Wednesday, October 31, 2018

GODDESS FISH PROMOTIONS 10th ANNIVERSARY Celebration!


Welcome to the Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary Month Long Celebration!

Who is Goddess Fish Promotions? And what do we do? We're glad you asked!

We didn't want your visit here to be dry and boring, so we decided to have a poetry competition and put what we do into verse. Here are the initial entries:

Marianne:

Roses are Red.
Violets are Blue.
I'm awful at poetry.
Coffee.

Judy:

You've written a book
And now you say
You want people to look
And hopefully pay.

So come see us
To create a tour for you
Without a fuss
And you won't be blue.

Yeah, for some reason, Judy won!

Even better, her poem is correct. We DO offer virtual book tours as one of our options! Here are a couple of testimonials from clients:

Working with Goddess Fish was such a pleasant and professional experience. Each and every morning, they were on top of the tour stops, thanking the host and engaging the readers. I’ve had such positive feedback on this tour and cannot thank Goddess Fish enough. I look forward to working with them again in the future. – John Feldman, author of Out of Hiding

It is a pleasure to work with such a professional company. I am so pleased with everything from start to finish. The tour hosts always do a wonderful job setting up the post and spreading the word. I appreciate the hosts who took the time to read my book and write an honest review. The response from the tour is amazing.

I look forward to working with Goddess Fish Promotions again for my next release.
– Kathleen Ann Gallagher, author of Night Magic

We also offer Virtual Book Tours, Graphic Design, Social Media Promotion and more. You can see more testimonials here.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little (more information is below) and we'd like to do the same. We'd LOVE to see a little poem that tells us a bit about you in the comments. We'll be awarding random book giveaways and $5 Amazon GCs to some of the best poetry we find. It might not be at every stop, but when something really makes us smile, we'll reward it! Come on, be daring...

And now, more about us:

About Goddess Fish Promotions

Goddess Fish Promotions was established October 14, 2008. Why? Well, when Marianne became a published author and got her the first taste of trying to promote a book on a budget, there was only one other virtual book tour company in place at the time, and their fees were simply too high for a small press author. After coordinating and running her own tour, she knew other authors could use the same service for a reasonable price. Thus, Goddess Fish Promotions was born.

Because both Judy and Marianne were authors and editors prior to running Goddess Fish Promotions, they approach the business with a unique point of view, and treat their clients how they would expect to be treated.

The people behind the fish

Judy Thomas -- The Goddess

Judy has a college degree in English and she’s worked in retail, education, at her local library as well as an editor for a small press and for the now defunct ShadowKeep Ezine. She’s also a published author so can see things from both sides of the fence. In 2013, she “retired” and now spends her days helping authors make their dream come true—as well as working as much as she can with her local theater group.

Marianne Arkins - Fish

Grammar freak and coffee lover, Marianne wrote her first novel at ten years old, built her first commercial website in 2000, and published for the first time in 2006. She worked as a professional editor for just over a year, and knows what it’s like to write, edit and promote a book on a budget.

One of our interviews during the tour explains our nicknames ... keep visiting daily to find out!

http://www.goddessfish.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoddessFishPromotions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoddessFish
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/goddessfish/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannejudy/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Goddessfish

Now, the goodies ... want to win stuff? Here are the rafflecopters:

Readers: a Rafflecopter giveaway Authors: a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tuesday, October 30, 2018

#Review: KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS by Valerie Bowman



  5 of 5 stars

Another winner from Ms. Bowman! I really enjoy her stories and this one didn't disappoint. Lady Regina Haversham wants to marry for love, but as she approaches her 30th birthday, her uncle is forcing her into marriage. When her cousin Mark hires his friend Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf to investigate who might be targeting her, sparks fly between her and Daffin. Who is trying to hurt Regina and why? Daffin is on the case, but he's in danger of losing more than just this case and the more time he spends with Regina, he realizes the lady fancies him as well. However, she's a lady and he's a Bow Street Runner and their worlds could not be further apart. Can love conquer even one's social standing?

This story held my interest throughout and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened. I thought I had figured out the culprit, but a surprising twist was thrown into the mix. I also loved the banter between Regina and Daffin. Fans of regency romances will definitely enjoy this story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and was not obligated to leave a review.

Blurb:

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman…

Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?

Author bio:

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps!

Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com


#Review: FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT by Anna Bennett


  3 of 5 stars
 
I've enjoyed other books by Ms. Bennett, but this one was just ok. It started out great although a bit far-fetched. Ms. Fiona Hartley is being blackmailed and she needs to marry in order to access her dowry money. She proposes marriage to David Gray, Earl of Ravenport, who is in desperate need of funds to restore his family seat. This certainly was a different way to start a regency romance, but I wonder why the blackmailer did not blackmail her father who is a wealthy tradesman?

I liked Gray a lot. His desire to restore The Fortress for his grandmother was a sweet gesture. Gray's back story is dark and only the slightly clumsy Fiona seems to soothe some of that darkness for him. I loved that Fiona is not just a wealthy heiress, but a talented artist in her own right. Some of the dialogue between these two is quite entertaining, but can you fall in love with someone in two short weeks? 
I did figure out who the villain was although some of his actions were over the top and didn't make sense at the end. In any case, there are some enjoyable parts to this book although there were some things that didn't click with me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review although I was not obligated to leave a review.




BLURB:
An heiress with a daring proposal. An earl who’s determined to resist her. And a love that just might be written in the stars, in First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennett.

Recently jilted by his fiancée, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport is not in the market for a wife. Even if Gray didn’t have his hands full renovating his crumbling country house, it would take more than a bold marriage proposal from a headstrong young beauty to thaw his frozen heart. Gray is confident that spending a week at his ramshackle estate will change her mind about marriage, but every passionate moment he spends with her tempts him to change his…

A talented artist, Miss Fiona Hartley desperately needs her dowry money to pay off a blackmailer set on ruining her sister. The handsome earl seems a sensible choice for a husband…if only she can convince him that romance will play no part. But marrying in name only may prove difficult for Fiona. Gray can’t help but be dazzled by her genuine warmth. Yet as their feelings deepen, Fiona’s deadline looms. Will her secrets destroy them, or is true love their final destiny?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided that books with balls, dukes, and gowns were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags—and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart®. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen.
Anna's books include of the Wayward Wallflowers series and the Debutante Diaries series.


SOCIAL LINKS:

Anna’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AnnaBennett
Anna’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaBennettAuthor/
Anna’s Website: http://annabennettauthor.com/
SMP Romance Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesnhearts & https://twitter.com/SMPRomance
SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/


Monday, October 29, 2018

Interview with Bec McMaster, TO CATCH A ROGUE

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
 
Hi! Thank you for having me!

My latest book, To Catch A Rogue, is the fourth book in my London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy series, in which the Duke of Malloryn puts together a highly-skilled team of individuals who call themselves the Company of Rogues, to combat a mysterious threat against the throne.

To Catch A Rogue deals with what happens when the enemy kidnaps one of their own.

When Charlie Todd is tasked with putting together a team to pull off a dangerous rescue mission, he knows he needs the best. Enter Lark, his one-time best friend, and the only thief who’s ever been able to outwit him. But Lark’s keeping a deadly secret and as the stakes rise, it might be the kind of secret that can destroy them.

It’s a little bit Ocean’s 11 meets Dracula, in a sexy paranormal heist.

Do you have a favorite character?
I adore Charlie. He’s been a side character from the start that’s finally getting his own story. He and Lark were best friends throughout their teenage years, until rising sexual tension and a horrific death tore them apart. Now he wants her back, and he’s not afraid to make that clear.

I think I love writing him so much because he’s so uncomplicated. He knows what he wants now, and he’s not afraid to reveal his heart. He’s the charmer, the clever, loyal guy who would kill to protect his own. And with Lark keeping him at arm’s length, he’s got to use all that charm to show her he’s going to be there for her in the long run.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
The original London Steampunk series was picked up by a traditional publisher in 2011. I’d entered an RWA contest in the US with Kiss of Steel, and Leah Hultenschmidt (then-editor at Sourcebooks) was the final judge. She wanted to see the full manuscript, so I sent it in on the Monday, thinking I wouldn’t hear back for months, and in the middle of Thursday night, received a phone call saying she wanted to buy the book. I’d been preparing to query agents, so there was a mad flurry of activity that weekend, and Jessica Faust of Bookends agreed to represent me.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
The original London Steampunk sold really well in ebooks, but not so much in print. I wanted to pursue the spin-off series, as there were definitely more characters and parts of the world I wanted to explore, but there was some talk of shifting me into straight historical romance instead. I enjoy the odd historical romance, but fantasy-fuelled romance is where my heart lies, and so I decided to decline and pursue self-publishing the spin-off series myself. The series had a strong fanbase who wanted more, so it’s the best decision I think I have made.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I am 100% a pantser (flying by the seat-of-my-pants style writer). I know where the series is loosely heading, the characters who will be the main couples, and a rough outline of what is going to happen in each book, but the fun is in digging for those “plot bones”. For me, the plot is driven by the characters and the decisions they make, so I discover the nitty-gritty elements of the plot as I write the book.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
Yes. I work with Hot Tree Editing for my copy-editing and proofing before I self-publish. I want the standard to be as professional as my original traditionally-published books, and no matter how many reads it goes through, things are always missed. I need another set of eyes (preferably more).

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
That I love the control (: It’s a big job, as suddenly you’re in charge of everything; organizing covers and editing, writing the book, formatting, marketing, ads etc. But it’s a lot of fun if you’re patient. Every book’s a step forward.  

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
There is no right or wrong way to do any of this. Take advice from numerous sources and work out what works for *you*, do your research, and develop your own process. And write. Always write the next book. That’s the best marketing tip you can ever find.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
Reading? *jokes* My partner and I have a small farm, and he wants to breed Suffolk sheep, so we’ve recently re-fenced the entire property in preparation. It’s bordered on three sides by National Park and overlooks the Grampians, so it’s so lovely and peaceful out there. If I never see another piece of fencing wire in my near future I’ll be happy, but I love spending time there. I sometimes joke that it feels like we’re actually farming kangaroos, as there are so many of them!

What’s next for you?
I’m delving into the fifth and final book in the Blue Blood Conspiracy spin-off, Dukes Are Forever, which features the Duke of Malloryn and is coming early 2019. Malloryn’s this deliciously Machiavellian character who was trapped in a marriage of convenience by the devious Miss Adele Hamilton. Needless to say he’s not pleased, and she has very secret reasons for her actions, which are all going to come to light. Marriage of convenience between two enemies? Yes, please.


To Catch A Rogue
Bec McMaster
(London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy #4)
Publication date: October 30th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk

An impossible heist. A thief and a rogue. But will she steal his heart, instead?
The Company of Rogues finally knows the identity of the mastermind behind a plot against the queen—but their enemy is still one step ahead of them. When he kidnaps one of theirs, the Rogues plan a daring rescue mission that will lead them into the heart of the bloodthirsty Crimson Court.
It’s a job for a master thief, and there’s nothing Charlie Todd likes more than a challenge. To pull off the impossible, Charlie needs a crew, including the only thief who’s ever been able to outfox him.
He broke her heart. But now she must risk it all to save his life…
Lark’s spent years trying to forget her past, but the one thing she can’t ignore is the way a single smile from Charlie still sets her heart on fire. When he proposes they work together again, it feels just like old times, but she has one rule: this is strictly business.
It’s Charlie’s last chance to prove he can be trusted with her heart. But Lark’s keeping a deadly secret. And as passions are stirred and the stakes mount, it might be the kind of secret that could destroy them all…
Ocean’s 11 meets Dracula, in this sexy paranormal heist by USA Today Bestselling Author, Bec McMaster. If you like sexy paranormal romances, steampunk shenanigans, and plenty of action-adventure (vampires, dirigible flights, and steamy rooftop chases), then dive into this thrilling heist with Charlie and Lark.

Author Bio:
BEC MCMASTER grew up on a steady diet of 80’s fantasy movies like Ladyhawke, Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, and loves creating epic, fantasy-based worlds with heroes and heroines who must defeat all the odds to have their HEA. If you like sexy, dark, paranormal romance, try her Dark Arts series; for some kick-bustle ladies-saving-the-day steampunk romance then check out London Steampunk; and for rocket-fuelled post-apocalyptic romance with a twist on the werewolf theme, then see her Burned Lands series.
Bec has been nominated for RT Reviews Best Steampunk Romance for Heart of Iron (2013), won RT Reviews Best Steampunk Romance with Of Silk And Steam (2015), and Forged By Desire was nominated for an RWA RITA award in 2015. The series has received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, with Heart of Iron named one of their Best Romances of 2013.
Escape the Ordinary at www.becmcmaster.com or follow her on Twitter @BecMcMaster, or www.facebook.com/BecMcMaster
Join Bec’s newsletter for all the latest news on releases, exclusive excerpts and cover reveals, and get your copy of ‘Tarnished Knight’, a novella in her award-winning London Steampunk series. Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://eepurl.com/F_LkD.

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




#Excerpt: SWEETEST OCTOBER by Megan Slayer


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Megan Slayer will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author and a signed swag pack to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


Love and Halloween are an odd couple, but they can be the best means to heal a broken heart.

Allison Prince never planned on leaving her job with the Waite Gazette, but when the chance to discover her past comes along, she can’t say no. She’s determined to learn about her grandmother and make the advice in her column more relatable. With her rescue dog, Woofy, beside her, she sets out to learn as much as she can about Hallowsville, Ohio.

Erik Greene doesn’t believe in love and isn’t fond of Halloween. He’s convinced his broken heart won’t heal—until he meets Allison and visits the local animal shelter. He doesn’t want a journalist snooping around Hallowsville. But Allison isn’t all she seems and the pup at the shelter proves love is possible.

Can he open his heart to new opportunities and chase the love of his life? Or is he destined to be the Dandy Devil of Hallowsville all alone?

Excerpt:

©2018 Megan Slayer, All Rights Reserved

“I knew about you long before your emails, even if I didn’t realize I did.”

“Erik?” He had to have said something. He hated her.

“Mr. Surly?” Delilah laughed and shook her head. “No.”

“Does he ever smile?” She toyed with the class covering the counter. “Or would that break his face?”

“He’s good at distant.”

“Too bad. He’s cute.” She hadn’t wanted to blurt that out. “But petulant.”

Delilah’s brows rose and she stopped laughing. “Remember the cute comment when you’ve fallen in love with him and he doesn’t return your feelings. Trust me. He’s cute, but he’s a handful very few women want to take on.”

“He can be all the cute he wants. I can tell you he won’t make a move.”

“Why wouldn’t he ask you out?” Delilah asked. “You’re adorable. It runs in the family, you know. We’re all adorable.”

“Compared to you and the other women I’ve seen, I’m nothing great. I’m short, curvy and not perfect,” Allie said. She knew her limits. Her exes liked to remind her as to where she could improve. Erik would be the same. “Why aren’t you with him? Or are you? You make a handsome couple.”

“Erik? No.” Delilah rewrapped a spool of ribbon around the cardboard. “He’s not my type, but I’ve dated him. It was a disaster.” She tapped the spool on the counter. “You’re more his type.”

“No thanks.” She refused to even try when she had the feeling she’d be shot down on the first date.

“Well, don’t think you’ll cure him. He’s beyond help.”

“I don’t know what you mean, but I won’t.”

“Remember that.”

“I’m not looking to date anyone. I dumped my boyfriend right before I left because I found out he’d cheated on me. I don’t have time to go through that again. Plus, once the month-long trip down memory lane is over, I’m back at the Gazette.” So she’d slipped and said she was home. So what? The word change was a simple goof-up. Nothing more.

“We don’t have a paper here in Hallowsville,” Delilah said.

“Okay?” She didn’t understand. “You share one with the next town over? The county?”

“Nope.” Delilah put the ribbon down. “You are an Astor. You’ve got the right to stick around and since you’re in the newspaper business, you’d know how to run one. Why not stay a while after the month and give us a newspaper? There’s still a press and once people found out we had a paper again, you’d have business.”

“I write columns, not oversee publications.” Running a newspaper? Half the time she struggled with balancing her checkbook. The thought of accounts, advertising, stories…she’d sink in weeks.

“You helped run the student paper in college.”

“It was a free paper and mostly used by the students to line bird cages and for house-breaking dogs.” Her heart sank. “I don’t know anything about the day-to-day operations of a paper.”

“It’s not like you’d be running it alone.” Delilah left her stool and retrieved three spools of ribbon from the other end of the counter. “Hallowsville is a remarkable place. When we see a need, we find a way to fill it and come together while doing so. You might be better at running the paper than you think.”

“Delilah.” No matter what she said, she wouldn’t change her cousin’s mind.

“I hope you rethink the paper, but I really hope you stick to your gut feeling concerning Erik.”

About the Author:
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm. Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj .

Website: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Blog: https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com
Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV43J1Q/
Universal Link: https://www.books2read.com/u/3G97vr
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sweetest-october-megan-slayer/1129446661
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-sweetest-october
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-sweetest-october/id1434747968?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Friday, October 26, 2018

Interview with Azaria MJ Durant, BROKEN ARROW

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series? Broken Arrow, my debut novel, is an epic young adult fantasy book and the first in a planned series of six novels.  Ealdred, a hated half-breed slave, discovers he possesses powers and is thrown into a world of magic. Chaos ensues, and he is forced to flee, only to be captured by a mysterious figure in the night. Fire elemental Zeldek wishes to make Ealdred his apprentice, but his methods are questionable and seek to hide a deeper evil. Lies abound and Ealdred finds himself more of a slave than he’s ever been as he is forced to choose between a life of servitude and death. But when he meets Bellator, general to Zeldek and the only dragon rider in existence, a different option is opened to him; to escape from Zeldek’s stronghold and search for a golden arrow that rumor has it can put a stop to the coming war.

Do you have a favorite character? It was pretty difficult to decide, because I have a cast of very loveable, precious problem children, but I have managed to narrow it down, yes. Bellator is my favourite character, not only because she is awesome, but she’s also very complicated. To write a character that is seemingly good, but struggles between her own selfishness and ingrained loyalty to her cruel master was very interesting for me. There have been many times when I realized that she was lying even to me, and it’s taken a lot to finally pry the truth from her so I can write her accurately. Adding to that her sharp, clever mind and awesome fighting skills, and she’s very difficult not to like, even when she’s being a brat.

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? I’ve had a few, actually, but the most important of these is Annalyn. When she was first introduced, she was a random tavern maid in a small town they passed through. But the white hair fascinated me, and I ended up giving her a much bigger role in the story. It definitely was part of the major change that happened between the second and third versions of the story.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence? It depends on my mood whether I like silence or listening to music. I can easily do both. Music definitely if there are other distractions around.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you? I do a bit of both. I like to create skeleton outlines, but it can’t be rigid enough where it leaves no room for change.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing? I hired two, actually. The first was for content editing, and the second right before publishing for line and copy editing. I also extensively self-edit my work. I’m a bit of a perfectionist.

What have you learned during your self-publishing journey? It’s not easy and it costs money to do it well. Also, advertising sucks.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena? If you’re going to self-publish your book, do it with excellence, even if it costs a bit of money, and you’ll automatically stand out. Quality is your goal. Quality in the cover, the content, the title, the advertising. Everything. Reach as high as you can, even if that means you’ll fall harder. And when you fall, get up and keep reaching.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions? I do! I’m actually also an artist. I mostly sketch concept art for my stories, but I have been known to do a painting every once in a while.
(As it turns out, Bellator is the subject of many drawings, as she tends to be pretty awesome!)
I share my art on Instagram as HerMajestyMJ (https://www.instagram.com/hermajestymj/

What’s next for you? I’m actually about to embark on a year long trip around North America with my parents and ten of my siblings, during which I plan to finish the second and third books in the Darkened Destiny series. So that is pretty exciting! 


Broken Arrow
Azaria M.J. Durant
(Darkened Destiny Saga #1)
Publication date: July 29th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

An ancient power long kept dormant stirs in the shadows once more as one boy embarks on a quest to earn his freedom and the freedom of his world!
Magic has turned to myth, the Vaelhyreans of old to legend, and the power wielded by the ancients has long been forgotten. However, with Ealdred, a mere half-breed slave boy, myth becomes real, the forgotten remembered, and the power of legend is reborn within him.
Ealdred is merged into a world of mystery, brimming with deceit, where the remaining Vaelhyreans are in a desperate fight for their very survival. When Ealdred is kidnapped by the power-mongering dark lord Zeldek himself, he must make a choice; to commit his newfound magic to Zeldek’s service or die. But when he meets Bellator, clever yet treacherous servant of Zeldek, an alternative is presented to him: to escape from Zeldek’s stronghold and embark on a quest to find a cursed arrow and free the Vaelhyreans from the spell that keeps their powers at bay.
Yet how can he survive in a world where magic is illegal, half-breeds are hated, and the four countries are on the brink of war?

Author Bio:
Azaria M. J. Durant is a young, passionate writer of fantasy with plans to branch out into sci-fi and dystopian. She enjoys writing stories with action, adventure, unexpected plot twists, and fleshed out characters that challenge gender roles and expectations.
Azaria lives in Atlantic Canada with her family, cats, and dogs, and her big dreams to travel the world. In the moments when she isn’t writing, she is sketching concept art for her stories, participating in community theatre, or curled up with a good book and a bag of mint chocolates.



#Excerpt: WALTZ WITH ME by Debra Holt


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Debra Holt will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


Calla Rose returned home to McKenna Springs to help save her family's business... The Yellow Rose... a ninety-year old Texas dance hall. She also came home to heal. Being a victim and finding her trust level in men damaged, she is determined to succeed in this one thing for her family and nothing is going to deter her from doing just that. Now even a green-eyed cowboy/mayor with heart-stopping smiles and kisses that threaten to thaw the ice around her heart.

Ty Conners wasn't looking for love. He had simply stopped in to welcome the latest business owner to town. But coming face to face with Calla Rose would prove an unforgettable experience in more ways than one and send his heart into a tailspin. Never a man to not face a challenge head-on, he prepared to get past the barricades she had erected between herself and the male population. But it was easier said than done, and just when he's within reach of her heart, a lie brings memories of pain and distrust and Calla's heart may be out of his reach for good.

Buy the book at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FRKGCGW
 
Excerpt:

“You’re right. It’s the best offer. And I’ll take you up on it.” She placed her hand in his in order to get a hand up from the step. Mistake. His hand was warm, and the warmth seemed to flow up her arm and fill her with a sense of peace that was most disconcerting. Once on her feet, she gave a slight tug and he released his grip. Was she sorry? Silly thought. Her mind was just tired from the long and trying day. The fresh air would do the trick to put things in their proper perspective... including the man beside her.

A few minutes later, Calla felt the tenseness leave the neck muscles and the corners of her mouth curved upward of their own accord. The windows were down, and the pickup was making its way along the country lane as it followed the curves of the river, crisscrossing bridges from one side to the other as it went deeper into the tall canyon. The breeze ruffled through her hair. Here she was, taking a ride in a pickup, listening to a lively George Strait swing tune on the radio, and a good-looking cowboy beside her. If those people from her old life could see her now… would they think she had lost her mind? Did she think she had?

Or would they think she had finally found it? That sudden realization brought a strange feeling with it. If she didn’t know better, she’d think she had finally found where she belonged. But that couldn’t be… could it? The city life and a stately courtroom had been her mecca. How did things switch course in mid-stream on her? Calla’s gaze went to the man beside her and just then, he turned and gave her a look and smile that answered her unspoken question. Silly! She jerked her gaze back to the open window. How could he know what she was thinking? When she wasn’t sure of it herself?



Author Bio:

Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra grew up among horses, cowboys, wide open spaces, and real Texas Rangers. Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most. She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and planning high-end weddings (ah, romance!).

When she isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure. She read her first romance...Janet Dailey's Fiesta San Antonio, over thirty years ago and became hooked on the genre. Writing contemporary romances, is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles...and sighs...to all who believe in happily-ever-after’s.

Debra invites you to visit her website. She loves to hear from other aspiring authors or readers via email. Twitter is and Facebook at:

Website: http://www.debraholtbooks.com
Email: debraholtbooks@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebraHoltBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraHoltBooks


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Thursday, October 25, 2018

Interview with Catherine Russell, EXIT STAGE LEFT


What would we find under your bed?
Massive amounts of storage space! As I have a California King Captains pedestal frame, it has multiple drawers, and cupboards as well as a large crawl space. I absolutely adore this frame for this very reason and it’s the same reason I can’t seem to give it up. Though it’s horribly outdated, with it’s knotty pine design and mirrored, lighted cupboards, I truly cherish it. For the most part, the drawers are for clothing, however the larger cupboards are for hiding Christmas & birthday gifts. If one were to kneel down right now and stare into the crawl space they might find a very antiquated VCR or old backpacks along with a few discarded hand-bags.

What was the scariest moment of your life?
This again is a 2 part because they’re equal measures of absolute fright. When my son was approximately 2, he wanted to join me on my morning run, which at that point was during the winter months. I was happy to bundle him up in warm sweats, a fancy puppy dog hoody and a pair of his sneakers. He was excited and smiling. However that happiness didn’t last long. Shortly after jogging for just a bit, down the one street in our neighborhood, he said “wait” and we stopped. At 2 years old he was speaking the best he could except I realized that he had begun to wheeze in his breathing and was not speaking. I quickly scooped him up and raced home. Long story short, after stopping at the local fire department to have them take a look at him, they said to take him to the hospital, they offered to transport but I declined as I already worked at the hospital and knew how to contact. He was having his first asthma attack. I myself had never experienced anything like this however my mother was a chronic asthmatic. All the doctors and nurses took him from my helpless arms, ran tests, attempted to start an IV which didn’t go over well and placed an oxygen mask on his little face. He was nearly intubated, with a tube down his throat, which didn’t happen thank God. He was so tired, so lifeless as he lay there trying to breathe as he finally fell asleep from exhaustion. I felt completely helpless, there nothing in this world that prepare you for this…for not being able to save your child.

With the second story I’m forced to share another’s memory for this answer. When I delivered our son nearing 17 years ago, I had to undergo an urgent C-section. Our son was delivered safely, the nurse standing by took the obligatory picture of the 3 of us, me still on the operating table and my wife cradling our son as we all smiled, and what I thought was a relatively quick smooth procedure soon changed. The thing I remember is the picture being taken, when suddenly all the meds I’d been given basically hit me and I was out like a light. Well immediately following the picture, according to my wife, I began to bleed out, to hemorrhage uncontrollably. It took quite a while to stabilize me. My wife and son didn’t see me for many hours as my doctor work on me. Eventually, yes I was safe and wheeled into recovery then to our room, nearing midnight. We had delivered at 9:11 am. There’s 11 hours that I lost that day, 11 hours I’ll never get back and almost didn’t come back from.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Answer: Most definitely I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Music transports me into my scenes and away from reality. The range of music is wide, varying from classical to Bruno Mars, Macklemore, and Bon Jovi plus throw in some hard core Icelandic Goth as well. However I must confess that Muse is my biggest muse…see what I did there? Hehe…I love Muse. I discovered them on the sound track of a particular movies series based on…you guessed it, Vampires. The Twilight Saga has a wonderful mix for all the movies to enjoy. I highly recommend them.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
Answer: For 2019, completing The Stage Chronicles: Enter Stage Right Book 3 is my goal. However it’s up to my editing team to make that become a reality. Also, I’d like to dive back into my stand alone manuscript, A/V, and begin the submission process for this new story, full of new characters plus a few old ones too.

How long did it take you to write this book?
Answer: The Stage Chronicles: Exit Stage Left Book 2 took approximately 6 months, however due to circumstances beyond my control, it was 2 years before it was published.



BLURB:

Megan O'Day seems to be navigating the unpredictable relationship with Geoffrey Drake, her centuries-old vampire guardian angel, rather well. But then his past suddenly rips him from her, forcing her to face the unknown future alone in the gripping sequel to The Stage.

Still bound to Geoffrey through the power of the Link despite his unexplained absence, Megan's mind is flooded with his haunted memories. While she relives the darkest moments of his previous life, she discovers his attachment to a woman who bears a striking resemblance to her.

As she questions Geoffrey's love for her, she strikes up a dangerous alliance with Geoffrey's brother, Alexander, who is also a vampire. She hopes that he will help her find a way to rescue Geoffrey: instead, he seems to be awakening new emotions and desires within her.

As the past and present collide, Megan struggles to fend off Alexander's dark seduction. Is Geoffrey truly beyond the reach of her love forever? If not, what must be sacrificed to bring them back together again?

The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour only.

The Stage Chronicles site http://www.thestagechronicles.com/


Amazon link for The Stage Chronicles Book 2 Exit Stage Left https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Stage-Left-Chronicles/dp/1935460889/ref=sr_1_2

Amazon link for The Stage Chronicles Book 1 The Stage  https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Stage-Left-Chronicles/dp/1935460889/ref=sr_1_2

Twitter for The Stage Chronicles https://twitter.com/CathyMRussell

Facebook for The Stage Chronicles https://www.facebook.com/thestagechronicles/

Instagram for The Stage Chronicles https://www.instagram.com/thestagechronicles_/


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Catherine Russell was born in Tacoma, Washington and raised in a small town just south, South Hill, Puyallup. At the time South Hill was a heavily wooded area and far off the beaten path. Growing up she had the forests as her fantasy world along with the wild animals. She lived with her parents and an older sister. There are a few similarities from her own childhood that have carried over in to her first novel, “The Stage”. As a child, she did have a small dog named Toto, whom she would quite frequently roam the woods with. Her childhood home still stands, and is still nestled in the woods even though South Hill has undergone an extreme makeover since she lived there. She enjoyed hours of day dreaming and playing in the woods, which in turn fed her fantasy world of make believe.


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








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