Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 199

September 10, 2015

#Excerpt: EXTRAORDINARY DAY Series by Polly Becks



            ExcerptExcerpt: Excerpt:They had assembled at the door of Sloane’s bedroom when Dr. Marlowe held up his hand.
“She should be sleeping,” he cautioned. “If she is, why don’t you all make yourselves comfortable in the room until she wakes up? She needs her rest, but I have to wake her up gently every few hours. She has until two-thirty or so to sleep, so she’s due to wake up shortly.”
Briony nodded, as did the other girls, and shifted her packages to her other side.
“I’ll wait out here,” said Ed, still puffing slightly. “I can see her after you’ve all had some time with her.”
Dr. Marlowe opened the door.
Sloane was sitting up in bed, awake, a dozen or more folders spread across her bed.
Marlowe rolled his eyes. “You’re not supposed to be working, Sloane. Where did you get those?”
“I’m not telling,” Sloane said, beaming as her friends came in the room. “What are you guys doing here?”
“We thought we might check on you since you just got out of the hospital, two days of which were in the ICU,” Corinne said pointedly. She strode to the bed and bent to her friend, hugging her gently, then stood up and filled her arms with an enormous, tissue-wrapped bouquet.
Sloane pulled back the papers, revealing half a dozen long, thick stems atop which were pointy, elegant blossoms with a fan of red-gold and violet-blue petals, and a larger green-and-rose-colored base.
“Birds of Paradise,” she murmured. “You remembered. Oh, Corinne, thank you.”
“Of course I remembered, after the lecture you gave me during the setup for my brother’s wedding a few years ago,” Corinne said. She sat down on the far end of Sloane’s enormous bed as Grace made her way toward the pillow end. “You said that Birds of Paradise were unique and classy and showed that someone cared enough to have them brought in, unlike roses and carnations and mums, which you can ‘get on every street corner,’ as I recall. As I watched you checking every table arrangement in the reception hall, I noticed how much they look like you, especially the red-gold colors. I also brought six singleton vases, since you told me they should always have their own ‘home.’ ”
Sloane’s eyes filled with tears as Grace bent over to hug her. When the pastor stood up, she opened the bakery box she was carrying.
“These are from MaryBeth Finley,” she said. “She sends her love—she still hasn’t gotten over watching you collapse at Charlie’s when she was waiting on you. She’s still worried it was some kind of food poisoning.”
“I’ve never heard of food—even bad food—causing a brain bleed before,” Sloane said, peering into the box, which was from Pancake Heaven, the other restaurant/bakery where MaryBeth worked. “Oooooo. What are these?”
“Vanilla-strawberry,” Grace said, tipping the box so that Sloane could better see the four puffy, exquisite cupcakes. “MaryBeth said to tell you that they’re vegan.”
Sloane dipped a finger into one and scooped up a swath of fluffy frosting. “I’m not a vegan,” she said as she stuck the tip of her finger into her mouth. “Mmmmm, these are insane.”
“Oh, I told her,” Grace said, straight-faced. “I assured her you have eaten way more meat than the rest of us put together.”
A shocked silence fell in the beautifully-decorated bedroom.
A deep throat rumble occurred in the doorway, from which Dr. Marlowe rapidly disappeared.
“Grace Fuller,” said Sloane, her eyes narrowing, “Reverend Grace Fuller—was that a deliberately dirty comment I just heard coming out of your saintly mouth?”
“Yep,” said Grace.
Sloane raised her hand slowly and Grace high-fived it.

BLURB:
A mystery is introduced in No Ordinary Day, the first book in the Extraordinary Days series that is carried through all eight volumes and solved in the last book, Sunday's Child: Born on the Sabbath Day, due out in January of 2017.
The twin disasters destroyed a large part of the east side of the town that bordered the Hudson River and Lake Obergrande.
In the aftermath, a new dam was built, and that damaged part of the town “drowned,” covered by the new, larger lake.
During that terrible flood, five kindergarten girls were trapped in their drowning school, huddled together as the water rose higher, rescued just in the nick of time. The nightmare bonded them, and three others like them, to each other for life.
These are their stories.
International attorney and human rights advocate Elisa Santiago believes she has life under control—an impressive career, a solid group of friends in Obergrande, and a handsome law partner for hot “car action” when she needs release. Little does she know that her entire world is about to burn down when she discovers that nothing she believes she knows about herself and her past is true.  Can the gorgeous former CIA operative, acting as her guide and guard as she returns to Colombia, the land of her birth, looking for answers, set her world on fire in a good way?
THURSDAY’S CHILD: Far to Go is the fifth book in the eight-book series The Extraordinary Days by breakthrough novelist Polly Becks. The first book, No Ordinary Day, tells the tale of an epic tragedy that changes life forever in a small town in the wild, mystic Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, and the mystery surrounding that tragedy.~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:Polly Becks has been making her living writing for more than twenty years, as well as working as an editor, curriculum developer, and teaching secondary-school Spanish. She has more than 350 books to her credit, mostly educational materials, as well as professionally published fiction in both the adult and YA market in a variety of genres, plus more than 30 Children’s books. She is excited about exploring the digital literature frontier and is honored to be the launch series for GMLTJoseph, LLC. 
See more at: http://www.pollybecks.com/author/#sthash.pEZ6f3xO.dpufhttp://www.pollybecks.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PollyBecksTwitter: https://twitter.com/PollyBecks
Buy Polly’s books: http://www.amazon.com/Polly-Becks/e/B00QDYJ72Y/ref=twoen-20
The Rose contest:  http://www.pollybecks.com/the-rose/Blog post on release: http://www.pollybecks.com/meet-elisa-our-next-heroine/

Order link: http://www.pollybecks.com/books/thursdays-child-far-to-go/
A percentage of the sales of this book will be donated to Children's International, a not-for-profit organization very close to the author's family's  heart. Past books in the series have benefited The American Red Cross, The American Cancer Society, Tuesday's Children [a 9/11 charity], and The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

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http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-blast-extraordinary-days-series-by.html
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Published on September 10, 2015 01:00

September 9, 2015

Interview with Laney McMann, TRUE


How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing since I was nine years old. I started out with poems, moved to short stories, and then to novels.
Did you always aspire to be an author?Yeah, I always did. When I was in college I considered getting a degree in English to realize that dream but I pictured being a journalist and nothing about that appealed to me. I thought only ‘authors’ wrote novels, so that dream stayed tucked away for quite a long time.
Who is your favorite character in the Fire Born Novels trilogy?Hmm… that’s hard. I love Max, and I adore Justice. They are probably my favorites.
Are you working on any new projects you'd like to share with us?LM: TRUE will be the last book in the Fire Born trilogy, although I am planning to write the prequel. I have a YA urban fantasy novel coming out in the Fall titled, CRYSTALLUM. It’s the first book in the Primordial Principles series.
Plotter or Pantser?Such a Pantser. So much. I have notes, and brainstorms, but at heart I’m a true write-what-comes-at-me writer.
What books are you currently reading, if any?I’m reading Merrick by Anne Rice right now.
Twitter or Facebook?Um … probably Facebook. I’m on both, and neither gets a whole lot of time, but Facebook gets more than Twitter.
Fantasy or Paranormal?Both. 100% both. They are my loves.
Any tips you'd like to give aspiring writers hoping to be published one day?I know everyone hears this, but write. Read. Write some more. Read more. Writing really does have to be a passion. It’s hard work. You have to want to do this. Really want it.
When you're not writing, you are?Running. Playing with my awesome lab and my persian kitten. Being a mom. Reading a lot.
Tea or Coffee?TEA. Loves the tea.
Summer or Winter?Summer, summer, summer. I’m not a cold person.
Early bird or Night Owl?Mid-day? :) I used to be a night owl. I’ve never been a morning person.
Favorite time to write?I write mid-morning after I run. It keeps the blood in my brain and the stress levels down. When I’m on a deadline, though and crunch-time is looming, I’ve been known to write at all hours and have written for ten hours straight.



Book & Author Details:True by Laney McMann
(Fire Born #3)
Publication date: September 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:Nothing in Layla and Max’s world will ever be the same.
Since Max left, and joined his father in the Shadow Realm, everything in Layla’s life has changed. The Demon Gods threaten to destroy the Otherworld, and an inconceivable darkness has awakened—a darkness that wants control of Layla’s will. It also wants Max … dead. Not only must Layla face the true fire simmering inside her, but fight the one she loves most.
And this time, with her friends and family left behind, she’s completely on her own.Leaving Layla nearly destroyed Max, but it was his only choice. Now, he must play the part—stay in control of his end goal, his actions, and the poison coursing through his veins, clouding his thoughts, and turning him into what he fears most, a Demon God. But even with his Oghams fighting the toxins, his control is slipping. Living in the Fomore castle with his Vampyre Fae ex-girlfriend isn’t making it any easier to stay sane, and waiting to face off against Layla is taking its toll.
In the final installment of the Fire Born Novels trilogy, the legendary Battle will be fought, and Layla and Max stand to lose everything. How far will they go to save each other and protect the ones they love? Even they don’t know the answer.
No one can win.From the ashes of old,
They shall rise.
The last of the Ancients,
Foe and Ally.
The Legend lies in wait,
And bides its time.
Until at last the day comes,
For the children born of fire.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16107155-true?ac=1
Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TRUE-Fire-Born-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B01343E4DI/ref=twoen-20
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Laney%20McMann%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

AUTHOR BIO:I write young adult dark urban fantasy mixed with a spike of paranormal romance, a touch of history, and a dash of mythology. I'm a dreamer, an over thinker, and a myths and legends believer. Nothing moves me more than writing fantastical stories. And reading them.

I am the author of:

The Fire Born Novels, TIED, TORN & TRUE

The Primordial Principles, CRYSTALLUM, book 1, releases in the Fall of 2015

ASTRAL (An Asylum Short Story) which also releases in the Fall of 2015.
Author links:http://laneymcmann.com/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laney-McMann-YA-Author/239468532762355https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6563682.Laney_McMannhttps://twitter.com/laneymcmannhttp://laneymcmann.weebly.com/


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Published on September 09, 2015 05:00

September 8, 2015

Interview with Judy Teel, SAVAGE MAGIC


Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
I’ve never had that happen, probably because after a lot of writing career false starts, I learned that clearly plotting a story and defining its characters was a better way for me to go. Wrote my way into many a dead end before I figured that one out.
However, and this is an exclusive for Two Ends of the Pen, I do have a group of secondary characters in the Shifty Magic series that are popular and fun, so I’ve decided to give them their own novella series after Shifty is finished. If anyone wants to know more about that, feel free to ask me in the comments. I’d love to dish about it.
What do you think you're really good at?I know what I like doing, but for what I'm good at, I’ll have to defer to what readers have said about my writing. They seem to especially enjoy how I describe action, and that I capture the emotion of the characters well. I've also been told that people really like how my characters banter with each other.
What do you think you're really bad at?I have a lot of trouble with first drafts because I tend to lean toward the perfectionist side of the scale. I’m always having to hold myself back from rewriting at that stage, which tends to mess up that creative flow. I'm getting better though, and my readers will be happy to know that my continuing goal for improvement is to write faster.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
 I felt the market was changing toward books that blended genres more, but it was difficult at that time to find traditional publishers that were moving in that direction. About that same time, Amazon launched their indie-pub platform, so I decided after much prompting from some interesting and unexpected directions to write a contemporary romantic comedy series that I’d had brewing in my mind. I enjoyed an unexpected level of success with it, so when I was ready for a change, I dove into the Urban Fantasy Mystery & Romance world.
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
Because I’m indie-pubbed, I’m my own small business, so outsource all the pieces that go into producing a book. I have an excellent graphic designer, Niina at For the Love of Reading Cover Design and stay fairly involved with the creative process for my covers. Control over covers is one of the great joys of being independently published. But even with that, Niina gets most of the credit. Okay, all the credit. Other than the particulars of title, my interactions with her often go something like this:
Me: I want a cover that looks like a monster has gone up to the bookshelf and slashed its claws through it, and there has to be this woods, a spooky woods because it’s set in the mountains and all these things are happening, and if there were this kind of vague picture of a guy in the woods somewhere that would be really cool because…Nina: I can do that.
And from crazy talk like that, I ended up with the cover of Savage Magic. The woman’s not only a good graphic artists, she’s a saint.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Another part of that lesson learned through painful experience. I have to plot out my books very clearly. I don’t put in every tiny detail, because at heart I’m actually what’s called a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. But if I don’t have a clear storyline to follow, I have a lot of trouble staying focused on the story I’m trying to tell and eventually get completely mixed up. And if I’m confused, my readers are going to be confused, and that is not the adventure I want to take them on.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
Like my fabulous cover designer, I also have a rocking editor, Christie at Proof Positive. Like Niina, she’s honest and straightforward, but also infinitely patient and encouraging, and since I can sometimes get a tad high strung at the end of a book’s cycle, she’s been a great addition to the team.
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
I’ve learned to be a businesswoman and entrepreneur, which has been an incredible and exciting learning curve and journey for me. But what’s meant the most is I’ve become a better writer.
If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Why?I would be Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Tigger's cute, colorful, energetic, and always happy. That sounds like a fun way to live!


What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

·       For mentors, look for people who have a proven track record doing what you want to be doing.·       Never stop learning.·       Write a book, finish a book, and then do it again. And again.·       Do as much of your business as you can yourself. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll know your business better than anyone and it will really reflect who you are as a writer.·       Once you have an income stream, funnel some of your profits into outsourcing and raising the quality bar of your product (website, promotion, covers, editing).·       Always treasure your readers and fans. They’re at the heart of why you’re doing what you’re doing.


BLURB:Addison Kittner and ex-FBI agent Cooper Daine arrive at Bone Clan expecting a warm welcome. Instead they’re imprisoned and placed under quarantine, where they discover that the werewolf mountain Clans are being decimated by a deadly plague which can’t be cured.
An old obligation that changes everything…
With only a few days to live, Cooper’s brother, Alpha of Bone Clan, asks Cooper to fulfill his promise, one that’s crucial to their Clan’s survival. But if he does, Cooper risks loosing Addison. Forever.
An ancient creature bred for genocide…
Determined to stop the plague and cure Cooper’s brother, Addison defies Clan law and sneaks away to an ancient ruin which might hold the key. There she discovers an unexpected link to her past and inadvertently calls forth an immortal monster that will destroy the paranormal races protecting humanity if it can’t be stopped.
But as Cooper and Addison battle to stop the annihilation of the Clans and the forces trying to tear their bond apart, something even more powerful and deadly gathers just out of sight…
And prepares to strike.
Buy links:
AMAZON:Shifty Magic (Book 1): http://amzn.com/B00CXQ7EOEUndercover Magic (Book 2): http://amzn.com/B00H7M48KMSavage Magic (Book 3): http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Magic-Shifty-Book-ebook/dp/B00Z3NTSFC/
NOOK:Shifty Magic (Book 1): http://goo.gl/6hU5bQUndercover Magic (Book 2): http://goo.gl/0qjldjSavage Magic (Book 3): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/savage-magic-judy-teel/1122078118
AUTHOR Bio and Links:Judy Teel was born in Virginia and moved to North Carolina just before middle school. She's a fiction author and novelist writing in the dystopian urban fantasy genre. Her stories deliver mystery with some thriller elements, a kick-butt heroine with a large dash of snark in her, a bit more than a touch of romance with a guy that makes readers' hearts beat a little faster, and a wild ride full of action and emotion from start to finish.
Shifty Magic is permanently free on all platforms and Undercover Magic is free as a thank you gift for anyone who signs up on my readers list:  http://judyteel.com/my-free-book/
Website: http://www.judyteel.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyTeelBooksTwitter: @JudyTeelBooks / https://twitter.com/JudyTeelBooksGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5023501.Judy_TeelAmazon Author’s Page: http://goo.gl/a7oKubTumblr: http://judyteel.tumblr.comPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyteelbooks/

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Published on September 08, 2015 01:00

September 7, 2015

HAPPY LABOR DAY: Is Summer Really Over?

I am always a bit mystified by the notion that summer officially ends on Labor Day weekend. Seems everything closes down after the weekend.  Really? Summer doesn't end until Sept. 21. We get some of our best weather in September and it can also be some of the hottest days of the season. In any event, in case you were wondering why we have a Labor Day holiday in the first place, I found this information from the Department of Labor website http://www.dol.gov/.





Founder of Labor DayMore than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.The First Labor DayThe first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
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Published on September 07, 2015 05:25

September 4, 2015

#Excerpt: IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE by Sybil Bartel


Excerpt:Blaze turned his attention back to me, dragging his gaze over my flushed cheeks, across my lips and tracing a line from my neck to my shoulder. I felt every inch as if he were touching me. Slowly, he ran his hand over my hair then in one swift movement, he pulled my hair clip out. Dropping the clip on my lap, he ran his fingers through my hair.“You’re beautiful.” Deep, rough, his voice penetrated to my soul and all I wanted to know in that moment was how long I’d have him. It was pointless to ask, because nothing would be enough, but it didn’t stop me. “How much time do we have?” Blaze smiled. It was a tired half smile but for him, I knew it was a happy smile. “Two weeks.”My heart sank. I’d been hoping for a month but more than that, I was outraged that two weeks was supposed to be enough time for his wounds to heal. It didn’t seem nearly long enough but I didn’t say anything, I couldn’t. So, I snuggled into him and my hand brushed across his hard stomach and started to wrap around his side. But when I felt the lump under his clothes, I froze. “Where else are you hurt?”“I’m fine, Layna.”Fine? He was fine? Fine would be coming home in one piece. Fine was not looking like a scarred road map of bloody welts. “You can tell me now so I can get over it or you can wait till we get home and I will shred your clothing and inspect every inch of you. And believe me, it will not be pleasurable.” He broke into a huge grin. “Yeah, I really missed you.”“Screw you.” He was trying to change the subject.He grabbed a fistful of my hair and brought me just close enough so that our lips were almost touching. “Can’t, we’re in an airport.”His scent, his hand holding me firm, the way he took charge, he knew every button to push to make me melt. “Blaze,” I pleaded for him to close the distance between us, completely forgetting I was angry.“Marry me.”

Book & Author Details:Impossible Choice by Sybil Bartel
(Unchecked #2)
Published by: Carina Press
Publication date: August 31st 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:Book two of UncheckedAfter her parents were murdered, Layna Blair spent three years on the run—until Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson stepped in and saved her. With him, Layna knew safety for the first time…but two weeks after shipping out for another tour in Afghanistan, Blaze comes home early.
When Layna sees the jagged wounds covering his body, every truth she thought she knew is destroyed. Blaze is distant and angry and though her heart is shattered, Layna desperately tries to keep their relationship together in the face of another tragedy. When the tenuous bonds holding them together are ripped apart by a revenge-hungry maniac, Layna must trust her survival instinct and bury her past for good.
But the enemy is two steps ahead, and before she can take action, Layna’s hand is forced by his deadly demands—save herself or save the man who risked his life for her freedom. Blaze saved her once. This time it’s her turn to protect him.91,000 words
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25584499-impossible-choice?ac=1
Facebook reader grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1065006266850790/
Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XPXLNLO/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_ca-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=330641--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/impossible-choice-sybil-bartel/1121934854?ean=9781459290075

AUTHOR BIO:I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.
I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…But Seriously?Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

Author Links:https://twitter.com/SybilBartelhttp://sybilbartel.com/https://www.facebook.com/sybilbartelauthorhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7893521.Sybil_Bartel
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Published on September 04, 2015 05:00

September 2, 2015

#Excerpt: LEGENDS by Doug Solter


Excerpt:Chapter 1The human shell that bears my name wears jeans, a little makeup, and a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap. She feels hollow. Like her guts have been scooped out. The guts that made her take risks. The jittery stomach that made her puke before a race. The pulsing heart that made her fall in love. The delicate tissues that made her human. Made her real.It’s all been sucked out of her.Shutting my eyes, I listen to the sounds around me in the first-class departure lounge. A man speaks to his wife in German. He’s flying to Toronto on business and must be on the phone since he’s telling her when his plane is scheduled to leave. A woman in a strong Jersey accent scolds her child for making a fuss over her drink. Yeah, she’ll be sitting right next to us on our flight, I bet.I tune out the voices and stretch on this comfy leather couch I found.The silk scarf covering my face lifts as my sister leans in to destroy my moment of nirvana. “Are you gonna be moody on the plane too?” Paige asks.“Yes.” I grab the scarf and place it back over my face.Paige lifts the scarf again. “Do you want a cookie? The walnut chocolate-chips are wicked.”“No.” I take it from her again. I don’t wanna talk. Eat. Or experience life. I want life to leave me alone for a while. Or better yet, forget that Samantha Sutton ever existed. Doesn’t Paige get the message? Do I have to spell everything—  Paige lifts the scarf. “Please stop feeling sorry for yourself. You’ll get through this. Everything will be mucho better. You’ll see.”A spark of rage throws me off the couch and into my sister’s face. “Shut up. You don’t know anything. My future is gone. I screwed up my entire life and I don’t need my baby sister acting like she knows what’s best for me because you don’t know crap. You’re useless to me right now. Do you understand? Useless. Go bother someone else with your condescending wisdom.”Paige wants to cry, but she somehow chokes off the tears. She stands and grabs her purse before shuffling out of the lounge.Good. Now I’ll have some freaking peace.I lie down on the leather couch. Voices murmur around me. Fingers point. That loud argument with Paige draws the room’s attention to that eighteen-year-old girl on the couch. That girl who looks oddly familiar because she took off her stylish Italian scarf and her large designer sunglasses that disguised her identity.Crap.Please leave me alone. I don’t want to be her. I want to be a nameless traveler. A plain, uninteresting girl you would pass in the hallway without a second peek. I throw on my sunglasses, hoping it will make me invisible again.Wrong.Their hushed voices start it off.“Is that the girl who…?”“Samantha Sutton. Yes, that’s her!”“How could she do that to her team?”“What a spoiled brat. Did you hear what she did?”“What an embarrassment to the sport.”“She’s a teen girl. What do you expect?”The first-class lounge becomes my court room. All the passengers self-appointed judges. I can’t look at them. But I can’t stare at the ceiling for another hour. Maybe if I sit here and be quiet, they’ll leave me alone.The voices go on and on as if I can’t hear all the awful things they’re saying about me. People take pictures. I ignore them and play a game on my phone.They stand up and approach me. I don’t look up or acknowledge them.Those people snap pictures anyway. Like I’m this inanimate object. Not a person with feelings. Or a girl who craves her privacy.A few ask questions. Normally I would answer and be that professional sports celebrity I’ve been in the past. But I’m too fragile now. If I talk about what’s happened this week, dig up all those horrible moments again, I’ll totally lose it. So I walk out of the first-class lounge……and into a sea of media. They circle me like a pack of wolves and I’m trapped. They just won’t let the story die. Guess my location isn’t a secret now. Microphones and cameras aim for my head. It’s the quickest way to take me out. Their questions fly like spears…“What’s the real reason you skipped the German Grand Prix? Was it to get back at the team for not supporting you?”“Will Porsche sack you for embarrassing them?”“Did Ralf Wolert’s nephew break up with you because he found out you were pregnant?”“Was the pressure too much for you? Are you seeking professional counseling?”“Is this the end of your career in Europe? Will you try to race in America?”I can’t answer them. The mountain of crap that I’ve created is suffocating and I have no energy left to fight it.My cheeks become moist. Crap. I can’t start bawling. Not here. Not in front of the cameras.They want to break you. Reduce you to nothing. Don’t let them do it.The cameras move in to capture my face. The tears flow and I can’t stop. These reporters will get what they want. A pathetic little girl crying over the boy she loves.I wedge myself in between two reporters and push through them. I dash across the terminal in this frantic state. Searching for an escape. Searching for anything that will keep them away.And they’re chasing me. Seriously. Chasing me across the freaking airport.I spot a women’s restroom and dash inside.Finding an empty stall, I slam the door shut and sit on the cold toilet seat. I relax for a second and rest my head against the wall. Then it rolls out like a tidal wave. I sob and the tears drip off my jaw. I drift forward. My wet cheek slides against the wall. The friction it makes is the only thing preventing me from collapsing on to the bathroom tiles.There’s a commotion as the restroom door opens. Things being moved around. It must be the mob. They won’t give up. They’re stuffing themselves into this bathroom. Excited that I’ve trapped myself inside this stall. They don’t care about decency. Or empathizing with the pain of a human being. All they care about is their story. Catching pictures of me in this helpless position would be the perfect image for their news feeds. The stall door opens. It’s Paige.She kneels down and wraps her arms around this hollow and broken girl who’s totally lost it. Paige rocks me back and forth like a child. But it does the job. It helps me find my voice. “I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to say,” I blubber through the tears. “I’m losing my mind.” “Don’t worry,” Paige says in this upbeat tone that I hated a few minutes ago…but I so need to hear now. “I blocked the door. No one’s coming in here.”“But they’re still out there. Waiting to pounce. I can’t—I can’t get on a plane now.” I sniff and my nose is clogged from crying. “Look at me. I’m a disaster. And everyone’s gonna stare at me on the plane for what…? Nine hours?”“We’ll charter a private jet home, okay? Megan will have a cow, but this is an emergency and we’re spending the money.”I manage a nod.Paige dives into her purse for a moist towelette and cleans my face. I sneeze and snot comes out my nose. Paige gives me a tissue and I blow into it. Paige gets rid of the tissues and my ball cap. She brushes my hair to make me look like a girl again.I breathe in and relax.Paige searches her purse and takes out a big cookie. “Here, I saved you one.”I take the cookie and examine its rocky surface of walnuts and serious chunks of chocolate. My mouth waters. “Are they really wicked?”“Dude! You won’t regret it. Now do the Cookie Monster on that bad boy while I call NetJets.”


Book & Author Details:Legends by Doug Solter
(Skid #3)
Publication date: September 2nd 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Synopsis:Looking for an exciting young adult read about a kick-butt girl that doesn’t revolve around high school?
Meet Samantha. She drove the car that killed her dad. Now racked with guilt, the 18-year-old-girl racer dedicates her life to becoming what her dad always planned her to be…a racing champion. Now demoted to number three driver, Samantha feels alienated from her friends on the crew and Manny. And the worst part of it is…she knows it was all her fault.Determined to make amends and save her Formula One career, Samantha re-commits herself to winning the championship. But how? How can she convince her boss to give back her car? How can she convince the crew that she’s changed? And how can she win eight consecutive races against the best drivers in the world? That’s what it will take for her to have a shot at the world championship.
Manny doesn’t like to create waves. His uncle owns the racing team, but the crew teases the boy like one of their own. But that’s okay. Manny dreams of designing his own race cars and he thought his girlfriend Samantha would race them. But she tossed him to the side when the self-absorbed racing star took over from the small-town girl from Oklahoma that he fell in love with.Samantha needs an edge. She needs that revolutionary new transmission Manny designed that made her car so nimble and fast. But Manny hates her. She neglected him so bad that he broke up with her. Why would the boy help her? Especially when Manny’s ex-girlfriend is making her move to take Samantha’s place.
The world now thinks Samantha Sutton is a joke. Solid proof that girls don’t belong in a race car.She doesn’t have a choice. Samantha must prove the world wrong.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26014097-legends?ac=1
Purchase:(Skid (book 1) is free and Rivals (book 2) is only 0.99 this month so readers can get caught up with the series!)Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Skid-Young-Adult-Racing-ebook/dp/B01359CXPM/ref=twoen-20

AUTHOR BIO:Growing up in Oklahoma, Doug Solter began writing screenplays in 1998 and became a 2001 semi-finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. He made the switch to writing young adult novels in 2008. His first novel, the Formula One racing romance SKID, was honored as a young adult semi-finalist in the 2013 Best Kindle Book Awards. 
His paranormal werewolf romance MY GIRLFRIEND BITES was honored in the same category in 2014. Doug is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He respects cats, loves the mountains, and one time walked the streets of Barcelona with a smile on his face.
Author links:http://dougthewriter.wix.com/mainhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Doug-Solter-Young-Adult-Author/208511029289982?ref=hlhttps://twitter.com/DougSolterhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6127991.Doug_Solter
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Published on September 02, 2015 05:00

Book Tour Blast: BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE by J. Lynn Rowan

better than chocolate tour banner 
perf5.000x8.000.indd Carmella Sannarellli is a people pleaser. She can’t say no to anyone, even when it means putting off her own personal goals in the process. So, when her best friend, Sadie Miller, calls with the announcement that she’s broken up with one fiancé and eloping with another in St. Croix, Carmella can’t stop herself from dropping everything and accepting the invitation to stand as maid of honor. 

Jilted fiancé, Ryan Wutkowski, has been the third member of the Carmella-Sadie trio for nine years. He fully supports Sadie’s new engagement and upcoming nuptials, knowing it’s the right decision and best for both of them. But when he boards a plane to San Juan for a business conference, Carmella is the last person he expects to find occupying the seat next to his. 

Two days in San Juan, then a week in St. Croix—Carmella knows her two best friends are hiding something. But can she figure out what went wrong between them as she battles her own tingly, off-kilter feelings toward Ryan, while dodging advances from a womanizing best man, and confirming for herself that Sadie did make the right decision? When Ryan unexpectedly shows up at the rehearsal dinner and gets himself invited to the wedding, will Carmella finally uncover the secret he’s held since the day they first met?
Buy on Amazon | Website  
Meet the author: better than chocolate Lynn Rowan started writing stories as a small child, usually starring her favorite cartoon characters. Most of her work through middle and high school was filled with typical teenage angst and melodrama, and usually mirrored the books she loved to read. But eventually she found her own author’s voice and decided to seriously pursue a writing career.  

Historical fiction remains J. Lynn’s “first love”, but she has enjoyed the journey to becoming an author of romance and chick lit. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Central New York Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. She is also a teacher who tries to instill a love of learning, reading, and writing in her students. 

When she’s not writing, J. Lynn enjoys travelling, gardening poorly but enthusiastically, studying various topics in American history for her own expertise, and channeling Julia Child every time she steps into the kitchen. A native of Oswego, NY, she now lives in Charlotte, NC, with her own Romantic Hero of a husband and the most adorable baby on the planet.
Find the author:Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube
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Published on September 02, 2015 04:45

August 31, 2015

#Excerpt: DEAL BREAKERS by Laura Lee



Excerpt :
"What should we toast to?”
I think about it for a second. “To new friends?”
With an unbelievably sexy grin he asks, “What if I want to explore being more than friends?”
I roll my eyes. “Do you ever give up?”
I find myself staring at his dimples as he replies, “Not when I see something I want.”


 
BLURB:Devyn has life all mapped out. She just needs to accomplish one more thing before graduating college and becoming a full-fledged adult—lose her virginity. And who better to assist her than her best friend, Riley?
Riley is the self-proclaimed king of fling. His college years have been filled with meaningless hookups until the one night that ruined him for all other women. The one night he spends with his best friend, Devyn. Right before he screws it all up.
Balls to the wall, baby!
Now five years later, Riley is determined to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be the man that Devyn deserves. Little does he know that Devyn’s been keeping a secret from him all these years. A big secret. Now he has to figure out how to win back the only girl he’s ever loved while navigating the pitfalls of her unexpected revelation.
Deal Breakersis filled with lots of laughs, a sexy romance, and an overflowing swear jar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:Laura Lee is the author of the bestselling Karli Lane series as well as the upcoming Dealing With Love series. She is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America focusing on paranormal, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance.
Laura's passion has always been storytelling. She spent most of her life with her nose in a book thinking of alternate endings or continuations to the story. She won her first writing contest at the ripe old age of nine, earning a trip to the state capital to showcase her manuscript. Thankfully for her, those early works will never see the light of day again!
Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and three of the most poorly behaved cats in existence. She likes her fruit smoothies filled with rum, her cupboards stocked with Cadbury's chocolate, and her music turned up loud. When she's not writing or watching HGTV, she's reading anything she can get her hands on. She's a sucker for spicy romances, especially those involving vampires or cowboys!For more information, please visit her website at: www.lauraleebooks.com
Website: www.lauraleebooks.com
Amazon Author Page:http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Lee/e/B007L0AI54/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LANFICTION.LauraLee?ref=bookmarksTwitter:https://twitter.com/lauraleebooksGoodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5723230.Laura_LeeBlog:http://lanfictionlauralee.blogspot.com/Instagram:https://instagram.com/lauraleebooks/Email:lauraleebooks@gmail.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/2015/08/book-blast-deal-breakers-by-laura-lee.html

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Published on August 31, 2015 01:00

August 28, 2015

$.99 SALE for LOVE AND KISSES ROMANCE COLLECTION by Debra Elizabeth


Here's a collection of contemporary romance stories with a fantastic new release price of only $.99.  Read it for FREE with KINDLE UNLIMITED.


Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Romance-Collection-Debra-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B014GAVMGK/ref=twoen-20

5 Sweet Romances - Fall in love with *swoon-worthy* heroes in this collection of short stories and novellas.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
Dianna Regent thought she was living a charmed life with her boyfriend of seven years. That is, until he walked out of her life without a backward glance. Nursing her wounds, she goes on vacation to St. Thomas, hoping to heal her broken heart. Ian Waters has never been in love. When a favor for a friend takes him to St. Thomas, the last thing he thinks about is finding the woman of his dreams. Can these two fragile souls come together to find their own happily ever after?

LOVE BY CHANCE
When Alysa Stevens receives an invitation to attend the social event of the season, a Masquerade Ball, she thinks it's the perfect time to finally kick back and enjoy herself. After all, no one knows who she really is. The invitation came to her business persona, Mr. Al Richardson, but is that ploy about to backfire? At the ball, she's immediately swept off her feet by a sexy stranger dressed as the Musketeer d'Artagnan. He sets her heart on fire, but he leaves abruptly without ever revealing his name. Will Alysa be able to track down the most handsome man she's ever met without a single clue to his identity?

SUMMER OF LOVE
June 25 was supposed to be the best day of Jessica Blackstone's life, but a family accident sends her perfect life into a tailspin. Trying to cope with the tragedy, she retreats to the family beach cottage for some much needed solace. John Smith has been burnt by love, and is not interested in another relationship, that is, until he meets the beautiful and fragile Jessica. Can these two lost souls find love and heal their fractured hearts?

LOVE ON THE BEACH
Caroline Fleming had a perfect life -- a loving husband, 2 great kids, a beautiful mansion to live in -- or so she thought. When her husband of 23 years announces he wants a divorce, Caroline's perfect world crumbles in an instant.

She retreats to the beach house to clear her head and heal her broken heart. She swears off men, that is, until she meets a sexy stranger running on the beach. Could this be her second chance at love?

WAITING FOR LOVE
Shelley Morrison loves her life as a single working woman, but has no one to share it with. She left her heart back in high school—with the captain of the football team. Scott Harris was living the dream as an NFL player until an injury ended his career. A chance meeting with Shelly—a girl from high school who'd never bought into the hero worship thing—may be just what he needs, but can she accept the man he is today?

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Published on August 28, 2015 05:15

Book Tour Blast: TURN OF THE MOON by L.P. Dover


Book & Author Details: Turn of the Moon by L.P. Dover
(Royal Shifters – Standalone, #1)
Publication date: August 26th 2015
Genres: Adult, Paranormal Romance, Suspense
Synopsis:
One girl. Two wolves. Promised to one. Destined for the other.To escape the cruel, overbearing, Kade, the Yukon Pack alpha she’s been promised to, Bailey Whitehill flees her home in search of a new life, one of freedom where she can make her own choices. However, Kade will stop at nothing to make her his and begins the hunt.As Bailey starts her new life, everything she’s known to be true, is not. Time is of the essence and choices have to be made or consequences suffered. Not only does Bailey fear Kade, but another danger lurks deep in the recesses of the forest. Unbeknownst to her, that danger is what she’s been searching for all along. At the turn of the moon, her fate hangs in the balance . . . and it’s up to her to make the right choice.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25752813-turn-of-the-moon
BUY LINKS:Amazon ---> http://amzn.to/1LsEb33
iBooks ---> http://apple.co/1Mac6zjSmaswords ---> http://bit.ly/1JvYD3D
B&N ---> http://bit.ly/1NRo6V0Amazon UK ---> http://amzn.to/1Jg4R6tAmazon CA ---> http://amzn.to/1KfEVdp
Amazon AU ---> http://bit.ly/1V4FFoI   AUTHOR BIO:New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over seventeen novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
You can find L.P. Dover here:
www.lpdover.com
Email: authorlpdover@gmail.com
Twitter: @LPDover
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpdover

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Published on August 28, 2015 05:00