Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 167

Interview with Lisa Acerbo, WEAR WHITE TO YOUR FUNERAL

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series? In Wear White to Your Funeral, a half buried body and ghostly apparition lead Rory and Bowen into a deadly game of cat and mouse, but who is the killer? Is it human or something long dead and otherworldly? Rory is drawn into the mystery of the White Lady, which opens doors for some very real danger. A suspected killer, a menacing ghost, and a stalker have Rory and Bowen on the run to solve this supernatural haunting.

Rory is your average high school senior. Or she was, until her mother banishes her to hell, also known as Trumbull, Connecticut. The small suburb with only a mall and movie theater sure feels like the netherworld until Rory’s first day at her new school. That’s the day she meets Bowen, who begs her to join him on a class project. But when Bowen drags her to a graveyard after dark for research purposes, Rory wants to fly back home to Atlanta, or at least return to her aunt’s house unharmed and unmolested.

Nothing could go wrong, right? They talk, they laugh, and they wander among the tombstones looking for information on the local ghostly legend known as the White Lady. Then they have to run, but they cannot outrun a ghost. The police are of little help, Rory’s aunt just wants her to remain safe, and Bowen, who she can’t stay away from, keeps finding ways to get her into more trouble than she has ever known. Whether breaking into a suspected killer’s house, being followed by a menacing ghost, or being stalked at school, Rory hopes finding the killer will put an end to the supernatural craziness. The ghost died wearing white, but now it’s time for their funeral.
Who knows, maybe this will be the first of many supernatural adventures for my main characters, Rory and Bowen.

Do you have a favorite character?They are like children. You love them all but in different ways.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?I killed off a character in my first book, Apocalipstick, and my daughter had such a strong and unhappy reaction to the character’s death that I regretted my choice. Ultimately, I kept the plot the same and the person ended up losing his life in a fight against a horde of zombies. His death gave me a great idea for the second book and provided some interesting plot twists. While I initially regretted killing off the character, I think it was a good idea for the future of the series. You never know who might come back as a zombie or something else! 
How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?When I wrote my first book, I didn’t really understand the process of finding a publisher, so I sent the manuscript for Apocalipstick to many indie publishers and received a multitude of rejections. That spurred my desire to research getting published and how to target the right small press. It’s important to know what the publisher wants and closely follow the submission guidelines. I’ve been published through three different small presses and each experience has been unique and enjoyable. That being said, my current publisher, Destiny Whispers, is the best! Destiny Whispers published my last two books No Trouble at All, Mystery Man in the Leather Hat as well as my upcoming YA novel, Wear White to Your Funeral.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I used to sit down and start writing without much thought, but my writing process has become more organized of late. Even if I don’t have an official written outline, the story is clearly outlined in my mind. It makes building the world, developing symbols and motifs, creating the characters, and penning the book easier. But I like to write out a chapter by chapter outline to expedite the writing process.
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?You can find Apocalipstick, Remote, No Trouble and All, Mystery Man in the Leather Hat, and Wear White to Your Funeral at Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, Smashwords, Ingram, and www.destinynovels.com.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?I find it difficult to juggle my time. Period. I teach high school and spend the bulk of my days planning lessons, teaching classes, and grading essays. I come home to two dogs that are more demanding than my children who fled the house to go to college. I wouldn’t change a thing, but find it hard to schedule in writing. 
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Keep going.  It took me a long time to write something readable. Many bad books ended up in the recycle bin before I produced my first novel in 2013 about zombies, the apocalypse and romance: Apocalipstick.  I’m still learning from everything I write, from the reviews I receive, and from the people who support me. The goal is to continue to improve and one day, hopefully, write something many, many people would like to read.
Besides writing, do you have any other passions?I ride horses, but I am awful at it. My daughter has been riding since she was four years old and I wanted to stay involved. We ended up buying one horse when she was a teen and then rescuing another, a thoroughbred and former racehorse with arthritis.  I love trail riding and take lessons, but cannot improve. I have a mental block.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?Coffee fuels my mornings and my life. I only drink tea when in Ireland. I lived there for a year when I was in college and loved it.  After many cups of coffee, some coherent thoughts enter my mind and I attempt to write like today (It’s soon to be 5 AM). I usually write in the morning for an hour because it is quiet. I tend to get up at 4 am or 5 am to start the process.  I am a high school teacher so in the summer I can relax and sleep in later. 


Wear White to Your Funeral
Lisa Acerbo
Publication date: October 28th 2016
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Young Adult

Rory is your average high school senior. Or she was, until her mother banishes her to hell, also known as Trumbull, Connecticut. The small suburb with only a mall and movie theater, sure feels like the netherworld until Rory’s first day at her new school. That’s the day she meets Bowen, who begs her to join him on a class project. But when Bowen drags her to a graveyard after dark for research purposes, Rory wants to fly back home to Atlanta, or at least return to her aunt’s house unharmed and unmolested.

Nothing could go wrong, right? They talk, they laugh, and they wander among the tombstones looking for information on the local ghostly legend known as the White Lady. Then they have to run, but they cannot outrun a ghost. In addition to the ghostly woman, a half buried dead body leads Rory and Bowen into a deadly game of cat and mouse, but who is the killer? Is it human or something long dead and otherworldly?

The police are of little help, Rory’s aunt just wants her to remain safe, and Bowen, who she can’t stay away from, keeps finding ways to get her into more trouble than she has ever known. Whether breaking into a suspected killer’s house, being followed by a menacing ghost, or being stalked at school, Rory hopes finding the killer will put an end to the supernatural haunting. Before Rory can discover the identity of the killer, she is drawn into the mystery of the White Lady, which opens the door for some very real danger.

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Author Bio:
Lisa Acerbo is a high school teacher and holds an EdD in Educational Leadership. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, daughters, three cats, and horse. She is the author of Apocalipstick and has contributed to local newspapers, news and travel blogs including The Patch and Hollywood Scriptwriter.

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#Excerpt: DANGEROUS KISS by Crystal Kaswell

Dangerous Kiss
Crystal Kaswell
Publication date: November 2nd 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

He was supposed to glue my broken heart back together. Instead he threw me away.

Now he’s just another rock star asshole.
He gets everything he wants.
But not me. Not again.
Ethan Strong was the first man I ever loved. He was the one person who understood me, the one person who made me feel whole, the one person who set my body on fire.
We were supposed to be together forever. Then things got hard and Ethan forced me to choose between him and everything I’ve worked for.

Now he’s back in my life. He says we’ll be friends. It’s been a long time. I can forgive, but I can’t seem to forget. The taste of his lips, the sound of his groans in my ears, those calloused fingers between my legs– I’m going out of my mind remembering all the pleasure he brought me.
Worse, I keep thinking how happy he made me.

I can’t fall back in love with Ethan. It doesn’t matter how badly I crave his gorgeous blue eyes, his tattooed arms, and his strong guitarists’ hands. It doesn’t matter that his smile still lights me up inside. It doesn’t matter that I need him like I need oxygen.

I’m not giving Ethan another chance to throw me away.

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EXCERPT:His eyes meet mine with this look that begs me to spill my guts.
He waits to speak until his drink is melting ice. “I know you think Mal is pulling strings to get us back together.”
“Is there a reason why you don’t object to this?”
“Mal doesn’t listen to anybody but Mal. Besides, I’ve seen him stressing about numbers. He doesn’t have the expertise. And I’m not saying you do, but he’s right. You’re somebody we trust.” Ethan’s eyes find mine. “If you want the gig, you should take it.”
His voice is even, effortless. Usually, Ethan wears his intentions on his face. But not right now.
No. That was the old Ethan, the one I knew. This playboy rock star version of Ethan… who knows what he does or why.
I take a long sip of my now lukewarm drink. “Won’t that bother you?”
“No.” His voice is shaky for a moment. “Just, well… I’m not gonna be celibate just because you’re around.”
“Excuse me?”
“I get it. You think I’m a manwhore. I won’t argue.” He runs his hand through his wavy hair. “You’re right. I fuck a lot of women. That isn’t going to change if you join us on tour.”
“Thanks for the update on your sex life.”
“Don’t want you to get upset if you see me with someone else.” His voice is clipped, his expression is frustrated.
But why? I stare back at him. “I don’t give a fuck where you stick your dick.”
“Good.”
“Yeah, great. Is that it?”
“Pretty much.”
I stare back at Ethan. I’m getting in the last word here. “Goes for you, too. I didn’t swear off sex when we broke up.”
Okay, so I’ve only slept with one guy since Ethan and I broke up. Denny and I dated for a few months. He was crazy about me—he wanted to move in together—but I never felt the same. After we broke up, he nearly evaporated from my mind. It still goes back to Ethan every time I pull out my rabbit-style vibrator (he did buy it for me). Or every time I touch myself sans mechanical assistance.
I clear my throat and smile my most confident smile. “Don’t get upset if you see me with someone else.”
“You’re sleeping around?”
“That’s not a crime, is it?” I chew on my lower lip. It’s not the case either, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“No. Of course not. I’m glad. Anybody I know?”
“No.”
“You coming often, at least?”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re gonna be around each other. We should be friendly.”
“Pretty sure you coming often goes past most people’s idea of friendly.”
“Of course, Vi. Would never want to make you uncomfortable.” He smiles, the look in his eyes screaming I guess that’s a no.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m coming a lot. Every night.” By my hand, but that’s a technicality. “Sometimes multiple times.”
His expression flares with frustration. “Great.”
“And you? Enjoy screwing strangers at bars?”
“Depends on the stranger.”
I laugh-scoff. “I guess it would.”
He smiles.
Even though we’re hate-flirting, I fucking melt.

Author Bio:
Crystal Kaswell writes scorching hot new adult romance. When she isn't writing, she is chain drinking tea, binge watching Law and Order, practicing yoga, or debating which fictional character would be the best in bed. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband.
Sign up for her mailing list to get exclusive bonuses like deleted and alternate POV scenes http://www.crystalkaswell.com/subscribe/

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Interview with Lee Kelly, CRIMINAL MAGIC

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?A CRIMINAL MAGIC takes place in an alternative Prohibition-era America, where magic instead of alcohol has been prohibited.  It follows up-and-coming sorcerer Joan Kendrick and undercover Prohibition agent Alex Danfrey as they become entangled in the magic underworld.
Do you have a favorite character?I have to say I’m partial to Alex – as a reader (and a TV/film viewer), I can’t help but fall for characters that start the story somewhat unlikable or prickly, and end up becoming a hero-type.  Alex is the undercover agent in A CRIMINAL MAGIC . . . and only joined the Prohibition Unit to quash suspicion that he was helping his father run one of the largest criminal magic schemes in history. 
Alex begins the story as jealous and insecure, and wearing a massive chip on his shoulder.  But he really comes into his own after he’s tapped to go undercover with the Shaw Gang, the main criminal outfit in the novel. 
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?Yes!  I was a slush pile story, and did the whole cold-query thing: I researched agents I thought would be a good fit for my first novel, CITY OF SAVAGES, online, crafted individualized query letters, and received an offer from my current agent, Adriann Ranta, after she read the manuscript and asked for a phone call. 
How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?After I signed with Adriann, she created a list of editors at publishing houses that she thought would like CITY OF SAVAGES.  Adriann and I talked about the list, and then she sent it out on submission to around a dozen editors. 
On that round, we actually had an “R&R” (I wasn’t aware of the meaning of this term at the time, but it means a “Request & Revise” – where an editor likes the manuscript but thinks it needs more work before they can bring it to acquisitions).  I then completed the R&R, and sent the revised manuscript back to the original editor.  The book didn’t make it past acquisitions at that house, so Adriann sent the book out on another round, and we were fortunate enough to catch the eye of my current editor, the brilliant Navah Wolfe at Saga Press/Simon & Schuster.  That entire process I think – from first submission round, through the R&R, the pass, the second round – was about eight months. 
What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?I know this sounds strange, but I knew I was going to work with my current agent, Adriann Ranta, from the moment I found her bio on the fabulous kidlit site, Literary Rambles.  I believe one of her wishlist items was “dark YA stories with unique settings rooted in the real world.”  I was like, that’s my story!  It’s dark!  It takes place in an alternative Manhattan that’s a POW camp!  And she represents my career crush, Kendare Blake! AHHHH.  Haha so when she emailed me asking for a phone call, it was such a surreal and wonderful moment.
On the editorial side, we were actually referred to Navah from an editor at a Simon & Schuster “sister” house, Simon Pulse.  She thought CITY OF SAVAGES would be up Navah’s alley, and so Adriann sent her the manuscript.  I was fortunate enough to meet with Navah in person BEFORE her acquisitions meeting, and I knew right away we would be a fantastic match.  I loved how warm and approachable she was, dug her book list, and appreciated that she loved the sisters’ angle of my story most of all (as I did).  I was thrilled when S&S acquired the novel and I was able to work with her!
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?YES!  I swear by my critique partners – sometimes you really can’t see the weaknesses in a project until you view your work through someone else’s eyes. 
I have two amazing CPs that I’ve worked with for the better part of a decade – Lisa Koosis (her own debut, RESURRECTING SUNHSINE, released this past month) and Erika David, who’s represented by the fantastic Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. 
I also regularly swap work with a few authors I met through my 2015 debut group, the Freshman Fifteen.  We’ll keep each other posted on what we’re working on, and swap actual ideas and pages for feedback.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?My kids are little, so my primary writing hours are the hour before they get up in the morning (6-7 am) and the hours when my son goes to nursery school (930-1230).  I try to get everything done during those hours: drafting, revising, emails, blogging, personal calls, house to-dos, etc. etc.  And so the time that gets devoted to actual drafting (usually two hours or so) involves no music, no social media, no wifi.  It used to be really hard for me to just sit down and start working, but after an adjustment period, I finally feel like I put those couple hours to good writing use.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I’ve done it both ways, honestly, but I think I’m the kind of writer that needs some sort of outline, or I lose steam at the story’s 25% mark, as I have no idea where I’m going.  The amount of outlining I do though varies for each project: for my first novel, I had a loose synopsis.  For A CRIMINAL MAGIC, I ended up with a scene-by-scene chart (because it was so important to make sure the dual POVs lined up, and I needed to keep their secrets straight).  For the middle grade I’m working on now, though, I have a 20-page outline!  So I always need some sort of road map, but the level of detail in that map varies project to project, if that makes sense.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?Oooh, tough question: I like dogs more, but identify with cats more ;).VanillaCoffee MOST CERTAINLYTalking in person, but I prefer text-talking over phone-talking (I hate talking on the phone)Day over Night, though I love both.
What’s next for you?I’m currently working on a couple projects right now: I never used to toggle between projects, but I have to say, it’s kept things fresh and kept me working, especially when I get stuck on a particular story thread in a manuscript, and the best thing for me to do is give myself time to let the story rest and marinate. 
So I’m currently working on a revision of this middle grade I’ve been writing on and off for a while: it’s a story near and dear to me, and I finally feel like I’m getting to the heart of the story.
I’m also working on a pair of YA/crossover ideas, one that takes place in college, and one that I guess can best be described as an “afterworld” murder mystery.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Criminal Magic
Lee Kelly
Publication date: February 2nd 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult

THE NIGHT CIRCUS meets THE PEAKY BLINDERS in Lee Kelly’s new crossover fantasy novel.
Magic is powerful, dangerous and addictive – and after passage of the 18th Amendment, it is finally illegal.

It’s 1926 in Washington, DC, and while Anti-Sorcery activists have achieved the Prohibition of sorcery, the city’s magic underworld is booming. Sorcerers cast illusions to aid mobsters’ crime sprees. Smugglers funnel magic contraband in from overseas. Gangs have established secret performance venues where patrons can lose themselves in magic, and take a mind-bending, intoxicating elixir known as the sorcerer’s shine.

Joan Kendrick, a young sorcerer from Norfolk County, Virginia accepts an offer to work for DC’s most notorious crime syndicate, the Shaw Gang, when her family’s home is repossessed. Alex Danfrey, a first-year Federal Prohibition Unit trainee with a complicated past and talents of his own, becomes tapped to go undercover and infiltrate the Shaws.

Through different paths, Joan and Alex tread deep into the violent, dangerous world of criminal magic – and when their paths cross at the Shaws’ performance venue, despite their orders, and despite themselves, Joan and Alex become enchanted with one another. But when gang alliances begin to shift, the two sorcerers are forced to question their ultimate allegiances and motivations. And soon, Joan and Alex find themselves pitted against each other in a treacherous, heady game of cat-and-mouse.

A CRIMINAL MAGIC casts a spell of magic, high stakes and intrigue against the backdrop of a very different Roaring Twenties.

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Author Bio:
Lee Kelly has wanted to write since she was old enough to hold a pencil, but it wasn’t until she began studying for the California Bar Exam that she conveniently started putting pen to paper. An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. She lives with her husband and children in Millburn, New Jersey, though after a decade in Manhattan, she can’t help but still call herself a New Yorker. She is the author of A Criminal Magic and City of Savages. Visit her at www.NewWriteCity.com.

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#Release day: ONCE A GYPSY by Danica Winters

Blurb:
Thrilling and romantic, ONCE A GYPSY (Diversion Trade Paperback Original; $14.99; November 1, 2016) begins the brand-new Irish Traveller series from award-winning author, Danica Winters.
Helena has never fit in with her Irish traveler family. Aside from her opposition to marriage and determination to attend university, Helena holds a secret that would make her even more of an outcast: she has the gift of the Forshaw, the ability to see the future.
Graham is the groundskeeper at an estate in the seemingly idyllic Adare, Ireland. But the picturesque manor holds dark secrets, and Graham is urgently in need of supernatural assistance. Desperate for help, Graham seeks out of a last resort: Helene, whose skills are far great than she knows.
Readers of Chloe Neill’s Devil’s Isle books as well as Nalini Singh’s Psy-changeling novels will delight in the alluring and mysterious world of the Irish Traveller series. ONCE A GYPSY has everything that paranormal romance fans will love, from a sexy heroine coming into her own abilities to a hunky kilt-wearing hero with some serious rugged charm. 
Amazon buy link:https://www.amazon.com/Once-Gypsy-Irish-Traveller-Book-ebook/dp/B01K82O078/ref=twoen-20 
“A haunting and fresh voice in paranormal romance. Be prepared for Danica Winters to ensnare you in her dark and seductive world.”—    Cecy Robson, 2016 Double-Nominated RITA Finalist and Author of The Weird Girl
“Winters’ sweet opener to her Irish Traveller series bodes well for future titles.”—Booklist
About the author: Danica Winters is a bestselling author who has won multiple awards for writing books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. 
Most recently, Danica was the winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Paranormal Romantic Suspense Book of the Year Award and Chanticleer Media’s Paranormal Book of the Year for her novel Montana Mustangs. She is currently the finalist for the Chatelaine Award. 
When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine. 
Visit her online at www.danicawinters.net

#Review: THE LEGENDARY LORD by Valerie Bowman

  4 of 5 stars

"The Legendary Lord" is the second story I've read by Ms. Bowman and it's another winner. Christian Bancroft, Viscount of Berkeley, has had no luck finding a wife and retreats to his Scottish home to get away from the hubbub of the London season. He's looking for a bit of peace and quiet only to find runaway Sarah Highgate already there. Once Sarah explains why she's run away, Christian agrees to help her return to London and save her reputation. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book--Christian and Sarah are so comfortable in each other's company and their lively banter was excellent.

I thought the London part of the book dragged a bit. Christian and Sarah were so stubborn and neither one of them would admit their feelings for each other. That got a little tedious. Would they both make the worst mistake of their lives? No spoilers here. Ms. Bowman is a talented author bringing her characters alive. Fans of regency romances will definitely enjoy this story.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Lord-Playful-Brides-ebook/dp/B01E3PS8L0/ref=twoen-20   
Author Bio:Valerie Bowman is an award-winning historical romance author who writes racy Regency romps! Her debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She's been an RT Reviewers' Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she's number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her two rascally dogs. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

#Excerpt: DEKKIR by Lara Larue

Dekkir
Lara Larue
(Galaxy Alien Warriors, #1)
Publication date: October 26th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Science Fiction

This Alien Warrior will fight—kill—any who dare attempt to take his female.

Dekkir, war chief and military leader has found his mate…a human. She is tiny contrasted to his hulking size, but her luscious curves and delectable scent call out to his heart like no other.
Anthropologist Grace was sent by Earth Military Command to act as emissary to Dekkir’s planet. Her mission was clear: make contact and live among the aliens recording details on their culture and world. The job should’ve been simple but like the story of her life sh*t got complicated fast. Now she has a hot alpha alien warrior trying to claim her like some caveman. WTH?

Adding to the chaos of her life, she’s attacked by her own military command. Dekkir is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Can they survive the coming battles? Or will they die before he can claim his mate?

Dekkir is the first book in the Galaxy Alien Warriors series, it features steamy sex, thrilling battles, and plenty of romance. All books in this rock-hard science fiction series can be read as standalones, there are no cliffhangers, and happily ever afters are guaranteed!

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—
EXCERPT:smoothed his tangled hair back from his brow, and gentle warmth swelled inside me. Perhaps the bond was not completed, but I could feel it now. And it was time for me to do something about it.I took off my boots and settled on the bed with him. After a moment, he stirred, and his eyes opened.
He sat up, startled to see me leaning over him, and then stared at my face. “Your eyes,” he murmured. “What have you done?”
“What I knew had to be done. Anything else wouldn’t have been fair to either of us.”
“But—”
I laid a finger on his lips and then moved forward and put my arms around him. It was like embracing a sun-warmed statue. There was nothing soft about him but his skin and hair. I ran my hands over his muscled back through his tunic, eagerly mapping the contours of his body with my fingertips. He shuddered, his eyes hooding again, but held himself still, as if wary of frightening me off. I reassured him the best way I could think of, leaning up and pressing my lips to his.
He caught me in his arms, pulling me against him hungrily. The kiss ignited suddenly as we clung to each other, intensifying until my lips stung, stealing our breaths until we finally had to lean back from each other just to catch them.
“I… do not wish to hurt you,” he murmured. I could feel his muscles tighten with restrained strength as he held me.
I smiled. “You’ve bled for me twice, Dekkir,” I purred as I ran the back of my hand down his cheek. “I’m not worried about you hurting me in any way I wouldn’t like.”

Author Bio:

Lara LaRue is a romance author who lives in New York City. She loves writing sizzling, sexy stories. To learn more about Lara LaRue and her collection of romance novels, visit her at www.laralarue.com.

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Interview with Tiffany Current, MY MAKER'S KEEPER

Do you have a favorite character?I do. It ‘s Lucas. He’s a sexy and dangerous vampire with a chip on his shoulder. Basically, he’s my ideal fantasy man. So it was a lot of fun to imagine what he’d be like.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?I went the traditional publishing route with my first book, How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him). I had a good experience with my publisher, but for this book I wanted a little more control. And I wanted it to be published faster, so I decided to go the self-publishing route.
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?I hired a graphic designer for my cover. I wish I could create it myself, but that’s just not my wheelhouse. Basically, I gave him a general idea of what I wanted the cover to look like and the mood I was hoping to create. It only took him a few go rounds to get my vision right.
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?I don’t belong to a critique group, but I do have a trusty collection of beta readers. They’re really helpful in getting my books to a good place – story and structure-wise.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?I always listen to music when I write. The genre of music varies on the type of story I’m writing and on what scene I’m working on.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I absolutely outline my books before starting them. I used to go the non-outline route when I first started out writing, but that got me into a lot of trouble. I’d find myself in the middle of a story realizing that I had to go back and re-plot the beginning. So now I always outline all of my stories.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?I did. I hired a lovely editor, Lisa A. Hollett, who did a fantastic job editing my book.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?Yes, I do. It’s really hard to do both at the same time, so right now I’m just focusing on marketing My Maker’s Keeper. After it releases, I’ll probably slow down on the marketing and pick up writing again.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?I prefer cats. Please no hate mail. And definitely I have to go with chocolate. Usually I’m a hardcore coffee drinker, but lately I’ve found myself turning to tea. And for sure, I’m a night person!
What’s next for you?I’m working on an urban fantasy novelette right now. It’s about this cynical and sarcastic woman who doesn’t believe in the supernatural – only to discover she is supernatural and has to team up with a hot guy to rid the world of monsters.




Author Name: Tiffany Current Book Title: My Maker’s KeeperRelease Date: November 1, 2016Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal RomanceBlurb: Hannah Clark used to be an ordinary girl. She used to be a lot of things. Until she was bitten.
Five months ago, Hannah woke up in the middle of the woods as a vampire. She didn’t know how it happened or who turned her. She just knew she wasn’t safe in her hometown anymore.
Fort Wayne was supposed to be her fresh start. Her chance to finish high school without any other incidents. But then she met Jackson. Their attraction was instant and awakened something deep inside of her. Her thirst for blood.
Things only got worse when her maker, Lucas, came to town. He might have been sexy, but he was one dangerous vampire. And if Hannah wanted to keep Jackson safe, she had to protect him from Lucas’ ravenous ways. Even though she found herself excited by them.
But Lucas wasn’t there for her. Something sinister was happening in town. Vampires were going missing, and if Hannah didn’t want to be next, she had to work with Lucas to solve the mystery. But could she trust him? Or should she trust Jackson? She had to make a choice—and her life might just depend on it.
To learn more or to view the book cover, please visit http://www.tiffanycurren t.com.


AUTHOR BIO
Tiffany Current earned her Bachelor's degree in dramatic writing from Drexel University. Her first book, the self-help relationship guide How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him), was published by Turner Publishing in 2011.
Tiffany writes paranormal romance, young adult, urban fantasy, and self-help books. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys reading books, watching trashy action movies, and eating chocolate.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://www.tiffanycurrent.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyCurrentAuthor/
Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/tiffanycurrent
Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4856745.Tiffany_Current
Goodreads Book Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32332287-my-maker-s-keeper
 
To celebrate the release of my book, I’m giving away a $15 Amazon gift card and 3 eCopies of my book. The giveaway will run from October 21 – November 6.
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#Excerpt: THE DECISION by L.K. Kuhl

The Decision
L.K. Kuhl
(Everlasting Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: October 20th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

The guests are invited. The cake is all set. In just a few short hours Sophia Bandell will be saying “I do” to a guy she isn’t sure she loves. But where does she go from here? She feels her life is headed in a downhill spiral.

Her first and real true love, Tate Forester, is a ghost. But he’s the man she wants to be with…the one she can’t live without. Sophia is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she forget about Tate and marry the egotistical lawyer, Aaron Stuart? Or does she take the plunge and join Tate to be with him for eternity?

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks
—EXCERPT:I turned again and caught a glimpse of Aaron coming into the backyard, dressed to the nines in a black tuxedo, his arms splayed wide. He advanced toward my sister-in-law Kristy, who had just come out the backdoor, his voice tight and full of despair. “No sign of her. I’ve looked everywhere. I don’t know what to do next.” His arms flopped down to his sides, and he slumped into a lawn chair on the deck. “This is so unlike Sophia to do something like this.”
Just then, all of my bridesmaids, my best friends—Claudia Bunker, Jenny Staid, and Laura Anderson—came out of the house to join them on the deck. All three of them, along with Kristy, were dressed in their lacy purple bridesmaid dresses, long diamond earrings, and flattering braided up-dos.
“Sophia, you’d better go break the news to them now. Don’t put them through this any longer.” Tate gave me a gentle nudge, urging me to put an end to this.
My chin trembling, I answered him with a small nod. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t answer, my mind tossing a stormy chaos of what to do next. Did I go break the news to everyone that the wedding is called off? Everyone go home. It’s over. There will be no Mrs. Aaron Stuart today. My eyes slanted back to the yard again. This time Aaron sobbed into his hands. I blinked, then blinked again, my vision blurry.
My chest ached, and I shivered as though the wind had shifted, wind that carried in cooler air— air consumed with an acidic premonition and a feverish guilt. My hands fell limp and I sagged against the tree, sliding down the length of the trunk to deposit my butt on the ground, too weak to stand.
I rubbed my face, trying to come up with the right words, words that wouldn’t disintegrate me— kill us. There were none. This was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life, but I’d been weighing the consequences since early this morning. Ever since Tate told me there was no possible way there could ever be a future for us, not in this life anyway. Carrying out this agonizing feat would mean shredding my existence, tearing every piece of livable being out of me and turning me into a hollow shell. But I saw no other way.
My breathing picked up pace, amped, making the dizziness spin my world out of control. I was losing it. It got so bad I could no longer breathe. I gasped and wrenched my body, reaching for the sun— grasping, grabbing, trying to save my life. But the air was gone. Nothing to sustain me.
Tate knelt beside me and clutched my shoulders to keep me sitting upright. “You going to be okay, Ladybug? I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this difficult for you.”
Finally, my voice spewed the bitter, vile words out like a hot rush of lava. The knife had already sliced its way through and gutted me, my heart pierced to the end of the blade, long before they spilled forth. I was too debilitated to even clear my throat. I gurgled out. “I’m letting you go, Tate.” The repugnant, volcanic ashes floated to the ground in a hushed whisper, singeing the ground as they lit.
Tate tipped his head, his mouth falling open. His eyes wouldn’t move, they drilled into me. “What are you saying?”
The tears… I couldn’t stop them. They surged forth like a rapid river, spilling down my face. “I’m so in love with you and… and I know that this time… this time I’ll never be able to forget you. And I know what that means. It means that in six weeks you’ll be going away. But I can’t fight it anymore. My love for you is too strong, and I’m too tired.” Now that I said the words I knew there was no going back for Tate. He would be gone.
Tate lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. He swallowed twice, a small sound escaping from the back of his throat like something wanted to burst forth but couldn’t quite get the job done, caught somewhere between hurt and anger. He sat back on his heels, looking at his hands that trembled on his thighs, then finally whispered. “Do what you have to do. For as much as it hurts both of us, I think it’s for the best. You’ll find someone besides Aaron and move on, and we’ll be together in eternity.”

Author Bio:
L.K. Kuhl lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg, their Black Lab dog. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

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#Excerpt: BRIDESMAID'S CHECKLIST: LAURA'S WEDDING by K.T. Castle

This can’t be happening.
The person sitting at our table was definitely someone I knew. Someone I actually had been avoiding for quite some time.
“Well, well. Good morning, babe,” the beautiful blond said to me.
I knew this guy. I’d constantly met him at bars and pubs around the city. He was always well accompanied by attractive ladies, but that didn’t stop him from hitting on me. Persistently, he’d tried for the past couple years to get my number and into my panties.
This beautiful man and I had a history…well, not really. We had a history of not having a history. He was an artfully known womanizer in the circles we frequented. Knowing exactly what I’d be getting myself into if I ever decided to tap that drop-dead gorgeous body of his, I had no choice but to reject him over and over again.
One drunken night I almost caved in.
Laura couldn't be marrying this man.
“Oh, God. Not you. You’re a man whore!”
He stood as soon as the statement escaped my lips. He didn’t look offended. I guess he was used to my rejections by now. “Nice to see you, too,” the handsome man said. “I like knowing that you miss me.”
“Miss you? You wish! I can’t believe you’re marrying my best friend.” And I really didn’t.
“No offense, babe, but I’m not the one marrying Laura. I’m Ed’s friend. Name’s Josh, remember?”
Oh, right. Josh. For a moment there, I thought I had to talk Laura into canceling the wedding.


BLURB:
Kassandra is a single, independent woman who prides herself on her own success. But when she’s asked by her best friend Laura to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding, Kassandra finds herself questioning her lifestyle. Helping Laura plan the wedding is no problem—she’s done it before for all their other friends. The first time was a blast, the second super fun, but doing it without receiving any help from the rest of the girls gets old really fast.
The whole event kicks off with the worst kind of surprise when Kassandra discovers who her friend's fiancé really is, and she's torn between supporting Laura's future happiness and hiding the deeply buried, intimate past she shares with the groom-to-be. Struggling to be the bigger person and do all the hard work on her own, Kassandra finds surprising comfort in Josh, the best man in the wedding and someone she's been avoiding for years. He's charming, thoughtful, handsome, and the worst kind of womanizer, but she just can't seem to stay away. All the while, Kassandra can't help wondering if the wedding could be any more cliché—until she finds unexpected ways to change things up a bit.
Amazon buy link: https://amzn.com/B01IOOBO0I
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
K.T.  Castle  is  an  author/artist  in  progress.  She's on  a  quest  to  find  the  words,  forms,  and  colors  to materialize    the    worlds    and    people    of    her imagination.    She    never    saw    herself    as    an incurable romantic, but lately, that's what she finds herself  musing  about.  Love  is  found  everywhere, regardless  if  it  comes  from  a  nice  person,  an ass — mundane or even vampire. When  she's  not  busy with  work,  in  front  of  a computer  placing  many  thoughts  in  order,  she makes her best to be creative or relax with a good book and a snack. Some of her favorite characters are Sookie, Rule and Shaw, Bella, Edward, Clary, Jace, Wrath, Hollywood, Blaire, Woods, Ethan, the Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel.
Get to know her more on her social media pages.
Facebook: @KTCastle.author
Google+: K.T.Castle
Twitter: @KTCastle_author
Pinterest: KTCastle_author
Website: www.ktcastle.com/
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-blast-bridesmaids-checklist-lauras.html



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#Excerpt: BRAVO BLOOD ROAD by Summer Lane

Bravo: Blood Road
Summer Lane
(Bravo Saga, #2)
Publication date: October 21st 2016
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult

Bravo and his beloved handler, Lieutenant Nathan Ingalls, are together again amidst the ashes of an apocalyptic California. Together, they are using their skills to help a rebel militia group seek out survivors in the desolation of Death Valley.
But when the Death Brigade – a vicious anarchist group arisen from the dust of a fallen society – rolls into town, tragedy strikes. Someone is taken. Neither Nathan nor Bravo will allow that. The hunt is on – Bravo will not fail in his task to protect his friends.

The Black Market.

Rescuing the people you love sometimes comes with a price. When Bravo and his friend, India, are taken to Blood Road, they are forced to fight for their lives in a terrifying and vicious society of gambling, deceit and violent entertainment.
Alone and afraid, Bravo is forced to fight for his life every day in an arena while cruel spectators make bets on the odds of his victory. His only allies in this dark place could perish as suddenly as he could.
The bonds of friendship are tested, and the agonizing teeth of loss sink their fangs deep.
Life or death. Fight or flight. Bravo must choose.
One mission, completed.
One duty, fulfilled.
And now, the Blood Road will wreak its vengeance.

This is the conclusion to Bravo the bomb dog’s thrilling and poignant tale of love, loss and ultimate sacrifice, a #1 bestselling phenomenon.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
—EXCERPT:Bravo was there. He heard Danny scream, tasted the sharp jolt of terror heavy in the air. He came straight for him, sailing like a dark bullet through the night. The coyote did not see him coming. Bravo hit him like an arrow, rage pulsing through his body.How dare this wolf-thing harm Danny! The fury was a tangible thing, flooding through his veins like a wildfire. He bit the coyote below the mouth, in the soft flesh of the neck, where the lifeblood was.
Take away lifeblood, take away life. That was the law of the fight. Bravo had learned that in the Arena, but it was an unspoken and silently understood fact of instinct. Blood contained life…remove blood, and the enemy would fall.
The coyote yelped and released its hold on Danny. The little boy stumbled backward, crying, while Bravo drug the dog-thing to the ground, holding it there, second by second, as the life drained from it and the hot, salty blood spilled onto his face and stained his fur.
Bravo felt nothing but the storming satisfaction of the bite and the devotion to the kill – the mission. This was his job, to protect Danny at all costs, because Nathan was not here, and because that is what Bravo was: a protector.

Author Bio:
Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 14 novels, including books from the hit Collapse Series, Zero Trilogy and Bravo Saga. She is the owner of WB Publishing and Writing Belle, an online magazine devoted to the art of storytelling. Summer is also an accomplished creative writing teacher and experienced journalist.

She lives in the Central Valley of California with her husband, Scott, where she spends her days writing, teaching and writing some more. Summer loves to visit the mountains (nature rocks!), the beach (Hawaii is heaven) and have hot cups of tea with good friends (tea is always a good idea). She also loves dogs and traveling!

Website / Online Magazine / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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