Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 111
August 12, 2015
Dog Days Of Summer Author Interviews! #IAN #BOOKBOOST #RRBC #ASMSG #KindleSale #SupportIndieAuthors!
Because of the success of the Fourth of July promotion, we’ll be offering several opportunities to discover your new favorite read throughout the year. This time around, we have over thirty authors offering cheap and free eBooks on a variety of platforms and we’ve extended the sales period to three whole days! All of the books being offered will either be free or just $0.99. Each day of the sale will have something new, so make sure to check back Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Not only that, but we’ve made it easier for everyone by linking all of the books on one easy to remember website:
freebookblast.com
So, since there’s so much being offered, I’ve decided to use this space to let you get to know a little about the authors who are participating, what they write, and where you can find out more about them. So, without further ado, here are the Dashing Devils who write the Drabbles to Decimate the Doldrums:
Charles Edward Hash
Hello, Charles! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’ve always like to explore the darker, grittier side of life, travelling vicariously to places that hide from the daylight. I’m generally a cheerful, happy person that opens an internal portal to the dark side of humanity when I write. I don’t believe ‘the good old days’ ever existed.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Nascent Decay, Blood in the Water, Promises of Eden, Transcendence, The Nightmare Virus: Slow Burn and Desperation.
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
A wide variety of genres and styles propped up with a spine of horror.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
I strive for realistic characters with flaws and failings that generate moral conflicts, and then place them into an unreal environment. Misdirection and theatrics, along with drama and tension; some broken rules as well. I try to write with a flashlight in the fog, illuminating sporadic fragments until the whole is revealed.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would be a stray mutt. Probably old and mangy too.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Goddess.of.Decay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DecayingGoddess
Ann Livi Andrews
Hello, Ann! Tell us a little about yourself!
I am a mother first, Supreme Overlord second, and a writer third. It’s my dream to see Indie Authors looked upon fondly and respectfully instead of as “watering down the system.” Above all, I want to get my stories written down so that my children can enjoy them in the future.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Jack (Book 2 of Rehab for Superheroes)
Em (Booth 3 of Rehab for Superheroes)
Dakota (Book 4 of Rehab for Superheroes)
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Superhero Fiction, Graphic Novels
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
My Rehab for Superheroes series is about the not so glamorous lives of people endowed with special abilities. All they want is to live out their lives peacefully, but one man is doing everything he can to stop that from happening.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
A Saint Bernard. Right. Probably a Pomeranian or a Shih Tzu. I look small, but I will ferociously defend what’s precious to me.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: http://www.annliviandrews.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnLiviAndrews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnLiviAndrews
Erin Zarro
Hello, Erin! Tell us a little about yourself!
Erin Zarro is an Indie novelist, fine art photographer, and lover of scary things. She decided she wanted to be a writer at a young age, and ended up studying journalism and photography in college. She works as an office manager, is married to her own Prince Charming, and is owned by a cat who she’s convinced is actually a vampire.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Fey Touched, book 1 of the Fey Touched series
Grave Touched, book 2 of the Fey Touched series
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Science fantasy
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A blend of sci-fi and fantasy. Romance, because love rocks, action, and twists. Also genetically engineered fey and ghosts that possess the living so they can have bodies.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Definitely a German Shepherd. There is a German Shepherd in the Fey Touched books named Pixie (who’s psychic and telepathic) and she is based on my favorite dog ever who is a German Shepherd. His name is Kipper and he’s my boy. If I were a dog, I’d want to be just like him so we could play together. (Also? I have a hard time remembering how to spell “shepherd” and have to look it up like, a zillion times.)
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: twitter.com/ekendall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinZarro
Website: http://www.erinzarro.com
Andreas Laurencius
Hello, Andreas! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a medical doctor. I have a dream. That dream is your dream too.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Genesis
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Literary Fiction, Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
The meaning of life.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
A golden retriever.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: www.andreaslaurencius.com (coming soon)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreas.laurencius
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/andreaslaurencius
Riley Amos Westbrook and Sara Lynn Westbrook
Hello, Riley and Sara! Tell us a little about yourselves!
Riley is an ex-Certified Nurses Assistant that was hurt on the job, and now writes to keep himself occupied.
Sara is the lovely woman who keeps him in line, while also translating Riley’s ramblings into English.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
The False Titanbringer, a part of my Breath of the Titans series. I’m offering the entire collection in one work, so you’re getting all three!
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
High Fantasy
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
An imagination filled journey following a half-dragon. You will conquer the Orc tribes, bringing them under your command. And you’ll bring down the False Titanbringer!
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Easily a Bull Mastiff. Big and scary looking, but all fluffy on the inside.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/donttouchmyshi1
Blog: RileyAmosWestbrook.wordpress.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sonshinegreene
D. R. Oestreicher
Hello, D.R.! Tell us a little about yourself!
I started as a Computer Science researcher when things like compilers, graphics, user interfaces, and even email, were mysterious and unsolved. Next, I moved to Silicon Valley to work on the bleeding edge of technology – software, hardware, and biotech. Finally in retirement I am a K-12 teacher, world traveler, and writer.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Plague of Equals
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Plague of Equals is a Science Thriller
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Plague of Equals is a multi-threaded story of a global plague that appears to target pregnant women causing miscarriages. This is a mystery of epidemiology and biology. Many of the people trying to solve the mystery are scientists, doing what scientists do: ignoring the politics and searching for the truth.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would be a mongrel agility dog, full of energy and joy, and always looking for a new challenge. After a tough trial, I’d always answer the question: “Never again, or faster next time?” with faster, much faster.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-R-Oestreicher/362821597224813
Twiter: https://twitter.com/d_r_oestreicher
Website: http://justcallitresearch.wordpress.com/
May Sage
Hello, May! Tell us a little about yourself!
Hi, I’m May, twenty-something living in the middle of nowhere blablabla, what matters isn’t me, it’s what I write. And the answer to that is: Absolutely everything, from dystopia to romance and revisited fairytales. I’ve been writing stories since I was a little girl but it’s only recently that I’ve decided to publish; I just grew tired of your general weak heroine and the usual plot girl-meets-boy-the-end so, I give you: And then.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
And then, I died.
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Romance and suspense.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A kick ass heroine, an intelligent, three dimensional (and hot. Do I need to say hot?) businessman who needs a knight in shining armour a realistic. And then will surprise you, entertain you and if I did my job right, make you want to throw your kindle at a wall.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Ladies, please. I sooo am the black poodle from 101 Dalmatians.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maysage.author
Dwayne Fry
Hello, Dwayne! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a forty-eight year old Iowa native. I wrote my first book at the age of eleven, but did not truly get interested in writing until I was in my early twenties. I am Independently published as I do not believe any publishing house would be overly interested in my quirky stories.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Happy Clown Burger, Volume One
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Humor / satire / flash fiction
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Seventeen tales about Happy Clown Burger, each story being exactly one thousand words long. The tales look at the humorous side of fast food, sometimes from the customer’s point of view, sometimes from the workers’. A few of the stories are just downright weird.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
A bulldog
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8471544.Dwayne_Fry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwayne.fry.author?ref=hl
BB Wynter
Hello, BB! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m an author and illustrator currently residing under the grey, morose skies of England. At the moment, I’m immersing myself within paintings and sketches that give life to the realm of The Lament of Sky. I like to drink all kinds of tea and have a constant craving for honey.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
The Lament of Sky
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Dark Fantasy/Gothic/Epic Fantasy
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Gods, Monsters, Cabbage Fairies, Jester-Pirates, Glass Airships, Horror and Magic
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Ginger King Charles
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11296543.B_B_Wynter
Website: https://bbwynter.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bb_wynter
Anna Eleonora Haglund Hellström (A.E. Hellstorm)
Hello, A.E.! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m born in Sweden to a Swedish mother and a Norwegian father. Parts of my childhood were spent in Portugal and Greece, before my husband and I moved to Canada in 2005. Ever since I learnt how to write, I’ve been writing the stories that visit me whenever they see a chance, but it’s not until now that I actually manage to finish them.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
In the Hands of the Unknown, the first book in the series of The Field Researchers of the Golden Fleece Society.
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
A mix between horror, urban fantasy, and relationship drama.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
We get to follow Miriam; FBI-agent and Field Researcher of the secretive Golden Fleece Society, on a murder investigation that takes her and her colleagues into a world of supernatural weirdness and danger.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would be a rescue dog; a mutt, with lots of Golden Retriever in the mix.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
FB page about the Field Researchers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/448159125340507/?fref=ts
Website: http://www.hellhagproductions.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/Noarenne
Cory Abernathy
Hello, Cory! Tell us a little about yourself!
Cory Abernathy recently published his first novel, ‘Ogden’, set in his home town in Illinois. His varied writing interests include thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy. He is currently working on his second novel to be published in 2016.Cory’s writing style is fast-paced and he enjoys providing multiple perspectives throughout his novels.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Ogden
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Horror/Dystopian
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Cory’s writing style is fast-paced and he enjoys providing multiple perspectives throughout his novels. Most stories affect multiple people and he really tries to provide viewpoints from several characters as the story progresses. Cory’s book, ‘Ogden’, is a quick read with an intense climax.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Definitely a Siberian Husky & German Shepard mix; just like my own dog, Indy, who appears in this novel.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: twitter.com/Cory_Abernathy
Christina McMullen
Hello, Christina! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a science fiction and urban fantasy author who may or may not be a robot. When I’m not writing, I’m reading and supporting other fabulous indie authors, experimenting with vegan cooking, and enjoying art and travel. I currently live in Texas with my husband and three mutts.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Going Green, Kind of Like Life, The Eyes of The Sun, Dissonant, Past Life Strife, Splitsville, & You Wish (the last three being part of the series Rise of the Discordant)
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Humor & Satire, Young Adult, and often all of those at once.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Nearly all of my books, regardless of genre, involve me putting my own unique spin on a known theme. Everything I write has a hint of humor, including my heavier works, so expect an unexpected chuckle or two. But most of all, remember that I don’t like to be fenced in by expectations.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
One that sheds quite a bit. I’ve been compared to an Afghan Hound on more than one occasion, but I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Blog: mcmullenwrites.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcmullenwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcmullenwrites
D.E. Morris
Hello, D.E.! Tell us a little about yourself!
D.E. Morris has been a sci-fi junkie and geek his whole life, and has an admitted obsession for Doctor Who. He published “Aliens in the Gift Shop” in 2013, and it has received excellent reviews on Amazon. Current influences include Douglas Adams and Steven Moffat.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Aliens and the Race to Earth
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Sci-Fi / Adventure
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Ancient aliens, a terrifying weapon, and Earth caught in the crosshairs. Adventure and humor mix to create an exciting story with hostile aliens, strange planets, and the surprising origin of a famous Earth landmark.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Jack Russell terrier, no hesitation.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: www.authordemorris.com
Twitter: twitter.com/author_demorris
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/demorris
Andrew Neff
Hello, Andrew! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m generally playful and amiable. I love most forms of creativity including 2D and 3D art, music composition, and creative writing. I’m also interested in advances in science and technology, the potential of how it affects us, both the positive and negative implications.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
The Mind Game Company – The Players
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Contemporary fiction, soft & hard sci-fi, mystery, romance
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
You will experience a multifaceted world of telepathy. Prattling mind stalkers and a reluctantly exposed and challenged captive, looking for answers. Engaging dialog, revealing programs and mind games, ranging from insidious to playful bantering. Aberrant romance and more.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Comfy Chair Dog – a Siberian Husky if you need to know with a smudge of whipped cream on my snout and an empty pie pan I nudged under my recliner.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13160940.Andrew_Neff
Amazon author profile: http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Neff/e/B00SDF66Q6/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Virginia McClain
Hello, Virginia! Tell us a little about yourself!
Virginia loves to travel, practice martial arts, and spend as much of her time playing in the wilderness as she can. She works hard to make her fiction as adventurous as her life and her life as adventurous as her fiction. Both take a lot of imagination.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Rain on a Summer’s Afternoon: A Collection of Short Stories
What genre or genres would best describe what you are offering?
Mixed! Fantasy, action/adventure, humor, suspense…
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Dark, sometimes humorous fantasy in which women kick a lot of ass. These short stories are a bite sized introduction to my work. If you like them you might enjoy my full length works, the first of which is available now: Blade’s Edge.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
A mutt with traces of husky, german shepherd, and likely a dash of wolf.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
website: http://virginiamcclain.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/gwendamned
facebook: http://facebook.com/virginiamcclainauthor
CB Archer
Hello, CB! Tell us a little about yourself!
Creator of the Annals of Gentalia video game world, and purveyor of fine Elfrotica.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Breakers of the Code (Book 1 of the Anders’ Quest Series)
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Elfrotica. (Funny & lighthearted Fantasy themed Erotica)
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A spunky pantsless elf, a deeply penetrating plot full of hard choices, recklessly geeky video game humour, Male/Male situations, and vigorous monster banging!
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would like to be Fenrir, the wolf that has an epic battle with Odin at Ragnarök. I mean, have you seen Odin? He has a badass eyepatch, a legendary spear, and abs that go on for eons. Who wouldn’t want to bite off a piece of that?
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cb_archer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalsofgentalia
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13984980.C_B_Archer
Susan Stafford
Hello, Susan! Tell us a little about yourself!
Had a great childhood growing up in Key West, Fl & going barefoot must of the time. I currently live in Central Florida & have to wear shoes every day as I work in the court system.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Trouble in the Keys
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Mystery
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
My books take place in the Florida Keys & involve two female leads who own The Dream Shop & Daydream Spa. Entertaining beach reads??
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
If I were a dog I’d be a mutt that loves to swim
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/521888.Susan_Stafford
Amazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Stafford/e/B00IU1NMGU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1439238808&sr=8-2-spell
Ellison Blackburn
Hello, Ellison! Tell us a little about yourself!
A writer of fiction, sideline poet, and collector of vintage thingamabobs, Ellison Blackburn is also the internationally published author of Regeneration X and scribbler of current work-in-progress, Progeny, book two of the Regeneration Chronicles.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Regeneration X (Regeneration Chronicles #1)
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Science Fiction / Medical Fiction / Visionary Fiction
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Regeneration X is a story about having choices and dealing with the consequences; creating new memories and letting others fade; and making sacrifices in pursuit of happiness. At one time or another, you’ve probably said or thought, “In hindsight, …” So, what happens when ‘To have been’ becomes something that can be changed? Journey with Charlotte her on a quest, and you’ll be asking, “If I could change the past, would I?”
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Dog children are often very similar to their human parents, therefore I would be a Schnauzer.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ellisonblackburn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellisonblackburn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellis_blackburn
Douglas Schwartz
Hello, Douglas! Tell us a little about yourself!
Doug works in the software industry, but would love to one day solely focus on his two favorite pastimes: writing absurd fiction and designing tabletop games. His wife and two kids support his dreams. Won’t you?
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Checkered Scissors
Pickled Bananas and Other Schwartz Stories
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Absurd fantasy
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A light read overflowing with creative imagery and an intelligent sense of humor.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Doug would be a talking dog that wears pants.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: http://www.checkeredscissors.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckerScissors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckeredScissors
Janice Croom
Hello, Janice! Tell us a little about yourself!
Janice Croom is the author of the Kadence MacBride Mysteries. Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book you want to read and it hasn’t been written, you must write it.” Janice has written the books she’s always wanted to read and hopes you enjoy reading them as much as she’s enjoyed writing them.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Death of an Idiot Boss
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Amateur sleuth murder mystery
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
Kadence MacBride is smashing the glass ceiling with her size ten pumps until she’s waylaid by murder. Death of an Idiot Boss is a humorous character driven mystery. If you like an amateur sleuth with attitude, you’ll love Kadence MacBride.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
If I were a dog, I’d an Old English Sheepdog not because I’m from the UK. I’m not despite being a huge fan of the BBC, Dr. Who and Death in Paradise being two of my absolute favorites. I’d be an Old English Sheepdog because they’re noted for their alertness and agility. As an indie author I have to be constantly alert to changes in the marketplace and agile enough to change as the market does.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: http://www.janicecroom.com
Facebook: http://bit.ly/Janice_Croom_books_facebook
Bill Jacks
Hello, Bill! Tell us a little about yourself!
Bill Jacks is a writer of humor-fiction that might be deemed “satire,” were it a bit classier or in some way appropriate. Prior to a career in words, Bill earned money as an artist and nearly starved to death. He is a basset hound enthusiast and aficionado of flannel.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Confederate Chipmunks & Carny Cooter
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
humor/fiction
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A reader can expect something a bit shorter than usual; short, but filled to capacity, jam-packed and vacuum sealed with the same amount of consideration a sane person might lend to a girthy novel. A reader can expect to be overwhelmed, caught unawares by the gooey absurdity which pumps without cease directly into and all over their face—a wacky swamp bukkake. But most importantly—assuming a sense of humor is present—a reader can expect to laugh, violently, to the effect of bowel movement or hernia, god willing.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would be a basset hound, obviously—the resemblance is uncanny.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: twitter.com/AuthorJacks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010134121190
Mike Vavrinak
Hello, Mike! Tell us a little about yourself!
Born in Youngstown Ohio in 1966, currently living in Lancaster with my beautiful wife Glaiza. Currently writing my second novel and, sadly, seem to be losing my battle against pizza, damn that cheesy goodness!
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Rebecca
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Paranormal horror novel about vampires.
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
My book is a vampire/horror novel, but the focus is more on the inter-personal relationships that developed between the characters over time. There is, of course, horror and blood and some erotica – it IS a vampire novel after all, but the overall story is one of emotional growth, or lack of it. The premise of the book to me was – when our dreams come true, why can’t that be enough?
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
I would be spoiled rotten, that’s what dogs do.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: http://www.rebeccathenovel.com/
Maurice G. Miller
Hello, Maurice! Tell us a little about yourself!
Maurice has been involved in the creative arts since his teenage years, mostly as a musician. The artistic role models that he has come to admire were those authors, musicians, and philosophers that wrote the books, poetry, lyrics, and music that touched and moved the souls of generations. Counted among his favorites authors are J.D. Salinger, Earnest Hemingway, Dante Alighieri, and Kahlil Gibran.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
The Budapest Experiment
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
International Thriller
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
The Budapest Experiment is set in 1991, during the dawn of the Post-Communist era in Hungary. The plot follows an adventurous American entrepreneur, as he is seduced by the Russian Mob into the “darker side” of Budapest’s business landscape during a period of tumultuous change. This captivating thriller weaves business, politics, seduction, power, and religion into a compelling tale of international intrigue.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
Doberman
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mauricegmiller
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1Jbkxel
Google +: http://bit.ly/1N1Jmdv
S. L. Bynum
Hello, S.L.! Tell us a little about yourself!
S. L. Bynum is 26, and her dream has been to become a novelist since she was sixteen. Besides books, she loves dancing, warm weather, and desserts. She lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her family.
What book will you be offering for the promotion?
Grim Crush
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
YA paranormal romance
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
A sweet romance that shows how love can transcend the boundary between life and death. The female lead is a feisty grim reaper, and the male lead is a sexy Native American. There is also an unexpected twist at the end that will be explored further in the sequel!
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
A Shih Tzu, they’re so cute and cuddly!
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerSLBynum
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorSLBynum?_rdr=p
Website- http://slbynum.wix.com/author
P.D. Workman
Hello, P.D.! Tell us a little about yourself!
For as long as P. D. Workman can remember, the blank page has held an incredible allure. After a number of false starts, she finally wrote her first complete novel at the age of twelve. It was full of fantastic ideas. It was the spring board for many stories over the next few years. Then, forty-some novels later, P.D. Workman finally decided to start publishing.
What books will you be offering for the promotion?
Tattooed Teardrops
Lion Within
What genre or genres would best describe your work?
Tattooed Teardrops – Young Adult Contemporary
Lion Within – Literary Fiction/Psychological
Can you tell us a little about what we might expect from reading your work?
I write riveting young adult and suspense fiction about mental illness, addiction, and abuse.
Since this is the Dog Days Doldrums Buster, please tell us; if you were a dog, what kind of a dog would you be?
When I was little, I had an imaginary basset hound, so let’s go with that!
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: http://pdworkman.com
twitter: twitter.com/pdworkmanauthor
facebook: facebook.com/pdworkmanauthor
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Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Dog Days Of Summer sale, SupportIndieAuthors
August 9, 2015
Brain To Books Blog Tour C.C. Koen
Fast Facts:
Author: C.C. KoenGenre: Contemporary Romance
Book(s)
The Path to Serenity Series:
Book 1: Intensity,
Book 2: Serenity
And also, the stand alone sweet romance: Unlikely Allies
BIO
C.C. Koen writes contemporary romance with a twist. An avid reader who enjoys mystery and suspense, her stories will never be what you expect. Determined to find adventure in her dreams and life, she enjoys skydiving, sailing and any activity that challenges her. Teacher by day, romance writer at night produce an active imagination that comes to life in her writing.
Blurb
What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?
Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?
Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.
Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?
Links
Official Site
Official Blog
Goodreads
Google+
Buy Books by C.C. Koen
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo Books
Apple iTunes
Smashwords
Select here to see available giveaways
Excerpt
“Cece, Cece, where are you?”
They both turned toward the door.
An adult version of the pint-sized girl appeared in the doorway. This variation, though, had hair on the cherry side of auburn with twists of milk chocolate streaming through the strands. A messy ponytail slung high on top of her head, and thick, curly waves fell over her shoulder, instead of bright, reddish-orange pigtails like Cece’s.
“Cece, come here.” The woman’s stern tone communicated there better not be any arguments. Cece marched across the room. “My daughter shouldn’t have run off. I’m sorry if she disturbed you.”
A company logo and name written in gold script in a circular pattern above her left breast caught his attention: Westlake Security Services. His best friend, Matt, owned the firm adjacent to his office. She’d have to pass his suite to get there, yet he’d never seen her before. He inspected her uniform, a gray polo shirt and black slacks. An outfit he’d seen many times before, but it never looked that good on anyone else. The fabric, tucked in at her waist, had a cut that hugged her handful-sized breasts, and slim pants accentuated her curvy hips.
He lifted his gaze and found the woman ushering Cece out the door. “Wait.”
Cece turned, beaming a huge smile at him. “I would a told ya bye.” And just as fast, her little face morphed from happy to perturbed, aimed at her mother, and with her arms crossed, Cece shook her head.
Without missing a beat, and as smooth as his mother would have, the woman redirected Cece. “Say good night to Mr.…”
“Stone, Rick Stone.”
She set a hand on Cece’s shoulder, nudging her and casting a do-what-your-mother-says stare. “I have to get back to work. Say goodbye to Mr. Stone.”
“What’s your name?” He couldn’t let her get away that fast.
“Maggie.”
“Margareta Cassidy Tyson,” Cece shouted with emphasis, a pause between each distinction. “My mama works here.” She pointed toward the hall. “She plays on a phone and ʼputer. It got lotsabuttons.” She shook her head, pigtails flinging back and forth over one shoulder then the other, followed by an overdrawn sigh. “She don’t let me push ʼem. Don’t ya think I should get to push ʼem? He let me push his.” Cece looked up at her mother and shot her arm toward him, her shrugging shoulders communicating, “See, everybody can do it. No big deal.”
Rick chuckled and then stopped when Maggie spun around, hands set on her hips. He rubbed his palm along the back of his neck and shifted from one foot to the other as an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room. “Let me explain.”
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, Support Indie Authors
Brain to Books Blog Tour Lu J. Whitley
Fast Facts:
Author: Lu J. WhitleyGenre:Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Book: Bloodmarked from The Fraktioneers Series
Official Site
Bio
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a little girl was born who was just a little odd around the edges. One thing led to another, and now you’re reading her stories.
Lu is a full-time writer who lives a quiet life with her
geeky, roboticist
husband and four-legged children.
Blurb
A ‘townie’ college student, living off campus with her overprotective mother, Greta Brandt thought everything about her life was run of the mill
. Everything, except for the nightmares that have been plaguing her for as long as she can remember.
When her reality is torn apart, Greta finds herself adrift in a world she thought only existed in her fevered dreams. The on
e
soul she can cling to, a dark stranger who seems to know her better than she knows herself.
Jaromir Ragnarsson is a shadow in a world men do not see. Charged with protecting the Brandt women from untold dangers, he had been ever vigilant in his task. Until one night, a fatal mistake threatens to take away mankind’s only chance for survival: Greta Brandt.
Now, he must find a way to protect Greta in his hidden world, where magic and myth are fact not fiction. And curses are very, very real.
View the Book Trailer here!
Excerpt
He’d last seen the girl three years ago. Three years, four months, and eight days ago, to be precise. Had he been wearing a watch at the time, he probably could have narrowed it down further. She’d been leaving her house just as he’d arrived for a meeting with the older Ms. Brandt, on her way to a late night swimming party at the lake on the outskirts of town. He’d told himself to stay out of sight, keeping to the shadows in the corner of the living room. But as she’d flown down the stairs on her way out the door, he’d caught sight of her, wearing nothing but a black bikini and a pair of flip flops. A sweatshirt tied loosely around her waist. And he’d been floored.
He wasn’t sure how he’d missed her growing into the woman he’d seen before him. It wasn’t like him to be so oblivious. Gone was the awkward teenage gangliness. The braces. The terrible shag haircut. In their place was a full-grown fantasy. Full lips. Sooty lashes that framed her almond-shaped eyes. Her dark hair was cut pixie short, baring the long expanse of her throat. And the body. It was a map of womanly curves he wouldn’t mind taking a few days to travel down. All silky smooth skin that had glowed like a pearl in the moonlight rushing in through the open front door.
Luckily, she hadn’t seen him. And he needed to make sure she never would. He didn’t know exactly what he might do if she ever turned her brilliant violet eyes in his direction. Those eyes the undeniable reason she was under his protection in the first place. So he couldn’t be thinking about her like…like…however it was he was thinking.”
Links
Lu’s Blog
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Twitter
Lu has two copies of Bloodmarked to giveaway!
View her giveaways and more for the Brain to Books Blog Tour Giveaways here!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Books Blog Tour M.E. Vaughan
Fast Facts:
Author: M.E. Vaughan
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Celtic Mythology, Arthurian Legends
Book Title(s): The Sons of Thestian from The Harmatia Cycle
Official Site
BIO
M.E. Vaughan was born in England on the 15th of September, 1992 under the f
ull name ‘Madeleine Emily Vaughan’. In her life-time she has lived in an assortment of countries across Europe, the Middle & Far East, as well as a family home in Horsham, built in the middle of a dragon forest. During these travels she discovered a passion for stories which went on to encourage her to overcome problems with dyslexia and pursue her dream of writing.In 2011 she undertook a Creative Writing degree at the University of Winchester, for which, in 2014 she received a 1:1. During this time, her short story The Seas Own was published in an anthology by Zharmae Publishing Press, who went on to pick up her trilogy The Harmatia Cycle. The first book The Sons of Thestian was written when Madeleine was 17, and was published in 2015.
Accomplishments: When Madeleine isn’t writing, she enjoys composing, drawing, reading and practising Washinkai Karate, for which she is a 1st Dan. She leads the local Folk & World Music Choir, runs Creative Writing workshops for Children, and is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Winchester.
Book blurb:
The Prince Jionathan is plagued by visions of death. With the King on his death-bed, and the tyrannical Queen in power, the Kingdom of Harmatia lies in peril. Fleeing the city in fear of his life, Jionathan is shadowed by Rufus Merle, a young, secretive magi tasked with bringing him home. Now, with the help of a fearsome sidhe warrior named Fae, they must traverse a dangerous faerie-wood together. Against bandits, faeries and cursed priestesses, these unlikely friends travel a path fraught with danger, not least from the blood-thirsty Night Patrol and the dark conspiracy that shrouds them.Book review:
In the same way that a musician absorbs and reconfigures the influences of other players and bands, The Sons of Thestian synthesizes a wide array of influences from Medieval Arthurian legend and Celtic folklore to more recent classics of the fantasy genre such as The Lord of the Rings and the Game of Thrones and Harry Potter series. As the first novel in Vaughan’s Harmatia Cycle, this novel begins a saga that has the same degree of scope and resonance as so many that have come before it, but Vaughan’s own alchemy integrates her influences into a result that feels completely fresh and also serves as a reminder of why a fantasy epic can inspire such devotion in readers. The most enduring examples of the genre create a world so rich with imagery that you don’t want to leave, a cast of characters so textured and engaging that they begin to feel like old friends. In building the world of Mag Mell and by giving us such layered characters as Prince Jionathan (pronounced Yo-nat-han), Rufus the Magi, Fae the Sidhe, and a host of others, Vaughan has created an epic that is endlessly absorbing, even addictive.
The plot unfolds with a dying king, a plotting queen, dangerous wizards, and a prince on the run—either away from his destiny or toward it. As King Thestian lies on his death bed, the young Prince Jionathan flees the city and kingdom of Harmatia, fearful of the king’s first wife Queen Reine and the machinations of a group of rogue shape-shifting Magi known as the Night Patrol, who justify murder under the guise of keeping the city streets safe. The prince also carries with him the heavy burden of the assassination of his older brother, Sverrin (pronounced Suh-ver-in), the former heir to the throne. The king and queen, along with Jionathan’s mother Eliane, send Rufus, a young Magi with heavy burdens of his own, to find the prince and bring him home. Rufus easily catches up with Jionathan in the forest beyond the city, and he and the prince forge a close but uneasy bond as the pair tumble from one dire circumstance to the next.
While on the surface, the novel appears to be a classic hero’s quest, but the series of double-crosses, triple-crosses, and twists make it difficult to pin down exactly who the heroes and who the villains truly are, breathing new life into the standard quest narrative. Even with the vast scope, and high page count, the book is tightly written—chock full of gripping battles and action sequences, quiet romantic moments, and dangerous confrontations with fearsome creatures. The pacing of the action is quick and no detail is insignificant, building to a conclusion that will leave the reader breathless and wanting more.
Links:
Book website
Goodreads
Author Website
Tumblr
Purchase
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (US)
Barnes & Nobles
Smashwords
View the Brain to Books Blog Tour Giveaways here!
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Books Blog Tour Julie Mulhern
Fast Facts:
Author: Julie MulhernGenre: Historical Romance with a dash of paranormal and a hint of mystery
Book: A Haunting Desire from The Haunting Series
Official Site
Bio
Julie Mulhern always wanted to be a writer. She spent her childhood creating pen names and dreaming of exotic, mysterious, romantic places. To that end, she went to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia (because, when you’re from the Midwest, the South is both exotic and romantic). There she earned degrees in politics and French. She even spent a year living in Paris. But the Midwest beckoned and she returned home. Now she lives with her husband, two daughters and a dastardly dog. It might not be exotic or mysterious but it is romantic.
Accomplishments
Julie is a 2014 Golden Heart Finalist
Blurb
The denizens of 1902 New Orleans’ red light district aren’t strangers to sinful, violent acts–but, the freshly eviscerated men found in the gutters send a collective shudder through the crescent city.
Trula Boudreaux, madam of Storyville’s most exclusive brothel, is more afraid of her growing attraction to the Yankee sent to investigate the murders than the murderer. Trula is prepared to risk her life to protect her business and keep her girls safe from the killer prowling the steamy streets. But is she willing to risk her heart?
Loner Zeke Barnes is torn between duty and a new-found passion for a mysterious temptress. His was a seemingly straightforward task – catch a vicious killer and escape the city’s sultry heat. When partnership with local police proves to be of no value, he is forced to rely heavily on the city’s most alluring lady of the night.
Together Trula and Zeke investigate the city’s dark, ghostly underside. But can they learn to trust the spirits and overome their haunting pasts?
Excerpt
Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1
New Orleans, Louisiana
Monday, October 6, 1902
Go to Marie Leveau’s tomb. Find the woman who can tell you about voodoo. She has what you need.
It didn’t matter if Zeke Barnes had better things to do than melt in the heat of a New Orleans’ afternoon. The instructions were clear. So he waited.
The tombs crowded near, some as bleached and crumbling as old bones, others spruced up with a fresh coat of paint in honor of the newly dead. Winged angels, fat-cheeked cherubs, praying children, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to a Roman goddess, and a group of shepherds watched him from the roofs with unseeing eyes. Zeke ignored them and searched for bits of shade. It was October; morning frosts should powder pumpkins, ruby or gold maple leaves should dance in an afternoon wind so brisk it brought color to his cheeks. He should need a heavier coat and the possibility of an early snow should be the topic on everyone’s lips. Instead humidity puddled in his lungs. He was drowning in a sea of hot, wet air.
A trickle of sweat meandered down his temple. He scowled at the ghost of a pretty young woman. Her cloudy eyes rounded and she scurried away like a frightened rabbit, whispering to the other phantoms, “He sees me.”
Hers was the only voice in the deserted cemetery. A wisp of a wraith didn’t have the answers he needed. William had promised a woman, one who’d help him find the murderer stalking the district. One who’d meet him next to Marie Leveau’s solitary tomb.
He was here. Sweating. Thirsty. With the grit of a near sleepless night scratching his eyes.
The woman was nowhere in sight.
With a silent apology to those who rested within, Zeke leaned his shoulder against the whitewashed side of an oven vault. He needed answers. Soon. Someone with political power had pulled enough strings to bring him to New Orleans to track a vicious killer. Until he caught the murderer, he couldn’t leave, couldn’t escape this ghost-infested, mosquito-ridden swamp masquerading as a city.
The late afternoon light faded to lavender, the very air tinted with dusk. Zeke exhaled. He’d give this fool’s errand one more minute and then he’d leave. He had better things to do than watch ghosts promenade.
Where the hell was she?
Links
Goodreads
Google+
View the Brain to Books Blog Tour Giveaways here!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Books Blog Tour M.E. Vaughan
Fast Facts:
Author: M.E. Vaughan
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Celtic Mythology, Arthurian Legends
Book Title(s): The Sons of Thestian
Series: The Harmatia Cycle
Accomplishments: When Madeleine isn’t writing, she enjoys composing, drawing, reading and practising Washinkai Karate, for which she is a 1st Dan. She leads the local Folk & World Music Choir, runs Creative Writing workshops for Children, and is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Winchester.
BIO
M.E. Vaughan was born in England on the 15th of September, 1992 under the f
ull name ‘Madeleine Emily Vaughan’. In her life-time she has lived in an assortment of countries across Europe, the Middle & Far East, as well as a family home in Horsham, built in the middle of a dragon forest. During these travels she discovered a passion for stories which went on to encourage her to overcome problems with dyslexia and pursue her dream of writing.In 2011 she undertook a Creative Writing degree at the University of Winchester, for which, in 2014 she received a 1:1. During this time, her short story The Seas Own was published in an anthology by Zharmae Publishing Press, who went on to pick up her trilogy The Harmatia Cycle. The first book The Sons of Thestian was written when Madeleine was 17, and was published in 2015.
Book blurb:The Prince Jionathan is plagued by visions of death. With the King on his death-bed, and the tyrannical Queen in power, the Kingdom of Harmatia lies in peril. Fleeing the city in fear of his life, Jionathan is shadowed by Rufus Merle, a young, secretive magi tasked with bringing him home. Now, with the help of a fearsome sidhe warrior named Fae, they must traverse a dangerous faerie-wood together. Against bandits, faeries and cursed priestesses, these unlikely friends travel a path fraught with danger, not least from the blood-thirsty Night Patrol and the dark conspiracy that shrouds them.
Book review:
In the same way that a musician absorbs and reconfigures the influences of other players and bands, The Sons of Thestian synthesizes a wide array of influences from Medieval Arthurian legend and Celtic folklore to more recent classics of the fantasy genre such as The Lord of the Rings and the Game of Thrones and Harry Potter series. As the first novel in Vaughan’s Harmatia Cycle, this novel begins a saga that has the same degree of scope and resonance as so many that have come before it, but Vaughan’s own alchemy integrates her influences into a result that feels completely fresh and also serves as a reminder of why a fantasy epic can inspire such devotion in readers. The most enduring examples of the genre create a world so rich with imagery that you don’t want to leave, a cast of characters so textured and engaging that they begin to feel like old friends. In building the world of Mag Mell and by giving us such layered characters as Prince Jionathan (pronounced Yo-nat-han), Rufus the Magi, Fae the Sidhe, and a host of others, Vaughan has created an epic that is endlessly absorbing, even addictive.
The plot unfolds with a dying king, a plotting queen, dangerous wizards, and a prince on the run—either away from his destiny or toward it. As King Thestian lies on his death bed, the young Prince Jionathan flees the city and kingdom of Harmatia, fearful of the king’s first wife Queen Reine and the machinations of a group of rogue shape-shifting Magi known as the Night Patrol, who justify murder under the guise of keeping the city streets safe. The prince also carries with him the heavy burden of the assassination of his older brother, Sverrin (pronounced Suh-ver-in), the former heir to the throne. The king and queen, along with Jionathan’s mother Eliane, send Rufus, a young Magi with heavy burdens of his own, to find the prince and bring him home. Rufus easily catches up with Jionathan in the forest beyond the city, and he and the prince forge a close but uneasy bond as the pair tumble from one dire circumstance to the next.
While on the surface, the novel appears to be a classic hero’s quest, but the series of double-crosses, triple-crosses, and twists make it difficult to pin down exactly who the heroes and who the villains truly are, breathing new life into the standard quest narrative. Even with the vast scope, and high page count, the book is tightly written—chock full of gripping battles and action sequences, quiet romantic moments, and dangerous confrontations with fearsome creatures. The pacing of the action is quick and no detail is insignificant, building to a conclusion that will leave the reader breathless and wanting more.
Links:
Book website
Goodreads
Author Website
Tumblr
Purchase
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (US)
Barnes & Nobles
Smashwords
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books
August 8, 2015
Brain to Books Blog Tour Marie Johnston
Fast Facts
Author: Marie Johnston
Genre: Paranormal romance and contemporary romance
Books:
The Sigma Menace Series
Fever Claim (Book 1)
Primal Claim (Book 2)
True Claim (Book 3)
Reclaim (Book 3.5)
Fleet Week Romance Series
Rebound
Shooter
Official Site
Bio
Marie Johnston still considers herself a microbiologist, though she left infectious organisms and full-time work over five years ago to be a stay at home mom. She is currently working occasionally as a fill-in medical technologist in clinic labs to support her habit of being home with the kids. Marie began writing a year ago and is still going strong. She’s an avid reader of paranormal and contemporary romance, therefore these are the stories hanging out in her head waiting to be told. Marie lives with her husband, four kids, and an old cat in the upper-Midwest where the winters are as brutal as the summers are beautiful.Accomplishments
Marie served two years on her children’s elementary school’s PTO (never again), teaches Sundayschool (swears never again, but ends up volunteering every year), and is currently serving on the board for the local chapter of Mom’s Club (the socialization keeps her sane). At no point, has she ventured into coaching her kids’ teams, but there’s still many more years left of soccer, volleyball, and softball.
Blurb True Claim (The Sigma Menace #3)
Over a century ago, Bennett Young found his mate, a human woman he trusted and was brutally betrayed by. With his one chance at happiness gone, Bennett throws himself into his work. He dreads the inevitable day he turns feral and his partners will be forced to put him down, then a routine mission brings him face-to-face with his worst nightmare. A human mate. Discovering the lovely, but evasive woman is being hunted, Bennett can’t bring himself to abandon her, at least not until she’s safe.Spencer King has a boy’s name and lives in the boondocks for a reason. The tall, sexy shifter who showed up on her doorstep was unwelcome…and pushy. The mating instinct she feels for him threatens everyone she’s worked to keep safe. Realizing the frustrating, brooding Guardian doesn’t intend to leave her alone, Spencer has to figure out if she can trust him, and to decide – stay and fight, or run for her life?
Excerpt from True Claim (The Sigma Menace #3)
WARNING: Sensitive readers be forewarned. This excerpt contains some language.
What a nice spread.
A good three hundred and twenty acres sat next to the Guardian’s land. Both chunks of land were far enough away from city limits to be considered extremely rural and isolated. The Guardians kept tabs on all the land owners around their acreage. There were just a few owners really, and only one wasn’t a shifter. The previous non-shifter owner was okay letting the land grow wild, snoring loudly all night while shifters freely ran his property, and heading into town to hit on the silver-haired ladies at the senior center all day. It was an ideal situation until the guy hadn’t shown up in town one day and the senior center ladies called the local police, concerned about him, and found he’d passed away quietly one night.
The new owner might be an issue. Recently, shifters exercising their wolves in the woods had some near misses with steel traps. Concerning enough, until Kaitlyn came back from inspecting the traps claiming they were plentiful, covering the entirety of the property like land mines.
Driving down the ambling, dusty road that served as a driveway, Bennett decided at the last minute not to pull too close to the house. If he was in his furry form, the fur would be standing up on the back of his neck. Instead, he parked on the circular drive so he was angled toward the exit and protected by the SUV when he stepped out.
After he climbed out, he let his senses soak in the surroundings. Birds were singing, enjoying the sunny spring weather after a harsh winter. Two cows stood in a pasture, a good hundred yards from the main house. Who the fuck only had two cows?
Bennett spun when he heard a screen door open and resisted the urge to transition when a large German shepherd slammed the door open the rest of the way. Growling and snarling, the beast roared toward him, fangs bared.
Without hesitation, Bennett flung out a mental command. Halt!
The beast stopped abruptly, already midway between the house and Bennett. He swung his furry head toward the house where a figure stood shadowed in the doorway, and then the dog made a lunge back toward Bennett.
Mentally, Bennett held the large dog in place, grateful his erratic mental ability was steady today. He rarely used his gift. Seriously, who needed to talk to animals? And how long could one guy put up with Snow White references? All of his pack’s gifts had been increasingly erratic for the last century, so much so they’d become less and less dependent on them almost to the point of disuse. That is, until the last year, when some of them started finding mates. It seemed as if their powers became stronger and more grounded with each mating. Bennett thought that meant he was screwed.
The German shepherd whined and sat with a huff on his haunches, then turned his head back to the house.
Keeping his hold on the loyal dog, Bennett took in the figure that walked out.
Shiiiiiit. He felt his chest growing tight, his breathing becoming shallower. Not due to the shotgun emerging from the doorway, thankfully pointed downward, but it was the arm attached to it. Bennett ran his eyes up from where the tanned hand confidently gripped the shotgun barrel, up the delicately muscled arm encased in a red plaid shirt to where the rolled-up sleeve showed off a slight bulge of bicep. His eyes continued up the sun-kissed skin of a slender neck, bared by a clip holding up the sun-bleached, honey-brown hair, letting it cascade down from the clip like a waterfall of ripened wheat. Bennett took in the lash-lined hazel eyes and full, raspberry hued lips and felt like he’d been punched in the gut.
Because it wasn’t the stunning beauty, cautiously stepping off the porch, suspicion ripe in her bright, intelligent eyes that made Bennett feel like he was suffocating. It wasn’t the glinting, steel weapon in her hand, or the dog trained to attack.
No. The bottom dropped out of Bennett’s world as soon as he caught the scent, drifting toward him on the gentle breeze. The scent of lavender and vanilla, the signature smell of this human female. The scent of his mate.
Additional Books by Marie Johnston
Interview with the author
Tell us about yourself?
I started writing about a year ago, but have always gravitated toward it. When I worked full-time in the lab, I volunteered to write procedures and really enjoyed it (really, I did). Before I wrote Fever Claim, I had only written scientific papers (not as enjoyable) but always joked about how one day I was going to write a book. I never did because I would try to think of the entire story first, whereas I’d been making up individual scenes in my head for years (and years). At my husband’s urging to “just write,” I finally decided that I was getting older and still had written nothing so what was there to lose.
When I’m not writing, I’m running the kids around and trying to hold my peace together amidst the chaos. I also still work as a fill-in med tech occasionally throughout the month. For fun (though my knees really hate it), I play softball in the summers and dabble on a women’s hockey team (noncompetitive!) during the winters.
Is this your first book?
Fever Claim was my first book. There were three earlier attempts at different stories and two of them I plan to go back to, but the plot and emotions were much more complex than I could express, so I wanted more experience first. Fever Claim was followed by Primal Claim and True Claim and the short story Reclaim, all part of the Sigma Menace Series. Book 4, Lawful Claim will debut in early fall 2015.
I’ve also started a new contemporary romance short story series I’m really excited about: Fleet Week Romance. These stories will each be independent reads, with the first two shorts beingRebound and Shooter. They are meant to be quick, sweet, and steamy reads.
What genre do you enjoy the most?
I LOVE paranormal romance – both reading and writing. I love the emotions, the chemistry, and as far as writing goes – I get to make the rules. Creating your own world is fabulous.
What inspired you to write this book?
Lawful Claim (Book 4 of The Sigma Menace) is in progress. An underlying theme of the main character in the book, and the main character for upcoming Book 5, is about originally good people stuck in bad situations. Romance has a lot of bad boys, but I’ve always been drawn to good guys that behave badly, and exploring the reasons why.
How did you come up with the title of your book and series?
When I was in the lab, we were introduced to an efficient system called Six Sigma and I just plain liked the word “sigma.” On top of that, it’s has a math reference…be still my science geek heart.
I wanted a theme to tie all the books together and well, they’re about wolf-shifters and their mates, hence there’s a lot claiming going on. Each title, I strive to make relevant to the overall story of the main characters.
Tell us a little bit about your cover art.
I’ve solely used P and N Graphics and I love working with them. I feel like Sahara Kelly has become a mentor for me as I’ve learned so much from her. For the Sigma Menace series, I told them I wanted a dude with a background and they’ve kept a constant underlying tone to the covers while still utilizing relevant backgrounds from my story. They look sharp and professional.
For the Fleet Week romance series, I had a vague vision: I wanted a couple on the front, not too steamy, not too sweet, and with a naval background. And somehow make it all not look absurd. I didn’t have much inspiration to pass on, but Sahara sent a cover idea for Rebound and I was thrilled. She nailed it.
What Hollywood actors would play your characters?
Duuuude…I have no idea. I don’t mix my books and movies. It sounds weird, but if I watch the movie, I don’t care to read the book and vice versa (confession: I haven’t read any Harry Potter books). If I happen to see a movie that I’ve already read the book for, I find I prefer my imagination over Hollywood’s adaptation.
What authors have inspired you to write?
JR Ward, Laura Wright, JR Ward, Larissa Ione, JR Ward, Kresley cole, JR Ward, Gena Showalter, JR Ward, Karen Marie Moning. Did I mention JR Ward? That woman is epic and I want to be her when I grow up. Those stories, the chemistry, the dialogue, her alpha males…just…wow. I’m in awe of her. I fall into utter deadbeat mom status when I’m reading one of her books.
Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others?
Action. By far, action. Am I being too technical, am I being realistic, does it read well, was I descriptive enough? My mind likes to ruminate over emotion and the expression of it, so physical action is tough for me.
That being said, love scenes aren’t easy. Not if I want to be original, steamy, and again not too technical. I don’t want to gloss over them too quickly, but they don’t need to drag on for pages and pages.
I don’t seem to struggle as badly with dialogue, and I hope that now I’ve said that, I won’t start. A natural introvert, I’ve spent my life watching people, listening to what’s going on around me so dialogue seems to flow more smoothly as I write, though I have a lot of room for growth.
Do you read your reviews?
Absolutely. I don’t have many, but I may or may not have read them once or five times. I love Goodreads and the groups where we can swap reviews, but life gets so busy, I find myself shying away from review swapping because it can be a bit time consuming. I enjoy doing it, and I love helping out fellow indies, but the last few months have been especially busy so I hope to get back into it once school starts again and I’m not moderating children’s activities (and arguments).
Where do you write?
On my couch, with my legs stretched out. I still want to find the guy that recommended a laptop when we went in to buy a new computer. I couldn’t imagine being tucked away at my desk with my back to the world (well, on most days).
Naptime is writing time. When naps become fully boycotted (not by me!), then afternoon TV/quiet time will become writing time. Otherwise, on the weekends, I sneak back to the bedroom and write with some semblance of privacy.
When I first started writing, I used to go to the library. But I’ve gotten better tuning out the world at home where I don’t have to pack up all my gear to go to the bathroom.
Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
I’m a pantser. Which is totally weird if you knew what an uptight planner I am. I have my yearly agenda, and every week is written out for each day exactly where and when we need to be somewhere, who I need to call, what needs dropping off, etc…But writing is different. Unless I’m out for a long walk or run and my mind can wander, I can’t force a storyline. I have to let it play out for me.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes. When I was a kid, I wrote a few short stories, but didn’t recreationally write until I wrote Fever Claim. Well…my emails got a bit wordy. In college, especially for my master’s degree, I wrote A LOT of papers. I’m even published under my microbiologist alter ego, so if you’re curious about the incidence of Campylobacter in turkey carcasses, give me a call. In my career, I’ve written lab procedures and headed up a newsletter for the section where I also wrote an article or two. No matter what I was doing, there’s been writing.
Do you have pets?
I have a fifteen year old cat, Killian (you know, named after the beer), that likes to yowl in front of the toddler’s room at 5am. I’d love a dog, but seriously, I want all my kids out of diapers and then a long reprieve from dealing with other beings’ bodily functions on my carpet.
What is your favorite song?
Right now, there’s a close tie between two. I’d been away from country music for years before I heard “Drunk on a Plane.” My first thought was, what hick song is this? Then I listened to the lyrics, which tell a good story, and let Dierks Bentley’s voice caress my ear drums and fell in love with the song.
“Sangria” by Blake Shelton is on my repeat-at-least-twenty-times list. Not only does he have a smooth voice with a hint of drawl, but the lyrics spike my romance writer jealousy. How can a couple of verses paint such a complete, vivid picture of a couple getting ready to get it on? “Wrecking ball dancing down the hallway…you’re holding your shoes wearing my shades…”
Do you remember the first book you read?
The first for realz book, when I got through all of the quickie reads for kids at that time (like Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley), I was in fourth grade and found my mom’s The Diamond Throne by David Eddings. I had to keep asking my mom what some words meant and got the standard “look it up in the dictionary” response. I gobbled up every David Eddings book after that and started a long love affair with fantasy. I even read Game of Thrones in real time, up until book four when I’d already found JR Ward and become a romance convert.
I knew there was something special about my husband when I first met him, because he was reading a David Eddings book. He was the only other person I’d met besides my mom that read the genre I did (I was only 19 when we met, but still…).
What book are you reading now?
I just got done reading The Shadows by JR Ward. In fact, I have a book hangover because I stayed up hours past my bedtime to finish it so I could read in peace. I adore that woman’s writing and The Shadows ripped me up, but I trust certain authors to carry me through their character’s gut-wrenching story.
Links
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Amazon:
Fever Claim
Primal Claim
True Claim
Reclaim
Rebound
Shooter
Barnes and Noble:
Fever Claim
Primal Claim
True Claim
Reclaim
Rebound
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Smashwords:
Fever Claim
Primal Claim
True Claim
Reclaim
Rebound
Shooter
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Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Books Blog Tour Charles McGarry
Fast Facts:
Author: Charles McGarry
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi/Fantasy blends, and some inspirational.
Book: Dragon Shorts: A Collection Of Outlandish Tales
Official Site
Bio
Charles McGarry is an author, a blogger, and a truly unique individual. A self-proclaimed free thinker who loves to think deeply about many issues, Charles is constantly immersed in questions about reality. He is married to the love of his life, has two amazing children, and a rather eccentric cat. He was raised on a small hay farm in southern Utah. As an only child, his home terrain gave a perfect backdrop to explore his active imagination. A very eclecticindividual, Charles enjoy all kinds of different movies and music and is a huge bookworm, of course. His genres of choice are inspirational non-fiction and Fantasy, and he is a huge fan of authors like Terry Brooks, JRR Tolkien, and Christopher Paolini, Rob Bell, and CS Lewis. Charles is enamored with ancient world history, especially Egyptology, and also likes to play video games. He is also a proud health nut, and a huge fan of yoga and meditation for releasing stress. Charles writes books within the broad Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, as well as some inspirational material, and is defined by his unconventional nature, If asked about his claim to fame, he would answer “I have a thing for dragons.”
Accomplishments
Charles works full time as an auto and property insurance agent. He is also a Reiki Master (energy healing).
Blurb
Within these pages you will find a variety of different stories to satisfy your inner dragon. It is chock full of magic, strange worlds, fantastic creatures (including dragons of course), and numerous other little oddities that are sure to keep you entertained. So, relax with your favorite dragon and be transported. Journey to the realm of Cartissia where a young ruler must face a despicable evil, and unleash the power within him to stop it. Enter the parlor of an arcane tattoo artist who can alter the fabric of his patron’s lives. Join a young water mage and her symbiote as they are forced to deal with an elemental corruption that threatens their world. Follow a consignment store employee in unusual adventures via a magical and mysterious cloak. These and many other worlds and adventures await you, and are sure to provide you with countless hours of reading entertainment.Book Review
“This is a fantastic collection of short stories – fantastic in several senses of the word. Its other-worldly, slightly surreal feel evokes old fashioned fairy tales, whilst the vein of quirky humour that runs through it has echoes of Terry Pratchett.
The stories have an ethereal feel to them – like worlds contained in soap bubbles, that sparkle and float and carry the reader away and then burst prettily, leaving one wondering, somehow, what they were all about – but with a sense of having experienced something indefinably good. There seems to be no agenda with any of McGarry’s stories, which makes for a gentle and pleasantly escapist reading experience, but metaphors and lessons lurk within them nevertheless. “Benders of Light”, with its introvert but philanthropic main character and “Hyppochryn”, in which humans discover more within them than they had previously realised, were two of my personal favourites. An extraordinary book that will take you to places usually reserved for dreams.” RCM
PURCHASE YOUR COPY TODAY
Buy the paperback
Buy for Kindle
FOLLOW CHARLES
Visit Charles’ Website
Like his Facebook Page
Follow on Twitter
Charles on Goodreads
Charles on Pinterest
And on about.me
Check out the Giveaways for the Brain to Books Blog Tour!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain To Books Blog Tour Charles McGarry
Fast Facts:
Professional Name: Charles McGarry
Email: eccentrycdragon@gmail.com
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi/Fantasy blends, and some inspirational.
Accomplishments: Charles works full time as an auto and property insurance agent. He is also a Reiki Master (energy healing).
BIO
Charles McGarry is an author, a blogger, and a truly unique individual. A self-proclaimed free thinker who loves to think deeply about many issues, Charles is constantly immersed in questions about reality. He is married to the love of his life, has two amazing children, and a rather eccentric cat. He was raised on a small hay farm in southern Utah. As an only child, his home terrain gave a perfect backdrop to explore his active imagination. A very eclectic
individual, Charles enjoy all kinds of different movies and music and is a huge bookworm, of course. His genres of choice are inspirational non-fiction and Fantasy, and he is a huge fan of authors like Terry Brooks, JRR Tolkien, and Christopher Paolini, Rob Bell, and CS Lewis. Charles is enamored with ancient world history, especially Egyptology, and also likes to play video games. He is also a proud health nut, and a huge fan of yoga and meditation for releasing stress. Charles writes books within the broad Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, as well as some inspirational material, and is defined by his unconventional nature, If asked about his claim to fame, he would answer “I have a thing for dragons.”
Book Review
“This is a fantastic collection of short stories – fantastic in several senses of the word. Its other-worldly, slightly surreal feel evokes old fashioned fairy tales, whilst the vein of quirky humour that runs through it has echoes of Terry Pratchett.The stories have an ethereal feel to them – like worlds contained in soap bubbles, that sparkle and float and carry the reader away and then burst prettily, leaving one wondering, somehow, what they were all about – but with a sense of having experienced something indefinably good. There seems to be no agenda with any of McGarry’s stories, which makes for a gentle and pleasantly escapist reading experience, but metaphors and lessons lurk within them nevertheless. “Benders of Light”, with its introvert but philanthropic main character and “Hyppochryn”, in which humans discover more within them than they had previously realised, were two of my personal favourites. An extraordinary book that will take you to places usually reserved for dreams.” RCM
From the Author…
Within these pages you will find a variety of different stories to satisfy your inner dragon. It is chock full of magic, strange worlds, fantastic creatures (including dragons of course), and numerous other little oddities that are sure to keep you entertained. So, relax with your favorite dragon and be transported. Journey to the realm of Cartissia where a young ruler must face a despicable evil, and unleash the power within him to stop it. Enter the parlor of an arcane tattoo artist who can alter the fabric of his patron’s lives. Join a young water mage and her symbiote as they are forced to deal with an elemental corruption that threatens their world. Follow a consignment store employee in unusual adventures via a magical and mysterious cloak. These and many other worlds and adventures await you, and are sure to provide you with countless hours of reading entertainment.
PURCHASE YOUR COPY TODAY
Buy the paperback
Buy for Kindle
FOLLOW CHARLES
Visit Charles’ Website
Like his Facebook Page
Follow on Twitter
Charles on Goodreads
Charles on Pinterest
And on about.me
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books
August 7, 2015
Brain to Books Blog Tour Mel Smith
Fast Facts:
Author: Mel RJ Smith
Genre: Memoirs / Adventure fiction
Book: Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy
Official Site
Bio
Mel RJ Smith is the author of his debut story Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy, described by his fan base as ‘Hilarious and such a hard book to put down.’He also has a love for poetry and has written in various genres, one of which won him a competition for a National Newspaper during the 1970’s.
His forthcoming Novel / Novella, A Time for Adventure is due to be released in the latter half of 2015. Currently in the hands of his editor who described it as ‘A great read.’
Mel was born in Wallingford, Berkshire in 1964 and was the youngest of seven siblings. At the tender age of five, his family moved to Basingstoke and started life dwelling in a Nissen hut, before spending several months living with relations in a Split-level, end Terraced house, becoming a household of approximately sixteen. Seeing sense, the council allocated the Smith’s their very own house on a newly built housing estate, often referred to as part of the ‘London overspill.’
Educated with comprehensive schooling and trying his hand at various career options during his early years, Mel finally embarked on a career in hospitality, where he works to this day in Peterborough, as a Night Manager for a major Hotel chain.
Blurb
Come inside and reminisce with me as I take you on a humorous journey of discovery, disappointments, fun and adventures of my life, just an ordinary guy growing up in the 70’s and 80’s.
From boyhood to manhood and all my escapades in between.
Meet the characters I encountered along the way whom helped make this a funny, yet almost truthful account of my memoirs.
Review
Mel takes the reader on a journey through time in sound bites about his life. The story starts in 2012, after he foolishly let his marriage and a happy family life slip away. This is a lively account of his memoirs; from boy to man and how he got to this point in time where the story ends. Despite the obvious humour sprinkled throughout the book, the reader will be able to empathise with Mel’s challenges along the way, along the the “What the hell was he thinking!?” moments when he makes the wrong choices with disastrous consequences. I hope Mel goes on to write a second book of memoirs, this was a totally enjoyable read that many will be able to relate to. Highly recommended
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
Back to the Beginning
So that’s how I got here, writing my memoirs. I do have lots of truths to tell, so let me rewind and take you on my journey of reminiscence, to a time before technology took hold of me and became my downfall, back to those hazy days of summer, when the sun always seemed to shine. Back to my youth.
***
My earliest memories date back to when I was a bonnie wee lad, swinging to and fro in my wooden-slatted swing, which Dad had strung up in the back door leading from the kitchen, to what then appeared to be an extraordinarily large garden. The aroma of Mum’s home-cooked pie and cabbage filled the air, as I swung backwards into the kitchen and the summer sun scorched my blonde curls, as I ventured forth into the garden.
Is it just me, or do the memories of your youth distort the truth? Looking back now, I seem to remember the odour of cabbage staying with me as I swung, not only into the kitchen but also out into our miniature plot that backed onto an extraordinarily large field, where Mum would take me, while she picked potatoes for a living. Well, that’s when I wasn’t happily swinging with a nappy full of cabbage-flavoured shit for a cushion. Oh, those hazy days of summer.
Just like my clothes in later years, this swing had been handed down from sisters to brothers. I come from a fairly large family, which I think had something to do with Mum and Dad not having a TV at that time.
Let me take a moment here to introduce my family. Carol is the eldest and then comes Shelagh. Wendy and Maureen are followed by the twins, Maurice and Lorraine and then, of course, there’s me, the baby of the family, or Beanpole, as Mum often used to call me her little beanpole.
As I was saying, those were hazy summer days and one image springs to mind. Jenny. I suppose you could class her as my first girlfriend.
***
I was about seven as I recall, the colours seeming so vibrant, yet dreamy, as I lay beneath the soft blue sky, the sun’s rays filtering through cotton wool clouds, warming my brow. The lush greens of the grass were like a soft under blanket and Jenny’s turquoise-covered lap was my pillow. We were amidst a kaleidoscope of colours. As I lay dreaming, Jenny placed a band of yellow and white over my head, a chain she had made from the myriad of daisies that surrounded us.
I don’t have many memories of my early days; obviously not a lot happened there, so let’s skip forward a few years to my schoolboy encounters.
Links
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
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Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
