Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 176

NEW #Romance Release: ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT by Elizabeth Hoyt

ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT Elizabeth Hoyt (July 5, 2016; Forever Yours Ebook;) A Maiden Lane Series Novella
From New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt comes a delightful Maiden Lane novella that begins once upon a moonlit night---and ends wickedly, wonderfully ever after . . .
Hippolyta Royle is running for her life. Pursued by hounds on a cold rainy night, the heiress flags down a passing carriage and throws herself at the mercy of the coach's occupant. Whoever this handsome traveler may be, he is her only hope to escape a terrible fate. But should he agree to escort her to safety, he's in for much more than he bargained for . . .
At first Matthew Mortimer doesn't believe Hippolyta's story, that she's a fabulously wealthy heiress who's been kidnapped. He assumes she's a beggar, an actress, or worse. But once his new travel companion washes the mud from her surprisingly lovely face, and they share a breathtaking kiss, there is no turning back . . .
Buy the Book!Amazon: http://amzn.to/25YAAUDB&N: http://bit.ly/1XkV4F0iBooks: http://apple.co/235O4w2Google: http://bit.ly/1UMqq4aKobo: http://bit.ly/1ZMbqoe


About the Author:Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weeklyhas called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.
Social Media Links:www.ElizabethHoyt.comTwitter @elizabethhoyt Facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooksAdd Once Upon a Moonlit Night to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1S30uww


Giveaway for a SIGNED copy of DUKE OF SIN: http://bit.ly/29dxlnQ  

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY 2016

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.  Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.

A day later, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. 



Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

There is no question that July 4, 1776 is the date that the Congress approved the final official document, having voted to declare independence two days earlier. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had also signed it on that day. However, most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.



In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third president in a row who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only President to have been born on Independence Day.

Wishing everyone a fun and safe holiday!

Interview with Ian Lewis, GODSPEED, CARRY MY BULLET

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
“Godspeed, Carry My Bullet” is the first of a two-part series. It’s my first full-length novel and was released in April of 2016. There’s a lot going on with this story: it’s a page-turning thriller with dystopian elements, a dash of espionage, action/adventure sequences, and political overtones. Many people shy away from anything to do with the latter (myself included), especially these days. However, the thrust or theme of the book is very much apolitical. It’s born of my frustration with partisan politics and how our two-party system has failed us.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Yes, I started with the traditional route since this story is long enough to be in print (my previous three releases, all eBooks with Untreed Reads, are novellas). Plus, the style in which the story is written is more accessible than my previous efforts which were in some cases experimental in nature. If anything I wrote would ever sit on a rack at Barnes and Nobles, I thought this would be it.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
This is something I told myself I’d never do. I changed my stance for a few reasons. One, I didn’t have any luck with hooking an agent. The feedback I’d received for the book was overwhelmingly positive, and I thought it was a relevant story that needed to be out there in the world. Keeping in mind that the publishing industry is a highly subjective business, and having been vetted by a publisher with my previous releases, I felt that I had proved to myself that I could write.
Two, I wrote the book for fun. The basis for the characters started as an inside joke among co-workers, and it was never meant to be official Ian Lewis canon. But I was so pleased with the result that I said what the heck. Three, I discovered pronoun.com. I can’t say enough good things about this platform. It was such a seamless, intuitive process to get my document formatted, uploaded, etc. And I don’t know what the best part is, that they get you on all the big sites (including Amazon, without the KDP program), or that they don’t take a cut of your earnings.
How does this book compare with your other releases?
My first two novellas (The Camaro Murders and Lady in Flames) are supernatural thrillers of sorts.  They are both told from a first-person point of view and are somewhat literary. They comprise a loose series featuring an otherworldly character known as the Driver. My third novella (Power in the Hands of One) is a Science Fiction tale that serves as homage to shows like Voltron and the Big O. Though it's also told from a first person point of view, the narrative is a bit more straightforward than the other two because there's only one character to follow. "Godspeed, Carry My Bullet" reads in the more traditional third-person point of view. The story is devoid of fantastic elements and is much more accessible to the average reader. Whereas I wrote the other stories as purely a creative outlet, I wrote this one with a mass market appeal in mind. That's not to say the book is formulaic or cookie-cutter genre fiction. On the contrary, it takes the best parts of the thriller and action/adventure genres and couples them with believable, imperfect characters that are more than just cardboard cutouts.
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
Membership in a critique group is absolutely necessary, in my opinion. My group meets once a month. The feedback I’ve received over the years has been invaluable. As long as your group is constructive, they’ll keep you honest with plot, character development, and whether you’re overwriting. It’s not just about mechanics and grammar. And each person has their own point of view, so you always get a fresh perspective on things. Equally as important is the fact that a critique group surrounds you with fellow writers. I needed that motivation to keep at it in the early days.
What inspires you to write?
I once read that art is usually a response to other art, or something along those lines. I think that holds true for me, though it's not always other fiction that does so. It's often things like music, movies, or other media that stick with me. The moodiness, atmosphere, or vibe of an album sometimes gets the creative juices flowing.  Visual media like movies are inspiring not so much from a storyline but from a style and cinematography point of view. The idea for Sheriff Hildersham (The Camaro Murders) came from Tommy Lee Jones' performance in No Country for Old Men. I've always been intrigued by Batman as a character, and though influences from the Batman universe haven't been too overt in my work thus far, they will feature more prominently in a new series that's on the back burner at the moment.
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
My book can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Google Play. Check out the book’s landing page for links: https://books.pronoun.com/godspeed-carry-my-bullet.
What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
I reluctantly joined Facebook despite my strong aversion to social media. So far it's been a failed experiment, but I don't really have time to run my page the way I should. So it's kind of an afterthought. I focus more on GoodReads where I host a blog about my work; I do some advertising there as well. I recently ran a book giveaway contest on LibraryThing. And I'm always on the lookout for interview slots or guest blog opportunities. I try to make it a point to contact libraries about my new releases if they’re available on Overdrive; this has actually paid off quite a bit. Libraries have been my best customers.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Absolutely. It takes nearly as much effort, if not more, to market my work as it does to write it. With two small children at home and a full-time job, I have to pick and choose how much time I devote to marketing seeing as I barely have time to write at all. I’ve resigned myself to writing on my lunch break at work and late at night after everyone goes to bed.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently writing the sequel to “Godspeed, Carry My Bullet.” I also have a finished novel that will serve as the next entry in the Driver series. If all goes well, that will be available next year.

Author Bio: Ian Lewis prefers not to be bound by a particular genre. Though the inspiration for his work varies, it often finds roots in something he dreamt. He strives for a gritty realism and maintains an interest in the humanity of his characters. His hope is that readers find themselves haunted by his stories in the sense that the narrative sticks with them long after they've finished reading, leaving them with a subtle restlessness for more. Mr. Lewis is the author of The Camaro Murders, Lady in Flames, and Power in the Hands of One, all novellas. His first full length novel, Godspeed, Carry My Bullet, was released in April of 2016. He has been writing since 2002.www.ianlewisfiction.com
All buy links can be found on the book’s landing page:https://books.pronoun.com/godspeed-carry-my-bullet

#Excerpt from INDIE LOVE MAGAZINE

 
Excerpt:
Kelly Oliver- recently enchanted assembled music lovers around the country on her 18 date second album tour. Kelly is a guitarist/ harmonicist, with influences ranging from the song style of Bob Dylan, the intense lyrics of Alanis Morissette and a touch of Kate Bush around the vocals. Her album Bedlam, which was released, March 6th, has been carefully crafted to show off Kelly's strengths to full advantage. BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris is a fan and says she has a 'beautiful, pure voice and is 'a vital voice in British Folk' and Chris Hawkins, who has played her on BBC 6 Music said she is 'fabulously gifted, something special'.
Kelly Oliver is one of the new breed of bright young musicians who stands out from the crowd with her 'golden vocals'. Bedlam features a range of songs with themes ranging from war to migration, and social injustice to love in all its guises as well as the ever tempting eternal triangle.
BLURB:IndieLove Magazine is a publication promoting independent Authors, Musicians, Crafters, Artists, Film etc.

Issue 2 has some of the best, Authors Mia Sheridan and Amy Harmon grace the pages as well as Goddessfish promotions. Artist Kim Walker, Actor Shawn Hawkins, Derek Webb, Co Founder of Noisetrade etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~AUTHOR Bio and Links:
For 3 days only from the 1st of July to 3rd of July Issue 1 will be Free for readers of the blogs!
WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION, BLOG AND COMMUNITY PLATFORM. OUR MISSION IS TO BRING INDEPENDENT CREATORS AND INDIE LOVERS TOGETHER.
www.indielovemagazine.comhttps://web.facebook.com/indielovemagazine/
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/2016/06/book-blast-indielove-magazine-issue-2.html
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#Excerpt: BRAWL by Kylie Hillman

Brawl
Kylie Hillman
Publication date: May 12th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Sports

Gabriella Mitchell is a fighter.
She fights to keep her family together after her parent’s divorce.
She fights to keep her siblings safe and in school.
She fights because it’s the only thing keeping her sane.
Stumbling across an underground MMA fight ring in Sydney, her blood roars as she watches the ruthless Hayden “Hooligan” Harvie with floor of the octagon with his latest opponent.
Gabriella decides she wants to fight professionally; to support her siblings with her fists…and she wants Hooligan to teach her.
Hooligan doesn’t think girls should fight. Especially young, pretty ones he’d love to have warming his bed for a night or two…if only he could silence his conscience long enough.
Every couple needs to fight for their love at some stage, however, with two stubborn hearts at stake, a happy ending for these two will require an all-out BRAWL.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo*Only 99¢ during the blitz!*

—
EXCERPT:HOOLIGAN“Touch gloves,” I command. They do as they’re told before stepping back from each other. “And. Fight.”
Jep doesn’t waste any time. He goes for the easy takedown, aiming at Gabbi’s waist and trying to wrestle her to the ground. It’s a good move, one that I don’t expect her to be able to counteract. He easily outweighs her—almost by double, I’d guess.
What I didn’t count on, and neither did Jep by the looks of things, is Gabbi swinging onto his back and locking her right arm under his chin. Using her left arm for leverage and locking her legs tight around his waist, she pulls tight using a rear-naked choke that’s going to have him tapping out swiftly if he can’t find a way out of it.
He swings around wildly in an attempt to dislodge her. It’s ineffectual. Gabbi clings to him like a backpack. I know what I would do in this situation but I’m not sure if Jep has the killer instinct needed to do it to a girl. If I was him, I’d throw myself on my back and use my superior weight against her. There’s little chance of her maintaining her chokehold while she deals with the weight of a fully-grown man crushing her.
“Yes.” Nate punches the air. “Choke him out, ninja girl.”
A feral growl can be heard coming from his best-friend in response to his cheering. Nate smiles at me when I glance his way, smug-satisfaction evident. Gabbi must sink her hooks in deeper because Jep’s face starts to change color. With pure desperation showing in his expression, he throws himself on his back, trapping Gabbi between his body and the canvas.
I expect her to let go of him so she can tap out. The crazy girl doesn’t; instead she absorbs the impact without making a sound and sustains her tight hold. My pulse pounds in my ears as my desperation for Jep to win increases. All hope of succeeding at this stupid game I’m playing leaves me, when I witness Jep’s hand frantically tapping on the arm Gabbi has locked under his chin seconds before his eye’s roll back in his head. He succumbs to his lack of air supply and loses consciousness.
“Time. Time.” I call, rushing forward to roll Jep’s unconscious form off Gabbi. Nate and two other members jump the ropes and make their way into the ring to assist me. They deal with Jep, rousing him and making him talk to them once he’s come to, while I grab Gabbi’s hands and pull her back on her feet.
She’s unhurt; a sheen of sweat that covers her smooth skin and a rapidly rising and falling chest the only outward signs that she’s just exerted herself. Well that, and the giant shit-eating grin that’s on her face.
“I won,” she breathes the words as if she can’t quite believe them herself.
I know I can’t. This isn’t how this was supposed to go down.
“So when do we start, Coach?”
The logical part of my brain wants to scream “never”, while the part that’s strangely turned on from watching this girl use a technique I’ve used on my opponents many times to subdue a man twice her size, is yelling at me to tell her “right fucking now” so I can take her in the locker room and bend her over in the shower, making my fantasy from the other night a reality.
Letting go of her hands in an attempt to resist the overwhelming urge I’m having to pull her closer, I take a step away from her.
My displeasure is evident on my face and in my voice when I answer her.
“Tomorrow. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Author Bio:
Kylie Hillman is an Australian author who loves to chat. She can be contacted via email: authorkyliehillman@gmail.com, Facebook, or Facebook Group: Kylie Hillman's Book News & Updates.
Wife to a Harley riding, boating and fishing, four-wheel driving quintessential Aussie bloke.
Mum to two crazy, adorable, and original kids.
Crohn's Disease sufferer and awareness campaigner.
She’s also an avid tea drinker, a connoisseur of 80's/90's rock music, and is known for lacing everything she says with sarcasm and inappropriate innuendo.
Formerly working in finance, she was forced to reevaluate her plans for her life when severe Crohn's Disease brought her corporate career to a screeching halt. Restarting her childhood hobbies of writing and reading to alleviate the monotony of being sick and housebound, she found her calling and is enjoying life to the max. A typical day is spent in the "real" world where she hangs out with her awesome family and "book" world where she gets to chill with her fictional characters.
Kylie writes the books she wants to read. A lover of strong men who aren't perfect and aren't afraid to admit it, straight talking women who embrace their vulnerabilities, and real life gritty stories, she hopes these themes shine through her writing. An avid reader of all genres, Kylie hopes to release books that keep the reader on the edge of their seat- be it with suspense, romance, or laughter.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Facebook Group / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Newsletter

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Interview with Elle Middaugh, ELEMENTAL SECRETS

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? YES! In fact, Holden was that character. Can you imagine the book without one of the main love interests? I can’t even imagine where the book would have ended up if Holden hadn’t become a major player in the plotline…
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?I just wanted to be able to say, “I did it!” You know? I didn’t want to wade through months/years of publishing denials, I wanted to publish a novel! For me, finishing a project is always the hardest part and I knew that if I could just finish this project, this goal of being published, then it would be much easier to eventually do it again. Also, I really wanted to have creative control over everything. If I ever start gaining more popularity and a publishing company decides they’d like to hire me, would I consider it? Yes, I think so. But I have no idea if I’d accept. That would depend on a lot of things…
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?I DEFINITELY listen to music. In fact, there are often times when I won’t be “in the mood” to write, but I’ll hear that music (the music I use to draw inspiration – basically, Blue Foundation Radio on Pandora lol) and I’ll immediately start into writing/brainstorming mode.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?Yes, I did. When I was researching how to be successful as an indie author, the two biggest suggestions were: hire a professional editor, and hire a professional cover designer. I didn’t hire a designer; I created the cover myself. But I knew that in order to have a finely polished product to market to readers, I would need pro editing. Thankfully Caitlin at Editing by C. Marie was up to the task!
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale? Not at the moment, but my 3-month KDP Select contract is up, so I’m hoping to branch out to other venues soon.
What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)? I have a facebook page: www.facebook.com/ellemiddaugh. I have a twitter account: www.twitter.com/ellemiddaugh. I’m also on goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ellemiddaugh. And I have an amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/ellemiddaugh. I DID have a website/blog but I wasn’t sure that I’d actually use it much, so I deleted it. if it turns out that I DO need a website, I’ll make sure that info gets out there!
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?YES. Lol! But not necessarily because of marketing alone. A) I was recently blessed with my third baby (he’s now 3 months old) and his demand for my time is most important right now. And B) I’m really not sure how to navigate the marketing side of indie writing lol I’m just sort of trying different things and seeing what works and what doesn’t. Honestly, at this point, I think it might be prudent to try and hire an agent since I don’t have the time or expertise to really market by myself.
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena? Reach out to successful authors! I know you might think they’re far too busy to entertain your silly questions, and perhaps some of them are, but you’ll never know until you try. I had (written) conversations with two authors who gave me numerous suggestions and invaluable help.    Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?Haha, I prefer no pets, actually. But if I had to choose, cats over dogs for sure.
Chocolate vs. vanilla is such a difficult decision! I think I like them equally, but in different areas (Chocolate: icing, protein shake, candy. Vanilla: cake, ice cream, pudding. Etc).
I really love the smell of coffee, but I can’t get into the taste lol I do, however, love tea! Original, though, no special flavors. Green tea is about as creative as I get with my tea lol
Talk vs. text. I guess it depends on who I’m talking to, but in general I’d say text.
Night! No matter how hard I try to go to bead earlier, it never works. I write better at night, too, I think.
What’s next for you?Well, for now I’m working on finishing the Essential Elements series. I think there’s going to end up being three books total (but we’ll see how that goes lol). 
After that, I’d really like to finish a couple stand-alone novels that I’ve started writing. But I’d MOST like to begin working on two new series of books that I’ve been daydreaming about bringing to life :)  One is futuristic; post-apocalyptic, you might say. It has some interesting theories on what life might be like as we adapt and evolve on Earth and beyond. The other series will revolve around the seven deadly sins, with each sin getting their own book. The idea for this series came while thinking about death and spirituality, so it’s going to be a really cool, I think!


Book & Author Details:Elemental Secrets by Elle Middaugh
(The Essential Elements, #1)
Publication date: February 27th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:Valerie Moore was a beautiful, headstrong girl with below-average social skills and above-average anxiety (including a flair for over-analyzing).
With her mother long deceased, and her father recently deployed, she ends up being sent to live with her eccentric aunt in a tiny town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. But, being a Navy brat had made her into a bit of a loner, and making friends certainly wasn’t her strongest suit. As if the life of a typical teen wasn’t hard enough.But Valerie soon discovers she’s not a typical teenager. Not by a long shot.SECRETS are revealed…
…About her family, about her newfound friends and relationships, and about her whole world… Things that have been kept from her for her entire life…
But the biggest secret of all is revealed when Valerie discovers that she has Elemental powers, and a chain of inexplicable and irrevocable events unleashes throughout the little town… 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29361694-elemental-secrets?from_new_nav=true&ac=1&from_search=true
Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CB4CVSG

AUTHOR BIO: Elle Middaugh is a newly published author, born in the sticks outside of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. After moving around the east coast a number of times, she now lives in her hometown with her husband and three children.

Reading has been a favorite past time since Elementary School and choose-your-own-adventure books. Writing has been her dream since Middle School when she first began penning her own material. Being published is the most awesome achievement in her writing career so far, but she hopes for more exciting landmarks and stepping stones in the future!

She’s a proud Navy wife; a frazzle-brained mother; a homebody who dislikes cleaning; a fan of tennis, and fitness in general; a lover of hot tea, mountain dew, and all things fiction; and she’s a bigger My Little Pony fan than her children.

Author links:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15042800.Elle_Middaughhttps://www.facebook.com/ElleMiddaugh/https://twitter.com/ellemiddaugh
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New #Romantic Suspense Release: DUSK by Maureen A Miller

Celebrate the release of DUSK with USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller
DUSK

As a young girl, Amanda Newton witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. As an adult she is targeted by their murderer. 
Beautiful. Reserved. Mysterious. Amanda Newton, the CEO of BLUE-LINK, epitomizes control with her adept handling of the global company. But that control is threatened with a series of attacks against her. 

Ray Gordon, a former Navy SEAL is looking to open his own security firm. One more contracting job with BLUE-LINK would complete the funding. When he is hired to protect Amanda Newton, the Ice Queen herself, he never bargained on falling for her. 

Amanda has something her attacker wants. He has waited over twenty years to claim it, and he will destroy anyone close to her to get it. 

...but he's met his match in Ray Gordon. 

This is a standalone novel. You do not have to read the others in the series.
In addition for a chance to win an Amazon gift card, the author is giving away 3 digital copies of SHADOW, BOOK 1 in the series. Leave your email in the comment section and state whether you would like a .mobi or .epub version.

Buy Links: Amazon iTunes
Kobo Goodreads 
What is BLUE-LINK?

BLUE-LINK is a fictional global company run by the enigmatic, Amanda Newton, a woman whose signature accessory is a blue diamond ring. The company is designed to assess risk for start-up entrepreneurs in foreign countries. Each book in this series is standalone and features the romance and danger encountered by the employees and associates of BLUE-LINK.
Excerpt:
Amanda sat at her office desk with her arms crossed atop the mahogany surface. She glared at the oversized monitor facing her. A grid of six faces stared back, some diffident, some determined. In the upper right-hand corner, Claudia Eichmann from the Berlin office knit her copper eyebrows together as she spoke over the others. Her words were a split-second behind the movement of her lips due to the video conferencing software.

“You are the head of this company. The backbone. The heart. What if something were to happen to you?”
An imperceptible flaring of Amanda’s nostrils might disclose her heavy sigh. “Each of you is fully capable of running BLUE-LINK. You are directors. You are the heart and backbone of your branch. You are my panel of advisors, and I only surround myself with skilled personnel.”

“We appreciate that,” Claudia continued, “but I am sure I speak for the others here in saying that we’re certainly not your equal. None of us would have wanted to take on that Eclipse lawsuit. At the end of the day, it is your company, and you are the one personally vested.”

“You need personal security,” Benjamin Forsyth from Australia inserted. “Not a seventy-five year old man.”

Amanda bristled at the attack on George.

“There is nothing sinister behind the assault in the alley,” she countered. Or the attempted break-in. “It’s simply a consequence of being affluent.”

“You are indifferent to your power,” Gerald Williams from Los Angeles chided, “recklessly walking the streets−stopping at the pub on occasion.”

That the ebony-eyed man in the center panel was correct didn’t detract from her need for freedom. She walked a narrow line and she knew it.

One flick of the power switch to the monitor would eliminate their censure, but it would not fade the echoes of their points. She respected this panel. They wouldn’t be facing her right now if she didn’t.

“You recently used a security contractor with that Eclipse Line mess. He seemed very capable and very discreet,” Gerald from LA said. “We suggest that you bring him into the office for a consult. If you don’t speak to him directly, we just may−”

“You’ll call him in on my behalf,” Amanda quickly tested. Her cheeks burned, but her demeanor remained a practiced blend of glacial elegance.

Gerald’s shoulders came into view as he shrugged. “We have a vested interest in your well-being.”

Amanda drew in a long breath and stared down at the reflection of the sun off her diamond ring. It cast a thousand microscopic prisms skittering across the polished wood surface.

“I’ll take your suggestion under advisement. Allow me to confer with the police before I make any rash decisions.”

“Rash?” Claudia from Berlin hefted a burnished eyebrow. “This is not rash. This is something that should have been addressed long ago. To us you have always seemed larger than life.” The eyebrow fell. “But perhaps you are a tad human after all.”
About The Author:
USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller's first novel, WIDOW'S TALE, earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. Working in the software industry for fifteen years in a job that required extensive travel, Maureen chose to write during those lengthy airport layovers—escapism at its best. She is currently in the middle of a 3-book Romantic Suspense series featuring SHADOW, MIST, and DUSK. Recently, Maureen branched out into the Young Adult Science Fiction market with BEYONDand the BEYOND Series. She is having fun keeping her head in the stars! When she's not writing, Maureen enjoys supporting other authors. She is the founder of www.JustRomanticSuspense.com, and its offspring JUST sites. 

...Okay, that's the official third-person bio. Now let me tell you the real story. I'm an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan, basically a rare breed. I will eat anything with mozzarella on it. I'm still mourning the fact that Buffy is gone. I write because I like the power. In life we have so little control. In writing we have all the control.I truly believe that I was a soul singer in my former life, which is interesting because I can't sing. But man, I can do a mean lip-syncing rendition of Midnight Train To Georgia! :)If I haven't scared you away by now, you can find out more about me at www.maureenamiller.com.  

Where to find Maureen Find Maureen at her website www.maureenamiller.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/MaureenMillerBooks/Twitter https://twitter.com/MaureenAMillerGoodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2959140.Maureen_A_Miller
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#Excerpt: DOPPELGANGER by Camille Taylor

Doppelganger
Camille Taylor
(Harbour Bay Series, #4)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: June 21st 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

A new killer has descended on Harbour Bay, and he’s already killed five women…
Bestselling author Megan Bailey is devastated when her young cousin Stacey goes missing. She’s been watching the news and knows what this might mean. Stacey could be the newest victim of Harbour Bay’s newest serial killer. Megan is determined to do something, and enlists the help of her friend, the superintendent of police, Amelia Donovan.

Amelia has her best detective on the case…Dean Matthews.
Dean doesn’t believe in love. It makes men weak and vulnerable, and as a retired soldier, he’s experienced enough heartache to last several lifetimes. He also has difficulty dealing with emotional women. So when he shows up to interview Megan at the request of his boss, he isn’t exactly looking forward to it. Except Megan isn’t what he expected.
Megan is intelligent, witty, and not to mention, beautiful. Dean tries to maintain a professional distance, but with a killer on the loose, he breaks all his rules and gets involved. He offers Megan comfort and promises he might not be able to keep.

The body count continues to rise and Dean’s leads are empty as ever…
When Megan disappears too, Dean knows his time to solve this case is up. He must unravel the twisted web of clues the killer has left behind or risk the one woman who might finally teach him to love again.

Goodreads / AmazonPrevious books in the series:
**Grab book 3 for FREE on June 24th!*—
EXCERPT:A pair of startling green eyes caught his and Dean felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. His heart thumped heavily in his chest as little pin-pricks of awareness washed over him and he found he had trouble breathing. His muscles tensed even as his body hardened and began to throb painfully. He bit back a curse. He’d never had such a reaction to a woman before in his life.
Her gaze flicked between him and Nick as he brought up his I.D. and made the introductions. The woman nodded and stepped back, allowing them to enter. She closed the door firmly and turned to face them, her expression fraught with worry.
“I know who you are. I just got off the phone with Amelia. She told me you’d be coming,” she said, twisting her fingers together anxiously. When she caught him watching, she stuffed her hands into her snug jeans. “I’m Megan Bailey.”
He gave her a slow onceover, unable to help himself. He was curious about this woman and the overwhelming desire he had for her. The entire world seemed to melt away until all that was left was her.
She was beautiful in an understated way with a honey complexion and a small dusting of freckles on the bridge of her nose. Rich mahogany hair had been pulled back into a messy ponytail. She wasn’t overly tall, the top of her head only reaching his shoulders, but she was nicely filled out with curves in all the right places, her breasts high and full beneath her shirt, which clung to her like a second skin revealing her tucked in waist and the flare of her hips. He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry.
As if sensing his perusal, Megan glanced over at him and his knees weakened. Her eyes—those gorgeous emerald pools—pulled at him, so full of torment that his heart ached. Shit, this was crazy and so unlike him.
She blinked and he heard her sharp exhale, her mouth parted, and she looked so irresistible that he was sorely tempted to cross the short distance between them and find out if she tasted as good as she looked. He was at a loss, unable to pull away as she continued to stare at him. Was she feeling as out of control as him?
He forced himself back on track. He was here to work a case, not look for his next bed partner, and while Megan was quite delectable, she would hardly do. She wasn’t the type of woman a man fooled around with unless he had forever in his mind, and Dean Matthews didn’t do forever. No matter what his body was telling him.
He certainly wasn’t sex-starved, although it had been a while since he had hit the sheets with a woman. The case was taking up all his time, and he couldn’t think of anything else even when he had a rare moment alone to sleep. It was disconcerting and he wasn’t sure he liked it, bringing about feelings he’d long ago rejected.

Author Bio:
Camille Taylor is an Australian author who resides in the Nation's Capital with her small dog. She was the typical 90's kid and was raised on Goosebumps, Roald Dahl and Paul Jennings. In her teens she began reading the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie and in later years found Christine Feehan, Janet Evanovich and Julie Garwood.

She started writing at sixteen and enjoys spending time with her family, doting on her nieces and nephews, writing the many stories floating about her head and working on her genealogy where she can trace her heritage to England, Scotland, Ireland and Russia.

Her other interests include, anything creative - such as scrapbooking and drawing and has travelled across Western Europe, New Zealand and the UAE, after spending a year living in London. She's also dabbled in tae kwon do.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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#New Post-Apocalyptic Release: OUTPOST by Matthew Keith

Blurb:
In rural Kentucky, one hundred and sixty-one survivors of the apocalyptic Great Rains huddle inside a one-block, walled off section of town: a place they call Outpost.

It has been two years since the toxic rains fell, wiping out most of humanity and leaving the Earth's soil barren, devoid of life. The people of Outpost have managed to survive by working together, scavenging food from empty homes and businesses, guarding one another while they sleep.

They have persevered through their worst nightmare.
Or so they believed.

A stranger has come to them with a choice: they can come with him and be part of saving the world, but in doing so there is a strong likelihood they'll die. Or they can do nothing and hope some other community has the courage to do what they can't.

They've already suffered greater than they believed was possible, but many of them still want to fight, to join the stranger's cause. Others are skeptical. They don't believe the stranger's story and want nothing to do with furthering their own misery. They like things just the way they are... and they'll fight to keep it that way. Even if that fight is with those they call friend and neighbor.
Amazon buy link:https://www.amazon.com/Outpost-Matthew-Keith-ebook/dp/B01FMD35CO/ref=twoen-20
Author bio: Matthew is originally from Brighton, Michigan. He now lives in Kentucky with his wife, two children, and their dog Elvis. He sings in a garage band with a group of friends- always rock 'n' roll- and absolutely loves a good movie.

His most popular novels, the Watchers series, have found their way onto over 50,000 Kindles, Nooks, and other eReaders.

To keep up with new releases or send a message, you can find his blog and mailing list at http://bit.ly/1li0lcL

Amazon Author page:http://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Keith/e/B00IJHTUWK 
Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorMatthewK
Stop by for a chat on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/matthew.keith.52831

What readers are saying about the Watchers Series:
"I felt like I was trapped in a Dream ..."
"... action packed from beginning to end ..."
"It kept me up at night!"
"... didn't want to stop reading."

What readers are saying about Sway:
"... a gritty, compelling psychological drama."
"... Sway got me. That's all there is to it."
"... a well constructed and eloquent journey ..."
"... reminded me of some of my favorite movies like 'Angel Heart', 'Memento' and more recently 'Shutter Island.'"

#Review: My Lady, My Spy by Sheridan Jeane

    3.5 of 5 stars
 I have not read the previous stories in this series, but that did not take away from this book. The hero Frederick is a spy for the Crown. He's very good at his job, actually he's the top spy in the network. He's meticulous in his missions, that is, until he meets Lady Josephine. He's fallen hard for her and it affects his focus, but he's determined to meld the two sides of his life together. Lady Josephine is a widow and she's determined never to be manipulated by a man again after an unhappy marriage. She thinks Frederick is the love of her life, that is, until his actions puts her on edge with his disappearances. Can she ever trust him?
Ms. Jeane is a talented writer and while the story was well-written, I never understood the importance of retrieving the church register which was crucial to Frederick's mission. He would do anything to get it, even if it meant lying to Josephine, the woman he loved. Early on Josephine uncovers Frederick's secret life, yet she was still hurt by his disappearances and his lies. What did she expect? Her conflict was to be with a man who never lied to her, but spies must lie on a regular basis to complete the mission. Her angst didn’t resonate with me. However, the secondary conflict in the story was a nice twist.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Amazon buy link:https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Spy-Secrets-Seduction-Book-ebook/dp/B01G3WZR4W/ref=twoen-20