.

Thanks for featuring me on your blog. I appreciate being here.


Book & Author Details:
Double Negative by C. Lee McKenzie
Published by: Evernight Teen
Publication date: July 25th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:
“My life was going, going, gone, and I hadn’t been laid yet. I couldn’t go into the slammer before that happened.” Hutch McQueen.
Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is trapped between an abusive mother and an absentee father. Shackled by poor vision and poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. After another suspension from school and suffering through one of his mother’s violent attacks, he escapes to a friend’s house that turns out to be a meth lab. The lab is raided and Hutch lands in juvenile detention. When the court sentences him to six months in a new juvenile program, he meets a teacher with Alzheimer’s who will change his life and hers.


Purchase:

AUTHOR BIO:
In my other life--the one before I began writing for teens and younger readers--I was a teacher and administrator at California State University, San Jose. My field of Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication has carried me to a lot of places in the world to explore different cultures and languages. I can say, “Where’s the toilet?” and “I’m lost!” in at least five languages and two dialects. Go ahead. Pat me on the back.

My idea of a perfect day is one or all of the following: starting a new novel, finishing writing a blockbuster novel, hiking on a misty morning trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, saying Namaste after a great yoga practice, sipping a cappuccino topped at a bustling café, reading in front of a fire with snow outside, swimming in an ocean someplace.

I've just set out my perfect life. Day after day after day.

Author links:





Book Tour Blast: I'M STILL HERE by Kathryn R Biel

I'mstillherebanner


 
im still here

It started out as an ordinary day for Esther Comely-Cox, if you consider simultaneously totaling your car, smashing a Ho Ho in your face and meeting a handsome doctor ordinary. Estranged from her family over her sister's mental illness and death, Esther can't help but feel alone. And when Esther hears the voice of her twin sister who committed suicide seven years ago, she begins to question her own sanity, leading her to wonder if anything is what it seems. Searching for answers, Esther must confront her past while looking towards a new future—one in which she is finally accepted. Through humor and heartbreak, Esther learns that blood does not mean family, that absence does not make the heart grow fonder and that silence can speak volumes.

Put I'm Still Here on your TBR list!

Buy on Amazon 


Here is the link for pre-order on Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/i-m-still-here-14
 
Here is the smashwords pre-order link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/468844
 


About the author:

biel-8490 - Copy (533x800) (2)croppedTelling stories of resilient women, Kathryn Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. 

After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather (kathrynbiel.blogspot.com). 

She is the author of Good Intentions (2013) and Hold Her Down (2014). Please feel free to follow on Twitter (@KRBiel) or on Facebook (Kathryn R. Biel: Author)

 

Follow Kathryn:

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads    

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