Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 232

Interview with S.M. Blooding

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?This is the first season of Dream Killers. Each season will have 3-4 action-packed novellas. Dreamland is falling apart, unraveling. We follow River as he tries to keep everything together, protecting his Earthen dreamers and the Dreamlanders that reside in his fold of the universe.
This setting is just so rich and so fantastical and whimsical. We really roll through the entire gambit of emotions. This cast of characters is so diverse. I know the series will have to end, but when? There are so many directions it could take, so many characters we could follow, so many plots to track.
Do you have a favorite character?Oh, of course! Right now, it’s Zoey. She doesn’t speak much, though she is getting better, so writing her in a way the reader will see her and see what she’s saying was a challenge. I think perhaps that’s the reason she’s just so endearing to me, but that little girl got under my skin. I really hate to see her go back home to Earth. I know she has to, but I hope she stays around a while longer.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?To be perfectly honest, every single time I write a book, I always have at least one character—usually a secondary—come up and just shock the crap out of me. In this one, I thought there’d be more from Mech, but it turned out that without River, he was able to really settle into the role of a traveler.
The one that really threw me for a loop was Olivia. She started out as this kick-butt girl leading a bunch of abandoned kids through a nightmarish version of Dreamland. She was tough and down-to-Earth, but she was distant, which was exactly what I wanted for the storyline—and for River’s storyline. But…that girl. She just opened up, let us in and now her storyline is about to take off, taking River’s with it. AND this one thing that I wanted to happen isn’t going to happen unless something dire hits Olivia. The thought makes me very sad, but in this story, it could happen.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?I’ve got a couple of books being traditionally published. In a lot of ways, it’s great. You partner up with someone else, and together you publish your book.
However, there were several of my books and ideas that were just too far outside the box for the traditional publishers to feel comfortable with. A book is an investment, but when the book is wildly unique, doesn’t fit inside the traditional boxes, and breaks a few rules, it’s a bad gamble.
Those, however, are the books I like to read, so they’re the books I enjoy writing. As a self-published author, I’m more in control. I can delve outside of the box, like with this series in particular, and I can gauge it, try new things, be daring. Yeah, this could all be for naught. It could totally flop. Readers might decide this is all just too much. It could happen.
But I’m writing what I love and I’m gonna keep doing it as long as I enjoy it. Well, and as long as I’m at least breaking even.
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?A lot. I feel as though I’ve finally made it past the embarrassing lesson. Thank goodness! I learned the hire-an-editor lesson, the get-a-great-cover lesson, and the market-your-book lesson.
The lesson I’m learning now is how and when to take a break. The big thing right now is to get books out there. Get them out there. Get as many quality books as you can into the market. That’s how you succeed.
However, that gets you into a habit of getting up, working on writing, going to work, working on work, breaking for lunch to work on writing, working at work some more, going home, working on writing and going to bed. Friends would ask me if I wanted to go out and do things, and I always said no. I was working. Eventually, people stopped asking.
But then the muse finally quit! She fell down, exhausted, and I was left there going, “Get up! We have all these books we’ve got to write! NOW!”
There’s a line you have to discover. When you write from the heart, you have to keep your heart charged, and you do that by living. Yes, you have to balance that out by writing because you really can’t sell the book that isn’t finished, but you can’t sell a book that isn’t worth reading, either. LIVE life so you can gain the experiences worth sharing.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?That was a killer for me. It really was. However, I did two things.
I started a newsletter. People who actually are interested in finding out more about me will sign up for it, and my news goes directly to their mail boxes. Saves a TON of time!
I hired a publicist. I did some shopping around. I am successful, but only marginally so. I have a tight budget, but I was DYING out there, trying to work full time, enjoy a family life, market my books, write my books, edit my books, and everything else I do with my books. I was tired, run thin. I could read it in my writing. It just sounded very…shallow and dry and dead. You can’t sellshallow and dry and dead. You can’t. It’s icky and boring. Then, my publicist fell into my lap. I love her! LOVE her!  She is a BLESSING and a god-send!
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Work hard. Be diligent and flexible. Don’t allow your head to get too big.
Oh, and develop a thick skin quick.
Besides writing, do you have any other passions?Boy, yes!
I’m taking up archery. By “taking up,” what I mean is I went twice, fell in love, and I’m waiting to save up the money to invest in a bow of my own! Because I must. I MUST! I love it.
However, that got me interested in fire arms again. Not machine guns, though I have shot them before. I’m ex-military. I’ve thrown grenades, fired a rocket (completely missing the tank I was aiming at, but whatever), and shot an M-16. However, with the bow, I realized I’m a left-handed shooter, so now I want to try my hand at pistols and the rifle to see if I can’t do a bit better.
This also led me back into a sense of self-awareness. I can get myself into some pretty hairy situations, and while it’s great that I have a silver tongue, I need to refresh myself on self-defense.  
Which then leads to zombies. It just can’t be helped.
But THEN there was this deal for flying lessons. There’s no way I can afford to get my pilot’s license now. My kids are still at home. So’s my sister. I’m not excessively rich from my books yet. However, there are deals where you can take a 6-week course and then fly the airplane for 45 minutes. Oh, I am SO there!
And I’m really going to get into learning a new language. I mean it. Seriously.
Also, love physics. Just LOVE it. Right now, I’m devouring as many theoretical physics books as I can. It’s just so mind blowing and fascinating!
But then that sent me into microbiology and virology. See? It keeps circling back to zombies. Do you have any idea just how cool scientists are?! Holy my freaking PETE! These guys are amazing and should be heroes. Seriously. They should. Okay. Some of them scare me a bit. Truly, they do. However, wow. Just reviewing the advancements we’ve made since 1900. Amazing. Amazing!
And that? That’s the short list. I could go on. Like, holy cow, I could go on.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – Dogs or cats? DogsChocolate or vanilla? ChocolateCoffee or Tea? CoffeeTalk or Text? Text, please! Yeah, don’t talk to me on the phone. Seriously. Day or Night? Morning and night, but NOT noon!
What’s next for you?Right now, I’m working on Menagerie, book 3 of Devices of War. I’m actually behind schedule, so, people, I apologize! Everyone’s asking when it’s coming out. It was supposed to be released in October. It’s looking more like January. Apologies, but I think you’ll understand when you get into this one. These characters just blew my freaking mind with their amazingness.
Then, it’s onto Nightmare’s Dream (Dreamland Stories), which we should be finalizing and, hopefully, launching soon.
Then? A super-secret project I’m extremely excited about.
And then? Season 2 of Dream Killers! OMW! I’m so excited about what’s in store on this one! So many directions! The universes are colliding on an epic scale of awesomeness! I just have to figure out how I’m going to contain it, and how I’m going to end the season, and how I’m going to tie it to Dreamland Stories.
Thankfully, my short reprieve to re-charge my muse succeeded and we’re back at the whole writing thing. Full speed! CHAAAAAAAARGE!


The Sea of Dreams spat me out with no memories, no idea of who I was or what my purpose might be. When Captain Bo, dream killer extraordinaire, arrived, I took a chance to explore. On the road of discovery, I tripped upon dreamplanes floating dead in a graveyard, scared children attempting to survive their dreams turned nightmare, strange guardians, rogue Dreamlanders, and ships with hearts of silver. I learned more about Dreamland than I ever thought possible. But people are dying. They're disappearing. Dreamland is twisting, shifting, ripping. 

I don't know how best to help, how to save those I've met, who have wormed their way into my heart. If only I knew who I was, what I'd been born to do. Then I found out. I know who I am. I wish I didn't. Dream Killers is geared for fans of Once Upon a Time. The first season (Spring 2014) consists of 3 novellas called episodes. It follows River as he discovers who he is and his role in Dreamland. Dream Killers is to Dreamland Stories what Agents of Shield is to the Marvel movies. Dreamland is an intense, rich, fascinating world with lots going on. If you like fairy tales, are looking for something new try this one.
Purchase Follow S. M. Blooding Facebook /Twitter /Pinterest /Goodreads /NewsletterMeet the Author: SM “Frankie” Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and Jack the Bird. Jack has refused to let her to take up the piano again, but is warming to the guitar. It might help that Frankie has learned more than two strings. She’s added a few more Arabic words to her vocabulary, but don’t invite her into conversation yet—unless, of course, you’re willing to have a very . . . slow . . . conversation. She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories. 

She’s also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!

Follow the Book Tour

Book Tour Blast: WHAT IF IT'S LOVE by Alix Nichols

“Exceptionally entertaining.” -- 5 stars, Readers’ Favorite “Stunning, beautifully written romance” -- 5 stars, Amazon reviewer “I loved the relationship between Lena and Rob. What begins as a slow simmer quickly becomes molten between the two of them.” -- 5 stars, Amazon reviewer >>> Can a Paris bistro heal a broken heart?

Charm, wit and poignancy abound in this gripping contemporary romance. Introverted heiress Lena moves to Paris to nurse old wounds reopened by her neglectful boyfriend. Enter Rob, a charismatic and handsome Frenchman who waits tables at La Bohème -- a café on Lena’s street -- and has big dreams. He makes her laugh and forget her insecurities. She stirs something infinitely tender in his soul. Before they know it, they’ve fallen for each other, even though both had good reasons to fight the budding love. But their passionate romance is cut short when she discovers his dirty secret... *** WHAT IF IT’S LOVE? is the first book in the “Bistro La Bohème” series. >>> Is the “Bistro La Bohème” series for you?

If you’ve enjoyed “Amelie” and “Friends” and like smart heroines, sexy heroes, witty dialogue and heart-stopping romance, then give this series a try. It will delight you with an unforgettable cast of imperfect and charming young men and women who work or frequent an ordinary yet special Parisian café. They fall in love, cope with heartbreak and chase their dreams with a passion that makes them endearing even when in the wrong. Welcome to the Bistro La Bohème! Take a seat by the window, order your café crème and lose yourself in these deeply romantic and heart-warming tales of love, friendship and finding out where you belong.

*** The books are interconnected, with a recurring setting and characters. But each story is self-contained, and you can read it as a stand-alone.  

Buy on Amazon 
About the Author: I am an avid reader of chick lit, romance and fantasy, caffeine addict and a badge-wearing Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth fan. I released my first book at the age of six. It had six postcard-size pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper. The book was titled “Eliza and Robert” and had atrocious mistakes in every single word. Some words were written in mirror image. Unintentionally. I remember being immensely proud of my creation. Turns out there’s a remarkable constancy to my life: decades later, I still love the name Robert and the genre romance. As for my spelling and grammar, they are only marginally better than at age six (thank God for editors!). I live and work in Paris, France. When not writing, I read romance (what else?) and spend time with my family.  

Sign up to Alix Nichols's monthly Newsletter to get notified of new releases and offers, and receive a free ebook "Bistro La Bohème Cookbook: Quick and Easy French Recipes" (http://www.alixnichols.com/sign-me-up)
Follow Alix:Facebook | Pinterest | Literary Addicts | Amazon | Goodreads | Blog 


Goodreads Book Giveaway What If It's Love?by Alix NicholsGiveaway ends September 07, 2014. See the giveaway detailsat Goodreads. Enter to win
Follow the Book TourEnter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card from the author as a tour prize. Open INTERNATIONALLY. Fill out the form below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Review: ALL ENEMIES by Allan Leverone

4 of 5 stars
I've read most of Mr. Leverone's books and especially enjoy his thrillers.  ALL ENEMIES is the second book featuring CIA operative, Tracie Tanner. Ms. Tanner is a consummate professional with amazing skills to get out of sticky situations. When the CIA Director asks Tracie to take on an assignment "off the books," she is mystified as to why her assignment is in the USA, but she soon learns what's at stake--The Secretary of State, JR Humphries, has been kidnapped and it's up to her to find him.

This book is tension-filled as Tracie navigates through all the evidence, but the evidence doesn't add up for her. She doesn't believe for a minute that the Russians are involved. Informing the Director of her suspicions does nothing but get her fired! The story is all-engrossing and I was eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Tracie's character is smart, savvy and inventive--exactly what a covert operative should be and a force to be reckoned with. There was one scene though that I thought didn't quite ring true and a little far-fetched for me when Tracie confronts the kidnappers for the first time. That scene aside, ALL ENEMIES will delight thriller fans. It was an eye-opener to see how far technology has come since the Reagan era. If only, there had been cell phones. RECOMMENDED.

I received this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

#Excerpt: THE HONEYMOON PRIZE by Melissa McClone

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Melissa will award a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

NOTE: This book is on sale for only $0.99 during the tour.  Why not grab yourself a copy today?

He needs a wife...

Single bodyguard Nick Calhoun has been given an ultimatum by his boss--find a wife or lose his cushy, high-paying job. Clients' wives are hitting on him and putting Nick, and his boss, in hot water. But monogamy? He's never been a white picket fence kind of guy, and he's not about to embrace the happily married lifestyle now. He needs a wife who doesn't care about his steamy, extra-curricular love life...and he knows just the woman to fit the bill.

She needs a home...

Adalaide Sinclair spent years caring for her ill grandmother. Upon Grammy's death, she's stunned to find herself evicted from the only home she's ever known and labeled a thief by her inheritance-hungry family. Addie needs to find a place to live and a job--fast. So when her childhood friend, Nick, proposes a no-sex marriage of convenience, she puts her dreams of true love and happily-ever-after on hold. Finding Prince Charming can wait a little longer, right?

But will their friendship survive the honeymoon?

When Nick and Addie unexpectedly win a dream honeymoon, they decide to go their separate ways during the ten-day vacation. Too bad a camera crew is waiting for them at the tropical paradise. Acting like a head-over-heels bride and groom for reality TV wreaks havoc on their no-sex agreement...and blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Will Nick and Addie remain married in name only, or will a romantic honeymoon for show turn them into true newlyweds?

Enjoy an excerpt:

“I feel like a Miss, not a Mrs.”

“Well, you’ve got five years to get used to the title.”

Five years.

That suddenly seemed like a long time to play house. Dating while caring for her grandmother had been impossible. She’d tried a few times over the years. But given up. Still she believed in love, the forever kind that would last a lifetime. Someday she would find that.

Someday . . .

He touched her arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just . . .” In spite of her doubts, Addie hoped Nick understood the depth of her gratitude. A week ago, she’d forgotten her key to Emily’s apartment and fallen asleep on the welcome mat leaning against the front door, waiting for her friend to return from a date. “Thanks for everything. I owe you big time.”

“Thank you.” He flashed her a charming smile that sent female hearts aflutter, brought women to their knees at bars and clubs, and convinced Addie to accept his marriage-of convenience proposal. Not that saying yes took much convincing. Desperation had a way of making a person see the brighter side to any option, including marrying her closest guy friend.

“Without legal proof I was a one woman guy, my boss would ship me off to some boring assignment guarding a building or I’d be looking for a new job.” “I’d be homeless.”

He winked. “You win.”

“We both win and get a free honeymoon out of the deal.”

With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa McClone worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Her first full-time writing endeavor was her first sale when she was pregnant with her first child! Since then, she has published over thirty romance novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She’s also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her driving her minivan to/from her children’s swim practices and other activities. She also sends care packages to deployed service members and fosters cats through a local no-kill animal shelter. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. They do!

Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks

Twitter: @melissamcclone

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE4Q370

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Excerpt: FIFTY SHADES OF FUR by Missy Barkalot

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a signed copy of 50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot, as told to Belinda Stevens to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post during the tour.

A delightful, yet somewhat bawdy “tail” about Missy Barkalot, a petite rust-colored long-haired Dachshund and the apple of her eye, Humphrey B (aka “Hump”), and the other characters, both dogs and cats, who are frequent guests at Doggie Bath. Missy is pursued by Ralph the Bulldog, but she only has eyes for Hump, who was seduced by the glamorous toy poodle, CoCo. It turns out CoCo was a victim of her environment, as her owner had some kinky habits using a gray tie. Bondage with leashes, bite marks, jive-talking cats and cross-dressing Dobermans – not to mention a Doggie Blues band – keep the story rolling as Missy Barkalot uses her feminine wiles to woo Hump away from CoCo. DoggieBath has a little bit of everything – sexual intrigue, rock-n-roll and blues – canine style, and of course, a little weed. This fun romp through the world of Missy and Hump make a “furfect” read! If you love animals, you will love “50 Shades Of Fur.”

Enjoy an excerpt:

The next four months were perfect – or should I say furfect. We had matching His and Her sweaters, provided by our owners who thought our canine love was so cute! We couldn’t wait to get to Doggie Bath so we could spend as much time together as possible. We counted down the days on our paws until my owner or his mistress went on their annual trips so we could spend 24/7 together. Doggie bliss. We were definitely a canine couple to the chagrin of those furry tramps that still followed Hump around.

And then CoCo made her grand entrance. A toy poodle named after Coco Channel. That canine counldn’t design a decent dog collar if her over-priced self depended on it. Her reputation had preceded her – love the dogs and leave them type. It didn’t take her long to locate her next victim. She sashayed over to Humphrey, hiked her furry rump in his direction and gave that little tail she had a wag. He was immediately entranced. He stuck out his buff chest, pranced over to CoCo and gave her an introductory sniff. She sniffed back. It was weeks before Humphrey made his move but it was obvious that the interest had been there from first sniff. That cheating canine included CoCo in all our play groups. He even shared a doggie bone with her – something he had never done with any other dog but me.


Belinda J. Stevens was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the gateway to the Mississippi Delta, in 1948. She grew up in the turbulent sixties, and has a true appreciation for the difficulties experienced Katherine in her first novel, "Just Out of Reach.” A radical departure from her first novel, her lastest effort is a fun parody, “50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot, as told to Belinda Stevens.”

An attorney by profession, Belinda tells the story of young love and dark secrets in the world of the Doggie Bath. Canines, cats and even a skunk with a prestigious lineage converge for a bawdy “tale” that will keep you laughing.

Belinda is a graduate of Belhaven University and earned a Masters in Social Science and a Law Degree from Mississippi College. From 1987-1997 she served as Special Assistant to Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore. She resides in Brandon, Mississippi with her dog Humprey B., and practices law in Yazoo City where she is a Public Defender.

Learn more about Belinda at www.belindastevens.com, or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/belindastevensauthor.

You can order her book at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=50%20Shades%20of%20Fur%2C%20Belinda%20Stevens

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Amy Patrick

What sets your book apart from other New Adult books on the market? I think CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING is unique in that it gives the reader a peek inside a profession not many have inside access to, TV news, and what it’s like for people just starting out in the broadcasting business. Because that was my career for 12 years, I’m able to write about it in an informed way while telling an entertaining and romantic story. I also focus more heavily on the romance than the sex in my series. There are some hot scenes, but CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING and the upcoming books fall more into the category of fun and flirty than erotic romance.
What made you decide to write New Adult romance? I think it’s a fantastic time period in life to write about because SO MUCH happens during the years you’re 18-26, and the decisions you make during that time can determine the entire direction of your life (yeah, no pressure there). There’s probably no other time of life that holds more possibility or more romance than those years. My own life during that time was an exciting, crazy, wonderful mess. I did so many stupid things, but also many amazing things, and I’m sure a lot of people can say the same.
Your main character Heidi grew up in a small Mississippi town, but always longed to get away, go exciting places, see exciting things. Where did you dream of going when you were in high school and college? I always wanted to visit Hawaii, and I grew up without a lot of money, so that was a real dream. I did have the opportunity to vacation there a few years ago when I worked in California, so I can check that one off the list. Career-wise, I dreamed of making it to New York, the top news market, and working at the network someday. As I got older and further along in my TV news career, I did have the chance to do that, but my dreams had changed by then.
Anywhere you still dream of travelling? I’ve never been to Europe, and I especially want to see Italy, Greece, and Paris. I’m betting that if things work out for Heidi and Aric, they *might* choose one of those locations for their honeymoon… someday. J
Is the next book in the 20 SOMETHING series a continuation of Heidi and Aric’s story, or does one of the secondary characters get their own story? There’s no cliffhanger ending. You’ll get a full, satisfying ending for Heidi and Aric, though they’ll make appearances in the other 20 SOMETHING novels. Book 2 will focus on Mara as its main character, and Book 3 is Kenley’s story.
Biggest celebrity crush? As you may have guessed from the story blurb for CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING, I have a little thing for Chris Hemsworth. Liam’s up there on my list, too. And I have a huge crush on Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in the Marvel movies.
Thank you so much for having me here today. I’m thrilled to be a guest on your blog!
Book & Author Details:Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick
(20Something #1)
Publication date: August 12th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:From award-winning author and two-time GOLDEN HEART® finalist Amy Patrick comes a New Adult contemporary series about twenty-somethings entering the world of TV broadcasting, where what happens behind the scenes is the real news.

22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job, her first apartment, and a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.

Heidi secretly longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.

Aric Serrano is definitely not safe.

He’s six-feet-four-inches of missing-Hemsworth-brother-hotness and plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. Then he meets his new co-anchor.

Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could simply ignore Aric. He’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid these days. But that becomes impossible when she's forced to work closely with him on the weekend newscast. Now the attraction between them is growing even faster than the ratings, and what happens behind the scenes is the real news.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22430248-channel-20something
Purchase:Amazon-- http://amzn.to/1snJjgj
NOOK/Barnes and Noble— http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/channel-20-something-amy-patrick/1120060189?ean=2940149624430Kobo— http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/channel-20-something-a-new-adult-romanceAll Romance-- https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-channel20somethinganewadultromance-1588177-149.html
AUTHOR BIOAmy is a two-time Golden Heart finalist (2013 and 2014) who writes Young Adult fiction as Amy DeLuca and New Adult romance as Amy Patrick.  She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two sons and actually craves the heat and humidity of Mississippi, where she grew up. She's been a professional singer and news anchor and currently narrates audio books as well as working as a station host for a Boston TV station.
Author links: http://www.amypatrickbooks.com/https://twitter.com/amypatrickbookshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3247178.Amy_Patrick


 

Interview with Pauline Creeden

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} -</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What is your writing process? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">I know a lot of authors who need to have a long period of time to get into a writing mode, but because of my hectic schedule as a business owner, horse trainer, homeschooling mother, etc. I can’t rub two or three hours of writing at a time. I’m lucky if I get one hour of time alone and in quiet to put in words. So I have to be willing to write in fits and spurts to get my daily word count in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you listen to music or do you like silence?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Because so much of my day is spent in noise, I prefer silence. But if I can’t find it, I’ll put my headphones on and listen to one or two songs on repeat so that my mind can drown it out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">I have belonged to a critique group in the past, and they helped my writing a bunch! But nowadays, I have a few select beta readers who help me along, and I also trade critiques with other authors whose opinions I respect.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">I liken my writing to driving at night to a place I’ve never been before. I know where my destination is, but I’m unclear on how to get there exactly. I write what I see in my headlights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">I hire both an editor and a proofreader.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Editing takes a lot longer than writing a first draft. And finishing that first draft is the most important thing, not what kind of condition it’s in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s never too early to get active in social media and building a mailing list!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Besides writing, do you have any other passions?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">My day job. I’m a horse trainer/riding instructor. I love seeing kids and horses I’ve trained do well in life and at horse shows!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m a dog lover, but I also have four cats. Chocolate all the way. Because I’m in the south, I love a good sweet tea. I prefer texting. Because I hardly sleep, I get up early but also stay up late…naps are my friend.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What’s next for you?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Later this month, I’m stepping into the realm of serial novels. Chronicles of Steele: <i>Raven</i> has been in the works for about two and a half years, and putting her out into the world is on the agenda next!</span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>

#Excerpt: SILVER SIREN by Chanda Hahn

Excerpt:The barn burst into flames, the Septori burst into flames, and Talbot screamed as he beat at his clothes to stop the fire. The fire shot across the beams of the barn. The Septori in a panic, tried to drag me out of the barn.The shriek of a horse made me glance to Faraway, and I saw him outside of the barn screaming in terror. He was going to try and run in to save me. With a wave of power, I slammed the barn door closed on him, keeping him out. I was going to end this once and for all. I had a glimpse of what I was becoming and I didn’t like it. “Burn,” I whispered and watched as the flames licked higher. Energy flowed through my body, and I could hear something just beyond my consciousness. Like a sigh being released. My body became warm, tingling. And then more pain.“Her eyes. Look at her eyes!” One of my captors backed away from me and ran out the side door. “Don’t look at her, just grab her!” Talbot screamed. I felt more hands grasp me and I hated it. I hated them. Looking up along the beams of the barn, I saw the main support beam. It was time to end this for everyone. I gave in to the pain and anger, reached for a smaller support beam, and pulled at it. Half of the burning roof came down on a large group of the Septori. They screamed and tried to cover their heads as it fell. Too late.“Stop her! She’s going to kill us all,” Talbot cried waving his hands at me.I smirked. I was.
Book & Author Details:The Silver Siren by Chanda Hahn
(Iron Butterfly Series #3)
Publication date: May 25th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:Every journey has an end.Unable to find the answers she sought in Skyfell, Thalia, Joss, and Kael travel to Haven with a prisoner in tow. An attack on the road waylays their plans, and Thalia finds herself traveling alone with
Kael to the hidden sanctuary of the SwordBrothers.But war is on the horizon and the Raven is amassing his army. This time, the target is not Calandry, but the Sirens of Sinnedor. When family ties are revealed, Thalia must choose sides. Desperate to break the final seal on her power and save those she loves, will Thalia willingly taste the bitter pain of the iron butterfly machine one final time?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17715868-the-silver-siren?ac=1Purchase:Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Siren-Iron-Butterfly-Volume/dp/0996104801/ref=twoen-20
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-silver-siren-chanda-hahn/1119129343?ean=9780996104807
AUTHOR BIOChanda is a bestselling and award winning author of the UnEnchanted: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series and the Iron Butterfly series. She’s been a bestseller in five countries and was named one of Amazon’s top 100 customer favorite author. She uses her experience as a children’s pastor, children’s librarian and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska and currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and their twin children.Learn more about this author visit her website www.chandahahn.comFollow her on twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn  Blitz-wide giveaway A Kindle paperwhiteOpen to US and Canada; ends August 25th
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Book Tour Blast: TRAITORS LEGACY by Beth Trissel

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Beth will be awarding a $35 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.

1781. On opposite sides of the War of Independence, British Captain Jacob Vaughan and Claire Monroe find themselves thrust together by chance and expediency.

Captain Vaughan comes to a stately North Carolina manor to catch a spy. Instead, he finds himself in bedlam: the head of the household is an old man ravaged by madness, the one sane male of the family is the very man he is hunting, and the household is overseen by his beguiling sister Claire.

Torn between duty, love, and allegiances, yearning desperately for peace, will Captain Vaughan and Claire Monroe forge a peace of their own against the vagaries of war and the betrayal of false friends?

Now enjoy an excerpt:

She dashed between them, followed by a wiry slave who made for the stables. “I am truly sorry for your violent reception at Thornton Hall and beg your forbearance,” she blurted, and flung herself at Vaughan’s feet just across from the wounded guide. “Spare my foolish brother, I beseech you.”

Hardly in a position to indulge her notions of chivalry, as he was stained with blood and constrained by the need to apply pressure to Percy’s wound, Vaughan scowled at her in bemusement. “Get up, woman. I shall consider your request.”

She raised her head and met his annoyance with a plea in her earnest gaze, like sunlight on water lilies. So clear, her hazel eyes, cast with a greenish hue, and her face was really rather pleasing. Remarkably so. What on earth was he thinking? Vaughan wrenched his attention away from the distracting girl. “Might I have clean cloth to stem the flow, Miss—”

“Monroe,” she supplied, and reached into her bodice. “Claire Monroe.”

Lovely name. Too bad it belonged to a Rebel.

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles, and nonfiction about gardening, herbal lore, and country life.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Beth-Trissel/276061290666

My Blog: http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BethTrissel

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1404073285&sr=1-2-ent

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/beth-trissel?store=allproducts&keyword=beth+trissel

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Interview with K.R. Conway

How did you come up for the idea for the series and how many books are there total?Ah! The idea for the series . . . I get asked that a lot. UNDERTOW is a combination of the war stories of my grandfather (who was a WWII Marine and landed on Iwo Jima), my obsession with Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel, JAWS, and my love affair with Cape Cod and its “everybody knows everybody” vibe. As for the number of books, there are 4 main novels, and one novella. Only the first 2 novels are out right now – UNDERTOW and STORMFRONT (as of August 13, 2014). UNDERTOW is now on summer reading lists for high schools.
The local kids from Cape Cod are saying the stuff in the books is REAL! They are messing with me, right?The series is based on a REAL version of Cape Cod. In fact, one of the characters owns an ice cream shop named The Milk Way. While “The Milk Way” is fictitious, it is 100% based on Four Seas Ice Cream in Centerville (a REAL town, were fictional Eila lives). Four Seas knows they are in the book and they host book signings. Other things in the book that are real to Cape Cod (so you can basically visit here and do all the things that Eila and her crew do) are:
Eila’s house – The home the main character inherits, and thus sets off the chain of events for UNDERTOW, does exist in the historic area of Centerville, not far from Four Seas Ice Cream. It used to be owned by a friend of mine and we hung out in it all the time when we were young. She now resides in Hong Kong as a pilot, so we catch up on Facebook and she gives me more secrets about how the house was built. FYI – don’t go knocking on the door, because someone else owns the house now.
Barnstable High School – Totally real and totally cool public high school that does some crazy thing. The students and faculty know they are in the novels (and even decided to begin building their own book trailer based on the series), so they allow me to come in and walk the halls as needed to make sure I stay true to the story. And yes – it is so huge that I need a GPS to find my way out. 2000+ students go there. Their award winning theater department became part of a major TV network seriesknown as High Drama a few years ago. American Idol contestant Siobhan Magnus was a student there.
The Jeep Subculture – Again, totally real. On Cape Cod, Wranglers are the most beloved vehicles of all. Most families have one, and if you drive one, other Wrangler drivers will wave to you when you pass each other – like Harley riders do. And yes – you can drive them out onto some of the beaches (MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH ONES!)
Witch Balls, The Crimson Moon, and Eila’s Bracelet – All real. Witch Balls are made at any one of our beautiful, glass-blowing shops (and yes – you can watch them actually blow glass, which is so cool). The Crimson Moon was based on The Lavender Moon, which is no longer in business. It was owned by a real coven of witches and when you would go in there, you could buy healing stones, herbs, crystals, oils, etc. Don’t worry – Dalca didn’t work at the real version! Eila’s bracelet is a staple of Cape Cod and there are several variations, though the original is simply called a Cape Cod Bracelet. They come in various sizes, so having a two-year-old with one is not unusual. The ball screws the bangle together, which means that sucker ain’t coming off, so don’t get it caught on anything or your arm may go with it.
Town Neck, the Bonfire party, and the infamous bridge – All real, though I did take a few creative liberties. So, Town Neck beach is part of the town of Sandwich. It has the boardwalk, just as described, and the long beach at the end, AND, yes, the river. Kids can jump from the bridge (yup, I’ve done it too, and IT IS FREEZING). However, you cannot drive a car out on Town Neck and you are not supposed to bonfire there – all those things can be done on SANDY NECK or NAUSET (where Raef hunts), so I kinda sorta blended the two beaches.
Barnstable Harborand the Ferry– Totally true and yes, you can sit and people watch. You can also catch a Cape Cod Baseball League game in the nearby field. The Cape Cod League is famous because so many players get called up to the Majors.
More of Cape Cod appears in each new novel in the series and I do blog often about the Cape, writing, and the series on my blog at http://capecodscribe.com
I saw Raef at the mall!!! Like – REALLY HIM! I was totally fangirling!! How is that possible?Because all the cover models are real kids from Cape Cod and none were professional models. We found them through Facebook (yes – I stalked teenagers on Facebook). They needed to match the characters that were already written and their parents needed to agree to let them become the faces of the characters. I have a fabulous, young photographer named Alex, and a full television studio that we use when we do photoshoots. Each shoot takes about seven hours. It is weird to be there during the shoots as ALL the characters are hanging out, laughing and sharing music. The kids also come to book signings and sign as their characters and pose with fans. They have been on TV, in newspapers, and on blogs.  Their complete profiles and who the real kids are behind the faces can be found on my blog, CapeCodScribe.com.
How can I contact you? Enter to win Swag? Find out when the next book will launch? Meet you in person?My blog is a great place to start (CapeCodScribe.com), but I also have a Facebook Page, Instagram (K_R_Conway), and Twitter.On Amazon, you can sign up to get an email when a new book releases. Fans who post Facebook statuses about the book, tweet, Pinterest, Instagram and what not can win swag from me.

Book & Author Details:Stormfront by K.R. Conway
(Undertow #2)
Publication date: August 15th 2014
Synopsis:Not long ago Eila Walker’s choices were limited: death by a bullet to the head, or at the hands of her beloved bodyguard, Raef. Now, five weeks after Raef triggered her power and she nearly leveled a historic mansion, Eila is dealing with the fall-out of her decisions. While she doesn’t remember dying in the arms of the soul thief who loves her, she knows that Raef remembers everything about the night he nearly killed her.
Now on the mend and attempting to keep one step ahead of the FBI, Eila and her team of misfits are desperate for a bit of normal. Eila is trying to navigate high school, while her BFF Ana is cautiously hanging with past-boyfriend and soul thief, Kian. Shape-shifter, MJ, is trying not to piss off his mother, while Raef is coping with his fears that Eila will never be safe.
But just as “normal” seems within their grasp, a powerfully built newcomer arrives. Raef knows the scarred man as a Blacklist Dealer – a soul thief, who peddles the names of humans who deserve to die. Eila, however, knows him as the protective hunter from the woods, who she nicknames Thor. Before long, Raef and Eila realize they’ve met the same killer, and he has one hell of a story to tell the five friends . . . if Raef doesn’t murder him first.
STORMFRONT is the second book in the Bestselling UNDERTOW series.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22069799-stormfront?ac=1Purchase:Will be found here come release day:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=K.R.%20Conway%20stormfront
AUTHOR BIOK.R. Conway has been a professional writer for most of her adult life.  She has been a journalist since 1999, an editor, graphic designer, critique partner for other writers, novelist, and book reviewer. She teaches the devious art of telling lies for money to various impressionable young people (i.e. she teaches fiction craft classes for teens and adults). She is also on the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center, a PAL member of the SCBWI, and the driver of a 16-ton school bus. She tweets her random thoughts @sharkprose and is on Facebook, because even her BFF’s dog is.
K.R. Conway is the author of the UNDERTOW series, which includes last year’s Amazon bestseller, UNDERTOW, and this August’s release, STORMFRONT.She lives on Cape Cod with her two children and husband, two weird dogs, and a cage-defiant lovebird that sleeps in a miniature tent.
Author links:http://capecodscribe.com/https://www.facebook.com/pages/KR-Conway/510814265666213https://twitter.com/sharkprosehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212275.K_R_Conway

Blitz-wide giveawayA signed copy of STORMFRONT + SwagOpen to US and Canada; ends August 19th

a Rafflecopter giveaway