Saturday, January 31, 2015

#Free QUEST FOR NOBILITY and CRYSTAL FACADE #fantasy


Are you an Amazon PRIME member or signed up for KINDLE UNLIMITED? You can now read the Rule of Otharia books for FREE!

QUEST FOR NOBILITY
4.4 rating over 19 reviews

"...this fantasy tale is highly imaginative and quite engaging..."

."..science fiction/adventure novel has a lot going for it: believable lead characters, a classic coming-of-age narrative, and an interesting mixture of both high-tech science fiction and fantasy elements..." 

"...The end is fantastic when all the threads that run through the tale are uncovered..."


The parents of royal Otharian twins Darius and Dyla have been murdered; their cousin is stealing their throne, and they are falsely accused of murder. Their only choice is to flee to the forbidden and quarantined planet Earth, but it could turn out to be a one-way trip.

To return home, they must find an ancient crystal, that once belonged to Merlin, to power the return portal. When the twins stumble upon the location of the crystal, the local crime boss sends out his assassin to retrieve it. Can Darius and Dyla use their PSI powers to open the portal home and reclaim their throne before the assassin catches up to them?

Amazon link: 


THE CRYSTAL FAÇADE
4.1 rating over 10 reviews

"...The authors did a great job with the power hungry plot and the unique and charming characters. The writing is clear and easy to follow. This book will be well received by many fantasy lovers..."

"The Crystal Façade is a distinctive and exciting journey into the fantasy genre and I can only hope that there are many more great trips to Otharia!"  

"A fast-paced and exciting book… It was highly engrossing and, in a rare change of pace, even better than the first book."

Royal Otharian twins Darius and Dyla Telkur have a big problem: they know too much about a secret sect of their countrymen living on the forbidden planet Earth. On a previous trip to Earth, they traced the sect's lineage back to the time of Merlin, but a run-in with a local crime boss forced them back to Otharia before they could unravel the mystery.

Now Dyla is dreaming again. Her dreams of the London crime boss portend an imminent threat to her family and she has no choice but to secretly return to Earth to find out what they mean. What the twins don't realize is they're walking into a conspiracy involving a centuries old interplanetary smuggling operation. Will they be able to capitalize on their superior PSI powers to get the answers they need before they fall victim to a telekinetic assassin that has hunted them across the galaxy?
Amazon link:

Friday, January 30, 2015

Guest Post by Summer Lane, STATE OF ALLIANCE


To write State of Alliance, it was very important that I get some serious firsthand experience of the location that I was writing about. The book begins in Sacramento, eventually taking Cassidy to the coastline. I lived in Sacramento for nine years, so I definitely had a good idea of the geography of the “City of Trees,” as it’s called. For Monterey, however, I needed to walk the streets, count the steps, smell the air, see the ocean and feel the temperature. I needed to know what Cassidy would feel here. I needed to take this beautiful little coastal town and turn it into a post-apocalyptic warzone. (Sorry, Monterey. You’re not the first town to fall prey to my storylines!)

I traveled to Monterey in November of 2014 to scope out the area. I visited Fisherman’s Wharf, overlooked the Presidio of Monterey, walked through the halls of the Carmel Mission, strolled down the sidewalks at Cannery Row and dipped my hands into the cold water of the Pacific Ocean in Pacific Grove. I kept track of road names and avenues. I recorded temperatures and studied the bay. Most importantly, I researched the Naval Postgraduate School, where a large portion of Cassidy’s story takes place.

As a writer, I can honestly say that getting out of the office and actually researching a subject or location is one of the most refreshing and inspiring experiences. It gives you a sense of realism that you can translate into your writing. I highly recommend it, and I loved every minute of researching for State of Alliance! 



Book & Author Details: 
State of Alliance by Summer Lane
(Collapse Series #5)
Publication date: January 30th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic

Synopsis:
There is no such thing as safe.
For Commander Cassidy Hart, staying alive is only one of her day-to-day problems. As a newly minted Senator of the State of California, she must travel to Monterey Bay with the hope of bringing an agreement between the militia forces and the Pacific Northwest Alliance as the United States desperately battles against the shadow invasion forces of Omega.

But Monterey is not what it seems. The threat of another Omega attack looms on the horizon, and Commander Chris Young – the love of Cassidy’s life – is not the only important person in Cassidy’s life who is keeping secrets. Assassinations, betrayal and startling revelations lie ahead.
The war is now. Fight or die.
Choose your side.

The fifth installment in the international bestselling Collapse Series, a YA/NA post-apocalyptic romantic adventure.

Purchase: 


AUTHOR BIO
Summer Lane is the author of the international bestselling Collapse Series and Zero Trilogy. She owns WB Publishing and Writing Belle, an online magazine dedicated to the Art of Storytelling. Summer is also an accomplished creative writing teacher and professional journalist. She lives in the Central Valley of California where she creates her stories and shares them with the world.

Author links:


GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
  • 13 eBooks:
    • The Soul Thief, Majanka Verstraete 
    • Trigger, Jill Meengs 
    • Dead Girl Walking, by Ruth Silver
    • Spirit Warrior, by DEL Connor 
    • Fractured Dream, by KM Randall
    • The Green Dagger, by Kelly Hess 
    • Jacob, King of Portalia, by Casey Cubb
    • A Reaper Made by Liz Long 
    • The Road by G. Michael Hopf 
    • The Death, by John W. Vance 
    • Last Woman by Jacqueline Druga 
    • Realm of the Unknown by James McPike 
    • Element Wielder, by Cesar Gonzalez 
  • 1 paperback of The Lost and the Wicked by Cesar Gonzalez
  • 1 signed copy of Day Zero by Summer Lane
  • $10 Amazon Gift Card 

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

New #Thriller Release: TRAVEL AGENT by Sean Sweeney


Blurb:
TRAVEL AGENT: A THRILLER, the sixth full-length Jaclyn Johnson adventure, has hit eTailers everywhere.... and the CIA's blonde bombshell has her hands full yet again.

Jaclyn, British secret agent Tom Messingham, and Tasha are vacationing in Australia, but little does Jaclyn know that she is being set up to take the fall for an assassination in Sydney. The trio, together with an old friend, must find out who's behind it before the true terrorist's ultimate gambit comes to fruition--all while Jaclyn learns that not everything is all right in Washington, D.C.


Buy links:
 US Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Agent-Thriller-k-Snapshot-ebook/dp/B00SS0CSVI/

UK Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Travel-Agent-Thriller-k-Snapshot-ebook/dp/B00SS0CSVI/

Australia Kindle: http://www.amazon.com.au/Travel-Agent-Thriller-k-Snapshot-ebook/dp/B00SS0CSVI/

Canada Kindle: http://www.amazon.ca/Travel-Agent-Thriller-k-Snapshot-ebook/dp/B00SS0CSVI/

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/travel-agent-sean-sweeney/1121116721?ean=2940149951376&itm=1&usri=2940149951376

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/travel-agent-a-thriller


Author bio:
Sean Sweeney’s love of reading began in 1988, when he was handed J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Hobbit, and was given a needed reading boost with John Grisham novels and the Star Wars Expanded Universe in the 1990s. His passion for writing began in 1993, as a sophomore in high school, when he began writing sports for his local newspaper. Born and raised in North Central Massachusetts in 1977, Sweeney has written for several newspapers and radio stations. Since then, Sean has written eighteen novels along with a handful of novellas and short stories.

When he is not writing, he enjoys playing golf, reading, watching movies, enjoying the Boston Red Sox, New England Revolution, Arsenal F.C., New England Patriots, and the Gold Coast F.C.

Sean lives in Bolton, Massachusetts with his wife Jennifer and their horses–Alex and Jesse–as well as their five cats–Ziggy Puff, Diva, Squeaky, Spooky, and Roxie.

Interview with Bonnie Paulson, RIDING REDEMPTION


Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
Yes! Actually, the villain in the Lonely Lace series (Devlyn Caracus) is the father of all 5 girls in the Redemption series. I didn’t know that was going to happen so it really took a lot to plot out and plan around. But no, it didn’t change either series, just made for some fun discoveries along the way as I wrote them.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I did that route for quite a while. I was traditionally published in 2009 and again in 2011. I had the whole agent thing going on, too. I highly suggest the traditional route for anyone who is new to publishing, but that is only if they don’t understand the ins and outs required of authors/publishers. Knowledge is key in this industry.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish?
I am not under contract for any traditional publishing as of right now. The reason for this is because my release schedule for 2015 is too insane. I have a book releasing every 6 to 8 weeks (in different genres and I stagger them), and in order to maintain quality and deadlines, I don’t have time to create anything for a publisher or agent right now.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
I’m a slight control freak. One of my traditionally published books underwent such a change (new title, storyline, character arc), that it became less my story and more theirs. That hurt. I didn’t write the story for the publishers, I wrote it for the readers. For me. And… well I felt that was compromised. So I leapt into Indie-publishing and I haven’t looked back.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
My cover artist, Ashley Byland of Redbird Designs, is amazing. She has designed all 24 of my currently released book covers as well as the 15 upcoming releases this year. I learned while working with her that if I try to direct her from the starting gate, neither of us is happy (and I’m not surprised, I’m not an artist but there I was trying to tell her how to do her job – ANNOYING). If I give her pertinent information to the story, she comes back with images and covers that I could never have imagined. I’m in love with all of my covers. Seriously, in love! And she’s done an amazing job with them at such an affordable price. She’s awesome!

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
I have two critique partners – a group tends to have too many hands in the kitchen helping. Yes, they’ve definitely helped my writing improve and grow. They both look at different aspects of the story and have done wonderfully regarding the arcs, etc. I don’t know where I would be without them.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I used to just go with it, but then I tried plotting and my efficiency skyrocketed. I no longer experienced writer’s block and was able to work and be much more prolific. I outline everything now.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
ALWAYS. As well as a proofreader. This is non-negotiable for me. And still once in a while errors slip through. I can’t imagine what would happen if I didn’t hire one!

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
That I have a lot to learn still!

What’s next for you?
I have multiple releases coming up. Resisting Redemption, book #3 of the Redemption series releases in April. I have a psychological thriller releasing in February (that was FUN!). And so much more – if anyone is interested in finding out more, I give out first sneak peeks on my Survival newsletter at my website. www.bonnierpaulson.net

Thank you so much for having me! I love the layout of your site as well as the fun articles you’re always posting. It was a pleasure being here! Stay Alive! 


JUST THE WAY YOU AREN'T by Lynda Simmons


Excerpt:

Sunny’s feet moved of their own accord and she stared straight ahead, horrified and thrilled at the same time. Wondering what she was playing at and not at all surprised when he fell into step beside her.

This was why she wasn’t ready to leave, she realized. She was enjoying herself too much. Enjoying the fact that as Sonja she could do anything or say anything. Be shocking and sexy, and make Michael Wolfe sit up and take notice.

She glanced over at him as they walked, feeling beauti­ful, powerful, but most of all desirable. Because if that wasn’t hunger she saw in those dark eyes, then she’d been out of circulation for far too long.

Which was a distinct possibility given that her last sexual encounter had been almost a year ago in the back of Vince Cerqua’s convertible when the top wasn’t the only thing that wouldn’t go up. She’d spent the drive home assuring him that it happened to men all the time; at least that was what she heard in the tearoom.

She felt her face warm, knowing instinctively that Michael’s top would never let him down. Not that she wanted to find out. Not really. Not now, at any rate.

“Where will you be going in the morning?” he asked.

“New Jersey.”

He drew his head back and she laughed. “There’s a theater group I’m rather fond of. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. I’m just a wanderer. Never in one place long enough to plant a garden as they say.”

“Is that what you’d like to do? Plant a garden?”

“Yes,” she said, slipping in a touch of Sunny, but staying true to Sonja. “Of course, with so many emerging artists, I’m not thinking about that right now.”

He stopped and took her hand. “What are you thinking about?”

Trouble. And sex. Mostly sex. For all the good it did her.

Truth to tell, Sunny wasn’t the kind to have a one-night stand. She was conservative in her thinking and cautious when it came to matters of the heart. She was the kind who delivered hampers at Christmas, painted faces at the community center on Halloween, and made sure her organ-donor card was signed. No question about it, she was Sunny the good: Balanced. Friendly. And utterly predictable.

But Sonja? Now there was a real vixen. A woman who traveled the world, took risks every day, and was never, ever predictable. It seemed a shame to make her leave the ball so early when she was only in town for one night. And Sunny had the rest of her life to spend being good.

Michael ran his thumb across hers and the pull was stron­ger than ever, bringing her back a step. After all, it wasn’t as though he was a total stranger, some masked man she picked up at the sushi bar. This was Michael Wolfe, Beast of Brighton, Terror of the Tradesmen. And she already knew he looked good without a shirt.

Maybe Hugh was right. Maybe a moment of madness was good for the soul.

The music changed again, the singer launching into a slow, sultry torch song that begged an answer to the question women had been asking for centuries: what is it with men and commitment?

Sunny had wrestled with that issue herself for years, convinced that the boy she’d loved too much would come back for her one day. Pale and contrite, wanting nothing more than to love her the way he should have all along. But commitment wasn’t on her mind at all when she twined her fingers with Michael’s and gave him Sonja’s best come-hither smile. “I’m thinking we should go to your place,” she said, and was sure she was floating as they headed for the door.


BLURB:
What happens when an everyday Cinderella makes a play for the prince?

A moment of madness. That’s all muralist Sunny Anderson expected when she donned a glittering mask and a fabulous gown to crash the gala at Manhattan’s newest boutique hotel. Project manager Michael Wolfe has no idea that the beauty staring up at the mural on the ballroom ceiling is also the artist who painted it. He’s captivated and she’s willing, but when their moment of madness on the sofa in his suite comes to an abrupt end, his princess is off and running, leaving nothing behind but a pair of earrings. He’s determined to find her again, but all he has to do is look closer at the woman painting the mural in his office to see that the one he needs is standing right in front of him.

Buy link:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lynda Simmons is a writer by day, college instructor by night and a late sleeper on weekends. She grew up in Toronto reading Greek mythology, bringing home stray cats and making up stories about bodies in the basement. From an early age, her family knew she would either end up as a writer or the old lady with a hundred cats. As luck would have it, she married a man with allergies so writing it was.

With two daughters to raise, Lynda and her husband moved into a lovely two storey mortgage in Burlington, a small city on the water just outside Toronto. While the girls are grown and gone, Lynda and her husband are still there. And yes, there is a cat - a beautiful, if spoiled, Birman.

When she's not writing or teaching, Lynda gives serious thought to using the treadmill in her basement. Fortunately, she's found that if she waits long enough, something urgent will pop up and save her - like a phone call or an e-mail or a whistling kettle. Or even that cat just looking for a little more attention!



Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 



Prizes for the tour are as follows:
• One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
• One randomly chosen host will receive a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

New #Romantic Suspense: SHADOW by Maureen A Miller

 
Blurb:

The Shadow was watching her again. Sophie Diem could not see him. She could not prove he was there. She could never prove that he was there. But she constantly felt his eyes.

Sometimes he would approach. On those occasions she tried to run. Running was pointless, though. He would always return. And he would always ask the same question−over and over and over…

Where is Nathan Bethard?

Sophie's boss has skipped town, abandoning their counseling firm. Now a stranger is stalking her. In an attempt to flee the man, she seeks a new job...in London. Surely crossing the Atlantic will be enough to deter her shadow.


Buy link:
Available on AMAZON
  
Excerpt:

Sophie Diem closed the trunk of her Corolla with her elbow. It popped back open, of course. There had to be a sensor that detected just how many shopping bags she could juggle at once. Throw in a cold October rain and she realized that the free pinky on her left hand did not possess enough power for the deed. With a sigh she dropped three bags down on the wet sidewalk and slammed the trunk shut. Stringing her fingers through the plastic bag handles, she cursed when the paper towels toppled out.
Something made her pause. That keen sense of being watched. It crawled up the back of her neck as surely as if the perpetrator stood behind her with his fingers around her throat.
It was him.
He was watching her again.
Her shadow.
She could not see him. She could not prove he was there. She could never prove that he was there. But his eyes bore into her back.
Would he approach her today? He had done so in the past−the tall man with eyes the color of the darkest storm. The man who moved with catlike agility, but looked as if he rarely slept. The man who evoked chills even when she could not see him.
She had told others about him. Under their encouragement she had even approached the police. There was nothing they could or would do, though. She had no name for this man. No identity. Anytime she tried to trap him, he disappeared.
Oh, she had tried. She had even attempted to record him once with the microphone on her cell phone. But what good did a voice do? In the eyes of the police there was no physical threat. There was no name or body for them to go after. And again, the man would slip back into the night.
Hello Sophie.”
The deep voice rumbled in the rain. The drops concealed his tread as he crossed the street to stand at her side. Dark rain coat. Dark pants. Gleaming dark hair. A face cast in shadow. He was a manifestation of the street itself−as if the pavement had morphed into this daunting figure.
She did not bolt, though. If she ran as she had done in the past, he would just let her go.
But he would always return.
He would always find her.
And he would always ask the same question−over and over and over…
Where is Nathan Bethard?


About the Author:

USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller's first novel, WIDOW'S TALE earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. A great fan of the romantic suspense genre, Maureen created the site, JUST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE where authors and readers of this wonderful genre can mix and mingle.
You can learn more about Maureen on her website at www.maureenamiller.com

Book Tour Blast: WHITE NIGHT by Kathi Haacke Morehead

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White Night BookCover cropped 
Joanna Anderson Campbell lived the perfect life ... loving daughter and sister, loyal friend, faithful wife, and devoted mother. She was happy and content. What more could she have asked for? Life could not have been better. At least ... that's what she believed. Until she died. Can death teach the most valuable lessons about life? Jo Campbell is about to find out. 

Autographed Copy: http://www.kathimorehead.com/  

Buy on Amazon (Paperback) | Kindle

     

Kathi - White Night Author PicAbout the author: Kathi Haacke Morehead makes her fiction debut with WHITE NIGHT. She is the author of HEART BLEED: Letting go and stanching the flow, and THE BEST FROM THE CHEAP SEATS. She has also written numerous articles for Mind Body Green, and Boomeon. She also blogs daily at A View From the Cheap Seats Today. Kathi lives in Brunswick with her husband Dave and their four finicky felines. Her motto is "love and laugh!"
         

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