Week Two: Ghosty Goodness : Win Books by Sarah Glover and Rumer Haven!
SHRIEK! It’s Week Two of our month long Halloween takeover to celebrate Love At The End of Days by Tera Shanley, and this week we have books to win with hot rockers, 1920’s razzle dazzle, and of course, GHOSTS! Check out the Rafflecopter and enter to win!
If you could be haunted by a ghost from any era, what would it be? 1940s? Renaissance times? A modern ghost who haunts your texts?
A big welcome to Tera Shanley who wants to find out about what your fave ghost movie is. Tera has a fair few suggestions of her own but is VERY interested in what you think. and has set up a poll to find out. I haven’t managed to get the voting buttons to work yet, but while I’m trying to put this to rights do tell us your favourite in the comments.
You can also enter the giveaway to win $5 Amazon Gift Card, Ebooks: Seven for a Secret by Rumer Haven, Grave Refrain by Sarah Glover, and Love In The Time of The Dead by Tera Shanley. Good luck! Tina and Caroline 🙂
Poll: Best Ghost Movie
Hello, hello! In preparation for Halloween and the release of book two in the Dead Rapture saga, Love at the End of Days, this week’s theme is Ghosty Goodness. Every October, I have a list of the same movies I like to watch before Halloween. It’s become a tradition for my family. I’ve included my favorite ghost movie in the poll, but I’m a curious little zombie. What’s your favorite?
Today we extend a huge welcome to author Tera Shanley who, as part of her Zombielicious Takeover, is giving us valuable insider info on Vanessa Summers, the heroine of Tera’s upcoming Zombie themed romance, Love At The End of Days. A copy of the first book in this series Love in the Time of the Dead, an Amazon gift card and some super witches and angel themed prizes are up for grabs through the rafflecopter link. Tina and Caroline 🙂
Six Facts about Vanessa Summers
Release day is upon us for book two in the Dead Rapture series, Love at the End of Days, and to celebrate, I wanted to give you a closer look at the heroine of this book, Vanessa Summers. She’s a tough-talking, knife-wielding bad mamma jamma who is only afraid of Deads and getting her heart broken. And though she was introduced in book one, you’ll get to see her work through some of the grit that comes with being a zombie apocalypse survivor in this book.
Hard on the Outside, Soft on the Inside
Vanessa is mouthy and sarcastic, but once someone wiggles into her heart, they are there to stay and she will be a fierce and loyal friend.
Secret Crush
A year ago, the man she had a fling with left Dead Run River with her arch nemesis, and she’s taken all this time trying to get over him. He was the first man she allowed herself feelings for after the Dead outbreak, and when he blows back into her colony, she has to do some quick thinking to sever her heartstrings to the man who rejected her. But Sean Daniels, second-in-command at her colony, with his sexy eyes and undiluted attention make it a lot easier to move on.
Devoted Sister
She was responsible for getting her little brother, Nelson, out of the city alive when the Dead outbreak occurred. Weeks on the run with the constant fear for her brother’s safety made her afraid to allow anyone else into her heart. Her brother’s safety comes first, before anything else, and when he starts asserting his independence as he grows up, she has a hard time learning to let him go.
Not a Laney Fan
Laney Landry got the man she started having feelings for last year, everyone hails her as the reason for the possible vaccine that could save the human race, and even Vanessa’s brother, Nelson, has a huge crush on Laney. Vanessa is not amused, and when Laney comes back to Dead Run River, she must figure out how to deal with the emotional upheaval her return causes. But through the course of the book, and through their trials together, it is hard for Vanessa to continue disliking Laney.
Skilled with Knives
No one practices knife throwing as much as Vanessa. She’s dedicated, practicing her dead-eye aim at targets on a daily basis, and is determined that if she is ever in a scuffle with a Dead, she will be the victor by blade. Several knives accompany her at all times in the belt of her standard issue cargo pants.
Guard in Training
Vanessa had a bad experience with a Dead last year when she and her brother were caught unaware between colony gates. She was helpless, and frozen, just watching the monster come for she and her brother, and it broke something inside of her. She has grown an overwhelming fear of Deads. To rid herself of that reserve, she’s thrown herself headfirst into guard training, so she can get her stronger self back.
And oh, this girl gets tough and at the same time vulnerable in such a cool way. She was so fun to write!
Click on the link to win$5 Amazon Gift Card, Book One in the Dead Rapture Series, and eBooks by Cherie Colyer, Lisa Sanchez, Carol Oates Kate Evangelista, Trish Wolfe.
WHOO HOO! Today we welcome back author Susan Mac Nicol as we take part in the Blog Tour for DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX. I reviewed the first book in the series, DOUBLE ALCHEMY earlier this year and have reblogged my review, which you can find by scrolling down after this post. In this series Susan Mac Nicol has created a truly rich and inventive world, which exists alongside the human one, populated with Warlocks, Witches, Fey and other magical creatures.
Susan is not only sharing the book blurb and trailer with us, but she has penned a post on the joys and challenges of writing in the paranormal genre. Don’t forget to read my review of DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX below. You can also enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an e-copy of Double Alchemy and an e-copy of The Gift ofMagic!
Double Alchemy: Climax (Double Alchemy Book #2)
Title: Double Alchemy: Climax (Double Alchemy Book #2) Author: Susan Mac Nicol Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group Release Date: 22nd May, 2014 Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Powerful modern warlock Quinn Fairmont found ecstasy with the silver-eyed and not-quite-human Cade Mairston, but to know true happiness the pair must best both the shadow of a long-ago lover and an ancient enemy who seeks to destroy love, light and all they hold dear.
A BLINDING LIGHT It begins with a Book of Shadows discovered by a London coven. The grimoire is as dangerous as it is rare, which is why it evokes modern-day warlock Quinn Fairmont’s desire. He collects objects of great power and beauty—like his lover, Cade Mairston.
Against all odds he and Cade found each other, but their perils have just begun. First is the ex-lover who once held Quinn in thrall. And, someone has been killing warlocks. Could it be one of his own kind? There are those too who would challenge Quinn’s power in their quest to overthrow him as Grand Master. Or is the danger something darker, something invoked inadvertently, rising from the shadows, building from the very inside of a man until it brings an end with a quick flash of light? Of the truth, the surface has only been scratched. Now Quinn and Cade must go deeper and find both answers and an end. They must learn what lurks in the hearts of men…and whether it seeks to love or destroy.
My Review
Another Stonking Hot and Suspenseful Read!
Erotic m/m Paranormal Romance for readers aged 18+
Susan Mac Nicol has once again produced another stonking hot and suspenseful paranormal read, laced with humour and action! Double Alchemy: Climax continues the tale of the uber- sexy warlock Quinn and his passionate Water Sprite lover Cade, who grapple with those who threaten their lives and love.
Quinn and Cade are by far one of my favourite romantic couples this year! Their love is SO tangible throughout the narrative. There is never any doubt that they are soul mates and in this instalment they reach a deeper emotional understanding than ever before, their love eclipsing the the danger and obstacles that are put in their way. The lovemaking scenes between them are SMOKING HOT and inventive and sometimes tender. There is also a great deal of humorous repartee between the couple as there is between many of the characters, which I enjoyed immensely.
Quinn in particular has many trials in this book, some of them truly heartbreaking as his emotions are tested to the limit. He does battle with inner demons from his past as well as present day enemies. Cade grows in confidence as he embraces his Sprite side, a side which Quinn needs to give him free reign to explore, despite any misgivings he may have.
There is a great supporting cast of characters, first and foremost of which is Taliesin, Quinn’s Withinner, the ancient sorcerer who shares his body. Taliesin has a number of key scenes and I loved the interplay between him and Quinn. We also find out more about Daniel, Quinn’s uncle, and of course Valensia, Quinn’s ex-lover, Queen of the Witches, who adds a great deal of tension, humour and drama to the plot.
There are a number of interweaving plot lines in this book – the evil Book of Shadows, which guards a dangerous secret, the continuation of the plot to find and destroy the Witchfinder General, the character from the previous book, and the actions of Valensia. There are also challenges to Quinn’s role and power as the Grand Master and threats to Cade.The HEA in the book ties up many loose ends, but I feel also leaves the way open if the author wants to revisit the world of Quinn and Cade and the other characters whose stories could be told.
I wholeheartedly recommend Double Alchemy: Climax to readers of the paranormal. Readers will gain more enjoyment from this super novel if they read Double Alchemy, the previous book, beforehand.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
This book was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Purchase links for DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX (Book #2)
“I love Paranormal stories & I’m a huge fan of Susan Mac Nicol’s M/M books. In this book, she brings both genres together & gives us this amazing story. With her master storytelling, she takes us into the mystical & magical world of Witches, Warlocks, Withinners & Feys. A world where danger lurks in the shadows.” – Maria Recchia
“I stayed up all night reading this story. Susan has a way of writing that is different than anyone else. She’s uniquely brilliant at weaving a tale that brings out my emotions. I have laughed in every one of her stories. That’s incredible for me. Not just a smile, but a laugh. I love that. This book needs to be read. You won’t be disappointed.” – Author Kindle Alexander
“Susan Mac Nicol has created a complex and fully realized fantasy world…. Quinn is the star of this novel, taking out the bad guy and learning how to trust in Cade’s love enough to share his unsavory past.” Library Journal
“I completely loved this beautifully and highly detailed written Paranormal story! This wasn’t a predictable story by any means. How Susan Mac Nicol takes us on a ride through this very creative and engrossing world that you will not forget, anytime soon and will be wanting more and more of it. I am a huge fan of this author and Double Alchemy, doesn’t disappoint by any means at all. I highly recommend this hot, steamy, love, paranormal and so beautifully written story!” Paul Berry
“Susan Mac Nicol brings us another sexilicious m/m romance but also takes us into a magyckal world of Warlocks, Withinners, Fae, Witchfinders and Witches… I loved the combination of the magyck and the m/m romance storyline. I am so glad Ms Mac Nicol is not keeping us waiting as the second book in the series will be released 22nd May 2014. I highly recommended this book to read and is an absolute five star rating from me.” Foxylutely Book Reviews
Praise for Susan Mac Nicol
“We have to re-iterate that this Author will always be an automatic one-click for us. Her writing is flawless and her flawed characters are completely lovable. There’s always something quirky and fun in her stories as well as drama, angst and heaps of passion! We can highly recommend!!” – Gitte & Jenny – Totally Booked Blog
“Susan has been hailed as a genius writer of male/male literature. Her Saving Alexander has been nominated for several awards and has been reviewed widely. Congrats on all your success, Susan. You have earned it.” – Gay Lit Authors
About Susan Mac Nicol
Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published last year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Double Alchemy: Climax is her sixth m/m romance.
Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself becoming a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.
Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.
The Joys and Challenges of Writing in the Paranormal Genre
I’ve been asked to write about my thoughts on the joys and challenges of writing in the paranormal genre. I guess the joy is being able to create worlds and fantasies that really only exist in legend, fairy tales and people’s imagination. It’s in drawing people into a world that is outside of their comfort zone and showing them this ‘alternate reality’ which actually exists in the real one.
The joy is watching your characters come to life with abilities that don’t exist in the real world and allowing them to manifest themselves in a way that makes us want to know them, to be friends with them and love them without reserve.
The challenges are keeping it realistic and within the realms of possibility. This is my opinion at least. I think there’s a fine line between giving reign to a story that perhaps is a little over the top and still keeping readers engaged in something that they can identify with. Perhaps I am too couched in the real world and this is what I like, the thin veneer that separates us as the true human beings from that of the world in which extraordinary beings exist.
I watched a film recently called R.I.P.D starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds, two actors whose talents I really enjoy. Five minutes into this movie I already had suspended belief in the story. The premise of the film I thought was quite entertaining. ‘A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.’
The minute I saw the really gross and to me, highly unbelievable villains and monsters, like the film M.I.B gone wrong (and that film had its share of weirdoes who I thought were overdone) the film lost its appeal. When will filmmakers understand that the true villain and monster is not the one with the disgusting slobber, green jowls, fat jelly bellies, huge teeth, monstrous hands and shape shifting limbs, but rather one that is sinister, low key, frightening in its intensity and something that you wouldn’t want to meet in the dark. Totally overdone. And as authors, I imagine we can run the same risk. Keeping things within the realms of possibility works for me for more than not.
YEEE HA! How I LOVE a cowboy and when I sneak a peek at this brooding example of masculinity on the cover of Tera Shanley’s new release, AN UNWILLING HUSBAND, I just go weak at the knees! We are delighted to be participating in the book’s blog tour and wish the author all the best with its release! If you’d like to take a stroll through the rest of this post you can read the synopsis, find the links and check out the author bio and post. And don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY, where you can win a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and 2 E-Books of An Unwilling Husband!
Title: The Unwilling Husband
Author: Tera Shanley
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Release Date: May 5, 2014
Cover Art: Renee Rocco
Publisher: Lyrical Press – A Kensington Imprint
Synopsis
For adventurous Margaret Flemming, arrived from Boston to be with her father, the Old West town of her childhood is a far cry from the drawing rooms and balls of the high society life she’s used to. Her fancy gowns and proper manners have no place in the dusty, cruel land inhabited by Indians and rough cowboys.And her fiercely independent streak constantly gets her in trouble. When tragedy strikes, there’s only one person she can turn to–her childhood friend, Garret Shaw–but he’s disgusted with her Society ways.
With his ranch under attack from the land-grabbing Jennings, the last thing Garret needs is to be saddled with a high-falutin’ lady. Even if she is his friend’s daughter and her kind ways tug at his hardened heart. Duty to her father forces them to wed, but he knows sure as anything, when the chance comes along, she’ll go back to Boston. No matter how much he wants her, loving her is not a risk he can take.
Tera Shanley writes in sub-genres that stretch from Paranormal Romance, to Historic Western Romance, to Apocalyptic (zombie) Romance. The common theme? She loves love! A self-proclaimed bookworm, she was raised in small town Texas and could often be found decorating a table at the local library. She currently lives in Dallas with her husband and two young children and when she isn’t busy running around after her family, she’s writing a new story or devouring a good book.Any spare time is dedicated to chocolate licking, rifle slinging, friend hugging, and the great outdoors. For more information about Tera and her work, visit http://www.terashanley.com.
Tera Shanley here, author of Historic Western Romance, An Unwilling Husband, and in honor of the book’s brand spankin’ new release, I’m going to do a different sort of character profile.
Sometimes in a book, secondary characters stick out and stay with you long after you’ve flipped that last page. The Lazy S Ranch, where Garret Shaw lives and works, is more than just a home to his eclectic group of hired hands. It also shelters a number of animals, each important to the cattle ranch’s success and livelihood. But perhaps more important than all of the other hay munching, pail kicking, human pecking animals are the horses used for transportation, and on occasion, for a patient ear to talk into.
First up is Rooney. He’s a tall, young, strong stallion with a coat that shines red in sunlight. He’s restless and wants to run. Ornery half the time and fidgeting the rest, he’s no easy beginner’s ride. And most importantly for a cowboy in the Wild West, he’s fast as the wind and surefooted to boot.
No less a horse would do for the hero of An Unwilling Husband, Garret Shaw.
Next up is Lenny’s horse. She’s a paint horse with brown and white markings and an occasional feather or braid in her hair. She’s never named in the book because Lenny, our heroine’s best friend, doesn’t speak a lick of English. She’ll take a saddle but runs fastest bareback, and when Lenny asks for speed, she gets it in spades. And this horse’s speed will save a life in the course of the book.
I saved the best for last because Maggie’s horse, Buck, has a special place in the story. He’s her lifeline to a past she’s desperately trying to reconnect with. He was gifted to Maggie for her seventh birthday by her daddy and went everywhere with her until she was ten, when she was forced to leave him. When she returns to Rockdale to reunite with the life she remembers there, old Buckey-Boy is waiting. He’s grown pleasantly plump and a little on the lazy side over the years she’s been away, but our Maggie will get him into tip-top shape soon enough. He’s a gentle-souled buckskin horse that does his best to give his riders the pace they need.
As a fan of British culture of the 1960’s I was so excited when I was asked to be a part of the blog tour for YESTERDAY by Sheila Norton. I love the music (of both mods and rockers) and was a huge fan of Quadrophenia when I watched it as a teen in the mid 90’s! I feel that this will be quite a thrilling read for most that love this era and cannot wait to sink my head into all of the drama and clashes between the mods and the rockers!!
“Music, Mayhem, Mods and Rockers…
Set against the backdrop of the violent clash between mods and rockers at Clacton-on-Sea in 1964, YESTERDAY is the brand new novel from acclaimed author Sheila Norton, published as an eBook this Easter to coincide with the 50th anniversary of that notorious conflict.“
Blurb: During the riots between the Mods and Rockers in the early Sixties, teenager Cathy finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the events which follow will haunt her for the rest of her life. Forty years later as a middle-aged journalist, she’s forced to revisit her past, deal with her unhappy memories and try to find out exactly what did happen back in 1964.
I am delighted to introduce you to the author of Yesterday, Sheila Norton, who has taken the time to write a fantastic and informative author post of the background and setting of the novel. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! – Caroline
The 1960s as the background to a novel
Although I grew up during the 1960s myself, and have always looked back at that era as being an interesting and exciting time, writing my new book YESTERDAY, which is set in the Sixties, really brought home to me just how much our country, and indeed the world, changed during that decade.
The most obvious example was pop music. Up till then, most of the big stars were American. It’s true we produced our own big favourites – Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, Billy Fury – but the whole phenomenon of Rock ’n’ Roll had originated in the States, and most pop singers owed more to Elvis Presley than anyone else. And then – along came the Beatles, and fast behind them, a whole swathe of other groups, producing their distinctive Merseyside sound. It was fresh, it was different – they were writing a lot of their own songs and they seemed to capture the mood of the Sixties teenagers with their light, catchy, beat numbers and their informal stage performances. The Beatles were a phenomenal success in the UK, but more significantly, once they went on tour, they conquered the world: Australia, Europe, Asia and America saw scenes of absolute mayhem as hysterical fans came out in their thousands to see ‘the Fab Four’.
The result was that England suddenly became ‘cool’. English pop songs were hits around the world, and even minor English groups were able to take advantage of the popularity their accents seemed to grant them abroad. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, our nation – still recovering from post-war poverty – began to flourish again. ‘England swings!’ proclaimed the lyrics of a hit song in 1965, performed by Roger Miller, an American country singer, and according to the editor of Vogue magazine: ‘London is the most swinging city in the world at the moment.’
London’s popularity and its new title of ‘Swinging London’ owed a lot to the new youth-centric fashion scene, particularly Carnaby Street, which was first known for its Modernist fashions, snapped up by the original Mods at the very beginning of the Sixties but which later became a mecca for tourists from around the world. Fashion designer Mary Quant is credited with inventing the mini skirt, and other icons of the time were models Jean Shrimpton (known as both ‘the face of the Sixties’ and ‘the symbol of Swinging London’) and later, Twiggy, and Cathy McGowan (‘the Queen of Mod’), who hosted the TV music programme ‘Ready Steady Go!’ All these became international legends.
Such was the height of worldwide interest in the Brit scene by the mid-Sixties that even our Union Jack flag became a popular symbol, appearing on all manner of consumables. Winning the football world cup on our home ground in 1966 seemed to sum up all that had gone before. Britain had shown the world we’d shaken off the misery of war and the deprivation of rationing.
Back in 1957, Prime Minister Harold MacMillan had told us we’d ‘never had it so good’ – assuring us: ‘You will see a state of prosperity such as we have never had in my lifetime – nor indeed in the history of this country’. For some, back then in the Fifties, it would have been hard to believe this. But during the Sixties, MacMillan’s optimism finally seemed justified.
For teenagers like myself – and Cathy in YESTERDAY – it was in the Sixties that young people first had our own fashions, our own music, and our own places to go (coffee bars, dance halls). Becoming a Mod or a Rocker was all part of the excitement of the time. Most of us weren’t interested in the fighting between the groups. But there was violence – it kicked off at Clacton-on-Sea in 1964, fifty years ago this Easter, and it forms a lot of the background to the story of YESTERDAY. I hope my readers will enjoy Cathy’s story as well as the historical background to this new book.
YESTERDAY by Sheila Norton is available as a Kindle e-book from Amazon from 17 April 2014, price £1.99.
Sheila Norton
About the author:
Sheila Norton grew up in 1960s in Romford, Essex where she spent her teenage years collecting 45s and dating boys with scooters. Sheila is still a card-carrying member of the original Beatles Fan Club and draws inspiration from her own experiences of the 60s in her most recent writing.YESTERDAY is Sheila’s twelfth novel, she has been published by Little Brown/Piatkus (as Sheila Norton and as Olivia Ryan) and also enjoys a successful self-publishing career
Yesterday is also available on Amazon UK and Amazon US(please click on the Amazon links to take you directly to the Yesterday page.)
We all hope you enjoyed this post, and checking out Sheila Norton’s ‘Yesterday’. We will be reviewing it a little later in the year. Have a fantastic Easter.
Caroline & Tina, A Reader’s Review Blog 🙂
All blogs taking part in the Yesterday blog tour are as follows:
Today we are delighted to feature an interview with Shannon A. Thompson, author of The Timely Death Trilogy, a Young Adult paranormal romance. The first novel in the series, Minutes Before Sunset, one of our top reads for 2013, was reviewed on this blog last year and I have re-posted it underneath this post to give you a chance to read about it again. It is a series which examines the elemental power struggle between Dark and Light and the power of love, destiny and self-sacrifice. Paranormal romance lovers will not want to miss it!
Later this week, on 27th March, Shannon will be releasing the second novel in the trilogy, Seconds Before Sunrise. I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this book to review and I’ll be posting my thoughts on it tomorrow – but I will say that it is just as an addictive read as the first instalment! Now over to Shannon!
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1.Your first published novel, November Snow, is a YA Sci-Fi tale and The Timely Death Trilogy is a YA paranormal. What do you think prompted you to write in these genres and have you any plans at the moment to write in another genre?
I’m actually a huge believer in writers exploring every possible genre they have time for. I have poetry and a short story (military fiction) published, too. Artists grow by pushing through their comfort boundaries. My next novel is going to be a YA, dystopian, but my most challenging work yet has been a novel directed at 20-somethings.
2. Your website is full of helpful advice to writers and aspiring writers. Can you describe your writing process in five words?
The characters are in charge.
3. Are any of the characters in your novels based on people you know or reflect elements of your own personality? As a writer how useful do you think the art of people watching is?
I don’t purposely base my characters off of real-life people, but after I’ve been removed from a piece for a few years, I start to see similarities. Watching people is really important, but I mainly study psychology and sociology in my spare time. In college, I was originally a psychology major, but I decided on English instead because I knew I had to follow my dream. I think I made the “write” decision.
4. If you could give an aspiring writer one tip, what would it be?
Write with passion; succeed with self-disicipline. This has been my personal mantra, but it mainly means this: if you remind yourself of how much you love writing, nothing will stop you from achieving your dreams.
5. Congratulations on graduating from University and gaining your bachelor’s degree in English. What are your plans for the future and when do you hope to complete the final novel in The Timely Death Trilogy?
Thank you! It’s been a wild ride. The trilogy was actually completed before I ever submitted it to my publisher, so it’s already written. I plan on publishing the first of a new series before I publish the last book of my trilogy. I’m very excited for my next novel plans, too, because I think it’ll give my readers another range of emotions and experiences. It’s a lot more serious and dark, like November Snow is, but it’s going to be my first novel that is told from only one perspective. I also got to include pets this time!
6. What is your favourite genre to read and what are you reading at the moment?
The 5th Wave – my friend recommended it, and I’m always up for recommendations. I’m planning on reading more poetry next. I love poetry.
7. What do you love most about being a writer?
Being able to wake up and go to bed knowing that I am pursuing what I love and always will love. Too many people sacrifice their dreams, which is truly tragic, because I think our dream is how we ultimately express ourselves, even after we are long gone.
8.Tomorrow our blog is featuring our review of Seconds Before Sunrise, the second book in The Timely Death Trilogy. Do you want to say anything about the book or share anything about it with readers?
How about I give you an inclusive excerpt???
ERIC
“Dad.” My tone was sharp. “You can’t change it now, and you shouldn’t want to.” I wanted to continue, but the door rattled with an assortment of rushed knocking.
“It’s probably Jonathon,” my dad said, standing, but I stopped him.
“I got it,” I said, walking downstairs to get it myself. My aggravation grew as Jonathon continued to knock. He knew Mindy and Noah wouldn’t be home. He could’ve transported in.
“You don’t have to knock—” I silenced when I opened the door and saw the person in front of me. Her hand hung in the air, ready to knock again, and her brown hair frizzed around her scowl. “Jessica—”
“We need to talk,” she said, barging into my house.
“Wha—what?” She was the last person I needed around me. “You can’t be here.”
“I don’t care,” she said.
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Thank you for the interview Shannon! Your answers to the questions are fascinating for both readers and writers to ponder. I particularly liked your answer that ‘the characters are in charge’ when you are writing. I also find that you delve deep into the characters’ psyches in your writing and this clearly reflects your interest in psychology. I am glad that you opted to follow your dream and wish you every success with your upcoming release Seconds Before Sunrise and your future works.Tina 🙂
I’m Jennifer Gilby Roberts and I’m the author of After Wimbledon. Unlike my first novel (The Dr Pepper Prophecies), which I wrote mostly to prove to myself I could do it, writing After Wimbledon was about working through my feelings after I’d been agonizing with a decision. Add to that my obsession-of-the-moment – tennis – and I created this. Don’t worry, I cut out most of the angsting!
My main character, Lucy, is a tennis pro trying to decide whether to retire, break up with her boyfriend and pursue the man she’s admired from afar for years. All while playing in the Wimbledon Championships – the tournament she’s always dreamed of winning and never has. Could it be this year? And what will she decide? You’ll have to read it to find out!
Jennifer
PS: I’ve added an extract below and details of a giveaway I’m running where you can win a copy!
Extract
Sneaking into the hotel as best I can, I’m relieved that no one seems to be paying attention to me. Apparently, someone more famous has done something appalling. I must try to find out whom and thank them.
‘Lucy!’
I jump, but relax when I see it’s Libby.
‘I’m so glad I finally caught up with you,’ she says. She’s wearing a T-shirt with a picture of a monkey holding a snapped pencil on it. Underneath the picture it says ‘Write No Evil.’
‘I couldn’t believe it when I read that article,’ she continues. ‘I just wanted to make sure you knew that I had nothing to do with it.’
I turn my back to the lobby. ‘I never thought you did.’
‘Oh, good. I was worried because of that chat in the bar. Remember, with Adrienne? I thought you might think… well, never mind. That man’s a sleazebag, don’t worry about him.’
I discreetly look around. ‘Are there still journalists hanging around?’
Libby pulls a face. ‘Yes, but you’re not the one they’re chasing today.’
‘What?’
Libby rummages in her shoulder bag and produces a magazine. ‘You think you’ve got problems.’
The first thing I notice is a picture of Sam. That’s enough to get my attention. But there’s a second photo. Of his ex Julia… holding a baby. A baby about a year old, with blond hair and blue eyes who looks… exactly like Sam.
You can win an e-copy of After Wimbledon, and many other great ebooks, in the Chick Lit Ebook Giveawayon Jennifer Gilby Roberts’ blog, 1-14 March 2014.
A BIG welcome today to author Beverly Ovalle who writes romances which literally sizzle off the page! A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to review Beverly’s latest release, A Saint’s Salvation, and today Beverly is sharing the book blurb, an excerpt, a trailer and some fun facts which spotlight some insider information. You can find the link to my review of A Saint’s Salvation and our reviews of Beverly’s other books at the end of this post.Tina 🙂
Angel’s life changed the minute Saint saved her from a grenade. Now Saint has a second chance to prove he’s the man for her.
A SAINT’S SALVATION
by Beverly Ovalle
Published by Secret Cravings Publishing
Released February 10, 2014
Blurb:
Corporal Nicholas ‘Saint’ Santiago needs to go home to reclaim the man he used to be. To be the man he was before Operation Enduring Freedom slowly hardened his heart. He needs to reconnect to the values and the reasons he is doing what he does. Saint also needs to try to forget the courageous woman he knows was meant to be his.
Petty Officer Angelina Jones’ life changed the moment Saint saved her life. She survived the blast but now has to deal with the fact that she will never be whole. Knowing Saint received a ‘Dear John’ letter, Angelina has no intention of being his rebound romance. She needs to be loved for herself. She needs to forget about the one man she knows was meant to be hers.
They each try to find someone to help them forget.
But what does fate have planned for them?
Excerpt:
A shout from Hamilton brought him back to the here and now. “Hey, Saint, do you see any trouble coming?” On guard at the west wall, Nick shook his head. Not that it was much of a wall, a couple of sandbags holding up a makeshift bullet riddled wooden fence, an illusion of safety and security.
“No, it all looks clear.” Well, as clear as normal, Nick thought. The Seabees and the Army Corp of Engineers had done their best to give them a clear line of site, but the rubble of buildings and piles of rock where there used to be a town never seemed to go away. Rebels constantly hid there, randomly firing at their FOB, a forward operating base in Helmand Provence, making it almost impossible to build a more secure perimeter.
Nick could see kids playing in the dirt. In the distance the locals were harvesting the poppy fields. Some of the largest poppy fields in the world were right outside the walls of the FOB. Beautiful when in bloom, they were more pervasive and did more damage than the terrorists.
“Anymore threats?”
“When aren’t there threats?” Every damn day there were threats. “Why, is there a problem?”
“The brass is making noise. When they do something stupid, we end up paying for it.” Hamilton sounded disgusted. As Hamilton spoke, shots were fired over and through the fence, adding more holes to the dilapidated barrier. Nick and Hamilton hit the ground, rolling toward the sandbags to return fire through the cracks. “See what I mean?”
“Yeah it’s been a while since they shot at us, at least a couple of days.” Nick’s sarcasm caused Hamilton to laugh.
“Probably someone is coming to pick up something from the poppy fields and they want to keep us from seeing who.” Hamilton glanced at him. “You doing okay?”
“Gettin’ there. It was just a shock, ya know?”
“Yeah, damn women. The least they could do is be faithful while we’re out here fighting.”
“Yeah, it sucks. I just can’t help thinking it’s my fault.”
“Fuck. How the hell could it be? You weren’t even there. The bitch knew you were gone, were going to be gone.” They fired shots, aiming at the muzzle flash in the distance. More Marines headed their way, sprinting from cover to cover. Perez came running, bringing out ammo and providing more fire power.
Another crack and Perez went down with a cry.
“Fuck! Medic! Man down!” The cry went out, passed through until the call went to the corpsman, while Nick tried to stem the blood flow. Hands pushed his away. Nick looked up. Petty Officer Jones, better known as Doc, had bandages ready.
“Help me roll this on until we can get him out of here.” Her voice sent a ripple through him. Nick had always ignored the attraction he had felt for her. He’d had his girl back home, and fraternization out here could get him thrown in the brig. Not to mention the brig out here was a hell hole.
Nick was leery about approaching Doc now. The Dear John letter had been a shock. He had known Leila for years. Hell, they had been friends since they were little. Her betrayal was unexpected. Nick didn’t even really know Doc. He could trust her with his life, but he wasn’t ready for another go around with his heart, no matter the attraction he felt.
Nick looked toward the fence line, rifle at the ready. Shots were firing sporadically around him. That’s when he saw it, the trail from a grenade launcher, unmistakable. Shit!
The name was changed less than two weeks before publication!
A Saint’s Salvation was inspired by my son’s tattoo
His tattoo says ‘St. Nicholas’ – the original of my book
A Saint’s Salvation took me eight months to write!
The name of A Saint’s Salvation was my editor’s suggestion
The teasers were made from photos from Afghanistan
The Marine in the teasers is my son
He only gave me permission to use his photo because he loves me
He only gave me permission if I cut off his head! LOL
Author Bio:
Beverly Ovalle lives in Wisconsin with her husband Edmond of 24 years and two Chinese Water Dragons. Having her own Dragons is expected as she is dragon crazy and anyone that walks in her house can tell. Her son Nicholas visits when he is on leave from the Marines. Her daughter Susannah visits to grocery shop in the pantry and to see what might be cooking for dinner.
Beverly has traveled around the world thanks to five years in the US Navy and has worked for the government in one capacity or another for the past 30 years. Beverly and her brothers have travelled most of the continental United States as children due to the station wagon from Hell. Still active with veterans, she is adjutant for her local AMVETS.
Beverly has been reading romances since her Aunt introduced her to the gothic romance in the fourth grade and is still reading every chance she gets.
A perfect read for Valentine’s week-end or all year round!
New Adult/Chick Lit
Today we welcome author Sara Hubbard to our blog. Sara’s here to share with us some inside information on her experience of writing and publishing her new release, Beautiful and Broken, a New Adult/Chick Lit read, perfect for curling up with at any time of the year! You can also have a look at the gorgeous cover and find out about the book’s characters, including the hero and heroine, Sawyer and Molly. I can tell you that after these teasers below the book has definitely made it to my ‘to read list!’ Over to you Sara! Tina 🙂
Thank you, A Reader’s Review blog, for having me on your blog today! I have lots to talk about…namely my new release. Ahem. For those of you who aren’t familiar with me, I have published a couple of books with a small press and recently decided to go the self-publishing route. This book is the very first book I published on my own, and it won’t be the last. The freedom that comes with self-publishing is kind of addictive. Plus, I got to choose my editor and cover! And I love my cover. What do you think?
I wrote most of this novel during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Of course, I had to cut 30,000 words and then beef it back up again, but I’m happy with how it turned out. If I could describe it to you in a few words, I would say it’s chick lit/new adult. I’m told it’s humorous but then it also has a sweet love story to it…complete with a tattooed, swoon-worthy, professional boxer named Sawyer. My heroine, Molly, has enough going on in her life to be pulled into Sawyer’s orbit, but she can’t seem to stay away from him because their chemistry is undeniable. This story might be exactly what you’re looking for this Valentine’s Day weekend. I couldn’t help but put the shameless plug in there…so sue me. No. Please don’t. Want to know more about my characters? Here goes:
Who would play Sawyer in a movie? Josh Harnett, only bulkier.
Who would play Molly in a movie? Emma Stone
Why is Molly’s best friend obsessed with testicles? Um…I think you’ll have to read the book to understand the question…and the answer.
When Molly gets a tooth embedded in her skull, does the doctor really sell it on eBay? Hmm…I think he saves it. Creepy. Yes, I know.
On the back cover, we learn that Molly’s family pushes her to get back together with her ex? Why would they do that? Sometimes, social connections and money overshadow what’s most important in life: happiness.
Now that I’ve left you sufficiently teased, I truly hope you’ll check out Beautiful and Broken. It was a pleasure to write and I hope it will be a pleasure for you to read.
Thanks again!
Thank you for joining us today Sara. Your latest release has certainly intrigued us and we wish you the very best with it.
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