October 31, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Horror Review Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor #1 by J.G. Clay

We had the pleasure to meet horror author J.G. Clay at the Second City Signing author event in July. Since then I have been eagerly awaiting to read his eleven Tales of Blood and Sulphur in time for our Halloween Horror review!

Title: Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor (The Tales of Blood and Sulphur Volume 1)

Author: J.G. Clay

Genre: Horror

Date released: July 20th, 2015

Published by: Forsaken

Length: 214 pages

Blurb: Eleven Tales steeped in Blood and reeking of Sulphur

There are cracks in the skin of Reality. Some are microscopic, others are as wide as a four-lane motorway. As the fault lines increase and widen, the door to our world shines like a beacon in the darkness, a warm and inviting sight to others beyond our understanding. When They cross over into our realm, The Tales begin……

A gambler taking one last desperate throw of the dice. A struggling writer making an unholy alliance. An eternal being fighting to stay alive in the financial capital of India. A man burdened with a terrible town secret. The Law Enforcers who must never cry. The End of Days live and direct from the rural heartland of England.

J.G. Clay takes you on a journey through the voids of Reality and into dark places where demons, mutants and inter-dimensional creatures taunt, taint and corrupt Humanity. Survival is not guaranteed, sanity is not assured and death lurks in every corner. These are the Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor; eleven twisted tales of terror and mayhem.

The blood is warm, the sulphur is burning, the tales will be told, the Apocalypse Minor is imminent!

REVIEW **** (4* rating)

Full of twists and surprises, Tales of Blood and Sulphur is mind-blowing and your head will certainly spin as you endeavour to seek all of the answers you are looking for, and then find yourself lost in another tale. This is definitely a dark, horrific and gory read for the mature reader. With it’s grittiness and violence it certainly has it’s moments of being seemingly real, yet written with profound sci-fi fantasy creativity, thus making for a fantastic dark horror.

With a mystical suspect, Null, being interrogated in the epilogue it soon becomes clear that there is a rare, eerie wisdom about him that gives you the heebie-jeebies. His tales will terrorise you and drive you to insanity. Be warned!

Have you ever sneaked out for a ciggy, looked at a patch on the lawn suspiciously, and found it to have grown with no explanation? Or, maybe you have walked home one evening after a few drinks, cutting across the bleak, dark, desolate park and heard noises – a voice ‘help me’? Then again, maybe you’d prefer to have a pint with the devil, listening to The Clash on the jukebox, and being encouraged to join his dark side whilst in an almost trance-like state? Perhaps you’re trapped in an apartment, with little or no food, caged in by zombies, and you need to leave for a few minutes to get some supplies? Or find yourself in a Dr Who-like scenario with creepily smiling cyborgs, with automated voices set, out to control and intimidate those who go against the new regime. If you don’t conform you won’t want to wait to see what will become of you!

Tales is a disgustingly gory read, with scenes of saliva, mucous, blood and many more bodily fluids having an important role in the horrific action scenes. Brains are squished, bones are cracked and blood runs extremely freely. Heads are taken off, skin is burned by flame and acid-like saliva, organs are shredded. I could go on. For a most frightful read, you may wish to read at night with little light, and you’ll feel the full power of this chilly collection.

I really enjoyed that, aside from the individual eleven tales, there is this running undercurrent throughout all of them. This really weaves each tale together, making for a brilliant, compact all-round read. Tales is written very well with so much information to take in and various situations with alien lifeforms, cyborgs, zombies and more. It is a read that fans of this genre will love as I am sure that there will be so much more to realise about each story with every read. It is definitely a keeper for any mature bookshelf, and one to be read again and again.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Author Bio

J.G. Clay is definitely a Man of Horror. There can be no doubt. Putting aside the reverence he has for the horror greats, such as King, Barker, Herbert, Carpenter, Romero and Argento, there is another fact that defines his claim for the title of the ‘Duke of Spook’. He was born on Halloween night. By a quirk fate, it was also a full moon that night. Co-incidence?

Here at Clay Towers, we don’t believe in coincidences.

The 41 year old hails from the Midlands in the United Kingdom, is married with one step child and two dogs that bear a strong resemblance to Ewoks. Beyond the page and the written word, he is music mad and can hold down a tune on a bass guitar pretty well. He is an avid reader and also has an enduring love of British sci-fi, from the pages of the ‘2000A.D’ comic to the televised wanderings of Gallifrey’s most famous physician. Clay is also a long-time fan of the mighty Birmingham City Football Club and endures a lot of flak from his friends for it.

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jgclay1973

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JGClay1

Available from:

AMAZON

Kindle US : http://amzn.to/1TX8Jhu

Paperback US: http://amzn.to/1CZpm7F

Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1RYqLlM

Paperback UK: http://amzn.to/1KoFNKP

Nook (Barnes & Noble): http://bit.ly/1CUUYMd

And Apple iBooks

October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

FREE EBOOK THIS WEEKEND ONLY Innocence by Holly J. Gill

Wow, I feel I should be taking a bow, or patting myself on the back, I should go out and celebrate, do something totally amazing, due to loving what I do, this week has been awesome, made me smile and yes there were moments I didn’t want the feeling to go. After sending the last two months trying to decide what to do with my books after my publisher closed their doors, I hummed for quite sometime and have taken the self-publishing route and delighted I have too.

So lets kick the weekend of with a fine glass of bubbly….

And how about a FREE book for Kindle download

Innocence Blurb

Book 1

Calvin
Edwards has everything he could dream about— perfect lifestyle, running the
family real-estate company back in London. He takes a holiday up north to visit
his parents only to find a young pregnant woman attempting to take her life.
Wishing to help, Calvin becomes a friend to her, only fears he’s out of his
depth. Just when he thinks he can do this his past resurfaces, sending his life
crashing.

Kacey
is pregnant and her life is out of control with nowhere left to go. She descends
on her mum for one last chance for help, only to have the door slammed in her
face. At her wits end, she is alone, scared, and helpless until Calvin comes
along. He becomes a dear friend giving her kindness, something she thought no
longer existed in the world. Only she finds what she’d pushed to the back of
her mind through selfish pain is back. Her past with all its mistakes has come
back to life!

Free

links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Holly Bio

Holly lives in the UK and
is a wife mother of three, and a nana to twins. Holly J. Gill is a romance
writer whose favorite genre is erotica. She has been recently published with
Secret Cravings who unfortunately closed their doors in September 2015 leaving
Holly with several books to find a home. Therefore Holly has taken the chance
to self-publish all her works. Her books include Desires and a sweet adult
series called Innocence. Holly also writes different genre’s loving the
diversity she has to explore. In Holly’s spare time she loves spending time
with her family, friends, listen to music, watch movies, and likes to travel
around England enjoying the beautiful countryside.

Writing is where my heart is…

Where
to find Holly

Thank you for stopping by

October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Promo w/Excerpt Memphis Hoodoo Murders by Kathryn Rogers

Memphis Hoodoo Murders is an occult horror mystery novel that sounds like a dark, gripping read, especially at this time of year. I can’t wait to review this shortly!

Title: Memphis Hoodoo Murders

Author: Kathryn Rogers

Genre: Occult horror mystery

Date released: August 15th, 2015

Released by: Sartoris Literary Group

Length: 360 pages

Synopsis: Addie Jackson has witnessed people trying to kill her family her entire life, and now her grandparents’ attackers are hunting her. The Memphis police are never able to catch these crooks since the cops have been bewitched to stay away. Her grandparents, Pop and Grandma, habitually lie to Addie, but she is attentive enough to overhear the secrets they keep from her. In her predictive dreams, Addie regularly sees future events, which disturb her, but to her dismay, she has never been able to stop them from coming true. She often dreams of a dark character, who she is later shocked to discover is the Man, a devil from hoodoo legend.

Addie is disturbed to discover she is being stalked by a witch doctor named Hoodoo Helen. To make matters worse, the more secrets Addie uncovers, the more danger she finds. Addie presses Grandma for answers about the power behind the ring and pocket watch she often toys with, but Grandma remains tight-lipped. Knowing their deaths are imminent, Grandma makes a deal with the hoodoo devil to take care of Addie, and Addie is later horrified to discover that her beloved family has been murdered. John, a family friend, steps in to help Addie, and she soon realizes he knows more about her family’s tainted past than she ever has. Addie begins receiving cryptic letters from her deceased grandmother, which reveal a shocking family history revolving around slavery, time travel, and magic.

If Addie can survive jail, her cousin’s abduction, threats from a menacing gang, corrupt law enforcement, and hoodooed attacks, maybe she can finally dream of a future where she will be safe and free.

AMAZON BUY LINK

Praise for Memphis Hoodoo Murders:-

“Dripping with grisly spells, wry humor and a distinctly southern brand of magical realism, you’ll be quickly mesmerized by this magnetic paranormal thriller. A home run for author Kathryn Rogers.” – Reviewed by Best Thrillers

“Addie Jackson is not your average college student. For starters, she lives with her slightly odd grandparents in a not-so-nice part of Memphis, Tennessee. Most of her life revolves around taking care of her grandparents and trying to keep a low profile in her neighborhood instead of going on dates, talking about new music, and having fun. When her grandparents’ behavior becomes even more bizarre, there are break-ins at the church the family attends, and she begins to have dreams that come true, Addie becomes even more aware of the strange life she is living. She begins to believe that her grandparents have been hiding something from her for her entire life, something big, something that could put everyone’s lives in danger. Something that could mean that Hoodoo magic is real. Kathryn Rogers’ novel, Memphis Hoodoo Murders, immediately catches the reader with an exciting title and a surprising first chapter.” – Reviewed by Red City Review

Author bio:

Kathryn Rogers is a Memphis native with an affinity for local BBQ and blues rock-n-roll. As a licensed therapist, she holds her Masters in Counseling and Psychology, and as a licensed educator, she holds her Bachelors in Education. Her experience providing counseling services to the community prepared her to expound upon the psychological issues her characters wrestle with in her stories. She currently lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, playful preschooler, and rambunctious Labrador Retrievers.

Readers can connect with Kathryn on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

EXCERPT

Chapter 1

If I told you that people had been trying to kill my family and me my entire life, you would probably just think I was being paranoid, but it’s not paranoia if it’s real.

Sometimes healthy people run for exercise, and oftentimes energetic individuals run for fun. In my neck of the woods, you run just to stay alive. Today I only hoped that the gang members didn’t murder me so I could make it home in one piece. My legs were pumping so hard I thought they might fall off.

Grandma and Pop would tell you I’m petite and pretty when really I’m short and perfectly ordinary. I don’t look anything like them except that we are all small in stature, though I’m so little I look like a shrimp by comparison. I have straight, brown hair with no bangs, smooth skin, and sharp, green eyes. I’ve never dressed fancy as I’ve never had much to begin with. Besides, in my neck of the woods, when you get something shiny, folks try to take it or talk about you for having it, so the more you blend in, the better off you’re bound to be.

“Hey, short stuff! You with the ponytail! I told you to get over here!”

It was my favorite neighborhood thug heckling me.

Just don’t trip. Whatever you do, don’t trip, Addie.

The limb from the fallen tree did not hear my inner monologue, because my foot caught on the log and slung me onto the sidewalk.

“I told you there was no point in running from us,” he said coldly. “We always get what we want.”

I winced in pain and grabbed my right knee, which was running red. I felt like a bleeding fish in the middle of a shark tank.

Show no fear. Don’t cry.

I forced myself to stand and face my antagonists. Their clothes and tattoos were clearly reflective of the Memphis gang, the Skullbangerz—not that I would be privy to any admission from them about this.

“Ouch! Looks like you got a boo-boo,” said a slim, jumpy guy, eyeing me from the stems up. “Want me to kiss on you to make it all better?”

“No, thanks—you’re really not my type,” I said, thankful I had enough spirit to sound snarky.

“Oohh, she’s a feisty one. I like that in a lady,” he toyed dangerously with me.

“Enough with your mouth. You’re wasting my time.” The tall, muscular gang leader cut him off as he stepped towards me. “Yeah, you got to be her,” he remarked as he studied my face.

“Got to be whom?” I asked sullenly.

“June Jackson’s granddaughter,” Jaydon Swisher announced.

I was surprised that he knew who I was. Everyone around here knew him. Just thinking about his cruel reputation made me shudder.

“How do you know her?” I asked to try to pump information out of him.

“So, you is Mrs. Jackson’s girl?” he quizzed me clearly not wanting to give anything away.

“What’s it to you?”

“You ain’t in the position to be asking questions of me. You give me what I want, and I might let you go in one piece…might. You act uncooperative, and I’ll butcher you up while you’re still alive. Then I’ll mail individual pieces of you wrapped up as Christmas presents to your Grandma. Do you understand what I’m telling you right now?”

He was close enough for me to feel his hot breath on my neck.

I knew most people made idle threats. However, I could tell from the way the other gang members kept their distance from him, Jaydon was telling the Gospel truth.

The waterfall of blood continued to rain down my leg. Every fiber in my being told me to get as far away from them as possible. Unfortunately though, as history had indicated, I was too clumsy to outrun them. So, I stalled for time and willed myself to exhibit grace under fire.

The leader of the pack misinterpreted my silence for newfound cooperation and continued to press me, “So, where is it?”

“Where’s what?”

October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Humour Review Vivian’s Vampire (short story) by Deborah Melanie

Halloween is upon us, and what’s better to get us into the Halloween spirit than a short, fun, Halloween costume party read? Deborah Melanie had me laughing out loud with this cute number, that has everything from the ghoulish atmosphere, quirky capers, and a sweet attraction!

Title: Vivian’s Vampire

Author: Deborah Melanie

Genre: Contemporary paranormal/comedy/romance

Release date: October 23rd, 2013

Released by: Solstice Publishing

Length: 29 pages

Blurb: She’s got a scythe, a severed head and she’s looking for love.

Waitress Vivian Shawcross loves a costume party. When Halloween comes along, she can’t wait for the spooky fun to start. However, a mix up over her costume and a road diversion, are just two of the mini disasters she encounters en route to her ghostly night out. Stranded in a remote English village, isn’t her idea of fun, but when a gorgeous vampire is thrown into the equation, Vivian discovers that her fun night out has only just begun.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

Vivian’s Vampire is an absolutely hilarious and fun read – just perfect for Halloween. If you’re not looking for a terrifyingly gory and horrific read, you’ll love this little gem, which has a slight horror feel but with quirkiness, capers and a tad of romance. Not to mention a paranormal element!

Vivian is on her way to a Halloween party dressed in a hooded cape as the Grim Reaper, which makes her feel more like Harry Potter when she has her glasses on and holding her wand (scythe)! A perfect accessory for Death is Bob – a rubber, severed head that adds to the effect.

After having to make a diversion on the road, round black, winding country lanes that she doesn’t recognise, the atmosphere begins to get a little eerie. Vivian’s visibility is lessened by her annoying contacts. Surely it can’t be thick fog out there? And, when she notices a village, signed ‘Welcome to Hell’, and that Bob’s head has gone from the passenger seat, she begins to freak a little. Added to this there is a blinding light and a crash into the nearest tree!

Getting out of the car she sees a sexy vampire bleeding down on her from above the branches and she just can’t bear it anymore. Running away with her phone signal out, and the sound of werewolves, Vivian finds herself in more and more trouble.

The author has really captured the sense of fun with the Halloween costume party and the quirkiness of Vivian, the sense of horror with the eerie atmosphere and strange goings on and wrapped them with the chance of a cute little romance in there too. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Vivian’s Vampire was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest opinion.

You can find Deborah Melanie‘s Vivian’s Vampire at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

October 29, 2015 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ ~ Nothing Else Matters by Blair Babylon

Brand-new New Adult Rock Star Romance

from USA Today-Bestselling Author Blair Babylon!

The nail-biting conclusion to the Billionaires in Disguise: Georgie and Xan series

Nothing Else Matters

explores the depths of the heart and the healing power of love.

Release: October 27, 2015

Georgie broke up with Xan Valentine, the lead singer for the rock band Killer Valentine, the guy that Rolling Stone calls “sex incarnate.” The magazine isn’t wrong, but they don’t know the half of it. He’s the alpha-est male who ever walked onto a stage or into a bedroom and might be crazy, and Georgie is definitely in love with him. Plus, he hired her ex-boyfriend, her first “real” boyfriend, to play in the band, and now she’s stuck between them.

So she tried to leave. That’s what any sane girl would do.

And just as she feared, the Russian mafia kidnapped her.

She prays that Xan won’t try to rescue her because they said they’ll kill him. But she knows he will, even if it costs him everything.

Your Local Amazon ~~~ Amazon.com

iBooks / iTunes

Barnes & Noble / Nook ~~~ Google Play Store

Kobo

Nothing Else Matters is the final book in the Georgie and Xan series.

Haven’t read the first one yet?

Get Every Breath You Take (Book 1) Here:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Google Play

iBooks / iTunes ~ Kobo

Excerpt from Nothing Else Matters

Georgie pushed the door open and found Alexandre sitting on the bed, his good arm resting across his bent knees. He was wearing his jeans, but he had on a blue hospital gown instead of a shirt. His hair was escaping his ponytail, blond strands of it glinting in the fading sunlight streaming in the long windows. His hurt arm rested in his lap behind his knees.

He said, “Sorry about making you the fetch-andcarry girl.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” Georgie pulled the drape that cordoned off the door to the private room and scooted onto the foot of his bed, careful not to jostle the mattress too much under her legs.

“Are you going to wear your jeans again?” he asked. His weak smile worried her. “It’s considered déclassé to not change into yet another designer outfit for the reception. Perhaps your black jeans?”

“I have a dress that Flicka brought for me,” she told him. “It’s red.”

“Too bad you don’t have that black dress with the silver chains from their civil wedding. It looked smashing on you.”

“And on your floor.”

“Indeed.” His smile grew a little warmer.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

He didn’t even glance at his hand, but his quiet voice was just slightly breathy. “I don’t think so.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

He shook his head, a slight movement from side to side, but his expression was still so calm.

“Are you sure that you want to go tonight? We don’t have to. We can just stay in Geneva tonight, if that would be better. I’d stay with you.”

“It wouldn’t matter. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow because the best surgeon in Europe is flying in to do it. Going now wouldn’t change anything. A distraction might be welcome.”

“Well, then. Let’s get this party started,” Georgie said, bracing her arms on her knees to stand and get their clothes.

He lifted his wrapped arm from his lap where it had been hidden behind his legs and the long part of the hospital gown. Elastic bandages wrapped his forearm and hand down to his fingertips where the ends of a foam and silver splint stuck out of the beige cloth. “I don’t know how I’ll get clothes on over this.”

Georgie smiled, cocking her head and looking up from the corner of her eyes like she had been very smart. “I called the concierge at the hotel and got sewing supplies. I have scissors and a needle, and white thread for the shirt and black thread for the jacket. I can sew you into it. If they look closely, it might look like Frankenstein,” she admitted. “But if they don’t, the tux should cover most of that.”

A slow smile grew on his face while she spoke. He said, “That’s amazing.”

She patted his long, bare foot because it was closest to her. “It’s okay, man. I’ll just grab those garment bags.”

Georgie slid off the end of the bed and got the garment bags from Friedhelm, who looked entirely relaxed leaning against the wall, pleasantly hanging out with Paul, except that his brown eyes tracked everyone who moved in the long hospital hallway. He had a resting sweet face.

When she brought the bags back to Alexandre, he was already standing up and was shrugging off the cotton hospital gown, facing her. The cotton slid down his chest and dropped to the floor. She hoisted the bags up and hung them on the curtain track that ran near the ceiling. “Let’s get you dressed first,” she said. “You’ll wrinkle less.”

“You can wait outside,” he said. “I’ll just be a minute. Then we can sew me in.”

“Oh, come on. I’ll just help you button up the shirt.” He unbuttoned his jeans with his one hand and shoved them down his long legs. “I don’t need any help.”

“One last night, okay?”

“I beg your pardon?” he asked as he sat on the bed and yanked the denim off his foot with one hand.

“One last night. I’m going to Atlanta tomorrow. Let me help you.”

“I keep hearing that, but you never leave.”

“Now you’re daring me,” she said. He pulled the other leg of his jeans off his foot and threw them behind himself on the pillow. He wore blue boxer-briefs that hugged his slim hips and rode below the ripples of his abs. Red-gray bruises stained his skin on his ribs and thighs, mostly on his left side.

He said, “I am merely commenting on a trend. One that I like.”

“Well, I’m just saying that you should let me help you because this really is our last night,” she said, trying not to look at the bleeding under his skin. “Don’t push me away, even for a minute, even to just get dressed.”

“Then don’t go to Atlanta,” he said.

She ignored him because she ignored the people on the sidewalks of Southwestern State who hollered that little green men were following her, too. Indulging in fantasies was not something that the Ice Princess did.

She said, “Even now. Even just for a few minutes. Just pretend that I’m helping you so I can stay.”

He blinked, those lush eyelashes blinking over his dark eyes. “All right.”

“So we need to get ready for the reception,” she said.

He nodded, some of his blond hair slipping over his shoulder.

“Do you want to shower?” she asked.

He gestured to the splint and bandages on his left hand and shrugged his strong shoulder, pulling up the ripples of muscle along his torso.

Yeah, his splint and bandages shouldn’t get soggy.

“I can give you a sponge bath,” Georgie said. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in hospitals?”

Amazon.com Amazon UK

October 29, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Dark City (Nick Harland British Detective Series Book 4): Serial Killer Crime Noir, by Bill Carson

Crime Noir

Book Blurb

A must read for all those who like to sit uncomfortably on the edge of their seats.

Dark City is the fourth book in the Nick Harland detective series. In this one we follow him on his most perplexing and disturbing case to date, as he tracks down a serial killer from the past.
The book begins with an elderly man being released from prison, after serving seventeen years for a double murder. A few days after his release a young woman is snatched from outside a London pub.

The police seem to be dragging their heels, so the family of the missing girl call on the services of the tough, uncompromising ex murder squad detective, turned Private Investigator, Nick Harland. During his initial investigation another girl suddenly goes missing, he then gets a tip off that Charles Thorpe had just been released from prison. Nick knows the killer, as he was the detective who put him behind bars when he was a detective in the murder squad. And so the hunt is now on for Thorpe, and Nick will not rest until Thorpe is found, and he promises that Thorpe will pay the ultimate price for his crimes this time around.

Much more can’t be revealed, as it would give too much of the exciting plot away.
This is a fast paced dark and gritty story, packed with hard hitting action, highs and lows, intrigue and tension. This story has characters, that are good, and sometimes very, very bad. Dark City is crime noir in the truest sense.

My Review

Rip-Roaring and Atmospheric *****

Dark City, the fourth book in Bill Carson’s Nick Harland British Detective Series is the first book that I have read by the author and it is a hard-hitting and no-holds- barred read. Although part of a series it worked perfectly well as a stand-a-lone novel and it succeeded in making me want to go and read the earlier books.

Ex police detective Nick Harland, now working as a private investigator, is employed to find a missing girl, who is later found brutally murdered. The murder bears all the hallmarks of his old nemesis and serial killer, Charles Thorpe, who Nick put behind bars any years ago but who has been released from prison. Nick is determined to bring the killer to justice once again.

Thus begins a fast-paced read in which time is not on Nick’s side as the body count begins to increase. He is fortunate that he is contacted by an ex-colleague who sheds more light on what is becoming an ever more complex and sinister case. As the novel reaches its crescendo Nick and others face some shocking revelations as their lives are put on the line…….. I will not say any more apart from it is an entertaining and rip-roaring read which took me a little out of my confort zone.

Nick is a fascinating character. He is a maverick and likes to gamble and drink. When solving cases he doesn’t always play by the rules and it is plain to se why he has left the constraints of the police. Although Nick is the main protagonist, there are also a host of supporting characters who add depth and breadth to the story: Nick’s expectant wife, Anna; their best friend George; members of the local police force; the victims and their families; a psychic and of course Charles, the ex con. The read is very atmospheric and, as one would expect from a crime noir, has some very dark and gruesome themes.

Recommended for those who enjoy a realistic and hard-hitting crime read which is a little darker than the norm, where even the good guy does not play by the rules.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please nore, a copy of the book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Connect with the Author

http://www.billcarsoncrimenoir.com/

http://www.billcarsonbooks.com/

October 28, 2015 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ – Behind the Computer, by F. L. Jacob (includes excerpt)

SYNOPSIS:

I’m Sawyer James, best-selling indie author. There have been so many rumors going around about my model, Caleb Allen, and I that I can’t see straight. So, instead of sitting back on my hands like I’m told I need to do, let it blow over, and kill everyone with kindness, I’m going to do what I do best, I’m going to write a book about our relationship.

So here it is, our story. The real story.

Now if you have anything to talk about, you can shove it because this is the truth.

This is the story from behind the computer.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1W8FhUY

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1MWZVXE

Barnes & Noble: Coming Soon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26864850-behind-the-computer

BOOK INFORMATION:

Behind the Computer

F.L. Jacob

Genre: Romance

*Mature Audiences*

Release Date: October 28, 2015

AUTHOR BIO:

I am a mommy of two, wife to an amazing man, and full-time employee. Life is crazy and busy! I started writing again during a darker time in my life in a group write in a Facebook group. They brought back my passion for writing that I haven’t felt since high school and helped me through hard times.

Starting this process was tedious and nerve-wracking, but my amazing ladies and my fabulous husband have inspired me to take my love for writing to the next step.

My current books are Have I Told You, I Won’t Give Up on You, A Very Merry Black Hollywood Christmas, and Give Me All of You, all part of the Black Hollywood Series.

Behind the Computer is a new standalone that’s not part of the BH series. It’s a step outside of my comfort zone, but the story hit me like a ton of bricks so I went with it.

Coming 2016, One in a Million. New Characters, New story, Standalone! More information coming soon.

AUTHOR CONTACTS:

http://www.fljacob.com

http://www.facebook.com/fljacob

http://www.twitter.com/FLJacob

http://www.amazon.com/author/fljacob

Black Hollywood Series:

1- Have I Told You
US: http://amzn.to/192SkSH
UK: http://amzn.to/1DGqXQ2
B&N: http://bit.ly/1rnWT6e

2- I Won’t Give Up on You
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1na2dWH
Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/lsst6eo
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/myh5z52

2.5- A Very Merry Black Hollywood Christmas
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/ZSNaIq
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1GHuZGO
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1rwLzim

3- (can be read as a standalone) Give Me All of You
US: http://amzn.to/1E0URsv
UK: http://amzn.to/1G94rPS
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1NGszZt

October 27, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo w/excerpt The Dreamer of Downing Street by Roberta L. Smith

Title: The Dreamer of Downing Street

Author: Roberta L. Smith

Genre: Supernatural mystery, historical, romance

Date released: August 23, 2014

Length: 289 pages

Blurb: In 1944 Denver, twenty-six year-old Franklin Powell is doing what he does best, helping clients with his psychic gift. Then his brother causes the past to come crashing into the present and a memory Frank has kept buried since the age of six surfaces. Now his life is in an uproar. He must prove that what he remembers is true or his mother may spend the rest of her life in prison. But even if he succeeds, it appears there is a powerful someone behind the scenes who could care less if she is innocent. Why? Because of a seething hatred for Frank. To make matters worse, the woman he loves needs his help with a serious problem of her own—a problem that could get him killed. Frank can’t let that stop him. He dives right in and while his psychic gift doesn’t seem to be doing him any favors, it’s a good thing that a couple of newly-acquired ghosts appear to be on his side.

The Dreamer of Downing Street is the prequel to Roberta L. Smith’s Mickey McCoy series.

BUY LINKS: Amazon US and Amazon UK

Author bio:

Roberta Smith is a lifelong southern Californian born in Los Angeles who grew up with TV shows like The Twilight Zone and Leave It to Beaver. She always preferred stories with ghosts, monsters (Frankenstein) or the supernatural. As a kid, her hero was Boris Karloff. She’s written and published five novels, four of which are paranormal mysteries. Recently she teamed up with horror author Michael Raff to form Nevermore Enterprises and bring Horror Book Fest to the High Desert. She is an active member of the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club and the Victor Valley Vettes Corvette Club.

Author links:

www.bertabooks.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertaLSmith

twitter: Roberta L Smith@bertabooks

EXCERPT

PROLOGUE

Leadville, Colorado – 1924

I COULD FEEL Mother’s anxiety the moment she took my hand to pull me out of the canvas top touring car. I landed with a squishy sound as my boots hit the sloshy ground and I righted myself. The sight before me was forlorn to say the least: a couple of cabins―shacks really―a privy, shed and the hoist frame of a mine shaft no longer in use, all dusted with snow. It was spring, but just barely. And it was cold.

“You’ll be all right with the boy,” our driver called to my mother from his seat inside the car, arm outside the window, finger pointed. “Just remember what I told you. Call her Mrs. Tabor. She don’t like when people address her as Baby Doe. Show her respect. If she opens the door with a shotgun in her hand, just talk real nice. She guards the Matchless like a rabid dog and don’t trust people much. I ain’t sayin’ I blame her, just that’s how she be.”

Mother nodded and started toward one of the cabins, my hand in hers. I nearly cried out that she was hurting me, her grip was that tight. But I thought better of it. A tongue lashing would most likely result and that would be more painful. I stuck my free hand in the right-hand pocket of my coat and grabbed hold of one of the toy cars I kept there.

My heart beat rapidly. I was anxious, too. Not because of where we were or who we were about to meet. I was concerned for Mother because I’d never seen her in such a state. She paused for a moment and took several deep breaths as she stared at the small, one-room shack ahead of us. It cast a friendless feel out here on the hill amid the other wooden structures that were all part of the derelict mine. Constructed of planks that had weathered many winters, it wasn’t exactly ramshackle, but it was close. Not that I would have thought of that word at the time. I was six.

After a few more steps, my anxiety left me and the happiness I felt at being on a trip with Mother—just me, not my older brother Bobby nor my older sister Jane, just me—took hold. My siblings got most of Mother’s attention at home. With only me in tow, I would be foremost in her mind.

I looked at the front door of the cabin and “knowings” hopped into my head. Back then, that’s what I called the psychic thoughts that came to me. I knew we were about to meet an old woman who had been beautiful at one time. So beautiful that other people had been jealous. I knew that she was hated and that she lived alone.

I will just have a talk with that woman. So what if she’s peculiar, if they say she’s lost her marbles . . .

I glanced up at Mother. “Here, Mama,” I said, offering her a fistful of aggies and cat’s-eyes I kept stashed in my pocket along with the cars.

“What?” Her brows knit together as she looked at the contents of my hand.

“You said she lost her marbles. She can have these.”

October 27, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release Day Review Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II by C.J. Pinard

You may recall our review of Lotus’s Journey Part I, Lotus (Daughter of Darkness), last month. And today is the release of Watcher, Part II of Lotus’s Journey by one of our favourite authors, C.J. Pinard. Lotus is one of four ‘daughters of darkness’, with the other three daughters being written about by authors Chrissy Peebles, Kristen Middleton and W.J. May. These female heroines are clearly connected by their father, Vlad Montour, or Vlad the Impaler, known to be an evil villain in history. But, some of the sisters are unacquainted with each other. In Watcher, Vampire Vlad now wants all four daughters to be brought to him – alive. But, what are his intentions?

Title: Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II

Author: C.J. Pinard

Genre: Paranormal mystery, crime, thriller, romance

Release date: October 27th, 2015

Length: 103 pages

Blurb:

As hybrid vampire/faery Lotus’s journey has taken her from solving the vampire-committed murders in Denver to Las Vegas, she begins to learn a lot more about herself and the evil vampire of a father who has been searching for her for years. She has to make a decision on whether she’s going to run from Vlad or search for him and confront him as he continues to terrorize her dreams. She wonders if finding him will lead her to her faery mother, or if it will just lead to more death, destruction, and heartbreak.

With the relationship between her sexy neighbor, Drew, and her beginning to blossom, Lotus wonders if she should just give up the search and try to lead a normal life for once. She’s finally found a decent guy who is not only gorgeous, but seems to want to protect her. Something she’s never needed, but is now finding she wants. That is, until she finds out Drew’s got his own secrets.

This is part II of Lotus’s journey. Part III will be out in early 2016.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

When author C.J. Pinard released her last paranormal series, Rebel Riders, I knew with the first book it was my favourite of her work to date. However, I am now indecisive as Lotus (Daughter of Darkness) is definitely a contender. Lotus provides a great deal of action, nice, hot romantic scenes, and a story that includes both vampires and Lycans at an equal balance.

Watcher begins with Lotus, half-faery and half-vamp, having caught a vampire suspected of following her. She learns that it is her vampire father, Vlad Montour, who has sent him to bring her to him, along with his three other daughters: Jezebel, Blair, and Victoria. Sisters she has only recently learned of having. Lotus realises at this point that a psychic faery she had visited years before actually had some real meaning behind what she said.

Does she use this as an opportunity to meet her father at last? Or, does she have a reason to run in the opposite direction? With very little knowledge of the supernaturals, she has been living for over a century as humanlike as possible. Will she now have to use her faery and vampire skills to deal with her father and sisters?

Fans of Lotus’s Journey Part I will love to hear that Lotus’s hot, sexy neighbour, Drew, plays a larger role in Watcher. And, who can’t love him? We saw his lighter, flirtatious and cheeky moments in part I, and now we learn that he had been watching Lotus all along to protect her. The relationship between them is a little more serious in Watcher due to the circumstances of the story and the deeper attraction they both feel towards each other. Drew is cute and kind, and strong and direct when he has to be, and yet not overwhelmingly flirtatious or pushy. This makes it very easy for Lotus and the reader to fall for him and believe that he is someone to be trusted!

Some of my favourite moments in both parts I and II of Lotus’s Journey have been Lotus’s dreams of her father. They are a little nightmarish at times, being creepy and eerie. The use of fog, Lotus being in a forest and in her nightgown all help create a great sense of atmosphere. Vlad’s character is seemingly dark, powerful and frightful, yet spell-binding. I actually felt some attraction to his evilness, gripped by his hold. Does he want to kill his daughters? Or, is there another purpose for them to all meet with him? The mystery surrounding this vampire villain is killing me and pulling me towards him so badly!

C.J. Pinard’s writing is becoming more and more addictive. I LOVE this series and cannot wait for Part III of Lotus’s Journey. Especially after that fantastic cliff-hanger!

A copy of Watcher, Lotus’s Journey Part II was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II by C.J. Pinard is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

You can also check out our review of Lotus (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part I here.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

October 26, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo ABOUT WRITING by Suz deMello

Amazon: http://goo.gl/cZeDMJ

Perfect for the advanced or aspiring author, ABOUT
WRITING includes both Write This, Not That! Suz deMello‘s bestseller, and the
newer Plotting and Planning, a primer on the basics: conflict and character,
point of view, scene and sequel…plus much, much more, written in deMello’s
engaging style.

ABOUT WRITING: your essential writing manual!

About Writing by Suz deMello is a small, but powerful
book for beginners and experienced writers alike. This little book is an
excellent reference to remind all authors of the goals of becoming a better
author.

I love that Ms. deMello started with this quote,

“There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” –
Somerset Maugham.

Is this not the truth?

How many times have we endeavored to learn the correct way to write and
then we pick up a best seller and the author has broken all the rules? This being said, Ms. deMello explains in
clear language and with excellent examples the building blocks of writing. She offers excellent ideas for developing
characters, plot, conflict, and even how to stir up an author’s creative juices.

I believe the most important message in this book is “everything in a story
should contribute to it, from the biggest monster to the tiniest comma.”

I highly recommend this book to anyone
interested in improving their writing. Keep it close and read it often.

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue
Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including
erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of
short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s
held the positions of managing editor and senior editor, working for such firms
as Totally Bound and Ai Press. She also takes private clients. Her books have
been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a
contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller
lists. A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US
over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now
writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzdemello@gmail.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzDeMello

She tweets @Suzdemello

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzdemello/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SuzATGoodreads
Her current blog is http://www.TheVelvetLair.com

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